A local charity, Tools with a Mission (TWAM) runs a School Book Project in Ipswich which collects redundant text books, reading books, reference and information books. Books can be donated either by local schools or by individuals.

A team of volunteers checks that the donated books are up to date, clean and relevant, then allocates them to schools in East and Southern Africa where the curriculum still follows a mainly English model. For the foreseeable future these schools will not have sufficient funds to buy enough locally produced books. Therefore second hand books from the UK help to fill the gap and make it possible for children to get into the reading habit.

What sort of books are needed???

• Books for all ages from pre-school to A-level.
• Books should be clean and strong, no graffiti
• Books should be relatively modern, up to 15 years old.
• Sets of text books. Please include Answer books!
• Sets of readers, story books, novels for teenagers, picture books for pre-school.
• Information/resource books on all the usual topics.
• Dictionaries & other reference books.

Getting the books to Ipswich.
TWAM can arrange collection from schools supplying big quantities of books. Please phone Cindy on 01473 210220.

For smaller quantities of books please phone Carol on 01206 263670 for advice about local drop-off point.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THIS PROJECT GOING

The Village Green Teams would like to thank everyone who has supported our CAMPAIGN TO SAVE LOCAL POST OFFICES. We are glad to say that well over 300 households and businesses have signed the petition and many have written direct to Mr. Alistair Darling and Mr. Crozier - the men at the top who have their hands on the axe. Our local MP Mr. Tim Yeo will be meeting Minister for Employment Jim Fitzpatrick early in June. We are providing him with a summary of your reasons why we need to keep the Post Offices in Polstead and Stoke by Nayland.

It is not too late to sign the petition or write letters to give your views about why the post offices are a life line in villages with few other facillities and minimal public transport.. Petition forms and addresses for your letters are in both post offices. (more…)