50 years of service to Acton Parish recognised

Christine Johnson receives the Freedom of Acton from Councillor Colin Spence

To Acton Annual Meeting yesterday to see Christine Johnson receive Freedom of the Parish in recognition of 50 years service to Acton Parish Council.  The Freedom Scroll was presented to her by County Councillor, Colin Spence.

Christine and her husband David moved to Acton in the autumn of 1966, and it was not long before Christine was appointed Parish Clerk.  She was fulfilling this role when I was the District Councillor for Waldingfield from 2007 to 2015, and I have to say that there was very little about the village that Christine did not know.  Yesterday evening she was described as a 'walking Google'.  I was always very grateful for her help and support.

Having resigned as Parish Clerk a few years ago, Christine became a member of the Parish Council and she has been Chairman for the past two years.  Now standing down from the Chair owing to the illness of her husband,  she remains a Parish Councillor.  Christine has been succeeded by Paul Chaplin, pictured below signing his acceptance of office.

I am not entirely sure what being a Freeman of Acton involves, but I am sure that whatever it is Christine will enjoy exercising her hard won rights!

Theatre Royal Bury Children's Festival, 2016.

The Wind and Sun, one of the acts taking part in the Festival

This year I was really pleased to be able to give some of my locality budget* to support the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds Children’s Festival.  Neighboring councillor, Colin Spence, also provided funding, and as a result during June Lavenham, Bildeston, Whatfield and Cockfield Schools, and also Colin’s schools in Great Waldingfield and Acton, were visited by a troupe of live performers. The children enjoyed drama, dance, music, circus and storytelling and I have had some encouraging feedback about the shows.

There is nothing like live theatre.   I hope that this small move towards introducing children to it at an early stage will encourage them to take an interest in live performing arts, and to become the audiences and players of the future.

This week I received an e mail from Julia Read, the Head of Development at the Theatre Royal on the outcomes of the Festival.   This tells me that the Festival had been a great success, attracting an audience of over 4000.   It visited 24 schools and at 9 other venues, and involved some 15 different theatre companies.  Feedback forms showed an excellent response

Looking to the future, the Director of the Theatre Royal, Karen Simpson would like to reach out to more parents.   In the report she wrote:  ‘We would like to work with schools in the future to invite parents into the performances in schools.  This would enable many more parents to experience the quality and intimacy of the work on offer.  It would also reinforce the experience at home and in school for the child.

In an age where the solitary pursuits of the internet seem to absorb more and more time, sharing a theatrical experience with others is to my mind more important than ever.

*This is taxpayer’s money, a small amount of which, Suffolk County Council allows me to distribute to communities and organisations around the Division

Acton Boules Group launch

Needle match, Matthew and Colin

Acton’s brand new Boules pitch was officially opened last week on a lovely sunny morning.

Colin Spence, who gave some of his County Council Locality Budget to the facility, was there to officially inaugurate the pitch.   He is pictured here with the youngest enthusiast that has attended to date, Matthew Holt. 

Boules mornings will be held throughout the summer on Monday mornings from 10.30 a.m.  I believe that there will be other regular organised mornings throughout the week, but the pitch is available to all who have the necessary equipment at the village hall at any time.

Further information about the Acton Boules Group’s activities can be obtained from Sandy on 01787 379741.

Colin in action!

Chilton Woods, the impact on Acton and points north, discussed.

Yesterday evening Acton Parish Council considered its response to the Chilton Woods planning application that was recently lodged at Babergh District Council. In addition to the councillors some 13 residents of Acton went along to the meeting.

None of the proposed development actually falls into the parish of Acton, although the village lies immediately to the north of the site.  Not altogether surprisingly therefore the principle discussion at the meeting was around the impact of traffic on the area.

Even though the site is planned so that traffic is encouraged to travel east/west rather than north/south, it is certain that some vehicles will seek to drive to and from the north.   Travelling north from the site will bring them to the T junction in front of the Crown pub in Acton, which is a difficult spot even now, and where there is very little scope for road widening.  Alternatively drivers may well decide to cut down to the by-pass through Newmans Green, where the road is only single track and is already damaged by cars seeking to pass one another. 

Currently the plans are very unclear as to what is going to happen at the point that Acton Lane leaves the site to the north.  Road closure is a possibility, but the expectation is that this will not happen.  At present the problems this might cause do not seem to have been properly thought through.

Another issue is that of the impact of the development on Acton School (and indeed on other schools in the area).   It seems that until 500 of the houses have been completed there is no intention to build a new school at Chilton Woods.  It is understood that children will be accommodated by the erection of temporary classrooms at nearby schools.  This is all very well, but I do wonder if this is as easy as it sounds, particularly given the fact that Chilton Woods is not the only new housing proposed in the area.

There has been a good deal of criticism about the sheer size of the application….there are apparently some 154 separate documents available to view on the Babergh website.   The paperwork is however reasonably well indexed, and we did not have too much trouble finding what we needed.

However, the Sudbury Society has produced a short guide to the application and I have an electronic copy.   If anyone would like one please let me know.

News from Margaret Maybury

Margaret litter picking

Margaret Maybury, who is one of the District Councillors for Waldingfield Ward, has written a review of her recent activities, and also commented on what is going on at Babergh.  This can be found by clicking on the 'Margaret Maybury' page tag above.

While her report will be of particular interest to readers from Waldingfield, (Little and Great, plus Acton and Chilton),  I believe other Babergh residents will also find this useful.

In her report Margaret refers to the annual Acton Litter Pick, which this year will take place on Wednesday 16th March at 10 a.m. Meet at the entrance of Queensway.

Acton store transformed.

 For some months now what was once Bob's Stores in Acton has been a building site. Some doubters had been heard to wonder whether anything would ever emerge from the chaos.  Well it seems that their worries were unfounded.

The other evening I was driving through the village and I saw a beacon of light in the middle distance.  On closer inspection I realised that this was the newly refurbished Acton Store, from whose large glass windows, a good deal of light was streaming into the cold winter gloom.

I decided to go down to visit the store on Friday morning, and speak to Muku, the owner pictured above, who comes from the north of Sri Lanka.

As can be seen from the pictures the cozy interior of Bob's, which did have its charms,  has been completely updated to provide a 21st Century shopping experience!  The shop has re-opened under the 'Costcutter' name.  This is essentially a buying organisation that helps small retailers to enjoy better buying power in order to compete with larger stores.

Muku tells me that in addition to sourcing branded goods through Costcutter, he is keen to stock local produce. Bread will be coming from Lavenham for example.

In Acton we are very lucky that an entrepreneur has decided to make this investment.  Elsewhere village stores are closing down, and there were real fears that this would be Acton's fate too at one time.

I hope everyone will support Muku and ensure the future of  the Acton store    

Art at All Saint's, Acton

Once again Acton Church is holding its annual Art Exhibition and Sale in the Parish Church.  The exhibition runs for two weeks, and closes next Sunday, 13th September.

I went along this morning and much enjoyed the pictures on show.  An original work of art is always raffled at the event, and this year there is the opportunity to win a fine watercolour of Sennen Cove by the accomplished local artist Kevin Franks.  Other works by Kevin are on show, including a very fine picture of the harbour in Copenhagen.

Another artist who caught my eye was Mandy Dearsley, whose attractive highly stylised watercolours of animals in the wild were very original.  The two giclee prints by Mark Freeman, Breaking the Silence and Paradise Lost: thence up he flew, made a strong statement, and,  for those who like literally to see the writing on the wall, the compositions based on letters and calligraphy by Ruth Steel would certainly fit the bill.

Suffolk scenes are available in abundance.  I particularly liked Chris Baylie's Shingle Street, and Vivien Freeman's picture of the thames barge Betula at Pin Mill.

In addition to over 150 framed works on display around the church, ranged along the pews there are a number of unframed pictures on offer which would reward closer examination.  There is also a good selection of unique greetings cards on sale.

The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday of next week between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

A chance to spend your twilight years in Acton?

I don't know who were more shocked and surprised yesterday evening at the Acton Parish Council meeting, the 70 or so members of the public who turned out to learn about a potential new development in the field to the east of Barrow Hill, or the representatives from the owners and developers who came to present their ideas for the site.

The village clearly knew something was up since the turn out was greater than I have ever seen at a Parish Council meeting.   There was quite a buzz of excitement mixed with apprehension from those whose homes were likely to be affected by any development.  As the developers' ideas were revealed the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees, despite the fact that the evening sun was still bathing the playing field outside with summer warmth.

The land it seems is owned by a body called the Innominate Trust which, apparently, is a Quaker organisation.  A quick Google did not come up with much, although it is clear that the Trust is keen on funding aid projects and anti slavery campaigns largely focussed on the third world.

As the Trust's representative outlined his vision for the site it was clear that Acton was not being offered just another overcrowded characterless housing estate of the type springing up all over Suffolk.  It seems what is being proposed is a retirement complex that includes some 32 'special needs' bungalows and a 40 bed care home.  It might also include a hairdressing salon and a library. The Trust it seems is not intending to develop this themselves but will seek outline permission and then sell the land on to an appropriate development company.

Acton was not particularly impressed by this, rightly being concerned that the promised plans would not actually materialise as described.  It has to be said therefore that enthusiasm for the idea as proposed was somewhat muted.   Additionally concerns were expressed about the wildlife that frequents the site and which is adjacent to the village's wildlife reserve. The usual comments about lack of adequate drainage were also heard, along with concerns about traffic on Barrow Hill.  The high spot of the evening came when a member of the public asked where the entrance to the development would be situated.  The answer came that there might be a land swap so that this could be driven through the existing allotments.  The collective groan was palpable.  The allotments! Impossible....

Planned in concentric circles, apparently residents of the proposed establishment would move steadily closer to the centre (the care home) as they age and their needs become greater.  One wag was heard to remark that it might be best therefore to build the complex around a cemetery and thus provide a complete service.

I left the meeting with Colin Spence a little after most of the public had dispersed, but while the Parish Council was continuing to deliberate.  As we stood in the gathering gloom we were interested to see the representative of the Trust driving away in the most enormous black shiny Mercedes Benz.

No formal planning application has yet been lodged at Babergh and no approach has been made to Suffolk County Council to see if there is actually a need for such a facility in the area.   It will be interesting to see what happens next

New activities encourage a record turn out at Acton Fete

Vintage vehicle display

Judging by the number of cars in the vicinity of Acton Village Hall yesterday afternoon, record crowds were drawn to the annual fete.

In addition to the usual stalls, a car boot sale area proved popular as did the opportunity for dogs to participate in a full agility course.  The playgroup was well represented with a stall and there were opportunities to buy plants from Acton Garden Club.

County councillor Colin Spence recently donated locality money towards the creation of a proper Boules terrain on the playing fields.  Unfortunately this was not ready in time for the fete, but nonetheless the promoters of the new Acton club were on hand to introduce the game to beginners and to attract old hands.

A tense moment

I enjoyed having a go, playing a tense needle match with District Councillor for Acton Margaret Maybury.  I will not reveal the result since the uneven nature of the grass and the mutual ineptitude of the participants meant that the outcome was more indicative of the vagaries of chance than anything else!

It is hoped to start regular evening sessions once the new terrain is finished.  If you are interested in taking part you should contact the organiser, Sandy Ross, on 01787 379741, alex.g.ross@btopenworld.com.  Sandy lives in Vicarage Lane.

Colin and Jeannette Spence and Margaret and Peter Maybury enjoying the fete with  Rendle the Lurcher.

Canine agility course

Member for Newmans Green!

I am very pleased that my husband, Nick, has been elected as a parish councillor for Acton.

This picture shows him shortly after he was presented with his 'introduction pack' by Lisa Edwards, the Parish Clerk.  It is a sad truth that when elected to any public office, however small, the first thing that happens is the delivery of a large file of reading material!

For many years the interests of our our little strip of houses at Newmans Green (which is part of Acton Parish, but which lies about half a mile to the south on the Sudbury road) were represented on the parish council by Ken Chamberlain. He farmed on the airfield, and kept an eye out for us all, but he moved to France two years ago.  Nick put himself forward because he thought that it would be a good idea once again to have a person on the council who lives in a spot which is slightly removed from the main part of the village.

I must add however that since Ken's departure the councillors and chairman in Acton have not forgotten Newmans Green.  They worked hard with me two years ago to make sure that the giant Chilton Woods Development did not stray further north, and, since that time, Acton Parish Council has been vocal in seeking to protect our little hamlet from the excessive traffic that may be generated from the development .

I am pretty sure that appointment to the parish council will not inspire Nick to take on a larger role in local government, but time will tell.

Rubbish, a growing problem.

 Yesterday morning I went down to Acton to encourage Margaret Maybury (pictured to the right of the picture on the left)  and some of her 18 helpers who were working hard on a litter pick in the village.   

 Regular readers of this site will know that Margaret regularly organises these events. She, along with David Johnson who at last week's Annual Parish Meeting announced his retirement from his very regular litter picking activities, has been responsible for Acton being a much cleaner place than it otherwise would be.  We owe them both, and their helpers, a big thank you.

Margaret tells me that on Saturday over 320 bottles of various sorts were collected, together with over 30 bags of rubbish.  Margaret would like to extend thanks to all who took part.

The problem of litter in the countryside seems to have become worse in recent years.  In a radio programme a few weeks ago the broadcaster, David Sedaris commenting on the problem, remarked: ‘Why should everyone have to live in a teenager’s bedroom? ' Why indeed!

Sedaris was quoted by MP’s recently at the Communities and Local Government Select Committee, which was looking at the problems of litter in the countryside,  The report makes interesting reading and can be found here..  One problem is that a number of different agencies have responsibility for rubbish clear up. Many of the larger ones such as the District Councils and the Highways Agency only have limited resources with which to tackle the problem.  

Following the receipt of a letter on the subject from an irate resident recently, I raised the matter with the Head of Environment at Babergh, Chris Fry.  Chris acknowledged that over the last four years the amount of rubbish collected has increased by 10 percent year on year, rising from some 71,480 tonnes in 2011/12 to an estimated 102,000 tons in 2014/15.

This is in part due to more communities getting involved with their own litter picking activities, which Babergh is keen to support.  If you want to organise a litter pick full details about how to go about it, and who to contact for help,  are on the Babergh website.

It seems difficult to get the Government to take the issue of every increasing litter seriously. Many believe that education is the answer, but I think that, while a good idea, this will take a long time to bear fruit.  It is hard to escape noticing that around Sudbury a lot of the rubbish on the verges emanates from the fast food outlets around the town.  It is possible to ask these organisations to clear up on a one off basis under existing legislation.  I believe however that a levy should be paid on every item to pay for more workers to clear up the debris on a regular basis.  It is a blight on the landscape and often a danger to wildlife.  Community action and personal effort can make a difference, but the commercial activities that are the source of the rubbish should also have to pick up the tab.

Make the polluter pay!

Acton litter pickers

Quiz in Acton next weekend

Acton VC Primary School

Quiz Night

Friday 14^th November

7.30 pm start

£3.50 a head max 6 per team

BYOB and snacks

Call 377089 to book your team

FOAS raising funds for the children