Updates for Friday, 18 November 2016
Pudsey's started his mission to visit as many schools and Children in Need events today as he can.
His first port of call was Ickworth Park Primary School, external in Horringer, near Bury St Edmunds:
Kelly McCormack
BBC Radio Suffolk
Age UK Suffolk, external, who revealed last week they are having to cut services and jobs, say their Saxon House centre, external in Bury St Edmunds is to close, with the loss of the day services,by Christmas.
Image source, GoogleHannah Bloom from the charity, says this closure is just the beginning: "There will be more cuts, we're going round to each of our services and reviewing them, so unfortunately Saxon House, and the day services there, are the first.
"We have less resources available and [are] making sure the money we do have available is protected for our core services, our benefits, our information, and our befriending services."
The charity has lost 50% of the grant it receives from Suffolk County Council.
Dave tells us his son George, who's four-years-old, had the class teddy bear "Buttercup" for two days and they had to document what they did with him.
George is a pupil at Ickworth Park Primary School, external in Horringer and the bear went to the Christmas Lights switch-on in Bury St Edmunds yesterday evening.
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Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent
The leader of King's Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council, external said he was disappointed at his authority's rejection of the devolution deal for Norfolk and Suffolk, but he could understand why it was not backed.
"There were reservations right actoss the chamber about what this deal would involve" said councillor Brian Long (Conservative).
Image source, King's Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council"Whilst many councillors could see that there was a need for improvement of infrastructure in West Norfolk the insistence by the government on a mayor was the straw that broke the camel's back.
"I hope there will be another deal which can be done, but possibly one that does not involve an elected mayor."
Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent
Plans for a devolution of some spending powers from central government to Norfolk and Suffolk are in doubt this morning after councillors at King's Lynn & West Norfolk overwhelmingly said "no" to an elected mayor by 44 votes to 14.
Everyone thought this would be a close vote, but as speaker after speaker lined up to condemn the plans it was clear that a lot of people had serious reservations.
Many objected to the idea of having one elected mayor covering both counties, questioned the cost of devolution and were concerned that if King's Lynn became part of a larger authority it might be forgotten.
Under the plans Norfolk and Suffolk would have been given extra powers and money, but every individual district and county council had to agree to the scheme.
Claims by supporters of devolution that it would speed up important projects like the upgrade of the Ely rail junction and provide more money for new homes did not seem to win everyone round.
Last night Broadland and South Norfolk overwhelmingly voted 'yes' but the decisive vote from King's Lynn means devolution in its present form must surely now be dead.
Georgina Burnett
BBC Weather
Largely dry through the day with only isolated showers and sunny spells.
Watch my full regional forecast:
Mainly dry with sunny spells, isolated showers and a chilly breeze
However, it'll feel colder than yesterday in light south westerly winds.
Maximum temperature: 6C (43F). There's more at BBC Weather.
Good morning and thanks for joining us as we celebrate Children in Need day.
If you're doing anything wild or wacky, let us know and send us a video or photo. You can get in touch via email, Facebook, external or Twitter, external.
We'll also be checking out the stories making the news across the county, and finding out what the weather prospects are.
If you went along to either of the Christmas lights switch-ons in Bury St Edmunds, or Ipswich, we'd love to see your pictures too. This one was taken in our county town, by Stuart Atkinson...
Image source, Stuart AtkinsonIt's time for us to sign off from our live updates until tomorrow morning, but as usual, any breaking news overnight will still appear here.
Among the stories we've looked at:
We'll leave you with this photograph taken in Glemsford by BBC Weather Watcher "The Oracle" - it looks very similar to the weather we've had in Ipswich this afternoon too:
Brrr! Most places will feel much colder and there's the risk of frost and icy patches as clear spells develop overnight.
Southern counties may also get the odd shower. Temperatures dropping to 0C (32F).
Tomorrow will start frosty in places but it will be a mainly dry and bright day. Cold though with temperatures of 7C (45F).
BBC Weather has more local forecasts.
There's a possibility that patients will in future be asked to move, either from Suffolk to north Essex, or vice versa, as they look for the "best clinical outcomes for patients", says Nick Hulme, chief executive of both Ipswich and Colchester Hospitals.
He's leading the Sustainability and Transformation Plan, external which has been published today.
He added: "I have to say there won't be any significant change without the correct consultation with stakeholders, with the public, with patients.
"But if we're in a situation where we can demonstrate to the public that if you travel another 20 miles either up or down the A12, then your clinical outcome will be better, or you'll get quicker access to diagnostics or care, and we're clear about that message, then I think most patients, with the right transport links, and the right support, would accept that travelling a bit further, but for better clinical outcomes would probably be in their best interests."
Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent
After months of meetings and arguments it's decision time.
Tonight three of the twelve councils in Norfolk and Suffolk, which are still in the process, will decide whether or not to proceed with the devolution idea.
District councillors in Broadland, South Norfolk and Kings Lynn & West Norfolk will meet this evening, while Norfolk County Council will meet on Monday.
If they and the eight councils in Suffolk all say yes, it will mark the start of a major shake up in how local services are provided and local decisions made.
If any of them say no, the whole thing is off.
This has been a very divisive issue in Norfolk. Both sides of the argument will be nervously watching watch happens.
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If you're heading into either Bury St Edmunds or Ipswich town centres this evening, be prepared for the fact they're going to be a bit busier than usual.
The build-up to the annual Christmas lights switch-on has already begun in Bury St Edmunds, with the town's MP Jo Churchill doing the honours at 19:00.
Image source, Our Bury St EdmundsIn Ipswich, it's mayor Roger Fern who's got the responsibility of ensuring the town is lit up like the proverbial Christmas tree. He'll be pressing the button at 18:45.
Image source, Ipswich Borough Council
Graeme Mac
BBC Radio Suffolk sport
A sigh of relief for Ipswich Town fans this afternoon, as manager Mick McCarthy reported a clean bill of health as far as the players who were on international duty recently are concerned.
Image source, PAThey include David McGoldrick who featured for the Republic of Ireland, Welsh midfielder Jonny Williams, and Scottish defender Christophe Berra (pictured).
"They have all been enthused by the fact that they were involved for their countries, as sometimes a player can go away and not feature at all," McCarthy said.
"Berra played at Wembley and I thought he did well. It was a fitting reward for him and his performances for us this season. He's been excellent."
We always love to see your photographs of the county, so are delighted to share this picture taken in Benhall by Jenny Toombs.
She says: "I thought you might be interested in this unusual cloud pattern (and rainbow) following a cloud burst this afternoon in Benhall near Saxmundham."
Image source, Jenny ToombsSend your photos via BBC Weather Watchers or you can always email us.
The managing director of Ipswich Town Football Club, external says they've got to look at ways to make people come to watch games on a regular basis.
The money they make from the sale of tickets hasn't risen in several years, and now Town has been revealed as selling the most expensive season ticket in the Championship, at £842.
Ian Milne said: "We're running about 17,500 average so far this season.
"It is lower and I think it was a result of the less entertaining football in the latter half of last season and, yes, at the moment we're under attack for 'not attractive' football.
"We have to provide what the fans want, and that's entertaining football.
"People these days can pick up their sport in various ways... so we have to look at ways that we can be more attractive, both with pricing and with our Fanzone, external - of how to be more entertaining."
Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport
Former Ipswich schoolboy George Pinner says focusing on the next Olympics is helping ease the pain he suffered at Rio 2016.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe 29-year-old was Great Britain's first choice goalkeeper in Brazil, but the team failed to progress beyond the group stage.
"While it was disappointing, in the short term I've quickly got over it and, for me, the way to complete that process is to start winning medals," he said.
"I'm looking ahead to Tokyo already as I'll get another chance and can right a few wrongs."
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Steve Martin
BBC Radio Suffolk
Health services in Suffolk are facing a financial crisis, according to a sustainability and transformation report, external just published.
Health bosses say major changes must be made to keep services running.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe report, compiled by the NHS, GPs and local government, says the NHS in Suffolk and north Essex faces an overspend of £248m unless it makes radical changes.
It says it's already struggling to raise care standards in the face of growing demand, with cancer, dementia and mental health care just some of the areas where improvement is needed.
The solution, says the report, is for the NHS to work more closely with other health care providers and local councils to cut costs and improve efficiency.
That might includes some treatments at hospital being stopped or moved to other locations.
And the report says there needs to be more emphasis on trying to keep people healthy in the first place
Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport
Although Ipswich Basketball's, external senior men's team hasn't made the start to the season they were hoping for, there is still cause for optimism, according to their head coach.
Image source, Ipswich Basketball ClubNick Drane's side is currently seventh in Division Two, external, with two wins and three losses from their opening five fixtures.
Without captain Tom Sadler in recent weeks, because of a broken nose, Drane's been pleased with how well youngsters Caleb Fuller (pictured) and Luke Mascall-Wright have stepped up.
"Luke and Caleb have scored around 150 points in the three games without Tom. They're playing so fast, so athletically and so dynamically that we're fun to watch."
