2026 April
2026 April
OHSMag April 2026 — The Community Magazine for Onehouse, Harleston & Shelland
Editor’s Letter
As spring begins to unfold, this April issue emphasizes the local events and opportunities planned for the weeks ahead. A heartfelt thanks goes to the many volunteers who organize these activities, and readers are encouraged to get out and support them. Following last month’s 50th anniversary celebration, attention shifts to the magazine’s future trajectory; the team remains committed to keeping essential community information accessible, even as broader trends move online. If readers have thoughts on the direction or could lend a hand with the transition, they’re invited to reach out by email. (Page 1)
Next Mobile Library Visit and Circle Dancing
The edition also provides details about upcoming community happenings, including a Mobile Library visit and a friendly circle-dancing program set to world music. Circle dancing sessions run on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays each month, priced at £6 per session, with a two-hour window from mid-afternoon in a local venue. The Mobile Library route includes stops at Onehouse, the Harleston area, and a couple of nearby points, with no partner required for the dances and no advance booking needed for the library visit. For contact and exact meeting spots, readers can reach out to the listed organizer via the provided phone number and check the local drop-off points. (Page 2)
News from Your District Councillor
John Matthissen, the district councillor representing Onehouse, Great & Little Finborough, Combs, Harleston and Shelland, outlines his remit and provides contact options for residents who wish to engage with local government matters. The piece includes how to reach him by telephone or email, as well as information about where and when council staff are available for in-person discussions. (Page 3)
Councillor Penny Otton
The column on Penny Otton highlights a long-time public servant who first joined local government in 1991 and later led the Mid Suffolk Council for several years. Her career also includes continued representation of the Rattlesden ward until 2023 and service as a county councillor since 2009, during which she championed improvements such as traffic-safety measures on rural routes. The piece notes that she will not seek re-election, with May 7, 2026 marking the electoral event, and it explains the broader timetable for forthcoming reform, including unitary arrangements anticipated in 2027–2028. Penny’s years of work across communities are acknowledged as a meaningful legacy. (Page 3)
Local Plan Call for Sites
The Local Plan section informs readers that the council has published a map showing sites submitted for potential development. It is clarified that mere submission does not confer any planning status and there is no automatic presumption that development will occur on these sites. (Page 4)
Armed Forces Day, Stowmarket
Plans are taking shape for Armed Forces Day in Stowmarket, to be held on 27 June and supported by both Mid Suffolk District Council and Stowmarket Town Council. The event is designed to honor members of the Armed Forces community and is expected to feature attractions such as a climbing wall, an assault course, and possibly a helicopter display from Wattisham. (Page 4)
Recycling & Waste Collection
Readers are informed about the rollout of Better Recycling, with the delivery of a new blue recycling bin and a dedicated food caddie along with new food recycling bins to support improved waste management. (Page 4)
Coffee Caravan Dates
The issue includes a schedule for Coffee Caravan visits, with sessions set for Onehouse (10:00–12:00) and Harleston (13:00–15:00) on listed dates. The calendar covers April through December, detailing each month’s date so residents can plan to attend the community drop-ins. (Page 4)
Penny Otton’s Report – Thedwastre South
The report from Penny Otton provides contact details and reiterates that local elections in May 2026 have been reinstated. Newly elected councillors will serve until the introduction of the new unitary authorities in 2028, with further elections for the new authorities planned for 2027 to “shadow” current representatives for a year. The update also covers a range of local matters—flooding on Finborough Road, road markings and junctions, ongoing highway projects, library services, and inquiries into energy, water, transport, and adaptive infrastructure policy as it relates to substantial developments. A separate section explains a vehicle-removal trial by Suffolk Highways, designed to clear streets in advance of resurfacing works; residents will receive advance notice, signage, door drops, and, if cars remain, engineering personnel may relocate the vehicle, potentially incurring a £70 fine, with discounts if paid promptly. (Page 5)
Changes at the Top and Sustainability Initiatives
Two related governance notes are included: firstly, the announcement that the County Council’s Chief Executive will depart, with two senior directors proposed to share the chief executive duties for the remaining two years of the council’s existence, a move aimed at saving resources and stabilizing leadership; the proposal requires ratification by the full council. Secondly, Suffolk Sustainability Initiatives are highlighted as being nominated for a national award recognizing energy and environmental work, a distinction achieved by only a select group of local authorities across the country. (Page 5)
Closing Note on Community Progress
Looking ahead, the issue emphasizes ongoing efforts to keep local information accessible and responsive to residents’ needs, underscoring the importance of community participation in events, planning processes, and public services as the year unfolds. (Page 7)
