Galleywood Joins in the Nations Mourning

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Category: 1997

The news of the death, in a car accident in Paris, of Diana, Princess of Wales early in the morning of Sunday August 31 stopped the country, and indeed the world, in its tracks. Following quickly after the initial shock came the flood of floral tributes which soon threatened to overwhelm the Royal Palaces in London. Newspapers, Radio and Television abandoned virtually all normal schedules for the remainder of the week until the funeral on Saturday, September 6. Shops closed and the country came to a standstill to watch the day long Television broadcast.

Local tributes were laid outside the Keene Hall where the Union Flag was flown at half mast. Prayers were said for the Princess and her family during services at the Methodist Church and St Michael's, where the tenor bell was rung, half muffled, 36 times. Ruth Olley invited mourners unable to go to London to pay their tributes at her home at 21 Skinners Lane. She decorated her house from top to bottom with Diana memorabilia. Visitors were invited to lay flowers which would be distributed to local good causes. Although Mrs Olley never met Diana, she was in the crowd when the Princess visited the Suffolk Show and met Prince Charles at a London function.

A tribute submitted to the Parish Office was composed by Chris Vaughan and titled simply, 'Lady Diana'.

She was a gentle lady,
Who touched us with her love.
A special light, a special flame
of kindness from her heart.

High Marks for St Michaels School

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Category: 1997

After a visit in May by inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education -OFSTED, St Michael's School in Barnard Road was placed in the second highest category possible. The school was praised for its positive ethos coupled with good teaching, enabling pupils to make good progress. Inspectors found that lessons made excellent use of time and resources, with good planning and organisation.

Good pupil behaviour, combined with good deployment of support staff, was found to ensure high standards. Provision for pupils' spiritual and moral development was described as excellent.. Head teacher Jonathan Shiels said: 'This is a remarkable report which confirms the high quality of education offered at St Michael's. I am thrilled that the six inspectors recognised the hard work and dedication of the whole school community and I know all will continue to push standards up even higher'.

Hosepipe Ban remains despite June deluge

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Category: 1997

The highest rainfall in June since the beginning of the century has failed to remove the need for the hosepipe ban imposed by Essex & Suffolk Water recently. The county's reservoirs stand at only 75% full and long term stocks have to be protected for next summer.

As part of a water conservation strategy the Company distributed 3500 'Hippo' Water Savers to householders in Galleywood in March this year.This device is intended to reduce the volume of water flushed down the toilet. Consisting of a blue plastic bag, it is inserted below the ball float in the wc cistern and immersed in the water. The amount of water saved may be adjusted by trimming the top of the bag with scissors. This is regarded as an improvement on the bricks and plastic bottles that have been placed in cisterns by householders in the past.

Landlord threatened by Armed Raiders

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Category: 1997

Neil Wiseman, manager of The Running Mare public house, had closed the pub on a Sunday night and gone outside around 11.30 pm looking for his wallet which he had mislaid earlier in the day. He was approached by three people who pulled a bag over his head and bundled him back into the pub. The raiders pushed him to the floor and threatened to shoot him unless he opened the safe. The three then made off with £3,000. A spokesman for the brewery said Mr Wiseman was not physically injured but was traumatised by the incident and has been replaced temporarily by a relief manager.