NEWS OLD SALT JULIAN HAPPY TO TALK OF ADVENTURES
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR DEREK DAVIS – BERNERS WARD
How many of us have thought about just jacking it all in, bundling our belongings in a big bag and setting off around the world?
Shotley, Erwarton, Chelmondiston, Woolverstone and Freston
Well that’s exactly what former architectural university lecturer and lone yachtsman Julian Mustoe did after going through a bitter divorce and then retiring. A couple of world circumnavigations, two shipwrecks and a voyage following in the footsteps of Charles Darwin’s historic HMS Beagle later, Julian is laying up on the Shotley peninsula for the winter before setting off on another incredible journey. Ancient mariner Julian, now 86, is planning a single-handed journey to the Baltic Sea on his new yacht, Hunter Horizon, to conduct a historically informed cruise based on the activities and territories of the medieval Hanseatic League. To help fund his trip, the inspirational Julian is available to give after dinner speeches or informative talks to your group or organisation. Julian’s contact details and book Voyage of the Harrier are available via www.julian-mustoe.com or you can contact him at: 07824 167196
NEWS FROM HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY Training days Our next training afternoon is on Thursday, February 9 when we will be shut from 1pm. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999. Peninsula Patient Network We are in the process of re-forming our Patient Participation Group and have set up a small, core group of patients who are meeting regularly and will be able to then canvass opinion from other patients who wish to be involved. Although much of what we do as a practice comes from our governing bodies, we always appreciate patients’ views on how this is interpreted into a working model at practice level. If you would like to be contacted with small surveys or to answer questions on an occasional basis, please email peninsulapatientnetwork@gmail.com or drop your details into the practice. Thank you to our very generous patients We do appreciate all the chocolates, cakes and other goodies that were given to staff and doctors over the festive season. It is very kind of you to show your gratitude in this way and the staff are very grateful. We’re pleased that we have many happy patients. We have also been overwhelmed by the donations made to our surgery fund in 2016, which totalled just under £6,000. This was made up from a sponsored walk, a coffee morning, our book sales and many kind donations, some in memory of those who have passed away. We have managed to buy a variety of items including blood pressure monitors for patients to borrow, a bike rack for those who wish to cycle, a multi-function couch, an ECG machine, chairs, two defibrillators and a number of smaller items, all of which improve our patient care to some degree. Thank you to all who have contributed. Practice Manager Julia Smith
4
Well, what an interesting year in politics 2016 was with the people speaking in a way that the pundits, experts and many politicians did not really expect. Brexit and Trump were the headline grabbers and the impact of those decisions are still to be fully understood and felt. Closer to home swingeing cuts by Suffolk County Council have affected rural bus services, social care, children’s services and so the list goes on. It doesn’t promise to get better anytime soon and the proposed devolution deal look increasingly problematic, even with the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ in Suffolk and south Norfolk trying to salvage a deal with central government. 2017 also promises to be challenging and perhaps ground-breaking in the way we all move forward. All councils face difficulties ahead, including Babergh, but the right people with the right motives can get things done and you, as voters, can help make a difference by exercising your right to vote and not just sit back allowing things to carry on as they are. What is more tangible than devolution is the May elections. While there will not now be a vote for a mayor, it does gives you the opportunity to make your voice heard in the Suffolk County Council elections by choosing the person whose mandate matches your aspirations. Mobile Phone Mast Slowly but surely rural areas such as our own are getting better broadband and mobile phone services. Chelmondiston is the latest on the peninsula to move forward, with no little hard work behind the scenes by the parish council and others. An application by Telefonica to build a mast has been passed by Babergh planners and is expected to be up and operating in the next few months. More details can be found on the Babergh Planning Application page using reference B/16/01186. Contact details If you have an issue you would like to discuss please get in touch: derek.davis@babergh.gov.uk / 01473 787375 / 07824 167196
SHOTLEY PENINSULA GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEMES A HELPING HAND WHEN NEEDED The Shotley Peninsula Good Neighbour Schemes are an important support network in our villages. They are run by volunteers under the umbrella of Community Action Suffolk. They can be contacted for assistance over a range of activities, including shopping, pet care, trips to hospitals and surgeries and collecting prescriptions. We are supported by parish councils and voluntary donations. All volunteers have been DBS and reference checked and are simply people in the community who don’t mind being asked for a helping hand. The contact phone is held by a rota of volunteers who ask volunteers in turn if they are free to help with a particular task. It is for all to use – all of us at some point are glad to be able to call on a neighbour for help. Please contact the Good Neighbour Scheme for your village: Chelmondiston and Pin Mill: 780408 Harkstead and Lower Holbrook: 328326 Shotley and Erwarton: 07799 873881 Stutton Support Network: 327753 Tattingstone: 07895 052086
In Touch online: