News items

Friends, family and neighbours; all are welcome to join with me for a cup of coffee and chat, on the 18^th October from 10.30 a.m. onwards, at Tubric Cottage, Cretingham.

At 11 a.m. we will put down our coffee cups and join with supporters all over the country in praying for the Children’s society, using the prayer below. Besides being an opportunity for local friendship to grow, the morning is a fund raising event, for the Children’s Society and we suggest a donation of £1. This national coffee morning is a way to give thanks, to celebrate the Children’s Society 125th Anniversary and unite all those who strive to give our children a better life.

Whether or not you are able to take part in the coffee morning, we would be delighted if you could take a few minutes to join us in this prayer, wherever you are on that morning.

Thank you,

Wendy Gourlay and the Alpha Fellowship Group
Tubric Cottage, Cretingham
01728 685335

Cretingham 100 Club AGM

The sixty-sixth draw took place at the Post Office on Saturday 2^nd September.
Congratulations to:

Mrs. J.Fox £25
Miss N.Egan £15
Mrs. F.Harrington £10

The sixty-seventh draw will be held at the Post Office at noon on Saturday 7^th October 2006.

Peter Markland (685796)

Earl Soham 100 Club

Just a reminder that the annual Earl Soham 100 Club draw will take place in the Village Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 17^th October. We hope to see you there…

In addition to the draw, Bill Vincent is kindly arranging of photographic and documentary display of aspects of Earl Soham's local history. Join us, if you can, for the draw, the display and wine and nibbles.

Many thanks to 100 Club members for their continuing support.

Keith Weightman (for the Committee)

Dr Norton's Retirement Gift Fund - Date and Venue for Presentation

The presentation of Dr Norton's Retirement Gift will take place in St Michael's Church, Framlingham on Thursday evening 26^th October 2006 at 7.00 p.m. It is hoped that Dr Norton will be able to meet as many people as possible during the evening for an informal chat after the presentation.

Patsy Hunt

Friends of St Peter’s Cretingham

The 10^th Annual Meeting of ‘The Friends’ will take place on Tuesday 7^th November 2006 at ‘The Cretingham Bell’ by kind invitation of the new licensee, Andrew, renewing an association that had sadly lapsed over the last couple of years. Both members and non-members are welcome to attend and also join the members of the Committee for an informal meal at the Bell afterwards. Several of our members have left the Village, but the eight new members who have joined us will be especially welcome.

Some of our supporters have commented upon the absence of fund raising events this summer. This is partly due to a disappointing attendance at some of our talks and has resulted in a review of our activities. The Committee are determined to continue fund raising activities and have invited Mr John Fixon to give a talk on 2^nd December at Cretingham Golf Club. He is a prominent paediatric orthopaedic surgeon who is associated with the Sandy Gall Charity in Afghanistan.

The Friends have raised more than £60,000 over the past 10 years, most of which has been spent on renovations to the external fabric of the Church. Further expense is expected with the internal renovation and repairs which will include the work to the Cornwallis Memorials, one of which we understand to be of national importance. We are awaiting advice from English Heritage as to the effects of dampness in the Church, it is hoped we can then implement the refurbishment of the memorials of which Lord Cornwallis has agreed to contribute towards the cost.

All our fundraising activities involve a great deal of work, which is largely undertaken by Committee members, particularly the Secretary, Eric Brown, the Treasurer, Robert Hadley and Susan Bache, an active member of the Committee for the last three years. They will be standing down at the Annual General Meeting. We are greatly indebted to them for their valuable service. I will also complete my second spell as Chairman and will be seeking nominations for all these posts when the official notice of the forthcoming A.G.M is circularised.

Alan Lettin, Chairman

Animal Service

I don’t often write about past events, but for the record would like to say thank you to everyone who ventured out with their pets, on July 30^th to the Service of Thanksgiving for Animals and Creation. This was a shared service for Anglicans and Baptists.

It was at the end of that very hot long spell, in July and I worried whether anyone would turn up since it might be too hot for the creatures (and us!). Then, on the actual morning, the worry of rain threatened with a fear of being washed out! In the event, God was good to us and all was well: the rain kept off; it blew a bit but that was refreshing, as we enjoyed an ‘al fresco’ service, in the lovely setting of Jane and Stan Davidson’s garden in Ashfield. Thank you both, for preparing the green. Thanks also to the well-behaved participants, man and creature, as no damage occurred to their garden. The ‘sermon’ was given by everyone present, who introduced their pet and talked about any interesting facts; and for those who had left their pet behind, for one reason or other, they too had a chance to speak.

The fellowship following our singing and prayer was happy and relaxed, and I think all left feeling, as someone reported afterwards, ‘uplifted’. Thanks again.

Wendy Gourlay

August Stall

A rather dull and miserable morning did not encourage us as we set up in the Village Hall but very soon our spirits rose and people began to arrive for Coffee, Bric-a-brac, books and produce and the day continued well raising the grand total of £287.18. A very big thank you for all those who supported us in any way. Nola had an excellent day and many satisfied customers passed through the Hall. Thank you too for all the cakes etc. that were donated and for my band of willing helpers; an excellent team. We look forward to seeing you all next August Bank Holiday.

Mary Vellacott

Earl Soham Bowls Club

The Annual Tournament held on Saturday, 9^th September took place in beautiful Autumn sunshine. Some 48 players participated in a three-wood triples competition, which was keenly contested on an excellent playing surface. The winning block came from Bungay Bowls Club who outplayed the runners up, a block of players from Laxfield Bowls Club, by just two shots. Third place went to a block from Trimley BC.

Following a delicious tea, the raffle took place, which in itself raised £145. Thanks to the efforts of the members, the support of the visiting players and the generous sponsorship of Longstaff Transport.

A record total of £403 was raised during the afternoon for Club funds. The use of The Lawn as a car park was an added bonus, which is always much, appreciated.

Although the outdoor bowls season is almost over, several events are planned for the winter including the ever popular Beetle Drive which will take place on Saturday, 25^th November, in the Village Hall at 7:30 p.m. Please contact the Secretary on 01728 685519 for further details of the Bowls Club and its events.

Ashfield Ladies Group

17^th Oct	Care in the Community	Elaine Grace
21^st Oct	Titanic – A Tale of Ignorance & Arrogance	Myles Hansen

For further information contact Susan Hansen on 01728 685738.

Earl Soham W.I.

After the August break, our September meeting demonstrated the art of painting on silk. “Volcanoes and Earthquakes” is the subject of our open meeting on the evening of Thursday October 26th at which all members of the public are welcome. If you are new to our village or the surrounding district, please come along - we will be delighted to see you, and you will be assured of a delicious supper!

Activities and Clubs during the coming winter months will include: Book discussion, Bridge, Darts, Scrabble, Sewing and Country Walks - something to tempt everyone! These groups meet on various days/evenings during the month in members’ houses.

Our W.I. meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month, at 7:30 p.m. in Earl Soham Village Hall. Our Secretary is Brenda Reason, Tel : 01473 890115

Earl Soham - Rota for Altar & Roll of Honour Flowers & Brasses

October	Mrs E Baker	685302	Mrs N Woodcock	685429
November	Mrs H Hinton	685232	Mrs J Rothery	685457

If you are unable to do your flowers, please contact Margaret Buckland on 685329.

St Mary’s Ashfield - Flower & Cleaning Rota

October	Jill Robinson	685084
November	Alison Garrett	685489

If you are unable to do your month please contact another person on the list to arrange a swap.

From the October 06 Magazine