One of the current priorities is anti- and littering at social behaviour at the old ALDI car park the recreation ground.

Stowmarket businesses in the Bury Street area will have been reassured by new of extra patrols.

Members of the public reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour have also led to a reduction in offences.
the planned opening Since of a new restaurant it would be nice to see this car park more widely used and regain a reputation as a safe car park.

There is CCTV coverage this site and officers have been proactive in dealing with bad behaviour.

For the longer term increased usage should deter anti-social gatherings and enable it to be used safely as a short cut.

Patrols will continue and where offences are committed police have promised to act swiftly and robustly

There have been several seizures of vehicles, in particular motorcycles – and owners face a £150 penalty as well as daily storage charges.

On the crime prevention front we have been working very closely with Stowmarket stores in particular those associated to the Shop Watch.

Members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team will be holding a session on crime prevention, discussing the steps that stores can take to prevent loss.
Contact XXXXX Abbott at Stowmarket police station on 01473 613500 or email Stowmarket.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.

Stowmarket Town council recently held a public meeting to discuss the recreation ground priority school Stowmarket. Members of the police were invited and answered questions and concerns.

It was a positive meeting that those attending felt was one small step to addressing the concerns felt by townspeople.

Anti-alcohold abuse patrols locally have been stepped up we have been working closely with Asda security team to prevent the purchase of alcohol by adults who then supply youngsters.

In May a local man was given a fixed penalty fine of £80 for underage supply thanks to the vigilance of ASDA security staff.
Over the recent Bank Holiday weekend working with ASDA and town CCTV two people were also handed £80 fines for alcohol-related crimes.

Anti-social behavoiur legislation was effectively used to identify and remove several potential troublemakers for a 48-hour period.

When issues at the recreation ground the police and council will be looking to make those responsible put right what they have done, either through arrest, fines or litter collections.

One weekend saw two people ordered to litter pick on the recreation ground and clean police vehicles for disorderly behaviour.

Thank you for your continued support in keeping Stowmarket the safe place it is to live and work.

THE EYES HAVE IT

A routine eye examination can reveal more than just what you can see.  Eyesight is such a vital sense for us all.

Imagine what life would be like without it.  Everybody should take steps to have their eyes checked regularly, usually about every two years
An eye examination not only assesses how well you can see and whether improvements could be made with spectacles, contact lenses or even eye exercises, it also reveals how healthy your eyes are, as well as giving information about your general health.
When an optometrist looks into your eyes they will be able to see the blood vessels at the back of the eyes and changes to these may reflect changes elsewhere in the body, such as with diabetes or blood pressure.
Early detection of such problems not only preserves your eyesight but can help improve your quality of life.
Other tests can include measurements of eye pressure, how well the eyes work together, as well as separately, and assessment of the peripheral vision.
An eye test is certainly one that you can’t fail, so if you haven’t had your eyes examined recently perhaps now is a good time to look into getting them checked over.
If you wish to find out more or book an appointment please telephone us at F. G. Brown Opticians on 01449 612812.

Suffolk Parent Carer Network

LAUNCH OF NEW WEBSITE
CELEBRATING NATIONAL CARERS WEEK 2011 – 13th to 17th June
The Suffolk Parent Carer Network will be launching its new website at on June 15th in  Ipswich.

The network has been inviting professionals, parents and carers of children and young people with additional needs to come along and find out more.
There will be a short presentation followed by a chance to ‘surf’ the new site and talk to the network and enjoy a buffet lunch.

To find out more, or to book your place, please contact:, Kevin Filby on 01473 832971 Or email suffolkparentcarernetwork@hotmail.co.uk, www.spcn.org.uk

RAFT RACE SPCTACULAR

Needham Lake, Sunday 26th June 2011. Races start at 2pm.

A record number of teams have signed up to enter this year’s raft race which looks set to be a fantastic event for the whole family.

The theme is “Ten”, since appropriately it is the tenth raft race we have organised.

Who will win the Fancy Dress Competition?
Will they be dressed as Number 10 residents? Or perhaps Moses will appear with the Ten Commandments?

The Tracey Cadman Challenge Cup will be awarded to the fastest raft in the time trials which promises to produce a fast and furious final.

The whole family are guaranteed to have great fun spectating.

There will be a range of delicious food available as well as activities and stalls.

A demonstration will be given by East Anglian Working Newfoundland swimming rescue dogs.

would not be possible without the Needham Market’s annual raft race generous support of local councils and business sponsorship, for which the organisers are extremely grateful.

HARRY SCOOPS TOP JOURNO AWARD

Stowmarket High School student, Harry Hogg has picked up top prize in a prestigious national journalism competition for young people.

Harry, who is Year 9 at the school, wrote a news report about a mock criminal trial competition that fellow students took part in.

A team of budding lawyers, magistrates, witnesses and police officers in Year 9 competed against various schools in the Cambridgeshire region by staging the prosecution and defence of a criminal trial in the magistrates court.

Harry’s report of that case, written in the style of a true court reporter, was judged best by leading reporter Tom Whitehead of the Daily Telegraph from entries across the country.

Harry will attend Nottingham Magistrates’ Court in June (LATER THIS MONTH?) with his family to receive a shield, certificate and book token prize.

Jenny Turner, teacher at Stowmarket High who co-ordinated the team’s preparation for the competition, said: “It is a very special honour to know that Harry’s work was the best: it reflected all the great efforts that each team member contributed to the competition. We are very proud of his achievement.”
Claire Ferguson, Assistant Head teacher.

WHAT GROUP?
The aim of this group is the regeneration of the river that runs through Stowmarket on its way to join the Orwell River in Ipswich. Our area of operation is from the Pickerel Bridge to the edge of Town. Our monthly meetings try to keep the river clear of debris and the banks clear of litter.

We have an on-going programme of work and will be, over the next two months, hoping to clear the weed ‘Himalayan Balsam’ which is infesting the town end of the banks.

It has to be pulled up before it flowers in August to prevent its seeds spreading to new areas next year.
We are grateful to the small band of regulars and the new helpers who have increased the effectiveness of the clear-up days.

And we must not forget the invaluable support from the girls and boys and leaders and supporters of the Scout Groups from Combs Ford who help us and have a good time in the process.
Water, mud and laughter are a great combination while helping the environment at the same time.

May the 14th marked our first river walk starting in the town with a look at the riverside development Pickerel Court, where regeneration of the banks and paths has turned it into a very nice area.

It is hoped that all other riverside projects will be as well-designed.

From here we began the estimated five-mile walk to Needham Market along the old tow path.

We were given an insight into the local history of the river’s industrial and agricultural heritage by local experts John Pattle and Barry Salmon.

We were all amazed at the change in the rivers scenery once we reached Muntons.

They have done so much to keep the riverside pleasant whilst planting and general good housekeeping.

Here the rural river starts, which goes on to meander to Needham Market through some lovely countryside.
We reached our destination in two and a half hours and enjoyed refreshments at The Rampant Horse Inn.
It was a very enjoyable day and the next walk will begin in Needham Market and end at Claydon.

The final walk will be from Claydon to Ipswich next spring.

Look out for details

Travellers have illegally set up camp on the grass verge beside the B1113 at Badley between Needham Market and Stowmarket  garden centre.

Mike was planning to attend a case conference called by Suffolk police about the problem – and a similar camp at Palgrave, near Diss.

But before any action was needed  the travellers suddenly left the Badley site and  so the case conference was  suspended and  officials will now monitor the site.

Stowmarket area action plan – how it affects you.

The public’s views on an important part of the town;’s future are being sought with the publication of  an important action plan  just published.

Local people will get their chance to have their say until  22nd June.

The purpose of the Sustainability Appraisal   process is to look at  the social, environmental and economic Impact of the action plan.

This will help  ensure that decisions are made which contribute to achieving sustainable development.

A link can be found on the Mid Suffolk District Council website under the consultations heading on www.midsuffolk.gov.uk

Your views are welcome and comments can be emailed to sar.consultation@midsuffolk.gov.uk. The deadline for comments is 5.00pm on 22nd June 2011.

Mid Suffolk- Babergh proposed merger

The plan to merge Mid Suffolk and Babergh Councils as part of a move to save ratepayers money is likely to spark plenty of local debate and even controversy.

But Mid-Suffolk District council official Paul Banjo has warned that  there are no Boundary Commission  rules on the obligation for councils to react to local opinion polls.

However if the response rate is extremely low ,then it might raise questions as to whether  the poll was reasonably representative.

The result will be known on Tuesday 7th at June 2011, following the close of the poll at Noon, Monday 6th June 2011. (Result is unknown at time of going to print).
Mike Norris & Wendy Marchant, Mid Suffolk District Councillors, Joint Ward Members Needham Market & Badley

John Swincickyi

QUIZ
What are the meanings of these old Suffolk words?
1) LUMMOX
2) JIGGERED
3) RIGMAROLE
4) ALLEN
5) NOONINS

LAST ISSUES QUIZ ANSWERS:
1) Onehouse
2) Framlingham
3) Mendlesham
4) Pakenham
5) Bacton

Gary Rayner

This year’s Raft Race has the theme “Ten” as it will be the tenth Raft Race since we started to organise them in 2002 for the Jubilee celebrations.

It’s time to assemble a team and get a raft together.

Will your raft feature 10 green bottles, Ben 10 or even the X men?

The Tracey Cadman Challenge will be won by the fastest raft in the Time Trials and this year the final promises to be fast and exciting. The Fancy Dress Competition is always great fun. Why not use the Raft Race as a way of raising money for your favourite charity?

Entry forms are available from Julie Kett on 721430 or on our website www.raftrace.co.uk

The whole family will have great fun watching the races. There will be a range of delicious food available and activities and stalls to enjoy.

Local charities, clubs and voluntary groups are welcome to hold fund-raising stalls at the Raft Race for no charge. Please register your stall with Julie or Robin Kett on the number above.

There are a limited number of places for local businesses to have a stand or advertise at the Raft Race in return for a sponsorship fee. This is a free family event which is well-supported by the community of Needham Market and the surrounding area. For more information on sponsorship opportunities please call Jean Pittaway on 720189.

Needham Market’s annual Raft Race would not be possible without the generous support of local council grants and business sponsorship, for which we continue to be extremely grateful.

So, what’s Stowmarket Festival all about? It’s a great opportunity to bring entertainment to Stowmarket. It provides a festival with the widest possible appeal, therefore there are no real limits to the kind of events that the festival can feature. It’s not just an “arts festival”, it goes far beyond that with the 2011 festival featuring sports and even Roman History!

This year we’ll be holding a big launch party in the Town Centre on Friday 27th May between 4pm and 7pm to kick off the festival in style, with live music from the brilliant Zoom Club, The B Goodes, performances from the Samboomba Samba Band, the 60-strong choir Funky Voices and Stowmarket Concert Band, free percussion workshops for anyone wishing to take part, the Premier Sports speed gun test and much more.

Throughout the festival we seek to bring new events and activities to Stowmarket and then to repeat those that have proven popular with the public. The first Stowmarket Blues Festival on Saturday 28th May – named StowBlues. StowBlues will feature various blues acts from around the region and we’re delighted to have secured Mark Flanagan – from Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra – as one of the acts for this year. StowBlues will take place between 2pm and 10pm and will feature a CAMRA supported Real Ale Bar. Entry is free thanks to funding from the Local Strategic Partnership.

Other highlights of the festival include Comedy at The Regal featuring Hal Cruttenden (Jason Manford’s Comedy Rocks), a Roman Camp at Cedars Park, free percussion workshops on various days throughout the week, a skatepark event featuring professional skaters, an African Dance Workshop at the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts and a performance from the Canadian Salvation Army Staff Band. There are many more excellent events taking place, details of which can be found in the festival guide that will be circulated to all houses in and around Stowmarket. Details can also be found at www.stowmarketfestival.co.uk.

The festival will end with the free music festival StowFest on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June which this year will be held at Chilton Fields. We are grateful for the support offered by the Rugby Club in hosting StowFest. The Saturday will feature the Main Stage (jointly sponsored by Hudson Signs, PPG and Everyone Active at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre), the Amplitude Stage (featuring young bands from the Amplitude Project) and the RAMP Recordings vinyl only stage playing house, disco, dubstep, funky hiphop and garage. There will also be free percussion workshops, t-shirt printing and many commercial stalls and attractions. The Sunday will mark a laid back end to Stowmarket Festival with StowFest: The Acoustic Sessions. A number of top acoustic acts from around the region will be showcasing their talents in what will be a lively and thoroughly entertaining afternoon of acoustic music. For more information on StowFest please visit www.stowfest.co.uk.

To book outdoor stalls/car boots ring 01449 673648 and for indoor craft stalls ring

01449 771473. For all enquiries about the Dog show contact 01449 616594