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The Bury St Edmunds & District Flyer 2009. Views and opinions mentioned are not necessarily those of the editor or proprietor and no responsibility will be taken for the accuracy of information contained herein. For further information on advertising in the Flyer, please call 0845 310 2448 email:[email protected] - Typesetting: Phil Grove & Jonathan Trotter, Proprietor: Richard Livall. All advert layouts & design are property of The Bury St Edmunds & District Flyer - Typesetting, design & print The Flyer Press Ltd (01394) 283371. The standard charge for unauthorised reproduction is £250 Bringing you the very best in local business, to advertise call 0845 310 2448 ISSUE 8 - DEC 09 Festive Ghosts at Ravenwood Hall Hotel Just outside Rougham the 16th Century Hall Hotel is visited by more than just Santa over the festive period. The winter time at Ravenwood Hall Hotel is always special with traditional festive decorations and roaring log fires within the 16th century hall. Every new year's eve the hotel puts on a fantastic show with celebrations in their main hotel and their Edwardian Pavilion, however every few years there are extra surprises in the photographs when the clock chimes midnight… Over the last few years Craig Jarvis, owner of Ravenwood Hall Hotel and their sister Hotel, The Black Lion in Long Melford, has received visits from people that have celebrated at the Hotel with their photographs. One photograph shows a big hand over the head of a visitor, another shows a white figure sitting between two people. Craig Jarvis, owner of Ravenwood Hall Hotel and sister Hotel The Black Lion in Long Melford comments, "Considering the age of the Hotel and its origins in the reign of Henry VIII, I am not surprised that there have been some mysterious goings on. The Hotel is far from a scary place, we pride ourselves on the welcoming family atmosphere, especially throughout the festive months; many choose to hold a Christmas Party at the hotel or spend their Christmas Day with us, getting all the family together. Plus, our New Year's Eve parties are very popular and we wonder what intriguing photos we will see next…" Ravenwood Hall Hotel is open all year round for dining, leisure breaks, wedding and special celebrations, for more information see: www .ravenwoodhall.co .uk See Feature on Centre Pages Ravenwood Hall Hotel, Rougham, Bury St Edmunds A warm welcome at Ravenwood Hall Hotel buryflyer_dec09.qxp 19/11/2009 09:05 Page 1

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Just outside Rougham the 16th Century Hall Hotel is visited by more than just Santa over the festive period. www.ravenwoodhall.co.uk See Feature on Centre Pages buryflyer_dec09.qxp 19/11/2009 09:05 Page 1 A warm welcome at Ravenwood Hall Hotel Ravenwood Hall Hotel, Rougham, Bury St Edmunds Ravenwood Hall Hotel is open all year round for dining, leisure breaks, wedding and special celebrations, for more information see:

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The Bury St Edmunds & District Flyer 2009. Views and opinions mentioned are not necessarily those of the editor or proprietor and no responsibility will be taken for the accuracyof information contained herein. For further information on advertising in the Flyer, please call 0845 310 2448 email:[email protected] -

Typesetting: Phil Grove & Jonathan Trotter, Proprietor: Richard Livall. All advert layouts & design are property of The Bury St Edmunds & District Flyer - Typesetting, design & print The Flyer Press Ltd (01394) 283371. The standard charge for unauthorised reproduction is £250

Bringing you the very best in local business, to advertise call 0845 310 2448

ISSUE 8 - DEC 09

Festive Ghosts at Ravenwood Hall Hotel

Just outside Rougham the 16th Century Hall Hotel is visited by more than just Santa over

the festive period.

The winter time at Ravenwood Hall Hotel is always special withtraditional festive decorations and roaring log fires within the16th century hall. Every new year's eve the hotel puts on afantastic show with celebrations in their main hotel and theirEdwardian Pavilion, however every few years there are extrasurprises in the photographs when the clock chimes midnight…

Over the last few years Craig Jarvis, owner of Ravenwood HallHotel and their sister Hotel, The Black Lion in Long Melford, hasreceived visits from people that have celebrated at the Hotelwith their photographs. One photograph shows a big handover the head of a visitor, another shows a white figure sittingbetween two people.

Craig Jarvis, owner of Ravenwood Hall Hotel and sister HotelThe Black Lion in Long Melford comments, "Considering theage of the Hotel and its origins in the reign of Henry VIII, I amnot surprised that there have been some mysterious goingson. The Hotel is far from a scary place, we pride ourselves onthe welcoming family atmosphere, especially throughout thefestive months; many choose to hold a Christmas Party at thehotel or spend their Christmas Day with us, getting all the

family together. Plus, our New Year's Eveparties are very popular and we wonderwhat intriguing photos we will see next…"

Ravenwood Hall Hotel is open all yearround for dining, leisure breaks, weddingand special celebrations, for more information see:

www.ravenwoodhall.co.uk

See Feature on Centre Pages

Ravenwood Hall Hotel, Rougham, Bury St Edmunds

A warm welcome at Ravenwood Hall Hotel

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Philip Vale Design Homes4U Suffolk

15

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Preparations for ChristmasChristmas is creeping up on us very quickly and this is clearlyapparent when preparing the Flyer magazines some weeks aheadof the actual event. Last month we featured the Bury St EdmundsChristmas Fayre (to be held on 27th, 28th & 29th November) and inthis edition we are pleased to promote the weekly Christmas treatsat Blackthorpe Barn.

The launch of the Sudbury Flyer - a sister publication to the Bury StEdmunds Flyer - has gone very well and over the coming monthsreaders will enjoy increased local coverage

If you would like me to include your sports and community news features you aremost welcome to submit editorials to me for inclusion in the two magazines.

I can be contacted on 0845 310 2448 (local rates apply) or by email [email protected].

Editor's Note - Local Matters

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The Flyer December 2009

Page 1 Main Feature - Festive Ghost Story

Page 2 Philip Vale DesignPage 3 Editor's Note / Local Matters

/ ContentsPage 4 Local Matters - views from

the MP Page 5 Local Community NewsPage 6 Health MattersPage 7 Wildlife News - Autumn Tree

PlantingPage 8 Feature - Blackthorpe BarnPage 9 Feature - Blackthorpe BarnPage 10 Pet Matters - RSPCA West

Suffolk BranchPage 11 Local Business News -

Coastline GraphicsPage 12 Leisure NewsPage 13 Traders Guide / Business of

the MonthPage 14 Traders GuidePage 15 Homes4U SuffolkPage 16 BEK Plastics

"Consult the professionals,

choose the Flyer"Print - Marketing

Distribution

Balancing the Council's BudgetThis has been a busy time for those of us involved in trying to balanceSt Edmundsbury Borough Council's budget next year. The work has tobe completed by February 2010, when the final version will be agreed,in time for the beginning of the financial year in April. In recent yearsthe task has become more and more difficult, with costs and salariesrising, and the government rightly expecting greater savings without toolarge an increase in council tax. This expectation has been delivered inour borough, to the tune of nearly six million pounds saved since 2005.

The council gets its resources partly from government and partly from tax. The challenge is to find savings or new income to bridge the gap between what the government gives us and what we (the council tax payers) have to fork out. This hasmeant a council tax increase each year of varying levels; although last year we wereable to freeze that part which comes to the council - which is only about 12% of yourcouncil tax bill. This year and next we are looking for as much as £2.5m in total,which is the result of various factors which have all come together.

Firstly, the government's grant is expected to be no more than 1% higher next year.You may think that's sufficient, given that the Retail Price Index has been in negativeterritory; but that does not measure the increased costs which are unique to localauthorities. In 2010/11 we do not expect to receive any increase whatsoever, and byall accounts we are looking at a reduced government grant over the next few years,whichever party is in power. Such is the cost of the national debt.

Secondly, plummeting interest rates on our capital (itself reducing because of themassive investment in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill) have had a very significanteffect on investment income from our remaining funds. Add in the increaseddemand for our services such as benefit claims, a decrease in income and fees(e.g. from planning applications and building control) coupled with the need to provide some growth in services, then the eye-watering result of £2.5m is not surprising. Fortunately staff have been working since February (even before last year'sbudget was finalised!) to find about £1.3m savings or income, without affectingfront-line services. But, as the gap closes so it gets harder to balance the books.Councillors were therefore asked in November to approve savings or income ofnearly a million pounds, on projects which touched people's lives more directly.

Sadly newspapers do not thrive just on good news, and local authorities arealways ripe for criticism. Hence the negative or dramatic headlines about 'cash crises', and the inevitable journalistic spin that manages to turn a goodnews story into a bad one. I cannot predict what the outcome of all this will be, come 2010, but I can assure readers that St Edmundsbury staff and councillors will do their very best for us all.

May I wish all in Abbeygate Ward and Tower Division a very merry Christmas and prosperous new year.

Cllr Paul Farmer - www.PaulFarmer.com

The Bury St Edmunds & District Flyer - Est 2009The Sudbury & District Flyer - Est 2009Proprietor & Founder: Richard LivallWell Cottage, The Street, Lawshall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. IP29 4QA

Tel: 0845 310 2448 (Local Rates apply)e: [email protected]: www.flyeronline.co.uk

Printed by The Flyer Press. Unit 9b-9c Bridge Rd, Felixstowe. IP11 7SLTel: 01394 283371e: [email protected] to every home & business by:Flyer Distribution Services.Tel: 01394 283371

Richard Livall

Garden Services

Other ServicesMotoring Services

Tiling

Stone Memorials

Wardrobe Fitters

Taxi Services

Book your advert today inthe Traders Guide for just

£37.50 a month.Tel: 0845 310 2448

(local rates) or [email protected]

Window CleanersRecruitment

Florists Plumbers / Gas

Property Maintenance

Cllr PaulFarmer

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Local Matters - views from the MP

Time to assess the contribution of the arc

David Ruffley MP

With the Christmas shopping season in fullswing it is timely to reflect on how far BurySt Edmunds' retail offer has progressedduring 2009.

Despite fears that the arc would be detrimental to retailers in the existing towncentre, footfall has increased for thewhole town. This year has seen the arrival

of 44 new retail names - both national and independent. Yes,

some have been lost through recession or retirement butoverall there has been a net increase of 26 retailers - andenquiries for retail units has recently increased. Commitmentto trading in our town is amply demonstrated by retailers whohave moved to larger premises in the arc. This confidence isa great advertisement for Bury St Edmunds.

The prospect of a wider link, which I wholeheartedly support,between the existing town centre and the arc is a step closernow that St Edmundsbury Borough Council is exploring thecompulsory purchase of the Lawson's building off MarketThoroughfare. It does not guarantee a wider link but it pro-vides an opportunity to make the area more attractive.

I have also called for more greenery in the arc. There arestructural limitations but I do believe an effort should bemade to introduce more planting where possible - in keepingwith the town's floral tradition.

I look forward to doing my Christmas shopping in Bury StEdmunds and I would encourage everyone to support ourlocal retailers.

Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all my con-stituents - and happy shopping!

David Ruffley MP

Building Services

Carpenters

Accountants

Electricians

Aerial Services

Small Business of the Month

Dance & Party CrazyTwentieth Anniversary Celebrations

Open since 1989 independent business Dance Crazy offers everything for the dancer from ballet to ballroom and everythingin-between. Anybody looking for shoes, supplies and accessoriesfor all kinds of dancing should visit the Bury St Edmunds specialist.Tap, Irish, Scottish, country, western, leotards for both dance andgymnastics - even shoes for brides maids - all your dancing needsare provided for.

Footwear for dancing demands an expert whether it's for tapdancing or ballet. Fully proficient in fitting ballet pointe shoes,owner Dave Cobden trained with the renowned London balletshoemakers Freed and Gamba who supply national ballet companies worldwide.

Party Crazy makes up the other half of the business, bringing funand inspiration to all your party needs. Providing fancy dress,accessories, coloured hair-sprays and balloons for all occasionswhen you have a reason to celebrate this is the place to visit.There's also theatrical make-up for professionals and face paintsfor fun!

Probably holding the best range in Bury St Edmunds, Party Crazyprides itself on its masks. Should you need anything from a cheerybatman mask to an ornate Venetian mask then this is the placefor you.

To advertise...To advertise in the Bury St Edmunds & DistrictFlyer magazine, please contact the Editor,

Richard Livall on 0845 310 2448 or [email protected]

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River Fishing in West SuffolkBy Chris Boughton

The Sudbury and Long Melford DistrictAngling Association has extensiveangling rights on the River Stour and asection of the River Glem.

River Stour sections:

River GlemFrom the lay-by between Long Melford and Cavendish aftercrossing the river the rights are from the road bridge bothsides to the mouth of the Glem on the Stour. On the Suffolkbank this extends to Dudds Bridge.

Both rivers are noted for their roach, chub, perch, dace andpike fishing and come into their prime in the autumn andwinter. Membership is open to all and can be obtained fromSudbury Angling Centre.

The Bury St Edmunds Angling Association has angling rights

Local Community News - Removal of BT PayphonesLeisure News - West Suffolk Angling

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BT payphone removal consultation 2009

Residents in St Edmundsbury are being asked for their viewson the removal of 53 Public pay phones in the borough,mainly in rural locations. This follows a similar consultation car-ried out in 2008 when the council objected to the removal of20 of 42 payphones.

BT, who owns the payphonesand boxes, wants to removethe ones that are not used veryoften. It is first legally obliged toconsult St EdmundsburyBorough Council, which is nowasking for the views of the pub-lic, before responding. BT willnot be able to remove a pay-phone if the Local Authority hasresponded with a justifiedobjection.

The council has assessed theimportance of each phone

and consulted with parish and community councils. The keyconsiderations in the decision making process included pub-lic call revenue, the number of households in the area, thehousing type in the area, mobile phone coverage and emer-gency use. The visual contribution the payphone kiosks maketo their location does not form a material consideration in theassessment of their importance. Where local communities dohave a desire to retain their traditional telephone kiosk withoutthe payphone facility, Parish and Community Councils havethe opportunity to adopt the kiosks for £1.

This has highlighted 23 pay phones which it is felt should beretained. These are listed below as a draft decision, which isopen to public consultation until 2 December 2009. Theresponses will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on 2December, and BT will be notified before the closing date of2 January 2010.

Anyone who wants to take part in this consultation can [email protected] or can write to PlanningServices, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, West SuffolkHouse, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3YU.

Locations of the 53 phone boxes

Payphones where the council is in agreement with BT totheir removal:Ampton, Barnardiston, Barrow, Bradfield St Clare, BradfieldCombust, Bradfield St George, Brockley, Chevington, Clare - StokeRoad, Denston, Euston, Fakenham Magna, Great Livermere, GreatWratting, Hawkedon, Horringer, Ixworth Thorpe, Lackford, LittleBradley, Market Weston, Pakenham - Grimstone End, Pinford End,Poslingford, Stansfield, Stanton, Stradishall, Great Saxham,Thelnetham, West Stow and Whepstead.

Payphones where the council is objecting to their removal:Barnham, Chedburgh, Clare - Market Hill, Flempton, Fornham AllSaints, Great Barton, Honington, RAF Honington - O/S Guard Room,RAF Honington - Suffolk Avenue, Hopton, Hundon, Ingham, Ixworth,Ousden, Pakenham - The Street, Risby, Rougham - Kingshall Street,Rougham - The Downs, Stanningfield, Stoke by Clare, Troston,Wickhambrook - Thorns Corner and Wickham Street.

on one section of the RiverLittle Ouse and several sec-tions of the River Blackbourn.

River Little OuseOn the Mildenhall to Littleportroad, just past Shippea HillRailway Station is a section ofthe river known as "Redmire".This is a typical fenland riverwhich flows slowly into theGreat Ouse just north ofLittleport. The river is around 20yards wide with depths of upto 10 feet. The river holdsroach, dace, perch, tench,bream, zander and is particularly noted for its excellent pike fishing.

River BlackbournAbout 12 miles north of Bury St Edmunds, fishing is availableon various stretches of the river from Sapiston Mill to Euston.This is a very narrow winding river where the dominant speciesare roach, dace, chub and pike. Car parking is available atall access points along this stretch of the river.

Membership is open to all and can be obtained from TackleUp in St Johns Street in Bury St Edmunds. For more informationlook on the club's web site at www.burystedmundsangling.orgor email [email protected]

Christmas Menus at the Swan

Christmas Party Menu

Available from Monday 30th November until Christmas Eve asa lunch or dinner celebration

2 courses £15.95 - 3 Courses £18.95

Christmas Day Menu

Adults £44.99 - Children (under 12 years) £19.99

For reservations call Sue or Lesley on 01284 827342

Chris BoughtonRoad side at Liston Mill

Blackbourne Fakenham

Black BarnListon Mill

Dudds BridgeNew Bridge

Glemsford StationFriars Meadow

The PrioryNorth Meadow

Pecks MeadowKiplings Meadow

Island and Back WaterMill Meadows

Gatehouse MeadowWrights FarmRod Bridge

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Health Matters Local Business News - Coastline Graphics

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Coastline GraphicsNeed graphics? Look no further!

We understand the importance of good quality, high impactgraphics whether it be your logo design, vehicle graphics orcompany signage. Making a good first impression is paramount.

We offer a complete and unrivalled service including:

Creative Design - We have a highly motivated graphicdesign studio capable of creating professional quality innovative artwork.

Digital Print - We can print high quality graphics to a hugerange of media, large or small all in-house. This serviceincludes business cards, flyers, brochures, leaflets all the wayup to banners, posters and exhibition prints.

Vehicle Graphics - You could have a smart car or a fleet ofvehicles, we cover the lot! We also specialise in full vehiclewraps.

Quality Signage - With ever increasing capabilities in thisarea and over 30 years experience we can produce highquality signs ranging from engraved name plates to illuminated 3D lettering.

Promotional Solutions - We offer a car dealership specificservice providing a wide range of promotional solutions fromcourtesy cars to showroom displays.

Safety Signs & Chevrons - We have an extensive range ofsafety signage available and can supply and fit Chapter 8Chevrons according to recent Road Safety regulations.

We aim to provide our customers with everything they needto brand, develop and keep their businesses at the forefrontof visual appeal. We are constantly evolving and pushing theboundaries in all areas of our company so keep an eye outfor the latest developments at Coastline Graphics.

Situated in our custom built premises at Moreton Hall in BurySt Edmunds we are capable of covering a large area of EastAnglia.

We are available for full consultations to discuss any requirement you may have so please feel free to contact uson 01284 717760 or email [email protected].

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Wildlife News - Autumn Tree PlantingPet Matters - RSPCA West Suffolk Branch

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November and March, when they are between leaf fall andbud-burst. The soil will be warm after the summer and dampfrom the autumn rain, which gives young trees a goodchance to establish there roots.

Avoid planting your trees in very cold or windy weather.Never plant in soil that is frozen or water-logged and never letthe roots dry out before planting.

Native species are best for wildlife but it is always a goodidea to check your local hedges to see what grows naturallybefore choosing your species. If planting a hedge, remember to choose a mix of species where possible tomaximise it's benefit to wildlife. Species such as hawthorn,bramble, blackthorn, field maple, guelder rose and ivy areparticularly valuable in providing flowers and berries forinsects and birds.

If you have a small garden, plant a species such ashawthorn, holly, crab apple or hazel. These can be kept relatively small, even when mature.

Tall trees are a feature of many hadges. If you have thespace to plant a long stretch of hedge, you should considerplanting trees such as oak or ash at intervals along it. Pricklyspecies such as hawthorn, blackthorn and holly also providea good boundary against intruders.

Acknowledgement - St Edmundsbury BC has commissiones SuffolkWildlife Trust to write wildlife articles and provide photographs each

month as part of the St Edmundsbury Rural Action Plan.

Autumn - the perfect time toplant trees

If you have considered plantinga tree or hedge in your garden,autumn is the perfect time todo it. Planting a tree will not onlyleave a legacy for generationsto come, but will provide a valuable habitat for a range ofwildlife.

Many of our native trees can also be planted for hedges,which is a great way of introducing a mix of native speciesinto your garden in a relatively small area.

Thousands of miles of hedgerows have been removed overthe last fifty years in Britain, which has had a huge impact ona vital wildlife resource, so creating even a small stretch ofhedge on your patch can help support a wide variet of birds,insects, small mammals and wildflowers.

New hedges can also help to link existing hedgerows andother local green spaces by providing wildlife 'corridors' for forspecies to move safely from on place to another.

Here are a few tips about tree planting:

The best time to plant your tree or shrub is between

Burgess Excelrabbit food,hay andgreens, andthey have asmuch accessto graze aspossible. Ourrabbits arekept in a shedovernight withaccess tograzing for the whole day every day of the year via a 'catflap' from the shed. There aren't many hutches for sale thatcan fulfil the role of rabbit home as well as a shed, and I'veyet to see a rabbit 'run' that a rabbit can actually run in! Farbetter for your rabbit would be access to your garden or atleast part of it.

Our rabbits are homed in pairs or we can help match up oneof our rabbits with a new neutered companion. We ask for acontribution of at least £20.00 per rabbit. As it is an adoption,you can always contact us should your circumstanceschange, and equally we have the right to bring the rabbitsback to us if we do not feel they are being cared for ade-quately. Ultimately our aim is to give pet rabbits as similar lifeto their wild cousins as possible in order to make life enjoy-able as possible.

More information can be found on our website,www.rspcasuffolk.org.uk

Hawthorn Flowers. Photo: S.Aylward

Rabbits - Pets or Prisoners?

West Suffolk RSPCA takes in numerous rabbits every year frompeople who no longer want their rabbits and from our inspec-tors and collection officers when they have simply beenabandoned somewhere. Our biggest problem is the 'EasterBunny', with the cute bunny novelty wearing off after two orthree months in many cases.

We take in as many rabbits as we can. Fosterers voluntarilytake the calls and look after the rabbits from home. Everyrabbit is neutered and vaccinated before being placed onthe re-homing list.

We offer education and advice where we can and provideleaflets on rabbit care. In some cases prospective ownersmay realise that actually a cat or dog may make a betterpet, or by coming to visit our facilities can see how we feel

rabbits canhave a lifeworth living.The next step isa home checkfor us to seewhere the rab-bits will bekept.

We feed ourrabbits on

Oak Leaves. Photo: G. Taplin

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Enjoy a Christmas Treat ...visit Blackthorpe Barn

Christmas arrives early at westSuffolk's best loved barn

Suffolk's Christmas spirit is awakened every year in Novemberas many thousands of people flock, from far and wide, to thebeautiful Blackthorpe Barn in Rougham, near Bury StEdmunds. Every year Blackthorpe Barn, a venue for culturaland music events during the less wintry months, transformsitself into a spectacular Christmas crafts experience.

With a vast array of exhibitors expected, many of them willchange from weekend to weekend; the beauty of this eventis that each and every craft represented is 100% British andcreated by the exhibitors themselves. With pure creativity andquality oozing from every item; visitors are guaranteed to seesomething completely unique. All the work shown at the Barnis vetted by a specially appointed selection committee. Thisyear craft lovers can enjoy delights of paper clay and earthenware inspired by rock formations, jewellery and wallpieces knitted with gold, silver and copper wire, knitwear andclothing, sculpture, a wide range of ceramics, handbags,cheese and ale and much more. Crafts co-organiser, KatieMillard said, "This is an exciting event that will touch everyonewith the pure talent, uniqueness and craftsmanship on display, all under one roof."

In addition to the amazing crafts, there is a gorgeous decorations and lighting shop with bundles of enchantingitems covering many different themes, and for the first timevisitors will be able to see a truly magnificent centrepiece; a200 year old, full-size perfectly crafted sleigh discoveredabandoned in a Swedish farmyard.

Whilst visiting, many people cannot resist the temptation tobuy a famous Rougham Estate Christmas Tree. Being situatedin the heart of Rougham Estate, the Barn offers the perfectvenue to allow visitors to see the trees in their full splendourbefore buying them.

Owner of Blackthorpe Barn, George Agnew adds, "We reallylook forward to opening the barn for Christmas every yearand this year is going to be so special. Our beautiful Swedishsleigh will form the centre piece for the event and perfectlyrepresents our entire theme; craftsmanship, quality, design,creativity and a wow factor… With the crafts, lighting, decorations and Christmas trees to see, it often turns into afamily day out, with lunch in our café and perhaps an awardwinning beer in Bar Humbug. Whether people are treatingthemselves or buying gifts for family and friends, there is certainly something for everyone."

Blackthorpe Barn is situated in the heart of Suffolk just outsideBury St. Edmunds, it couldn't be easier to find; just off the A14at junction 45 (Sat Nav IP30 9JG).

For more information see www.blackthorpebarn.comor call 01359 270880.

There is a treat awaiting Christmas lovers andanimal lovers at Blackthorpe Barn.

With festivities flowing at the famous Blackthorpe Barn inRougham, near Bury St. Edmunds, on Sunday 6th and Sunday13th December visitors can also meet some very special visitors; none other than Santa's reindeer.

This is a first for the barn and will be a real added attractionfor both children and adults to see. On Sunday 6th reindeersInga-Mar and Oslo will be greeting visitors, whilst on Sunday13th Tide and Buttons will be proudly showing off Santa'ssleigh having borrowed it for the day. Visitors will be able tomeet the reindeer from 11am to 3pm on both Sundays andask the keepers all about these highly impressive animals.Plus, for a small charity donation of just £2, you can pose withthe reindeer and take a photograph - all money raised willbe donated to 'Fighting Blindness' - The British RetinitisPigmentosa Society.

Tree Enthusiasts Flock to Suffolk

Thousands of tree lovers rush to the Barn every winter for thechance to own a famous Rougham Estate Christmas Tree.

Each tree has been carefully nurtured throughout the yearwith every size imaginable being available, from a wide variety of pot growth trees to award winning Blue Spruces andmore traditional Norway Spruces, plus many more varieties.With the Rougham quality guaranteed, having supplied thetree for Downing Street several times, their trees are cut continually until 22nd December.

2009 Opening Hours

Decorations and Lighting ShopSat 7 Nov - Fri 27 Nov, 10am - 5pm

Sat 28 Nov - Tues 22 Dec, 9am - 6pm

CraftsSat 14 Nov - Sun 13 Dec

10am - 5pm Weekends onlyAdults £2, OAPs £1, Children Free, Season tickets £6

Live ReindeerSun 6th December, 11am - 3pm

Sun 13th December, 11am - 3pm

Christmas TreesSat 28 Nov - Tues 22 Dec, 9am - 6pm

Christmas CaféSat 7 Nov - Sun 13 Dec

10am - 5pm Weekends Only

Bar HumbugSat 14 Nov - Sun 13 Dec

11am - 5pm Weekends Only

Parking and disabled accessParking is free with spaces for 350 vehicles,

Blackthorpe Barn has disabled access.

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