HONINGTON AND SAPISTON PARISH NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2025
PARISH COUNCIL
ANNUAL LITTER PICK
Our annual litter pick will take place on Sunday 9th March at 10am. We will meet at Honington Green or outside Stable Cottage Sapiston. Litter pickers, High Visibility Bibs and bags will be provided. We look forward to getting our villages spick and span for the start of spring and appreciate any help that can be given however much time you can spare. Thank you.
VILLAGE HALL
Hello everyone. We have had a reasonable month here at the hall including our first wedding of the year!! Thanks to Linda Howe applying for a grant and getting it, we were able to replace all the ceiling lights, emergency lighting, and 5 yearly electrical testing - a huge cost if the hall had to foot the total bill, so thank you Linda. Special thanks to Sheldon and Martin of Bloomfield Electrical for doing such a good job.
As per previous newsletter, the Community Lunch will be on Thursday 6th and not the 2nd Thursday of the month as normal. On the menu, Bangers & Mash or Chicken Casserole followed by Fruit Crumble for £8.00. Raffle, and Play Your Cards Right. Doors open at 12.30. Please call 01359 789195 or email me [email protected] your menu choices before 11.00 on Monday 3rd.
Community Supper will be on Friday 28th. Doors open at 19.00 supper at 19.30. On the menu, Lasagne, Fish Pie or Vegetarian Lasagne followed by a selection of puddings and cheese for £8.00. Quiz, Raffle and Play your Cards Right.
Please call 01359 789195 or email me [email protected] your menu choices before 11.00 on Friday 21st
HONINGTON CEVCP SCHOOL
A busy start to 2025 for the school. We had an epiphany service, led by Vicar Karen, at the start of the term – you may have seen us walking through the village wearing our crowns and following the star! Our Year 3 class have started Forest School sessions down by the river and we are continuing our IRock music lesson provision. We offer two lunchtime “Light- wave” clubs, run by Mrs Moore, and our afterschool clubs this term are Multi Sports/Skills and Mixed Football
CAMERA CLUB
Our first meeting of the year was extremely enjoyable with talks from two members who showed some excellent images with very interesting information and back stories.
Our February 18th meeting has tasks of "Decay" and "Churches" for us to photograph then show and discuss the images starting at 7 pm in the main hall of the Village Hall. If you would like to come along and see what we get up to please don't hesitate, you will be most welcome. Contact [email protected] for more information or take a look at www.hsvh.org.uk/camera-club.html
New Year, new hobby - have a go at photography!
1ST HONINGTON (RAF) SCOUT GROUP
We have Beavers for children aged 6-8, Cubs for children age 8-10½ and Scouts for children aged 10½ -14. We are run by a small team of dedicated volunteers and are always happy to welcome new adult volunteers to our team, either to help run the Sections or to help manage the Group. Our usual meeting days are on a Monday 6.30-8 (Cubs), Tuesday 6.15-7.30 (Beavers) and Wednesday 7-9 (Scouts).
Last term our Scouts camped, hiked, learnt to use axes, knives and saws safely, tried tomahawk throwing and took part in a District dodgeball competition. Cubs camped, learned how to read a map, hiked, had a singing lesson, took part in Parliament Week, made Christmas cakes and had a Christmas craft evening. Beavers learned how to ride their bikes safely, tried their hand at air rifle shooting, learned to tie knots, went to Colchester Zoo, decorated Christmas biscuits, made Christmas decorations and went to the Pantomime. The whole Group attended the Bury St Edmunds Remembrance Day Parade and the RAF Honington Christingle and Carol Service.
This term our various programmes include Ten Pin Bowling, Highland Games, Pancakes, Airfix Modelling, Laser Quest, Hiking, Knots, Fire Safety and Camps.
If you are interested in your child joining one of our Sections or you would like to volunteer, please contact Judy Brooks email [email protected], phone number 07805 777162 or Martin Brooks email gsl1sthonington-[email protected], phone number 07531 560701.
CHURCH NEWS
We will be holding our second Soup and Cheese luncheon on Tuesday 4th February in the Village Hall 12.30 for 1pm. So hope to see you there. We are also selling tickets for a Beetle Drive evening to be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 22nd February starting at 7pm with a Ploughman’s served halfway through, tickets available from Christine Congdon 01359 269779 or Marion on 01359269492.
We have noted that some children have been recorded on our CCTV in the church during the Christmas holidays having some harmless play, however we would ask parents to remind their children that it is God’s House and should be treated with respect.
We are still hoping that people will come forward to join a fundraising group with ideas to help with the raising of monies for the everyday expenses and the upkeep of the church building. Please contact Marion or Claire if you think you could help.
HONINGTON & SAPISTON W.I.
We welcomed Adrian Hoyle, a volunteer for the War Graves Commission and current serving member of the RAF, for our first meeting of the year. He gave a captivating talk regarding the war graves across the country and world. We all learnt a great deal from the pledge to upkeep and maintain the graves to the importance of the project. The graves are kept beautifully due to many hardworking people throughout the country volunteering their time to preserve and remember the service men and women we lost in both the world wars. Adrian also took us through a few stories from the soldiers whose graves are in Honington, and encouraged us all to visit. Our competition this month was 'War Memorabilia' which was judged by our guest speaker Adrian. He was blown away by the variety and importance of the entries. In first place was a 'Death Penny' from WW1 which were given to the families of those who lost their lives. These are now incredibly rare.
We had a lovely evening catching up after the festive break and look forward to our next meeting on the 11th February.
If you would like to join in please do come along or contact Tricia tel. 268442 or email honingtonandsapistonwi@gmail.com to find out more.
CHARITY PLANT SALE
Sunday 18 May from 10:30 – come and sell/buy plants, seedlings, anything for the garden – all in aid of Charity (Hall, Church and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust) details COMING SOON on the website https://www.hsvh.org.uk/events.html please put the date in your diary.
HONINGTON & SAPISTON WEBSITE ADMIN
Please visit the Parish Council website (https://www.honingtonandsapiston.com/) The website now has a section for Sales or Give Away. If you have items send details and a photograph to: [email protected]. There is no charge and the PC accepts no responsibility of any items sold or given away.
The website also now includes Suffolk County Council.
Groups in the area: The website now has a section for “Activities, Events and Clubs in the local area”. If you are a member of a club that we don’t have at our village hall, it may be of interest to other parishioners or potential residents who may look at the website.
Please send to: [email protected] with contact details.
Also keep up to date with the Village Hall website (https://www.hsvh.org.uk/) for important local news, road closures, club times .. everything you need to know and lots you didn’t know you needed!
Future Dates for your Diary:
Saturday 22nd February 7pm BEETLE DRIVE with Ploughman’s in aid of church funds
Please remember to leave your bins out the night before the stated collection day, or by 06.15 on the actual collection day. NB: Bin days may differ for people living on the outskirts of Sapiston and on bank holidays.
All meetings and events listed above take place at Honington and Sapiston Village Hall unless otherwise stated. If you are interested in setting up a new group please contact Ian Patterson-Parker to discuss hall availability and costs. 01359 789195. The hall is licensed for weddings and is available to hire for parties, meetings, exercise classes etc. The hall has a fully licensed bar and full catering kitchen.
Please don’t forget to use our new and updated website for information on all Hall events. Here you can view menus for all community meals, dates of church coffee mornings, different activities being held, copies of the newsletter, etc. www.hsvh.org.uk.
Contributions for the February newsletter to be submitted via e-mail to Carol King ([email protected]) by 20th February. Entries can be dropped off to Carol at Boreham House, Sapiston, if preferred.
FEBRUARY 2025
PARISH COUNCIL
- The Parish Council were pleased to welcome Julie Goss and Steve Hards to the first meeting of 2025. After giving a brief presentation, Julie and Steve were co-opted to the Council. We wish them well.
- At the meeting concerns were raised about flooding around Willow Green and also by the entrance to Water Lane. We have asked SCC to investigate.
- Councillors after discussion, decided to raise the precept requirement by 1% for the 2025/26 financial year. This increase amounts to an extra £1.75 on a Band D Council Tax.
- Highways issues. The PC reports problems when observed or notified but parishioners are also encouraged to do so. Visit the Suffolk County Council (SCC) Highways page and follow the instructions. By doing so, you will help to solve the problem quickly.
ANNUAL LITTER PICK
Our annual litter pick will take place on Sunday 9th March at 10am. We will meet at Honington Green or outside Stable Cottage Sapiston. Litter pickers, High Visibility Bibs and bags will be provided. We look forward to getting our villages spick and span for the start of spring and appreciate any help that can be given however much time you can spare. Thank you.
VILLAGE HALL
Hello everyone. We have had a reasonable month here at the hall including our first wedding of the year!! Thanks to Linda Howe applying for a grant and getting it, we were able to replace all the ceiling lights, emergency lighting, and 5 yearly electrical testing - a huge cost if the hall had to foot the total bill, so thank you Linda. Special thanks to Sheldon and Martin of Bloomfield Electrical for doing such a good job.
As per previous newsletter, the Community Lunch will be on Thursday 6th and not the 2nd Thursday of the month as normal. On the menu, Bangers & Mash or Chicken Casserole followed by Fruit Crumble for £8.00. Raffle, and Play Your Cards Right. Doors open at 12.30. Please call 01359 789195 or email me [email protected] your menu choices before 11.00 on Monday 3rd.
Community Supper will be on Friday 28th. Doors open at 19.00 supper at 19.30. On the menu, Lasagne, Fish Pie or Vegetarian Lasagne followed by a selection of puddings and cheese for £8.00. Quiz, Raffle and Play your Cards Right.
Please call 01359 789195 or email me [email protected] your menu choices before 11.00 on Friday 21st
HONINGTON CEVCP SCHOOL
A busy start to 2025 for the school. We had an epiphany service, led by Vicar Karen, at the start of the term – you may have seen us walking through the village wearing our crowns and following the star! Our Year 3 class have started Forest School sessions down by the river and we are continuing our IRock music lesson provision. We offer two lunchtime “Light- wave” clubs, run by Mrs Moore, and our afterschool clubs this term are Multi Sports/Skills and Mixed Football
CAMERA CLUB
Our first meeting of the year was extremely enjoyable with talks from two members who showed some excellent images with very interesting information and back stories.
Our February 18th meeting has tasks of "Decay" and "Churches" for us to photograph then show and discuss the images starting at 7 pm in the main hall of the Village Hall. If you would like to come along and see what we get up to please don't hesitate, you will be most welcome. Contact [email protected] for more information or take a look at www.hsvh.org.uk/camera-club.html
New Year, new hobby - have a go at photography!
1ST HONINGTON (RAF) SCOUT GROUP
We have Beavers for children aged 6-8, Cubs for children age 8-10½ and Scouts for children aged 10½ -14. We are run by a small team of dedicated volunteers and are always happy to welcome new adult volunteers to our team, either to help run the Sections or to help manage the Group. Our usual meeting days are on a Monday 6.30-8 (Cubs), Tuesday 6.15-7.30 (Beavers) and Wednesday 7-9 (Scouts).
Last term our Scouts camped, hiked, learnt to use axes, knives and saws safely, tried tomahawk throwing and took part in a District dodgeball competition. Cubs camped, learned how to read a map, hiked, had a singing lesson, took part in Parliament Week, made Christmas cakes and had a Christmas craft evening. Beavers learned how to ride their bikes safely, tried their hand at air rifle shooting, learned to tie knots, went to Colchester Zoo, decorated Christmas biscuits, made Christmas decorations and went to the Pantomime. The whole Group attended the Bury St Edmunds Remembrance Day Parade and the RAF Honington Christingle and Carol Service.
This term our various programmes include Ten Pin Bowling, Highland Games, Pancakes, Airfix Modelling, Laser Quest, Hiking, Knots, Fire Safety and Camps.
If you are interested in your child joining one of our Sections or you would like to volunteer, please contact Judy Brooks email [email protected], phone number 07805 777162 or Martin Brooks email gsl1sthonington-[email protected], phone number 07531 560701.
CHURCH NEWS
We will be holding our second Soup and Cheese luncheon on Tuesday 4th February in the Village Hall 12.30 for 1pm. So hope to see you there. We are also selling tickets for a Beetle Drive evening to be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 22nd February starting at 7pm with a Ploughman’s served halfway through, tickets available from Christine Congdon 01359 269779 or Marion on 01359269492.
We have noted that some children have been recorded on our CCTV in the church during the Christmas holidays having some harmless play, however we would ask parents to remind their children that it is God’s House and should be treated with respect.
We are still hoping that people will come forward to join a fundraising group with ideas to help with the raising of monies for the everyday expenses and the upkeep of the church building. Please contact Marion or Claire if you think you could help.
HONINGTON & SAPISTON W.I.
We welcomed Adrian Hoyle, a volunteer for the War Graves Commission and current serving member of the RAF, for our first meeting of the year. He gave a captivating talk regarding the war graves across the country and world. We all learnt a great deal from the pledge to upkeep and maintain the graves to the importance of the project. The graves are kept beautifully due to many hardworking people throughout the country volunteering their time to preserve and remember the service men and women we lost in both the world wars. Adrian also took us through a few stories from the soldiers whose graves are in Honington, and encouraged us all to visit. Our competition this month was 'War Memorabilia' which was judged by our guest speaker Adrian. He was blown away by the variety and importance of the entries. In first place was a 'Death Penny' from WW1 which were given to the families of those who lost their lives. These are now incredibly rare.
We had a lovely evening catching up after the festive break and look forward to our next meeting on the 11th February.
If you would like to join in please do come along or contact Tricia tel. 268442 or email honingtonandsapistonwi@gmail.com to find out more.
CHARITY PLANT SALE
Sunday 18 May from 10:30 – come and sell/buy plants, seedlings, anything for the garden – all in aid of Charity (Hall, Church and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust) details COMING SOON on the website https://www.hsvh.org.uk/events.html please put the date in your diary.
HONINGTON & SAPISTON WEBSITE ADMIN
Please visit the Parish Council website (https://www.honingtonandsapiston.com/) The website now has a section for Sales or Give Away. If you have items send details and a photograph to: [email protected]. There is no charge and the PC accepts no responsibility of any items sold or given away.
The website also now includes Suffolk County Council.
Groups in the area: The website now has a section for “Activities, Events and Clubs in the local area”. If you are a member of a club that we don’t have at our village hall, it may be of interest to other parishioners or potential residents who may look at the website.
Please send to: [email protected] with contact details.
Also keep up to date with the Village Hall website (https://www.hsvh.org.uk/) for important local news, road closures, club times .. everything you need to know and lots you didn’t know you needed!
Future Dates for your Diary:
Saturday 22nd February 7pm BEETLE DRIVE with Ploughman’s in aid of church funds
Please remember to leave your bins out the night before the stated collection day, or by 06.15 on the actual collection day. NB: Bin days may differ for people living on the outskirts of Sapiston and on bank holidays.
All meetings and events listed above take place at Honington and Sapiston Village Hall unless otherwise stated. If you are interested in setting up a new group please contact Ian Patterson-Parker to discuss hall availability and costs. 01359 789195. The hall is licensed for weddings and is available to hire for parties, meetings, exercise classes etc. The hall has a fully licensed bar and full catering kitchen.
Please don’t forget to use our new and updated website for information on all Hall events. Here you can view menus for all community meals, dates of church coffee mornings, different activities being held, copies of the newsletter, etc. www.hsvh.org.uk.
Contributions for the February newsletter to be submitted via e-mail to Carol King ([email protected]) by 20th February. Entries can be dropped off to Carol at Boreham House, Sapiston, if preferred.