A Joint Parish Council & Memorial Social Centre Open Day

A bit of background

The Parish Council and MSC work hard to promote, respond to and improve a wide range of issues in Wickhambrook.

The last year has been difficult for everyone with the pandemic, and we wanted to create an opportunity to celebrate some of our achievements over the past year, and to look forward to some ongoing and new projects in the parish, working more closely as a team.

Recent Achievements

• New multi-play unit at Bury Road Pocket play park
• Refurbishing the Cemetery Gates & a new Memorial Bench—come and join us at 2:00pm at the War Memorial for the cutting of the ribbon.
• Improved drainage at the end of Footpath 25, and improved steps and handrail access from the Recreation ground
• Upgrading of bins on the Recreation Ground, in the Cemetery and at Coltsfoot Green

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What has the Parish Council been doing?

Road Safety Working Group:

Over the past year, the Wickhambrook PC has been working closely with Wickhambrook Primary Academy and volunteers in a working group to look at possible options and solutions for improved road safety, especially around Wickhambrook Primary Academy.

This has involved students in all year groups, who have competed to design signs to encourage drivers to slow down through the village—the winning entries will be presented with a prize, and entries will be on display at the open day.

We want to take this opportunity to consult with you on some of the options identified.

Quiet Lanes Suffolk:  https://www.quietlanessuffolk.co.uk

A volunteer led project supporting parishes across the county to identify and designate suitable rural lanes as Quiet Lanes to make them safer for people to use for exercise and more active forms of travel.  Wickhambrook Parish has a wide network of smaller lanes, many of which would be suitable to be designated as Quiet Lanes, if there is support from local residents.

Plans for the Future

Housing Needs Survey:

One of the key issues raised by local residents last year was the need for affordable housing for Wickhambrook residents.  For this reason, the parish council wishes to carry out a more detailed survey specifically around current and future housing need for the village.

Neighbourhood Development Plan:

Last year West Suffolk Council consulted on its first stage in developing a new local plan.  Many local residents raised their concerns about the possible scale of development identified for Wickhambrook its likely impact this on the parish and its environment.  The parish council has funds set aside for the development of a Neighbourhood Plan which if adopted, could set out clear expectations as to the scale, siting and style of future development in the parish.

This is a large and detailed piece of work.  Councillors are supportive, but this is a matter for the village to decide whether it wishes to form a steering group to move forward.

Refurbishment of Games Area & Skate Park:

A recent storm caused some significant damage to the boarding of the Games area.  The parish council was already looking into the possible re-surfacing of the games area and skatepark, and is now a more urgent matter.

Wickhambrook PC
Parish Clerk
email:
tel: 07508 039810

Securing the Centre of our Community

During two World Wars many citizens of Wickhambrook fought to preserve their community and the English way-of-life. Nineteen of these made the ultimate sacrifice and it is in their memory that Memorial Social Centre MSC was created.

You may know it as the Village Hall.  It provides a focal point for you and your family to meet and socialise. In addition, it provides outside space for sport and other leisure activities, including the local Carnival.  But, there are now two urgent issues that need your help..

#1 Funding Roof Repairs

After many years, the roof structure has become fragile and will need to be stripped to enable new battens to be fitted and many broken tiles replaced. The estimated cost of these repairs is £53,000 plus VAT. Through prudent management and the support of hard-working volunteers the Trustees have built a fund of approximately £50,000 whilst continuing to improve other aspects of the building.

If Wickhambrook is to continue to have an attractive and safe space for sports, leisure activities, clubs, wellness classes, and social gatherings we need to make these repairs this year.

The Trustees are continuing to reach out for the additional funding required and have set up a JustGiving page (https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wickhambrookmscroofrepairs) where people like you can make a donation, and ask family and friends to do the same.

#2 Creating the MSC Social Group

We would like to create an informal social group who can have free access to the hall once a week to meet, chat, and take coffee.  The Trustees would welcome ideas on new events/facilities in the hall from this group and would occasionally ask for volunteers to help if any are willing to do so. We will be setting up a new group on Facebook that will enable all interested parties to join.

This means that you can combine socialising with your friends and meet new like-minded people whilst, at the same time, contributing to new ideas and initiatives.

Steve Thwaite
Chair of Trustees