West Suffolk Council

05/11/2026

A great opportunity for people to get involved in shaping and delivering the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project. Opportunities for people with a background in:
- Natural heritage and local biodiversity
- Community engagement, education and learning
- Visitor economy, tourism, communications and marketing

Deadline 13 November 2026
Find our more at https://orlo.uk/XLRBD

05/11/2026

Please note that the Fireworks Night in the Abbey Gardens, run by St Nicholas Hospice Care, is a pre-booked only event.

There are only a small number of tickets left, so make sure to book to enjoy the dazzling display!

Planning to join us for Fireworks Night this Saturday?

Thanks to your incredible support, demand for tickets has been exceptional.

Remaining tickets are available online only and will not be available to purchase at the gate.

If you’re planning to come along, please book your tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment.

Book now: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/AbbeyGardensFireworks

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with friends and family who may be planning to attend.

05/11/2026

🎆This fireworks night, if you're lighting a bonfire, remember these simple wildlife-friendly tips:

🌟 Only build the bonfire on the day you're going to light it
🌟 Always build on clear ground - never on leaf piles
🌟 Always check the bonfire for hedgehogs before lighting

05/11/2026

05/11/2026

Small habits, big impact this

When did you last ask, “Are we doing OK with money at the moment?”

A budget helps you see what money is coming in, where it is going and what you have left. It can help you stay in control, plan ahead and avoid overspending.

Take three simple steps to get started:

• List your regular bills and payments, the amount and how often you pay it.

• Track everything you spend for one week so you can see where your money goes.

• Check your bank account for subscriptions you no longer use and cancel them.

See the links in our comments.

05/11/2026

05/11/2026

Don't forget to add the Remembrance Parade and Wreath Laying Service to your calendar!

📅 Sunday 8 November
🕥 From 10.30am
⚠️ Abbey Gardens will be closed to the public until 2pm on Sunday 8 November
🚗 Angel Hill, Chequer Square and Crown Street will be closed on Sunday 8 November from 10am to 2pm. Parking will be suspended in these areas from Saturday 7 November at 6pm until Sunday 8 November at 2pm.

04/11/2026

Look what’s turned up in the office 🫶
One of our colleagues treated us to pumpkin spice cup cakes to use up their pumpkins - Yum 😊
And if you've had enough of pumpkin for now, try substituting with butternut squash or even sweet potato! Recipe in the comments 👇

04/11/2026

Struggling with debt?

Act early this – reaching out for help can prevent the situation from getting worse.

With household costs rising and budgets being squeezed, you may be finding it difficult to keep up with debt repayments.

Nearly half of people struggle to keep up with their financial commitments, are falling behind or have already fallen behind (UK MoneyView 2026).

Asking for help can feel difficult, but contacting a free debt-advice organisation early may give you more options and help you avoid further action from creditors.

Take a first positive step: make a list of all your debts, how much you owe and your monthly repayments.

Then contact an organisation that offers free, impartial debt advice. An adviser can help you understand your options and decide what to do next.

See the links in our comments for

National Debtline: free debt advice and support
StepChange: free expert debt help and advice
Citizens Advice West Suffolk: free, confidential and independent advice

Borrow safely: avoid loan sharks. Before using Buy Now, Pay Later or any other credit, check the total cost, repayment dates and what could happen if you miss a payment.

All borrowing has a cost, so make sure the repayments are affordable before you commit.

For a safe, ethical community alternative, explore savings and affordable loans from Eastern Savings and Loans Credit Union,
(link is in our comments) which serves Suffolk and the wider East of England.

For impartial information, read MoneyHelper guidance on borrowing from a credit union. (link is in our comments)

03/11/2026

Boost your income this – check what support you could get.

When did you last check whether you could get extra financial support?

You may be eligible without realising it, particularly if your work, income or household circumstances have changed. Changes to benefits rules may also affect what you can claim.

In 2025/26, an estimated £11.1 billion of Universal Credit and £3.3 billion of Council Tax Support went unclaimed, according to Policy in Practice.

Take action: use a free, independent benefits calculator for a quick estimate of the support you may be able to claim (see the links in our comments)

You can also see how starting work, changing your hours or a change in your household circumstances could affect your entitlement. Results are estimates, so use accurate and up-to-date information.