I would like to thank all those who have written articles for this year’s Magazine. I know, from experience, how time consuming it can be. Many of you will realise that there is one regular writer missing, Jeremy Hill. Jeremy has been writing articles for many years and he has asked for time off but I hope he can be persuaded to take up his pen (computer) in the future, as his articles are witty and invariably interesting. Thanks also go to Rory O’Brien and Gay Foord for correcting the punctuation and grammar. Rory has been doing this for a number of years. I would also like to thank the advertisers without whom we would be unable to produce the Magazine. Here are some notes about them.

Adnams have featured in articles that I have written in 2011 and 2012 and they supported us last year and this year their Wine Buyer has written an article. Adnams have a Cellar & Kitchen Store in Hadleigh where I buy some of my wine and I have persuaded them to offer a 10% discount to CSCA Members. They have a list of Members and they will check your name against the list. There are always wines to taste and Luke Crawley, the Manager, is knowledgeable and very helpful. A & G continue to service my mowers and hedge-cutters and are very helpful.

Carter Jonas have a very local office in Long Melford and will be tasked with selling our house this year as we want to downsize. The local Director is Caroline Edwards. Greystones Interiors. Kate Samengo-Turner has been involved in the interior design world for over 26 years. Prior to starting her own business she has a degree in art and art history. Based in the grounds of her family house, in Suffolk, Greystones Interiors has been established under Kate’s ownership for over 12 years.

Assington Mill feature on our website as they run some very interesting courses and they are of course in the CSCA area. Anne Holden is the person to speak to. NFU continue to insure my house and contents and were very helpful when we had a claim last year when we, like many others around here, had sheds broken into by thieves looking for gardening equipment. Fortunately they chose the wrong shed, as it had no equipment in it, and unlike the others it was not then alarmed, or covered by CCTV.

Savills need no introduction as they are very well known Estate Agents with local offices in Chelmsford and Ipswich.

Nethergate Wines supply the wines for our AGM and our Summer Party.

Bates Wells & Braithwaite. I have used BW & B for a long time and they will be handling my house sale whenever that happens!

TWP Designs are designers, craftsmen and skilled specialists in custom-made furniture, and cabinetry, individually designed for hotels, offices and businesses, counting Ferrari, Maserati, Xstrata and Savills amongst many high profile clients.

Deputy Editor

Last year I asked if someone would be prepared to understudy me as Deputy Editor but sadly no-one came forward. Therefore, can I once again ask if there is anyone out there who would like to assist? I already have a number of articles lined up for 2014, but it is always getting the advertisers that takes up a lot of time but I would like to hand over the editorship within the next few years.

Website

The website contains copies of the current Magazine as well as previous years. It also features Latest News where we post items of current interest, such as the battle with National Grid over the pylons, and the proposed development in Great Horkesley by the Buntings. Those people with e-mail receive updates on these matters as things progress. Looking to the future I do need someone to understudy me with a view to handing over control before I become too old! Please step forward someone who is computer literate!

Email

The majority of Members are on e-mail, and this has to be the way forward, as, when we need to get support against things like pylons and inappropriate development in the Dedham Vale AONB by Buntings, we can contact Members and ask them to write to the appropriate organisations. We cannot write to Members as the cost of postage is so high.

AGM Replies. Garden Party Replies

Last year I instigated a drop down menu on the website where Members could answer whether they were coming to either of these events. I am pleased to say it was widely used, which saves you postage and me time, and I am able to run off lists straight from the website. As the majority of Members have internet/e-mail it seems a waste of CSCA money to send everyone an envelope, so this year, whilst there is a reply form, you will have to use your own envelope! Please DO NOT tell me that you are NOT coming! My address, Cooks Green, Lamarsh, Bures, Suffolk CO8 5DY.

New Members

Enclosed you will find a letter from Charles Aldous asking you to find additional Members. On the reverse side is an Application Form. Please look at the list of Members and see if you know someone whose name ought to be there and get them to join. Those of you with internet/e-mail can download additional forms from the website. If those of you without internet/email want a Membership Form please telephone me (01787 227088) and I will put one in the post. As Charles says in his letter, we really do need to increase the membership as numbers do count. There are likely to be major issues that will affect our area in the near future and maximum support will play a major part in trying to defend the countryside. The CSCA is not against development, per se, but it needs to be controlled and not just taking the easy option of building on greenfield sites. For example, there is a proposal to build 9,000 houses between Coggeshall and Marks Tey. This is equivalent to a small town.

2012 AGM Minutes

We are discontinuing printing the Minutes of the previous AGM in the Magazine, as no-one remembers to bring the Magazine to the meeting, so in future they will be on the same sheet of paper as the AGM Agenda.

Mark Dawson