Kerry Burn, onesuffolk's Community Reporter went to meet Dawn Mason and Teresa Goodenough who are coordinators for one of the outreach services instigated and funded by the local church.

One such activity is the afternoon tea held at Thingoe Lodge every last Monday of the month, except Bank Holidays, open to anyone in and around the Fornham area and I went along to meet some of the residents and visitors to Thingoe Lodge.

On arrival at Thingoe Lodge everyone gathered in the Lounge where I had the opportunity to introduce myself and tell everyone about onesuffolk and why I had come along.

Once the kettle had boiled and fresh tea had been served, volunteers armed with plates of fresh sandwiches and homemade cakes offered them around the room. Kyra and Andrea, the two volunteers, had made all the sandwiches and cakes, including suitable ones for people with diabetes, and it looked like they had been busy for most of the weekend. One of them told me that she had been used to making cricket teas so this was easy compared with feeding teams of hungry men. The food was lovely and it was really hard to resist not having yet another piece of homemade cake. There are a number of volunteers who help with the refreshments each month, working on a rota system through the year. The rota also includes people from the W.I. and the Community Centre, and it is a good example of how the community organisations pull together to make things happen.

Once a few sandwiches had been eaten and tea drunk I made my way around the room to have a quick chat with some of those present. Several were residents to Thingoe Lodge but a few had travelled from surrounding areas to join their friends for the afternoon, it was evident that everyone enjoyed the opportunity to get together for a chat.

One lady told me how she had been living in Zimbabwe since the 1950’s, when people had been encouraged to start new lives over there. However due to the recent troubled times her and her family had decided to return to England just over a year ago.

I met another couple of ladies who had grown up in Fornham, one of them now a resident at Thingoe Lodge and the other living in Bury St Edmunds but drives over every month to see everyone. She told me about her Morris Minor which she has owned since the 1970’s, I was hoping to get a look before I went but I ran out of time. These two ladies had grown up together and it was evident that they had a tale or two to tell, like falling in the river and not daring to go home until their clothes where dry.

Although most of the visitors were ladies there were few gentlemen in the room but unfortunately I did not quite make it around the room to speak with them so I will have to make sure I catch them on my next trip.

During the afternoon the monthly Little Ernie draw was also held and although nearly everyone in the room had a number in the draw nobody in the room won anything.

I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon, talking and finding out more about these people so if you live in the Fornham area and would like the opportunity to join in this social afternoon then contact Teresa Goodenough 01284 702608 for more information.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for welcoming me and for talking to me during the afternoon and I look forward to a return trip to catch up with everyone.

Other Activities held at Thingoe Lodge

Songs of Praise – held in the lounge at Thingoe Lodge on the last Sunday of the month starting at 5pm. This is a short evening service with well-known hymns.

Communion – held in the lounge at Thingoe Lodge on the third Monday of the month starting at 10am. Members from all Christian churches welcome.

For more information on any of these activities contact: Teresa Goodenough 01284 702608