Did you know?

21 years ago, the final curtain fell on 120 years of the Royal Tournament, and with it the final field gun competition at Earls Court.

Field Gun had been part of the military showcase event since triumphantly returning from the relief of Ladysmith during the Boer War in 1900, with Shotley man Ernest Abram, one of the original gunners.

The last Inter-Command competition was run between Portsmouth, Devonport and the Fleet Air Arm.

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Today's Peninsula sunrise: 05:21

Today's Peninsula sunset: 20:40

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Tide Times:

00:04 3.92m

05:51 0.76m

12:28 3.9m

18:27 0.48m

Fine on the Strand

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Weather:

A fine start for most, with early cloud breaking to give some warm sunny spells. Some cloud will build through the day, bringing a slight risk of heavy showers. Maximum Temperature 23C, low of 15c

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Orwell Bridge: Open

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Quote of the day:

Once a Field Gunner always a Field Gunner.

Bonded for life by the violence and brutality of a sport that leaves a trail of injuries and fingers amputated between the clash of steel upon steel.

Every Jack Tar among them is a volunteer. He receives no money above his regular service pay. He can claim no compensation for accidents. The physical tests to make the team are the most merciless and ferocious I have ever seen.

What follows is even tougher. No prima donna would ever survive it.

Sport? Yes, sport by the true Olympian definition.

Crazy? Certainly, but so are so many of the greatest British traditions.

The challenge, at the crack of a thunder flash, is to haul a field gun and limber weighing a little matter of 2,092lbs across obstacles that require them twice to be dismantled, hurled through small holes in walls and then, wireborn, over a 24ft chasm, twice firing volleys of three blanks in between.

Even with a full month's training I would challenge any rugby union, rugby league, American football, TV Gladiators or night-club bouncers team to accomplish this inside a quarter of an hour.

The standard time for a Royal Naval Field Gun team is two minutes 46 seconds.

Ian Wooldridge - widely acclaimed journalist

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Joke of the day:

Dave joined the Navy purely out of spite

He longed to become a Petty Officer.

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Today's Post Office Openings:

Shotley: 09.00 – 17.00

Chelmondiston: 08-00-17.00

Holbrook: 09.00 – 17.30

Brantham (village hall): Closed

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Today's food shop openings:

Holbrook Co-op: 06.00 -23.00

Brantham Co-op: 06.00 – 23.00

Premier Stores Shotley: 08:00 - 21:00

Premier Stores Wherstead: 08.00 – 19.00

Hollingsworth's: Times vary

Orwell Stores: 08.00 – 13.00

Suffolk Food Hall: 09.00 – 17.00

Stutton Community Shop: 09.00-16.00

Woody's Butchers: - Closed

Please wear a cloth face covering, respect social distancing rules and treat shop staff with respect.

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Holbrook and Shotley surgeries and dispensaries.

Holbrook: 328263

Phone access only 08:00 – 17:00 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 08:00 – 13:00 Thursday 08:00 – 18:30 Friday for urgent queries

Repeat prescription medication can be collected from 08:00 – 11:00 Monday to Thursday and 15:00 – 17:00 on Fridays. Additionally, those over 70 can collect from 14:00 – 15:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

Shotley: 787435

Phone access only 08:00 – 18:30 Monday to Thursday.

Repeat prescription medication can be collected from 08:00 – 11:00 Monday to Friday and 15:00 – 17:00 on Monday to Thursday. Additionally, those over 70 can collect from 14:00 – 15:00 on Monday to Thursday.

Call 111 for emergency medical matters.

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For food deliveries, or prescription collection please contact your local support schemes:

Brantham Good Neighbours(GNS) 07811 630899 

Chelmondiston GNS 01473 780408

Holbrook Helpers 07999583017

Shotley & Erwarton GNS 07799873381

Stutton Network 01473 327753

Tattingstone 07895052086

Or call Babergh's Home, But Not Alone line 0800 876 6926 and a locality officer will connect you with a volunteer, or just to chat.

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Live travel updates: Road and rail

Bus services:

Check here for new Monday to Sunday timetable

Shotley to Harwich-Felixstowe foot ferry running check timetable

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See which businesses are still operating with our Peninsula Business Directory:

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Our daily Breakfast Briefing is proving very popular but we are always striving to improve the experience for you. If you have any suggestions for inclusion please email [email protected]

This also includes anyone who want to send us a photo to use, we are always happy to credit the picture with your name.