Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council Newsletter Spring 2021 A Sneaky Peek Inside...
Page 2 Chairman’s Communication
Page 6 Leiston Surgery
Page 12 Celebrating 100 Years
Page 16 Aldhurst Farm
Page 18 Net Zero News
Page 24 Leiston Football CLub
Page 26 Leiston Makes Space for ProCorda - Wildlife - Leiston Abbey pages 14-15 to eis n Leiston Makes L Space for Wildlife 2 3 Keeping Posted with C
LS those that might just be keeping an eye start/stop period due to Covid
& What’s inside... on a neighbour or friend. restrictions, so it was pleasing 2 - 10 22 - 26 to receive the good news that after a It seems awhile ago now, but it was lot of work preparing an application Keeping Posted with Sport + Social good to see some fantastic Christmas the Leiston Film Theatre was awarded Council & Local Update Lights about the Town during that by the British Film Institution £57,509 Services period and the prolonged displays to in December. This will be very helpful 10 - 13 brighten up the days, even well into during these uncertain times and we all 26 - 34 January and along with a visit from look forward to when we can enjoy this the Rotary Club Reindeer it made for venue again.
1 a cheerier time for us all, as we were & 2 Education Arts + Heritage LS - unable to celebrate Christmas as we Your Councillors continue to work Keeping Posted with C Keeping Posted 4 en 1 e News would have all like to have done so. very hard for this community through r n Leiston G sto various Committees, and I am pleased ei 35 - 36 Since I last penned an article for the to say that there are some exciting new L last newsletter, the Town Clerk, John initiatives currently being explored such Handy Information Rayner has retired after 21 years as ‘Make Space for Leiston Wildlife service to the Town Council and our 2021/2022’ to co-ordinate and improve community. Although we were able to wildlife habitats in and around Leiston. say goodbye to John in December and I am sure you will hear more about this wish him a long and happy retirement, in the future when the Open Spaces Chairman’s it is hoped to mark the occasion, Committee has prepared the strategy. subject to restrictions later this year. I Communication thank John for his fantastic service. The Council continue to support the work of the Community Land Trust who BEM Caroline Rinder formerly Deputy are making very good progress with the Cllr John Last Town Clerk has now taken up the plans and vision for the regeneration of post of Town Clerk and I wish her the Town Centre. elcome to the first Leiston- all the best in her new role. We also cum-Sizewell Newsletter for welcome Bev Kemp who has joined the When you hear and see, the 2021. W Administrative team. involvement of so many in the work of continuously trying to improve our I write these notes just as the In my Chairman’s communications community, we all recognise what a snowdrops emerge in the garden, to fellow Councillors in February, I great place Leiston is. then the next day we have a blanket mentioned the very well organised of snow, but hopefully by the time this and run Covid Vaccination roll- out I hope you can enjoy the Spring and newsletter is published, we will find Programme for Leiston, carried out by please stay safe. ourselves coming out of the dark days to thank everyone who has played a the Leiston Surgery staff, along with of winter and move towards the longer part during that time, supporting our their band of volunteers. We are all very and lighter days and perhaps a visit vulnerable residents that might have proud and grateful for their efforts in John to the Leiston Community Orchard to been shielding or self- isolating. Many the fight against this dreadful virus. see the daffodils. This winter has been efforts of support we become aware John Last BEM very hard for us all, with the Covid of, and get to hear about, but also there It has been a tough year for the Council C h a i r m a n Lockdown and restrictions. I would like have been many acts of kindness by owned Leiston Film Theatre with a Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council 4 5 Keeping Posted with C
LS addition of a wildflower meadow. There are generous sponsors & COUNCIL TAX AND LEISTON’S to help fund the hanging basket The Community Centre in King Georges display each year and money is always PRECEPT 2021/22 Avenue and the Waterloo Centre in needed to cut the grass and maintain Waterloo Avenue are great venues for the parks and public areas in the town All figures in this article will be for out the wide and varied functions groups/clubs and organisations to that the Town Council owns. BAND D Council Tax as this is the that they undertake. It also explains utilise, which have been severely limited recognised benchmark. Only 6% of why someone in Knodishall say has during this year during the lockdowns. We are fortunate to have a swimming households in Leiston are Band D a different final bill than someone in We hope to get both these venues pool and leisure centre in Leiston and however with over 70% falling in Band Leiston and Aldeburgh etc. back up and running again as soon as part of your council tax to East Suffolk
A or Band B. restrictions allow. Council pays for that, likewise East & It has been an exceptionally difficult Suffolk Council owns and maintains the LS Keeping Posted with C Keeping Posted Your Council Tax bill covers 4 separate year with the Coronavirus pandemic Dinsdale Road toilets are currently cemetery. elements: and so councillors decided not to being refurbished and modernised by increase the precept for the coming East Suffolk Council who own them. The Town Council hope that residents 1. The County Council who require year and maintain the status quo. The Town Council have always paid to appreciate and enjoy the facilities £1,397.35 (up £53.74p) Councillors have looked at what they keep them open as they are in a busy provided and would encourage need to maintain the facilities they own area of the town and quite a necessity. everyone to engage with them to 2. The District Council ask for and put a hold on future projects. They I am sure many residents and visitors ensure that, the areas that they can £171.27 (no increase) feel this is in the best interests of the will be pleased with the end result. affect, are being done so to your liking. residents and hope to be able to move The other areas where angst comes 3. The Police require £222.75 forward with future projects next year The Film Theatre has had a very like dog fouling, highways, litter are (up £14.92p) to enhance the town and make Leiston difficult year with the pandemic, with outside our control although we do our an even better place to live. having to close its doors 3 times. It is best to lobby on behalf of our residents 4. The Leiston Town Council Precept hoped the cinema will be able to open to get things done. Please don’t think of £171.63 Residents already enjoy the parks and as soon as restrictions allow and bring there is just “the Council” – there is the (no increase) play areas in the town and we also back the bespoke cinema experience County Council, the District Council have the benefit of Haylings Pond, a it is known for. The Town Council are The first three will be the same for and your own Town Council. They are hidden gem, as well as a sports field the custodians of the film theatre and all households in the East Suffolk separate entities although all are public (old primary school field) which is there wants to ensure it continues to flourish District. The last element however is servants working for you and you pay for everyone to use. The Community and provide the entertainment many what each town or parish in the district separate amounts to each of them to Orchard (at the top) is maturing well families enjoy without them having to “precepts” for to allow them to carry do so in their areas. and is a big success too with the recent travel to the larger towns. 2021/22 Town Council Budget Information If anyone is interested in finding out The allotments are well used and there more or wishing to look over the Expenditure Income Net Expenditure Leiston Expenditure Income Net Expenditure 2020/21 2020/21 2020/21 Town Council 2021/22 2021/22 2021/22 is still a short waiting list. accounts, please contact the Town £ £ £ £ £ £ 3,800 3,000 800 Allotments 4,700 3,000 1,700 Clerk or call in when the council office 12,850 4,500 8,350 Community Centre 13,450 2,000 11,450 The Town Council funds the Youth is open and I will be very pleased to 252,050 230,850 21,200 Film Theatre 194,950 169,950 25,000 157,530 6,750 150,780 Establishment 150,900 15,611 135,289 Club as they felt this was a service that help. 18,000 - 18,000 Youth Club 18,000 - 18,000 they could not allow to close when the 14,850 - 14,850 Dinsdale Road WC 13,850 - 13,850 9,000 - 9,000 Grants 9,000 - 9,000 County Council withdrew funding. The 15,000 15,000 Loan repayment 15,000 15,000 Caroline Rinder 33,420 9,300 24,120 Waterloo Centre 40,950 16,300 24,650 Angling section of the club also uses Town Clerk 42,900 - 42,900 Open Spaces/Other Projects 42,100 - 42,100 559,400 254,400 305,000 Total 502,900 206,861 296,039 Haylings Pond which the Council own Council Tax £171.63 Council Tax £171.63 and maintain too. 6 7 Keeping Posted with C LS & Suffolk Constabulary www.suffolk.police.uk Thank You Leiston Surgery Here to help you...Check out the latest news or Dear Resident, Surgery and all its staff for being so outstanding at this difficult time. report a crime all via their website. We’re sure you’d agree that ‘Thank you’ always goes down well in life, especially However, you wish to join in, or if you when it’s hard earned and that is prefer not to is of course totally your exactly what this note is about! choice. The PPG is just looking to help in its capacity as being a support to
It won’t have gone unnoticed by many both the Surgery and patients alike and & LS of you that the Leiston Surgery has is looking to collect all those ‘Thanks’ Keeping Posted with C Keeping Posted been working above and beyond the on behalf of its patient community. norm serving its community this past year, and more recently delivering Thank You Points will operate: a tremendous and well organised vaccination service. By Foot: Leiston Town Council Office – marked envelope through the letter box To acknowledge the Surgery Team’s hard work, at the request of patients By Post: Chair of the PPG – Lesley Hill, who have asked how to say ‘thank you’ 45 Garrett Crescent, Leiston IP16 4LF at this time, the Patient Participation Group (PPG) being a committee of By Bank: Leiston Surgery Patient patients that helps support the surgery, Participation Group. Sort Code: 20 16 Leiston Surgery Covid-19 with the set up and implementation of 12 Account number: 2341 7409. Vaccination Programme the programme. has put a special plan in place to collect your greetings and contributions to do Online – Just Giving Page: https:// just that. The Leiston Surgery have now We would also like to give thanks to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ commenced our Covid-19 Vaccination all members of the community who On asking - ‘If through a collective gift ppgleistonsurgery Programme, which has been in have volunteered and offered their what would the Surgery Team love to operation since 15th January 2021. In services to aid us with the vaccination Whichever way, should you choose to receive to acknowledge its hard work?’ this time, we have held vaccination programme. contribute, please put Leiston Surgery the Surgery replied ‘If possible, to have clinics over 8 days at the Sizewell Patient Participation Group. our staff-room updated and a new ECG Sports and Social Club. Last but not least, we would like to machine’. The PPG thinks this is a send a huge thank you to all of our Please note: There will NOT be a great legacy to work towards. So far, we have managed to vaccinate staff at Leiston Surgery who have publication of names and contributions nearly 4000 patients, staff, carers and worked incredibly hard during this just a lovely big – To enable this, from Monday 1 March other members of the community. entire process to ensure all clinics are until the end of May 2021 there will be promptly set up, fully booked and run THANK YOU! We would like to express our sincere smoothly. ‘Thank You Stations’ around Leiston gratitude to Sizewell Sports and Social and the villages that the surgery Leiston Surgery Club for giving us the opportunity to We are continuously delighted serves for patients to drop in a note, run our vaccination clinics on their with the support we are receiving a card or indeed a contribution – to Patient premises, and for being so supportive from the community during these say a hearty Thank You to the Leiston Participation Group unprecedented times. 8 9 Keeping Posted with C LS
& Welcome Back to Leiston Library B1119 Saxmundham Road Flooding By the time you read this, Leiston We’re still doing slightly longer loans – It has been well reported that there is On the north verge, the land owner Library will have reopened for our books and DVDs are lent for 6 weeks significant flooding of the carriageway has agreed to assist with clearing the Select & Collect door service again… – and fines and charges are suspended on the B1119 near to Saxmundham ditches adjacent to the kerb line. Then and our reservations will be back in for now. Road level crossing. It has even some replacement pipework to take action! We’ve missed you and it’ll be generated the support of a public that water under the road to the south Gabriele is still doing Baby Bounce on good to see you again. petition. The flooding here has been side where it will join the ditch on that our Facebook pages so do have a look an accumulation of problems and verge. These ditches are also to be Once again, we will be open with our and sing along at home with your little Suffolk County Council Highways have cleaned out. This connection of private temporary Covid hours - Tuesdays, ones! Storytimes and other activities
regularly undertaken reactive works. ditches requires some coordination of &
Thursdays and Saturdays 9.30-2.30. are available too. And of course, LS However, there are several problems works and once complete will allow the
Keeping Posted with C Keeping Posted Suffolk Libraries still offers all its online that interlink and SCC Highways have water to find its way into the Hundred For Select & Collect, you can pre-order services – eBooks, eaudio books, films developed a programme of works to River. the sorts of books you want – tell us and music – have a look on www. address the problem. authors and genres or subjects you suffolklibraries.co.uk SCC Highways have assessed the like. You could pop a note through the Following the road from the crossing works and a scheme has been letterbox, or you can phone and leave Please look at our Facebook page and facing towards Saxmundham the presented to SCC Drainage Depart for a message, or we’ll give you a request and the Suffolk Libraries website for works include, but are not limited to – implementation as a priority. form when you come in. Or you can further updates, of course it’s all very email. Don’t forget your name and changeable. On the immediate right clearing and Should you have a highways issue that library card number. Suffolk Libraries re-establishing the open drain line that needs attention, you can report it using We do have to continue to follow also has an online S&C request form allows excess water from the level the SCC Highways Reporting Tool on Government guidelines for those using on their website – www.suffolklibraries. crossing to escape into the former our website. the library – to keep us all safe, so co.uk. You can of course also reserve sand pit on the south of the road. books from all over the county on the remember to pop a mask on if you’re SCC Highways Team Suffolk Libraries website, or we can do coming along. We look forward to that for you. seeing you soon! Below is the SCC Highways Reporting Tool. highwaysreporting.suffolk.gov.uk/ We are still quarantining items for 4 days when they come back. If you have books to return just put them in our letterbox. 10 platforms, remote assemblies, home Leiston Primary School has a 11 Educating Leiston LS Santa finds time for Leiston
& workouts, remote Yoga to support streamlined, focused LAB in children during his busy schedule mental wellbeing, home visits, food place with members drawn from deliveries, technical support as well the local school community stakeholder proud as usual and contributed to local as personalised pastoral support for groups – parents, staff and community. organisations supporting the Covid19 our families. A big thank you to our Replacing the old Board of Governors, crisis. Leiston Town Council awarded children and staff for making our new the LAB makes certain that the Woodbridge and Framlingham Round situation work so well but the biggest curriculum, quality of teaching and Table £250.00 from their grant fund recognition must go to our families who outcomes are outstanding as well as in recognition of their efforts to bring have had to adapt in these challenging offering advice to the Trust Board about some Festive cheer to the town’s circumstances. Parents: you have done local issues they need to consider children during a challenging Christmas and continue to do a remarkable job. that affect the school. And, the LAB period.
Keeping Posted with C Keeping Posted We must also say ‘Thank you’ to you represents the interests of the school The Big Man himself found time for the messages and gifts of support community in the running of the school. Santa praised Leiston families for in the run up to Christmas to visit which have not gone unnoticed. Working closely with the Headteacher staying in their bubbles and only Leiston families on the very day and other school leaders, LAB members venturing just past their front doors. He before Christmas Eve. Thanks to a Moving forward, it is crucial that we visit the School either in person when said, ‘Leiston children were the best. I last minute effort by the Woodbridge support our children’s mental health permitted or online during lockdown was delighted to see so many people and Framlingham Round Table, his and support them to lessen the impact to see for ourselves how teaching and out and so cheerful on such a wet sleigh was hastily made ready for the that the numerous lockdowns will have learning is being delivered, children’s evening. They made me very welcome long ride to the most easterly point had on their education – we are already needs are being met and targets and I hope they all received their gifts of the UK and on a wet and soggy putting plans in place for a remarkable achieved. Especially important at the on Christmas morning. I will certainly evening he managed a two hour tour. World Book Day on 4th March with a moment is ensuring children and staff be back next year - and I will bring my Social distancing made it tricky for the very theatrical theme! We can’t wait to are safe, checking arrangements in umbrella and raincoat next time, just in bucket collection but Leiston did us take you on an amazing journey. place for safeguarding and overseeing case!’ the mental and emotional wellbeing of Melissa Geater pupils, staff and parents. Despite the Headteacher demands and pressures of schooling during a pandemic (coupled with ever A word from the Chair of the Local changing regulation and instruction), Advisory Board; Leiston has risen superbly to the A word from our Headteacher; with families and the Christmas challenge and responded creatively and Spectacular filmed in school was a In 2014, Leiston became part of Avocet consistently to minimise the impact As we reach the halfway point of the huge hit (despite the staff’s attempt at Academy Trust. Joining Avocet and of the pandemic on everyone. Do you academic year, we have seen our fair joining in). Parents’ Consultations were being part of a multi-academy trust think that you have skills which would share of successes and challenges but held remotely with a great turn out and (MAT) has meant we have enjoyed benefit our pupils and interested in throughout, our school community has it is fair to say that there are definitely many of the benefits of being part finding out more? Get in touch with proved to be resilient, resourceful and practices which we’ve had to put in of a smaller, more local group of us at school on 01728 830745 or Educating Leiston most importantly supportive for the place that we can learn from and take schools, working together to promote send us an email at leiston.admin@ benefit of our pupils. forward. the achievement of East Suffolk avocetacademy.org pupils. At the same time, it has given Leading up to the end of the Autumn Through this latest period of lockdown, us access to better resources and Lesley Cassie term, we found solutions to each we have continued to provide a very support. To reflect this and monitor Chair of the Local barrier that Covid tried to raise. Superb high level of care and support through how effective our school is, we now Advisory Board Class Assemblies were shared online live teaching, interactive learning have Local Advisory Boards (LABs). their ownchoices about classes Neill speed. Allowing hischildrento make following their ownrhythmattheir the paththat they feelfitsthembest, decisions intheirlivesand to take children canlearnto makeimportant child to fittheschool. He believed that to ‘fitthechild’ rather than to mouldthe children andsetoutto buildaschool Neill believed intheinnategoodnessof thrived. butithas Notonlysurvived survived. A.S. Neill’s systemofeducationhas the mean-spiritedmediacoverage, After allthebattles,doubts, philosophy. 1921 baseduponhisowneducation He foundedhisschool,Summerhill,in newspaper inDecember1999. millennium by a UK national broadsheet twelve greatesteducators ofthelast and hewasalsolistedasoneof most influentialeducationalthinkers UNESCO listhimasoneofthe100 of thegreateducators ofthetime. was pioneer, A.S.Neill (1883-1973)who educational by EducatingFounded in1921 School. Summerhill to Birthday LeistonOne Hundredth marks aHappy This year, 2021, 12 Scottish widely consideredto beone Happy 100thBirthday Summerhill Zoë Neill Readhead © lower inculture thanateacher.’ stack orastraight furrow should rank ploughman whocanmake aperfect mend apuncture,ludicrous thatthe professor whomaynotbeableto should feelinferiorto a university a manwhocandoskilledhandwork A SNeilloncewrote: ‘Itisludicrous that their academicachievement. workforce wetrulyvalue, regardlessof the utilitiesworkingsuccessfully. The countries ontheirshouldersandkeep ‘unskilled’ workersthatcarrytheir we have recognisedtheso-called Interesting thatinthelastfewmonths isto takejoyinwhatwedo. important but notto everybody. ismore What He agreedthatlearningisimportant, society inwhatever formtheychose. that everybody hadsomethingto offer were successesinlife.He believed those whowereacademicachievers Neill broke downtheideathatonly understood thepurposebehindit. when theyweretrulyinterestedand remarkable rate could learnata that thechildren motivation achieve. This they wantedto to achieve whatever and determination huge motivation saw themworkwith meant self- all individuals andorganisations from day andIwould liketo publiclythank been receiving ‘LiveLessons’every within ourschool communityhave attending eachday.All students term withapproximately 35students operation since the beginningof Our KeyworkerSchoolhas beenin Remote Learning government guidelines. students whilstadheringto thecurrent an educationaspossibleforour been ableto maintainasnormal together to ensurethatwe have and localcommunityhave all pulled paramount andourstaff,students and learningofourstudentsare families andschools. The well-being presenting seriouschallengesfor ourselves inanotherlockdownthus to schoolon6thJanuarywefound Instead ofourstudentsreturning issues causedbythecurrentpandemic. life wherewehave hadto overcome back over several weeksofschool to anend,onceagainwecanlook As thefirsthalftermof2021comes Lockdown the mainreceptionon: aldevalley.suffolk.sch.uk/ so byvisitingourwebsite: information aboutourschoolcando Anyone wishingto findoutfurther in September. also meetingournewYear7students when currentrestrictionsallowand all ofourstudentsbackinto school toWe are lookingforward welcoming joining Year7inSeptember2021. can confirmthatwehave 121pupils secondary schoolinthelocalarea and Academy isthefastestgrowing We are verypleasedthatAlde Valley Looking Ahead would liketo donate. school ifyouhave anydevices thatyou a seconddevice. Pleasecontactthe than onechildatAlde Valley Academy so thatwecanofferfamilieswithmore donations ofanyunwanteddevices home learning.Wearestillaccepting suitable device intheirhousefor our familiesnowhave atleastone pleased to announcethatallof and EDFEnergy.Iamextremely Neighbour Scheme(IP17GNS) from theGood received, particularly thatwehave amount ofsupport have beenhumbledbythehuge devices for‘remotelearning’.We donated theiroldelectronic our communitywhohave Dan Mayhew - Headteacher 01728 830570 http://www. orbycalling
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Loves Leiston - cumFreebies! - Sizewell Town Council Wildlife would like to help you get a head start by offering wildflower and sunflower 2021 seeds for you to collect from one of our local shops. As long as you live in Leiston, you will be entitled to one free Wetland at Aldhurst Farm - Wetland at Aldhurst Farm courtesyPhoto of Sizewell C Green Leiston Green pack per household and anyone from 1 the recently created habitat at Aldhurst – 100 years old can join in (while stocks Farm but we believe we can make are available). We will be looking out even more spaces attractive to our Most importantly, we would like you to for your most successful and ingenious pollinating insects and wild animals become involved too. We are inviting ideas over the summer – and they don’t by carefully managing suitable spaces you to become a champion for ‘Leiston have to be big projects, just interesting. Leiston Makes within our more urban areas. This will Loves Wildlife’ throughout spring and So, we will ask you to post photos of Space for Wildlife provide a wildlife corridor, which is summer 2021. Do you have space your progress on our Leiston Loves particularly useful for our pollinating in your garden, your courtyard or on Wildlife facebook page, or send them to Our pollinating insects and other insects like bees and butterflies. This your window ledge to make space for the council offices. There will be a prize wildlife species need our help as their doesn’t mean leaving the verges along wildlife? Even if your car is parked in for the most creative household. We habitat globally is under threat. But our roadsides to be left uncut as we front of your house, perhaps you have would also like you to let us know about by working together, each parish can want our town to look tidy, so that we space for a container or a small area the wildlife you see, so that we can put contribute towards providing more can all be proud of where we live. It for planting? Front garden planting is together a picture of how much Leiston wildlife spaces. So Leiston-cum- means that with careful planning, we especially rewarding, as passers-by has loved wildlife in 2021. Sizewell Town Council will be launching can create spaces for wildlife that also also benefit from enjoying them. an exciting new project in 2021/2022. look attractive for our residents and Please keep the coupon below and in The ambition of ‘Leiston Makes visitors. You could …. a few weeks’ time, when we can all Space for Wildlife’ is to create wildlife safely visit the shops again, we will let corridors throughout the town which Throughout the coming months we * Sow a small wildflower patch or you know where you can exchange will link up the larger wildlife habitats will all be looking forward to life after container, the coupon for your seeds. (Coupons within the parish. lockdown and can begin identifying will also be available at the shops small pockets of land within the * Make a ‘washing up bowl pond’ to exchanging the seeds.) town that could be managed for the attract water, benefit of wildlife. We will keep you FREE WILDFLOWER and updated on progress throughout the * Create a buffet for your garden birds, SUNFLOWER SEEDS spring, summer and autumn via this * Make garden containers from old We would like to be part of ‘Leiston newsletter, local press, our website and wellies and buckets etc. Loves Wildlife 2021’ social media channels. Over the coming weeks, we will be Name: Hayling’s Pond Hayling’s publishing links to all the advice and Address: Leiston is already blessed instructions from organisations like the with green spaces at the RSPB and Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Please Contact details:
Gr watch out for information online and in All details are collected and stored e n een Community Orchard, re G in accordance with GDPR. ton Leiston Haylings Pond and the local free press. Leis Community Orchard o
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