The Link Magazine

The Bible tells of families worshipping - such as the Holy Family with the 12-year old Jesus, travelling as part of a large crowd, on foot to and from Jerusalem. It took his parents three days to find him - how distraught they must have been! God himself is described as 'a father to the fatherless' and as the one 'from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.' He wants us to know love, to learn loyalty and trust, to have both security and the room to grow: this is his purpose for us, fulfilled first of all within a family.

It's rather a good pattern, it doesn't happen automatically, and we play our part, actively. It's not about giving 'things' but about spending time with others of the family - taking an attentive interest in what's important to a younger member. A parent of grandparent with their child can develop something they 'always do': the bedtime story, taking a particular route home from school or club, walking the dog (which I am missing at the moment.) These are patterns which we build - together.

God ..established the law…. which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so that the next generation would know them…and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and … would keep his commands.' Let's be a good link in the chain.
Linden Fletcher

Gospel Readings for our Sunday Worship taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. It is good to be sharing the reading of Scripture with Christians - both Catholic and Protestant - across the world.

3rd July St Thomas the Apostle John 20. 24-29

10th July Seventh Sunday after Trinity Matthew 13. 1-9, 18-23

17th July Eighth Sunday after Trinity Matthew 13. 24-30, 36-43

24th July Ninth Sunday after Trinity Matthew 13. 31-33, 44-52

31st July Tenth Sunday after Trinity Matthew 14. 13-21

Mother's Union

On Wednesday, 20th July we are invited to join the Hadleigh MU for a service in Hadleigh Church led by our old friend, Hilary Griffin and followed by a stroll across the church yard for a cream tea in the Guildhall garden. Transport will leave Somersham at 1.30pm and we hope all our members will be able to join us for what is always a very happy time of fellowship with friends in another branch.

CHURCH FLOWER AND CLEANING ROTA

Somersham
3rd July Angie Osbourne
10th & 17 July L Warren
24th & 31st July C Jarrold
7th & 14th Aug J Picton

Cleaning July = A August Team = B

Flowton
July 3, 10 Mrs Carter
July 17, 24 Mrs Ward
July 31 Mrs Munson

Cleaning July - Mr and Mrs G Watkins

June - Mrs S and Miss A Pearman

Offton
July 3rd, 10th Mrs Janet Crickmore
July 17th , 24th Mrs Leita Minns
July 31st Mrs Maartje Rondeboom
August 7th 14th Mrs Maartje Rondeboom

Cleaning July - Mrs Janet Crickmore

Willisham
July 3, 10 Ms Hardman
17, 24 Mrs Fisher
31, August 7 Miss Taylor

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Somersham Church Notes

Back in March a Trivia Quiz held in the village hall raised £136. Once again thank you to Kate & Steve Dines for setting the excellent questions and to everyone who helped and supported the event; it was thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part.

A very entertaining concert by the Ladies Co-op Choir held in the church in May raised £253 for church funds. A very big thank you to the choir, who we hope will come and sing for us again, also to everyone who donated food and drink for the supper, to Josie for decorating the church and to the lighting expert!

The sum of £311.21 has been sent to Christian Aid from Somersham. Once again thank you to all who helped with the house-to-house collection in the village during Christian Aid week, and of course to everyone for donating so generously.

See advert elsewhere for details of the "Somersham on Show" weekend. We hope that many of you will take the time over the weekend of 9th & 10th July to have a walk round the village and enjoy the gardens, exhibitions and stalls.

Somersham Football Club
The 1st Team
Saturday 9th April meant Somersham's much anticipated appearance in the Primary Cup Final against Needham Market 'A' from the division above us. A very good match was provided by the two teams, but after extra time there was still nothing to separate them. Somersham deserved to receive the cup but some resolute defending by Needham and a touch of bad luck on Somersham's behalf meant the match would be decided with a penalty shootout. It started well with Somersham scoring their first two and Needham missing theirs, but the Needham goalkeeper became the hero of the hour, saving the next two Somersham kicks to take it to sudden death. Both teams scored their first kicks but Somersham's next was well saved by the Needham man and their next kick was dispatched well giving the Somersham keeper no chance.

Somersham, although extremely disappointed with the outcome, took the result manfully and the whole team plus a few supporters finished the day with a very upbeat night out.

Division 3
Tuesday 12th April Somersham demolished Waterside 7-0 at home.
Saturday 16th April Somersham drew 2-2 at home to Tattingstone.
Tuesday 19th April Somersham won 4-0 at home to Albion Mills (Hat-trick from Kieran Cotterell).
Saturday 23rd April Somersham slaughtered Ipswich United 7-1 at home.
Thursday 28th April Somersham lost away to Bildeston Rangers 2-1.
Saturday 30th April Somersham won 1-0 away to St Clements Hospital.
Saturday 7th May Somersham ended the league season by beating Sproughton Sports 3-0 at home.
Tuesday 10th May Somersham lost 4-1 to Ipswich Exiles in the final of the Samford Cup.
Players Player of the Year - Terry Lawrence
Managers Player of the Year - Dan English
Top Scorer - Kieran Cotterell

The Reserves
Saturday 30th April Somersham beat Bacton United 89 Reserves 4-1 away.
Saturday 7th May Somersham beat Claydon 'A' 3-2 away in the last game of the season.
Players Player of the Year - John Eley
Managers Player of the Year - Tom Booth
Top Scorer - Dale Poole

Clubman of the Year - Derek Ottaway
Young Player of the Year - Jason Brame
Personality of the Year - Lee Beckley

Well done to all of the players this season, the management, the backroom boys and the supporters. Unfortunately both teams seem to have just missed out on promotion, depending on League reshuffles, but already plans are being made to change the outcome next season. Friendly matches begin in August and the league kicks off on the first weekend of September. Hope to see you then.
Al & Jim

Somersham & District Community Association.

You've got to believe it! It really has happened, see for yourself! The playing field has sprouted some lovely new play equipment and will shortly be undergoing other major improvements. A far cry from the modest ambitions that were born in 1964 after the village doubled in size due to the incomers in the "new" bungalows. The S&DCA is a registered charity whose aims are to improve the social welfare and health of residents and the local parishes by providing recreational facilities and support for individuals and groups. The first big effort was directed towards acquiring the playing field. A sum of approximately £8,000 had to be found from grants, loans, donations and fund-raising events. Even by today's standards this was a lot to raise for a fledgling community. The fact that the playing field exists says a lot for the way that locals and incomers pulled together.

The Association is responsible for the upkeep of the playing field, the pavilion, and children's play area, and has to raise funds to cover running costs such as insurance, repairs and improvements. All fund raising and most of the work is done by volunteers (a very few most of the time). A shower block was added to the original wooden pavilion in 1981 and a wooden tower slide was added to the play area in 1993/4. In 1992 another big decision was reached and a huge fund-raising effort took place to pay for the present brick pavilion, a cost of just under £80,000.

The Constitution is based on standard issue by the Charity Commission but is translated in a more simplistic manner. Apart from the usual Executive Officers all active local organisations are invited to send a representative member to act as a committee member on the C.A. They can also elect or co-opt individuals who wish to further the aims of the CA or who have a particular interest that they wish to pursue. Individuals can express their interests, comment or concerns to the Committee through any of these committee members.

One of the representative associations is the Sports and Social Club that can be used by any signed up member whether they belong to a representative association or not. This means that a sociable drink and a bit of chat can be had during and after football or speedway matches and any other public events held in the Pavilion during normal licensing hours. At present the Football Club is the biggest user and contributes the lions share of the running costs through rent and bar income. The pavilion is for hire to private parties.

Such a lot of hard work has been put in to the project from its creation in 1964 until now, 41 years later. We owe a big thank you to all those who helped the project in any way over the years. It is an ongoing process that needs occasional input of new faces, fresh ideas and endless enthusiasm. The best way to show our appreciation of those who did all the work is to use the facility as much as possible, to as look after it, and even more, to offer a bit of help now and then. It is there to be enjoyed - enjoy it!

Nicky Heming
S&DCA

Somersham CSC Link News

The losing streak has come to an end after visitors Hethersett were sent packing following their defeat at Somersham. Andrew Mittell was unbeaten by an opponent and received good support from Lee Pike as Stars raced to a comfortable 98-80 victory.

It was just reward after some close defeats, like the one at Norwich where we went down by 3 points in another last heat decider. Gary Brown won the final race but the Norwich tactics were clearly to secure the 2nd place they needed. Barry Copping enjoyed the track and took his turn as top scorer.

At Kesgrave we lost 94-83 but a closer examination will reveal how close we came to victory. There were 4 Somersham fallers and it was those heats that the hosts took advantage of. Joshua Brooke was in superb form but twice hit the deck, and the referee's decision to exclude him did not go down well with the Somersham fans.

We had several riders unavailable for the trip to Eaton which gave our improving youngsters a chance to race at senior level. A 99-79 defeat
was to be expected, but their was a big cheer when Carl Gooding won heat 12 - he was very happy, but totally exhausted!

Onto individual events, where Stars riders continue to shine. Gary Brown won the South East Grand Prix at Gt. Wakering, while Reece
Saunderson-Copping topped the Under 11 scorers in the Suffolk GP at Kesgrave. And at Gt. Blakenham Andy Mittell was in a class of own when he became the Suffolk Under 19 champion with apparent ease.

The Somersham name is well known within the sport as our red and yellow shirts are paraded around the country, and now people in Scotland have heard of Somersham! Peter Mittell drove all the way to Edinburgh to race in a European Veterans meeting, and we believe it's the first time a Somersham rider has ridden north of the border.

Next big date is the East Anglian U19 and Senior Finals, here at Somersham on July 2 at 14:00, while Kesgrave visit on the 5th at 19:30.

you can contact us via (01473) 831474, e-mail ovalking@yahoo.com or take a look at the
new Somersham Cycle Speedway website:
www.btinternet.com/~SomershamCSC

Somersham Parish Council

July 2005

Parish Council Meetings
Wednesday 6th July 2005 at 7.30pm in Village Hall
Wednesday 7th September at 7.30pm in Pavilion

Council Vacancies
Somersham Parish Council would be interested to hear from residents who would like to join the Council. It is an opportunity to become involved in the heart of the community and use the powers of local government to bring about improvements in the environment. If you would like any further information please contact one of the Councillors, or apply in writing to the Clerk of the Council.

Somersham Allotments
The Town Land Charity is a registered charity which looks after the allotments on the Town Land. There is currently one vacant allotment available for residents of Somersham at a rent of £5 per year. If you would like any further information please contact the clerk.

Community
Coffee Caravan. We were pleased to welcome the Coffee Caravan project to Somersham recently when about a dozen local residents took the opportunity to catch up with neighbours and meet new people over a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. The people who organize the coffee caravan are also able to talk to residents who have any concerns or issues and point them in the direction of other relevant agencies. Requests were made for the return of the Coffee Caravan and it is planned that it will come again on Wednesday 27th July 2.00-4.00 in the afternoon. Everybody is welcome to come along.

Congratulations
The Council offers congratulations to all the Community Association members who worked so hard over many months to obtain funding for the refurbishment of the playing field. All this hard work is paying off as the planned activities take shape - lots of hard work for the enjoyment of all.

Keep Somersham Tidy
As always we would ask that everybody does their best to keep the village pleasant for all by not dropping litter and cleaning up after dogs when taking them for walks. As part of its efforts to keep the village tidy the Council is to obtain further litter bins to place in the village. Meanwhile if all could use the bins available at present or take litter home, it would give us all a cleaner and pleasanter environment to live in. The Council would also welcome ideas for a 'Keep Somersham Tidy' campaign. If you have concerns over litter, do you also have ideas for how to deal with it? We're trying our best but it needs a concerted effort from all to make it work.

Janet Clarke
Clerk to the Council

Address: 7 Drury Road, Claydon, IPSWICH, IP6 0ED
Tel. No. 01473 830398 E-mail: janetinclaydon@aol.com

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Somersham Primary School

Hopefully this month will be kind to us weather wise as we limber up for the end of term activities. At the beginning of the month the new children are invited to visit Class 4 to meet Mrs. Svendsen and Julia, they will also be able to see the wonderful resources we have. (If they don't want to join us in September after seeing that, nothing will persuade them!)
Wednesday 13th is Sports Day. Again the FOSS Cup will be presented to the winning house, so every point won is valuable. Come along and cheer the children on. We will start at approx. 1.30.
Thursday 20th is the Leavers Assembly. This year we have only 8 children leaving us, but we wish them all the luck in the world and hope they have a great time at their new school. Girls, look after the two boys won't you!
Then on the last day of term, the ever popular Leavers Disco is to be held in the Village hall.

Happy Holidays everyone. have a great summer.

p.s. Did you all have lovely afternoon with us in June? We certainly hope so.

F.O.S.S.

At the time of writing this the Summer Fair has not yet taken place but we are hoping that everything went smoothly and that we can now offer the school a nice sum of money for further purchases.
A very big thank you to everyone who helped (you know who you are!) or who came to support us.
This month we are holding a family rounders tournament with Bar-B-Cue. Although this is really meant for the Somersham School Families, please feel free to come along if you would like to join in (or have your tea). Younger children really need to come with an adult please; older children are welcome only on the condition that they join in. No bikes please you lot and the minute?(if) you start to misbehave, you will be asked to leave. But having said that, we're sure you'll not be any trouble what so ever! The start time is 6 p.m. and of course, if it rains the event will be cancelled.

At the end of term we are holding the annual Leavers Disco (again!) in the village hall and everyone hopes the Year Sixes have a great
evening and that they will be happy at Claydon High.

Look out in next months Link for news on our Scarecrow weekend. Did you see the ones in Barking? The police one was extremely good? as was the horse, and did you see the little ones outside the village hall?

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Somersham and District Gardening Club

Many thanks to all who helped and supported us at our recent plant sale. We raised £196 for the club funds.

Next Meeting:
Monday 11 July at Somersham Village Hall at 7.30 pm
Talk and demonstration on Topiary from Norfolk Nurseryman John Carrick.
Plants and Specialist Equipment will be for sale.
Guests and new members welcome.
Join now for only £3.

August Meeting:
Members visit to Shawsgate Vineyard on Monday August 8th, for guided tour and wine tasting.

S.O.S.

Care assistant required for young arthritic, disabled lady in Somersham. No lifting involved.
Also required -person for light domestic duties.

This young lady 34 years old, requires a part-time understanding and sensitive carer for assisting with her personal needs, social outings, hospital appointments, preparation and cooking of meals, etc. and the general running of her home. Also required is a person for light domestic duties.

If you think that you could support this young lady to live independently in her own home by assisting with her personal, social and domestic needs then please contact Maureen 01473 327558

The hours are flexible, good rates of pay with weekend enhancements.
Mileage is paid to and from outings.

Ipswich Appeal for Romania

CAR BOOT SALES
New Sunday morning car boot sales starting 26th June 2005.
Claydon High School Playing Fields.
Every Sunday 8am - 1pm (sellers 7am)
No need to pre-book. Lots of car parking. Toilet facilities.
Cars £5, vans and cars with trailers £7

Enqs Lee or Anna-Maria 01473 - 833292

From our Community Beat Officer
Pc 980 Kevin Shields
Tel: 01473 613500

It's July, already the year is half gone.
So what have you done to prevent crime happening, either to you or in your area?

Have you post coded all your property?
Easily done with UV markers, engravers or paint.

Have you fitted a shed alarm and checked your garage and shed have good locks?
Information is available from Police Stations and Neighbourhood Watch.

Have you checked your door locks and window locks to ensure they come up to standard?
Again- Info from Police Stations or N/watch.

Do you check callers' identity before allowing then access to your home or your details?
Always check ID cards carefully. If in doubt they stay out.

Do you know who your Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator is?
Neighbourhood Watch covers most of my beat area but they are only as good as those who support them. Help is always readily received.

On to the month's events.
It has not been a good one, Somersham has suffered a break in at the Primary School and although nothing was stolen the damage caused was significant.

I must mention here that although the school has an alarm and it was heard no one called the police. Please do not assume someone else will do it. They think that you will. Several calls are better than none.

Ringshall school has also suffered, a child sized wooden bench was removed from the playground and damage caused to the newly purchased nursery playhouse. The bench turned up outside the doctors' surgery at Needham Market the following day. Did you see anyone unloading it or carrying it?

Sometime over the last week (to 4th June ) some alloy wheels were stolen from Somersham garage. Again did you see anything whilst passing?

Barking as you will have noticed has a nice new road surface, very tempting for some high speed driving or riding. Speed checks are regularly made and numbers taken of offenders by residents. Us Community Police Officers will soon have our own speed check devices, don't get caught stay within the limits. (Did you see the Traffic Cop scarecrow? -!! Ed.)

In Offton over a period of about a month up to May 9th a garage roof was damaged apparently by jumping on it causing a large hole.
Again in Offton at the end of May a quantity of peg tiles and flooring pamments were stolen from a building under renovation.
Finally in Ringshall a ladies mountain bike colour yellow was stolen from Army married quarters.

Churches, Churches, Churches.
Overnight the 4th to 5th of June a series of churches were broken into across our area. They include Ringshall, Barking,Offton, Little Blakenham, Bramford, Wetherden and Stowupland. Items worth £80 were stolen from Offton Church but the damage caused to a total of 7 Churches amounted to over £2500. Please be observant around our churches and report anything suspicious immediately.

Please have a good summer and keep an eye on your children during the holidays. They get bored and get involved in things that you may not like to know about, especially when it's me that turns up to tell you about it.

If you can assist with or require further information about any incident mentioned in these notes, please contact me on 01473 613500 (Force Headquarters). If I am not on duty ask to leave a voicemail message for Pc980 Shields. Please remember there are periods when I am rest day for 4 days. If you require urgent action do not leave message, speak to another officer.

E-mail kevin.shields@suffolk.pnn.police.uk or matthew.nickson@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

Thank you
PC Kevin Shields
01473 383390 Stowmarket Police Station
01473 613500 Police Headquarters

To go to the Suffolk Police web site please click here

Could a Grant help your Group?

1 year grants, from £250 - £7,000,
Available across the whole of Suffolk

Small voluntary or community groups working with children and young people can apply

The types of groups which have been funded so far include: arts & sports activities, youth & uniformed clubs,
special needs & family support, toddler, pre-school,
& out of school groups.

Do you have a new project or activity that you would like to carry out and would a grant help your group give new opportunities to the children and young people in your area? Why not discuss your idea with Wendy Jephcote LNF Outreach and Support officer on 01473 242523 or to apply for an application pack please ring 0845 1130161 Give Wendy a ring today

NEW IN SOMERSHAM

OCCASIONS
Experienced Qualified Florist

Gifts for celebration:-
New baby
New job
New house
Anniversary
Birthday
Party table arrangements

In remembrance of those who you
love / care for:-
Funeral tributes
Personal / bespoke tributes

L. A. Palmer
53 Springfield Rd
Somersham Ipswich IP8 4PG
Tel: 01473 831819
Mobile: 07910271058

Flowton News

Three dates for your diary:

* October 12th - the half-yearly Parish Meeting, 7.30pm in the Vestry.
* Friday 21st October is the date for the annual Harvest Supper.
* November 18th - a special Trivia Quiz -or maybe not so trivial! - to be run by our friend John Minns in aid of Flowton church. It will have a Suffolk theme.
More details later, but we have booked Somersham Village Hall so will have plenty of room for you and your friends to make up several teams -and enjoy an evening of friendly competition.

FUCHSIA FESTIVAL
SATURDAY 9TH AND SUNDAY 10TH JULY
11.00 am - 4.00 pm
ELMSETT METHODIST CHURCH

Willisham Church Notes

Village Walk
They seem to get better every year. Over 50 people took part in this year's walk, covering approximately five miles. We were divided into two groups - led by John Minns and Richard Last - and set off at 5.30pm (sharp) in separate directions, to meet again half-way.

Throughout the walk we were regaled with fascinating snippets of local history. The weather was ideal and the evening ended with superb refreshments provided by Leita Minns and Jenny King.

Our sincere thanks to John and Richard for once again organising such a splendid event, which raised £300 for church funds, and to Leita and Jenny for all their hard work. The provisional date for next year's walk is the 13th May.

Coffee Morning
Thank you to everyone who supported the above event on the 28th Mary (some people even paid not to come!). We raised £106.70 for church funds.

Christian Aid Week
£45 was forwarded to Christian Aid from the envelopes delivered in Willisham. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Evening Prayer Service
A reminder that Nora Daniels will be leading our service on Sunday 10th July at 3.00pm

Church Fete - Saturday 16th July
See our separate poster for full details. We look forward to seeing you all at Crow Hall at 2.00pm.
We would, however, be glad to receive items for the cake stall, tombola etc. Also, if you have anything special we would welcome this for our raffle.

Sponsored Cycle Ride
Saturday 10th September. Forms and full details can be obtained from Frances Gilson on 658387

The birds and butterflies in our gardens

You will be pleased to know that early in June at the time of going to print the swallows whose traumas at nesting time last year were the object of a great deal of our interest, are sitting on eggs in the shed in Flowton. So far this year all is going according to plan - we will keep you informed! In the same garden marsh tits are nesting in a box and whit throats, willow warblers and yellowhammers are much in evidence together with a pair of jays.

At Gunns Farm we have been delighted to see a barn owl hunting over our fields again and in the daytime as well as evening which would indicate that there are young to feed. This is particular pleasure as we had no sighting last year at all.

So far the chilly and very windy weather seems to be keeping butterfly numbers down but perhaps there will be more to report in our next issue when we hope that warmer weather will have arrived.

If you have any wildlife sightings of interest in your village or garden this summer, do share with our readers. Contact any member of the Link team on the back cover.

Offton Church News

We have managed once again to complete all the quinquennial work asked to be done by the Diocesan Architect.

We have new floor tiling at the rear of the nave providing extra space for tables and chairs and room for various activities when required. The porch roof has been completely retiled and resorted and looks quite beautiful. The tiling at the east end of the nave has also been repaired and the new barge boards put on. A number of quoin stones were replaced in the buttresses and flint work repaired.

The work has cost £10,500 and it is with a big thank you once again to the people who love and want to help our church that we have now been able to keep this part of our village heritage in tiptop condition.

Our thanks too for a grant of £500 from the Diocese and £1,500 from Suffolk Historic Churches Trust reflecting our help to them through the sponsored cycle rides over the years.
Paul

Friday 13th 2005!!

Reality has stopped on the A14, all our plans for the morning on hold. Someone has made a mistake, a misjudgement or whatever. It makes no difference. The radio warns, mobiles concur, there's a problem at the Orwell Bridge. Those stereotyped words summing up the damaged life at the distant front. All move over to let the ambulance through: no shouting, no horns. Just stoic acceptance. What can you do but sit and wait and idly pollute the morning air.

Wake up! The somnambulant caterpillar has moved a distant segment. A ripple of anticipation runs down the queue. We move in our seats, hunter's eyes keen to detect another movement; but there is none. I look with envy at the other side, cruising slowly past our sinuous car park. Vehicles banked up the slip road, indicators flashing for no reason. Do we let them in? Definitely not, nose to tail we are. O.K. maybe. One at a time but make it quick because we are still in a hurry. Look at that other lane. I t always seems to move faster. The caterpillar effect has reached us. It is our lane that moves. How sweet is the joy of this moment.

At the hill top is a vista: a queue stretching on and on. Don't stress. Rest a while and contemplate this police sign. Go Slow it says. If only we could.

At last there is the crash, mangled metal, they all survived. It makes you think a bit, 'though what I really need is a toilet . Ian Dickson.

Christian Aid A total sum of £35.16 was collected from Offton. Thank you to all of you who returned your envelopes and contributed.

Stop Press: On one of the colder days in June for a long time but it was fun and a happy crowd attended the Fete in Offton Churchyard on 11 June. The sum of £856 was raised for church funds. A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL CONCERNED.

Rat City - anon

Cat talking to a rat and walking with a bat
And singing with a cat.
Cat goes to Rat City to buy a baby rat
And sing on the mat.

Found left on the editor's doorstep recently - from whom?

A demonstration of faith and family.

Sitting at supper in a small hotel in northern Italy all the church bells in the town suddenly started pealing with hugely infectious excitement. Then we caught the sound of young voices singing a Te Deum. We all rushed to the window curious to see and hear. It was truly moving as the procession passed below us down the narrow street. The priests in sumptuous garb, one carrying a rich be-jewelled cross - held high under a canopy of embroidered silver, gold and red. The new communicants all in white scattered rose petals from wicker baskets in front of the priests. (One well-scrubbed little boy kicking the boy in front and giggling happily.) Behind the clergy the whole village, from the most infirm bent double and helped by son or daughter to the youngest in modern baby buggies, followed singing the responses and chattering cheerfully in between times. The community was out for the evening praising God, declaring their faith, unabashed, happy and together. LJV

Somersham Baptist Church

Sunday 3rd July sees our 11.30am meeting swelled by 25 teenage campers, so if you're young and had thought of trying out Church, then this is one Sunday where you will be able to blend in!

On the subject of young people if you went to Sunday school here in the past do let Mark know as we have no records of Sunday school pupils and would like to meet you and hear of your experiences.

Congratulations to Brian and Linda Ruffles who celebrate their 40th Wedding anniversary on Sunday 10th July.

Open Gardens
Do visit us on the 9th and 10th July when the Chapel will be open.

Regular Sunday Morning Programme (You are welcome to join us for all or part of the morning).
10.00-10.30 Prayer Meeting (Communion 1st Sunday)
10.45-11.15 Bible Study
11.30-12.00 Worship
12.00-12.30 Sermon

Children and Young People (During term time)
Wednesday Club 6.30-7.30pm for primary school children.
14+ Friday's 8.00-9.30pm Year 9 upwards.
Ladies Meeting
Women's Fellowship Friday 8th July.

Contacts;
Pastor Mark Newcombe 01473 831940 e-mail mark.newcombe@btinternet.com
Colin Low 01473 464833 or Edwin Mayhew on 01473 658100. Web site www.somersham.com

CHURCH SERVICES in our 8 linked parishes

If you think there may be a mistake in the rota please contact your Churchwarden.

July 3rd 6th Sunday after Trinity

July 10th 7th Sunday after Trinity - VE and VJ 60th Anniversary Sunday and Sea Sunday

July 17th 8th Sunday after Trinity

July 24th 9th Sunday after Trinity

July 31st 10th Sunday after Trinity

The preacher at this service will be Gavin Stone, Diocesan Youth Worker -very lively and enthusiastic. After the service we will have a 'bring and share' picnic -so bring some food and share with others and have a great time of fellowship together -hopefully in the sunshine.