Latest News…
Clare Community Hub – Memories are Golden
“Memories Are Golden” (based in Haverhill) are going to be running sessions at Clare Social Club to provide a supportive and caring environment for sufferers of dementia and their carers. A two-course lunch is provided, along with activities and respite space. Nursing care is on hand, as well as advice and guidance. This group is not solely for people living with dementia; it’s also for those over the age of 65 that are at risk of social isolation…
Beware of Green Homes Grant Scammers
The Government has launched the Green Homes Grant, designed to help homeowners and landlords with the costs of installing energy efficient improvements in the home. However, when the government launches high profile schemes like this, criminals will try to cash in and exploit those wishing to take up the scheme…
TV License Scam
TV Licensing is writing directly to anyone affected by the changes. No one needs to do anything until they receive this letter, and there will be plenty of time to set up a licence…
Walk around the Thurlows and Little Bradley
This 3.7 mile circuit runs from Great Thurlow to Little Bradley and back alongside the River Stour. There is a choice of routes for the last half mile but these directions give the ‘high street’ alternative which takes in several interesting buildings such as the Olde School built in 1614 by Sir Stephen Soame (one time Lord Mayor of London) to provide free education to sons of local farmers who were taught ‘English, Latin and Ciphering ’(arithmetic). ..
Brockley Circuit
This is a circular route around the village of Brockley and has the proud distinction of never visiting the village of Brockley. The 7 mile circuit makes use of the Bury St Edmunds to Clare long distance walk in the north/south direction and an old green lane cum bridleway in the south/north direction. There are sufficient undulations and views and variation to make life interesting without providing too much of a struggle. Most of the circuit is either on field edges, or tracks, or through grassy meadows or bridleways but there is one short cross-field section towards the end. In the middle of January this was very sticky. For reassurance take your copy of Ordnance Survey Explorer map 211 Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket with you…
Hargrave and Chevington
The walk explores the countryside around and between the two villages making use of mainly field edge paths and quiet country roads. There are some gentle slopes and the circuit is a mix of wide open spaces and village edges. At almost 7 miles it is a longer walk than usual but when you reach the seats in Chevington churchyard you are more than halfway round…
WI News September 2020
It has been a difficult time for the WI through lockdown and beyond as meetings have not taken place. We would have had a Vintage Fair, Literary Lunch, monthly tea parties and of course provided tea and cake at the Carnival and Flower Show…
Track & Trace QR Code
From today (24th September), hospitality businesses, close contact services such as hairdressers and beauty salons, leisure, sports and visitor attractions as well as community and villages halls need to display a NHS QR code…
Suffolk residents who have been contact by someone purporting to be the Police
We have been made aware of two very recent incidents of Suffolk residents who have been contact by someone purporting to be the Police…
Fake Penalty Charge email
We’ve seen a number of reports of people receiving this fake Penalty Charge email. The email claims the recipient has driven on a road that has a charging scheme and as such a penalty is payable…
Suffolk CoronaWatch
Suffolk’s CoronaWatch is the online home of data and information produced under the Suffolk Joint Strategic Needs Assessment about COVID-19. It can be accessed 24 hours a day…
#YourFuture #YourSay on West Suffolk Local Plan
People’s views will be at the heart of forming a new Local Plan for West Suffolk which will help shape the future of communities and supporting development up to 2040…
Covid Blues – poem
Poem by Wendy Mansfield written whilst in lockdown
Volunteering Opportunity- The Voluntary Network
Do you enjoy making friends and chatting to people? Our Befriending Service could be for you!
Whepstead Wander
This five mile circuit, two and a half hours of walking at gentle pace, makes use of a stretch of the Bury St Edmunds to Clare path and includes two short sections across fields but the route is regularly walked so they should be clear of crops and accessible all year round…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
News about social distancing, coronavirus testing and general information for Public Health Suffolk…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
News about Samual Ward Academy closure and Pupil wellbeing top priority for Suffolk as children head back to school…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
News about Ipswich Park & Ride and SCC funded school travel…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
News about Love to Ride, Travel Survey and Back to School…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor copy
I am very pleased to report that under the DfE Covid-19 Technology scheme, Suffolk County Council has now allocated 700 laptops, 50 tablets and opened up 100 4G hotspots to children with social workers as well as care leavers who do not have adequate access to technology…
Denston Walk
This route will take you there and back in under three hours at leisurely pace. Most of the circuit is on field edge paths or minor roads with pavements. There is a seat outside the church that almost overlooks the village green. Please note that on one section of the return journey the path has been diverted and is not as shown on even the most recent copy of the Ordnance Survey Newmarket and Haverhill 210 Explorer map, but it is clearly waymarked…
End of Shielding
Government food parcels and medication deliveries to those who were shielding stopped on 31st July. Those affected will have already received a letter from Government outlining the changes. The volunteers of the Wickhambrook Coronavirus Support group have done a fantastic job supporting our more vulnerable residents during lockdown and shielding but many are now back at work themselves, and the group has not been able to offer continuing support after the end of shielding. If circumstances change due to an increase in cases or restrictions, we’ll keep you updated through the website if its support activities resume. Thank you to all the volunteers from Wickhambrook Parish Council…
Re-opening of Play Areas Update
Following our risk assessments, our play parks are now open. We’ve had to take some pieces of equipment out of use, either because it would be difficult for the children to maintain social distancing whilst using it, or because it would be difficult for parents and guardians to adequately sanitise the equipment before your children use it. These will be marked clearly with tape…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
Mobile Testing Units: visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/testing for newly published dates for mobile testing units across Suffolk. Through this link you can find the dates are for the next two weeks. However, please be aware the dates are subject to change, so do check back regularly…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
It should be obvious but we have been asked to share the message: Please do not put used PPE in your recycling bin! Equally do not discard it on the ground. All used PPE should be removed safely. Early on in lockdown I saw a short video showing how to remove gloves safely rolling up one into the other and taking them off so that no point do you touch the outer surface of either glove. Once removed, PPE should be double bagged and disposed of into your black bin…
Public Notice of Rights of Inspection 2019-2020
Public Notice of Rights of Inspection…
Wickhambrook WI thank village shop staff
During the lockdown weeks of Covid-19, the village shop in Wickhambrook (Premier Stores) was absolutely vital for everyone. The ladies of the WI decided to say thank you to the shop staff by baking a cake for them each month for a year and the first cake was delivered this week…
Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 3 years
There is much being shared across social media and in the press about face coverings and masks available for babies. Many of these have been shown to have embellishments, dummies and long attachments, all of which are a safety hazard…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
At the county council we are working through exactly what the announcement of extra funding for our schools will mean. You maybe aware that Suffolk and other rural counties have been underfunded for schools and for SEND but it looks like our rural schools and SEND budgets are going to get better than expected increase – which is very welcome…
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
At the end of last week, Government devolved emergency powers to county councils/upper tier authorities to empower them to intervene if there is an outbreak of coronavirus. In Suffolk, our Director of Public Health, Stuart Keeble is working with the legal team, to set out how, if it ever became necessary, this would be undertaken in Suffolk…
Fraudsters calling at doors in Mid-Suffolk and East Suffolk offering doorstep Covid-19 testing
We have received reports of individuals calling at doors in Mid-Suffolk and East Suffolk offering doorstep Covid-19 testing. They may still be in the area, or could have moved on elsewhere in the County. These fraudsters are taking advantage of the pandemic, to extort money, or to gain access to your home…
Get a FREE sticker to stop doorstop callers
We have produced No Cold Calling stickers that can be displayed on your door…
Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
Yesterday we had our first full council meeting at the county council since lockdown, using Teams. It went much better than would have been predicted from the practice vote session beforehand! We approved a motion to explore the idea of creating a healing wood to support the recovery of Suffolk’s communities from the impacts of Covid19 and remember all those who have lost their lives…
Have you ever considered being a tutor?
SP Tutors – Free Training Opportunity &The National Tutoring Programme. No doubt, you will have seen the headlines regarding the Government’s £1bn catch-up tutoring fund for England’s pupils. No doubt, too, you will have many unanswered questions…
Message from Mary Evans, Suffolk County and West Suffolk District Councillor
You might have been alarmed by national news outlets reporting that Suffolk is listed as being an area considered for lockdown due to a 50% increase in confirmed cases: Please be re-assured – this is not accurate. The alarming statistical claim is based on Suffolk having had 2 cases from 13-19 June and then 3 cases from June 20-26. So, technically yeas we have experienced a 50% increase, but from an incredibly low base. To put matters into perspective: our county had, in fact, one of the lowest rates of coronavirus cases in the country last week and was ranked at 131st lowest out of 150 council areas in England for infections. However, it has not stopped some media outlets from reporting it as if a local lockdown is therefore imminent. I repeat – It is NOT…
Vans, trailers and trade waste now accepted at nine of Suffolk’s recycling centres
In line with the phased approach to reopening Suffolk’s recycling centres, people with vans, trailers and trade waste can now book an appointment to visit nine of the county’s 11 recycling centres…
Don’t lose your voice
West Suffolk households are being sent a request to check and update their details on the West Suffolk Electoral Register. The invitation contains an individual code for you to use securely online. Your invitation will be sent by email, text or posted form, depending on the details you have given us…
Beware of these fake national insurance refund emails
The message informs the recipient that according to their national insurance contributions, they are eligible for a tax refund as part of measures to alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown. The link goes to a page which requests the banking details of the user which sends the data to fraudsters…
Re-opening of Play Areas
As part of the relaxation of restrictions, the Government has allowed play parks to open from 4th July (this is the earliest that they can open). The parish council is working hard to carry out all the equipment inspections and complete the necessary risk assessments to ensure that when our play areas are opened, you and your children can enjoy the equipment as safely as possible, and keep transmission risks to a minimum. For these reasons, the play areas will remain closed until 18th at the earliest, and we’ll let you know as soon as we are ready to re-open them…
Charity offering home help scam
We have received a report of of a Mildenhall resident being approached at the door by a woman claiming to be from a charity, calling to offer home help…
Women’s Tour Virtual Challenge
Following the recent success of the ŠKODA V-Women’s Tour, which featured the finish of the 2014 Women’s Tour in Bury St Edmunds, Keep Moving Suffolk in partnership with the Women’s Tour and the East Anglian Air Ambulance are inviting new, returning and regular cyclists to take on the Women’s Tour Virtual cycling challenge…
Longer circuit of Stansfield and Denston
This 7 kilometre circuit (4.5 miles) will take about 2 hours at normal pace. The route goes along each side of the River Glem valley giving good views in most directions and passes one of the Landmark properties…
Moulton Walk
Moulton boasts a four-arched 15th Century Packhorse bridge which spans the River Linnet. Built of flint and stone it is narrow and the parapets are intentionally low to allow goods, such as corn, cloth, poultry, fish, salt and hops, to overhang…
Scams, Test & Trace and Unemployment Training
Please be aware that Suffolk Trading Standards are warning people to be on the alert for cheats and fraudsters. This is Scams Awareness fortnight. Criminals are taking advantage of the current pandemic to scam people out of their money…
Parish Council emails are being targeted by scammers
If you receive an email from a colleague in the Parish Council, requesting you to buy iTunes vouchers, please delete it. Contact that colleague by telephone and advise them that their account may have been compromised…
HMRC lawsuit scam
Received a call from “HMRC” saying there is a warrant issued in your name, and you will be arrested shortly? It’s a scam!
Signage Resource Packs from West Suffolk Council
West Suffolk Council has created a resource pack for anyone to use to download signage, and also have floor stickers available – and if you have any concerns in regards to highways and the ability to safely social distance or require any printed local signs, please do contact the Council’s customer services team…
NHS test and trace information
There are lots of reports across social media of Test & Trace scams. Please remember, genuine texts, calls or emails from the NHS service won’t ask you for any personal details upfront…
Test and Trace phone call scam call
Here is an example of a recent Test and Trace phone call scam where the recipient is noted as X. Thankfully in this case the recipient realised it was a scam…
PPE for businesses
Calling all businesses!! If you are in need of PPE to help you open, and protect your employees and customers, the New Anglia LEP have a supply chain database that you can use to check for local stock…