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PLANNING MATTERS
The planning committee have been very busy tracking various applications submitted to the Babergh portal. Notably, we have submitted the Society's views on the sale of land at Belle Vue. We raised concerns around the timescales for advertising the site, and expressed our preference that Belle Vue House be saved. At the time of writing, Babergh Cabinet have met to review six bids and have made their decision on the preferred bidder. The scheme has not yet been made public, but we are pleased that the bid includes the retention of the house.
Babergh Planning Committee recently approved a modified application for Victoria Hall and the former Conservative Club. We did submit comments and attend the planning committee meeting on this, and two welcome amendments have been imposed, including the restoration of the Victoria Hall façade rather than to be replaced, and The Conservative Club replacement building must be in white brick, not red as submitted, and in the same style as the present end building. This is certainly preferable to the site being left to deteriorate further.
We have submitted support for 21 Friars Street and 34/35 Kings Street for the respective Changes of Use from Commercial to Residential, and Retail to Restaurant. We have submitted comments on the longer term plans for Market Hill, and we continue to monitor the Chilton Woods development as it enters its next phase.
Most of our submitted responses to Babergh DC Planning can be found in the news section of our website and this is being continually updated. Members' views are always welcome.
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IN MEMORIUM
The Society look back with affection and gratitude to those no longer with us who have made it possible for Sudbury to continue to survive, evolve and, in all kinds of ways, be enriched. Our sincere condolences go to their families and friends.
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LORNA HEWETT
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We learned on 8 November 2020 that long time Sudbury Society member, Lorna Hewitt, died aged 96. Lorna and her late husband, Bob, were both involved with the Society for many years, with Bob serving as President. Their daughter Emma recalls that “my father always wanted what was best for the town” and “my mother was very keen on anything which encouraged a community spirit; she got my sister and I involved in providing entertainment for Sud Soc events back in the late 1970s and she really enjoyed quizzes, cheese and wine evenings. They certainly were both interested in more than signage and traffic systems!” In addition to her contribution to the Society, Lorna was a key member of Sudbury’s Choral Society; a music teacher at local primary, middle and upper schools; church organist at St Andrews and an active supporter of Gainsborough’s House and the Sudbury Music Festival. It’s an impressive list combining her lifelong commitment to schools, church and the key cultural institutions of her adopted town.
The Society’s current President, Andrew Phillips remembers that Lorna and Bob “were a friendly, communally hyper-engaged and ultra-decent couple. They were truly part of the Town.”
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ROY FREER
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On 3 March this year we sadly learned that another longstanding member, Roy Freer, had passed away. Many of you will have known Roy through the Society, and via the art world. Professional Artist Roy was born at Birmingham in 1938 and studied at Bournville School of Art 1953-1956, Birmingham College of Art 1956-1958 and Birmingham University Art Teachers' Centre in 1968. He was elected a member of Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour in 1967, Royal Institute of Oil Painters in Watercolour in 1989 and the New English Art Club in 2000. He exhibited at Manor House Gallery, Chipping Norton; The Catto Gallery, London; The Cedar House Gallery, Surrey; Hunter Gallery, Bury St Edmund's, Suffolk; Chappel Gallery, Essex and elsewhere. Roy is survived by his wife, Sally.
Read more about Roy and his art here: http://www.chappelgalleries.co.uk/exhibitions-05/roy-freer/roy-freer.htm
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