Oaks Meadow Project plans for 2025

OAKS MEADOW PROJECT CIO

AGM 2024

We will be starting off 2025 with the construction of the car park and drainage of the meadow in that area in January. Combs Parish Council (PC) has already put some funds towards this and Mid-Suffolk District Council (MSDC) have made up the cost from a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) grant. The parking area will run along the hedge by the road with parking for 20 cars. There will be two cycle stands and two designated disabled spaces. There will be a low fence around the area with gaps for pedestrian access and a gateway opposite the main gates for vehicles with authorised access. The drainage channel will run along the low fence. This addition will allow for safe parking throughout the year and encourage cyclists to use the site with secured stands for their bikes.

A partnership with Ipswich based WS Training started in December and will run throughout 2025. This organisation finds work experience for students who have left full time education and need support in finding future employment. They will attend with a supervisor and help with maintenance of the site especially with the trees and the gardens.

The medicine wheel garden is in desperate need of a makeover. We have had a quote from a local landscaper to clear the quadrants and construct permanent pathways. A bid has gone in to the National Garden Scheme to fund this and we await to hear if that is successful. If not, we will endeavour to find the funds from elsewhere.

As mentioned in the annual report, the playground is extremely popular with all ages of children and their carers. Many visitors have asked for swings to be installed, so we are looking at the prospect of adding extra equipment. Sovereign will be quoting for two swings, a water feature game and a zip wire. Once we know how much we need we will be looking for funds including a CIL bid from Combs PC.

The Co-op will be donating some funds in March to purchase garden tools. Our project will named at certain Co-op venues for public donations, but we need to establish which supermarkets that will be as their office has named Thetford and Lakenheath as our locals which are unlikely to be aware of our existence. However,  Stowmarket’s Co-op funeral service have got our name.

The User/Focus Group has been re-established and they will meet occasionally during the year, especially to help and advise with any events that we plan to put on. The group would welcome anyone who would like to join them, please speak to any of the Trustees for further information. The first meeting that we will have will be to plan any events for the year. After the success of Halloween this year, I am fairly confident that that will be happening again in 2025.

We, the Trustees, welcome any suggestions for increasing the use of Oaks Meadow and gathering residents from Combs and the surrounding area together to socialise and get to know each other. This is especially important to end social isolation for those living in rural areas. There are more and more young families moving into the area we are the only facility that this village has for them to get to know each other.

We can also find a job for anyone who would like to join our happy band of volunteers. It is not just weeding and digging, although that is often on the agenda, but there are many behind the scene tasks and we can find a place for you whatever your skill or passion.

Desiree Shelley, Chair of Oaks Meadow Project CIO

26.11.24