Fantastic Community Effort!
They’re up….40 hanging gardens now line Hadleigh High Street paid for by more than 60 sponsors ranging from big business to residents and town clubs. It has taken a huge whole town effort to bring flowers back to Hadleigh. The response has been amazing. Few people have turned down the chance to support the scheme and we hope this will continue next year when we plan even more baskets and displays. These were restricted to the high street this year so there would be a concentrated display. As the scheme grows we will expand into other areas of the town. Our thanks go to all sponsors listed below, each of whom received a certificate to display in their premises. Huge thanks go to Hadleigh Chamber of Commerce for initiating the scheme and providing major financial backing and to Jo Seymour from Babergh District Council who provided horticultural expertise. Special thanks also goes to Hadleigh Charity Shop for a major donation. The baskets were designed and planted by Claremont Nurseries of Hintlesham and have been put up and will be maintained by Hadleigh-based English Landscapes. The brackets and self-watering baskets were donated by Priory Hall Ltd of Benton Street. Special thanks to Guy Ormes of Hadleigh-based Gro Landscapes and Ron Jenkins of the Bridge Street Allotments Association, both of whom, as well as being on the planning team also gave up two weekends to climb up and down a tower fixing new brackets along the high street to meet health and safety standards. A children’s art competition, which was linked to the scheme, closed on June 20th. This was masterminded by Andrea Lewison of Lavender Hall Kindergarten on Hadleigh Industrial Estate and involved children from all first schools. The winners will be invited to a presentation at the official launch of the Hanging Gardens of Hadleigh in the next few weeks.
This has been a whole community effort organised and paid for by people who live and work in the town. A great deal of money had to be raised to get the scheme going. Self-watering baskets cost £24.50 each plus VAT, though we hope they’ll last for many years. Brackets each cost £10 plus VAT. The full cost of planting was £20 per basket and putting them up, maintaining them and then taking them down again comes in at £70 per basket for the season. Full public indemnity insurance was provided at no extra cost by the Chamber of Commerce but there were extras like machinery hire, bracket fixings, and competition prizes. Many thanks to all the sponsors:
Andrews, Brett Valley Lodge on behalf of Hadleigh Masons, Bridge Street Allotments Association, Keith Avis Newsagents, Bromley & Fitch, Clex Developments, Collis Consultancy, Complete Car Services Ltd, Coolblue c, Country Caterers, Crabtrees Café , East of England Co-Operative Society, Edward Jones Ltd, Edwards of Hadleigh, Free Rein, Frost and Partners, Hadleigh Castings, Hadleigh Gardening Club, H Erben, Highcliffe Veterinary Practice, Gotelee & Goldsmith Solicitors, Gro Landscapes, Hadleigh Buildbase, Hadleigh Chamber of Commerce, Hadleigh Charity Shop, Hadleigh Choral Society, Hadleigh Kitchen and Bedroom Studio, Hadleigh Pet Supplies, Hadleigh Rotary Club, Hadleigh Town Council, Hadleigh Tyre Group, Hadleigh University of the Third Age, The Hair Lounge, Hems and Wilson, Dorothy Hynard, L A Hymas, Linda Keenan, The Idler, Jayrest, The King’s Head, Lavender Hall Kindergarten, Linda Lewison, Morton Smith & Sands Ltd, Partridges, Peter Jarvis Developments, Plum Green, Priory Hall Ltd, Hadleigh Post Office, Press Gang, QED, Hadleigh Rotary Club, Nick and Linda Salway, Registered Osteopaths, Solutions Group, Suffolk New College, The Suffolk Flower Company, Suffolk Saddles, Taylor & Sons, Thompson Financial Consultants, Wincer Kievenaar, Walter Wright


Music Festival Pilgrimage
IN AID OF THE ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE
Preparations are well under way to stage the 3rd Kesgrave Music Festival on 9th August 2008. The Festival is in memory of Kate Moyes (nee Wright) who was brought up in Hadleigh and lived for several years in Kesgrave. The sun has shone on the last 2 festivals making it an ideal day out for Hadleigh music lovers to wend their way to Kesgrave. The event is staged at the Kesgrave Community Centre, off Bell Lane; it begins at 12 noon and finishes at 10.45p.m. (Parking is available at different sites). This year there is a new professional outdoor stage with performers playing throughout the day/evening, with a mixture of top quality local and professionally signed bands. The main hall in the Community Centre will host this year’s ‘Live Lounge’ for those who enjoy live acoustic music. Details of the full band line up on both stages can be found on the website www.kesgravemusicfestival.com where you can also see a short video of last year’s event. Come along with your picnic basket/rug and enjoy the atmosphere. There will be entertainment for all the family including a funfair, bouncy castle and gladiator duelling, with an increased number of stalls, including the St Elizabeth Hospice stall and the KMF merchandise stall. A food court is also available on site.
The festival is organised by Kate’s family and friends, with all proceeds going to St Elizabeth Hospice. Kate was looked after in the hospice during the latter stages of her illness in 2005 with such care and dignity. Entrance to the festival is £5.00 for adults, with children under 15 having free entry. Advantage can be taken of the 4 tickets for the price of 3 offer from the festival website www.kesgravemusicfestival.com Tickets can also be obtained from the “The Bell” public house in Kesgrave, the St Elizabeth Hospice shops and Keith Avis (Hadleigh). To date the amount raised for the Hospice is almost £35,000, donated through the Kate Moyes Tribute Fund. See the website for details on how to set up a Tribute Fund. The organisers are busy all year promoting fundraising events, the major one being an Auction Evening to be hosted by Ipswich Town legend John Wark on Thursday 31st July at the Kesgrave Bell. If you would like to donate an item for auction, please contact Chris Wright on 01473 824190 or go to info@kesgravemusicfestival.com We are also recruiting volunteer Event Marshalls for the music festival day, please contact us via the website. Kate’s family and friends have been delighted to see so many Hadleigh faces at the last 2 events. A coach will be organised if you would like to pre-book transport to Kesgrave. Please contact Lucy King on 07900 395071
COME ALONG AND ENJOY THE DAY.


Three Peak Challenge
I, the proud mother of Joe Baker would like to publish the fact that he took part in the Three Peak Challenge. The three peaks included Ben Nevis, Scaffel Pike and Snowdon. The challenge being to complete this task in 24 hours. Joe missed this limit by fifteen minutes.
Taking into consideration that there were numerous setbacks I feel that he deserves a mention !! He didn't complete this challenge alone. He was accompanied by fifteen other participants, along with drivers and helpers from the company who they all work for, T.M.J Interiors, of Bildeston.
The aim of this task was to raise money for the Mcmillan Nurse Trust. The final figure hasn't been finalised but it was a credible figure. As Ifeel strongly about the fact that only youngsters who want to cause trouble or deface property seem to be mentioned lately, I thought it would be nice to mention them on a more positive note !!
This event took place on Friday 5th June. The participants obviously had to be transported from one peak to another. This was no easy feat either. Joe's dad, Lee, and two other Employees of T.M.J Interiors, Andrew Robinson and Pat Coll drove the teams and provided food, drinks and plenty of encouragement along the way.
So, Joe and every other member of the two teams, including drivers, a very big "congratulations" You should all be very proud of yourselves WELL DONE!


Library Link
Calling all children for this year’s Reading Challenge 2008
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge has a sporting theme called ‘Team Read’ to tie in with the Olympics being held in Beijing. Children who take part and complete the challenge receive a certificate and medal at a special ceremony in September. Along the way there are plenty of activities and other goodies to keep. To complete the challenge you need to read 6 books over the summer holiday. To find out more details, see a member of staff.
Reading Challenge volunteers We are looking for volunteers to help administer the Reading Challenge. If you are able to spare a couple of hours per week over the summer holidays you can help generate the next generation of avid readers. We’re looking for volunteers who are enthusiastic about reading and prepared to listen to children’s experiences of the books they have read. For more details, please contact us on 01473 823778 or pop into the library.
Hadleigh Town and Tourist Guide An updated Hadleigh Town and Tourist Guide is now available thanks to the hard work of Hadleigh Town Council and all those involved. It contains lots of useful information about Hadleigh including history, recreation, health care, churches, local groups and Hadleigh’s walks and woodlands. You can pick up a copy at the library.
Book Ahead We have a lovely new display of blue spot (0-5 years) and yellow spot (5-8 years) books for you to read out loud and share. Book Ahead is an initiative by the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) in England, which aims to get enjoyable books into the hands of young children. Come in and borrow these lovely new books.
Sundays July’s theme is the sea and our Sunday staff are busy organising craft activities around creatures that live under the sea and on the sand. You’ll also be exploring sea sports including windsurfing, canoeing and snorkelling and creating beach and shell pictures. Children can drop in anytime between 10am and 4pm. If you would like to relax with a hot drink and a read of the newspapers you’re more than welcome.
Happy holidays and look forward to seeing you soon.


Library Link
Calling all children for this year’s Reading Challenge 2008
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge has a sporting theme called ‘Team Read’ to tie in with the Olympics being held in Beijing. Children who take part and complete the challenge receive a certificate and medal at a special ceremony in September. Along the way there are plenty of activities and other goodies to keep. To complete the challenge you need to read 6 books over the summer holiday. To find out more details, see a member of staff.
Reading Challenge volunteers We are looking for volunteers to help administer the Reading Challenge. If you are able to spare a couple of hours per week over the summer holidays you can help generate the next generation of avid readers. We’re looking for volunteers who are enthusiastic about reading and prepared to listen to children’s experiences of the books they have read. For more details, please contact us on 01473 823778 or pop into the library.
Hadleigh Town and Tourist Guide An updated Hadleigh Town and Tourist Guide is now available thanks to the hard work of Hadleigh Town Council and all those involved. It contains lots of useful information about Hadleigh including history, recreation, health care, churches, local groups and Hadleigh’s walks and woodlands. You can pick up a copy at the library.
Book Ahead We have a lovely new display of blue spot (0-5 years) and yellow spot (5-8 years) books for you to read out loud and share. Book Ahead is an initiative by the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) in England, which aims to get enjoyable books into the hands of young children. Come in and borrow these lovely new books.
Sundays July’s theme is the sea and our Sunday staff are busy organising craft activities around creatures that live under the sea and on the sand. You’ll also be exploring sea sports including windsurfing, canoeing and snorkelling and creating beach and shell pictures. Children can drop in anytime between 10am and 4pm. If you would like to relax with a hot drink and a read of the newspapers you’re more than welcome.
Happy holidays and look forward to seeing you soon.


Jazz at The Fleece has moved!
After 15 wonderful years of Jazz at The Fleece we have moved. We are now "Fleece Jazz at Kersey Mill" We continue to present the very best of modern jazz every Friday at 8.30pm. Same Box Office number - 01787-211865, same booking policy - same committee - but much more room and seating for all so no need to queue ! Our new venue has brilliant facilities including a stair lift!, parking for 120
cars, good food (01473-820300) and is in a lovely setting. We look forward to the next 15 years and beyond, of bringing world class musicians to Suffolk's premier jazz venue.
This is particularly good news for our Hadleigh regulars as Friday's journey is cut by about 4 miles! Kersey Mill is close to Hadleigh just along the A1141 (directly off the A1071) We look forward to seeing you.


A Light-hearted Look at Sudbury
Once in a while being a tourist in familiar surroundings can be just as interesting and revealing as exploring somewhere new. The ladies of Fidelis put this to the test just recently in Sudbury. Instead of heading straight for well known retail outlets they followed their personal Blue Badge Guide, Jim Robertson, to less familiar parts of this historic market town with surprising results. A butterfly wood, acres of lush green meadow and the remnants of an ancient priory were just a few of the unexpected finds.
Of course, Sudbury has its own thriving industrial past plus a quota of Listed buildings. These include a silk mill; an ornamental tower built by an over-protective father for his daughter, an ancient Moot House and a Victorian Manse to name a few. Jim was happy to punctuate the walk with anecdotes of Sudbury’s murky past. Shocking tales of vote rigging, religious intrigue, superstitious cat tales, and corrupt prison wardens not only added humour to the tour but also brought Fidelians back to reality. Leaving the unpleasant noise of the traffic, the group headed for some peace, tranquillity and a delicious lunch at the riverside pub, the Henny Swan. If you like what we do why not become a member of Fidelis? Our club year runs from July to June and we have an interesting varied programme planned for 2008/09 Call Secretary Liz Wilson for further information. Tel 01473 828 335.
Jan Devey - Fidelis Publicity


Hadleigh Arts Trust
By the time you read this we will have held our profile raising ArtsFest on the weekend of June 21st /22nd. With the benefit of my crystal ball I can see that the workshops were full, as was the concert on Saturday evening and the sun shone brilliantly as Hadleigh let its community hair down and enjoyed all the activities on the market square - everything during the weekend free of charge. This was made possible by the generosity of our supporters and funders who I would like to publicly Firstly thanks to the steering group members representing Hadleigh Art Club, Hadleigh Amateur Dramatic Society, The Diamondlites Majorettes, and Hadleigh High School who collectively and individually kept everything going, and volunteered their members, contacts and pupils to , design and photocopy posters and flyers, run workshops, perform in the concert and provide activities on Sunday afternoon. I would like to extend particular thanks to Cathy Tooze Head of Hadleigh High for volunteering her office to enable us to hold our planning meetings, and Darrell Thompson our marketing supremo who managed to persuade Maggi Hambling to become our patron, as well as sourcing both refreshments suppliers and street artists for your Sunday entertainment. Also I would like to thank Keith Doige who printed and provided our free concert tickets, Joan Rampling for her stalwart raffle ticket selling and promotion of the Fest and finally both past and present mayors Mary Munson and Brian Lazenby for their enthusiasm and support. We were also supported by both St Mary's and URC Churches, Hadleigh Entertainments Committee and U3A.
The weekend could not have happened as a free event without funds and we were lucky to secure lottery funding, this was only confirmed in early June. However Hadleigh Charity Shop, Youth and Community development at Babergh District Council, and Hadleigh Town Council each generously gave us the financial support we needed to start the planning, pay the necessary licences and insurances and booking deposits. Last but not least thanks to you the community of Hadleigh for signing up, joining in and having fun. The next step towards achieving HAT's goal of a dedicated arts space in Hadleigh will be to set up a Charitable Trust, and we will be holding a public meeting in September to explain this idea so watch next months magazine for details.
Hilary Ferry


Flutter for Fun
(Pictured: Some of the Staff and residents of ‘ Ananda ‘ )
As parents of a young lady called Hannah Murphy who has Down’s Syndrome, we would like to bring to the attention of the residents of Hadleigh the existence of a charity called ‘FUN’ which runs two residential houses and one respite house in Hadleigh for the benefit of adults with a learning disability. The charity is run by John and Catherine Gaynor whose own son George is a resident. All the residents and guests are looked after extremely well, by a highly qualified and well motivated staff, and have a wonderful time there. Our daughter has benefited a great deal, and we welcome the chance to have a break from caring for her from time to time. My husband Tony and I decided that we would like to help to raise much needed funds for ‘FUN’ and we have set up a monthly draw called’Flutter For Fun’. The draw has been running successfully since March 2008 but we would like to increase the membership and give the residents of Hadleigh an opportunity to support a local and very worthy charity. The cost of membership is £5.00 per month, payable by standing order from your bank. The prizes are : 1st prize £35.00 2nd prize £15.00 3rd prize £10.00 per month. There is an annual grand prize of £250.00. These prize values will increase as the membership increases. There is also an option to pay by cheque, £30 minimum for 6 months membership or £60 for 12 months membership. Members of the draw also receive the quarterly newsletter ’FUN DRUMS’ which publishes the results of the draw and keeps everyone up to date with news and articles about residents and guests.
If you would like to become a member of ‘Flutter For Fun’ please contact us, Tony and Monica Murphy, Tel.01787 210591 or e mail:spudmurfs@hotmail.com
We will be pleased to send you an application form and a brochure describing the excellent facilities at the respite house, called ’Upaya Ananda’ .
Tony and Monica Murphy


Hadleigh Characters - Colin Bull
Colin Bull retired twenty years ago. He came to Hadleigh in 1947, with his wife Gwen and baby daughter, to take up an appointment with the then Forrester Pharmacy. Like the proverbial couple in ‘Grimm’s Fairy Tales,’ Colin and Gwen lived happily ever after. There is something about Hadleigh which charms. New arrivals, more often than not, stay for keeps.
Gwen died in 2004, a week after their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Colin is still going strong at 87 and keeps himself busy. I asked Colin if he had his life over again, would he change very much. He replied emphatically, “No, I don’t think so. Of course one always has some regrets - but I wouldn’t change a thing as far as the big decisions were concerned. It is sad so many people do not get married now and build up the memories of long married couples. As for Hadleigh, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”
Colin was born in North Staffordshire in 1920. The last born of seven children, his Mother died just five days after his birth. His Father, unable to care for the children and work, had no choice but to farm them out. Colin went to grandparents who lived some miles away and remained with them till about eight. He then went to an Aunt, in Leicester, and spent the rest of his childhood and youth with her, “and, during all the years I spent with relations, I never once felt myself in any way unwanted.”
Colin entered Leicester University, as a trainee pharmacist, early during World War 2. He was allowed to complete his academic studies before call-up, “I was grateful for this because otherwise I might not have gone back to college after the war.”
Called-up late 1943, Colin had already met his wife to be and they were engaged, “but you got more pay if you were married,” he laughed, “so we decided to tie the knot. By the time I was demobbed in 1947 we had one daughter.”
Colin had hoped, with his pharmacist qualification, to be drafted into the medical corps or perhaps a military hospital. But, in true to War Office style, he was posted to the infantry instead, the East Lancashire’s to start with and later the Leicestershire Regiment. By the time Colin finished basic and officer cadet training, the war in Europe was drawing to a close. The Leicester’s were ordered to India for jungle warfare training preparatory to deployment against the Japanese, “a campaign expected to last a long while, which it would have but for the atom bomb”
Like most ex servicemen, Colin is grateful the nuclear bomb was used. Casualties, if Allied Forces had been obliged to fight their way all up the East Asia coat to Japan, could well have reached a million or more. After the Japanese surrender the Leicester’s acted as garrison troops in Bombay. When the Royal Indian Navy mutinied in 1946, they were put on ships in the harbour, “The one I was on had not mutinied. It was commanded by an excellent Indian officer, a really first class person. We spent a fortnight on the ship and it was like a holiday in the middle of Bombay harbour. I was sorry when we had to go back to our barracks.” A little later on, Colin said, the Leicestershire Regiment was awarded the prefix ‘Royal,’ “but I don’t think it was because of anything I did!”
Following demobilisation in 1947 Colin was offered a place at Forrester’s Pharmacy, Hadleigh. The offer was subject to his taking up the vacancy without delay, “and so my wife and I and eighteen month old daughter, Dianne, stuck everything in a trailer and headed out from Leicestershire for foreign parts, Suffolk!
Colin said they were fortunate in being able to buy a house on Gallows Hill, four bedrooms, for £1760, “It seemed an awful lot of money in those days. I remember my wife saying, ‘It will be a millstone round our necks for the rest of our lives.’ We spent 21 happy years there, had two more children, and then the opportunity to buy the pharmacy. It was just about the time payments on our Gallows Hill home were completed, so we sold the house and used the money to buy the pharmacy and moved into this house (High Street) on a rental basis. Later on we were able to buy it and the whole property.”
Colin’s son, Peter, worked in the pharmacy for a while, mainly in the photographic section. He ran the business for a few years after Colin retired, “but Peter wasn’t a pharmacist and so, when the business expanded considerably, he sold it to Moss Pharmacies.”
Asked about his interests, Colin said he had always enjoyed participating in civic affairs. He was a member of the Urban District Council, its last Chairman at the time of dissolution and the first Mayor of Hadleigh Town Council which followed it, “of course town councils do not have the same powers as the old UDC’s . Things have got out of hand. Everyone knew their UDC councillors. It was more personal then than now Babergh is running the whole show. I realise there has to be change, change is part of life - but, under the new system, people are treated impersonally, as numbers rather than as individuals - and that is definitely not a change for the better.”
Photography, Colin said, had always been a passion with him, both as part of the pharmacy and as a hobby. I told Colin a friend of mine, Valerie Barber, had worked in his pharmacy. His reply was, “She was a very good and efficient worker - and a natural as far as photography is concerned.” I passed this on to Mrs Barber. Understandably pleased, she replied, “He taught me photography in the first place and, when I showed promise, sent me on a full time training course. Mr Bull was a wonderful person to work for, strict but always fair and just, a real gentleman. He rightly expected and got the best from all his staff. We all missed him when he retired.” Mrs Barber smiled reflectively, “and human too. I remember once Mr and Mrs Bull took me to the Earls Court Motor Show. There were lots of scantily dressed girls draped over the latest model cars. I noticed Mr Bull glance appreciatively towards the displays now and again. I am not sure whether at the girls or the cars!”
Since retirement and the loss of his wife Colin has become computer efficient, “I use it for everything, banking, paying bills, shopping for the best prices, keeping in touch with people,” he said, “but I don’t see old friends as often as I would like. The computer, however, does help, and I also continue to take a close interest in church affairs. I am a member of the Baptist Church.”
Mr Bull has served Hadleigh well. He is admired by all who know him, ‘the Quintessential Englishman of a passing generation.’
We live in difficult times, an era in which many feel our country has lost its way. The hope must be that the generations to come will recapture the values of the past - values of decency, justice, probity – as exemplified in citizens like Mr Colin Bull.
R.L. O’Shaughnessy