Bardwell Village News - Dec/Jan 2021

BARDWELL VILLAGE NEWS
December 2021

Contacts for Village Organisations
PARISH COUNCIL Chairman – David Ruffles 253525
PARISH CLERK Pauline Smith – bardwellpc@gmail.com
221934
PAROCHIAL C.C. Rev Dr Karen Burton (Rector of The Blackbourne Churches)
revkarenburton@outlook.com
CHURCHWARDENS Dinkie Williamson (Lay Elder) dinkie.wiliamson@gmail.com
Julia Steed – juliasteed@btinternet.com 07974 983601
TITHE BARN M.C. Chairman 250933
HALL BOOKINGS Alan Nurse/Denise Nurse at the Dun Cow 250806
CHARITY TRUSTEES Chairman
253696
Green Bookings 07834 277068
CRICKET CLUB Secretary 07749267724
PLAYING FIELD Bookings – Pavillion & MUGA 07821396149
PRIMARY SCHOOL Executive Head – Mr Robert Francksen 250854
SPEEDWATCH 252044
AMBLERS 252044
BELL RINGERS 251896
WINDMILL FRIENDS Treasurer 221544
CHURCH FRIENDS Chairman 250912
IXWORTH LIBRARY 231493
Emergency Services
POLICE/FIRE/AMBULANCE 999
POLICE – non-emergency 101
IXWORTH SURGERY All Calls & Weekday Pharmacy 230252
IXWORTH SURGERY Pre-Arrange Appointments & Saturday Pharmacy 234020
PATIENT TRANSPORT To Stanton & Ixworth Surgeries 230252
CRIME STOPPERS 555111
DRUGS HOTLINE 0800253253
SAMARITANS 116123
Helpful Numbers
RAIL Timetable Enquiries 0845748495
BURY BUS STATION 01284 702020
NATIONAL COACH SERVICES 08706082608
Visit the Village Websites
PC Website - www.bardwell.onesuffolk.net
Church Website - www.bardwellchurch.org

Bardwell
Village
News
December 2021
Greetings
Welcome to the December and January issue of the Bardwell Village
News. After another year of uncertainty and disappointment, events in
Bardwell are being planned and offered and we are daring to go out
and participate! The BPFA quiz, held in the new pavilion, was a great
success and the wonderful firework display on 5 th November was
enjoyed by a huge crowd, including people from outside the village.
Thank you to everyone involved in mounting these activities and giving
us some fun.
Beautiful autumn colours in the hedgerows maybe heralding some
colder weather to come. Let’s hope for crisp and cold rather than dark
and damp.
After many years doing his stint as editor Tim is handing the reins over
to me. I’m sure everyone will want to join me in expressing our
gratitude for his major contribution to the life of our village. Many
thanks also, from me, for his good-humoured patience while I was in
training.
Happy Christmas!
Best wishes
Ali Compton
1

Bardwell Parish Council
Notes from the meeting of Bardwell Parish Council held on
Tuesday 2 nd November 2021, 7pm in The Tithe Barn,
Bardwell’s Village Hall.
Parish Cllrs Present: John Babraff; Ali Compton; Geoff
Clough; David Ruffles (Chairman); Peter Sanderson; Andrew
Smith (also Ward Cllr); Tony Stokes. Also present: Suffolk County Cllr Joanna
Spicer MBE; 6 Members of the Public for part of the meeting); Clerk/RFO:
Pauline Smith
Ixworth Thorpe Road: Enquiries are being made to establish the
feasibility/likely chances of success and costs of an application to Suffolk
County Council, for an extension to the existing 30mph limit from the
junction with Church Road to a point beyond Place Farm (currently national
speed limit applies), on safety grounds.
Footbridge across River Black Bourn at Church Meadow: A report from the
SCC bridges structural team is expected soon, which will identify the
necessary repairs and likely length of closure.
A1088: Cllr Spicer explained that there are temporary lights on the road
bridge at Stowlangtoft on the A1088, which is collapsing into the river. This
has impacted local HGV businesses who currently have licences to use this
road.
Blocked drain at Low Street: Investigation by SCC continues to be awaited to
establish cause of blockage and requisite remedial work.
Traffic issues in School Lane were discussed. Drivers dropping off/picking up
children at the school and also those visiting the Windmill bakery are asked
to park appropriately at all times to avoid causing difficulties for other road
users. Parking on the pavement/kerb results in difficulties/danger for
pedestrians, particularly disabled people or parents with push chairs who are
forced to walk into the road and around the vehicles and is an offence.
Planning
DC/21/1999 EIASC Scoping – The parish council has previously confirmed its
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agreement that scoping opinion is required, it will now submit the details of
what it considers should be included.
No comments/no objections were submitted in relation to the following
applications:
DC/21/1938/HH – The Guildhall, Quaker Lane: Swimming Pond.
DC/21/1996/HH – Frimley House, HH application Single storey rear extension
Alleged Drug Activity: Following concerns raised; contact has been made
with the police regarding alleged drug activity in the village. If anybody has
evidence of drug activity, they should provide this information directly to the
police. Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers 0800 555
111.
Community Field Play Area: A decision regarding a proposal to transfer this
asset to the parish council from the BPFA was deferred to the December
meeting pending further information.
Finance: The draft budget will be given further consideration at the
December meeting.
Payments totalling £636.50 were approved for payment (including S137
charitable donations: £350)
BPFA Report: A very successful quiz was held on Thursday 28 th October.
All hedges have been cut around the overflow carpark and playing field.
Firework display: 5 th November at the playing field - sponsored by several
organisations/businesses and a grant from Bardwell Parish Council.
Tree Wardens: The parish council is grateful to Barry Felton, Bardwell’s Tree
Warden for many years. We are delighted to be able to confirm that we now
have two tree wardens and welcome Sue Grey and Peter Newson into this
role.
The next meeting of Bardwell Parish Council is on Tuesday 7 th December
2021 at 7.00pm, in the Tithe Barn, Bardwell’s Village Hall, Up Street,
Bardwell.
For further information and to read the full minutes of parish council
meetings, please visit www.bardwell.onesuffolk.net or contact the parish
clerk on 01359 221934, email bardwellpc@gmail.com
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What’s on in Bardwell Church:
December 2021
Sunday 5 th : Communion Service 10.00am
Tues. 14 th : Coffee Morning with Carols, 10.30-12. In aid of church funds
Carol Singing around the village. Meet at the church at 6.30pm. Date to
be confirmed. Please see notices at the church or on our website.
Sunday 19 th : Carol Service, 4pm. Do stay for mince pies and mulled wine
Friday 24 th : Crib Service, 4pm.
Christmas Eve Communion, 10pm
Christmas Day: Family service of Celebration, 10.00 - 10.30 am
January 2022
Sunday 2 nd : Blackbourne Team Communion Service, Ixworth Thorpe
church, 10am. No service in Bardwell. Transport is available.
Sunday 16 th : Communion Service 10.00am
Tues. 18 th : Coffee Morning, 10.30-12.00
Saturday 29 th : Candlemas Messy and Café Church, 2.30 – 4.30pm
In and around the Blackbourne Team
Advent Course “They Sang”, on Thursdays at 2pm, repeated at 7pm.
Starting Thursday 25 th November, then 2nd, 9 th and 16 th December.
On Zoom – please email revkarenburton@outlook.com for joining details.
Every Sunday, 10am Communion service at St Mary’s, Ixworth.
This service will be streamed through Facebook to watch then or later.
Sunday and weekday Services will continue on the Blackbourne Ministry Team
FB page:
You don't have to be a member of Facebook to join in - just follow this link
to the page: https://www.facebook.com/Blackbourne-Team-Ministry-
582461405611705
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Any changes in these planned events will be posted on the church Notice
Boards, Bardwell and Blackbourne Ministry Team Facebook pages and on our
web site: www.bardwellchurch.org
Tree works in Bardwell Churchyard: good and sad news!
First the good news: Some necessary tree work has been carried out in
the churchyard in November. Climbing inspections and removal of dead
branches (of the four lime trees and the poplar tree on the north side of the
churchyard) have confirmed that these trees are safe. We are grateful to
the residents of Lammas Close whose boundary walls adjoin the church,
for their help and cooperation.
Now the sad news: Cut logs from this work were left in the churchyard by
the footpath entrance into the new churchyard from the Croft. Some of this
was potentially quite useful as cherry wood for turning. Sadly, someone
has removed this wood without asking permission to do so. Perhaps they
would consider making a donation to church funds?
Parochial Church Council, Bardwell Church
Food and Hygiene bank: Continued Thanks!
Many thanks to the many people who have continued to be very
generous in their donations to the food and hygiene bank in the church
porch.
As Christmas and cold weather approach, your donations of food,
warm adult and children’s clothes and bedding, especially sleeping
bags, are appreciated even more. Thank you
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From the Churchwardens
We are feeling very grateful. Not only do we have a beautiful church to be
responsible for, but we have amazing people who support us in the
maintenance and running of it. Often quite unnoticed, there’s a growing band
of people who help us in so many ways. For example, in the past month a
volunteer has re-oiled and protected all our new oak cupboards – quite a timeconsuming
task. This was much needed as the wood hadn’t been treated
since its installation in February 2020. Others have helped with churchyard
maintenance, church cleaning and flower arranging. Thank you – you know
who you are!
However, like any home, or public place, there are always things to do and
consider. We still need to do two more lime wash coats on the new walls in
our toilet and churchyard work is always needed. Although these tasks will be
undertaken in the spring, we are looking for people, now, who are willing to
share their knowledge of Health and Safety and Risk assessments. Our new
policies require expertise that we don’t have within our PCC members. please
contact either of us if you can help us. We are also looking for more people to
help with cleaning the church and, in the New Year, helping with fundraising
events. Could you spare an occasional hour to help with this?
Please note important differences in our service pattern for January.
Traditionally, the first Sunday following Christmas is held in Ixworth Thorpe
church. As the first Sunday is Boxing Day (our Bishops have decreed there
will be no services that Sunday!) the first Sunday will be in the New Year and
held at Ixworth Thorpe. This is always a very special service - let us know if
you would like a lift. For the last week of January, we are trying something
new for the festival of Candlemas. An informal Family service, combining
Messy Church, seasonal refreshments and a short service with a candle
parade to close our time. More details will be available in January.
We are still being very cautious about Covid and will follow government
guidelines. It is disappointing not to have our usual Christmas Fayre and
festivities but hope that we can welcome you into the church over the
Christmas period to celebrate the good news that the birth of Jesus brings. We
look forward to enjoying new possibilities in the New Year!
If you feel you would like to hear or see a socially distanced friendly face, or
receive home communion please, do get in touch. Our prayers are with you
all. Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Christmas.
Dinkie Williamson and Julia Steed
6

Bus Services to and from Bardwell
Monday to Friday
Service Bardwell Green BSE (Bus Station)
338 7.14 7.46
304 7.46 8.47 (Schooldays only)
304 8.08 8.45 (Schools Closed)
304 11.00 11.28
304 13.57 14.24
BSE (Bus Station) Bardwell Green
304 12.45 13.14
304 15.45 16.23
304 17.45 18.15
304 18.45 (Request Stop) 19.15
Saturdays
Bardwell Green BSE (Bus Station)
304 8.15 8.45
338 9.43 10.10
304 11.00 11.28
304 14.46 15.16
BSE (Bus Station) Bardwell Green
304 12.15 12.45
304 17.45 18.15
NOTE - If you take the 18.45 (Request Stop) from Bury you need
to tell the driver you are going to Bardwell at the start of your
journey.
7

Christmas and January Services at Bardwell Church
Tuesday 14 th Coffee Morning with Carols, 10.30-12.00
Sunday 19 th Carols by Candlelight – for all the family! 4.00pm.
Do stay for mince pies and mulled wine!
A collection will support the work of Crisis
Carol Singing in the village – Date & times to be confirmed
If you are unable to get out and would like us to visit you - please
phone 251617 or 07710 798 178
Sunday 24th ‘Crib’ Service, 4.00pm
Come dressed as Angels, Shepherds, Kings, Mary, Joseph!
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Sunday 24th ‘Midnight Eucharist’ 10.00 – 11.00pm
25th December - Family Christmas Worship, 10 – 10.30am
2 nd : January – Epiphany - The Arrival of the ‘Kings’,
10.00am Ixworth Thorpe Church
29 th January Candlemas: Messy and Café Church, 2.30 - 4.30
Church – but not as we know it!
This will be a very relaxed opportunity to be creative, enjoy friends and
refreshments. The afternoon will finish with a short service with a
parade of candles. All ages are invited.
We look forward to seeing you!
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Conflict at Christmas
It is one of the most enduring images in the world: the crib, a stable, two
adoring parents, some stinky shepherds with their flock of sheep, and three
wise men bearing inappropriate gifts for a stable born baby, although highly
appropriate for who the baby was destined to become. Just what did Mary
and Joseph do with the gold, frankincense and myrrh, I wonder? It remains a
simple image of harmony, peace and goodwill to all people as presented on
greetings cards over the coming weeks.
A give away comment made at a course on conflict resolution I attended
recently suggested that the church was the ideal place in which to express
conflict. It seemed totally opposite to what we want to hear at Christmas, but
as I looked up into the rafters of the building in which it was held, I saw the
Victorian writing on the wall, saying “blessed are the peacemakers”. Trying to
ignore the possibility that this might be an email from God telling ME what to
do, it nevertheless made me reflect that this time of year, with the pressure
leading up to it, the stress of the day and the anxiety over money and with
covid safety added on for good measure, Christmas is one of the worst times
of all for anxiety, stress and family conflict.
A good definition of conflict is “a struggle between two independent parties
who see they have incompatible goals, scarce resources and interference from
others in achieving what they want.” Despite attending the course, I am not
an expert in conflict resolution, although the experience of handling conflicts
elsewhere in the last year does give me a deeper insight into such things.
Conflict can arise in many different ways, but usually it is rooted in unmet
needs or anxieties. The leader gave us a list about things which cause anxiety:
Money, uncertainty about who we are, the loss of a pet, uncertainties about
personal health or an impending diagnosis, a change in personal
circumstances whether real or anticipated, the loss of a close friend or the
fear of losing one, unresolved matters you feel are beyond your control, or
unreal expectations imposed by others, or a major trauma unsorted.
I recall an incidence long ago when the local estate raised the rents
significantly, and as the only neutral space in the village was the church nave,
tenants, agents and landlords were all invited to a meeting. Needless to say,
only the tenants turned up, but a friend of the agent was there recording
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everything said without permission. When this was discovered, something
like a mini riot opened up, and the church wardens asked the rector at the
time, a jovial man of ample proportions, to take action. He decided the only
way to deal with the problem was to destroy the cassette, which he did by
jumping on it in the middle of the nave. Such a comedic act immediately
lightened the atmosphere and a way forward was agreed.
Comedy is not always the best way to resolve conflicts. All conflicts need to
be faced seriously, and a happy outcome is not always possible, although this
course gave me hope that most are capable of some sort of resolution. But at
the centre of every anxiety there is a fear of life being threatened by
something. The perception of threat may not come from whatever is the
focus of the conflict. Deeper needs and feelings can drive these, and what
appears to start the conflict might only be the tip of the iceberg. Only by
acknowledging and naming these deeper issues can we begin to resolve
them, and often this is easiest to achieve by talking in confidence to a trusted
person outside of the situation.
I was struck by the difference between the nature of conflict and the nature
of faith. Incompatible goals, scarce resources and interference from others
feels like the very opposite of faith. Faith in a God who offers reconciliation
between mankind and Creation, whose love and compassion is infinite and
unconditional, and a saviour who promises peace if we play life by the rules.
Conflicts sometimes occur when we try to push life just a little bit too far.
Jesus often illustrated the nature of peace by talking about the conflict as
being between the negative forces of the world and the simplicity of belief in
a God of love.
But wherever we are with faith, and despite a world thrown upside down by
covid and climate change, we don’t have to live with damaging conflict.
There is another way, and there are people with sufficient insights to help
you get there. It may be a local minister, it might be your GP or The
Samaritans, but whoever it is, talking to others always helps. The Samaritans
can be called free any time on 116 123.
Tony Redman
11

“What's On at The Dun Cow”
Dec 2021 & Jan 2022
Sat 4th Dec - Live Music with Millie Kirkpatrick
from 8pm
Thurs 9th Dec - Folk Music Night from 8pm. All
Welcome
Tues 14th Dec - Christmas Bardwell Lunches 2 Course Traditional
Turkey Dinner & Coffee 12.30pm, £10
Sat 18th Dec - Saturday Brunch 10.30am-2pm.Full English from £5.50
Thurs 23rd Dec - Father Christmas visits The Dun Cow from 4pm.
Limited Spaces - book your child’s place now!
Fri 24th Dec - Christmas Draw
Sat 25th Dec - HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Open for drinks 11am - 1pm
Fri 31st Dec - New Year's Eve Party. Disco & Karaoke plus FREE
Buffet.
Sat 1st Jan - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sat 8th Jan - Saturday Brunch 10.30am - 2pm. Full English from £6.00
Tues 11th Jan - Bardwell Lunches, 2 Course Roast lunch plus Coffee -
12 30pm - £8.
Thurs 13th Jan - Folk Music Night from 8pm. All Welcome
Sat 22nd Jan - Burns Night. More details to follow!
Sat 29th Jan - Saturday Brunch 10.30am-2pm. Full English from £6.00
Christmas Menu available from 3rd - 23rd Dec. Bookings now being
taken. See our Facebook page for menu.
We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support
during another difficult year and wish you all a Very Happy Christmas
and Prosperous 2022.
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Bardwell Amblers Walk Sunday 14 th
November
Our walk this month started from Norton church. Leaving
the car park, we made our way along a grass path towards
the village, over a foot bridge and beside a garden fence
and a small stream, emerging at the main road. With a little walk along it
we stopped to cross over to a footpath between a ditch and a fence with
trees and bushes overhead. At the end of this path, we crossed over the
River Black Bourn which starts near Bradfield St George and joins The
Little Ouse River the other side of Euston, passing through Bardwell on
the way. We arrived in bright sunshine in the meadow of Little Hugh Hall,
a former Tudor building that was remodelled in Georgian style in the
1730s. With some big black clouds to the west, we passed beside
Bridgeclose Plantation to a road where we turned left over a bridge and
then right down Hawe’s Lane for a little way. Taking a footpath on the
right we crossed back over the Black Bourn onto a farm track and on
through a gate into the meadows of Grove Farm, which is owned by the
Suffolk Wildlife Trust. To the east and village of Norton the meadows
overlook rough grassland that is an ideal habitat for birds of prey hunting
for food. We soon came to another footbridge over the river and some
willow trees that had been cut for timber. The ground was very wet and
boggy as the area is in a floodplain. Luckily there is a nice boardwalk to
walk along. We came out onto a track that led to a small road which we
followed back through the village, crossing over the main road again to
get us back to the road leading to the church and car park. With the black
clouds going away, the walk was a nice three-mile amble and I thank the
seven people that joined me.
Our next walk, on Sunday 12 th December, will leave the Tithe Barn at
10.30 am and will be a very short one around Rattlesden before going on
to Woolpit for a meal, which must be pre-booked. If you wish to join us for
this walk, and meal, please phone 01359 252044.
David Coe
13

A Brief History of - Coffee.
Coffee’s history doesn’t begin on any specific date. It begins with a
legend.
Kaldi, an Ethiopian herdsman from Kaffa, was tending to his
goats. He noticed that some of them were behaving abnormally,
jumping wildly and yelling. He realized that the energetic goats
were eating small red berries.
He tried one himself and felt
energized quickly. He stuffed his
pockets with some berries and took
them to his wife, who counselled him
to take the “heaven sent” berries to
the nearby monastery.
However, the monks were not so
excited. They tossed the berries into
the fire, believing them to be a trick of the Devil. However, as the
seeds within roasted in the fire, the rich aromas caught the curiosity
of the monks. They collected the roasted coffee beans from the fire,
ground them into small pieces, and tossed them in some hot water.
They tried the brew, and the rest is history.
There’s no way to know how true this story is, or when exactly the
events may have taken place (many estimate around 850 AD). But
what’s the fun in a legend if the story can be proven?
There are other origin tales, all centred around Ethiopia and Yemen,
though this one is the most told and beloved.
The earliest credible sources of coffee mentioned as a beverage
comes from Sufi monasteries in Yemen in the 15th century, though
there’s reason to believe non-Muslim Arabians had been making
wine with the coffee cherries for over 200 years already.
One version of the story says that Yemeni traders came to Istanbul
and set up a coffee shop similar to ones they frequented in the
Yemeni port of Mocha, and the new drink spread like wildfire.
Another version says the Ottoman governor of Yemen
discovered coffee in a local coffee shop and had it immediately
sent to the Sultan, who fell in love at first sip.
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Once again, neither of these stories can be verified completely, but
there are a few things we do know for certain about this time
period.
By the mid-1550’s, coffee was rapidly spreading around the Arabian
Peninsula and North-East Africa.
An Ottoman Sultan’s blessing is largely responsible for its
widespread enjoyment.
Coffee houses became the hubs for conversations and gatherings
throughout Egypt, Syria, and Ethiopia. Coffee was so central to
Ottoman life, that if a wife could not brew good coffee (made via
the Turkish Coffee Method), it was suitable grounds for the man
to divorce her.
There were a few attempts by Muslim clergy to ban the drinking
of coffee. They feared that, like with wine, it would keep the
religious adherents from being in their right mind. However,
each time the ruling was overturned. Coffee was too good!
One governor of Mecca even closed down all of the coffee houses
he could, for they were a place where his political opposition
would meet and spread ideas. After many riots, the Ottoman Sultan
had him executed, and coffee houses restored.
With thousands of annual visitors to Mecca, and with coffee being
so pervasive in society, it was only a matter of time before coffee
spread beyond Africa and Arabia.
COFFEE GOES TO EUROPE
Coffee probably arrived in Europe first through Turkish slaves in
Malta, though, being an island, it wasn’t a great launching point for
further coffee expansion. When coffee found its way to The Republic
of Venice, however, it became an unstoppable force.
In 1615, coffee was a new product sold by street side lemonade
vendors.
Some of the local clergy condemned coffee, calling it a “bitter
invention of Satan”. The debate was so lively that Pope Clement VIII
became involved. When he tasted the coffee himself, he quickly
gave his approval and claimed it was a gift from above. …cont./
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By 1645, coffee houses were all over Italy. Over the next 30 years,
coffee became cultural staples in Austria, France, Germany
England, and the rest of Europe. By the end of the 1600’s, London
is said to have contained over 300 coffee houses.
Lloyds Coffee House was opened by Edward Lloyd (c. 1648–15
February 1713) on Tower Street London in 1686.The establishment
was a popular place for sailors, merchants and ship owners, and
Lloyd catered to them with reliable shipping news. The shipping
industry community frequented the place to discuss maritime
insurance, ship broking and foreign trade. The dealing that took
place led to the establishment of the insurance market Lloyd's of
London, Lloyd's Register and several related shipping and
insurance businesses.
THE GREAT EXPANSION
Coffee, even with its rapid growth over just a couple hundred years,
was just getting started. Now that it was in the hands of the world’s
soon-to-be colonizing nations, its fame would grow at its most
stunning rate yet.
The Dutch loved drinking coffee, but they saw it as a large-scale
business opportunity more quickly than the rest of Europe. By
1699, Dutch traders had taken coffee to Java, Indonesia, which
became the second commercially available coffee in the world.
Other countries saw the success of the Dutch and were quick to
follow suit.
In 1720, Gabriel de Clieu, a French naval officer, brought coffee seeds
to the Caribbean island of Martinique, Haiti, and Mexico. With the
power of slave labour, coffee grown in the New World became
enormously profitable, causing it to spread into other areas of the
Americas.
The famous Boston Tea Party in the British Colonies signalled the
end of the New World’s dependence on tea, and coffee reached a
new level of popularity. By the 1800’s, coffee was growing in
Jamaica, South East Asia, and many Pacific islands. It was big
business.
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Brazil became the world’s leading coffee producer in the 1800’s,
at one point producing 80% of the world’s beans. Vietnam
became the world’s second- largest producer, followed by
Colombia and Indonesia.
MODERN COFFEE
Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, behind
only oil. It’s a part of everyone’s life, even people who don’t drink
it.
Thankfully, coffee isn’t grown by slaves anymore. Though, sadly,
the economic situation of many coffee producing communities still
leaves much to be desired.
Bardwell tractor run 2021
On 16th October we ran our seventh Tractor run from Frost’s Farm,
Stanton. We had 92 vehicles ranging from tractors, lorries, Land
Rovers, and classic cars. We went on a 30- mile route stopping at
Thornham Horseshoes for a refreshment break. Our route included
Hinderclay, Rickinghall, Botesdale, Gislingham, Walsham, Badwell Ash,
Stowlangtoft and Stowlangtoft Hall, where quite a few residents came
out to see us, and, finally, Stanton. Stanton was full of people cheering
and clapping and for my home village it was great to see the support!
We raised £5050 and it was split between Suffolk Accident Rescue
Service and Bowel Research UK. We had the traditional after party in
the Tithe Barn, Bardwell, with Dr Busker and the Dorset Rats. Thanks
to the Frost family for hosting us, Celia’s Hair Fashions, Alan and
Denise and all at The Dun Cow, my family and friends, George Cawston
and Ben Lord for marshalling around the route, all who donated and all
who came to see us through their villages. With all the fund-raising
events we have raised we have now hit £100,000 so we are over the
moon!
Lee Maddox
17

Bardwell Primary School News, Nov/Dec 2021
For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great
love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends. –
John 15:13
Environmental improvements
Some of our staff came in during the October
half term making even more improvements to
our outdoor learning areas - we would like to
thank them for giving up their time to do this.
Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) is
fundamental at Bardwell School and we were
delighted to have a story recognising this in
the Bury Free Press recently.
Remembrance
We worship every Wednesday in the Church
and during our service on 10th November we looked at the WWI Roll of
Honour with Dinkie reading out the
names of the soldiers who died from
Bardwell village. The children were
interested, respectful and asked
thought-provoking questions. We
followed this up on Armistice Day with a
whole school Collective Worship, two
minutes’ silence and an art session
making poppies, which were then put
on display in our front window.
Our Y5 and Y6 pupils have been
collecting for the Poppy Appeal and, as
this issue goes to print, we are awaiting
the final total raised from the local organiser.
School Tours
We ran a series of Forest Taster Sessions throughout November and
were delighted to welcome some new families to the school. We hope
you have had the chance to plant your ‘Grow With Us’ wildflower seeds
- or perhaps you are waiting for better weather in the Spring?!
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If you, or anyone you know, missed out on the
Taster Sessions and has a child due to start
school in September 2022 please contact us to
arrange a tour. Applications for primary school
places for September 2022 need to be with
Suffolk County Council by 15th January 2022.
Clubs
Our FREE Breakfast and After School Clubs
continue to be popular - activities on offer after
school this term are table tennis, dodgeball,
archery, football, tag rugby and racquet sports.
Request for a table
Do you have, or could you make, a small low table that we can use for
Collective Worship please? We are looking for something around 75cm
x 75cm and 30cm high. If you can help, please ring or email us. Thank
you.
Mr Francksen – Executive Head, Mrs Boyd - Deputy Head
01359 250854 bardwell@tilian.org.uk
The Bardwell Behaviours
We are: Aspirational, Courageous, Resilient, Inquisitive,
Reflective and Kind Communicators.
@BardwellPrimary
19

Surprises in the garden
David Tomlinson
If you have a reputation as a naturalist, then it’s inevitable that on occasion you
will be asked to identify a mystery bird, beast or butterfly that someone has
encountered. Once I struggled with verbal descriptions, but today smart phones
have revolutionised the whole business, and now it’s most likely to be a
photograph or even a sound recording that I am provided with. Often even a
poor or perhaps distant photograph is sufficient to clinch the identity, while
sound recordings can be equally conclusive. Last year, for example, a friend was
convinced that she had seen, and heard, a raven in Euston Park, and sent me a
recording of the bird calling. Ravens have very distinctive voices, and her
recording, made on her iPhone, was conclusive: it was indeed a raven.
Last month I was sent a photograph of a small bird with a bright yellow head,
accompanied by the following note: “I am attaching a photo of a mystery bird I
photographed in my garden in Kent. It was slightly larger than a wren but much
smaller than a tit. I have done some research one the Internet and believe it
could be a golden-crowned kinglet. Am I right?”
I replied: “There are two species of kinglet, the golden-crowned and rubycrowned,
both of which are North American. The former is closely related to the
firecrest, a widespread bird in Europe, and it was once regarded as the same
species, while the ruby-crowned is similar to our goldcrest, which I am sure is the
bird in your photograph. It appears to be displaying to its reflection in your
window, which is why its brilliant yellow crest is so broad and prominent.”
My correspondent had clearly undertaken research on the Internet and had
found a picture of a bird that most closely resembled their photograph.
However, there are no confirmed records of golden-crowned kinglets in Britain,
while the first record of ruby-crowed kinglet was on Barra, in the Outer Hebrides,
in November 2020. In contrast, goldcrests are one of the most widely distributed
birds in the British Isles, though their tiny size and the fact that they don’t
generally come to feeders means that they are often overlooked.
Because they can’t identify a bird, people often assume that it has to be a rarity,
dismissing the more common, and much more likely, possibilities. This is clearly
what happened in this case, for the photograph showed a very angry goldcrest,
displaying furiously to what it regarded as a rival, though it was only its own
image reflected in the glass. When goldcrests display, they raise and fan out their
crest, so look quite different than their portrait in the field guides. Thus, I can
quite understand that the photographer of the bird was convinced that it
20

couldn’t be a goldcrest, while their research had found a photograph of a
displaying golden-crowned kinglet which did look similar. They had overlooked
the fact that the chances of a North American kinglet appearing in a garden in
Sevenoaks were as minute as the bird itself.
Just occasionally, of course, rare birds do occur unexpectedly in gardens. Last
February a northern mockingbird, a native of North America, turned up in a
garden in Devon, where it stayed for some time. As it was only the third British
record, and the first for over 30 years, it attracted considerable attention, and a
number of twitchers travelled to see it. Several were reputedly fined for
breaching lockdown rules, but I’m sure that they thought it was worth it to see
the bird.
Intriguingly, the mockingbird stayed in Devon for some weeks, before relocating
to another garden, this time in West Sussex. The owner of the garden was
interested in birds, so photographed the mystery visitor with her phone, and
checked out its identity in her Guide to North American Birds. She sent her
picture to a birdwatching friend, explaining that she though it was a mockingbird.
It was. Lockdown was now over, so many people were able to go and see it
without risking a fine.
Over the years I’ve seen a number of unusual or unexpected birds in my garden,
though none anywhere near as exciting as a mockingbird. A bobwhite quail was a
surprise, but must have
escaped from an aviary,
while a black redstart
hopping around among
the roses was a pleasing
sighting, and I even
managed to photograph
it. Waxwings, exoticlooking
winter migrants
from Scandinavia, have
been another highlight.
My most recent
excitement was a covey of six grey partridges that spent some time feeding in my
garden. Though Britain’s grey partridge population has shrunk by 94% in four
decades, there is a small population locally. They rarely venture into gardens, so I
was thrilled by their visit.
If you want help identifying a mystery bird, you can email me at:-
dhtomlinson@btinternet.com
21

THE BARDWELL CHARITIES
Although we are a very small charity we can provide a limited amount
of aid for those in need. If you meet the requirements to qualify we may
be able to help with living or educational costs, where aid is not already
available from a statutory organisation.
To find out more, please visit our web page at:
bardwellcharities.onesuffolk.net
Alternatively, please contact either of the Trustees listed below. The
details of what we discuss will be treated confidentially.
Dinkie Williamson
Tel: 07710 798178 Email: dinkie.williamson@gmail.com
Barry Felton
Tel: 07834 277068 Email: bfelton13@btinternet.com
Bardwell Charities Trustees. November 2021
Afternoon all and welcome to the
November update from Euston. As
the maize draws to a close we can get the last few fields planted with
our cereals ready for winter. The harvest of maize has gone really well,
and we have achieved some good yields. Sugar beet started to be
harvested at the end of September with disappointing yields on the
first field. We now leave Sugar beet until November to try and gain
some more weight on the crop. Fingers crossed it will pick up with the
mild wet weather and turn itself around. Shooting season is well
underway on the Estate with a couple of American teams coming to
stay at the hall and shoot on the estate for a couple of days. Coming up
on the farm is the mammoth hedge cutting job and, as you may have
seen, we are already cutting verges which is part of the same
operation. See you all in December, best wishes from the team at
Euston Farms.
Matthew Hawthorne
22

Thetford Singers Christmas Favourites
Join us for a packed
hour of festive
favourites both
traditional and
contemporary on
8th December 2021
at 7.30pm in
Thetford Methodist
Church (Tanner
Street, IP24 2BQ).
Last year the choir
practised carols on
Zoom and a number
of firm favourites
emerged from both
these sessions and a
little survey we
conducted once we
were back to ‘live’
rehearsals in
September. From
this, Musical
Director Chris
Parsons has built a
wonderful
programme packed full of traditional favourites, audience carols
and some more recent seasonal songs and arrangements. As part of
the church’s Christmas Tree Festival the choir will perform these
atmospheric Christmas songs without intermission, but there will
be complimentary seasonal refreshments served afterwards and of
course a chance to wander through the enchanted forest of lovingly
decorated Christmas trees in the church. Tickets are £8 and
available from the Leaping Hare Box Office on King Street, Thetford
or online at www.leapinghare.org. See you there!
23

You can now read Bardwell Village News online
at www.bardwell.onesuffolk.net
If you are a contributor to the magazine but do not wish
your contact details to be included in the ‘online version’
please contact the Parish Clerk: phone 01359 221934 or
e-mail bardwellpc@gmail.com
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48

LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES
West Suffolk Council
Suffolk Co. Council
M.P.
Andrew Smith
Tel: 01359 221948
Mobile: 07801 661944
email: andrew.smith@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Joanna Spicer MBE
Tel - 01359 230800
email – joanna.spicer@suffolk.gov.uk
Rt Hon Matthew Hancock, The House of
Commons, SW1A 0AA Tel.02072197186
email – matt.hancock.mp@parliament.uk
or
1, Park Farm Cottage, Park Farm Business Centre
Fornham St Genevieve, Bury St Eds., IP28 6TS
Tel. 01284 701807
EDITOR – Ali Compton, tel. 01359 252044
Bardwellvillagenews@gmail.com
ADVERTISING - Thank you for your ads – we can’t do without you! Half page ads
are £30 for 4 months, £55 for one year. Whole page ads are £100 for one year. Oneoff
or out of area ads negotiable.
Contact: - Pauline Smith 01359 221934 - bardwellpc@gmail.com
Free delivery to the civil parish. You can order copies to be mailed at £20.00 (UK
addresses) annually, or buy your extra copy at Bardwell P. O. for 75p. Bardwell P.C. are
in charge, and appoint editors. The volunteer editors welcome material: letters, notices,
events, posters, meetings, reports, announcements, photos, historical material, articles of
local interest.
GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS
Deadline for copy is 15 th of the month. We accept clear handwritten copy or by email for those with
access to a computer. Make sure email attachments are in A5. We use MS Word

BARDWELL POST OFFICE
AND SHOP
The services available from your local
Post office are constantly updated
and changing to suit your needs.
Top Up services for your Mobile Phones
Banking Services
Withdraw money and deposit cash or cheques
Save going into town and support your local post office.
Opening Hours
Mon, Tue, Thurs, Friday 8.30 to 5.30
Wed 8.30 to 1.00
Sat 8.30 to 12.00
Remember we also stock sweets, biscuits
and chilled drinks.
Support your local Post Office
www.pycpetanque.com
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