Blaxhall Herald

Blaxhall Parish Council Meeting

2010-02-26T23:29:00.002Z

The next meeting of Blaxhall Parish Council is wednesday 3rd March 2010 at 7.30pm in the Parish Room.

See Village Notice Boards at Mill Common and Stone Common for Agenda.

Climate Change Play - Turning the Tide at Blaxhall Village Hall, March 27 at 2.30 pm.

2010-02-08T20:55:00.003Z

Turning the Tide by Open Space Theatre Company
This new play has been created by Woodbridge writer Peppy Barlow in collaboration with Open Space Theatre and will be performed at Blaxhall Village Hall on Saturday 27 March at 2.30pm.

The idea behind the project is to use drama as a novel means of communication in trying to encourage action over carbon reduction. Many people seem to feel “burned” out” following the first wave of enthusiasm and following doom and gloom climate change stories in the media, and the play is designed to re-stimulate interest through entertainment.

It lasts 30 minutes and is followed by an audience discussion led by the actors.
The play sets out to hold a mirror up to what is happening in our society, without being preachy. It does this in a way which we feel is entertaining so we hope people will enjoy themselves as well as being re-energised.

Performances are scheduled throughout Suffolk in the period up to April 11. Open Space Theatre Company was formed in the autumn of 2008 to present classical and contemporary drama as well as issue-based play. Turning the Tide is the first in the latter category. Other productions so far include Ghosts, by Henrik Ibsen, and Private Lives, by Noel Coward. It will be presenting 84 Charing Cross Road, by James Roose-Evans, at six venues in Suffolk between February 26 and March 13.

For further information about Open Space Theatre Company log on to www.openspacetheatre.org.uk or telephone 01379 855101 (admission will be free)

Linda the Snow Plough heroine!

2010-01-11T16:37:00.002Z

Is Blaxhall the only place in the Country with a lady snow plough operator. Linda has worked all over the weekend as well as today clearing the snow off our roads. Many thanks to Linda and her crew for getting on with it.

Last chance! 2010 Blaxhall Archive Group Calendar

2009-12-02T22:47:00.005Z

Blaxhall Archive Group have produced a full-colour A4 size calendar using 12 pictures by George Thomas Rope, who also features in their latest book - Blaxhall's Creative Past. The calendar sells at £6.00 and is available from The Ship Inn, Blaxhall or by contacting Blaxhall Archive Group on 01728 688611.

The Blaxhall Parish Council now has two vacancies!!

2009-11-21T22:43:00.004Z

If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor in Blaxhall then do have a look at the posters on the two village notice boards (Stone Common and Mill Common) as the two vacancies are currently being advertised.

Quoits Extraordinary!

2009-08-15T21:26:00.002+01:00

On the 25th of July 2009 at Blaxhall during the Celebration of George Ewart
Evans at 100, a Quoits competition took place for the Snape Maltings Quoits
Club Handicap Challenge Cup.

This cup was last played for in 1932 and was then won by a Mr E Sawyer.

The story goes that 20 years ago Mr Alan Edwards of Snape found this
beautiful cup in Norwich, Mr Edwards said that this cup was going
for scrap when he found it and bought it saving it from the scrap dealers.

So after it being in his care for 20 years it finally came out in to the
light again and was played for on Saturday 25th July in a match held in
Blaxhall.

The competition was the first Quoits game seen in Blaxhall after many years,
it is believed that the last Quoits game was played in Blaxhall over 50
years ago.

The competition was open to all Suffolk Quoits Association Players, and was
won by Bill Thurston.

Picture of Bill Thurston above by M Grenham

The Easterling Steam Train at Beversham

2009-08-15T20:31:00.002+01:00

The Easterling, a special excursion from London Liverpool St. to Norwich, passes through Blaxhall at Beversham crossing earlier today. More information can be found here.

Celebrations for George Ewart Evans

2009-07-20T23:41:00.006+01:00

The weekend to celebrate George Ewart Evans is fast approaching. The Blaxhall Archive Groups hopes to see you in the village over the weekend. We have a Memory Tent where Blaxhall Families can come and exchange family history stories.

More details of the weekend can be found here.

UPDATE: The weekend was a great success, hope to have a review here soon.

Need a place to stay - 25th & 26th July?

2009-07-06T20:47:00.006+01:00

If you are looking for accommodation here in Blaxhall for the George Ewart Evans @100 celebration weekend - I am told by, Steve, the manager that he still has some spaces available.

Get into celebrating a Welshman by being looked after by the Welsh "Youth Hostel" Manager.

..or you could check out our Places to Stay page for more ideas - Ed.

Parish Council AGM 6th May

2009-05-02T19:12:00.003+01:00

Blaxhall Annual Parish Council Meeting
Wednesday May 6th 2009
Starting
After the Annual Parish Meeting
Village Hall

Agenda

Election of Chairman
Signing of Acceptance Form
Election of Vice Chairman
Apologies for Absence
Signing of Declaration of Interest Book
Minutes of the last Annual Parish Council Meeting
Minutes of the last Parish Council Meeting(circulated)
Matters Arising
Finance(presentation of accounts)
Planning to consider any application received
Correspondence
AOB for next meeting
Date of next meeting Wednesday 1st July 2009

Annual Parish Meeting 6th May

2009-05-01T22:39:00.009+01:00

The Blaxhall Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Wednesday 6th May 2009 at 7pm in the Village Hall. The last item on Agenda is "Open Forum" a chance for members of the Parish to have their say.

Blaxhall Annual Parish Meeting
will be held on
Wednesday May 6th 2009
Starting 7pm
Village Hall

Agenda

County Councillor's Report
District Councillor's Report
Police Report
Minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting(circulated)
Chairman's Report
Village Hall/Playing Field Report
Village Hall/Playing Field Accounts
Allotment Report
Garthwaite Trust Report
Tree Warden Report
Youth Hostel Report
Church Report
Pub Report
Big Common Report
Open Forum a Chance for members of the Parish to have their say

Return of Swallows and House Martins

2009-04-14T22:15:00.000+01:00

I am pleased to be able to tell you that last week the House Martins returned to Heath Walk Blaxhall, with 7 being spotted. And today 13th April the Swallows have also returned.

February 2009 Newsletter Online

2009-02-01T22:19:00.002Z

The latest newsletter from the Parish Council is now available.

Read it here.

Long Term Planning areas for Blaxhall?

2009-01-31T08:07:00.005Z

Areas have been identified in Blaxhall and throughout the Suffolk Coastal Area for possible development up to 2025 along with the change to planning policy in the Suffolk Coastal Local Development Framework, which is to be discussed at your Parish Council meeting on Wednesday 4th February.

Please see this Suffolk Coastal web page (pdf) for more detailed information.

This document will have an effect on you and your village so take note of what is happening here in Suffolk Coastal as the district council is preparing to set the district's planning rules for the next 17 years in this Local Development Framework(LDF).

Parish Council Extraordinary Meeting

2009-01-30T22:36:00.010Z

Blaxhall Parish Council will hold an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday February 4th 2009 starting 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Agenda

Public speaking, an opportunity to bring items to the parish council's attention, 15 minutes

Apologies for absence
Members declaration of interests
Minutes of the last parish council meeting(circulated) to confirm correctness only
Local Development Framework consultation document, to discuss & respond
Rights of Way to discuss proposed extinguishment of footpath no.18 Blaxhall and diversion of part of bridleway no.19 as set out in letter CR/27172-17
Finance, payment of Suffolk Wildlife Trust invoice (payment due before next meeting)
Response to proposed work on oak tree at Ivydene, TPO no,
Chairman's Notices - to receive verbal reports from Parish Council Chairman, Village Hall, Playing Field and Allotment Chairmen
Date of next meeting - 4th March 2009

Blaxhall Archive Group Event

2009-01-26T14:24:00.002Z

Watch this space for details of the next Blaxhall Archive Group Event - 24th, 25th and 26th July 2009.

George Ewart Evans at the Theatre

2009-01-19T20:19:00.010Z

George and Edward
Affectionate portraits of George Ewart Evans and Edward Fitzgerald by Michael Weaver and Mark Mitchels.

George Ewart Evans and Edward Fitzgerald may appear to have nothing in common, representing as they do wildly different backgrounds and historicals periods. But for both of them 2009 is the anniversary of their birth - albeit a century apart!

George Ewart Evans was a Welshman who after the Second World War came to live at Blaxhall where he pursued his interest in oral history. He tape-recorded ordinary people in the agricultural community, drawing out of them vivid and beautiful memories of life in a village as it once was. The BBC took up the idea and broadcast his compilation, which in turn led to the publication of his book, "Ask The Fellows Who Cut The Hay". Today such anthologies are commonplace but when George began it was an exciting new branch of history. And it all began here in Blaxhall.

During the presentation, which will form the first half of the evening, there will be a biographical outline, readings from some of his works, and illustrations of the Suffolk that George knew and so perfectly chronicled. Edward Fitzgerald was a Victorian eccentric who devoted his fortune to the pursuit of pleasure, which included entertaining friends, exploring the East Anglian rivers, and most famously, translating the medival Oriental poem, "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam". This affectionate memory of him is is complied by Michael Weaver and includes all the anecdotes which ensure EFG a permanent place in Woodbridge folklore!

Monday 16 March 2009, 7.30pm
Tickets:£5
How to book
Seckford Theatre, Burkitt Road, Woodbridge IP12 4JH
Box Office: This can be contacted on 01394 615015 and is open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays only.
Email:boxoffice@woodbridge.suffolk.sch.uk

Xmas Party 13th Dec!

2008-12-10T18:28:00.005Z

7.30pm in Blaxhall Village Hall

Traditional Christmas buffet supper, Live Music from the Dave Drain Band, Licensed Bar.

Tickets £8, Children (Under 12) £3, available from Graham 01728 688192 or Nigel 01728 688317

Tickets limited so please book by telephone.

House Martins had small family!

2008-12-05T21:15:00.002Z

This is to let you know that after many years of not having our House Martins nest here on Stone Common the one family that did return this year managed to raise one youngster.
This was against all the odds as in the last week the nest collapsed but on close inspection I was thrilled to see that one dear little youngster had managed to get through the very rainy weather. I didn't see he/she leave but my hopes are that the family will return to us next year. Just in case they do, we are here on Stone Common are putting up House Martin nesting boxes. I'll tell you of the progress next Spring.

Fireworks

2008-10-21T19:03:00.002+01:00

The annual fireworks display will be on Saturday the 1st November at the playing field. If you would like to donate some wood for the bonfire you can take it up during the day on Friday and on Saturday morning (use the entrance by the forge but keep off the football pitch).

Hot dogs and refreshments will be available, and proceedings start at 6.30pm.

You can donate fireworks to Ed at the Forge, or Village Hall committee chair Nigel Suckling, both of whom are happy to collect fireworks if necessary.

Archive Group Exhibition

2008-08-21T20:20:00.004+01:00

There is no denying that rural life consisted of a lot of hard work in the past but there were times for relaxation and creativity. The grocer’s daughter found time to be an accomplished photographer; the farmer’s son, a naturalist and painter whilst one of the daughters was a nationally important sculptress. The working man not only drank in the local pub for his relaxation but sung and danced whilst his wife would also sing and step dance at community events.

These are some of the characters that will feature in an exhibition with this creative past as its central theme to be held in Blaxhall Village Hall, on 20th and 21st September 2008 between 11am and 5pm both days.

We also need your help – there will be a display of cottages and landscapes either drawn or painted by George Thomas Rope between 1870 and 1930 BUT we do not know where he painted them! So can you help and tell us where you think some of these cottages that George painted were - or still are today?

Photographic database

Old photographs recording past events and village life have become an important visual record of our social history. And finding and recording them has been one of the objectives of the Group. There are now over 2000 images in the database – come and search through what we already have and if you have any photographs please bring them along for us to copy.

A small selection of some of the Blaxhall photographs can be found in the History section.

Fate Suggests a Fete

2008-08-11T18:18:00.003+01:00

Yep, it's that time of year again. Blaxhall's much loved Fete is coming up, and this year the attraction list has got even better; amongst the popular regulars there will also be such treats as a demonstration by the fire brigade and a visit from some Alpacas. All that remains is to pray for good weather!

House Martins back nesting on Stone Common

2008-07-30T07:32:00.003+01:00

After many a year, a pair of House Martins have returned to a house on Stone Common to nest. They arrived very late at the end of June and it was feared that they would never finish the nest, as this is what has occurred in the past. But I am happy to report that they have completed the nest and seem to be sitting - hopefully on eggs. I shall keep you posted.

Margaret G.

Festival News

2008-06-19T22:00:00.003+01:00

Some news of the upcoming festival, to be held on Sat/Sun the 28th and 29th June, is filtering through to the website:

The art exhibition will be open between 11am and 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday, with a preview evening on Friday the 27th at 7.30pm, and features 6 paintings by well-known local artist Maggie Hambling.

The flower festival at the church will be open on both days between 11am and 5pm. Lunches & teas will be available, and Blaxhall Archive Group will have a display.

There will be an evening of music in the church on Saturday 28th at 7.30 pm, featuring music for all tastes provided by Tony Roy's new benefice music group (their debut performance).
The British Legion training Band conducted by ex-Blaxhallite Richard Wilding will also perform.

The service on Sunday at St Peters will be a benefice service, starting at 11am, all welcome. Keep an eye out for the shepherds who will be directing visitors.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust, who manage Blaxhall Common, will also be at the church over the weekend.

Please do come along and see our festival, the culmination of many hours work for many in the village. There are several reviews of festivals past in the Archive section of the website.

Grand Opening

2008-05-21T11:24:00.007+01:00

(Updated below) After Private Fundraising, Major Renovations and General Building had finished, the new hall was opened as planned on a glorious May day.

Florrie Shaw and Peter Fletcher cut the commemorative cake.

The plaque will be mounted in the new entrance hall.

Update: Ebb and Flow readers may notice the photos of the event were supplied by Blaxhall.com, high resolution versions are available for download for those interested.