LOCAL NEWS
WOODLANDS WAY
I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the guys who do sterling work with Woodland Ways, these are all volunteers and they keep our wooded areas and paths in tip top condition. Thank you guys for all you do, I understand that they are always looking for more people to help if you can give up a few hours a week I am sure you would be welcome.
YOUTH CENTRE
In January we will be re-launching the club in order to attract new members and hopefully helpers, watch out for flyers arriving in your schools and please come and support the club. You all know the old saying “Use it or lose it”
Citizen of the Year
The year has flown by since we last celebrated the Bury Town Council Citizen of the year. On the 15th November we held a social evening to celebrate these special people who year on year go the extra mile to help people in our town. This year as ever the standard was very high, the judges had their work cut out deciding the winners. It came down to two people, they were so close it was decided to a joint award, the winners were Mrs Lynda Seldis and Daniel Davis. Lynda has spent 45 years as a volunteer with the Red Cross, Bury in Bloom, Abbey Gardens committee etc. Daniel Davis has for the last fifteen years been in command of our very own Sea Cadets, training these youngsters in seamanship, drill and music. We must not forget our young citizen
of the year Miss Jessica Davis, congratulations to all. A nominee from Moreton Hall was Colin Green, Colin runs the dart teams in our community centre and has raised over £67,000 for local charities, well done Colin. I would like to say that all our nominees were winners and many thanks for all they do.
That’s all for now. Until next time, enjoy Christmas and be safe, Frank Warby DECEMBER 2016 | 11
LOCAL NEWS
Moreton Hall News...
from Cllr Peter Thompson
Thank you Terry
You may have heard that our long-standing colleague and friend, Terry Buckle, has taken the difficult decision to retire as a councillor. This has triggered a byelection which will be on 15th December – please use your vote. Terry represented us for 14 years on the Borough and was instrumental in securing our fantastic community centre. I’m sure when you see him around you’ll take a second to shake his hand and thank him for his hard work over the years. I’d like to take the opportunity to wish him well.
MOVEMBER Although as you read this Movember may be over, you can still give to the cause. The Movember Foundation was set up to fund the fight against early death from prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide, raising £6.8m in the UK last year. Let’s try and top that together – you can donate at: http://mobro.co/councillorthompson As you can see, I’ve grown what could be loosely described as a moustache for the cause. I was aiming for ‘distinguished fighter pilot’ or ‘Magnum’, but I fear it has come out as ‘Ned Flanders’…
The Evolution of Devolution
You may have read about recent work the council has been doing surrounding devolution. In basic terms, this is a country-wide project where some powers from central government and County are handed down the chain to more local council organisations. For us, this may mean things like control over car-parking regulation and lighting being handed to the Borough from County Council and the Police. It also means cash for investment in things like social housing and also a new structure with an elected mayor. Unfortunately, central government insisted that our deal be contained within a Norfolk/Suffolk partnership, which Norfolk have rejected. This means that we need to go back to London to re-negotiate what powers we can have in Bury and what money is attached. I will keep you informed. 14 | DECEMBER 2016
LOCAL NEWS
from
Hi to all residents of Moreton Hall Our AGM Held on Wednesday 16th of November I would like to thank on behalf of the Committee:-
Community Centre, so that those interested can attend as members of the public. Please also be assured that your concerns will be aired by representatives of the Council. MHRA and you the residents, at that meeting.
All of you who attended.
By-Election on 15th December
Councillors Trevor Beckwith, Frank Warby and for a time Diane Hind, who were able to answer questions from you prior to the illustrated Talk.
For those who do not know, this was bought about by the resignation of our long serving Borough Councillor Terry Buckle.
Martin Taylor for his talk, which we all found informative and in some parts humorous.
Many thanks to Terry for his service to Moreton Hall over many years.
Especially all those who made a donation to the Association which is much appreciated.
Please go out and vote.
The Committee The existing committee were elected en bloc by a unanimous show of hands and will I am sure carry on for another year. We had two people approach us after the meeting as a result of my plea for more people to join the Committee. Our meetings are every 2 months, on Thursdays at the Community Centre at 19 30, the next meeting is on Thursday 5th January 2017. Please come along or contact the Secretary if you are interested. McDonalds At the time of writing I have been informed that the St. Edmundsbury Development Control Committee meeting scheduled for 1st December has been cancelled. The next possible date could be Thursday 5th January 2017. We will try to inform you as soon as we know that this item is on the agenda, by way of e-mail, social media and our notice board in the
May I on behalf of the Committee invite the successful candidate to our next Committee meeting. Other Topics under Review Anti-social behaviour Parking Estate infrastructure Contact Us Please advise us of any other concerns by contacting the secretary on secretarymhra@ gmail.com Speak to a committee member or just come along to one of our meetings, the next is 5/1/2016 at the community Centre at 19 30. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Cliff Hind, Chairman cliffhind2001@yahoo.co.uk E Mail secretarymhra@gmail.com DECEMBER 2016 | 15
HOME + LIFESTYLE
Sunday Funday
BY ANDREW SOUTHWOOD
D
on’t you just love lazy winter Sunday mornings? No alarms, no urgency, just relaxing. Easing into the day, enjoying a lay in. Frost on the window panes, a steaming cuppa on the side with the radio on and the Sunday papers waiting for you on the door mat. Wondering if you’ll pop out to the cinema later, or maybe to that new Italian restaurant, or perhaps meet some friends for a beer or two… meanwhile - back in the real world! So, the kids are up, even earlier than a school day, and jump onto my bed. I stifle an urge to swear loudly, as the biggest lands on my shins and digs his elbow into my groin. Within 30 seconds they are all at it, 3 kids plus 2 adults is not a sum that equals 1 bed. I admit defeat and get (pushed) out. As I fling on some clothes hoping they are mine and
42 | DECEMBER 2016
not inside out (remember when getting dressed took more than 14 seconds?) and look at the 4 remaining in the bed, I realise I definitely have the better deal. To be honest, if I have to read that damn Maisy Mouse book once more I fear I may have a breakdown. Thankfully now we have a goal. A target to aim for on a Sunday. Something to motivate at least 2 of the kids to stop arguing and eat breakfast without kicking each other under the table. Yes – this reward comes in the form of Junior Parkrun! Yeah, I know. Why they are quite so keen to run around a wet field in near freezing conditions is slightly confusing. However, they love it, and good for them. I have a feeling the motivation isn’t entirely the physical and mental boost
from an early morning blast of cardio. The promise of a hot chocolate afterwards is I’m sure a rather large and juicy carrot in this case. The newly launched Junior Parkrun occurs every Sunday at 9am on ‘Ten Acre Field’ (behind Rhea the horse…). It’s free and fun. So if like me, by 8:30am on a Sunday it already feels like it should be bedtime, why not use this amazing event to add some early structure to the day. If you’re feeling really pumped, you can always run alongside your energised kids… well, for as long as you can keep up! Yes, Sunday mornings are unrecognisable from 10 years ago. I can’t even really recall what they were like then? But I am pretty sure they didn’t involve any of the above. That said, I wouldn’t change it for the world… well apart from the ‘elbow in the groin’ bit.
HOME + LIFESTYLE
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Independent Custody Visitors
Ensuring that people in police custody are treated properly is a statutory duty of Tim Passmore, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and he relies on an army of volunteers to help him monitor the welfare of people who are detained in police stations in Suffolk. Tim Passmore is looking for additional volunteer custody visitors to make regular unannounced visits to the Police Investigation Centre in Bury St Edmunds. The volunteers will be required to look, listen and report on their findings to the PCC to ensure that the police are providing the service that is expected of them. Tim Passmore said, “Suffolk has two Police Investigation Centres in Suffolk - one in Bury St Edmunds and one at Martlesham, Ipswich - and we are currently looking to recruit more volunteers for the Bury St Edmunds Panel. I need the overall panel of visitors to be representative of the local community, so I would really encourage interest from younger people and black and minority ethnic residents. We have a great team of custody visitors in Suffolk, who give their time to support this valuable service and I thank them for their commitment which does not always receive the recognition it deserves.” Volunteers are required to attend an initial training session of half a day and then receive training by observing existing visitors until confident in performing the role. Visitors carry out approximately one visit per month (as part of a panel carrying out the weekly visits), there are quarterly panel meetings which are held in the evening and then 1-2 training days/conference per year. The role is voluntary but we do pay expenses for travel costs. Applicants must be over 18 years of age and appointments are subject to police vetting checks and references. Application details are on the PCC’s website: http://www.suffolk-pcc.gov.uk/involving-you/custody-visitors or you can contact us via e-mail: spcc@suffolk.pnn.police.uk or telephone: 01473 782774.
DECEMBER 2015 | 43
Pauls jobs for the month Flower Garden
n Prune bush roses back by about half to stop them being damaged by winds n Prune Japanese Maples or Acers now if needed, as they will bleed sap if pruning is done any later. n If you have a wisteria you will know that it can grow like crazy. If you want to encourage better flowering next year give the side shoots a good back to around 3 cm. n Prune climbing roses now; cutting away diseased or damaged growth and tying in any new shoots to their support. Prune older flowered side shoots back by two thirds of their length. n Keep cutting back dead foliage and keep an eye out for weeds if it is mild.
Vegetable and Fruit Garden n Now’s the time to prune fruit trees. Always use a sharp pair of secateurs, loppers and a pruning saw Start by removing crossing, rubbing, weak, dead, diseased, damaged and dying branches. Keep the centre of the tree open by removing larger branches with a sharp pruning saw. n Remove yellowing leaves from your winter brassicas as they are no use to the plant and may harbour pests and diseases.
Pauls
GARDEN SERVICES
HOME + LIFESTYLE
n Dig over empty borders and pile manure on top - let the worms and frosts break up the clods of soil. n Soft fruit such as currants, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries and tayberries can be planted at this time as they are dormant. n Harvest any remaining leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops before the ground becomes frozen.
General Maintenance n Remember to feed the birds. You might want to ivest in some new bird feeders. Remember unless you clean old bird feeders they harbour disease n Clean patios & paths of moss and algae. There are 3 main ways of tidying up a patio. Either by use of a herbicide, a power washer or by use of a wire brush. Perhaps the best if you are thinking of the environment is the latter method. With a bit of elbow grease, the moss growing between your patio bricks can be removed with a wire brush fairly easily as it doesn’t have a root system. n Up for a bit of exercise then Spike lawns with a garden fork to improve drainage and aeration.
This months poem... “A full moon shines over the morning frost; the lanes are full of latefallen leaves; walking across the mulch is almost as tricky as treading over ice. In town the carol-singers are in crowding the shopping-mall, while a group of muffled musicians play by the outside market. This year but two robins on the early Christmas cards; the squirrel still runs along the fence skirting our newly-erected shed.”
- Gerald England, Mid-December
One-off jobs or regular maintenance on a weekly or monthly basis hedge trimming | grass cutting | general weeding & tidying up
Doing the jobs you don’t have time for... Call me for a quote on
01284 723625 or 07952 938010 Email: burygardener@talktalk.net
DECEMBER 2016 | 63
HOME + LIFESTYLE
Pay it forward It gets to about the first week in November and temptation becomes just a little bit too much to bare in our house. The nights start to draw in, the chimney is swept and the fire aglow, twinkling lights slowly begin to adorn the shop windows and the crisp crunch of leaves under foot gives permission for what has to be one of my favourite mornings of the year; being awoken by my playfully excited husband cheekily deciding now is the time for the soft dulcet tones of a well known and loved Hollywood crooner singing “its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...” It’s always a happy morning, ushering in the dawn of the festive season.
Perhaps you feel November is just a little to early to begin the celebrations and maybe it is but I am certainly one for calling forward a time for family, friendship, fun and frivolity; in fact I often ask myself why we save such warm feeling and happy-go-lucky spirits for one off occasions? For surely the joy of celebrating all things dear to us can be afforded more abundance than that? As I write this month, you won’t be disappointed to hear that I have of course got my favourite Christmas 68 | DECEMBER 2016
album playing, filling the room with festive cheer in bucket loads! But as I considered what to share and inspire you with, I very much felt a pull toward those who may not have the same hopes, dreams and expectations as many of us shall find fulfilled this year. In recent days and weeks the news has been littered with tales of sadness and desperate situations; the Syrian refugee children and young people sleeping rough just across the sea, local families and friends losing loved ones, uncertain political futures giving
HOME + LIFESTYLE way to financial turmoil or terminal illness faced by many without cure. I write to encourage you to celebrate in fullness, cherishing all the simple and good moments in your world whilst choosing to have an attitude of remembrance and kindness for those experiencing something a lot less and perhaps harder than you are. Having an attitude of remembrance causes us to stay in tune with others; understanding that we all play a part in the story of a bigger world. I’m a firm believer that my experience of this life was never designed to be one of isolation from others. As I embrace and acknowledge the world of others, my world expands and becomes the life in all its fullness it is always supposed to be. The moment we choose to think about and remember others, the bigger and more exciting our world becomes, coloured with diversity which can lead us to transform our life experience. This Christmas have an attitude of remembrance. I dare you to consider (more deeply than just a fleeting thought) those whose Christmas looks different to yours. So, kindness....one of my most memorable films I have watched over the years is Pay it Forward starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt. Given the assignment of changing the world, school boy Trevor comes up with the initiative to extend kindness to three carefully chosen people who he then poses the challenge for them to ‘pay
it forward’, to each he challenges them to pass the act of kindness on to three people and so on and so on. He realised that exponentially as people began to ‘pay it forward’ the world would be changed for the better. People of Bury St Edmunds and Southgate directories I present you with your assignment this Christmas - pay forward a little bit of kindness this Yuletide! According to Trevor, we might just change the world (even just for one person)! Want to share these thoughts of remembrance and kindness with your children? Why not take a moment to share the story of the man behind Father Christmas, the often forgotten Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a rich bishop who lived in the far off land of Myra during the 4th century. His parents died when he was young and left him lots of money. Nicholas was a very kind and generous man and he had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to those who needed it. Look him up on google and remember together the long lost magical stories of old Saint Nic! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year everyone. I hope remembrance and kindness will feature prominently in your celebrations this year. Have a truly blessed Christmas. Love
Lizi Long DECEMBER 2016 | 69
CHURCH NEWS
Christ Church MORETON HALL 2017 has the potential to be one of the most momentous years this country has ever known. The combination of the election of Donald Trump and the decision to leave the European Economic Community and all the wrangling and negotiations that go with that, fill most people with a sense of dread and foreboding. At the same time there is the ongoing tragedy of Syria and Iraq, and the collapse of civilised structures across the middle-eastern world. Economically, politically and in some ways morally, this is potentially one of the greatest crises that the world has ever faced. In its own way it is very sad that one hundred years after the First World War we are about to engulf ourselves in another cataclysm in which ordinary people just will not know what to think and, perhaps more importantly, how to vote. The decisions that will be made that affect all our futures, and particularly our children’s futures, will be made by men and women 82 | DECEMBER 2016
either we do not know or have very grave misgivings about. Before we get there, there is Christmas. Christmas is not the annual festival of consumerism many would like it to become. Nor is it just about bringing families together for an enormous party. It is about the coming of one weak and vulnerable child to a poor but hard working family who faced indifference from an oppressive regime, ridicule and abuse from others and the threat of death from a despot. With very little prospect of success this child grew up to be the most famous and successful human being the world has ever known. He is followed today by hundreds of millions. He is used as an example to compare all other humans by. And although His life ended in seeming tragedy on the cross, His resurrection has brought hope and faith to hundreds of billions of people for over two thousand years. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas in the season
of Advent, we can see some tremendous signs of hope. First of all, the foodbank has once again been wonderfully supported and as we restart the appeal for it for Christmas, I know you will be generous towards those who need it so much. Secondly, at the time of writing, our Shoebox appeal has exceeded all expectations. We already have in excess of 450 boxes, a hundred more than we asked for. However, it is not the numbers that matter. What matters is that people who have taken up the challenge of filling a shoebox, or many shoeboxes, so that joy, peace, and hope can be given to people in real need in other parts of the world. We a grateful to other churches that have helped us, and I am immensely proud of the community which I serve and how many of you from schools and families have supported this work. So we are celebrating in lots of ways please see all the services on offer in our advert. The Bury Concert Band Carol service on the
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