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In TouchVolume 10 • Issue No. 8 • JULY 2020

with Belstead, Bentley,Copdock & Washbrook

and Tattingstone

2 In Touch online:

3www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

NEWSA WORD FROM THE EDITOR

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

In Touch Titles• Stowmarket & Stowupland• Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew• Melton & Woodbridge• Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley• Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham,

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

Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone

• Martlesham• Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton• East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford

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

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

St Martin & Witnesham• Sproughton & Burstall

We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Printed on gloss paper from FSC certified sources

Please recycle.

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

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

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

PRINTING ColourPlan Print: 01473 400379E: steve@colourplan.co.ukDisclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions.

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

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

© In Touch with Belstead, Bently, Copdock & Washbrook and Tattingstone is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd

Friday 10 Julyis the advertising and editorial deadline for the August edition

There’s something about a Sunday morning which feels different, even before you realise it is a Sunday. Well, I had the same sensation when I woke on Monday 15 June. It felt different and all because it was the day when ‘non-essential’ shops were allowed to reopen. This development makes me extremely happy, Sunday happy, because I’ve hated walking by closed shops for so long, knowing how the enforced closure has impacted on owners and staff. Now our local shops have reopened, I urge you to support them so we can enjoy again the many benefits of having vibrant high streets and town centres.

We have to take baby steps for the moment and adhere to social distancing guidelines, but the purchasing choices we make have never been so critical for the local economy and local employment. The choices we make right now will determine whether those hardest hit by closure can survive and how quickly we can revive the sense of local community we’ve missed on our streets in the last three months.

As it was such a momentous day for our town centre shops, I made it the focus of my son’s home learning for the day. We wandered into town just to see the open doors and the new window displays and to enjoy the palpable sense of freedom. There was a long queue at the shoe shop, mostly mums with small children who needed to have their feet measured for long overdue summer shoes. We decided to leave that for another day and headed to the sewing shop where I purchased some funky fabric for face masks. Next up, and central to my mission, my favourite boutique with a list of missed and forthcoming birthdays in hand. I may have purchased a little something for myself too, a sort of token ‘freedom’ gift which is click-clacking on the keyboard as I type (and beginning to really annoy me!).

Jack was desperate to visit the sweet shop, which we did next, and then on to what we refer to as ‘the everything and anything shop’ for a new cafetier and sunflower seeds. Then coffee and off home with a spring in our step.

“It’s much better like this, isn’t it mum,” Jack said. It surely is and now we know how much we have missed having town centres and streets where people live, work and play, perhaps we can be more optimistic than ever about the future. Take care, stay safe and shop local (which you can do online if you are still shielding or in isolation).

COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM CORONAVIRUS FUNDING BOOST

TOTALLING OVER £100,000Communities have received more than £100,000 in vital funding from Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, helping them to respond to Covid-19 and paving the way for a stronger society.

Both councils acknowledge the key role of community groups, along with town and parish councils, in easing the challenges faced by residents at this time. In recognition of this and the financial hardships arising from the pandemic, a new Covid-19 Emerging Needs Grant was set up, ensuring much-needed funding could be provided to new and existing groups across both districts.

Grants of up to £2,500 can be applied for to cover increased costs incurred as a result of the Coronavirus. The grant has a straightforward applications process, allowing applicants to receive funding within weeks and resulting in almost 80 applications being submitted to date. This figure is set to increase, with grants continuing to be made available.

The councils’ grants team has responded to 98% of applicants so far and grants totalling more than £101,250 have already been approved. Included within this figure is over £15,000 of funding for local foodbanks. Grants have also been offered to organisations providing meals on wheels, community information services and mental health outreach programmes.

Grant recipient Mencap said: “This grant will ensure that we will be able to provide the helpline service in Babergh and Mid Suffolk to people with a learning disability and their families and carers. In this challenging and unprecedented time, the impact of this will be vital.”

The crucial work of community groups has been complemented by the Home, But Not Alone service, set up the county-wide Collaborative Communities Board to provide emergency assistance by linking TRIBE volunteers to vulnerable residents with care needs or loneliness. Since its launch at the end of March, the helpline has received over 8,500 calls.

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have managed referrals for its districts, including the distribution of vital medication and urgent requests for food. One caller said: “A lady very kindly gave me her direct line number and arranged an emergency food parcel. Although we’d only spoken in the afternoon, the food parcel arrived by 6pm that night, which was absolutely marvellous.”

This invaluable support continuing, as the virus and its aftermath remains, is a priority for both councils. Plans are being put in place to cement the community groups and good neighbour schemes created in response to Covid-19, with localities officers from the councils’ Communities team aiding with this.

Cllr Derek Davis, Cabinet Member for Communities for Babergh District Council said: “I’d like to thank communities in Babergh who have demonstrated immense strength and resilience at a time of national emergency. They are doing an amazing job and we will continue to do all we can to support their efforts.”

Cllr Julie Flatman, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing for Mid Suffolk District Council said: “I am pleased our grants have already made a real difference to the communities pulling together in response to Covid-19. Although government restrictions are starting to ease, the virus will be with us for some time and protecting our most vulnerable residents remains a priority.”

4 In Touch online:

NEWS

As we start to come out of lockdown and more businesses open and work towards a new ‘normal’, we have also changed the way we’re working.

Demand is already increasing and we encourage patients to adapt to our new ways. The following will be the plan from 8 June to 4 July, though may be subject to change as the government issues more guidance.

• Front door: We will continue to run with a staff member on door. Please wait to be invited in if you have an appointment and wait outside if you are collecting medication. You should maintain a 2m distance at all times for staff safety and yours.

• Medication collections will be extended to 4pm at Holbrook on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. There will only be a morning collection on Thursday as usual and we will be open for collections until 5pm on Friday as now.

• If you have an appointment at Shotley please use the main door between 8 and 11am and 2 and 5pm. Otherwise, you should use the door in the doctors’ car park between 11am and 2pm and after 5pm. You should exit via the back door into the doctors’ car park. You should not wander into any other part of the building.

• Please take care as we have a hole in the doctors’ car park and are awaiting an assessment from our insurers. This is clearly marked and surrounded by bollards.

• Shielding patients (those at very high risk with a government letter) will only be seen at Holbrook Monday to Thursday and on Friday morning. Please come to the beginning of the queue and stand at the green Appointments Only marker which is distanced from where others stand to collect prescriptions. Do not attend too early to avoid too many people. It is preferable that you do not attend on a Friday afternoon when we may be seeing other patients who are not shielding.

• Only the actual patient should come into waiting room. Children may be accompanied by only one parent. Elderly or infirm patients needing help should only have one person assisting them.

• If you are being seen for appointment, our clinical staff will wear appropriate PPE. This may include a face mask, gloves, apron and visor depending on your appointment type. Some of our non-clinical staff may be wearing hospital type scrubs whilst working on the door.

• We are able to see fewer patients face to face as more time is needed between patients to clean rooms and equipment and change PPE.

• We are in the process of having additional screens made for when we reopen our doors. We also have tape ready to mark out 2m distances.

• We shall continue to offer telephone advice and video consultations.

• When you ring or come to the door, you will be asked if you have a temperature, a new continuous cough and/or loss of/change in taste or smell. If you are symptomatic we can still ring you to discuss but may send a car to visit you at home with a specially kitted out staff member from the Suffolk GP Federation.

• Repeat medication can be ordered online via NHS App or SystmOnline or you can put a query through eConsult (blue banner on our website). If you have no online access, you can drop your repeat slip through the door at either site.

• eConsult: We recommend patients use eConsult for non-urgent queries including repeat fit for work note/sick certificate requests, medication queries, referral to hospital which will send details to our GPs and staff and we can respond via a one way message.

• Some annual checks can be done partially or fully on eConsult. Go to https://holbrookandshotleysurgery.webgp.com/reviews and click on your condition. There are templates for asthma, diabetes, thyroid, COPD, hypertension, contraceptive pill and also for a medication review. Complete the information as fully as possible and we will contact you if necessary once we receive this. You may still be asked to come in but this will reduce the time of your appointment as we can gather information before you attend.

• Nurses continue to ring our shielding patients to offer help from community groups. Patients are still being added to this list by the practice, hospitals and government.

• Coronavirus testing is available for patients with symptoms via the NHS website (www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test) or ring 119 if no internet access.

• Antibody testing will available soon and will need a blood test taken which will increase our blood test appointment requests.

• Staff will be split into two teams from 8 June for four weeks to reduce risk of cross contamination between sites. One team will work only at Holbrook, the other only at Shotley. This may mean that you do not see the same person as usual when you attend. However, it will give us more flexibility if we do have an outbreak amongst staff.

• A lip speaker is available for those who are hard of hearing. Contact Natalie Farrugia at nfbslpro@gmail.com or 07860 373317. Natalie has kindly offered to help but is not employed by the practice. By contacting Natalie directly you understand the confidentiality issues.

• Over 70s should, where possible, ask a family or friend to collect medication for them. If there is absolutely no-one who can do this then we are very helpfully supported by the community groups. Please ring reception if you are not already in touch with them and we can give you the number of the nearest group to you.

• Childhood immunisations and baby checks: The midwife and health visitor are contacting patients and giving advice over the phone or organising for patients to come in when necessary. Parents should still bring their children for their immunisations and baby checks. Our usual six-week postnatal check will now be combined with the eight week immunisations so you only need to attend once and will see both the nurse and doctor.

• Cervical screening: If you receive a recall letter and are concerned, please ring reception and we will book a telephone appointment with the nurse who can advise you what to do.

For mental health issues due to coronavirus visit: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus

And finally, I would like again to thank our staff and all of the voluntary groups who have been helping both us as a practice and our communities. Many of our staff are covering extra hours on a regular basis and have their own challenges at home and within the workplace.

They are having to adapt to new technology, the loss of social connection and growing demand whilst keeping up with all the changes from NHSE and our CCG. We do appreciate the lovely comments we get from patients and I always forward these round.

Sadly, we still have some patients who feel it is acceptable to shout at our staff. We will continue to always try to do our best for our patients and, if we fall short of this, please accept our apologies. If you need to complain, please contact our practice manager at the surgery so that we can look into this for you. Our voluntary groups have been such a help and we are grateful to them for all they do. If you are shielding and struggling to get medication delivered, please contact us. If there is no community group near to you then the NHS Volunteers or our staff may be able to do this for you.

HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY PRACTICE

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6 In Touch online:

NEWS / OUT & ABOUT

In Touch online:

CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE

Coronavirus UpdateWe have put in place many measures to enable patients to continue to receive medical advice and treatment while minimising risk to both patients and staff. These measures have worked well so far and will remain in place until further notice. Although the number of confirmed cases nationally has fallen, if we relax these measures too early then the number of cases may well increase again

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

• If possible, submit any medical or admin query via our online eConsult service. As we are operating with reduced staff levels, this will help us considerably. Visit our website and follow the link. We aim to respond to all eConsults within two working days.• If you cannot use eConsult or if your need is urgent, our receptionists will place you on a triage list and one of our doctors or nurse practitioners will call you back.• After triaging, our clinicians can set up a video consultation, or may decide they need to see you in person.• If you need to come to the practice, the clinician will ask you to wait in your car with your mobile. The clinician will call you when they are ready to see you.• You must tell us if you are experiencing any Covid symptoms such as fever, a new cough, or loss of taste and smell.• Please wear a mask or wrap a scarf around you face when you come to the practice, and sanitise your hands.• Our nurses and phlebotomists are still seeing patients whose need cannot wait. This includes blood tests requested by a doctor, dressings, cervical screening and child immunisations.• Our Capel site is open at limited times through the week for patients who need to be seen but cannot get to East Bergholt.• The front doors at Capel remain closed to practice patients though are open for pharmacy customers, though a maximum of two pharmacy customers are allowed in the building at any one time.• Practice patients seeing a phlebotomist, nurse or doctor at Capel are asked to wait in their car until they are called on their mobile number and asked to enter through the rear door.

Finally, we are still here to help our patients. Please feel free to contact us if you feel you need to speak to a clinician about any health concerns you may have. Also, please look out for vulnerable patients and if you have concerns regarding their health, please inform us.

Thank you for you continued support and cooperation.

Practice Manager Pete Keeble

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM July 2020! I’m not really sure where the time has gone. It’s difficult to know which week or month we are in at times. Still very uncertain times and I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

The team from Hadleigh have been very busy as the crime rate is just as high during lockdown as it was before. There has been a series of arsons in Hadleigh and the team worked hard to try and locate the suspects. Following some extra patrols in and around the area there have been no more reported.

Suffolk Police have allocated an award for the officer of the month and this month it went to Hadleigh Officer Niall Johnson for his dedicated hard work.

We have a team of officers at Hadleigh working seven days a week. Although the police station is closed, there is still a police phone at the front.

Please remember to call 101 or report online should you wish to report something non-urgent and 999 for urgent matters. Remember too, to check our Twitter and Facebook accounts where you’ll find local information as well as useful tips on crime prevention.

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

CAPEL LIBRARYLibraries will begin to re-open with a limited number of services from Monday 6 July. Mobile and home library services remain suspended for the moment. In the meantime, please continue to access the elibrary, online events and activities, as well as book and film groups, from your home at: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk

Please keep an eye on Capel St Mary Library webpage, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as the door to the library for our new limited opening hours and the services we will be offering.

We look forward to seeing you again at the library.

ARE YOU DYING TO BE HEARD?Until recently Death Café meetings happened at The Compasses in Holbrook on Sundays from 10.30am to noon. In May, with full lockdown in place, we met on the modern marvel of Zoom. This is not as satisfying perhaps as meeting in person but considerably better than not meeting at all. It is easy to access, with an invitation that includes the link you need to join us. Once you are ‘in the room’ you have the option of having video ‘on’ or ‘off’, which means you can choose to be seen or not, while seeing others and still being part of the audio conversation.

We talk about anything to do with death or dying with no agenda or speakers. We just meet to have an interesting chat in a space that is safe and where we listen to each other with compassion and without judgement.

We are not a support group, simply people comfortable talking about these matters and sharing with others our interest and experience. The Death Café movement is worldwide and was founded in the UK by Jon Underwood.

We invite you to join us for our next Death Café on Zoom on July 5. If you are interested in joining us, finding out more, being part of the conversation or simply listening, then contact Jane Gould: 01473 789777 / jane.gould@btinternet.com

We need to know who wishes to join us so we can send you the link.

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OUT & ABOUT

STOUR VALLEY U3AWe’ll be back soon. In the meantime, visit:

https://u3asites.org.uk/stourvalley

Stour Valley U3A has set up a number of support systems for members during the coronavirus pandemic. These include dedicated helplines for those self-isolating in East Bergholt, Manningtree, Mistley and Lawford to help with basic needs such as food shopping and prescription collection. A general support group for members is also available for those living in East Bergholt.

Lectures for July, August and September are cancelled. We are awaiting details of how permitted ‘small group’ activities may allow some of our interest groups to resume.

Curry group members enjoyed a spicy takeaway in June courtesy of members able to undertake the task instead of the usual monthly outing.

Zoom is taking off with a number of groups including science, French conversation and philosophy continuing their activities using the video-conferencing platform. Never too old to learn!

A newsletter circulated each month to all members keeping them informed of news and updates.

For further information contact Graham Manuel: gandamauel@gmail.com

Sue Basted: susanbasted10@gmail.com

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUBAt our AGM, Dave Carman was voted in again as president and speaker secretary, Graeme Forsyth as secretary and Val Pretty as treasurer.

The committee and those present at the AGM was agreed that in the light of the Coronavirus outbreak all club meetings would be cancelled for the next few months. We always take a break in August so therefore plan to meet again on 2 September when Jan Derbyshire will speak on the good work of The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding.

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

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

BENTLEY & COPDOCK PRIMARY SCHOOLS

We have worked really hard as a Federation to keep our pupils engaged with learning during the current epidemic. Initially we kept Copdock open to take key worker children from both schools and at the beginning of June we opened both schools to our Reception and Year 1 pupils, while maintaining support for key worker children.

Towards the end of June we invited our Year 6 pupils back so that we could help them with their transition to high school. All of this has been achieved while supplying those children remaining at home with work to keep their learning on track. We really are very lucky to have such an adaptable team and to be part of a caring community.

A massive thank you to our fantastic staff for keeping everyone going under such difficult circumstances, and to our families for their support in keeping up the momentum. We would also like to express our thanks to Copdock Parish Council for their ongoing care and support for the village and families within.

During lockdown, our chickens at Bentley have hatched some eggs. Unfortunately we only have one remaining chick which the children in Reception and Year 1 children have named ‘Silvermoon’.

We look forward to welcoming Miss Pip Waterhouse to the Federation team in September. Pip will be joining Woodpeckers class as their new teacher alongside Mrs Collins.

For more news and up to date information about the schools, please visit: www.bentleycopdock.co.uk

Copdock Primary: 01473 730337 / admin@copdock.suffolk.sch.uk

Bentley Primary: 01473 310253 / admin@bentley.suffolk.sch.uk

10 In Touch online:

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OUT & ABOUT

EAST ANGLIA’S STEPHEN LAWRENCE AMBASSADOR SCHOOL

The Royal Hospital School (RHS) is delighted to have been named as just one of eleven Stephen Lawrence Ambassador Schools in the UK.

Last year, Stuart Lawrence, Stephen’s brother, visited the school to talk about his brother’s legacy and had been planning to visit again in May following the

award to RHS. Instead, Stuart will be sending a video message to the pupils to congratulate them and the school on its strong commitment to challenging racism.

To qualify, a school must demonstrate to the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust a community commitment to five key behaviours that challenge racism and support diversity and inclusion. Throughout 2020, RHS has devoted areas of the curriculum to topics that address these and in Lent term, pupils studied a ‘Religion and Society’ module focusing on prejudice and discrimination, examining how the Stephen Lawrence case was a pivotal force for change.

Commenting on the award, Head of Religious Studies at RHS, Kellyanne O’Callaghan, said:

“As a Stephen Lawrence Ambassador School, we play an important role in ensuring the messages of diversity and inclusion go beyond a slogan and are intrinsic to not only our own school’s day-to-day ethos but also to schools across the country and beyond. We want to be instrumental in a movement of schools working to create positive change and support pupils to “live their best life.”

800 LOCKDOWN LETTERS SENT TO 800 80-YEAR-OLDS BY RHS

Pupils at the Royal Hospital School (RHS) have handwritten 800 letters to be sent to elderly alumni of the school to help combat loneliness in lockdown.

The initiative was a joint effort by RHS’ Compass Programme and the school’s Alumni Association to help build a bridge with elderly alumni during self-isolation. The school’s Compass Programme provides Lower School pupils with citizenship skills and, in this case, to develop curiosity by asking alumni questions whilst keeping alive the disappearing art of the handwritten letter. The initiative also formed part of the school’s remote curriculum which has meant all 750 pupils the world over being able to continue their studies via online teaching.

The hope is that these pen pal friendships continue into the future enabling very different generations to form a connection through a common bond. Commenting on lockdown letters, Andy Redwood, Vice President, RHS (Alumni) Association said:

“Older alumni remember waiting for their name to be called to receive letters from home during their days at RHS. By reimagining the tradition of ‘Letters Home’ today’s pupils are reaching out to older alumni at a time when they need human connection the most.”

SUFFOLK LIBRARIES REOPENING DETAILS AND ‘SELECT AND COLLECT’ SERVICESuffolk Libraries is sharing more details of when library buildings will be reopening and how services will initially be different.

In line with the recent government announcement, most library buildings in Suffolk will reopen during the week beginning Monday 6 July. Suffolk Libraries is also pleased to announce the mobile library service will be returning the same week, with certain safety procedures in place to protect customers and staff.

Initially, the government have advised against allowing customers to browse books and other items. When libraries reopen Suffolk Libraries will therefore be implementing a new Select and Collect service and customers will not be able to browse or choose books in the library.

Customers will be asked to call or email in advance to request items which they can then pick up from the library. There will be more details nearer the time but customers can already use an online form to make their requests for libraries to process when they reopen.

Most libraries will initially be operating reduced hours due to the arrangements which need to be in place to operate safely. Full details of when libraries are opening and their revised hours are now available online.

Libraries will be installing screens at enquiry desks and implementing other safety precautions, many of which – like the use of hand sanitisers and asking people to maintain a safe distance from others – people will already be familiar with.

Suffolk Libraries would recommend that customers wear a face covering when visiting if possible and will be asking staff to do the same. Customers who are being shielded or are self-isolating should stay away from the library for now. It would also help if customers could come on their own if possible.

Suffolk Libraries will continue to provide a wide variety of interactive sessions and digital content through its website and social media. Additionally, Suffolk Libraries new Lifeline service which is supported by the East of England Co-op, will continue to make contact with some of our most vulnerable customers.

Bruce Leeke, Chief Executive of Suffolk Libraries, said: “We are excited about reopening libraries again and I hope customers will understand that we’ve had to introduce some changes to ensure that this can be done safely. The wellbeing and safety of our staff and customers is always our number one priority.

“We will review the situation over the coming weeks and reintroduce services and activities when it’s safe to do so. Everyone at Suffolk Libraries really appreciates the support and patience of our customers during this difficult time. We’re all getting used to a new normal but I’m confident that Suffolk Libraries has a big part to play in Suffolk communities.”

The following temporary changes to services will also be in place:• Customers can only borrow 10 items at a time (not 20) but can keep them for an extended period of up to four weeks• Borrowing DVDs and CDS will be free until further notice• Overdue charges will remain suspended throughout July and August• Return dates for loans taken out prior to lockdown will be extended to 31 August• Access to computers, printing and photocopying will be unavailable during July • Reservations will also be unavailable during July but we hope to reintroduce them as soon as possible• Room hire and activities will remain suspended for the time being

Although return dates have been extended, Suffolk Libraries would be very grateful if customers can return books if they’ve finished reading them so they can be fed back into the system for other people to borrow. If you’re just returning items you can use the library book drop for this, if they have one.

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

12 In Touch online:

ON THE GRAPEVINE

Steve from Woodbridge asks: “I am coming up to my 60th birthday and although I don’t intend to retire now, I would like to take the tax-free lump sum from my pension to pay for a new car and a special holiday. I don’t want to buy an annuity, as I am going to keep working, and I won’t need the extra income yet. Is it possible to just have the lump sum and not take an income from the remaining pension fund?”

Yes, it is Steve. ou can actually take the benefits from a pension, including the tax-free lump sum, at any age from 55 onwards. Also, after taking the lump sum you no longer have to buy an annuity with your remaining pension fund (the income for life that your pension fund historically would have purchased from an insurance or annuity company).

You have explained in your email to me that you are a self-employed electrician and that you pay higher rate tax on some of your earnings. Not only do you not need the additional income from an annuity right now, but also, if you did take that income it would be added to your self-employed earnings and taxed at 40%, which just does not make sense.

Your pension fund is valued at around £200,000. You can take a maximum of 25% of the fund value as a tax-free pension commencement lump sum, (PCLS), so in your case that will be around £50,000. To be able to take the PCLS without having to buy an annuity you will need to transfer your current personal pension into a Self-Invested Personal Pension or SIPP and enter into flexible access pension drawdown.

After transferring your current personal pension into a SIPP, up to 25% of the pension fund is taken as a tax-free lump sum straight away – the £50,000 referred to above. However, instead of buying an annuity with your remaining pension fund, the money stays invested within the SIPP wrapper as a flexible pension drawdown fund.

An income can be withdrawn from the fund, but you don’t have to take an income if you don’t want to.

When you do decide to take an income, as the name ‘Flexible Access Drawdown’ implies, you can take as much or as little as you want, although you should of course consider the impact of large withdrawals on the fund value and you should always try to take a sustainable amount.

There are a number of advantages with flexible access drawdown over buying an annuity:• The tax-free lump sum can be taken straight away regardless of when you start taking any income.

• The income can be varied or deferred completely and when you do take income it can be changed to suit your needs – hence ‘flexible access’.

• You can purchase an annuity at any time, for example; if rates improve.

• The fund remains invested in a tax-efficient pension wrapper.

• You can even continue making additional pension contributions into a separate section of the plan, and (from that part of it) you can take a further tax-free lump sum at a later date.

• When you die, the pension fund passes to your nominated beneficiaries.

There can also be some disadvantages: • Annuity rates may have fallen by the time you want to buy an annuity.

• The remaining fund value is not guaranteed and is dependent on investment performance, just as your pension fund is now. That means your fund value and any income produced by that fund is not guaranteed and the value of the fund and any income produced from it can fall.

However, for someone like you, who does not need additional income for the foreseeable future, but who wants access to their tax-free lump sum now, flexible drawdown can be an excellent option to traditional annuity purchase.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services. Post your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham, Suffolk IP6 8JP, email nickplumb@aol.com, or telephone Nick on 01473 830301.

Nick’s comments and answers to reader’s questions in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice. Any readers who require advice on their own situation should contact Nick to arrange a no-obligation complimentary initial consultation to discuss their own position. Plumb Financial Services are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

QUESTIONS ON CASH WITH INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER NICK PLUMB

If you’re looking to stay active and find fun ways to explore your local area this summer, get your walking shoes on and start exploring with Suffolk Steps.

Suffolk Steps is a collection of local historic walks and trails developed by museums and partners throughout Suffolk. The free walks are designed to help all ages stay active and uncover hidden history in the towns and Suffolk countryside.

Keeping active is a key theme for Suffolk Steps partner, Keep Moving Suffolk, a local campaign aimed at helping people stay active during the Covid-19 pandemic. Keep Moving Suffolk aims to inspire and encourage people to stay active, move or move more, by sharing ideas, tips, useful links and positive stories during these unprecedented times, using the hashtag #KeepMovingSuffolk.

Walking is a simple, free way of exercising and is one of the easiest ways to stay active and become healthier. A brisk 10-minute walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise. Whatever your age, increased physical activity is linked to helping people lead a healthier life with lower incidences of chronic illness.

You can explore Suffolk Steps by downloading the trails to your phone, or printing if you have access to a printer. Take the historic trail at Dunwich, a once great medieval port that disappeared beneath the waves to become the scenic coastal village it is today. Walk around the friary ruins and picture yourself in very different surroundings.

Follow the trail around Thomas Gainsborough’s Sudbury and walk in the footsteps of the 18th century master of portrait and landscape painting. Travel back in time to the height of the silk and weaving industry as you pass the historic houses and production centers of wealthy merchants and clothiers.

There is so much to see, from the 125 acres of serene countryside at West Stow County Park, to strolling along the famed ‘Sailors Path’, a well-worn route initially used by sailors and smugglers. You can also take in the largest Millennium Green in England in Halesworth along the historic malt trail or go off the beaten track with Orford Museum’s Elizabethan map of the village.

As with any form of outdoor exercise, please follow the current government guidelines on staying safe outside your home. This includes keeping at least a 2m distance from those outside your household, washing your hands often (and not touching your face) and avoiding crowds.

Please view the current government guidance before undertaking any form of outdoor exercise at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing.

Visit www.suffolkmuseums.org and look for ‘Suffolk Steps’ to download the trails. Share your walk stories and pictures under #SuffolkSteps

Keep in touch for all the latest information and family-friendly event news on Twitter @Suffolk_Museums and Facebook @AssociationForSuffolkMuseums.

SUFFOLK STEPS: PATHS TO THE PAST ON YOUR DOORSTEP

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1 Brindley Road, Gorse Lane Industrial Estate, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 4XL

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14 In Touch online:

ON THE GRAPEVINE

EBONY’S BLOG: LIFE AT THE SHELLEY CENTRE

Well, here we are again, and no getting back to our normal for another three months!

While our umbrella organisation has come up with a cunning plan for riders to start getting back in the saddle, they are unfortunately deemed unworkable here. With our client base and our special volunteer army, the logistics of keeping a two meter distance become crazy and unsafe. Then there is the business of disinfecting tack between each rider, having more hand washing places, and using a rider’s main carer to do the side walking with them.

We know a few of our parents/carers wouldn’t mind, but there are those who feel very nervous of horses. The majority of our volunteers are in the risky age group, or have family members who are equally vulnerable, so at present it’s a regrettable no. However, the RDA is busy keeping our riders engaged. The RDA website has plenty of downloadable material for riders, courses and competitions.

If you want something to smile about, watch the film of our members doing hobby horse dressage on YouTube. RDA national ran a dressage competition for people using hobby-horses; they were filmed in their own gardens, driveways, bedrooms and fields. Some dressed up very smartly indeed, a la the real event. They paid an entry fee, begged sponsorship and

amazingly raised almost £2,000. Coupled with the auction of the smartest ever hobby horse, Valegro II (pictured above), a one legged replica of Charlotte Dujardin’s famous Olympian winner (pictured below), they sent nearly £4,000 to the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 appeal. What a brilliant effort.

Our life here continues very happily. We are well looked after, the weather is lovely and the country is looking fantastic. Best of all, our water buckets are kept filled up by the team. So guess what we’ll be saying soon? The grass is looking a bit sparse and the 10 members of the herd outside will be asking for rain to green it up again. Can’t win!

Stay safe our humans. We shall get back to work eventually.

www.shelleyrda.com / 01473 824172

KENNY’S SESAW NEWSAs we cannot hold our annual open day this July, join me on a socially distanced, virtual stroll around my estate. The garden looks lovely thanks to Jeanette; in fact here she comes with a wheelbarrow full of hedge clippings.

Like me, some of the animals at SESAW are permanent residents, including Bob, the Kune Kune pig. Give his head a rub as you pass by. Next is the rabbit shed where some pretty bunnies munch hay and wait to be homed.

Beyond the ducks on the pond, Michelle crosses the field with buckets of food, hotly pursued by the sheep and goats.

Do you hear cooing? It’s Dicky Dove; he’s been with us for years. Other than an injured wing which prevents him flying, he is in lovely condition.

Close the door of Ruggs Cottage quietly so we don’t disturb a young mum suckling her young family. So that’s why mum said we need kitten food. No sign of Ollie; he’s probably sunbathing on the roof. How does that cat manage to look so superior all the time?

Don’t leave without browsing the bookcase by the gate which Dawn replenishes regularly, but wait a minute, people are here by prior appointment so keep you two metre distance.

Our talented volunteers have been busy making Rainbow of Hope car hangings and excellent quality washable masks which are selling like hot cakes. Various designs available, Jayne takes orders on 07720 079370 and collection slots are booked to keep everyone safe.

I hope you enjoyed the ‘tour’ and look forward to the day you can visit us in person and meet me,

Kenny (the Boss) Chihuahua

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

IPSWICH MUSEUMS

Colchester + Ipswich Museums

@IpswichMuseums

Visit www.cimuseums.org.uk/museumfromhome to discover fun things to do Explore #MuseumFromHome with Ipswich Museums

There are lots of family activities to try at home on our website

Make fake

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make edible dinosaur poo

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FINANCIAL PLANNING IN A PANDEMIC

Really, this is a ‘what happens next?’ issue. Hopefully you will all have been organised enough to be on a sensible financial plan to

(a) make sure that you are well insured against perils like ill health and death and are

(b) looking to your longer term future and making the ‘deferring consumption’ choice by putting money away so that you can eventually exit wage slavery with comfort and dignity.

This, of course, all assumes that you can earn a living.

But we now have a hiccough in that planning if you are in the private sector of the economy. State sector employees will likely be largely sheltered from the effect of the lockdown.

You may be furloughed. In which case, are your furloughed wages adequate to cover your basic needs, your necessary insurances and pension?

If not, what do you cancel or suspend first?

If you cancel a life insurance policy, will you be able to be reinsured later? At what price?

If you cancel your pension saving, what effect will that have on your final pension or retirement date?

If you need to use capital to keep body and soul together, what investments should you sell first?

And is that a good idea at all as, arguably, asset prices are depressed?

Looking further out, will your employer survive this lockdown?

Maybe they will only be able to offer reduced hours and/or a lower wage?

Are you ready for that?

If you would like to discuss any of this with a friendly and dispassionate ear, please contact us. A quick chat may be valuable. Or we can organise a longer discussion (technology will let us do that remotely) for more detailed questions.

And in the spirit of the time, we are offering our time for this without charge. You may then be better prepared for what happens next.

Live long and prosper.

16 In Touch online:

As we start to ease out of lockdown it would be easy to fall back into old habits and stop taking our daily exercise, which we have been doing during these challenging times.

At In Touch we are committed to supporting our readers to stay active and live healthy lives and are pleased to be continuing our partnership with the Keep Moving Su�olk campaign to bring you ideas, tips and inspirational stories to help keep you motivated.

@keepmovingsu�olk @Most_Active

@keepmovingsu�olk

Helping older adults stay active at homeA drop in physical activity levels can lead to physical deconditioning that increases the risk of falls, loss of physical capacity and increased need for care.

A new Active at Home booklet from Public Health England (PHE) aims to help older adults keep up their activity levels while isolating due to coronavirus (Covid-19).

The booklet provides practical guidance to older adults on home-based activities to maintain their strength and balance and can be accessed and downloaded from the Keep Moving Su�olk website Activities for Older People. . www.keepmovingsu�olk.com/exercise-if-youre-older

Women’s Tour Virtual cycling challengeA limited number of 500 places are available on the KMS Women’s Tour Virtual challenge taking place in July and August.

Win VIP tickets to the 2021 Women’s Tour in Su�olk

For full details on how to secure a place on the challenge visit the Keep Moving Su�olk website,www.keepmovingsu�olk.com

Meet your emotional needs and avoid stressAs well as being good for our mental health through the release of endorphins and burning o� cortisol, moving about and getting some exercise meets other Emotional Needs that help us avoid stress.

For example, when we feel that we’re competent at something, taking on new learning and achieving things, we feel good about ourselves and this builds self-esteem. This need for Achievement can be met through exercise and physical activity. The Couch-to-5k app is great for building up to achievement in small, manageable steps.

We also need to feel valued, like we have a place in the world and a standing in the communities we’re part of. The Strava app tracks your progress as you run for slightly longer, or slightly faster, and shares that progress with people who can give you “kudos” is a great way to meet that need for Status – to feel proud of what you’ve accomplished.

As we possibly look forward to some kind of return to the way life was before lockdown, it’s possible we will be able to participate in sports and activities that bring us into contact with others again. But in the meantime, there are online groups and social media pages that can help us feel part of something bigger than ourselves – getting our need for Community met. Even now, this can be met simply by going for a run and saying hello to fellow runners you meet.

And an often forgotten Emotional Need is that of Privacy. This isn’t about keeping things secret or data compliance. It’s about getting away from the many distractions of the modern world. Getting out of the house and going for a walk, run, cycle ride, scoot…whatever takes your fancy, getting a little exercise is a great way to get some time to yourself.

Stay safe and stay well, Jon Neal, CEO Su�olk Mind

www.keepmovingsu�olk.com

The Keep Moving Su�olk website is a trusted source of information, advice and useful links to help you, your family and local community to get active and stay active.Send us your videos and images to show us how you are keeping active using #keepmovingsu�olk www.keepmovingsu�olk.com

Check these out

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ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHURCH NEWS

Parish Priest: Fr Paul VincentAssistant Priest: Fr Bineesh Elenjikkal OCD180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963

www.stmarksparish.org.uk

Catholic CommentaryFuture special days in the Catholic Church calendar, days shared with our Church of England friends, are Holy Trinity on Sunday 7 June and SS Peter and Paul on Monday 29 June. Catholics will also be marking Corpus Christi on June 14 and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15.

The Bishops Conference stated: “In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, there are ways in which we will be able to sanctify Sunday, and indeed every day. They want everyone to understand that in these emergency circumstances, and for as long as they last, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is removed since the pandemic is a ‘serious reason’ why this obligation does not apply at this time.”

Our government have told us to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives and not to gather for public acts of worship in our churches. The recent message has been Stay Alert, Control the Virus and Save Lives. People are now beginning to think the rules of social-distancing and self-protection against the coronavirus will have to be continued well into the future, even until vaccination is available generally.

Catholics have been able to access mass, morning and evening prayer, devotions and other spiritual resources over the internet. For example, a full daily programme is provided by the clergy and staff from the Norfolk Shrine of Our Lady via walsingham.org.uk or churchgservices.tv.

Not so many years ago mass was often offered by priests without a congregation and this has again become the present practice.

More regard and care for one another has recently been much in evidence indicating how in difficult situations we do want to be more united and helpful. The common good is a core principle of Catholic Social

Teaching and Pope Francis puts great emphasis on human solidarity in his addresses. Many people are also looking for a better application of Christian values in the socio-economic context.

As we go to press the current government plans are for places of worship to open in a phased way early this month, so much has to be reviewed before doing. We await the considered issues involved from the Bishop’s Conference.

Events & Diary DatesThe 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday 21 June at the promoter’s home and was witnessed on FaceTime by a member of the congregation. Three lucky winners shared a £166 prize pot. The next draw takes place on Sunday 19 July.

The club, set up to support the life and mission of our parish, has grown from strength to strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk

The popular Bring & Buy Coffee Mornings that take place at Viv & Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt are cancelled for the foreseeable future. They have been raising funds for our centenary celebration planned for Saturday 15 August. Watch this space for further information.

The Sick & HomeboundFr Bineesh Elanjikkal is the Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital, assisted by Deacon Clive Brooks. Please be aware that for reasons of patient confidentiality, the NHS will not inform the chaplains of any Catholics admitted to hospital. Unless you or your relatives inform the chaplain, you will not be visited by a priest or any other member of the chaplaincy team.

Please let Fr Paul Vincent know of anyone who is ill at home or housebound, so that they may receive appropriate pastoral care.

Both Fr Paul and Fr Bineesh can be contacted on 01206 684963.

HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHIpswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB

Since lockdown began, it’s been an extraordinary time for us at Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity. With most planned fundraising activities and events cancelled or postponed, we focused entirely on how we could support our staff and patients during this most challenging time.

Initially, donations of all kinds snowballed in so we had to act fast to make sure they reached those areas that needed it most. It was incredible to experience the outpouring of support from all corners of our community. Armies of sewers made scrubs and uniform bags, schools made visors, kind knitters made hearts for COVID-19 patients, and ear savers were lovingly made for staff wearing masks on long shifts.

We launched our COVID-19 Staff Wellbeing Appeal and were delighted to receive over £80,000 in the first two weeks. We were also inundated with snacks, drinks and other useful supplies for staff following a very successful Amazon wish list campaign.

JustGiving pages appeared with an amazing array of ideas to support the appeal too. We had head shavers, garden runners, static bike rides and sponsored silences to name a few. Communities have rallied together in response to the pandemic and we would like to take this opportunity to extend a huge and heartfelt thank you to those people who’ve come forward to help.

Currently, we’re working hard on COVID-19 legacy projects. We have consulted with our remarkable staff on what they need most going forward to enhance their workspaces and welfare. We will be using the appeal fund to realise these goals, as well as some of the monies raised by the incredible Captain Tom Moore. His walk was in aid of NHS Charities Together (an umbrella organisation for NHS charities) of which we are long-term members.We are now also able to return our attention to pre-existing appeals, including The Children’s Appeal at Ipswich Hospital to raise money to transform the Children’s Department. The current layout and space is no longer fit for purpose and is in desperate need of modernisation.

The staff in the department are truly outstanding and so now is the time to give them and the children and their families the environment and facilities they all deserve.

You can be part of the transformation and help make a difference by fundraising or donating.Find out how by going to:www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/childrensappeal

Need to talk? We’d love to hear about your plans or if you would like help and support to get started, please get in touch.

0300 770 1369 / charity@esneft.nhs.uk

TIME TO PRESS PLAY AFTER PAUSING FOR THE PANDEMIC

18 In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS

For parish queries please contact:

Rev Annette ShannonThe Rectory, Glebe Close, Sproughton IP8 3BQrevannettes@aol.co.uk / 01473 807674

Benefice Administrator Hayley Purnellnorthsamfordbenefice@gmail.com / 07904 972116

Friends,I am writing this at the end of May for the July edition and wondering what the world will be like then. When you read this, you will know whether lockdown has been eased even more or we have had to pull the reins in again because of an increase in cases. Normally in May we would be thinking about the summer and the holidays we have booked, or the friends and family we would be visiting.

We should be in Portugal on a river boat cruise in June, but hope that it will be possible next year. Significant birthdays will have to be celebrated next year as well. We have had one visit from our daughter. She drove from Kent for the first time in over two months to sit in the garden at a two meter distance – no hugs or kisses but still better than Zoom.

What changes we have seen in the last few weeks, totally alien to us in February! I have learnt to use new technology (Facebook, Zoom dinner parties!), sewn laundry bags and facemasks, mastered click and collect food shopping and spend hours and hours working in the garden. I have kept in contact with friends old and new by phone, email and WhatsApp video calls. Last year I recall writing about sailing but that has been denied to us this year.

I have tried to remain positive; difficult sometimes with the statistics which we have been faced with and, at this point, continue to face, and losing friends and not being unable to attend their funerals to grieve with and comfort their families.

But, human beings are resilient; we have been made that way by our creator God. We need to trust in the Lord and hang on tightly to our faith. After Jesus’ crucifixion, his disciples were paralysed, not knowing what to do, but after His resurrection and being filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they had a new purpose to their lives – spreading the Good News about Jesus as the Saviour of the world.

When we get through this pandemic, as with time we will, I pray that we will have a new purpose to our lives and be renewed by a new awareness of and caring for the world around us and the need to help all mankind.

Gillian Gasper, Churchwarden, Burstall

North Samford Baby and Toddler Group9.30-11.30am at Sproughton Church Hall on Mondays in term time. Suggested donation £2 per family. Leaders: The Rev Annette Shannon (01473 807674) / Doreen (01473 311122)

Sunday ServicesRevd Annette Shannon will be live streaming services at 10am every Sunday on her Facebook Page (search Revd Annette Posts). This will be until such time as church buildings re-open.

FROM THE REGISTERSBurial of Ashes: Christopher Needham – SproughtonAs this magazine goes o print, the guidance from the Church of England was that the churches should remain closed. While we are hoping that some of the restrictions will be lifted soon and churches permitted to unlock their doors, it is very unlikely that normal services will return for some time.

We are also unlikely to be able to hold the social events that we had planned for this month. If there are changes to this information we will do our very best to let you know through various routes.

In the meantime, while our buildings are closed our ministry continues so do please let us know if we can help you.

JULY 2020Wednesday 1 Bentley Home Communions, 10amThursday 2 Bentley Coffee & Company, 10amThursday 2 Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pmMonday 6 Ministry Meeting, 7.30pmWednesday 8 Burstall PCC MeetingWednesday 15 Copdock Home Communions, 10amFriday 31 Copdock Community Get Together, 2pm

SERVICES IN THE BENEFICESunday 5 July8am Copdock Holy Communion9.30am Burstall Holy Communion10am Bentley Pet Service 10am Copdock Morning Prayer10am Tattingstone Holy Communion11am Sproughton Family@Church

Sunday 12 July9.30am Sproughton Croissant Church9.30am Burstall Family Service10am Copdock Holy Communion10am entley Holy Communion6pm Tattingstone Evening Prayer

Sunday 19 July9.30am Burstall Holy Communion10am Bentley Family Service10am Tattingstone Family@Church11am Sproughton Holy Communion10am Copdock Simply Sunday

Sunday 26 July 8am Sproughton Holy Communion9.30am Burstall Matins10am Bentley Holy Communion10am Belstead Morning Celebration10am Copdock Holy Communion6pm Tattingstone Holy Communion

THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICESproughton with Burstall, Copdock with Washbrook and Belstead & Bentley with Tattingstone

Please submit church letters and copy for the August edition of In Touch to Hayley Purnell by 4 July: northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com

19www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

FROM THE DESK OF REV ANDREW SANKEY

I’ve had a many different responses to the question: “How are you coping with lockdown?”

Those who are key workers are still working, but the work conditions are very different. Some are busier than usual, some close to the risks of COVID-19 for whom anxiety is very real and personal. There are those who are furloughed, who have perhaps welcomed the break, but anxiety has increased. Will there still be a job for me when the pandemic is over?

There are those whose jobs have already gone and there is fear. There are those who are volunteering, doing shopping and picking up prescriptions for the more vulnerable. Often busy, some are trying to keep up with their job as well as volunteering. There are those who are self-employed , some have been able to continue some work, all be it differently, others for whom the mainstay of their life is crumbling with fear of not being able to start up again but possibly facing bankruptcy. There are the retired and those at risk, those shielding loved ones with a health issue. There are children and students missing friends and lessons – there is anxiety about the future. There are those who have faced bereavement, those who have been unwell, those who have had coronavirus and some pulled through, and others not. Some have enjoyed good health and appreciated the exercise they have had, and the ability to catch up in the garden or in the house.

You may say I haven’t yet described your situation. Well, I can’t describe every situation that people find themselves in because every situation is unique and each will have some pressures and some lighter moments. I’ve certainly had to learn new skills and I seem to have been busier, although I have no congregations meeting at this time. Our online congregation is probably about four times what we normally get in church. Some recent research has shown that before lockdown about five per cent of people in UK attended church services regularly. Since lockdown, 24 per cent of people are tuning in to online services.

There are lots to choose from. You can watch the service from Capel live on Sunday morning at 10.10 for 10.30am at: www.capelmethodistchurch.org.uk

But you can always catch up anytime afterwards and also find more resources on www.methodistic.org.uk. I do a Bible study on this site every week.

What one thing could I say to so many different situations?

I want to quote some words from a man called Paul, 2000 years ago, to people who were going through the ups and downs of life.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6,7)

It’s so simple – don’t worry, talk to God about these things. You don’t need special language; just say it as it is. When you’ve told him, He will want to put your mind at rest – not to be anxious, and discover he gives you a peace in your heart. I’ve been practising this for more than 50 years and it works. I’m happy to talk and pray with anyone wanting to discover peace in your heart.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is near!” (Philippians 4:4,5)

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

CHURCH NEWS