In Touch June 2022
District Council Report Cllr John Hinton
East Bergholt Ward.

No doubt the weather will again be a topic for discussion, whether too hot, too cold, too dry or too
wet! I was surprised to read recently that to classify as a “heat wave” there had to be three
consecutive days with a temperature between 25C and 28C! It does not seem like a prolonged affair
but perhaps that is why we love to talk about the weather? April was apparently cold and dry, and at
the time of writing this May has only just started with some warm weather and some showers. Let
us all hope that the Jubilee weekend is warm and dry so that we can properly celebrate our Queens
wonderful reign.
On a different note, there has been talk of improving pavements in the village, or rather aspirations
to improve pavements. All would I think agree that they are narrow, with a poor surface and in some
areas completely absent. They are unfortunately often obstructed by vehicles and other objects. As
a village with an elderly population and with some amongst us with disabilities or young children
anything that reduces the accessibility of the pavements is a major hazard. Can I ask that we all
recognise that access should be for all and make sure that we do not park on the pavement,
obstruct it in any way, whether with objects or foliage and oh yes, a simple thought we can all
implement, when parked, fold in our wing mirrors as they can make a considerable difference to the
width of our narrowest sections! A moment of thought for others can make a big difference.
We may not have had “local elections” in Babergh this year but that has not stopped the political
manoeuvrings in the council with a completely reformed “rainbow” cabinet. A split in the
Conservative grouping has meant that they have withdrawn from the cabinet and left it to a balance
between “Independent Conservatives”, Independents, Green and Labour and Liberal Democrats. The
balance of the “Conservatives” seems to have gone off in a huff, but with all seats up for election in
May ’23 who knows what lies ahead!
June is certainly a month of action. Queen’s Jubilee, Women’s Cycle Tour (crossing the Cattawade,
from Essex on its way to Ipswich) and Armed Forces Day in Hadleigh. Who said that it was “sleepy
Suffolk”?
It may be my perception, but planning seems to have slowed down, possibly awaiting the Draft Joint
Local Plan in its next incarnation, but lets hope that with fine weather, (perhaps even “Flaming
June”!) we can enjoy the countryside and that our fair share of “staycationer” can enjoy all that we
have to offer. Recently there has been quite a lot of press around John Constable and it has been
fascinating to read, as it opens new perspectives to his work and the environment that influences
him so much. There is even a painting in Cambridge that has his fingerprint on it, he was apparently
regarded as a pioneer of outdoors painting, so his paint was often wet when handled!
You know what they say, you never stop learning.
Stay safe, enjoy the weather whatever it brings.
Cllr John Hinton.
May 6th 2022.