Blaxhall Parish Council Newsletter
No 50 Winter 2004/2005 Written by Gary Borrett
A Happy New Year to everyone in Blaxhall from the Parish Council
Village hall
The first phase of improvements to the village hall will be starting soon. The main hall will be completely rewired, new heating and lighting will be installed, and we will be fitting a new floor surface. This work has been made possible largely due to the fantastic support that we have had from the village for all of our fund raising events over the past couple of years. I would like to thank everyone who has turned out to the events in 2004, and also the Village Hall Committee whose untiring efforts have provided us with some great evenings' entertainment.
There is still a lot of work to do on the hall and we have a full programme of events for the coming year to keep our fund raising going. Please make a note of these dates and I look forward to seeing you again in 2005.
Feb 5th Film Evening "Billy Elliot" (15) - 7.30pm for 8.00pm
start.
Light refreshments available. Admission £3.50 at the door, or call
Steve on 01728 688751 to reserve your tickets.
March 5th TBA (licensed bar)
April 2nd TBA (licensed bar)
May 7th TBA (licensed bar)
June 4th Summer Ball (licensed bar)
Steve Smedley, Secretary Blaxhall Village Hall Management Committee
Coffee and Chat Morning
There will be a special monthly coffee and chat morning on 25 January at the village hall 10.30am to 12.00am. There will be cakes and a bring & buy stall. All the proceeds will be donated to the victims of the Tsunami. Please support this event as every penny counts.
Village Fete
This year's village fete may seem a long way off but the planning starts now and we are always looking for volunteers. Getting involved can be very rewarding. If you are interested then please come along to the next meeting on Wednesday 2nd March at 7.30pm at the village hall. All help is appreciated no matter how small, and it can be great fun.
Playing Field
The Playing Field Committee are organising some work parties to undertake some work mainly in The Pit area of the field. The next one is on Saturday 19th February starting at 10.00am, weather permitting. All help is welcome. Remember to wear old clothes and bring gloves and tools suitable for cutting and clearing.
Tree Warden Vacancy
Are you interested in conservation and trees? Would you like to be more involved? We have a vacancy for a village tree warden. The amount of time involved can be as little or as much as you would be willing to give. If you are interested or would like more information then please drop a note to Joyce Iszard the Parish Clerk at Pack Gate Cottage, Mill Common.
Housing Needs Survey
Suffolk ACRE has provided a definition of "Affordable Housing" - "Both low cost market and subsidised housing that will be available to people who cannot afford to rent or buy houses generally available on the open market"
Affordable Housing was a key concern arising from the Blaxhall Parish Plan and the Parish Council has consulted with Suffolk ACRE on the costs of a Housing Needs Survey for the village to obtain a clearer view on need for more Affordable Housing in the village. The costs of a full survey were estimated in excess of £100 and the parish Council decided not to undertake a full survey but to provide an opportunity for further assistance via this newsletter.
If you, or your live-in relations, are in a position that you may have to leave Blaxhall within the next few years (or may have already left) because of the lack of Affordable Housing in the village and you need further help or information on how you might stay (or return), please contact the Parish Clerk. Write to the Parish Clerk, Blaxhall Parish council, Pack Gate Cottage, Mill Common, Blaxhall, IP12 2ED. All requests will be handled with confidentiality.
New Seat on School Hill
On New Year's Eve Phillip Dunnett the Chairman of the Parish Council was please to take receipt of a new bench from the Woodbridge Motorcycle Club chairman to replace the old seat which was originally donated in 1968. We all hope that the new bench will be as well used and last as long as the original.
Your Local Representatives
Parish Councillors
Maureen Adie
Gary Borrett 687562
Graham Bowles 688192
Jasper Dickinson 688243
Phillip Dunnett 688273
Bob Mackenzie 688755
Stephen Smedley 688751
Nigel Suckling 688317
Shirley Taylor 688220
Clerk to Council
Joyce Iszard 688452
District Councillor
Raymond Herring 746337
County Councillor
Peter Monk 01394 411373
Improved Train Service to London
More direct train services are now being run direct from Saxmundham to Liverpool Street station London. There are now 10 trains per day (Mon-Fri). The first train leaves Saxmundham at 6.20am and the last train home leaves Liverpool Street at 9.00pm.