A weekend in Antwerp

Antwerp on Monday

I am prepared to put up with almost limitless inconvenience to spend a little time at sea. 

ABBA tribute shows and doubtful dinner companions, even the agonies of the Captain’s cocktail party, don’t deter me if there is the chance to go anywhere by boat! I’m not even a very good sailor, tending to turn green at the first sign of a swell, but nevertheless I just love the whole experience:  the endlessly changing view, walking around the deck, the comings and goings in port, the paraphernalia of navigation, and seeing other ships of all types.

The Belgian pilot is taken off having seen us safely down the river and out to sea.

 Our mini cruise to Antwerp over the Bank Holiday weekend aboard M.S. Balmoral was in every sense ‘good value’ and, predictably, I loved every minute.Having cruised up the River Scheldt in the pouring rain, the sun came out as we docked and we spent a fascinating 24 hours in port before returning to the UK. 

The home of Rubens,  Antwerp has a lot to offer, but probably its most unique feature is its railway station.  Surely it must be the most beautiful in Europe, if not the World.

As always, I was interested to see how the city manages its rubbish collection and was particularly taken with these bright compartmentalised rubbish bins.

Complaints about noise

Babergh's environmental health department is investigating complaints from residents in respect of loud music emanating from the White Horse Pub in Great Waldingfield over the weekend.

Care with cards needed!

Police are urging residents to be extra vigilant when using ATMs after a card reader device was found on a machine in Sudbury.

The device was found on the machine outside a supermarket on Station Road at 3.15pm Wednesday 22^nd August.

The device was removed from the machine and at this stage no one has come forward to report any fraudulent activity on their account.

Officers would like to offer the following advice in relation to this incident: -

It is always a good idea to check an ATM thoroughly before use, as it may not be apparent that a device is attached.

Customers should alert the branch immediately, or contact police, if they find anything suspicious.

It is also sensible to cover the keypad with your hand and check your bank accounts regularly to prevent yourself falling victim to other types of ATM fraud.

Details about all types of card fraud in the UK can be found at http://www.financialfraudaction.org.uk/ including tips on how to prevent it happening to you.

Anyone who feels they may have been the victim of fraud should contact their banks immediately.

If you have any information relating to this incident please contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting reference SU/12/1815.

Vacated land now back to normal

Thanks to Babergh officers, and also to some volunteers led by Peter Clifford,  the land at Aubrey Drive and the adjacent field  has been cleared of debris etc. and the pathway hosed down.

The County Council, which is the landowner, is to erect temporary fencing to secure the site until a more permanent solution can be found.

Further information with regard to the new illegal encampment on Chilton Airfield will be posted on the Chilton Travellers tab above as and when it comes available.

A case meeting to discuss the encampment will be held by the Gypsy and Traveller Team sometime next week.

Cockfield reaches the next round

The approach to Cockfield Church

Cockfield has reached the finals of the Suffolk Village of the Year competition.

Two other villages in the County are up for the award.

Final round judging will take place on Saturday 22nd September between  11 a.m. and 12.30.


Well done Cockfield!

Not travelling far

As anticipated the travellers have not moved very far.

Having had an eviction notice served on them yesterday they had until lunchtime today to leave the bottom of Aubrey Drive.

They clearly wanted to set themselves up on the green beside the bowls club in Great Waldingfield, but a concerted effort from Police and occupants of the adjacent industrial estate meant that they were relocated to Chilton Airfield.

They can be found in the field to the right of the driveway to Chilton Grain.

The Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Team is aware of the situation.

And so the saga continues......

For further updates please see the Chilton Travellers page above.

An invitation from our PCSO Siobhan

Our PCSO Siobhan Hemmett, pictured above right at the head of Acton's walking bus,  is holding three community safety events in Waldingfield Ward in coming weeks.

Advice will be available on all sorts of crime reduction and there will be the opportunity to have your bike security marked.  Siobhan will also be able to discuss any issues or concerns that you have with regard to community safety in the community.

Arrangements for the events are as follows:

Friday 21st September, 6 to 8 p.m. Lay-by opposite the play area, Lambert Drive, Acton

Saturday 29th September,  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Playing Fields, Folly Road, Great Waldingfield.

Saturday 13th October, 3 to 5 p.m., Swan Public House, The Street, Little Waldingfield.

News updates on travellers

I am continuing to update the Chilton Traveller Page, which can be accessed by clicking on the tab at the top of this page.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have further questions.

Anyone out there a Flemish speaker?

In the next few weeks Nick and I are going on a short trip to Antwerp.

We are keen to see the old town, enjoy some Belgian food and take a look at the altarpiece in the Cathedral.

A print representing the central panel of the altarpiece was copied by Gainsborough in the late 1760's, probably as an exercise in composition, and the picture is now one of the greatest treasures at Gainsborough's House.

Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) The Descent from the Cross (after Rubens).

We decided to book a table on line at a recommended restaurant (good value but central!), and think that we have managed it, but the e mail response we have received is indecipherable to both of us. (Nick's language skills are of the Latin variety, and mine entirely Slavic).

Guesswork has got us a little way, but we are still not sure if our table is booked or if we are being, rather wordily, turned away.

Is there anyone out there who can help?

The County comes to Gainsborough's House

The Chief Executive Officer of Suffolk County Council, Deborah Cadman, accompanied by County Councillors for Sudbury, Colin Spence and John Sayers, visited Gainsborough's House this afternoon.

Ms Cadman seemed very impressed with the museum which was having a 'free entry' day.  She was suprised to hear that we have almost 200 volunteers! Gainsborough's House receives a grant from the County Council which supports educational and other work. 

The picture above shows the visitors with the Chairman of Gainsborough's House, Brian Moody (far right).  The group is standing in front of the mulberry tree that was probably already growing in the garden during the 18th century when Gainsborough was alive.

Ms Cadman, who made the trip to Sudbury as part of a rolling programme of visits around the County, also went to the Town Hall, the Market Hill and the Bridge Project before coming out to Chilton to see the site of the proposed Chilton Woods Development.

Olympic fever hits roads and tracks around Newmans Green

I particularly enjoy my early morning dog walks at the weekend.

There is no farm machinery to squash me onto the verge, no mums taking a shortcut to reach All Saints Middle School, no rackety motorcycles shattering the peace of the morning; just peace and quiet and the sound of the birds.

Well, what a change since the Olympics started!  Hoards seem to have descended onto the roads around here, running and cycling furiously.  Puffing and red in the face they speed by in wrinkled shorts that have clearly just been extracted from the back of the cupboard.  I do hope that they have cleared their olympic inspired efforts with their doctors.  Rendle and I get quite exhausted just looking at them!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics, and been uplifted by much of what I have seen from the comfort of my armchair. However,  I do wonder how long it will be before the tranquillity of our Saturday and Sunday morning walks is restored?

More news on travellers

I have been updating the tab above  (Chilton Travellers) with news about the unauthorised encampment in Aubrey Drive as it becomes available.

Please check from time to time.

Overweight lorry reported

Thanks to Kim and Barry Hills of Great Waldingfield for snapping this overweight lorry illegally travelling along Valley Road.

The picture has been passed to the police and also to Trading Standards, who, I understand will be taking action to hunt down the perpetrator.

As those who attend the Safer Neighbourhood Public meetings know, Valley Road is subject to a weight limit , but  this is regularly flouted by drivers wanting to take a short cut to the A134.

It is hoped that a Lorry Watch scheme might be put in place along the road, but this depends on finding volunteers and support being forthcoming from Suffolk County Council.

In the meantime if you spot a lorry driving along the road and have a camera handy do try to take a snap.  You will need to photograph, or take a note of, the registration number.

Gypsy and Traveller Page

Click on the special page above (Chilton Travellers) for current information about the unauthorised traveller site in Chilton.

I will try to update this page when new information becomes available.

King Lear in Rendlesham Forest

The King divides his kingdom in Act 1.

To Rendlesham Forest to see the Red Rose Chain's production of King Lear.

Based in Ipswich, this independent professional theatre company manages to produce first class shows while working closely with young and vulnerable people in the community.

The Theatre in the Forest at Rendlesham is a wonderful venue.  The stage enjoys the natural backdrop of the forest which lends itself to special effects of all sorts, particularly after dark.  We were lucky that the weather was reasonably fine, since there is little shelter.  Apparently the show goes on whatever the weather however.

It was a brave project to stage King Lear, which is probably the darkest and also the most explicit of Shakespeare's tragedies.  I am not convinced that it was the best choice for a family evening out, but a certain amount of humour was extracted from material that might at first sight seem to be unpromising.

The second half, where the plot of the play gives little scope for jollification , was played more or less straight, and as a result was more successful dramatically than the first.   However, the quality of the acting and communication of the poetry were very high throughout and overall the experience was an entertaining one.

I am looking forward to seeing the Red Rose Chain's next production.

The faithless Duke of Burgundy

Edmund the Bastard

Heroic deeds for charity at Endeavour House

Last week County Councillor for Waldingfield and Sudbury East, Colin Spence,  abseiled down the atrium at Endeavour House in Ipswich.  His feat is pictured above.

Colin was sponsored by a number of people and raised almost £1100 for the following good causes:-

The Fire Fighters Charity
The Fire Service Sports and Athletics Association (which provides support for children and young people via Fire fit and Fit and Healthy Campaigns)
Suffolk Family Carers

I understand that Colin enjoyed the experience, but is not tempted to undertake the exercise on a more permanent basis.

Travellers return

A group of travellers has moved from private land on the Chilton Industrial Estate to the green to the west of Spire Chase in Chilton.   This is County Council land.  It is anticipated that it will take at least four weeks to move the travellers on if they do not wish to leave voluntarily.

The County Council Liaison officers and Police have been made aware of their arrival.