Category: Local News

A man who was driving a minibus with 16 people on board has been arrested for drug driving.  

A poppy appeal organiser is looking for a place to store hundreds of collection boxes and items – so she can get her spare bedroom back. Pip Davies has been storing more than 300 collection boxes as well as 23 boxes with poppy appeal items in her bedroom since August after having to move them from their old holding place and is appealing for help. She said: “I need my bedroom back now – the grandchildren want to come and stay. We are now looking for somewhere half the size of a standard garage, if a company or individual in a three-mile radius has the space and would like to help, because supporting the appeal comes in different ways. “If we have to give a peppercorn rent so be it, we just need to find somewhere very soon.” In a further appeal, Pip is looking for a table top display board which is no longer used to help promote their fund-raising work. Mrs Davies took over the Royal British Legion Bury St Edmunds Poppy Appeal in 2016 and since then it has raised more than £179,000 with more than £60,000 donated last year. The Bury branch recently moved its meetings on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm to Risbygate Bowls Club, in Westley Road. It has more than 100 members but Pip would like to see more people join in their bid to support service personnel, veterans and their families. She said: “You don’t have to be an ex-service person but if you believe in what we’ve done in the past and what we’re doing now, it’s somewhere to come and just be with like-minded people who believe in the British Legion. “It’s all about comradeship. We do have over 100 members but not everybody comes, they just want to quietly be a member, but we’ve got to try to keep the British Legion alive – certainly in Bury. This is a regimental town.” Mrs Davies, who is also chairman of the Royal British Legion Women’s Section for Bury, was a medic in the Territorial Army in the 1970s and her husband Tim served in the Suffolk and Royal Anglian Regiment. She said: “I feel strongly we must help veterans and service personnel. We know we help people in Bury from the fund-raising we do. “I’m proud of Bury because of what they raise. Last year was extraordinary.” Call her on 07745574502 or email bsepoppyappeal@outlook.com

Students in Bury St Edmunds have joined thousands of school children taking part in strikes in 60 towns and cities across the UK, according to organisers Youth Strike 4 Climate.