Parish council - A meeting of the Ashby, Somerleyton and Herringfleet Parish Council was held on July 2. Sgt Guymer gave a police report and stated that only one crime had been committed in the area in the last two months when some books had been set alight in the entrance to Ashby Church.

Parish council - A meeting of the Ashby, Somerleyton and Herringfleet Parish Council was held on July 2. Sgt Guymer gave a police report and stated that only one crime had been committed in the area in the last two months when some books had been set alight in the entrance to Ashby Church. The suggestion that the 30mph limit be pushed back beyond White House Farm has been viewed favourably but may take some time to implement. The Bangfest event at Somerleyton Hall, which was due to take place on August 29 and 30, was apparently cancelled due to poor ticket sales. The parish councils of Blundeston, Lound and possibly Corton, are keen to take part in the community speedwatch scheme using local volunteers. Local councillors are willing to fund the purchase of the necessary speed gun and safety equipment from the locality budget. The police will provide training and will co-ordinate speed monitoring in different locations and at different times of the day. Details of the scheme are to be outlined in the next village newsletter and volunteers sought so that Somerleyton, Ashby and Herringfleet can be given the opportunity to join the scheme. The annual autumn tidy-up of the brick kilns area is to take place on October 4. At the same time a small working party plans to cut vegetation away from the walls of the second kiln to enable an assessment of its condition. Members of the council were concerned to learn that Suffolk County Council has decided not to renew their lease from the Somerleyton Estate of Herringfleet Mill and will therefore no longer be responsible for maintaining it. The grade 2 listed smock drainage mill, built in the 1820s and worked by marshmen until the 1950s, is the last working pumping mill of its type. The mill is apparently already falling into disrepair. Letters are to go to the county council asking for more information and the matter is to be further investigated. The target date for the installation of the hovercraft memorial column is now July 5, 2010, which would have been Sir Christopher Cockerell's 100th birthday. Two teams from Blundeston Cricket Club plan to make use of the playing field next season and will be happy to welcome residents from Ashby, Somerleyton and Herringfleet.

The complete minutes for this meeting can be found on www.onesuffolk.gco.uk/parishcouncils The next meeting will take place on November 4, at 7.15pm, in the village hall.

St Mary's Church - Will be holding its annual flower festival tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. The theme for this year's event is life's journey and the church will be open each day from 10am to 5pm. Attractions include a book stall, cake stall tombola, bric-a-brac, art display, grand draw and refreshments. All proceeds will go to church funds.

Church services - On Sunday a service of matins will be held at 9.30am, in St Margaret's Church, Herringfleet. A special flower festival songs of praise will be held at 6.30pm in St Mary's Church, Somerleyton.