- PM picks up shopping on way home
- Rhyming plea over library closures
- Towns regeneration contest launched
- Met and FBI call 'taped by hackers'
- 1,000 people expected in marches
- British passenger 'fell from liner'
- New cancer cases 'up 30% by 2030'
- Widespread snow looms for weekend
- Protesters attack Syrian embassy
- PM accepts White House invitation
- I feel fantastic, says Robin Gibb
- Paedophile jailed over porn seizure
- Three die in Legionnaires' outbreak
- John Terry loses England captaincy
- Redknapp has 'back to the wall'
- No pub assault charge for Downing
- Ex-PCSO jailed for rape of girl, 12
- Facebook stalker guilty of murder
- 21 years for street killer husband
- BT in 'ultra-fast' broadband pledge
Latest News
Gym opening
Olympic gold medal winner Sally Gunnell OBE will open a new £250,000 gym at Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre.
Court appearance for gun escape prisoner
THE violent criminal who escaped at gunpoint from prison guards at West Suffolk Hospital has appeared in court in Scotland.
Knives are shredded
MORE than 6,000 knives became scrap metal this week as the successful Bin a Blade campaign came to a close.
Rail delays after fire
A FIRE at a recycling plant caused major disruption to morning commuter rail services.
Fire in dryer
FIRECREWS from Ixworth and Diss were called to a fire in a grain dryer at a farm in West Street, Rickinghall, on Tuesday afternoon.
Mildenhall and Lakenheath News
Paul’s kitchen makes AA grade
AN AWARD-winning hotel and restaurant has continued its success after being given a reviewer’s top award.
Nick delivers a special story treat
A GROUP of primary school pupils were given a special story-time this week when a children’s author read from his new book.
Big-hearted Rosy’s birthday gift to hospice
A 10-YEAR-OLD has donated £165 to a hospice after asking friends to donate to the charity instead of buying her presents.
Victim: ‘Vandals deserve karma’
VANDALS who daubed stolen paint over a house deserve ‘a bit of karma’, according to the man who looks after the property.
‘Rumours hurt town centre’
NEGATIVE rumours about Mildenhall High Street are forcing retailers to put up signs convincing shoppers that they are still in business.
Stowmarket News
Suffolk Circle set to expand
AN ORGANISATION that helps the over 50s to meet new people and try new things is expanding in Stowmarket.
redundancies cost £2.9 million
REDUNDANCIES in the merger between Mid Suffolk District Council and Babergh District Council could reach almost £3 million.
Funds for school changes
COUNCILLORS are tipped to set aside £5.5 million for plans to implement two-tier education in Stowmarket and Stowupland.
Council gets passionate about Muntons
A COMPANY responsible for making the delicious centre of maltesers has had its success recognised by a district council.
Metal thieves target homes
FRIDAY the 13th proved unlucky for homeowners in Stowmarket and Fakenham Magna who are thought to have been targeted by metal thieves.
Thetford and Brandon News
Frankie hits big time with Radio 1
A THETFORD rapper has got a taste of the big time after his single was played on national radio.
Man sentenced for late-night assault
A TEENAGER who broke a man’s jaw in a late-night assault has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Free School wins DfE approval
CAMPAIGNERS were celebrating this week as a ground-breaking Free School was rubber-stamped after a three year struggle.
A11 fears eased after key meeting
FEARS over diversions and key access routes were eased after a meeting of the major players in the A11 dualling project.
Academy plans get thumbs up
PLANS for Thetford Academy’s single site have been approved by council members.
Moreton Hall News
Day nursery
A NEW nursery will soon be opening its doors to youngsters living on and near Moreton Hall.
A record attempt
A MORETON Hall church joined 202 others across the UK in a recent world recording-breaking attempt.
There’s just no beat-ing Samba
WHILe recorders are commonplace in most primary schools, for pupils at Abbots Green there is just no beat-ing Samba.
Chemist hopes to extend lease
A PHARMACIST who relocated to save his business says the move has proved such ‘a resounding success’ that he wants to extend his lease.
Centre goes hi-tech with desk yoga app
A BUSINESS that offers complementary therapies has launched a desk yoga application on the iPhone and iPad.
Regional News
Interest shown in bankrupt refinery
Administrators to an oil refinery in Essex which went bust have received over 40 expressions of interest from companies around the world, the Government has announced.
Man charged over taxi driver death
A Bedford man has been charged with murdering a taxi driver who died in hospital a week after being injured during an assault.
Drug dealer jailed for murder
A drug dealer from Essex who killed his friend and dismembered the body has been jailed for at least 20 years - after refusing to tell police where he hid his victim's head.
Queen launches Jubilee Wood project
The Queen has put her green fingers to good use as she launched a project in Norfolk which aims to plant six million native British trees to mark the Diamond Jubilee.
Drugs firm cuts another 7,300 jobs
The pharmaceuticals industry was dealt a fresh blow after East Anglian-based AstraZeneca announced a further 7,300 job cuts amid warnings that its profits will slide this year.
National News
PM picks up shopping on way home
He might have been any other shopper, popping into the supermarket after a busy day in the office to pick up a few bits for dinner.
Rhyming plea over library closures
Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson has penned a poem in protest at planned library closures.
Towns regeneration contest launched
The Government has launched a competition to find 12 areas to share £1 million under a drive to regenerate town centres.
Met and FBI call 'taped by hackers'
A conference call between Scotland Yard and the FBI was intercepted and published by hackers, the group Anonymous has claimed.
1,000 people expected in marches
More than 1,000 protesters are expected to take part in marches by two opposing campaign groups.
Business News
Bosch move brings jobs
THE expansion of a technology giant in Stowmarket will bring up to 100 jobs to the town.
New café and cake shop comes to town
A NEW café and cake shop has opened in Abbeygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, with the launch of Patisserie Valerie in the former Barwells shop.
New clinics open for a healthy new year
TWO new health clinics open this month in Bury St Edmunds helping people get back on track after over-indulging at Christmas.
Premier Foods to cut jobs
THE UK’S largest food manufacturer – which has factories in Bury St Edmunds and Mendlesham – is to axe hundreds of jobs by next year.
Call for more companies to take on apprentices
A CALL has gone out for more companies to invest in training young apprentices ahead of National Apprenticeship Week in February.
Columnists
Ben Keenan: It’s Friday the 13th but don’t be afraid . . .
Friggatriskadecaphobia is a fear of Fridays and of the number 13.
Barry Peters: Years pass but the news keeps happening
The changing of the years is often a time for reflection.
Ben Keenan: The best laid plans of mice and men
Last year, I told myself that 2011 would mean a thinner waist and a fatter bank account but sadly I got it round the wrong way.
Ben Keenan: The kindness of strangers
On my way to work one frozen morning I suddenly realised I had neglected to feed a friend’s cats. One textbook three-point turn later and I was on my way when, a few miles down the road, I was stopped by a row of cars with their hazard lights flashing. Stepping from my car it was clear that there had been an accident and, with no sign of an ambulance, I went to see if I could help. A man had been seriously injured and his car was in several pieces but surrounding him were 11 people.
Letters
Beware of thieves
I was interested, but not at all surprised, to read of an ‘honesty box’ being targeted by thieves in Great Barton (Bury Free Press, January 20).
Fighting for businesses
To set the record straight, St Edmundsbury does not set, or keep, business rates. The council simply collects them on behalf of central Government, who sets the rates and takes the income from them.
Battling for a bandstand
Once again our borough council has engaged expensive outside consultants – this time to submit a bid for the Abbey Gardens under the Lottery’s Parks for People initiative.
We’ve lost influence
YOUR brief article (Bury Free Press, January 20) regarding my former membership of the National Association of Local Councils, including two major committee memberships, omitted a most important point.
A chance to say thanks
I would just like to thank a very kind lady who helped guide me into a space at Hatters Lane, Bury St Edmunds, on Wednesday January 11 around 10.30am.
Crime and Courts
Woman attacked
AN OFFICER from the Department of Transport’s vehicle testing and enforcement agency was assaulted as she sat in a marked car on a slip road to the A14 at Higham on Sunday evening.
Borough is a stop and search hotspot
POLICE stopped and searched more people in St Edmundsbury than in any other district in Suffolk last year.
1 comment
Fraudster strikes again
A SERIAL fraudster, who once faxed his way out of prison, was back in court yesterday for fraud.
Family suffer three raids on their home in a week
A FRIGHTENED householder managed to snap a picture of one of five armed intruders as they entered his home.
People in St Eds get stop and searched most
POLICE stopped and searched more people in St Edmundsbury than in any other district in Suffolk last year.
Education
Course for youngsters
THE Prince’s Trust has teamed up with the NHS to help young people in Bury St Edmunds kick start a career in the health service.
Budding writers see their own stories in print
BUDDING authors had their work published in a book after winning a competition.
Nick delivers a special story treat
A GROUP of primary school pupils were given a special story-time this week when a children’s author read from his new book.
Dragons, ceramics and fashion in art
ART students at West Suffolk College have been helpijng usher in the Year of the Dragon.
Principal visits palace for OBE
PRINCIPAL of West Suffolk College Dr Ann Williams was yesterday visting Buckingham Palace to receive her OBE for services to education.
Health
New clinics open for a healthy new year
TWO new health clinics open this month in Bury St Edmunds helping people get back on track after over-indulging at Christmas.
First high-tech beds at hospital
THE first batch of advanced electrically adjustable beds have arrived at West Suffolk Hospital.
Course for youngsters
THE Prince’s Trust has teamed up with the NHS to help young people in Bury St Edmunds kick start a career in the health service.
Warning as new disease hits sheep
VETS and farmers are being urged to check sheep and cattle for a new virus spread from the continent by insects.
Hospital ward closes after norovirus outbreak
A WARD at West Suffolk Hospital has closed to new admissions after several patients showed symptoms of norovirus.
Environment
Help keep track of birds
THE RSPB is asking for your help in trying to work out if unusual weather has bamboozled our feathered friends.
Warning as new disease hits sheep
VETS and farmers are being urged to check sheep and cattle for a new virus spread from the continent by insects.
Help barn owls move to the west
LAND owners are being asked to help barn owls move back into West Suffolk.
Green councillor goes blue for wildlife video
A GREEN Party county councillor took to the icy waters of the Little Ouse today to help Suffolk Wildlife Trust buy Knettishall Heath.
Reserve welcomes ‘Zorro’
ONE of nature’s more photogenic performers has been wowing amateur snappers at a reserve.
Politics
Chief executives decide not to apply
THE chief executives of Forest Heath District and St Edmundbsury Borough Councils have decided not to apply for a newly-created joint post.
Rates up for projects
A TOWN’S taxpayers face an increase in rates after the town council took on two important schemes.
Council advised to impose cuts
SUFFOLK county councillors have been recommended to impose £26.2 million in budget cuts.
Debate for more flexible parking in town centre
A GROUP, which represents the interests of town centre businesses, is calling for more flexible parking in Bury St Edmunds.
Traffic and Transport
Historic station is brought up to date and finds new friends
BURY St Edmunds railway station has had a £150,000 makeover and gained new friends to help look after it.
Fears over A11 re-route plans
PLANS to re-route the A11 while work is being carried out could see 31,000 cars a day on a busy stretch of road.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
