The Felixstowe Flyer Magazine April ’24
In The Felixstowe Flyer magazine April ’24, The Flyer magazine April editions, we hear from local community groups, local schools as well as charity groups.
And other updates from local community groups, also local schools and organisations.
From the Mayor
Firstly, a quick update on Tim from last month’s piece – he is recuperating well following heart attack and bypass operation and we will be joining him for Sunday lunch soon – swift action pulled a full and active life back from the brink.
And speaking of life-affirming events, the recent Spring Concert at Felixstowe School was a lovely occasion – organised by Boost youth charity and the school’s dynamic head of music, Mrs Kent – which raised over £1000 for the Mayor’s charity fund. Headliners were the 35-piece Ipswich Hospital Band, led by the super-energetic and engaging Lawrence Killian, supported by the brave and cheerful young musicians of the school’s Y7&8 Landguard Band. Featuring music from Stevie Wonder, Mary Poppins and Wallace & Grommit, this was a special community evening, which, along with the School’s stunning carol service at St Mary’s, will remain a musical highlight of my mayoral year. Thanks to everyone who attended and made it such a pleasure.
And the weekend’s musical mosaic was completed with Sunday choral Evensong, representing the town at the High Sheriff’s ‘Justice Service’ at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. The office of High Sheriff is over 1000 years old, making it the oldest secular office in the country after the monarchy – this engagement definitely required the full Chain! The Address was by James Timpson OBE, on his company’s conscious and successful deployment of love, kindness and trust as part of the concept of ‘upside down management’ and around 600 people, or 10% of their staff, being ex-offenders. And it was powerful to witness speakers from the Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Sikh faiths standing together, each urging greater reconciliation and also the importance of resisting ‘the oppressor’ whoever that may be. Another moving moment for me was my mum, having remained seated throughout the service, suddenly standing upright to sing the national anthem. I noted that in the list of previous Suffolk post-holders dating back to 1578, there has never been a High Sheriff from Felixstowe – however, our very own Gulshan Keyembe, a current Deputy Lieutenant, has been nominated for 2025.
Which brings me to upcoming dates in our more immediate diaries. Don’t miss the Mayor’s Charity Spring Fashion Show at St John’s church Thursday April 11th 1900-2100 – a unique and joyful evening which is going to add a splash of glamour, glitz (and Gant;) to my list of completely new experiences i.e. the cat walk experience! Tickets £14.50 from Coes and the Factory shop.
Two days later there’s a small and brief civic visit to Salzwedel to celebrate our 30 year twinning, while 19-21 April is the big Wesel 50th anniversary weekend, including a public exhibition at the Triangle on Saturday 20th – do drop by and discover more about the twinning, while the launch of the Love Green Felixstowe event will also be happening that day at the Triangle.
At the end of April I’ll be doing my MAMIL bit, cycling 400 miles over 5 days, right across the country from St David’s in Pembrokeshire, via Lampeter, Knighton, Stratford-upon-Avon and Ely home to Felixstowe, for the charities and to promote cycling. If you have friends/family in any of those places, let me know! Follow our ride on FB @felixstowemayorscharityride or – PLEASE! – donate via the QR code.
Finally, with the busy summer season approaching I want to assure you that myself and other town / district councillors are doing what we can to postpone planned roadworks on Candlet Road to outside the holiday / exams season. The proposed closure dates of eight weeks starting 20 May were not ‘chosen’ by anyone, but ‘triggered’ by processes within the planning system which help ensure that infrastructure is in place before certain numbers of houses are sold in a new development, in this case Bloor Homes, Walton North. Building a new roundabout is a complex work involving various agencies, but will ultimately help relieve traffic in Walton and Trimley.