Spring 2021 Leiston-cum-Sizewell - Leiston Town Council
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Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council Newsletter Spring 2021 A Sneaky Peek Inside... Page 2 Chairman’s Communication Page 6 Leiston Surgery Page 12 Celebrating 100 Years Page 16 Aldhurst Farm Page 18 Net Zero News Page 24 Leiston Football CLub Page 26 Leiston Makes Space for ProCorda - Wildlife - Leiston Abbey pages 14-15 t Leiston Makes e is o n L Space for Wildlife
2 What’s inside... 3 Keeping Posted with C&LS Keeping Posted with C&LS those that might just be keeping an eye start/stop period due to Covid on a neighbour or friend. restrictions, so it was pleasing 2 - 10 22 - 26 to receive the good news that after a It seems awhile ago now, but it was lot of work preparing an application Keeping Posted with Sport + Social good to see some fantastic Christmas the Leiston Film Theatre was awarded Council & Local Update Lights about the Town during that by the British Film Institution £57,509 Services period and the prolonged displays to in December. This will be very helpful 10 - 13 brighten up the days, even well into during these uncertain times and we all 26 - 34 January and along with a visit from look forward to when we can enjoy this 1 Education the Rotary Club Reindeer it made for venue again. -2 n Arts + Heritage a cheerier time for us all, as we were ee Leis ton unable to celebrate Christmas as we Your Councillors continue to work News on Gr 4 would have all like to have done so. very hard for this community through t eis 1 various Committees, and I am pleased L 35 - 36 Since I last penned an article for the last newsletter, the Town Clerk, John to say that there are some exciting new initiatives currently being explored such Handy Information Rayner has retired after 21 years as ‘Make Space for Leiston Wildlife service to the Town Council and our 2021/2022’ to co-ordinate and improve community. Although we were able to wildlife habitats in and around Leiston. Chairman’s say goodbye to John in December and I am sure you will hear more about this wish him a long and happy retirement, in the future when the Open Spaces Communication it is hoped to mark the occasion, subject to restrictions later this year. I thank John for his fantastic service. Committee has prepared the strategy. The Council continue to support the work of the Community Land Trust who Cllr John Last BEM Caroline Rinder formerly Deputy are making very good progress with the Town Clerk has now taken up the plans and vision for the regeneration of post of Town Clerk and I wish her W the Town Centre. elcome to the first Leiston- all the best in her new role. We also cum-Sizewell Newsletter for welcome Bev Kemp who has joined the When you hear and see, the 2021. Administrative team. involvement of so many in the work of continuously trying to improve our I write these notes just as the In my Chairman’s communications community, we all recognise what a snowdrops emerge in the garden, to fellow Councillors in February, I great place Leiston is. then the next day we have a blanket mentioned the very well organised of snow, but hopefully by the time this and run Covid Vaccination roll- out I hope you can enjoy the Spring and newsletter is published, we will find Programme for Leiston, carried out by please stay safe. ourselves coming out of the dark days to thank everyone who has played a John the Leiston Surgery staff, along with of winter and move towards the longer part during that time, supporting our their band of volunteers. We are all very and lighter days and perhaps a visit vulnerable residents that might have proud and grateful for their efforts in to the Leiston Community Orchard to been shielding or self- isolating. Many the fight against this dreadful virus. see the daffodils. This winter has been efforts of support we become aware John Last BEM very hard for us all, with the Covid of, and get to hear about, but also there It has been a tough year for the Council Chairman Lockdown and restrictions. I would like have been many acts of kindness by owned Leiston Film Theatre with a Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council
4 5 Keeping Posted with C&LS Keeping Posted with C&LS addition of a wildflower meadow. There are generous sponsors COUNCIL TAX AND LEISTON’S to help fund the hanging basket The Community Centre in King Georges display each year and money is always PRECEPT 2021/22 Avenue and the Waterloo Centre in needed to cut the grass and maintain Waterloo Avenue are great venues for the parks and public areas in the town All figures in this article will be for out the wide and varied functions groups/clubs and organisations to that the Town Council owns. BAND D Council Tax as this is the that they undertake. It also explains utilise, which have been severely limited recognised benchmark. Only 6% of why someone in Knodishall say has during this year during the lockdowns. We are fortunate to have a swimming households in Leiston are Band D a different final bill than someone in We hope to get both these venues pool and leisure centre in Leiston and however with over 70% falling in Band Leiston and Aldeburgh etc. back up and running again as soon as part of your council tax to East Suffolk A or Band B. restrictions allow. Council pays for that, likewise East It has been an exceptionally difficult Suffolk Council owns and maintains the Your Council Tax bill covers 4 separate year with the Coronavirus pandemic Dinsdale Road toilets are currently cemetery. elements: and so councillors decided not to being refurbished and modernised by increase the precept for the coming East Suffolk Council who own them. The Town Council hope that residents 1. The County Council who require year and maintain the status quo. The Town Council have always paid to appreciate and enjoy the facilities £1,397.35 (up £53.74p) Councillors have looked at what they keep them open as they are in a busy provided and would encourage need to maintain the facilities they own area of the town and quite a necessity. everyone to engage with them to 2. The District Council ask for and put a hold on future projects. They I am sure many residents and visitors ensure that, the areas that they can £171.27 (no increase) feel this is in the best interests of the will be pleased with the end result. affect, are being done so to your liking. residents and hope to be able to move The other areas where angst comes 3. The Police require £222.75 forward with future projects next year The Film Theatre has had a very like dog fouling, highways, litter are (up £14.92p) to enhance the town and make Leiston difficult year with the pandemic, with outside our control although we do our an even better place to live. having to close its doors 3 times. It is best to lobby on behalf of our residents 4. The Leiston Town Council Precept hoped the cinema will be able to open to get things done. Please don’t think of £171.63 Residents already enjoy the parks and as soon as restrictions allow and bring there is just “the Council” – there is the (no increase) play areas in the town and we also back the bespoke cinema experience County Council, the District Council have the benefit of Haylings Pond, a it is known for. The Town Council are and your own Town Council. They are The first three will be the same for hidden gem, as well as a sports field the custodians of the film theatre and separate entities although all are public all households in the East Suffolk (old primary school field) which is there wants to ensure it continues to flourish servants working for you and you pay District. The last element however is for everyone to use. The Community and provide the entertainment many separate amounts to each of them to what each town or parish in the district Orchard (at the top) is maturing well families enjoy without them having to do so in their areas. “precepts” for to allow them to carry and is a big success too with the recent travel to the larger towns. 2021/22 Town Council Budget Information If anyone is interested in finding out The allotments are well used and there more or wishing to look over the Expenditure Income Net Expenditure Leiston Expenditure Income Net Expenditure 2020/21 2020/21 2020/21 Town Council 2021/22 2021/22 2021/22 is still a short waiting list. accounts, please contact the Town £ £ £ £ £ £ 3,800 3,000 800 Allotments 4,700 3,000 1,700 Clerk or call in when the council office 12,850 4,500 8,350 Community Centre 13,450 2,000 11,450 The Town Council funds the Youth is open and I will be very pleased to 252,050 230,850 21,200 Film Theatre 194,950 169,950 25,000 157,530 6,750 150,780 Establishment 150,900 15,611 135,289 Club as they felt this was a service that help. 18,000 14,850 - - 18,000 14,850 Youth Club Dinsdale Road WC 18,000 13,850 - - 18,000 13,850 they could not allow to close when the 9,000 15,000 - 9,000 15,000 Grants Loan repayment 9,000 15,000 - 9,000 15,000 County Council withdrew funding. The Caroline Rinder 33,420 9,300 24,120 Waterloo Centre 40,950 16,300 24,650 Angling section of the club also uses Town Clerk 42,900 - 42,900 Open Spaces/Other Projects 42,100 - 42,100 559,400 254,400 305,000 Total 502,900 206,861 296,039 Haylings Pond which the Council own Council Tax £171.63 Council Tax £171.63 and maintain too.
Keeping Posted with C&LS 6 Suffolk Constabulary Thank You Leiston Surgery 7 Keeping Posted with C&LS www.suffolk.police.uk Here to help you...Check out the latest news or Dear Resident, Surgery and all its staff for being so outstanding at this difficult time. report a crime all via their website. We’re sure you’d agree that ‘Thank you’ always goes down well in life, especially However, you wish to join in, or if you when it’s hard earned and that is prefer not to is of course totally your exactly what this note is about! choice. The PPG is just looking to help in its capacity as being a support to It won’t have gone unnoticed by many both the Surgery and patients alike and of you that the Leiston Surgery has is looking to collect all those ‘Thanks’ been working above and beyond the on behalf of its patient community. norm serving its community this past year, and more recently delivering Thank You Points will operate: a tremendous and well organised vaccination service. By Foot: Leiston Town Council Office – marked envelope through the letter box To acknowledge the Surgery Team’s hard work, at the request of patients By Post: Chair of the PPG – Lesley Hill, who have asked how to say ‘thank you’ 45 Garrett Crescent, Leiston IP16 4LF at this time, the Patient Participation Group (PPG) being a committee of By Bank: Leiston Surgery Patient patients that helps support the surgery, Participation Group. Sort Code: 20 16 Leiston Surgery Covid-19 with the set up and implementation of 12 Account number: 2341 7409. has put a special plan in place to collect Vaccination Programme the programme. your greetings and contributions to do Online – Just Giving Page: https:// The Leiston Surgery have now We would also like to give thanks to just that. www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ commenced our Covid-19 Vaccination all members of the community who ppgleistonsurgery have volunteered and offered their On asking - ‘If through a collective gift Programme, which has been in services to aid us with the vaccination what would the Surgery Team love to operation since 15th January 2021. In Whichever way, should you choose to programme. receive to acknowledge its hard work?’ this time, we have held vaccination contribute, please put Leiston Surgery the Surgery replied ‘If possible, to have clinics over 8 days at the Sizewell Patient Participation Group. Last but not least, we would like to our staff-room updated and a new ECG Sports and Social Club. send a huge thank you to all of our machine’. The PPG thinks this is a Please note: There will NOT be a So far, we have managed to vaccinate staff at Leiston Surgery who have great legacy to work towards. publication of names and contributions nearly 4000 patients, staff, carers and worked incredibly hard during this just a lovely big – entire process to ensure all clinics are To enable this, from Monday 1 March other members of the community. promptly set up, fully booked and run until the end of May 2021 there will be THANK YOU! We would like to express our sincere smoothly. ‘Thank You Stations’ around Leiston gratitude to Sizewell Sports and Social and the villages that the surgery Leiston Surgery Club for giving us the opportunity to We are continuously delighted serves for patients to drop in a note, run our vaccination clinics on their with the support we are receiving a card or indeed a contribution – to Patient premises, and for being so supportive from the community during these say a hearty Thank You to the Leiston Participation Group unprecedented times.
8 Keeping Posted with C&LS Welcome Back to Leiston Library 9 Keeping Posted with C&LS B1119 Saxmundham Road Flooding By the time you read this, Leiston We’re still doing slightly longer loans – It has been well reported that there is On the north verge, the land owner Library will have reopened for our books and DVDs are lent for 6 weeks significant flooding of the carriageway has agreed to assist with clearing the Select & Collect door service again… – and fines and charges are suspended on the B1119 near to Saxmundham ditches adjacent to the kerb line. Then and our reservations will be back in for now. Road level crossing. It has even some replacement pipework to take action! We’ve missed you and it’ll be generated the support of a public that water under the road to the south good to see you again. Gabriele is still doing Baby Bounce on petition. The flooding here has been side where it will join the ditch on that our Facebook pages so do have a look an accumulation of problems and verge. These ditches are also to be Once again, we will be open with our and sing along at home with your little Suffolk County Council Highways have cleaned out. This connection of private temporary Covid hours - Tuesdays, ones! Storytimes and other activities regularly undertaken reactive works. ditches requires some coordination of Thursdays and Saturdays 9.30-2.30. are available too. And of course, However, there are several problems works and once complete will allow the Suffolk Libraries still offers all its online that interlink and SCC Highways have water to find its way into the Hundred For Select & Collect, you can pre-order services – eBooks, eaudio books, films developed a programme of works to River. the sorts of books you want – tell us and music – have a look on www. address the problem. authors and genres or subjects you suffolklibraries.co.uk SCC Highways have assessed the like. You could pop a note through the Following the road from the crossing works and a scheme has been letterbox, or you can phone and leave Please look at our Facebook page and facing towards Saxmundham the presented to SCC Drainage Depart for a message, or we’ll give you a request and the Suffolk Libraries website for works include, but are not limited to – implementation as a priority. form when you come in. Or you can further updates, of course it’s all very email. Don’t forget your name and changeable. On the immediate right clearing and Should you have a highways issue that library card number. Suffolk Libraries re-establishing the open drain line that needs attention, you can report it using also has an online S&C request form We do have to continue to follow allows excess water from the level the SCC Highways Reporting Tool on on their website – www.suffolklibraries. Government guidelines for those using crossing to escape into the former our website. co.uk. You can of course also reserve the library – to keep us all safe, so sand pit on the south of the road. books from all over the county on the remember to pop a mask on if you’re SCC Highways Team Suffolk Libraries website, or we can do coming along. We look forward to that for you. seeing you soon! Below is the SCC Highways Reporting Tool. highwaysreporting.suffolk.gov.uk/ We are still quarantining items for 4 days when they come back. If you have books to return just put them in our letterbox.
10 Santa finds time for Leiston 11 platforms, remote assemblies, home Leiston Primary School has a Keeping Posted with C&LS Educating Leiston workouts, remote Yoga to support streamlined, focused LAB in children during his busy schedule mental wellbeing, home visits, food place with members drawn from deliveries, technical support as well the local school community stakeholder proud as usual and contributed to local as personalised pastoral support for groups – parents, staff and community. organisations supporting the Covid19 our families. A big thank you to our Replacing the old Board of Governors, crisis. Leiston Town Council awarded children and staff for making our new the LAB makes certain that the Woodbridge and Framlingham Round situation work so well but the biggest curriculum, quality of teaching and Table £250.00 from their grant fund recognition must go to our families who outcomes are outstanding as well as in recognition of their efforts to bring have had to adapt in these challenging offering advice to the Trust Board about some Festive cheer to the town’s circumstances. Parents: you have done local issues they need to consider children during a challenging Christmas and continue to do a remarkable job. that affect the school. And, the LAB period. We must also say ‘Thank you’ to you represents the interests of the school The Big Man himself found time for the messages and gifts of support community in the running of the school. Santa praised Leiston families for in the run up to Christmas to visit which have not gone unnoticed. Working closely with the Headteacher staying in their bubbles and only Leiston families on the very day and other school leaders, LAB members venturing just past their front doors. He before Christmas Eve. Thanks to a Moving forward, it is crucial that we visit the School either in person when said, ‘Leiston children were the best. I last minute effort by the Woodbridge support our children’s mental health permitted or online during lockdown was delighted to see so many people and Framlingham Round Table, his and support them to lessen the impact to see for ourselves how teaching and out and so cheerful on such a wet sleigh was hastily made ready for the that the numerous lockdowns will have learning is being delivered, children’s evening. They made me very welcome long ride to the most easterly point had on their education – we are already needs are being met and targets and I hope they all received their gifts of the UK and on a wet and soggy putting plans in place for a remarkable achieved. Especially important at the on Christmas morning. I will certainly evening he managed a two hour tour. World Book Day on 4th March with a moment is ensuring children and staff be back next year - and I will bring my Social distancing made it tricky for the very theatrical theme! We can’t wait to are safe, checking arrangements in umbrella and raincoat next time, just in bucket collection but Leiston did us take you on an amazing journey. place for safeguarding and overseeing case!’ the mental and emotional wellbeing of Melissa Geater Educating Leiston pupils, staff and parents. Despite the Headteacher demands and pressures of schooling during a pandemic (coupled with ever A word from the Chair of the Local changing regulation and instruction), Advisory Board; Leiston has risen superbly to the A word from our Headteacher; with families and the Christmas challenge and responded creatively and Spectacular filmed in school was a In 2014, Leiston became part of Avocet consistently to minimise the impact As we reach the halfway point of the huge hit (despite the staff’s attempt at Academy Trust. Joining Avocet and of the pandemic on everyone. Do you academic year, we have seen our fair joining in). Parents’ Consultations were being part of a multi-academy trust think that you have skills which would share of successes and challenges but held remotely with a great turn out and (MAT) has meant we have enjoyed benefit our pupils and interested in throughout, our school community has it is fair to say that there are definitely many of the benefits of being part finding out more? Get in touch with proved to be resilient, resourceful and practices which we’ve had to put in of a smaller, more local group of us at school on 01728 830745 or most importantly supportive for the place that we can learn from and take schools, working together to promote send us an email at leiston.admin@ benefit of our pupils. forward. the achievement of East Suffolk avocetacademy.org pupils. At the same time, it has given Leading up to the end of the Autumn Through this latest period of lockdown, us access to better resources and Lesley Cassie term, we found solutions to each we have continued to provide a very support. To reflect this and monitor Chair of the Local barrier that Covid tried to raise. Superb high level of care and support through how effective our school is, we now Advisory Board Class Assemblies were shared online live teaching, interactive learning have Local Advisory Boards (LABs).
12 13 Educating Leiston Happy 100th Birthday our community who have Educating Leiston donated their old electronic Summerhill devices for ‘remote learning’. We have been humbled by the huge This year, 2021, saw them work with amount of support that we have marks a Happy huge motivation received, particularly from the Good One Hundredth and determination Neighbour Scheme (IP17GNS) Birthday to to achieve whatever and EDF Energy. I am extremely Summerhill they wanted to pleased to announce that all of School. achieve. This self- our families now have at least one motivation meant suitable device in their house for Founded in 1921 that the children home learning. We are still accepting by Scottish could learn at a Lockdown donations of any unwanted devices educational remarkable rate so that we can offer families with more pioneer, A.S.Neill (1883-1973) who when they were truly interested and As the first half term of 2021 comes than one child at Alde Valley Academy was widely considered to be one understood the purpose behind it. to an end, once again we can look a second device. Please contact the of the great educators of the time. back over several weeks of school school if you have any devices that you UNESCO list him as one of the 100 Neill broke down the idea that only life where we have had to overcome would like to donate. most influential educational thinkers those who were academic achievers issues caused by the current pandemic. and he was also listed as one of were successes in life. He believed Instead of our students returning Looking Ahead twelve greatest educators of the last that everybody had something to offer to school on 6th January we found millennium by a UK national broadsheet society in whatever form they chose. ourselves in another lockdown thus We are very pleased that Alde Valley newspaper in December 1999. He agreed that learning is important, presenting serious challenges for Academy is the fastest growing but not to everybody. What is more families and schools. The well-being secondary school in the local area and He founded his school, Summerhill, in important is to take joy in what we do. and learning of our students are can confirm that we have 121 pupils 1921 based upon his own education paramount and our staff, students joining Year 7 in September 2021. philosophy. Interesting that in the last few months and local community have all pulled we have recognised the so-called together to ensure that we have We are looking forward to welcoming After all the battles, all the doubts, all ‘unskilled’ workers that carry their all of our students back into school been able to maintain as normal the mean-spirited media coverage, countries on their shoulders and keep when current restrictions allow and an education as possible for our A.S. Neill’s system of education has the utilities working successfully. The also meeting our new Year 7 students students whilst adhering to the current survived. Not only survived but it has workforce we truly value, regardless of in September. government guidelines. thrived. their academic achievement. Remote Learning Anyone wishing to find out further Neill believed in the innate goodness of A S Neill once wrote: ‘It is ludicrous that information about our school can do children and set out to build a school a man who can do skilled handwork Our Keyworker School has been in so by visiting our website: http://www. to ‘fit the child’ rather than to mould the should feel inferior to a university operation since the beginning of aldevalley.suffolk.sch.uk/ or by calling child to fit the school. He believed that professor who may not be able to term with approximately 35 students the main reception on: 01728 830570. children can learn to make important mend a puncture, ludicrous that the attending each day. All students decisions in their lives and to take ploughman who can make a perfect within our school community have the path that they feel fits them best, stack or a straight furrow should rank been receiving ‘Live Lessons’ every following their own rhythm at their own lower in culture than a teacher.’ day and I would like to publicly thank Dan Mayhew - speed. Allowing his children to make all individuals and organisations from Headteacher their own choices about classes Neill Zoë Neill Readhead ©
14 Leiston Freebies! 15 Photo courtesy of Sizewell C Green Leiston Green Leiston Wetland at Aldhurst Farm - Loves Leiston - cum - Sizewell Town Council Wildlife would like to help you get a head start by offering wildflower and sunflower 2021 seeds for you to collect from one of our local shops. As long as you live in Leiston, you will be entitled to one free pack per household and anyone from 1 the recently created habitat at Aldhurst – 100 years old can join in (while stocks Farm but we believe we can make are available). We will be looking out even more spaces attractive to our Most importantly, we would like you to for your most successful and ingenious pollinating insects and wild animals become involved too. We are inviting ideas over the summer – and they don’t by carefully managing suitable spaces you to become a champion for ‘Leiston have to be big projects, just interesting. Leiston Makes within our more urban areas. This will Loves Wildlife’ throughout spring and So, we will ask you to post photos of Space for Wildlife provide a wildlife corridor, which is summer 2021. Do you have space your progress on our Leiston Loves particularly useful for our pollinating in your garden, your courtyard or on Wildlife facebook page, or send them to Our pollinating insects and other the council offices. There will be a prize insects like bees and butterflies. This your window ledge to make space for wildlife species need our help as their for the most creative household. We doesn’t mean leaving the verges along wildlife? Even if your car is parked in habitat globally is under threat. But would also like you to let us know about our roadsides to be left uncut as we front of your house, perhaps you have by working together, each parish can the wildlife you see, so that we can put want our town to look tidy, so that we space for a container or a small area contribute towards providing more together a picture of how much Leiston can all be proud of where we live. It for planting? Front garden planting is wildlife spaces. So Leiston-cum- has loved wildlife in 2021. means that with careful planning, we especially rewarding, as passers-by Sizewell Town Council will be launching can create spaces for wildlife that also also benefit from enjoying them. an exciting new project in 2021/2022. Please keep the coupon below and in look attractive for our residents and The ambition of ‘Leiston Makes a few weeks’ time, when we can all visitors. You could …. Space for Wildlife’ is to create wildlife safely visit the shops again, we will let corridors throughout the town which Throughout the coming months we * Sow a small wildflower patch or you know where you can exchange will link up the larger wildlife habitats will all be looking forward to life after container, the coupon for your seeds. (Coupons within the parish. lockdown and can begin identifying will also be available at the shops small pockets of land within the * Make a ‘washing up bowl pond’ to exchanging the seeds.) town that could be managed for the attract water, benefit of wildlife. We will keep you FREE WILDFLOWER and updated on progress throughout the * Create a buffet for your garden birds, SUNFLOWER SEEDS spring, summer and autumn via this * Make garden containers from old We would like to be part of ‘Leiston Hayling’s Pond newsletter, local press, our website and wellies and buckets etc. Loves Wildlife 2021’ social media channels. Over the coming weeks, we will be Name: publishing links to all the advice and Community Orchard Address: Leiston is already blessed instructions from organisations like the with green spaces at the RSPB and Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Please Contact details: Gree n Community Orchard, watch out for information online and in All details are collected and stored reen G Lei st o n Haylings Pond and the local free press. in accordance with GDPR. L e i st o n
Reproduced from Ordnance Survey map with the permission of 16 ALDHURST FARM Ordnance Survey on behalf of the controller of Her Majesty's ACCESS AND RECREATION PROPOSAL @A3 ALDHURST FARM HABITAT CREATION PROTECTIVE MARKING REQUIRED Green Leiston INDICATIVE SCRUB, BROADLEAF AND CONIFEROUS WOODLAND PLANTING HABITAT CREATION (WET REEDBED) HABITAT CREATION (DRY REEDBED) Stationery Office Crown Copyright (2014). All Rights NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED 1:3,500 100 M SCALE: EXISTING TREES AND HEDGES PEDESTRIAN ACCESS POINT WORK STARTED ON PUBLIC ACCESS NOT APPLICABLE FOR ALL FIGURES LOWLAND HEATH MOSAIC PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY INTERNAL BUSINESS COLLABORATOR REFERENCE CAR PARKING SPACES reserved. NNB GenCo 0100050480 DRAWING SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: 6839_10005A DRAWN: SURFACED PATH WATERCOURSE MM OPEN WATER MOWN PATH - CONDITION 25 FENCE FENCE SCHEME NOV 2020 Work has started to create designated are being introduced which will allow DRAWING TITLE: DRAWING NO: PROPOSED EXISTING DOCUMENT: SCALE BAR KEY A areas for public access at Aldhurst people to enjoy Aldhurst Farm, while DATE: 0 Farm in Leiston. discouraging them from roaming into areas where they might disturb wildlife. EDF Energy received planning There will also be open access areas Title : H:\PROJECTS\35242 LON SIZEWELL WETLAND\DRAWINGS\LSS\BASIN DESIGN V3 permission to create six hectares of in the southern three fields where dogs Comment : created on 2014.10.24 16:31 Comment : created using LSS v9.91.01 Comment : units of survey are metres Subject : BASIN DESIGN V3 Pond Open Access wetland habitat and 60 hectares of can be let off leads. surrounding heathland at Aldhurst LA NE Farm, with the condition that public Fencing and signage will ensure that LO VE R’S access and recreation was allowed walkers and dogs are kept away from AD within the site. the wetlands which are a haven for RO LEY wildlife. The fencing will also provide VAL The primary function of the Aldhurst extra security for the residents of Carr Farm Habitat Creation Scheme is to Avenue who border the south of the provide wetland habitat to compensate site. for land taken from the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to the north- The public access areas will also help SEWAGE WORKS west of Sizewell C main development to mitigate any potential disruption to No Public Access site. the surrounding Public Rights of Way Pond network caused by the construction of The work to create the wetlands Sizewell C power station. and wider habitats was undertaken No Public Access in 2015-2016. The wetlands include Access into Aldhurst Farm will be S LANE five lagoons and more than 120,000 managed through entrances at Abbey reedbeds, have been designed to Road, Valley Road and Lovers Lane, LOVER’ ensure that reed bed and lowland ditch and will ensure that sensitive plantings Open Access habitats are able to develop a similar can establish. biodiversity value to those within the © Copyright 2020 EDF Energy plc. No part of this drawing is to be reproduced without prior permission of EDF Energy adjacent Sizewell Marshes SSSI. The work on public access is expected to take until the end of March and it is CARR AVENUE The wetlands, and surrounding anticipated that designated areas of grassland and heathland habitats, are the site will be opened to the public in No Public Access already well established and have been Spring 2021. colonised by rare Marsh Harriers, which also breed at Minsmere. Open Access To create a site where Gree wildlife can continue n to thrive, pathways D OA YR BE L e i st o n AB
An ambitious and exciting project to create the country’s first Net Zero town OUR GOALS Draft a route map for Leiston, WE’D LOVE showing current emissions and TO HEAR YOUR what it would take to reach Net THOUGHTS Zero carbon emissions. We’ve just published our Vision Create a socially acceptable Paper, which includes our high- pathway to Net Zero. level route map - tell us at Ensure Net Zero Leiston is netzeroleiston.info openly-available and replicable for other towns. To find out more visit netzeroleiston.info and help Leiston get to Net Zero #Communitypower opergy group
20 The Market Square, our Phase 2 project Green Leiston for the development of the south side of town, the Sizewell Road site, is at an interesting stage where the conceptual designs are enabling us to identify the mix of potential retail and residential We were pleased to have a good accommodation; local housing needed number of members attend our AGM for local people. An exciting creative on 8th December, which had to be held community area will be developed to via zoom. It was sad to say goodbye incorporate both civic and commercial to our Chair Sammy Betson, who is elements. The creation of a central needing to leave Leiston to move nearer space which will form the Market her family, we thank her for all her hard square as a venue for music, dance, work over many years and wish her craft and market stalls, entertainment well. and a central point for residents to meet and celebrate our historic and Russ Rainger was elected new beautiful town. The development will Chairman, to continue the great help build on our town’s existing high progress that has been made. Our quality of independent traders, giving us Business Plan is in its advanced stages a modern town centre that both reflects and will form the basis for investors our heritage and is vibrant, exciting and to identify the constructive and inviting to residents and visitors, who dynamic potential of the Town Centre will want to come back time and time Regeneration as an exciting investment again! opportunity. If you feel you can help, have ideas, The plans for Church Square, our dreams you could fulfil then join us. Phase 1 project are progressing well, Contact us via our website www. despite the constraints of COVID. leistonclt.co.uk or visit 22, Sizewell Local businesses are invited to be Road which we hope to reopen when involved wherever possible Sizewell COVID is passed. B apprentices are constructing the Arches which will illustrate the Garrett Bing Boast CLT Trustee History. LEISTON shop LOCAL eat LOCAL spend LOCAL enjoy LOCAL Support your local businesses who support the area where you live, work and play.
Sports + Social Update 22 we delivered gifts and handwritten Plans to 23 Sports + Social Update card to over 40 people and recently we launch have been involved in the ‘Art in a Bag’ project which covers the East Suffolk new Council ward boundaries for Aldeburgh, Leiston, Saxmundham and villages. The community bags contain some art activities and all radio the materials needed and are delivered for free. The first set of bags included station moves Who would have thought that over a year into Covid-19 the possibility of making a fan-fold book and Sue, who made the one in the photograph, has Residents in Leiston are set to have a forward being able to take someone out for a been so inspired she is now starting on new voice as plans to launch a brand featuring community interest cup of tea would still seem a way off? her third version. new, community radio station move interviews, as well as educational But there is hope on the horizon and closer to fruition, thanks to a grant of access to radio for young people.” he with spring coming at least a proper We wish you well and look forward to £500 from Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town said. chat on the doorstep will become more the time we can get together again. Council. feasible. In the meantime we have tried The station will broadcast from a to keep in contact with people who may Leiston Good Neighbour Scheme Alde and Blyth Community Radio (ABC), central studio, with the capability be feeling rather sad and worn down has been in preparatory discussions of broadcasting throughout the by it all and help out by collecting lots Telephone Monday to Friday from 9am for several months and now, with the coastal corridor between Aldeburgh of prescriptions and supporting people to 5 pm on 07724 777465. generous support of Leiston-cum- and Southwold, encompassing the with various problems. There are Sizewell Town Council, are in a position numerous towns and villages between. leistongoodneighbour@gmail.com to start purchasing the necessary In fact, the station will be heard around 170 households where we have given regular support and, since April items, enabling the organisation to anywhere in the world, thanks to its 2020, our volunteers have carried out progress towards launching in the access via the internet. A website for approximately 600 activities. They have spring of 2021. the station will be launched soon, along done a fantastic job while coping with with a presence on social media and their own lockdown worries! Run entirely by volunteers, ABC will there are aims to extend its service to have social purpose at its core and D.A.B. once launched. We have also tried to come up with aims to provide a mixture of topical, positive ideas for keeping in touch and cultural and entertainment broadcasts, The team behind the station are letting people know that we are thinking initially every Friday, Saturday and thrilled with the initial response and of them. For example at Christmas Sunday, with hopes of extending would welcome interest from anyone its broadcasting repertoire once wanting to get involved, whether it be established. as a potential presenter, or part of the integral team of producers, contributors ABC Chairman, Derek Wyatt, is thrilled and technical support. on receiving the donation. “After such a difficult time for many local people, Anyone interested in becoming the station will serve local communities part of Alde and Blythe by providing vital information, Community Radio, should contact entertainment and discussions, mixed the ABC team by emailing: www.facebook.com/Leistontowncouncil with a variety of music genres and guests, plus topical programmes, AldeandBlythCommunityRadio@gmail. com.
24 25 Sports + Social Update “Development Plans at come to fruition. David said, “we have a but achievable. The nearest Sports + Social Update significant challenge to raise sufficient similar facilities are in Ipswich Leiston Football Club” financial support to make the project viable. There is some funding available or Kirkley, but the Leiston community deserves something much closer to facilities that we simply can’t fit on.” through the football authorities, but the home. Hopefully we are able to gain the club will need to find further sources of support necessary for our project.” Whilst the pandemic is limiting our David presented to the meeting the funding to reach the target. In addition, opportunities to get out and exercise, club’s plans to replace the back pitch the club hopes to build additional If you would like any further information it hasn’t stopped one local team from with an All Weather 3G pitch. These changing facilities between the two or are able to help in any way, please forging ahead with plans to expand. facilities are extremely durable and existing pitches. The building will also contact David on David.williams@ Leiston Football Club’s exploits have could cope with significantly more have a classroom/meeting room and leistonfc.co.uk been very well supported this season football. He explained that as well as hospitality area. Our plans are big with a couple of memorable FA Cup Leiston based teams, clubs from the games that caught the imagination. If surrounding area, e.g. Saxmundham, you were at any of these games, you may have noticed a larger than normal Aldeburgh, Benhall etc would be able to Leiston Youth and Community Angling Society (LYCAS) access the facility. number of youngsters in attendance. The 2020 season from April has been The club has invested a great deal of “It would also allow football to reach a unique one for the committee and effort in the past few years developing under-represented groups in the anglers alike, various levels of lockdown the youth and junior sections of the community,” David told the meeting. He with local travel restrictions have given club. went on to say, “but as ever, facilities the society a huge boost in permit sales are an issue. There is a veteran’s team which has and will continue to help At a recent town council meeting, Dave and a walking football team that would the society in many ways. Our weekly Williams, Head of Youth Development also be able to access the improved junior matches have not been as busy at the club, was invited to speak. He facilities. It could also be used for as they were last summer since the provided a brief history of the club, it’s other forms of physical activity, 1990s. Around 25 Children made an recent expansion, as well as bold plans keep fit – general exercise classes appearance to at least 1 match with fish from heron and cormorant which for the future. etc. It would be a great boost to help average attendances of 13-15 for each we were suffering with before fishing “The club has grown over recent years; improve physical activity in our local 2 hour match, with the girls matching restrictions were relaxed in May. The we now have 3 senior teams and 7 community.“ the boys for numbers. Interest in the ‘Angling Trust’ has done a superb job age group teams from U11 to U18 plus adult matches fished mainly amongst with the government to keep fishing on a mini football section. We currently the bailiff team to generate a bit of the list of permitted activities, even in have two full sized pitches (main pitch cash for the pond upkeep also soared the strictest of lockdown. This primarily and back pitch) plus some younger with on average 10 anglers meeting on due to the huge benefit fishing is seen age group pitches on the Waterloo a Friday evening up from half that last to have on our mental health and Centre area, but that is not enough to year. These are all keen anglers wanting wellbeing. cope with demand. There’s not enough to help the youth of our community space to accommodate training develop a skill that will stay with them It has not all been plain sailing for sessions and matches, and the back and develop further for years to come. the pond, late last Summer the pond pitch just can’t cope with the amount like many others got an algae bloom It’s rare now to walk around the park on which put a lot of stress on the fish of football played on it. There are The club is being supported by East a nice day and not see someone having which unfortunately resulted in a small numerous other teams in the town that Suffolk Council and Suffolk FA in the a relaxing fish on the bankside, this has number of mortalities, however due have historically used the Victory Road venture that is likely to take 2 years to in turn helped prevent predation of the LYCAS Contunied on page26...
26 to the extra occupancy at the matches will then follow through until guidelines and with strict Covid safe All our concerts include themed 27 Arts + Heritage News Sports + Social Update pond and the extra income this August with weekends being used to policies in place, and were able to food and a soft drink from our had gained us we were able to spot catch up any match not fished due to eventually move them indoors to the delicious, locally sourced, Abbey House this early and introduce oxygenation the weather or any other reason. interior of our very spacious Barn. menu, served “take out” style in boxes. and a few weeks later the EA gave us They have proved extremely popular, a helping hand to regain control of Committee member details are particularly our Christmas events, and The tickets are very reasonably priced the situation. Many others around the available at the park, please do not so we were devastated when the new at £15 per person to include food and country were not so lucky. hesitate to contact us if you or anyone lockdown laws came into place this the concert with the chance to upgrade in your care would be interested in year and made us temporarily unable to to a VIP Fizz ticket at £25. The hugely successful presentation starting up fishing as a hobby or continue. night that is normally held after the you would like to help the club out in To see our full upcoming event summer matches in the autumn anyway. However, with the new vaccines being schedule and purchase tickets for was unable to go ahead, therefore rolled out and optimism returning, we upcoming concerts, or to support our we are planning on kick starting the Thanks to Leiston town council for are very much hoping to resume our charity, please visit the website: new season by holding an outside their support ensuring that this pond concerts with a full event calendar from https://procorda.com/ presentation during the easter holidays. is affordable for all, with further April onwards. The concerts will start ProCorda – be part of an incredible Weather and COVID-19 rules depending improvements in the pipeline too, the on the 10th April with “The Sounds of musical journey this will be held after a 2 hour match at long term future of the pond is looking Nature”. With everyone now spending the park on the 10th of April, normally very good. Thanks also to Sam at more time appreciating the natural Or purchase tickets via Ticketsource: speaking we would encourage anyone Saxmundham Tackle for distributing world we hope this concert will appeal https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ that has had any involvement with permits and being open for business. to all. procorda/events the club and its matches to pop along Final thanks to our members and Pro Corda Trust event tickets from but we may need be more selective volunteer bailiffs that have ensured The music is provided by our very TicketSource. this year, that said anybody that has all the additional government rules own CEO and concert pianist Andrew Or give us a call on: 01728 831354 fished in the junior matches will have alongside the clubs rules have been Quartermain and the talented violinist something to pick up so please make it upheld. and local radio presenter Noel Vine, We very much look forward to if you can. Regular Wednesday evening Gareth Cossey who will also be sharing their musical welcoming you to The Abbey in the musings. near future. Music concerts due to return to Leiston Abbey Arts + Heritgate News After last year’s initial lock down one of concert was due to start! That, however, the first music venues in the country to was not enough to deter us. With an re-open and restart live music concerts eager full house audience turning up was in our own town, at the beautiful we immediately moved the location to Leiston Abbey. the open side doors of our Medieval Barn and our audience stoically sat The first concert we were able to put outside in the wind and rain in the car on was outdoors, to comply with the park to eat their picnic meal and enjoy current regulations at the time. The our music. The show must go on! May team spent a whole day putting up people commented it was the best gazebos and bunting but unfortunately night out they had had in years! the weather had other ideas and strong winds completely wrecked everything In that spirit we continued with our with less than an hour before the concerts, following all government
28 with the activities, friendships and 29 Arts + Heritage News Arts + Heritage News experiences so that guiding will help them through the pandemic and rise to the challenges. Many people are or have been part of the guiding family, made your guiding Guiding ‘Rising to the promise and learnt about the guide challenge’ law, in keeping with the different way In November 2020 the Poppy Appeal Several people who missed our of learning, please enjoy the a slightly was very different from that held in collection days in the Co-op popped Guiding is looking, feeling and being modified interpretation of the Guiding previous years. No house-to-house their donations in an envelope and put offered differently, our guiding spirit law. collections or collecting in the street it through my letterbox. Some were will never diminish even though everything is uncertain during this The Guide Law Rap could happen as this could not be done able to donate online. Organisations whilst undertaking social distancing. made donations for wreaths which time. The adventures don’t stop just Be honest and trustworthy every However the Leiston branch of the East were paraded through the town and because we’re staying home. We have single day. of England Co-op as always welcomed placed at the War Memorial at St found new ways, learning new skills our collectors and did all they could toMargaret’s Church on Remembrance and providing activities. Who would of Use resources wisely, I can find a help. Sunday. I am told that as the parade thought that 12 months on, we would way. went past the houses people stood on be doing cooking activities via zoom, People were ready to collect donations their doorsteps or in their front gardens with everyone in their own kitchen, on 29th, 30th and 31st October and 5th, Be polite and considerate wherever and applauded as the parade went although it still feels odd talking via a 6th and 7th November. All went well I am, past. The wreath laying was followed computer screen to the brownies rather in the first week and everyone was by a short open air service, socially than meeting ‘face to face’? very generous. However a second Face the challenges and learn, oh distances, around the Memorial. Thank yes I can, lockdown was imposed from Thursday you to all those who attended that Why not take part in our monthly 5th November meaning we could not service, to those organisations who guiding challenges, find games to Respect myself and others in be in the Co-op as collecting for the paraded their standards and to the play or download activities from the everything I do. Appeal was not visiting the doctor, Leiston RBL Band members who took Girlguiding programme, you don’t need going to work, attending school, doing part. to be a member of Girlguiding to give essential shopping – all things deemed them a try. https://www.girlguiding.org. My talents and abilities, I’m proud to permissible by HM Government. The total sum collected for the Poppy uk/what-we-do/adventures-at-home/ share with you. Appeal so far is £3419 33. A very On Monday 2nd I visited the Manager sincere THANK YOU to everyone for The Rainbows, Brownies and Guides of Protect our environment in every and asked if we could change our supporting The Royal British Legion Girl Guiding Leiston District challenge way I can. dates and collect 3rd and 4th November Poppy Appeal. you all to come up with 26 random acts instead and he gave his permission. of kindness and carry them out, one for With courage and strength, I can I put up posters where I could, to Pat Carter, Local Organiser every letter of the alphabet. A small act take a stand. advise the change in dates. Apologies of kindness can have a big impact on people around you and bring a smile to The sisterhood of Guiding, I share to those who came on 5th, 6th, 7th Poppy Appeal has raised November to get poppies – I had no their faces. with one and all, wish for the volunteers to be fined £3,419.33 We’ll continue to be driven by a desire And that’s the challenges of the for breaking lockdown by collecting so far! donations on those dates. to provide girls and young women Guiding Law. THANK YOU
30 31 FUNDING SUCCESS FOR SUFFOLKS OLDEST CINEMA. Arts + Heritage News Arts + Heritage News Film Theatre manager, Wayne Burns, It will certainly help alleviate the is both delighted and relieved about financial pressures put on the @DCMS Culture Recovery Fund, @BFI, the funding news. “Like countless Film Theatre this year. It has been a #HereForCulture other venues around the UK, 2020 has difficult year and the Theatre Manager been a disastrous year in many ways, and staff have all worked incredibly especially as we’d worked so hard to hard to ensure the Film Theatre is be where we were in trading terms COVID-secure. The Town Council are pre-pandemic. We are so very grateful committed to keeping this iconic venue for this award from the BFI and DCMS open and to offer customers, old and Cutural Recovery Fund and also to new, the bespoke theatre experience to everyone who has supported us. We which Leiston Film Theatre is known are determined to return to our former for” she said. glory in 2021” he said. Leiston Film Theatre will reopen as The cinema was saved from closure in soon restriction allow, with films 1976 by Leiston Town Council, whose including The Dig, based on the 1939 ambition, working with their dedicated Anglo-Saxon ship burial excavation at cinema staff and fund raising by the Sutton Hoo and starring Carey Mulligan Leiston Film Theatre Support Club, and Ralph Fiennes, which many people have enabled a remarkable renaissance were looking forward to enjoying on the at the venue in recent years. big screen prior to lockdown. Leiston-cum Sizewell Town Clerk, For information, please visit the website Everyone involved with Leiston’s iconic messages of encouragement from Caroline Rinder believes that the at: www.leistonfilmtheatre.co.uk, or Film Theatre are celebrating, after concerned customers, anxious about government funding will mitigate the find Leiston Film Theatre on Facebook, being awarded £57,500 of funding the future of the cinema, with public financial deficit facing the Film Theatre. Twitter and Instagram. from the DCMS Culture Recovery donations totalling £9,581. Messages “The Town Council are delighted to Fund for Independent Cinemas in and donations of support included one receive this funding award from the #HereForCulture England, administered by the British from screenwriter, producer, and film BFI and DCMS Cutural Recovery Fund. Film Institute, as part of the UK director Richard Curtis who described Government’s Cultural Recovery the venue as “The biggest hearted Package. cinema in Suffolk”. The 105-year-old venue was forced to The Film Theatre has also been close in March for 15 weeks, reopening forced to cancel almost all its live in July, but with many film releases shows in 2020, including its popular being removed or diverted to streaming annual Pantomime, Jack and the services and then a second closure Beanstalk, which has been postponed in November, its recovery has been until January 2022. However, a The Dig - Netflix difficult, leaving admissions down recent COVID-secure and socially by an estimated 15,000 to the end of distanced performance proved that live 2020. performances are possible and there is confidence that live shows will return to The venue has been inundated with the venue in the spring of 2021.
32 share photos, memories and stories 33 YOUR As the first national lockdown in Arts + Heritage News Arts + Heritage News relating to the town. These don’t have March 2020 effectively outlawed to be memories from many years ago FAMILY physical gatherings, so our monthly either, recent memories are just as important. HISTORY meetings came to an abrupt standstill. Fortunately, an alternative approach Leiston Looks Back GROUP to maintain contact with our members And there can be no better time to It was well loved local resident Carolyn start such an endeavour. Sharing NEEDS YOU! was only a computer ‘mouse-click’ away. Proudfoot who inspired me to create memories and reminiscing together can connect us and reduce the feeling A year on from the initial outbreak of a new history group for Leiston Coronavirus in China, the committee At the beginning of 2020, if you had on Facebook. “There’s wonderful, of isolation bought on by our current asked people who grew up in the ‘60s circumstances. Leiston Looks Back of Alde Valley Suffolk Family History interesting history carried inside local Group has recently spent some time and 70s’ what the word ZOOM meant people’s heads,” she said, “I’m always is certainly proving to be very popular to them, they would probably have and gained almost 300 members in reflecting on the challenging events fascinated to learn things I had no of 2020 and looking forward to the recalled a brightly coloured, rocket idea about. Some people are so very its first week. The page has been a shaped ice-lolly from their childhood. return of some form of normality in the knowledgeable, wouldn’t it be lovely to hive of activity, with lots of photos and coming months. Now, it seems that many people are collect all their memories together, save memories shared already. attending online talks and meetings them, and build a meaningful picture of At the outset, it is fair to say that the facilitated by ZOOM software on a I hope the Facebook page will become our dear old town’s history?” first national lockdown prompted a regular basis. So it is with Alde Valley a valuable resource. An informal lot of nervousness about the impact Suffolk Family History Group. Having I have always had a deep interest in archive of our town’s social history with of COVID-19 upon the well-being of trialled a couple of online committee social history, which perhaps started memories and photos of our Leiston our group, in terms of the health of meetings in the summer of 2020, we back in 1989 when I was part of a ancestors could prove beneficial to our members, the limitations on our then dipped our toes into hosting online group of Leiston Middle School pupils local historians and researchers. After activities and our financial viability. events for our members, including the who worked with Jenni Fleetwood to all, the British Library recently archived group’s AGM in September, followed by compile a social history book called, posts from the Facebook history group During the early weeks of 2020, we a number of online presentations from Leiston Looks Back. We interviewed for the town of Ossett in Yorkshire. devoted a lot of time to preparing for external speakers. residents, gathered memories, photos They recognised that the information and staging our annual open day. This and stories and had a lot of fun contained was worth safeguarding for More than six months since our initial went ahead as planned at the Long doing it! So I knew straight away that future generations. Leiston is such a flirtations with ZOOM, we can say Shop Museum, Leiston in the final week Carolyn was right and that there was unique town with a rich history, and it that it has proved to be the group’s of February. Then, just two weeks later, the potential to create an engaging would be wonderful if we could achieve salvation, opening up our activities to we launched a new initiative at Leiston community page. the same. members and non-members in distant library, where the public were invited https://www.facebook.com/groups/ to regular ‘drop in’ sessions in order locations, as well as enabling us to Snippets of memories and photos to seek help with their family history attract high profile speakers who might leistonlooksback/ are scattered across the many local research. Sadly, we were able to host not normally be enticed to travel to Emma Jackson Facebook pages, but as they have no only one such session before they were the ‘rural wastelands’ of East Suffolk proper home, they are at risk of being put on hold. Similarly, our proposals to for a 60 minute talk. As a result of our lost. I truly believe these precious display suitably themed ‘family history’ success with online events, we actually memories and stories from the past material as part of a programme of ended 2020 with more members than need to be captured, preserved and local events planned to commemorate we had at the beginning of the year. enjoyed. The “Leiston Looks Back” the 75th anniversary of VE Day, were During January 2021, we have already Facebook group is the place to do also postponed indefinitely. that. Anyone can join the group and Continued on page 34...
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