News

Kesgrave Menopause Meetup - 6 Weeks starting Thu 10 Sep 2026

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:37:00 GMT

The Meetup is a six-week programme providing local women with a welcoming and affordable space to learn about menopause, explore practical nutrition and nervous system regulation tools, and connect with other women going through similar experiences.

Kesgrave Library - Sep 26

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:10:00 GMT

Kesgrave Library - Sep 26

Sunday Crafts– during September (11.00 – 12.00 noon after church)

We will be making the following crafts:

Sunday 6th – Complete any craft you missed during the summer or make a library card wallet.
Sunday 13^th – This week we are designing safari hats. How will you decorate yours?
Sunday 20^th – Create your own lolly stick puppet. What will you make?
Sunday 27^th – Did you know you can make an animal by drawing round your hand? What animal will you make this week?

Activities are free. Parents must stay with under eights.

Word Play Sessions – Every Thursday Morning.

Trained staff run these free sessions which are continuing throughout the summer holidays.

Tot Rock – 9.45 – 10.15 a.m. – active songs and rhymes for pre-school children.

Baby Bounce – 10.45 – 11.15 a.m. – Gentle songs for you and your baby to enjoy.

No need to book. Please just pop along. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Story Time – 9.45 – 10.15 a.m.

This activity is returning on Friday 4^th September. Fun stories, rhymes, songs, and toys– this is a free activity. We hope to see you soon.

Lego Club – 3.30 – 4.30 p.m.

This activity is returning on Tuesday 8^th September. Free play with each child given a basket of Lego bricks to create designs of their choice. We hope to see you soon.

Stay and Play – 10.00 – 11.00 a.m.

This activity is returning on Tuesday 8^th September.

Bring your little ones to our Stay & Play group for a relaxed and informal opportunity to meet other parents and carers, share experiences and chat.

Morning Book Group

– Tuesday 1^st September 10.00 a.m. at the library. The group are discussing Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck

Afternoon Book Group

– Thursday 3^rd September at 2.45 p.m. They are currently reading Homecoming by Kate Morton.

Evening Book Group

– Thursday 24^th September 7.00 – 8.00 p.m. The group are currently reading All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker.

If you are interested in joining any of the above book groups, please contact library staff on 01473 851374. The library supplies copies of the titles being read.

Knit and Natter – 2.30 p.m. onwards.

This activity is returning on Thursday 10^th September. You don’t need to be able to knit, crochet or embroider to attend – just pop along for a natter.

Tea/coffee and biscuits are provided.

Reading Quest

– Congratulations to all our young readers who have completed this year’s Curious Creatures Reading Quest – we hope you have enjoyed your summer of reading.

The Reading Quest presentation is on Sunday 6^th September with the times dependent on your surname:

Surnames A – L: 10.00 – 11.00 a.m. (Magic show from 10.30 a.m.)
Surnames M- Z: 11.00 – 12.00 noon (Magic Show from 11.30 a.m.)

If you are unable to make the presentation, certificates and medals will be kept behind the staff desk for collection after the 6^{th of} September.

We look forward to seeing you there.

New Baby Weighing Station

– this facility will be available during our Word Play sessions every Thursday only:

Tot Rock 9.45-10.15 a.m. and Baby Bounce 10.45-11.15 a.m.

IT Help Thursday 24th September 2.30 – 4.30 p.m.

– Are you having IT issues or need some help with your phone or setting up an email address? Every fourth Thursday of the month, our IT volunteer will be on site to help and advice. Why not pop along?

Printing & Photocopying costs

– Prices have recently increased for printing and photocopying – please see below:

A4 Black & White - Single sided 25p/Double sided 35p
A3 Black & White - Single sided 35p/Double sided 55p
A4 Colour - Single sided 55p/Double sided 55p
A3 Colour - Single sided £1.10p/Double sided £1.70.

Book Donations

– We are still looking for good quality book donations, mainly fiction – adult or children to fundraise for Kesgrave Library Community Group. This group raises additional funding for the library. Please speak to staff if you are interested in donating some items to us.

Please can we ask that books are not posted through our letter box.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated items to the library.

Opening Hours

Monday - 9.00 – 12.00 noon

Tuesday - 9.00 – 12.00 noon / 2.30 – 5.00 p.m.

Wednesday - 2.30 – 6.00 p.m.

Thursday - 2.30 – 8.00 p.m.

Friday - 9.00 – 12.00 noon / 2.30 – 6.00 p.m.

Saturday - 10.00 – 5.00 p.m.

Sunday - 10.00 – 3.00 p.m.

Location

Kesgrave Library, Kinsey House, Kays Close, Kesgrave IP5 2HL

Contact

Maggie Lusher

(01473) 851374

#kesgravelibrary

suffolkcommunitylibraries.co.uk/libraries/kesgrave

Portal Woodland - Some Good News - Pledge or Donate

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 08:26:00 GMT

You can no longer use a hosepipe

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:24:00 GMT

< Find out more >

Library Reading Quest (18 Jul - 31 Aug)

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:15:00 GMT

Reading Quest: Curious Creatures

Why not pop along to sign up to this year’s Reading Quest? There’s still time!

This year’s theme is Curious Creatures with the animals being a squad of detectives.

Kesgrave Library is running the following sessions each week throughout the challenge:

Monday: 9.00 - 12.00 noon
Tuesday: 2.30 - 5.00 p.m.
Wednesday: 2.30 - 5.30 p.m.
Thursday: 2.30 - 5.30 p.m.
Friday: 9.00 - 12.00 noon
Saturday: 2.30 - 4.30 p.m.
Sunday: 10.00 - 12.00 noon

This is a free activity and open to all 2–12-year-olds.

Children will need their own library card, which can be issued at the staff desk. Adults will need to bring ID to act as a guarantor.

To finish the challenge each child needs to visit the library four times throughout the holidays and tell our amazing volunteers all about what they have been reading. They can read anything they choose but we do ask for at least one of the choices to be non-fiction.

There are prizes and stickers throughout the challenge to motivate our young readers to finish, as well as a competition to enter.

For those who finish the challenge, they will be invited to Mr Bean’s Magic show where they will be presented with a medal and certificate. This is on Sunday 6th September.

Why not pop along and join in the fun!

Kesgrave Library - Aug 26

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Kesgrave Library - Aug 26

Sunday Crafts 10.00 – 12.00 p.m. – during Aug, we will be making the following crafts:

Reading Quest Crafts– during the Reading Quest times in August, we will be making the following crafts:

Sunday 2^nd – Saturday 8^th – This week we are making a 3D turtle by decorating a paper bowl to create a turtle’s shell – the turtle is a member of the Curious Creature detective squad – what colours will you choose?
Sunday 9^th – Saturday 15^th – Design your own 3D curious creature.
Sunday 16^th - Saturday 22^nd – This week we are making paper bag foxes – the fox is one of the Curious Creature squad.
Sunday 23^rd – Saturday 29^th August – The polar bear, in the Curious Creatures squad, likes to wear fish ties – what fish will you choose to colour this week?
Sunday 30^th August – Missed a craft – why not pop along and make the one you have missed.

Activities are free. Parents must stay with under eights.

Word Play Sessions – Every Thursday Morning.

Trained staff run these free sessions which are continuing throughout the summer holidays.

Tot Rock – 9.45 – 10.15 a.m. – active songs and rhymes for pre-school children.
Baby Bounce – 10.45 – 11.15 a.m. – Gentle songs for you and your baby to enjoy.

No need to book. Please just pop along. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Story Time

This activity is returning on Friday 4^th September.

Lego Club

This activity is returning on Tuesday 8^th September.

Stay and Play

This activity is returning on Tuesday 8^th September.

Morning Book Group

Tuesday 4^th August 10.00 a.m. at the library. The group are discussing A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe.

Afternoon Book Group

The next session of this group is Thursday 3^rd September at 2.45 p.m.

Evening Book Group

Thursday 27^th August 7.00 – 8.00 p.m. The group are currently reading The Figurine by Victoria Hislop.

If you are interested in joining any of the above book groups, please contact library staff on 01473 851374. The library supplies copies of the titles being read.

Knit and Natter

This activity is returning on Thursday 13^th September.

Reading Quest – This year the quest is running from Saturday 18th July to Monday 31st August.

Why not pop along to sign up to this year’s Reading Quest? There’s still time!

This year’s theme is Curious Creatures with the animals being a squad of detectives.

Kesgrave Library is running the following sessions each week throughout the challenge:

Monday: 9.00 - 12.00 noon
Tuesday: 2.30 - 5.00 p.m.
Wednesday: 2.30 - 5.30 p.m.
Thursday: 2.30 - 5.30 p.m.
Friday: 9.00 - 12.00 noon
Saturday: 2.30 - 4.30 p.m.
Sunday: 10.00 - 12.00 noon

This is a free activity and open to all 2–12-year-olds.

Children will need their own library card, which can be issued at the staff desk. Adults will need to bring ID to act as a guarantor.

There are prizes and stickers throughout the challenge to motivate our young readers to finish, as well as a competition to enter.

For those who finish the challenge, they will be invited to Mr Bean’s Magic show where they will be presented with a medal and certificate. This is on Sunday 6th September.

Why not pop along and join in the fun!

Pennikkity Pots – Wednesday 12th August a.m.

We are hoping to have Pennikkity Pots back at the library on the above date. Keep an eye out for posters in the library on how to book a space.

Book Donations

We are still looking for good quality book donations, mainly fiction – adult or children to fundraise for Kesgrave Library Community Group. This group raises additional funding for the library. Please speak to staff if you are interested in donating some items to us.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated items to the library.

Opening Hours

Monday - 9.00 – 12.00 noon

Tuesday - 9.00 – 12.00 noon / 2.30 – 5.00 p.m.

Wednesday - 2.30 – 6.00 p.m.

Thursday - 2.30 – 8.00 p.m.

Friday - 9.00 – 12.00 noon / 2.30 – 6.00 p.m.

Saturday - 10.00 – 5.00 p.m.

Sunday - 10.00 – 3.00 p.m.

Location

Kesgrave Library, Kinsey House, Kays Close, Kesgrave IP5 2HL

Contact

Maggie Lusher

(01473) 851374

#kesgravelibrary

suffolkcommunitylibraries.co.uk/libraries/kesgrave

Important roadworks information A14 eastbound and westbound between junction 57 and 62 - Renewal of road markings, studs and marker posts - 6 Aug 10 Sep

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:57:00 GMT

Important roadworks information - A14 eastbound and westbound between junction 57 and 62 - Renewal of road markings, studs and marker posts

I am writing to tell you that we plan to carry out road marking, stud replacement and marker post works along the A14 both eastbound and westbound between junction 57 and 62. Once complete, drivers will benefit from a safer, smoother and better-defined road surface, as well as improved reflectivity of road markings and studs. 

We plan to commence this work from Monday 6 July 2026. We will work Monday to Saturday between 10pm and 6am only, weather permitting.

Closures and diversions 

To carry out the work safely, we will need to close the A14 in phases, as detailed below.

Please note, there will be no closures between 27 August to 31 August. There will also be no closures during the Lattitude Festival.

Please note emergency services will have access through the works.

Maps of the diversion:

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and apologise for any noise and disturbance caused by our work.

How to find out more

If you would like more information, please contact us on 0300 123 5000, or by email at info@nationalhighways.co.uk

Scarecrow Trail 29 Aug - 12 Sep

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 07:37:00 GMT

Sunflower Growing Competition

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 07:34:00 GMT

Farmhouse Pub - Temporary Reduction in VAT for Childrens Meals

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Save Portal Woods

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 07:24:00 GMT

Portal Woodlands Sale

Portal Woodlands is a much loved local space used by residents across Old Martlesham, Martlesham Heath and nearby areas.

With a section of the woodland now up for sale, Martlesham Parish Council has secured an Asset of Community Value status and triggered a moratorium to allow time for a potential community bid. While this doesn’t guarantee a purchase, the Council is exploring all options and has received support from neighbouring communities.

The Parish Council considers Portal Woodlands to be a vital community asset and strongly believes that it should be protected and preserved for future generations.

If you wish to pledge or donate to a potential purchase of the woodland, please contact the Parish Council office at enquiries@martleshamcouncil.org.uk

For further information click < here >.

2nd Class Mail is Changing

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Further information < here >

New Local Plan - Timetable and commencement notice

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:31:00 GMT

A new Local Plan for East Suffolk

We are preparing a new Local Plan that will guide how the area grows and develops up to 2045.

The Local Plan will set out where new homes, jobs, infrastructure, and community facilities should be located. Once adopted, it will replace the existing Local Plans.

The call for sites was completed in Oct 25.

The local plan timetable and notice of commencement has now been published - May 26.

Further details < here >.

Never miss a waste collection with the new East Suffolk app!

Wed, 20 May 2026 07:22:00 GMT

Never miss a collection with the new East Suffolk app!

A new app has been launched to help East Suffolk residents with the changes to recycling which begin in June.

The new app will help residents quickly see which bin is due for collection each week and will help people check what can be put into each bin, to help people recycle even more.

There is also the option to receive reminders ahead of bin collection day and receive alerts if a scheduled bin collection has been delayed through bad weather or a traffic issue.

The new app also enables people to find nearby council-owned car parks, leisure centres and public toilets, as well as local places to eat and their associated food hygiene rating.

Cllr Paul Ashton, East Suffolk’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Corporate Services said: "The new East Suffolk app will help residents adjust to the changes to recycling services which are being introduced across the county on 1 June, making it even easier for people to check their collection day, the colour of bin being collected and check what items can go into each bin.

“In addition to recycling information, our new app also enables people to find nearby council-owned facilities such as car parks and public toilets, report issues directly using our online forms and check the food hygiene ratings of local places to eat, with more services to come in due course.”

The new app is available for Apple and Android in the app store (search for East Suffolk) or via www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/councilapp

The new Better Recycling service launches in Suffolk from 1 June and from this date, residents will be able to recycle more items, including glass and soft plastic, through their recycling bins at home. The collections will be as follows:

A weekly food waste collection (grey food container)
A three-weekly general rubbish collection (black lid bin)
A three-weekly recycling collection for glass, plastics, metal and cartons (blue lid bin)
A three-weekly recycling collection for paper and card (green lid bin)

By the end of this month, all households will have received their additional green lidded recycling bin and grey food waste container, as well as a smaller caddy to collect food waste indoors.

To help residents recycle even more, the new East Suffolk app has a handy recycling search tool to check whether an item can be recycled. There is also an AI powered image search which enables residents to take a photo of an item and check whether it can be recycled, and in which bin.

The new app is fully accessible and is voice reader compatible.