December 5
None of us knew sewer existed With reference to the letter from Paul Bridges, Leak has a history (Bury Free Press, November 28), I can confirm there has never been a problem before with the particular sewer referred to.
There may have been other sewer collapses nearby in the same road or, indeed, leaks from a water main, but the sewer that collapsed on this occasion has never occurred before as far as our records show.
We had no record of this sewer or its whereabouts in the ground.
Unfortunately, many sewers were not mapped prior to Anglian Water taking over responsibility of the sewers and we only discover where they lay underground when there is a problem.
Other utility services did not know that this sewer existed which is why this particular collapse occurred – namely due to the close proximity of gas services and electric cables.
Collette Nicholls,
Communications department,
Anglian Water.
Strike the right balance
In response to the article in the Bury Free Press regarding the proposed special area policy (November 21), we would point out that Ruin nightclub is not within the area under consideration. The area covered makes up the historic grid, which currently contains 32 licensed premises.
This community, quoted in St Edmundsbury Borough Council's press release as 'predominantly residential', is made up of all kinds of families who live, work and go to school here.
There is a balance to be struck between sensible growth of the night-time economy and protecting the quality of life for those who live and work here. Residents and businesses alike have to deal with the consequences of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.
The night-time economy is of importance, but any growth should be balanced against the problems and costs of uncontrolled drinking. The Special Area Policy would help to achieve this.
Roderick Sprake,
Churchgate Area Association,
Bury St Edmunds.
It seems that however much the special licensing policy is explained, there are those who either don't understand it or perhaps don't want to.
Ruin nightclub's director said it would lead to 'fewer people going out in Bury', although he is not even operating in the policy's area (Bury Free Press, November 21).
The first of your recent two correspondents (Letters, November 28) quoted one paragraph from my website's description of a relatively peaceful Friday night tour of the town last October. Unless you exercised your blue pencil, he failed to include the next:
"Of course it may just have been a quiet night (as middle of the month weekends often are, with pay-day still in the distance) and the burly policemen who kindly accompanied us certainly had a calming effect wherever we went. Also, we stopped well before the 2-3am club chuck- out (and Extreme is closed at present), so we may have got a false impression of what Friday nights are like."
It wasn't until later that I discovered England were playing the next day and many fans were saving themselves for a Saturday night which resulted in a rash of complaints from residents!
The second writer forgot that his neighbouring pub could not have had post-2005 hours for 214 years and claimed the policy would 'drive businesses out of' Abbeygate Ward. How? It would have no effect on any of the existing businesses within the area defined, unless they wanted to extend their hours further. In that case it would simply mean that the onus of demonstrating this would not add to the cumulative impact of noise, nuisance and disorder would switch from objector to applicant.
Why should any responsible proprietor be frightened of that?
Cllr Paul Farmer,
Abbeygate Ward.
Club plans are overdue
I heard about the plans to move Bury Town Football Club away from Ram Meadow and of the council's support and
1 million grant proposal.
As a long-time Wanderers/AFC Sudbury member, I am nevertheless pleased for Bury – they are long overdue surroundings more befitting their status at our level of football.
The point is, how nice it must be to have a supportive, pro-active council like theirs.
Peter Robinson,
Colchester.
Development - by stealth
A friend has handed me a photocopy of an invitation from St Edmundsbury Borough Council's planning department to comment on a truly vast new proposed development to the immediate south-west boundary of the town.
As far as I am aware, only the downside of Maltward Avenue and the downside of lower Starre Road have received these invitations in this part of Bury which is above the Linnet. I object to being omitted.
The proposed development starts at the first vacant spot along Westley Road up to the Westley crossroads, then down past Westley Bottom and way, way up the hill to near Lord Hervey's Wood, then across to about the Westminster Drive area, then up Glastonbury Road and the rear of Wigston Road etc, then along the south bank of the Linnet, the whole length of Maltward Avenue and lower Starre Road and to Westley Road again. A truly vast area.
I have lived in this house for more than 25 years, congratulating myself on the wonderful view I have from my garden and landing window across the valley right up to Lord Hervey's Wood. That will all be lost if this monstrous development goes through, as will the wonderful view one gets across the valley when coming from Westley village to the crossroads. We don't have many valleys in Suffolk, why cover what we do have with a sea of bricks and mortar?
I am complaining strongly to our MP and my council representative about the council's failure to invite some of us who will be affected to comment (presumably to minimise the number of objections) and suggest others on the upside of Maltward Avenue, Starre Road, Bockhill Road or anywhere else affected does the same.
Don't let it get away with this horrendous development by stealth. Given 'em hell. We have until January 5 to object.
Dennis H Younger,
Maltward Avenue,
Bury St Edmunds.
Neighbour foiled thieves
I would like to thank the neighbour from Nowton who reported two men waiting in a van as suspicious.
Due to their concern, the police were called who subsequently arrested the men, from Sheffied, who were in the van and had come to steal my puppies.
They were waiting for us to go to bed before they broke in, however the police managed to foil their attempt and no theft took place.
If the neighbour had not reported their suspicions then they would certainly have made off with several thousands of pounds worth of pedigree puppies.
I do not know who the neighbours are, but I hope they accept my thanks.
Name and address supplied.
Plan the trees first
When St Edmundsbury Borough Council draws up plans for the Ram Meadow development and any future development it has for the old vineyard site close to the Abbey Gardens, I suggest it first decides where woodland areas should be planted on these sites.
The present river walk stretching from the Abbey Gardens and along the old vineyard to its entrance, almost opposite Wyvale garden centre, should be planted with a deep perimeter of broadleaf trees before any building or other development takes place on this huge site (incidentally, I wonder why only one copy of the map of this proposed development site is displayed).
Instead of yet another car park, as planned for its future development, I suggest the present football ground be planted with trees and becomes an extension of the woodland and recreational area adjacent to this site, thus providing an essential 'lung' for Bury.
Unfortunately, sizeable tree planting and recreational space, if any, is omitted in the Cattle Market and every other development area in the town.
I also suggest that Stephen Hayden, who is mentioned in your excellent article concerning his 'awareness of the scarcity of trees in towns' (Bury Free Press, November 28), should be consulted in all future developments in which the borough council becomes involved. His enthusiasm and expertise could be used in tree planting in Bury St Edmunds, thus ensuring the provision of gentle recreational areas for its residents in the future. This would surely have the full backing of the majority of people living in this town.
J M E Bartlett,
Bury St Edmunds.
973 raised
Thank you to the people and shoppers of Bury St Edmunds for their fantastic generosity when we played and collected in cold conditions in Abbeygate Street on Saturday last. We collected a much needed 973 for our instrument and uniform fund and, thankfully, the snow held off!
Stephen M Jones,
Glenmoriston Pipe Band.
Important questions
I get criticised for 'talking up' the importance of our town's history, fine buildings, floral achievements, market, town centre shops and largely safe shopping environment, being accused by St Edmundsbury Borough Council of negativity because I don't wholeheartedly support the arc.
n We have lost the Manor House, with the key to clock, clothes and art collections virtually being thrown away.
n Alwyne House, in the Abbey Gardens, and the borough offices, on Angel Hill, are for sale.
n The Corn Exchange is to become 'surplus to requirements' when the public venue opens.
n The Market Cross looks lost and neglected when it could become a jewel in our town centre.
n The link is still years away from being built if, in fact, it ever is, so splitting the town in two, with the arc shops close to car parking.
The above actions are taken by our powerful inner cabinet of just eight councillors, all Conservative, with 75 per cent not even living in the town.
This, I believe, is unhealthy just as it would be were it 100 per cent Labour or Lib Dem. Why? Because party loyalty then takes precedence above all else.
I believe the questions I ask at council meetings are all important, but readers may be surprised that I have been requested to ask many by Conservative councillors, who know if they ask them they will be ostracised and sidelined for not putting party loyalty first.
So please will the eight members of the inner cabinet publicly and collectively state where they think they are taking our town to?
Simon Harding,
Church Walks,
Bury St Edmunds.
Keep dogs on a lead
Re: The article warning of dangerous muntjac deer (Bury Free Press, November 21).
I was shocked to hear the dog owner issue such a warning, particularly after one of her dogs has previously had an encounter with a muntjac. The unwritten law of the countryside is 'in order to protect wildlife, keep dogs on leads'.
For these dogs to be attacked by a muntjac they must have either cornered the animal or chased it to the point of exhaustion. What is a 10kg deer supposed to do when confronted by two dogs other than fight for its life?
I, too, am a dog owner but have a great respect for our wildlife, native or introduced. If your dog is not obedient then keep it on a lead, it's that simple.
Judith Wakelam,
Worlington.
Effort keeps taxes down
I would like to say a heartfelt well done and thank you to the residents of Forest Heath for reaching the figure of 50 per cent of waste being recycled.
This has not been achieved without a great deal of effort on their part.
We are all aware it is easier to put everything into the black bin, but that does not do any good for the environment.
Concern has been raised about the end markets for recycled material and some councils having to store waste. However, I am happy to reassure residents that Forest Heath District Council is one of the councils prudent enough to arrange a long-term contract for the disposal of its recycled waste.
All this effort helps to keep our Council Tax down, as the council receives payment from the material recycling facility.
Cllr Tony Simmons,
Forest Heath District Council.
Well done to society
I write to express my profound congratulations to Bury St Edmunds Operatic Society for its brilliant presentation of the finest of all European operettas, Lehar's The Merry Widow, at the Theatre Royal.
The singing, acting, staging, orchestral playing, conducting and production were all excellent.
The only weak link was the haste to lower the curtain (noticed also at a recent classical concert) before we, the audience, had our rightful chance to give due expression of our appreciation and gratitude.
Harrison Oxley,
Great Barton.
Thank you for support
I would like to thank all the organisations that have used us as first aiders, all the members of the public who have put money in our collecting tins, all those who have given donations and all those who have helped in any other way with their support.
This has enabled us to purchase our new ambulance, which cost us 64,000 equipped. The ambulance is specially equipped to cope with obese patients, but will be used mainly to cover local events where first aid is needed.
We have been saving for a long while and, with your help, we have got there.
Thank you all so much for your support and we look forward to working with you again.
We now have to start saving for the next replacement ambulance in a few years' time, as our vehicles must be in tip-top condition.
Enid Gathercole, Superintendent, St John Ambulance, Bury Division.
Puddle is still there
I am writing to you regarding some roadworks that appeared outside my house this week. For one thing, there was no warning about this disruption. I was more astonished when I was told by the workmen that a resident had complained that when it rained, a puddle had appeared and when cars passed, it soaked his plants.
I was then more flabbergasted to find out that the cost of this operation was going to be in the region of 10,000 – for a puddle.
Is this where our Council Tax is being used?
Even after this money has been spent, the puddle is still there and, if anything, the work has made my side of the road worse. So who do I have to speak to to get a soakaway on my side of the road?
Kevin Holmes,
Brandon Road,
Mildenhall.
All services were superb
In these days when we tend to hear only the negative regarding the NHS, police etc, I have (with my wife) experienced only wonderful caring delivered in a personal, professional way.
On November 18, we visited Bury to see my wife's brother, aged 75. We had trouble getting into his home as there was no reply and the lock appeared jammed. We eventually opened the door and found my dead brother-in-law upstairs.
This news sent my wife into shock and she collapsed.
A neighbour summoned the emergency services and the paramedics and police arrived swiftly. She was taken to the A&E department, at West Suffolk Hospital, and transferred a day later to Papworth Hospital.
All the professionals were marvellous. The police, paramedics, nursing and medical staff showed great compassion to myself and my wife. They were so organised and professional – in a word, superb.
Can I thank them all? They made us proud to be British.
Michael L Johnson,
Huddersfield.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
