Sutton St Edmund is a village of long drains and long roads – perfect for exercising horses in peace and quiet.
Tracey Hedges works as groom for Alan and Sue Thompson, who run Tom Tech UK Ltd, designing and making computer controlled systems for the horticultural industry.
Alan, who is involved with The South Wold Hunt, keeps three horses that Tracey is responsible for.
The wide open spaces surrounding the village have also attracted unwanted attention: the village is littered with signs opposing Wind Ventures’ proposal to site six 126-metre high turbines close to the village.
Protestors have joined forces in an organisation called FenRATs (Fenland Residents Against Turbines).
Its website describes members as “a group of local community members driving a campaign to stop the proposed Treadings Bank Wind Farm development”.
The planning application has been refused by both South Holland and Fenland district councils. Wind Ventures has submitted an appeal against those decisions and an inquiry has been held. The government recently announced changes to planning guidance, so the inquiry inspector is to forward a report to the Secretary of State to make the final decision. The outcome should be known by October 21.
Whatever is decided, among those affected are the owners of the 16th century manor, Guanock House, whose beautiful five-acre gardens are opened to the public for charity each year.