First off. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and I sincerely wish you a very happy new year.

I'm an optimistic sort of person that always tries to look to the positive aspects of life and see the best in everyone – although that is not always easy.

 It has been a tough year and we know we face difficulties again in 2023, but I for one am up for facing those challenges head on.

This includes continuing tackling the cost of living crisis within Ganges ward by using all the help available from Babergh and the county council. 

See which one could suit you here...

Reflect and Rejoice

It is important to remember and rejoice in the wins we had in the community in 2022.

Seeing everyone coming together to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee was heart-warming to be part of and we saw the best of Shotley and Erwarton residents, along with other villagers in the district.

Sadly, Her Majesty's passing was a dark period and my role as Babergh vice-chairman included wreath laying, memorial services and attending the new King's Proclamation.

At the King's Proclamation (back row left)

Throughout the year ward issues have been my focus and that includes social housing, homelessness, fly-tipping (large and small) planning problems and anti-social behaviour among the issues filling my in-box.

Throughout this a number of groups and organisations have continued, or restarted and our Communities team at Babergh continue to support them wherever possible. 

This includes the councillors taking advantage of the Locality Awards scheme I managed to implement while I was on Babergh's Cabinet. 

In Ganges ward I have been able to financially support youngsters at Shotley Rangers, not so young Shotley Rose Bowls Club, the Viking Project, the Friends of Shotley Library with other grants in the pipeine. 

Another good move by all involved was saving the well-used Pop Up Shotley Library, which caters for all ages at the village hall, along with being a warm space, it also hosts the Babergh Customer Advice service, the Rural Coffee Caravan and the Lego/Duplo Cub.   

Librarian Tom Veasey and volunteers

On a wider scale, Babergh has compiled a range of our achievements since 2019, which can be found in a 23-page leaflet, print copies will be available (including at the pop up library) and online here.  

https://bmsdchosting.net/End-of-Term-Report/Babergh-District-Council-2019-2022/

Here to help you

All that said, this can be a very difficult time of year and I would urge anyone who is feeling the blues for whatever reason to get in touch with someone who might be able to help, or even just listen to your issues in a non-judgemental way.

Suffolk Mind or the Samaritans are good starting points. 

Please feel free to get in touch on all these and any other matter. 

Derek Davis

Ganges ward member

[email protected]

Council phone: 07548153784

Work phone: 07824167196