Official opening of new Citizens Advice office in Sudbury

Mayor, Sue Ayres cutting the ribbon.

Having worked at Sudbury Citizens Advice between 2003 and 2007 as an advisor and session supervisor, and as a Trustee for some years thereafter, I was very pleased to be invited to the opening of the new Citizens Advice headquarters yesterday lunchtime.

It was great to catch up some old friends and also to get to know some new people, including the Manager, Colleen.  The new offices are a great improvement: light and bright and with a lot more space for everyone.  The building has been named Keyse House in memory of the late Margarette Keyse who for many years worked as a volunteer administrator at the Bureau and who was tireless in her efforts to make all work like clockwork. Margarette died in 2013 and I wrote tribute to her HERE.

Trustee Chair, John Ashton

Belle View House may have had its attractions, but the accommodation previously occupied by the CAB in the building  was really not very comfortable.  It was cold in the winter, too hot in the summer and the facilities for those waiting to see an adviser were for many years really inadequate (although this did change when we were able to take on more space a few years ago).  I will never forget having to go down into the spider infested and damp cellars to find old files etc.  It was not a good experience.

The new offices can be found at the very beginning of Acton Lane, on the right just before you take the road up to the police station,.   Information about the services offered in Sudbury and opening times  can be found by clicking HERE.

It is good to see the bureau going from strength to strength.

New Reception area

Gainsborough's House welcomes lottery players

Following the recent National Lottery award, Gainsborough's House in Sudbury is offering all lottery ticket holders free admission over three weekends in December.  This is to acknowledge their part in making the award possible.

In October staff and supporters of the museum were delighted to learn that the National Lottery, at the second time of asking,  is prepared to contribute £4.7m towards a major capital project that will greatly extend and enhance what is currently on offer to visitors.    A new building is proposed at the bottom of the garden in Weavers Lane which will provide enhanced exhibition spaces, more factilities for children, and the reinstatement of the much missed cafe.

December is a really good time to visit Gainsborough's House.  There is currently a marvellous temporary exhibition French Drawings from the time of Gainsborough, and the shop looks absolutely lovely.  It has been rearranged recently to reflect Gainsborough related themes,  and has a wide range of delectable gifts, plus christmas cards and unusual decorations.


The Museum is open every day of the week, Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11a.m. to 5 p.m.

Compassion, 15 years supporting the victims of domestic abuse in Babergh

The Cake!

There was a star studded turn out for Compassion's 15th Birthday Party in the Hills Room at Gainsborough's House yesterday morning.   The event coincided with White Ribbon Day, 25th November, the International day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

If you want to help  victims of abuse in our area there is no better way than to get in touch with Compassion to find out about how you can help.

You can learn more ON THE WEBSITE HERE.

Sue Ayres, Mayor of Sudbury with Sally Watson, SCC Localities Officer

Chairman and Founder of Compassion, Cathy Press, with James Cartlidge M.P. and Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner.

Margaret Maybury, Babergh Councillor with Specisl Responsibility for Communities, with Nick Antill.

Concert by St Edmundsbury Male Voice Choir

Thanks to our Little Waldingfield Senior Correspondent, Andy Sheppard, for sending photos of last week's very successful concert in aid of St Lawrence's Church.  The St Edmundsbury Male Voice Choir sang an eclectic selection of songs from round the world to high acclaim from the large audience.  One of the choir's members, John Sparkes, who lives in the village, sponsored the event, and at the same time fulfilled a long term ambition to stage a concert in Little Waldingfield.

It is clear that the evening was hugely enjoyable.  Moreover a much needed £1500 was raised for the church fabric fund.

The outstanding beauty and grace of St Lawrence's can be seen from the photo below, taken from the altar steps.

The reality in Cuba

Perpetual revolution, a freshly painted slogan on a factory in Cuba visted in 2015

My morning composure was spoilt this morning as I was obliged to listen to Ken Livingstone and some other old Trotkyist sympathiser heaping praise on Fidel Castro who died yesterday.

Castro was the worst sort of communist dictator who held his country back for 60 years.

We visited Cuba in 2015 and even as tourists it was impossible not to notice how poor and repressed the people of Cuba continue to be.

'Red Corner' in Cuban tobacco factory 2015.  The Party Member (seated) promotes propoganda and keeps an eye on the workers.

 I am not surpised that Cuban emigres in Miami were celebrating last night.  It's just a pity that the exploding cigar failed to ignite many years ago.

Urban decay in Havana 2015

Industrial decay. abandoned factory, inland 2015.

Devolution latest

Unsurprisingly, the withdrawal of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk council from the devolution process resulted in the Government scrapping the deal.  In Norfolk all further meetings to discuss the matter were cancelled.  In Suffolk however it was decided, following some encouragement from the Government, that we should attempt to conclude a deal for Suffolk alone (which might include some willing partners from Norfolk and/or Essex.)

Accordingly the meeting scheduled for yesterday to approve the Norfolk/Suffolk deal went ahead.  We were asked to debate the following ‘amendment’ to the motion:

That Council agrees:

1.          To reiterate the commitment, given at its June meeting, to Devolution as a means for delivering accelerated growth in the local and national economy and helping local people and places fulfil their potential;

2.          To authorise the Leader and Chief Executive to:

a)      seek an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State to discuss the Government’s intentions around devolution;
b)      work with Government and local partners to agree an alternative devolution deal as soon as possible

3.          That further reports are presented to the Authority, as appropriate, as the Devolution process progresses.

        During the course of yesterday it was not possible to obtain any clear impression of what a revised devolution arrangement for Suffolk alone would look like.  However,  I feel sure that any revised scheme would be similar in structure to what was previously proposed and would result in an unnecessary and expensive extra layer of government.  Nonetheless,  there seemed no harm in seeing what is actually on offer.  I might be proved wrong after all.  Having voted against the motion last time, on this occasion therefore I decided to abstain.

        The motion was carried by 57 votes, with 7 councillors abstaining.

        As the County Council faces many pressing problems at present, including sorting out the dismal highways situation and finding savings to fill a large budget gap, I am unable to escape the impression that devolution continues to be a major distraction and that we are guilty of fiddling while Rome burns.

See the plans for expansion at Gainsborough's House on Saturday.

‘Reviving an Artist’s Birthplace:

A National Centre for Gainsborough - HLF Award

What happens next? If you were unable to make our first Open Day Gainsborough’s House invites you to a second Open Morning to find out more

Gainsborough’s House, birthplace and home of the renowned artist Thomas Gainsborough, has received Heritage Lottery Fund support of £4.73 million, including a development grant of £280,700, towards a £7.5 million project to transform the House into a national centre and one of the region’s leading heritage museum and galleries.

We will be holding a second Open Morning at Gainsborough’s Chambers on Weavers Lane, on Saturday 26^th November from 10am-1pm where there will be an opportunity to look at the current plans, discuss what happens next and answer your questions.

All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you during the day