May 2012

NEWS

Celebrating local excellence

On 16th April, local achievement was celebrated at Reydon Village Hall when the Southwold and Reydon Society unveiled its second annual Awards for Excellence. The Society introduced the award last year as a way of recognising ‘the exceptional contribution made by local people and organisations’.

The year’s winners were a very worthy group:

• The Scarecrow Committee (Brenda Doy, Amanda Humphries and Sarah Britten) –‘this committee has raised funds for the Reydon Christmas Lights by creating a spectacular and fun family event that involves all ages throughout the community’.
• Mrs Jenny Hursell – ‘in recognition of her long-term service as Clerk and Secretary to several bodies and an over-riding concern for the future of Southwold).
• Mrs Tricia Scott – ‘in recognition of her long-term and strong dedication to voluntary community service, notably the local Voluntary Help Centre but also other charities’.
• David and Donna Smith – ‘for their commitment to organising special events that involve the community and which raise money for local charities’.
• Mrs. Geraldine Bryant – ‘in recognition of her long service and commitment to institutions and community of Southwold’.
• John Canham – ‘in recognition of his long-term dedicated service in keeping Southwold “spotless”’.

Two commendations were also given out:

• Tim Hunkin – ‘for the interesting, original and novel machines, clock, furniture and fittings featured on the Pier’.
• John and Patricia Purdy – ‘for their 25 years of providing a service to the community over and above normal expectations’.

Congratulations from The Organ to all Award winners for their well-deserved recognition.

Photo credits: Caroline Munn.

Tricia Scott

Geraldine Bryant

Tim Hunkin

Mary Palmer (1927–2012)

Ivor Palmer and family wish to offer their very sincere thanks to all those who helped Mary through her illness in the last 12 months, and made it possible for her to have a peaceful end in her own home. Special thanks go to the doctors, nurses and staff at Southwold Surgery, the district nurses and carers, the Marie Curie nurses, and the Macmillan nurses.

Southwold and Reydon Community Emergency Plan

A local voluntary group is nearing the completion of a six-month project to prepare and collate a ‘Community Emergency Plan’ for Southwold and Reydon. This is part of the Government’s community resilience initiative to encourage communities to have an emergency response available in the event of severe weather, flooding, snow, ice and a range of other risks to the community such as loss of water, electricity or major incidents.

The group would work with emergency services and the ‘Joint Emergency Planning Unit’ to provide local knowledge and support in the area. Part of the response is to have a number of boxes located across the parishes of Southwold and Reydon with necessary equipment, a hand-held radio and a copy of the Plan. However, having reached the point where the Plan is now ready for publication, the group requires additional funding to complete the task. Simon Tobin, the lead Co-ordinator for the group, says: ‘We were grateful to receive a small amount of start-up funding, but we still require approximately £400 to cover the cost of printing and the rest of the equipment for the boxes, and we are hoping that local donors may be able to help.’

The group, which has comprised of local volunteers and councillors, has worked hard to identify and secure a wide range of local resources, including the loan of equipment and the provision of rest centres and professional services. Chris Ure, who has been involved in collating the Plan, said: ‘There has been a tremendous amount of goodwill, with churches and village halls offering the use of their premises in an emergency and local businesses committing to provide equipment and services. A very strong community spirit has resulted in this Plan finally becoming a reality.’

The group is hoping that they may secure donations from local businesses or funders to complete this important project, and would be grateful if any potential donors could contact Simon direct on 01502 725153 or 07796 402519.

For more information

Contact:

• Simon Tobin as above
• Chris Ure: 01502 725793
• Adrian Durrant: 07972 571384
• Mike McElerney: 01502 726108
• Brian Bailey: 01502 725433.

ESTA welcomes better bus link

The East Suffolk Travellers’ Association, representing train and bus users, has welcomed the improved bus service 520 between Halesworth and Southwold.

The service had been greatly reduced in 2011, but since April 2nd this year, it has increased to hourly, with ten return trips a day.

Anglian Bus and Suffolk County Council have come to an agreement which means that the 520 bus leaves Southwold Kings Head on the hour every hour from 09.00 to 16.00 and then at 17.10 and 17.50. Buses leave Halesworth (Durban Close) at 07.08 (not Saturdays) and then 11 minutes past the hour till 17.11; the final bus, at 18.11, runs from on from Halesworth Railway Station as required.

ESTA Chairman Trevor Garrod commented: ‘We are particularly pleased that there will now be more connections with trains at Halesworth. The 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.00 and 17.10 from Southwold all connect with trains to Ipswich; while the trains arriving at Halesworth at 08.01, 10.09, 12.09, 14.09, 16.09 and 18.09 have a bus connection to Southwold.

‘The service is not ideal. There is no early morning bus from Southwold or late evening bus back, and the service does not operate on Sundays. Nevertheless, it is much better than was there before and we shall do all we can to promote it.’

Details of the timetable are available from Anglian Bus on 01502 711109 or on www.anglianbus.co.uk.

Sole Bay Juniors

With exciting times ahead, new pitches and new pavilion in the offering, Sole Bay Utd Juniors are looking to recruit new players in all age groups, but in particular the under 11 section, this season’s under 10s. This age group requires players to add to its exciting friendly and ambitious team. To find out more on the exciting times ahead at Sole Bay Utd, who play at Reydon near Southwold, call Chairman Alan Crick (07919 563187) or Coach Richard Pope (07854 617466) for further details.

Make a lasting difference

Leave a charitable legacy in your will

Cancer Research FreeWill Service is now available at Mantins Solicitors in Southwold.

Mantins Solicitors in Southwold has teamed up with Cancer Research to provide a local FreeWill Service – giving everyone over 55 the chance to create a Will or update their existing Will.

One Cancer Research UK supporter says: ‘By using the FreeWill Service, I was pleased not only to save money, but also to have the chance to support Cancer Research UK with a legacy. This is my thank you to the people who saved my life when I was only given a 50/50 chance of survival.’

The majority of people who use the Cancer Research FreeWill Service leave a gift in their Will to Cancer Research UK. There is no obligation to do so, but Cancer Research hopes that people will use this opportunity to help them beat cancer.

The legacies they receive are crucial to their life-saving research, funding over a third of their work. Your legacy could help them continue to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, and, thanks to generous legacy gifts, they are making great strides towards achieving their vision of beating cancer.

Greta Tancred, one of the partners at Mantins Solicitors in Southwold, says: ‘Having been given a second chance after surviving cancer myself, I feel very strongly about supporting Cancer Research in their fundraising efforts. People who often have very little spare cash during their lifetime feel they still want to show their gratitude and appreciation of Cancer Research by leaving a legacy in their Will, be it small or large. Legacies are generally exempt from inheritance tax, so a gift in your Will to Cancer Research UK could be tax free and, in some circumstances, could reduce the amount of inheritance tax your loved ones are liable for.’

More and more people are beating cancer thanks to the ground-breaking research by Cancer Research. In fact, cancer survival rates have doubled in the UK in the last 40 years and Cancer Research scientists have contributed to most of the world’s top cancer drugs.

Another Cancer Research supporter said: ‘After being diagnosed with bowel cancer at 29, I feel so lucky to be able to have a family and see them grow. It’s the most precious thing in the world and it’s been made possible thanks to legacies left to Cancer Research UK.’

Cancer Research receives no government funding and it is only with your support, like gifts in your Will, that Cancer Research will be able to ensure the current progress continues into the future. Consider leaving a legacy to Cancer Research and help them beat cancer.

For more information, contact Greta Tancred – pop in at Mantins Solicitors at 82 High Street, Southwold IP18 6DP, ring Greta on 01502 724750 or e-mail greta@mantins.co.uk.

Still going strong

12th May is an important anniversary for one of Southwold’s institutions, Coasters bistro on Queen Street. It may be hard to believe, but Pete and Olly first opened their doors on that day five years ago in 2007. Recently, they played host to me as I was eager to find out the secrets of their success.  As result, they will be starring in the June issue’s ‘In Conversation’. If you can’t wait that long, they will be delighted to hear from you – just drop in at 12 Queen Street, telephone 01502 724734 or e-mail info@coastersofsouthwold.co.uk. Happy anniversary!

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