RIVER GIPPING  The Environment Agency has been making investigations about the River Gipping and the flooding in Needham Market 2/3 May, 2012.  Comments they have made so far to residents have been about the effect of development higher upstream – but the Environment Agency is consulted about development;  and also suggesting the flood map may need redrawing.  However it is felt that as the Environment Agency has done no work on this stretch of river for sometime, that it needs to be desilted.  The River Gipping Trust, Needham Market Town Council, and Wendy as a District Council have written to the Environment Agency to express their concern about this.

Mid Suffolk District Councillors Mike Norris & Wendy Marchant – Joint Ward Members, Needham Market & Badley

SANDBAGS  Unfortunately all local authorities in Suffolk have decided not to supply them anymore.  Some authorities in Norfolk do.  The Environment Agency keep a supply of sandbags for emergency services like Power Stations, and local authorities are keeping a supply for their own buildings so that they are able to continue to function in an emergency.  The Pitt Review does not say that sand bags are of no use, but that they are of limited use.  The councils in Suffolk are suggesting that flood boards are slotted in door ways of houses threatened with flooding, instead of sandbags.  A firm called Flood Ark can supply these and the minimum price for a single door with just two boards is £671.88 including VAT, so for a small terrace house which needed both front and back door this would be a lot of money.  The council are trying to find less expenses sources, with perhaps bulk buying.    Sometimes sandbags are needed to prevent a street from flooding, and not just individual houses.  Wendy is concerned about this change in policy about sandbags.

Mid Suffolk District Councillors Mike Norris & Wendy Marchant – Joint Ward Members, Needham Market & Badley

FLOODING IN NEEDHAM MARKET.  There is to be a Public Community Flooding event at Needham Market Community Centre on Thursday 20th September, 2012, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. when it is hoped representatives from the Environment Agency (Rivers), Anglia Water (Tap Water and Sewerage), Suffolk County Council (Surface Water Drainage), East Suffolk Internal Drainage Board (Ditches), and Mid Suffolk District Council (Emergency Accommodation – and until recently the supply of sandbags), will be present to say a few words and answer questions from members of the public.

Mid Suffolk District Councillors Mike Norris & Wendy Marchant – Joint Ward Members, Needham Market & Badley

SUFFOLK ACRE AGM AT KESGRAVE Community Centre 18th July, 2012.  Wendy attended this.  This year’s conference focused on creating better communities with an emphasis on local food, housing and local services.  It was aiming to build on last year’s localism theme.

Mid Suffolk District Councillors Mike Norris & Wendy Marchant – Joint Ward Members, Needham Market & Badley

GREEN FORUM Wendy attended this, and among the things discussed was reduction in electricity use in Mid Suffolk’s sheltered accommodation by installing LED lighting in St. Peter’s Court and Cherryfields;  using photovoltaic panels where the roof is orientated in the right direction on sheltered accommodation; (trial photovoltaic panels on the Caretaker’s bungalow is proving successful);  Safer Driver Training reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions; efforts to reduce the mileage between Babergh and Mid Suffolk offices at Needham Market & Hadleigh.

Mid Suffolk District Councillors Mike Norris & Wendy Marchant – Joint Ward Members, Needham Market & Badley

WHAT DO YOU THINK?   Mike & Wendy attended a Councillors’ Briefing about the ‘Community Engagement’ project.  Each councillor is paired with an officer, and over the coming weeks hope to go out and meet different groups in the community.  The council has to make 10 – 15% savings in the next 7 years, due to the cuts in government grant, so it will have to do things different.  We have all been given a ‘Ward Profile’ – we did also have this some weeks ago, and we mentioned it, and one of the Town Councillors asked to borrow it.  Needham Market has the second highest elderly population, percentage wise, in Mid Suffolk, also Needham Market has one of the highest benefit claimant rates in Mid Suffolk, but this might be due to Housing Benefit claimant rates, rather than unemployment claimant rates – this is being checked out.

Mid Suffolk District Councillors Mike Norris & Wendy Marchant – Joint Ward Members, Needham Market & Badley

Stowmarket has a thriving Bridge Club which meets twice a week at St Mary’s Church Hall, Windermere Road. In January several experienced bridge players from the club attended a Bridge Teacher Training course run by the national body for bridge. The club is now very keen to open up the exciting game of bridge to new members. If you are interested in learning this wonderful game please call the secretary, Maurice Last on 01449 616625, for further information.

Social Dance night

Every Monday
Ballroom, Latin and popular sequence, Stowupland Village Hall, 7:30 To 10:00pm, Tea & Coffee provided, £2:50 per person For more information, Contact 01449 672601 www.fourfeet1beat.com

Every Wednesday Open Drum Group

Djembes, samba drums, bells and shakers, Henley Community Centre, Ipswich 7.30pm – 9.30pm. £5 or £3 concs. Drums available to borrow, beginners wel- come, Eddie 07948 359405

Every Thursday Ipswich Country Market

Rushmere Village Hall, Humber Doucy Lane, 10.15am to 11:30am, Local Food, Handmade Crafts Open to all, Free Entry

Tudor Times in Haughley

Bacton & Cotton Local History Society Tuesday, 17th May, 7.30 Bacton Village Hall. Members £ 2 Non-members £3 The Tudor life and times of the Sulyard family, Lords of the Manor of Haughley, a major town of the times

Ruby & Her Horses

Coming to St Mary’s Church, Bacton on Friday 20th May 2011, 7.00pm for 7.30pm start –Tickets £6 from Rose Graham Tel 01449 780201

Soul Night

20th May, Football club, 7.30 -1.00

Open Morning

Our Lady¹s Pre-School, in Stricklands Road in Stowmarket is having an Open Morning on Saturday 21 May. There will be our ever popular cake stall, a photographer doing family or individual portraits and the opportunity to find out lots more about our friendly Pre-School from staff, the children and parents.

Cotton Art Show

St Andrews Church, Cotton May 29th & 30th 10.00 to 17.00 Entry £ 2 which covers other Village Weekend events Preview Evening May 28th, 19..30. Tickets £ 7 from 01449 781047 or 766230 Featuring – Douglas Patterson, artist and architect, also Artist in Residence, Roy Rodgers

Comedy stage hypnotist show

Monday May 30th, A top comedy stage hypnotist show with Adam Knight. Call 01449 612954 At The Cedars Hotel, Needham Road, Stowmarket, IP14 2AJ Start time 7.30pm

AN EVENING OF CLAIRVOYANCE WITH STEPHANIE CARR.

ON THURSDAY 2ND JUNE.7.30PM.AT STOWMARKET RUGBY CLUB.TICKETS ARE £8 AVAILABLE BY CALLING 07936553280, OR EMAILING FRANCESCADOWNES@GOOGLEMAIL.COM. IN AID OF KIRTON WARD AT IPSWICH HOSPITAL. IN MEMORY OF MY DAD WHO PASSED AWAY RECENTLY.

Stowmarket Carnival procession

16th July – Vehicles needed, groups needed, join the procession. email carnival@stowmarketflyer.co.uk

Stowmarket Carnival Soul Night

15th, 16th &17th July.

Other News

Press release – The Brewers Arms in Rattlesden Re-opens

The refurbished Brewers Arms in Rattlesden reopened at Easter to a warm welcome from local residents. The Scalco family – Rino, an experienced, high quality chef, who creates mouth-watering dishes, cooked on the premises, using fresh, seasonal produce, and Rebekkah, a publican who has managed a range of popular venues, with an increasing emphasis on the provision of excellent food and who, incidentally grew up locally and went to school in Stowmarket – have created a delightful new restaurant and bar, where everybody is welcome. The Brewers Arms is open from 11am to 11pm six days a week (closed on Mondays). As well as good food, wines and ales, Bek and Rino serve wonderful Italian coffee, so do pop in for a drink or a meal (food served 12-3 and 6-9) – and say “hello” to Bek, Rino and their new young team. The Brewers Arms, Lower Road, Rattlesden, Suffolk, IP30 0RJ – telephone 01449 736377 for bookings.

Art in the Heart of Suffolk

Stowmarket Art Club are holding their Annual Exhibition a week earlier this year. Normally running for the Bank Holiday week at the end of May, this year it will run from Tuesday 24th May until Saturday 28th May, 10am until 4pm An exhibition of over 200 paintings by local artists and free admission, this years show looks to be maintaining the very high standards we have come to expect from members. We have also a mockup of an artist’s studio to give an idea of how the Masters like Constable and Gainsborough might have worked. On Friday the 27th May we will stay open until 7pm for the launch of the Stowmarket Festival. Please come and give us a look, we are sure you will not be disappointed.