Stour Winds take a bow

Stour Winds take a bow with their conductor, Charlotte Blyth after their recent concert at St Mary's Church, Chilton.

Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan, consultation begins

Examining maps illustrating the Plan

Yesterday I went to the Guildhall in Lavenham to attend the first of three consultation events connected with the Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan that has been prepared by the Parish Council.

The right for a community to create a neighbourhood plan was established by the Localism Act 2011. The aim of the Act was stated as being to give 'communities the power to set the priorities for local development through neighbourhood planning'.  Unlike parish plans, which had a much wider brief, neighbourhood plans are solely concerned with development and planning, although when taken in the broadest sense this extends into other areas of local interest such as transport and education.

Lavenham, with its plethora of listed buildings and unique history, is a particularly special place and it is not surprising that the Parish Council wishes to have some influence over future growth.  One of the first parishes in Suffolk to embark on a plan, the authors have produced a very extensive study with proposals for the village which is well worth reading.

The proposals are based on the results of a questionnaire sent to all residents.  Their concerns centred on the need for more affordable housing, a resolution of the village's traffic problems and a desire to see small rather than large developments.  Safeguarding local facilities and the local enviroment were also priorities.

The preparation of a plan is a lengthy process.  Once the consultation has finished it will go to an external inspector to make sure that it is 'sound',  that is that it complies with local and national planning policies. 

Two further drop in meetings at which the Lavenham Neighbourhood Plan can be discussed with representatives from the Parish Council will be held in the next few days:

Sunday 2nd August in the village hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday 4th August in the Guildhall from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Any resident with an interest in the future of their unique community would be well advised to take the time to go along.

Lavenham, a special place.

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

Chilton Woods Feedback

There is an ominous silence from the County Council with regards to Chilton Woods.

I have no more news than anyone else, but a kind reader of the blog has pointed out to me that the County Council has posted up feedback from the consultation exercise that took place in January and February this year.

To read the comments that were made click here.

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

Twelfth Night at Lavenham Hall

Lavenham Hall

Yesterday evening a group of us attended the Lavenham Players' production of Twelfth Night, the second show that has been staged by the group in the lovely gardens of Lavenham Hall.

The production was well up to the standard of their 'World War 2 inspired' Much ado about Nothing that played at the same venue two years ago.

The cast was excellent across the piece.  There were outstanding performances from Katie Lummis who was a suitably androgenous Viola/Cesario, Malcolm Hollister, a thinner than usual and rather sinister Sir Toby Belch, and Robert Crighton a sadly believeable Malvolio.  Paul Vella and Annie Eddington made an elegant Duke Orsino and Countess Olivia.  In the spirit of the actor/manager, Anthony Faulkner, the owner of Lavenham Hall gave a good account of his roles as a sea captain and Fabian.  The line 'This is to give a dog, and in recompense desire my dog again' (5.i.5) was given additional resonance by the presence on the stage of one of the dogs of the house, who performed his part with great stage presence.

Updated to the 1920's, the many well known lyrics from the play (Hey Ho the wind and the rain, and Come Away, Come Away Death to name but two) were given appropriate jazz based settings. Cecil Qadir as Feste delivered his ballads with great aplomb.

All of the actors clearly understood every word of what they were saying, and the audience, perhaps due to this, equally clearly heard every word.  Sadly this is more than can be said for some of the Shakespeare that is put on in our professional theatres where one feels that misplaced concern about the attention span of the audience  all too often results in rushed speeches and poor diction.

In my view the acid test of a good Twelfth Night is whether the line from Antonio in the final act,  'An apple cleft in two is not more twin than these two creatures' (5.i.217) actually rings true.  Viola and Sebastian, the long separated twins, on whose likeness much of the plot hangs, were sufficiently similar on this occasion for the scene when all is revealed to be credible.  I rarely watch this reconciliation without a lump in my throat, and so it was on this occasion.

The play was produced by Robert Crighton and Joseph James and Directed by Gemma Leggett and Penny Mills.  Sponsorship was provided by Number 10 Wine Bar and Kitchen and Woodbridge School.

News from Chelsworth Community Woodland

Winter view

I was pleased the receive photographs from a committee member of Chelsworth Community Woodland that demonstrate the fact that the ancient oak tree which was subject to quite extensive and expensive tree surgery last year has survived the winter well and is now flourishing.

Regular readers will remember that I wrote about the barbecue I attended at the woodland in September last year, report here.

I am pleased that all is well at the woodland and look forward to visiting again before too long.

Recent view