1. Felixstowe Forward
Your Coastal Community Team
I am pleased to be sending our October newsletter which
aims to get Felixstowe connected and keep you informed.
It seems only yesterday that I was looking forward to the
summer and here we are with autumn upon us; how time
flies?
The long awaited opening of the Seafront gardens was
sadly marred by inclement weather in August. Despite the
wind and rain over 100 attended the official opening. Thank
you to Heritage Lottery Fund and Suffolk Coastal District
Council for funding this project. Felixstowe has something it
can treasure and be proud of in the future.
In contrast, the sun shone on this year’s Art on The Prom.
In its 12th year this event goes from strength to strength.
I walked down the Ranelagh Steps where the view was
spectacular – bright blue sunshine, a Promenade that was
positively buzzing with thousands of visitors enjoying the
event with the Seafront Gardens providing a stunning
backdrop.
Late in August I was invited to meet the Harbour Foot Ferry
operator and enjoyed a pleasant trip over to Harwich and
Shotley and back. The season has been excellent, so much
so, it has been extended and there are plans for
developments next year. I was disappointed not to see the
harbour porpoises but I was reminded me of what a great
day out this is for residents and visitors.
Finally you can read all about the follow up work to the
engagement event that was held on 17th July and progress
Felixstowe Forward is making.
Helen Greengrass, Felixstowe Forward Change Director
Email: Helen.greengrass@eastsuffolk.gov.uk
Tel: 01394 444577
Mobile: 07717 150993
Friends of Felixstowe Seafront Gardens
This year has been a busy one for the Friends of Felixstowe
Seafront Gardens. As most of the gardens are now open
this has increased the amount of work the Friends have
been able to undertake, maximising the impact of these
essential volunteers who help keep the gardens looking
wonderful for everyone.
The Friends are a very important part of the project, now
and in the future. It is essential that we have a dedicated
team who are able to assist with hands-on gardening such
as pruning, sweeping, tidying, edging and dead-heading in
our historic gardens. No previous experience is required and
we welcome all ages and abilities.
As a Friend of the Gardens you
will be invited to the AGM in
2016 where your feedback and
input regarding future
involvement is an essential
part of our development.
If you are interested in joining our group
of volunteers please contact us using
the details on our website. We are
happy to answer any queries you may
have, and hope to see you soon.
Moira Chapman, Project Support Officer
Felixstowe Seafront Gardens Opening Event
Felixstowe Seafront Gardens Opening Event held on
Wednesday 26th August 2015 saw the re-opening of the
majority of the Felixstowe Seafront Gardens. Over 100
people attended, including local community groups,
volunteers, residents, Council leaders
and media. A reception, including
speeches and refreshments,
concluded with the unveiling of a
plaque commemorating this historic
occasion.
Seven of the eight gardens are now
open to the public. Works in the Town
Hall Garden are to continue with
installation of the wooden-framed shelter in the next month.
Work can then be completed in order to re-open the
remainder before the end of the year. The Gardens will
continue to improve, as the plants bed in and mature. A 10-
year maintenance plan is in place, agreed with the HLF, to
ensure the Gardens are kept in pristine condition; including
plans to obtain ‘Green Flag’ status from
the Civic Trust.
“The Gardens are looking fantastic now and will only
improve as the plants bed in properly
over the next year or so,” said Cllr TJ
Haworth-Culf, Suffolk Coastal’s Cabinet
Member with responsibility for
Customers, Communities and Leisure.
“It is important that we do not
underestimate the importance of this
project to Felixstowe. We need to look
to the future and take pride in what we
are helping to achieve in Felixstowe.”
“This is a long-term investment in the future prosperity of
Felixstowe. This is just one of many exciting developments
happening in the town, which link to the positive work now
being done through Felixstowe Forward.”
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2. News
Landguard Partnership
Landguard Nature Reserve
Felixstowe Seafront Gardens Bench Appeal
Port of Felixstowe’s CEO Mr Clemence
Cheng accepted an invitation for a
short tour of the Nature Reserve,
accompanied by Mr Alan Tinline, the
Ports Environment and Energy
Manager.
I was very pleased that Mr Cheng
managed to spot a Ringed Plover on
its’ nest. Mr Tinline outlined some
steps that the Port has undertaken to
lessen its environmental impact and
also invited me to take a closer look at
the Port.
Three flora surveys completed with
Hollesley botanist Laurie Forsythe. To
date we have not found the elusive
Stinking Goosefoot plant this year,
although six Sea Holly plants were
identified where none have been
recorded before.
Five pairs of Ringed Plovers managed
four chicks fledged successfully. Six
chicks were predated, one infertile egg
and four nest failures (totalling sixteen
eggs) possibly had their eggs predated
by Gulls and Crows.
Further information can be found via
the website.
Catch up on the latest discoveries by
reading the blog.
Chris Hyde, Landguard Ranger
There are an impressive number of
benches situated throughout the entire
length of the Gardens, giving visitors
the opportunity to take a well-earned
rest and admire the views, gaze out to
sea, have a picnic or maybe a snooze.
We would very
much like the
public to have
continued
involvement in
the enjoyment of
these gardens;
one way to do this is by sponsoring a
memorial bench.
It is evident that the gardens have a
place in peoples’ affections from the
presence of the many plaques
dedicated to those who had special
memories of time spent there.
The cost of bench sponsorship is £250
(incl. maintenance term of 5 years).
This does not include production or
cost of a memorial plaque. We ask
that all plaques are provided by
yourself to Suffolk Coastal Norse for
installation.
If you are interested in sponsoring a
bench, or have links to the people
remembered on the memorial plaques,
please contact Suffolk Coastal Norse
Customer Services on 01394 444000
and ask for Tony Cini, or email:
tony.cini@ncsgrp.co.uk
More history and information on the
project can be found via the website
Moira Chapman, Project Support Officer
August is usually Landguard’s busiest
month and this year has been no
exception, with our summer season of
events proving successful. Two Puppet
Days were held at the Felixstowe
Museum attracting over 200 people. A
new Toy and Model Day was also
trialled at the Museum, attended by
over 100 people.
Once again on sunny weekends the
car parking proved inadequate to deal
with the number of visitors.
Work is now well underway on our
Halloween events. This year’s Little
Fort of Horrors has attracted a record
number of volunteers wanting to be
scarers! Entry for this year’s
Landguard
Photography
Competition
closed on the 1st
September. Once
again a great
range of
photographs have
been submitted. The next stage will be
the period of online voting to choose
the top 12 photographs which will then
go forward to the judging panel.
After the launch of the Coastal Revival
Fund at Landguard in July the
Landguard Partnership are in the
process of writing an application for
funds to carry out project
development work. We have also
been talking with the Eighth in
the East project (exploring the
legacy of the US Air Force in
East Anglia during WWII), and
also University Campus Suffolk
to see how we might collaborate
in the future.
More information can be found via the
website.
Paul Grant, Project Officer
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3. News
Does your organisation need
funding?
Felixstowe Town Council has a total of
£9,785 available to award to eligible
organisations at the second and final
round of its grant scheme this year.
The deadline to apply is 30 November.
Full details of how to apply can be
found on our website or by calling
01394 282086.
Ever thought about Growing Your
Own?
Significant improvements have been
made to Council allotments in recent
months with new roadways at
Cowpasture and Ferry Road and new
taps installed across all sites. A small
number of allotments have recently
become available - but with a single
plot costing as little as £18.88 per year
they do go fast - contact us now if you
are interested taking one.
Felixstowe in Flower
Well done to everyone who took part in
the 30th Anniversary of Felixstowe in
Flower helping the town look so
colourful this year! A full list of awards
winners is now available on the Town
Council website.
Remembrance 2015
The Civic Remembrance Service will
take place at 9.45am on Sunday 8th
November, at Trinity Methodist
Church, Hamilton Road. This will be
followed by the Act of Remembrance at
the War Memorial at the seafront
where wreaths will be laid and a two
minute silence kept at 11am.
On Armistice Day, Wednesday 11th
November, the two minute silence will
be observed at the War memorial at
11am. Everyone is welcome to attend
both of these important events.
Ash Tadjrishi,Town Clerk
Over the past year Suffolk Coastal
District Council has been working with
key local sports clubs to evaluate the
leisure offering in Felixstowe, asking
clubs for feedback on what works well,
what needs improvement and if they
have any barriers to growing their well
established teams.
Led by the clubs, the Council formed a
key working group that is made up of
club representatives, Felixstowe
Academy and Council officers. This
group looks to secure funding to
improve the tired on-site facilities and
generate space for all clubs to increase
participation at the three main sporting
sites; Eastwood Ho, Dellwood Avenue
and Coronation Sports Ground.
This project is still in its early stages
however it is a great success story for
the town and highlights how
collaborative working with different
sections of the community can achieve
common goals and in this case
establish a long lasting sustainable
sporting offer across Felixstowe.
Further updates will be released in
upcoming issues of the Felixstowe
Forward Newsletter.
For more specific queries please
contact us by email:
ActiveCommunities.scdc@eastsuffolk.
gov.uk.
Keri Ryder, Active Communities
Felixstowe Sports Hub
A detailed report on the public
engagement event ‘Felixstowe – taking
the town forward’ on 17 July has been
circulated to all who attended and is
available upon request.
The event was very successful. 126
people attended from a wide and
diverse range of public, private, and
the community and voluntary sectors.
Three workshops explored priorities
relevant to business and enterprise,
tourism and the community.
These priorities are now being shaped
into a Town Improvement Plan which
will be circulated shortly. Please let us
know if you would like to receive a
copy.
Tim Clarke, Chairman Landguard Fort,
closed the event with the
announcement that Landguard Fort
had been invited to host the national
launch of the Coastal Revival Fund at
which the Coastal Communities
Minister Mark Francois gave his
support to over 100 new local teams
that will help revive England’s seaside
towns and decide where investment
goes.
As your local Coastal Community
Team, we were delighted that
Felixstowe was chosen. This also
means that we are able to adopt ‘The
Great British
Coast’ logo.
It could not
have had
better
national,
regional and
local
promotion, and in itself this must bode
well for the future of the town.
Helen Greengrass,
Felixstowe Forward Change Director
Felixstowe – Taking the town forward: Town Improvement Plan
Felixstowe Hockey Club
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4. News
Martello Park
Contractors
finalised the
installation work
during August
and the RoSPA inspection was
completed enabling the new
inclusive use play
equipment at the
northern part of the
Park to become
available for public
use.
A photo shoot took
place at the site on
26th August and was
attended by representatives of
Suffolk Coastal District and Felixstowe
Town Council. Park Information signs
have recently been installed and
feature the improvements, and new
facilities across the Park,
including a shared
pedestrian and cycle
pathway running
along its length.
While there has been
little reported or
monitored issues, both
cyclists and pedestrians
need to be mindful of each
other.
Additional inclusive use
picnic tables will be
installed on site imminently, to further
enhance visitor enjoyment.
The showers that are part of the public
toilets facility located at the southern
part of the Park are now accessible.
Felixstowe Seafront Gardens
Following their official opening on 26th
August Suffolk Coastal Norse have the
future ongoing responsibility for
managing maintenance in the Seafront
Gardens which will cover soft and hard
landscaped areas, structures, lighting
and other features. There will be
regular on-site maintenance and an
inspection regime.
Please contact our Customer Services
Helpdesk on 01394 444000 or email
SCS@ncsgrp.co.uk in the event of
encountering a repair or maintenance
issue when visiting the Gardens.
Mel West, General Manager
Following an initiative by the Executive
Committee, the number of Chamber
members increased substantially during
the summer months; in particular
representation from the retail sector
and businesses involved in Port activity
has improved.
Chamber members participated in the
business and enterprise workshop at
the Felixstowe Forward public
engagement event held on 17th July.
The Chamber has been invited to sit on
the Sponsor Group of Felixstowe
Forward and will have the opportunity
to raise issues of importance to local
businesses.
The programme for the Chamber's
networking events for the last quarter of
the year will include the following
breakfast meetings: October 21st at
The Fludyer Arms with Helen
Greengrass, Change Director,
Felixstowe Forward.
A tour of the Port of Felixstowe has
been arranged to take place after a
light breakfast at The Orwell Hotel on
18th November. It is anticipated that
this event will be popular and places
will need to be booked in advance
before 9th November via the Chamber
website. Don't delay – book today !
On 6th October the Chamber will be
running a workshop on the website
software package WordPress for
Business at Cliff House. WordPress is
the world’s most popular tool for
creating and managing websites —
any kind of website, from a simple blog
to a full-featured business website.
There’s nothing to install on your
computer and you don’t need any
special tools. You can update your
website from wherever you have an
Internet connection – even your smart-
phone. This is a great opportunity to
learn how to use software which can
really assist your business. The cost for
non members is £25.00 per person with
Felixstowe Chamber of Commerce
members enjoying a discounted price
of £12.00. Places can be booked
on-line via the Chamber website.
Information on all the Chamber's
activities can be found on our website
Jan Perry, Business Officer
Work is
underway on
updating the
‘Where to Shop’
and’ Places to Eat’ sections on the Visit
Felixstowe website (initial work on a
new website is also underway).
Business information has been
updated, with several new
establishments now included.
The events section on the Visit
Felixstowe website is constantly
updated, with approx. 300 currently
listed - right through to July 2016.
Recent summer
successes have
included Felixstowe
Carnival, Hot Rods,
Felixstowe Book
Festival and Art on
The Prom. An event
listing is regularly
issued to press/PR, clubs and
organisations. If you would likeyour
event to be added to this list please
email it to the following address:
Stephen.Rampley@eastsuffolk.gov.uk
The Visit Felixstowe Facebook page
has over 2,600 likes, with
Twitter now exceeding 1,700
followers.
We would be grateful if the
Visit Felixstowe logo could be
added to your website,
including a link to the site. This
will help promote awareness
and support of the town’s branding.
Stephen Rampley,Marketing and Events
Co-ordinator
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Felixstowe Hot Rods
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5. The Spa Pavilion has
announced shows for
the coming season, with
a Gala Night opening on
14th November where
there will be high-
energy soul from The Stars of The
Commitments.
Other shows booked include;
Richard Digance on 15th November,
Christmas Memories, with Neil Sands
on 3rd December, and the Rat Pack
Live tribute on 13th December.
The Dennis Lowe Theatre Company is
back with the traditional Christmas
panto. This year is Cinderella and
shows run from 19th December 2015
to 3rd January 2016.
Ray Anderson, the theatre’s chief
executive, said the opening of the box
office had been delayed slightly by the
discovery of an old light tunnel in the
foyer.
“One leak, which ended up nowhere
near where it started, turned out to be
coming from some glass bricks in a
pod on the roof. Once we discovered
this, we pulled down the ceiling in the
foyer and found a lovely natural light
tunnel, which we are now in the
process of restoring.”
For more information and to book
tickets please visit the
Spa Pavilion website.
News
Felixstowe - Harwich Ferry
Triangle Canopy
We are pleased to announce that
passenger numbers have
increased in 2015 by 10%,
compared with 2014.
July 2015 saw a total of 3433
passengers compared to
3136 passengers in 2014.
Please have a look for
more information and
videos of the Ferry on our
new website.
Please note that due to the success of
this service, the 2015 season will now
be extended until the end of October.
Please spread the word.
Christian Zemann, Ferry Operator
Coming up at Felixstowe Triangle....
26th September ~ Haiden Grigor Band
(live rock band raising money for The
Samaritans).
30th October ~ St Elizabeth Hospice
Christmas Day Dip Promotion (incl.
‘Frozen’ characters and freebies).
To promote your charity or event*
please contact Felixstowe Forward on
01394 444576 or email
felixstowe.forward@eastsuffolk.gov.uk
* Rates applicable for commercial bookings
Recent events have included:
2nd, 9th and 16th September 2015 ~
Community Charity Cafe (raising
money for local charities in conjunction
with the local Tesco Metro).
Prikka strips have also been installed
in the Canopy, preventing pigeons
roosting and leaving mess on the
seating/paved area.
Moira Chapman, Project Support Officer
We are
looking
forward to
opening our
new 60-
bedroom Felixstowe Premier Inn in
2016.
Once completed, the new hotel will
deliver £4.5 million in fresh investment
and 25 new year-round jobs for the
local area, around half of which will be
offered to young people who are not in
education, employment or training
(NEETS).
As well as generating investment and
jobs, Premier Inns typically drive
increased footfall from new
visitors who use local shops,
cafes and restaurants –
boosting the local economy.
The partnership with Premier
Inn and Felixstowe is already
proving to be that of a strong
one as witnessed through our
joint meeting with the town's
District Council.
James Parsons, Premier Inn
Front and back elevations
“A great location to promote our event,
staff were extremely helpful”
Bombay Nite 25th anniversary celebrations
“Good feedback, lovely idea...
raising awareness of local charities”
Charity coffee mornings ~
Tesco Metro, Felixstowe
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6. Some of the town’s successful events
this year have included...
Felixstowe Carnival
A fantastic programme of events was
held this year; Carnival procession,
traders, entertainment, music and air
show. It is a shame that Sunday’s
weather prevented the planned events,
however
thanks must go
to all those
who supported
the Felixstowe
Carnival.
The focus is
now on
preparing for
next year’s
event (July 23rd & 24th).
Note for your diary: The Carnival
committee the AGM is at
Felixstowe Town Hall on 28th
September at 7:00pm.
Felixstowe Book Festival
The festival launched with a
Mad Hatters Tea party at
Felixstowe Triangle on 13th
June to celebrate 150 years of
Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s
Adventures in Wonderland.
The full festival programme
was held over the weekend of Satur-
day 27 and Sunday 28 June 2015.
There were author talks, children's
events, poetry, a book swap and trail,
vintage tea
parties, a short story competition and
writing workshops.
Art On The Prom
Art on The Prom was
held on 6th
September, with music
and
entertainment, where
over 100 professional
and hobby artists
displayed and sold their
original artwork.
This year’s event was a
fantastic success, with the beautiful
weather attracting over 20,000 people.
Free art
activity tents
included mono
printing, china
and pebble
boat mosaics,
3D floral
picture post-
cards, clay
tiles and 3D
cardboard
models.
Special thanks must go to Meg Reid,
Nick Barber, Mary and Stephen Wyatt
and all the dedicated volunteers for
organising these events; their
contribution is essential to the vitality of
the town.
To volunteer for next year’s events
please click on the relevant links
below:
Felixstowe Carnival
Felixstowe Book Festival
Art on The Prom
“It’s never too early to
get involved for 2016”
Moira Chapman, Project Support Officer
Other Issues
Please feel free to share this newsletter with
anyone who may be interested.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list
please contact us.
Don’t forget to send us your news -
let’s get Felixstowe connected and make
things happen.
Contact us at:
Felixstowe Forward
Felixstowe Town Hall
Undercliff Road West
Felixstowe, IP11 2AG
Tel: (01394) 444577 / 07717 150993
E-mail:Felixstowe.forward@eastsuffolk.gov.uk
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Contact us
Suffolk Info-link
Are you a local community or charity
organisation?
Why not register with Suffolk Infolink to
ensure local residents and
organisations are able to access your
services. Your details will then be
available to view on the website.
The Pier Redevelopment
Felixstowe Forward continues to work
with the owners of the pier on the
revised redevelopment which is due to
get underway before the end of the
year.
Boating Lake
Work is due to commence on the
regeneration of the boating lake area
before the end of the year.
Major Events in 2015
Round-up
97% of people
surveyed said that
‘Art on the Prom’ was
excellent for showing off
Felixstowe in a positive way.