Friday’s first visit was to Kesgrave where I met with Stuart Lawson, Manager of Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Rod Gibson, Trustee of KWMCC and Jo Abbott, Clerk to Kesgrave Town Council to hear about the great work taking place to support the local community.

We discussed KWMCC’s plans to increase provision of facilities for young people in the local area, as well as taking part in the busy session organised by U3A East Suffolk. Hundreds of people were in attendance to find out more about sessions and activities such as carpet bowls, architectural studies, tennis, walking and singing.

I also met with Dave Steward, a U3A volunteer who also runs the Kesgrave Sparks store, a charity shop which takes donations from local residents, with money raised from purchases reinvested for vital community services. Kesgrave Sparks raises an impressive £125k per year and has raised £2m since its inception – a fantastic achievement with money from the local community directed straight back to where it matters most.

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