February - villagevoices.org.uk

Laurie ForsythTrouble at Tower!day the wind scours thewalls inside the bellchamber and the flooris often flooded.Cracks in the church wall are widened by plants, and rainnow penetrates the towerThe Quinquennial report by Hollesleychurch’s architect revealed a seriousamount of mortar erosion on the tower.This can be seen on the south sidewhere there is substantial plant growthin the fissures. The plaster work in theringing chamber inside this wall is liftingaway because of dampness.At the top of the tower, inside thelouvred window on each face, considerableerosion of the mortar is takingplace internally. We remove about twobucketfuls of powdered mortar fromthe floor of the bell chamber each year.We have decided to repair the damageto the external walls as soon as possibleand also put doors inside the louvresto exclude the weather. On a badA recent inspection ofthe bells revealed thatthe gudgeons on two ofthe bells are loose. Oneof these is the tenorweighing 17 cwt. Thebells actually swingon the gudgeons andif one of them cameadrift the bell wouldfall causing severalthousand pounds worthof damage. It is necessaryto drop the bells,remove the headstocks and return theheadstocks to the foundry for repair.There is also refurbishment work necessaryto the pulleys and clappers.The PCC has decided that there shouldbe a fund raising committee with anaim to raise the necessary funds, whichcould exceed £30,000. The committeewill comprise members of the PCC,bell ringers and other interested people.Peter Harper will chair the committee.We hope that you will give this projectyour support. Any volunteers with timeto help or fund raising ideas shouldcontact Peter Harper 01394 411355 oremail harpers123@btinternet.com.Alan McBurnie and Peter HarperFebruary 2008 page www.villagevoices.org.uk

From HillsideWhy is the date of Easterdifferent each year?I quote from The Book of CommonPrayer:Laurie Forsyth‘Easter Day (on which the rest depend)is always the first Sunday after the FullMoon which happens on, or next afterthe twenty first day of March; and ifthe Full Moon happens upon a Sunday,Easter Day is the Sunday after.’When I look in the diary the Full Moonis on 21 st March, hence, Easter Day is23 rd March. This is the earliest it can beuntil 2030, which is as far as my bookrecords, the latest being 24 th April in2011.But, to be ready for Easter we musthave a time of preparation:LENTL – leave something out of your lifeE – enjoy an extra task or commitmentN – now is the time for self-examinationT – towards Easter and the risen Lord!It is a time for giving up and taking on.Many of us give something up forLent, alcohol, cigarettes, chocolate,and you are all to be commended, butwhat do you do with the money yousave?It is also a time to take on an extra task,to visit a neighbour, to make up with aHollesley Churchyard angelfriend, to take a little more exercise.Mine this year is to pray for you alleach day. Lent has 40 days and I shallstart with one person and add one moreeach day. Can I pray for you? Pleaseask.This year, I ask for your help. Thebells at Hollesley are in great needof repair (I know there are differingviews throughout the village.) I urgeyou to read the article on page 6 withcompassion and I trust you might beable to offer your assistance.I wish you a Happy Lent as we lookforward to Easter and greeting theRisen Lord.JudithFebruary 2008 page www.villagevoices.org.uk

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY19 th AprilReturn of theGordon Bennett BandHollesley Village Hall28 th JuneSummer FeteHollesley Village HallWEEKDAY SERVICESWednesday12pm Sutton1 st Thursday3pm Glebe House, Hollesley, Evensong3 rd Thursday10.30am Glebe House, Holy Communion4 th Friday2pm Mary Warner Homes, Communion2 nd Thursday 7.30pmColyton, Hollesley, Prayer GroupChurch ContactsTeam Rector:Revd David Murdoch, 01394 450336Assistant Vicar:Revd Judith Andrews, 01394 411642Hollesley Churchwardens:Fred Stentiford, 01394 411469Joan Butcher, 01394 411689Boyton Churchwardens:Malcolm Fleetwood, 01394 410409Isobel Lilley, 01394 411409Tower Captain:Alan McBurnie, 01394 411517Organist:Giles Bradley, 01394 411124Day Boyton Hollesley Other Places3 rd February 11.00 PFAll Age WorshipChristingle6 th FebruaryAshWednesday9.30 JACommunion9.30 Alderton11.00 Sutton, Bawdsey6.30 Shottisham6.30 JAService at All Saints’, HollesleyFor the beginning of Lent and the Imposition of Ashes10 th February 9.30 LCMorning Praise17 th February 11.00 DMCommunion9.30 DMFamily Communionwith Sunday Club24 th February 9.30 DPCommunion9.30 Alderton11.00 Ramsholt, 4.30 Sutton9.30 Sutton11.00 Alderton9.30 Shottisham11.00 Bawdsey, Ramsholt,SuttonMinisters: JA - Revd Judith Andrews PF - Pat Fleetwood (Elder)DM - Revd David Murdoch DP - Revd Canon Deidre ParmenterLC - Lydia Calvesbert (Reader)www.villagevoices.org.ukFebruary 2008 page

Past Times - Village Faces and PlacesWhit Tuesday at Shingle StreetThis photograph may be in poorcondition but the scene it shows isfascinating. The original has beenannotated ‘Whit Tuesday at ShingleStreet’. It must have been a popularoccasion, judging by the number ofNEWS ON THE POST OFFICEYou are probably aware that the PostOffice is safe from any of the cuts.Chris Clement will be updating uswhen he has recovered enough fromhis operation to do the article justice.We, at Village Voices, would like tosend him our warmest thoughts for aspeedy recovery.people present. The long skirts anddonkey and cart all suggest it wastaken a long time ago. Can anyonetell us when it might have been andwhether ‘Whit Tuesday’ was a regularcelebration at Shingle Street?taking up the sport! While the PostOffice is OK, profits in the pub aredropping rather – so a speedy recoveryfrom them too!Nick MasonFor those who are not aware, Chris hada kidney removed last week, with agrowth on it the “size of a rugby ball!”The girls in the shop are thinking ofFebruary 2008 page 10www.villagevoices.org.uk

Have y’all Bean?Friday here again! It’s a day to lookforward to, not just because it’s theend of the week, or the start of theweekend. Rather, it’s the day when aunique club meets at the Shepherd andDog.No membership fees, no agerestrictions. Not to drink beer, wine orspirits, just coffee or tea. It’s just a mixof people meeting for about an hourbetween 11.30 am and 12.30 pm.Hang on: they are coming in now;the Grumpy Old Pensioner, theClockmaker, the student (sorry, MatureStudent), the Moths and Bird Man,the Miller, the Computer Man and theHomeworkers. Both sexes, all ages andvastly different experiences.as the special cameras developed forinspection of skyscrapers, saving atremendous amount of money and timein the maintenance of these buildings.Discussion developed to old buildingsand our Mature Student told us about atrip to London to see the art galleries.The rail trip was typically horrendousso the hour finished with the railwaysystem being put right by the group.It is a great hour in the week, nopressure, no deadline to meet, no bosspeering to see if people are behavingproperly – just coffee (and sometimesflapjacks or other tit bits) and a socialchat in a group who are friends.The Grumpy Old PensionerWell what have they in common? Nota lot at a casual glance, just a normalpub group of people. Listen and thenit becomes apparent. Drawing on theircombined knowledge and experiencethey talk about any subject that isbrought up. What are they chattingabout today? Let us eavesdrop...It started with a question about birdsasked by the Clockmaker from walkson the heath. This led to the sighting ofdeer and the possibility of an albino inthe herd. Naturally this was followedby a query on photographing animalswhich led to a discussion on the meritsof digital versus film cameras. Theadvance in digital cameras went as farwww.villagevoices.org.uk February 2008 page 11

For sale 3 piece suite, vgc, buyer collects...Coming SoonVillage Voices ClassifiedAdvertsPrivate Advertisers from thepeninsula onlyNo trade adverts10p per wordCopy to Mike Adamsemail: mja:sandlings.co.ukTel: 01394 411422For sale Rocking chair in varnished pine...February 2008 page 12www.villagevoices.org.uk

The WWII Mystery ofShingle Street ‘Invasion’A talk byJohn Warwicker MBEIn the Great Hall at BawdseyManor on 16 th February, 20087.30pmAdmission at the door £2.00www.villagevoices.org.uk February 2008 page 13

Edna Williams1914 - 2008Edna Williams died recently after ashort illness. She was a familiar figurein the village, often on her way toand from the shop with her shoppingtrolley, and always stopping for a chat.She was born in Hollesley and wentto Hollesley School along with hersix older brothers and sisters. Asa young girl she went to London,first with the Church Choir andsang in the Hallelujah Chorus at theCrystal Palace, then again for LadyBarrington’s wedding at St Martin inthe Fields.She married Pat in 1937 and went tolive at Shingle Street. Just two yearslater the war came and they movedto a cottage on Fox Hill. She workedon the land, and would bike as faras Shottisham with her son Paul onthe back. Later she became a nurseat St Audrey’s and then worked as adomestic at Bawdsey Manor MedicalCentre.She and Pat finally settled in the newbungalows built at Moorlands after thewar, and lived there for the rest of theirlives. They were both superb ballroomdancers and went to many venueswhere they were always admired,especially at the old hut, which was theforerunner of Hollesley Village Hall.After Pat died in 1997 Edna livedquietly at home, taking great interest incurrent affairs and doing the crosswordin the EADT. She was a staunchmember of the WI and the WelcomeClub and went to the Day Centre at theprison. She lived a simple life, kind topeople and she adored little children.She loved jokes and a good laugh, andwas devoted to her family. She will bemissed in Hollesley by all who knewher.Helen Macleod1 st Sutton Brownies and 1 st HollesleyRainbows are urgently looking forLeaders to take over the running ofthese units.For more information please call:Interested in Girl Guiding?Can you help?Jacqui Goodwin (District Commissioner)01728 746057February 2008 page 14www.villagevoices.org.uk

From Shingle Street CoastguardWe’ve had no incidents this month soI thought I would tell you instead howthe coastguard has changed over thepast 30 years.In the meantime, the breaches bouyequipment was phased out but we werestill classed as a search and rescueteam.I joined the coastguard in 1976 andat that time we did rough weatherwatches. This meant that when thewind reached force six a watch wouldbe set until it abated. The watches usedto be of six hours duration. My firstwatch was from midnight until 0600.You can imagine how boring that was,pitch black and nothing to see!They then changed it to four hourwatches in the daytime, loggingshipping movements in and out of theRiver Ore.Get snapping!After a few years the watch time wasreduced to three hours and we did footpatrols along stretches of the beach.In 2003 we were supplied with avehicle and this made the job far moreinteresting as we now cover a largearea from Orford Quay to BawdseyFerry and up the east side of the RiverDeben up to Woodbridge.I hope you have found that of someinterest, until next time, safe passage.Roy Clark for Shingle StreetCoastguardIt sounds a long way off, but February 2009, whenwe hope to hold our next Village Voices photographycompetition and exhibition, will soon come round. Somake the most of the growing hours of daylight to getout and about start taking pictures of local interest.www.villagevoices.org.uk February 2008 page 15

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Hollesley Welcome Club: Urgent!Can you help??The club will have to close on Tuesday 19 th February 2008 unless two people canbe found to fill the vacancies of Secretary and Treasurer. The meeting is enjoyedby approximately 26 members and is on the 1 st and 3 rd Tuesday of each month, 2-4pm. For further information contact Audrey Shelcott, 01394 411776The Fairtrade FoundationFAIR TRADE CLOTHES SHOWWoodbridge Methodist Church,St John’s Street, Woodbridge01394 388617Buy Fairtrade products with this MarkSaturday 23 rd February 2008View and purchase food, fashions andfair trade goodsStalls open from 10am (no ticket required)Day Centre Open DaysShows at 6.30pm and 8pmTickets £5, available fromHelen Macleod, 411232Refreshments served all dayOpen to all... especially family carers, professionals and anyone who wants tosee what takes place at our day centres.Our Day Centres will be open between 10.30 am and 2.30pmon the following daysFoxhall, Ipswich - Thursday 21 st FebruaryNew Horizons, Woodbridge, Tuesday 26 th FebruaryCome and see the differencea day centre makes!Refreshments and Information/Help Desks on other services will also be availableContact Sherry Harrow for further information - Tel:01473 353525email sherry.harrow@ageconcernsuffolk.org.ukwww.villagevoices.org.ukFebruary 2008 page 1

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Your Letters - keep writing , we love to hear your views and storiesDear EditorJust a short letter to thank you forkeeping me supplied with a copy ofyour magazine. Each month I receivemany such magazines and newsletters,but I have to praise you for the amountof information and the quality of thefeatures you publish. There is hardly amonth go by when I can’t use at leastone of the stories you give me.On air, we have had great discussionsabout the shells at Shingle Street,The Badgers at Boyton etc. Alreadythis week, we have picked up on theVillage Stores amnesty on missingbaskets; and we are about to use thestory about Buttrum’s Mill. I havealso passed the article about W JMills to Lesley Dolphin with a viewto featuring them on our lunchtimeprogramme here at BBC RadioSuffolk.Please pass my thanks to all of yourcontributors, and keep that wonderfullocal news coming to me.Rob DungerPresenter, BBC Radio SuffolkDear EditorAfter some very unexceptional rain,Bushey Lane is again awash with waterfrom the fields threatening the houseswhich were flooded last year, one ofwhich is still uninhabitable.February 2008 page 20Well, what if we could get SuffolkCoastal District Council to disregardtheir own planning rules and fund fromCouncil Tax payers money a barrister’sopinion on our personal capital gainsand inheritance tax position? Then wecould find somewhere totally unrelatedto Bushey Lane, build some big housescompletely out of character and use theprofits to make some flood defences ofa construction type already proven tobe ineffective.Of course that could never happen.Joanne HalliwellBushey LaneDear EditorI was interested to see, in HollesleyChurch, that Richard Cobbold wasrector in 1857 and Mary A Waller ofThe Grove, Hollesley, was his patron.If any of your readers have anyinformation about where “The Grove”was (?on the site of Grove House onOS map), or about the Cobbolds andWallers when they were in this area -the rector Richard’s father Richard wasthe author of Margaret Catchpole andmarried Mary Ann Waller in HollesleyChurch, I believe, in 1797 - I would bevery grateful to share it.Diane Speakman, Lavender Cottage,Shingle Street, Hollesley, IP12 3BE(01394 411859)www.villagevoices.org.uk

Dear EditorIt appears that those behind the EastLane Trust (Limited) scheme mayhave prevailed and their three housingestates will be built to pay for coastalprotection works at Bawdsey. One willbe six feet from our kitchen window inour “neighbour’s” field.Sue and I moved to Bushy Lane,Hollesley only four years ago. Alongwith many other “asylum seekers”we came hoping to find a smallcorner of England as yet untouchedby the planners’ desire to coverevery available piece of land withhomogenised boxes. We found a house“in need of modernisation” that, byaccident or design, was built so thatit aligned with the summer solstice.It had previously been called Oberon(from A Midsummer Nights Dream).Now, we will never again watch inawe on the longest day as the dyingsun illuminates the inside of our house.We will never again look out of ourwindows and watch those beautiful“ASBO hoodies” of the animal world,the deer.There is of course a flip side to thisrural idyll. I will not have to explainto a three year old child why “Bambi”is lying dead outside our windowhaving been shot from the “machinegun tower”, recently erected onefoot from our fence. I will be addingsome barbed wire to complete theStalag prison camp ambience. I haveabsolutely no problem with shooting,but a little neighbourly courtesy goes along way. Similarly, we will not missbeing sprayed with pesticide and I willno longer feel, inexplicably, guiltyas I look out at half frozen EasternEuropeans grubbing vegetables fromthe soil.Clearly we, and possibly the familyacross the lane, are the most affectedby these proposals. We have beenoverwhelmed by the support fromour neighbours in Bushy Lane, andbeyond, who have given their time,money and tears fighting this scheme.I have a long memory and hope thatin the fullness of time I will be able torepay the debt of gratitude I owe them.Young and old, “born and bred” andnewcomers alike, have stood shoulderto shoulder. Given that those behindthis scheme chose ambush ratherthan consultation for the Bushy Laneresidents we had no option other thanto come out fighting. As we stoodalone, like Great Britain at the start ofWorld War Two, something remarkablehappened. Neighbours who mightnever have spoken were broughttogether.Had those behind this scheme chosento consult us they would have foundthat none of us are unreasonablepeople. None of us objected to our“neighbour’s” plans to build holidayhomes on the same field and it shouldbe noted that we did not fight on thegrounds that this estate should bebuilt in someone else’s back yard.www.villagevoices.org.uk February 2008 page 21

Had our opinion been sought wewould have suggested that a tiny partof the £millions being raised be usedto mitigate the negative impact. Forexample, a proper footpath could havebeen constructed so that pedestrianscould walk in safety from Bushy Laneto the village of Hollesley. Similarly,some of the money could have goneto create footpaths in Bawdsey, wherethere is precious little public access tothe land we are saving.Andy PalmerBushey LaneDear EditorIn December’s issue of VillageVoices, Nick Mason invites us to makecomments about the reintroduction ofwolves to Hollesley common in hisinteresting article about “Our Wildlifein December”. I can safely presumethat the suggestion was intended astongue in cheek, though I realize thatNick was implying that wolves wouldcontrol fallow deer numbers withwhich we are apparently “massivelyoverpopulated”.However, wildlife and conservationexperts have been discussingreintroducing wolves into remoteareas of the Scottish Highlands.Unfortunately, our small island istoo “massively overpopulated” withhumans and sheep to allow such ananimal to return to where it onceroamed. They would inevitably startattacking livestock; there simply is notenough land for us to coexist with suchFebruary 2008 page 22a large predator.It is ironic that Nick jokes aboutreintroducing wolves, when earlierin his article he talks about being a“victim to the release of some foxes”,which were consequently shot. Wouldwe also wish to eradicate the redfox from the British Isles becausegamekeepers, poultry keepers,shepherds and ground nesting birdconservationists don’t know what elseto do with them?Rachel HuwsMallard WayBoyton Carbon Footprint + Bulk Oiland Logs PurchaseWe had a great turn-out to kick-off theCarbon Footprint meeting and Boytonis now one of the five Suffolk communitiesin the scheme. Questionnaireswill be out early in the new year. Watchthis space for further updates, informationand hints and tips.In the meantime, contact me if you’dlike to find out more about this scheme,become involved or are interested inborrowing the energy saving light bulblibrary or electricity meters.Let me know if you are interested incheaper prices for domestic heating oilor logs through bulk community buyingand I’ll see what we can save you.Contact Andrew Cassyboyton.co2@btinternet.com, tel: 411720 orcheck out the CRed website:http://www.cred-uk.org/suffolk/www.villagevoices.org.uk

News from Hollesley Judo ClubChristmas Party AndPresentation EveningOn 2 nd December Hollesley Judo Clubheld their 14 th Party and Presentationevening at Hollesley Bay Staff Club.The presentations are for achievementsthrough the year and there are 10categories with the ultimate beingJudoka of the Year (Judo player). Thisyear it was won by Richard Clark, 13,who has been doing Judo with us forseven years and is improving all thetime. Hayley Jones won for the girls,also for her great improvement.There were seven other local winners.Spirit of Judo went to Keiran Bevens,because win or lose he still gets stuckin and also for helping the youngerchildren in the Kano Club (5-8 yrs).Most Improved was Alex Bevens.Junior Improvers went to AlfieCrick and Sam Parkinson.Kano Award went to PhoebeGunn, and Novices awardsto Chloe Gunn and IndiaParkinson, all for their greatimprovement. There were 75trophies given out overall.After the presentations theparty fun began and there wasa disco, buffet and a visit fromFather Christmas along withloads of party poppers, balloonsand silly string and a great timewas had by all! Now it’s backin the Dojo to work off all thatChristmas food! If anyone would liketo start Judo we will be running a beginnersgroup in the new year, see ourweb site for more details, everyone iswelcome from 5 years up, visit www.hollesleyjudo.org.uk.Judo Competition At ThetfordKeiran Bevens entered the EasternArea Age Banded on 16 th Decemberand came home with a Bronze medal!He did exceptionally well winning twocontests by perfect throws but as therewere five in his group he had to settlefor 3 rd place as he was unlucky to losehis last two contests. Well done Keiran,keep it up.Julie Jolliffe, 2 nd Dan Senior Coachwww.villagevoices.org.uk February 2008 page 23

Shepherd and Dog DartsWith the Darts Season in full swing theShepherd and Dog, up to Christmas,had remained unbeaten.November 7 th saw the WoodbridgeLegion come to the Shepherd. Thiswas a close game, both sharing thespoils at the interval, with 3 gameseach. Jeanette Knights won 2 – 0for the ladies. The second half was awhitewash – the Shepherd winning all3 of the doubles to win the match 6 – 3.On November 14 th Leiston Con Clubvisited in the Knock Out Cup. The ConClub took the first 3 games 2 -0. Thencame the fight back. The Shepherdwere in great form winning the next 6games. The final score was 6 – 3, andcongratulations to the whole team.On November 28 th we entertainedOrford Sports Club. This was anexciting game to watch, as well as playin. The first half was won by the Dog4 -2 with a good finish of 111 for DeanBailey and Ray Whiffen playing out ofhis skin. Well played Ray!Sutton Heath Football ClubAnnual Grudge MatchJeanetteKnightsplayed verywell again, in the women’smatch, to win 2 – 0. In the second halfLes Copping and Dean Bailey wontheir game before Orford clawed 2games back. Final score 5 – 4.On December 5 th the Shepherd andDog travelled to the Wickham George.This has traditionally been a poorvenue for the Dog. As the draw wasdone all the players were optimistic. Asit happened the whole team demolishedthe George, winning all the singles,with J Copping hitting a maximum180. Jeanette Knights won her match2 – 0. Then came the doubles in thesecond half. The Shepherd just failedto do a whitewash, winning 2 – 1. Thefinal score was 8 – 1 to the Shepherd.Well played to all the team.Let’s hope for a very good New Yearand the Shepherd to carry on theirwinning ways!Dean Bailey, Vice CaptainAnd so it came to pass…on Sunday9 th December 2007, our annual parentsfootball battle was fought, WickhamMarket v. Sutton Heath in aid of SGR’sOperation Santa Claus.We kicked off with the ladies matchat 11am where the crowd were givenan action packed and exciting gameof football. Neil Smith and NeilPettit’s gruelling training sessions paiddividends as our ladies showed littleFebruary 2008 page 2www.villagevoices.org.uk

sign of flagging at half time, with a 1–1 score line. Second half saw Emmascore a fantastic goal and then go onto complete a hat trick with the finalscore, Sutton Heath 4, WickhamMarket 2.The men’s match commenced at 1pm,which allowed everyone to feast onburgers and chilli with Mark and ValBeven’s doing a sterling job, (Markespecially, preparing some extraspecial ‘well done on one side’ burgersfor the connoisseur!)Unfortunately our men’s team mayhave eaten too much, and after fightinghard were very unlucky to a goodWickham side, the final score beinga reverse of the ladies with SuttonHeath 2, Wickham 4.A good day was had by all, with theladies keen to arrange a return matchand Sutton Heath Football Club raisingan excellent £400 for SGR’s OperationSanta Claus.Nigel BinghamPhantom ArchersThe club is still goingstrong, although we havelost some of the adults dueto other commitments and acouple of the older teenagersdue to exams. However, wehave two new adults undertraining and a potentialnew member who has someexperience of archery. Heis from Portugal. It’s a longway to come and he getshome rather late!The Andy Harris leagueis well under way andalthough we aren’t doing aswell as we have done in thepast there is still time to pullsomething out of the bag, solong as it isn’t a smelly pairof socks!Richard Pipewww.villagevoices.org.uk February 2008 page 25

Hollesley Carol Singing SuccessWe sang for sixevenings (17 th -22 ndDecember inclusive)plus one in the‘Shepherd and Dog’ pubon Sunday 23 rd whichwe hope will becomea regular event in thefuture at Christmas.John SmithWe covered most ofthe village includingShingle Street andapologies to the areawhich we did notcomplete. This was dueto the fact there were only four of uson that evening and we were all ‘sungout’ by eight o’clock!!Again we were very fortunate to havehad dry weather for the week and mysincere thanks go to all those whojoined us to sing (one participant camefrom as far away as Australia!)Carol singers in full voiceThanks also to those who providedmusical accompaniment, refreshmentsand especially those who supportedus financially. The total amount raisedwas £653 which was shared betweenSt. Elizabeth Hospice and HollesleyChurch.Joan ButcherWOODBRIDGE SCHOOL SWING BAND......return again for an enjoyableevening of popular music withrefreshments in Hollesley Churchon Saturday March 8 th at 7.30pmRetiring collection in aid of Boyton andHollesley church building appeal fundsFebruary 2008 page 26www.villagevoices.org.uk

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World Land TrustIt’s a bit like Narnia, where an ordinarywardrobe door gives access to a landof wonderful exotic creatures. Behinda shabby brown door on Bridge Streetin Halesworth, John and Viv Burtonrun an operation responsible for moresquare miles of wildlife reserves thanthe RSPB and all the county wildlifetrusts in Britain put together.As development, agriculture and strippingof natural assets threatens moreand more of Earth’s wild places, theWorld Land Trust has saved importanttracts of forest in Belize, Costa Rica,Ecuador, Brazil, Paraguay, Patagoniaand the Philippines. It is working torestore mangrove swamps and preservecoral reefs in the Philippines and India– where it is also providing vital greencorridors to help the natural migrationof wild elephants.Its friends and champions include TVwildlife gurus Sir David Attenboroughand Bill Oddie, authors Simon Barnesand Elizabeth Jane Howard and formerEngland cricket captain David Gower,who is a patron. But why Suffolk?John Burton explains: “We’re herebecause it’s so good for wildlife. Ifyou’re going to run a wildlife charity,why be stuck in London?”With 12 keen staff, the trust is nowamong Halesworth’s larger employers,but it remains John and Viv Burton’senthusiasm that drives the project. Andthere is no doubting the priority.John explains: “There is so little wildernessleft in the world, what’s reallyimportant is saving what’s left. If ithas benefits for carbon, or water-catchmentbenefits, then great. But for me,the reason to do it is what it always hasbeen – to preserve the wildlife.”John is confident that each acre of foresta supporter “buys” really has beensaved for the long term. But does your£50 donation really save an acre?“It varies,” admits John. “Some acrescost £5, some of the rainforest is up to£100 an acre. The budget for 10,000acres of dry chaco grasslands in Paraguayis a quarter of what it would costto buy 10 acres at Walberswick.”www.worldlandtrust.orgwww.carbonbalanced.orgwww.focusonforests.org (for 11-14year-olds)Aidan Semmens is a freelance writer andphotographer based in Woodbridge. Hisweekly column appears in the EveningStar every Friday.Village WalksThank you to everyone who hasgiven us feedback on the walks. Theinstructions and map are intended asa guide to be used in conjunction withthe Ordnance Survey map. We nowhave a volunteer who will check theroutes for us before publication.We are planning more walks in theSpring, so watch this space.Debbie Pipewww.villagevoices.org.uk February 2008 page 29

Suffolk Hedgerows SurveyFollowing concern over the future ofhedgerows and their perceived decline,the Suffolk Hedgerows Survey wasinitiated several years ago in order torecord the position and make up of allexisting hedgerows in Suffolk, Parishby Parish.the Boyton hedgerows saying that ‘Inregard to the species richness of thehedgerows in Boyton, it has to be saidthere is a remarkable difference fromthe norm, where the low count is veryhigh and the species rich is very low asillustrated below .’There are 445 Parishes in Suffolk andeach Parish Council was requestedto survey all hedgerows in its Parish.Signs were put up around the villageand a group of volunteers fromHollesley and Boyton came forward.After suitable training provided atFoxborrow farm, they undertook thesurvey, using maps made available bySuffolk Hedgerow Survey.Having obtained thelandowners permission, athirty metre stretch ofeach hedgerow wasselected within whichthe species growingin the hedge wereidentified. In additionthe condition of thehedgerow was noted.In Boyton four volunteersundertook to carry out the surveyover several months. Uponcompletion the information wascollated and analysed by Guy Ackers,Chairman of the Hedgerow Survey.In his report he commented on thelack of diversity of species present inGrades Number %age Norm

Fortunately the situation has alreadyimproved. Thanks to the efforts ofa local landowner, the Boyton TreeWarden and District Tree Officer,a new hedge has now been plantedalongside the public footpath fromBoyton to Pin Mill Cottage.There is no doubt there is an increasingawareness of the value of thehedgerow, both to landowners and tothe wildlife they sustain and for all ofus who enjoy the countryside.Isobel LilleyTot RockThe Shepherd and DogHollesleyalt Wednesdays10-11amJan 30Feb 13; 27March 12; 26Tot Rock is a new free rhyme sessionfor babies and toddlers, organisedby SCC’s library service. Jo Dixon,SCC’s Early Years librarian will attendthe first session in a Bear costumeand give out free bookstart packs toyounger children from the pre-school.Pilgrimage To The Holy LandFollowing last year’s successfulPilgrimage to the Holy Land, I haveorganised a return visit in conjunctionwith the travel company McCabe fora group to visit the Holy Land from18-27 th November. Mid-Novemberwas chosen because it is after the highsummer temperatures and after thepeak tourist season when pilgrimagesites are less crowded. During ourpilgrimage we will have the opportunityto worship with the local Christiancommunity on the Sunday morning aswell as participating in our own acts ofworship throughout the week.The pilgrimage will include visitsto Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth,Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, MountTabor and Jericho but will include freetime for relaxation and private exploration.We will walk the Via Dolorosa;the route Jesus took to his death on theCross, sail on the Sea of Galilee andhave the opportunity to experience theunique buoyancy of the Dead Sea aswell as ascending Mount Masada bycable car.If you would like to join our pilgrimage,please contact me, Richard Wilsonon 01728-688546 or email: mail@richard-c-wilson.comfor more details anda booking form. Your local clergy alsohave details and a short DVD videois available which shows some of thesights we will see on our pilgrimage.(A VHS video is also available.)Richard Wilsonwww.villagevoices.org.uk February 2008 page 31

News from the Suffolk Punch TrustThis is the first opportunity I’ve hadto write since the Christmas Day giftdeliveries in Hollesley. To the peopleof Hollesley, we say thank you, for alovely welcome, wonderful food andrefreshments, and the carrots for ourhorses, Eric and Charlie, which theyenjoyed back at the stables.I hope you will join me in thankingthose who helped. All the people outon Christmas Morning are volunteers.Some were up at 3am to prepare thehorses. I think we should all raise acheer for Harry Pankhurst and hisfamily who coordinate things.Bruce Smith had his first ChristmasDay off in 28 years and our assistantgroom Tracey Pettitt took the horsesaround in his place. It was alsoTracey’s birthday on Christmas Day.All the volunteers had a great time andwe will see you again this December.Santa does his best to get as closeas possible to every house that hasa delivery, sadly this is not alwayspossible due to road layout andvehicle parking. Cul-de-sac’s are a realchallenge as there is not always enoughroom to turn the horses and cart.The welfare and safety of the horses,volunteers and public is paramount tous and we will always put them first.I can’t help but get excited about theyear ahead. The Suffolk Punch Trustawaits the decision from HeritageFebruary 2008 page 32Lottery Funding, which we shouldhopefully hear about in March.The year ahead looks to be a busyone. The diary is filling up fast withbookings for events, shows andweddings. We also have the SuffolkPunch Trust ‘Friends’ day at the studin the Spring. I hope you will comeand say hello when you are visitingsome of the Spring and Summershows and events. I always like tohear from friends and neighbours wholive in the surrounding villages. Don’tforget to visit our website and checkout the events page for 2008 at www.suffolkpunchtrust.org.I am looking into doing something thisyear with ‘A year in the life of a foal’in conjunction with Lesley Dolphin atBBC Radio Suffolk. I need a volunteerto help me with this project.We also need help with our website.It’s nothing too technical: just an extrapair of eyes and hands, if you haveinternet access and can spare one houra week please get in touch with me.Can I remind our neighbours that ifyou walk your dogs on the Trust’s land,please remain on the public footpathsand keep your pet on a lead. Werecently had a dog in the field wherethe sheep are kept. The sheep arenow in lamb and we would not wantanything to worry them.www.villagevoices.org.uk

The field adjacent to Oak Hill hasbeen re-seeded. The fence is going tobe replaced in the near future, and wewould like to ask people not to enterthe field.Please get in touch with me if:•••you would like to become involvedas a volunteer with the trust to joinus at some of the events or help atthe stud,you would like to book the horsesfor an event,you would like to help me with the••BBC Radio Suffolk “year in thelife of a foal” projectYou would like a map of thefootpaths that cross the SuffolkPunch Trust Land.If you are aware of a problem onour land.Thank you for your understanding andcooperation. Take care.Tara Foysuffolkpunchtrust@hotmail.comTel: 07841 778658 (evenings andweekends only)Tara FoyChristmas Day gift delivery in Mallard Waywww.villagevoices.org.ukFebruary 2008 page

February 2008 page 34www.villagevoices.org.uk

From our Country KitchenCabbage gets a bad press, usuallybecause it’s overcooked, but it can bedelicious. The following recipes do itjustice.For two peopleTake a medium cabbage, wash andslice it discarding the core. Gently heat½ oz of butter in a heavy bottomed panand then add the cabbage with a dashof water. Put on the lid and cook for 5minutes - check it’s not sticking andstir. Cook for another 5-10 minuteswithout the lid, stirring. When cookedto your taste add a ½ carton of sourcream or crème fraiche and heat up.Season to taste and serve.Cabbage and bacon soup (serves two)½ medium cabbage sliced4 slices of streaky bacon cut into ½˝pieces1 onion, sliced1 medium potato, cubedOlive oil1 pint vegetable or chicken stockIn a heavy bottomed pan gently heata small amount of olive oil. Add thebacon and cook until the fat runs, andthe bacon has browned. Add the onionand cook until softened. Stir to stop itburning. Add the potato and then thecabbage - continue cooking and stirringfor 5 minutes. Pour on the stock andcook for another 15-20 minutes untilthe potato is tender. Check seasoning.Serve.Although frozen cabbage is unsuitableas a side dish, it is useful as an additionto vegetable soups or stews. Slicethe cabbage, blanch briefly in boilingwater, cool as quickly as possible (useice cubes), dry and freeze on trays. Bagand store in a freezer.February WaitingTorn cloudsthat tease the blue of heavennow give an edge of sunPauline Austerfieldwhich creeps across the woods andfieldslike floodand shows me, one by one,a waiting Springin every root and bud.Scurried snowflakesdrift against the wall.then imitate the snowdrop and thecrocusin their bedsand die as unkemptas the blown flower heads.P. F. Croomewww.villagevoices.org.uk February 2008 page 35