The first ten days of the new decade has given us a little frost, rain, fog and sunshine but no gales yet. At least leaving the European Union has not removed the variable British weather that we know and love! As one who did not want to leave, I must say that I am very relieved that even a poor deal has been struck and we must now all forget what has been in the past and make the best of what is to come. Some of the changes will be to our advantage, some will not. It seems that leisure travel will be messier which may result in more people staying in the UK. I hope that will not mean that our Suffolk roads will become much busier. A brief Sunday trip to North Norfolk, in our motor home last July, was so dire because of congestion on the narrow lanes, that Stonham Aspal seemed the best place around for leisure activities. It would appear that the quantity of folks walking, cycling, running and riding the footpaths on the farm since last March would indicate that others have the same idea.
Since the last notes, the only work done on the land has been to mark out the cover crops ready for spraying off before spring sowing and to drill our neighbours ex-sugar beet land with wheat. Conditions have been too wet to sow our two fields at Crowfield with oats. If the land remains saturated for the next month, that plan will have to be abandoned and beans put in instead. Spraying off the cover crops will be a challenge. They have grown very well through the wet warm autumn to the extent that, had the mixture been one we could harvest in some way, we would be highly delighted. We now have to spray them with a hefty dose of round-up which needs a dry leaf to stick to. Rather difficult to achieve with the very lush phacelia shielding the rye underneath. Dry days in February tend to be accompanied by strong wind. Not ideal spraying weather. Many sugar beet growers this year had the worst crops they have grown for many seasons.
Partly due to unfavourable weather conditions but also to the ban on neonicotinoid seed dressings which were used to protect the crop from aphid attack. Aphids carry a virus which infects the plant with ‘sugar beet yellows’. Many crops this year were badly affected and the sugar content was anything up to 25% less. In some cases crops could have become unprofitable which in a high value crop like beet is very serious both to British Sugar ad the grower. So neonics are being allowed again for one year but with stringent rules. If a grower uses a neonic seed dressing on beet no flowering crop, such as beans, peas, linseed or a bird/pollinator mix can be grown for two year and no rape for 3 years on that field. The powers that be are obviously not going to allow us to protect our rape crops in this way. I have to say that I am very concerned about being pushed into using several doses of a kill all pyrethroid insecticide to try and protect the rape. This does not feel like sustainable farming.
Let’s hope that a better way can be found to grow a good safe oil producing crop for the UK David Tydeman
We’re all living in this same situation. We’re all trying to live our day-to-day lives. We’re all having to make difficult decisions. How does a Christian view what’s going on?
For what it’s worth here’s a few ways we approach the virus:
First up, we’re not surprised, but saddened. Sorry if that sounds glib. Or trite. It’s not meant to be. As Christian’s we believe that the world is fundamentally good. It’s God’s good creation. But it’s become a fallen and broken world. So, we know that we will experience illness, viruses, and sadness. And we are deeply moved and saddened by all that’s happening. It’s affected us personally in a variety of ways. Covid-19 is a particularly nasty virus. Perhaps you’ve felt that sense that this isn’t how life should be? That It’s just, not right? We’d agree. The world is not as it should be. It’s good, but broken. It’s beautiful, but disfigured. All at the same time.
Next, we’re not passive, but active. I hope. As Christian’s we can’t just say “oh well never mind”. The bible teaches us to take great care around human life. To love our neighbour. To take steps to protect other people. To care for the vulnerable and needy in our society. We applaud our emergency services, our NHS, carers, all sorts of key workers and frontline health care professionals and so on. They do a fantastic job. We have a number of NHS workers in our church. And other key workers. Jesus came into our world of sadness’s and illnesses and viruses and had compassion on people. He healed people. He spent time with people. As a church, we’re being cautious and careful regarding all the basics of social distancing, hygiene, ventilation and so on. Currently we’re open on a Sunday for a very short, 30min, small-scale outdoor service. All our other meetings are held on Zoom. This situation is evolving all the time. We may find ourselves closed again. And as individuals, like you, we’re doing what we can to help others.
Finally, perhaps most importantly, we’re not hopeless but hopeful. Personally, I have great confidence in the vaccine programme, and I hope that the lock-down and warmer weather will combine with this, alongside the valiant efforts of the NHS. And I hope the summer will bring better times. But I have a hope that isn’t built on my next holiday, or the NHS or the vaccine or even the total removal of Covid-19 from our lives. My hope is grounded in something much more secure. Something outside of all this. Something much more certain. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus. My solid foundation for life is this: that because he conquered death, I can have forever life. Ultimately that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning. That’s what’s getting me through this crisis. That’s something that nothing and no-one can take away.
Have your say! Our Parish Survey is now available, please take a few moments to complete the survey, this will let the Parish Council know what is important to you. Ways to complete the survey: Facebook The link is available on the village Facebook page. Village Facebook page name: Stonham Aspal Village, Suffolk Website Link To have a link emailed to you, please email: sapc.clerk@yahoo.co.uk Paper Copy To request a paper copy, please email: sapc.clerk@yahoo.co.uk or call Alison on 07711019848.
It has been a wonderful day. White frost glistened in the golden sunlight. Trees, dripping melting ice, stood boldly against a clear wintry-blue sky. Birds busied themselves, no doubt making the most of the sun’s warmth after a miserable few days. Although the thermometer read zero, there was a feeling of warmth in the sunlit air. As we took our regulation walk, the beauty of it all lifted our spirits, and the spirits of all who we met on our travels.
It is not only the sun which brings beauty and lifts the spirits. In recent days a new neighbour has moved in. Looking up from my desk one recent morning I saw on the drive, wings outstretched and with the sunlight catching on his rich brown coat, a kestrel; just a few yards from the study window. Our seventh winter; and although we often see kestrels in the fields this is the first time that we have seen one in the Rectory garden. He (or she we’re not sure which) has visited several times since then. The kestrel is not the only new arrival. Migrant blackbirds have arrived in force. Every year in autumn, we gather windfall fruit around the base of our mighty pear tree. There it gently ferments until the blackbirds arrive, then swiftly it vanishes.
Now all is quiet. The mist has risen, the sky turns grey and the temperature is falling; night will soon be upon us. The daily news remains gloomy, the depths of winter are probably still to come but everywhere we look; across the garden and in the fields around us, there are signs of new life. One swallow may not a summer make (and the swallows are still many months away) but a day like today lifts the soul. The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalm 24:1). Thank God that he shares its’ beauty with us.
At the time of my writing, the Prime Minister has addressed the nation once more and we find ourselves living under further restrictions, with the current advice being to stay at home to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Whilst there is no doubt that in fighting the old variant of the virus, our collective efforts were working, but we now face the added challenge of the new strain of the virus, which is between 50% and 70% more transmissible. This new strain has led to a rapid surge in infections, hospital admissions and increased case rates across the country, including here in Suffolk.
If we are to protect our NHS and in turn, ourselves and our loved ones, we must all play our part and follow the guidance so that our NHS can focus on the herculean task of delivering the critical vaccination programme. It is the vaccination that will finally free us from this virus and the restrictions it brings to all our daily lives
Vaccinations have already begun here in Suffolk and I have been lobbying Ministers and Public Health colleagues to ensure that we have adequate site provision here in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. Our public health team and NHS colleagues here in Suffolk are working tirelessly to deliver the vaccines as quickly and efficiently as possible, to those most in need and I would echo their plea to ask residents not to block phone lines to GP surgeries or hospitals enquiring about when the vaccine might be available – residents will be contacted directly, in turn, and invited to attend their nearest site for vaccination.
Whilst I and indeed, our Prime Minister, understand just how frustrating this latest lockdown is, it is vital that we all continue to take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves and those most vulnerable in our communities and to slow the spread of the virus. Again, I would like to thank each and every one of you who are continuing to play your part and following the rules – we’re all in this together and the sooner we stick with it, the sooner we can start to return to normal.
It is vital that throughout lockdown, we continue to protect jobs and our local economy, and the Chancellor has unveiled further financial support for businesses and individuals. Locally, the Suffolk Support and Advice Line can help with financial and employment advice – 0800 068 3131. In addition, the Home But Not Alone free phoneline, supporting the most vulnerable in our communities is available via 0800 876 6926. Both lines are staffed from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
As your MP, I shall always work hard for the people of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich and if there is anything I can help with, please get in touch via www.drdanielpoulter.co.uk
We are hoping Santa will visit Stonham Aspal this Christmas Eve starting form Park farm at 6 PM on the Sleigh. We hope to be playing carols and going up as far as Mickfield.
ALL THE SERVICES ARE BENEFICE SERVICES. YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND ZOOM SERVICES OR SERVICES IN ANY CHURCH BUILDING
There may be changes to services due to Covid 19 regulations. More up to date information can be found on the weekly Pew Sheet. If you would like to be added to the email circulation please send your email address to lizandjohnince@gmail.com
ZOOM SERVICES
Sundays
9.30am
Morning Worship
Wednesdays
9.00am
Morning Prayer
Fridays Sunday 20 December Monday 21 December Thursday 24 December Christmas Eve Friday 25 December Christmas Day
6.30pm 6.30pm 7.00pm 4.00pm 10.00am
Evening Prayer Carol Service Longest Night Crib Service Morning Worship for Christmas Day
For services in the church building masks must be worn, social distancing will be practised, there will be no singing or refreshments. Please let Rev. Philip know by 6pm Tuesday 22 December if you intend to come to Midnight Eucharist on 01449711684 or revphilippayne@btinternet.com He will need your name, contact details and the number of people with you.
CAROL SERVICES
With the constraints of Covid we are still unable to sing in the church buildings, so we are planning two carol services across the Benefice. The first of these are Drive In Services on Sunday 13 December at the carpark by Gosbeck Village Hall at 2pm and 3.30pm. As the carpark can only hold a limited number of cars two services are planned. They will be identical, so you are only able to come to one or the other. The church band will lead the singing and you will be able to join in to your hearts content, but you will need to stay in your car which will be parked at a distance from the next ones. Booking a place will be essential so you will need to contact Philip by 6pm on Friday 11 December, informing him which service you wish to attend and giving him your name and the number of people there will be in your car.
There will also be a Zoom Carol Service on Sunday 20 December at 6.30pm. As you will be joining this service from your own home you will be able to sing as loudly as you like! Ask Ruth for the link by emailing reader.ruthdennigan@gmail.com if you are not already on her email list.
BLUE CHRISTMAS on the LONGEST NIGHT – 21 December
There will be two services on this day, the first at 2.30pm in Earl Stonham Church. The second will be a repeat of it on Zoom at 7.00pm. This is a new venture and is for those who may be finding this Christmas difficult for whatever reason. It will be a short service of readings, prayers and music. Hopefully, it will bring some comfort and joy. There will be no singing in Earl Stonham Church, but you can join in with singing on the Zoom service. Everyone welcome, but please ensure you book with Philip two days before for the physical service or with Ruth, if you are not on her mailing list, for the Zoom service.
CRIB SERVICE – Thursday 24 December, Christmas Eve
A crib service with a difference! This time it will be on Zoom as we are still not able to accommodate large numbers in the church building. So, meet us at 4pm on Zoom and we will be telling the Christmas story in words and song. If you have your own nativity set have this with you so you can put the characters in place as we go along. If you would like to bring your teddy, dressed as a character from the story, with you please do and you will be able to hold them up to your screen during the service. It will be different, but hopefully fun! See you there. Don’t forget to let Ruth know you want to come to get the link!
MIDNIGHT EUCHARIST on CHRISTMAS EVE in church
11.30pm will see the church building brightly lit as we gather inside for our Midnight service of Holy Communion. There will be music, but no singing, In line with Covid regulations and masks will be worn. During the service there will be the opportunity to receive Communion, but only the bread. You will be able to remove your mask when you have returned to your seat in order to eat the bread. Everyone welcome at this very different Midnight service.
MORNING WORSHIP FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
There will be two Christmas day services, one at Earl Stonham church and one on Zoom. Both will start at 10am. Please attend whichever you would like, but remember to book with Philip for the physical service or to let Ruth know you would like the link for Zoom if you are not on her regular mailing list.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHURCHWARDENS
As we come to the end of the church’s financial year, we would like to give you a ‘state of the union’ report on how we feel your church of St Mary and St Lambert has coped with the interruption of normal activities. We have all missed the opportunities to meet in the church building to pray, sing and socialise together. The Zoom services have been well attended and have been vital for collective worship to continue. Some folks have enjoyed them so much that they will probably continue even when a new normality returns. For the infirm and non-drivers, they have been a lifeline and have enabled us to meet people from other parishes and look forward to Benefice services in the future.
We remain hopeful that our congregation will return when we are again allowed to hold services and social gatherings such as Coffee Inn. But we have to face the possibility that some people will be unable to play as large a part in church life as they have done in the past. We need some younger volunteers to help in the running of the church as many of us who are active in the work are well into our twilight years. The next ten years will see enormous changes as the super tanker of the Church of England responds to post Covid life. The survival of the C of E worship in Stonham Aspal and Mickfield will depend on folks well under pensionable age, not the current organisers.
Finally, could we ask you to consider finance. We have been unable to hold fund raising events this year. Many have made extra donations to help us pay for insurance, heating, electricity and maintenance, plus our parish share, which funds our clergy, is approaching £800 a month. We have a deficit of about £2,000 at present and we will probably not be able to resume normal services for several months. Any donations would be very welcome, especially a regular contribution by standing order to:
Stonham Aspal and Mickfield P.C.C.
Sort Code: 20-82-75
Account Number: 70836389
If you pay UK Income Tax, please consider Gift Aiding your donation. This will enable the church to reclaim a further 25% from HMRC, details from James as below.
Treasurer – James Mackintosh, Longshaw, The Street, Stonham Aspal
Thank you all and every blessing for what we hope will be a Joyful and Memorable Christmas
David Tydeman and Alex Pratt (Churchwardens)
200 CLUB FUNDRAISER FOR STONHAM ASPAL VILLAGE HALL AND CHURCH
Congratulations to the October 200 club draw winners.
1st prize £50 no 62 Mr Cage
2nd prize £20 no 207 M Jones
=3rd prize £15 no 60 J Mitson
=3rd prize £15 no 138 Mr Timms
And congratulations to the November 200 club draw winners.
1st prize £50 no 247 C Warren
2nd prize £20 no 94 Southgate
=3rd prize £15 no 29 G Yates
=3rd prize £15 no 229 H Gardiner
It is really good to be handing out more winnings, and the December draw will be the usual doubled prize money, with lucky winners receiving £100, £40, £30, £30.
On writing this we only have around twelve subs outstanding, thank you to everyone who has paid direct into the bank, or put cash and cheques through my door. A special big thank you to those who have set up standing orders to pay for their subs each year, please, please if you wish to save paperwork, why not set one up ready for next year!
Hello, here we are again, zooming to keep in touch. In November I once again started up a zoom evening so that we can chat, see friendly faces and keep in contact. It’s open to anyone, just as the Brunches were, but this is great because I don’t have to clean up beforehand…… but I am so looking forward to squeezing you in around the dining room table again…. and making Chelsea buns…… and cooking a big fry up. It will be very special when it does happen!!
Never Zoomed before? It is easy. I send out an email on the day of the zoom which contains a link for you to click on. The first time you use zoom it will give you some extra details, but it is very straightforward. Why not give it a go. Contact me on alexjenkinson@btopenworld.com for you to be added to the email list.
The zooms will be held on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, probably alternating between and it will last 40 minutes. You can join now and again, whenever it fits in with you.
Bring along your cup of tea or a glass of good cheer as we keep in contact, keep supporting and growing a bigger circle of friends.
Every Sunday during September there will be Morning Worship via Zoom at 9.30am with midweek services of Morning Prayer on Tuesdays at 9am, and Evening Prayer on Fridays at 6.30pm. In order to ‘attend’ please email reader.ruthdennigan@gmail.com and Ruth will send you the link. You are invited to attend any service, on line or in any church building, they are all Benefice services open to everyone.
We look forward to welcoming you to the first service in our church building since lockdown. It will be at 11am on Sunday 6 September. Please stay 2m away from everyone who is not a member of your household and wear a face covering. We will meet you as you arrive and explain the seating arrangements and other details. An order of service will have been put on your seat by someone who has sanitised their hands. There will be music, but no singing. If you wish to take communion please come up the main aisle to the nave altar and stand at a distance while silently receiving the bread then use the side aisle to the right to return to your seat. At the end of the service leave by the south chancel door where there will be a plate for your offering and place your order of service in the box. Please maintain 2m distance from everyone as you leave.
HARVEST AT THE FARM – Come as you are, in your car!
Join in our drive-in Benefice Service to celebrate the end of the Harvest in a field at Broughton Hall on Sunday 27 September at 2.30pm. Drive to the service and park as directed a car’s width from the next car. Stay in your car with your windows open to join in the fun. The Church Band will be providing the music and singing is encouraged! There will be more details on the pew sheet nearer to the time, or from Frankie frankie@moatfarm.online or David djtydeman@gmail.com
CYCLE RIDE
As things currently stand, this year’s Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Sponsored Ride and Stride will be taking place on Saturday 12 September, 9am-5pm. The event will of course be different from normal with some churches possibly not open, no refreshments available and some churches with no recorders to welcome you. For sponsor forms or further information please call me on 01449 711443.
Andrew Fuller
200 CLUB – NEW SUBSCRIPTION YEAR
As the new subscription year approaches we are very concerned about asking representatives to do door to door collections. So many of us are now familiar with online banking; it would seem to be a good time to change our way of collecting your subscriptions. The new system should make it easier for you to pay your subscription and make it safer for those who have collected it in the past.
Hopefully by October when the first draw of the club’s new year takes place, you will be able to pay your subscription on-line or by popping cash through my letter box. You will receive further details by post and we thank you in anticipation of your continued support.
The 200 Club draw takes place each month. For an annual subscription of £12 you have one number which is entered into each monthly draw throughout the year. 1st prize £50, 2nd Prize £20, 2 equal 3rd Prizes of £15. In December the prize money is doubled!!!! All proceeds are divided between the Village Hall and the Church.
If you are new to the village, or not yet a member, and would like to support the 200 Club, please contact me on alexjenkinson@btopenworld.com or 01449 711393
As you will see the magazine is now back…..for the time being. Just in case the printers have to close again, all articles and announcements will be put on the village Facebook page and this website – as they have been over the past few months.
Subscriptions
The annual subscription is usually collected in March, and I know for a few of you, this did happen. For everyone else, please note that your subscription will be collected in January and this will be for the new year. For those of you who have already paid, your payment will be carried forward to the new year.
Autumn Lunch
Very sadly, this has been cancelled for this year. As soon as we are able, we will advise you of the new date.
Santa’s Sleigh
The good news is that Santa has confirmed that he will be visiting the village on Christmas Eve, but has a few logistical problems to resolve beforehand! His elves are working on these and depending on the rules and regulations that are in force in December, it may be Santa will only stop in a few central areas in the village to deliver presents. Santa has promised to let us have regular updates, and these will be included in the October and November magazines.
Thanks for your inputs, the bid is now with Openreach for consideration. A map of the properties who submitted inputs is attached.
Areas requesting FTTP
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
