FIREFIGHTERS were called to a chimney fire at a thatched cottage in Boxted.

Engines from Halstead and Colchester were called to the cottage in Cage Lane at around 5.15pm on Saturday, after the blaze spread to the property’s thatched roof.

Crews worked to pull the thatched roof away from the cottage so they could reach the source of the fire, before attempting to rescue the homeowners’ possessions.

The fire was extinguished by 7.20pm.

THE board set up to run Suffolk’s libraries has been finalised.

Eight new members have been put forward to join the three founding members following nominations by their local libraries. The board met for the first time yesterday.

Robert Spivey, a Sudbury town councillor who is on the board, said: “From the county council’s point of view, it is an effort to develop more local input into how the libraries are run.

“It has said it wants to keep the 44 library services and maintain them in a way comparable to what we have now. The council also wants to devolve some of the management and set up a structure which will be run for the benefit of the community.”

Mr Spivey will join chairman Clive Fox and founding board members Mike Hosking and Shona Bendix.

He will be responsible for establishing the new Industrial and Provident Society (IPS), which has been charged with overseeing the transfer of library staff and the negotiation of the contract with Suffolk County Council.

The interim board will be replaced by a board elected by IPS members within 18 months.

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EMERGENCY services were called to the rescue of a woman trapped following a car crash.

Firefighters from Hadleigh and Sudbury were called to Upper Street in Layham shortly before 3am on Wednesday, after reports a woman had become trapped after crashing her car.

Crews used cutting equipment to free the woman, who was treated by paramedics.

A FREE one-day course to improve job interview skills is on offer for people who are unemployed in Sudbury and the surrounding villages.

West Suffolk College, in Out Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, will be running the Interview Skills course next Friday, March 2, on again on March 30, from 9.30am to 4pm

The aim is to help the learner prepare for job interviews and the course is designed to help prepare for potential questions as well providing training on speaking and listening skills.

To find out more, or to book a place, log on to www.westsuffolk.ac.uk, or call 01284 716333.

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COMMUNITY leaders have pledged to work together to make Suffolk the most active county in England.

In a long term campaign that will seek to bring Suffolk more key sporting events and funding, leaders have made a commitment that will create a lasting sporting and physical activity legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Aims of the initiative include helping at least 16,700 people to be more active and lead more healthy lifestyles, reducing health inequality and boosting the economy by decreasing the costs of lost productivity through sickness absence.

Among the key partners involved in promoting healthy and active lifestyles, and tackling barriers to participation, are Suffolk County Council, Healthy Ambitions Suffolk and Suffolk Sport.

Kathy Gosling, county council portfolio holder for sport, culture, diversity, health and wellbeing, said: “We all know it’s difficult to find the time in our busy family and working lives to be as physically active as we really should.

“But too often, a lack of opportunities or knowledge about what’s out there stops people leading the type of active lifestyle they aspire to.

“That is why it is so important that organisations involved in physical activity work together to remove as many of the barriers to participation as possible and make taking part easier.”

Major sporting events have had already had a positive impact on Suffolk’s economy with the Great East Swim and the Tour of Britain delivering a £2.8million financial boost to the county.

BURGLARS stole money and tobacco after breaking into a house in Sudbury.

The theft took place between 10pm on Saturday, February 12, and 7.30am the following day at a house in Melford Road.

Anyone with information on this incident should call DC Nicholas Crawford at Suffolk Police on 101.

A new bus service has been launched to help people get to Halstead, Broomfield and Braintree Community Hospitals.

The Hospital Hopper, a service provided by Braintree District Council, will allow people in Sible Hedingham, Halstead, Gosfield, Castle Hedingham and Earls Colne to get to hospital appointments.

The service, which will run three times a day from Monday to Friday, is being offered free to people with a concessionary bus pass who are unable to use public transport.

For people with disabilities, the elderly, or those unable to walk, a door-to-door service can also be arranged.

Joanne Beavis, cabinet member for communities at the district council, said: “Community transport remains one of our top priorities, enabling hundreds of elderly and vulnerable residents in our district the freedom to be able to access services and locations around our district.”

The service will run as a pilot for a year after Essex County Council provided a £30,000 grant.

To book a seat or for more information, call 01376 327357.

MORE than £3,000 raised in memory of a Lavenham soldier killed in Afghanistan has been presented to two charities.

A series of fundraisers, including football and rugby matches, were held last year in honour of Lance Corporal Jonathan Woodgate, who was killed while on foot patrol in the south Sangin District, in March 2010.

The proceeds from the events were handed to the Household Cavalry Operational Casualties’ Fund and Suffolk County Royal British Legion, with both charities receiving cheques for £1,525.

L/Cpl Woodgate, who was known as Jo, attended Great Cornard Upper School before joining the Army in 2001.

The 26-year-old was just days from flying home when he was killed at the hands of an insurgent’s grenade.

AMENDMENTS to plans to build nearly 100 homes in Great Waldingfield are set to be agreed.

In 2010, Babergh District Council gave permission for the construction of 93 homes, flats and garages in Folly Road.

Building work on the development has now started but the applicant, Bellway Homes Ltd, wants to change the layout and design of 26 of the properties so that they each have four bedrooms.

On Wednesday, the plans, which have the support of the parish council, will be discussed by a development committee and are recommended for approval.

A SUDBURY road has been closed this morning after a collision between a motorbike and a van.

Police were called to Northern Road at around 8.30am after a black motorcycle was involved in a crash with a black Mercedes panel van.

Paramedics treated the injured motorcyclist at the scene before he was taken to West Suffolk Hospital for treatment on an arm injury.

The road between MacDonalds and B&Q is temporarily closed by police.