When visiting local schools and speaking with pupils, I am often asked what the best part of my working week is as an MP. Without a doubt, it is the return journey home from Parliament to Suffolk on a Thursday evening and spending Fridays and weekends amongst the many communities that I represent.
One of the many great things about Suffolk is the community spirit, and we saw that in abundance at this year’s Suffolk Show. After two years absence due to the pandemic, this year’s event provided the perfect platform to showcase Suffolk’s fantastic farming sector and our outstanding local food and drink producers. Our countryside is part of what makes Suffolk so special, and it was fantastic to see everyone back out and celebrating our great county.
It was also a delight to see so many towns and parishes across the county come together in celebration of Suffolk and the once in a lifetime Platinum Jubilee. The Queen’s record of public service is second to none. Our Queen is one of the last of my grandparents’ generation – a generation who sacrificed so much during the six long years of the second world war to ensure that we can enjoy the freedoms that we take for granted today. The Queen is the very best example of ‘service above self’, which is a quality that we were able to celebrate during the Jubilee as Suffolk’s community heroes were thanked and recognised.
For me, the festivities began on the 22nd of May when I joined the Festival of Suffolk Jubilee torch as it arrived in in Coddenham. From there, I was delighted to join a myriad of events across Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, where I very much I enjoyed visiting the many parish fetes, lighting a Jubilee beacon, tree planting ceremonies, joining in with traditional games and speaking with so many residents
I am always inspired by the strength of community spirit shown by the people of Suffolk, especially at remarkable times of celebration such as these. It was lovely to see so many residents, from across generations out for the Platinum Jubilee and paying tribute to our Queen and her record of tireless public service.
I want to give special thanks to the hardworking parish councils, village hall committees and event committees. Events such as these take months to organise, with many people working tirelessly behind the scenes to make them a success. The festivities came together seamlessly, and we should all be very proud of the spectacular events that were put together for all to enjoy.
Thank you to everyone who took part – it really was the very best of Suffolk, leading into another bumper Suffolk Day on 21stJune. We truly are lucky to live in such a special county!
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Brundish Village Hall - Cycle Event
Brundish village hall recently played host to a cycle event running from Snape Maltings, providing the riders with a refreshment stop on their tour of Suffolk.
Our very attractive village hall is full of character and offers an extensive range of facilities including a choice of three different rooms together with a kitchen all in excellent condition and available for a very modest hire rate which is discounted for those living within the village boundary.
For more information contact Brundish Village Hall - brundishvillagehall@outlook.com
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 A friend of mine was recently victim to a WhatsApp phone scam, and ended up sending money to someone. I always though “I’d never fall for it” but the messages the scammer exchanged with her seemed so plausible. It’s made me feel a little nervous, as I feel it could so easily have been me. How can I keep myself safe from scammers?
Phones and computers are a brilliant resource for staying connected with family and friends. However, they are also an opportunity for scammers to hide behind a screen and try to trick people in parting with their money. There are still plenty of phone call scams, such as pretending to be from the victim’s bank, as well as newer scams like on WhatsApp and Facebook.
An increasingly common scam on WhatsApp is a scammer messaging someone claiming to be a loved one, who desperately needs some money to get home or another urgent need. As the scammer will use a generic term like “it’s mum, I need help” or “dad, can you help me”, people can often get caught in trying to help and are tricked into transferring money. If you get a message like this, call the number you already have for that loved one to hear their voice and speak to them. You can then confirm whether the request is legitimate.
There are many other scams similar to this, so if your unusual contact does not fit this example, it does not mean it is legitimate.
This checklist can help you decide if something is a scam:
- You don’t recognise the individual or organisation. If you do recognise them, have they contacted you in the normal way?
- You can’t confirm their identity. If they say they are calling from a trusted source such as a bank, contact your bank directly to confirm their identity. Be aware that scammers can stay on the line after you have hung up, so do this from a different telephone or go into the bank.
- You’ve been asked to hand over money or personal information. Don’t give out pins, passwords, or seemingly random information. Never send money to someone you don’t know
- It seems too good to be true. “Get rich quick” often means “lose money fast”!
- You’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way. Such as online vouchers
Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk can provide advice on this or any other issue, including debt, employment, benefits and family law. You can contact them on 01449 676060 or use the contact form at midsuffolkcab.org.uk/contact-us. For more information and our opening hours go to midsuffolkcab.org.uk.
Interested in volunteering? Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk would love to hear from you! Go to midsuffolkcab.org.uk/volunteer or call 01449 676060 for an informal chat.
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It seems such a short time ago 'our' swallows arrived, but a few days ago I noticed that our car had been rather unattractively redecorated! Peering down from inside the garage roof were six cute little faces, all lined up, staring back at me! Obviously not a sight to go unrecorded we both took turns with the camera, using the car as a hide. You will see some of the pictures, capturing four of them, further down the newsletter.
Brundish Baristas!
For food this month we are running another barbecue - we will again offer each diner two tasty top quality meat kebabs, supplied by Revetts of Wickham Market, accompanied by two tasty home made salads all for £7.50. The meats this time will be lamb kofta and Chinese style chicken, you get one of each! If you would like a vegetarian option, please contact us. All our food and drink is offered at a fraction of the price you'll find in any pub! We also have a dart board and a range of table games for you to enjoy, and this month we will be having live music with Bob Hammond, Wilby's popular singer & guitarist.
Hello! Sorry about the car...!
Don't forget ME........!!!!
The Produce Competition was well supported, with an especially impressive range of baking by the menfolk, and our village Judges had a difficult time choosing the Rosette winners. Our District Councillor, Julie Flatman, who provided support to the events through her locality grants, came along too, not only to mingle with everyone but also to present the Best In Class awards. The winner of the 'Best in Show' award, Jodie Weedon, is shown here with her certificate and prize! 
Displayed at both events were 'The Royal Crowns' – each made by a pupil who attends Wilby Primary School – the range of styles, vibrant colours together with underlying imagination and hard work that went into them was amazing and truly impressive!
