FIFTEEN jobs have been axed following the closure of a discount clothes shop in Bury St Edmunds.

Staff at Peacocks, in the arc shopping centre, were told to shut the store on Wednesday afternoon after the brand was sold to Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

As part of the deal secured by administrators KPMG, 224 Peacock stores were closed ‘with immediate effect’ resulting in 3,100 redundancies.

However, 388 of the chain’s shops as well as the business’ headquarters and logistics functions were acquired – saving 6,000 jobs.

Business leaders in the town have lamented the demise of another high street shop in the following the recent loss of Hawkin’s Bazaar and Dorothy Perkins.

Andrew Denny, chairman of Bury Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s very sad as it was a nice shop. I feel sorry for the people who were employed there. It reinforces what we have been saying for some time that many retailers are finding it difficult.”

For full details see Friday’s Bury Free Press.

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder after police were called to reports of a fight in Ashwell Road, Bury St Edmunds.

Robin Lionnet, 42, from Ashwell Road, Bury, was found collapsed in Ashwell Road in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Police officers attempted to revive a him and an ambulance took him to West Suffolk Hospital but he was pronounced dead soon after arrival.

A post mortem examination was carried out yesterday, where it initially appears that he died as a result of a stab would.

Mark Turner, 48, from Green Lane, Cockfield, has been today been charged with the murder.

He has been remanded in custody at the Bury Police Investigation Centre and will appear before Bury Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

A cordon remains in place at Ashwell Road while officers continue with their investigation.

This might seem a little obvious but did you know that the Victoria Sponge was named after Queen Victoria?

General sponge cakes have been around in one form or another for about 400 years but it was after Prince Albert died in 1861 when Queen Victoria retreated to Osborne House on the Isle of White where she discovered her pleasure for a slice of sponge cake with her afternoon tea (don’t we all), and it was around then that the Victoria Sponge was born.

So this is where we start for this week’s recipe. One of the first cakes I remember my mum making was a traditional Victoria Sponge for when my Nana would come to visit. I can see them now sitting in the lounge with a cup of tea (I remember this well because I hate the smell of tea) and slice of cake nattering about something I wasn’t allowed to hear.

I used to think it must be an easy cake to make and it is, in principle, but it’s taken me a little while to perfect the technique. The first one I made was a complete disaster! I opened the oven door too early and it completely sank in the middle. So a little tip... don’t open the door during the first three quarters of the cooking time! This is pretty much a golden rule for anything you bake that needs to rise.

There are some variations on the recipe but it all depends on your personal preference. I prefer to fill with raspberry jam but you can also use strawberry. Do you use fresh cream or buttercream and do you put the jam on the bottom or top? It really doesn’t matter. As long as you get the basics right, you can’t go far wrong with the rest.

My recipe is nice and simple and produces a moist yet light cake and, I realise that I’m giving away one of my most precious secrets, but I also use this recipe for my celebration cakes and cupcakes.

200g butter/margarine

200g caster sugar

4 eggs

2 drops of vanilla essence

200g plain flour

2 teaspoons of baking powder

275ml double cream

30g icing sugar plus extra for decorating

2 drops of vanilla essence

5-6 tablespoons of good quality raspberry jam

1 Preheat oven to 180 degrees centigrade or gas mark 4.

2 Grease and line the bottoms of two 20cm sandwich tins with greaseproof paper.

3 Cream butter/margarine, sugar and vanilla.

4 Add one egg followed by a few tablespoons of flour and mix. Continue this process until all eggs and flour combined.

5 Add baking powder. If the mixture is a little stiff, add a tablespoon of warm water.

6 Divide the mixture between the two tins and level with the back of a spoon.

7 Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until the sides of the cake have shrunk slightly from the side of the tins. The sponge should spring back slightly when pressed and when inserting a skewer, should come out clean. Leave for about 10 minutes and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

8 Once completely cooled, spread one layer of cake with jam.

9 Put the cream, icing sugar and vanilla into a bowl and whip until thick. If you’re like me and your arms aren’t up to it, use an electric whisk. Spread the cream on top of the jam and place the other cake on top.

10 Sprinkle with icing sugar and you’re done. Then cut yourself a slice and enjoy. In my experience, it’s best to stop after the third slice.

]]> 1.3548226 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:30:29 +0000 http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/film_society_is_proving_to_be_a_box_office_hit_1_3529432

FOLLOWING a recent rejuvenation, Bury St Edmunds Film Society is appealing for new members.

The society, originally founded in 1966, faced closure 12 months ago due to increasing costs and dwindling membership, but after a relaunch and a highly successful film noir mini-season, the society is looking for new members to share in its recent success.

Now based at The Hunter Club, in Guildhall, Bury, the society is nearing the end of its current season and under new chairman Penny Turner is planning a series of mini- seasons based on particular themes and genres.

Penny said: “The themes can be anything from a programme of films from a single director, or the work of one actor, or a genre – we want people to come up with ideas.

“Having a series of films gives people something they can really get their teeth into, so they can get to know the work of a filmmaker, an actor or a group of directors.”

Their are three more films to be shown this season, each film is introduced by a member of the society and a supporting programme is provided, screenings are followed by an informal discussion about the film, its stars and the subject matter it dealt with.

Membership to the society, which has the tag line ‘For the films you have loved and the films you will love’, is £30 per year.

Anyone interested in joining should contact the club’s social secretary, Ian Wallis, at ij.wallis@tiscali.co.uk

UNEMPLOYMENT has increased across the region – however, most areas remain well below the national average.

St Edmundsbury, Forest Heath, Breckland and Mid Suffolk districts all saw a rise in overall unemployment but remained below the national average of four per cent and the average for the east of England, which is currently 3.2 per cent.

Youth unemployment remained high across the region with Breckland Council reporting that the number of 18-24 year-olds claiming out-of-work benefits was above the national average for the second consecutive month – 8.2 per cent of 18-24 year-olds in the area are currently claiming, above the national average of 8.1 per cent, youth unemployment in the area has been on the rise since February 2010.

St Edmunsbury, Forest Heath and Mid Suffolk districts continued to be below both the national average and the average for the east, currently seven per cent.

St Edmundsbury Bwas the only district to see a decrease in the number of 18-24 year-olds claiming out-of-work benefits from the previous month.

]]> 1.3529719 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:57 +0000 http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/new_agreement_aims_to_build_up_profitable_links_with_china_1_3529741

INCREASED trade and business links with China may hold the key to a prosperous economic future for the east.

Suffolk County Council has signed an agreement with Norfolk and Essex county councils aimed at promoting links between industry, businesses and universities in the region and other high-growth economies, particularly China.

The two-year project will focus upon the region’s strengths in the energy sector, aiming to attract investment that will create growth and jobs for the three counties.

Cllr Judy Terry, Suffolk County Council portfolio holder for the greenest county, economy and skills said: “This is an excellent step forward for all three counties.

“China’s rapidly expanding economy offers many new business opportunities for Suffolk companies looking to tap into international markets.

“We recognise that China has become the engine of economic growth in the global community and feel very strongly that sought-after Suffolk products such as clean energy, our creative industries and food and drink, have strong international appeal.”

Representatives from the three counties will travel to China in March 2012 to visit industry associations, research institutions and universities in the Jiangsu province.

During the visit, representatives will visit Wuxi, one of China’s leading centres for renewable energies, which is home to several important wind energy manufacturers.

They will also promote the region at China International Import Expo, in Kunshan, which will be the first national expo aimed at promoting the import of foreign goods.

Cllr Anne Stewart, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “It is clear that the opportunities to attract inward investment from China are growing and the huge population represents a massive market for our own goods and services.

“Opportunities for joint ventures and partnerships in China are also growing with some Norfolk companies already having successful trading arrangements, so joint working with our neighbouring counties is a good place to start.”

Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex county councils will develop joint projects to help businesses increase their exports to China, as well as working with universities and vocational colleges to form profitable links with counterparts.

The three councils will also promote the education of the region’s school children in Chinese culture and language as well as pursuing schemes to attract more Chinese tourists to the area.

]]> 1.3529741 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:38 +0000 http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/police_take_fight_on_crime_to_the_roads_1_3529589

POLICE stopped 50 suspicious-looking vehicles driving on the A14 network and handed out more than 90 fixed penalty, probation and advisory notices in a bid to prevent criminals from using Suffolk’s roads.

During Monday’s operation, carried out by Suffolk and Norfolk Roads Policing Unit, one vehicle was seized for being driven without a valid licence and 18 fixed penalty notices were handed out to drivers for offences including driving without insurance or MoT and driving with an insecure load.

Sgt Julian Ditcham, of Suffolk Roads Policing Unit, said: “The aim of this operation was to target criminals using the road network in Suffolk. Both the police officers and our partner agencies put in a lot of hard work and it was pleasing that we were able to see some positive results.

“Operations such as this put out a positive and firm message to road users in Suffolk and demonstrate our commitment to working with our partners to tackle crime on Suffolk’s roads.”

Automatic number plate recognition technology was used to stop any suspicious-looking vehicles before checks were made at a nearby checksite at Rougham Lorry Park.

The operation, was a collaboration between Suffolk and Norfolk Roads Policing Unit, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and HM Revenue and Customs.

A CAMPAIGN aimed at tenants across Babergh and Mid Suffolk has seen a number of people put themselves forward for a seat on a joint housing board.

Twenty four candidates have nominated themselves for the six seats resulting in a contest for each available seat.

All tenants across the two areas will receive a voting pack to vote for their preferred candidate from Monday to be returned by Thursday March 8. Visit www.midsuffolk.gov.uk

Suffolk Wildlife Trust has launched a new campaign, Networking Nature, with a week of wildlife-themed events.

The campaign, which aims to encourage people to create, monitor, and enjoy Suffolk’s wildlife and green spaces, was launched in Stowmarket Market Square on Saturday, February 11.

Tracy Housley, a community adviser with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, said: “We had a really good response, lots of people came and spoke to us about the green spaces near them that they thought needed some attention.”

Suffolk Wildlife Trust is offering people who wish to start conservation projects in their community advice on conservation and habitat management as well as training and funding.

STOWMARKET Town Centre Partnership has named Sharon Brown as its new town centre manager.

Mrs Brown has previously served as director of the partnership, which was formed in 2011 to promote Stowmarket by creating a prosperous and attractive town centre.

She said: “Stowmarket is a great place to live, work and shop. Our challenge is to encourage more people to visit and see what the town has to offer.

“This will help businesses grow, providing increased investment and opportunities for employment and making the town somewhere to be proud of.”

The aims of Stowmarket Town Centre Partnership include encouraging residents to shop locally as well as promoting trade and development in the town and increasing its potential as a popular tourist destination.

Peter Down, chairman of the partnership said: “We will measure our success by an increase in people visiting and returning to the town centre. The partnership has made a good start in the Christmas lights festivities.

“Planning is at an advanced stage for a summer carnival to tie in with the Queens’ Diamond Jubilee in June and a number of other initiatives that have been under consideration for some time can now be progressed following the appointment of a new town manager.”

Mrs Brown, who has lived in Stowmarket for more than 25 years, has extensive management experience and currently owns and runs Wardrobe men and women’s clothing shops in Stowmarket and Woodbridge.

She said: “Stowmarket boasts a range of facilities such as the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts as well as the cinema, museum, leisure centre, and a wide variety of great shops, the most important thing is to encourage local people as well as those from outside the town to come and use the facilities the it has to offer.”

]]> 1.3529566 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:13 +0000 http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/praise_for_apprentice_scheme_1_3529520

THREE outstanding trainees have been held up as prime examples of successful apprenticeships.

Elizabeth Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, was at Warren Services in Thetford last Friday to award certifcates to Tom Pender, Nathan Cubley and Nathan Sismeg.

The trio have each gained distinction for their work as electrical and machine engineers.

Ms Truss said apprenticeships offered ‘continued learning’.

“It gives them a chance to go to college, to apply things they’ve learned at school and do practical work,” she said.

However, she said more needed to be done to help young people find what apprenticeships were available.Warren Services also gave local schools a chance to look around on the day.

A MILKMAN was left shaken after being attacked by a gang of youths.

He was driving his van in Anglian Lane, Bury St Edmunds, at about 3.50am on Saturday February 18 when four youths jumped out from the side of the road and threw bottles, which could have contained alcohol, at the vehicle.

The victim drove off but was shortly confronted again by the boys as one of them chased him down the road shouting as the others watched.

The van was undamaged but the victim was left shaken.

The offenders are described as white, with three dressed in hoodies and one wearing a cap.

The boy who persued the van down the road had light-coloured hair, was around 5’9/10 tall, had a slight build and was wearing light coloured tracksuit and bottoms.

He was carrying a white carrier bag.

Anyone with any information should contact PC Alison Huntly on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A HEADTEACHER has expressed his pride after his school was given a glowing Ofsted report.

Andy Smith, headteacher of Glade Primary School, in Brandon, was full of praise after inspectors returned a positive monitoring inspection report, set to be released next Friday.

He said: “I am really proud of the staff and pupils and of the hard work that has led to this improvement.

“The whole staff are committed to raising standards and we will continue to develop and improve the quality of provision, opportunity and support for all pupils at Glade.”

The report was a follow up from the school’s last visit from inspectors in May 2010.

That report saw criticism of the school’s performance in teaching and attendance.

But according to Nichola Perry, additional inspector, the quality of teaching, learning and behaviour have all improved.

There was also praise for leadership at the school since Mr Smith took over in 2010.

It stated: “The headteacher has successfully steered the school through a difficult time.”

WAITING times for much-needed home alterations should be slashed by a new council scheme.

Breckland Council has taken advantage of new government rules to cut waiting times for alteration works worth up to £7,000.

It is hoped the scheme, named Reable, will avoid applicants having to wait up to nine months for work.

Typical alterations include grab rails, level access showers and ramps.

Applicants must still use the Disabled Facilities Grant.

RAF Lakenheath’s 492nd Fighter Squadron said farewell to its commander days before the 20th anniversary of getting the F-15 Eagle fighter.

Lt Col Clinton Mixon took his final flight in the supersonic fighter from Lakenheath on Friday, having been the squadron’s commander since February 2010, while the squadron has had F-15s since February 21 1992, when they began to replace the ageing, swing-wing F-111.

Master Sgt Robert Griffiths, unit deployment manager of the 48th Operational Support Squadron, was at Lakenheath on an earlier posting when the F-15s arrived and recalls the jump in technology.

“I’ve had a ride in an F-111 and in an F-15 and it’s the equivalent of going from black and white TV to colour,” he said.

The 492nd’s current commander, Lt Col John Orchard, predicted that the F-15 had a few more years to serve.

“It’s been around for some time. The airframe was designed in the ’70s but the engineers did a terrific job of making an aircraft that would last. The avionics are the thing that have been continuously improving.

“Our air force does a good job of keeping the avionics current so we can compete against the best.”

The 48th Fighter Wing now has 75 F-15s, of various marks, in the 492nd and 494th Fighter Squadrons and aircraft from Lakenheath have served in both Iraq wars, the Iraqi no-fly zone operation, the Balkans, Afghanistan and Libya.

The F-15’s electronics allow it to track aircraft ‘in the region of 100 miles away’ and the two-seater F-15E Strike Eagle’s systems enable the co-pilot to take on ground targets while the pilot targets aircraft. Its twin jet engines take the $31 million, aircraft to 1,875mph, 2.5 times the speed of sound, and up to 60,000ft.

A COLLECTION of Roman silver and gold coins found near Mildenhall have been declared treasure.

The 15 silver siliquae and one gold solidus date from 355 to 402 – the tail end of the Roman occupation of Britain.

The coins were found by a father and son on October 12 on farmland.

According to Suffolk County Council, a number of other finds have been made at the same site, with around 80 coins being uncovered in the last decade.

Speaking at a treasure trove inquest on Tuesday, Andrew Brown, Suffolk County Council’s finds recording officer, said the collection was ‘fairly typical’ of the era.

Coroner Peter Dean recorded the find as treasure.

The coins will now go away to be valued by experts at the British Museum. A decision on where they will be kept will then be made.

THREE MPs have urged a government minister to back the Brecks’ bid for £2 million of funding.

Elizabeth Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, Matthew Hancock, MP for West Suffolk, and George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk, have written to tourism minister John Penrose in support of a bid for money from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The money – requested by Anglia LEP, Visit East Anglia and the Brecks Partnership – would be used to revitalise tourism in the area.

Ms Truss said: “The Brecks is an area that incorporates stunning forests and heathland, unique biodiversity and wildlife.

“Superb recreational activities combined with charming towns and villages, as well as flourishing food producers and farm shops, all create a fabulous landscape for tourism to thrive.

“Today’s letter to him illustrates the support from Norfolk and Suffolk and I will be pressing the minister to ensure he is fully aware that only a couple of hours along the M11 from his building in Westminster sits the Brecks.”

According to outline plans from the bid, the money would be used for a range of restoration projects and a focus on increasing access to the Brecks. Protecting the area’s heritage is key to the bid.

Mr Hancock said he ‘wholeheartedly’ supported the bid for Lottery cash.

“The Brecks are strikingly beautiful, have a remarkable history and with this investment could realise their huge potential,” he said.

According to Neil Featherstone, Brecks Partnership manager, the money will give the area greater exposure.

“It’s a little known area – even within the county. The problem is a lot of people drive through the Brecks and it’s constrained by the A1075 and A11 routes.

“But the Brecks has a terrific story to tell and the bid could provide a way for us to tell it,” he said.

]]> 1.3529486 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000