News items
As well as events below (and see also links on the left), do look in the Events page (not forgetting the Services above the events).
Combined Service with Charsfield Benefice in February
Interregnum - Benefice Vacancy and reorganisation
Earl Soham Christmas Craft & Gift Fair
Earl Soham - Rota for Altar & Roll of Honour Flowers & Brasses
St Mary’s Ashfield - Flower & Cleaning Rota
See also letters from the ministry team.
Combined Service with Charsfield Benefice
Our Benefice of Earl Soham, Cretingham and Ashfield has been kindly invited to share in the Eucharist Service on Sunday 4th February with the Charsfield Benefice.
The Service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Letheringham, beginning at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome.
Assisted and joint travel arrangements can be made so that we are both kind to one another and the planet. It would be helpful to make known to Churchwardens if you would appreciate a lift or can offer a lift to another.
We look forward to the warmth of fellowship with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Wendy Gourlay
Interregnum - Benefice Vacancy and reorganisation
As I’m sure you’re aware, our benefice is not only in interregnum (we have no priest) but is to be reorganised when the vacancy is filled. Our benefice currently consists of the parishes of Earl Soham, Cretingham and Ashfield-cum-Thorpe. The neighbouring benefice of the parishes of Charsfield with Debach, Monewden, Hoo, Dallinghoo and Letheringham is also in interregnum. Both benefices had half-stipend clergy; notionally half time posts, but the previous incumbents both worked much more than that.
The diocese is now aiming to provide one full-stipend clergy post for both existing benefices, and to combine the parishes into one large benefice. The post has been advertised, and there have been several applications. It is hoped that a new priest will be chosen in February or March.
Simon Garrett
Benefice Lent Course for 2007
“Can we build a better World.”
All are most welcome. Do consider joining this five session Lent Course, presented by York Course. Each session stands alone. We welcome this opportunity to invite people from Earl Soham, Ashfield, Cretingham, Charsfield and Debach, Monewden, Hoo, Letheringham and Dallinghoo.
Topics for study: Slavery; Friendship and Prayer; Change and Struggle; The Bible; Redemption and Restitution.
We are stimulated into thought and discussion with booklet and tape, listening to speakers e.g. Archbishop John Sentamu, Dr Leslie Griffiths, Wendy Craig: Dr David Hope and conclusion from five Poor Clares (from ‘The Convent’).
Beginning Date |
Monday 26th February |
Time |
7.30 – 9.15pm |
Venue |
Soham House, Brandeston, courtesy of Mary Vellacott |
Facilitators |
Wendy Gourlay (01728 685 335) and Mary Vellacott (01728 685 423) |
Resource Booklet |
‘Can we build a better world’ Available for purchase at the group. |
To assist with practical organisation, e.g. having booklets for everyone to purchase (£3.50) or whether you would like a lift, it would be helpful to let facilitators know please, if you would like to attend.
You might choose to reflect on your own at home, with the guidance of a course booklet:
York Courses, PO Box 343, Dept BW, York YO10 5YB
betterworld@yorkcourses.co.uk
01904 466516 www.yorkcourses.co.uk
Looking forward to seeing you.
Wendy Gourlay
Earl Soham Tennis Club AGM
Tuesday 20th February 2007, 7.30 p.m. in Earl Soham Village Hall
All welcome
Mary Patterson
Women’s World Day of Prayer
Friday 2nd March at 7:30p.m.
A joint service with the Baptist Church will be held in St. Mary’s Church. The theme of the service this year is based on life in Paraguay. The service will be led by the Rev. Gill Lee, whose son and daughter in law are working in Paraguay in mission work in schools and Gill has visited them there, so can bring first hand knowledge of life in that country, as well as the information we are given on the service sheet. Do join us for this time of worship and learning as we seek to share with others the good news of the love of Christ.
Mary Vellacott
The New Flying Stilton Club
Date changed: Friday 16 th March, The Basement, Earl Soham Baptist Church, kicks off again at 8pm, doors open 7.30pm
It’s a sort of music thing, a bit like a club, more like a production, with local bands, cabaret, a cheesy game show, a magazine, some food and drink (with a definite stilton influence, for some bizarre reason lost in the mists of time) and it’s for 14-19. Starts at 8, finishes at 11. Check this website for latest details nearer the time, ‘cos I’m writing this stuff but they haven’t told me what’s happening yet. I’m sure it will be good, and don’t get put off by the stilton—it has nothing to do with it really… Just come and find out!
Supported by the Local Network Fund, Contact details: 01728 724474
Tony Hutt
Ashfield Ladies Group
10th Feb |
Hedgehogs |
Carol Chittock |
| 20th Mar |
Caring for Children with Cancer |
Karen Roberts |
| 17th April |
Amber |
Robin Fournel |
| 15th May |
Defuelling and Decommissioning of Sizewell A |
James Tott |
| 19th June |
AGM |
|
| 17th July |
Tour of Read Hall, Mickfield |
|
| 21st Aug |
Outing to a local hostelry |
|
| 18th Sept |
tba |
|
| 16th Oct |
The English Language Starts Here |
John Pulham |
| 20th Nov |
Bosy Shop at Home |
Louise Edwards |
11th Dec |
Christmas Meal |
|
For further information contact Susan Hansen on 01728 685738.
East Anglian Academy
Preview of the 2007 season
Sunday 11th March 3 pm
St Michael’s Church, Framlingham
Inspirations & Influences
Bach | Buxtehude | Purcell | Britten
Claire Gower – soprano
Jon Hutchings – organ
Admission Free - collection
Saturday 28th April 7.30 pm
St Lawrence Church Brundish
“The Anna Magdalena Bach Book”
Music by J S Bach and his family circle.
Vocal Solos, Readings, Music for harpsichord and clavichord
Lindsay Gowers – soprano
Judith Russell – reader
Malcolm Russell harpsichord
Tickets £10 on door £8 pre-booked, Students £4
In aid of a new organ being built by Peter Bumstead.
Saturday 2nd June 7.30 pm
St Michael’s Church, Framlingham
“Glorious Baroque”
Music by Bach and Buxtehude
Anne Page – organ (Cambridge Academy of Organ Studies)
Tickets £10 on door (£8 pre-booked), Students £4
Sunday 15th July 3 pm
All Saints Church, Brandeston
“Mr Handel and Friends”
An entertainment for a summer’s day
Concertos, Cantatas, Duets and Solos
Suzanne Williams & Lindsay Gowers
Malcolm Russell – organ
Tickets £10 on door (£8 pre-booked), Students £4
Sunday 16th September 3 pm
The Church of the Assumption, Redenhall
“Rococo to Romantic”
Handel, Mendlssohn, Wesley etc
Music for choral ensemble and organ
“Octave” – vocal ensemble
Malcolm Russell – organ
Tickets £10 ( £8 prebooked), Students £4
Sunday 14th October 3 pm
St Michael’s Church, Framlingham
“Mendelssohn & English organ music”
Dr Gillian Ward Russell – organ
Tickets £8 on door £6 prebooked, Students £3
Sunday 25th November 3 pm
St Michael’s Church, Framlingham
“Advent to Christmas”
Bach, Buxtehude & Old Master paintings
Malcolm Russell – organ
Admission Free - collection
Booking
Please make cheques payable to The East Anglian Academy and include an SAE to:
Judith Russell
14 Norfolk Crescent
Framlingham
WOODBRIDGE
Suffolk IP13 9AE
Tickets will also be on sale a month before each concert at Framlingham Stationers.
Debenham Christmas Fayre
Thank you to all who supported this event, be it as stallholders, entertainers, helpers, decorators or attendees. It was a huge success, raising just over £300 to be divided between our two charities:
Debenham Girl’s Group: This is social group for young women from Mid Suffolk, 14 years upwards, who have a physical or learning disability. It meets fortnightly on Monday nights, at Debenham Youth Club, and offers fun activities for those who may otherwise be isolated from their peer group.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a charity devoted to fighting against breast cancer: their goal is to find treatment and ultimately a cure for this disease. Their vision is for “a future free from the fear of breast cancer.”
Cyndi McAleer
Earl Soham Christmas Craft & Gift Fair
Thank you to all who supported this village event. Despite a raw morning, 16 stall holders set out their wares, donations of cakes and produce came in and raffle tickets were briskly sold. There was an enticing aroma of bacon butties and warming soup and the tea and coffee flowed. £517 was raised towards the village hall refurbishment. Thank you all.
Jane Cornelius, Village Hall Committee
Cretingham Christmas Stall at St Peter’s Church
Do you remember attending the Cretingham Christmas Stall at St Peter’s Church on Saturday the 16th December 2006? If so, thanks from members of Cretingham Parochial Church Council, because all who attended and contributed created a joyful and happy start to the Christmas season.
Thank you to all who giving their time and talents made delicious cakes, seasonal biscuits, offered raffle prizes, books, provided refreshments and much more etc. or who simply came along to support the event. The morning was undoubtedly enlivened by our young and older(!) live musicians, giving special thanks to Katy and Tabitha Runacres.
Of course the ‘Angels’ in the themed flower decorations were beckoning people to view our beautiful church. Thanks to all our creative floral arrangers. (Just one or two ‘decorative angels’ remain loitering in the vestry awaiting collection by their owner!)
Thank you for coming along, contributing to and sharing the happy occasion.
Wendy, on behalf of Cretingham P.C.C.
Earl Soham 100 Club
Due to ill health, Keith Weightman is unable to continue as Chairman of the Earl Soham 100 Club. Richard Tinkler has offered to take over from Keith and at a Special Committee Meeting held on 10th January 2007, he was duly appointed as the new Chairman.
We send our very best wishes to the Weightman family and hope that the members of the 100 Club will continue to support the Club in raising much needed funding for St Mary’s Church and the Village Hall.
For any old members wishing to renew their subscription or anyone wishing to join the Club, please send cheques made out to “Earl Soham 100 Club”, or cash, to a Committee Member:
Irene Elmore (Secretary)
Anne Bloomfield, Nola Calver, Lynn Tinkler
Cretingham 100 Club
The sixty-ninth draw took place at the Christmas Stall in St. Peter’s on Saturday 16th December. This was the second of our Jackpot Draws for this year.
Congratulations to:
- Mr. P. Mays - £100
- Mrs. J. Whitfield - £50
- Mr. N. Cobley - £20
The seventieth draw was held at the Post Office on Saturday 6th January 2007.
Congratulations to:
- Mrs. C. Brown - £25
- Mrs. C. Chenery - £15
- Mr. W. Defoe - £10
The seventy first draw will take place at the Post Office on Saturday 3rd February.
Peter Markland (685796)
Earl Soham Carol Singing
A group of about 12-15 of us gathered to bring the Christmas message to your doors. The weather was kind to us and we visited a good number of houses from the Green and along Brandeston Road. Thank you to all of those joined with us to sing and to those who gave so generously to support the work of the Children’s Society. We collected £69.86 to support their work.
Mary Vellacott
Earl Soham Christmas Crib
Christmas Eve was warm and dry as ponies, sheep, children and families gathered together to tell, once again, the Christmas story. The setting up of the stage, lights and all that goes to make this a special event came together with the help of many people. I would like to thank Bruce Hinton for the use of his trailer and Philip Pendle for placing it so skilfully outside the Church. Thanks also to all those helpers who built the stage, supplied the set, gave us light and helped in so many other, little and large, ways. A very special thank you to Vernon and all those who aided him. We were able to commence Christmas in our traditional way and to remind all those who joined us why we are celebrating. £233.02 was raised to support the work of the Children’s Society.
Mary Vellacott
Earl Soham - Rota for Altar & Roll of Honour Flowers & Brasses
January |
Mrs A Bloomfield |
685270 |
Mrs I Elmore |
685815 |
February |
Mrs V Brumfitt |
685408 |
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|
March/April |
Mrs N Cotton |
685240 |
Mrs M Kerridge |
685700 |
If you are unable to do your flowers, please contact Margaret Buckland on 685329.
St Mary’s Ashfield - Flower & Cleaning Rota
| January |
Doreen Baxter |
685617 |
| February |
Susan Hansen |
685738 |
March |
Jane Davidson |
685332 |
If you are unable to do your month please contact another person on the list to arrange a swap.
Leonard Alfred Parker (Jack) 1910-2006
RIP
Jack passed away in Ipswich Hospital on 13th December 2006 following a short period of illness. He was born in Earl Soham in May 1910, the final year of the Edwardian era, a time of hardship, and hard work, and not a little discipline. Jack was the eldest of a family of 6; 2 boys and 4 girls, of which only one, namely Anne, survives. He attended Earl Soham school, leaving (probably) at age 13, beginning work at Haines’ stores, and shortly afterwards taking up full-time employment with the butchers, A.J.Whymark, in the village. This was to begin a love affair with butchery which was to last a lifetime.
Jack was initially a delivery boy, delivering meat on a trade bike, and progressing to a horse and cart, then motor-cycle and sidecar, and finally to a butchers van in the 1930’s. During this period he learned the butchery trade and was eventually later to become a Master Butcher, a title of which he was justifiably proud.
Another love affair occurred in his early 20’s, and he was married to Amy Jolly of Kenton in 1934, settling into married life at Cobbold’s Row (now Victoria Terrace), Earl Soham. Amy and Jack’s first-born, Bryan, arrived in 1937, but early in the next year his father passed away suddenly, and life was further interrupted by World War II. Jack served in the Royal Air Force through the whole of the war period, employed on ground duties of airfield maintenance, mainly in the Kent/London/Essex region, and also in the operation of anti-aircraft barrage balloons in and around the dense industrial areas of Lancashire.
A second son, Roy, was born in 1944, and Jack was eventually demobbed from the armed services in 1946, when he returned to his trade at Whymark’ s. However, the meat trade was severely reduced because of the food rationing policy of that time, and he obtained new employment as a postman in 1947, delivering mail, by bicycle, around the villages of Earl Soham, Brandeston and Cretingham until 1955, when he returned to Whymark’ s where he remained until a year or so after his retirement date when the business closed.
He then gladly accepted a chance to work part-time at Bob Rose’s, the butcher at Debenham, happily combining this into his retirement up to around the age of 75 when he finished his working life.
In 1991 Jack and Amy moved into a bungalow in Framlingham, where they could enjoy the better services available, and lived comfortably until Amy’s passing in 2000.
Jack was fortunate enough to enjoy good health throughout his life, and in his prime years was a very fit and strong man, most useful when it came to the slaughtering of bullocks, as well as pigs and sheep, on the butchery premises. He loved his garden, it was more than a hobby to him as he would grow vegetables and flowers in abundance until his last years; a skill inherited from his parents, from an age when gardens and allotments were the people’s pride and joy and provided most of the vegetables for the family through the year. He also enjoyed owning his own car (several cars over many years it has to be said!), having obtained his licence in about 1935. There was no test in those days, as Mr Whymark signed a statement that he was proficient and he was issued a licence. The family were pleased, and relieved, however, when the time came that he decided to cease driving about 10 years ago.
Like so many of his generation Jack had a mainly hard working existence in his earlier years, but he also had a wonderfully long life. Jack and Amy celebrated their Diamond Wedding in 1994, receiving a telegram from the Queen in the process, and were married for 66 years in total. He is survived by 2 sons and daughters-in-law, 2 grandsons, and 2 great-grandchildren — he loved them all.
Jack often visited Earl Soham in his latter years and was always interested in its progress. He was buried in the village cemetery on 21st December
Brian Parker