Five years of support for the Brendan Oakes Trust
by Hadleigh and District Angling Society

On 24th July the Brendan Oakes Memorial fishing match took place at Bullocky Fenn with the kind permission and organisation of HADAS. This year’s event raised £796.00 which added to the sum of £480.00 which was raised at the Pond Field opening in May and brings this years total to £1276.00. Over the 5 years that HADAS has organised and hosted this match they have helped us to raise nearly four and a half thousand pounds to help teenagers with cancer, this years total for the match being the best yet. Each year we have been blessed with good weather and this year was no exception. Not quite as hot as previous year’s but nonetheless a very pleasant day. Tea, coffee and biscuits were served on the bank along with soft drinks to keep the anglers well refreshed. The winner of this year’s match was Mr Peter Banks. The event finished with the customary bar-b-que, raffle and auction of donated items.

We would like to thank Mr Mark Snowling of Surefix Windows and Doors for his continued sponsorship of the match prize money. We were also helped this year by a number of local businesses who donated raffle or auction prizes. Our thanks go to: Academy Building Ltd, Eurospeed Tyres and Exhausts, Bird’s Fishing Tackle, Breakaway Tackle, Rose Bud Florists, Brett Valley Golf Club, Hintlesham Fishery, Suffolk Water Park and Chris Cutt Window Cleaners. Our apologies go to any other sponsors that we have forgotten.

A special thank you to all those who supported the event by turning up with raffle prizes and for fishing the match on the day (some of the anglers also fished in another charity match on the following day). A number of guests from other local angling clubs also came along to swell the numbers this year and this was pleasing to see as it helps to spread the message of what we are trying to achieve to a larger audience. It is heartening to see that a local organisation is willing to support local and national charities by doing something that they enjoy. Throughout the 5 years that the Trust has been running many people have helped us to raise funds and we would like to think that everyone has done this with a smile on their face and that they have enjoyed the experience, whatever is was. You have all, through your commitment to us and the Brendan Oakes Trust, put many smiles on the faces of dozens of teenagers fighting cancer in the Anglia region.

Mark and Valerie Oakes

Five Woodsman conquers Newton 

FIVE wood expert David Holmes clinched the Jonathan Lambert Centenary Silver Salver at the climax of the annual Newton Green Golf Club festival week. In an all-time high field of more than 90 competitors, Holmes shot 42 points off a handicap of 26, steering his way round the course with a five wood as his only weapon from the tees on the par fours and fives. He received his trophy, including a replica to retain, from Jonathan Lambert when a record 140 guests attended the final night presentation barbecue at the club. Second place went to Tim Richardson, with 41 points, and third to Richard Jiggens 40. Leading junior and fifth overall was Lewis Woodhead, with 39, while Sally Cade’s 37 gave her the best ladies score.

Paddy Lockwood, club captain, said the week had been a resounding success, despite rain impacting on some of the days. He continued: “This was the third and most successful festival we have run, with a record turn out in events from members. There were eight competitions over five days and the event has become a key feature of the club’s year. “For the cross country golf evening it teemed down with rain from start to finish, but everyone just turned up and had a go. It showed what a spirit there is in the club.”

Hadleigh Goldstar Athletic Football Club
(Sponsored by Taylor & Sons)

After an eventful A.G.M. a number of changes have taken place. We welcome Melvin "Cat" Oxford, and David "Chubby" Willis into the club, whilst saying good bye to long time Secretary Keith Sheldrake. Our thanks go out to him for all his hard work and input over the last 16 years. The changing world in local football means we loose one player to an FA Contract which excludes him from Sunday League Football. Having gained the opportunity to play Premiership football, one or two players could not then make up their mind if they were committed to play or not so the decision was made to stay where we were. A Division 1 (intermediate) has been setup which turns out as strong as the Premiership, but that's our lot. We have had 10 new faces training regularly and they may yet prove to be good replacements for those who may have different ideas towards the club.

This seasons campaign begins with a home game on September 5th against Wickham Market, followed by Man on the Moon away 19th, AFC United Home 26th, and Mendlesham Albion Home on 3rd October. We will be pleased to see all those who have followed us in the past, and hope we will continue to entertain.

The first of the Great Open Swims:
The Great East Swim @ Alton Water

Hadleigh Dolphins have continued to develop their interest and training in open water swimming, following their 2009 successes in the Great swims and Regional champs.

The club sent 21 swimmers, many of them Master swimmers. The Great East swim is one of 4 open water events sponsored and run by British Gas all over the UK. The distance is 1 mile or 1600m. The 2nd event is in London, 3rd in The Lake District and finally the 4th in Scotland. All the venues offer different challenges for swimmers, including the weather and in Suffolk in Mid June many were expecting a fine sunny day, but in fact the opposite occurred. It was unseasonably cold, grey, windy with showers. Wet suits were strongly advised as the water temperature was 16 degrees., with a cooler air temperature.

Hadleigh Dolphins were competing in the first wave of the morning at 09.30. (the waves swim off in 30 minute slots all say long) The first swimmers back in this wave were all dolphins. first was Kern Death, 2nd Tom ~Olive, third Truan Death and fourth was Nathan Garrity. Sixteen year old,Abi Malster was the first female home. Conditions were tough, even the experienced veterans said so, especially the finish which turned into blustery wind and very choppy conditions, causing drift. The finished was shortened and changed for subsequent waves.

The Masters section of Hadleigh club was well represented with many "mature "swimmers competing in their first open water event ever. Roy Death, Jane Olive, Sue D'Souza, Sarah Mann, Bernadette White, Anita Malster and caron Garrity. The final results and placings are at the end of the article, but all agreed it was a great challenge and many have been inspired to continue their swimming and compete next year. Most swimmers were fund raising for the club to purchase an under water camera. Some swam for other charities.

CONGRATULATIONS to all the competitors and a big THANKYOU for all the wonderful support we received from family and friends who attended in great numbers.

Hadleigh Cricket Club

Hadleigh U15’s finished off their season with a very close encounter away to Copdock. The host’s batted first and in the first four over’s found scoring hard against some accurate bowling from Alex Davey and Karl Knock. Faulds and Rogers took the score to 18 before the latter was well caught off the bowling of Tim Keeble. Two more quick wickets fell and Copdock were struggling until Archie Wilkinson steadied the ship to enable his side to reach 128 and remain undefeated on 52. Hadleigh opened their reply with 12yr old Dominic Manthorpe and Max Planck, the pair reaching 19 before Planck was bowled, quickly followed by the loss of Young, Daniels and Crisp and at 40 for 4 Hadleigh were struggling.

Knock joined Manthorpe at the wicket and the pair added a valuable 36 runs with Manthorpe punishing anything short of a length and driving elegantly through the covers, he had to mandatory retire on a well worked 50 not out. Knock went on to post his highest total of 15 before being caught. In the last over Hadleigh needed 16 to win both Davey and Ollie Lee-Smith tried hard falling just 7 runs short.

Coach, Tim Warner was pleased with the sides progress this season and this performance against a strong Copdock side shows how far the side have come this year.

A Busy Week of Rugby Culminating with
Help for Heroes Benefit game

The week of August 9th to the 13th was a hectic time for youngsters at Hadleigh Rugby Club where their first Summer School of Rugby was held. 30 boys from around the Hadleigh area and from local clubs , Sudbury, Ipswich, Colchester and Brightlingsea came together at Layham Road to enjoy a week of coaching and fun rugby activities, led by New Zealand coaches from the Socious Sports Group.

The boys attended from 9.30 am until 3.30pm in many rugby related activities and even the atrocious weather could not dampen their enthusiasm and enjoyment. During the week they learned how to perform the Kiwi Haka, which they manfully performed before the parents on the final afternoon.

The highlight of the week was however the Charity Game, organized by Clare and Richard Wiltshire, in aid of Help for Heroes, on the evening of Friday 13th August. Two teams, The Reds and The Blues, contained past and present military members who came together to honour and respect those Heroes who have given their limbs and lives for their country.

Although the weather was foul the occasion was a memorable one. It was carried out with full military precision and very well supported by a drenched but dedicated crowd of over 200 people. The teams and mascots were led out on to the pitch by lone piper, Rod Caird. At the centre both teams lined up facing the crowd to sing “Amazing Grace” The words of dedication were written and read by the reverend Canon John Young, Padre and Canon of York Minster Emeritus. This was followed by a rendition of “The Last Post “ and a minute’s silence was observed. The two teams also then received the Haka from the Youth players and the game began.

Among the players on parade was the Hon Dr. Dan Poulter MP who also made the draw for the raffle later in the clubhouse. The eventual winner on the night was The Reds Team, who were later presented with the Help for Heroes Trophy by Mrs Jan Byrne, Mayor of Hadleigh.

The evening was a great success and was an occasion of which the rugby club and the town of Hadleigh can be proud, in receiving and honouring the Heroes of our Armed Forces.