Voluntary organisations in Shotley & Erwarton

Shotley has an outstanding number of voluntary groups and organisations for it's size. Many of the groups work hard all year to provide services to the community and to raise funds to support themselves. This is, hopefully, the full list as at late March 2006.

Some groups in this list have more information elsewhere on this site. Please click them.

If your local group would like to be included in this list, have its details amended, or would like your website linked from here, please either email us, or complete and email this form to info@myshotley.com.

Alphabetical list of local voluntary organisations
(thanks to the Noticeboard Editor for many of these details)

Andrew Barfoot Charity Estate and Allotments
Mr Andrew Barfoot, who died in 1591 left 5 acres of land to the village for allotments, “The rent to be distributed annually among some widows”. In recent years, the main use of the land has been the very successful, Shotley Rangers Football Club. Some allotments are still cultivated, but the uncultivated land makes an excellent haven for wildlife. The Parish Council appoints two trustees. Our cash turnover is not great, but we still manage to give six widows a small gift at Christmas. Les Stebbings - 787478.

Carpet Bowls - The Club was formed 1993. Entered the Suffolk Carpet Bowls Association and the league competition 1994 Division Three East. Club nights are Monday in the Village Hall at 7-00 p.m. We are currently playing in the League Division Two East. We play Villages throughout Suffolk . The club has an annual Dinner and at Christmas we have a party night with competitions. New members are always made very welcome, all equipment is provided. Why not give us a try? Pam Sarchet - Hon. Sec. 787393

Church - St Mary's Church Shotley - If wish to get married or have a wedding blessing then speak to Maureen alternatively if you want to arrange a baptism or be confirmed then speak to Andrew. Maureen is the main Sunday School leader. Sunday School is normally run every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month in the vestry of the church. There is a church service every Sunday at 10.30am which is open to everyone. Peter Thorn - Vicar 788166 - Andrew & Maureen Coulson 787304

Church Choir - We have been singing together for approximately 8 years now, having started out singing ‘Carols by Candlelight' every year. We meet to practice every second and fourth Saturday morning at the Village Hall between 10 and 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome young or old, we don't hold auditions, all you need is the ability to sing in tune! A degree of commitment is required however, as we sing at all the main services and also at weddings throughout the year with occasional ‘Evensong' and Songs of Praise' services. Thelma Westlake - 787660

Church Youth Group - there are currently two groups running, the existing group for ‘older' teenagers and young people and one for 11+ called ‘Young Mindz' please call for more details. Peter Thorn - 788166

Cubs - 6.00 pm Tuesdays, Shotley Village Hall. 01473 787168

Gardening Club - The club meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7.30 p.m. in the Large Committee Room of the Village Hall. During the winter months we try to arrange a variety of interesting speakers and during the summer months we also visit various nurseries. The club also arranges several outings during the summer to well known gardens and country houses such as Kew and Blickling Hall. New members are always made most welcome. Karen Smith -Sec. - 787731 / Roger Cushing Social Sec. - 787238

Homestart - 01379 678552 - Help, advice and support for young families and single parents.

Home-workers Lunch Club - ?????

Kids Club - Located in the new portacabin in the grounds of Shotley CP School. Currently, there are 15 families on the register and up to 20 children attend each week. Sessions are held every Tuesday during term time from 1.15pm until 3.00pm. We provide a stimulating, relaxed environment, enabling parents and children to meet weekly, socialise and have fun. We can use all the age appropriate Kidzone facilities, including the outdoor playground and garden. Sessions are not structured, children participate in the activities of their choice. Drinks and a snack are provided for the children and adults can have endless cups of tea or coffee! The local health visitor attends once a month and mums, dads and carers are welcome to bring babies and toddlers for weighing and can discuss health issues etc. Annual registration fee of £3.00, (which helps towards the running costs of Kidzone); the weekly charge per family is £1.50. Kids' Club has close ties with the pre-school, enabling the families who attend to occasionally participate in their outings. After attending Kids' Club, at 2 ½, children can attend the pre-school which is also located in the same building. Familiarity with the surroundings makes the transition easier and most children tend to settle in more easily. Bridget Connell - 788850

Meals on Wheels - ‘Meals on Wheels' is part of the WRVS (Women's Royal Voluntary Service) Staffed by local volunteers who take hot, mid day meals to clients in the area who have been nominated through Social Services. We are a dedicated team but would always welcome new recruits to deliver meals. (Chelmondiston branch - Jennifer Edwards - 780459). Local Organisers - Diana and Elizabeth Waite-Gibbs - 787466

Mothers Union - The Mothers Union, whose local branch is joined with Chelmondiston, meets every month in St Andrews Church Room, normally every second Wednesday afternoon, or with other local branches. We have a link with the Methodist chapel and include in our programme, a shared meeting with the Women's Fellowship. A warm welcome is extended to them and any visitors, to share in any of our meetings. We have an interesting programme, with various speakers to celebrate the festivals during the year. Joint branch leaders - Elizabeth Waite-Gibbs 787466 or Pam Ross - 780796

Over Sixties - We meet every other Thursday. At the moment we have 25 members and a new member who has only been in Shotley for a few months. We are busy arranging all the outings for this year, anyone can join us on these trips, you don't even have to be 60! If we can fill a bus we can keep the costs down. When we meet, we play 3 games of bingo, have break for refreshments, 2 draws and then play Whist, Dominoes and sometimes Scrabble, finishing at about 4pm. Membership is £5.00 per year with a £1.00 entry for each meeting, special draw tickets are 30p for 2 Outings this year will visit: Newmarket in April, Dunwich in May, with a fish and chip lunch, the best in Suffolk? To Wroxham Barns in June and a boat trip. Felixstowe in July, Clacton in October. November is Colchester and our Christmas outing is a return to Taverham Garden centre near Norwich where there are many shops and a huge Christmas shop. Eileen Bugg - 787358

Peninsula Carers - Jill Line - 01473 835429 - Division of Suffolk Carers

Peninsula Crafts - Association of local craft workers - for the promotion of our work .We run two, two/three day exhibitions a year which are always well publicised and attended. Glen Gerrard - 780589 <more>

Peninsula Swimming Club - ?????

River Orwell Sporting & Social Club - Jim Dale - 328374

Royal British Legion - Shotley, Erwarton and District

Scouts - 7.30pm Tuesdays - Shotley Village Hall. Julie Watts Group Secretary 01473 788811

Shotley Heritage 700 - Raising funds for the restoration and upkeep of St Mary's church, Shotley. Norman Bugg - 787358

Shotley Rangers Football Club - Colin Grogan - 788806

Shotley Rose Bowls Club - Whether experienced or completely new to the game, new members are always welcome. The club's new season is likely to start on Sunday, April 23 rd at 2pm. We can arrange tuition and loan equipment, the only requirement is flat-soled shoes. We make no charge for trial games, (3 sessions) We play in four leagues and a number of cup games and ‘friendlies' throughout the year. Bowls is an ideal way to make new friends, suitable for male and female, age is no barrier. Open to individuals and families. Norman Bugg - 787358

Shotley Rose Football Club - Shotley Rose play matches behind the Rose Inn on Sunday mornings, kick off, 10.15. We have two teams, both playing in the Licensed Trades League, Premier Division and Division two. After matches we retire to the Rose Inn for Refreshments! We are an adult club, age 15 upwards. There is a good social diary, activities at Christmas and New Year and at various other times including Men's Nights, Ladies Nights, Fete etc. There is a £20 registration fee and £3.00 match fees. Training at the moment is at Holbrook High School on Thursday evenings. We always need new members. We have had numerous successes, This season we are through to the Premier Division Cup Final at Gainsborough on Sunday May 14. Support is always appreciated. Paul Card - 787529

Shotley Sailing Club - Set up in 1968/9 as a club for sailors and fisherman, with a little social activity thrown in. We hold dingy races, (Club and Open meetings) and social events once or twice a month, quiz nights and music evenings. We have a dingy park and yacht moorings. The clubhouse is open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday lunchtimes, staffed by volunteers. Although we welcome families, children must be accompanied. Graham Jones - Secretary.

Shotley School Parents and Friends Association - The PFA is made up of 15 volunteers from all walks of life, who help to raise funds for the school. We do this by holding each year a Christmas Bazaar, Summer Fayre, two Jumble Sales and around four Discos. Many parents, friends and family also “pitch in” when extra hands are needed. We always need more willing volunteers, even if only for an hour or so! Events are generally held at the school but occasionally we stray off-site to run a stall elsewhere in the village. The money raised most recently has been spent on a lighting gantry (£400) and £80 for each class to spend as they wish. We are currently canvassing parents, teachers and children for their ideas on how they would like to see the money raised spent. We also help the school on a practical level by setting out chairs for assembly and helping out at Christmas parties etc. Linda Rowlands - c/o School 787255 <More info>

Shotley Village Hall Management Committee - We are responsible for the ‘well being' of the Village Hall. We look after the day to day running of the hall, deal with bookings, repairs, set charges and organise regular events throughout the year to help boost our funds. Every village organisation is entitled to representation at our meetings and to have a voice in the running of the hall. There are currently many groups who are not represented. We meet on a monthly basis on the second Wednesday at 7.30 in the large committee room at the hall. Alf Arkley - 787603

Suffolk Wildlife Trust - Shotley Peninsula Group - Between January and April we hold open meetings, on the 4 th Thursday in the month, moving between Wherstead, Tattingstone, Stutton and Harkstead village halls, everyone is welcome. There is a £2.00 entry fee. We normally have a speaker who will cover a topic such as nature and conservation and refreshments will be available. In recent months we have had talks on ‘Wildflowers of our coastline' and ‘Marine life around our shores'. Our April meeting on the 27 th , will enjoy a talk on ‘Butterfly conservation' in ‘The Room' at Wherstead. In September the speaker is Mark Standeven on ‘When the Oil runs out'. Maggie Talmer -01473 689878

Sunday School - Maureen Coulson - 787304 At present we are watching videos which star veggie people (yes, they are talking vegetables). Each video has a lively story and a moral at the end. We also try to do some colouring and make things when we have time. At present we are hampered by the lack of space because of the re-plastering but when it is finished we will be back in full swing. We also have "one-off" specials e.g. egg rolling at Easter, Christmas party with games and crafts.

Whist Drive - We meet every other Thursday at Shotley Village Hall at 1.50pm, entry is£1.20 We play 12 games then have refreshments and a draw, then another 12 games. At the end of the afternoon we give out the prizes for first, second, first half, second half and a ‘booby' prize for ladies and gents! This is an enjoyable afternoon and new members will be made very welcome. Eileen Bugg - 787358

Womens Institute - Shotley & Erwarton branch - The W.I. is a World wide organisation which exists to educate women to provide an effective role in the Community, expanding new horizons and passing on skills. We meet every 3 rd Wednesday [except July and August] at 7.15pm in Shotley Village Hall. Each meeting is arranged to have a good Speaker and a social time. We organize outings and other social events during the year, and help with village events when possible. We are a friendly group and new members are always welcome. Jean Kirtland - 787334 or Wendy Sadler 787594