Probably the best village in the world
Could you be a Bucklesham Highwayman? (or Highwaywoman)
No, we don't mean robbing stage-coaches, and pinching the purses of the upper classes, we need help to work on the Highway cutting back the path to school, cleaning signs, cutting the hedgerows and clearing the gullies.
These tasks used to be undertaken by Suffolk Highways but they have told us that there is not enough money in their budget to do it on a regular basis. In recent years the path to school was cut only once, usually in the Summer Holidays, and it had all grown back again by September!
Back in the summer of 2023, the Parish Council were quoted nearly £10,000 by Suffolk Highways for 'skirting works' (which means cutting back all the vegetation) on the path to the school.
Clearly this is not a sum that a small village like ours can afford and the high level of hemlock, stinging nettles and brambles made the path almost unpassable for village children. So with that in mind, Parish Councillors Clive Lenton and Gemma Marriage, and Bucklesham's resident Handyman Terry Seagroatt, successfully undertook Suffolk Highways' 'New Roads and Street Works Agreement (NRSWA)' training. This allows them to manage a group of village volunteers to work on the Highway so we can do the work ourselves. 
Suffolk Highways supplied us with traffic cones and signs, strimmers, hedge cutters, blowers, wheel barrows, brooms and rakes. All we needed was the muscle to do the work. The path to school is often very overgrown and we try to keep this cut back so that the children can safely walk to school. This not only encourages fitness, but also keeps a few cars off the road. Head Teacher Rachael Rudge is always the first to put on a Hi Viz vest and muck in with the rest of us. It is also the path that residents need to take to get to the bus stop on the Brightwell road, so keeping it clear is very important.
We aim to do this task at least twice a year, and it usually take 2-3 hours. Of course, it would take far less time if we had more volunteers. It's always nice to be thanked for doing the work - but it would be even nicer if more people joined in and helped us.
We also undertake an annual clean up of all the village signs as they soon get very dirty. Many people will say that this should not be the job of volunteers, and that Suffolk Highways should be completing these tasks. We may not disagree with that statement, however, if we don't do it, it won't get done!
Getting help with these sorts of tasks is always difficult, so please do offer to help if you can. We need sensible and competent volunteers who have the ability, knowledge and skill to work on the Highway and help us complete this work. We also need people who are good at sweeping up, and moving the cones along, so if that sounds like you - please do help us.
If you are able to give an hour or two of your time to help us make a difference, please contact the Parish Council Clerk, Ruth Johnson 07854 712 734 or clerk@buckleshamparishcouncil.gov.uk
