Mayor's Monthly Report - September 2026

Mayor’s monthly 2026

With the summer holidays ending, Civic events are re-appearing in the diary.

On 3rd September, I unveiled a Blue Plaque for John Grout, a 19th century horse dealer of European repute and owner of The Bull Inn. He rose quite literally from rags to riches. Much of his estate was left to his godson and nephew, John Whisstock.

Later, in the afternoon, there was a ceremony down near Whisstock’s Place to mark Merchant Navy Day with the raising of the Red Ensign. Merchant Navy Day serves as a powerful reminder of the courage, resilience and sacrifice of merchant seafarers during the second world war and throughout history. On Sunday 6th, a small delegation from Ipswich, Felixstowe and Woodbridge went to London for the commemorative service at the Merchant Navy Memorial near the Tower of London. On behalf of Woodbridge, the Mayor’s Cadet, Elliot Astbury, and myself laid two wreaths.

Merchant Navy Day at Whisstock’s Place, Woodbridge, County Councillor Ruth Leach, Mayor of   Woodbridge, Councillor Nigel Phipps, Sandra Smith, Secretary of the Merchant Navy Association, Ipswich Branch and Richard Watkinson, Vice Chairman.

The Mayor and the Mayor’s Cadet laying wreaths at the memorial to Frank George Firman and the SS Kirnwood, which was sunk in the Atlantic as it returned from Australia via New York with supplies.  His parents lived in Woodbridge.

Before setting off for London on the Saturday, I greeted 117 ladies from the Red Hat Society, Bees of Bardwell, down at the Tide Mill and said goodbye to them at the Shire Hall.

They came from across Britain and from four other European countries. Thank you to John Risby and Choose Woodbridge for all the organization and to the shops and people of Woodbridge who made them so welcome. They had clearly had a very enjoyable day. One comment that struck me was from one of our overseas visitors who was quite surprised on just how little investment seems to have been made in renewable energy – solar and wind.

Looking ahead, I continue to support our MP, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter’s campaign for improvements to the train service on the East Suffolk line. If we could close the peak morning/afternoon gaps in service, get to a half hourly service, improve early/late connectivity to and from London and elsewhere in the region – then lives would be transformed. The impact on residents and visitors of constructing the green energy future in East Anglia could be given some urgently needed mitigation.

My September started on a high and I am sure there is plenty more to come. I wish you all a very happy post-holiday return (or as the French might say “joyeuse rentrée”). On that note, a member of the Town’s Twinning Committee was in Doullens to move things on. Small steps are moving us towards the goal of establishing a full twinning.

Councillor Nigel Phipps

Mayor of Woodbridge

Councillorphipps@woodbridge-suffolk.gov.uk

Photos Credited by Mike Whitby