Thank You

Joan and I have been overwhelmed by all your cards, messages of comfort and your prayers during my recent illness. They were such a great help and support and we realise even more how very privileged we are to be part of such a wonderful community.
Thank you for everything.
God bless you and have a very Happy Christmas.
Peter Avis

Used Christmas Cards

The Woodland Trust is again this year recycling Christmas cards. If you would like to leave your cards with me at Dutch House, or with Elizabeth Leighton at Shenburgh - opposite the Church - we will take them to Tesco or Boots.
Mary King

Suffolk Coast & Heaths,
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

A thoroughly enjoyable evening, kindly organised by Maureen Thompson, was held in the Village Hall on the 9th November to thank all the volunteers who have manned the Visitor Hut on the Green for the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB throughout the summer. We heard and saw a fascinating account by Rob Macklin, of the RSPB, on the progress of restoring Dingle Marshes and the Hen Reed Beds to wetland reserves; also an absorbing account by Simon Hooton, the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Manager, on the work of the AONB Partnership. These two talks were interspersed by a magnificent buffet with wine.
On behalf of the AONB Partnership I would like to thank Maureen and her team of volunteers who have done so much over successive summers to explain the AONB and its management to residents and visitors.
Rae Leighton, Vice Chairman, Joint Advisory Committee

Walberswick Common Lands Trust

The Trust is looking for ideas for ways to spend the 2004 covenanted profits from Walberswick Car Parks Ltd.
Do you have a project that you feel would enhance the village and the lives of the people that live here? If you would like to submit an application for a grant please contact me on 724448 for details of how to do so.
The closing date for applications is the 28th February 2005.
Jayne Tibbles, Clerk to the Trustees

Walberswick Common Working Party

Volunteers are wanted to work on this unique site of scientific interest.
Starting again on Wednesday 5th January 2005 and meeting in Church Lane car park at 2.15 p.m. Tools and modest refreshments will be provided.
For more information please  'phone me on 01502 723910
Ron Horsey, Hon Warden

December Parish Council Meeting

Dr Jan MacHeath was welcomed to the meeting. She gave a short presentation on patient and public involvement in forums for health in Waveney.
Planning Applications (no objections)
The Yacht Yard: To extensions and alterations, including change of use of the ground floor to holiday let accommodation.
Manor House, The Street: To the change of use and extension of an existing outbuilding, forming a single-storey dwelling in the rear garden.
Planning permissions granted by Suffolk Coastal, subject to conditions and compliance with the submitted plans: -
Marsh End, Ferry Road/ Coronation Cottage and Concord Cottage, The Green/ Winfield House, Stocks Lane and Te Awahou, Millfield Road.
Planning Appeal The Studio, Stocks Lane: has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate who concluded that the design and appearance of the two proposed dwellings would be inappropriate on the site and would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area.
Local Issues - The Common Lands Trust and The Village Hall Management would be asked to reconsider siting recycling facilities on their land. The Parish Council felt unable to comment on the suggestion to try and purchase a small part of the allotments for further car parking, until a cost benefit analysis was available.
Traffic Calming measures for the village - see elsewhere. Danger to children caused by cars parking alongside The Green, was also discussed. The possibility of double yellow lines was considered but no decision would be made until further investigations were carried out.
The Council unanimously supported to keep the precept at the same level for 2005-2006.
Vivien Hunt, Clerk to Council

NSPCC Update

The Grand Auction organised by Tina Harris held at the Anchor Inn on 20th November raised the fantastic amount of £1488.
There were 115 lots including, an Amber necklace donated by the Amber Shop Southwold, a share in a racehorse given by the NSPCC corporate team, many signed celebrity photographs and Tee-shirts, a CD signed by Elton John, generous locally donated items and people's time, to name but a few.
Sadly, despite widespread advertising, only about 30 people attended, but auctioneer Brian Tibbles did a fantastic job by encouraging the highest bids possible, however, many bargains were still to be had.
The NSPCC thanks Tina for all her hard work all those that donated and to the generous bidders.
Cathryn Simpson

Traffic Calming Measures

In response to residents' concerns over the speed of traffic travelling through the village, the Parish Council is proposing to request a flashing 30 m.p.h. sign to be placed near the entrance of the village. This would be placed approximately 60 metres before Adams Lane.
If anyone wishes to make comments about this proposal, please write to the Clerk (St Francis, Seven Acres Lane) before the next Parish Council Meeting, which takes place on 10th January 2005.
Vivien Hunt, Clerk to Council

Page 2

DON'T FORGET TO RECORD COMING EVENTS IN THE VILLAGE CALENDAR IN THE POST OFFICE