The community council continues to maintain strong links with the other organisations in the village. Being a large spread out village the emphasis is on keeping in touch via the village email e-vine system, village post office & stores, and local public houses.
The Annual Golf Day was more fortuitous weather wise and a new winner Mark Brinkley came forward for the Cockfield Challenge Trophy.
The community council still runs the monthly dances, sadly we lost two of our key helpers this year, but we continue to maintain a steady flow of supporters each month.
The minibus is still looked after and run by the community council with the assistance of the local garage to help with bookings and storage. The minibus hire has been good this year and all you need is to become a member of the community council for the cost of £3.00 a year to be able to use the minibus, obtain your blue card from our Treasurer – details in Green Links.
The waste paper charges were renegotiated this year and we have increased the £ per tonne we obtain, paper and card is collected the last Sunday of every month by volunteers and stored at Cockfield Hall Farm for collection. The monies raised from this still maintain the Pavilion on Great Green for sports and recreational use. You can deliver your own waste paper to Cockfield Hall before the collection dates if you are passing. Do not forget to recycle your bottles and aluminium cans at the bottle banks in the Village Hall car park – the revenue from this also goes to the village funds.
The Village hall is seeking support to replace windows this year and we are happy to be in a position to assist with this. The sponsor a chair scheme is proving to be successful.
The Earl’s Meadow & Bruff’s Line project has moved on considerably, it has been possible to purchase another strip of land alongside the railway line. The fruit trees that were planted along the railway last year are blossoming, the bulbs set last year have been a picture, steps and fencing erected and river clearance taken place thanks to volunteer working parties. The working parties have consisted of parents and children from the village and committee members. We were joint winners for the Suffolk Wildlife award this year and we are very proud of this.
The computer circle is still a popular asset to the village thanks again to volunteers who run the project. The sessions are free and are detailed in Green Links and on Cockfield’s website.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was the big event for this year, followed by gig in the marquee the following day. It has involved all the organisations working together in sub-groups to get the event off the ground but what a wonderful weekend we all had. Despite the wind, rain and gales, Cockfield was not deterred – good food, drink, fireworks, beacons and singing was enjoyed by all over the two days. Well done Cockfield – you did us proud.
A very important addition to the village has been the First Aid Responder course which has now given Cockfield 6 new First Aid Responders, 3 of which are community council members. The Parish Council and community council have allocated funds to enable the Response Unit to purchase two kits which are due to be in operation within the month of October, until then a kit has kindly been supplied by Lavenham for us to use.
We are pleased to be able to raise enough funds to be able to help maintain the village assets and recreational activities.
Yet to come is the “Carols on the Green” hosted by our new Reverend Sharon on Sunday morning 9th December on Great Green followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the pavilion.
The Hangover Hike will take place from The Three Horseshoes on New Year’s Day @ 11pm followed by brunch back at the Shoes – details in Green Links.
You are invited to the AGM to be held on Friday 7th December – 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Carl Brinkley
Chairman
Cockfield Community Council
October 2012
