Brandon Town Magazine - Issue 93

Welcome to Brandon

I didn’t want to welcome you

month

word, whether that be covid, climate

even

But each will remain with us and there’s not much we can do about any of them, maybe just try and make our own little changes.

One thing is for sure after the torrid two past years we are getting back to normality; Brandon in 2022 has already seen the Festival

return, Brandon in Bloom get judged and the Nine Stiles Walk back on the calendar.

We can add to them with the Best of Brandon Awards which will be announced soon. Nominate someone deserving and help show the appreciation every one does for others above themselves.

Regards

Brandon Town Magazine

Deadline for September edition 31st August

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information contained within this publication, the publishers take no responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by it’s contributors, in any advertisements or for any loss arising from non-publication of any advertisement. Reproduction of any part of this publication without permission is strictly forbidden. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Brandon in Bloom

The Brandon in Bloom volunteers are continuing to work hard keeping everything watered and dead-headed.

On the 2nd hottest day of the year the Anglia in Bloom judges visited Brandon for our annual assessment. Judges Julia Smith and Joan Gibson arrived about 9:45am and our tour of the town began with a short welcome presentation at the Heritage Centre. Julia very kindly donated a rabbit fur to the centre that belonged to her mother.

Firstly, we took in the sights of George Street, the Brandon Town Council planters on the corner, the rose garden, the heritage centre and finally the little section of roadside planting. From here we went to the Friendly bench where we were greeted by Brandon’s Happy2Sing choir with a marvellous rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds’ (The unofficial song of Friendly benches). Then it was onto the market, a slow walk along the Avenue to the Church Institute where Reverend Sharron waited with cool drinks for all. Two of the town keepers, Ali and Mick, then guided us around the orchard. From there we went along Coulson Lane, heading back to the High Street to show the judges our planting. Andrew at Chilterns welcomed us into their air-conditioned office to get out of the sun and more lovely cool drinks. Before we headed to our final stop at the Wedge.

It was then back to the Heritage centre, Jenny and Cherry had organised a lovely buffet lunch for all. Around 30 guests and volunteers filled the centre. Speeches then followed by Sam Skinner, The Chair of West Suffolk Mike Chester, Brandon in Bloom Chair Gary, and Julia.

Julia and Joan didn’t give much away regarding our score, but they said they was very impressed by the community spirit. That’s what bloom is about, community. Anyone is very welcome to join us to make our community cleaner and brighter for all. We now must wait until September, and a trip to Orsett Hall in Essex for the results.

3rd August some of the volunteers went on a mystery minibus tour to Peter Beales Roses at Attleborough. We were greeted by Simon who has worked at Peter Beales for over 40 years

and is responsible for creating 17 RHS Chelsea Gold award winning gardens. Simon gave us a very informative talk about propagating roses by T-budding (a type of grafting). He also spoke to us about taking care of roses and some of the products available to do so. As a green group we were offered lots of environmentally friendly solutions. After tea and cake Simon took us on a tour of the 2.5 acre gardens. Although most of the roses were past their best there was still plenty of colour in the gardens from the different companion plants used throughout. Along the way Simon continued to demonstrate some very useful hints and tips which we will now put into use at George Street Rose Garden.

Late September will be “The Big Green Week” and we will once again be bulb planting throughout Brandon, adding to existing displays and creating new ones. Emphasis will be on bulbs that are good for pollinating insects such as crocus, iris and alliums. If you and your neighbours would like to plant a green space near to you, please contact us.

Breckland Cats Protection

Indoor or outdoor cats? Some cats have to be kept indoors for medical conditions such as blindness or deafness or if they are FIV positive (Feline A ids which can be transmitted to other cats). Apart from that, keeping a cat indoors all the time can be very difficult. You would have to keep all windows and doors closed and if the cat is an unneutered male or female, they will always find a way out. Just the smallest gap, and they will be through it. When female cats come into season, they are desperate to get out and find a mate. They are just doing what comes naturally to them and are led by their hormones. Unneutered male cats would also like to find a mate. And if they are not used to being outside, they are immediately lost, can become highly stressed and disorientated.

Therefore indoor cats must be neutered and microchipped, so that if they do escape, there is a chance they will be reunited with their owner. Indoor cats need lots of stimulation to prevent boredom setting in. Otherwise they can exhibit behavioural problems such as scratching furniture, spraying, over grooming, aggression and depression. They have no mental stimulation, such as hunting.

They can’t get away from building workers you may have in your home, or visitors and inactivity can lead to obesity.

You will need to provide lots of toys to play with, cat towers and battery operated play things. But I am not sure why you would want to keep a cat indoors all the time. Maybe its because you live on a main road or busy road. Perhaps then you should think twice about having a cat. Even dogs get taken for walks, but its not so easy with a cat.

We at Cats Protection never home cats as indoor cats, unless there is a medical condition that requires it. We check all our potential adopters homes, to make sure it is a relatively safe environment, away from busy roads and railway lines.

All cats should be given the opportunity to go outside and explore, climb trees, chase leaves, dig up the garden!

For help or advice or if you need help with the cost of neutering, please call us on 01842 810018.

Rita Thompson.

Brandon Heritage Centre

The Heritage Centre is now more than half way through our open season and we have met some lovely visitors, some travelling from as far away as Canada to visit relatives and to learn more about their flintknapping family.

We are now on our third temporary display this year simple entitled ‘Emcar’.

For many this display needs no further introduction as literally hundreds of Brandonians and many living in the outlying villages spent many happy years working at the clothing factory.

We shall probably keep this display in place

until we close at the end of October to enable anyone wishing to reminisce to come along and see outfits from the 70’s and 80’s and many photographs inside the factory during both work and play. Apparently the parties were legendary.

Many of you won’t know that we have quite an extensive gift shop selling affordable items to suit all budgets. Where else can you buy everything from socks for your dog to gorgeous Nordic tealight holders.

Do pop in to see us. You might be surprised at what you find.

Rachel Sobiechowski

Gardening

In late summer, gardens can run out of steam. Don’t say goodbye to summer too soon. It’s possible to extend the season of colour in your garden by growing latesummer flowering plants. Many of these will flower until the first frosts, giving you a longer season of interest, while providing insects with nectar and pollen they wouldn’t usually have. Here’s some of my favourites:

The list of plants for late-summer colour wouldn’t be complete without echinaceas (commonly known as cone-flowers). These hardy daisy-like perennials can be adapted to suit a variety of planting themes, from tropical, cottage border to prairies planted in drifts with ornamental grasses.

Scented, hardy and reliable herbaceous perennials, phlox are a late-summer essential. Cut back to the ground when the foliage begins turning yellow in late autumn. Enjoy their heady scent by snipping a few stems and popping in a vase.

Veronicastrum are elegant perennials, a hit with pollinators and are a real feast for the eyes in late-summer. Grow them in a moist, well-drained soil and provide with plenty of organic matter.

Monarda produces unmissable mounds of foliage, topped by dazzling blooms in shades of red, pink and purple. The

TOP TIPS

Keep bird baths topped up with clean water

Cut back herbs now to encourage new tasty leaves

•Trim deciduous hedges

aromatic leaves give off a lovely, spicy fragrance when crushed, too.

Crocosmia are spreading plants featuring clumps of strappy leaves alongside sprays of trumpet flowers in shades of red, yellow and orange. They flower for several months and look great as part of a hot border.

How to quickly revive a tired looking garden:

• Water your plants in the evening, so that they have all night to take up the water make watering your containers and baskets the priority, as they dry out the quickest.

• Look out for and weaken perennial weeds like bindweed and ground elder by pulling off the tops at ground level and pull up annual seeds before they have a chance to set seed

• When mowing your lawn, don’t go for a close, stubbly crop – leave a few inches on, which will keep it looking greener.

Whatever August brings, I hope you are able to enjoy some time relaxing in your garden, or visiting others for inspiration.

Brandon Fire Station

Over the last eight weeks fire services across the country have been pushed to the limits experiencing the driest conditions witnessed for over 80 years.

A huge thank you must go out to all the firefighters whose commitment throughout these unprecedented times has been unquestionable, at times moving from one job to another with no breaks and often for hours upon end.

Without the support from the families of everyone linked to the fire service, whatever role they play, this would not be possible, so a massive thank you to you as well.

Also, a big thank you to all of the employers across Suffolk that have been able to release their staff and be flexible with working arrangements in order for on-call firefighters to attend incidents. For Brandon in particular

we would like to thank Omar Group and Lignacite Ltd – without your support we wouldn’t be able to respond.

We would also like to thank our partners for their understanding when we have to miss out on family time or days out and are unable to make plans when we are on call.

I would like to thank everyone within and around our local community. Often your kind words of support, appreciation of what we do and gifts of food and drink is what keeps us going and makes it all seem worth while.

Finally,

I would like to confirm that we will be holding at open day at Brandon Fire Station on 24th September between 10am and 3pm. Everyone is welcome to come along.

Matt Rickard

Brandon Town Bowling Club

Brandon Town Bowling Club are extremely proud to announce that whilst the bowling season is far from over some members have made remarkable inroads on the Suffolk County scene this season.

- Liz Radford MBE has retained her title as SCWBA Area D “Champion-of-Champions” .

- Liz & Rochelle Dryburgh won both the SCWBA Area D “Pairs” and “Senior Pairs” titles.

- Graham Clarke & Trevor Dodds won the SCBA Area D “Senior Pairs” competition.

- Trevor and Liz also won the SCBA Area D “Senior Mixed Pairs”.

Trevor and Liz, by also winning the allSuffolk County “Senior Mixed Pairs” title have been crowned COUNTY CHAMPIONS and have therefore qualified for the National Championships.

Poppy Appeal

Each year hundreds of thousands amazing volunteers help The Royal British Legion to raise millions of pounds during the Poppy Appeal. We really couldn’t do it without them!

Poppy Appeal Collectors are the face of the Legion during the Poppy Appeal and help collect donations whilst distributing thousands of Poppies across the country.

As a Poppy Appeal Collector you are raising vital funds, helping the Legion to provide lifelong support for the Armed Forces Community.

Make a huge difference to the lives of those in need in the Armed Forces community, and make a difference to your own life too. However much time you can give, there are

plenty of opportunities for you to get involved as a volunteer and make a difference.

This year the appeal runs from Saturday 29th October to Saturday 13th November and I am looking for volunteers to help collect in supermarkets in Brandon or help deliver boxes to businesses within Brandon. Without volunteers we are unable to offer poppies to those that would like to donate.

If you are able to commit some time within Brandon either as a collector, distributor or another role please do get in touch. Either telephone 07850 584459 or email poppyappeal@hotmail.com Alternatively, please apply online www.britishlegion.org.uk/ get-involved/things-to-do/volunteer

Useful Telephone Numbers

Councils

Brandon Town Council (Town Clerk)

West Suffolk Council (Customer Services)

Suffolk County Council (Public Enquiries)

Health Services

Doctor - Brandon Medical Practice (High Street)

Doctor - Forest Group Practice (Bury Road)

Dentist - Apex Dental Care (Bury Road)

Dentist - The Dental Surgery (High Street)

Hospital - West Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds)

NHS 111 - Medical Help (Less urgent than 999)

Help & Advice

Citizens Advice Bureau (Brandon Office)

Social Care Services (Customer First)

Suffolk Constabulary (Non Emergency)

Utility Companies

Electricity - UK Power Networks (Fault Line)

Gas - Cadent (Emergency Number)

Water - Anglian Water (24 Hour Leakline)

01842 811844

01284 763233

0845 606 6067

01842 810388

01842 810206

01842 812276

01842 812381

01284 713000

111

0300 330 1151

0808 800 4005

101

08007 838 838

0800 111 999

0800 771 881