Here's a link to the Met.Office forecast page for Bury St Edmunds.

Check out the Events page to find out what is going on in our village - and beyond 

Next Parish Council Meeting: Thursday, May 6th, 2021 7.30pm (via Zoom) - includes Annual General Meeting

Next Community Council Meeting: 

A library of important documents relating to the Parish Council and the village, including meeting agendas & minutes and copies of the Hawstead Journal.
Click here for more information.

NOTE: General Data Protection Regulations 2018.

Please note that archive material posted onto the website before 25 May 2018 may include limited personal data for which consent to publication has not been given. The Parish Council wants to continue to make such material, which is of local interest, easily available to residents, but has not had the capacity to review the content fully. Please contact the clerk to the Council if you have any objection to your name or other personal data appearing in this archive material in order that it might be removed forthwith.

....and a Movie!

To view the film made by Andy and Janet Taplin in support of our bid for the Suffolk Village of the Year competition (ie 2014)click HERE. It's a fantastic production!

Most documents posted on this site are in the "PDF" format and to see them on your compputer you need a program called Adobe Reader. If you don't have this on yoour compputer you can download and install it Free of Charge here

Hawstead Parish Council

E-mail

catherine.hibbert@hawstead-parish-council.co.uk
 

Or use our contact form.

Also on the Contacts page you'll find MAPS!

Welcome to our village Website. This website seeks to inform our residents and others about ongoing projects and events in Hawstead and also serves as a database and reference resource for information on our village.

NOTE: There is a separate website for booking the use of the Village Hall:

www.hawsteadvillagehall.co.uk

"The Hawstead Parish Council will work to make Hawstead an even better place in which to live."

John West - Chairman, Hawstead Parish Council

You can find out about the objectives of Hawstead Parish council on the Documents page HERE

Local pharmacies now stocking COVID tests:

Community pharmacy teams in Suffolk are now offering free coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid test kits as they help to support the lifting of national restrictions and the pandemic recovery.

The new Pharmacy Collect service will make coronavirus test kits – known as lateral flow devices – readily available to people without symptoms free of charge from local NHS pharmacies.

The new service, which launches this month, coincides with the phased reduction of the existing community testing centres provided by Suffolk County Council (SCC).

Pharmacy Collect offers a convenient and local option for the public to collect test kits from. NHS Test and Trace research found that people prefer to access testing close to home, with pharmacists trusted by their local communities.

You can use the NHS Test and Trace Site Finder map to locate participating pharmacies in your area: https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/

On the Leisure Time page of the website are listed a number of country pubs that are local to us (ie within five miles distant). From Monday 12th April - or very shortly after - the following have indicated that they will be open for outdoors serving:

6 Bells, Horringer

Bennet Arms, Rougham

Crown,Hartest

Manger, Bradfield Combust

Queen's Head, Hawkedon

Red House, Stanningfield

Rushbrooke Arms, Gt Whelnetham

You'll probably want to check to be sure, and to find out opening times and whether pre-booking will be necessary.

THE RED HOUSE is our nearest of course. For information about their plans, see their Facebook page HERE NB: On 24th April the band 'Quaff' will be playing live - featuring former Landlord of the Metcalfe Arms, Roy Tooke

The approved Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 11th March 2021 are available HERE

The Agenda for this evening's Parish Council Planning Meeting is available HERE

Sicklesmere Stores Opening times this weekend:

Good Friday - Shop is open 9am - 12 noon (Post Office is closed as it’s a Bank Holiday)

Saturday - Shop and Post Office open 9am - 12 noon (PO closes approx. 10 minutes earlier to get mail ready for the Royal Mail collection)

Sunday - Shop is open 9am - 12noon (Post Office is closed)

Monday - Shop is open 9am - 12 noon (Post Office is closed as it’s a Bank Holiday)

There will be an Exraordinary Meeting of the Parish Council on Thursday 1st April to discuss a Planning Application.Please contact the PC Secretary, Catherine Hibbert if you wish to attend (via Zoom) See bottom left of this page for her email address.

Thursday, 6th May is scheduled as an Election Day for us and it refers to elections for the Suffolk Police Commissioner (currently Tim Passmore) and the local County Councillor representative for our area, Thingoe South (Currently Karen Soons). NB If either or both positions are uncontested, there will of course not be an election. To see documents relating to these potential elections click HERE

Approved Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 14th January and some papers relating to the meeting on 11th March are available HERE

Sicklesmere Stores will re-open on Monday 29^th March!

Caroline & Daryn look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday                         8am - 5.30pm

Saturday                                     8am - 12 noon

Sunday (SHOP ONLY)               9am - 12 noon

Bank Holidays (SHOP ONLY )    9am - 12 noon

Note: The Post Office always closes 5 minutes before the shop does.  Last collection times allow for reports to be done ready for Royal Mail to take away, along with the day’s postal sacks.

the Agenda for tomorrow's Parish Council Meeting (via Zoom) is available HERE

An information poster from West Suffolk Alliance entitled "COVID-19 Vaccine Information" is available HERE

If you're 56 or over you can now book your vaccination online HERE: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/?fbclid=IwAR2UrMXq553az2n3lPphEtJrOwCqDFRP8e7stj-vZpbApDY3yWPPGrh2G0I

The History Recorder Report for 2020 is now available HERE

A document from the Government called "COVID-19: Response Spring 2021" which has just been published, is available HERE

Help to shape future plans of West Suffolk Hospital

As the plans for a new hospital for West Suffolk get underway it is important that as many people are involved in developing the proposals as possible.

The vision for the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) project is to ensure the way that health services are delivered is fit for the local population’s current and future needs and the team need your help to do that. The new facility is for West Suffolk people and is to be designed by West Suffolk people.

The project team are establishing a Co-production Community Engagement Group (CCEG) which will help shape the public engagement around the hospital redevelopment.

WSFT are looking for community members who have an interest in hospital services which will add an additional dimension to the redevelopment proposals.

The work will get increasingly detailed as the project progresses over the next couple of years and there will be many aspects where the team will benefit from the input of members from the CCEG.

The group will meet on a monthly basis and, due to the current climate, these meetings will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. It is important that there is a good representation across the group at each meeting and the opportunity to attend will be offered to as many people as possible who apply.

If you would like to join the CCEG or to find out more information, please visit the website at https://www.wsh.nhs.uk/New-healthcare-facility/Get-involved.aspx and complete and expression of interest form.

You can register for the dedicated newsletter to keep abreast of developments and opportunities by emailing futuresystemprogramme@wsh.nhs.uk.

More information about the development and plans can be seen on the following webpage at https://www.wsh.nhs.uk/new-healthcare-facility.

Alternatively, for those who do not have internet access, please write to register your interest in receiving the newsletter via the post at the following address;

Future System Programme, 
2^nd Floor Quince House,
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust,
Hardwick Lane,
Bury St Edmunds IP33 2QZ

Met Office: Amber warning was in place until midday today, and is currently at Yellow for the whole of Suffolk until 2359 Weds 10^th Feb. Strong winds and drifting are likely to continue to cause localised issues.

• Yellow Warnings for Snow have been issued and updated – for all areas of the East of England and are valid from now until at least 2359 Weds 10^th for possible wintry hazard impacts.

 

• Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will remain very cold with the risk of further snow showers in places but also some dry conditions as winds become less blustery. Widespread ice is likely on many untreated surfaces, with severe overnight frosts possible later in the week,

The latest issue of VILLAGE VOICE (No.13) has just been published. Please send contributions for the NEXT issue to the editor, Anne East by 25th March (anneng100@googlemail.com)

Another SCAM to be aware of:

The January edition of the Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association recommends THIS WEBSITE for information and help about Cyber Security. You may find it useful. It represents a link-up between their 'Cyberhood Watch' initiative and an organisation called 'Avast'. Topics include:

• What are password managers?
• Popular threats on iOS and Android and how to avoid them
• What is the Internet of Things?
• What is Two-Factor Authentication?
• How to Fight Phishing
• Cyber Security Terms & Metaphors

Message from Andy Tucker (Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association)

Remember that any contact regarding a real NHS COVID-19 vaccination booking will never:

  -  Ask for payment or any bank details.

  -  Ask you to press a button on your keypad when on the phone.

  -  Ask you to send a text to confirm the booking.

Anyone who has concerns about whether an approach is genuine should speak to their local GP surgery.

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk.

Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.

If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft, you should report this directly to Action Fraud either online; actionfraud.police.uk or via phone 0300 123 2040.

If you have any information relating to vaccine fraud you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers COVID Fraud Hotline online; covidfraudhotline.org or phone 0800 587 5030.

Papers relating to Parish Council meetings held on 3rd December 2020 and 14th January 2021 - including the Minutes of the December meeting - are now available HERE

Also - A recent webpage concerning Corona Virus C-19 can be accessed HERE

There has been a lot of concern lately about what to do about scams, cold calling and the like. I have gathered together a number of contact details and added them - in red - to the 'Useful numbers and links' page. You'll find help for reporting a crime, what to do about fraud or cyber crime, and where to report suspicious texts and emails. If you're approached by doorstep sellers there's the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. Also mental health issues can be raised with 'First Response'

Galley Slaves will be bringing their Fish and Chip van to Hawstead Village Hall car park again on Friday 22nd January, 4.30-7.30pm. Place your orders with Susanne in advance: bookings@hawsteadvillagehall.co.uk 

There will be a meeting on Zoom of the Parish Council this Thursday at 7.30pm. See the Agenda HERE

For information about C-19 vaccinations in Suffolk, see THIS LINK

The good news is that The Friendly Loaf, Eric's Prime Cuts and Marksman (fruit/salad/veg) are all going to return to Hawstead with deliveries that you can pre-order:

IMPORTANT!

COVID vaccinations - make sure you are registered with a GP

Many centres in Bury St Edmunds have now started vaccinating against COVID. You MUST ensure you are registered with a local GP surgery so that you are offered a vaccination as soon as possible. If you are registered, there has also been a request to ensure you have your NHS number ready to hand. It will be printed on any past communication from your GP, e.g. invitation letter for a flu vaccination.

ADVANCE NOTICE: 2021 is CENSUS YEAR!

The date for the Census is Sunday 21st March and it will be carried out DIGITALLY. Find out more at the CENSUS 2021 website

ALSO

A 2-page document has been published by the Govenment about the C-19 Vaccine rollout. See it HERE

NEW LOCKDOWN: What you can and can't do: See THIS PAGE on the Government website. Also see this:

Parents and carers have until 15 January 2021 to submit an application to secure their child’s place at a Primary, Infant, Junior or Middle school.

Applications should be made for children born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 who are due to start primary school from September 2021.

Applications can be made at suffolk.gov.uk/admissions, where further advice and guidance is also available. Alternatively, parents and carers can call 0345 600 0981 for a paper application (CAF1).

TIER 4: STAY AT HOME. See THIS LINK for Guidance from HM Government

There will be an Extraordinary Meeting of the Parish Council on Thursday 3rd December at 7.30pm via ZOOM, to consider a Planning Application. If you wish to attend this online meeting, please contact the PC Clerk on: catherine.hibbert@hawstead-parish-council.co.uk

The Agenda for the meeting and the approved Minutes of the PC Meeting held on 12 November are available HERE

Some papers in connection with the virtual Parish Council Meeting, held last week on November 12th are available HERE

The mobile FISH and CHIP van, which was a big success when it came to the Village Hall carpark at the end of October, will be coming again twice before Chiristmas on November 27th & December 18th. Both are Fridays and the times will be the same as before, 5 - 7.30pm

Statement by Councillor Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council Leader.

Councillor Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council’s Leader, said:

“I know it feels like we’ve been here before, but the truth is, we haven’t. A second wave of COVID-19 poses a greater threat to Suffolk life because its very existence shows we need to do even more than we already have, to stop the spread.

“This is a serious wakeup call. We must now stay or work at home, unless journeys are absolutely essential. This isn’t about us as individuals. This is about protecting the NHS and saving the lives of our neighbours and loved ones.

“Please everyone, together let’s do what Suffolk needs us to do. We’ve done it before and we can do it again. Our actions today determine the futures of others. Now is the time to stick with it Suffolk.”

You may like to have a look at this document: it was produced in Cumbria but has some useful information about health and wellbeing which is universally applicable. Click on this link to view:

https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ELM006-COVID-19-public-info-a5-booklet-AW-online-1.pdf

NEW! 27 September 2020 Approved Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 23 July 2020 are now available HERE

NEW! 29 July 2020 A new link has been provided on the page about All Saints Church. Information about all those men from Hawstead who died in the two World Wars has been collated and posted on a national "Roll of Honour" website, together with a photo of the memorial in the church. There's a link HERE

NEW! 15 July 2020 A recording of the Parish Council Meeting held on 28 May 2020 via ZOOM software is available HERE

NEW! 9 July 2020 The History Recorder Report for 2019 is now available HERE

NEW! 3 July 2020 If you are a horse-rider you may care to know that the British Horse Society is looking for volunteers to check whether routes used for riding are legally recorded - because if not, they will be lost in a few years time. See the poster about it HERE 

NEW! 15 June 2020 There are now FOUR circular cycle routes posted as a map on the website. They range betweem 8 and 25 miles long and can be found HERE

NEW! 10 June 2020 Various documents in connection with the Financial Accounts of the Parish Council have been uploaded and are located with other items to do with the Parish Council meeting on 28th May. See them HERE

NEW! 14 May 2020 FYI: Planning Application DC/19/1720/FUL for the construction of a new dwelling adjacent to No.1 The Pound has been approved by St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

NEW! 14 May 2020 The Approved Minutes and associated papers relating to the Parish Council Meeting of 26 March 2020 are now available HERE

ALSO - this meeting was a 'virtual' one and was recorded: you can watch it HERE!

NEW! 12 May 2020 The Government has produced a 50-page document with FAQs outlining its Recovery Strategy to get us out of the current 'lockdown' situation relating to Coronavirus and Covid-19. You can read this document online HERE and access the FAQs HERE.

NEW! 3 April 2020 Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parish Council meeting of 26 March was a 'virtual' meeting (ie they did not meet in the Village Hall but communicated as a group using software on their computers (Zoom). You can see a recording of the meeting HERE

NEW! 24 March 2020 Just in case you're unaware, see the details of the Government restrictions imposed yesterday evening HERE

NEW! 13 March 2020 CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC

Message from John West: "When we prepared our emergency plan several years ago a pandemic certainly wasn’t envisaged.

Our priority now and over the next few months is to support those who are potentially most at risk in the village.

We must all do what we can to help those in Hawstead who are most in need.

Please keep in contact with your neighbours, especially the elderly or those living alone."

You can find government information about what to do HERE

UK statistics are available HERE and are updated daily

NEW! 12 March 2020 Bus timetable (Wednesdays only). A slight change means that from 1st April the 375 bus will depart from the Village Green (opposite the bus shelter) at 10.20AM and will depart from Bury Bus Station (stand 6) at 1PM

NEW! 3 December 2019 From Wednesday 15th January there will be a BUS SERVICE (375) from Sudbury to Bury St Edmunds which will pass through Hawstead! This will be on a trial basis and ONLY on Wednesdays

Time into Bury: 10:12AM, arrive 10:22AM (Bus Station)

Time from Bury (Bus Station) 13:15PM arrive Hawstead 13:25PM

NEW! 24 November 2019

NEW! 30 September 2019 Here's an online article that has just been published by East Anglian Daily Times concerning the Wigwam 'glamping' units at Maglia Rosso:

NEW! 11 September 2019 All villagers are invited to a Cafe-Style Harvest Service in Hawstead Village Hall from 11 am on Sunday 29 September, to be followed by a light lunch, for which there is no charge. This is a new format for us and we would like to encourage as many villagers as possible to attend. It will be an informal service, and we are hopeful that some of the children from the church schools in the Benefice will attend too. For further information, please contact Lesley Carey on lesleycarey32@btinternet.com

NEW! 25 June 2019 There's an updated Guide to Recycling in Suffolk that's recently been published. Get your copy HERE

NEW! 22 May 2018 Three documents relating to the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR-2018) have been added to the website: A) General  Privacy Notice B) Staff Privacy Notice and C) a copy of the Hawstead Consent Form. These can be viewed HERE and the Consent Form can be downloaded and printed, filled in and then returned to the Parish Council Secretary.

NEW! 2 March 2018 An updated version of the Hawstead Emergency Plan is available HERE There is also a PDF copy of an updated Skills Questionnaire which can be filled out and printed. It should be returned to Geraldine West, Kellycroft, The Green.

NEW! 3 January 2018 In case of power cuts: Call 105 to report power cuts and damage to the electricity network, or 0800 3163 105 (from a corded phone or mobile phone if you have no power)

Preparing for a power cut

Below is some additional advice:

• Add 105 to the contacts on your mobile phone
• Keep our Freephone 0800 3163 105 number handy
• See www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercuts for useful videos and advice during a power cut.
• Locate a torch, check it’s working and make sure you have spare batteries. Take care if using candles.
• Charge up your mobile phone, and a rechargeable mobile ‘powerbank’ if you have one
• Use a phone with a cord if you have one, cordless phones don’t work in a power cut
• Keep fridges and freezers closed, with a blanket over as they will stay cold for many hours
• Switch off all your electrical equipment, except one light which will let you know when the power comes back on
• Remember the street lights may also be off so take care if you go out
• Dress in warm clothes
• Look out for vulnerable neighbours

NEW! 23 February 2017 Inormation from UK POWER NETWORKS

UK Power Networks owns and maintains the local power lines and substations and is responsible for reconnecting supply after any power cut. It offers a Priority Service Register to which vulnerable people can sign up to; registration enables UK Power Networks to identify customers who are vulnerable or need extra help when the electricity is off as efficiently as possible and to get help out quickly. Residents eligible to sign up include those with a disability or medical dependancy on electricity (ie users of Careline, nebuliser etc), the elderly, those with children under 5 and more. Services available to those on the Register include a 24 hour priority phone number, a dedicated team who will keep you updated during a power cut and other tailored support where appropriate. Further information on the Priority Service Register is available from ukpowernetworks.co.uk or by calling 08003163105.

Registration forms for this service will also be made available in the village hall after 16 March.

NEW! September 6 2016 The draft document concerning the byelaws relating to the village greens has now been replaced by a confirmed one. It is called "Byelaws for Pleasure Grounds, Public Walks and Open Spaces" and includes an indicative map of the locations of our greens (and the Millennium Field). It can be accessed HERE

Older News items are being archived here