Latest news with #Suffolk
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Suffolk first area in UK to officially enter heatwave
Suffolk has become the first county in the UK to officially enter a heatwave, after temperatures surpassed 27C for a third consecutive dayA temperature of 29.3C was recorded in Santon Downham, near Brandon, on Thursday and more hot weather is expected over the temperatures due to reach 31C, utilities company, Anglian Water, is urging people to only use what they need over the weekend, while the trust in charge of Ipswich Hospital urged people to stay comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber heat-health alert for all English regions - the first since September 2023. Ian Rule, director of water services for Anglian Water, said while supplies were "currently in relatively good health across the region", it was asking everyone to use "a little less wherever they can". "When the weather heats up, the demand for water significantly increases which puts added pressure on the water network," he said."When everyone tries to draw on the water supply at the same time water pressure can dip, so customers may notice water can't flow from their taps as freely as usual." Nick Hulme is the chief executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) which runs Ipswich Hospital."We do plan to have additional staff on at the weekend in A&E, particularly for people with respiratory and cardiac conditions because we do see a rise in people presenting with those conditions in the very hot weather," he urged people to stay hydrated, wear sun cream, cover heads and check on vulnerable and elderly neighbours or family members."Of course we don't want to be killjoys - we want people to enjoy the great weather when it's here, but just to understand the associated health risks because of the impact [it can have] on them and health services," he told BBC Radio Suffolk."We're pretty stretched most of time so anything that people can do to keep the pressure, particularly, off our emergency departments will really help." For a heatwave to be declared by the Met Office a threshold temperature needs to be met for at least three consecutive the heat being record-breaking for 2025, temperatures are still below the June peak of 35.6C in over the weekend are expected to remain high with places like Ipswich, Woodbridge, Beccles and Bury St Edmunds forecast to see between 25C and 31C both along the Suffolk coast are expected to be a little cooler, however. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
How I save £150 a month with half-price electricity due to simple schedule switch
A SAVVY great-grandmother has slashed her energy bill by switching her weekly washing schedule to take advantage of cheaper off-peak power. Ria Oldroyd, a 76-year-old retiree who lives alone in a one-bed bungalow in Kessingland, Suffolk, with her two pet cats, is a British Gas customer. Since signing up to it's Peak Save scheme - where customers get half-price electricity on Sunday - a few months ago, Ria has dubbed her weekly routing 'Soapy Sunday'. She has three children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren – and lots of those family members live close by. The money-saving pensioner, who was a support worker before retireing, told The Sun: 'I made some major changes to my weekly routine after taking up an offer for 'half-price electricity on Sundays' from my supplier, British Gas.' 'Sunday used to be a day for going out and seeing people, but I now tend to spend the day at home, taking advantage of my 'cheap energy' window". 'I allow my washing to pile up through the week, and then aim to get as much done as I can during the allocated five-hour slot on a Sunday.' Ria currently pays £70 a month for gas and electricity. Since signing up to the scheme, she's saved £50 and is expecting to save around £100 over the next year. Timing is key for discounts Ria has established a routine that works really well for her. 'I separate out my whites, my colours and my darks,' she said. 'If I'm efficient, I can just about get three or four washes in between 11am and 4pm when my electricity is half-price.' Helpfully, the energy price cap is set to fall to £1,720 from July 1, down from the current £1,849. Nevertheless, costs remain high. Thankfully, Ria runs a tight ship – and this includes monitoring her energy usage very closely. 'I don't usually switch on my tumble dryer because it's so expensive to run,' she said. 'However, I'm happy with the idea of using it carefully during those half-price hours on a Sunday.' Other firms offering time of use discounts British Gas is just one of a host of energy suppliers to offer time-of-use incentives to consumers to smooth demand and encourage smarter energy use, according to comparison site, Uswitch. Other providers which have schemes with free or half-price electricity at 'off-peak' times include EDF, Octopus, Ovo and Scottish Power. As well as Sundays, electricity suppliers often charge less late in the night or early in the morning (such as 7am-8am). All of these off-peak slots – when demand is lower – can work out a lot more cost-effective. Natalie Mathie, energy expert at said: 'Suppliers are offering these free and half-price schemes to help move electricity use away from peak times to those points in the week when everyone's using less energy.' Schemes like these, she adds, will become increasingly important as the country shifts towards using more renewable energy, such as wind and solar. 'Washing machines and tumble dryers are some of the most energy-intensive appliances in the house, so they are perfectly suited to such schemes,' she said. 'By saving up your laundry, you can save significant amounts of money.' Ria urges other households to cotton on to the fact there are big savings to be made by adjusting their washing routine. 'Over the course of a year, savings from a scheme like this can really add up,' she said. 'I'd really recommend avoiding peak-time power use – and saving laundry through the week for a big Sunday session.' To find out if your supplier offers a scheme, visit their website. Note that to take advantage of "off-peak" schemes such as this, you will need a working smart meter. Ria's other tips to keep energy costs down Saving up her washing for the cheaper "off-peak hours" on a Sunday is not the only step that Ria takes to help keep a lid on her energy bills. 'I always keep a pillow and blanket by the sofa in case I need to layer up when temperatures drop,' she said. 'And I've got hot water bottles ready to go whenever I need them.' Ria is also diligent about keeping cold air out of her home and ensuring that warm air stays in. 'I've got big thick curtains that cover the doors completely, as well as draught excluders to go along the bottom. "Lots of these are habits I learned from my childhood.' The savvy pensioner is also disciplined about not cranking up the heating. 'I can't afford to get tempted to notch up the thermostat,' she said. 'If anything, I try turning it down a little.' As we've reported previously, reducing it by one degree can potentially slash your heating bills by around £100. Ria added: 'It might not sound like a lot, but small changes can make a big difference.' Suppliers offering free or half-price electricity PLENTY of suppliers cut rates for customers at certain times. British Gas PeakSave and PeakSave Green Flex Electricity pricing: Half price unit rate Available hours: Sunday 11am - 4pm. Additional 1-2 hour sessions when renewable energy is plentiful with PeakSave Green Flex. Reward mechanism: Bill credit applied after event. Half price electricity during events. Requirements: British Gas electricity customer with working smart meter. Sign up to one of the schemes EDF Energy Sunday Saver Challenge Electricity pricing: Free Available hours: Up to 16 hours per week on Sundays Reward mechanism: Bill credit applied after the final free Sunday of each month Requirements: EDF electricity customer with smart meter that sends 30-minute readings (or set up to do so). Shift electricity use away from peak times throughout the week to build up free hours Octopus Energy Free Electricity Sessions Electricity pricing: Free (extra electricity above normal usage) Available hours: Variable - customers are notified when sessions occur (most common when renewables are abundant) Reward mechanism: Bill credit applied after each event Requirements: Octopus Energy customer with smart meter and signed up to the Octoplus loyalty scheme. OVO Energy OVO Beyond Electricity pricing: Free Available hours: Customers choose two hours of free electricity each week by midnight on Sundays (excluding peak hours) from May 5 to August 31, 2025 Reward mechanism: Bill credit applied the following month Requirements: OVO Energy customers signed up to OVO Beyond with a smart meter capable of sending 30-minute readings. No specific tariff required. Scottish Power Power Saver (Half-Price Weekends) Electricity pricing: Half price unit rate Available hours: Saturday and Sunday 11am - 4pm Reward mechanism: Bill credit applied after event
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Charities to receive £75,000 grants to support domestic abuse victims
Two Suffolk charities supporting victims of domestic abuse have been awarded £75,000 grants. Compassion and Alumah CIOs are the charities that will receive the funding from Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales. The money will be disbursed over the next three years and will include additional development support. Tony Howard, trustee of Compassion, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to have secured this vital £75,000 grant from Lloyds Bank Foundation. "This specialist funding will enable us to continue to work with some of those in our community who are facing some of life's toughest challenges. "With this support, we can strengthen our services, grow our impact across the East of England, and ensure that no one has to face the misery of domestic abuse alone. "We're so grateful to Lloyds Bank Foundation for believing in the power of grassroots organisations to bring real change." Helen Lang, regional manager for East of England at Lloyds Bank Foundation, said: "We're incredibly proud to support these specialist charities. "Each is an important part of its local community and provides life-changing support to people facing the most complex challenges. "Their knowledge, dedication, and connection to the people they support make them vital to building stronger, more resilient communities." Matt Hyde, CEO of Lloyds Bank Foundation, said: "Community organisations addressing very complex issues are often able to make an impact where others can't, due to their size, locality and deep understanding. "Unrestricted funding, over a longer period, enables these charities to provide not just emergency help but also continue to walk alongside people going through some of life's toughest challenges— whether it's fleeing domestic abuse, leaving care, or rebuilding life after prison." The grants are unrestricted, allowing community organisations to use the funds as needed, including for salaries, rent, and utilities. For more information, visit
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
First Light Festival to return to Lowestoft beach for fifth year
Thousands of people are expected to attend the UK's only free beach festival this Light Festival will take place on South Beach in Lowestoft, Suffolk, on Saturday and Sunday for its fifth year.A range of musical acts and dance performances are scheduled across the two days while there will also be a community catwalk for the second year temperatures are expected to near 25C over the weekend, the NHS is urging people to stay safe in the sun. What is First Light Festival? This year marks the fifth instalment of the is organised by First Light Festival Community Interest Company (CIC), a not-for-profit organisation based in charity said on its website it aims to "shine a spotlight on our incredible part of the world".The festival itself has a partnership with the borough and county councils and Arts Council England and it is held on the weekend closest to the summer is completely free to attend and a ticket is not required unless you plan to attend one of the Sundown events on Saturday night in the town following the end of the beach programme. What can I do at the event? Each year the festival enjoys an opening parade, with this year's kicking off from East Point Pavilion at 11:00 here visitors can enjoy a range of musical acts across the festival's there is much more than can be enjoyed including yoga sessions, line dancing, comedy shows for children, talks, poetry and even cloudspotting for beginnersA full schedule of events is available on the festival's website. What are the timings? From 12:00 to 21:30 on Saturday, the beach will be filled with activities as well as Kensington Gardens just off the 22:00 to 02:00 the festival moves into the venues around the town for the ticketed Sundown Sunday, people will gather from 03:30 to 05:00 to watch the sunrise as part of the summer solstice. From 10:00 until 16:00 the rest of the events kick off on the beach again. How can I get there? Festival organisers are keen to encourage visitors to make use of public transport where possible or walk/cycle to the are cycle routes to the festival side and there is free bicycle operator Greater Anglia will run an additional late train from Lowestoft to Ipswich on Saturday to help people get additional service will depart Lowestoft at 23:05 and arrive at Ipswich at 00: those travelling onwards to Stowmarket and Diss, a train from Ipswich will depart at 00: services are also available with the nearest stop being Claremont those who have to travel by car, there is a park and walk site located at Kirkley & Pakefield Football Club which costs £5 for the day of £8 for both days. What about the hot weather? Forecasts suggest Lowestoft will see plenty of sunshine over the festival with highs or 22C on Saturday and 24C on James Mapstone, a consultant in public health at West Suffolk Foundation Trust in Bury St Edmunds, has five tips people should follow during the hot weather:Drink plenty of water to stay hydratedKeep homes and buildings cool by keeping blinds and curtains shut during the dayAvoid the sun between 11:00 and 15:00Wear loose, light clothingConsider the vulnerable including children, the elderly and those with conditions What else is happening? As well as First Light Festival, there are a number of other big events taking place over the That's Gary Barlow will be performing at High Lodge, Thetford Forest on the Suffolk/Norfolk border on on Saturday, St Elizabeth Hospice kicks off its Hop to it! art trail in Ipswich, Woodbridge, Felixstowe, Beccles and Sunday, Ipswich's Cornhill will play host to the Suffolk Windrush Celebration where there will be music, market and food stalls and an exhibition from Suffolk Windrush and the Suffolk Black Community Organisation. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Suffolk teen bike racer dreams of podium win at Snetterton
An aspiring MotoGP racer who broke his leg in an 80mph (129kph) crash at his home race last year said he was back at the same track for "revenge". Charlie Huntingford, 16, from Debenham, Suffolk, is aiming for his first career podium at Snetterton, Norfolk, over the weekend. He has raced in the MotoGP feeder series and the British Talent Cup, and said he could reach up to 170mph on faster tracks. Huntingford, who got up at 05:00 to train, said it would be a "dream" to make the podium. "This time last year, unfortunately, I broke my leg, but up to that point, I was doing really well - I was top five and then in second just before the injury," he said."Going into Snetterton, I really want to kick-start my season, get a bit of revenge on the track that caught me out last year." He continued: "We go up to 140mph and then on the faster track day bikes 170mph, which to the normal person seems absolutely absurd." Huntingford is currently studying for his GCSEs, but said he remained focused on all things two wheels. He added: "I've been racing since I was seven years old, so it's just normal. It's embedded in my DNA. All I think about is motorbikes."When sat in an exam this morning, all I could think about was getting out on my bike this afternoon. Everything I focus on is racing, pushbikes, anything with two wheels". Huntingford is managed by dad, Simon, who juggled the fear of watching his son hurtle around a track approaching 170mph, whilst also critiquing and analysing Charlie's performance. He told the BBC: "I respect him as a rider, and hopefully he respects me as a team manager, but I have to be a dad when it needs that emotional support. "When your son's that passionate about something and he's good at it, why would you stop him? Huntingford added: "Some people say how alike we are because we just spend so much time together." Team Huntingford is aiming for a maiden podium, which Huntingford said would be "awesome", while his dad added that there "would be tears".Huntingford said: "It would mean the world, especially as I got injured there last year, so I'm really hungry for it. I'm going to do it". Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
