Chas, Sonia, and Sarah are leaving Tinkers and I would like to thank them for all the support that they have given, through the shop, to my charity - Motor Neurone Disease Association. In the past two years they have raised £571 from the sale of polished hag stones, and over £500 from the sale of other items.

Mary King

A limited response had been received regarding the flashing 30 m.p.h. sign to be placed near the entrance to the village. However, on the 24^th of January a meeting will take place between the Parish Council and Mr Andrew Carden, from the Highways Department, to discuss the issue. The Parish Council unanimously agreed that they would not support humps in the road, width restrictions, pavements or street lights in any form in Walberswick.

For the meeting on the 9^th of February, Mrs Rita Dedman will talk to us about her work as a beauty therapist. As always, we should be pleased to welcome visitors.
At the first meeting of 2005 our new President, Jenny Cardwell, welcomed twenty-two members and two visitors to hear Patrick Thompson relating the years he worked in Buckingham Palace. This was most interesting and, at times, extremely amusing.

Planning - The Parish Council had no objections to a kitchen extension at The Bell Inn, but would ask SCDC to ensure that the car parking spaces lost because of the extension be replaced elsewhere in the grounds of the property.

Traffic Calming Measures: see elsewhere.

Horse riding - It was reported that horse riders had been seen on the footpaths and riding on the sea defences during the Christmas period. It was felt that the offenders were visitors to the village. Various means were discussed on how to prevent this being repeated.

Suffolk Coastal Against Retreat - Councillor D Webb and R Buncombe attended the meeting which was chaired by the Rt. Hon. John Gummer MP and attended by officers from SCDC. The object of the meeting was their concern about the Government's approach to Coastal Defences and flood control. It was agreed to set up a steering group, linking it to Norfolk and Essex, who would lobby on behalf of the coastal population.

Forthcoming Meetings - Councillors will be attending meetings throughout the month, concerning 'East of England Plan', 'Emergency Planning' and 'The Greenprint Forum'.

Village Amenities - The Council approved replacing the wooden stakes on Stocks Green. A meeting would be held shortly with the carpenter and thatcher to discuss the thatching of the bus shelter opposite Church Lane. A hole in the road outside Taystone House would be reported to the Highways Department.

Viv Hunt, Clerk to Council

Our congratulations to Brian Morton for the honour he received in the New Year's Honours List in recognition for services to his profession.

Brian Payne, Chairman, WVN Board of Management

Age Concern Suffolk, working in partnership with the Fox Trust, holds a regular monthly Advice Surgery in Southwold Town Hall. Anyone who would like to know more about what benefits they may be entitled to are welcome to call in to speak to a friendly and knowledgeable advisor. Help can also be offered with completing forms, for example Housing and Council Tax Benefit applications.
For any individuals experiencing difficulty in managing to get around at home, information is available about disability related benefits. Not all benefits are means-tested; therefore it is important that people are as well informed as possible about what they may be able to claim.
Information is free and confidential and is aimed at meeting the needs of those over the age of 60.
The next Advice Surgery will be held on Tuesday 25th January 2005, and then on the last Tuesday in each month, between 10.00 a.m. and 12 noon. For more details about this service and other advice Surgeries in the North Suffolk Area, please telephone 01986 872707.
Age Concern Suffolk's Advice & Advocacy Help line is open from 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Telephone: 01449 674222