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Police raid unearths tasty tea plantation

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Suffolk tea plantation
Tea plantation found in Suffolk (Photo: Suffolk Police)

By Hugh Dunnett, Crime Correspondent

A police raid on a house in Lowestoft found nothing more than a tea plantation in the loft.

Officers were tipped off about strange comings and goings from the terraced house and an unusually high electric bill.

But when they raided the home in High Street, all they found was a tea plantation.

Sgt Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “Our intelligence was that the house was maybe a drug den.

“But when we broke down the door and looked around, the tenant said it was a tea plantation.

“He told us the plants were ready for harvest and were headed for a local Suffolk tea company, which rivals Yorkshire tea.

“It’s good to see enterprise like this, and we were happy to leave him to his tea company business.”

The tenant in the property said he had been growing specialist Suffolk tea for many years, and that his customers were very happy happy with his product.

“It’s really good tea, honest. The police did come knocking but when I told them these were tea plants they left again.”

Car glass repair

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Car glass repair

This content is sponsored.

Are you a car owner and is your car glass broken? Then you have come to the right place. If you experience that your car glass breaks, it is very important that you get a car glass repair as soon as possible in order to prevent the damage from getting worse. Unfortunately, many people might not know the importance of getting a car glass repair as soon as possible which can result in the extent of the damage getting so big that it is going to cost a lot of money to repair. No matter how well you take of your car, you can’t prevent it from getting damaged from time to time and when the damage is unforeseen, you need to be prepared. If you are in need of a car glass repair, then keep reading this article where we give you all the information you need about car glass repairs.

How much does a car glass repair cost?

If you need a car glass repair, you need to take it to a repair shop to get it fixed properly. If you do this as soon as possible, you can avoid spending your entire savings on a car glass repair. If you are unsure what a car glass repair costs, you need to get in touch with your nearest repair shop because the price depends on the type of car and the extent of your damage. It is probably possible for you to get a fairly cheap car glass repair since many repair shops offer cost-competitive prices in order to attract customers.

Where is it possible to get a car glass repair?

If you should have the opportunity to get a car glass repair as soon as possible, it is important that you can find a repair shop within a near distance. If you live in the Eastern part of Jylland, you can get a car glass repair in Århus and Tilst. They can offer you a nice and quick service so you can get back on the road as soon as possible. You can also come across some repair shops who offer to drive to whatever location you are at to repair your car so you can avoid driving with a broken car glass.

Good reasons why you need a car glass repair

There are several good reasons why you need a car glass repair as soon as possible. First of all, the damages to your car glass will just keep getting worse if you don’t get it repaired right away. If the damage gets too extensive, it is not possible to repair it properly and you will need a new car glass which is much more expensive. Second of all, it can be dangerous to drive in a car with a broken car glass and not only will you compromise your own safety but you will also compromise the safety of your passengers as well as other drivers in traffic.

The Queen joins National Take Your Child to Work Day

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By Jane Seymour, Royal Editor

The Queen has joined in with National Take Your Child to Work Day, it has emerged.

Her Majesty, 95, took an excited young Charles to the office and showed him the ropes.

Charles, 72, watched in wonder as he saw what mummy got up to in a job he one day hopes to have for himself, although he’d still quietly like to be a train driver or an astronaut.

Royal observer Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “It was perfectly sweet to see young Charles nervously sitting there with all the grown-ups.

“He was shuffling around on his seat but was not allowed to say a word as The Queen went about her business, reading a speech in the House of Lords.

“He was dressed smartly and had combed what is left of his hair. There’s no doubting it was an exciting day out for him.”

Young Charles was accompanied by his nanny, Camilla.

Even young wide-eyed Charles could not have failed to notice the rather angry people from the Labour Party who seemed to suggest his mum was delivering a party political broadcast for Mr Boris Johnson.

Queen fails to mention mugs

Hard to believe, but Her Majesty forgot to tell Parliament how good the Suffolk Gazette’s mugs are. You can see for yourself and purchase at Dirty Old Goat mugs – or buy direct for the perfect pottery below…

Rating the best UK online casinos available today

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There are a plethora of options when it comes to suitable UK online casinos. The market is saturated with so many different platforms and providers that it can be hard to pick which one best suits you.

The following article will dive deeper into some of the aspects which matter most when deciding which online casino to opt for. If you’re keen to read about specific casinos and compare what they have to offer, more information can be found in this article.

Safety and security

Perhaps the single most important thing to consider when signing up for an online casino is safety. You can make sure that a platform is secure and reliable by checking if it is certified by a valid authority like the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority.

It may also be worth checking out user reviews online to see what gamers on the platform have to say about it. They can help paint a clearer picture and help you decide which online casino to sign up for. If you have any doubts whatsoever over the reliability or legitimacy of a platform, avoid giving them your personal details or making a deposit, as online safety is paramount.

Library of games

Another important factor when it comes to choosing the right online casino for you is the selection of titles on offer. Every online casino is likely to have a different selection of games but you will find that the biggest names have access to some of the top developer’s titles.

Have a look at the genres of games on offer. Some online casinos specialise specifically in video slot games and as such have an extensive and varied selection of these but may be lacking in other areas. Make sure that if your favourite casino game is poker, the website has a nice selection of high-quality poker games.

Available payment methods

Another crucial aspect of an online casino that could potentially be make or break is the payment methods offered. Usually, you will find that most online casinos have a variety of payment options including debit and credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and even cryptocurrency.

If you have a preference for a specific payment option, make sure that it is available with that online casino before signing up. It’s also worth noting how long deposits and withdrawals are likely to take and if there are any limits or thresholds.

Bonuses and promotions

One of the biggest drawers to a new online casino platform is often the welcome bonus offered. Players can take advantage of some very generous offers that can include matched deposits, free spins on certain slot games, and other great incentives.

In addition to these, there are also festive promotions to look out for and sometimes birthday bonuses. Furthermore, VIP clubs are fairly commonplace and reward loyal and regular players with a variety of perks frequently based on a tier system of sorts.

Comparing bonuses can be difficult but remember there is no reason you cannot benefit from multiple offers. Avoid signing up for loads of websites at once as there are often requirements you must meet to unlock all the perks. Carefully read terms and conditions before diving into anything or depositing money.

Mobile compatibility

This is almost a requirement these days, but luckily most top online casinos offer mobile compatibility. The vast majority of games will be mobile optimised allowing you to play on any mobile or tablet device via your browser application.

Some online casinos have dedicated apps that can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices. This is perfect for players who want the freedom and convenience of playing on the go whether they may be. You can access these online casinos and their games wherever you are provided you have enough battery and a stable internet connection.

Mobile compatibility adds versatility and choice to gameplay and allows you to play whenever you have a spare few minutes to kill. If a platform does not offer mobile compatibility, there are likely better options out there.

Customer support

For many online casino players, customer support is something that they will rarely if ever require. However, if you do run into problems, it is very useful to have a competent and easy to reach customer support team.

Have a look at what options you have in terms of contacting customer support. Text bots can be very helpful as can FAQs but if you require a person to speak to, will they be easy to get hold of?

Check if they have a contact email address or phone number that can be called in case of emergency. Also, have a look around for user reviews on this topic to get a good idea of what other people’s experiences have been like.

Six factors to consider before getting your new smartphone

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With so many different options to choose from today, choosing a new smartphone handset can get confusing. Perhaps your current phone is no longer working as well as it should or perhaps you are looking for a new deal so you can save more money each month by paying less for your smartphone. If you are going to buy a new handset, it’s important to think about all the features available, including the screen size, storage space, camera quality, and anything else that might be important to you.

Choosing a smartphone and a monthly amount of data, minutes, and texts to go with it is not always easy due to the vast amount of choice available, so if you are in the market for a new phone, it’s a good idea to keep these factors in mind to help you select the right option for you.

Your overall budget

First of all, it’s important to consider your overall budget for purchasing a phone. If you want to buy your handset outright, you should consider how much you have to spend since this is likely going to be the biggest cost. Once you have an idea of how much you are willing to spend, narrowing down your options becomes easier as you can look at the price range and determine which ones are going to be most suitable for what you are willing to pay. Don’t forget to factor in the monthly cost of your new smartphone, too. You can save money by opting for a SIM only deal, or if you prefer, sign up to a longer contract. However, bear in mind that most contract deals will expect you to be tied in with them for a minimum of twelve to twenty-four months, so a SIM only plan will usually be a more flexible and often cheaper option.

Do you need a new handset?

Before you go out and purchase a new smartphone, it’s important to consider whether or not you actually need a new handset. If your current handset is working fine and you have no problems with it, but simply want to save money on what you are paying to use your smartphone on a monthly basis, changing your SIM plan could be a better choice.

If you are no longer tied into a smartphone contract with another provider and have the freedom to choose who to sign up with, consider flexible SIM only plans from Lebara. Unlike contracts from other providers where you are obliged to pay a set monthly amount for twelve months or more, Lebara’s SIM only deals are offered on a thirty-day rolling basis, meaning that you can easily change up or down depending on what you need for a certain month and save money in the process. In addition, there are no credit checks required for signing up, so whether you have poor credit or simply don’t want anything else on your credit file in the future, it could be the ideal option for you.

Monthly allowance

Whether you have decided to purchase a new handset or just want to change your monthly payment, it’s important to consider how much allowance you are going to need. Buying too much could mean that you are paying more than you need to each month, while on the other hand, not getting enough could mean that you run out of minutes or data quickly and are left without until you can get more. This is where SIM-only plans often come in handy since you can easily change your allowances on a monthly basis. So, if you get to the end of one 30-day period and find that you still have a lot of minutes and data left, you can work out how much you have used for the month and only purchase that amount for the next month, allowing you to save more money and only spend on what you actually need.

Choosing a smartphone:

If you need a new handset because yours doesn’t have the features that you need or it’s no longer working as well as it should, there are plenty of factors to keep in mind when choosing a new smartphone. The type of smartphone that you choose is going to be a huge factor when it comes to how much you are going to pay, however you decide to purchase it.

Newer phones tend to be more expensive, so ask yourself do you really need to get the latest one? Often, you can save a lot of money by going for the handset that was released a couple of years before the latest one since the demand for these will have dropped by now, giving you the chance to still get a really good handset with all the features that you need. Be open-minded when it comes to choosing your smartphone and arm yourself with a list of the features that you want and need to have when doing your research. You might be surprised that you can get an older handset that includes everything that you need and then some.

Buying second-hand

If you want to save money on your next smartphone, one of the most popular ways to do this is to buy it second-hand. You can do this by looking at selling sites in your area such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and eBay to find what smartphones people near you are looking to sell. Often, people will sell their old smartphone handsets simply because they have upgraded their phone and have no need for the old one anymore, which might be in great working condition with a lot of life left in it. If you want to buy a second-hand smartphone, it’s a good idea to choose one that is being sold by somebody in your area so that you can easily go and check it over and try it out before you purchase it, as opposed to buying it blind online.

Where possible, make your purchase with a payment service like PayPal that will cover you if anything is wrong with the phone that you were not told about when purchasing.

Choosing a refurbished handset

If you want to save money on getting your new handset but do not want the risks that come with buying second-hand from a seller in your area, another option to consider is buying a refurbished smartphone handset. Refurbished phones have been repaired to a high standard by the manufacturer or an approved retailer and will usually come with a warranty giving you peace of mind if anything does go wrong with the handset in the future. Along with being a much cheaper way to get your hands on a like-new smartphone or save money on getting the latest model release, refurbished handsets also have the additional benefit of being much better for the environment since they are helping to reduce the demand for brand-new phones and keep old and unwanted phones out of landfills where they can cause a lot of damage to the planet.

No matter what reason you have for needing a new phone if you’re looking to get the best deal and make the right choice for you, keep these factors in mind when looking for your handset.

Brown bear spotted in Britain for first time in 1,500 years

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Brown bear sighted in the UK
Bear enjoys Norfolk Broads (Photo: Suffolk Gazette reader Michael Bond)

By Ian Bred, Norfolk Correspondent

A brown bear has been spotted splashing around in the Norfolk Broads – the first sighting in the UK for around 1,500 years.

The news has astonished conservationists and confirms the European brown bear population is booming, following the first sighting of a brown bear in Portugal in over a century.

Tourists enjoying boat trips on the River Bure, near Wroxham, were treated to the extraordinary site of the adult brown bear wandering around in the water, looking for a tasty fish supper.

Photographs have been verified by the British Bear conservationist charity, Bear Necessities.

Spokeswoman Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “This is the news we have been waiting for. The return of a bear to Britain also shows our conservation efforts are working – clearly this adult female is thriving in the Norfolk Broads area.”

Ms Fisher added: “Even more exciting is her behaviour leads us to believe she may be pregnant, so there could be some cubs coming along soon.”

Residents and visitors to the area are advised not to approach the bear and try to pet or feed it.

“These are wild animals,” explained Norfolk Broads trust official Steve Walsh. “Please keep your dogs and children under control.”

Brown bears last roamed Britain in around 500 AD, although the Romans brought a few over, because they could.

Experts are baffled how the bear got over the channel from mainland Europe. They believe it might have hitched a lift on a container ship into Felixstowe and then roamed through the Suffolk countryside before settling in the Norfolk Broads, where food is plentiful.

The sighting might be exciting, but some are not so happy. Suffolk Gazette angling correspondent Courtney Pike said: “This is bad news for fish.”

Have you seen the Norfolk bear? Send your pictures to editor@suffolkgazette.com

Captain Hindsight confirms he knew he would lose Hartlepool all along

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Sir Keir Starmer

Sir Keir “Captain Hindsight” Starmer has again used his legendary power to make a bold forecast after the event.

This morning, the Labour leader confirmed: “I knew we would lose Hartlepool and most council elections around the country.

“I said all along something should be done differently and this Government should be held to account.

“I never actually said what I would do differently if I were in power.

“But then again, I can afford to wait for something to happen and then comment on it like I knew what I was talking about all along.

“In this way, I will fool the public into thinking me and my party are electable.

“Oh, hang on.”

The Conservatives won Hartlepool last night for the first time since the constituency was formed nearly 40 years ago.

Local Hartlepool person Lorraine Fisher, 34, said people in Hartlepool were not remotely interested in where Boris Johnson got his wallpaper from or who gave him the cash to pay for it.

“He is the Prime Minister, and most people outside of the Liberal Socialist elite in London think it’s quite normal for the leader of the country to live in some element of comfort while he battles the worst global crisis the world has seen since World War Two.”

No political mugs here

We don’t do political mugs – only ones that won’t have you and your friends and family arguing with each other. Browse the full collection at Dirty Old Goat mugs online or see and buy the items below…

New Ipswich Town FC shirt sponsor revealed

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Sheeran reveals the news on Instagram

In a surprising piece of genuine Suffolk Gazette news, Ed Sheeran has been unveiled as the new shirt sponsor for Ipswich Town Football Club.

The Suffolk singer-songwriter is a global superstar and his sponsorship is probably the coolest shirt deal in the world.

Sheeran, who regularly watches from the stands at Portman Road, said: “With the new owners from the US coming in, there are sure to be exciting times ahead for Ipswich fans, including myself.

“Hopefully we can stop being sloightly on the huh!”

The expression is a traditional Suffolk saying, and is represented on one of the famous Suffolk Gazette mugs, which you can buy direct from the image below…

The actual image on the Sheeran ITFC shirts is thought to be a nod to an upcoming new world tour for the artist.

The new Sheeran ITFC shirt

“All will be revealed in time,” he told fans.

Some wags suggested it was a complicated formula designed to work out why Ipswich have been unable to score any goals this season.

There is now speculation that Sheeran might stage a concert at Portman Road next year – the only time the stadium will have seen a decent crowd for years.