Controversial New Homes on Moreton Hall...

I drive past the new homes that are currently being built at Abbotsford Park pretty much every day, and I'm amazed at how quickly they are coming along and how quickly the area is expanding.

I remember sitting in the Flying Fortress some years ago, knowing that at some point in the future houses would run all the way up to the beer garden (and maybe even beyond), it seemed like a long, long way off at the time!

I was also surprised to read that these homes are fairly controversial to some people. I'd love to know how people in the area feel about these themselves.

Do you feel there is now a need for more services on the Moreton Hall? If so, do you have any suggestions?, are more roads needed to accommodate the extra residents?

What are your views?

Is it a bird…?

…Is it a plane? Nope, it's the '11th Suffolk International Kite Festival'.

If you happened to be pottering in your garden today or yesterday, you may have noticed some strange sights in the sky hovering behind the flying fortress.

Don't be alarmed, it wasn't a new hybrid group of aliens about to invade Moreton Hall, just the Rougham Airfield International Kite Festival.

My children and I stopped off to take a look and by golly if there wasn't a giant panda, a humongous lizard, a scarey oversized cat, plus a larger than life Pudsey Bear floating around up there… "Pigs might fly" you may well say, we today they were!

It almost gave me the urge to pop home get out a kite and check out my kite flying skills, but I soon remembered that a) I'm a right girl and haven't got the first clue how to fly a kite, and b) we don't actually own a kite...

Today I will mostly be worrying about the DENTIST!

I'm struggling to concentrate today, this afternoon I have a visit to the dentist to take out a wisdom tooth!!! OUCH!

I wish my appointment had been this morning as it is giving me far too much time to think about it. I'm trying to cram in all the phonecalls I need to make today before I leave… if anyone attempts to call me after, I will almost certainly sound drunk!

Can anyone put my mind at rest or is it really gonna hurt?

Feeling HOT HOT HOT!

I can't remember the last time we had a run of weather like this...! It's blimmin brilliant! What better way to spend the day than in an outdoor swimming pool.

As a little girl, I spent many a lazy day down by the old hospital pool so I was very sad to see that close a few years ago. But, fear not, Moreton Hall are soon to have their very own BRAND NEW outdoor pool.

The Moreton Hall Health Club are finishing off work to the pool due to open in June. The pool will be available for NHS workers as well as Health Club members. Memberships are very reasonable, so if you fancy cooling off AND keeping fit on a hot sunny day, contact the Club for more information.

If you simply can't wait that long, then check out The Trowel and Hammer in Cotton (near Stowmarket). It's not far from here, and they have a lovely swimming pool in the garden area. Mums and Dads you can chill out with a nice cold beer whilst the kids let off some steam in the pool. On a day like today, you could be forgiven for thinking you were on your summer holiday!

The Trowel and Hammer, Mill Lane, Cotton, Suffolk, IP14 1SN

UPDATE! I have just been informed by my daughter, that the Trowel and Hammer pool is only open from June too! Might be worth a call if anyone is thinking of going over, chances are they may have opened it early this year with all this sunshine. I must say I'm fairly impressed at my daughters knack of picking up and storing random bits of information already!

Yesterday's Fish 'n' Chip paper… IS TODAYS NEWS!

Today we are sorry to hear that Taylors Fish and Chip van that comes to Moreton Hall every Tuesday evening is no more.

The owner, Benjamin Taylor has received a letter from the Council advising him that he will no longer be able to trade from the pitch opposite Tesco Express. Whilst this might be a surprise to us it wasn't for Benjamin as he'd always known that his pitch was only on a temporary basis until a permanent takeaway was available on the Moreton Hall. He was fortunate that the temporary basis actually lasted for 10 years!

Benjamin would like to thank all his past and present customers for their support over the years. And don't worry, you can still pick up his delicious fish and chips as he will continue trading from Thurston Community Centre every Tuesday from 4.15pm–6.45pm.

Win Dinner for 2! at The Olde Bull Inn, Barton Mills

To celebrate the 40th issue of the MHD, The Olde Bull Inn at Barton Mills have kindly provided the chance for Moreton Hall Directory readers to win dinner for 2 in their newly refurbished Oak Room Restaurant.

To enter, simply complete the entry form on page 43 of the May 2008 issue of the MHD and send it back to us at the MHD.

I can highly recommend the restaurant, and the refurb is just gorgeous! Good luck everyone!

Winners will be announced on this blog, and also in the June issue of the MHD.

The MHD celebrates its 40th issue!

To coincide with our 40th issue of The Moreton Hall Directory, we have gone all 'online-ish'!!. Have you got your copy yet?

Now you can access the MHD 24 hours a day, for all the latest news and gossip from the Moreton Hall. Join in and have your say about your community.

Go on… get involved!