LIVING IN HUNSTON

We are a small, friendly community which welcomes those who want to be involved in the various different activities in the village whilst also respecting people wanting a quieter village life.

We are lucky to live in what is designated a countryside village within a conservation area that encompasses not just its beautiful listed buildings and homes but many of its trees, green verges, hedges, open spaces and views over the surrounding farmland and countryside reaching down over the river into Langham.

An interesting conservation area appraisal of Hunston was undertaken in 2009 and this can be found via the conservation area link in the resources bank below.  This also gives useful guidance for people living in the conservation area.

Hunston helpline

This is a WhatsApp group, and a useful way of finding help and sharing information, news of village and other events etc with others.  If you would like to join, send an email to chair@hunstonpm.org.

Trees

Most of Hunston is within the conservation area so tree work generally needs to be referred to BMSC for approval before anything is done. Contact details are in the resources bank below.

Footpaths 

We are lucky to have lots of lovely walks in and around the village with well maintained footpaths. If walking with a dog, please help keep the paths ‘hazard free’ by clearing up any dog poo. This is particularly key in the farmyard where children play regularly. A link to the most recent footpath network is in the resources bank below.

Verge management

The council has primary responsibility for maintaining the verges and usually does a single cut in June/July to ensure there is good visibility for traffic turning into the village from Langham or Mill Road.

It is also responsible for keeping the grips (channels for filtering water from the road to ditches) clear, although in practice the village has taken on some of this work with approval from the council as well as managing the verges on ‘village land’.

There is more information on this in the biodiversity project page of the website.

Traffic, potholes etc

We have a very active volunteer traffic team which regularly monitors number and speed of vehicles. More volunteers always welcome; if you would like to join the team email chair@hunstonpm.org in the first instance.

Hunston also has its fair share of potholes. See resources below for a link of how to report potholes to the council.

The environment team

This team, boosted by regular volunteer taskforces, takes on responsibility for Hunston’s environment in its broadest sense aiming to keep an eye on footpaths, trees, particularly those with TPOS (Tree Preservation Orders), litter and maintaining and managing the ‘common’ green areas of the village. If you have any questions the team can be contacted via chair@hunstonpm.org.

Mary Page’s legacy

In 1731 Mary Page (1643 – 1731), a passionate believer in education left a land legacy in her will which ‘provides educational grants to young people of Hunston and/or Langham, the former as a priority. Provides payment to the incumbent of the benefice/St Michael's, Hunston in the form of a grant towards the quota. Relief in need to the residents of Hunston’.

The land still generates an income, now administered by The Charity of Mary Page.  The children of Hunston continue to benefit by way of book tokens and educational grants from the generosity and foresight of this remarkable woman. Grants are also made to other organisations and causes falling within the terms of the charity's Trust Deed..

Resources and useful links

Conservation area

https://midsuffolk.gov.uk/conservation-areas.

Footpath map

https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/asset-library/hunston-definitive-map.pdf

Trees

https://midsuffolk.gov.uk/w/trees-guide

Arboriculture Officer: 0300 123 4000 option 7

Potholes etc

https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/highway-maintenance/report-a-highways-issue