Thursday's thought...

As spectacular as a murmuration is, starlings are actually quite scruffy, chunky looking birds about the size of a Thrush; with pink legs, short tails and long slender beaks. At a distance they look black but in winter they are brown, heavily covered in white speckles. This spotting wears away as the feathers become worn towards spring. The female starling looks less glossy and oily than its male counterpart but a key difference to tell the sexes apart is by the colour of their bills; blue for the males and pink for the females. Juveniles look completely different with a brown plumage, and the normal lifespan of a starling is around 15 years. The best times to spot them in action is dawn and dusk

Sunrise: 07:18

Sunset: 16:01

Murmaration at dusk (Picture: Robin Morrison, SWNS)

Tide Times

05:01 3.2m

11:33 1.12m

17:46 3.17m

Friday 00:02 0.58m

Weather:

A return to unsettled conditions, with temperatures falling back to nearer average. Rather windy throughout, with spells of rain interspersed with clearer and more showery interludes. Temperatures near normal.

Spectacuar starlings (Picture: Robin Morrison, SWNS)

Orwell Bridge:

Open

Joke of the day:

What bird lives in Hollywood?

A starling

Did you groan? (send us your own favourite joke).

Emergency number: UKPN 105

Peninsula Recycling Centre

Bank Holiday Mondays: 09.00am - noon

Wednesday: 09.00am - noon

Saturday: 09.00am - noon

Post Office Openings:

Shotley:

Monday to Saturday 09.00 – 17.00

Sunday: Closed

Holbrook:

Mon: 9:00 - 18:00 Closed for lunch 12:30-13:30

Tue: Closed

Wed: 10:00-14:00

Thu: Closed

Fri 9:00-17:30 Closed for lunch 12:30-13:30

Sat 10:00-12:30

Sun: Closed

Chelmondiston:

Mon - Sat: 08-00-17.30

Sun: Closed

Brantham (village hall):

Wednesday: 13:00 - 15:00

Good Neighbours' Scheme

Shotley & Erwarton GNS 07799 873881.

Brantham Good Neighbours(GNS) 07811 630899 

Chelmondiston GNS 01473 780408

Holbrook Helpers 0333 335 5387

Stutton Network 01473 327753

Tattingstone 07895052086

Updated surgery opening hours:

Holbrook:

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 08.00-17.00

Thursday 08.00 - 12.30

Friday 08.00 - 18.30

Shotley:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 08.00 - 18.30

Friday 08.00 - 12.30

The dispensary at both sites will be closed between 13.00 -14.00 daily for admin.

Call Shotley 787435 or Holbrook 328263 for appointments.

Some restrictions will still be in place.

Good neighbours schemes are supporting patients to get prescription if they can't attend the surgery.

Call 111 for emergency medical matters.

Today's food shop openings:

Stutton Community Shop:

Monday - Friday: 09.00 - 16.00

Saturday: 09.00 - 11.00

Sunday: 09.00 - 11.00

Premier Stores Shotley:

Monday - Saturday: 08:00 - 21:00

Sunday: 09.00 -14.00

Premier Stores Wherstead:

08:00 – 20:00

Orwell Stores, Chelmondiston:

Monday - Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00

Sunday: 08:00 - 13:00

Woody's Butchers:

Tuesday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:30 (closed for lunch 13.00-13.45)

Saturday: 09:00 - 16:00

Sunday: Closed

Monday: Closed

Hollingsworth's:

Monday - Friday: 8:00 - 17:30

Saturday: 8:00 - 17:00

Sunday: closed

Holbrook Co-op:

06.00 -23.00

Brantham Co-op:

06.00 – 23.00

Suffolk Food Hall:

09:00 – 17.30

Bus services:

97/98 timetable 92 timetable.

Shotley - Harwich - Felixstowe Ferry timetable (from Monday, March 29)

If you have any suggestions for inclusion please email [email protected]. This also includes anyone who want to send us a photo to use, we are always happy to credit the picture with your name.

Our daily Breakfast Briefing is proving very popular but we are always striving to improve the experience for you. If you have any suggestions for inclusion please email [email protected].