BURES is located on the border between South Suffolk and North
Essex, in the heart of picturesque `Constable` country and in an
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty(AONB)
The village we call Bures, is not a single entity
but a union of the two parishes of Bures Hamlet (in Essex) and
Bures St Mary (in Suffolk)
Both parishes lie either side of the River Stour,
which is the county boundary between Essex and Suffolk.
To make life much easier for everyone, we just
call the village called Bures.
There cannot be many villages or towns in the UK
which are divided down the middle by a county boundary ?
With one half in Suffolk and the other in Essex, the village is
served by two county (Essex/Suffolk)councils, three district
(Colchester/Braintree/Babergh) councils, two Westminster Members of
Parliament and two Education Authorities
(Essex/Suffolk).
We also have two parish councils, one foreach side of the river.
The police, fire and ambulance services are also controlled by
their respective County Councils.
This does seem to be complex, but it seems to
work.