Local residents and community groups wanting to plan a spring clean in their area will be provided with gloves and waste and recycling sacks by Suffolk Coastal Services who will also arrange to collect any rubbish that is collected and dispose of it properly.  

“The countywide spring clean campaign starts on Monday, March 28 but residents are encouraged to get a head-start by organising a litter pick to take place at any time throughout the year,” said Cllr Andrew Nunn, Cabinet Member for the Green Environment.

“In previous years there has been a great deal of local involvement. Last year over 2,000 residents went out of their way to keep their local community clean and somewhere to be proud of collecting over 4,000 sacks full of rubbish much of which was recycled. It is great to see local residents keen to get involved in looking after their community and I hope there will be many others keen to give their local area a tidy up,” added Cllr Nunn.

Groups that have been involved in the past include schools, town and parish councils, community groups, scouts and guides groups, conservation groups, residents’ associations, local families and businesses. Residents do not have to be part of a group to take part and are welcome to carry out clean-ups individually or with a neighbour if there is a street or area near by that could benefit from a clean-up.  

“Littering is not only unsightly but it can be dangerous for young children and animals. With the help of volunteer litter picking groups we hope residents will be made aware of the vast amount of litter that accumulates in the district because of a thoughtless few dropping litter and fly tipping,” added Cllr Nunn.     

There is never any excuse for littering. Residents and visitors are reminded to either take their rubbish home and dispose of it with their refuse and recycling, or use a litter bin. Some litter bins in the district now have two halves collecting non-recyclable waste in one compartment and recyclable items including paper, plastic, drinks cans and cardboard in the other. Many also have special stubbing-out plates on top to dispose of cigarette ends properly. Anybody caught dropping litter, which includes items such as cigarette ends, wrappers and chewing gum, can receive a fixed penalty notice of up to £80.

“Keeping the district litter free is not only good for local residents but it is also important in attracting visitors to the district. With roughly one in ten residents working in the tourism industry it is important to make sure that our towns and villages are kept looking at their best,” added Cllr Nunn. 

To find out more about the spring clean campaign or request equipment to help carry out a clean-up residents or community groups can contact the waste management team on 01394 444033 or emailing waste.management@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk 

There is also an online registration form available at www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourhome/waste/springclean

for Children at Sudbury Library

Every Sunday from 10.30-12.00 midday children of all ages are welcome to come and join in the activities held in the children’s room at Sudbury Library, Market Hill, Sudbury.  All free of charge.

STAINED WINDOWS – Create your own beautiful decorated windows

2^nd January, 10.30-12.00

MAKE A BALLOON – Celebrate the 1st balloon flight

9th January, 10.30-12.00

WINNIE THE POOH – Bring your bear day!

16th January, 10.30-12.00  

AUTHOR VISIT – Margaret Moore – Come & hear her poetry

23rd January, 10.30-12.00

BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH – Become a twitcher

30th January, 10.30-12.00

Where time allows, we will be reading stories from some of the books on the Activity Display.  There may be activity sheets and stickers for the children to take home.  All pictures displayed in the children’s room at the library can be taken home by the artist a few weeks later.

PICK UP A VISITS CARD, TAKE PART IN 4 SUNDAY ACTIVITIES SESSIONS & RECEIVE A FREE GIFT!

Contact Sudbury library on 01787 296000 for further information.

Don’t miss the fun!  Watch this space to see what’s coming up in February!

Do you remember shops such as Jubys, Lillistones or Pluck’s?  If so then come and share those memories and record them for future generations.

The BBC Turn Back Time series is coming to Stowmarket on Wednesday 8 December. Shoppers are invited to come and share memories of shopping in Stowmarket from the past in the former Bedroom Shop on Ipswich Street.  The shop will be taken over for the day and will be filled with old fashioned goods that you could once buy in this typical market town.

A time-line will also be displayed of what the high street looked liked in the past, so anyone with any old photos of Stowmarket shops are invited to bring them along so that they can recorded.

Cllr Lesley Mayes, Portfolio Holder for Stowmarket said: “This event will help to showcase the history behind the Stowmarket High Street and what a wonderful history it is.  I’d like to encourage everyone who ever has a memory of the past and present High Street, to come along and share it.  Without those memories, we won’t be able to capture the past for our future generations.”

As well as your memories of the past you can also make a guess at what you will be buying in Stowmarket in 50 years time!

Radio Suffolk will also be there with Lesley Dolphin chatting to her guests from a sofa inside the shop and there will even be people in costume from years gone by! Drop in anytime between 9.30am to 4pm.

This event is organised by Mid Suffolk District Council, Stowmarket Town Council and carried out in conjunction with the BBC Turn Back Time High Street History series.  It has been funded by the Mid Suffolk Local Strategic Partnership.