Broadband, Smoke and Mirrors

Do not be fooled by the Government's recent announcement about Broadband for rural areas.

This is not new news, but just old news repackaged for Christmas.

No new money is being invested; we already knew about the savings that have been made possible by higher than expected take up of the service.

Also, despite the optimism of Karen Bradley, the Minister, on the radio this morning, there is still no clue about what will happen to the last, most remote, 5% of households.   95% coverage by 2020 has been promised for some time.

Governments still don't understand that you cannot fool people with this sort of announcement!

Meanwhile, Suffolk County Council continues to do 'it's best'.   Further news on the rollout should be available in the New Year.

Christmas Waste and how to avoid it.

I have just received my latest copy of Waste and Recycling News which has two important messages for residents during the Christmas period.

Firstly, collections of rubbish and recycling from your home will, due to various public holidays etc., be on different days from usual.   Full information, and a downloadable leaflet for Babergh,  is available HERE.

Secondly, as usual, once the festivities are over it is possible to recycle your Christmas Tree by taking it to a collection point near you.  Information about this scheme is available on the Babergh website HERE.

This scheme is now 9 years old and almost 12,800 trees have been turned into useful compost over that time.

Finally, I have had a telephone call from a resident who wanted to know if any growers are currently operating a 'rent a living Christmas Tree' scheme.  I seem to remember that the BATS group did run a scheme of this type a year or so ago, but I am not sure if that is continuing?  If anyone knows perhaps you could get in touch with me? 

Love this picture!

Why Angel Roofs?

The angel roof of St Stephen's Hall, Westminster; the archangel of all other angel roofs

Not much mediaeval art from English churches survives.  Episodes of iconoclasm under the ‘reforming’ Tudors and in the middle of the Seventeenth Century put paid to the vast majority of the works that once populated their naves and chancels.  Over a decade ago Tate Britain put on a show of some of the highlights of what remains undamaged (or relatively so), and the main thing that struck me at the time was how little material there is left to choose from.

Angel roofs, that adorn many churches in East Anglia, are an exception that proves the rule.  The iconoclasts found it difficult to reach them, often leaving instructions that they should be destroyed after their departure.  Fortunately their instructions were often ignored, although this was not always the case and occasional rows of headless seraphs, and empty spaces, are the sad result. 

In the past when looking at these roofs, presiding rather magnificently above the relatively bare walls and statue free niches,  I have wondered why they were there and what they signified. At Little Waldingfield History Society on Wednesday evening I achieved some enlightenment.  Michael Rimmer, who has written a book on Angel Roofs,  gave a wide ranging talk on the subject, illustrating some of the best examples.

When created angel roofs were integral to the church’s overall internal decoration. The focus of the whole was the rood screen which separated the chancel from the nave, and depicted Christ’s passion.  The absence of the screen today (no original one apparently survives) leaves the roof in limbo as it no longer forms part of a purposeful decorative whole that took the eye from the top to the bottom of the church as if from heaven to earth.  Andy Sheppard has written a full review of Michael’s most informative talk, available on the tab above.

Michael Rimmer made the point that the roofs represent a rare opportunity to see (from a distance) the work of mediaeval craftsmen, so much of which has been lost.  Coincidentally this weekend The Guardian reports that a rare Fourteenth Century statue from the Midlands is to go on show at the British Museum.  You can read about how lucky it was to survive HERE.

The Angel Roofs of East Anglia, Unseen Masterpieces of the Middle Ages by Michael Rimmer is available from Amazon and other booksellers.   ISBN: 978 -0718893699

14th Sudbury Christmas Tree Festival

Blue seems the colour of choice this year!

Almost 90 decorated Christmas Trees are currently on display in St Peter's Church in Sudbury.

Each one has been dressed by a local organisation, and funds raised from the magnificent show will be going to a number of good causes selected by the Sudbury Rotary Club.

The Church is a wonderful backdrop for the Festival, and I guarantee that if you go along you will feel quite uplifted and more prepared for the rigours of festivities to come.

The Festival is open tomorrow, Sunday. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.     Refreshments are available.  A minimum donation of £1 will get you in!

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.