The Chairman of Hadleigh & District Flower Club, Mrs Maureen Noone, presenting a cheque for £1520 to Dr Flather, who received this on behalf of the Suffolk Accident Rescue.
The Flower Club, which has been in existence since 1988, currently meets in the Town Hall on the second Tuesday of each month and holds flower demonstrations, by experts, on a regular basis.
If you would like to discover a new skill, learn about arranging flowers, increase your garden interests or simply want to enjoy a pleasant evening watching others, then you are assured of a very warm welcome at one of our Club evenings.
For further information contact 01473 822925 or 01473 823130.
Introducing Hadleigh and District Twins Club.
We are a group who formed in March of this year and are affiliated to TAMB.
We meet on the last Wednesday of the month at Calais Street Playstation from 1.30pm to 3.15pm. We are ordinary mums who meet for coffee and a chat while the children play, but we all have experienced having twins. We have social evenings together and sometimes with hubbies!
The group’s purpose is to offer support, friendship and advice to issues relevant to having twins.
We are thankful to Hadleigh Charity Shop who gave us £100 towards setting up and developing the club.
Anybody interested in coming along, especially expectant mums of twins or triplets etc, we would love to hear from you.
Give Janice Simpson a ring on 829414
The Public Inquiry
As reported last month, the Secretary of State has rejected both the Tesco and Buyright proposals.
The Inspector’s report ran to 102 pages and it is interesting to note that it is dated 15th May. The Secretary of State’s final decision is contained in two further documents with a total length of some 60 pages. However they do repeat the material in the Inspector’s report. They are dated 24th September. So it would seem that it took about four month for the report to work its way through the Civil Service systems.
Much of the report is taken up with summaries of all the evidence presented during the Inquiry, followed by the Inspector’s recommendations, all of which were accepted by the Secretary of State.
In brief they were:
The Inspector accepted that the need for a retail food development of the size proposed by both applicants had been established.
She also stated that the riverside site best met the sequential requirements of PPG6. However she considered that:
The designs of the store and the extended wing of No 109 did not rise to the demanding challenges of the local environment.
The enjoyment of the garden of Sun Court would be seriously impaired by the overbearing appearance of the 7m high wall of the new rear extension to 109.
With the proposed access road the occupiers would not be able to use their gardens or open windows without a sense of constant intrusion from noise.
Harm would be caused to the Conservation Area by the widened access, signalled junction and the concentration of traffic.
Traffic queues would irreparably change the quiet nature of that part of the Conservation Area.
The proposals for demolition of 109 failed the required tests and therefore did not comply with the local plan. It would be harmful to the Conservation Area.
With the Buyright proposal, the Inspector’s main concern was that a new supermarket together with the existing store would form an out of town “one stop” site and would therefore be detrimental to the High Street shops.
What happens now?
We understand that applicants have six weeks to take action in the High Court, but that this can only be on a point of law and not just because of disagreeing with the outcomes.
In the case of Tesco they may make a new application with a different store design and another point of access. The only plausible traffic entrance would be from Bridge Street. This could be either from the Babergh car park via the allotments or by demolishing some of the houses between the car park and The Old School. Either route would require the purchase of land not only for the entrance but to build a road to join it up with the Brett Works site. We are told that one approach has already been made. However we also have strong evidence that the existing purchase options, held on behalf of Tesco, are on the market.
Even if the land can be acquired, the junction with Bridge Street is likely to be no more acceptable than the High Street proposal. It would be in the Conservation Area and onto a narrower road.
Buyright’s only option appears to be to divide the present store and use part of it as a supermarket. This was their declared intention during the Inquiry. Their managing director is quoted in the press as saying that he has had an approach by a major supermarket and is considering all the options.
Meanwhile the Co-op should have a clear run to extend their store, but there appears still to be uncertainty about the details and the timing.
I am afraid that we must just wait and see what happens. We will follow events as closely as we can and try to keep you up to date.
Jan Byrne
Chairman of The Hadleigh Society
The news this month is both ‘good’ and ‘not-so-good’. As you must have learned by now, the appeal for a Tesco supermarket was dismissed by the Government Inspector, Mrs Ava Wood, following a lengthy Public Inquiry.
The good news, however, is that the findings of the Inquiry have actually strengthened Tesco’s position as the leading contender for a supermarket in Hadleigh since the Inspector has virtually eliminated the other two stores involved.
Firstly, the Secretary of State and the Inspector both accepted and agreed that there is a NEED for a supermarket in Hadleigh. This confirms our earlier views, and those of Babergh and Suffolk County Council’s Planning Officers.
After inspecting and considering 10 possible sites in the centre of town, she rejected them all as being either unsuitable, inappropriate or unavailable. She next looked at the edge-of-centre sites and concluded that the most suitable of these was the Brett Works Factory Site. She stated that a store on this site, together with a car park for 189 cars, would enable shoppers to conveniently make the 5 mins walk to the High Street shops and thus enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre.
She then concluded – “I accept that a store of the REPUTATION and QUALITY of TESCO would address the current deficiencies in the town, and would provide sufficient appeal to draw shoppers into Hadleigh.”
Of the QD/Buyright situation, the Inspector concluded that their application was against the Government’s desire to focus retail activities in and near to town centres; it was too far for shoppers to walk to the town centre, and it would draw shoppers away from the High Street shops. She felt that the application – “should NOT be pursued”.
She was equally critical of the CO-OP, which, she claimed, is clearly NOT adequately serving its catchment residents, and that “an extended CO-OP would NOT alter the situation to any significant degree.” The shortfall could only be met by a foodstore, and an associated car park, of the scale proposed by Tesco. The town centre would, in fact, be boosted by a Tesco store, and although some closures would initially occur, it is likely that new businesses would replace those lost.
On TRAFFIC, she stated that, taken overall, there IS sufficient capacity on the High Street, and on the existing road network, to accommodate the increased traffic predicted, which would NOT cause undue congestion or overly compromise the flow of traffic or highway safety. She considered that the impact on the conservation areas from the increased traffic flows would be balanced by the compelling benefits to the town centre overall.
The main reason for dismissal of the Tesco appeal centred around the partial demolition of Cinch’s store, concerning the harm the gap of the access road would cause to the largely uninterrupted, continuous line of the High Street buildings and to their residents. She is saying, in effect, that if an alternative, more suitable entrance can be found, the problem of access could be overcome.
If any member would like to read the Inspector’s report, then I have a copy available, on request.
Although the time has arrived for renewal of membership of the Tesco Supporters Group, it was decided at a meeting of the Committee on 15th October 2001 that it would be sensible to await the outcome of Tesco’s consideration of the Inspector’s report before proceeding further.
R H H Smith
Chairman, Tesco Supporters Group
Hadleigh Evening W.I. met in the Seminar Suite of Hadleigh Library on Tuesday 16th October. The President welcomed members and one visitor and presented buttonholes to those who were celebrating birthdays this month.
There was very little business this month. A residential course at Belstead House was discussed. The courses on offer are Pottery, Local Archaeology, Calligraphy and Stress Busting. Quite a wide range.
As Christmas approaches we could not let the event pass without a trip to a pantomime. The evening chosen is Friday 21st December and is performed by the Co-op Juniors.
The outing to Shelley and the Riding for the Disabled stables was enjoyed and a donation of £40 was made and we now sponsor two horses, the new one a mare called “Holly”.
After the business was completed we enjoyed a fish and chip supper as this was our Harvest Supper evening. Our desserts were trifles provided by the committee and the meal was rounded off with coffee and After Eight mints. The background music was provided by Mr John Mills, a.k.a. Danny Crow, who played as well as sang. His rendering of the songs made famous by the Singing Postman were met with enthusiasm and tapping of feet. The evening lasted longer than usual as members sat around the tables chatting and not wanting to leave. All in all it was a very convivial evening.
Our next meeting is on the 20th November at 7.30pm and is our AGM.
The annual Cheese and Wine Party took place at the Old Town Hall, Hadleigh on the 21st September and 117 people enjoyed an excellent spread prepared by the wives of members, whilst there was the opportunity to sample seven different wines. The evening raised about £700 for the Club’s Charitable Trust Fund, with the monies to be split between local and International causes. Members would like to record their appreciation for the all the help provided by their ladies, without which it would be difficult to hold the event.
In the last issue it was reported that the Club’s Golf team was making good progress in the District competition, and they duly reached the final, although they were not quite able to emulate their bowling colleagues, losing 2 and 1 to Norwich Rotary Club. They have, however, won the southern area cup for clubs in the Ipswich area, so are to be congratulated on a very successful campaign. The team comprised of Alan Williams, Terry Longman and Ian Burne who was undefeated in the competition – quite an achievement!
Planning for the Christmas Carol collection is now well in hand and details of routes and main beneficiaries will be published in the December issue.
Three speakers have attended the Club during this period. A Rotarian from the Sudbury Talbot club, Sue Brotherwood, spoke about her work as Town Clerk in Sudbury. Being the Chief Clerk to the Council she is responsible for all administrative work and her duties include accompanying the Mayor on civic occasions, attending Council meetings, preparing Minutes, advising Councillors on regulations etc., liasing with other Councils and Public Bodies, representing the Council at functions and meetings. She is also the Responsible Finance Officer, overseeing an annual budget of half a million pounds. She went on to relate some of her more unusual and amusing experiences in a very well received talk.
Roger Green is a member of Sudbury Rotary Club, and more importantly the Assistant Governor responsible for the Southern area of the Rotary District, to which Hadleigh belongs. He talked about his job as Assistant Governor overseeing about 15 clubs in a District containing 72 Clubs.
He discussed the history of the District and its relationship with Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland (R.I.B.I.) and Rotary International. It was a lively and interesting talk on Rotary matters prompting many questions.
Rodney Kerr, one of the owners of Kersey Mill traced the development of the property since improvements were started in about 1978. Prior to then it had been derelict for many years. During the early years the improvements were mainly to the house and the maltings which were converted into offices. This was followed by the building of new office space in keeping with the style of the original buildings. Now there are 22000 square feet of office buildings, whilst much work has been carried out in flood protection and relief, the grounds have been landscaped and a wildlife haven established.
There are now 65 people working at the Mill, and there are also conference and catering facilities, a fitness centre and a marquee for corporate and private functions.
They still have much work to do, especially to the Mill itself, as well as to the surrounding watercourses and grounds. Plans for the future include expansion of I.T. Training, provision of a Management Training Centre, increased Conference facilities, amongst other things. It all points to an exciting future for the Mill and the Rotary Club wishes the owners every success.
For information about this Club please contact Rotarian Alan Williams, Tel: 01473 652582
The Autumn season for the Brett Valley group of the SWT started well in September with a most stimulating and interesting talk by Helen Dowding (from Flatford Mill Field Studies Centre) on “From Field to Folk – Sounds of the Countryside” and a street collection on the 22nd September, when over £135 was raised for the Trust. Thank you to all who gave so generously.
On Monday 5th November we shall be joining our friends at The Hadleigh Naturalists for a talk on “Dragonflies”, given by Keith Morris at the Town hall, Hadleigh at 7.30pm. We shall have the Trust’s stall, so opportunity to purchase those stocking fillers for Christmas. On Thursday 15th November Margaret Grimwade and Malcolm Clark will be giving a talk on “The Sight and Sounds of Badgers” at Hadleigh Library, 8pm start.
Instead of our “traditional” theme evening this year, we are holding a “Call My Bluff” quiz evening at Constable Hall, East Bergholt on Friday 30th November from 8pm to 11pm. Form a team of up to four members and come and pit your wits against our invited panel of experts. Entrance is by ticket, price £3 per person (buy in advance or pay at the door). It should be fun! There will be a licensed bar and nibbles, but please bring your own “eats” if you need anything substantial! Tickets can be purchased in advance from Jan Dicks (01473 823413), Liz Kotarska (01206 299347) or myself, Steve Flowerday (01473 828796).
We have re-established a local Watch group, for younger members between the ages of 5 and 16, under the guidance of Helen Dowding. Meetings are held at Valley Farm, Flatford, East Bergholt every second Sunday, in the afternoon or evening. (Please see adjacent box for information on programme). Please contact Helen on 01206 298283 (or just turn up) if you wish to join.
Steve Flowerday, Chairman
The year 2001 is unique in that it brings together the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to fall on Remembrance Sunday. At the time, day and month that the guns fell silent on the blood-soaked, shell-shocked, tortured earth of a continent at war, a war to end all wars, tradition ordained that the fallen should be remember at that time, whatever the day. A war to end all wars, and yet within 21 years we were again committing our young men and women to fight a Continental Power so evil that had it prevailed the Continent of Europe, and most of the World, would have been plunged into darkness.
By reason of this second war, the practice of remembering the dead from WW1 on that special day was suspended and moved to the Sunday closest to the 11th. This practise continued after WWII until the RBL campaigned for the fallen from both wars to be remembered appropriately on that day, the 11th, and so it is.
Also, 2001 celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the RBL under the patronage of Fld Marshall The Earl Haig and the launch of The Poppy Appeal to collect funds for the aid and welfare of the wounded, both in body and mind, and so it has continued through WWII and all subsequent campaigns, caring for ex-Servicemen and Women who are in need.
The Poppy Appeal Fund for the centenary year was set at £20 million. The Appeal raised £20,100,758 for which The Poppy Appeal Fund say thank you to all who gave so generously.
In this special year, we again ask that you give generously to The Poppy Appeal, so that the Poppies Bloom again in the Avenues, Roads and Streets of Hadleigh and the surrounding district.
On a less sombre, but equally important note, the Branch Committee have been busy processing the issue of current Membership Cards. Again, a gentle reminder to those who have not yet done so that Subscriptions must be paid before the 31st November, or membership is automatically cancelled.
Club Notes: Quiz Nights: 8th, 29th November. November Music: Len Dee, 10th November; Two For the Road, 24th November. Children’s Party, 1st December (age group 5 – 12 years – members children only). Still required: Bar Staff. Contact The Steward, or a member of staff.
Memories: Remembrance Sunday 11th November 2001, will be commemorated with a muster of The RBL and Standards at 11am in George Street/High Street for the observance of two minutes silence, followed by the sounding of The Last Post and Reveille. At 2.05pm The RBL will parade in George Street with Standards and Wreath Laying Parties to march along the High Street, preceded by the Stowmarket Centenary Boys Brigade Band to the War Memorial for the wreath-laying ceremony. They will then join the main parade which will assemble in the playground of Hadleigh Community Primary School, Station Road, for the return march along the High Street for the Service of Remembrance in St Mary’s Church, conducted by The Dean, The Very Reverend David Stranack. Following the service, The Parade will march back to George Street for dismissal.
October 2001
Two new members were welcomed and good wishes were expressed for Kath Sams, in hospital after a stroke. Members were saddened to hear of the death of Enid Lincoln’s husband.
The WI bench, at present in the Deanery garden, is to be repaired and a permanent place found for it.
The speaker, Dr Trevor Hoskins, had been in Benghazi in 1965 to care for the mining workers in the desert. He spent 4 years there, until Gadaffi’s arrival, not returning to Africa until 1990 when he ran a clinic in Lusaka, Zambia, looking after the local population. At this point Dr Hoskins’s story switched to that of Dr David Livingstone, whose route he was in part able to follow.
This intrepid explorer, missionary and naturalist discovered the Victoria Falls while searching for the source of the Zambesi and later, the Nile. His long-suffering wife, Mary, bore him four children and died of malaria. Livingstone worked hard at exposing the slave trade, bringing two boy slaves back to England. Dr Hoskins showed some beautiful slides assisted by his “technical assistant” – his wife!
Hilda More announced that the Friendship Club is open to any WI member. It is held on the second Wednesday of the month at 2pm in the Red Cross Room, when not an outing.
The next WI meeting will be the Annual Meeting on 7th November.
We are very pleased to see such a good attendance at our meetings, and also very pleased to welcome two new members to the club.
The sound of music was ringing in ours ears after a delightful evening with Doreen Whitelock and her musical boxes. Doreen told us the history of the musical box, and handed round a lovely variety of boxes, which played so many different tunes.
Our Italian evening was a great success and enjoyed by all. We held a quiz and sampled a nice assortment of Italian foods.
Our next meeting, Bonfire/Halloween Night is on 7th November. We meet at East House at 7.45pm
Many people still don’t know what U3A is about, and are missing a good chance to add to the pleasures of life.
U3A is part of lifelong learning. You don’t need qualifications to join. All you need is the wish to know more about the subjects we offer. There are no exams before or after, no medals, only the satisfaction of knowing that you have a better understanding of the subject concerned.
The annual subscription of £8 covers participation in any or all of the 15 interest groups – Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation, Social History, Local History, visiting Churches, Creative Writing, Poetry, Bird Watching, Gardening, Walking, Bridge, Canasta, Scrabble, Theatre Visits, Book Circle.
This is possible because leaders don’t get paid for their part in the lifelong learning process, and most of the meetings are held in the homes of members.
We also have a monthly meeting (first Monday) to find out what others are doing. We usually have a speaker, and the subjects vary from an account of experiences as a pilot on the Berlin Air Bridge to views on Education learned by a lifetime of study at every level.
6% of us are under 60, 13% are over 80, and the average age is 70.
If you want to know more ring 822304 or 824832.