While Clare is away...
While I am away on holiday, the services will be covered by our own team of lay ministers and the Rev'd Norman Smith, a retired priest from Hayling Island, who has done locum duty for us before. Norman will live in the Rectory and also cover for any emergencies that may arise. I know you will make him welcome.
RIP Sydney Frank Bloomfield
Syd, as he was known to us all died on Sunday June 27th, just a few days after his 74th birthday. Syd was born at Cretingham Lodge and lived there, throughout his life, except for a few years when he and Ann first married and they lived in Knodishall. He was a farmer to the very core of his being, his father having farmed there before him, Syd lived for his farm, and his family. He wasn't a man for taking holidays, an occasional trip to Scotland perhaps, his pleasures were simple ones, in days gone by, the weekly visit to the corn market, or the cattle auctions, and in more recent times farm sales. He took enormous pride in his daughter Diana's prize winning herd of Charolais, and always cared deeply for the animals in his care. His best friends were seed merchants and butchers, not least Jack Thickett, the butcher/priest from Peasenhall, who conducted Syd's daughters wedding, much to Syd's delight.
It was his love of the farm and his family home, that all of us will remember in the days following the fire at Cretingham Lodge. Syd would not move from his home, not even for a few hours sleep. He endured his time in the caravan while repairs got underway, but at the very first opportunity, he was back into the house, though it was rather a camping out sort of existence, it was what Syd wanted.
Syd was a faithful soul, a sidesman on the 3rd Sunday in the month, he hardly ever missed a service. He had his own back pew, and would not be moved from it!!! His faith was a quiet one, his understanding and knowledge of God went hand in hand with his experience of the soil, the seasons, seedtime and harvest. He believed in a God who was faithful, a God in whom we are rooted and have our being, a God who waters and nourishes us with his love, a God who enables us to bring forth fruit, a rich harvest of his love. Syd in his life harvested many of the fruits of the Spirit, not least, love. patience, kindness, faithfulness and self control. May he rest in peace and may Ann and the family, Janet, Andrew, and Diana find support and comfort in the God, with whom Syd now rests.
Clare
From the Registers
July 10th Laura Murrell and Paul Turner were married at Earl Soham Church, we offer them our congratulations and wish then every happiness in their life together.
On Yer Bike
Suffolk Historic Churches Cycle Ride, Saturday 11th September
Sponsership forms available:
Earl Soham from Val Brumfitt, Fairacre, Brandeston Rd, Earl Soham,
tel: 01728 685408Ashfield from Robert Grimsey Corner View Clowes Corner,
tel: 01728 685203
Earl Soham Alpha Course
A reminder that the Alpha course starts 9th September.
Arranged by Earl Soham Baptist Church with support from Earl Soham Parish Church
Eastertide Pilgrimage to Iona
28th March - 4th April 2005
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Gavin Wakefield, from St. John's College, Durham, is to lead a pilgrimage to Iona from Durham starting on Easter Monday 2005 (March 28th).
This pilgrimage will start with talks and visits in and around Durham before you set off to Whithorn and then onto Iona for several days before returning to the north east and a last night overlooking the Farne islands, ending with a pilgrimage to Holy Island. It is half board most of the time, full board at Bishop's House, Iona and includes all coach transfers and entry fees for just £495 in a twin bedded room. Contact Mark Cullen on 01274 599622 for a brochure or visit www.ukltg.com
Ashfield Ladies Group
17th August |
Visit to Local Hostelry |
|
21st September |
Postal History |
Rev. Roger Dedman |
For further information contact Susan Hansen on 01728 685738.
Earl Soham - Rota for Altar & Roll of Honour Flowers & Brasses
Aug |
Mrs A Bloomfield |
685270 |
Mrs I Elmore |
685814 |
Sept |
Mrs D Haines |
685234 |
Mrs M Wade |
685234 |
If you are unable to do your flowers, please contact Margaret Buckland on 685329.
St Mary’s Ashfield - Flower & Cleaning Rota
August |
Susan Hansen |
685738 |
September |
Margaret & John Garrard |
685038 |
October |
Jill Robinson |
685084 |
November |
Alison Bowman |
685489 |
December |
Jane Davidson |
685332 |
If you are unable to do your month please contact another person on the list to arrange a swap.
Brandeston Art Exhibition Recognises both D-Day Veterans and Sponsors
Some of the money raised by the annual August Bank Holiday Art Exhibition at Brandeston Hall, to help the needy ex-servicemen and women in the locality, will this summer be donated to assist veterans of D-Day.
“We felt in this 60th anniversary year of the Normandy landings our sponsors and the public who support us so loyally would like us to recognise that unique occasion”, says Cdr. Norman Woodcock, chairman of the Earl Soham and District Branch of the Royal British Legion, which organise the event.
The exhibition’s sponsors are also to be given special recognition. “In the last 25 years the exhibition has been financially successful in substantial measure thanks to the generosity of our sponsors”, says Cdr. Woodcock.
“This year we shall be giving them a plaque marking their support and making public recognition of their help in a number of other ways. They are as essential as the artist to our exhibition’s charitable purpose”.
The exhibition, which has raised over £40000 for ex-servicemen and women over the years, will be open to the public from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on 28th and 29th August and from 10.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m. on 30th August.
“New sponsors are always welcome and can reach me at Windy Willows, Brandeston Road, Earl Soham. Tel:01728 685429”, says Cdr. Woodcock.
East Anglian Academy
August 4th - Jacks, Pipes & Tangents
We are pleased to be part of this year’s festival. The first concert will be a recital and demonstration of the keyboard instruments that preceded the piano - the harpsichord, clavichord, spinet and the organ. Richard Taylor, a local instrument maker, is well known for his lively and informative talks as he is for his outstanding craftsmanship. There will be a variety of music from the Tudor Virginalists to popular pieces from Handel and Bach.
August 11th – Music for Royal Occasions
William Sauders, who recently graduated with honours from Sheffield University, is a well-known local young musician. His programme will include familiar music that has been played for coronations, weddings and memorial services.
For further information and booking contact: Judith Russell, 14 Norfolk Crescent, Framlingham IP13 9EW, tel: 01728 724456.
Friends of St Peter’s Cretingham
A fantastic day of sunshine ensured the Cretingham Open Gardens and Classic Cars event was a most successful occasion.
There were 15 gardens open to visitors and an array of over 40 classic cars was on display ranging from a 1925 Morris Cowley Bullnose to a 1998 Morgan.
Excellent music was provided by the Friends in the form of the ‘Swinging Street’ Big Band who played on the lawn at the Cretingham Bell.
Food was served non-stop from midday until 5pm and a plant stall offered an array of plants.
The net proceeds for the afternoon exceeded £1550 and a big ‘thank you’ is due to the organising Committee, particularly Susanne Bache and Michael Pinner, the cake makers, plant growers, raffle prize donators and all the behind the scene helpers who enabled the event to run so smoothly. The range of visitors was recognised by two of the raffle winners - one from Middlesborough and one from Southend. The winners of the ‘Design a Garden’ competition are Mary Hawes of Wickham Market and Mrs Pearce of Ufford.
Sponsorship for the event was also provided by Ashridge Financial Management Limited, Cretingham Golf Club and David Porter-Hardy Interiors. The Friends are grateful for their support and to everyone who turned up for the event, and of course to the attending classic car owners and people who opened their gardens to the public.
The next event being planned by the Friends is the Peter Driver talk on 12th October 2004. More details on that in the next magazine.
Tony Whitmarsh Chairman Forge Cottage