This talk - to commemorate both VJ Day and VE Day - is for anyone interested in military history; regimental history; the campaigns of the Second World War; the experiences of men and their families from Haughley and the surrounding area, including Pakenham, Stowmarket, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich; in oral history; photographs and documents of the period; and in the nature of historical evidence. Anyone – whether from the Haughley area or further afield - is most welcome to attend. The talk lasts an hour and refreshments (tea and coffee) will be available.Please note: Inevitably the talk contains references to some upsetting themes, such as loss of life, injury, and the terrible harm that men can do to one another. While it is up to parents or guardians to decide, it is suggested it is not suitable for anyone under 12 years old. While the talk is based on a range of individual accounts and histories already gathered, the author would be very interested to meet anyone else from the area with similar memories and family histories, at the end of the talk, with a view to possibly publishing a booklet on the subject. Dr Mike Walker is a professional historian who has published on Suffolk history and been a regular history contributor to BBC Radio Suffolk
On a very warm Saturday 28th June, we celebrated the Ordination of our Curate Revd Alison Roberts as Priest at St Edmundsbury Cathedral along with Revd Carole Jones of Bacton Benefice and 10 others from across the Diocese, together with members of their families, friends and parishioners. The service was conducted by the Rt Revd Graeme Knowles, Acting Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.Bishop Graeme said: ‘‘The high number of people being ordained by the Church of England in Suffolk reflects a growing interest in people across the county seeking to serve in this demanding and rewarding ministry, making a difference to others’ lives. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and this means that their experiences and skill set will appeal to people of different ages and different backgrounds. They bring with them an exciting mixture of varying outlooks on life supported by a strong foundation in the church, a blend of youth and experience, and I look forward to seeing them settle in their new roles.’’ On Sunday 29th June, Revd Alison together with her training supervisor Revd Tracey James from Needham Market celebrated Alison's 1st presiding over Holy Communion service at a special Benefice service in St Mary's church, Haughley together with a combined congregation from the Benefice of 3 Parishes of Haughley, Wetherden and Stowupland followed by a 'bring and share meal'. Message from Alison - "I wish to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart, all those in the Benefice and beyond for coming to my Ordination service and supporting me - and the many gifts and congratulations given, help, guidance and assistance received. I am truly overwhelmed and humbled by peoples generosity. Thank you and God Bless". As Alison starts on the next leg of her faith journey, we send our heartfelt good wishes and God's Blessings with her.
Follwoing the interviews held on 4th and 5th June, we are now waiting for an official notification from the Diocesan Bishop's office.Please continue to pray for our Benefice parishes and that we will not have to wait too much longer.Vacancy PrayerLoving God, as we journey together through this period of vacancy, we thank you for your everlasting faithfulness to us.At this time of uncertainty and change we ask that you send us your Holy Spirit,to fill us with your vision, energy, and faithfulness in prayer.We ask that you will help us to share responsibility, grow in faith, love one another, care for those in need and have courage to face our future and embrace the unknown, with praise in our hearts, in loving obedience to you.Amen.
St. Mary’s, (the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary), Haughley, Suffolk, is the 69th Gold Eco Church in England and Wales, and the 4th Gold Award in Suffolk. The Award was given by the Christian conservation charity A Rocha UK, and reflects Christ Church’s commitment to walk in step with nature and put creation care at the heart of what they do. With over 4,000 Eco Churches awarded Bronze or Silver, the Gold Award is a prestigious and impressive achievement – in the top 2%! St. Mary’s, Haughley, as part of a rural Suffolk community, has worked over several years to increase the biodiversity of the churchyard and other areas in the village; this has resulted in identification of sixty plant species normally dormant but now visible in uncut areas of the churchyard, enhancing the number of swift and owl boxes in the village, and identification of over ninety bird species locally. St. Mary’s has also produced local nature walk footpath maps (the village has an unusually large number of 52 footpaths), and is very proud that their Land Management Plan and Plan for Nature has been identified as a nationally leading exemplar by A Rocha UK. St. Mary’s has also installed solar panels on the South Aisle roof, is a Fairtrade Place of Worship, is committed to Earth Hour, Plastic Free July, and Fairtrade Fortnight, and runs a monthly children’s active service called ‘Pizza’ which entails an Eco-Church activity at every service. The Church of England Primary School in the village is, with the church’s support. working towards the Christian Aid ‘Global Neighbours’ School Award. St Mary’s works closely with Haughley Nature Watch, the Parish Council, and the Parish Biodiversity Group, and has held a major community exhibition of Haughley wildlife photographs. The church has ambitious plans to continue churchyard development, for example with a wildflower meadow area and a sensory garden. A Rocha UK aims to equip churches and individuals to create a movement to help restore biodiversity at a local level in this critical decade for the climate. Now, in its ninth year, the ‘Eco Church’ award scheme brings together a national community of churches addressing the environmental crisis, using a common framework and an online toolkit to learn and speak up together. The first Eco Church award was given to Hilfield Friary, Dorchester back in June 2016. There are now over 8,000 churches registered with Eco Church - over 18% of churches in England and Wales. By 2025, A Rocha UK aims to engage at least 25%, or 10,000 churches, in ongoing efforts to protect nature and address climate change through the free program.Helen Stephens, Church Relations Manager, commented “Our huge congratulations to St. Mary’s Church on their Gold Award. They are part of a movement of churches, from all denominations, who are using Eco Church to take practical steps towards caring for creation. By responding to our survey churches can make connections between the biblical mandate to acknowledge that ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.’ (Psalm 24:1) and our response to the world around us. The rate of climate change and biodiversity loss is staggering, and therefore seeing the response by churches like St Mary’s is so encouraging. We wish them all the best as they celebrate their award.”Churchwarden Josephine Gibson said: ‘Our Eco Church Group, which includes some key members of the wider community as well as members of our immediate congregation, the church’s own PCC, and members of the village, have worked very hard towards this shared and incredibly important goal. We cannot do enough to protect creation, to adapt our own lifestyles to be as eco-friendly as possible, and to celebrate and conserve biodiversity. We do not see this prestigious Award as an end in itself, but instead as a springboard to further effort and development, as part of our church’s identity and a critical part of Christian worship, and as part of the wider ecology of the parish.’ And Sudbury Archdeacon David Jenkins commented: ‘This is excellent news! Many congratulations to everyone involved!’