Bury Free Press

1 day ago | suffolknews.co.uk | Sam Harrison

A village is set to come alive with family fun for its annual summer fete tomorrow. Hopton Summer Fete will take place at the village hall from 11am to 3pm with ice creams, pony rides, a barbecue, a bar and a variety of traditional stalls and games on offer. The day aims to bring the community together while raising money to refurbish the village hall. Organisers are still welcoming stallholders and anyone interested in booking a space is encouraged to email [email protected].

1 day ago | suffolknews.co.uk | Sam Harrison

A stretch of the A14 was closed until the early hours after a four-vehicle crash. Emergency services were called just after 5.10pm to the eastbound carriageway near Rougham, outside Bury St Edmunds, where one vehicle was reportedly on fire. Police, Suffolk Fire and Rescue and the ambulance service were in attendance — though there were no injuries reported. The road was closed until 5.40pm until Suffolk Police reopened the westbound carriageway.

1 day ago | suffolknews.co.uk | Sam Harrison

The Bury Free Press is seeking more nominations to honour the everyday heroes who make a real difference. Run in partnership with Bury St Edmunds Town Council, the Community Awards celebrate volunteers, fund-raisers and neighbourhood champions who go that extra mile. Last year’s Citizen of the Year was Derek Smith who was recognised for 40 years of dedication to youth football. “I felt extremely grateful, honoured and inspired,” he said.

2 days ago | suffolknews.co.uk | Steve Barton

Young BBC TV viewers are being treated to some proper sounds of Suffolk thanks to the work of a puppeteer and actor from Haverhill. Tincy is a character voiced and operated by Laura Bacon that is now part of a new CBeebies show, Playtime Towers, produced for the channel by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions. Laura is no stranger to TV work, having made it through to the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent in 2014 with her American puppet character Patsy May.

2 days ago | suffolknews.co.uk | Sam Harrison

We raised a pint and ate some cake for historical accuracy to toast the man who helped shape Bury St Edmunds’ past — Jankyn Smyth. Every June, in one of the oldest traditions in the country, the people of Bury — from the mayor and schoolchildren to reporters like myself — gather at St Mary’s Church to honour Smyth, the town’s top-tier benefactor and the founding force behind The Candlemas Guild, now known as The Guildhall Feoffment Trust which is a registered charity.