The big stories of 2011 in Bury St Edmunds area: Swine flu, Wetherspoons ‘yes’, Wilko moves in, royal wedding, SnOasis and flooding

This month we are taking a nostalgic look back to some of the big stories of 2011.

Here in the UK we waved flags and celebrated the Royal wedding of Prince William and his newly-titled Duchess of Cambridge, riots broke in London after Mark Duggan was shot dead by police in Tottenham, singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse was found dead at her home, Game of Thrones premiered and it was the second warmest year on record according to the Met Office.

In world news, an earthquake hit Japan triggering a tsunami – with more than 22,000 people confirmed dead in the disaster; Osama Bin Laden was killed by US special forces and Libya’s deposed leader Colonel Gaddafi was killed during civil war.

The UK charts were dominated by Rihanna, One Direction, Bruno Mars and Adele, while at cinemas we were watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two; The King’s Speech; The Inbetweeners and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

But what was happening in West Suffolk?

Read on for our look back at some of the big stories dominating the Bury Free Press headlines in 2011.

Swine flu was still in the news, especially after the sad death of new mum Sarah Applin, 32, of Thurston.

The 2012 Olympic torch could be coming to Bury St Edmunds – with the town ‘very high on the list’ – it was revealed.

In Red Lodge, the ‘final piece’ of the development was give the nod by planners.

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White said he would be a familiar face after buying and refurbishing The Angel Hotel, in Lavenham’s Market Place.

The news was less promising for The Falcon pub, in Out Risbygate, Bury, which faced closure.

However, regulars campaigned for it to stay open as a pub and not be converted into homes.

Abbeygate Street food shop Barwells announced it was closing after 150 years in Bury, with Patisserie Valerie taking on the premises.

Another well-known Bury business also closed, as Station Hill’s Club Brazilia nightclub shut suddenly when operator Luminar Leisure appointed administrators.

Another business to disappear from the Bury street scene was shoe shop Stead and Simpson, which had traded in the town centre for 100 years.

And the Bennetts Electric store, off Robert Boby Way, was closed after administrators were appointed.

But there was happier retail news when Wilko announced it had bought the long-vacant Roy’s site, in Risbygate Street.

With the new shop opening later in 2011.

As plans for a Wetherspoons in the historic Corn Exchange’s first floor were given the go-ahead.

But town leaders said car parking fees were hitting trade in the town centre.

And potential changes to traffic restrictions in St Andrew’s Street were labelled ‘bonkers’.

Across town, new rollerskating and leisure venue CurveMotion was taking shape and recruiting staff.

But libraries across Suffolk were under threat.

And a disabled parking review sparked mixed views.

However, bus passengers hoped for service improvements after calling a public meeting with operator First Eastern Counties.

In heritage news, part of the ‘Abbey ruins’ was listed for sale on eBay.

As Bury-based brewer Greene King announced record income and profits.

Sad news also hit the headlines, when an industrial accident claimed the lives of four men from Stanton and Rickinghall.

But there was joy as we celebrated the royal wedding.

And RAF Honington prepared to welcome home airmen from a tour in Afghanistan.

While Wattisham Airfield welcomed Prince Charles.

The future monarch also visited Bury, taking in the Millennium Tower, cathedral and Theatre Royal.

But floods hit Bury after a long dry spell was broken by heavy rainfall.

In Stowmarket, Hopgoods announced its closure after 110 years in the town.

But the major SnOasis winter sports development took a major step forward.

And the long-awaited A11 scheme to dual the road between Barton Mills and Thetford also progressed – with work set to start in 2012.

Back in Bury, changes to street lighting came under fire, with one woman tripping and injuring herself shortly after the changes were implemented.

A Norton couple escaped injury when a runaway bus ploughed through their home.

And a Woolpit couple’s 350-year-old home was destroyed by fire – believed to have started after gradual overheating caused by Christmas lights being on for days.

And finally, Jo and Stuart Breens, of Thurston, celebrated the safe arrival of baby Noah after Jo’s labour was triggered by a car crash.