1www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/capelcapers

Volume 10 • Issue No. 11 • OCTOBER 2020 Your free local community magazine: essential local news, services & information delivered through your door every month

www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk

Capel Capers™©

Sally LetmanOrdained a DeaconSee page 22

Capel Community Garage SaleSee page 10

Capel Covid-19 Group UpdateSee page 4

In Touch with Capel St Mary

2 In Touch online:

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IN TOUCH TITLES• Stowmarket & Stowupland• Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew• Melton & Woodbridge• Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley• Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham,

Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon • Ipswich East, Ravenswood, Broke Hall & Warren Heath• Elmswell, Beyton, Drinkstone, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit• Needham Market & The Creetings• Shotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead,

Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone• Martlesham• Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton• East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford

& Stratford St Mary• Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham• Capel St Mary (Capel Capers)• Copdock, Belstead, Bentley, Tattingstone

& Washbrook• Gt & Lt Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead• Westerfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham

St Martin & Witnesham• Sproughton & Burstall

We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

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Please recycle.

EDITOR: Sharon JenkinsT: 01473 400380Send editorial copy to:sharon@intouchnews.co.ukReaders are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

ADVERTISINGT: 01473 400380 E: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

DISTRIBUTIONTree Martin: 01473 400380E: tree@intouchnews.co.uk

PRINTING

ColourPlan Print: 01473 400379E: steve@colourplan.co.uk

Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions.

While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints.

© Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

© In Touch with Stowmarket & Stowupland is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP

Sat 10 Octoberis the advertising and editorial deadline for the November edition

A WORD FROM THE EDITORI hope you’ve noticed something a little different this month. We decided it was time to give our front cover a little revamp and our design team have been trying out new fonts and layouts for a while now. It has been difficult to choose, but in the end we’ve focused on clarity rather than adding too many superfluous extras. I love it and I really hope you do too.

It has been quite a month hasn’t it, reflected in the fact that several submissions had to be adapted in response to the latest government guidelines. Just as many groups were making plans to meet for the first time in months, the brakes had to be put on once more. So many aspects of life as we used to know it have changed but we’re nothing if not adaptable. I haven’t left the house without a facemask for at least a week now and my hands have never been softer. I’ve even stopped biting my nails! I guess there is always a silver lining of sorts, though sometimes you really have to look very, very hard.

Of course there are many who continue to self-isolate. I met a gentleman just last week who had left his home for the first time since March. The world must have seemed a different place with everyone walking about in facemasks and crossing the road to avoid each other. My mum, a woman who can chit-chat till the cows come home, really misses talking to people when she does her shopping. People wave, smile or nod in united frustration but nobody stops to chat, at least not for very long.

I realise this may seem a trivial impact of the pandemic, but human contact, affection and closeness have powerful benefits, even reducing stress and improving overall wellbeing. They say a hug a day keeps the doctor away so in addition to all the safety precautions we are now so good at managing, let’s not forget those who may still feel isolated and cut off. Hugs may be impossible right now, but a phone call could be a good alternative, even a card in the post or a bunch of flowers left on the doorstep.

On a less trivial note, many of our advertisers have been buoyed by the support they have received in recent month, particularly since lockdown measures eased in July. There may yet be difficult times ahead for many with the furlough scheme due to end at the end of the month, which is why every purchasing decision we make right now it critical. Regular readers will know how passionate I am about ‘community’ and share in my conviction that a sense of place, a place where we belong and feel at home, is the key to happiness, but we must support the local economy in order to protect and sustain it.

Do take care of each other and enjoy reading this month’s edition.

KEEPING IN TOUCHkeepingintouchwith.co.uk / spotlightmagazine.co.uk / vanillamagazine.co.uk

Twitter: @InTouchEast / @vanillamagazine

Instagram: @mansionhousepublishing / @vanilla.magazine

Facebook: @mansionhousepublishing / @vanillamagazinesuffolk

MansionHouseMedia on Youtube: https://bit.ly/3ild6oB

IN TOUCH NEWSMansion House Publishing is part of Mansion House Group (MHG) which also includes Musical Marketing, Colourplan Print, Boswell Office Supplies, and our most recent development, Mansion House Media (MHM).

With Daren Stainton, our sales manager, at the helm, MHM enables us to provide website design and optimisation, video marketing and content creation, social media, emarketing and app development, giving our clients access to an even greater range of tools to promote their business and engage with customers.

We have also acquired Vanilla magazine, the only local lifestyle magazine totally aimed at style-loving women who have a thirst for fashion, beauty, shopping, home and food. With an estimated readership of 50,000+ for the printed magazine and 20,000 hits on the digital publication, Vanilla is distributed freely, both door-to-door and at pick-up points as well as being stocked in the M&S food halls in both Norwich and Ipswich.

We’re delighted to have Laura and Michelle onboard and can’t wait to share the first edition with you.

Laura and Michelle aren’t the only new staff at MHG. We’ve added to our sales team too with Marc, Surrey, Anna and Paige joining Charyl and Daren and bringing with them many years’ experience in marketing and sales. As marketing and media consultants, they are working closely with clients to devise tailor-made marketing

plans using all available options, within budget of course! Business owners appreciate the opportunity to discuss their aims and objectives with someone who takes the time to get to know their business so whatever business you’re in, give the sales team a call and find out more about how we can work together.

In what has been an incredibly difficult year, we’re stronger than ever and we’re here to support and promote local businesses and to get the local economy thriving again. We’re feeling confident and we hope you are too.

Next month we’ll tell you more about Colourplan Print.

we’re back!bigger. better.

stronger.

VanillaYOUR MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO EAST COAST LIVING

We've missed you!www.vanilla-magazine.co.uk

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NEWS

2020 POPPY APPEALDue to Covid-19, I am restricted to what I can achieve this year for The British Legion Appeal.

I will be able to order wreaths and wooden crosses and I have a limited amount of poppies. Because of lockdown, no new supplies have been made. Ways to donate will be advertised on TV and in the national press by The Royal British Legion, and you can donate direct to me by cheque, payable to the Royal British Legion, or cash.

If you want a wreath or a wooden cross ring me on my mobile (07748 507432) and I will call to your home at a convenient time to collect your donation or deliver your order with social distance being observed.

Poppy Appeal Organiser Mike Woodward

After a very turbulent year I am incredibly pleased to say we are now settling in to our new normal.

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for all their support during this unprecedented time, Capel truly is a wonderful place to live.

With our books now open again we are quickly seeing most our regulars back in the hall for all their socially distanced activities. We have put in extra sanitising and cleaning routines to help protect you all as much as we can and are so pleased with the responses we have received. We are so glad we have been able to reopen the parks just in time for the children to enjoy throughout the summer holidays.

The Vine Lounge is back open for business and doing as well as ever. If you have recently visited, then you will have noticed the new artwork additions. We have hung various pictures of our historic Capel; there are some truly beautiful pieces so make sure you go take a look.

The library has also opened its doors to the public now too which is fantastic news. With the shelves fully stocked and the ladies ready and waiting for you, go and have a browse and find a good book to get lost in.

Unfortunately, due to the current global situation we have had to make the difficult decision of cancelling this years’ fireworks display. With all the new rules and regulations that need to be put into place regarding social distancing, face coverings, sanitising and so on it is not going to possible to hold such a big event. However, this just means that next year we will have to go bigger and better than ever before and you will not want to miss that.

After such a disruptive year we plan to end on a high and encourage you all to join in with us too. Let’s make the last half of 2020 really count.

Iain Bramhill CCT Chairman

CAPEL ST MARY COMMUNITY CENTREWe are gradually re-opening some of the centre after lockdown with some groups beginning to meet again. At the present time we are only hiring out the main hall with a Covid-19 secure policy and guidelines in place.

Please bear with us during these unprecedented times; we do, of course, want to support the village while ensuring everybody remains safe.

For more information and enquires please contact Carolyn: 07732 025676 / bookings@capelcommunitytrust.org

SUFFOLK BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT An announcement from the trustees

As a result of the impacts of the coronavirus on our key personnel and a change to their personal circumstances, we regret to inform you that Suffolk Bereavement Support will no longer be offering a service.

Chairman Patrick Palmer

THE CAPEL COVID-19 GROUP The Capel Covid-19 Group was set up on Monday 16 March following a post by Sue Nicol on our local village Facebook group regarding helping the vulnerable. This was picked up by the chairman of the parish council. After a meeting with him the next day, the group was set up with Sue and the help of two parish councillors. A Facebook group was started the same day which has provided help and information to those on social media (we have 518 members).

The village was split into zones and we immediately recruited volunteers (we have around 70) who were each given an area. Their first task was to distribute leaflets to the whole village with the name and contact details of their volunteer as we needed to get more information out to people not on social media. Subsequent leaflet distributions (there have been five in all so far) have provided information about local food delivery firms, etc. We also set up two phone teams to regularly keep in touch with vulnerable people. We set up a pharmacy group run by two volunteers; prescription requests were given to them on a daily basis, then collected and distributed by area volunteers.

Due to the problems obtaining food at the beginning of lockdown, Hall Farm kindly set up a food ordering service run by two volunteers who took and delivered orders two or three times a week. Another volunteer took orders for Country Pies, which are made in the village. These too were delivered to vulnerable residents on a weekly basis. We also set up a Sunday roast delivery from The Chequers, weekly local fish, fruit and veg deliveries, and The Marquis distributed weekly free food packs (fresh bread, cake, crisps, sweets) for our vulnerable people, which has really helped to cheer them up!

A quick breakdown

• In approximate terms, the general volunteers have helped around 234 households with shopping, prescriptions, etc.

• We have delivered pies to 65 different households.

• We have delivered Hall Farm food to 80 different households.

• During April we were doing around 230 tasks a week; this figure rose even higher during May.

We are now trying to rationalise our operation should a second wave occur as we have fewer volunteers due to people returning to work. We are trying to make vulnerable people more self-sufficient in terms of being able to order shopping online themselves, through their children, or through their volunteer. We now have time to fill in GDPR forms to ensure that we have everything in place going forward. If you haven’t received one and feel you may need help going forward, please phone Sue Nicol on 07747 618615 and she will arrange for your volunteer to sort this out. We will not be able to help anyone going forward without a signed GDPR form.

On a final note, we are keen to recruit new volunteers in case of a second wave. We have a fabulous team who have all helped each other with tasks and it is such rewarding work. Please phone Sue Nicol on the above number if you can help.

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NEWS

In Touch online:

BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR SUE CARPENDALE: SEP/OCT 2020Concerns over planning changesDistrict councils are somewhat exercised at present by new rules on planning coming from Westminster. Of critical importance to Babergh is the new annual housing target figure which nearly doubles the current one – that being the one in the emerging Local Plan, which isn’t even in place yet.

The key problem we have in our district is that of ‘affordability’, i.e. house price to average salary ratio, and in Babergh it’s around 11:1. The problem isn’t just house prices. Average salaries are low. Government seems to think if there are more houses being built, prices will come down. Their proposals are certainly radical, both in terms of reforms to the planning system and the numbers of homes to be built.

Loss of local control and accountability over development is surely questionable, depriving communities of the ability to define the places where they live as well as giving developers freedom to ride roughshod over local areas. The new numbers proposed by government also substantially damage our land supply, which also leaves the door open for developers. The consultation is on-going and Babergh has set up a cross-party, round table working group due to meet shortly to forward comments to Cabinet and Council.

Social HousingBabergh continues to secure more social housing for the district. There will be 45 new-build homes coming to Sudbury as part of an S106 deal. Some 89 properties have already been bought or built in the district since 2017 – with a further 158 homes in the pipeline for 2020-2022. Of these, 41 will be built on council-owned land, while 117 will be S106 purchases.

2020 Annual Electoral Roll Canvass text messagesThe Annual Canvass process is now well underway, with the initial letters out already. To help streamline the process, Babergh is encouraging an electronic process. Electoral services will be trialling the free gov.uk notification service, sending text message reminders to electors who have notified us they are new to a property, but who are still required to complete the registration process.

Covid-19The danger of complacency over social distancing has seen an unwanted rise in the number of cases. Please ‘Stick With It’, even though Suffolk has been relatively safe so far. There’s a lot of information on the Suffolk County Council website, and also on Babergh’s. You can find further information on social media using #Covid19Suffolk.

sue.carpendale@babergh.gov.uk

COVID SNAKECapel St Mary Parish Council has now removed the Covid Snake from the village green where we have all enjoyed adding to it and watching it grow.

We are very grateful to the Capel Finds Group for starting this initiative which provided much positivity on what has been, and still remains a difficult time for many.

The snake will soon be slithering its way to a new home where it can be kept and remembered in years to come. Further details to follow.

Thank you to all those who added to the snake’s tail and made it so fantastic!

Capel St Mary Parish Council

Flu Vaccination ProgrammeWe will operate our flu vaccination programme very differently this year. All flu vaccinations will be by appointment only. We will commence vaccinations at the end of September and aim to complete them by the end of November.

We will be contacting all eligible patients through this period, initially prioritising vulnerable patients and patients with medical conditions that put them at risk.

Please be patient and do not contact the practice regarding flu vaccinations, as the reception team will not be able to book them. The practice will contact all eligible patients in due course.

When attending the practice for a flu vaccination, please arrive at your appointment time but not more than five minutes early. Please follow strict guidelines regarding entering and exiting the building, hand sanitising, and wearing of facemasks/coverings.

In addition, please wear appropriate clothing so you can quickly expose your arm for vaccinating. This will enable us to deliver vaccinations efficiently and safely.

Coronavirus UpdateAs we head into autumn, it is vital that we continue with the measures which have been in place for the last few months to protect both staff and patients from Covid-19.

Our primary objective at the practice is to minimise the need for patients to come to the practice at all, but if they need to then to minimise the risk. Here is a summary of the measures we have put in place:

If possible, submit any medical or admin query via our online eConsult service. We aim to respond to all eConsults within two working days.

If you cannot use eConsult or if your need is urgent, our receptionists will place you on a triage list and one of our doctors or nurse practitioners will call you back.

If you need to come to the practice, the clinician will ask you to wait in your car with your mobile. Please inform the practice when you have arrived. The clinician will then call you when they are ready to see you.

You must tell us if you are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms such as fever, a new cough, or loss of taste and smell.

Please wear a mask or wrap a scarf around you face when you come to the practice, and sanitise your hands.

Please be assured that you can contact us if you feel you need to speak to a clinician about any health concerns you may have. If you have concerns regarding the health of vulnerable patients, please inform us.

Thank you for you continued support and co-operation.

Practice Manager Pete Keeble

We must keep on protecting

each other.

CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE

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NEWS

CAPEL ST MARY PARISH COUNCILReport from the meeting held on Monday 14 September Present were Councillors Bishop, Bonfield, Cowgill, Dimond, Fenn, Harris, Hole, Matthews, O’Galligan, Ross, Thomas, Weaver, District Councillor Carpendale, Julie Lawes (clerk).

Babergh District Council has requested suggestions for road names for the new development on land north of Butchers Lane. Councillors recommended names of wildflowers be used including: Bluebell, Teasel, Foxglove, Snowdrop, Red Campion, Yarrow, Celandine and Daisy.

Residents of the village provided a great response to the leaflet drop which advised the emerging Babergh Joint Local Plan includes the building of 550 additional dwellings adjacent to Red Lane (by the playing field). This is in addition to the 200 (plus) new homes which Babergh District Council has already given planning permission. The proposed Red Lane development would bring the total of new dwellings which Babergh Council plans for Capel to 792 new homes with no detail on improvements to the village infrastructure or the A12 corridor. Of those who voted, 520 households opposed the building of 550 new homes with 12 in favour. These results will now be circulated to the leader of Babergh District Council and our MP James Cartlidge.

Although much different to that initially planned, the VE and VJ Day celebrations were a great success, considering the restrictions to which we had to adhere, with residents showing great community spirit and getting involved. A final newspaper publication will be sent to all households including photos and information of the Capel St Mary celebrations.

The Neighbourhood Plan which details community needs in future planning and design of the village continues to be adapted and finalised, for it then to be independently assessed upon completion.

Volunteers are needed for the Community Speed Watch Team. This is a very small commitment of time and full training is given. Capel St Mary shares equipment with Stratford St Mary, having use of this for the first two weeks of each month. We are looking for volunteers able to give one hour per week for those weeks. We are very flexible and work in teams of two or three providing this service to the community trying to help keep our drivers and pedestrians safe. If interested please contact the clerk (details below).

Julie LawesThe next meeting of Capel St Mary Parish Council will be a virtual meeting via Zoom on Monday 12 October.

There is an open session at each meeting when members of the public may speak.

The actual minutes of the meeting are available for viewing at the parish council office at 27a The Street, Capel St Mary, which is open on Tuesdays from 10am to noon and from 1-3pm on Fridays.

The parish clerk can be contacted on 01473 314103 during these times. An answer phone operates outside these hours and messages are picked up everyday. Alternatively, contact can be made by email to: capel.parishclerk@btconnect.com

www.capelstmary.onesuffolk.net

CONSTABLE COUNTRY PPGGiving feedback to the surgeryThere are a number of ways in which you can give feedback to the surgery.

You can do so via the website where there is a ‘Have Your Say’ tab. You can either contact us via this tab (Patient Group) or feedback direct to the practice (Friends and Family Test).

You can also email us on constablecountryppg@gmail.com. Alternatively, if you don’t have internet access you can ring Kathy on 01473 311384.

If you wish to make a complaint you can either write to the practice manager, Pete Keeble, at the East Bergholt surgery address or to NHS England at: www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/complaint

Capel SurgeryAs I write, Capel Surgery is open on a few days each week. Hopefully, by the time you read this, further appointments will be available.

We are recruiting!We currently have a number of vacancies on the Patient Participation Group. We usually meet once a month at the surgery, but currently we are meeting via Zoom. We are particularly interested in improving our representation from the 20-60 age group.

We aim to provide constructive feedback to the practice in order to improve the patient experience. We also help, for example, on flu days and we have organised a number of talks on subjects of interest to patients like heart health, diabetes and first aid.

If you would like to apply please contact us on the email address given above or call Kathy on 01473 311384 and we will send you an application form.

Kathy Pollard, Chair Constable Country Patient Participation Group

www.constablecountrymedicalpractice.co.uk

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Sadly, Suffolk Constabulary has recently experienced an increase in the theft of high-value tractor navigation systems, committed, we believe, by an organised crime group. There are no further details known about the offenders. The hotspots are farms and construction sites. Please be vigilant and report anything you feel is out of the ordinary or suspicious to police on 101 or 999 should this potentially be a crime in progress.

With those nights now drawing in, we need to also remember to be vigilant around our homes, as we might be if we were going away on holiday. It’s a good idea to leave a light on a timer and to move it around the house if possible.

This also brings me to Halloween safety. At the time of writing, no specific guidelines have been introduced by the government in relation to COVID-19 and Halloween. Remember there are posters we can provide to deter people from knocking on your door, as well as advice.

Over the last few years, there seems to be an understanding that if you don’t have a pumpkin or Halloween decorations at your property, trick or treaters will not knock on your door.

I know this can be a scary time for some of our vulnerable residents and it’s important to keep an eye on them and make sure they feel safe.

Costumes, shrieks, screams and an unusual level of activity in the street can be disorienting to a person living with dementia who can have difficulty understanding what’s happening.

Halloween could mean a sleepless night of stress and anxiety for the elderly or those with dementia.

Obviously, many usual events cannot take place still. With a few more restrictions lifted over the last month (at the time of writing), I hope to get out and about in the community again a bit more.

Community Engagement Officer PC 287 Sarah George E: CEOipwesthadleigh@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

DOVE CLOSERegrettably we are still unable to open to the public but will send you the good news as soon as we can.

However, you may be able to help one of our new residents who has lost her cat. If you see a white cat with a black stripe down his back please call 01473 311981. We are keeping our fingers crossed! Thank you.

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OUT & ABOUT

CAPEL LADIES CLUB On September 3 we enjoyed afternoon tea at Bluebell Tea Room at Bypass Nurseries, where Mandy and her team made us all very welcome.

It was a real treat for 16 members of Capel Ladies Club to meet up for the first time since lockdown began and, by all accounts the last for a while!

We had finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and cakes too, accompanied by unlimited cups of tea and coffee – delicious! The service

was excellent and came with plenty of smiles and everyone enjoyed the occasion very much.

It was especially nice to see Molly Johansen with us as she has recently had a bout of very poor health. It was good to see she is on the way to recovery.

At the end of the afternoon Rose Chiverton thanked Mandy and her team, and confirmed that Capel Ladies Club will definitely be continuing into 2021 with some new committee members joining our ranks. The only unfortunate thing is that we won’t be able to meet as a whole club for at least six months or more, thanks to Covid-19!

Oh well, perhaps we should split into breakaway groups of six and have our own mini-meetings on the green near the war memorial! Just joking of course, but roll on next spring when perhaps we’ll be able to gather in the library once again at 7.45pm on the first Thursday of the month.

Check our website for up-to-date news of what’s happening with the CLC. Meanwhile, keee-eep smiling – and remember to wash those hands!

www.capelladies.com

MANNINGTREE POETRY GROUPDue to the current situation, the monthly meetings of Poetry Plus are temporarily suspended.

We are now producing a monthly online electronic poetry magazine to keep poets connected and to provide an exciting collection of poetry.

To discover Poetry Plus – The Magazine, which is entirely free and available to everybody, go to:

www.poetryplus.org.uk/themagazine.html

NEWS FROM CAPEL LIBRARYWe welcomed people back into the library on 22 September. We are limited to four people browsing at any one time, plus one person on the public computer. We also operate a one-way system, hand sanitising and facemasks.

The public computer is also available to book through a member of staff. You will need your library card to make the booking over the phone and when you arrive at the library. Please note the computer is on a priory-based booking system for those needing emails, job seekers, Universal Credit, HMRC, etc. Photocopying and printing are now available.

The Home Library Service is now back up and running with two new lovely volunteers. If you know of anyone who would benefit from this service, please ask them to get in touch. Home Library Service is a service we offer for those who are housebound but still love to read or listen to books. It’s us bringing the library to you.

Our opening hours are different until further notice. For full details visit: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/libraries/capel-st-mary-library

CURRENT OPENING HOURS Tuesday: 10am to 1pmWednesday: 10am to 1pmThursday: 10am to 1pmSaturday: 10am to 1pm

If you have items to return, please pop them back through our book drop.

We also now have some lovely new (second-hand) jigsaws for people to borrow, swap or buy for £1. Our book sale trolley is available with books from 30p.

For up to date information visit: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/coronavirus

THE BEACON COFFEE SHOPWhere have the past few months gone, we ask ourselves. To say we have missed The Beacon and our customers is putting it mildly.

We have held you in our prayers throughout this time. It has been a hard, long road to travel, more so for some than others, but we can come out of it a much stronger community.

The world is always a better place after a Tuesday morning at the Beacon where the sharing, caring, chat and laughter seems to put the world to rights somehow.

The frustration of not being able to open The Beacon at this moment is beyond measure but if you want to contact us for any reason, we are here for you.

Stay safe, keep smiling, God bless you all.

Maddy (311516), Mo (310057) and the team

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OUT & ABOUT

MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETYWe caught up on our two missed competitions via Zoom during August. Ian Bancroft won the action themed competition with Running on Air, and the close-up competition was won by Harold Mousley with The King’s Shilling. A selection of images from all our competitions can be viewed on our website.

As with many other clubs, we will not be meeting in person for a while. However, we would welcome anyone interested in joining the club to one of our Zoom meetings; please see below for contact details.

We are a small and friendly group of photography enthusiasts who (in normal times) meet up on the Essex/Suffolk border. The club aims to provide an enjoyable environment for members to develop their photographic skills through a variety of activities in the company of like-minded individuals. We would be pleased to welcome you at one of our evenings once it is safe to resume, or to join a Zoom meeting before then.

As well as our Zoom meetings, the Facebook challenge continues to keep members motivated with a new subject every two weeks.

Our new season continues via Zoom with details posted online.

October 8: Open Colour CompetitionOctober 22: Open Mono CompetitionOctober 29: A presentation entitled My Kinda Street with Tony Bramley FRPS

Normally our meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second, fourth and fifth Thursday evenings of the month between September and May at the St Johns Ambulance Centre, Station Road, Manningtree CO11 1EB.

For details please contact our secretary, Viv Scurrell: 01206 393751 /madps@post.com

www.e-voice.org.uk/manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety

CAPEL ST MARY WI

Today, 9 September 2020, Marion Turner, our secretary, kindly enabled the WI Committee to hold our second socially distanced meeting in her garden. The sun shone, providing a lovely ambience for us all to get together, albeit for a short time. It was also very pleasant to have our meeting attended by our adviser, Claire Blake.

Despite our monthly meetings and planned events having been cancelled, we have still been able to keep in touch with our members. We look forward to getting back to normal as soon as government guidelines allow.

If you have any queries regarding our current situation, please contact Marion: 01473 310635

On behalf of the committee, I would also take this opportunity to wish Marion a very happy birthday on October 1. We hope that you have a lovely day.

Sue Dale

STOUR VALLEY U3AKnocked back by Covid, we are now rebuilding as quickly as is safely possible. The majority of our activity groups, including walking, ten pin bowling, fitness, canoeing and kayaking, are back up and running.

Other groups, from philosophy, to book club and languages, continue to operate using Zoom.

Meanwhile, our coffee mornings have started again at the Lambe School in East Bergholt on Fridays and our gardening group has a number of visits planned, including a week away to Harrogate.

We are always open to new members. Our fee for 2020/21 is just £8. To find out more, visit our website to see how we work and get the latest updates about our local activities.

You can also get in touch by email with Graham Manuel (chair): gandamanuel@gmail.com Sue Basted (secretary): susanbasted10@gmail.com

www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk

About usStour Valley U3A is one of more than 1,000 U3A groups in the UK. We have just over 400 members based in the Essex/Suffolk border encompassing areas including Manningtree, Dedham, East Bergholt and Shotley.

We work with neighbouring branches in Hadleigh, Harwich and Colchester which provides a wider range of social and learning opportunities.

The Third Age Trust looks after all U3As nationally bringing together people in their ‘third age’ to develop their interests and continue learning in a friendly and informal environment. Third age is a time after you have finished working full-time and have time to pursue interests or just try something new.

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUBA committee meeting was scheduled to take place at the Ogilvie Hall on Wednesday 19 September to discuss the future of the club. We shall report the outcome in the next edition.

Due to the lack of a suitable venue, our planned speaker programme is currently on hold.

Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed.

We usually meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB, 10 for 10.30am. For further details please contact our president, Dave Carman on 01255 880202 or, our secretary, Graeme Forsyth on 01206 399049.

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OUT & ABOUT

CAPEL ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION’S GUIDE TO GARDENING IN OCTOBER

Veg PlotPick frost tender crops, clear ground and get started on your winter digging incorporating well rotted manure, composted garden waste or mushroom compost. Plant spring cabbage and onion sets.

FruitApply grease bands and grease. Remove fruited raspberry, blackberry and tayberry canes and tie in new shoots. Take cuttings of red, white and black currents and gooseberries. Order trees and bushes.

GreenhousePick tomatoes, cucumber, pepper and aubergines. Empty greenhouse and wash down with Jeyes. Line with bubble plastic. Bring in frost tender plants.

FlowersPlant spring flowering bulbs. Remove and compost summer bedding. Plant wallflowers, sweet williams, pansies, viola and heathers by October 20 while the ground is still warm. Sow sweet peas. Mulch borders. Divide perennials.

LawnsRe-seed worn areas, spray with an iron sulphate solution to treat moss. Aerate and scarify. Apply sharp sand, an autumn feed and mow with blades set at medium height.

ALLOTMENT NEWS

The HutOpen from 10am-noon on Saturdays throughout October for our members. Membership is just £5 per annum.

Seed Scheme Please get your potato orders in by October 15 and paper seed orders by November 5 to Phil or online as soon as you are ready after contacting Phil for your personal access discount code.

Autumn Work-in and BKA AwardsThe final work-in of the year starts at 9am on Sunday 18 October. Refreshments provided. Followed by the trophy and prize giving for the Best Kept Allotment competition.

E: News@CapelAllotments.co.uk

www.capelallotments.co.uk

KENNY’S SESAW NEWS What a strange summer it’s been, with no visitors except by appointment. Lady the pony has taken to wearing a flower in her mane and the geese unlace volunteers’ shoes, presumably out of boredom. I miss my public and sympathise with the many humans who are staying at home.

We’ve had few dogs in, and some cats, kittens and rabbits. Two jackdaws, a collared dove and several pigeons have recovered and flown away and an owl is being nursed back to health. Sadly James, our handsome cockerel, has died due to old age and illness but James II has ascended the throne!

We still cannot accept bric-a-brac and general household items but we can take clean, undamaged clothing for recycling. Please leave in clear plastic bags only to ensure contents are visible. Regretfully, soiled clothes and bedding have been found hidden in black plastic sacks in the past.

Hopefully, we will take part in some festive events, Covid restrictions permitting, but we need good quality items for Jeanette’s popular tombola and Sheila’s ‘classy’ stall. Contributions can be left at SESAW or phone 07881 785535 to arrange collection.

We really appreciate your continued support via JustGiving, the post, collection pots and occasional mystery donors. During one of my security patrols one wet evening in August, I noticed something left outside. With much effort I dragged it indoors and we discovered a kind person had left their rainy day fund for SESAW. Thank you for every precious penny of the £8.40 which will help care for the animals, including me,

Kenny (the Boss) Chihuahua

Suffolk and Essex Small Animal Welfare, Stoke Road, Leavenheath CO6 4PP 01787 210888 / www.sesaw.co.uk

15www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/capelcapers

CarsSmart01473 25-25-25

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Fixed-fare from Capel to Ipswich Town Centre – £12.50*

*One pick-up/one drop only - see website for details

low cost, high value,24 hour cab service

Contactlesspayments are

welcome in allof our vehicles

16 In Touch online:

17www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/capelcapers

OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS

ROBIN’S NEWSBaby BearsWe have welcomed back some babies and some new faces too. We have had trials for the new starters and lots of communication through phone calls and messages to get to know the children’s needs, interests and routines. We are now all settled in; all the children are adapting well to our routine and have built lovely relationships with their key person.

Toddling TigersThe Toddling Tigers have been very busy since returning to Robins. We have had some new friends come and join us and they have settled in brilliantly. We have had a big change around in our room and have made more room for the Tigers to explore loose parts. Sensory play has always been a favourite and we encourage the Tigers to experience a wide variety including water, sand, shaving foam, playdough and food resources.

GruffalosSo after nearly six months for some of our Gruffalos, we’re back! We have welcomed several new children to the room and they have settled in well. After a long and lovely summer, we are embracing the changes in the seasons and using the wonders of nature within the room and our play. The children have weighed conkers in their role play, created acorn soup in their water play and explored the patterns and shapes of leaves in the playdough and in any other creative ways that they think of.

We have also made some more changes within the room to further embed the Curiosity Approach and the children are showing so much interest and curiosity in the authentic and real items, taking care and respect as they play with them. We have noticed that their concentration levels have increased as they explore these items from the real world.

MeerkatsIt has been great to have Meerkats back for breakfast and after school club and this term we have welcomed some new faces. Our Meerkats are a great bunch and we all have a lovely time together.

If you have any questions or would like further information about Robin’s Childcare, please call us on 01473 310767 or email us at: info@robinschidlcare.co.uk

CAPEL ST MARY PRIMARY SCHOOLWe are all finally back in school! It has been a long time since March 17 when the school closed for the majority of children. In June we welcomed more children back from a limited number of year groups and the school began to come to life again. Since September 3, all of the children, with the exception of some in Reception and Nursery, have been back.

We are delighted that the classrooms are full of happy voices and it’s fantastic to see all of the smiles. Clearly, this is a difficult time for everyone, but parents and the wider community can rest assured that the school is doing everything it can to ensure that both the children and the staff are as safe as we can make them.

At the moment we are not inviting parents into the school building and being very careful with who is allowed to come on site. This is to keep the school community as secure as possible. We would love to invite parents in to see the things that we are doing, but at the moment this is just not possible.

During the last two months of the last academic year, we invited the children to contribute to an art project to mark this strange period in our history. I am happy to say that this project has now been completed and we have a wonderful quilt which lots of children contributed hearts to. I hope that parents saw this in the local press. Below are some of the individual hearts which made this incredible quilt.

As ever, we are looking forward to an exciting term with the children learning about the Second World War in Unit Three. I hope to be able to publish some pictures for you to see in the next article.

Headteacher Sean Cornish

EBONY’S BLOG

LIFE AT THE SHELLEY CENTREWhat exciting news we have up here! HRH The Princess Royal is com-ing to see us. She had planned to visit the centre in April to mark our 30th birthday year but you can guess what happened to that. Nobody could have expected her to try to re-schedule a visit so soon but her team has picked us out for a Covid-era trial event on September 11. We are so honoured.

A Covid royal visit is a bit of a low key affair with only 30 people allowed to participate. The humans have decided to ask a few very long-serving riders to come and meet her; some long-serving volunteers will be there too. There won’t be any cake!

As you can imagine, the centre is being given a blitz. I’ve had all my parts polished, Babs has had a wash-down and the spiders have been told to leave. The volunteers are back and learning the new systems for keeping our riders as safe as we can. My photo shows a joint training session for the Monday and Friday teams on the first day of term in early September.

Despite the uncertainty about getting all our riders back, Lynn, our mum, has brought a new gelding into the herd. He will be strong enough to replace dear old Bob who suffers from arthritis. The new chap is a palomino welsh cob, 14.2 and only 10 years old, known as Roddy to his friends. We hope he has a long and happy time with us here. Lynn says he likes to be cuddled, the big softy. My photo shows him watching and learning about the activities in the yard.

Our humans have been so busy making safety arrangements for all our participants. There is a one way system in place. Rather sadly only the volunteers may come into the yard. Parents and carers will be expected to stay in their cars for the time being. This means I shall be unable to listen in to the gossip but hopefully, by the time I write the November blog in early October, we may have been able to relax some of these measures. I’m told it’s really important to keep avoiding a crowd, to keep up the good hand washing, and to be careful of other people’s space.

My next blog may have some photos of Princess Anne with me. So exciting!

See you in November folks.

www.shelleyrda.com / 01473 824172

18 In Touch online:

SPORT

CAPEL ST MARY BOWLS CLUBWe are still recruiting so if you fancy a go please get in touch.

We are currently fast approaching the end of our season and by the time you read this our green will be closed until April 2021 when we hope to run a Covid-free season.

During the summer we held two and four wood singles competitions with the finalists being:Covid Challenge: Alastair & Karen Montgomerie (four wood)Corona Challenge: Steve Bumphrey & Phil Hall (four wood)Ladies’ Singles: Carol Warrington & Elaine Wright (two wood)Men’s Singles: John Howe & John Wright (two wood)

The competition was well received with 83 games being organised and booked on our system. It was very encouraging to see many of our new members taking part, with two of them progressing to the final. All results can be viewed on our website.

FINALS DAY

Finals day was held on September 13 with all games closely contested. In the four woods, the winner of the Covid Challenge was Karen Montgomerie, and the winner of the Corona Challenge was Phil Hall.

In the two woods, the winner of the Ladies’ Challenge was Carol Warrington, and the winner of the Men’s Challenge was John Howe.

Most impressively, John Howe only joined the club this year and has now proved himself to be a keen competitor. Well done to all our winners and to the runners-up for giving a good game. The winners received a certificate and two bottles of Corona beer. The loser received one bottle. The competition was well supported by 12 spectators for each session, all of whom maintained social distancing during the event.

If anyone else in the village (or beyond) fancies trying outdoor bowls as activity, please contact us via the email address below.

Keep safe everyone.

Jack High

All our latest news can be found at: www.capelstmarybowls.onesuffolk.netOr contact us by email: bowlsclubcapel@gmail.com

EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

The 1st Team returned to competitive action on September 5 with the Reserves and A Team following a week later.

There is still some dissatisfaction amongst grassroots clubs regarding the guidance/rules around the use of dressing rooms. This can only become a bigger issue as the weather changes to what might be expected in the football season.

The club has been, and still is, looking for a manager for the A Team. This is an opportunity for someone to progress to adult football and take charge of the development of a team largely composed of youngsters making their transition from junior to adult football. If you would like to be considered for this role please contact the secretary, Steve Butcher.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

1st Team: Senior Division 26 Sep: Claydon (H)

03 Oct: Bildeston Rangers (A) 10 Oct: Achilles (H)

17 Oct: Leiston St Margarets (H) 24 Oct: Coplestonians (H)

31 Oct: Debenham LC (Suffolk Senior Cup) (A)

Reserves: League A 26 Sep: Claydon Res (A)

03 Oct: Henley Athletic Res (H) 24 Oct: Haughley Utd Res (A)

31 Oct: Benhall St Mary Res (Travel Plus Tours Cup) (A)

A Team: League C 26 Sep: Benhall St Mary Res (A)

03 Oct: Leiston St Margarets Res (H) 10 Oct: Wickham Market Res (H)

17 Oct: Coplestonians A (H) 24 Oct: Leiston St Margarets Res (A)

31 Oct: Claydon A (H)

Fixtures are subject to change. To confirm visit: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069

Ladies and JuniorsThe ladies and juniors both hope to get under way as soon as possible. If you are interested, please contact David or Lee:

David George: davidgeorge5000@hotmail.com Lee Partridge: bunter.partridge@googlemail.com

Facebook: East Bergholt United Football Club

Instagram: east_bergholt_united_fc

Twitter: @EBUFC1

Steve Butcher: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

DEMENTIA TOGETHER CALL FREE 08081 688 000

Email: SRYC.DementiaTogether@nhs.net Visit: www.dementia-together.com

19www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/capelcapers

20 In Touch online:

21www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/capelcapers

ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHURCH NEWS

CHRISTIANS IN CAPELThe members of all the churches foster a closer fellowship and understanding between the respective Christian communities in Capel St Mary. They endeavour to co-ordinate common interests and where practical share common resources to meet specific needs.

For times and details of Sunday services, Alpha and Home/Life Groups, please contact one of the following:

The Parish Church, St Mary the VirginThe Rev Sally Letman The Rectory, Days Road, Capel 01473 311505

The Catholic ChurchFathers Paul Vincent and Bineesh Elanjikkal (Hospital Chaplain)St Mark’s Church, 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich / 01473 684963

Capel Community ChurchDavid Owen, 18 Bushey Close, Capel www.capelcommunitychurch.org.uk 01473 310454 / 07752 921135

The Methodist ChurchThe Rev Andrew Sankey8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Marywww.capelmethodistchurch.org.uk01473 311178 / 07966 187216

INTER-CHURCH MIDWEEK ACTIVITIESMany of these are not possible under current restrictions. Please contact the church leaders above for more details or visit the websites.

HELP! I NEED SOMEBODY!During lockdown we have seen (more than in any other situation I can recall in my lifetime) the need for community. It has been truly amazing to see how people have rallied and volunteered to support the elderly and most vulnerable in our community. A big ‘thank you’ to the caring people of Capel.

However, in less adverse times, I do wonder if we are as quick to ask for help when we need it. We are brought up with the expectation that we should be independent as we reach adulthood, and somehow ‘push through’ difficulties or trials when they arise. This ethos is not always good for our mental and emotional wellbeing.

Clearly, there are some things we can do to shore up our wellbeing before we ask for help. In her brilliant book Irrepressible, Cathy Madavan talks about using the acronym ‘HALT’ to take stock and see if there is anything we can do to help ourselves when faced with adversity:

H – Hungry: Are we eating healthily and well enough? Anxiety and testing times can cause us not to pay attention to what our bodies need, either not eating enough or too much.

A – Anger: Do we have any grievance against anyone that could be eating away at us and needs resolving or rebuilding? Choosing to be gracious and forgiving is the best antidote to anger and resentment. It brings with it freedom from bitterness or self-pity.

L – Lonely: Do I need to get back in touch with friends or relatives and invest some time with them? Can they support me with my problem?

T – Tired: Sleep deprivation, it is said, is a form of torture. Those with babies or snoring husbands know this to be true! So can I change anything in the ‘how and when’, to get a better night’s sleep?

These four things we tend to have some control over, but sometimes we come to the end of our own resources and feel like we are ‘hitting a wall’. It is then that we need to be brave and reach out to others and ask for help. But what if you don’t have anydody to turn to, and some won’t.

Father God is ready to listen! We find his words of help and comfort in the Bible and it is possible to know him close like a friend and confidante.

I love the Psalms because they often say so well what we are feeling. Psalm 121 expresses first the desperation we feel, then the realisation that we are not alone…

“I lift my eyes up to the mountains, where does my help come from? It comes from you, Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth!”

If God can make all that we can see, then He really is a great source of help. Be brave! Just ask Him. I can certainly vouch for his ability to do so. Jesus is my friend.

If you would like to know more about finding out how to have a relationship with God, please contact any of the local churches who will be happy to help.

Amanda Firmin

Leadership Team at Capel Community Church

www.capelcommunitychurch.org.uk

JUST ONE WORLD NATURE’S LOCKDOWN LESSONS BY DEBBIE BARTLETT

Extreme lockdown certainly brought a new way of life and our daily walk in the fresh air became a real treat. We spent time discovering open spaces, listening to birdsong and spotting wildflowers and trees. It was the reaction to nature which inspired local author Debbie Bartlett to write her recently published second children’s book, Just One World – Nature’s Lockdown Lessons, now available on Amazon.

Debbie, who lives in Felixstowe, organises Litter-Free Felixstowe and has a clear passion for protecting wildlife on land and sea. Just One World is aimed at primary school aged children but there really is a message for everyone. Nature flourished when humans were stuck inside during lockdown and we now need to learn to share the world. The increasing number of bees, butterflies and birds is apparent, and Debbie wanted to remind children of the positive changes to the environment when people changed their ways.

The book has a simple, rhyming style with lovely illustrations by Rachel Wallis. It follows the highly successful earlier book Just One Child which empowered children to take action to reduce single-use plastics and engage in litter-picking. The first book, featuring many recognisable local landmarks, has sold literally around the world from Australia to Spain and Canada to India.

One of the rewards for the book has been the excellent reviews and feedback from parents and teachers alike but Debbie is particularly proud to treasure two handwritten notes from David Attenborough himself. Debbie points out that Just One World contains a clear reference to a David Attenborough quote when he said, “The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book”.

Before lockdown, Debbie was being asked to visit local schools to spread the environmental message but obviously closure due to Covid-19 has restricted direct contact with classes. Further books are planned, and it is hoped that the next generation can be inspired to take positive steps from an early age.

22 In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS

SENSE OF FAILUREI recently prepared a message in which I shared a snapshot of three people who were called by God to serve as missionaries, two in India (Amy Carmichael and Muriel Sankey) and one in Ecuador (Elisabeth Elliot), and all with links to each other. They all had a significant impact on people’s lives in the countries they served, their home countries and indeed in the world, and inspired other people for missionary service. It was only after I had finished that I watched part of the two-hour long memorial service for the last of them to die in 2015, Elisabeth. A close friend of hers from childhood was among those who spoke, particularly to Elisabeth’s grandchildren.

These people are inspirational, and we tend to put them on a pedestal and almost imagine them as perfect. It was difficult to restrict myself to just one achievement in my message. I had visited the places where Amy and my mother worked in India, spoken with people who knew them and read extensively. I was fascinated by the many stories my mother told of life first as a single missionary and then as a married couple with children.

Early in her missionary work, Amy had written a book to encourage people onto the mission field. She was extremely honest and spoke about failures as well as amazing stories of conversion and God’s provision. She sent it to the UK for publication, but no one would publish it because of the failures described. Publishers wanted books about success in mission and God’s blessing. Many years later it was published.

I knew enough about my mum and Amy to know they were not perfect, but this was the first time I had researched Elisabeth. I had put her on a pedestal. Her husband Jim Elliot had been killed by a savage tribe in Ecuador just two years after they were married. Two years later Elisabeth and her three-year-old daughter were living with the tribe who had killed her husband and many of them came to have faith in the Lord and she forgave them. It was not until I heard this tribute of a lifelong friend of Elisabeth that another link in their stories became clear. They all had a very real sense of failure in their lives and were extremely honest about it.

Many people carry a sense of failure with them, including the three people I have described. It is the honesty of their confession that is part of their strength that makes them significant people in our world. That is what God calls of us, total honesty. Apart from Him we can do nothing. Each of my characters knew it was God who enabled them. Compared with the power and strength of God, we are fallible and weak and can let God down. But we are all He has; if we do things in our own strength we will fail, but with God all things are possible, even forgiving your husband’s murderer. Abandon yourself to the working of God’s mighty power in you. God so loved you that He gave you life by his Son.

Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Capel Methodist Church 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216

Live streaming of services every Sunday, 10.15 for 10.30am start at: www.capelmethodistchurch.org.uk

Preaching theme on Culture and Faith Intersection

Sunday 4 Oct Emily Hannah Sunday 11 Oct Rev Chris Hill Sunday 18 Oct Paul Law Sunday 25 Oct Rev Andrew Sankey

In addition, for those who are able to get to church, there will be a reflection time from 9.15-9.45am so that you can return home for the live streaming.

ORDINARY BUT EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLEThe definition of ‘ordinary’ is ‘someone with no special or distinctive feature; normal’. The root of the word comes from ‘order’.

We are however, surrounded in Capel St Mary by extraordinary people who consider themselves very ‘ordinary’, people who do acts of kindness every day, are a friendly face and a helping hand and live their lives reflecting the way that Jesus lived. But they would say, “Don’t be ridiculous, I’m just being ordinary”.

In the Bible, God uses ordinary people all the time and often they are extremely reluctant. They ignore God’s calling for years and years and think, “Don’t be daft, he’s made a mistake, He’s not calling me!”.

Indeed, when God chose Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses said, “Pardon your servant Lord, please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13).

Sometimes we live our lives waiting for something extraordinary to happen but then we miss it and realise that it is actually the small things that happen that show us a bit of heaven on earth. Sometimes we are so busy making a noise and shouting our opinion that we miss the small voice that is God, the small voice in the silence of your heart that is calling you to do something for others; to make a difference.

On 5 September 2020 something extraordinary happened to me. I was ordained (there’s that word ‘ordinary’ and ‘order’) a deacon. A deacon is a servant who works in your parish and will next year become a priest. So, I’m a vicar who is learning on the job! I am very ordinary, and spent years and years ignoring God’s call. I was too busy; I was too selfish and I was too scared. But extraordinary people I met along the way encouraged and mentored me to consider my vocation. So, I gave up my job, went back to college to take a degree and worked in churches in Ipswich. It has been really, really hard. When I think back, I wonder how on earth I did it. My Faith and the Bible gave me help; ‘Be joyful in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer’ was what I had to keep in my mind at all times and often I failed abysmally. I still do.

But I perserved and kept on getting back up because my Faith supported me and God caught me when I stumbled. So, let us all continue to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary because we are surrounded by ‘ordinary’ and that is perhaps the key thing. There is amazing joy and potential in the ordinary.

Step forward all you wonderful people, let us be extraordinary together!

Love and blessings, Sally

The Rectory, Days Road, Capel St Mary / 014743 311505

23www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/capelcapers

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Following last months article about active travel and the improvements being made to cycling infrastructure to support and encourage more people to cycle in the county, In Touch are delighted to bring you details of a new and exciting cycling initiative called Love to Ride Su�olk

Love to Ride Su�olk enables participants to set goals, track distances, earn badges and prizes, share photos and stories, and encourage others to ride, as well as encouraging workplaces to incentivise their sta� to get involved.

Members of the In Touch team will be signing up and we very much hope you will join us.

Ride anywhere, anytime for fun, fitness, or transportation.

Find out about all the things that Su�olk County Council is doing to make it safer and easier for you to cycle at:

www.su�olk.gov.uk/walkingandcycling

comes to Su�olk

the movement to get more people on BikesJOIN

Log rides on your Love to Ride profile or via an app to earn points. Earn even more by encouraging others to ride too.

You can win bikes, bike gear, gift cards and more

Love to Ride Suolk challenges In the coming months, a series of themed challenges will be running including:

October Carbon Crusher November Light the Night December Winter Wheelers March Ride to Work Week

For full details visit: www.lovetoride.net/su�olk