The Link Magazine

Dear Reader,
When I move to Willisham, this will be my third East Anglian home in seventeen years. The first was in Bury St. Edmunds, the second in Fakenham, and there is so much left unexplored, that I am really looking forward to being with you all in Somersham with Flowton and Offton with Willisham, and Ringshall with Battisford and Barking with Darmsden and Great Bricett -that is the list for my licensing on June 27th! And no, I am not at all daunted by the length of the list. In my experience, news travels around much more quickly on rural grapevines than on some others which are intermittent. Once we have met, I am sure to hear how you are, even if we don't meet every week.

My family has always been involved with farming, and even those of us that don't live on a farm are mostly good with animals, keen on gardening and also good at art. My mother, two sisters, brothers-in-law and six nieces and nephews have been used to my solo comings and goings over the years. When I was teaching in India it was too far away for them to come and visit, but apart from that they have come for holidays with me in the various parts of the country where I've lived. My dog is a collie cross who gives me exercise and is wonderfully welcoming to humans but not to four-footed potential friends: her company does not make for a peaceful life.

What should life in the rectory be like? Well, it is first of all a home, and I shall enjoy this. As I mentioned, it serves very much as a communications centre. And it's a still place, where there's a balance held between learning, prayer, work and rest. The Lord Jesus Christ holds this balance, bringing us back when there's an over-emphasis one way or another, and his Holy Spirit causes us to be still when we look to Him and ask Him. So there's ideally something about growing, about hospitality and about recuperation or being put back together again. A simple home, really, with all the usual coming and going.

Whether you get a chance to drop in at Willisham or I see you somewhere further afield, do make yourself known to me, and I will be sure to feel welcome.

Linden Fletcher

The Reverend Linden Fletcher will be licensed on June 27th at 7.30pm in Barking Church and we hope she will be supported there by many from our parishes.

Bible Readings and Psalms 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.

June 2nd Green
Romans 1.16-17; 3. 22b-28 Matthew 7. 21-end
Ps. 31.1-5,19-end

June 9th Green
Romans 4. 13-end Matthew 9. 9-13, 18-26
Ps. 50. 7-15

June 16th Green
Romans 5. 1-8 Matthew 9. 35-10. 8
Ps. 100

June 23rd Green
Romans 6. 1b-11 Matthew 10. 24-39
Ps. 69. 8-11, 18-20

June 30th Green
Romans 6. 12-end Matthew 10. 40-end
Ps. 89. 1-4, 15-18
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You are invited to the

Licensing of the Reverend Linden Fletcher M.A.

as Priest-in-charge of our eight linked parishes

on Thursday June 27th 2002

at 7.30pm in Barking Church

Somersham Church Notes

At the Annual Parochial Church meeting in April Denis Picton and John Gibbons were elected to continue as Church Wardens. Thanks were expressed to them for all the time and effort they put in to help in the upkeep and maintenance of the Church and churchyard. Other members of the PCC are: Mary Carter (ex officio), Steve Dines, Joan Dorrell, Mary Fagg, Colin Mayes and Pat Woolhouse.

If there is anyone prepared to help occasionally with the grass cutting in the churchyard, Denis or John would be extremely pleased to hear from you!

Many thanks once again to all who helped organise and supported the Spring Fair in April. Just over £100 was raised for Church funds and items not sold were taken to local charity shops.

We are holding a Summer Garden Party / Fete on Saturday 31st August (not 13th July as stated in last month's magazine as this would have clashed with Willisham's fete!). Denis & Jane Picton have kindly offered to open their garden at Park Farm House, and there will be transport to and from the fete for those who would find walking up the hill difficult.

A Harvest Supper is planned for Friday 20th September, when we hope friends from the other seven parishes of the benefice as well as Somersham will spend an enjoyable evening together. It will be in the Village Hall. Details of tickets, menu etc. to follow.

Somersham Cycle Speedway Club

A fairy tale start for the Stars as Somersham opened up their league
campaign with a thrilling win over Eaton. There had been little to choose between the teams throughout the meeting and Somersham entered a tense last heat decider just one point up. Only a share of the points was required but Richard Williamson scorched away from the tapes and was later joined by team mate Gary Brown, to seal a very satisfying win 92-87. Somersham's team spirit and all round strength proved key factors with every rider doing his job. Riders like Barry Copping and Simon Turnbull, despite two falls on the well prepared track, have clearly benefited from the club's pre-season training.

The second fixture, a visit to Hawbush (London), was always going to be a difficult encounter, especially with Brown unavailable. The Stars put on a good show though with the Copping brothers riding particularly well, but ran out of steam to lose 102-76. Unfortunately the meeting was marred by a crash involving Richard Williamson where he sustained a broken wrist. Serious injuries are rare within the sport but this is a real blow to both team and rider. Williamson, who works at Somersham Garage, is likely to be out of action for the bulk of the season.

Not surprisingly the Stars were a little subdued when Hethersett visited and left with the 2 league points, winning 84-96. Somersham struggled to provide race winners and although the early heats remained close with Hethersett just 4 ahead after 7 heats, the Stars seemed to lose their way mid-match. Pete Williamson lost a chain, and with Steve Copping taking a heavy tumble Hethersett had suddenly built up a 12 point lead which they protected to the end. A bright spot for Somersham was the promising debut of Luke Hodgkinson, while Peter Mittell tried particularly hard.
Following a series of away fixtures, local derbys take place on May 29 and June 12 when Gt. Blakenham and Kesgrave visit Somersham.

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

From WPC 167 Diane Porter our
Community Beat Officer
Tel: 01473 383400

Hello,
You will be pleased to know that we have nearly been crime free this past month so thank-you to you all for being so observant and reporting all the suspicious incidents you have witnessed.

Crime figures for Mid-Suffolk for the year April 2000 to March 2002 show the district has the lowest crime rates in Suffolk with 2924 offences-7% of the recorded crime in the county. Please remember that Suffolk remains one of the safest places to live.

This year will be an exciting year for the Suffolk Constabulary as we will be having a new radio system, together with a new uniform in the summer which will include the bullet-proof vests.
In Stowmarket town CCTV will have come into operation in May, so that will reduce the crime in the town centre.

We are still seeing the odd abandoned vehicle or rubbish being left in lay-bys in the villages. If you see anybody leaving rubbish or a car, please obtain the registration and forward this to me. If not, contact Mid Suffolk District Council who will clear the rubbish or vehicle.

Again I mention the increasing numbers of complaints about dogs. If you are a dog-owner, please ensure that your dog is under control whilst in a public place, and is not being a nuisance by barking all day or night, and that you clear up after your dog. If you wish to complain about a dog please contact Mid Suffolk District Council who now deal with these issues.

With most people owning a mobile phone, we have seen an increase in this type of phone crime, with people receiving a lot more abusive and threatening phone calls or text messages. These types of calls are normally anonymous with caller's numbers withheld. The Police can now trace all these calls, and offenders can be interviewed or prosecuted. If you are receiving such calls on your home or mobile phone, please contact me so we can arrange for a trace to be placed on your line.

Neighbourhood Watch Week commences on June 15th and lasts a week. If anybody would like any crime prevention advice or any property security marked, please contact me.

Mid Suffolk are still operating their "Safe and Secure" scheme. Please contact them on 01449 727110 as they may be able to upgrade the security of you home by installing mortice locks, window locks, security lighting and smoke alarms free of charge.

Crime in the area during April:
Ringshall - 2 incidents of malicious damage to motor vehicles, malicious phone calls
Battisford- criminal damage to dwelling

Keep safe.
PC 167 Diane Porter
01284 774341 Answer machine
01473 383400 or 383390 Stowmarket Police Station

From the "Link" Team:

We have been made aware of the latest scam involving ATM (cash machines). Criminals insert a plastic sleeve (detectable only if you run your finger across the opening for the card) and then carefully observe your fingers as you make several attempts to type in your number. When you give up and remove your card they will them remove the plastic and type in your number and withdraw cash.
BE AWARE and take care no one can see when you type in your personal number.

Please also help us to keep a close eye on our churches and halls. Thank you.

FLOWTON NEWS

Please remember that the village Jubilee Celebration takes place on Sunday June 2nd. There will be service to give thanks for the life and service of Queen Elizabeth II in the church at 3.30 pm, followed at 4.00 pm by food and music out on the grass. Please remember to let Wilma and Gordon Watkins or Nick and Mary Carter know how many of your family are coming to help with catering. (Vegetarian alternative if you prefer.)

Our repaired windows will be rededicated by the Rev. Linden Fletcher at the Songs of Praise service on June 30th at 6.30 pm.

Please remember that you are all invited to Linden's Licensing on June 27th at 7.30pm in Barking Church.

Flowton celebrates the Jubilee in style!

Flowton can never be accused of doing things by halves - when we celebrate, we celebrate! As well as a village hog roast party the village is marking the Jubilee year with a wedding (congratulations and every good wish to Sarah Williams who married Derek Cocker last month) and four new arrivals which, in a very small community like ours, we feel is quite something. And quite remarkably two of the proud sets of parents-to-be are called Sarah and Joe!! We send our congratulations to Sarah and Joe Watkins, Sarah and Jo Thornton, Nicola and Mark Hudson, and Katrina Thrower and Adam Flatt. We will give the warmest of welcomes to all the newcomers when in due course they arrive and thank their parents for giving us so much to look forward to celebrating in Flowton this year.

Thank You

We would like to thank Adam Flatt who offered us a piano for use in church services. Unfortunately, the widely fluctuating humidity and temperature in the church would not have been any good for the instrument nor would it have stayed in tune for long. So, regrettably we have had to decline the offer.

Subsequently we have been offered a small electronic organ which originated in Somersham Baptist Chapel which has now been moved into the church and we hope that this will give good weekly service.

Many thanks also to the team who have been working hard in the churchyard to prepare it for the wedding and the Flower Festival.

Please Help

You are invited to join in a final "Polish-up" on Saturday June 22nd at 10.00 am -please come armed with polishing cloths and a sweet-smelling polish -coffee etc will be served as needed. The monthly cleaning rota is working well so very little actual cleaning is needed, just a final polish before the flower-arranging starts.

Mary Carter (01473 658522) would still be interested in knowing if you have any craftwork that might be able to be displayed in the Vestry. Please contact her if you think that you have anything suitable.

Easter Vestry and Annual PCC Meeting

Diana Fawcus and Keeley White have undertaken to be Churchwardens for the coming year. Susan Skinner was re-elected as Treasurer, Sue Pearman as Secretary, Joan Dorrell as Deanery Synod Rep (3years). Other members are: Nick Carter, Margaret and Denis Laflin, Robert Skinner, Wilma and Gordon Watkins, and Mary Carter is ex-officio as Reader.

From July 2nd the church nave will be closed for up to 8 weeks while repairs are made-services will still be held-probably in the Vestry as we did in winter.

*********************************************
CONCERT & BUFFET SUPPER
ST MARY'S FLOWTON
Friday 28th June

AN EVENING OF MUSIC, STORIES,
COUNTRY CUISINE & FUN
7.30-10.00 pm
Impressive local talent on show including:
A wide variety of music
Stories of old Flowton
Poetry, prose and much more
************
Supper during interval to country recipes
& international wines

************
Take the time to admire the historic church or relax in the churchyard in the balmy Suffolk sunset.
Tickets: £5
From Margaret Laflin 01473 658330
or Alan Munson 0776 6227 201

90% OF PROCEEDS TO FLOWTON CHURCH
& 10% TO EAST ANGLIA'S CHILDREN'S HOSPICES (EACH)
Join in the festivities of Flowton!
Keep the old church standing!

FLOWTON FLOWER FESTIVAL
AND OPEN GARDENS

Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 June

Discover the hidden gardens of Flowton!
Escape from World Cup football!

**********
Flowers & exhibition in church, & open gardens
Lunch, cream teas, plant, cake & jam stalls
Games for grown-ups & children

Both days
12noon-6.00pm Church & gardens & activities open
12noon-2.00pm Lunches in churchyard
3.00-5.00pm Cream teas served

Sunday at 6.30pm in the church
"Songs of Praise"

Entry (to include prize draw programme):
£3 for adults. Children free. Activities extra.
"Songs of Praise" free.

90% OF PROCEEDS TO FLOWTON CHURCH
& 10% TO EAST ANGLIA'S CHILDREN'S HOSPICES (EACH)

Come & join the fun!
For further information ring 01473 658335

OFFTON CHURCH NEWS

The Reverend Linden Fletcher

On Thursday 27th June The Reverend Linden Fletcher is to be licensed as priest-in-charge of Offton and seven neighbouring parishes. The service will be in Barking and we look forward to welcoming Linden to her first service in Offton Church on Sunday
30th June at 8 am Communion.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Annual Church Meeting

At the meeting on April 30th the following appointments were
made:

(Ian Dixon, Pam Redman and Mary Carter are ex officio members).

There are 34 names on the revised Church Electoral Roll.

OFFTON OPEN GARDENS &
FLOWER FESTIVAL

JUNE 15th and 16th

EXHIBITION IN CHURCH

FLOWERS and FAMILY WINDOWS
1-6 pm

The following gardens will be open
from 2 - 6 pm

Castle Farm 7 Castle Lane
2 Lower Colney Drive 4 Lower Colney Drive
2 Middlewood Cottages Wheelwrights Cottage
Mount Pleasant Farm - play garden chess!
Tollemache Hall - Suffolk Punches
Valley Farm - display of photographs on a farm theme

TEAS IN OLD VICARAGE COURTYARD

MUSIC IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON

SONGS OF PRAISE ON SUNDAY at 7 pm

Tickets for gardens £2.50 (accompanied children free)
Available from the church or any open garden.

You will also be able to find the welcome cup of tea,
coffee or ice cream on your way around!

************************************
BARN DANCE

with "HAYWIRE"

JULY 12TH at 8 pm

in CASTLE FARM BARN

Tickets £6.50 (including supper)

For tickets phone 01473 658325 or 658568

or ASK ANY OFFTON BELLRINGER!

Tollemache Hall Gardens

will be open
in aid of the Red Cross
on
Sunday July 28th

from 2 -5.30pm

£3 entrance

Children under 16 free
Dogs on leads welcome
Teas
***********************************************

WILLISHAM CHURCH NOTES

Church Fete
This will take place at Crow Hall on Saturday the 13th July. Please book this date in your diary now. However, help is required to organise this event. A planning meeting will, therefore, take place at 9 North Acres, Willisham, on Saturday the 27th April, commencing 10.00 AM. Please come to this meeting, as we do need your help.

Coffee Morning
A reminder that this takes place on Saturday the 25th May, at 9 North Acres, commencing 10.00 AM

Bonfire Evening
This year's event will take place at Crow Hall, on Friday the 1st November.

SOMERSHAM & DISTRICT ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

Are there any ex service men or service women in the District?
If so, we would like to meet you. We are a very active Branch and meet 2nd Tuesday every month at Barking Fox

Contact: Mr. E.Burroughs 01473 831679
Mr. J.Dickerson 01473 658417
**************************************************************

WILLISHAM CHURCH JUBILEE FETE

At CROW HALL
SATURDAY 13th JULY 2002-05-22
2.00pm - 5.00pm

COME IN JUBILEE FANCY DRESS

TRACTOR RIDES, FISHING COMPETITION
STALLS, RAFFLE, REFRESHMENTS, BAR

Donations required for tombola, raffle, stalls plus help on day -
contact Frances Gilson 658387

OFFTON & WILLISHAM VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

During the year the Management Committee have been busy trying to get some progress with the new hall project, and have continued to have meetings with Mid Suffolk. Some progress has been made but the talks are still continuing. It seems to be a long process, but I am convinced that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that we will soon have reached an agreement. We will of course let everyone know the outcome at the appropriate time.

The questionnaire was given out to all households in the two villages as promised and the results collated in order that Mid Suffolk could see the general feelings of the people. Suffolk Acre advised us on the type of questions that needed to be asked, in order to satisfy both the District Council and the Lottery Commission when we apply for any grant.

During the last Annual Meeting I asked for someone to take over the job of Treasurer, at the time there were no takers. Since then however, Nick Banks from Willisham has agreed to fill the post and I am most grateful to him. I am also pleased that we now have a full Committee, which will be important as we move towards the new hall.

The final item for me to report on, is that I did eventually receive a reply from B & Q with regards to our application for a grant. The outcome was that all the grant money had gone out and that we were unsuccessful.

Don't forget the hall is still available for hire
Contact the Chairman, Tony Webber on 01473 658550.

Tony Webber, Chairman

PATCHWORK AND QUILTING

The patchwork classes continue to run in Flowton Vestry -monthly for handwork only, and fortnightly for hand and machine techniques. These are held in the evening, 7.30pm -9.30pm-but we often work on until 10.00pm! (Samples may be in the Vestry exhibition at the end of June.) Please contact Mary Carter on 01473 658522 for details and dates if you are interested.

In Sproughton there is a class on 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month from 9.30am-12.30pm in Sproughton Village Hall where you can get on with your own work or ask to learn a specific technique. Details from Julie Hodges on 01473 226004

*************************************
THANK YOU

Karl Dickinson would like to thank all the residents of Somersham and Flowton who kindly took the time and trouble to fill in and return the questionnaire for his dissertation.

MORE THANKS

A big 'thank you' from Suffolk Aid Romania for your support for their recent Book Sale which raised £892. They plan to hold another one so watch this space!

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM YOUR LOCAL NHS?

Have you used the local NHS recently?
What was you experience like?

The views of patients, carers and the public are crucial in developing and improving the NHS. The Government wants patients and the public to be involved in all parts of the NHS

East Suffolk Community Health Council (CHC) represents the public's interest in the NHS. Over the last few months we have looked at: A&E Department, Stroke services, Alzheimer's drugs, NHS dentistry, changes in GP opening times, availability of pharmacies.

After discussing stroke services with the Stroke co-ordinator at Ipswich Hospital we have asked the local NHS to provide money to the Stroke Association to develop a Family Support Service for care in the community, similar to that which operates in Essex.

Patients and families were concerned that the new drugs for treatment of Alzheimer's were not available locally. The CHC met the consultant and then wrote to Suffolk Health Authority and the Trust asking for the drug and service linked to it to be funded and this has now happened.

NHS dental patients are concerned that examples of dental costs are not displayed in practices and that in some areas it is difficult to find and NHS dentist. We are talking to the local NHS and the Department of Health about these issues.

To help us work with the local NHS to improve services let us know your views, or you might like to get involved in our work.
Please contact me for information or a chat.

Miss Carol Johnson, Chief Officer East Suffolk CHC,
Ivry Lodge, Ivry Street, Ipswich IP1 3QW

Tel: 01473 226820
E-mail: eastsuffolkchc@dial.pipex.com

Somersham Baptist Church

We are all delighted to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II this month. She has conducted herself so well that even republicans have to give grudging respect.

Whatever model you prefer for the government of the nation all have their weaknesses as well as strengths.

Jesus addressed the failures and injustices of Israel in his day not by sponsoring rebellion against the Roman Empire but by preaching the Good News of the Kingdom.

Jesus called people to become subjects of his Kingdom, to come under his authority and protection by repenting and believing in him. The Kingdom of God has begun with the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, but it is not yet complete, we await his return.

All along there from the beginning of the Bible God has promised a renewed world where there is no more pain, hatred violence, in short no sin. A world not filled with new people, but renewed people. To have the hope of a place in this New World, you must belong to his kingdom here.

This means that Christians have a kind of dual citizenship, the first of their own nation, second the Kingdom of God. Living under the rule of Jesus means we support and seek the prosperity of the nation and our neighbours. But such support is not unconditional, Christians are called to 'obey God rather than men' and 'as far as possible be at peace with all men'. There will be occasions where faithfulness to God conflicts with state and community duties. Thankfully over the last 50 years we have been blessed by a monarch who has taken the role 'defender of the Faith' seriously.

Not only do we look back over the years of our Queens reign with thankfulness, but also with confidence we can look forward to many more years of wise leadership. May God indeed save our Queen.

Sunday Meetings

Junior Church 10.45AM Every Sunday for School Years 1-6.

Ladies Meetings
Women's Fellowship Friday 14th June 2.30pm.
Friends and Neighbours Monday 17th June 'Inside Information' Radiographer Ruth Strudwick.

Children and Young People (Held during term time)
Yr. 1-6, Wednesday Club 6.30pm.
Yr. 6-8 Quest Club Wednesday 7.45pm.
Yr. 9 on, 14+ Friday 8.00pm.

Christianity Explained; Six sessions which deal with Jesus, Salvation and becoming a Christian, to find out more contact Mark.

Somersham Baptist Church, Chapel Lane, Somersham, IP8 4QE

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

CHURCH SERVICES in our 8 linked parishes
Please check with a Churchwarden if you think that a mistake has been made in this listing.
June 2nd Trinity 1

June 9th Trinity 2

June 16th Trinity 3

June 23rd Trinity 4

June 30th Trinity 5