brandon town magazine - issue 16

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Brandon TOWN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2014 WISHING YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR Remembrance Sunday See page 11

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December 2014 edition of the Brandon Town Magazine

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Page 1: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

BrandonTOWN MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2014

WISHING YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Remembrance SundaySee page 11

Page 2: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

• More properties wanted for waiting tenants• Tenant finding service or full management

• All tenancies managed locally, not from a central office many miles away• Rents paid promptly to landlords (usually within 2 working days)

• All maintenance problems reported immediately and landlords’ instructions carried out• Member of ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents)

• Reasonable fees, no hidden extras • No VAT on fees

Tel: 01842 815777 Email: [email protected] House, 30 Bury Road, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 0BU

Mark Skinner Funeral ServiceLocal Independent Family Funeral Business with over 35 years experience

We can take care of ALL funeral arrangements allowing you to grieve without the worry“You made the sorrow easier to bear, with your extremely sensitive yet 100% efficient and

professional service” - Caroline Trett, ThetfordLooking after families in Norfolk & Suffolk - Pre-paid and pre-arranged funeral plans available

Visit www.markskinnerfunerals.org.uk or find us on Facebook, Twitter & Google+

Brandon OfficeTel: 01842 810534 (24 hours)

London Road, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 0EWEmail: [email protected]

Thetford OfficeTel: 01842 752197 (24 hours)

30 Bury Road, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3DEEmail: [email protected]

Funeral Planner of the Year 2013

Page 3: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

Call Mark on Mobile: 07931 [email protected] Office: 01842 813919

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We’d like to start this edition by announcing our recent award.

The Brandon Town Magazine was entered into a ‘newsletter of the year’ competition which is organised by the Suffolk Association of Local Councils every year.

We took the runner up award at their AGM in November and we are extremely happy

to be recognised as one of the best local publications in the county.

As December is upon us and we’ve reached our last edition of 2014, we would of course like to wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

RegardsThe Brandon Town Magazine Team

Deadline for January issue 5th December

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information contained within this publication, the publishers take no responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by it’s contributors, in any advertisements or for any loss arising from non-publication of any advertisement. Reproduction of any part of this publication without

permission is strictly forbidden. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher.

To advertise your business please email [email protected]

Welcome to Brandon

Page 4: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

Conservatories, Windowsand Doors

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3-4 Station Way, BrandonTelephone: 01842 813233or after hours sales 01760 721947also at Thetford Garden Centrewww.stylewindows.co.ukServing the Local community for over 30 years

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Page 5: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

A busy week end for us over the 8th & 9th November. Apart from providing the BBQ at the firework display we had Remembrance Sunday the following day. It was a pretty hectic time for us. We enjoyed the BBQ and made a good profit which goes back to providing Scouting activities for the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. It also goes towards the

upkeep of our Scout HQ. The Remembrance Service reminded us of our involvement at the Commemoration Service in August when 5 of our Scouts read the role of honour.

We are now all looking to Christmas. Making cards & gifts, making Christmas cakes & looking forward to our annual Christmas Concert when we entertain our parents.

To look back over the year it has been an eventful one for us in one form or another. New Leaders, changes to our badges, camps, activities. One thing that always stays with us is the big smiles on the young people’s faces when they have accomplished a challenge.A big thank you to everyone who has supported us in one way or another throughout this year & to hope everyone has a joyful Christmas & a Happy & Prosperous New Year.

A reminder of our meeting days and times:-Mon 6.15 - 7.30pm Beavers (6 & 7 year olds)Wed 6.30 - 8pm Cubs (8 - 10 year olds)Fri 7pm - 9pm Scouts & Explorers (Scouts 10 - 14, Explorers 14 -18)

TERM TIMES ONLY

If you would like more information about joining as a young person or to help as an adult please call Lynda Smith 01842 878765

1st Brandon Scout Group

Brandon Town Council ReportNew cemetery: It was agreed at the October Town Council meeting that residents should now be informed why there has been very little progress in securing the land for a new cemetery. Although a Compulsory Purchase Order on the land at Manor Road has been obtained and vested with Forest Heath District Council, negotiations between the Consortium (local land owners) and the Town Council have reached a stale mate. Their assessment of its value is based on Housing Development Land and not Agricultural. We do have the option of taking this to a Land Tribunal but costs involved are extremely prohibitive (could be in excess of £250,000) and could not justifiably be met by Brandon tax payers. Our planning application, however, will be resubmitted next year.

Christmas Event:Join us for an evening of Christmas Festivities on Sunday 7th December at 4.00pm - 6.00pm. Our sponsor again this year is Chase Timber Products. Father Christmas will be arriving on his sleigh at 4.15pm. We have entertainment by the Rock Band ‘Heathen’ and Brandon Carollers. We have craft stalls, hot chestnuts, face painting, tombola, fair rides, hot chocolate and cakes and much, much more. The Christmas Lights will be switched on by Lord and Lady Iveagh at 5.45pm followed by a Grand Fireworks finale at 6.00pm. Please come along and support this annual event.

Christine MasonTown Clerk

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Page 6: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

CARTERSBRANDON CARS

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• MOT / SVA TEST for Car, Taxi, Motorcycle, Camper Van, Commercial Van (up to 3000kg) and Mini Bus - FREE RETEST• Light Conversions • Any CAR REPAIRS • Car Services

• VAT FREE programme for our U.S. Personnel• Air Conditioning Servicing • Diagnostic Test & Repair

• Changing bulb up to rebuilding engine

Local Reliable ServiceCall Paul Fisher

01842 815439 or 07986 527154

• Painting & Decorating• General Maintenance• No Job too Small• Free Estimates• Over 25 Years Experience

Home Improvements1ST CALL 24/7LOCKSMITHS

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uPVC DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRSLocks, Handles, Hinges replaced

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Page 7: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

The BIG Build - This isn’t a reference to our own building project, which has now opened and is being fully used. No, it refers to the building projects that the children took part in just before half term. Every class was challenged to build replicas of famous land marks, using any resources they selected. This was part of a project to promote group work and we certainly saw a lot of this; alongside individuals realising their potential as supervisors, planners, time keepers etc.

Owls class (Year R) successfully produced the Ice Hotel made from marshmallows!! Herons

class and Kestrels class (Y5 & Y6) were very lucky and were visited by building company ‘Vinci Facilities’ to help them to learn how to build bridges. Some of our pupils were even told by the experts that they had the potential to be future architects and builders. It was an entertaining and informative day for all.

The festive season is fast approaching and as usual we’ll be hosting our fantastic Christmas Fair on Friday 5th December (4pm - 6pm). Come along and join us for a fun packed evening. If you have any items for the tombola they would be much appreciated. All of the profits go straight to the children and help fund trips, treats and the ‘extras’ that make our school a great place to be.

If you want to keep up to date with events at Glade follow us on Twitter: @glade_school, or subscribe to our Facebook page at www.facebook.co.uk/gladeprimaryschool.

Glade Primary School

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Page 8: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

Brandon School of DanceClasses in ballet, tap, modern, freestyle,

street, contemporary & cheerleadingPrincipal: Kerry Shoop

Please call Kerry on 07864 025041 or visit our website for more information: www.brandonschoolofdance.com

(Ballet from 3 years, Tap from 4 years, Street/Modern/Freestyle from 5 years,Contemporary from 8 years, Cheerleading from 5 years)

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• Tiling • Carpentry• Complete Kitchens and Bathrooms

07809 379 843 - 01842 751 [email protected]

www.wrpbuilders.co.uk

Page 9: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

CHRONICLES OF BRANDON AT WARDecember 1914

It’s Christmas already! It only seems like yes-terday that Mr Gentle was having a “Guess the weight of the bullock” competition in his butcher shop. That was a year ago and look-ing back now it does seem to have reflected a less hostile time. This Christmas we have unfamiliar soldiers amongst us while our lads are in Flanders.

A soldier recently billeted with a Bran-don family brought diphtheria with him. The family are now facing a most miser-able Christmas because one of them has since caught it and the house will need disinfecting from top to bottom. On another note Colonel Hamilton, of Brandon House near the bridge, has been urging residents to donate money to a fund he has just set up. It should be noted that the school children did a marvellous job of raising more than thirty shillings in just two weeks! The Colonel is hoping to use this money to purchase wool and other materials, which will be used by women volunteers to make winter garments for our lads serving in France. By all accounts the lads have been exposed to some very bad weather lately. They tell us they are enduring very cold nights and frosty mornings in the trenches, so hopefully these garments will keep them warm through the winter months. Colonel Hamilton suggests that if you have any winter clothing you may want to donate, then you can simply drop it off in his billiard room and he will ensure it gets sent out.

Talking of our lads in the fighting. There has been some frantic posting of letters and

Christmas cards out to them and it goes without saying that the bulk of the letters are going to France. However one letter was received into the town from France and has really caught our imagination.

The letter has been written by William Ash-ley, who joined up in 1898, and who is a veteran of the Boer War. He should have come out of the army four years ago but opted to extend his term until this summer just gone. This war put paid to any notion William had about leaving the army and he was immediately called up, literally days be-fore he would have demobbed. He can thank the Kaiser for that! Just after Christmas Day his wife, who lives in Thetford Road, received a letter from him.

“On Christmas Eve the Germans started shout-ing Christmas greetings, and of course we did the same. Then they started singing Christmas carols, and of course we joined in until it be-came a general thing.

On Christmas Day they continued being friendly, and started coming out of their trenches towards ours, and by midday we were all mixed up together, shaking hands and exchanging tobacco and cigarettes. It was a sight I never expected seeing. The majority of them say they are fed up with the war.

So you see it wasn’t such a bad Christmas after all. But of course that sort of game is finished, and we are settling down to the realities of war. I must say it was a treat to leave the trenches without being shot at.”

So Christmas did not signal the end of the war as we had hoped. Yet William’s letter offers some optimism that the Germans do not have the stomach to continue with this war. However. There are some amongst us who believe William was wrong to fraternise with the enemy and should have shot them as they left their trench. They say that is why he went to war and the Christmas spirit should only extend to our friends, not enemies.

www.brandonatwar.co.ukBy Darren Norton

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Page 10: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

BrandonCar Centre

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BrandonSuffolk

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W brandoncarcentre.co.uk

Brandon Car Centre is an independant garage offering used car sales, service and MOT testing for cars. We service and repair all makes and models at competitive prices and guarantee all our work and parts for 12 months. Our technicians are all qualified and we have the latest diagnostic equipment which is continually updated.

Call us today on 01842 819999 for a quote or to book your car in for a MOT or service.

To view our current car sales stock list please visit our website at www.brandoncarcentre.co.uk

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Hire service available on many items

Page 11: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

Remembrance SundayThe sun shone for this year’s Remembrance Day parade in Brandon.

At 2.30pm the parade, which took place on Sunday 9th November, marched from the Remembrance Playing Fields to the war memorial in Brandon Cemetery.

The parade was followed by a service at St Peter’s Church.

A large number of groups from Brandon took part in the parade including members

from the Brandon branch of the Royal British Legion, Brandon Scouts, Beavers and Cubs, US Air Force personnel, Brandon Fire Service, St John’s Ambulance and more.

These groups were joined by several members of the public as the parade made its way along Church Road.

More photos and a video of the parade can be found online at BrandonSuffolk.com.

© BrandonSuffolk.com © BrandonSuffolk.com

© BrandonSuffolk.com

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Page 12: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

Barcode Information

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Page 13: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

During our first week back after half term, Forest Academy held a special ‘Festivals and Celebrations’ week. The purpose of the week was to enable children to learn more about different faiths and cultures in an engaging and cross curricular way. See what some of our classes got up to!

Foundation Stage has been learning about lots of different festivals. They particularly enjoyed learning about Diwali and making their own diva lamps and Rangoli patterns.

Key Stage 1 has been learning all about Judaism. We learnt about the story of Moses and the festival of Passover. We made Moses in the bulrushes and our own 3D paper oceans. We made our own Seder plates and learnt about the symbolism of the different foods. We made our own Torah scrolls and learnt a traditional celebratory Jewish dance.

Lower Key Stage 2 has been learning all about Hinduism. They particularly enjoyed learning about the Festival of Diwali, and taking part in a Bhangra Dance workshop.

Upper Key Stage 2 has been learning all about Judaism. Children have learnt all about the Synagogue, the Jewish pilgrimage to the Western Wall and about traditional Jewish dress. In Literacy the children have enjoyed reading Jewish stories. The Year six children looked at Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins – a story about the tradition of lighting the Hanukkah candles. They even wrote their own version including innovative, cunning tricks to scare away the spirits. They were fabulous.

The children have made and learnt how to play with a dreidel, a traditional Jewish toy, have written beautiful prayers specifically for posting on the Western Wall and designed brochures in the shape of Synagogues – to tell everybody all about Judaism.

All of the children have been very busy and we are very proud of all the learning they have done!

Forest Academy

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Page 14: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

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Page 15: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

gardeningDECEMBER

You may not want to be working outside at this time of year, but luckily there’s not a lot to do! If you haven’t already it’s time to think about winter pruning apple and pear trees whilst they are dormant. Before pruning apple trees it is essential to identify the cropping habit of the tree. Apple cultivars fall into three groups:

• Spur-bearers produce fruit on two-year-old wood, and as spurs (short, branched shoots) on the older wood. This habit gives spur bearers a tidy and compact appearance. Spur bearers are the largest group and include cultivars such as ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’, ‘Sunset’, ‘James Grieve’, ‘Earl, Victoria’ ‘Greensleeves’, and ‘Lanes Prince Albert’

• Tip-bearers produce very few spurs. They are relatively uncommon. Fruit buds are found at the tips of long shoots produced the previous year. The overall appearance of the tree is more untidy than spur bearer and the branches look sparse without spurs. Any form of pruning that involves shortening shoot tips will reduce the yield of tip-bearing apples and is therefore best avoided.

• Some cultivars are partial tip-bearers, producing fruit on the tips of the previous year’s shoots and also on some spur. Cultivars include ‘Bramley’s Seedling’ and ‘Discovery’.

How to Prune Spur-bearing varieties:

Always use a sharp pair of secateurs, loppers and a pruning saw. Start by removing crossing, rubbing, badly placed, overcrowded weak, dead, and diseased, damaged and dying branches. Keep the centre of the tree open by removing larger branches with a sharp pruning saw. If several large branches need to be removed, spread the work over two or three winters as very hard pruning encourages even more vigorous growth. Reduce the height and spread of any branches that have grown too large by cutting them back to a vigorous lower branch. Shorten the previous year’s growth

on each main branch by about one third to a bud facing in the required direction to encourage the development of new branches and spurs. Cut back any young laterals (side shoots) growing from the main framework to five or six buds if there is not enough space to allow them to grow as secondary branches. While looking closely at branches and twigs it is a good time to check the health of your trees. Infestation by woolly aphid can also lead to knobbly swellings that should be removed if possible at pruning time.

Other jobs to do in December:

• Protect pots and taps from frost by wrapping insulation around them. Bubble wrap is ideal and probably in plentiful supply if you are ordering Christmas presents over the internet!

• If you have a greenhouse. Clean and insulate greenhouses, and check the heater works. Even a little insulation will make a huge difference to your heating bill.

• Clean and repair your garden tools and book the lawn mower in for a service. New tools are always a welcome present, as are new gardening gloves, especially good quality ones.

• Take care not to let leaves accumulate around Alpines, they will die if left damp. Cover bare patches around clumps with alpine grit to encourage re-growth.

Finally, whatever you are planning for your garden next season, Paul and I are available to offer advice. We look forward to meeting all of your gardening needs in 2015. Have a merry Christmas.

Rachel Sobiechowski BSc (Hons), P&R Garden Supplies, Fengate Drove, Brandon 01842 814800 www.p-rgardensupplies.co.uk

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Page 16: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16
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10 Market Place, Thetford

Open Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 5.30pm• Haircut - £9 • Children - £8 • Senior Citizens - £8

No appointment necessaryVisit www.route66barbershop.co.uk or find us on Facebook

the craft cabin16 London Road, Brandon - Tel: 01842 814178

Open 9.30am till 5pm weekdays and some Saturdays

Picture framingOils, water colours, pastels, prints, photos old and new, medals, football shirts, cross stitch, tapestry, canvas stretching etc. All aspects of picture framing undertaken in our workshop, 100s of frames to choose

from, liven up that old picture with a new mount and frame.

Page 19: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

Shoestring Theatre Company would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came and supported our Halloween event ‘Nightmare on Market Hill’, which we held on October 31st. This event was coordinated with the help of Brandon Town Council. It was great to see so many people there on the night and we hope you all had as much fun as we did. Our marquee of scary goings on was very popular

throughout the evening, where visitors were treated to various scenes including a mad scientist, scary clown and torture rack to name a few. Outside we had a gruesome graveyard and witches fire, and spooky stories were told

by a story teller from Friends of the Library. There was also a fancy dress competition for the children dressed in Halloween costumes. All in all, it was a fun enjoyable evening for all the family, which we all enjoyed taking part in, and the weather was good to us too.

Pantomime 2015: It’s Panto time again!.. Oh no it isn’t... Oh yes it is. Rehearsals are now under way for our forthcoming pantomime to be held on January 22nd, 23rd & 24th. This year we will be performing ‘Cinderella’. The script is excellent and with lots of comedy, fun and sing along songs this traditional pantomime promises to be a treat for the whole family. Tickets will be on sale soon, so please watch this space for further details. Although this production has now been cast, we are still always on the look out for new members. We meet every Tuesday at IES Breckland school, Crown Street, from 7.00pm - 10.00pm. If you have an interest in theatre, whether it be actually performing on stage, or working behind the scenes, please come and join us. You will be promised a warm welcome so we look forward to seeing you soon. For further details on joining please contact Jill Blanchard on 01842 813041 or see our Facebook page.

Shoestring Theatre Company

Brandon in BloomBrandon in Bloom, with a little help from supporters, recently planted 6000 daffodils around the town and eagerly await the Spring.

We would also like to announce 2 more projects for next year and hope you can get involved. One aims to encourage and help youngsters plant out some giant sunflowers.

The other, which is slightly more ambitious, will take some time and effort, but we think and hope you agree it’s another worthwhile project. It is to raise funding for a statue to be placed in a suitable location, with both the statue and location being partly YOUR choice.

When thinking about what best depicts Brandon the subject of ‘Flint & Knapping‘

comes to mind. After seeing what a terrific job has been made on the Bury ‘St Edmund’ statue, we thought we would like to commission Ben Loughrill to carve our statue. Ben has been approached, he came back with what was considered an achievable estimate and a possible start date. So we have a target figure to aim for, a possible completion date and would like to be able to arrange for an unveil in 2015. There will be a small stall at the 2014 Christmas Fayre with information and then it will go into the council offices where you can make your choice on the possible location, the style of the figure and how it will be displayed.

Closing date for discussions will be 19th Dec.

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Page 20: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

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Page 21: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

The students and staff of IES Breckland marked Armistice Day with a two minute silence and it was a time of reflection for all. To think about the sacrifices people have made for our Country, since the start of the First World War, so that we can live in a free and open society. Education plays such a pivotal role in this and at IES Breckland our aim is for all of our students to establish good habits and high standards early in life so that they can aspire to a successful future.

Careers Crowd: As part of our extensive programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance, we welcomed to the school Tijan Sallah (also known as the up-and-coming rap artist ‘Kingpin’) from the National Careers Service. He led a 2 hour interactive session about the options for student’s post-16, covering: apprenticeships, A-Levels, college, employment and starting your own business. In the second part of the session, students had to work in small groups to write and perform a rap that summarised the advantages and disadvantages of each post-16 destination.

Success coaching: As part of our developing working relationship with West Suffolk College, small groups of students in years 7 & 8 will be having six one-hour sessions with a Success Coach, Lindsey, from the College. The first groups have already started their sessions, which focus on students identifying their educational and career aspirations and considering what steps they need to take whilst at IES Breckland in order to reach those aspirations. The sessions will conclude with the students paying a visit to the College to get a glimpse of education after IES Breckland.

Kindest Regards Mrs A Tilbrook, Principal IES Breckland

IES Breckland

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Page 22: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

Stained Glass Window BiscuitsThese little biscuits look lovely hanging on the Christmas tree, if they ever get that far.

They are quite scrummy! You can do whatever shape you like but ensure you have two concentric cutters (or cut the centres out by hand).

You will need:200g unsalted butter, at room temperature

125g golden caster sugar250g plain flour

1 tsp mixed spiceA pinch of ground cinnamon

A pinch of ground gingerA pinch of freshly-ground black pepper

25-30 coloured boiled sweets - Fox’s Glacier Fruits are perfect for the job!

Method:Preheat the oven to 160°C/320°F/Gas Mark 3.

Line three standard-sized baking trays with parchment/baking paper.Mix the butter and sugar by hand until smooth.

Add the flour, mixed spice, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper and bind it together using your hands.

Lightly flour a work surface and roll the dough out to about 5mm thick using a floured rolling pin.

Cut your large shapes and transfer to the baking trays. Then cut out the centres using the smaller cutter, or by hand if you do not have a smaller cutter.

Be sure to leave about 1cm of biscuit all around the hole, otherwise your finished biscuits will be too fragile to hang.

Continue until all the dough is used up (remember to use up the discarded centre shapes too).

Place a sweet in the centre of each biscuit, and then pierce a hole (if you want to hang the biscuits as decorations) in the top of each using a straw or toothpick.

Bake in the centre of the oven for 15-20 minutes. The biscuits - and sweet centres - will harden once they’re out of the oven, so don’t worry if they look a bit gooey once

the time is up.Transfer the trays to a wire rack, but don’t move the biscuits until the centres have

had time to fully harden (about ten minutes should do).Then remove from the parchment and leave to cool properly.

String each hole with ribbon and place the biscuits somewhere the light can shine through, for maximum stained glass effect.

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Page 23: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

A Brief Pudding HistoryThe Christmas pudding association with the Christmas festivities can be traced back

to medieval Britain.

The Roman Catholic Church decreed that a pudding should be made on the 25th Sunday after Trinity, using 13 ingredients to represent Christ and the 12 Apostles.

This mixture was to be stirred by every family member, from east to west, to symbolise the journey of the Magi, the wise men from the east who visited the infant

Jesus.

In 1660 the Puritans, lead by Oliver Cromwell, banned the pudding for its rich ingredients, classing it as one of the indulgences he was quick to put a stop to. He

wanted people to live their lives according to the bible, with clean hearts and minds. To this end he saw fit to close many inns and theatres and wanting Christmas to

revert back to a totally religious festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. He considered the festivities at the time to be an over indulgence of food and drink with the main

reason for celebrating getting lost. A sentiment heard to this day!

Ironically, despite banning sports, Cromwell himself enjoyed a life of excess, including a joy of music, participating in hunting and playing many sports.

It wasn’t until George I gained power in Britain in 1714 that pudding found their way back on to the Christmas table. From then on it has always been associated with

Christmas and a joining of family members and the sanctity of Jesus’s birth.

The tradition of all the family stirring the pudding has lived on through the centuries. Nowadays, each family seems to have their own recipe, often being handed down

through several generations. We often pour brandy over the steamed pudding and ignite it. This is often said to keep the witches away although some believe it

represents thepassion of Christ.

Inserting coins and charms into the raw ingredients is an ancient tradition descended from a pagan ritual representing good luck and fortune to whomever finds the charm

in the cooked pudding.

Today, health and safety has stepped in and this tradition has almost died out.

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Page 24: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16
Page 25: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

Cllr Silvester has given Brandon Seniors £3,000 from his Locality Budget towards the cost of a new minibus.

Cllr Silvester said “I am very pleased to be able to support Brandon Seniors. This is a wonderful

club which offers older people in Brandon the opportunity to meet every Thursday for a home cooked lunch and a chat with friends. The mini bus means that the volunteers are able to collect those club members who are unable to make their own way to the lunch club and who would otherwise spend the day alone at home. Having a minibus which is wheelchair accessible, means that the Club volunteers - who work really hard - can also arrange day trips for the members.”

The Brandon Seniors club meets from 9:30 till 2pm every Thursday at the Church Institute. Members get a two course lunch and club subs are £6 weekly. If you would like more information you can contact 01842 813941.

Brandon Seniors Club

Friends of Brandon StationIt is with great regret that we have decided FOBS will be wound down. The winding down process will take several months even for as simple an organisation as FOBS.

We, as will be past Directors, are fully conscious of the support we received directly and indirectly from the local community and businesses in our efforts to save the historically unique building that is Brandon Station. Many people spent hundreds of hours developing the business plan, drawing structural plans, maintaining the building and its grounds as far as we were allowed, fund raising and seeking support from influential people and bodies.

Network Rail and National Express were very supportive and we were almost at the point of agreeing a deal which would have enabled Brandon to preserve its treasure. Various bodies had offered financial and political support and at least two businesses were interested in running a tea room providing the rail bodies gave their initial agreement.

As I said, both Network Rail and National Express were supportive. Abellio have not shown any interest in ensuring better facilities for rail travellers let alone protecting a special

building. We have spent a very frustrating two years being ignored by Abellio or having the goal posts moved. They have also vetoed our business plan, refused to work with us to ensure our viability to raise self-funding and grants for the future maintenance and use of the building.

Had we found the tens of thousands of pounds needed to comply with their requirements, Abellio would retain the right to repossess the building at any time without compensation. In other words, if local money and local efforts succeeded, Abellio would have cancelled any lease and taken over a viable operation. We could not be party to any deal which would have been so detrimental, financially, to our community.

Abellio is a Dutch company and it has not received the 15 year contract it had hoped would benefit its business. We have no idea whether these factors are linked to their attitude. But it is a very sad day. The building is already deteriorating through neglect.

Whatever form your support took, please accept our grateful thanks.

Gary Hall, Chairman

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Page 26: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

CAR PARTS & ACCESSORIES• Body & Exhaust • Brakes • Cooling & Heating

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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Page 27: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

As the Club has grown to the largest community group in the area it has always had its main focus on the Youth of the Club. Brandon has always had boys teams but it wasn’t until the introduction of Saturday Soccer over ten years ago that the club really started to flourish. This was a club that both boys and girls could attend and along with learning the basics of football have a morning of fun as well! Saturday Soccer was and still is a great success with a new Lads team being added each year. This season Andy and Layne added their new crop of U7’s along with Rick and Dion at U8’s. This season Saturday Soccer is currently being run by Shawn Novell and sponsored by Jim Pryor of Freeze Creative. Anyone interested in his or her child joining should call Gary on the number below.

The Lads & Lasses have many memories over the past thirty years but one of the highlights must be when Norwich City came to play Brandon Town and the Lads were ball boys for the match which included the likes of Chris Sutton & Tim Sherwood. Needless to say Norwich came out on top that day but the Lads had a fantastic time. Some of our current Committee members were actually involved

in the match.

We are continually looking for sponsors and local companies to support the club, so if you are interested in seeing your name on the front of one of our kits or hoodies please contact our Club Chairman Gary Rampley on 07716 1888000. Thank you. Brandon Ladies are still searching for a goalkeeper, please contact us if you are interested.

The committee would like to wish all it’s members, players, parents and supporters along with our fantastic sponsors a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!

You can follow us on

Facebook:Brandon Town Youth FC

Twitter:@BrandonTYFC @BrandonLadiesFC

Brandon Town Youth FC

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Page 28: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

Community Health SchemeA pilot scheme is to be launched in Forest Heath early next year, aimed at promoting community health through free programmes.

Forest Heath District Council and Live Well Suffolk have successfully bid for Suffolk County Council to fund a Community Health Coach for the district.

The pilot scheme is designed to offer services to Forest Heath residents that will help them make healthier lifestyle choices.

Cllr Warwick Hirst, Forest Heath Cabinet member for Heath, Leisure and Culture, said: “It is brilliant news that the district council has successfully bid for this Community Health Coach. We have been able to identify that a Community Health Coach would be able to help residents in Forest Heath. This may be in helping make small changes in your diet/portion sizes, smoking, or lack of exercise - things that exist in every town and village throughout the land.

“The Community Heath Coach should be in place by the New Year – just in time for some of those New Year’s resolutions that we all

struggle to stick to.”

The Community Health Coach will be offering group programmes and one to one support from March next year, with the pilot due to finish at the end of December 2015.

Dan Ford, part of the project team at Live Well Suffolk said: “The Community Health Coach will be involved in helping organise physical activity courses, weight management programmes as well as helping people who want to quit smoking.

“These services will be run from centres in Brandon, Mildenhall and Newmarket. We already offer many of these services from Bury St Edmunds - however a more local Community Health Coach will allow us to reach more people in Forest Heath and bring services to their doorstep.”

Anyone interested in enquiring about the services that will be available in Forest Heath through the new Community Health Coach should email [email protected] or telephone 01473 229297.

Simon Gordon, one of our oldest members, recently celebrated his 85th birthday; Simon was one of our founding members back in 1975 and still takes an active part in the club functions often helping at our events.

Some of you may remember Simon as the owner of the Esso Garage on the London Road, which was shut about 20 years ago; this has long since been redeveloped as modern housing.

During his time running the Esso Garage Simon worked very hard to foster US/Anglo relationships; often attending meetings with senior officers at the local US bases.

Simon’s work was so highly regarded that he was invited as a VIP to attend a US tour;

starting with a flight from Mildenhall on a C141-starlifter. The visit, including a tour of the White House, lunch at the Pentagon and visits to a number of military bases in the US was all courtesy of the American forces.

Despite having some septuagenarian and octogenarian members we have a much larger proportion of members much younger; Rotary caters for all age groups.

By the time you read this our annual fireworks display will have taken place and we will be reporting on the event in the next issue together with some photos.

If you are interested in learning more about Rotary please leave a comment on Facebook at facebook.com/brandonrotaryclub.

Brandon & District Rotary Club

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Page 29: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

Sudoku Code Word

Enter numbers into the blank spaces Each letter A-Z is represented by a number 1-26.so that each row, column and 3x3 Can you crack the code and solve the crossword?box contains the numbers 1 to 9. Every letter of the alphabet us used at least once.

Number Pyramid

Fill every box in the tower with anumber. The value in a square isthe sum of the numbers directlybeneath it.

Word Wheel

Find as many words as you can. Words must be at least 3 letters and must use the central letter. No letter can be used more than once. There is a 9 letter word to be found.Solutions can be found on page 31

PUZZLE PAGE

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Page 30: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

WHEREVERYOU ARE THISCHRISTMAS

GET THE LATESTFROM BRANDON

www.terryh.co.ukc

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READ YOUR TOWNMAGAZINE ONLINEWHENEVER, WHEREVER

Page 31: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

Useful Telephone Numbers

Puzzle Page Solutions

Councils

Brandon Town Council (Town Clerk) 01842 811844 Forest Heath District Council (Main Switchboard) 01638 719000Suffolk County Council (Public Enquiries) 0845 606 6067

Health Services

Doctor - Brandon Medical Practice (High Street) 01842 810388Doctor - Forest Group Practice (Bury Road) 01842 810206Dentist - Apex Dental Care (Bury Road) 01842 812276Dentist - The Dental Surgery (High Street) 01842 812381Hospital - West Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) 01284 713000NHS 111 - Medical Help (Less urgent than 999) 111

Help & Advice

Citizens Advice Bureau (Brandon Office) 01842 811511Social Care Services (Customer First) 0808 800 4005Suffolk Constabulary (Non Emergency) 101

Utility Companies

Electricity - UK Power Networks (Fault Line) 08007 838 838Gas - National Grid Gas (Emergency Number) 0800 111 999Water - Anglian Water (24 Hour Leakline) 0800 771 881

Sudoku Pyramid Code Word

Word Wheel

9 letter word: clenching

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Page 32: Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 16

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01842 813466Chilterns

We let our numbers speak for themselves

... we sold

£31,000 000 worth of of property in

2013.

We would like you to share in our success in

2014 .