Needham Parish Council

A concern frequently brought to the Parish Council by residents is the worrying speed at which traffic drives through the village.  As a reminder that the speed limit in the High Road is thirty miles an hour the Parish Council have purchased a half share in a Speed Awareness Machine (SAM) with Brockdish Parish Council.  You will already have seen it in place for two weeks in the village.  We are currently waiting for a new post to be installed in order that it can be installed to face traffic in either direction.  At the time of writing it is back with Brockdish but once we have the two possible locations it will be in the village on a fortnightly rotation.  Thanks are due to the Brockdish Councillor Chris Wolfe and their Clerk Teresa Hines for organising the purchase.  It will be helpful to have a small number of individuals that could be called on if necessary to share the move to each location.  Please let me know if you are able to help.  

The next Parish Council meeting is at 7.30 on Monday 25^th September in the annex to the Village Hall.  A representative of Saffron Housing Trust will be at the meeting.  The Trust is a small local Housing Association that works closely with Parish Councils to establish local housing needs for affordable homes.  Do come to hear the discussion if you are concerned about the need for housing. Another concern frequently raised at meetings is the condition of local footpaths.  I hope that the agenda will include a discussion on how the village can prevent local footpaths from becoming overgrown.  

Andrew Major

Chairman

Friends of Needham Village Hall

The committee were delighted that not only was there a window of a fine day for the barbecue in the otherwise changeable weather but that Needham residents turned out in numbers to enjoy the event.  It was agreed that this was again a great success with many people lingering on into the late afternoon to enjoy a chat over a drink.  Of course, this only happens because of the hard work of Friends who organise the tombola and raffle, the bar, the entertainment and the unsung heroes who work all day in the kitchen to provide desserts, teas and cakes.  A huge thank you to them all for making the day such great fun.

The success of the day bodes well for the next Village Hall event that will be a Christmas tea party to be held on Saturday 16^th December.  The event will be for all ages and the whole family with a buffet and bar, a visit from Father Christmas and music provided by the Ipswich Hospital Brass Band.  We look forward to seeing you there.  

Harleston U3A

A glance at Harleston U3A’s August committee meeting agenda shows just how hard the committee work at making our organisation such a success. There were no fewer than 23 items for discussion – I wonder if they brought several packed lunches and a sleeping back apiece! Speaker Secretary, Alan Jeffreys and General Secretary, Jackie Worsfold have settled into their new roles. Hazel continues keeping everyone informed about events and interest groups. Mick, our Chairman, keeps everything and everyone in order, especially wife, Hazel! Mick has organised all our summer outings including garden and boat trips. It is a pleasure to be able to get out and about with congenial companions and without the worry of driving and parking.

If you are no longer in full time employment and want to spend time with a lively crowd, log on to our website www.u3a.org.harleston . There are more than 20 interest groups from badminton to ukulele and from book groups to walking groups. For a modest annual fee, you are eligible to join any or all! We, also, have a general meeting every third Wednesday in the month at the Masonic Rooms with a speaker and some social time. Come along and give Harleston U3A a try!

Harleston & District Dementia Café & Support Group

Don’t forget that our café & support group is open on the 3^rd Thursday of every month at the Swift Piano Bar at the Swan Hotel, Harleston, 2pm – 4pm, with our next session on 

Thursday 21^st September.

This month our café is kindly sponsored by:

The Harleston Grapevine

This month we will have Cheryl joining us for arts and crafts as well as our usual soothing hand massages and nail care. We also provide other stimulating activities, refreshments and cakes; fully supported by our volunteers. Please be assured of a very warm, friendly welcome to everyone.

Forthcoming Events

Saturday 16^th September at Earlham Park, Norwich, one of our committee members, Freyja, and some of her friends have kindly offered to take on the challenge of ‘Gung Ho!’. This is a five storey high, 200ft thrilling obstacle course over 5K: the world’s biggest inflatable obstacle course. Freyja and her friends are hoping to raise money through sponsorship of this event for our dementia café. We have links for sponsorship on our social media pages or go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/harlestonanddistrictdementiafriendlycommunity

Friday October 6^th – We are holding a charity evening of 'Clairvoyance and Mediumship' with Alex Lovelock and friends; including readers and tarot cards. This is being held on Friday 9th October in the Carvery Rooms at the Swan Hotel. Early bird tickets are available. Book early to avoid disappointment! All proceeds to support our dementia cafe and support group. Please contact Pat Simmonds as below or Freyja Mardell on 07387189575 or freyjamardell@gmail.com for tickets.

Village Hall Event

NEEDHAM: 

From the Neolithic to the 19^th Century

Needham Village Hall 

Sunday 1^st October 2.30pm

Admission Free. Refreshments Available

The Friends of Needham Village Hall have invited local resident Stephen Poulter to give an illustrated talk about the research he has been carrying out into the history of his home and the material he has uncovered about the history of the village. 

This is a story which includes Roman coin hoards, Norman knights,  a medieval religious protest,  plus dramatic court cases from the Victorian era involving a fatal accident caused by drunk driving, and a violent struggle which resulted in a trial for manslaughter. 

With a view to launching a Heritage Project for the village and possibly publishing a new book on Needham’s history, people are invited to bring along any family photos, old postcards, documents or stories they would like to share about historic buildings in the village and/or former residents. If you are unable to join us in October but would like to contribute material or help with research then please contact Stephen on stephenjp@talktalk.net or (01379) 308932.

Harvest Festival ……

at St. Peter's Church will be on 24th September at 6p.m this year.    The Annual church yard tidy up will be on November 4th starting approximately 9a.m, if anyone is available to help on the day come along we will be pleased to see you. There will be coffee and refreshments provided. Please put the date in your diary.  Thank you.          

On September 9th the annual Church Bike Ride or Walk will take place. There are sponsor forms in church if anyone would like to participate  in this event.       

 Gill Powell

Needham Carpet Bowls Club

Jean Gould won the competition for the  late Mary Howlett trophy.

The draw for the Winter League has now taken place and we will be competing against Wortwell, Brockdish, Syleham & Occuld on a Home & Away basis.

We have drawn a bye in the first round round of the Knockout Cup so we automatically go through to the second round.

On Friday 1 September we have an away match against Pulham Market followed on Friday 15 September by another friendly home match against Rumburgh.

Our club evenings are held every Wednesday starting at 7:30pm.  All equipment is supplied.  Do come along - we would welcome new members.

Nudger

Congratulations……

…… to Harold Jefferson on the occasion of his 90th birthday on 14 September.

St Peter's Church Services & Events

3    Sept     Morning Prayer 11.00am

10  Sept     Morning Prayer 9.30am
17  Sept    Morning Prayer 11.00am
24  Sept    Harvest Holy Communion 6.00pm

1    Oct     Morning Prayer 11.00am

8    Oct       Morning Prayer 9.30am

15 Oct       Morning Prayer 11.00am

22  Oct       Holy Communion 9.30am 

29  Oct       Benefice Service at Thorpe Abbotts Church 10.30am

For children with their parents/carers Bumble Tea at Needham Church will be on Saturday 9 September and 7 October starting at 2pm.  Refreshments & snacks with parents buzzing over a cuppa and kids enjoying a hive of activity.  Free of charge.

Rector: Revd Nigel Tuffnell 

Tel: 01379 308905 

Email: rector@7churches.org.uk
Office: Lucy Elton-Cooke 

(Mon - Fri 9am to 1pm)
Tel: 01379 851148 

Email: admin@7churhes.org.uk
Facebook – www.facebook.comredenhall.scole
Twitter - twitter.com7churches@RedScole

Bouncy BBQ!

A good time was had by all at Sunday's Needham Village BBQ.

A big thank you to all the committee for organising the event and to all the volunteers who turned up to help.

More in the next edition of the Needham Link.

ALERT! Needham Village BBQ

The BBQ will be this Sunday (13 August) starting at 1:00pm.
Be there!
Don't be late!

*Live Music

*Bouncy Castle

*Raffle

*BBQ & Bar

Needham Coronation Village Hall

All the family welcome.

www.needhamlink.co.uk      

needhamlink@gmail.com

     Needham Village Link

        July/August 2017

www.facebook.com/NeedhamLink

@needham_link 

From the Editor

It’s been difficult to drag myself indoors to put this issue of the Needham Link together in this wonderful sunny weather.  

There has been a lot going on in the Village Hall.  Details of past events can be found elsewhere in the Link.  The next big Village Hall event will be the Annual BBQ which will be held on Sunday 13 August.  Let’s hope for another lovely day for this usually very well attended Needham event.  I know the Friends of Needham Village Hall committee have been and will be working very hard to ensure the BBQ is as successful as ever.  Please give it your support. Jean Youell is looking for raffle prizes. If you have anything suitable please contact her on 854 819.

There is still time to visit the Open Studios of our very local artists:

1/2 July & 8/9 July  from 11am to 6pm

• Rose Martin at Skeetsmere House, Upper Burnt House Lane
• Gill Levin at The Tithe Barn, Mill Lane
• Vicky Townley at The Old King’s Head, Brockdish

As you will read elsewhere in this issue, the November/December issue will be my last as Editor.  I have been asking for a volunteer to take over as  Editor for some time now but apart from one offer which failed to materialise there has been no response.  I took over the role in January 2012 when the then Editor, David Cunliffe, said he felt that 5 years was the time to give up.  I will have been Editor of the Link for 6 years! There is still time for someone to step into the role.  However, if there is nobody willing to take over I really regret that Needham will no longer have a newsletter in which, apart from other things, to publicise village events.  I shall try to maintain the website at www.needhamlink.co.uk to publicise forthcoming events but regret that villagers with no access to the internet will be at a disadvantage.  It isn’t too late to volunteer to be the next editor of the Link!

Helen

Needham Village Hall Management Committee.

Report to Needham Parish Council Annual Meeting 2017

Committee members are to be congratulated for the achievements of the last year.  Highlights were the highly successful party held in June to celebrate the Queen’s 90^th birthday supported by a grant obtained from South Norfolk Council and also the traditional summer barbeque.  Both these events were blessed with dry weather and were well supported by village residents.  

The challenge we face in the coming year is to translate that interest from residents into support for the Village Hall Committee.  This is particularly needed as three committee members have stood down since the last Annual Meeting.  We are currently without a Treasurer and help is also needed in managing bookings.  We are in the difficult position of owning a facility that is much admired and used by the wider community but fails to receive the necessary support from within the village.  It was noticeable that at two recent events held at the Hall, intended to draw in Needham residents, attendance was almost exclusively from outside the village.  

We are encouraged by the work of Needham Action Group in planning to create a new community play area on Townsland Trust land behind the Hall, but without support for the Management Committee the future of the Hall itself is in doubt.

Nevertheless, on a more mundane level the committee has continued to care for the maintenance and improvement of the Hall, most noticeably in the erection of the new storage shed in the grounds.  

Report to Parish Council from the Editor of the Link

Since the last Parish Council Annual Meeting six editions of the Link have been published.  The Link has informed residents of forthcoming events such as the party to celebrate the 90^th birthday of the Queen held in June and the village barbeque held in September.  I have then published illustrated reports on these events.

 The Link also regularly contains reports on the Parish Council meetings, the work of the Friends of Needham Village Hall, and the Carpet Bowls Club as well as the monthly coffee mornings in the Red Lion, which has raised impressive amounts for charity.  Photo features include the erection of a storage shed in the grounds of the Village Hall and the Open Day held by the Needham Action Group (NAG) to promote the proposed play area in the village. The Link has been used to distribute information on NAG. 

The Link has  also contained village news, such as the progress of long term resident Derek Buttle, who suffered a severe stroke last year and notifying friends of Sylvia Miller of the date of the memorial service held at St Peter’s church. There have also been articles on local subjects which I hope have been of interest to readers. Recently, I have tried to make readers aware of businesses  who are based in the village. 

My first edition as editor was in January 2012 since when there has been an issue every two months.  My next editorial will announce that after six years of producing the Link my last edition will be the November/December edition and I shall be inviting volunteers to take over the role of editor/publisher.

Miscellaneous

Borderhoppa

Borderhoppa has lots going on for our members in 2017 including lunches out, visits to garden centres and places of interest.  If you or someone you know would like to join us, please call us on 01379 854800.

Harleston & District Dementia Café & Support Group

Don’t forget that our café & support group is open on the 3^rd Thursday of every month at the Swift Piano Bar at the Swan Hotel, Harleston, 2pm – 4pm with our next session on Thursday 20^th July.

This month our café is kindly sponsored by: The Harleston Grapevine

As well as our usual soothing hand massages and nail care, this month we have a ‘Sing-a-long with Darrin. We also provide other stimulating activities, refreshments and cakes; fully supported by our volunteers. Please be assured of a very warm, friendly welcome to everyone.

Needham Carpet Bowls Club

Since our last report the club competitions have been completed.

The winners were:

Ladies Singles: Jean Gower

Gents Singles : Brian Carlile

Pairs               : Celia Snaith & Dennis Taylor

The competition for the Mary Howlett Trophy will take place shortly.

Two members from our club will attend the AGM at Old Buckingham on 12 July.  The draw for the Winter League will also take place.

Club evenings are every Wednesday evening starting at 7:30pm.  All equipment is supplied.  New members would be very welcome!

Nudger

St Peter’s Needham Church Service and Events.

 2^nd July   Morning Prayer 11.00am

 9^th July   Morning Prayer 9.30am
16^th July   Morning Prayer 11.00am
23^rd July   Holy Communion 9.30am

30^th July   Benefice Service at Billingford Church 10.30am

6^th Aug   Morning Prayer 11.00am

13^th Aug   Morning Prayer 9.30am

20^th Aug   Benefice Service at Brockdish Church 10.30am

27^th Aug   Holy Communion 9.30am

For children with their parents/carers BumbleTea at Needham church will be on Saturday 15^th July and 12^th August starting at 2pm.  Refreshments & snacks with parents buzzing over a cuppa and kids enjoying a hive of activity. Free of charge.

Rector: Revd Nigel Tuffnell
Tel: 01379 308905 

Email: rector@7churches.org.uk
Office: Lucy Elton-Cooke 

(Mon - Fri 9am to 1pm)
Tel: 01379 851148 

Email: admin@7churhes.org.uk
Facebook – www.facebook.comredenhall.scole
Twitter - twitter.com7churches@RedScole

Village Hall Lettings

Monday :      Tai Chi 10am - 12:00 noon

                  Pilates  7pm - 9pm

Tuesday:       Pilates  10am - 12:00 noon

                     Whist Drive 7:30pm

                     Wine Guild  7:30pm (3rd week Sept to May)

Wednesday:  Art Group  1:30pm - 4:30pm

                     Bowls Club 7:30pm

Thursday:      Craft Group  10am - 12:00 noon (2nd week in month)

                     Martial Arts 7pm - 8:30pm

                     Library 2pm - 4pm

Please contact Bookings Secretary, Jean Youell (854 819) if you wish to make a booking. 

Friends of Needham Village Hall

We are delighted that recently three new recruits representing the hirers and St Peters have joined the committee managing the running of the hall.  We would still very much welcome anyone living in the village to join us, in particular to help with managing the finances.  The whole team share in looking after the fees for hiring the hall and paying invoices for maintenance work done but a single coordinator is needed to keep track of the finances.  

As we meet only every six weeks or so, this does not take up a great deal of time, but we are rewarded with glowing praise from all who use the hall.  If you feel you could help please contact Andrew Major on 01379 852958, any committee member, or come to our next meeting at 7.30 on Monday 31 July in the annex to the Hall when we shall be making final arrangements for the village barbeque. 

Wanted!

We need Raffle prizes for the BBQ.  If you would like to donate a prize please contact Jean Youell at 77 High Road or phone 854 819

Needham Village Hall Events

When I read last Autumn that the Friends of Needham Village Hall were having difficulty recruiting enough members to ensure the continuing viability of our hall I suggested launching a pilot entertainment programme to attract more villagers and promote this valuable community asset. After carrying out a survey asking local people what events they wanted which elicited 70 enthusiastic replies, we launched a publicity campaign in March consisting of flyers, posters and local press coverage to promote three different shows.

We kicked off on 1^st April with my talk contrasting the myth of the brave and gallant highwayman, Dick Turpin, with the true story of one of history's most notorious robbers. While tucking into home-made sandwiches and cakes the audience at Everything Stops For Tea in May enjoyed a light-hearted entertainment about how afternoon tea developed into a national institution over more than 300 years. The third show in early June featured the very talented young classical guitarist, Peter Turrell playing music spanning the past 500 years from early Renaissance lute pieces through delicate baroque melodies to modern instrumental and flamenco music.

The audience of more than 100 people who supported the season were uniformly enthusiastic and appreciative – some travelled from as far afield as Norwich, Needham Market and Attleborough, but very few from Needham itself. Around a dozen villagers did, however, assist as volunteers in organising the shows and distributing the publicity. Harleston Information Plus provided us with box office facilities, many Harleston shops and businesses were happy to display posters and we were very grateful for the coverage in Grapevine, the Needham Link and other community magazines, as well as a front page article in the Harleston Mercury.

The aim had been to organise a season that covered its costs and, in fact, the events made a modest profit. However, despite all the publicity, the Village Hall Committee are still short of new members and are now urgently looking for a Treasurer.

Stephen Poulter

* Photos of the events on the centre pages

Needham Parish Council Annual Meeting: 15 May 2017

Chairman’s Report

Over the past twelve months the Parish Council have again represented the residents of Needham with a full schedule of bi-monthly meetings.  We have acted on a variety of concerns including the harassment of pensioners by door-to-door callers, theft of firewood and noise nuisance.   We have also been successful in requesting action on clearing fly tipping and highway and footpath obstructions.  

However, the lack of a response to our request for the reinstatement of an early morning bus service and improvement to the A143 crossing reminds us that as a Parish Council we have limited influence. 

Similarly, our objection to a recommendation by the Boundary Commission that Needham should be relocated in the Harleston District was also dismissed.  I look forward therefore to receiving regular visits to our meetings from the Harleston District Councillors when the change takes effect. 

In the last twelve months we have welcomed Heidi Williams and Georgina Frost onto the Parish Council and I am grateful for their support. I also welcome the support of Darren French in volunteering to be the Needham Tree Warden.  

On a sombre note, it is with sadness I have to report that Sylvia Miller, who stood down as a Parish Councillor at the beginning of the year and who was also active in many other aspects of village life, died at the Easter weekend.  The large numbers who attended a memorial service is testimony to the affection in which she was held.

We continue to maintain a healthy bank balance where the sum of £915 has been earmarked for payment of a half share with Brockdish of a SAM2 (Speed Awareness) machine.  We also continue to fund the publication of the Link newsletter.

The Parish Council are pleased to support the Needham Action Group set up to create a community area on land behind the Village Hall and we hope to be able to assist them with financial transactions.  A grant of £767 from the District Councillor is helping fund negotiations to obtain a lease on the land from the Townlands Trust.

I should like to thank Jenny Wilby, our District Councillor and Martin Wilby our County Councillor, for attending our meetings when their commitments permit and for their highly informative reports.  As always, I must also thank Philip Freemen, our Parish Clerk, for his support and without whom we should not be able to function.

Andrew Major