Candidate information for Thredling

This division will elect 1 councillor(s). For further information visit Suffolk County Council.

Candidate Name	Party Name	Votes	% votes
Alcock, Eddy	Conservative	2068	62.80
Edwards, Lorraine Victoria Carrick	Liberal Democrat	1008	30.61
Higgins, James Patrick	Labour	217	6.59

08/06/2009

Blacksmith’s Field - Your Help Is Needed!

There has recently been some discussion about the best way to maintain this valuable amenity in the village, which provides a large community open space, sports and play areas, a pond and areas left fairly untouched to encourage wildlife.

Historically the field was set up largely by volunteer efforts, and I would like to ask if some new volunteers would come forward to help with some of the work that does need to be done. Mid Suffolk District Council has a contract to mow the playing field area, and that will continue.

Professional help is to be sought over the pond, which would benefit from some clearance, but it seems to me that a working party of volunteers could improve the rougher areas of grassland which are becoming choked with ragwort, spear thistle, dock and other weeds which are discouraging other wild flowers. I certainly do not think that the field should be so neat and tidy as to resemble an urban park, but I do think some work is necessary.

I am prepared to try to co-ordinate this and to offer to spend some time mowing part of the more overgrown area, whether with a tractor mounted mower or a ride-on, but I do need help to do this. Please could I appeal to some of the people who enjoy and care about the field to offer to help me. Perhaps we could meet one evening a week, or on occasional Sunday mornings, bringing tools such as heavy duty ride-ons, strimmers, rakes etc plus supplies of coffee and biscuits and turn some spare time into useful and productive exercise, at the same time contributing to the sustainable communities initiative.

If anyone is prepared to help please let me have:-

Name / Contact number

Preferred dates and times

Availability of any equipment you are able to bring, to use yourself if
possible.

Kathryn MartinLittle College Farm, Creeting Hills,
Creeting St Mary
Tel 01449 720491

16/05/2009

Honey Supplies Running Low!

THE effect of Suffolk's declining bee population last year can today be seen in the county's farm shops with a lack of local honey supplies.

Normally the supply of local honey given to shops in August can sustain them until the fresh produce arrives around June, but because so many bees have been wiped out over the last two summers, there is a distinct lack of honey around.

Factors for the high increase in bee deaths include the extended cold winter last year, mites on bees and various pesticides.

Shops all over the county, including The Suffolk Food Hall in Wherstead and Alder Carr Farm in Creeting St Mary, have run out of honey and are hanging on until the next delivery this Summer.

Robert Paul, a director at Suffolk Food Hall, said: “There is just a lack of local honey because of the mites on bees last year. One of our honey suppliers has hives all over the county and they were all affected. It is a global issue.

“People have been asking for honey and disappointed that they cannot get it. Some people with hay fever like to use it for a natural remedy. We haven't got enough stock to meet the demand.”

As the farm shop has run out of the popular runny honey, people have been switching to set honey, meaning a sales increase of 160 per cent on last year. It is due the next delivery of runny honey in July.

Joan Hardingham, owner of Alder Carr Farm in Creeting St Mary who is also a beekeeper, said: “We only sell the honey from one local beekeeper. He has managed to supply us no problem for year after year but now we have just run out.

“I used to have three hives and have lost two hives. Whether beekeepers manage to get their hives back up to good stocks remains to be seen.” Despite the current shortage, the farm stressed that it will get honey this summer.

However the Suffolk Beekeepers' Association is optimistic about the season ahead.

Laurie Wiseman from the association said: “It doesn't appear there will be losses this year like in the past. It is too early to tell yet. “Hopefully it will be back to normal this year.”

The dramatic decline in honeybee populations in the UK means that 80 per cent of honey is imported. Last year the survey by the British Beekeepers' Association revealed that nearly one in three of the UK's 240,000 honeybee hives did not survive the Winter and Spring.

NAOMI CASSIDY - Evening Star Newspaper

Last updated: 16/05/2009 06:00:00

09/02/2009

Hosts sought for Food ‘n’ Friends Club in Creeting

Age Concern Suffolk is in the process of introducing a new concept – Food ‘n’ Friends Clubs – around the county and these are aimed at older people who may find big gatherings a little bit intimidating. Food ‘n’ Friends Clubs may well appeal to older people who live alone and rarely get out of the house.

So how does it work? Age Concern Suffolk’s Food & Friends Officer Gavin Hodge explains that each club is effectively a miniature lunch club or coffee morning for between four and eight older people. Ideally a club would be held in a host’s private home at least once a month.

Each club is run by its host accompanied by at least one local volunteer and refreshments are provided on a non-profit-making basis. The guests pay a small sum to the host to cover the cost of food and drink provided. If more than one host could be found in Creeting St Mary then a club could meet at different homes on a rota basis, and the role of hosting could be shared around.

Clubs could also be held in a church hall or other small public building if it is more convenient, but the cost of hiring the building would need to be built into the charge for guests, which might make it too expensive.

There is quite a bit of flexibility in how a club is run. The host could provide just coffee and biscuits if that suits people best, or soup and a sandwich, or a light three-course lunch at a cost of around £3.50 per head. It is up to the host what type of refreshments would be offered as the host effectively takes ownership of the club under Age Concern Suffolk’s umbrella. Once a host has registered their Food ‘n’ Friends Club, Age Concern automatically provides Public Liability insurance, plus advice and support, and suitable recipes if required.

Age Concern Suffolk sees Food ‘n’ Friends Clubs as a way of enabling older people to socialise regularly, and a club can also act as a conduit for information on Age Concern services and other services provided to older people locally.

A potential host may well know older people they would like to invite to their club, and Age Concern Suffolk can help find other potential guests if required. Gavin Hodge would be very happy to visit a potential host to talk through what is involved in setting up a Food ‘n’ Friends Club.

For further information about Food ‘n’ Friends Clubs please contact

Gavin Hodge at Age Concern Suffolk (normally on a Thursday or Friday).

Telephone 01473 298686 or email to gavin.hodge@ageconcernsuffolk.org.uk.

03/02/2009

SNOW ALERT - MONDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2009 - CREETING ST MARY SCHOOL CLOSED

THICK snow and treacherous driving conditions forced a number of schools in Suffolk to close today.

Headteachers around the county had to decide first thing this morning whether or not to open their buildings.

Several other schools closed their doors at lunchtime as the weather deteriorated during the day.

Creeting St Mary Primary School is one of these.

Last updated: 02/02/2009 14:43:00 Evening Star

15/01/2009

CSM Parish Clerk Position Available - CLOSING DATE 12th February 2009

A vacancy will become available in April 2009 for a Parish Clerk.

4 hours per week.

Salary scale LC1 points 16 to 18 (pro rata)

Creeting St Mary has a population of approximately 590 electors and an annual precept of £7,020.

The successful applicant will have proven management, communication and administrative skills. Experience of Committee work is desirable as are good IT skills.

The Clerk is responsible for the managing of the day-to-day business of the Council, providing advice to the Council and implementing Council decisions. Evening attendance at Council and planning meetings will be required.

The successful applicant, if not already qualified ,will be expected to study for the Certificate in Local Administration (CILCA).

Futher details and an application form may be obtained from Mrs Elsie Rivers (Clerk to the Parish Council), 1 All Saints Road, Creeting St Mary, Ipswich, IP6 8NF. Telephone 01449 720932.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS – THURSDAY 12^TH FEBRUARY 2009.

15/01/2009

New 'Promoting Independence Scheme' for the Over 60's

Re: Promoting Independence

I am an Advisor working on a pilot project called Promoting Independence, which is a free service to anyone aged 60 or over, living in non supported accommodation (ie not sheltered housing), in four areas of Suffolk, of which Mid Suffolk is one. The service is to enable people to have a better quality of life by helping them live more independently in their own home and I carry out home visits to establish just what support is required.

The pilot was originally funded by Supporting People in Suffolk until January, but we have recently heard that it has been extended by two months – until the 6 March 2009. In this connection, I want to try to get this information out to the residents of Mid Suffolk, as the take up has been fairly poor in this area and I want to ensure that as many residents as possible have the opportunity to make use of this free service during the pilot period.

The February edition of most parish magazines and newsletters will be a little late to publicise the extension to the pilot, so I was hoping that if you are involved in any meetings or forums in the village, or can post something onto the village website, this might be one way of getting the message across. The following is suggested editorial about the project, if you are able to post something on a website.

MANY thanks in anticipation for your help and assistance, and kind regards,

Jackie Smith

Promoting Independence Advisor

Age Concern Suffolk

07841 460376

jsmith@ageconcernsuffolk.org.uk

30/12/2008

A140 Speed Camera Torched

Vigilantes succeeded in torching a speed camera in Suffolk, UK on Tuesday. The device, located on the A140 near Coddenham, was set on fire with a gasoline-soaked tire. The fire burned for at least half-an-hour before fire crews arrived to put out the flames.

Earlier in the year a similar attack was carried out at the speed camera, located on the A140 at Stonham.

If you know anything about this attack please contact Suffolk Police.

04/12/2008

Creeting St Peter - November Update

Summer Fete

The end of the summer months (if you can call them that!!) were marked by Creeting St Peter at their Fun Day, on the Village Playing field.

This year saw the first joint event, organised and hosted by both the Parochial Church Council, and the Community Council.

The weather was extremely kind to us, and in fact the unusually high temperatures on the day saw Ice creams and Ice cold beers flying off the shelf!! From plate smashing to pony rides, death-defying leaps down the bouncy slide, and indulgence in cakes and hot BBQ burgers, a great time was had by all. The children enjoyed sitting in the Fire Engine and Police car, playing with the flashing lights and sirens (perhaps a bit too much, leaving our local policeman with a flat battery!!)

A great turnout on the day, and unrivalled support from everyone in the community helped us to raise over £500, which will be put towards both playground improvements, and Church activities.

Creeting St Peter Christmas Party

We are organizing a small Christmas party for all the children in the village, to be held at the Church Hall in Creeting St Peter on Saturday 13th December, from 3pm. Watch out for a separate flyer about this, with details of who to contact to book your place at the party… It’s also a great opportunity for parents to meet one another, and ‘discover’ all of the other young children and parents in various parts of the village that you may not even know!! (You’ll be surprised at just how many young children and toddlers there are in our small village!)

Playground re-generation

Creeting St Peter Community Council is currently undertaking the task of renewing and improving the play equipment on the Village Playing field, which is starting to show signs of old age (aren’t we all!).

This will be a longer term project, and will involve various aspects of fund raising and grant applications. Hopefully you will have had a chance at the Village Fun Day to see the initial outline plans for the new play equipment, but don’t worry if you didn’t – as we progress the project further, you will get the opportunity to see and comment on the improvements.

We hope that we can secure enough funding to be able to carry out the entire project, but it will be split into phases, so you may see progress at the site ‘bit by bit’. We will of course keep you up to date with any news on this project as it happens.

25/11/2008

Christmas concert tickets on sale!

25 November 2008 | 17:30 | Evening Star Newspaper

TICKETS are on sale for seven special fundraising Christmas concerts which will feature children from more than 30 schools (including Creeting St Mary).

The performances at Felixstowe's Spa Pavilion are the culmination of the One Christmas project, which is aiming to raise £30,000 for Christian relief and development charity Tearfund to help children in the poorest countries.

For the seven nights from December 7 to 13, children from the various schools in the project will perform on stage - singing songs they have recorded for a CD and DVD.

The evenings will each feature 200 children, plus full live band, singers, dancers and actors and many video inserts.

Project spokesman Andrew Thomas said everything had gone well and final preparations were now taking place for the concerts.

“The CD has been mixed and sent off for duplicating, and editing of the DVD has now been taking place,” he said.

“The CD comes out on November 29 and will be officially launched as part of the Lions Felixstowe Christmas lighting ceremony on The Triangle, and the DVD comes out on December 7.”

The main aims of the project, organised by a team of Christians from churches in the Felixstowe, Woodbridge and Ipswich, are to provide a creative focus for schools leading up to Christmas, raise awareness of poverty and injustice, and raise money for charity.

Tickets for the shows, which start at 7pm, are £6 and concessions £3, available from the Spa box office 01394 282126.

The 20-track CD of seasonal songs old and new and the DVDs are both £10 and will be available from Woolworths and the Co-op in Felixstowe; Black Tiles Post Office Stores at Martlesham; Co-op at Sidegate Lane/Colchester Rd, Music World, Queen Street, CYM centre, Great Colman Street, Ipswich; Debenham Co-op; Framlingham Co-op; Toymaster, Church Street, and Chocolate Shop, The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge; and many of the schools.

SHOW FILE: See the show . . . schools taking part at the Spa will be:

Sunday December 7: Sir Robert Hitchams, Debenham; Sir Robert Hitchams, Framlingham; Earl Soham Primary; Stonham Aspal Primary.

Monday December 8: Wetheringsett Primary; Helmingham Primary; Occold Primary; St Joseph's, Ipswich; Rushmere Hall Primary; St Mary's Primary, Woodbridge.

Tuesday December 9: Cedarwood Primary, Kesgrave; St Mary's Primary, Ipswich; St Matthews Primary, Ipswich; St John's Primary, Ipswich.

Wednesday December 10: Henley Primary; Bucklesham Primary; Sidegate Lane Primary, Ipswich; St Margaret's Primary, Ipswich; Witnesham Primary; Otley Primary.

Thursday December 11: Woodbridge Primary; Creeting St Mary Primary; Eyke Primary; Kyson Primary, Woodbridge; Rendlesham Primary.

Friday December 12: Grange Primary, Felixstowe; Trimley St Mary Primary; Causton Junior, Felixstowe; Langer Primary, Felixstowe; Melton Primary; Sandlings Primary, Woodbridge.

Saturday December 13: Colneis Junior, Felixstowe; Kingsfleet Primary, Felixstowe; Trimley St Martin Primary; Amberfield.

December 11 will include a guest performance by Maidstone Rd Infants and December 13 by Fairfield Infants, both Felixstowe.

05/11/2008

Job Losses At Civil Engineering Group

05 November 2008 | 10:47 | Evening Star

SUFFOLK-based civil engineering group J Breheny Contractors is to make around 10 people redundant following a downturn in work from housebuilders.

Breheny, which is based at Creeting St Mary, near Needham Market, and also has operations in Cambridgeshire, Kent and Lincolnshire, carries out a wide range of civil engineering work from road building and coastal defences to groundworks and infrastructure for residential and commercial developers.

John Breheny, who took up the widened role of chairman and chief executive last month, following the retirement of group managing director Bill Mansfield, said: “We have been affected by housebuilders cutting back on work be we are still picking up work elsewhere.

“There has been a slight decrease in turnover and so we are having to make a few redundant, in both the office and on-site.”

Mr Breheny added that, although the job losses were regretted, they should be seen in context, with the group having a total workforce of around 350.

Housebuilders across the country have been cutting back on activity as a result of falling house prices and the shortage of mortgage funding amid the credit crunch.

05/11/2008

New Creeting Road Takes Shape

04 November 2008 | 16:30 | Evening Star Newspaper

WORK is well underway on a £15 million transformation of Stowmarket's road network to help ease congestion for thousands of motorists.

Archaeologists are also on site as construction has started on the town's long-awaited B1115 relief road, which will solve the long delays as drivers wait at the intercity train line level crossing.

The project includes building 550m of highway across the River Gipping and the railway and a second stretch to link Prentice Road to Gipping Way. Two bridges will span the water and a third will cross the Norwich to London main line.

A new station car park to the east of the railway line will create additional parking spaces, to replace those lost during construction.

David Harrison, project manager for Birse Civils who are undertaking the work for Suffolk County Council, said: “At the moment we are constructing the new station car park because a new bridge will take part of the existing car park.

“We are aiming to enhance the number of parking spaces and there is both excavation and paving work going on.

“We are also underway constructing the embankment between Creeting Road and the railway bridge. By January the most obvious change will be the construction of the new bridge over the River Gipping, which will be clearly visible, and the building of a new railway bridge.

“The idea is to transform the road network locally and help the growth and regeneration of the town. The current projected opening date is early 2010.”

Tim Passmore, leader of Mid Suffolk Council, said: “We are very pleased that work is well underway and look forward to it bring completed as soon as possible.

“For many years, since I been a boy, the level crossing has been an issue, and is shut for too long at a time. This can put people off visiting the town.

“Congestion at the level crossing can leave people waiting for ten minutes in long queues of traffic and there is all the pollution from the vehicles. This is a blight. Anything to make access to the community, the shops and the town's facilities is very welcome.

“In these economic times anything that can be done to help retailers and tourist attractions like the Museum of East Anglian Life, can only benefit the whole area. This relief road will be a great improvement. This will benefit the environment and commercial retailers and help some residents' blood pressure. This is very beneficial.”

29/10/2008

SUFFOLK POLICE ALERT - Burglary in Creeting St Mary

Burglary on the evening of Saturday 25th October. The incident took place on Coddenham Road in Creeting St Mary. 2 black and white off road motorbikes were stolen from a barn. If you have any information please call 01284 77400 re: ST/08/3395

11/10/2008

Concrete factory expansion moves nearer

A CONCRETE factory is set to expand its operation despite the move dividing a mid Suffolk community.

Poundfield Products applied to Mid Suffolk District Council for permission to expand the area used for their industrial business at Creeting St Peter near Needham Market.

The company wants to create a new store for concrete products at Mill Lane and says it is not seeking to expand its manufacturing area.

It has now emerged that councillors, meeting at their Needham Market chambers, voted to grant consent for the development.

Tim Passmore, leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “I am very pleased that in this difficult economic climate someone is willing to invest in this area.

“Long term jobs are something we need within mid Suffolk, and I am glad we have supported this firm. People keep worrying about travel to work and if there is local work for local people that has to be good.

“This is manufacturing and that section has declined a lot in recent years and this helps redress the balance, plus it uses an existing site, this is a development on land already used for an industrial operation. This is a boost for our economy.

“We recognise that people have concerns, and I know the owners want to minimise disruption to local people.”

Residents were divided on the plans, with some believing the move will help maintain jobs locally for a firm which makes worthwhile products, and is a good neighbour.

But other villagers fear the plans will become a blot on the landscape, there will be potential noise nuisance, light, dust and air pollution. They also believe there is an inadequate infrastructure locally, it is not an agricultural concern, the scale is inappropriate to farm diversification and a more suitable site should be found.

Andrew Stringer, a Green district councillor, said: “There is an awful lot of heavy traffic generated by this business, and I am very concerned how rapidly this firm is expanding.

“This is very heavy industry and is it located in the best place? The road network is not well served in this area.”

A spokesman for Poundfield Ltd said the business has grown from nothing to a £6m turnover with 70 employees, is not controversial, and conducts its affairs with integrity with a customer list ranging from farmers to ports, the British Airports Authority to the Ministry of Defence.

03/10/2008

Village split over concrete factory

03 October 2008 | 11:14 | Evening Star Newspaper

VILLAGERS are divided over a bid to expand a concrete factory within their community amid fears of extra noise and pollution.

Poundfield Products have applied to Mid Suffolk District Council for permission to expand the area used for their industrial business at Creeting St Peter near Needham Market.

The firm wants to create a new store for concrete products at Mill Lane and says it is not seeking to expand its manufacturing area.

Creeting St Peter and Creeting St Mary parish councils have conditionally supported the application, but parish councillors want restrictions on the height of products stored there to 4.5 metres, lighting to be controlled on site, and landscaping added.

Residents are divided however, with some believing the move will help maintain jobs locally for a firm which makes worthwhile products, and is a good neighbour.

But other villagers fear the plans will become a blot on the landscape, there will be potential noise nuisance, light, dust and air pollution.

They also believe there is an inadequate infrastructure locally, it is not an agricultural concern, the scale is inappropriate to farm diversification and a more suitable site should be found.

George Franks, a director with Poundfield Ltd, said the business has grown from scratch to a £6m turnover with 70 employees, and is not controversial.

He said: “At every stage we have conducted our affairs with probity, we now have a customer list ranging from farmers to ports, to the British Airports Authority to the Ministry of Defence (MOD). You do not supply the MOD unless you are an approved business in every way.

“We are still in a critical position regarding storage space at Creeting. The storage area for which we are seeking permission is approximately the same size as the area set aside for production. In most precast concrete operations, the storage area is up to five times the manufacturing area.

Peter Goodyear, senior planning officer, is recommending that full planning permission be granted subject to a string of conditions limiting the hours staff can work on site, landscaping and controlling dust.

Mid Suffolk district councillors will discuss the application during their planning meeting on Wednesday, from 9.30am at their Needham Market chambers.

Are you concerned by the application? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

ALSO DISCUSS THIS ON THE CREETING ST MARY FORUM - CLICK THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE.

04/08/2008

Alder Tree Ltd wins Great Taste Award

Alder Tree from Alder Carr Farm, Creeting St Mary is celebrating after winning a prestigious Great Taste Award. Alder Tree has been presented with a much-desired three star Gold Great Taste Award for its Gooseberry & Elderflower fruit cream ice and it will be revealed at the awards dinner in September whether it has gone on to be judged a regional or national champion.

The Great Taste Awards, which is organised by the Guild of Fine Food and often referred to as the Oscars of the food industry, is this year celebrating its 15^th anniversary. A Great Taste Award is the authoritative, independent standard for Britain’s fine food sector: more and more consumers recognise the gold & black logo as the benchmark for independently proven fine food. However, winning a coveted Great Taste Award is much more than recognition for excellence; it is one of the most powerful tools to help grow business in the speciality food sector.

The awards generate huge business for those who achieve the gold standard. In just three weeks last September, the excitement created by the 2007 results increased sales to the tune of £640,000 in 524 Guild members’ stores. Over the past five years, they have generated over £2.6 million additional sales and 19,900 new listings. Last year’s Supreme Champion winner was a free-range pork pie from Walter Smith’s butchers in Birmingham. Before Walter Smith’s won the Supreme Champion award, pork pies made up less than 1% of their sales but they now represent over 10% and their pies are now sold through Selfridges.

The Great Taste Awards judging standards, devised by the Guild of Fine Food, are the most rigorous in the UK. Every entry is blind tasted by teams of experts. By the time it earns gold, it will have been assessed by at least three different teams. All the judges’ comments are made available to producers. If no gold is awarded, they need to know how and why. This year’s judges include Alex James, farmer, journalist and bass player with Blur, Mark Hix, the chef’s chef, Charles Campion from Evening Standard & The Independent, Tom Parker-Bowles of UKTV Food’s Market Kitchen and national food journalist Fiona Sims.

Bob Farrand of the Guild of Fine Food, said: “These awards have been running for 15 years now and are a recognised mark of excellence that consumers can trust and rely on.

“The winning products have been through a thorough judging process and we are able to assure consumers that the Great Taste Award logo, which all award winners can use, signifies genuine, proven fine food. It’s not just a supermarket premium marketing slogan that bears almost no relation to the quality of the food in the packet.

“The Great Taste Awards reflect what is happening in the fine food halls, delicatessens and farm shops throughout the UK and during judging we tasted some fantastic gourmet delicacies from all over the world.”

Alder Tree Ltd, based at Alder Carr Farm makes a range of traditional English fruit flavour ices on their family farm in Suffolk using their own and local fruit, fresh East Anglian cream and British sugar. Available at independent shops across East Anglia and the UK, including farm shops and delicatessens and their most prestigious customer Harrods, a full list of stockists can be found on their website at www.alder-tree.co.uk

Stephany Hardingham, managing director of Alder Tree, said: “We are delighted with this award and it confirms what our customers have known for years, that it is a superb product, making it our number one seller year in year out. Like all of our ices it contains over 1/3 fruit making it fruitier than an ice cream and creamier than a sorbet. With the addition of handmade Elderflower cordial from trees growing wild on the farm it is light, summery and refreshing. Perfect for a summers day”

Food critic Charles Campion comments “This competition has really come of age, and year by year the standard of entries gets higher and higher. To win a gold at the Great Taste Awards is a terrific achievement.”

15/07/2008

Missing cat on All Saints Road, CSM - Have you seen it?

Any Information on the whereabouts of ‘Simba’ my Bengal snow leopard cat. Cream with chocolate markings, beautiful blue eyes and last seen wearing a red collar with bell.

Simba is a large cat with a wanderlust nature, a real ‘free spirit’. He has many friends and acquaintances along All Saints RoadCSM. The last sighting of him was at the end of April can you beat that? Have you seen him or heard him (a voice hard to ignore). He is micro chipped. Any information would be gratefully received as he has a habit of getting into cars and vans and may be further away than the village.

Please call or text Tina Jopling on 07881 610984 or email on tinajopling@hotmail.com

08/06/2008

STOWMARKET MULTI-MODAL DISTIBUTION PARK PLANS RESUBMITTED

URGENT ACTION REQUIRED NOW TO STOP THE STOWMARKET MULTI MODAL DISTRIBUTION PARK

Do you want a huge extension to the Felixstowe Dock operation on your doorstep with all the noise, pollution and orange skies as thousands of containers are rentlessly loaded onto HGV's, for onward tranmission by road. If you think the A14 is busy "you ain't seen nothing yet!!"

The original proposal was to use 120 acres of open farmland, enough for more than 20 full size football pitches with the proposed site large enought to house 17 Tesco stores all converging at the A14 Tesco roundabout.

Click on the Yellow Image for Further Information.

TO VIEW ALL THE PROPOSAL DOCUMENTATION VISIT:

http://planning.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/acolnetcgi.gov?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeNeighbours&TheSystemkey=36852

04/06/2008

Alder Carr Farm Features in The Times!

To read the full article click here...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article3939951.ece

31/05/2008

Snoasis Decision Reached

The Secretary of State has reached a decision regarding the three outline planning applications associated with the Snoasis development at Great Blakenham. In summary, these are: ‘Yes’ for the Housing development, ‘Yes’ to the Railway Station. ‘Yes’ for the Snoasis complex, but with further conditions concerning environmental and ecological requirements. Read the full letter from the Department for Communities and Local Government (PDF, 156Kb - opens in a new window).

14/05/2008

Play Your Part by watching out for bogus callers

With the warmer weather encouraging doorstep callers onto our streets, residents are being warned to watch out for bogus deals or offers to check services.

Statistics show that spring and summer is when unscrupulous traders or thieves posing as officials tend to target unsuspecting householders, some of whom will be elderly or frail.

Suffolk County Council Trading Standards officers are working with Suffolk police, Neighbourhood Watch, Anglian Water and others across the county to protect people from becoming victims of bogus callers.

You can play your part by keeping watch and reporting any concerns by calling Consumer Direct on 0845404050, or contacting your area Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01473 613 500, or visit www.suffolk.police.uk

Remember Lock Stop Chain Check (the four steps to safety)

LOCK - make sure your back door is locked before you go to the front door
STOP – think ‘Are you expecting anyone?’
CHAIN – secure the door chain before opening it
CHECK – ask for and double-check the caller’s identity. If you are in any doubt, don’t let them in

Tips for dealing with bogus traders

· Don’t agree to any work at your doorstep, or let the job start before you have a chance to change your mind

· Does the work really need doing? If so, shop around and get some quotes and personal recommendations before going ahead.

A good trader/builder is always in demand, does not need to chase work by knocking on doors and will give you time to consider the estimated price.
You have a right to cancel any contract signed on the doorstep within seven days. You must be given a cancellation notice with any work. If you are not, the contract is void and no one can force you to pay.

Did You Know?

About half of all bogus callers claim to be from utility companies such as ‘the water board’. Householders can check their identification card is genuine by calling Anglian Water on Freephone 0800 145 145 (24 hours).

09/05/2008

Opinions sought over flight paths

Residents, parish and town councils have until 15 May to give their views on flight paths over Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

Suffolk Coastal District Council wants peoples' views to help it provide a response to a consultation by the National Air Traffic Service (NATS).

NATS is looking to alter the way planes are directed to fly in eastern England.

Andrew Nunn, cabinet member for the environment, said the plans had nothing to do with airport expansion proposals.

"This consultation by NATS is strictly about the way flights are managed in our region," he said.

"The proposals would see a change in the way that the airspace is controlled over Suffolk, Cambridge and Essex.

"I would recommend that people have a look at the detailed proposals on www.consultation.nats.co.uk and then let us know their views."

Monday, 5 May 2008 18:19
www.bbc.co.uk

If you wish to watch a short video presentation on the proposed changes in flight plans affecting Suffolk, North East Essex and Cambridgeshire click here:
http://www.consultation.nats.co.uk/video/48/video_cambridgeshire_suffolk_and_north_east_essex_region.html

09/05/2008

Suffolk lays lorry park plans

Councils in Suffolk have woken up to the fact that drivers in the county need overnight parking. But plans for some lorry parks are still getting the thumbs down. CM investigates. Plans to build lorry parks that provide drivers with safe, secure overnight facilities in Suffolk are being bogged down by concerns over their commercial viability because of their (small) size. Despite being the location of the largest deep sea container terminal in the UK, with major plans to expand its operations over the next few years, lorry drivers in Suffolk are no better off than in much of the rest of the UK. They are faced with a desperate lack of parking facilities available.

However, documents released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal Mid-Suffolk District Council (MSDC) and Suffolk County Council (SCC) are now engaged in attempts to reverse this situation, "in the absence of a government policy to provide or encourage the development of new sites", as SCC claimed in one letter to MSDC in January. Ambitious proposals include the building of truck parks every 20 to 30 miles alongside the trunk road network. But what has also emerged is that local authorities are reluctant to give the green light to plans by developers unless they offer at least 250 spaces, because truckstop operator Nightowl claims this is the minimum needed to make the business financially viable.

This decision has left SCC and MSDC struggling to balance the needs of the road freight industry with developers' attempts at providing essential lorry parking facilities - albeit on a limited scale. This situation is compounded by the government's refusal to subsidise truckstops. In the meantime, drivers are forced to seek out spaces at fewer lorry parks and hoping not to break drivers' hours rules. A knock-on effect is that hundreds of Suffolk residents have complained to the council since 2005 about trucks parking overnight on industrial estates and in lay-bys.

A countywide parking survey in 2007 showed that there was a demand for almost 650 parking spaces in Suffolk, with 500 of these along the A14. SCC said it had a need for 172 spaces and Mid-Suffolk believed it required an extra 95 HGV parking spaces. But these figures are now being drastically altered due to the local authorities' concerns over financial viability, as well as an expected 75% increase in movement of goods vehicles by 2021 due to regeneration in south Felixstowe. SCC and MSDC deny they are taking into account the financial business model of a developer's plans. Both insist the success or otherwise of a potential truck park is a matter for the individual developer and (ITALS)not(ITALS) the planning authority.

But in a letter dated 28 January 2008 from a senior engineer within SCC's integrated transport group to the planning policy officer at MSDC, which discusses plans to build a 39-space truck stop along the A14 at Creeting St Peter, it states: "This is not a sufficient number to cater for the current demand between Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich, and will be unable to accommodate the expected growing demand I would also query the site's commercial viability given its proposed size."

An e-mail from MSDC to SCC three weeks' later highlights the growing unease within the councils regarding developers' plans to offer small-scale-yet-secure overnight parking facilities. It admits the developer WH Jardine might question why SCC claimed less than four months earlier that there was a need for 95 truck spaces in Mid-Suffolk, which it planned to provide, but that had now increased to 250. "If I were Jardines, my first question would be, 'is this a change in the strategy/policy and what is the evidence to support it. Incidentally, Jardines has been promoting their site for more than 10 years and are unlikely to roll over either for an allocation or an application unless the evidence is clear-cut."

Another e-mail, heavily censored, but thought to have been sent from the Highways Agency to one of the Suffolk councils on 14 February this year, refers to land in Trimley that a client of property consultants Strutt & Parker wants to turn into a lorry park. Highlighting the authorities' concerns about developers not considering the long-term financial implications, the e-mail says: "I can formally set out the HA's position, which is no objection in principle. But I did say think seriously about viability. There is no point in having parks which fold within a few years, or if there are too many sharing a limited market in a particular area."

The MSDC e-mail admits that it is now "playing catch-up", presumably because of its realisation that lorry drivers are suffering because of a lack of parking areas. When (ITALS)Commercial Motor(ITALS) asked the council to explain why it is struggling with this policy reversal a spokesman explains: "The council has previously prevented development of this sort in its open countryside because of protective policies in the structure and local plans. Now we must develop a fair and equitable process to agree which of the sites suggested are appropriate to build into the local planning documents - but these must also respect the need for other sites to be developed beyond Mid Suffolk."

The spokesman adds: "We don't do financial matters when it comes to deciding planning matters. Operators may see 250 as a financial threshold, and wish to submit proposals at that scale, but we will not require it or deny it because of that reason." For now, both MSDC and SCC say they are engaged in regular meetings and briefings on the availability of truck park land. MSDC says a "number of sites will need to be properly assessed," but that "this work remains to be commenced". SCC says it set up an LGV steering group in 2005 and, since then, it "has been working with its district councils, freight and haulage groups and private developers to look at potential areas for development as lorry parks along the network. Ultimately, these would need to be taken forward by developers."

When SCC was asked if its official view was that the government has no policy for providing or encouraging development of lorry parks, a spokeswoman quoted a Department for Transport (DfT) circular, which states: "The full cost of any works within the motorway or trunk road boundary, including traffic management, will be met by the developer" But questions remain over how many more plans for small-scale, vital overnight lorry parking sites will be cast aside on the grounds of potential commercial failure before the government changes this policy.

Chris Tindall
Email at editor@roadtransport.com
Powered by Commercial Motor

This story was taken from www.roadtransport.com

09 May 2008

09/05/2008

Suffolk truckstop viability “matter for developer”

Suffolk councils deny they are taking the commercial viability of truck park applications into consideration, despite CM obtaining documents that reveal concern over requests to build sites with fewer than 250 spaces. Files released under the Freedom of Information Act also show that Mid-Suffolk District Council (MSDC) admits it is "playing catch-up" in order to rectify the severe shortage of secure, overnight parking spaces for LGV drivers in the county. In the meantime, hundreds of drivers must continue parking overnight in unsecure lay-bys.

Several developers have approached Suffolk County Council (SCC) and MSDC to build truckstops, but concern is growing that these proposals are doomed to fail unless they can cater for 250 trucks. According to a letter from an SCC senior engineer to MSDC's planning policy officer, this figure was provided by truckstop operator Nightowl.

The letter, which discusses plans to build 39 spaces at Creeting St Peter, says that because any new facility will be privately funded it must be commercially viable. Referring to the 39 spaces it concludes: "This is not a sufficient number to cater for the current demand. I would also query the site's commercial viability given its proposed size."

In an e-mail from MSDC to SCC in February before a meeting to discuss the Creeting St Peter plans, concern is expressed that the client, WH Jardine, might question why the council had increased the guideline capacity from 95 in 2007 to 250: "If I were Jardines my first question would be - 'Is this a change in the strategy/policy and what is the evidence to support it?'. Incidentally, Jardines have been promoting their site for more than 10 years and are unlikely to roll over either for an allocation or application unless the evidence is clear-cut."

An SCC spokeswoman denies it is basing decisions on commercial viability and adds this "is a matter for the developer". An MSDC spokesman says: "Operators may see 250 as a financial threshold and wish to submit proposals at that scale, but we will not require it or deny it because of that reason. The planning system will simply assess the merits or problems arising from the use of land."

Chris Tindall
Email at editor@roadtransport.com
Powered by Commercial Motor

This story has been taken from www.roadtransport.com

06 May 2008

11/04/2008

Injured dog walker airlifted from Creeting St Mary

Evening Star
30 March 2008 | 12:35

A DOG walker had to be airlifted from a field after he fell into a rabbit hole and broke his leg.

Ambulance officers were called to the field near Creeting St Mary just after 4pm yesterday.

They found the man and decided he was too far from the road to be removed by land so called in the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

A crew aboard the Anglia One helicopter was sent to the scene.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “Anglia One were required because the patient was in the middle of a field.

“The air ambulance conveyed him to hospital.”

18/02/2008

Creeting Man Awarded MBE

East Anglian Daily Times
29 December 2007 | 07:05

UNSUNG heroes and community stalwarts are among those from Suffolk to have been recognised in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

They were among thousands of people from across the country to be singled out for recognition in praise of their efforts within their areas of expertise.

Among them was Ian Harwood, of Creeting St Peter. Mr Harwood has been honoured with an MBE for his services to musical heritage. He is the president of the Lute Society, which promotes the historic instrument and its music. His society, which regularly meets in London, has around 700 members.

He said: “I am extremely proud and my first thought was that I was not really worthy but people said to me 'of course you are'. I expect that I will be nervous going to Buckingham Palace but I am used to speaking in public so I will probably be okay.”

Last Updated 2010-09-01 09:05:14

Candidate information for Thredling

10 October 2008 | 17:00 | Evening Star