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The village of Westleton
Westleton is situated some 2 miles in from the Suffolk coast is roughly mid-way between Ipswich and Lowestoft and approximately 100 miles from London.
It is set in a landscape of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within the parish lies the internationally renowned Minsmere Reserve, owned and managed by the RSPB.
Westleton Heath National Nature Reserve and parts of Dunwich Forest also lie within the parish.
The majority of the 500 or so inhabitants live close to the B1125 Blythburgh to Leiston road, the remainder living in scattered cottages and farmhouses in this otherwise agricultural landscape.
Photos by Hilas Smith
The Village Hall and St Peters Church are the focal points of village activities, whilst the White Horse and The Crown are the main social centres.
The parish of Westleton is bounded by the parishes of Dunwich, Darsham, Middleton cum Fordley and Theberton cum Eastbridge.
The place name Westleton (or Westledestuna as it appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086) is believed to derive from the Old Norse Vestlithi (a personal name) and Old English tun i.e. Vestlithi's homestead.
Westleton Parish Council has published its Website Accessibility Statement which can be found in the box at the top left of this page.
To contact the webmaster please send an email to;
WESTLETON PARISH COUNCIL
CO-OPTED MEMBER VACANCY
NOTICE
Following the recent elections, the Parish Council now has 3 vacancies which can be filled under the co-opted process.
If you are interested in standing as a representative on the Parish Council please send your supporting details to the Clerk either to the address below or via email to westletonclerk@gmail.com by the closing date of Friday, 23 June 2023.
The Parish Council will aim to consider all applications received at the following meeting which is scheduled for Monday, 26 June. In accordance with our procedures, if need be, a ballot of Members will be conducted on the night to determine who should be selected.
The successful person/s will effectively serve in office until the next Parish Council Elections due to be held in May 2027.
If you would like to discuss any aspect or for further information please contact Ian Haines on 07958655831.
Thank you for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you.
Ian Haines
Clerk to Westleton Parish Council
6 Cooper Close
Saxmundham
IP17 1EX
ELECTIONS 2023
East Suffolk Council
Election of District Councillors
to
Wrentham, Wangford & Westleton
District Ward
The Declaration of the Result of the Poll can be found by following this link and can also be read on the Westleton Parish Council Notice Board.
East Suffolk Council - Changes to Waste Management and Street Scene Service
East Suffolk Services Ltd
East Suffolk Council will be ceasing its operational contract with Norse on the 30th June 2023. To deliver its waste management and street scene services in future the Council has set up an arms-length Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo) called East Suffolk Services Limited (ESSL). The company will be wholly owned by the Council and will begin operations on the 1 July 2023.
More Information and several links you may find useful can be found on the East Suffolk Service page in the box at the top of this page or via this link.
Some of the links may ask you to log-in to a My East Suffolk account. Kate McFarland, Waste & Recycling Contracts Manager for East Suffolk Council' explains "Using a my East Suffolk account for reporting some issues ensures that we get the correct location of the problem. In the future this will also allow us to let people know when an issue has already been reported. Using a my East Suffolk account also means that if we need to ask for further details we can contact the person who gave the initial report."
If you do not have an account you will need to set one up.
Safety Warning To Residents
Please be aware of cold callers who may be operating in the local area - the advice is for anyone not to engage and to inform the Police straightaway.
East Suffolk District Council - Help and Advice
If you need help or advice with heating and other energy issues then advice and support is available from East Suffolk Council.
Would you like to be the Local Recorder for
WESTLETON? 
The Suffolk Local History Council runs a Recorders Scheme throughout Suffolk. We administer a network of volunteers to ensure that the ‘present’ is adequately recorded at local level for the ‘future’.
A Recorder will note significant happenings in their parish and collect their local parish magazines, leaflets, election pamphlets and newspaper cuttings. At the end of each year, they are asked to submit a short report summarising the activities of their parish. The reports are deposited at the Suffolk Record Office and available to future researchers together with the collected items.
If you are interested, please look at the Recorders Pack by visiting www.slhc.org.uk to acquaint yourself with the guidelines of the scheme. You do not need to be a historian; you do not need any qualifications other than an interest in your parish. In return you will receive a copy of the SLHC Newsletter and be invited to the annual conference specifically for Local Recorders. To volunteer to help in this important work, please contact recorders@slhc.org.uk
Westleton Community Field
Open Hours 9am to earliest of Dusk or 9pm
The Playing Field is owned and maintained by Westleton Parish Council and is a great local asset to the village which brings together users young and old! Our aim is to retain the area as an open space for the enjoyment by parishioners and visitors alike.
There are excellent on site children’s facilities and the Parish Council have invested heavily in the equipment to ensure children have a safe and fun visit. The attractions include a zip wire and various climbing frames to suit different age ranges – please though always exercise close parental caution and control.
The area has ample free car parking and makes a great picnic spot but do remember to bag up and remove all litter. Bar-b-ques are not allowed on site and dogs are banned from entry into the children’s play area.
Within the grounds there is a large football pitch and we also have x2 outdoor table tennis tables as well as a popular boules area.
During school holiday periods there is a temporary portaloo provided on site.
The field is maintained by a group of volunteers* and all donations go towards the future upkeep and maintenance. If you would like to help with the volunteer group who look after the field please contact Chris Freeman on 01728 648472
Please report any general problems or concerns to westletonclerk@gmail.com
For pictures of the Community Field visit the Community Field pictures page.
*Westleton Community Field Advisory Group 2022
Chris Freeman, Cllr WPC - Chair
Julian Alexander, Cllr WPC
Paul Holmes, Cllr WPC
Amanda Freeman, Cllr WPC
Nick Shearme, Cllr WPC
Jonathon Alexander
Wheels for Westleton
Westleton Village Hall has launched three transport initiatives. Further information is available here.
HEALTH WALKS
One Life Suffolk helps local people live healthier lives. OneLife Suffolk’s FREE Health Walks are led by trained volunteers all across the county. The walks are graded from 1 to 5 to suit ability, offering something for everyone.
Booking is essential - full details of each walk and how to book can be found on the website www.onelifesuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 718193.
Contacting Suffolk Police
The Police Community Engagement Officer for the Halesworth Locality has given this advice on how to contact the Suffolk Police Service.
Leiston and Saxmundham Citizens Advice
If you need help or advice or if you want to volunteer this leaflet will tell you how to get in touch with the Leiston and Saxmundham Citizens Advice service.
Dog Thefts
You may find this anti-dog theft device useful. Dog thefts have been reported recently in both the local and national news.
Reporting Antisocial Behavior
A Railway Carriage by the Common.
Read Tony Ingram's article; A Railway Carriage by the Common.