SPEAKERS have been confirmed for the Women’s World Day of Prayer services in Mildenhall.

David Butcher will speak at the service in the Cottage Rooms at St Mary’s Church at 7.15pm on Friday, March 2, while Brendan Fulham will speak at the town’s Methodist Church at 10.30am.

HOPES of breathing life back into the pavilion at Cheveley Recreation Ground have risen after the results of a recently-held survey were published.

At the end of last year, residents across the village were asked to complete a survey, composed by the Cheveley Pavilion Working Group, detailing what improvements they would like to see at the High Street site.

After receiving 120 responses, some strong trends were picked up in the analysis of the results.

“We were exceptionally pleased with the number of surveys that were returned and we’re grateful to both Cheveley Post Office and Cheveley Primary School for taking them in on our behalf,” said Richard Jackson, chairman.

“The most popular facilities that people would like to see at the Recreation Ground are a cricket pitch and a village hall.

A significant number of people would also like to see provision for mini soccer, tennis and indoor keep-fit classes.”

Delighted with the large response, Mr Jackson said he believed that the figure may have been influenced by an added incentive for those returning their form.

“I’ve no doubt that the rate of return was improved by the fact that we awarded a £50 Waitrose voucher in a prize draw,” he said. “But it also points to a general desire to see some improvements to the facilities at the Recreation Ground.

“The findings have now given us a real sense of purpose and members are committed to carrying out further consultation with existing groups in the village, so that we can determine demand for any new facilities and avoid treading on any toes.

“Alongside that process, we will be preparing plans and applying for funding from a range of sources.”

In addition to asking residents about shaping the future of the pavilion, the survey also raised the issue of whether villagers would be keen on supporting activities to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

As a result, plans are now being drawn up to host a Jubilee lunch at the venue.

A meeting to discuss the initiative will be held at the pavilion at 7pm on February 29.

Anybody wishing to attend should contact Ian Jackson on ianjackson 1973@gmail.com.

DUE to weather conditions many local races have been called off over the last few weeks but Newmarket Jogger Greg Davis headed to his home town of Portsmouth on Sunday to compete in the Portsmouth Coastal Half Marathon.

The race was all part of his London Marathon training, which is being overseen by Paul Evans, an Olympic distance runner and marathon record holder.

Although the temperatures were slightly warmer there than at home in Suffolk, Davis bravely lined up with 1,153 other perished competitors in the sub zero temperatures.

The trip and conditions did not hamper his efforts though as he put in a fantastic run to finish seventh overall and first male veteran — by more than five minutes — in a time of 1hr 21mins 2secs.

Another great performance by the Jogger, who is also currently leading the newly-introduced Joggers Grand Prix.

]]> 1.3529399 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:00:36 +0000 http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/woman_injured_in_soham_bypass_collision_1_3529580

A WOMAN suffered a minor neck injury when her car collided with a lorry on the A142 Soham bypass last Monday.

Emergency services arrived at the scene at 7.30pm, where the woman was trapped in her car.

She was released by firefighters and taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The driver of the lorry was not injured.

SCHOOL staff working in East Cambridgeshire have been rewarded for their long service during a special ceremony at Cambridge’s Shire Hall.

Nine members of staff were presented with long-service awards after each completing 25 years or more with the authority.

They included Ann Cox (Isleham Primary School); Margaret Franklin (Fordham Primary School); Lis Lapthorn (Kettlefield Primary School); Sally Peyton (Dullingham Primary School) and Lester Levet (Ely College).

They were joined by 18 long-serving members of staff from other parts of the county, who were presented with awards by Cambridgeshire County Council chairman John Powley and service director for learning Gayle Gorman, who said: “Everyone receiving awards did so because of the outstanding contribution they have made to Cambridgeshire County Council and the many services it provides.

“I am delighted their loyal service and dedication has been recognised and I am very pleased to be a part of that.

“Congratulations to them all.”

PUPILS from Fordham Primary School put their numeracy skills to the test in the name of a good cause.

Youngsters at the Isleham Road school completed a sponsored maths challenge and raised £1,800 for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and ChildLine.

Headteacher Kevin Bullock said: “I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted with the support of parents and pupils in raising this fantastic amount.”

The whole school got involved by completing the challenge at home and collecting sponsorship from friends and family.

Pupils were presented with a badge when they returned the completed challenge to school.

Assistant headteacher Natalie Harvey and some of the school’s pupils, presented a cheque to Fiona Westwood, NSPCC school organiser, at a special assembly, which was held at the school on Thursday.

MORE than £800 worth of baled hay was stolen from a field in Newmarket.

Between 2.30pm Monday, February 6, and 2.30pm on Wednesday, February 8, thieves stole 18 bales from a field in Barbara Stradbroke Avenue.

Anyone with information should contact Suffolk Police on 101.

CROSS COUNTRY

LUCIE Clift became the first King’s Ely girl athlete for several years to reach the National Schools’ Cross Country Championships.

She qualified for the national championships, which will be held in Somerset, March 17, after finishing 12th in the intermediate girls’ category at the regional competition held at the Royal Hospital School at Holbrook, near Ipswich, earlier this month.

Richard Powell, King’s Ely’s head of athletics, said: “I know Lucie will enjoy the experience of competing against the country’s best runners.

“With another month’s training, who knows what she will be capable of as she is certainly improving all the time and has the desire to do as well as possible.”

Emily Grapes and Harry McWilliam also competed in the intermediate age group, finishing 50th and 51st, which were good results considering they were competing against athletes a year older and they will both be eligible to compete at intermediate level again next year.

Freia Gould ran a strong race finishing 47th in the minor girls’ age group, open to those in school year seven.

TWO mini digger buckets were stolen from a building site in Mildenhall.

The incident took place just off the Bury Road at around 9pm on Saturday, January 21.

Two male suspects, who have been described as average height and of a medium build, entered the site through some temporary fencing.

Both men were wearing dark jackets and jeans and left the scene driving a dark hatchback.

Anyone with information should contact Pc Paul Downey from the Crime Investigation Bureau on 101.