Councillor Winter’s Monthly Update – November 2022
In my capacity as Town Mayor, I receive numerous invitations to ceremonies, events and openings. This month I was invited to take part in Remembrance Day services in many local parishes, and whilst I would’ve been delighted to be able to attend them all, my focus and loyalty is with our own town. I was however, able to accept the offer to lay a wreath in the Rose Garden in Bury St Edmunds with West Suffolk Council as this is to take place on Saturday 12th.
At the time of writing this, Remembrance Day is not yet upon us, but hopefully you will be reading this beforehand. Do please join us at the War Memorial at 1.45pm on Sunday 13th November for the ceremonial laying of wreaths, followed at 2.15pm by the procession along the High Street and into Tattersalls for the service which begins at 2.45pm.
The situation with the bus routes through Newmarket continues to be uppermost in many minds, affecting as it will commuters and students, as well as the wider population who rely on these buses. Newmarket Town Council are working with stakeholders to try to find a solution, as we have all been advised that the current service is not financially viable. Unfortunately, if the timetabled services are undersubscribed, it is difficult for any provider to continue to run these buses – the classic Use It or Lose It scenario. We understand only too well from the 150+ people who attended the council meeting that the people of Newmarket and beyond dispute this cited lack of use.
We are thankful to have received notification just a few days ago that the majority of services will be covered, at least in the short term, and we will continue to lobby the Member of Parliament for a lengthier solution that can be relied upon.
This month, we have had skilled craftsmen working in the cemetery on the restoration of the chapel building which dates back to the 1850s. It is a beautiful structure and it was sadly in desperate need of some tender loving care – initially to make the belltower safe and to repair the roof. Further work on the lower sections will be scheduled over the next two years.
You may have read elsewhere that the clocktower is also to undergo some refurbishment in the near future. These historic landmarks should be preserved, and though the cost is not insignificant, it is not quite as high as the figure I’ve seen quoted in some places!
Since I last wrote this column, a date has been announced for the coronation of King Charles III, which will take place on Saturday 6th May. It will be an eventful few weeks for Newmarket Town Council staff as local elections are set to take place on 4th May, with votes being tallied after polling stations close and on into 5th, closely followed by our town celebrations on Coronation Day itself.
All council meetings are open to the public. There is a section for public participation on each and every agenda where local people may address the council, or you are welcome to simply observe proceedings. Please visit www.newmarket.gov.uk for the meeting schedule and comprehensive information about the council and what we do.