Wangford

Book Club - The club next meets on Thursday, June 11, at 8pm in the community centre to discuss Susanna Clarke's 'Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell' - all 1,006 pages of it. Please can everyone check their bookshelves and ensure that all outstanding books are returned to me.

Sports Club - The 23rd annual meeting took place with a tribute to recently deceased committee member Tony Punt. The officers and committee were re-elected with Malcolm Woolnough continuing as chairman/secretary. Treasurer Margaret Chapman presented a satisfactory financial report and a donation of �800 to the community centre was approved. It was agreed that membership fees would remain unaltered. The future in the Waveney Short Mat League hangs in the balance and must be decided by June. Prospective players are most welcome on Fridays 2 or 7.30pm. Some of the members will be playing for outdoor teams in the summer which leaves them particularly short. Fifteen carpet bowlers were entertained from Blythburgh and Wenhaston in April and gave them an insight into short mat bowling. The annual competition for the Cinque Cup was won by the green team for the third consecutive year - they are chasing hard to equal seven wins by the red team.

Wangford 850 celebrations - Preparations shaping up for this celebration over the August Bank Holiday. Saturday night will host a talent show! Sunday is Come and Sing' Haydn's Creation. The grand raffle has some stupendous prizes on offer and the medieval pageant on the Monday really needs you. Jill Merry will stage a short, light-hearted 'pageant' highlighting some of the events that have helped to the shape the village, from the Beaker People of 2000 BC to the mixture that is Wangford 2000 AD. She needs everyone from spear waving Romans and rake wielding villagers to narrators (reading, no learning!) and actors who can learn lines. All ages are welcome - family groups, teenagers, the more mature can all take part. Rehearsals will be few, but fun - the more who join in the easier it will be. Also needed will be costume makers, prop gatherers and a backcloth painter. If you are interested please contact Jill Merry on 01502 578057 as soon as possible.

Community annual meeting - Both the community centre management committee and community council annual meeting took place on April 21. As part of the centre's annual meeting Malcolm Woolnough was pleased to report that the refurbishment of the toilets and foyer had finally been completed, and the opportunity was taken to update the kitchen at the same time. He acknowledged the financial assistance given by the community council and the steam rally. He noted the loss of Barbara and Norman as centre caretakers, but was pleased that they would continue as booking secretary. Mrs Edna Utting has taken on the caretakers role, with great enthusiasm, and it is good to have someone who lives equally locally. Hall hire continues to be healthy, and full use of the facilities continues to be made by the affiliated organisations. The Post Office also brings in a healthy source of income. Steve Smith was thanked for his publicity of centre activities in the Messenger and local press. Malcolm thanked the officers and committee for their continued support. Treasurer, Philip Hayes offered the accounts for inspection and these were agreed. Malcolm read the reports from the various affiliated clubs and societies, the committee members were re-elected. The officers will be elected at the first meeting of the new committee. With regard to the proposed merger of the two charities, no further progress was reported. The meeting closed and Philip Hayes then took the chair for the annual meeting of the community council. He gave his chairman's report, detailing last year's happenings. Treasurer Mike Ryland then circulated copies of the accounts and answered questions from the floor. It was agreed that the accounts be adopted. The Sports Club report was given by Malcolm Woolnough. All officers and committee were all returned.

Barber in centre - Stewart Sharman will be in the Centre on Wednesday, from 4.30 to 6.30pm. Alternatively, he is also available to offer a home visiting service on the same day. Call him on 568392 to arrange.

Car boot sale - On Sunday, June 14, starting at 10am. 10p admission, refreshments available. Pitches �4 inside, �3 outside can be booked in advance by calling Margaret on 578354. Have you got a garage full of things you could turn into cash? One man's junk could be what someone else has been searching for.

Church services - Early morning eucharist will be in Uggeshall Church this Sunday at 8am. The monthly family service with Rev Julie Eaton will be at 9.30am, in Wangford Community Centre. Evening prayer will also be with Julie back in Uggeshall Church at 6pm. Children and adults all welcome to all services.