It’s getting colder this week as the cold snap deepens.

While parts of Suffolk were hit by the first heavy snow of the year this week, its county town had last night managed to escape the worst of it.

But while only a dusting of the white stuff fell on Monday evening over Ipswich, forecasters said more snow would be on the way through the week. Weather warnings have been in place, and doctors are urging people to stay warm as experts predict a prolonged cold snap. Despite the weather though, it was business as usual this week for the furry inhabitants of Jimmy’s Farm – and not even bitter chill could stop them from roaming the fields.

Elsewhere, Suffolk Canine Creche is celebrating a year of successful business after opening its doors on January 9, 2012, providing a home-away-from-home for people’s beloved pooches while they’re at work. The creche caters for 40 dogs every day, caring for around 150 different dogs each week.

Along with this, groups across the county are coming together to show support for older people in the region. Age UK Suffolk has been delighted by the support it is receiving for its fundraising Bobble Day, an event which is due to be held on February 8. BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Mark Murphy is heading up the fundraiser, as part of a the national Age UK campaign Spread The Warmth.

Surrounded by family, friends and dignitaries, an Ipswich centenarian marked her special day in style. Helen Took, of Thornbank Care Home in Westerfield Road, turned 100 on Friday. And to mark the occasion, Ipswich mayor Mary Blake stopped by to wish her many happy returns at her party.

Inspirational Mason Fountain is continuing to overcome the odds as he battles a brain tumour. But the eight-year-old is determined to turn his own struggle into a force for good – and his charity mission has clearly won the hearts of the nation. He has raised £50,000 to help make the dreams of poorly kids like him come true.

Top-performing primary schools across Suffolk have been congratulated for their academic results this week. Schools minister David Laws has written to a number of primary schools in the region praising them for their pupils’ test results. Deputy Head Kerry Palmer-Long of Chelmondiston Church of England Primary School, which is included in the list, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the results” and Chilton Community Primary School in Stowmarket is celebrating this week as well after its Ofsted inspection praised their teachers, students and governors. It has shown improvement with its new ‘good’ rating compared to ‘satisfactory’ in 2009.

There was confirmation from the government this week for the go-ahead to a £5.5million youth centre which is due to open in January 2014.

Building work on The Mix, in Ipswich Road, Stowmarket, began in 2011 and was expected to be completed by March this year.

But the scheme was dealt a blow last year when the Victorian property at the front of the centre was discovered to be in a serious state of disrepair.

It was announced this week that Team GB hockey star and Olympic bronze medallist Emily Maguire is to visit Felixstowe next month to officially open the new Felixstowe Hockey Club headquarters. Before performing the opening ceremony alongside Mayor of Felixstowe, Mike Deacon, she will give the club’s 50-strong youth section a masterclass, showing off some of her skills and her highly-prized medal to the up-and-coming young players.

Emergency repair work has been carried out on the former County Hall in Ipswich to protect the historic building. Ipswich Borough Council ordered the owners of the site in St Helen’s Street to complete the work due to its poor condition after urgent talks between the council and the owners were called a few months ago due to photographs revealing extensive damage inside the derelict building were published in The Star.

Also National Trust shepherd Andrew Capell discovered a lost and lonely young red deer while counting his flock of sheep at Dunwich Heath.

The little deer appears to have become separated from his herd before attaching himself to the first group of animals he came across.

He has been living, eating and sleeping with his 100 new friends for about two weeks now and shows no sign of leaving.