Much excitement in Felixstowe this week, where I have a small flat with sea views distant, as news filtered through of a development Spa Pavilion-wise.

No sooner had I got Mother’s Day out of the way – I cooked a hot-dog lunch and presented Sue with some flowers – than on Monday morning the Felixstowe Bureau of the Archant press heard the Spa Pavilion had been sold and is set to reopen its doors later this year.

As you might imagine, this news generated a spot of interest and my colleague Richard was so busy furiously typing I could almost see the sparks flying off his keyboard.

Of course, anything that adds to the glamour of Suffolk Riviera and the county’s premier resort is no bad thing and, as far as I am concerned, an open theatre is better than a closed one, especially now work has finally begun on the Spa Gardens.

My theatrical friend Suzie, who has performed there countless times, is beside herself with joy at the prospect of the curtain going up once more.

Indeed, as regular readers will know, I have, on occasion, been known to act up, so I may yet be tempted to reprise my signature role as large boy at the back – now there is something to look forward to.

This week I managed to pop over to the west to talk to the Dean of St Edmundsbury about the meaning of Easter – apparently there’s a bit more to it than giving up chocolate, and it’s all quite profound if you read up about it.

Over in Ipswich I also met a gentleman called Alex Price, who uses the Sound On service – a free weekly talking newspaper for the blind or partially sighted in Ipswich and the surrounding areas.

It’s an inspiring service that can be a lifeline for those who want to stay in touch with the community and keep abreast of what’s going on. Of course, as a newspaper man I am not surprised that people want to know what’s happening. What surprises me is the number of people who seem to live so easily without newspapers at all – but that’s a different story.

In other news, my plain-speaking-photographer-friend Lucy has announced her engagement to boyfriend Ben.

Apparently, and Lucy told me herself quite plainly, it was very romantic and completely unexpected. Like all brides she professes to not having thought about it – though I note she said yes quick enough.

I congratulated her of course but I must admit the thought crossed my mind that I’d like to go on a nice holiday and get given stuff from John Lewis as well – perhaps next year. See more from James Marston here