It is not often we get touched directly by world events, but the USAF Military helicopters that will be used to take aerial photographs of the 22villages communities have been 'scrambled' to rescue victims of the flood crisis in Mozambique. We wish them well in this important humanitarian mission. The aerial photography will now be rescheduled for May/June time.

Recycled PCs going fast!
PC's donated by Forest Heath District Council have been refurbished, fitted with a fast modem and made available for £50. The following have already benefited from the initiative: Mary Rolfe , Bill Haylock (Beck Row); Yvonne Vincent , David Wood (Elveden) ; Richard Bye (Exning) ; Alan Benton (Mildenhall) ; Russell Grundon (Thetford) ; Esme Murfit (Tuddenham). Please drop these newcomers a line and welcome them to the 22villages online community. Forest Heath is committed to making this project as inclusive as possible if anyone involved in your team would benefit from a PC please contact Joe on 01379 646046

Extra Funding Opportunity Tue 4 April
Would your local community benefit from a £5,000 grant? Millennium Festival Awards for All can be used for a wide range of activities to mark or celebrate the Millennium including arts, sports, heritage and community projects. We have arranged a meeting where you can learn more on Tue 4th April 6.30pm at the Council Offices, College Heath Road, Mildenhall. To book a place and receive an advance application/info pack contact Caroline on 01638 719217. **places are limited so book early** For information online visit www.awardsforall.org.uk

Highlighted on the Festival 2000 Website
Our project has been highlighted online by The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC is responsible for administration and marketing of the year long Millennium Festival) they say... Twenty two Suffolk villages, three towns and Forest Heath District Council are pooling their local knowledge and resources in this year long exploration of the district's heritage. The end result will be 1,000 books, 1,000 multi-media CDs, 25 websites and on-line advice and tutorials. Forest Heath is a rural area and these disparate communities are using the Internet to pool ideas, knowledge and information as each village's own exploration develops. Along the way the group is arranging aerial photography of every community (courtesy of Mildenhall USAF), regular open meetings with expert speakers and workshops on everything from oral history through to 'time team' style trips.
To find out the latest happenings visit www.festival2000.co.uk

Who's online now?
Since our last newsletter West Row and Worlington have started their websites. This brings the number of online villages (at this early stage in the project) to thirteen. You can see the latest additions to the communities webs by going to www.22villages.org and clicking on the 'at a glance' link. Additionally below you should see a map of the region, those marked in green have already started to publish their local heritage information. If you move over the map their names will appear and clicking on an area will take you to that village's web site. Also if you keep this email safe and open it at a future date (whilst online) it will automatically update itself - clever!!. (thank you to the technical support team for this innovation)

Regards
Joe@22villages.org
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Tel(01379) 646046 * Fax(01379) 646045 * www.22villages.org *
Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the Millennium Festival