Blundeston

St Mary's Church - Services for Sunday, May 31 are Methodist service at 9.30am, Anglican service at 3.30pm will be a songs of praise held in the ruins of the old church at Flixton. This is an annual event and all are welcome. The service will be taken by our Rural Dean the Rev Canon John Simpson.

Local History Society - Twenty members of the society met at the Electric Picture Palace at Southwold to be welcomed by Geoffrey Crabb. We were told of the history of the cinema in Southwold, from the first cinema in 1912 which closed in the Sixties to the present little gem which was built in what had been old stables. It contains 66 authentic cinema seats, a box office, kiosk, circle, two toilets and is air conditioned. Only an expert could get so much into such a small space, it even has what is known as a 'Tiny Wurlitzer' organ. Decorated in the style of the 1930s this cinema is a building with an amazing history and the society's chairman Mike Reeder, thanked Mr Crabb on behalf of the members.

Parish council - At a meeting of the parish council held on Monday, May 11 there were present J Nichols chairman, J Blowers, G Soanes, T Townend, S Rees, G Wade, K Wood, S Perks, R Leech and S Lewis. Five parishioners, Cllr Ashdown and PCSO Kershaw also attended.

Declaration of interest: Mr Lewis declared an interest on the planning and Mr Blowers wished to point out that he was no relation to the Blowers mentioned in the planning section.

Fifteen minutes for parishioner input.

Other parish business: Mrs Townend said that the pickup truck was still parking in an awkward place in The Street. Mr Wade said that cars are still parking half on the road and half on the footpath in Lound Road. The hedge on the footpath at the back of the houses in Orchard Close is causing concern it needs at least 20ft trimming away. It was felt that SCC Footpath Officer should be informed. Cllr Ashdown would inform Cllr Barron about the matter.

Police report: PCSO Kershaw reported that during the month of April there were four reported crimes, three related to HMP the other was criminal damage to a window at the village hall. With regard to the complaint at last month's meeting about motorcycles this has been followed up and the complainant and the culprits have been spoken to. PC 335 D Stranks is now the community officer for this area and he can be contacted on 01986835300. Recently officers did a speed monitor on Lowestoft Road and three drivers were stopped for speeding, all were fined the fixed penalty amount of �60 with three points on their licence. Their recorded speeds in this 30mph limit were 41, 42 and 47mph.

District councillor report: Mr Ashdown said that a mention was made at a parish council meeting earlier in the year about rats; the WDC Scrutiny Panel has recommended that everyone has the opportunity to get hold of the contractors easily and quickly. The recommended contractors are answering the public requests quickly; parish councils will be given the information to advertise to the public. Mr Ashdown said that it would be nice if Blundeston as a village could enter the Village of the Year competition. He was told that the village had entered in the past and been disappointed by the judges' comments.

County councillor report: No report was available.

Skate Park update: Mrs Dawson reported that phase two of the park will be progressed in the next few months but it will be a scaled down version of what was previously hoped to be achieved.

Planning: Mr G Lewis, Valley House, Market Lane, Blundeston. Construction of one 1�-storey house. A proposal was made by Mr Wood, that it is outside the Village Envelope, it is a new build and not a conversion and should be rejected, this was seconded by Mr Rees; Mr Leech counter proposed that it would tidy up the area - no seconder came forward. Voting on the first proposal was taken resulting in five for refusing the application, three abstentions and one against. Mr K Blowers, Contiki, Market Lane, Blundeston. Single storey front and side extensions and construction of first floor to create a cottage. This was approved, but councillors pointed out that the end result was more like a house and could in no way be called a cottage. J W Munnings. Harfreys Road, Great Yarmouth. Construction of one bungalow and garage on land at rear of Pantiles, Market Lane, Blundeston. Approved but the parish council have some concerns about back-land development.

Correspondence: WDC had sent a feedback questionnaire with regard to the World of Planning Events. Suffolk Agricultural Association had sent posters to display advertising the Suffolk Show.

Next meeting on June 15.