The Link Magazine

Evening Walk
Saturday the 24th May - for full details contact John Minns on 658353

Coffee Morning
Saturday the 31st May at 9 North Acres, from 10.00am

Church Fete
Saturday the 19th July at Crow Hall from 2.00pm We have recently had a planning meeting, but still require more ideas and help. If you are able to participate, please contact Frances Gilson on 658387.

4th May Third Sunday of Easter White
Acts 3. 12-19 Psalm 4
1 John 3. 1-7 Luke 24. 36b-48

11th May Fourth Sunday of Easter White
Readings for Christian Aid Week Sunday
Exodus 1. 6-21 Psalm 23
1 John 3. 16-24 John 10.11-18

18th May Fifth Sunday of Easter White
Acts 8. 26-40 Psalm 22. 25-31
1 John 4. 7-21 John 15. 1-8

25th May Sixth Sunday of Easter White
Acts 10.44-48 Psalm 98
1 John 5. 1-6 John 15. 9-17

Inter-Faith Day of Dialogue

Whatever is happening around the world - notably, as I write, in the Middle East, many of Suffolk's Christians feel that we need to get to know our neighbours better -both Muslims and those of other faiths. You are warmly invited to join the Suffolk Churches' Inter-Faith forum on Saturday 10th May 2003 in St Albans Catholic High School, Ipswich, 10.30am to 4.00pm. Bring a packed lunch, hot drinks will be available. This event is being run by the Roman Catholic Ecumenical Commission, with support from Churches Together in Suffolk and Suffolk Inter-Faith Resource.

Flowton News

You will have noticed that my contribution was missing from the last issue. I was on holiday at deadline time. But notes from your Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators more than made up it. I do now have a deputy to stand in for me when I am on leave or away for any reason, this is PC Mike Gwyn who is contactable at Stowmarket Police Station.

Thankfully it has again been a relatively quiet time in the parishes on the crime front with only a few items to bring to your attention.
In Somersham on the morning of 2nd April a resident found that some furniture stored in a shed had been moved but not stolen. This occurred around 7am to 8 am and those responsible probably used the footpath around the Mill Lane area. In the same area occupants of a house were disturbed at around 2am on 9th April by doors being tried but no entry was gained.
Just outside the parishes in Little Blakenham a burglary occurred in the early hours of Saturday 5th April when an elderly man awoke to find two male persons in his house. They left with electrical items.

This is the time of year when garden theft regularly occurs, plant containers and garden ornaments are often targeted as well as garden machinery. If you see anyone taking unusual or suspicious interest in garden items please take descriptions of persons and vehicles and pass them to police or Neighbourhood Watch. Whilst writing about Neighbourhood Watch, many co-ordinators get very little support in their communities, everyone supports what they do but very few are prepared to help in an active role. It's not an onerous task to help out now and again with passing on literature or warnings from police or receiving messages and it benefits your whole community. If you can help please contact your local N/Watch co-ordinator or myself.

As usual there are some non-crime complaints I have received and which can be remedied if those responsible take heed before more direct action is taken. The use of unroadworthy mopeds and motorcycles by youths on roads around the Somersham and Flowton areas has been brought to my attention. If your son/daughter has an old moped or m/cycle for off road use please ensure that is all it is used for, to be present on a road it needs all the usual documents even if you are pushing it. Riders have also been seen without a crash helmet. Besides from being an offence this could result in serious injury or worse.

Parked vehicles are often the subject of complaint particularly when they are parked close to junctions. Vehicles should not be parked within 10 metres of a junction and offending vehicles can receive fixed penalty tickets. Make sure yours is not one of them.

Still with vehicles there have been several cars left on road verges or in lay-bys with 'for sale' notices on them; these must have a current excise licence, insurance and MOT. Don't get caught out trying to sell your car ensure it is on private land.

If you can assist with any information regarding any crime or incident mentioned please contact me on - 01473 383390 or 01473 613500.

Thank You
Kevin Shields CPO.

Somersham Primary School

Well, we've got it!
Our new playground is done and it's been christened with children, balls and mud! No longer do we have to worry about children and cars not mixing. They can, now the weather is much improved, play on the playground or the field and can be kept an eye on from one position. Thank you Paul and your committee for all the hard (paper) work and to FOSS (for some of the funds) for making it a reality. The next phase of producing gardens and play areas on the field are under way, so when you all come to the Summer Fair you won't recognise the place! Must just say for anyone who might be a bit worried, the main part of the field remains untouched.

Class 4 (the youngest ones) have just had their class assembly which was about "Number". It was very well attended by family members which made it all the more special for the children who of course rose to the occasion by putting in their best performance by far. They recited, acted and played music to amaze all the lucky people who were there.

Just to let you know, we raised just over £100 in copper for the Comic Relief effort (plus if I remember right between £40/50 for "red clothes") and that Mrs. Peck, after taking that lot to the bank, now has arm muscles to beat Mr. Universe. Thank you to Miss Knowles' class for counting the money.

F.O.S.S.

We had a successful Beetle Drive and cake stall which took approx. £80.00 for the two events. Hope everyone enjoyed themselves!

Our next fundraiser is a "table top sale" in the village hall on Saturday 10th May. If you would like to book a table at £5.00 each, either speak to Heather at school or phone Jenny on 830623. Time is 12 noon 'til 3 p.m. Refreshments will be available along with a raffle and tombola plus one or two games for the children to have a go on. We shall be very pleased to see you there.

At the time of writing, plans for the Summer Fair are well under way. We hope you liked the classes for the Flower Show and are planning which ones you are going to have a go in. (We have been told one or two classes might be slightly off season, but what the heck, we didn't know!) The entry forms will be available at the beginning of May, from the school and hopefully all the usual outlets in the village -the shop, garage and school. These will inform you of the rules and how to go about entering you exhibits.

So go on, have a go, it might be fun!

Offton Church News

Sunday May 11th Festival of Talents at 4 pm in
Offton Church.
Do come along and enjoy an hour of local talent. Piano, harp, clarinet, flute, guitar, violin, voice and prose - these are some of the items on the programme!

Sunday May 25th
Dedication of the new building by the Archdeacon, The Venerable Terry Gibson at 11 am.

Saturday June 21st
Church Fete in the church grounds 2 - 5 pm. Make a note of the date and see details elsewhere.

Friday 11th July
Barn Dance at Castle Farm Barn with the Jigsaws.

Offton Community News

Seen elsewhere in a church magazine:

It has been asked - if you were arrested as a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK MAY 11th-17th 2003

'The love I carry inside me'

Christian Aid Week this year focuses on ordinary people like Therese Atatu who are changing the lives of people around them. Some of them are from the UK, others from overseas. You can join them and help change the world through your gifts and your prayers.

Like most people who live in Limete, an area in the centre of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Therese Atatu has not had an easy life. Now 63, she has brought up 14 children, all of whom were born in military camps when her late husband was a serving soldier. Yet although she has reached an age where most of us would be looking forward to taking things more gently, Therese has turned her energies to bringing up an even greater number of grandchildren.

Among Therese's extended family is her daughter-in-law Josephine, who came to live with her after her husband died of AIDS five years ago. Josephine is herself HIV-positive as is her son Junior, who is 16 but looks about half that age. Although Josephine also comes from a different tribe, Therese refused to follow the usual custom of rejecting her son's widow. On the contrary, she decided she would take in all her grandchildren in Kinshasa who have lost one or both parents to AIDS. She reckons that she has brought up or is bringing up a total of 18 grandchildren! Besides that, she is involved in her local church, taking part in their work of distributing food to the poorest people in the capital.

Josephine receives support from one of Christian Aid's partners in Kinshasa, Fondation Femme Plus, who offer help with health care, psychological counselling and income generation to women who are HIV-positive. They also organise seminars for people like Therese who are caring for family members living with HIV/AIDS.
Therese's grandchildren know that their grandmother is a very special person. Eleven-year-old Gloria explained: 'When we're naughty she scolds us but she never smacks us. She tells us we won't have anything to eat as a punishment but she soon calls us to come and eat after all. We love her very much'. Seven-year-old Dorcas said simply, 'I love her, she cuddles me'.

When Therese was asked what motivated her to devote herself so unstintingly to caring for her family she replied: 'It's the love that I carry inside me. I can't abandon the grandchildren or my daughter-in-law - where would they go? It's much better to have them with me. Since I was young, giving is all I've known how to do. My Christian faith helps me to live and builds up feelings of love within me.'

'How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?' (1 John 3.17)

What would Fondation Femme Plus do with your money?

£20 will enable FFP to provide one person with food for a month
£30 will provide basic medication for one person for a month
£100 will meet the cost of basic funeral expenses
£150 covers transport for two teams doing daily home visits for a month
£2,000 will cover a three-day training course for volunteers and families living with HIV/AIDS, including meals and transport

When that little red envelope has fallen out of your magazine, please think of placing some money in it and handing it in through the collection scheme in your village as detailed in this magazine, or at your local church.
Thank you - from all who are helped through Christian Aid.

Somersham CSC

Around 70 riders turned out for the season opening East Anglian Grand Prix at Ipswich.
Somersham riders faired well with Lee Ridgewell and Andy Mittell fighting hard and taking 2nd & 3rd in the Under-16's group. In the seniors Gary Brown was 2nd, while a new slimline Steve Copping was also on form.

The meeting was marred however by a heavy spill for Dave Palfreman which required emergency hospital attention. Dave normally rides for Hawbush and he had decided to join Somersham for additional racing, but has now decided to call it a day following his injuries.

Fortunately serious injury is very rare in cycle speedway, and while falls are common, riders usually get away with the odd scrape or bruise. The sport also has various regulations created with safety in mind. For example, riders must wear helmets and be fully covered from the neck down, while bikes must not be fitted with any attachments or sharp edges.

A few people have tried the sport for the first time at one of our free practice sessions, so we will continue to run these throughout the season. Please get in touch for details of the next session or race meeting.

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 Baptist Church

The Bigger Issue
Life is full of issues to decide about. The important choice of lifestyle determines many other life choices. Jesus claims that he is the biggest issue of all. Choosing to follow him can make other issues fall into play.

Along with four other local Churches we have invited Roger Carswell to talk about Jesus 'the bigger issue'. Roger is a gifted speaker who specialises in talking to people with no prior interest in Jesus. Hopefully in the programme below there will be an event that will appeal to you.

Roger will be speaking during the following events;

Regular meetings

* Junior Church for School Years 1-6.

Ladies Meetings

Women's Fellowship 12.45am Friday 9th May,
Lunch with Roger Carswell.

Friends and Neighbours 7.45pm Monday 19th May,
Teacher Julie Nightingale.

Children and Young People (Held during term time)
Yr. 1-6, Wednesday Club 6.30pm.
Yr. 9 on, 14+ Friday 8.00pm, (at present we are full, but we are keeping a record of those who wish to join.)

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

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

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

CHURCH SERVICES in our 8 linked parishes
If you have any doubts about this listing please contact the churchwardens.

May 4th Third Sunday of Easter

May 11th Fourth Sunday of Easter - The beginning of Christian Aid Week

May 18th Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 25th Sixth Sunday of Easter

Somersham Church Notes

At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting John Gibbons and Denis Picton were re-elected church wardens.

Steve Dines, Joan Dorrell, Mary Fagg, Colin Mayes, Pat Woolhouse were re-elected as members of the Church Council, with Mary Carter being co-opted on to it.

We are very grateful to these people for being willing to serve the church and help in its running and upkeep, as well as all those who voluntarily help in so many ways.

You probably appreciate how neat and tidy the churchyard always looks, and this is due to Denis and John keeping the grass cut regularly. There must be a few more who would be willing to help with this job now and again during the summer months to give Denis and John the occasional break. If so please get in touch with them or Pat Woolhouse.

During 2003 £536.78 was collected through the Restoration Fund envelopes. These are collected from some residents every month by a small band of volunteers. This money makes a valuable contribution to church restoration funds, and we would like to say a sincere thank you to those supporting the church in this way and the loyal collectors.

The Trivia Quiz last month raised £195 less hire of the village hall. Thank you to everyone who helped and supported the event but especially to Rohais Haughton for devising the questions and being quizmaster, and to her Mum for keeping the scores. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

The Flower Festival & Open Gardens Weekend 2003 - We had a positive meeting to discuss help in decorating the church but there are still one or two nooks and crannies that haven't been allocated yet! If you would like to help in any way - perhaps to help tidy up after the flower arrangers have finished or be a steward for an hour or two over the weekend - please get in touch. We could still do with a bit more entertainment for the Cheese & Wine evening on Friday 4th July. Ring Pat Woolhouse or Christine Jarrold if you can help in any way to make this event a big success.
:

SOMERSHAM FOOTBALL CLUB

Not a very good month to say the least.
The first team have played 4 matches, losing 3 and drawing 1. This leaves them one place from the bottom of Division 3 and in serious need of points to avoid a possible drop into Division 4. However, one of the defeats was 0-3 against the Salvation Army who lead the Division and are a very good, all round team. It may sound silly, but apart from the goals we matched them pretty well and it was a good game to watch.

The reserves have played 3 matches and lost them all. We are now well adrift at the foot of Division 6 and relegation seems certain.

All this doom and gloom as far as results go, but team spirit and camaraderie are still very good and even at this stage of the season, 16-20 players are turning up for training each Tuesday evening.

Our Race Night on Saturday 29th March again went very well and was well attended by about 80% of our players plus many loyal friends. Thanks to Ray Smith and Quenny Warner for the organisation and to everyone who attended, enjoyed themselves and helped make a goodly profit for club funds.

Here is a message from Ray:

We would like to say 'cheers' to everyone who attended the Race Night. We again had a very successful evening and would like to thank the following sponsors:

The Offton Limeburners
Anglia Factors
Anglian Autogates Ltd.
Finney's Sandwich Shop
Mildenhall Greyhound Stadium
Ansell Mechanical Services
Somersham Garage
Ridge Electrical
Edmundsons Electrical

Thank you also to the 'Link' for advertising the event. Hope to see you all again next year.

By the time this issue of 'The Link' reaches you, the playing season should be over and we look forward to all our present players staying with us for the 2003/4 season.

Our final event this season will be our Annual Presentation Dinner/Dance on Sunday 25th May at 'The Limes', Needham Market. If our previous ones are anything to go by it should be a good night.
See you next season.

Dennis Mumby

Dear Reader,

When you make a cup of coffee, do you think about how high up the coffee bean grows - whether people climb ladders to harvest it; when you brew your early morning cuppa, do you know how many years a tea bush grows before you can start harvesting the leaves?

In this country we don't pick and soak the coffee beans or stand for hours in the fields doing the very precise job that is tea-picking ('two leaves and a bud'). So we don't have to worry about it. But for those who do know what to do, we would like to think they can cover their production costs and also feed, clothe and educate their families. An Indonesian coffee grower averages 1.5 pence income from a cappuccino costing £1.75 in London. His livelihood is more vulnerable than are the four multinational companies selling 40 per cent of the world's coffee. The grower in Indonesia, Kenya or Guatemala has no bargaining power within his own country. Fairtrade organisations buy from producers whom they ensure will get a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. People of the UK together drink 31 billion cups of coffee per year: looking for the Fairtrade labels above, and putting our money where our sense of justice is, will make a difference. That's not charity: it's only being fair.

'You can help change the world' is the message of Christian Aid week beginning on 11th May. We might think that the Sri Lankan tea-picker can understand her rights, but then many of the tea-producing countries are paying more as Debt Repayments than they are receiving as Aid, so at the rate they are going they are never going to be able to see their young women through Primary Education. The 80 pence per day a tea picker is paid depends on her collecting 18 kilos of fresh leaves, like bay leaves. There are bonuses and penalties, but without a certain level of literacy she can't tell from the records whether she has received the right amount. If we give £15 it pays for a day's workshop through the Institute for Social Development to help her understand the procedures; there are other Christian Aid channels of funding to help the same communities to develop some seedling nurseries and cashew nut processing and the business skills to support these in the long term.

There is a lot we can do: first, pray. Then, use our consumer spending power - Cafédirect, Clipper, Maya Gold, Traidcraft all bear the Fairtrade mark. Thirdly, maybe do a bit of letter writing in support of the Trade Justice campaign (in September there are meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Dubai, and of the World Trade Organisation in Mexico, and our country sends representatives). Fourthly, give - not so much out of charity, but from an awareness of what is due to those who provide all our tea, coffee and chocolate. We depend on their skill.

Linden Fletcher

If anyone is interested in finding out more about the Trade Justice Movement, a group of over 60 UK organisations, including environment campaigns, development agencies, churches and charities, you can visit the actionaid website: www.actionaid.org or phone 01460 23 8000