Did you know?

According to Wikipedia, Tom Smith (1823–1869) of London invented crackers in 1847. He created the crackers as a development of his bon-bon sweets, which he sold in a twist of paper (the origins of the traditional sweet-wrapper). As sales of bon-bons slumped, Smith began to come up with new promotional ideas. His first tactic was to insert love messages into the wrappers of the sweets (similar to fortune cookies).

Smith added the "crackle" element when he heard the crackle of a log he had just put on a fire. The size of the paper wrapper had to be increased to incorporate the banger mechanism, and the sweet itself was eventually dropped, to be replaced by a trinket: fans, jewellery and other substantial items. The new product was initially marketed as the Cosaque (French for Cossack), but the onomatopoeic "cracker" soon became the commonly used name, as rival varieties came on the market. The other elements of the modern cracker—the gifts, paper hats and varied designs—were all introduced by Tom Smith's son, Walter Smith, to differentiate his product from the rival cracker manufacturers which had suddenly sprung up.

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Today's Peninsula sunrise: 08.01

Today's Peninsula sunset: 15:47

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Tide Times:

05:41 3.31m

12:17 0.91m

18:36 3.28m

THU 24 Dec

00:26 1.41m

All good on the Strand

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Weather:

Cloudy with further long periods of rain, heavy at times. Generally light winds and mild. A brisk north-easterly wind developing in the north later in the day. Maximum temperature 11c, low of 5c.

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Orwell Bridge:

Open

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Christmas cracker jokes:

What does Santa suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney?

Claustrophobia

What kind of motorbike does Santa ride?

A Holly Davidson

What happens to elves when they are naughty?

Santa gives them the sack

How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizzas?

One that's deep pan, crisp and even

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Babergh's Home But Not Alone helpline: Freephone 0800 876 6926

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Post Office Openings:

Shotley:

Thursday

(Christmas Eve)

9am–5:30pm

Hours might differ

Friday

(Christmas Day)

9am–5:30pm

Hours might differ

Saturday

(Boxing Day)

9am–2pm

Hours might differ

Sunday Closed

Monday Closed

Tuesday 9am–5:30pm

Chelmondiston

Thu 24 Dec 08:00-12:00

Fri 25 Dec Closed

Sat 26 Dec Closed

Sun 27 Dec Closed

Mon 28 Dec 08:00-17:30

Tue 29 Dec 08:00-17:30

Wed 30 Dec 08:00-17:30

Thu 31 Dec 08:00-17:30

Fri 01 Jan Closed

Sat 02 Jan 08:30-17:00

Sun 03 Jan Closed

Holbrook:

Thurs 24 Dec Closed

Fri 25 Dec Closed

Sat 26 Dec Closed

Sun 27 Dec Closed

Mon 28 Dec 08:00-17:30

Tue 29 Dec 08:00-17:30

Wed 30 Dec 08:00-17:30

Thu 31 Dec 08:00-17:30

Fri 01 Jan Closed

Sat 02 Jan 08:30-17:00

Sun 03 Jan Closed

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Food shop openings:

Orwell Stores:

Premier Stores Shotley: 08:00 - 1930

Times TBC

Woody's Butchers:

Today: 09.00 to 13.30

Dec 25 - 28 closed

Dec 29 09.00-1730 lunch 13.00-13.45

Dec 30 09.00-1730 lunch 13.00-13.45

Dec 1 - Closed

Dec 2 - 0900 - 1600

Stutton Community Shop:

Thursday Christmas Eve 9-12

Christmas day Closed

Boxing Day Closed

Sunday 27 December 9-11am

Monday 28 December Bank Holiday Closed

New year's Eve Thursday 31December 9-12.

Friday Jan 1 New Year's Day Closed

Holbrook Co-op:

Christmas Eve 06:00 - 21:00

Christmas Day Closed

Boxing Day 09:00 - 18:00

27/12/2020 10:00 - 16:00

Bank Holiday 06:00 - 23:00

New Year's Eve 06:00 - 22:00

New Year's Day 08:00 - 20:00

Brantham Co-op: 06.00 – 23.00

Christmas Eve 06:00 - 21:00

Christmas Day Closed

Boxing Day 09:00 - 18:00

27/12/2020 07:00 - 22:00

Bank Holiday 06:00 - 23:00

New Year's Eve 06:00 - 22:00

New Year's Day 08:00 - 20:00

Premier Stores Wherstead: 08.00 – 19.00

Suffolk Food Hall: Times vary

Hollingsworth's: Times vary

Please wear a cloth face covering, respect social distancing rules and treat shop staff with respect.

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Holbrook and Shotley surgeries and dispensaries.

Holbrook: 328263

Shotley: 787435

Call 111 for emergency medical matters.

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Live travel updates: Road and rail

Bus services:

Check here for new Monday to Sunday timetable

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Takeaways:

Lasan Shotley:

Open today from 19.00

Christmas Day: closed

Boxing Day: closed

Normal hours from Sunday 27 December

Laws Cottage Chelmondiston:

Open tonight, then closed until December 29. Open as usual over New Year's.

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See which businesses are still operating with our Peninsula Business Directory:

Add your business or community group to our Local List

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