Summary

  • Updates for Wednesday, 21 June 2017

  • The first ever Suffolk Day is here!

  • Kids in wigs: Students mark Suffolk Day by dressing as Ed Sheeran

  • More than 6,000 people take part in Bury St Edmunds plan consultation

  • An Ipswich woman is fined £200 for discarded fag end

  1. What the papers are saying about Covid-19 in Suffolkpublished at 13:15 British Summer Time 20 April 2020

    Here's a look at the latest coverage of the coronavirus pandemic from Suffolk's newspapers:

    • Components are being made at a Mildenhall factory for pumps in adjustable beds installed at the new Nightingale Hospitals, the East Anglian Daily Times, external reports
    • Volunteers from St John Ambulance have been supporting the NHS by providing staff to help clear 999 calls, according to the Lowestoft Journal, external
    • Mental health hub and foodbank charity Gatehouse is running virtual art and mindfulness classes as well as looking at how it can adapt its services when the coronavirus lockdown is eased, the Bury Free Press, external reports
  2. What the papers say in Norfolkpublished at 12:20 British Summer Time 20 April 2020

    Here's a look at the latest coverage of the coronavirus pandemic from Norfolk:

    • The chairman of the National Care Association has told workers in Norfolk to travel to their nearest Covid-19 testing centre in Sheffield, a 300-mile round trip which would take more than five hours, the Eastern Daily Press, external reports
    • Four more patients have died at the Queen Elizabeth ll Hospital in King's Lynn from Covid-19 bringing the total to 56, according to the Lynn News, external
    • An eight-year-old boy from Oulton Broad has made his neighbours smile by hanging his hand-crafted wooden heart up on his driveway - emblazoned with the names of key workers and NHS staff, the Great Yarmouth Mercury, external reports
  3. Drone flight captures empty Lowestoft beachpublished at 12:12 British Summer Time 20 April 2020

    Martin Barber
    BBC News

    The beautiful weather on Sunday was tempting for a trip to the coast, but people continued to observe the instruction to stay at home and help stop the spread of coronavirus.

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  4. 'We chose Fight Song as it's what we're all doing'published at 11:52 British Summer Time 18 April 2020

    Teachers at a school in Suffolk have sent their pupils a special message using sign language.

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  5. Hospice charity 'will run out of PPE within days'published at 19:35 British Summer Time 17 April 2020

    Sue Ryder says its 1,000 medical staff need the right equipment to protect themselves from coronavirus.

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  6. Soldiers help East of England Ambulance Service crewspublished at 17:55 British Summer Time 17 April 2020

    Nic Rigby
    BBC News

    Sixty soldiers from a Norfolk-based regiment are supporting the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS) during the coronavirus pandemic.

    The soldiers from the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards are driving ambulances transferring critically ill patients between hospitals, releasing ambulance to continue their frontline duties.

    Troops being trained by ambulance crewsImage source, EEAS

    The patrol vehicle drivers have completed a three-day EEAS training course at Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk.

    The troops are providing patient transport services across the East of England. Patients will be accompanied at all times by a critical care team, including a doctor and nurse.

    Marcus Bailey, chief operating officer at EEAS, said: "Covid-19 represents an unprecedented challenge for all of us and we truly appreciate the fantastic support we have received."

    Trooper Jake Tredgett, 21, who grew up in Norwich, said: "I did feel a bit overwhelmed initially, but that passed once I was fully briefed and knew what was expected of me. I'm just keen to get on, get out there and do my bit."

  7. You don't have to be alone with these work buddiespublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 17 April 2020

    Working from home? Missing your colleagues? Well, fear not - maybe you could rustle up some company?

    Kate, who works for Blue Sky Assessing and Consultancy, external based at Earl Soham, Suffolk, had the idea of creating her own work buddies after she and her team were forced to work in isolation.

    TallulaImage source, Blue Sky
    Image caption,

    Tallula the trapeze artist - hanging around

    "It is a difficult time for people working on their own and when Kate suggested building a buddy, I jumped at the opportunity," said Jane Bloomfield, director of Blue Sky.

    "The team have been really creative with buddies being made from items such as loo rolls, plastic bottles and sugar paste.”

    They include Talulah, a showgirl and trapeze artist, and Forky, a drink bottle with forks for hands.

    "Kate’s parents even got involved building a full-sized buddy, which they admitted did cause some alarm when they entered the room having forgotten the buddy was there," Jane said.

    Mark Murphy and buddy
    Image caption,

    Radio Suffolk presenter Mark Murphy with a buddy

  8. 'Loner' who sparked terror alert jailedpublished at 16:01 British Summer Time 17 April 2020

    Clinton Hicks bought a blank-firing revolver "as part of his interest in militaria", a court hears.

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  9. Couple stranded in India 'relieved' to be homepublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 17 April 2020

    Steven Hancock and Ann Williams enjoyed five days of their trip before they were quarantined.

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  10. In the papers: Suffolkpublished at 13:11 British Summer Time 17 April 2020

    • The Lowestoft Journal reports that great-grandmother Florence Fisher , externaldied with suspected Covid-19 at Britten Court care home in the town five days before her 100th birthday
    • The coronavirus death toll in Suffolk could be up to 20% higher , externalthan reported due to deaths at care homes, a leading care official has told the East Anglian Daily Times
    • Shopping centres may be empty of customers due to the coronavirus lockdown but at the Arc in Bury St Edmunds, a deer has been spotted, the Bury Free Press, external reports
  11. Sheeran makes 'significant' donation to hospitalpublished at 17:16 British Summer Time 15 April 2020

    Ipswich Hospital's chief executive thanks the singer for his "incredible generosity".

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  12. Six residents at care home die with coronaviruspublished at 15:29 British Summer Time 15 April 2020

    Britten Court in Lowestoft offers its condolences to the families of those who have died.

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  13. Horses showing support for NHSpublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 15 April 2020

    Some of Newmarket's famous racehorses are showing support for the NHS with new sheets emblazoned with a rainbow heart.

    Rainbows have become a sign of solidarity and support for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

    The distinctive new sheets can be seen in a video by Newmarket Racecouse sharing messages of support for Addenbrooke's, West Suffolk and Newmarket hospitals from jockey Frankie Dettori and trainer John Gosden.

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  14. Eight care home deaths in 10 days linked to viruspublished at 11:08 British Summer Time 15 April 2020

    Three died with coronavirus while the disease is linked to the five other deaths, managers say.

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  15. Aerial shots show east coast seafronts desertedpublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 14 April 2020

    Seaside spots around the east coast that would normally be teeming with visitors were eerily quiet as people observed the coronavirus lockdown over the Easter weekend.

    Apart from a few residents taking their permitted exercise and giving their dogs a stretch on the sand, popular beaches in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex were almost empty, these aerial pictures show.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Aerial shots show east coast seafronts deserted

    Southend-on-Sea Borough Council went as far as publicising a "Don't Visit Southend" campaign before the weekend, urging tourists to stay away to protect the local population.

    It thanked people on Twitter for staying at home and said nearly £10m in grants had been paid out to 944 small businesses to try and keep them afloat during the pandemic.

    Aerial shots show east coast seafronts deserted

    Tourists largely stayed away from East of England seaside spots as people heeded the coronavirus lockdown.

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  16. Aerial shots show east coast seafronts desertedpublished at 15:42 British Summer Time 14 April 2020

    Tourists largely stayed away from East of England seaside spots as people heeded the coronavirus lockdown.

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  17. Mother thanks hospital for baby's coronavirus carepublished at 12:16 British Summer Time 14 April 2020

    Emily Woodger says she is "thankful" after her five-month-old daughter was treated for Covid-19.

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  18. Mum uses lockdown to make a 'bedroom jungle'published at 01:11 British Summer Time 13 April 2020

    Aurora's bedroom has been transformed as she cannot have a party with her friends.

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  19. Rainbow trail creator reflects on global successpublished at 02:00 British Summer Time 11 April 2020

    Crystal Stanley says the rainbows represent "positivity, hope and togetherness" during the pandemic.

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  20. Running club's challenges 'boost mental health'published at 09:14 British Summer Time 10 April 2020

    Kesgrave Kruisers says the fun contests are helping runners support each other through the crisis.

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