Latest News…
Warning – Bushfire Charity Scams
There are currently a wide range of appeals raising funds for people and animals affected by the Australian bushfires. Unfortunately, some of these are scams…
Suffolk Accident Rescue Service
Anne Morley and Derek Wilding from SARS (Suffolk Accident Rescue Service) were our speakers. Anne gave a very comprehensive and interesting presentation on the set-up, training of volunteer clinicians and fund- raising undertaken by the charity…
Applications are invited – No 1 Church Road Almshouse
Applications are invited from local people, who would like to live in a restored and refurbished one bedroom Almshouse, next to All Saint’s Church, Wichambrook
Wickhambrook W.I. Christmas Party 2019
December is traditionally the month for the Wickhambrook WI Christmas Party and this year was no exception. The WI Hall was duly decked out in Christmas mode with committee members providing the festive fare…
Don’t let loan sharks bite this Christmas
Suffolk Trading Standardsw have joined forces with the England Illegal Money Lending Team to combat unscrupulous loan sharks who are preying on people in the run up to Christmas…
LifeLink -Changing Lives with Communities
information from West Suffolk CouncilLifeLink, which started in Haverhill and has also launched in Brandon and Mildenhall, is a free service for anyone over 16 years old and it is already busy. Benefits include: meeting new people and developing new friendships,...
Father Christmas, Myths and Mistletoe
Mike Wabe came to our November meeting and his subject was ‘Father Christmas, Myths and Mistletoe’ and in his cheerful style, Mike explored the customs we now associate with Christmas. Here are a few dates that might surprise you! They refer to the first recorded mention of each item…
The Splendour of Jewellery
As someone who has worked in all areas of the jewel/ jewellery industry, Jason Middleton was well placed to give an introductory talk to buying and selling jewellery…
Ousden Return
A Walk from Wickhambrook to Ousden (and maybe the ‘Fox’) and back. This circuit of almost eight miles and three hours walking is possible in winter, most underfoot surfaces are green lanes or minor roads, but could be more enjoyable and relaxing during the spring to autumn period. Take Ordnance Survey Explorer map 210 covering Newmarket and Haverhill as your companion…
Change the way you give and help make a difference
If you are Looking for Change for the lives of people who are genuinely homeless and living on the streets then there’s a way you can help make a real difference…
Pension Savings gone in 24 hours
Victims of pensions scams could lose 22 years’ worth of savings within 24 hours, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and The Pensions Regulator (TPR).
Helping one Person
Research shows that strong relationships can form between socially isolated individuals and scammers because of the regular contact that they make. Lonely people are FOUR times more likely to fall victim to scams.
Shopping Coupons Fraudulant
There are so many posts currently circulating on Facebook claiming that everyone who shares them will receive a shopping coupon or will be entered into a prize draw to win shopping vouchers.
Postal Scam – Hoax!
It is that time of year when we have to remind everyone that a chain email and Facebook Post circulating, warning about a postal scam that could leave you £315 out of pocket – is a hoax!
Free NHS Health Check
Have you had your NHS HEALTH CHECK?
Energy Efficiency Rating Scam
We have received calls from residents reporting a company telephoning and stating that all houses need to have an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) by the end of 2019…
Caution when purchasing part worn tyres
Suffolk County Council’s Trading Standards team is asking people to be cautious when purchasing ‘part worn’ tyres for their vehicles, after several test purchases in Suffolk raised concerns…
Suffolk Fires Over the Centuries
Sarah Doig’s talk to the society was about fires in Suffolk and as well as the well-known town conflagrations, we heard some quirky, lesser-known tales too…
Inundated with Scam Calls?
Free call blockers are being made available to people who believe they are being targeted with scam and nuisance phone calls. Between 1,800 and 2,000 call blockers are being provided on a first come, first served basis by the National Trading Standards Scams Team…
Medical Detection Dogs
Most of us agreed we only had a vague idea of the purpose of medical detection dogs. Norma Howell came along to tell us all about the amazing work these dogs do in the field of medicine…
Outdoor Bowls Club November/December News
We have said a tearful farewell to the end of the 2019 season which has proved so much fun for our members, with ladies and gentlemen alike enjoying this social game…
Ukulele Band Concert
‘Good old-fashioned fun’ was the comment of one of the audience at a recent concert in the WI Hall, Wickhambrook, and it certainly was…
Joint meetings of Hundon and Co-Horts
On 27th April 2019 a very successful meeting was held at Hundon Village Hall with Bob Flowerdew speaking on the subject of ‘No Work Gardening’. It was run jointly by Hundon, Cavendish, Wickhambrook and Clare Horticultural Societies. Bob gave a tongue-in-cheek and very entertaining talk, heavily laced with humour…
A Turkish Shirley Valentine!
This was the title of the talk by Jenny Gibbs for the September meeting of Wickhambrook Women’s Institute. Jenny appeared for her talk dressed in the most dazzling local costume made by the ladies in the Turkish village where she has made her home for the past 20 years…
Fines Scam
We have received a number of reports from residents across Suffolk who have been subjected to scam calls from someone purporting to be from “Suffolk County Court”…
Bringing the Playfort back into use
We’ve been receiving many queries and comments about the Playfort in the play area at Cemetery Road, which has been out of use now for much of the year. Firstly, we wanted to re-assure you that the Parish Council has been working hard to bring the Fort back into use, as we are aware from parents and guardians comments how much the children enjoy this play equipment…
Speeding figures in Wickhambrook released 30-08-19
Suffolk Police have recently circulated the latest figures for speed enforcement for Haverhill and surrounding villages, these figures relate to formal action / prosecutions i.e. more than just ‘words of advice’ to drivers…
West Suffolk Council Community Chest
Community groups, charities and voluntary organisations in West Suffolk can now apply for Community Chest funding for 2020/21. West Suffolk Council is to make more than £350,000 available as it looks to invest in community projects to improve the lives of local residents. Money is available to local projects that can help strengthen families and empower communities so that they can better support themselves…
Special taskforce survey seeks YOUR evidence to help tackle rural issues
Residents, businesses and organisations are being urged to help a new West Suffolk Council taskforce identify opportunities and issues in rural areas…
Stansfield South & Assington Green Walk
This circuit is around five miles and takes two and a half hours of steady walking. You join the Bury to Clare route for a short distance, pass the Stansfield Compasses pub, cross the baby River Glem twice and pass through the small but attractive village of Assington Green…
The Members Take over – August 2019
“The Members Take Over” was the theme for the August meeting of the WI with the rider that “anything can happen”! This year it turned out to be a visit to a local vineyard complete with wine tasting. We were invited to Cooper’s Croft at Ashfield Green where Nick Watson gave us an interesting insight into setting up and maintaining a wine making venture…
No Cold Calling Zone
We now have well over 100 No Cold Calling Zones (140 in fact, with four more due to be launched soon) across Suffolk. Nominate your road by emailing us on and help us get to the next milestone of 200!
Fake Trading Standards Calls
We have been responding to a call from an elderly Suffolk resident, who had received a telephone call from a woman advising that her name was Anneliese, and that she was from Trading Standards. The woman advised that she would be visiting to inspect her solar panels, as the company that installed the panels five years ago were being investigated by Trading Standards as they did not meet Building Regulations…
Loft Insulation Cold Callers claiming that they are from the Council
We have had reports of a company cold calling residents in West Suffolk, asking to inspect their loft insulation as it may now be illegal. Although the callers may give the impression that they are from the Council, this is not the case and they are not calling from, or on behalf of, West Suffolk Council…
First West Suffolk Skills Share Fair to take place next week
Residents young and old from across West Suffolk are invited to two events being held next month designed to boost skills and reduce social isolation. The West Suffolk Skills Share Fair is free to attend and is open to anyone who would you like to learn new skills or improve existing skills, or who is looking to return to work, perhaps following time out looking after children or a period of unemployment.,,
Outdoor Bowls Club September / October News
With the end of the season drawing near it is time for the Club to look back, see where we are now and make plans for the 2020 season..
Suffolk Family Carers – Workshops
Do you care for a family member, friend or neighbour? Suffolk Family Carers are currently booking in their latest Information and Wellbeing programmes and workshops which are free to family carers 18 or over across the county.
August 2019 Estates Committee Meeting postponed
PLEASE NOTE : The Parish Council Estates Committee meeting on Thursday 1st of August 2019 has been postponed until Thursday 15th of August 2019.
Would you like to become a Parish Councillor?
Wickhambrook Parish Council currently has a vacancy for a Parish Councillor which may be filled by co-option. If you care about the area that you live or work in and the issues facing local people, you could be a councillor…
History Society Summer 2019
Although there are no meetings in June, July and August, members of the History Society have had a busy time…
TV Licensing Scam
We have been made aware of a scam email purporting to be from the TV Licensing company. It claims that your TV licence has failed its renewal, and that you need to set up a new direct debit using a link in the email. DO NOT click this link…
House buyers are being warned to be on their guard when purchasing new properties
The warning comes as a charity worker buying his first home had £67,000 stolen after fraudsters hacked into emails sent between him and his solicitor…
Are you planning to take your pet abroad after Brexit?
If the UK leaves the EU with no deal, the rules for taking your pet to any EU country will change. Pet passports issued in the UK would no longer be valid for travel to the EU…
Parish Clerk’s Report for July/August 2019
Wickhambrook Parish Clerk Report for July/August 2019 including change of Parish Clerk telephone number, Footpaths, July Litter Pick, Planning, Play Equipment at the Recreation Ground and Bury Road Pocket Park and dates of next Parish Council meetings…
WI Teas at the Wickhambrook Village Carnival 2019
The Annual Wickhambrook Village Carnival and Flower Show took place on Saturday 13th July 2019. The weather was kind and the sun shone, though not as hot as last year. As usual it was down to the Women’s Institute to provide refreshments and the WI Hall was decked out with bunting and fresh flowers for the occasion…
Scarf
This scarf was left behind in the WI Hall on Carnival Day (Saturday 13th July 2019)…
Anglian Water – Upcoming Works
Anglian Water have advised us of a number of upcoming works in our area…
Couture Millinery
In July Oggie Weldon gave us a a talk and demonstration of “Couture Millinery”. Oggie was originally a private secretary but when her boss sadly died she took up hat making as a hobby. She did several courses and then began making hats for family and friends before eventually turning her hobby into a business…
Fair to boost skills and reduce social isolation
Residents young and old from across West Suffolk are invited to two events being held next month designed to boost skills and reduce social isolation. The West Suffolk Skills Share Fair is free to attend and is open to anyone who would you like to learn new skills or improve existing skills, or who is looking to return to work, perhaps following time out looking after children or a period of unemployment. The Fair is also targeted at anyone who is willing to support the local economy through volunteering as well as people who are recently retired, but willing to support younger people in learning about the world of work…
West Suffolk Council Community Chest opens for applications
Community groups, charities and voluntary organisations in West Suffolk can now apply for Community Chest funding for 2020/21. West Suffolk Council is to make more than £350,000 available as it looks to invest in community projects to improve the lives of local residents. Money is available to local projects that can help strengthen families and empower communities so that they can better support themselves…