News from the Chairman

January 2008

Welcome to our new edition of Saxmundham News which we have brightened with some colour. I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to former Councillor Gerry Wright for all the work he has put into the compiling of this magazine for the last five years. With the new electronically produced version we have brought the production in-house and it is now being done by the Clerk (as if she didn’t already have enough to do). See the latest news here.

I recently had the pleasure of attending the 100th birthday celebrations of Saxmundham resident Jimmy Balls. Mr Balls was chairman of Saxmundham Urban District Council in 1957/58, the year in which Wilfred Pickles recorded an edition of his radio programme “Down Your Way” in the Market Hall.

We now need to look forward to the next hundred years and Councillor Moye has suggested we initiate a Youth Council for Saxmundham. To this end we will shortly be attending a Youth Council meeting in Felixstowe to see how things are run there. The idea is that the new Youth Council will have some say in the spending of part of our budget thereby directing it to some of the things that they themselves would like.

By the time you read this we will have decided the Town Council precept (our portion of the Council Tax) for the coming year and this is likely to be in the region of £47,000.

May I take this opportunity of wishing you all a very Happy New Year and we look forward to assisting you with any matters that may be causing you concern.

Spring 2008

I hope when you read this we are still enjoying as good weather as we have been up to the time of writing it. The early spring is getting us in the mood for doing things and the Saxmundham in Bloom team have been busy raising money for this year's display. At their wine tasting in February, Alan George, as well as being an excellent caretaker for the Market Hall, revealed hidden talent by winning the competition with his knowledge of grape varieties.
In January three of us attended the Felixstowe Youth Forum to observe proceedings there with a view to starting something similar in Saxmundham. These meetings are run by the young people themselves and we were very impressed with what they are doing. We have also met with local schools and will report on this project in the next issue.
We have just co-opted Bryony Peall onto the Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Sheridan Trotter-Langlois. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sheridan for his contribution and welcome Bryony to the role.
In the centre of this edition you will find a pull-out supplement with a programme of the events arranged to commemorate St. George's Day. As this falls on a Wednesday, these take place on the previous weekend, 18th to 20th April. Please do try to support the events that the organisers are working hard to put on for you.
We are currently planning an information point to be placed outside the Market Hall for the benefit of both residents and visitors. In the meantime the Town Clerk will be pleased to assist you with your enquiries.

John Fisher (Chairman)
Saxmundham Town Council