(from "Charity, Clay and Coprolites" by Colin Maycock published by the Mary Warner Charity 1993)

During the War, the school, the village Reading Room and several of the almshouses had been requisitioned by the army and in 1941 to house homeless families evacuated from the Sudborne Battle Area. Boyton experienced some damage from enemy action. During the nights of 19/20 August 1940 and 15/16 January 1941 "considerable damage was done to some of the almshouses and the Nurses house by enemy high explosive bombs".

After release from military occupation in 1944, the school was sold by auction in Woodbridge. The following year, Major Langley (a Trustee and himself a barrister) undertook to visit the Board of Education and if unable to make progress in recovering the proceeds of the sale, to seek the opinion of learned counsel. Mr Waites opinion makes it clear that the money had to remain as a separate foundation. Having failed to secure the transfer of the proceeds, now invested, to the almshouse charity, the Trustees appear to have lost interest after Major Langleys death in 1947. The sale money, held by the Charity Commissioners, was left for over 40 years quietly accumulating.

The production of a scheme by the Charity Commission to utilise this money is still awaited and it seems extraordinary that it has taken so long to materialise. From a few hundred pounds in 1944, the invested assets are now worth over £20,000 and the present trustees are anxious (since the almshouse charity cannot have it) that young people in Boyton and adjoining villages should benefit from the income it will produce in meeting some of their educational needs.

You can apply for a grant by writing to:

J M Margarson, Clerk to the Trustees, Cross, Ram & Co, 8 The Thoroughfare, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 8AJ.

EACH is a registered charity and aims to maximise the quality of life for life limited (terminally ill) children and their families. A life-limited child is one who is not expected to reach adulthood. EACH provides one-to-one nursing care for children from birth up to, perhaps, twenty-one years of age.

Far from being grim, sombre places, strange as it may seem, these hospices are happy, noisy places, most of the time. The childrens hospice Ipswich, like the others in our region, is very much a place for living, with a home-from-home environment. Cheerful surroundings and special play equipment help to make the most of precious time and allow each child to reach its full potential, whatever that may be.

Intensive, personal care provided by the EACH does not come cheap: in 2002/3 alone it will cost around £3.5m. Only 10% of income comes through statutory grants  and no charge is made to those families using the services. Fundraising and goodwill of the public are therefore vital.

EACH needs your help through donations or active support. You can even help by donating obsolete and foreign coins, spent inkjet and laser cartridges and unwanted/old mobile phones. There is an active Friends Group in the area and for an informal chat about activities and the ways you could help, please call Sue Sykes on 01473 737757.

Date of next meeting:

Wednesday 14 May, 2003

7.30 pm AGM & 8PM Annual Parish Meeting, Boyton Village Hall.

Rosemary Hepburn Clarke

Clerk to Boyton Parish Council

Wickham Market Tower Appeal - Auction of Promises and Supper with Guest Auctioneer: David Neal

Saturday 15^th March, 7-30pm at Wickham Market Village Hall

Over 40 Promises to bid for including: Pleasure Flight over Norfolk/Suffolk, Holiday Weekend, Tour of House of Commons, Rail Tickets to London, Visit to Minsmere, A Painting of Your House, Dinner for Two, Yacht Sailing

&.and many, many more. Tickets £3.50 including Supper. Bring your own drinks. Ray Lewis, 93 High St. (746681)

SING BE-FORE YOUR SUPPER!

Come and join a new choir starting in Boyton. Initially it is just for adults (although we might later add a separate children's section) and the emphasis will be on singing secular songs from a wide range of traditions from Welsh love songs to Sea Shanties to more up-beat contemporary pieces. All are welcome, no previous training necessary.

We will meet for the first time on Friday 7th March at Cordwainers, Boyton at 7pm, and weekly thereafter.
If you want to contact the conductor Joe Wilford, you can on 01394 410000 or at jwilford@beeb.net

The target is to survey every hedgerow through the British Isles and map them for future generations. Our neighbouring Parishes are already off to a good start. It would be good if Boyton could complete a survey this year. HELP is needed Please contact Isobel Lilley (411409) - it is hoped that it wont be for more than a couple of hours, twice a month.