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Blaxhall Parish Council Newsletter

NO.44 Winter 2002/03 Written by Steve Smedley

A Happy New Year to everyone in Blaxhall from the Parish Council

NEW BUS SERVICE FOR BLAXHALL

A new community bus service is now running which links Blaxhall, and other places to the Market Hill in Wickham Market. The 187 service runs on Tuesdays and Fridays and costs £1.00 single, £1.70 return. The new service is running for a six-month trial period to April 2003, and is funded by the East of England Development Agency. Use it or lose it!

Further details can be obtained from the Suffolk County Council’s Traveline on 0870 608 2 608, and from their web site at www..suffolkcc.gov.uk/transport/.

The service is run under the Coastal Accessibility Transport Scheme (C.A.T.S.) by volunteers. The service is still looking for volunteer drivers to help out. An ordinary driving licence is sufficient and full training will be given. If you would like to help, please call Dave Wolloff on 01728 830516.


..AND BUS SHELTER

Plans are also underway to spruce up the bus shelter opposite the Youth Hostel, including repairs, new guttering and general cleaning.


VILLAGE FETE

We want to keep up the enjoyment and popularity of our fete again in 2003. Please come along to a meeting in the Village Hall on the 22nd January at 7.30 pm and bring along new ideas and offers of help for this very successful way of raising funds for Blaxhall.


PLAYING FIELD

The Playing Field Committee are organising a working party to tidy up the pit and do some essential maintenance on Saturday 18th January (or 25th if weather dictates) starting at 10.00 am. We need to remove some lengths of fencing and to make the whole area safe for children and adults. Please come and help us and bring along any tools which may help in this work. Many thanks in anticipation.

As you may know we have taken down a large sycamore tree in the pit and there is now plenty of wood which can be cut up for burning. If you would like some wood please phone Clara Jenkins on 688558 and we can organise a load for you.


YOUTH HOSTEL GAINS GREEN AWARD

The youth hostel in Blaxhall is one of the first in England to receive an award for its "green" credentials. The East of England Tourist Board has awarded Blaxhall Youth Hostel a Silver Award in a pilot scheme designed to help visitors choose accommodation and attractions that support the environment. Blaxhall was praised for its achievements in minimising waste, energy and water, promoting alternatives to using the car, such as walking and cycling, and providing information about local wildlife. Remember, the Youth hostel is also the site for our local recycling facilities. Every bit of waste that can be recycled is one less item that goes into landfill, so please do your bit by bringing your paper and glass for recycling.


SAFER DRIVING

Residents report that Stone Common is becoming a "rat run" for motorists travelling from Tunstall to the A12, often moving far too quickly for the road conditions and the close proximity of houses. The Parish Council has appraoched Suffolk County Council to try to extend the 30 mph speed restriction to include Stone Common, Church Road, and other local roads. Meanwhile, we can all do our bit to make Blaxhall’s roads safer by keeping our speed down and showing consideration to other road users.


VILLAGE HALL

Thank you to everyone who completed the questionnaire that was circulated recently. This is an essential part of the process of apply for Lottery funding to support the proposed renovation work on the Village Hall.

We have had another very successful sale of paintings on 19th and 20th October, many from very talented local artists. This event raised a very welcome £413 for Village Hall funds. Thanks go to Joyce Iszard, Clara Jenkins, and everyone else who helped to make this event a huge success.


ROBIN GRAHAM

On New Year’s Day a reception was held in the Village Hall for Robin Graham who will be shortly leaving Blaxhall to move to Saxmundham. Robin has lived in Blaxhall for many years and has been a Parish Councillor, chairman of the Village Hall Committee, an inaugural member of the Playing Field Committee, Warden of Blaxhall Church, and a member of the Deanery Synod. Robin was presented with a specially-commissioned painting, a "This Is Your Life"-style résumé of his life in Blaxhall, and £433 collected from residents of Blaxhall which will go towards a well-deserved holiday. We all wish him the very best in the future.


TUNSTALL AND DISTRICT WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

The relatively new Tunstall & District WI continues to go from strength to strength. We cover a large district and have a very diverse membership, including members from Blaxhall and Rendlesham. The energy shown by the new committee at its first meeting bodes well for the coming year.

Guests and new members are always welcome so please do come along. We meet on the first Monday of the month at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall, Tunstall.


PARISH COUNCILLORS

If you have any matters which you want to discuss with any council member please feel free to talk to them.
Shirley Birch
Gary Borrett
Graham Bowles
Phillip Dunnett (Chairman)
Clara Jenkins
Stephen Smedley
Nigel Suckling
Shirley Taylor
(Vacancy)
PARISH CLERK Joyce Iszard (tel: 01728 688452)
Andrea Fletcher-Cutts has recently resigned from Blaxhall Parish Council and we would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her contribution during her time with us. Anyone who fancies the idea of filling the vacancy on the Council, please contact Joyce Iszard.


DIARY DATES

18th Jan: Blaxhall Playing Field tidy-up, 10.00 22nd Jan: Village Fete meeting, 7.30 pm, Blaxhall Village Hall
28th Jan Drop in coffee morning village hall and every 4th Tuesday of the month
29th Jan Village meeting Please come and tell us what you would like new or altered 7 30pm village hall.
6th Jan, 3rd Feb, 3rd March: Tunstall WI, 7.30 pm, Tunstall Village Hall

In Blaxhall Village Hall:
Monday evenings: Carpet Bowls
Thursday morning & afternoon: the Art Club
Thursday evening: Line Dancing.