Parish Council THERE was a meeting of the parish council at the Lambe School on November 9, when the chairman was John Hinton. There were reports by county councillor David Yorke-Edwards and district councillor Michael Miller. Stephen Carr spoke about Samaritan's Purse International, particularly his visit to Mozambique, and the council agreed to give moral support and to investigate further having seen relevant information.

Councillors recommended approval of planning applications from Mr Street for the construction of a rear conservatory at 8 Pitts End and for the felling of a willow tree at Commandree, Gaston Street. Not favoured were applications from Mr and Mrs G Garrod for the construction of a bungalow and detached double garage (to replace a mobile home) at The Smallholding, Wenham Lane; Mr and Mrs M Hockley for the construction of a garage and workshop and conversion of an existing garage/workshop to form additional living accommodation at 20 Fiddlers Lane; Mr K Skrine for the construction of a first floor rear extension at Ashtree House, Flatford Lane; and the felling of one beech tree at White House, Rectory Hill.

Councillors agreed the name of Beehive Court for the housing development on the site of the former Beehive public house. Finance and policy committee chairman Michael Leseberg reported on the financial position, commenting on details circulated. Playing field committee chairman Peter Korwin confirmed that the fence surrounding the play area at Gandish Road had been repaired, and the hedge at the East End play area is to be trimmed. Councillors approved membership of the Association of Burial Authorities. Paul Ireland disclosed that replacement benches have been purchased and are to be positioned near the entrance to Fenn Lane and at the Gandish Road playing field. Three more dog litter bins are to be put in place. John Hinton said that emergency planning for the village is still in progress. A trustee to the Lambe School Charity is still to be appointed. Representatives appointed to the Suffolk Association of Local Councils and the Barbizon Twinning Committee were Mervyn Austin and Paul Ireland respectively. The parish council has a planning meeting in the Lambe School on Thursday, December 14 when applications will be on view from 7pm.

Meeting THERE was a Royal British Legion women's section branch meeting at the Foxhall Fields home of Doreen Barnes last week, when get well cards for Ella Bywaters and Celia Johnson were signed by members. The branch is to enter a decorated Christmas tree in the event at the Congregational Church on December 1, 2 and 3 when the theme is Stages of Life. There was a raffle, and refreshments were served. It is hoped that the delayed annual meeting will be held in December.

Mothers Union THERE was a Mothers Union meeting in the west end of St Mary's Church on November 9, when presiding member Doreen Robertson led a short service with unaccompanied hymn singing. Marilyn Wasahlo demonstrated Christmas floral decorations. There was a bring and buy stall and refreshments were served by Edith Searle and Kate Scantlebury.

WRVS Party THE Women's Royal Voluntary Service Luncheon Club 20th anniversary party was held at the Community Education Centre on November 10, when regular members and guests were served with lunch, wine and soft drinks. The Belstead Singers entertained with a selection of wartime songs. There was a collection on behalf of St Elizabeth Hospice, and a raffle. A large iced cake made by Jennifer Chapman was served as well as hot drinks.

Christmas Bazaar THE Parent Teacher Association held an adults only Christmas bazaar at the Primary School on November 10, when gifts, jewellery, handmade toiletries, beauty products, crafts, toys, books and chocolates were among the items on offer. There was also a licensed bar and Nick Butterworth book signing.

Norwich Outing THE fare was just £6.50 to go on the coach trip to Norwich, organised by the Community Council, on November 11. Christmas shopping was the priority of the day.

St Mary's Church THE Remembrance Sunday service at St Mary's Church on November 12, was led by congregationalist minister Chris Jowett and the Rev David Searle. The procession was led by standards of the British Legion, carried by Brian Head, and the British Legion women's section carried by Pat Grimsey. There were readings by Sally Graves and Terry Marshall, who also placed wreaths at the war memorials. The names of those to be remembered were read by Chris Jowett, and the Act of Homage was by Major Michael Nottingham. A wreath was placed on the external war memorial by members of the Scouts and Guides, accompanied by the standard bearers.

On Sunday, Holy Communion is at 8am and there is a Family Service at 10am.

The Youth Group has a night hike starting from St Michael's Church in Brantham at 6.30pm.

Samford Renewal Fellowship SAMFORD Renewal Fellowship met at St Mary's Church for two hours on November 12, for worship, teaching, prayer and ministry led by the Rev David Gardner, vicar of St John's in Woodbridge, whose subject for the day was How to Deal with Life's Events. For information contact the Rev's Alex and Christine Marshall on 01473 780738.

Charity Coffee Morning THE charity coffee morning in the west end of St Mary's Church on Nopvember 15, was organised by Kay Peck in aid of the Restricted Growth Association. A similar event arranged by Doreen Robertson raised £155.50 for Macmillan Nurses.

The Macmillan coffee morning at the Lambe School in September, realised £440. The amount raised by the Church Mission Society coffee morning and charity Christmas card sale is amended to approximately £1,300 for various charities.

East Bergholt High School HEADTEACHER Moira Humphreys has applied for a new premises licence for the provision of regulated entertainment at East Bergholt High School. Mrs Humphreys is one of about a dozen in a partnership of headteachers who have put forward proposals for a new sixth form college in Ipswich, to be submitted to the Suffolk branch of the Learning and Skills Council for approval.

Temporary Closure SUFFOLK County Council has given notice of the temporary closure of the U4204 East End Road between Fishers Lane and Broom Knoll for reasons of safety during the urgent replacement of overhead electrical cabling. Provision will be made for the passage of pedestrians and cyclists. The alternative route for vehicles will be via the C424 East End Road - C423 Park Road and vice versa. It is intended that the closure will be in operation on Thursday.

Forthcoming Events THE annual meeting of the Horticultural Society will be held in the Lambe School at 7.30pm today, to be followed by a buffet and wine.

The Bowls Club has a quiz evening in the Constable Memorial Hall at 7.30pm tomorrow.

Tickets are £15 each, including supper, for East Bergholt United Football Club's poker night in the Carriers Arms starting at 7.45pm tomorrow.

Stour Valley Arts and Music presents the Maggino Quartet, playing string quartets by Haydn, Lennox Berkeley and Beethoven, in St Mary's Church at 4pm on Sunday.

The charity coffee morning in the west end of St Mary's Church on Wednesday, from 10am to noon will be organised by Jenny Lane to raise money for the Buhumba Lunch Programme.

The first part of East Bergholt Society's walk and talk will be held in the Lambe School on Thursday, at 8pm featuring Katherine Blake of the Dedham Vale Area of Natural Beauty and Stour Valley Project.

The Dramatic Society presents three evenings of four one-act plays in the Constable Memorial Hall on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 23 to 25 at 8pm. Tickets are £6, or £5 in advance from the Post Office contact 01473 311553, or at the door.