Residents in Lowestoft were left reeling after street artist Banksy confirmed his 'Great British Spraycation' in the town. But the fun was soon over after one mural, of a rat in a deckchair, was defaced.
Meanwhile, there was promise of a new chapter for 'Heartbreak Close' in Bury St Edmunds and a tearoom owner in Lavenham told all about its haunted history.
There were calls for the new Banksy images in Suffolk to be protected after one mural was vandalised overnight on Sunday. Images emerged of the Banksy image of a rat relaxing in a deck chair on a wall at Lowestoft North Beach having been painted over with white paint. Lowestoft Town Councillor Nasima Begum called on all councils to protect the popular images - four of which are in the town - as "a matter of urgency".It was once dubbed ‘Heartbreak Close’ but now, for the first time in decades, Jacqueline Close holds the promise of a new chapter for a Bury St Edmunds family. The street used to be home to 30 houses, a 1964 development built precariously on the site of Victorian chalk mines, and when the land began to collapse just a few years later the homes were evacuated and the majority demolished. But Jane Macaulay has gained planning permission to build a three- bedroom house on garden land next to her home at number one. It is a feat Jane, 57, never thought possible given the history of the site, where she, her brother Michael and sister Frances grew up and, for them, it was an ‘amazing playground’ scrambling carefree among the abandoned houses that were eventually demolished in about 1980. Pictured: Jane Macaulay, Anne Cross and Nikki Macaulay Hall with Rolf, eight, Leo, nine, and Gus, three. Picture by Mecha MortonStanding tall and swaying gently in the breeze, thousands of sunflowers in full bloom are creating quite the stir in Rougham this summer. Rougham Estate has, for the first time this year, planted 88,000 sunflowers to create a free spectacle. The sunflower field, along with a giant sandpit, colourful deckchairs, climbing haystack and many photographic opportunities, are drawing thousands of visitors to the field, which is located just off the A14 at junction 45. Pictured: Sarah Wright and Emma Steward. Picture: Andy AbbottA young Suffolk woman saw her dream come true when she took over tearoom - with character. For not only did Francesca Tatum realise her schoolgirl ambition of running the tearoom on Lavenham High Street but the business came complete with its own ghost. According to locals, the 16th century building, built in 1532, which houses her business, is haunted by an elderly lady. “We hear footsteps on the stairs, along with doors opening and closing, mysteriously, about once a month," said Francesca, 30, who lives in Long Melford, and had two daughters. Picture: Mark WestleyA heron which was shot with a crossbow and seen flying around West Suffolk for weeks with the bolt still through it has been put down to prevent it from suffering further. The heron, which was in a 'terrible state' according to the RSPCA as it was thin, weak and lethargic, was taken to the charity's East Winch Wildlife Centre for treatment after landing in a pond at a home in Woolpit this morning. The bolt was removed but vets found it had gone through part of the heron's spine behind the pelvis - dislodging part of the spine. An RSPCA spokesman said: "A vet made the heart-breaking decision to put the bird to sleep to prevent them suffering further."
