A Suffolk businessman and British Empire Medal (BEM) recipient has received the backing of town councillors after describing his town as a "total mess".
Earlier this week, the EADT reported how Framlingham shopkeeper Bill Bulstrode had voiced concerns over the state of infrastructure, including shops, businesses and homes being overgrown with weeds and streets not being swept.
He also questioned the care given to St Michael's churchyard and an apparent lack of action to repair a wall outside the church, which collapsed in November 2021.
READ MORE: Bill Bulstrode's concerns about the state of Framlingham
Additionally, he was concerned that the River Ore in the town was overgrown with weeds.
He said: "Now look at the town. It is a total mess. Church wall not rebuilt.
Churchyard never seen it look so uncared for. The River Ore on Riverside totally overgrown.
"Streets not swept. Weeds growing outside shops, businesses and homes. Rectory garden totally overgrown. No fetes down there now. Councillors resigning.
"The town is in a total mess."
READ MORE: Framlingham Town Council concerned about Pageant Field
Now town councillor Tim FitzHigham has supported Mr Bulstrode, although he said not all the issues raised were within the town council's control.
He said: "The town council shares many of the frustrations of this long-term resident of the town and continues to advocate for positive solutions.
"It is kind of the EADT to report on these issues.
"As a town council some of the issues raised are outside our ability to directly manage; however, we work with those who hold responsibility for them to achieve change."
READ MORE: Framlingham news
With regard to the wall, he said the council was in discussions with St Michael's Church to get a timeframe for when the wall will be rebuilt and was continuing to support the church to resolve the situation.
He said the section of the River Ore that caused Mr Bulstrode's concern was owned by a private company, but the town council had been speaking with the private company 'for many years' to try and resolve the situation.
Street and road sweeping was the responsibility of East Suffolk Council, but Cllr FitzHigham said the town council had been supporting an East Suffolk Council pilot scheme to sweep the roads every two weeks.
READ MORE: Suffolk news
He added a volunteer working party had made a difference with road sweeping in the town.
Mr Bulstrode also said no fetes were taking place in the Rectory garden, which was also overgrown, but Cllr FitzHigham said this was not a matter for the town council.
Mr Bulstrode, who owns Bulstrodes and Framlingham Toy Shop, was responding on social media to a post on the Framlingham community Facebook page about the future of the former John Grose car dealership in Station Road, which has stood empty for two years.
Cllr FitzHigham said the site had been bought by a private company and the town council was working to find an 'exciting use' for the former dealership, which is being advertised for rent by property consultancy Rapleys.
"Currently, it is not kept up to the standard many feel it should be and this is a sadness to many," he added.
Cllr FitzHigham also made an appeal for volunteers to come forward to help 'make a positive contribution' to the town, adding that the town council had vacancies.
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