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. Golf club finds its course 'teeming' with peoplepublished at 09:09 British Summer Time 6 April 2020

    Katy Lewis
    BBC News Online

    A golf course said it had to stop people playing golf, having picnics and playing in bunkers over the weekend.

    Rushmere Golf Club, external, in Ipswich, said "large groups of people, many ignoring social-distancing" had gathered on the course - which is built on common land and has public footpaths criss-crossing it.

    Rushmere Golf CourseImage source, Google

    Steve Potts, chairman, said: "We were very disappointed to find our golf course was teeming with people... completely ignoring government rules.

    "Three of our green-keepers did a staggered time of patrolling to try to encourage people to disperse to protect the course but really feeling a responsibility to ensure the public were adhering to the rules.

    "The majority were understanding and prepared to move on.. but our green-keeping staff were almost overwhelmed with people and found it very, very difficult and incredibly surprising."

    He said it was "absolutely fine" to walk across it for your daily exercise but "try not to use the bunkers as sandpits" or ride bicycles across the greens.

  2. Girl, 11, starts 'blue heart' campaign for NHSpublished at 00:47 British Summer Time 4 April 2020

    Tamara McAuley, from Newmarket in Suffolk, designed the hearts in the health service's colour.

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  3. 'Stay at home' plea as Easter holiday loomspublished at 20:09 British Summer Time 3 April 2020

    Warm weather is expected but the coronavirus lockdown remains in place, authorities warn.

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  4. Ipswich Hospital boss shocked over theft of employee's bikepublished at 15:58 British Summer Time 3 April 2020

    The boss of Ipswich Hospital said "we are seeing the best and worst of society" during the coronavirus lockdown after an employee's bike was stolen from outside the building.

    Karl Kroger tweeted a photo of his bicycle that he said was stolen from outside the Heath Road hospital on Thursday.

    Nick Hulme, chief executive of the East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust, external, said he could not understand why anyone would steal a bike from a healthcare worker "anytime, let alone now".

    Since Mr Kroger's tweet, he has since been offered a replacement bike by a member of the public and Elmy Cycles, external in Ipswich has offered to service it for free "if it helps Karl get back on the road".

    Suffolk Police said the bike was stolen from the rack near the hospital entrance between 07:30 and 17:45. It had been locked to the rack with a cable which had been cut.

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  5. Pub chefs cook up baked treats for vulnerablepublished at 15:12 British Summer Time 3 April 2020

    The Marquis pubImage source, The Marquis

    A pub is providing free biscuits, cake and bread to those self-isolating or vulnerable who need help.

    The team at The Marquis at Layham in south Suffolk wanted to do their bit so a number of the chefs volunteered to do some baking, the pub owner said.

    If you’re in the Raydon, Layham, East Bergholt or Hadleigh area and need a bit of help get in touch with the the pub via its Facebook page, external or call 01473 377977.

  6. Forest Live 2020 cancelled over coronavirus rulespublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 3 April 2020

    Patrick Byrne
    BBC News

    A series of outdoor summer concerts that would have brought former Oasis mainman Noel Gallagher back to Suffolk has been called off.

    Forestry England, external has cancelled Forest Live 2020, external at all its venues, including High Lodge Visitor Centre in Thetford Forest, because of coronavirus restrictions.

    Noel Gallagher

    A spokesman said: “We really hope that everyone’s support to fight COVID-19 means the situation will have improved by the summer.

    "As well as our valued customers, we work with a large number of volunteers, artists and contractors to make these concerts happen and have taken this decision in the interest of safety for everyone involved."

    Ticket holders will be automatically refunded but Forestry England asked for everyone's "patience and understanding at this busy time".

    These were the headline acts that had been due to appear the venue at Santon Downham in Suffolk:

    • Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - 18 June
    • James Morrison and Will Young - 19 June
    • Madness - 20 June
    • Rag‘n’Bone Man - 21 June

    Rag'n'Bone Man recently played a surprise gig in Gorleston in Norfolk as a favour for his dad.

  7. Market traders close stalls as virus rules tightenpublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 3 April 2020

    Patrick Byrne
    BBC News

    Ipswich market, external traders have decided to suspend operations until further notice to comply with government rules that people should stay at home to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

    "Everyone was disappointed they can't continue to trade," market spokesman and fishmonger Mike Youngs said.

    He said the weeks leading up to the decision were very nervy and the traders had regular meetings to discuss the future.

    Mike Youngs

    The traders had to decide whether to buy new stock which could have left them "in a pickle", Mr Youngs said.

    Some of the traders donated remaining stock to worthwhile causes.

    Ipswich Borough Council, external said the town centre had seen a 70% drop in footfall this week compared with before the start of the government’s main coronavirus measures.

    On Tuesday, 31 March, just under 4,000 people were recorded on town centre sensors, rather than 14,000 people on Tuesday, 10 March or 18,000 people on the busiest Tuesday in December.

  8. Sheltered homes brought up to standard in seven dayspublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 3 April 2020

    Patrick Byrne
    BBC News Online

    Sheltered housing condemned as unsuitable for habitation last year has been brought up to scratch in seven days.

    East Suffolk Council, external transformed the property in Avenue Mansions in Lowestoft to help accommodate vulnerable people during the COVID-19 outbreak.

    Avenue MansionsImage source, East Suffolk Council
    Image caption,

    Avenue Mansions is at the junction of Yarmouth Road and Royal Avenue

    Eight flats were left empty because the water systems had been drained down, and the heating, electrical and fire detection systems had been decommissioned.

    Richard Kerry, cabinet member for housing, said: "It was a huge challenge to get these flats to a standard where they could be brought back into use … and the seven-day turnaround is evidence of the effort that everyone involved put in to make it happen."

  9. Suffolk people defy virus to Make a Differencepublished at 11:24 British Summer Time 3 April 2020

    Stuart Howells
    BBC reporter

    Covid-19 may be causing problems for everyone but people in Suffolk are pulling together to Make a Difference:

    • Volunteer-led project Baby Basics Lowestoft, external aims to support new mothers and is appealing on Facebook for prams, also cots, bouncy chairs and microwave or cold water sterilisers
    • Jane Palmer, new owner of the Oyster Inn and village store, external at Butley, is offering free meals to nursery and school children and vulnerable folk working with The Teapot Project and other community groups
    Oyster InnImage source, Oyster Inn
    • A support group in Coddenham has put flyers through every door of the village to try and help anybody that needs help - phone 01449 760429 or visit Coddenham Parish, external

    • Bramford is going to be doing a daily "Dancing on the Doorstep" at 11:00 to David Bowie and Mick Jagger's version of Dancing In The Street... at safe distances

    To set up a scheme to help people in your area contact Community Action Suffolk, external for advice on 01473 345400.

  10. Key workers applauded once againpublished at 09:07 British Summer Time 3 April 2020

    Katy Lewis
    BBC News Online

    Media caption,

    #ClapForOurCarers: People across the East of England pay tribute to key workers

    People across the UK have taken part in a second "Clap for Carers" tribute, saluting NHS staff and other key workers dealing with coronavirus.

    Delivery drivers, supermarket staff, care workers and bin collectors were among those honoured.

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  11. East of England joins in with #ClapForOurCarerspublished at 08:39 British Summer Time 3 April 2020

    People across the UK have taken part in a second Clap For Our Carers tribute, saluting NHS staff and other key workers on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Delivery drivers, supermarket staff, care workers and bin collectors were among those honoured by the nation with thousands across the East of England joining in the moment at 20:00 GMT on Thursday.

    Households banged pots and pans, while others played the bagpipes to show their support.

  12. Frankie Dettori thanks NHS for 'wonderful job'published at 17:16 British Summer Time 2 April 2020

    Jockey Frankie Dettori, who lives near Newmarket, has paid special thanks to NHS staff at West Suffolk Hospital, where he has worked with the My WiSH Charity.

    He said: "Keep up the good work. I know it's a very terrible time."

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    The jockey has also been raising money for the Italian Red Cross, with his home country recording thousands of coronavirus deaths.

    On his JustGiving Page , externalhe said: "Being here in the UK, it's difficult not to feel helpless as I see the impact the pandemic is having on the people of Italy."

    His page has raised more than €6,000 (£5,262).

  13. Donations-hit hospice expects virus victim surgepublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 2 April 2020

    Patrick Byrne
    BBC News

    A hospice that needs £400,000 a month to provide care for terminally ill patients said it was in "dire straits" after its 31 charity shops were forced to close and fundraising events cancelled because of coronavirus.

    St Elizabeth Hospice, external in Ipswich is also preparing to receive more patients needing end-of-life care, so has launched an online fundraising campaign.

    St Elizabeth HospiceImage source, St Elizabeth Hospice

    The hospice expects to get busier as the pandemic gets worse, so has increased the number of beds from 18 to 24, it said.

    Staff are expecting calls to a 24/7 rapid response line, which already takes 2,000 a month, to double.

  14. Paint the whole world with a rainbowpublished at 14:43 British Summer Time 2 April 2020

    BBC Radio Suffolk

    Rainbows beautifully drawn by key workers' children are set to be placed in the windows of police and ambulance drivers' vehicles.

    The works of art were made by pupils at Place Farm Primary Academy in Haverhill, Suffolk.

    Crews working for the East of England Ambulance Service said they were "grateful for the kind messages".

    Photo of children with a rainbowImage source, Haverhill Police
  15. Woman gives birth to twins during pandemicpublished at 12:06 British Summer Time 2 April 2020

    Kayleigh Alden-Hollinsworth from Felixstowe gave birth to adorable twin girls on Wednesday and has praised "the incredible NHS" at Ipswich Hospital.

    She said she was "petrified" because of the current coronavirus pandemic.

    Her partner Shane Baxendale had to wait in the car while she was assessed due to new restrictions at the hospital.

    Shane was able to join her during her C-section to meet daughters Esmae and Nellie.

    Kayleigh Alden-HollinsworthImage source, Kayleigh Alden-Hollinsworth
    Image caption,

    Kayleigh Alden-Hollinsworth has praised the "incredible NHS staff" who helped deliver her twin girls

    In a post on Facebook that has over 18,000 likes, Kayleigh said: "Please do not be scared, I know it’s not the best time for this all to be taking place but everyone was amazing."

    Congratulations Kayleigh and Shane!

  16. Delivering with a difference to those in needpublished at 06:10 British Summer Time 2 April 2020

    Volunteer rickshaw riders are bringing a "smile" to people self-isolating by dropping off supplies.

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  17. Fish industry hit by pandemicpublished at 17:43 British Summer Time 1 April 2020

    The east coast's fishing industry has been hard hit by coronavirus, a merchant said.

    Worker at Sam Cole Food Group

    In Lowestoft, one firm sent half its 40-strong workforce home since the collapse in demand from the hospitality sector, but they have started a home delivery service.

    Sam Cole, managing director of Sam Cole Food Group, said: "Overnight 60% of our customers disappeared.

    "It’s left us servicing the small local supermarkets and local fishmongers… but with half the staff on reduced hours."

  18. Children's music sessions streamed online from Britten's housepublished at 16:58 British Summer Time 1 April 2020

    Sarah Jenkins
    BBC News

    A children's music class which usually takes place at The Red House in Aldeburgh, external, Suffolk, is being streamed online while the building is closed to the public.

    The house is a museum and research centre dedicated to its former resident - composer Benjamin Britten, who founded the Aldeburgh Festival (which has been cancelled this year).

    Mini Music Makers by Joe Carr will be streamed live every Friday between 10:00 and 10:30 with new songs being posted on Facebook, external and Twitter, external every weekday.

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    Mr Carr moved the classes online as he said "the need to help families feel less isolated at this difficult time was really important".

    He said the reaction had been "fantastic" and that it was "wonderful to see how this has helped families cope".

    The Red House, Aldeburgh
  19. Council refurbishes building to home rough sleeperspublished at 17:21 British Summer Time 31 March 2020

    Sarah Jenkins
    BBC News

    A disused property has been refurbished in a week to provide urgent accommodation for rough sleepers.

    The owners Babergh District Council, external worked "round the clock" to repair and decorate The Lees in Sudbury.

    Essential appliances and furniture has been brought in and the first seven households moved in on Monday.

    The Lees after refurbishmentImage source, Babergh District Council

    Councillor Jan Osborne, cabinet member for housing, said: "It is testimony to how council staff and local business have worked together during a time when we are facing so many challenges in being able to complete this project in just five days.

    "It’s excellent to now be able to offer somewhere safe for people sleeping rough, staying in night shelters or assessment hubs, who didn’t have a secure home or somewhere safe to self-isolate if required."

  20. Woman's garden run raises hundreds for charitypublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 31 March 2020

    Fiona Wilson was determined to not let the coronavirus lockdown stop her raising money for charity.

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