Nayland with Wissington Calendar Photographic Competition...

and the winners are.... 

The photographic competition to generate images for the 2026 Nayland with Wissington Calendar took place over the weekend of 2nd-5th May. There were just under 200 beautiful photographs submitted by 35 residents, making selection of just twelve scenes and a cover very difficult indeed; thankfully the choice was made by nearly 40 residents who voted. Click here to view the winning scenes.

The photographs selected were submitted by Matthew Hennings, Darius Laws, Jayne Kennedy, Claire Buller, Sophie Mortlock, Sally Dalton, Nayland House, Mandy Cook, Chellie Tomkins and young photographer Amelie Palmer.  Congratulations and very well done to all.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

For those who missed out the photos are still available to enjoy - just click on the categores below to view them.

Dates for your Diary

Further dates and details of village activities can be found in the Community Times
25th May: Rogation Sunday: Trailer ride from 3pm St Mary’s Wiston followed by picnic 
25th May: Country Music Sundays: ‘Bob Keeley’ 1.15pm for 2pm Village Hall
2nd June: Village Hall Management Committee meeting 7.30pm Village Hall
4th June: Village Players:  informal/social play reading 7.30pm Church Hall
8th June: Conservation Society: Nayland Open Gardens 1pm-5pm Teas in the Village Hall
11th June: Parish Council: meeting 7.30pm Village Hall or by Zoom
12th June: Women’s Institute:  ‘A Photographic Tour of Dedham Vale Villages’ Paul Gallifant  2.30pm Village
15th June: Country Music Sundays: ‘Rick Storm’ 1.15pm for 2pm 
16th June: Royal British Legion:  meeting  7.30 for 8pm Church Hall 
20th June: Ultimate Indie Live Music  7pm Village Hall
21st June: Summer Solstice Picnic (& Suffolk Day) 1pm on Caley Green
24th June: Conservation Society:  John Walker on 'Wealden Buildings in Suffolk' 7.15pm Village Hall 
27th June: Village Cinema: ‘A Complete Unknown’  open 6pm, screening 7.30pm Village Hall  
29th June: Royal British Legion: Guided tour of Lavenham Airfield 10am
Other dates and details can be found in the Community Times 

Community Times

The latest issue for June/July is now available here.

The deadline for receipt of copy (subject to availability/resevation of space) for the April/May issue is 1pm on 19th May.  

Film: For those of you not on social media, or who simply missed it.... as promised in the Community Times, here is the link to a fabulous film featuring Nayland's wonderful scenery and wildlife which was filmed by a local resident, Stuart Howells.  Watching this is a real tonic. 

Community Council Meeting

Minutes of the meeting held on 7th May are available here.

Nayland & Wiston Christmas Trail   

Once again it was been wonderful to get together as a community to bring a little seasonal cheer to the streets on Nayland and Wiston.  Residents have set their Christmas creativity free to be enjoyed by us all.

Winner of the Wreath Competition was Elaine Muskett at Harpers Estate – Congratulations!

The answers to the questions assigned to the Christmas trees are listed below:
St James’ Church: Who bought the first Christmas tree to England in 1800?  Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III
Village Tree, High Street: Why do villagers gather together round this tree each year?  To sing carols
The Old Guildhall: Which 1946 film has a Christmas tree with a ringing bell that gives angels their wings? It’s a Wonderful Life
Old Vicarage,4 High  Street: These trees were planted in the 30s what variety are they?  Yew tree
Studio B High Street: What furry creature can you see?  Teddy Bear
Mill Stores, Mill Street: Mexican legend is that a weed given as a gift transformed into a plant now known as the Christmas Star. What plant is it?  Poinsettia
4 Mill Street:  How many trees are there in the wood? 
31 Bear Street: What fruit is on top of the tree?  Apple
33 Bear Street: What is a tree with fake snow called?  A flocked Christmas tree
82 Bear Street: What bird was gifted on the 3rd day of Christmas? Three French hens
4 Wiston Road: To avoid bad luck, when should you take down your Christmas tree? 12th night, 5th January
St Mary’s Wiston: Who sang ‘The Happiest Christmas Tree’ released in 1959? Nat King Cole

A photo album of all the Advent Windows, Wreaths, Christmas  trees and other displays is being assembled and will be available to view here soon.

The Community Council hope you enjoyed the Christmassy Trail around the village and thank all those who are participating

Nayland Coronation Celebrations:

Sunday 7th May 2023 : Like many other communities Nayland residents celebrated with a Coronation Picnic on Webb’s Meadow at the village hall.  It was a lovely, relaxed affair. just what the doctor ordered after the hustle and bustle of the past year.  It was a lovely, informal and jolly get together with about 150 gaily dressed villagers turning out to enjoy the sunshine and the lovely community atmosphere.  A huge thank you to all helpers for their efforts leading up to and at the Coronation Picnic and of course to everyone that came along. 

Answers to the Fun Quizes can be found below:
Royal Quiz Solutions
Think You Know Nayland Photo Quiz Solutions

5th June 2022:  the Platinum Jubilee celebrating 70 years of the Queen’s reign. It was a wonderful event with a fabulous atmosphere and reflected the spirit of the Community Council in true Nayland with Wissington style.  Whether you put up the bunting, rung the Church bells, sung in the choir, entered the fancy-dress parade, joined in with the community singing, were a member of the set up/clear up committee or just attended the event you were part of a day to remember.  Thank you so much to Wendy Sparrow and her team of helpers for a wonderful 1950s exhibition which evoked so many wonderful childhood memories for so many people.

View the photo Album of the Jubilee Party here

River Watch 

As featured in the August 2022 issue of  the Community Times, the following correspondence was sent to the Environment Agency expressing concerns over the management of the section of the River Stour that runs through Nayland,  They were asked to respond for circulation in the Community Times. These documents can be found below:

Letter to Sir James Bevan, CEO, Environment Agency
'A River in Need of Maintenance' Document
Timeline of Photographs 1975-present

The Save Caley Green Campaign

In 2021the Parish Council raised concerns regarding erosion of the riverbank at Caley Green and proposed putting vegetation around the bay to prevent further erosion.  There was public opposition to this; saying it would impair the open view and reduce access to the water’s edge; they would like an alternative solution such as installing revetment without vegetation. The background of this can be found in the following documents: 
‘A Much Loved Village Amenity’: reaction, options, why it matters and more can be viewed here.
Visit the 'Save Caley Green Nayland' Facebook page by clicking here
'Caley Green Vegetation v's Revetment: weigh up the pros & cons yourself' can be viewed here
 

Local Bus Service

Details and timetables can be found at Hedingham & Chambers