Sports Council THERE was a Sports Council meeting at the Gandish Road Pavilion on September 21, when the chairman was Chris Tuppen. Treasurer Alec Munson reported the financial position and agreed to obtain a statement after the financial year end on September 30.

Tennis nets on courts one and two had been repaired. Some replacement lamps were needed for lighting court three. Lighting boxes still need to be made secure. Broken pavilion windows have been replaced.

There are under-16 and under-13 teams using the junior pitch at Gandish Road, and a ladies football team wishing to use the senior pitch some Sunday afternoons.

A new tea urn is to be purchased for use in the pavilion. There are plans for a lounge area in the pavilion with new furniture.

Cricket coaching for youngsters is a priority for next year.

Next meeting of the Sports Council will be held in the Gandish Road Pavilion on Thursday, December 7 at 8pm.

Friendship Club AT the Friendship Club meeting in the Congregational Church Hall on September 21, there was exercise to music with Barbara Lovelace. Next meeting will be at the same location on Thursday, October 19 at 2pm, when Julie Grimsey will talk about her trip to Ghana. New members are welcome and contacts are Yvonne or Maureen on 01206 298428 or 298520 respectively.

Community Council THE Community Council organised a day trip to France for £30 on September 23.

Tomorrow, the Community Council's annual auction will be held in the Constable Memorial Hall, starting at 1pm. Articles for the auction should be taken to the hall between 5pm and 7.30pm today, and viewing will be from 10am to noon tomorrow. Community Council commission is 25 per cent, which will go towards the pensioners' Christmas supper. For more information call 01206 298171 or 298133.

Bowls Club DURING St Johns Trophy Day at the Gandish Road Green on September 24, the Bowls Club's new changing rooms were officially opened. Tony Brass extended a welcome to guests Anne and Oliver Eley and parish council playing fields committee chairman Peter Korwin as well as all others.

Financial help had been received from a National Lottery grant plus the district and parish councils as well as from sponsors Vernon Broom, Grier and Partners and Howard Lewsey (Corbys). John Taylor had been responsible for completing the changing rooms in a professional manner with the final fittings.

President John Jeffreys commented on another milestone in the development of the club since its inauguration in 1993. Oliver Eley said that this is now one of the best bowling facilities in Suffolk and North Essex, much of the work having been done by members. He then declared the changing rooms officially open, before wine and snacks were served.

Congregational Church THERE was a car boot sale in the Congregational Church grounds on September 23, in aid of the Children's Hospice in Ipswich and church funds. Next event is a quiz in the Congregational Church Hall on Saturday, October 14 at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets are £5 each, including a ploughman's supper. Drinks will be available. Teams of four. Contacts are Mel or Chris on 01206 298628 or 298633 respectively.

St Mary's Church THE Family Service at St Mary's Church on September 24 was conducted by the Rev Liesbeth Oosterhof, who also baptised Ben Richard Baxandall and Sophie Louise Hurricks. There was a reading by Kate Scantlebury and intercessions by Doreen Robertson.

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

The Youth Group will be canoeing at Flatford from 4pm to 6pm.

Car Boot Sale THE High School Association held a car boot sale in the school grounds on September 24.

Forthcoming Events ST Mary's Preservation Society's annual golf day will, be held at Hintlesham Golf Club on Tuesday, starting at 9am. it will be a Stableford competition with full handicap played in fours, with a maximum of 80 competitors. There will be coffee, lunch with a vegetarian option, a raffle and prizegiving. Cost per head is £32. For details contact Terry Marshall on 01206 298643.

The Cricket Club's annual meeting will be held in the Gandish Road Pavilion at 8pm on Thursday.

There is a Macmillan coffee morning in the Lambe School today, from 10.30am to noon.

WI Constable Group 20 OUR autumn social evening took the form of a cheese and wine and was hosted by East Bergholt WI in the Constable Hall, East Bergholt. Approximately 90 members attended and enjoyed a very interesting talk given by our guest speaker who was the owner of the Health Food Shop in Manningtree. He spoke about his career which started in Suffolk on a small holding growing organic food, his time spent on a croft in Scotland and his ultimate return to this part of the world.

He is very passionate about health foods, where they are sourced etc. I am sure many members were given food for thought, so to speak. He brought along samples of some dried fruit sold in his shop, ie sultanas, raisins, figs etc which were available on the refreshment table - they were delicious as was the splendid selection of food provided by our hosts.

A competition - a selection of wedding pictures from the 1800's up to present time were scattered around the room and we had to select the correct date. This was won by a member of Capel St Mary WI. The usual raffle was held with some very good prizes. A very enjoyable evening.