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WARM HOMES HEALTHY PEOPLE
Suffolk County Council have assistance to help people make their homes warmer and healthier, ideally keeping them out of hospital and GP surgeries. We have recently won a few large pots of money, one of which focuses on FREE first time central heating for those who currently don't have it. Attached are more details, could we please ask councils to help us reach those vulnerable members of the community who may need help with heating or insulating their home. Warm Homes Healthy People Information.
Norwich to Tilbury - Updates
Norwich to Tilbury - Project Update – September 2025
/assets/BMSDC-response-to-N2T-statutory-consultation-2024-DRAFT-003.pdf
Norwich to Tilbury Pylon Response from Gislingham Parish Council.
/assets/Norwich-to-Tilbury-Pylon-Response-GPC.pdf
Re-routing response
/assets/Rerouting-Norwich-to-Tilbury-pylons-in-formal-Consultation-Response.pdf
How can you help protect the most vulnerable road users?
With the change of seasons and darker nights on the way, it is important to remind each other of how this affects our safety as road users.
Suffolk Police are supporting the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s campaign, ‘Operation Dark Nights’. It is running for two weeks starting Monday 27 October and is designed to raise awareness of the risks faced specifically by vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists. These groups are killed or seriously injured on the road more in the Autumn months than at any other time of the year.
Incidents involving pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists often occur when a motorist has failed to slow down and allow sufficient space to go around them – which is a particular issue with urban roads.
In 2024, 58 horses died and 97 were seriously injured on UK roads. 81% of incidents recorded were as a result of motorists passing too closely or too quickly.
When overtaking a horse, motorists should:
• Slow down to a maximum of 10mph
• Be patient, do not sound your horn or rev your engine
• Pass the horse wide and slow – at least two metres
• Drive slowly away
• Extra attention should be paid in both the early morning and darker evenings as visibility is significantly reduced.
More advice for motorists can be found here
Nationally, eight pedestrians die every week and more than 100 are seriously injured (106). Being aware of pedestrians crossing roads and walking along roads – particularly in the countryside – is something motorists should be alert to and allow time and space for.
Distraction is a reoccurring factor for both drivers and pedestrians with both diverting their attention to their mobile phones when driving or crossing roads.
Significant changes were made to the Highway Code in 2022, aimed to better protect those most at risk. This includes leaving sufficient space when overtaking, introducing a new ‘hierarchy of road users’ and sharing spaces responsibly when walking, riding or cycling.
The latest guidance states the need for a 1.5m overtaking clearance when passing cyclists. You must give them room to keep them safe. You can read more about the changes here
Chief Inspector Vicky McParland, Head of the Joint Norfolk & Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team, said: “Everyone has a right to travel safely on our roads, this includes horse riders, pedestrians and cyclists. Understanding and respecting how each type of road user operates is integral for wider road safety.
“We must work to reduce the number of people (and horses) who are killed or seriously injured on our roads and it all starts with you. Familiarise yourself with the Highway Code changes and ensure that you are doing all you can to keep yourself and others safe.”
Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, added: “Whether you’re a pedestrian, cyclist or driver, on four wheels or four legs, we all need to be aware of the dangers that exist as the evenings get darker earlier.
“Now that the clocks have gone back, I would urge everyone to take a little more care, and for drivers to make sure both you and your vehicle are fit for winter conditions. With a little bit more consideration we can continue to make our county’s roads safer for everyone.”
FREE NHS HEALTH CHECK
Even though you might be feeling great, if you're over forty you might be at risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, diabetes or dementia. A FREE NHS Health Check can help you reduce these risks and make sure that you stay healthy. Having the health check will better prepare you for the future and will enable you to take steps to maintain and improve your health. NHS Health Check Information.
THE POLICE
You can report a crime taking place here: Report Something
Community Speedwatch is on the radar
As a result of views expressed in the Parish Plan concerning speeding in the village, the Parish Council organized Speedwatch initiative for Gislingham is up and running. Co-ordinator, Graham Sullivan organises volunteers and passes reports to Suffolk Constabulary.
Email Graham to volunteer sullivan357@btinterrnet.com
What is the Suffolk Flood Risk Partnership doing about Flooding? Find out here. Anglian Water are introducing a new campaign to spot, report and stop sewage pollution incidents as quickly as possible and minmise the impact to the environment. Anglian Water Sewage Campaign .ANGLIAN WATER POLLUTION WATCH
CRIMESTOPPERS
If you have any information about people committing burglary or selling stolen goods you can tell the independent charity Crimestoppers ananymously. Cash rewards of up to £1000 are available. Crime Stoppers Further Information.
UK POWER NETWORKS
If you lose power or see damage to the electricity network please dial 105 from a corded phone or mobile to report it. You can also visit UK POWER NETWORKS to enter your postcode and view a map of your area.
You can report pot holes here: REPORT potholes You can report problems with rights of way here: FootpathsSUFFOLK HIGHWAYS
Clearing snow and ice from pavements yourself
There’s no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home or from public spaces. It’s unlikely you’ll be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries on the path if you have cleared it carefully. Follow the snow code when clearing snow and ice safely.
The snow code – tips on clearing snow and ice from pavements or public spaces prevent slips
Pay extra attention to clear snow and ice from steps and steep pathways – you might need to use more salt on these areas.
If you clear snow and ice yourself, be careful – don’t make the pathways more dangerous by causing them to refreeze. But don’t be put off clearing paths because you’re afraid someone will get injured.
Remember, people walking on snow and ice have responsibility to be careful themselves. Follow the advice below to make sure you clear the pathway safely and effectively.
Clear the snow or ice early in the day
It’s easier to move fresh, loose snow rather than hard snow that has packed together from people walking on it. So if possible, start removing the snow and ice in the morning. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath. You can then cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight.
Use salt or sand – not water
If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice. Black ice increases the risk of injuries as it is invisible and very slippery. You can prevent black ice by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt – a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work. Don’t use the salt found in salting bins – this will be needed to keep the roads clear.
Be careful not to spread salt on plants or grass as it may cause them damage.
If you don’t have enough salt, you can also use sand or ash. These won’t stop the path icing over as well as salt, but will provide good grip under foot.
Take care where you move the snow
When you’re shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it doesn’t block people’s paths or drains. Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared firs, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides.
Offer to clear your neighbours’ paths
If your neighbour will have difficulty getting in and out of their home, offer to clear snow and ice around their property as well. Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in the cold weather. If you’re worried about them, contact your local council.
Gritting and snow clearance by your council
Your local council will add grit to roads and pavements in your area and clear snow in winter. For information about where and when your council is gritting local roads, check its website.
Rickinghall Community Bus is available to hire for 50p per mile. It seats up to 8 people. For more information ring 01379 897109.RICKINGHALL COMMUNITY BUS
Located in the red telephone box on the Village Hall green.The training DVD is available from the Village Shop..GISLINGHAM DEFIBRILLATOR
SMARTER CHOICES
Suffolk County Council's Transport Strategy encourages cycling and running. Smarter Choices Newsletter
A used needle and syringe have been found near the bench on Charity Meadow. The Police and the Council have advised that needles and syringes are hazardous waste and must not be collected and/or disposed of by members of the public. The presence of the needle/syringe has already been reported to Mid-Suffolk District Council
If you see any more needles or syringes discarded please report them urgently to Gislingham United Charities
gislinghamunitedcharity@gmail.com
MSDC Bin Collections starting 2026
From 2026, you’ll be able to recycle much more as we introduce additional collections – helping the environment, and cutting how much waste goes into your black bin, please click on link below
Volunteers are helping to highlight the problem of people leaving Dog Waste on paths and pavements. We love our dogs - but please take a bag - if it lands on the foot path, it goes in the bin - the village has lots of them around..DOG FOULING
If you have any information about people committing burglary or selling stolen goods you can tell the independent charity Crimestoppers ananymously. Cash rewards of up to £1000 are available. For more information Crime Stoppers Information.CRIMESTOPPERS
COULD YOU FOSTER?
We urgently need foster carers in the area - Foster Carer Information
RECYCLE YOUR ELECTRICAL ITEMS
*** Click here ***
COST OF LIVING SUPPORT
Need Support with the Cost of Living Please visit link of the link for help
MID SUFFOLK CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau has launched a new website. The new site is much easier for clients to navigate and find the advice they need to solve their problem or to find out how to get in touch with them. It has a fresh look and provides the visitor with more information about them and the services they offer. Please take a look at the Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Website
You can report pot holes here: REPORT potholes
You can report problems with rights of way here: Footpaths
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Loft Insulation Offer gives Suffolk residents 50% off eco-friendly insulation
According to The Energy Saving Trust, an uninsulated home loses a quarter of its heat through its roof. For the second year in a row, help to afford eco-friendly loft insulation is now available for Suffolk residents.
The Suffolk Climate Change Partnership has teamed up with an insulation provider to help Suffolk residents make their homes warmer and save money on their energy bills.
Residents will receive a 50% discount off their purchase of 200mm or 370mm wide insulation rolls (up to £200) with free delivery, from High Loft, the UK's leading eco loft insulation brand.
The offer is open to anyone in Suffolk and will close once the allocated funding has been spent. Simply go to www.bit.ly/suffolkloft and fill in the form to receive your personalised link to order, or call High Loft's insulation experts on 01706 248203 (Mon – Fri, 9am - 5pm).
Or, to find out more visit www.greensuffolk.org/at-home/funding.