My name is Caroline Clarke and I stayed at The Sick Children’s Trust Acorn House for nine nights in March 2010 when my daughter Rhiannon, aged two years, suddenly became very poorly with croup, which led to further complications.
Rhiannon needed specialist care and was therefore referred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, which is over an hour away from our home in Suffolk. It was such a relief to be given the security of my own private bedroom at Acorn House, the charity’s ‘Home from Home’ on the hospital grounds, just five minutes away from the ward. It enabled me to get a good night’s sleep, knowing that I could be back with Rhiannon within moments should I be needed for any reason.
The house gave me a private space to gather my thoughts, have a bath and take good care of myself so that I could find all the physical and mental energy required to get through each day and give Rhiannon the support she needed. Life at that time was an emotional rollercoaster and Acorn House certainly helped give me some stability during an otherwise crazy time. The house manager, Joy, was extremely helpful and very willing to sort anything out, and was always available for a chat. There was a calm, relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the house, which was just what I needed.
At the weekend, my husband was able to bring our other son Cameron, who’s five, to stay with us at the house. It was great to be all together like a normal family again, something so simple that we all take for granted until things are turned upside down by events like this. Having Acorn House there meant that Cameron could see his sister, but also be with his mum, so I could offer him the support he needed too. Acorn House had everything he needed – he was able to enjoy his time watching DVDs, using the play rooms or playing basketball outside, just like he does at home.
The experience we went through as a family affected us all very deeply. We are all very grateful to Acorn House and The Sick Children’s Trust for allowing us to remain together as a family during this difficult time, so we could give both our children all the love and support they needed.
The charity is currently building a new eight bedroomed ‘Home from Home’ at The Rosie Hospital in Cambridge so it’s great to know now that soon it will be able to provide support to even more families like mine when they need it most.
Caroline, Rhiannon’s mum

Woodbridge Rugby Club’s golfers chip in to Club’s fundraising drive

Growing success brings with it growing popularity. Demand for facilities from 15 teams means Woodbridge Rugby Club has some serious fundraising to do if it is going to raise the last £50,000 for its £200,000 changing room extension. It has to satisfy youth, women and senior men’s changing needs.
Ambitious projects are being undertaken in every squad to meet this target and Bob Double, the Club’s House and Grounds Secretary was quick to step up with a golf competition at St Audry’s last Friday 24 June. Generous winners were: -
Ist David Houchell – 39pts

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The Bishop’s Stortford Flyer, July edition

Read the The Bishop’s Stortford Flyer, July edition, by clicking on the icon below

Royal Marines Return to Landguard Fort‏

Hello,

I just thought I would let you know about an upcoming event at Landguard Fort Felixstowe. On the 3rd July we will be celebrating Darell’s Day with the Royal Marines Association. We celebrate this every year as Landguard Fort is the site of the last attempted invasion of England which took place in 1667, during the second Dutch War when 1500 Dutch marines landed at Cottage Point (now Cobbolds Point) and attacked the Fort from the landward side. The Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot, commanded by Captain Nathaniel Darell, repulsed the Dutch assault. The Maritime Regiment were the forerunners of today’s Royal Marines, so it is a great honour to welcome them back to the fort to commemorate this momentous occasion in the history of Landguard Fort , England and that of the marines.

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The Woodbridge Flyer, July edition

Read the The Woodbridge Flyer, July edition, by clicking on the icon below

Ufford Bygones and Fun Day 2011‏

A great day of family fun and entertainment will take place at Crown Farm in the village of Ufford, near Woodbridge, on Sunday 17th July, 2011. There will be a wide range of games and activities for the whole family, with many great prizes to be won. You will have the opportunity to drive a crazy mini through an obstacle course (the mini goes in the direction opposite to which you steer), play target football, or simply have your face painted. You’ll also have the chance to scoop up a plastic duck from its watery abode using a digger, or why not have a go at archery, or bowl for a cash prize. These are just a few of the games and activities that you can try and that will keep all of the family entertained. What is more, a large programme of bygones and attractions have been lined-up for you, including steam and traction engines, stationary engines, static displays of vintage tractors and old motorcycles, over 100 classic vehicles from the 1920s through to the 1970s, and minis from the local mini club. There will be a giant slide, heavy horses, owls from the Owl Sanctuary, donkey rides, and of course, as you’d expect, there will be the ever-popular bouncy castle and much, much more. There will be in excess of 40 arts and crafts stalls from local businesses. The Fire Brigade (Woodbridge station) will give displays of vehicle rescue techniques. There will be musical performances by Lucy Sampson, The Broadside Boys, The Nolan Brothers! and Zahara Belly Dance to entertain you. A prize-draw with cash prizes totalling over £200, plus numerous runner-up prizes, will also take place on the day. Refreshments, including traditional ploughman’s lunch will be available throughout the day for a small charge. And if you’re looking for a bit more sustenance, there will be a hog roast, a BBQ selling hot-dogs and beef burgers, and a Paella stall. The aim is to raise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich. We really hope that you can come along on the day. 

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Flying the flag for our Armed Forces

This year’s Armed Forces Day will be on Saturday 25th June and will be an opportunity for the whole nation to show its appreciation for the contribution made by all those who serve or who have served.  
 
Ipswich Borough Council, in common with other councils across the UK, will be “Flying the Flag” at 10.30am on Monday 20th June.
 
The Mayor, Councillor John Le Grys, will lead a ceremony at the Town Hall, while the Leader of the Borough Council, David Ellesmere, will do the honours at Grafton House in Russell Road at the same time.
 
Issued by the IBC press office, tel: 01473 432035

Waterfront gets Art

Ipswich’s first ever “Art Fair” on the Waterfront takes place on Sunday 26th June.
 
The Art Fair will showcase local talent alongside artists of international renown, including Sir Peter Blake RA, Maggi Hambling CBE, Jim Dine and Julian Opie.
 
Participating artist John D Edwards is excited about the event: “The Art Fair is a brilliant idea, and we are very grateful to the Alan Cristea Gallery for loaning us the work of these important artists. I hope they inspire our visitors as much as their work has and continues to inspire me.”
 
Landmark venues including The Old Custom House and Salthouse Harbour Hotel are providing temporary exhibition space. The Hydrogen sailing barge is also docking especially for the event.
 
The Art Fair is FREE to attend.
 
A host of activities for the whole family to enjoy will be on offer including the unveiling of the Never Ending Mural. Visitors are also invited to “make your mark” at a special mural workshop hosted by artist and project curator John D Edwards.
 
The event will run from 10 – 4. For more information visit www.ipswichartschool.co.uk
 
Councillor Bryony Rudkin, Ipswich Borough Council’s Culture portfolio-holder, said: “I think the Art Fair is a brilliant concept and will visitors an extra reason to come to the Waterfront. Along with the Never Ending Mural it is proof, if any were needed, that Ipswich is leading the way with some pretty exciting art projects.”
 
Further comment:
Cllr Bryony Rudkin, tel: 07752 870697
 Cllr Judy Terry, opposition Conservative Group spokeswoman, tel: 01473 210469
Cllr Nigel Cheeseman, opposition Liberal Democrat group Leader, tel: 07834 002034

Air Cadets visit USAF Lakenheath!

Air Cadets from 432 (Woodbridge) Squadron have just visited 48^th Operations Group at the United States Air Force Base at Lakenheath.

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Woodbridge Air Cadets Come third in goal bonanza!!

Air Cadets from 432 Woodbridge Squadron ATC recently took part in Norfolk and Suffolk Wings’ Annual Six Aside football competition at North Walsham Football Club, in Norfolk.

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