Tempers flare as park’s future deepens rift

Tempers flared at a meeting to discuss the future of a village country park as councillors disagreed over the handling of the site.

Tuesday’s Long Melford Parish Council meeting – called to discuss the country park and the Railway Walk – began with a warning from chairman Peter Turner over the behaviour of both councillors and members of the public, with many volunteers from Long Melford Open Spaces – the group which manages the sites – in attendance.

Arguments soon erupted, however, over the management of the park, with councillors Richard and Carole Michette arguing that there should be less intrusion, namely grass cutting and tree felling, at the listed nature reserve, believing the site should be left primarily for nature.

Several comments from the couple were met with outrage from members of the public, while support for the work of the voluntary open spaces group was met with passionate applause.

Despite the high tension throughout the meeting, the open spaces group left with a unanimous show of support from councillors.