Wickham Skeith

Newsletter
April 2024
Feb2022
~ DATES FOR YOUR DIARY ~

All in the Village Hall unless otherwise stated.

April 2024

Thursday 4th Mobile Library at two stops between 9.50 & 10.25am
Sunday 7th From 9.30am WS to Thornham litter pick. Meet @ Allotments
Tuesday 9th Hilltop Women’s Group AGM & Buffet 7.45pm
Wednesday 10th Lunch Club 12 for 12.30 Advance Bookings Please
Saturday 13th Look out for Grand National sweepstake collectors for the Church
Saturday 13th Crafternoon 2-4pm
Saturday 13th Pete’s Village Quiz 7.30pm
Monday 15th Village Hall Committee 8pm
Wednesday 17th Joy Hawkins: Call the Midwife? Childbirth in the Middle Ages
Thursday 18th Annual Parochial Church Meeting 8pm in St Andrew’s Church
Saturday 20th Coffee & Book Sale Highbanks 1 Broadway 10-11.45
Saturday 20th Village Hall Committee AGM, Bar & Country Dancing 7pm
Tuesday 30th Village Afternoon get-together with tea and cakes 2-4pm

WANTED – Parish Councillors

There will be two vacancies on Wickham Skeith Parish Council from May 2024.
Would you be interested in offering your time to help work for our community?
See page 15 (inside back cover).
 ~VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE NEWS ~

Village Hall News

A quote is being sought for speakers, microphone and projector in the Village Hall.
This was one item on the community list for the CIL money.
The accounts have been checked and deemed accurate ready for the end of our
financial year and presentation at the AGM.
The last VHC event was the curry night which was a great success and raised around
£400.
It was the VHC's pleasure to host an entertaining evening put on by some of our
community to raise funds for breast cancer research. Best of luck to you all for the
midnight stroll!

Future Events

Saturday 20th April-our Annual General Meeting from 7pm to 7:30 pm where the
reports for the year will be presented and hopefully a new committee member or two
may step forward. We have many willing members of the community who do an
enormous amount of work-we just need one or two additional committee members to
help get things organised-or suggested! It is not a very onerous task with a two-hour
meeting each month!
Following the AGM we are having a Country Dancing evening (part 2). The music will
be from CDs under the expert direction of Jayne. It's free...and the bar is open with
sausage rolls available to buy.
Village Afternoon Tea Tuesday 30th April 2pm to 4pm. And it is free-please come
along for a mardle (if you're Suffolk)-and a chat if you're not!

Potential Future Events:

It was decided to run a Village Breakfast on the 1st June at the Village Hall 9:00-
10:00 This will be a 'booked' event and offer either a Continental breakfast or a
Traditional English. More details to follow...

Village Fete 22nd June. As always this is a major event on the village calendar. The
Village Green will be a licensed area so only alcoholic drinks purchased on site can be
drunk but there will be all the usual fun activities and stalls to enjoy. Please put it in
your diaries. More details to follow...

The building maintenance is ongoing and we have renewed the electrical certification
and PAT tested all the appliances in the VH. Unfortunately, we seem to have lost the
car park lighting at the moment but it may be back when you read this!

And PLEASE consider whether you could help maintain our Village Hall through
being on the committee!
Date of the next Meeting: 15th April 2024 in the Village Hall at 8pm
 ~ N E W S F R O M T H E C L U B S~

Hilltop Women’s Group

Our March meeting was an away fixture. We accepted an invitation from Thorndon
Women’s Club to attend their talk on Medical Detection Dogs. It was a really
interesting and very well put together presentation. Dogs are remarkable when we can
recognise and channel their amazing, natural skills. Lots of our members attended and
they had to find more chairs! Thank you all for coming and for the kind invitation
Thorndon.

On Tuesday 9th April at 7.45 we will hold our short AGM, followed by a finger buffet
(please bring a small amount to share) and a representative from our chosen charity ,
St Elizabeth’s Hospice, will accept our donation tin and a cheque to help this cause.

Do come along to share ideas and company and look forward to another year.
Enquiries to Sue Merriam 01449766222 in this instance.

History Group

On Wed 17 Apr we welcome back Joy Hawkins who will talk on “Call the Midwife?
Conception & Childbirth in the Middle Ages”.

In the Middle Ages pregnancy and childbirth governed the central part of most
women's adult lives. This talk will explore the lengths women went to in order to
conceive, and how they protected themselves during the trials of pregnancy and
childbirth.
The meeting will be preceded by a short AGM.

All are welcome so do join us in the Village Hall at 7.45pm on Wed 20 Mar.
Entry Fee £3, including tea/coffee and biscuits.

A date for your diary: on Sat 8 Jun we will be celebrating 20 years of History
Group with an Exhibition in the Village Hall. Look out for more details in the next
newsletter.

Contact: Pete Davidson 07951 020998 or pjdavidson42@gmail.com

 ~NEWS FROM THE CLUBS~

Lunch Club
Thanks to Margaret Knights we enjoyed a wonderful meal of meat balls in a rich
tomato sauce with creamy mash and roasted cabbage. Who knew roasted cabbage
was so delicious!? Dessert was made for us by Seonaid Forrester who baked a
fabulous caramelised apple upside-down cake served with cream.

Just to remind you that we have changed the eligibility criteria. The club now
welcomes residents of Wickham Skeith who are 55 years old or over. Husbands,
wives, or partners of eligible members who are under 55 years old are also welcome.
Friends and relatives staying with a member are welcome to attend, if space is
available.

Our next lunch is on Wednesday 10th April. We gather in the village hall from 12
midday and dine at 12.30. The cost is £4 for a 2-course meal with Coffee or tea.

If you wish to join us, please book a place by Friday 8th March. To reserve a place
please contact Jenny Elphick on her email jennymelphick@gmail.com or by text on
her mobile at 07745416091 or by phone on 01379 730456. Thanks.

‘Crafternoon’ Saturdays
Whatever your art or craft bring along your current project. Share skills, ideas, tips
and techniques. Inspire and be inspired in the company of other creative people. If
you have an ‘arty’ or ‘crafty’ friend then bring them too.
Next Crafternoon on Saturday 13th April 2-4pm
Entry: £2.00 per person (inc. tea/coffee/biscuits).
Village Afternoon

Following the success of our last two Village Afternoons we will be holding our next
on Tuesday 30th April. This is a great opportunity to enjoy an afternoon tea of cake,
scones and sandwiches with plenty of friendly chat. ‘During an afternoon of relaxed
fun, we offer you a choice of games, puzzles and quizzes.’
EVERYONE in the village welcome including children and well-behaved dogs. This
is a free event funded by the Living Well in Winter Grant awarded by Mid Suffolk
District Council. The following afternoon tea will be 28th May which coincides with
the school holidays.
For more information, please contact Jenny Elphick on her email
jennymelphick@gmail.com or by text on her mobile at 07745416091 or by phone
on 01379 730456.

~OTHER EVENTS~

The Flower Festival 2024

The 4th, 5th and 6th May Bank Holiday weekend will see the church full of beautiful
flowers again. Open on Sat and Mon 10 to 4 and Sunday 11 to 4. Sadly, Robert and
Rachel Cohen cannot play for us this year after all, but watch this space. There will be
refreshments of course, and parking available in their field thanks to Alice and Richard
Palmer.

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting – will take place in St Andrew’s Church at
7pm on 18th April. Please join us to elect churchwardens for the coming year, hear
what is happening in the church and offer your thoughts. St Andrew’s is the only
Grade 1 Listed Building in our village. The churchwardens, with the PCC members,
are responsible for the maintenance of this historic part of the village and they would
appreciate your help. We look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting and hearing
ideas about preserving this important medieval building – it has served so many
generations that we mustn’t be the ones to let it deteriorate.
Pub Night for Moonlight Walkers

“Wickham Walkers” would like to thank everyone who came to the Pub Night and/or
donated. Over £400 was raised by the end of the day!
 ~OTHER EVENTS~

Village Litter Pick

Special litter clearance along The Street towards Thornham. Meet at the Allotments at
9.30am on Sunday 7th April. Due to amount of rubbish – car and flood strewn – we
will be working in pairs along this road.

Village Green Work Party

Thank you to the volunteer working party who made further progress in the
management of the village green, especially the area in close proximity to the
Grimmer. We are at the stage now, what with nesting ducks and mating toads, that
we have to pause any more work until later in the year. The willow proved a tricky
case to solve as the ivy near the top was a serious obstacle. It will be left 'as is'
through the year and be re-assessed in the autumn. The planning permission to
work on it runs for three years so if we decide to pollard further there is still time to
complete that task. Work to trees on the Green, above a certain girth, needs
permission as the area and further around are in the Conservation zone. As such, no
works should be carried out without planning permission being obtained before
anything is done. The management of the Green-cutting the grass for example-and
the Grimmer do not normally require permission-just major works.

PHYSIO-LED PILATES CLASSES

Every Wednesday from 5-6pm, Francesca offers physiotherapist-led Pilates at the

village hall.

Pilates is an excellent form of low-impact exercise, that helps to strengthen not only
the core, but the whole body and mind, too.

Suitable for mixed abilities; the only necessity is that you can comfortably get on/off
the floor.

For queries or booking details, please contact Francesca:

francescadavey@outlook.com
 ~ C O M M U N I T Y P A G E~

The Suffolk Mobile Library van stops in the lay-by outside the chalet bungalows,
from 9.50 to 10.05am. Then outside Haymead House in The Street from 10.10 to
10.25.
Next visits –4th April and 2nd May 2024.

Why not join the Library for books, CDs ad DVDs. Books on mobile libraries can be
borrowed for 8 weeks. It is easy to sign up – just pop into the van on its next visit.

Toad Patrol
Toads slowed down with the cold weather, then got going again. Toad song in the
Grimmer on 16th March was noticeable!
200 toads helped so far. We will continue the patrol over Easter by when they should
be nearing the end of their migration.

Grand National

Grand National Sweepstake, in aid of Friends of St Andrews (maintaining the fabric of

the church). This year the Grand National is on Saturday 13th April.
We will be coming round to offer you a chance to win the sweepstake.
The cost is £2 per horse: the winners receive £30 and second place £5.

All bookings of the Village Hall and its equipment should go to:
Rosemarie Hayne Email - wsvh.treasurer@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE NEW HIRE RATES from APRIL 2024

The Hall hire rate is £11 per hour or part thereof. The minimum booking period is 2
hours. A 30 minute "warming up" period will be granted in cold weather.
Bookings over 7 hours will be charged at the day rate of £110.

There is a 25% reduction for Wickham Skeith residents and Village groups.

The day rate for official bodies and corporate bookings is £275.
 ~ S T. A N D R E W ’ S C H U R C H ~

St Andrew’s Church
beneficebacton@gmail.com
Rev’d Stephen Snelling, Tailors Green House Tailors Green Bacton IP14 4LL
01449 782970 07775 833824
Email - revstephen@tailorsgreenhouse.com
Wardens: Liz Davidson 766622 and Margaret Jones-Evans 767121

Services in April 2024

All services at 9.30am in church unless otherwise stated

29th March, Good Friday, 10.30am Family Service at Bacton

2pm Stations of the Cross at Wickham Skeith
6pm The Passion story in words & music at Old Newton

31st March Easter Sunday Holy Communion

7th April Holy Communion

th
14 April Café Church
st
21 April Holy Communion
th
28 April Morning Prayer
For other benefice services, please view our Facebook page.

Windowsill decorators please work your magic after 4pm on Good Friday or during
Saturday and if the flowers are OK, please leave clearing them until after the service on
7th April. Many thanks.

Weekly Email and News – if you’d like to sign up to receive our weekly news email,
please contact the churchwardens.

Flower & Cleaning Rota

March 31st & April 7th Mrs E Davidson & Mrs J Willoughby
April 14th & 21st Miss R Elsden & Mrs J Keable
April 28th & May 5th Miss M Jones-Evans & Mrs A Palmer

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

59 Club
Recent winning numbers: Feb – 28; Mar – 6, 43, 51, 28.
 ~ S T. A N D R E W ’ S C H U R C H ~

Fundraising for the Church Building

Pete’s Quiz on Sat. 13th April

In the village hall, starting at 7.30pm with refreshments halfway through. The bar will
be open, too. £7.50 per person. Book with Pete or Liz on 01449 766622 or just turn
up on the evening.

Book Sale Coffee Mornings

Sat 20th April and 25th May are the next two dates. We have lots of new books and jig
saws and marmalade for sale with coffee, sausage rolls and cakes to eat in or take
away.

Any questions to Margaret 01449 767121 or Liz 01449 766622

Church Notes From Rev’d Stephen

You will probably be reading this just after the end of March and I hope that you were
able to engage with the celebrations on Easter Sunday of what is vital about the
Christian faith, namely that light always, and in the end, triumphs over darkness. If
you didn’t manage to get to any of the services, I hope you may have been able to
use your parish church for your own private quiet time and prayer. Everyone needs
to do that from time to time.

We are so fortunate, though, in where we live. If you are feeling anxious about
something, take the time to notice the beauty of the countryside in which we are
living. I know it doesn’t pay the bills, it doesn’t put fuel in your car, it doesn’t put food
on the table, or warmth into our homes, but there are signs of new life everywhere
we look in nature, which is encouraging. It can give us hope. It can help us to put
things into perspective.

Jesus was saying this sort of thing when he urged us to live fully in the moment and
not to worry excessively about the future. Of course, it is right to take care over doing
things properly, and we need to think ahead, but (he says) ‘Don’t fret.’ Don’t be
consumed by worry or anxiety.
This is the call to trust in God, to have faith in Him. Let us do all that we can to be
ready, and then let ‘God be God’.
Revd Stephen Snelling
 ~WICKHAM SKEITH PARISH COUNCIL~

DRAFT MINUTES of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

held MONDAY,11TH MARCH 2024 at the Village Hall, Wickham Skeith

Present: Cllrs (Chair R Palmer), M Appleby, A Noller, T Rowe and J Keable

Suffolk County Cllr Andrew Stringer, Mid Suffolk District Councillor R Warboys
Clerk: L Rogers Also present: 5 members of the public.

1. 11/3/24 Cllr Appleby was elected as Chairman.

2. 11/3/24 Apologies received from Cllr T Thorogood
3. 11/3/24 a). To receive members’ Declarations of Interest on Agenda items- None received b). To
consider requests for dispensations. None received.
4. 11/3/24 The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15th January 2024 were approved and
signed
5. 11/3/24 County Cllr Stringer – report was circulated to the Councillors. People should log any
flooding problems on the Highways reporting tool and let Cllr Stringer know if it takes a long time for
a response. The construction of Sizewell C may affect Wickham Skeith and the surrounding area
with the lorry routes for the project. The traffic involved will be recorded.
6. 11/3/24 District Cllr Warboys – report was circulated to the Councillors. Cllr Warboys agreed to
organise and host a meeting for villages and landowners in the River Dove catchment area to meet
with the Environment Agency and Suffolk County Council Flood Investigation Team. Wickham
Skeith has problems where surface water flows off the fields flooding the roads.
7. 11/3/24 Village Forum – Could CIL be used to fund the speakers and projector. The refusal by
Planning Dept. of the bungalow to the north of Bumbledown was raised.
8. 11/3/24 Planning Matters – the following planning notices have been received:
a. Mid Suffolk District Council have refused the following planning application. - DC/23/05694 Planning
application – Erection of 1no single storey dwelling at land North of Bumbledown (forming part of
previously, approved development site), Grange Road, Wickham Skeith
b. Mid Suffolk have informed us that formal approval is not required for DC/23/05805 Application to
determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: Formation, Alteration or Maintenance of
Private Ways for Agricultural or Forestry use. The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted
Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) - Schedule 2, Part 6 - Creation of farm tracks. -
Creation of farm tracks. Location: Land North Of, Thwaite Road, Wickham Skeith (part In the
Parishes of Thwaite and Stoke Ash), Eye
c. Mid Suffolk District Council does not wish to object to Application Reference: DC/24/00422
Notification of Works to Trees in Conservation Area - Pollard No1 Willow tree (T1) to 20ft and
remove ivy. The Village Green, The Green, Wickham Skeith

9. 11/3/24 Finance
a. The councillors reviewed and agreed the RFO Report authorising payments made since the last
meeting and to be made; noted income received since the last meeting; review the Reconciliation of
Accounts against Bank Statement
b. The Councillors approved the Financial Regulations
c. The Councillors agreed to pay the whole invoice for the village hall PAT Testing and subsequent
works costs and ask the village hall committee to pay back 50% (£366.25) of the cost. Clerk to write
to the Village Hall Committee
d. The Councillors agreed to purchase two ‘Disabled Parking’ signs and posts for the village hall car
park at a cost of £227.52 + VAT/ It was agreed to obtain quotes for No Fishing signs to consider at
the May meeting. (No fishing from the road and No overnight fishing)
 ~WICKHAM SKEITH PARISH COUNCIL~

10. 11/3/24 Management of the Grimmer – The dry working party had a good turnout and people have
given thanks for the work carried out. A second working party will take place on 16 th March to carry
work to the willow tree. Mark Leggett is trying to get permission from a landowner to dispose of the
waste from the wet working party. If this is not possible the Council will hire a skip to remove the
waste. Clerk to find out if permission is required for skip hire in a Conservation. Area. As toads are
now active, the timing of the working party will have to be carefully considered.

11. 11/3/24 Standing Orders – It was agreed to remove the statutory July meeting from the Standing
Orders. In the event that the Parish Council continues to be unable to recruit a Chairperson, it was
agreed to require the new Chair at each meeting to sign an acceptance and for the previous Chair to
resign. This is to cover the running of the council in between meetings.

12. 11/3/24 CIL Working Group – The village hall is waiting for a third quote to renew the roof. Clerk to
begin exploring funding. While Councillor Warboys had agreed to fund towards the speakers and
projector, he warned that some changes were being made to his District Locality Budget and
therefore could not be sure that the application would still be compliant so it was agreed to also
consider applying for the County Locality Budget. It was agreed to discuss the funding
requirements at the May meeting when full quotes will be available. It was agreed to purchase two
covered litter bins with base fixings to be delivered to Cllr Appleby at a cost of £265 + VAT each.
The noticeboard is fine but needs some new felt added to weather proof it. The next CIL meeting is
on 7th May

13. 11/3/24 Litter Pick – Went well with much litter and rubbish collected. It was agreed to hold a further
litter pick on 7th April at 9.30am starting at the crushing pad beyond the river bridge on the
Thornham end of the village. Litter and more rubbish to be collected between Clay Street and the
Four Horseshoes- about 900 yards. It was agreed that six people could each clear 300 yards for an
hour to tidy it. Will use a vehicle for safety to protect people from traffic. Thanks to Cllr Stringer for
the litter collecting kit and bags. Cllr Appleby to advertise in the newsletter.

14. 11/3/24 Flooding in the Village – Cllr Stringer urged people to report any flooding problems on the
Reporting Tools page and let him know if the work is not getting done so he can escalate it.

15. 11/3/24 Emergency Plan –Clerk to follow up with Suffolk County Council. Add to May agenda

16. 11/3/24 Dates for Meetings – 13th May, 9th September and 11th November

17. 11/3/24 Councillor’s Reports –Specific email addresses for Cllrs to be added to the May agenda.
Cllr Appleby will join the Biodiversity Course in April. The defibrillator will need new pads later this year
– add to May agenda. Cllr Palmer to complete the survey for the Joint Local Plan sent recently. All
agreed to thank Cllr Appleby for her hard work for the parish council.

18. 11/3/24 Next Parish Council meeting: Monday 13th May 2024 at 7.30pm and
Annual Parish Meeting at 7pm
 ~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~

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need help with cleaning, pet sitting while at work/on holiday or just need a bit of help
walking your dogs, then please email me

Shauniebarley338@yahoo.com

Cleaning £13 per hour

Pet sitting £12 per hour

Dog walking £12 per hour

 ~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~

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Blacksmiths Cottage, Silver Street, Old Newton IP14 4HF

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For a friendly and efficient service

Call Graham on Tel: 01449 616946
Mobile: 07867 560357
*FREE ESTIMATES * ALL WORK GUARANTEED *
 ~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~

TREE SERVICES AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

BASED IN WORTHAM, WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE PROVISION OF
EXCELLENCE IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR CRAFT. ALL OF OUR STAFF
ARE FULLY TRAINED AND INSURED, RELIABLE AND PROFESSIONAL.
ALL WORK IS CARRIED OUT RESPECTFULLY AND TO THE HIGHEST
STANDARD.

CROWN LIFTING, TREE FELLING, DISMANTLING, REDUCTIONS, PRUNING,

THINNING,
STUMP GRINDING, HEDGE TRIMMING, FIREWOOD

FOR A FREE ESTIMATE PLEASE CALL LEE GARWOOD

Tel: 01379 890617 / 07880 528142 GARWOODSOFSUFFOLK@YAHOO.COM

Business Adverts
Adverts are £5.00 per month, £25 for 6 months and £50 for one year.

Cash or cheque (payable to “Wickham Skeith Village Hall”) to Melinda Appleby at

Haymead House, The Street, in advance of the advert being placed please.

Payments by BACS also possible. Details will be on the invoice.

 ~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~

***** GISLINGHAM PLAYGROUP *****

We provide a safe, warm, friendly and caring

setting for children aged 2-5 years, in a brand
new purpose-built building on the same site as
Gislingham CEVCP School, with whom we work
closely to provide an excellent education.
The Playgroup is following government guidelines so please check with
us for opening arrangements.

Please visit our website www.gislinghamplaygroup.com

or phone us on 01379 788934

Parish Councillors

The Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will take place
on 13th May 2024.
There will be a couple of vacancies for new councillors from that date.

The role of a Parish Council falls into three main categories:

 representing the local community
 delivering services to meet local needs
 striving to improve quality of life in the parish

Probably the most common topics that parish councils get involved with are planning
matters (they are statutory consultees), helping local groups, managing open spaces
and campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities.

Our Council has five meetings a year.

For more information contact the Clerk at wickhamskeithpc@hotmail.com

 This newsletter is produced by
Wickham Skeith Village Hall Committee

Village Website

For information about Wickham Skeith, the Parish Council, and updates on events,

visit the village website at https://wickhamskeith.suffolk.cloud/

And finally...
Please send all your village news and adverts for next month’s newsletter to:

melinda.appleby@mypostoffice.co.uk or call 01449 766879

By 25th April 2024

Newsletter printed by CopyDiss,

42a Mere Street, Diss IP22 4AG
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