A Grand Tour of the Ward

Chris Fry (right) with Peter Clifford

On Thursday afternoon I took Chris Fry, who is Babergh and Mid Suffolk's Head of Environment, on a guided tour of Waldingfield Ward.This was a useful exercise in itself, since it was a great chance to take one of our key officers captive for an afternoon, and to be able to bend his ear on a number of issues, such as litter, fly tipping and the state of the airfield.

The main reason that Chris came along now however is that he has been paired with me to undertake the Babergh Community Engagement 2012 in  Acton, Chilton, Great Waldingfield and Little Waldingfield.     I wrote about this in July ,  click here  and the process is now getting under way.

We spent a little time looking round each of the four parishes, and I have to say everywhere looked pretty good on what was a sparkling afternoon.  In Chilton, Parish Council Chairman Peter Clifford took us on a guided walk.  We saw Chilton Hall, the Church, and the contested Prolog Site among other things.  I have to say that I was particularly impressed by the excellent state of Chilton's footpaths.  These are all cut by the Parish Council's own contractors, and I think that the money spent by the council on this is worth every penny.

Time has been set aside by Great Waldingfield Parish Council to hear the views of residents at the next meeting on October 8 (note early start at 7 p.m.), and Chilton is also planning a meeting.  Acton and Little Waldingfield have yet to make up their minds about what, if anything to arrange.

It isn't just down to the Parish Councils however.  If you are part of a community group who would like to have its own discussion on Babergh related issues that are important to you please let me know.  Also I welcome input from individuals, and will be creating a separate tab above today which will include the key questions that we would like people to consider.