Mayor's diary - July

July – A month in pictures

On Friday 25 July, 23 Para Engineers held their regimental Freedom Parade through the town centre. This Parade recognizes the close bond between the civilians of Woodbridge and the army. The regiment was granted the Freedom of Woodbridge in 2009 on their return from Afghanistan.  At the medals ceremony in the Shire Hall before the Parade, you could not help but be struck by the valour being recognised as well as the range of opportunities the army can provide. In a short speech, the Mayor on behalf of the Town, expressed gratitude for how much the regiment, the soldiers and their families are doing to keep us safe in an increasingly insecure world.

On Tuesday 23 July, something very different, a cohort of year six pupils from Woodbridge Primary School and their families took over the Shire Hall for their Leaving Assembly. It was a wonderful event and a lovely way to see the Shire Hall being used by young residents as well as adults. The Hall does, of course, belong to all of us who live in Woodbridge. Best wishes go to the pupils as they head towards High School and another big step in their young lives.

On Sunday 21 July a wonderful community project was completed on Kingston Field. The Town’s Youth Council, in conjunction with Councillor Sutton, worked with the Sea Scouts and the Air Cadets over two weekends in July to rebuild the sandpit in the playground. In Councillor Walsh’s words, the result is “absolutely stupendous”. Hopefully we will have cause to celebrate more successful community projects over time. They have such a positive impact on our community.

On Sunday 13 July, the 2nd International Picnic hosted by the Woodbridge Twinning Committee was held on Kingston Field. This year was an opportunity to celebrate a first new step with the signing of the Friendship agreement with Doullens in Picardie, France.

Picking up the theme of our open spaces, Woodbridge Town Council launched two consultations in July that would benefit from your views (they can be found on the news section of the website https://woodbridge-suffolk.gov.uk/news) – one on the future investment plan for Kingston Field and a second on Fen Meadow play area improvements. Both consultations will close on 24 August, so please have your say.

Finally, we hope to see you on Market Hill on Saturday 13 September from noon to celebrate 450 years of the Shire Hall. There will be plenty of fun and entertainment as well as a subsidised traditional hog roast and pie and mash. And of course, if you can get your hands on an Elizabethan (that is Elizabeth 1) costume, that will add to the atmosphere. There will be a few Elizabethans wandering about!

Nigel Phipps

Mayor of Woodbridge