November 2006

A GOOD RESULT !

We can hardly claim that the River Rib has been resucitated for that will not happen until we have recovered from drought and abstraction volumes are reduced but a magnificent clean-up of litter and debris early last month is a major step in the right direction. Thirty or more volunteers from all sections of our community and organisations braved the muddy waters and recovered just under fifty bags of rubbish. The items found included a rancid rump steak, a base metal ring, a pair of spectacles, an abundance of beer glasses, beer cans, cola tins and a quantity of take-away meals that clearly did not go down too well after a 'good night out! Happily we did not come across any sinister items although we had a 'sharps container just in case.

This example of direct action is described as Phase I and the next phase is to work towards Luynes Rise, through the industrial estate along the public footpath and recover rubbish discarded in the hedgerows. Special thanks are due to David Thorogood of EHC who provided practical support and equipment also to Deputy Mayor Jean Cook who took part and to Ken and Jackie who opened their garden to the team and served very welcome coffee in pleasant warm autumn sunshine.

This month sees the publication of the response by Secretary of State Ruth Kelly to the Inspector's report on the East of England Plan. It is important that we use the opportunity to express our views on the Government's Plan and you can achieve this through the CPRE web-site, the HCC web-site and of course at the Government Office for the East of England site.

We hope to undertake the refurbishment of the Town Sign fairly soon which will include the national flag of Spain to honour our recently gained twin town of Olvega. A further key event this month is the 'great switch-on' of Christmas lights together with the market and late night shopping - doesn't seem more than a couple weeks since last Christmas !

It's a bit outside our usual remit but members have asked that we point-out a telephone scam. You may get a call requesting that you test your line, after a while you will be asked to press HASH 90 - please don't do it for in effect you are giving access to your line to be used and the calls charged to your account.

Sadly, this edition is carrying many tributes to Philip Plumb who recently died. Philip was an outstanding contributor to the Journal and he will be greatly missed. With his family, the Civic Society is exploring how we can honour his memory and secure for ever the results of his research on the history of this part of the world.

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