At Full Council in May, I was re-elected as the Chair of Melton Parish Council for another year. We had one member of the public attend who raised concerns about the speed and volume of traffic on Woods Lane and difficulties residents have accessing the Hall Farm Road estate. Two Keep Clear boxes have been marked on Woods Lane and we have raised the concerns with the Police speed and camera team who do regular visits to the area.
In May we had our annual visit from the Internal Auditor. I’m pleased to say that once again, our Internal Audit report confirmed that the Council (mostly the Clerk/Asst Clerk) have maintained a strong commitment to a high standard of overall financial administration. Unusually for auditors, he went on to say that, “The Council displays many examples of strong Governance and good financial practice,” and a “high standard of financial control.” In other words, “We’ve done good!” The audit report is available on the website.
As you will know, on the 6th June 2024, the nation commemorated 80 years since the D Day landings. It was decided that we would have a small event on the Melton Recreation Ground and light the beacon along with many other towns and villages across the nation as part of the international tribute. I was joined by Sergeant Graham Wilks, Chair of the Royal British Legion (RBL) Woodbridge and a serving member of the RAF along with Steven Lockwood, Secretary and Standard Bearer for the RBL. Reverend Paul Hambling read the International Tribute and led the Act of Remembrance. Pauline Cooke, of the Woodbridge Excelsior Band played the last post. I read an extract from a diary from John Robson who was there on the day. He was a former photographer and reporter who was serving with an infantry unit.
I was pleased to see so many friends and residents of Melton and people from further away, standing with me on the Recreation Ground. Overall, I found the experience to be very moving.
Photos © Mike Whitby
I was invited to attend an event on the 15th June led by the Woodbridge and Melton Society who arranged for a Blue Plaque to be erected to commemorate Sir Archibald Edward Garrod (1857-1936) at Wilford Lodge on Station Road. Sir Garrod lived in Station Road, Melton and was a Physician and benefactor to Melton. Professionally, he pioneered the field of genetic diseases. Two of his three sons were killed during World War 1 and are commemorated in Melton Old Church. The third son died whilst still on military service in 1919 of Spanish Flu. The Garrod family were renowned in Melton for their contributions to science, the village and to the service of our country. There is also a memorial to the family at the Melton Recreation Ground. The Blue Plaque is the latest honour to a notable person who lived locally.
Our long-standing Tree Warden, Martin Wilks, is standing down. Thank you, Martin, for all you have done. Arranging to plant new trees and protect many has been a mammoth task but you leave us in good shape. We are on the hunt for a new, volunteer Tree Warden, who will lead the Tree Gang and work with Melton Parish Council to protect, plant and enhance the trees on our land. If you have the time, energy and knowledge and would like to get involved either as the Warden or part of the Tree Gang, please get in touch with the office. You will be made most welcome.
Our Pavement Group have been busy identifying key walking routes in the village that need some work, such as cutting back vegetation, clearing around gullies, removing weeds and sign cleaning. They are awaiting some safety training from Suffolk County Council but hope to be active in the autumn. In the meantime, you can report issues using the fixmystreet website if you’re not sure which Council to contact: www.fixmystreet.com
I hope you have a lovely summer, enjoyed the Melton Fete and I look forward to sharing the latest news from the Parish Council in the next edition in September.
Carol Gradwell, Chair of Melton Parish Council
