Our youngest daughter Lucy (Bury Free Press Baby and Toddler Competition 2008 winner) was born with congenital heart disease. Not long after that bombshell my partner's aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have been trying to raise money and awareness ever since.
We had a hallowe'en themed party with fancy dress and raised £382, which has since been rounded up to £400. This money will be divided between Echo (Evelina Children's Heart Organisation), Ronald McDonald House Charities at Guys and St Thomas' hospitals and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
I would like to thank everyone who came on the night and those who couldn't but still donated money, time or raffle prizes.
It really does make me proud to have such amazing friends and family.
Amanda Prentice,
Greenways Crescent,
Bury St Edmunds.

The facts of arc centre

I would like to appraise readers of the facts in response to a misleading letter printed last week in regard to the new arc development in Bury St Edmunds.
Twenty-three of the units have been let or are under offer. The let units represent approximately 75 per cent of the floorspace and the under offer units represent about another 10 per cent (85 per cent total). There is only one of the larger units left (not let or under offer). The remaining 15 per cent of floor space consists mainly of smaller units – roughly 15 in total.
Only five retailers are moving from the existing town centre into arc. Generally that is because they cannot satisfy their space requirements in the existing town centre, as there are no prime units of the size they need available. The arrangements for paying rent are entirely consistent with normal custom and practice across the UK retailing sector.
There is no doubt that the retail sector is moving into a difficult period. However, retail has proved previously to be a resilient and fast moving sector of the economy.
We maintain a database of the empty shops in the town, which has demonstrated that the level of vacant units in Bury has been well below national averages.
Bury clearly remains a destination of choice for retailers, as is proven by interest in the new development and units in the existing town centre, too.
Cllr Sara Mildmay-White,
Chairman, Bury St Edmunds Area Working Group.

This page is a barometer

Like John Griffiths, I read the letters page in the Bury Free Press every Friday. It's a barometer of public opinion on local issues and should be a compulsory digest for all councillors.
I share Cllr Griffiths' concerns about myths, incorrect assertions and misleading accusations which sometimes appear on this page.
Here are just a few. First: The Boundary Committee is consulting on a West Suffolk Unitary Council. No, it isn't. As Tim Passmore, the leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, pointed out (Letters, September 5) the Boundary Committee options are either a single unitary for Suffolk (with or without Lowestoft) or two unitary councils, one covering Ipswich, Felixstowe and the Shotley peninsula, and the other for the rest of Suffolk (again, with or without Lowestoft).
Cllr Passmore and I disagree as to which is the best of these options, but we both recognise that the Boundary Committee has already considered and rejected an east/west split, describing it as 'artificial'.
Next, there is the assertion that the Government is forcing unitary councils on us. Not true, either. The Boundary Committee is simply consulting on the options for Devon, Norfolk and Suffolk, following local requests for unitary status from Exeter, Norwich and Ipswich. The Secretary of State will decide between the preferred option in all three areas or keeping the status quo. It could go either way. Besides, St Edmundsbury Borough Council favours unitary councils, so pretending that it doesn't is at variance with the written record.
Contrary to some assertions, the rate of Council Tax rises in the borough is going up, not down. Last year it was 2.9 per cent, this year 3.4 per cent. It could be as high as 4.5 per cent next year. The Conservative administration has refused to rule it out, despite Shadow Chancellor George Osborne's statement rises should be no higher than 2.5 per cent.
Worst still, the public venue is already £6 million over the original 2003 budget of
£10 million and there is still about a year to go to completion.
In 2005, I predicted that the eventual cost could be as high as £18 million and called for the venture to be abandoned. It's too late now, but with a bit of foresight the borough council could have saved the tax-payer millions. Poor leadership is the root cause of all these problems. It should be admitted.
David Nettleton,
Cannon Street,
Bury St Edmunds.

Our schools are at risk

Thank you, Bury Free Press, for the coverage of the proposal to close Breckland Middle School.
Unfortunately, it seems that once again the Government and Suffolk County Council are ignoring the views of the very communities they are supposed to serve.
All schools in our area are under threat, some – like Riverwalk, that does an excellent job – look after our most vulnerable children.
As a parent, I find it disgraceful that the wonderful job Breckland Middle School does has been overshadowed by the need to save money.
Jenny Duffie,
via email.

Let's have zebras back

Why do pedestrians press the button on the crossing and then cross the road before waiting for the lights to change?
Another infuriating thing they do is press the light when there is no traffic in their midst.
Can we please have the old zebra crossings back? These pedestrian-controlled crossings hold up the traffic, particularly at the junction of Risbygate Street/Tayfen Road, in Bury St Edmunds, where it holds up traffic to the extent there is frequently a traffic jam on the roundabout.
Can the council do away with some of these controlled lights?
Trevor Watkin,
York Close,
Bury St Edmunds.

Global crisis is no 'blip'

I would like to clarify comments attributed to me in last week's Bury Free Press, where I was reported as saying the current financial crisis could be described as a 'blip'.
What I actually said was: "While there has undoubtedly been a period of huge uncertainty and massive financial problems for all of the major global economies, this was not completely unexpected. There is only so much re-selling of bad debt and unpaid loans that any market can sustain and the crash had to come. It's probably one of the worst crashes in recent memory, but what we know from history is that the markets move in cycles and an upward surge and a period of recovery will come.
Let's not forget that we have seen these huge drops before. If you look back now at 'Black Monday' or the post 9/11 downturn, although they were a huge concern at the time, they are now small blips on a graph of stock market performance over the last 15 years."
To call the current global financial crisis a 'blip' would be both foolish and an insult to anyone who has suffered financial hardship or lost their job as a result of the current economic downturn.
My full commentary and tips for beating the financial crisis are published in full in my column in the latest copy of Exclusive magazine.
Nick Plumb,
Independent Financial Adviser.

Thanks for the reminder

Thanks to the Bury Free Press for reminding me that the wood fair was on at Ickworth.
I went to this historic place on Sunday. The sun shone on a glorious array of colours from the trees and the atmosphere was pacifying and relaxed.
There was a real country environment, enhanced by the background music from the Flusies, enabled me to gaze at the wonders of the wood experts, and their creations – like an owl from a huge log, or the making of flowers from willow and the pulling of logs by the shire and Suffolk Punch horses. It was a real blast from the past.
Families and friends were able to reflect on the beauty around them and forget the chaos in the world surrounding us.
No doubt my next visit will be after a reminder from the Bury Free Press. Thanks.
Lesley Williams,
Barningham.

Meadow leased to a third party

AS clerk of the Guildhall Feoffment, I wish to put the record straight regarding the condition of No Man's Meadow, as raised by your correspondent (Bury Free Press letters, October 10).
The Guildhall Feoffment does own No Man's Meadow, but currently the meadow is leased to a third party, who has responsibility for maintaining the meadow as a wildlife area and open space, available for public use.
I have today written to the lessee to raise your correspondent's concern and hope the issue will be addressed satisfactorily as a result.
D Marriott,
Clerk, Guildhall Feoffment,
Bury St Edmunds.

What properties have been sold?

Thank you for keeping us up to date with the complexities of our local government officers.
Nigel Aitkens (St Edmundsbury Borough Council portfolio holder for economy and asset management) seems sure of the reasons for selling off so many of the town's buildings. It should be possible, therefore, for him to list all the properties sold since his incumbency, along with the selling price and the name of the purchasers.
Please, Mr Aitkens, let us all share in your joy.
Doreen Foster,
Northgate Street,
Bury St Edmunds.

Wonderful care

I recently spent time in Wards G3 and CCU, at West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, and went on to Papworth Hospital. I would like to say how very grateful I am for the care I was give in both hospitals.
The dedication and kindness of all the staff was amazing and, despite the doctors and nurses being extremely busy, they always had time to explain everything. My thanks go also to the housekeeping teams and everyone else involved during my stay.
I feel we are very fortunate to have two such wonderful hospitals in our area and I cannot thank them enough.
Valerie Cracknell,
East Close,
Bury St Edmunds.