Like many of you I have been watching with interest the developments at the junction of Rectory Road and the B1150 in Horstead. The first sign of things to come were the cones and chalk marks on the road, then the traffic lights. Since then it has become clearer where such things as the traffic islands are going to be situated but I must admit to concerns over how we will get out of Mill Road from now on with no let up for traffic turning right into Rectory Road. I had hoped also that there might be a Zebra crossing. However nimble you may be there are plenty of others who are not up to a mad dash, even half way across the road. The elderly, children and parents with push chairs would, in my opinion, have been better served by a pedestrian crossing that meant traffic would actually stop to allow them to cross the road. I know that many residents do not wish to see road markings and signs that they feel are appropriate for a busy town in our villages but I for one am more concerned about the safety of our more vulnerable residents. I would be interested in hearing your views on the developments. I must also add that the above are my thoughts only, and are not necessarily the views of the other editors. Does any one know where the bus stop is going?

Apart from concerns about the road we are also in a bit of a panic in the editorial team about future printing of The Marlpit. For about 5 years now the printer has been housed in Great Hautbois but now we have to find another home for it and the production of the magazine. Mr & Mrs Oliver will very soon need the space so we are casting around for another location. The printing, as you know takes place 10 times a year and on each occasion the printers take about 2 days to complete all the work. We need space for the printer itself which is the size of a large floor

standing photocopier, plus a space for a couple of trestle tables whilst the pages are sorted out. It would also be helpful to have somewhere to store some paper and printing cartridges etc. If you can help or know anyone else who has a small office or room that they can let us use please contact one of the editors. This is really urgent as time is running out.

The Editors were also very sad to learn that Hilary Oliver will shortly be leaving the Editorial Team which she has led so well for a number of years. Hilary has made a tremendous contribution to The Marlpit and quite honestly we will struggle to run the magazine so efficiently without her and to maintain the standard. She has also been in charge of the distribution and in the pages of the magazine you will find an advertisement for an Editor with special responsibility for distribution. If you have organisational skills and like talking to people then please think about joining us. The Editors meet 10 times a year on average and spend an evening sorting out The Marlpit business. Please consider joining us and contact one of the Editorial Team from the Back Page.

The final blow has been the news that Pauline and Eddy Watts are moving from the village. Pauline is one of our printers but she has agreed to continue in that role despite the fact that she will have to travel miles to get here. However, she and her husband Eddy also staple and deliver a large number of editions of the magazine every month and without them to do it we will need replacements. Failing that we will have great difficulty maintaining a full delivery to certain parts of the village of Coltishall; a further plea therefore for some more staplers and deliverers. We really need some additional help now. Pauline and Eddy have undertaken this work for more years than I know and we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude. Thank you so much to you both.

Finally, I do hope that you all have a peaceful Easter. As I am writing this the war with Iraq is only three days old and there have already been tragic losses. Our thoughts and prayers are for the safe return of our forces, and especially for our own men and women from RAF Coltishall. We will also keep their families waiting at home, just on our doorstep, firmly in out hearts.

Barbara Gidney