Pavements
Cllr John Bann, our travel and transport lead in Melton reports: The Parish Council is aware of issues that may hinder or stop people walking in our area, from mud, leaves and water on pavements, to uneven surfaces and overhanging vegetation. Sorting this out is primarily the responsibility of the County and District Councils although property owners are responsible for cutting back trees and vegetation growing over pavements.
When problems are reported, the response from the Councils may not be what we would want, often due to the lack of funding and other competing priorities. As a result, the Parish Council wants to take action to improve the situation in Melton.
We have formed a group of Councillors and residents to check on the state of pavements in our area and to identify priority problems. We want to open a positive dialogue with the relevant County and District officers about how to tackle these problems. This may need the community to complete some work for ourselves, as has been the case on some streets. If you are interested in joining our group or want to help tackle a particular problem in your area, then please contact me – cllr.bann@melton-suffolk-pc.gov.uk
Car Boot Sales
You may have noticed that the Car Boot Sales at Melton Recreation Ground have not been advertised this year. Melton Parish Council has a long tradition of supporting the Car Boot Sales, charging only £1 per year for contractual reasons, as we felt it was a good thing for both the village and for the cancer charities it supported. However, the Recreation Ground needs some ground works to reduce compaction and encourage the grass to thicken up for the benefit of all recreational activities. To make this possible, we asked the organisers of the Car Boot Sales if they could switch ends so that the parking would be at the end nearest to the Coach and Horses and the stalls would be positioned nearer to the Pavilion. We also asked them to limit the number of stalls allowed on the field at any one time because, being the only car boot sale in the immediate area, the growing number of stalls being accommodated and the associated parking was becoming an issue. Sadly the organisers have decided not to hold the car boots sales this year as they are unable to meet these conditions. This is regrettable and we wish them well for the future.
Parking Enforcement
MPC has been in touch with East Suffolk District Council’s Parking Enforcement Officers. We have asked them to step up their enforcement action in Melton particularly on the yellow lines directly outside the fish and chip shop and the local post office/store. I was horrified to see a large lorry parked directly outside the fish and chip shop both on the yellow lines but more worryingly, halfway into the junction. It made it impossible for anyone using the junction to see whether there were other vehicles or pedestrians in the vicinity.
The Melton Fete
For the Melton fete on the 22nd June, we have now confirmed that Paws of Parham (dog show and dog agility) will be coming along as will lots of the regular stalls including the Framlingham Bowmen, Punch and Judy, The Saints Community Band, Bar and BBQ and the coconut shy. Our focus will be on activities for all ages including, we hope, football, basketball and welly wanging. We will of course have the usual raffle and St Andrew’s will be selling flowers, cakes and manning the Tea Tent. The Melton WI will be running the popular handbags and scarf stall.
Although we encourage you to walk or cycle to the fete if you can, free parking will be available on the field for the first time this year, organised by volunteer traffic experts. It should be a great day – fingers crossed for the weather.
Beresford Drive Play Park
The Beresford Drive Play Park refurbishment is now complete and what a terrific space it has become. My thanks to the contactors Kompan, Melton Primary School and the staff in the office who have worked hard to make this a wonderful space. The formal opening will take place on Saturday 4th May 2024 at 3pm. Do come along and support the day.
D-Day Beacon Lighting
We are also planning to support the National Beacon Lighting Ceremony to commemorate the D-Day landings on Thursday 6th June 2024. Revd Fr Paul Hambling will be reading the evening’s address prior to the lighting of the beacon and we will have a bugler playing the Last Post. The last beacon lighting ceremony we had was to mark the Queen’s Jubilee on 2nd June 2022. It was very well attended. We hope this event will be equally well attended and will be a moving tribute to the men and women of all the services who fought and survived or died on that day.
Keep In Touch
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Carol Gradwell
Chair of Melton Parish Council
