News in Felixstowe

Even though living in Felixstowe, or its beautiful surrounds, lockdown can mean missing out on the calmness of the countryside.

That is where Marc's Almanac comes in, offering five minutes of his tranquil tones every weekday morning, to start your day with some interesting historical facts and a poem.

With a rich history going back more than 1,000 years, generations Felixstowe and the neighbouring villages have been through everything.

From Viking raiders, the plague's final throes, two world wars, including with flying boats, there is enough to fill books just on the history here.

Although all usual VE day 75th anniversary commemorations have been cancelled, residents are being encouraged to still hold street parties, while staying at home.

Felixstowe Remembers and Royal British Legion chairman Darren Aitchison has urged people to dance, sing, wave the red, white and blue flags and enjoy picnics, in their houses, gardens and balconies, on May 8, to mark 75 years since Victory In Europe.

Police have warned those coming to the Felixstowe peninsula for non-essential reasons will be warned or fined.

Clear guidance has been issued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS so the people will not have the excuse of ignorance to call on any longer.

A new study suggests that dogs living in a countryside location like Kirton and Trimley are less fearful than dogs living in big towns like Felixstowe and Ipswich.

Urban dogs are more fearful than their country cousins, mirroring 'Townie' humans who suffer greater mental health problems than those elsewhere, a new study shows.

A drive-thru testing centre available for Felixstowe based NHS staff and carers has opened today.

The centre has been erected at the park and ride area at the Copdock interchange, just off the A14, Toys 'R' Us roundabout and the first members of staff arrived from 07.30 this morning to be tested.

Determined Felixstowe carnival organisers are looking to arrange an alternative event for later in the summer after calling off the annual festival weekend.

The carnival committee confirmed they have had to cancel the main event planned for July 24-26, 2020, but are keen to arrange something else for the end of August.

Felixstowe parents are bracing themselves for an increase in the cost of school transport by £90 for those aged 16-18, which is set to be decided next week – despite more than three quarters of Suffolk families saying it would have an impact on them.

One parent who is likely to be among the hardest hit has branded the policy as "killing low income rural families".

The 50th death due to Coronavirus at Ipswich Hospital, was confirmed today

Nick Hulme, chief executive, said five patients had died at Ipswich and one passed away at Colchester, taking the total for both hospitals in the North eases and Suffolk Trust to 105.

Like every area in the UK, all the pubs and bars on the Felixstowe peninsula are closed for now and face an uncertain future.

To help face whatever lies ahead the Save Pub Life campaign has been launched by the Budweiser Brewing Group to allow customers to support their local through the bad times – and get their drinks lined up for the grand reopening.