Latest News…
First response mental health service
National and local evidence shows a drop in the number of people accessing mental health services during the coronavirus outbreak. It is important that Suffolk people know that help is available all day, every day…
Residents of Suffolk asked to return their unused community equipment
Staff at the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) are urging local people to return their unused NHS community equipment, to support their local services in this pressured time. The equipment in question includes items such as crutches, walking frames and hoists, specialised cushions and particularly beds and air/pressure mattresses…
COVID-19 testing in Suffolk – Care Homes
A new online portal that makes it easy for care homes to arrange deliveries of coronavirus test kits has been launched by the government…
Fake WHO email and website
We have become aware of an email purporting to be from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which contains a link to a fake website asking for donations to the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund…
One day in Lockdown
Mass Observation are encouraging people to record a one-day lock-down diary for tomorrow (12 May), as part of the ten year anniversary of their 12th May Diary Project, where each year on that day they encourage people to submit a diary entry…
Household Recycling Centres in Suffolk Re-opening
The household recycling centres in Suffolk will be opening on Thursday this week – but you will have to pre-book your visit. This appointment-only system is necessary to help reduce traffic disruption and queueing on roads around the sites and help manage additional demand on the waste sites…
VE Day
Friday marks 75 years since VE (Victory in Europe) Day when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. It was anticipated street parties would be held across the weekend, but this will not be possible due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic…
Covid-19 Testing in Suffolk
Testing is a key part of the national response, with over 8,000 people already tested for Covid-19 in Suffolk, with the testing facility at Copdock being well-used. The mobile testing units are being mobilised by the Ministry of Defence and are enabling more people to be tested across Suffolk. These are particularly useful for those who cannot easily access the testing facility at Copdock…
Secretary of State letter to Parish Council
Please see the letter from the Secretary of State to all who serve on Parish and Town Councils…
Help prevent flytipping
Help prevent flytipping, keep all paperwork for transactions if you’re paying to have waste taken away and ask questions…
Suffolk Artlink
Our ‘Make, Do and Friends’ programme provides free creative social events for adults (55+) in villages and towns in Mid Suffolk, such as Wickhambrook and Lidgate…
Beware of bogus “bank” text messages
There are reports of scam calls from an individual claiming to be from Public Health England, asking residents if they had received their letter from the government. The caller then goes on to ask if they have support from family and friends, and tries to obtain personal details…
STOLEN – Kawasaki Mule, green with grey roof
STOLEN – Kawasaki Mule, green with grey roof – 3010 4wd Reg. no. EU 08 VUV and a large quantity of tractor diesel stolen between 19.00-19.30hrs. Monday 20th April…
WSH Ride transport service is very much still operating
WSH Ride transport service is very much still operating, helping patients/staff and volunteers travel from Haverhill and nearby villages directly to West Suffolk Hospital. Service operates Monday to Friday 7am until 7pm…
Fake Coronavirus (COVID-19) Home Testing Kits
We’re aware that individuals on social media are claiming to sell fake coronavirus (COVID-19) home testing kits…
Funding Opportunities – Persimmon Homes
Funding Opportunities: Persimmon Homes is providing funding through two charitable schemes, one for groups supporting those over 70, and one for under 18’s…
Beware of fake apps
There are reports of several ‘coronavirus update’ apps, which claim to provide updates on the virus. The fake app contains a form of ‘ransomware’, named CovidLock, which upon downloading, locks the phone and displays a message demanding that the user pay a sum of money to unlock it…
Beware of these Covid-19 scam calls
There are reports of scam calls from an individual claiming to be from Public Health England, asking residents if they had received their letter from the government. The caller then goes on to ask if they have support from family and friends, and tries to obtain personal details…
Scam emails claiming to be from HMRC offering tax rebates as a result of the coronavirus pandemic
We are aware of emails claiming to be from HMRC offering tax rebates as a result of the coronavirus pandemic…
The Department for Education are warning that parents and carers are being targeted by scammers
Fraudsters are targeting families, emailing parents and carers with messages such as ‘ If your child is entitled to free school meals send your bank details to the school and they will help with funding while the school is closed’…
Home, but not alone
We are urged to rally together as local COVID-19 app is launched to connect volunteers and people who need help. A new Suffolk-focused community service has been set up to support people who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Called ‘Home But Not Alone’, the service has been launched to help connect people who want to volunteer in their communities with neighbours who are most in need…
Helpful suggestions for finding what you need during these troubled times
During these troubled time, a few more helpful suggestions for people who are self isolating in these troubled times, OR having trouble finding what they need in the shops while there is still some panic buying!
Coronavirus tracking smartphone app
Researchers in the UK have launched a coronavirus tracking smartphone app and are urging everyone to use it to help us track the spread of the deadly disease…
Wickhambrook Stores Delivery Service
During these difficult times, Wickhambrook Stores are delivering shopping to customers who are vulnerable or isolated…
Beware callers claiming to be working for the NHS
We have seen reports from our colleagues across the Country of doorstep callers claiming to be working for the NHS, stating that they are able to provide a Covid-19 vaccine…
Scammers pretending to be from Southern Electric offering to help people through the Coronavirus crisis
Reports of scammers telephoning pretending to be from ‘Southern Electric’ offering £5000 credit ‘to help people through the Coronavirus crisis’ if they can collect a £520 cash payment…
Beware – pretending to be from the British Red Cross
There have been reports in Suffolk of people pretending to be from the British Red Cross, knocking on the doors of elderly and vulnerable individuals, taking their money to do shopping – and then not returning…
Wickhambrook Volunteer Coronavirus Support Group
Wickhambrook village has set up a volunteer group to support its residents during the current Coronavirus crisis. Careful attention has been given to how this process should function. Please keep a close eye on the Wickhambrook Community Facebook page and this page for further updates.
Advice from Community Action Suffolk – be a good neighbour
Here is some advice from Community Action Suffolk. Be a good neighbour – and link up with neighbours you already know…
All WI Meetings and Events have been cancelled until further notice
All WI Meetings and Events have been cancelled until further notice.
NHS – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Overview
Link to NHS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Overview…
Government Guidance on Social Distancing
Link to Government Guidance on Social Distancing…
How to have a Healthy Back
We have probably all experienced some sort of back pain in the course of our lives and often put it down to “old age”! Our speaker for the March meeting however put this down to “bad habits” instead…
Garden Waste Collection Service – Time to Renew
We’d like to thank you for supporting the West Suffolk Garden Waste Collection Service and remind you that it is time to renew your subscription. If you haven’t subscribed before why not sign up to and share a bin with a neighbour?
Become a Scam Marshall
Are you, or someone you know, inundated with scam mail? Are you tempted to respond to it? Do you want to help track down the criminals behind scams and help put a stop to their activities?
Parish Clerk’s Report for February/March 2020
Wickhambrook Parish Clerk Report for February/March 2020…
A Voyage round East Anglian Place Names
We were very pleased to welcome back Martyn Roper, a popular speaker on many subjects. His talk this time was ‘A Voyage round East Anglian Place Names’ and with clever use of maps and photographs we did just that…
Walk from Chevington to Wickhambrook
If you fancy a change from circular routes why not use public transport to visit a neighbouring village and walk back home. This is one possibility. The route includes a short section along a potentially busy road and a hi-vis jacket is a wise precaution…
Play Equipment at the Recreation Ground
The Parish Council is pleased to be able to let you know that a refurbishment of the Playfort has now been completed and has re-opened…
Combat Fly Tipping
The Suffolk Fly Tipping Group is working together to combat fly tipping…
Coronavirus : Public Information
Please see the pdf about Coronavirus : Public Information from HM Government…
Vehicle Activated Signs in Wickhambrook result in speeding convictions!
Wickhambrook Parish Council has one Vehicle Activated Sign and shares another with Lidgate. There are seven sites around the village which the signs can be mounted on, and they are left in place usually for a week to 10 days…
Connecting Communities
Connecting Communities is a service operated by The Voluntary Network, a charity based in Newmarket. It is a door to door service that will pick you up at your home and deliver you to your chosen location…
Reminder to Dog Owners
In these winter nights please don’t forget to take poop bags on your walks with your four legged friend. It’s much easier to find and pick up if you have the bag to hand, and it’s really not nice for others to step in waste in the dark, or find it the next morning! Please think of other villagers and pick up after your dog – spare bags can be found at the dispenser at the MSC Car Park…
Outdoor Bowls Club Subscription 2020
Our photo of thirty quid is all it takes to become a member of the Bowls Club for the 2020 season…
Road safety project in our village given green light!
Road safety project in our village given green light! So get involved here… Wickhambrook Parish Council is looking to recruit local residents to a working group to explore all of the options for road safety specifically in the vicinity of Wickhambrook Primary Academy.
You may be aware we had a road traffic accident (RTA) involving a young child in September 2018. The child fortunately made a good recovery but road safety in that area has been very topical ever since and has been discussed on a number of occasions by councillors, residents and the teachers and children in the school.
Dad’s Army
We were not sure what to expect from the title of this month’s meeting entitled simply “Dad’s Army”. Was it a talk about how the real Dad’s Army functioned during the war, or about how it was originally set up or even a re-enactment of the brilliant TV series still being shown today on the television?
LifeLink extends across West Suffolk towns and villages
A health and wellbeing initiative which is achieving better outcomes for people with anxiety, loneliness and other needs, has now be introduced across West Suffolk…
Play Equipment at Bury Road Pocket Park
Parents of children who use the pocket park at Bury Road will, we hope, be pleased to hear that the Parish Council has agreed that the proposal to purchase a new piece of play equipment for older children (8 – 12 years)…
Background to Road Safety Project Working Group and Minute History
Please take a look at the brief history of the establishment of the Road Safety Project Working Group.