The Council are asking residents to suggest possible new street names for the developments that may go ahead in Halesworth in the future.  This is a chance to be involved in creating a small piece of history.  The suggested names need to follow guidelines from Waveney District Council (see below).  Recent new names that have been accepted are 'Palfrey Place' named after the Medieval sale of horses 0r 'Palfreys' that used to take place on the site and 'Laurie Shepherd Close' after the  Middle School Arts teacher.

Other suggestions received that are being considered are Zemke Way (After US Colonel Hubert Zemke based at Holton during WW2) and a road named after Dame Tamsyn Imison for her years of service to Halesworth In Bloom.

If you have any suggestions please email (clerk@halesworthtowncouncil.org.uk) or write to the Clerk's office - Halesworth Town Council, London Road, Halesworth, IP19 8LW.

Naming protocols - taken from WDC website

The following considerations should be given for all new street names:

• If a name refers to a person or event, there should be a connection to the area.
• The names of living people should not be used in order to avoid the possibility of any future negative publicity.
• If family names (of deceased persons only) are to be considered, permission must be obtained from any living relatives before submitting the name for consultation.
• Names which follow a theme (usually in developments with several new roads) should reflect the history or environment.
• Names which are difficult to pronounce or spell should not be used.
• Names which may be deemed offensive in terms of race, faith/religion, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation or are inappropriate language must not be used.
• Phonetically similar names should be avoided e.g. having Churchill Close then creating new road named as Birch Hill Close.
• The use of street names which include numbers which can cause confusion, for example, 20 Seven Foot Lane sounds the same as 27 Foot Lane.
• The use of a name with Royal connotations. The consent of the Lord Chamberlain's office must be obtained if a name with any reference to the Royal Family or the use of the word 'Royal' is suggested.

At the last Council Meeting, the Town Council decided to remove the Teen Shelter because it was becoming the focus of serious anti-social behaviour and drug taking/dealing. It was not the normal high jinks and youthful exuberance but nasty, vicious behaviour. Together with the mindless vandalism of refuse bins and excessive noise, often until the early hours of the morning, it meant that something had to be done.

Residents had repeatedly complained to the Police but due to the serious financial cuts that have reduced their numbers, it was not possible for the town to be able to rely on them to intervene. The last straw was when a serious fire was lit in the Teen Shelter which required the Fire Brigade to be called to deal with it.

The Town Council is not happy that it has had to remove the Teen Shelter but it was at risk of becoming a drug dealing site and would continue to be a focus for serious anti-social behaviour, making the Park a no-go area. This decision was taken following advice from an experienced youth social worker and is supported by County Councillor Goldson.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Halesworth’s youth who are not responsible for any of this behaviour now have nowhere to meet. The majority suffers for the behaviour of a few.

The plan is to put the shelter into store and hopefully a new site can be identified where it will be re-erected. Teenagers need somewhere safe outdoors to meet. The Town Council would like residents, and especially the potential teenager users of the Teen Shelter to help identify a suitable site.

Our youth have limited facilities in Halesworth - the Apollo Centre, Scouts and Guides. The Town Council need to reach out and make contact with teenagers and therefore it is considering employing specialist youth social workers to make contact with the town’s youth to see what can be done to meet their needs. This will cost money but hopefully residents will consider it to be a good use of Town Council funds. If successful, an attempt will be made to try to establish a Youth Council to encourage Halesworth’s youth to become involved in influencing the town’s future.