Ipswich24 May 2014

MAY 2014

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Available in and around Ipswich, Woodbridge, Felixstowe and Hadleigh – Every Month

FREE Suffolk Show – see pages 4&5

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Deben Travel offer “Award-Winning Service” and that’s official!

Deben Travel, based on Woodbridge Thoroughfare are an independent family owned Travel Agency with a focus on luxury holidays. Many people ask what the benefits are to being independent. At Deben Travel they have access to over 200 Tour Operators plus, all the world’s leading airlines and cruise operators. This means that they can shop around for you to find the best possible holiday at the best possible price. A team of experienced Travel Consultants are available who are well travelled and able to offer you advice on all your holiday requirements.

Florida holidays are now on sale for 2015 and the independent travel agent expects to see the rest of the USA and Canada on sale any time now.

Cruising continues to be a huge area of growth and with P&O launching the new ship Britannia next year it

All package holidays available at Deben Travel are ATOL protected and they can also ‘de package’ your holiday to match your ideal hotel, duration and departure airport.

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The team at ‘Award winning’ Deben Travel are all extremely proud to have won an award at the Global Travel Group awards on Monday 24th March. The annual event attracts Travel Agents from across the UK, the world’s leading Tour Operators plus special guests which this year included Pete Waterman OBE and entrepreneur Levi Roots.

“We were certainly not expecting to win an award this year following our best newcomers award last year so were delighted to have picked up the award for top sales and service.” said Deben Travel owner Lee Hunt, “A huge thank you to all our lovely customers. We appreciate you have a choice of where to book your holidays and are delighted you choose us.”

As the ski season passes by the focus is now on late deals for the spring (and there are many amazing offers!) plus family holidays in July and August. Turkey is once again leading the way for price this summer but Deben Travel are now seeing more bookings for the more traditional self catering apartments or small hotels in the Greek Islands, Italy and Croatia.

Looking further afield there is always a lot of interest in destinations such as Burma, Vietnam and Asian River Cruising, although Thailand and Malaysia certainly lead the way still.

is certain that 2015 will be another growth year for both ocean and river cruises.

Centre Lee and Sarah collecting the award... Far left is Cherie the Global Travel Group Commercial Director, far right Joanne Briggs, Business Development Manager

Whatever your holiday requirements the team of experienced Travel Consultants at Deben Travel are on hand to help you create your perfect holiday.

INSIDE THIS MONTH MAY Arts

Ipswich has a thriving arts scene and this month sees the launch of the town’s own fringe Festival “Pulse” as well as drama and dance.

Jimmy White:

The snooker boys swing into town, we’ve caught up with Jimmy White and also we have tickets and a signed snooker cue to be won in a great competition.

35 Suffolk Show

22-25 Museums

Ipswich has some great museums, fantastic for those rainy days.... plus just down the A12 is the newly refurbished Colchester Castle which reopens on May 2nd

10&11

The county’s biggest day out is here, well almost.... special preview

Events Diary

Looking for something to do this May? Our day-by-day guide will keep you informed and don’t forget there’s more on our website at www.ipswich24.co.uk

20&21

4-5 26-29

Live Music 24

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As well as a day-by-day guide to live gigs we have tickets to be won to East Coast Live and also the gigs in Thetford Forest.

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It’s Suffolk Show time! Time for all the family to explore, discover, taste and enjoy everything about this fantastic county!

The annual Suffolk Show, held on May 28th and 29th at Trinity Park, Ipswich is the county’s biggest two day pop-up family event. This year the organisers, the Suffolk Agricultural Association, have announced a real focus on the Show being even more accessible and a real family friendly occasion.

All children aged 14 and under will be able to enter for free and young adults aged 15 - 18 can enter for just £5 if they buy tickets before midnight on 25th May. Visitors can once again bring their dogs to the show when the gates open at 7.30am on both days.

In addition, the Show has introduced much more hands-on interactivity for all ages and more opportunities to discover all about food

and farming, at no cost. Concerned that the agricultural industry across all sectors needs many new recruits, it is eager to showcase the various different skills and career opportunities that are available, so if your child or a friend is wanting to meet people in the know who can help, this is definitely the place.

New Show Director Bill Baker, himself a father of five, has chosen “explore, discover, taste and enjoy” as his theme for his first Show. “There will be many new areas for all our visitors to explore and discover everything about food, farming and the countryside and most of the activities are for free. So from when the gates open at 7.30am 4

until well after 5pm your children aged 14 and under can have a day out that will cost you absolutely nothing for them, and they will have fun discovering all about the place they live and all the food that is grown there. Where else can they stroke a sheep, milk a cow, sit in the latest tractor cab and an Apache helicopter simulator?

You can all cook, pond-dip, sample different foods, see sheep shorn, watch international showjumping, stand beside a giant hedgehog made from willow and check out some great shopping, all in the same day!”

The new major feature is the Farm Discovery Zone - a journey through every aspect of food production from the ground to the plate, all laid out in different themes, including the farm machinery used over the years to discover how technology has developed. The family can cook together with cereal crops like wheat and oats with Cook With Me Kids, see the beginnings of the poultry lifecycle with the new Easton Farm Park hatchery, hold a newborn chick, they stroke a sheep, milk a cow, discover where sausages come from.

Anglia Pea Growers and representatives from the Potato Council and local vegetable farmers will be on hand to demonstrate how vegetables look when in the ground. Combinable crops, the theme for the 2014 Suffolk Farming School of the Year will be demonstrated through illustrations and samples of various grains and there is a chance to have a go at cooking them up with Emma Haines of Cook with Me Kids. A display of threshing machines and combines and mini digger display will show how the crops are planted and harvested.

New exhibits are being confirmed daily to ensure every aspect of farming is covered and inspirational for visitors. In the former calf unit model combine harvesters made from recycled food packaging waste by the county’s primary schoolchildren as part of the Suffolk Farming School of the Year Competition will be on display and on Thursday the final of this competition will be held in the Farming Discovery Zone judged by among others BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Lesley Dolphin.

Suffolk is a fantastic county for food and the Greene King Eat Street has new vendors with amazing food to go. Among them, Aspalls will bring its famous cider barn, Eleveden Estate its tea tent, chose from foods from the Waffle Works, Flippin’ Pancakes, Hadleys Dairy Products, Simply Duck, International Seafoods and find out what’s jumping at Bonni’s Reggae Hut! The Adnams Food and Drink Experience will showcase more than 42 regionally produced new tastes and offer the opportunity to sample and buy local favourites to take home, cook with and enjoy. Here Hill farm Oils, the first UK produced cold-pressed rapeseed oil to hit the supermarket

shelves launched at the Show a decade ago, will be celebrating its 10th anniversary with some great promotions. Scarlett and Mustard, renowned for its five dressings, Dazed and Confused Oils and Billy’s Chilli Jam, goes sweet to launch a brand new range of fruit curds called The Curd Herd. News is eagerly awaited about the leading celebrity chefs in this year’s new Flavours Cookery Theatre, so keep checking the website for the announcements.

The nine showing and display rings will be filled with more than 1000 large and small livestock from daybreak to dusk, all hoping to be award winners. There are more than 700 livestock and equine classes, among them is a new Retrained Racehorse challenge for thoroughbreds that have raced and ladies two-wheeled cart race with heavy horses, as well as a picture of grace with the Concours D’Elegance side saddle afternoon on Wednesday. There are Royal International Horse Show qualifiers, Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers in Mountain and Moorland and Working Hunter Ponies.

This year the Show is only one of two shows selected for the first time as an Olympia Direct Qualifier across in-hand and ridden classes. The overall winner will go forward into one champion qualifier.

The Show is renowned for its quality International Showjumping and will feature the prestigious International Stairway, Speed Derby, Ride and Drive and Accumulator as well as the Open Championship which are likely to attract some top European riders.

Among the ring displays are the Luscitanos and the fast and furious Shetland Pony Grand

National with riders looking for a place in the next round and just fresh from the Windsor Horse show. This initiative has launched the career of several famous National Hunt jockeys among them Sam Tristram-Davis, so is well worth a watch to spot the jockeys of the future.

The Equine Village will feature a demonstration by the East Anglian Savvy Team of Parelli Instructors whose goal is to raise the level of horsemanship throughout the UK by helping people understand their horses. The practical demonstration includes helping normal horse riders to play with their horses, developing a better relationship that can lead to playing at liberty and riding bridleless with the most amazing levels of subtle communication between horse and rider.

All around the avenues are various entertainments, musicians and acts. Popular Jitterbug Dancers will get people dancing in the aisles, the living statues will amuse and for Thursday there is the giant animatronic T-Rex dinosaur, who organisers hope will not encounter

the new Parrot Roadshow – the only travelling one of its type featuring rescue birds.

If shopping until you drop is a must for a great day out there is plenty to choose from – more than 700 tradestands, including 72 new ones, with unusual and different products for every age and choice.

As ever, the Show has plenty of different activities to entertain and amuse for all the family. Suffolk Sport will showcase more than 20 sports to have a try at, completely free of charge, Suffolk Skills will showcase practical skills from students from the region’s colleges and give you a chance to talk about future careers and further education in the Careers Discovery Zone.

The magnificent Flower and Garden Experience marquee provides inspiration for gardens large and small or ideas for growing on allotments and gives handy hints on growing fruit and vegetables. There will be at least five model gardens, among them one especially designed

for children by a 15 year old. A student from Suffolk New College’s Horticultural apprentice scheme will also be working alongside the stewards as their apprentice, gaining valuable insight and meeting many of the famous growers and producers.

At the entrance will be a fantastic flower display measuring at least 16 x 8 ft, created especially to mark the 60th anniversary of the East of England branch of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies and the theme for the floral design competition is “Around the Town.”

Exhibits from RHS Chelsea are also anticipated along with a new take on the refreshment and tea area.

Buy adult and concession tickets prices £20 and £18 and car parking for £4 in advance of midnight on May 25th and save pounds.

For breaking news about the Show visit: www. suffolkshow.co.uk. And follow, Share and Like us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Classic Vehicle Run The 44th Annual Ipswich to Felixstowe Classic vehicle run takes place this year on Sunday 4th May. The vehicles will be on display in Christchurch Park from 9am onwards. This year there are over 530 entrants bringing vehicles as varied as a 1922 vintage Stanley steam car, several Bentleys and Rolls Royce’s, some less exotic vehicles such as Morris Minors and Austin 7’s right up to buses of all shapes and sizes, commercial vehicles, military vehicles, motorcycles and scooters, and a Lister Autotruck!

The parade this year will leave at around 11.30am and be lead this year by the Transport

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Museum’s very own Ipswich Borough Transport bus Regent 3 no: 16 carrying the Mayors of Ipswich and Felixstowe. It will proceed along Colchester Road, Bixley Road, Felixstowe Road and then on to the Old Felixstowe Road, via The Trimley Villages and Walton to end up on Felixstowe seafront.

Programmes are on sale at Christchurch Park and at Felixstowe giving visitors a run-down of all of the vehicles taking part this year and the event is free of charge to the general public.

Refreshment facilities will be available both in the park and at Felixstowe.

If 2013’s event is anything to go by this year will be equally entertaining and certainly worth a day out so get there early and enjoy the show. For further details call the museum on 01473 715666.

Masquerade Charity Ball When Councillor Hamil Clarke MBE was elected as Mayor of Ipswich, he chose “Bringing Communities Together” as his headline theme, and also to support three very special Charities.

Ipswich Country Market

Ipswich Country Market is celebrating its 30th Birthday on the 8th May 2014 at Rushmere Village Hall, Humber Doucy Lane, Ipswich from 10.15am to 11.30am.

There will be a celebration cake for all past, present and any new customers to sample with a nice cup of tea or coffee. All the usual produces will be available to purchase including Gluten free and local honey. Locally produced honey is great for boosting the immune system for all those poor hayfever or asthma suffers this time of the year. Another success has been the bacon butties made from locally sourced pork, so the market will serving these on the first Thursday of each month. Please come along and help celebrate this special day and help to ensure your local market continues for another 30 years.

Other important dates for the dairy include 22nd May and 29th May 2014, when the market will be closed due to an election day and a large number of producers being at the Suffolk Show. If you are planning on visiting the Show, then pop along and support the Market by purchasing your weekly favourites.

Woodbridge Carnival looking for the Queen of haart!

In association with Woodbridge haart estate agents, the Woodbridge Carnival is supporting local charities, groups and organisations by making this year’s Carnival Queen an elaborate fancy dress contest.

The decision means that men and women, boys and girls of all ages can participate and have fun getting dressed up to raise money for their chosen charities.

In a move similar to the London Marathon, entrants are invited to raise sponsorship for their chosen charity or club by dressing up as a queen for the Carnival. The brief is open to interpretation and might include the rock band, famous monarchs both real and fictional and even drag or pantomime queens.

Jo Wilson at Woodbridge haart, said, “We were so happy that the Carnival came back to Woodbridge last year and were keen to take an active role this year. Through this initiative we’re helping to add to the carnival and provide a longer term benefit to a deserving cause through the winner’s prize of £500.

All entrants will form part of the parade through the town on 5th July on a bespoke float to Kingston Field where they will be judged in the main arena as crowds look on. The winning Queen – The Queen of haart - will win an additional £500 for their chosen charity, kindly donated by Woodbridge haart estate agents.

The mix of community entertainment and charitable giving really appealed to us and we really hope that many local clubs and charities will embrace the fun and put forward their contenders for the Carnival Queen of haart!”

These charities are EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices), which cares for young people with life threatening conditions, Fresh Start New Beginnings, which supports young people who have been sexually abused, and The Dame Vera Lynn Trust, which provides support to the families of young people suffering from Cerebral Palsy.

The theme encompasses the community in it’s entirety, but these charities provide a unique focus on the children and young people within that community who have been denied the right to enjoy the quality of childhood which is universally accepted to be theirs by right.

To mark the end of his term of office, and to raise funds for these worthwhile causes, the Mayor is hosting a Masquerade Charity Ball at Wherstead Park on Saturday 31st May. The Swing Machine Big Band will provide music, and there will be a Charity Auction and Tombola.

Tickets cost £60 each, and can be obtained by either calling Sonia Clarke on 07947 185871, or by e-mailing her at sonia.clarke@hotmail.co.uk

Entry forms can be found at www.choosewoodbridge.co.uk/ carnival-2013 Choose Woodbridge, the group organising the carnival, explains the decision, “Last year’s carnival was a huge success and the Carnival Queen and princesses were gorgeous, but we want to open up the carnival to more people. This way any one can enter to be Carnival Queen and play their part in the Carnival. We have a thriving range of local groups, clubs and charities that can use the opportunity to raise money. Plus we can bring bit of the fun, glitzy colour and pantomime of Rio to the Carnival to make it a real spectacle for the crowds.”

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Wanted: Suffolk Foster carers for Suffolk children There are around 750 children in care in Suffolk. Suffolk Fostering Service needs more carers who can offer children the care, stability and love they need to thrive. We are particularly looking for carers who can provide care to children over the age of 10, children with disabilities, and sibling groups. brothers aged 11 and 14. “Fostering Foster carers can provide care on a is life changing, both for us and the short-term basis whilst permanent children. It gives us so much joy to plans are made for children to return see their confidence grow and to help home to birth family, to an adoptive them turn their lives around. We are family or another permanent foster able to introduce them to the many family. However for older children things they may have missed out on in care many will need long-term or and others take for granted, be that permanent foster care where they will fun times like going to the cinema and be fully part of the carer’s family for a trip to the seaside, or by showing the remainder of their childhood and an interest in them, helping them with hopefully throughout their adult life. their school work, and providing the Myths abound about who can foster. warmth, routines and boundaries that Foster carers may be … all children need.

Any age over 21 All sorts of people can be carers, Married, single, divorced, but you need to be open minded, or in civil partnership patient, and a good listener. I would Lesbian, gay, bisexual recommend fostering to anyone.” or heterosexual We know that many people can be hesitant to come forward and take Rent or own their home the next step but please do contact Disabled us and we will respond to you quickly Of any ethnicity, race, and sensitively, and answer any religion or culture initial queries that you may have.

Already have children or not.

Contact the Fostering Service on: 0800 328 2148 (free from a land line) Jan is a foster carer for Suffolk County or visit www.suffolkfostering.com Council who currently cares for two

It’s Spring Time, It’s Show Time!

Plans for the 175th anniversary Hadleigh Show on Saturday 17th May are nearly complete Holbecks Park will be the venue for this great family day out.

To mark the anniversary the theme is “How we farm today” showcasing some huge modern farm machinery. Visitors will get the chance to get up close to these machines around the showground and to see them in action in the Main Ring where there will be active demonstrations with commentary from Tom Bradshaw, the North Essex farmer who featured on the BBC Harvest series last year.

In the Countryside Ring will be the Welsh Axe Men, the Flying Fergies, Cyril the Squirrel and his Racing Terriers, falconry and YFC Tug-O-War to mention a few. The Sheep Show will be back, as too will the “Land Train” with its stopping stages around the showground. Children can take the “Passport Challenge” and get their card stamped at identified locations before returning to the Membership Tent for a chance to win a goody bag.

The traditional rural agricultural show content, however, remains centre stage with more than 150 classes of cattle, sheep, goats and horses on show, not to mention the Grand Parade of winning entries and displays of Suffolk Horses to remind us of the “machines” of our early shows. There is also the Art Exhibition and Sale; Education Tent, Food Hall, Craft Tent and Flower & Horticultural Marquees.

Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.hadleighshow.co.uk. If booking before Friday 16th May, visitors can take advantage of the ‘EarlyBird Discount’, which reduces a Family Ticket (2 Adults with up to 3 Children) to just £24.00. Adult - £9 (£12 on day); Child 5-16 – £5 (£7 on day); Senior Citizen - £7 (£10 on day). Parking is free; gates open at 8am.

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Ipswich Waterside Food & Drink Festival Shaping-Up For Success Preparations are well underway for this year’s Ipswich Food & Drink Festival being staged at the town’s Waterfront next month.

The Orwell Quay event, being held from Friday, May 16th to Sunday, May 18th, has already attracted bookings from a wide variety of businesses and the international line-up of mouth-watering delights includes cheese, Moroccan specialities, curry, cupcakes, sausages and paella.

In addition, organiser Market Square Group, is creating an exciting and varied entertainment programme.

Already signed to perform on the Friday and Saturday are CoCo and the Butterfields, with their own unique fusion of folk, pop and hip hop.

Ipswich lad and acoustic guitarist George Edwards, who proved extremely popular at last year’s inaugural event, will be making a welcome return - joined by Cajon player Sam Washington. The duo will be performing on Saturday, with original material influenced by flamenco, blues, funk, jazz and folk.

Also on Saturday, comedy cooking act The King Elvises are back in town delivering their own style of culinary entertainment and Ipswich artisan butcher Jamie Willows, from Rose House Butchery, will be demonstrating his skills.

The highlight of Sunday’s entertainment will be three cooking demonstrations by 5 out of 5 AA Rosette and Michelin award-winning French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

‘The Nation’s Favourite French Chef’ will be in the kitchen theatre cooking one of his favourite classic dishes at 11am, a Mediterranean meal at 1pm and, at 3pm, a culinary creation focusing on locally-sourced produce.

He will also be chatting to festival visitors during the day and signing copies of his latest book, Simply Novelli.

Ipswich Food & Drink Festival is a celebration of some of the best regional, national and international hot and cold foods and drink available in the UK alongside high-quality kitchen products and crafts.

Other attractions will include a beer festival, children’s activities and, as well as Mr Novelli’s demonstrations, local chefs will be taking to the stage in the cooking theatre.

Paul Kennedy, Market Square Group event co-ordinator, said, “Preparations for the festival are taking shape and we are delighted with the quality of stalls and entertainment already lined-up.

“Working with our partners Ipswich Borough Council and Visit Suffolk, we are building on the success of last year’s inaugural festival.

“We are privileged to have JeanChristophe Novelli, who is hugely popular with the public, as our headline chef.

“The most remarkable thing about Jean-Christophe is his enthusiasm and passion – you don’t have to be a foodie to fall under his spell.”

The festival, part of Ipswich’s Food and Drink Forknight, is supported

by Novotel, Easton and Otley College, First Eastern Counties and John Banks Group.

Sailing the Orwell Sailing Barge Victor now has her summer rig and she is looking smart and ready for the 2014 season. Once the decks are painted, a ‘shakedown’ sail is planned to make sure all is working well. And, it will be great to get sailing again after the long, wet winter.

Victor provides many local people and visitors to Ipswich and Suffolk from other parts of the UK and overseas with an opportunity to sail on a fully rigged sailing vessel on the beautiful River Orwell, Harwich Harbour and River Stour.

Working closely with Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, their official partner, guests can now book from a range of scheduled cruises with complementary Cream Tea or Supper or book private parties and events.

Come and take a look if you are near the Old Customs’ House in Ipswich Dock. If you are planning a party, Wes and the crew may well be around and would be more than happy to show you around.

Launched in 1895, Ipswich-built Victor is a major attraction on Ipswich Waterfront and is amongst the last of more 5000 barges that played a crucial role in the trade to and from London in East Anglia and once filled Ipswich and other docks in 19th and 20th centuries. Victor is on the National Historic Ship’s Register and her future, like other surviving fully rigged Thames Sailing Barges, is made possible by the work of volunteers and dedicated private owners. All income is ploughed back into her continued maintenance and improvement. Booking a cruise is not only a fabulous way to spend time on the river but is helping secure Victor’s future and the preservation of fastdisappearing skills.

For further information and all bookings, please contact Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, St Stephen’s Street, Ipswich on 01473 258070 or email tourist@ipswich.gov.uk Please take a look at the new Victor website, www.sbvictor.co.uk where more information on all cruises and events can be seen plus download the 2014 schedule.

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l a r u t a n h it w n u f n Hands-o y a M is h t s n io t a e r c Your children can enjoy getting messy this May half-term, and we’ll do the cleaning up! Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service will help you to entertain the family with fun-filled activities from weaving and fabric design to taking over the art room!

Head to Ipswich Museum on Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th May to Meet the Saxons. Join the Saxon farmer to find out about how he and his family made use of the natural world in everyday life, and create your own Saxon souvenir to take home. £2, bookable: 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 2pm, 3pm The Tudors are visiting Christchurch Mansion on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th May. Meet the friendly Tudor lady, who will take you round the kitchen garden and explain which plants she’d use in her day-to-day life and have a go dyeing your own cloth. £2, bookable: 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 2pm, 3pm Budding artists can let their imagination run free at Ipswich Art School’s Tidal Margins workshops

on Wednesday 28th May. Take inspiration from the Tidal Margins exhibition and marine collections to create your own piece of coastal art using all sorts of sensory materials. £3, drop-in 10.30 - 12.30pm and 1.30 – 3.30pm call 01473 433691 for more information or to book Ipswich events.

Colchester can offer an action packed May half term, with the newly refurbished Castle (open 2nd May) providing a memorable family day out.

Ride a chariot around a Roman Circus, hear tales of battle and bravery from a Gladiator, excavate a doctor’s grave and much more!

Cutting edge technology will bring the exhibits alive and visitors can use their own mobile devices, or hire tablet computers, to recreate the Norman Castle interiors and animate the collections. A gigantic son et lumiere projection will fill an entire Castle internal wall to dramatically evoke key moments from the 2,000 year history of the site and recreate the original Castle. While you’re there meet Colchester Castle’s Iron Age Warrior on Tuesday 27th and Thursday 29th May and learn about life in the Iron Age, handle artefacts, dress-up and hear stories as you sit around the fire!

If you’re visiting the Castle why not drop in to the Natural History Museum on either Tuesday 27th or Wednesday 28th May to weave colourful willow into amazing deep sea creatures to help create a giant fish tank. £3, bookable:10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 2pm, 3pm Hollytrees Museum will be designing china on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th May. Use special pens to decorate a piece of china with beautiful designs inspired by the views of Castle Park. £3, bookable:10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 2pm, 3pm. To book Colchester events call 01206 282940.

• Visit www.cimuseums.org.uk/whats-on for more information.

Woodbridge puts local producers in the spotlight The What’s Tasty in Woodbridge Food Market is back with loads of fresh, tasty, local produce from local farmers and producers. The Spring Food Market will take place on Woodbridge’s historic Market Hill, on Saturday 24th May between 10am and 3pm.

There will be live music and cooking demonstrations from local chefs Ugur Vata from The Galley and Vernon Blackmore from The Table in Woodbridge.

Supported by local businesses, The Galley, The Cake Shop and Friday Street Farm, What’s

Tasty continues the legacy it began last year by bringing together and showing off the fabulous produce made by local companies including; Stokes Sauces, The Woodbridge Tide Mill, Petite & Sweet chocolates, Woodbridge Kitchen Company, Damian’s cut flowers, to name just a few.

Organised by volunteers from Choose Woodbridge, this event promises to provide a delicious day out for all ages and a great way to talk to local producers, learn more about their products and taste the fabulous foods that originate on our doorstep.

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New Season of Guided Walks introduced The new season of Guided Walks around historic Ipswich commences on Thursday 1st May. Regular walks start at the Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, St. Stephens Church, St Stephens Lane at 2.15pm - every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of September - as well as some Wednesday evening and weekend walks throughout the season.

This year some great new themes have been added, bringing to life different aspects of the town’s history, including “Ipswich and the Great War” (commemorating the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War1 and it’s effect on the town) and “How We Shopped in Times Gone By” (From Medieval Markets to the perils of the Victorian pharmacy!). The walks are popular with local people as well as tourists, and are a great way to discover local history, happenings, and famous people that have helped shape the town.

The price per walk is just £3 per person and, for most regular public walks, there is no need to pre book.

Full details, and a new leaflet of Guided Walks, are available now, free, from the Tourist Information Centre giving information about the walks. Contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01473 258070, email tourist@ipswich.gov.uk.

Community Fun Day

An afternoon of Old School races is planned for Saturday 24th May at Coronation Sports Ground, Mill Lane, Felixstowe between 12pm and 4pm as part of the 50th anniversary activities of Felixstowe and District Council for Sport and Recreation.

Free entry on the day is offered for teams of up to five members from families, cadets, clubs, schools, pubs and firms etc. to join in such Old School races as egg and spoon, three legged, sack and wheelbarrow as well as space hopper. Fancy dress is an option.

An elegant trophy is available for the overall winning team.

Other attractions at the event will include an avenue of low-cost inflatables with a bungee run as well as bouncy castles and slides for all ages to enjoy, displays, charity stalls and bar and refreshments.

There will also be plenty of space for those that wish to picnic.

70s May Day Celebrations

The Museum of East Anglian Life is celebrating May Day in 70s style, with a day packed full of family fun and activities to get stuck into.

Why not go colour crazy with DIY tie dye socks, knot some nifty bracelets or give yourself a far-out make over? If games are more your thing you can bounce to victory in the Space Hopper race or take on the champion in the Giant Connect 4 challenge.

The Good Life isn’t just for Tom and Barbara – get mucky hands planting in the Walled Garden, meet the animals and learn how to keep chickens.

If you wander down to the 13th century barn, you’ll discover a craft fair with something to tempt everyone - with stalls selling everything from vintage clothing to toys and natural cosmetics to chutney.

Once you’ve exhausted yourself with the fun and games, why not

sit back, relax and be entertained with some 70s classics in our pop-up cinema?

Are you a pierced punk, happy hippie or disco diva? There are prizes for those that come in the best funky 70s fashions, so be sure to wear your grooviest gear.

The Super Smashing 70s May Day will go on whatever the weather, so make sure you bring something waterproof, or perhaps just take cover in The Osier Café with a slice of cake and something warm if it starts to rain?

May Day Celebration day is at the Museum Of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket on Monday 5th May from 10am until 5pm. Normal museum admission charges applies.

Charity Variety Show Norman Carter presents an Evening of Variety at the Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road, Woodbridge on Sunday 11th May, with proceeds going to Orwell Mencap.

The show starts at 7.30pm and promises a great evening of entertainment with music, magic, songs and comedy.

Acts will include from Peter Holloway, Geneva Downes and Minter, Dennis Maisey ukulele, The Colneis Hep-Two-Step Dance 12

Comedy vocalists Dianna with his Singers, group,

Wendy Guevara, Veronica White Vocalists and The Natasha Free Duo. There is ample parking at the venue and the interval will include refreshments and a Raffle.

• Tickets cost £7 in advance by calling 01473 719761 or £8 on the night at the door.

Paying homage to wood Weird and Wonderful Wood is now in its 20th year and has become legendary attracting over 8000 attendees over two days. Dealing soley in wood the event will amaze those who love wood, are fascinated by the beauty of wood and hand-crafted objects. It is a celebration of many aspects of woodwork showcasing the talents of specialist woodworkers, and described as “the most magical day ever – it was so inspiring and so much fun” Anna Morrell, Kent.

News from the farm It has been a beautiful and productive spring.

At Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm the daffodils are blooming, the May is out, and the lambs are in the field, leaping and running around in gangs.

The February piglets are now weaned and their mum, Louise, is enjoying a well-earned rest. Ella and Nina, the Large Black sows still have their litters with them – when the piglets are not off wandering round the farm exploring – and both Eeny and Meeny, two of the Middle White gilts, are expecting to farrow soon.

Two things you may not know about pigs.

First, that a pig is pregnant for three months, three weeks and three days.

Second, that pigs are the fastest growing mammals…

During May the Golden Guernsey and Pygmy goats will start to kid and then the trouble really starts. Every year the kids refuse to stay in their pens and think nothing of climbing on to visitors’ laps or even trying to cadge a ride in a push chair.

The event attracts well over 120 artists and craftspeople from all over the country travelling from as far as Scotland, Cornwall and Wales.

Demonstrations include carving and sculpture, fine furniture making, musical instrument making, displays by traditional fletchers and bowyers, chain saw carving, hurdle making, wood turning, pole lathe turning, labyrinth making, as well as traditional gypsy caravan displays. There will be a working mobile sawmill on site, so if you want to bring your own tree, it can be cut for you!

Workshops, for both adults and children are free and include activities such as archery, den building, willow weaving, withy work, papermaking, gypsy flower making, pole lathe turning, scrap wood, clay, puppet making, jewellery making and tree climbing in nets.

If you have not been before, you will find it a friendly, relaxed and extraordinary event with something surprising for all the family. Also allow time to enjoy a wealth of excellent local food and drink (including a licensed bar).

Weird and Wonderful Wood is a unique and exciting event which is never the same from year to year. There are new experiences every time, including many spontaneous happenings from street performers and acoustic musicians alike, but one aspect never changes, the event’s very special atmosphere that sees people return year after year.

Weird and Wonderful Wood takes place at Haughley Park, Wetherden, Nr Stowmarket, on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May, for more information visit www.weirdandwonderfulwood.co.uk The event is organised by Stow Hundreds, a non profit making organisation, and Robert Williams has once again kindly invited us to use his lovely grounds and beautiful barn at Haughley Park.

While we all hope the weather will continue to get warmer - the sheep will be getting more hot and bothered.

They will certainly be a lot happier after the Festival of the Naked Sheep takes place, on the 2nd June. The Festival is all about sheep shearing, wool and the production of all things woollen. Once the sheep have no need for their coat, it is sheared off and put it to good use.

• For a day out in the lovely Suffolk countryside, getting up close and personal with some friendly animals, visit Baylham House Farm.

Open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays, 10am until 5pm. Visit the website for more details at www.baylham-house-farm.co.uk or phone 01473 830264.

Quiz Night The Felixstowe United Reformed Church Quiz Night, in support of Christian Aid held on Friday 4th April raised £520 for the project ‘Empowering Women in Afghanistan’. The European Union will also contribute to that amount and it will become £2,080! Organisers would like to thank all concerned - Felixstowe Christian Aid Committee, the Quiz Master Phil Hadwen and in particular ‘The Bakery’ in Hamilton Road who donated all the Hot Cross Buns. Thank you to all who helped in any way.

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A National International for Suffolk Polo 2014 An England team will take on Clogau Wales when Hopkins International Polo returns to Trinity Park for an exciting third year.

In a change from previous years, this National International will be held on a Sunday on June 29th, to suit demands from visitors, and to position this exhilarating day of sport as a more family focussed occasion.

To make it even more so, all children aged 14 and under can enter free of charge and more family-friendly entertainment has been introduced including another quirky Suffolk first – Camel Racing!

putting up a good strong opposition, so visitors can expect to see the game played at its best. We are delighted that Hurlingham Polo Association, the game’s governing board in the UK are once again backing us and giving their support. It’s the perfect way to give your family a great day out and all enjoy experiencing a sport you don’t see played often enough in Suffolk.”

country and providing some serious sport for all spectators.”

The event has already attracted some key sponsors – Hopkins Homes has once again generously agreed to sponsor the entire event - with Adnams, JM Finn, Archant, Binders, Jordon Fencing, S a v i l l s , Brewin Dolphin, also lending their

PRIZE COMP

“It’s going to be an exciting day and one full of fun and surprises,” said Peter Over, chairman of the Suffolk Agricultural Association’s business development committee, who stages the event. “The team from Wales had a busy season last year and is fired up to beat us, but England will be

Adult admission is £10 and public grandstand tickets, which must be ordered in advance, cost £10 each.

Admission for young people aged 15 - 18 is £5.

All tickets are available now online at www.internationalpolo.co.uk or email emma.poll@internationalpolo.co.uk for further information.

After gates open at 10am, the day will start with the medium goal Patrons Cup teams going head to head at 11.30am. To increase the audience’s understanding of the game, which is played at an average 20-30 miles an hour, players will give an on pitch demonstration of some of the rules and methods of play with commentary.

Camel racing will start at 2pm before the Home International at 3pm. And at 4.30pm the junior match features the debut of the Trinity Park team versus a young four from Stowe School, which has its own polo team, but these players all live in the county.

The party spirit continues with music and dancing for all in the Members’ enclosure.

Non-SAA member’s tickets are £35.

Children aged 5-14 are allowed in the Members’ area and tickets are priced £12.50 and £17.50 for SAA members and non-members respectively. This year members will be permitted to bring picnics into the enclosure, although hot food will be available from the general catering tradestands and there will be a bar selling beers and wines.

Trinity Park Events will be providing a range of hampers that can be collected or delivered and Butler served on the day and further information is available from christine.bond@trinityparkevents.co.uk Chef d’Equip of the team, and Wales Polo Association, Harry Legge-Bourke, ”The Clogau Wales Polo Team are delighted to have been invited to play at this years’ Suffolk Polo Tournament and cannot thank the organisers enough for allowing us to showcase the team and the Principality. The team, although established only recently, has set some very high standards and impressive results against many international sides, including HPA sanctioned teams from the Commonwealth, South America, and most recently nail biting matches against our old adversary… England.

We look forward to crossing the

support, plus, the new sponsors of the VIP lounge this year are Ipswich Audi and Ipswich Volkswagon.

There are various ways to see the polo, depending on your budget, but all ensure an entertaining, highly social, day out full of action. Tickets for hospitality in the VIP enclosure, including champagne reception, three-course lunch prepared by Milsoms and afternoon tea cost £120, and tables are for 10. To create your own party, ringside gazebos including table and seating for 10 people cost £500 and tickets give access to the Members’ Enclosure. SAA member’s tickets are £25 and one guest ticket can also be purchased at this price.

—COMPETITION — Ipswich24 has got four pairs of adult tickets to give away to lucky readers.

To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize just send your answer to the following question, along with your name, address and a contact telephone number to: Polo 2014 Competition, PO Box 774, Ipswich, IP1 9FW or you can enter online at www.ipswich24.co.uk. The closing date for entries is Friday 30th May 2014.

Q. Other than the Polo horses, what other animal, more used to desert sands, will you see at this year’s International Polo at Trinity Park?

Midweek Weddings at Wherstead Park For engaged couples that want a magical day but have their eyes firmly on the budget, there’s no better choice than to opt for a midweek wedding.

At Wherstead Park, they’ve put together a full package to take the guesswork out and deliver a fantastic day to remember. All you’d need to do is show up!

The midweek wedding package, for up to 50 guests, includes all of the following:

For £4,800 you can have your wedding in a luxurious Georgian mansion setting with extensive landscaped grounds and opulent rooms. Stunning photographs are absolutely guaranteed.

• A glass of wine or Pimms on arrival

• Mansion venue hire • A delicious wedding breakfast – two course hot or cold fork buffet • A glass of wine during the meal • A glass of sparkling cava for the toast • A finger buffet and disco for the evening reception • A dedicated Events Co-ordinator for the big day If you’re thinking about putting Wherstead Park on your wedding wish list, get in touch with the Events Team to arrange a viewing and find out more – call them on 01473 786565 or drop an email to bookings@whersteadpark.co.uk

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Felixstowe Cycle Treasure Hunt

A first-time-for Felixstowe cycle treasure hunt will take place on Sunday 18th May from Dellwood Avenue Sports Ground Felixstowe starting at 1pm. This event is part of the 50th anniversary activities of Felixstowe and District Council for Sport and Recreation.

Best Foot Forward

The treasure hunt is especially for families although individuals can also participate. There are clues to solve on the cycle ride as well as objects to collect. There is no chance of getting lost as if need be a sealed envelope will reveal the final destination where refreshments will be available for purchase.

Alford Brothers Cycle Shop has kindly donated a prize for whoever gains the most points. All children who complete the trail will be given a certificate to commemorate the event.

Entry on the afternoon is a £5 donation to Sport Relief to cover all entrants whether an individual or a family group. A clue list will then be issued. The seventh annual Suffolk Walking Festival kicks off this month and There will be a staggered start to avoid congestion so a short wait may be the festival has grown by leaps and bounds. At time of going to press ten walks had sold out and many more were looking full. necessary.

This year there are nearly 80 walks for all ages – from toddlers to grownups! Hoots Story Walk takes littluns around magical Thornham Walks with games, activities and a story. For grown-ups History The Rotary Club of Ipswich East together with main sponsor Fred and Art in Ravenswood discovers wonderful Olsen Travel have announced this year’s event will take place on art on the outskirts of town. There are walks all over the county with many in and around Sunday 29th June.

This will be the 38th Orwell Walk, which last year introduced a new cycle Ipswich, Woodbridge and Felixstowe. Further event organised by Roatary Associates with route options over four or 27 afield, walks visit the ancient and fascinating miles. The walking route along the Orwell foreshore ranges from three to wool town of Lavenham, explore the busy 25 miles, with the main routes being 12, 18 and 25 miles to give walkers a town of Bury St Edmunds and see some Awesome Trees in one of Suffolk’s best choice of distances.

Both the Orwell Walk and the Orwell Cycle will commence and finish country parks.

The Orwell Walk

at Gainsborough Sports Centre, where there will be free parking and refreshments.

There are regular check-points along the route where refreshments are available and volunteers for both the Rotary and St. johns Ambulance will be on hand to lend support to any walkers or cyclists who feel they’ve reached

The festival runs from 10th May until 1st June.

For details on all 79 walks and to book online visit www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk, or pop into your local tourist information centre.

their maximum distance and need a ride back to Gainsborugh Sports Centre.

Graham Bickers, President of the Ipswich East Rotary Club, commented that the Orwell Walk, which began in 1977 with just a couple of hundred walkers, is now the most successful fundraising campaign for Ipswich East Rotary, with approaching £1.5 million raised to date for local charities and good causes.

Last year, some 2,000 people took part, all raising money for their chosen charities. The Rotary Associates idea of adding a cycling event to run in paralled has been a great success, and overall target for the Orwell Walk & Cycle this year is to raise £100,000.

As an extra bonus to registered walkers and cyclists, Fred Olsen Travel are offering to donate 5% of the value of holidays booked by event participents before 31st December 2014 to their chosen charity.

Graham Bikers added. “All walkers and cyclists are encouranged to wear bright clothes and highlight the name of the charity they are supporting. It really is a lovely day out and includes access to private land along the orwell foreshore which is not normally open to the public with lovely vistas across the river estuary”.

To find out more about this year’s Orwell Walk and Cycle visit www.ipswicheastrotaryclub.co.uk 15

A chance to play at stunning Seckford

Seckford Golf Club is hosting a special Golf Day this month for the charity Inspire Suffolk who works with young people. They are looking for individual golfers to make up teams of four and join them on Friday 9th May from 1pm. After coffee and bacon rolls a shotgun start will kick off the afternoon at 2pm followed by 18 holes of golf on this popular course. The day concludes with a meal, prize giving and raffle. The fee is £35 per person for more details call Jo-Ann Barker at Inspire Suffolk on 0845 1369 333

On Saturday 3rd May 2014, the energy of the boxing ring comes to The Apex, Bury St Edmunds; as an elite team of amateur boxers from the US air bases in Mildenhall and Lakenheath take on renowned homegrown British talent, (most of who train locally as part of a community run gym in Cambridge).

The event will feature contests between an actor and a PHD student, all the way up to former national competitors in ten bouts and culminating in a battle between Beck and Feoria for the English

Boxing League Middleweight title.

Hosted by MC’s with support from live DJ’s the night promises not to disappoint. “Even if you don’t follow boxing, the electric atmosphere and information provided will help you feel part of the action.” says Duane Vandross, the event organiser.

During the evening there will be a charity auction in support of Duchene’s Muscular Dystrophy as well as an opportunity to win a prestigious piece of boxing memorabilia.

Tickets available to purchase online at www.theapex.co.uk

Amazing Tales

Whitsun or Wit’s End?

Did you know Inspire Suffolk offer a great mix of school holiday multi-sport courses for your children for the school holidays?

With courses for 5-15 year olds to try there’s something for everyone to enjoy this Whitsun. To find out more or to book on line go to www.inspiresuffolk.org.uk or call Amanda on 0845 1369 333 for full details of these courses which run across Suffolk.

Finally Inspire Suffolk is also running a 15 week Football Mash Up! for children aged 12-16 with disabilities. The course offers children who require additional support to take part in fun football drills and games; play football to music; have a go at designing their own game/drill as well as the chance to try new sports like Futsal and Handball. For more details contact Tom Nicholas at Inspire Suffolk on 0845 1369 333.

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The New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich welcomes back Transport Theatre with their production of 1001 Nights from Monday 5th May to Wednesday 7th May. Produced with the Unicorn Theatre, this family show for ages 6+ is devised and directed by Douglas Rintoul, who was most recently in Ipswich for As You Like It in 2013. The show returns for a UK tour, starting with the New Wolsey in May. 1001 Nights collects together some of the greatest folk tales ever told. Here they are re-imagined by Shahrazad – a lively young girl who, torn between her old home in the East and her new life in England, re-tells the extraordinary stories of her childhood to her new-found friend, who understands not a single word she says…

Using the things she finds around her, Shahrazad fashions saucepans into crowns, old pipes into enchanted telescopes and a mop into a magic carpet to transport us to a fantastical and imagined world of kings, viziers, and jinns.

Devised by critically acclaimed and award winning theatre company Transport, this compelling, funny and totally absorbing play wowed audiences at the Unicorn, London (the UK’s leading theatre for young people) in 2013 where it was nominated for an Off West End Award – Best Production for Young People.

Douglas Rintoul directs and adapts 1001 Nights. He is currently the Artistic Director of Transport. His recent theatre credits include As You Like It (UK and European tour), Elegy (Theatre503 winner of a Royal National Theatre Foundational Playwright Award), Invisible (UK and European Tour), All My Sons and Of Mice & Men (Watermill Theatre, Newbury), Closer (Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg), Endgame, A Disappearing Number and Measure for Measure (with Complicite as associate director).

Tickets are on sale now and can be booked through the Box Office by calling 01473 295900 or by booking online at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk.

The Rise of the Cheeky Chappy A critically acclaimed show chronicling the life of iconic entertainer, George Formby, strums its way into Bury St Edmunds, and will be leaning on a lamp-post at the Theatre Royal from Wednesday 7th and Thusday 8th May. This sensational show documenting the rise of George Formby opened at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival to rave reviews and is now touring the UK raising a smile wherever it goes!

Tracing the astronomic rise of the happy-go-lucky star, the production features many of Formby’s classic hits brilliantly recreated in full by Ewan

Wardrop on the ukulele, including: Blackpool Rock, Leaning on a Lamppost, TT Races and, of course, When I’m Cleaning Windows.

Written and performed by Ewan Wardrop, this one-man-show is not just a tribute to the genius of Britain’s favourite Lancashire lad, but is also an in-depth exploration of Formby’s rise from awkward stable-boy to one of Britain’s biggest stars. With key characters from Formby’s life also represented this is a fascinating look into Formby’s life, and is both moving and characteristically comical.

Director and co-creator of Formby, Ed Hughes, was born and brought up in Bury St Edmunds and is thrilled

to be bringing this show to his home town. He is available for interview.

For tickets and further details please call the Box Office on 01284 769505 or visit www.theatreroyal.org.

Fashion Fusion In Fabulous Fourth Year Fashion Fusion is making a fabulous return for 2014. It’s the fourth year on the catwalk at The Apex, Bury St Edmunds with all proceeds from the event going to St Nicholas Hospice Care.

The annual event will take place on Friday 9th May and will showcase the exciting new Spring and Summer ranges from Bury St Edmunds’ retailers including Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Joules and Nicola Sexton to name a few. Local stylist Loraine Callow will also be on stage providing valuable information on how to

dress for your size and shape.

Over 20 shops and designers will take part in the style extravaganza, which will be split into two parts to showcase ‘young fashion’ and ‘exclusive fashion’. Lively music, continuous catwalk models and video footage will create an exciting atmosphere and with a mix of independent shops and high street stores, there will be something to suit everyone’s taste.

West Suffolk College will be appearing on the catwalk too, with students strutting their stuff in their very own creations including a

range on ‘Bury In Bloom’ outfits.

The outfits will also be on display at Elsey’s Gallery, off Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds from 14th May. Plus volunteers from St Nicholas Hospice Care will be modelling chic second hand items to promote their new retail stores, and not to forget the latest range of sleepwear to encourage sign ups to this year’s Girls Night Out. Julie Warren, Marketing Manager at The Apex said, “Our aim is to raise as much as possible for the Hospice – last year we achieved £5,803.64. This year we will be

changing the format a little to keep the momentum fast paced and exciting and delivering more of a ‘Fashion Week’ style atmosphere.

So do come along and enjoy this fun event for a good cause.”

All tickets include a welcome drink and interval refreshments, all seat numbers will be entered into a raffle with one lucky fashionista winning a day pass for Center Parcs!

Drinks reception starts at 7pm, show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are availablre by contacting the Apex on 01284 758000, Front row tickets £15, all others £13.50.

Popular Live Comedy Club – moves across town

Jokers Comedy Club now in its sixth year is moving venues this month to a new home –The Foxhall Community Centre, off Foxhall Road in Ipswich. Jokers which runs on the first Sunday of every month draws live comedy acts from far and wide and has a following of more than 300 loyal fans. It is hoped that with it’s new, larger and more accessible venue that figure will continue to rise.

Sunday 4th May see’s their next show and tickets are available now to book on line at www.jokerscomedyclub.co.uk for £10 or you can turn up on Sunday 4th May and pay £12 on the door.

Everyone is welcome at the Foxhall Community Centre which boasts free parking, licensed bar and was previously known as St Clements Sports & Social Club before leaseholders Kieran Moore and Anna Cook breathed new life into the centre after taking over in September last year.

Kieran has since become the new owner of Jokers Comedy Club too and hopes to work his magic on this popular monthly event too. He explained, “It’s an absolute must for Ipswich with some real talent and just needed someone to take it on and bring it to a wider audience.”

Jokers Comedy Club hosts live comedy on the first Sunday of every month and from this month will be hosted by Foxhall Community Club having moved from The Manor in St Margaret’s Plain.

For more details find them on Facebook or Twitter @JokersIpswich or check out their website.

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Allen Gardiner arrives on the Orwell The Lady Florence River Cruise Restaurant business has now consolidated in Suffolk, by moving its Allen Gardiner boat from Durban Harbour in South Africa to Ipswich. Operating from the waterfront’s Ipswich Marina in the Wet Dock, she cruises the River Orwell down to the Port of Felixstowe, whilst serving fine food from an a la carte menu.

The Allen Gardiner was built in 1942 in Florida, USA for the South African Air Force (SAAF) as an air/sea rescue launch, so is two years older than Lady Florence, and therefore 72 years old this year. She was one of twenty air/sea rescue launches operated by the SAAF during World War ll, but has been in the tourism industry in Durban for over forty

years. In 2011 she underwent a virtual rebuild, so is now a gracious old lady.

In Durban she cruised with twenty passengers sat at table in the dining saloon, but catered for thirty to forty for fork buffet meals. Today,

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in Ipswich, she operates with only twelve passengers on an Ipswich Borough Council licence, until such time she obtains her Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) licence for greater numbers. She can accommodate twenty passengers at table, but only by remaining at her berth and not cruising the river.

However, her berth is right at the Prince Philip Lock, within full view of the frequent river and sea-going traffic that enters and leaves the Wet Dock. The Allen Gardiner has large picture windows, so you will be fascinated by the views of the historic Ipswich waterfront and the lock whilst seated at table.

The Durban experience caused the owners to create a very different menu to Lady Florence, and many of the South African dishes have been incorporated into the Ipswich menu. You will be intrigued by “bunny chow”, which is normally

eaten walking down the street with it in your hands. And, has nothing to do with rabbits, by the way. A special treat is the Malva pudding, of South African origin, but really from the Cape. A light sponge with a sauce of melted butter, with cream and brandy poured over the sponge whilst still hot so it is fully absorbed.

Delicious!

Cruises for twelve passengers leave the Wet Dock through the lock, and you will enjoy passing through the port of Ipswich, with its grain and timber terminals and the roll-on roll-off (roro) vehicle ferry terminal.

Passing under the impressive Orwell

Bridge, dockland gives way to one of the prettiest river shorelines in Eastern England. You will pass the marinas at Woolverstone and Levington, the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, picturesque Pin Mill, ultimately turning for home at the Port of Felixstowe, the largest container terminal in Britain. This is opposite the old HMS Ganges Naval Training School at Shotley and also Harwich Pier and Parkeston Quay.

For more information about the Lady Florence and the Allen Gardiner cruises or to book a place telephone 07831 698 298 / 01473 558 712

World Factory:

The story of a shirt METIS, in association with the New Wolsey Theatre, took up residence in an empty shop unit in Tower Ramparts Shopping Centre in Ipswich too spend a week developing World Factory, an interdisciplinary performance project, which explores the global textile industry and our relationship to what we wear.

Outcomes of the residency will be shared as a part of Pulse Festival Ipswich on Saturday 7th June, when METIS will once again take up residence at Tower Ramparts. Later that day, Zoë and Simon will present 28 Hands Make Light Work at The New Wolsey Theatre, introducing the World Factory Shirt and demonstrating the bespoke World Factory app, designed to scan codes on a The Shirt which trigger videos revealing the story of its making. Simon Cantrill from the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee joins both events Saturday 7th June to chat with METIS and the public about his relationship to sewing and his and his family’s experience of working in Bradford’s textile mills.

Zoë Svendsen and Simon Daw have been collaborating with Shanghai-based theatre director, Zhao Chuan, to pool research and begin work on World Factory.

As a way of learning about the textile industry, the team has decided to (attempt to) participate in the system, by having a shirt made in a Chinese factory. The Shirt will be stocked in The Shop, one of a number of modules created as the World Factory project progresses. The Shop will make up a part of the final form of World Factory.

At Tower Ramparts, METIS will be testing out the form for The Shop as well as the other modules, and asking the public to get involved. A final form of World Factory will be presented in 2015.

Zoë Svendsen of METIS says, “We are interested in the way that we feel really close to our clothes, but in reality they are made in all parts of the world by many different people. The idea is to collapse that distance so that we can understand what goes into mass-producing clothes. We want to reveal the people - and indeed the skills - behind the making of each garment.

There’s a great deal of skill involved in sewing. Add to this the requirement to sew accurately and very very fast in a factory - we feel there’s an untold story there”

Some familiar faces will return to the Mercury Theatre in Colchester when Alan Sillitoe’s ground-breaking Saturday Night and Sunday Morning hits the stage this May. Immortalised in the award-winning 1960s film starring Albert Finney, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning tells the story of harddrinking, double-dealing Arthur Seaton who thinks he’s got it made when he starts seeing two married women at the same time.

However, everything could be about to change for Arthur and the women in his life following a bombshell revelation one night on the boardwalk.

Directed by the Mercury’s own Tony Casement and adapted by Amanda Whittington, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning is a gritty, high-energy, kitchen sink drama surrounding an angry young man determined to have a good time in 1950s Nottingham whatever the cost.

The play marks the return of Mercury favourite Tim Treslove to Colchester. Tim has appeared in a host of Mercury Theatre productions including Arsenic and Old Lace, The Grapes of Wrath (both directed by Tony Casement), Roots and The Winter’s Tale.

Other familiar faces will be Gina

New home for Jars of Clay The team, at Jars of Clay, are very excited about their forthcoming move to their new premises at 4 Rendlesham Mews, Rendlesham IP12 2SZ - opening for business on Monday 19th May. The last day of trading in the Thoroughfare, Woodbridge will be Saturday 10th May. Come and enjoy their much loved Paddy & Scott’s coffee, hot chocolate, selection of teas and local hand baked cakes or spend a morning or afternoon painting ceramics in a friendly and relaxed environment. Paint something to mark a special life event, make a unique present or paint just for a bit of rest and relaxation. There are ceramics suitable for both adults and children. WIFI is free, so you can also catch up on emails or browse the internet whilst enjoying a hot drink or two.

The new large, open plan shop floor backs on to a spacious free car park, which is convenient for those of all ages to visit and the new premises will have wheelchair/pushchair access.

Those that enjoy painting will be pleased to know that Jars of Clay will still have their large range of ceramics.

Furthermore, you may be interested in seeing what happens to your masterpiece after painting as glazing

and firing will now happen on the premises.

Orders for ceramics for special occasions can still be placed with the Ceramic Café’s very popular commission artist Gill Coutts. Gill is incredibly talented and produces beautiful, unique and personal ceramic items.

The new Café will have excellent facilities for large parties which can also be booked in an upstairs room, making your experience feel even more personal. At Jars of Clay they welcome all types of bookings such as birthdays, hen parties, ante-natal or baby groups and team building.

Jars of Clay love to paint baby feet and little hands and of course look forward to welcoming mums and dads with young children to capture that special moment on a keepsake ceramic. The new premises will continue to offer a relaxed environment where mums can breastfeed.

The upstairs room may also be booked as a small meeting room The staff at Jars of Clay look forward to welcoming you soon. For more information ring us on 01394 380123. www.jarsofclay-ceramicscafe.co.uk www.facebook.com/JarsOfClayCeramicsCafe

Isaac and Ian Kirkby. Both have a long history at the Mercury Theatre with Gina starring in The Butterfly Lion last August, whilst Ian was last seen in Colchester as Mortimer Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace.

Tim, Gina and Ian will be joined

by Elizabeth Twells and Patrick Knowles who will take the lead as Arthur Seaton.

Mercury Theatre Associate Director, and Director of Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Tony Casement said, “It’s great to work with people you know and trust as we each know how the other operates. This allows us to do more and be braver. Not only are they brilliant actors, they know the theatre and the community, and the community knows them.”

• Saturday Night and Sunday Morning opens at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester on Friday 9th May and runs until Saturday 24th May. To book tickets visit www.mercurytheatre.co.uk or call the Ticket Sales Desk on 01206 573948.

Variety The Bucklesham Players are pleased to announce their latest production, a Variety Show to be presented on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May, at 7.30pm.

There will be music and comedy from members of the players, and a one act play with the vey talented Bucklesham Juniors.

Tickets are £7.50 each and this includes a ploughman’s supper, but bring your own drink. All the proceeds shall be split between two charities: the crossroads Care Charity and the Village Hall Restoration Fund. You can get your tickets by calling 01473 659619.

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Have your Event Listed Free!!

Email: info@ipswich24.co.uk Post: PO Box 774, Ipswich, IP1 9FW Every Sunday

Lions Club of Ipswich Car Boot Sale, Portman Road Car Park, Ipswich (Weather permitting), Gates open 8am, Pitch fees - car £5.00, Car & Trailer £10.00, small van (Escort size) £5.00, large van (transit size) £10.00 all payable on entry, Refreshments and toilets on site, Other details visit www.ipswich-lions.anglianet.co.uk Ballroom and Latin class, 22 Bond Street, Ipswich, 7pm – 8pm, 07736306519 Giant Sunday Market, Mannings Amusements, Felixstowe, from 9am

Every Monday

A V A Go Art Group, St Edmunds Hall, Langer Road, Felixstowe 1.30pm till 4.30pm beginners welcome, For details ring 01394 275690 Ballroom and Latin Class, Goals Centre, Suffolk New College, Grimwade Street IP4 1LT, 6.30pm - 7.30pm Badminton, Handford Hall School, Gatacre Rd, Ipswich, 7.15pm - 9.30pm, experienced players and beginners always very welcome, for a free taster session or more information contact Adrian 01473 464920 Ballroom and Latin class, Goals Centre, Grimwade Street, 6.30pm - 7.30pm, 07736306519 Yoga, Holbrook Village Hall 9.30am - 11am, Suitable for beginners and intermediates, Contact Cathie 07734469038/ 01394 388379 for details Yoga, Henley Community Village Hall, Ashbocking Road, 7.45pm – 9.15pm, 01473 690762 Badminton, Claydon High School Sports Hall, 7pm to 9pm, Social badminton, all welcome, Further information contact Don 01473 747596 Suffolk Promenaders Square Dance Club, Rushmere Village Hall, Humber Doucy Lane, Ipswich, 7.30pm – 10pm, Only £2.50, tea and coffee provided, contact 01473 422663 or 01473 415785for further details Badminton, Sidegate Lane Community Centre, 7.30pm - 10pm, Social Badminton further information contact Alan 01473 437707

Every Tuesday

Carpet Bowls, Sidegate Lane Community Centre, Ipswich, 7pm - 10pm, £2.50 per session, New members very welcome, Contact Tony Crane 01473 410740 for details Art Group, meeting at J Parker Studios, Ivy Cottage, Wenham Road, Great Wenham Beginners welcome tuition available, for details 01473 313100 www. jparkerstudios.co.uk New Beginners Latin and American Dance Classes, Methodist Church Hall, Seaton Rd, Felixstowe, 7 - 8pm Co-op Ladies Choir meet at The Co-op Education Centre from 2.15pm to 3.30pm, performing a variety of music including chart hits, musicals and classical. If you would like to join us please contact Lynn Scannell 01473 710820 Senior Singers, Co-op Education Centre, Fore Street, Ipswich, 10.30am – 12pm, Male & Female singers, 55 plus, join in this ling established & friendly group of singers, No auditions, Call Maggie on 01473 713597, Dance & Music Improvisation, Northgate Arts centre in Ipswich, 7pm - 8pm (studio available from 6.45pm - 8.15pm for warm-up and warm-down) £5 / £3.50 (freelance dance artists and concessions) Telephone 07830 755070

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Martlesham Heath Country Market, The Pavilion, The Square, Martlesham Heath, 9am, home-made, home-grown, and home-crafted items for sale. For further information Tel 01473 623849 or www. martleshammarket.co.uk Ipswich Folk Dance Club, St Johns U.R.C, Cowper St, 8pm - 10pm. Experience not necessary, as all dances are walked through first, and then called, for full details call 01473 212085.

Tea Dance, Ballroom & Sequence Dancing, Sidegate Lane Community Centre, 2pm - 4pm, £2. Includes tea and biscuits, for further information call 01473 257593.

Knit ‘n’ Natter Group, Bags of Handles, Walton, Felixstowe, 6pm – 9pm, Knit, Natter and browse through hundreds of knitting magazines available to the group.

Every Wednesday

Ipswich Croquet Club, Fynn Valley Golf Club, Ipswich, 2pm, experienced players and beginners always very welcome, for a free taster session or more information contact Fran Rousham 01394 671642 Tea Dance, Ipswich School of Dancing, 22 Bond Street, Ipswich, 2pm – 4pm, 0773606519 Voices Together, award winning female singing group, Whitehouse Baptist Church, Waterford Road, Ipswich, 7.30pm - 9pm. Friendly rehearsals. No auditions, Easy listening music, Interested? Call Kath 01473 652351 Beginners Ballroom and Latin class, 22 Bond Street, Ipswich, 6.30pm - 7.30pm, 07736306519

Every Thursday

Wot’s up 18+ Community Club at Castle Hill Community Centre, 5pm - 9.30pm, Free taster session, more info call Mags 07926428432. The Club is manly Learning/ Physical Difficulties but they would like to reach out to Mental Health, The Elderly, Head injuries Badminton, Handford Hall School, Gatacre Rd, Ipswich, 7.15pm - 9.30pm, experienced players and beginners always very welcome, for a free taster session or more information contact Adrian 01473 464920 Carpet Bowls, Sidegate Lane Community Centre, Ipswich, 2pm – 4.15pm, £2.80 includes tea & Biscuits, for further information telephone 01473 725274, Woodbridge Country Market, Woodbridge Community Hall, next to Deben Pool, 10am - 11.15am, Local Home Produced Food, Plants, Vegetables and Hand made crafts for sale, Comfortable tea room to meet your friends, Open to all Free Entry.

Ipswich Country Market, Rushmere Village Hall, Humber Doucy Lane, 10.15am to 11.30am, Local Food, Handmade Crafts Open to all, Free Entry, Coffee and Chat: informal coffee morning with activities, 10am – 12pm All Saints Church Hall Blenheim Road, Ipswich

Every Friday

Country Market, Trades and Labour Club, High Road West, Felixstowe, 10am – 11am, Preserves, eggs, garden produce and crafts, 01394 272003, www.country-markets.co.uk (note: there is no market on Friday 4th January) Ballroom Class, United Reformed Church, Ipswich St, Stowmarket, 7.30 - 9.30pm, further info 01394 282285

EVENTS

guide

Carpet Bowls, Sidegate Lane Community Centre Ipswich, 2pm - 5pm, £2.50, per session, New Members very welcome, for more details contact Tony Crane on 01473 410740

Every Saturday

Cycle Speedway, Great Blakenham Cycle Speedway Kids Club, 10.00am – Midday, A variety of activities connected with Cycle Speedway, Mill Lane, Great Blakenham (Next to Village Hall) For more info contact Terry on 07860 262112 Wot’s up 18+ Community Club at Castle Hill Community Centre, 10am - 5pm, Free taster session, more info call Mags 07926428432, The Club is manly Learning/ Physical Difficulties but they would like to reach out to Mental Health, The Elderly, Head injuries Pond Dipping, Suffolk Waterpark, Ipswich, 10am and 1pm, £3 per child (minimum age 5 years) for a 2hr session. Dip, look and learn about our amazing wildlife, www.bugidwildlifeevents.co.uk Children’s Cheerleading Classes, Inspire Suffolk, Lindbergh Road, Ipswich, 9am, £2 per child, Contact 07825 498730

Fri 2nd May

Talk: Introduction to Suffolk Records Office by Louise Kennedy, Records Office, Gatacre Road, Ipswich, 10.30am - £5.50 The Whole Shebang Open Mic Night, John Peel Centre for Creative Arts, Stowmarket, 7.30pm, £3 entry free for performers, 01449 774678

Sat 3rd May

Band Concert, Royal Hospital School (school Chapel), Holbrook, 7pm, Tickets £10, Box Office 01473 433100 Vic Lowne Memorial Concert with Ipswich Hospital Band, St Peter’s by the Waterfront, College St, Ipswich, 7.30pm, £5, Booking 01473 225269 or online at www.stpetersbythewaterfront.com Jumble Sale, Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket, 2pm - 4pm, Admission 20p, in aid of Bury St Edmunds & Stowmarket Cats Protection

Sun 4th May

Award winning nature reserve Pedlars Wood Open Day, 104 Walton Road CO13 0AF, 10am – 5pm, Donations in a bucket on the gate, 01255 850664 Prometheus Orchestra, St Bartholomews Church, Orford, 4pm, Tickets £15, 01394 450239 Hintlesham Annual Plant Sale, Walnut Tree Barn, Duke Street, Hintlesham, 3pm - 5pm, Plants for patios and baskets, perennials, shrubs & bedding plants; cakes for sale, cream teas, art exhibition & raffle, In aid of Church Restoration Fund Ipswich to Felixstowe Classic Vehicle Run – see page 6

Mon 5th May

Woodbridge Horse Show, Trinity Park, Ipswich RHS Notes and Nibbles, Royal Hospital School (Chapel), Holbrook, 1pm, £5 inc lunch, Buffet lunch and complimentary programme – pupils from the school perform a programme of solo and chamber music

Have your Event Listed Free!!

Email: info@ipswich24.co.uk Post: PO Box 774, Ipswich, IP1 9FW

EVENTS

guide

Tue 6th May

Tue 13th May

Sun 18th May

Wed 7th May

Lunchtime Concert Series; Stephen Bullamore (organ), St Mary Le Tower, Tower Street, Ipswich, 1.10pm, donations welcome

Cycle Treasure Hunt, Dellwood Avenue Sports Ground, Felixstowe, 1pm, £5 in aid of Sports Relief

Ipswich RSPB Local Group Midweek Walk round Pipers Vale Ipswich, Meet at 10am at car park at Vale entrance, 2 hrs. Map ref TM178419, Contact 01473 714839, All welcome.

Mon 19th May

Lunchtime Concert Series; Julian Empett (Baritone) and Ian Tindale (Piano), St Mary Le Tower, Tower Street, Ipswich, 1.10pm, donations welcome

Suffolk Small Business Exhibition, Trinity Park, Ipswich Ipswich RSPB Local Group Field Meeting, Purdis Heath for Nightingales & Spring birds, Meet at 6.30pm at Bucklesham Road Ipswich (roadside parking adjacent to Trinity Park), Map ref TM213424, 2 hrs, 3 miles, Contact 01473 258791, All welcome.

Ipswich and District Historical Transport Society; Norfolk Railway Society Members, Ascension Hall, Larchcroft Road, Ipswich, 7.30pm, 01473 422145

Wed 14th May

Mary Spicer Recent mixed media paintings, 4-6 Wherry Lane, Ipswich, 9.30am – 5pm, 01473 212051, www.thejohnrussellgallery.co.uk

BBC Radio Suffolk, Suffolk Biggest Ever Pop Quiz, Trinity Park, Ipswich, (team member 6-8), 8pm, £6pp, 01473 250000

Orwell Decorative and Fine Arts Society Monthly Meeting, Tower Hall, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU, 2.15pm, Non-members welcome £5 donation asked, Illustrated Talk: ‘Tart to Empress: the story of Theodora and the building of Hagia Sophia’ by Frances Boardman

Felixstowe Family History Society Meeting, Broadway House, Orwell Road, Felixstowe, Talk ‘The Plague in Suffolk’ to be given by Pip Wright. Starts 7.30pm, Admission free to members and £1.00 for non-members.

Fri 9th May

Thu 15th May

Free East Anglian Film Archive Show: Comedy Film Show, Ipswich Records Office, Gatacre Road, Ipswich, 10am Ipswich School Spring Concert, Snape Maltings Concert Hall, 7pm, 01473 408310

Sat 10th May – Sun 1st Jun

The Suffolk Walking Festival, Almost 80 walks at various locations in Suffolk to suit all abilities, www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk - see page 15

Sat 10th May

Nature Walk The Birds of Broomhill Park Westbourne Library, Sherrington Rd, Ipswich, 10.30am, 01473 749929 Barnardos Ipswich G & S Choir Music Concert, Sidegate Lane Primary School, Ipswich, 7.30pm, £8pp includes refreshments, 01473 252326 or 01473 240844 ‘The life, music and clothes of a Tudor gentleman’, Christchurch Mansion, Christchurch Park, Ipswich, 2pm, £2pp, A talk and walk around the mansion with a costumed guide, 01473 433554 Talk: Maps and Mapmakers in Suffolk from Tudor to Victorian Times by Clive Paine, Bury Records Office, 77 Raingate Street, Bury St Edmunds, 10am, £5.50 Open Garden, Larks Hill, The Larks Hill Estate, Tuddenham St Martin, 1pm - 5pm, £5 adults, children free, refreshments available

Suffolk Family History Society present The History of Apprenticeships and Guilds, The Red Cross Hall, Chevallier Street, Ipswich, 7.30pm, Members £2, Non Members £2.50, 01473 274300

Fri 16th May – Sun 25th May Bury St Edmunds Festival, 01284 758000

Fri 16 May – Sun 18th May Waterfront, Food & Drink Festival, Orwell Quay, Ipswich, www.ipswichevents.co.uk/Markets/IpswichMarkets/

Sat 17th May – Sun 18th May

Weird and Wonderful Wood, Haughley Park, Nr Stowmarket, Saturday 10.30am -6pm, Sunday 10.30am - 5pm, Admission Adults £6, Concessions £4, Children under 12 £3, www.weirdandwonderfulwood.co.uk

Sat 17th May

Pre-Loved & Nearly New Table Top Sale, The St Raphael Club, 26 Highfield Road, Ipswich, 1pm – 3pm, Free admission, Free Parking, refreshments available, Tables just £5 – to book your table contact Maggie on 01473 259899 Hadleigh Show, Gates open 8am, Adults £9, Children 5-16 £5, Seniors £7

Virtuoso! Celebrity Organ Recital, Royal Hospital School (school Chapel), Holbrook, 7pm, Tickets £10, Box Office 01473 433100

Concert – Funky Voices, St Peters by the Waterfront, Ipswich, 7.30pm, tickets £6, 01473 225269, www.stpetersbythewaterfront.com

Farmers and Produce Market, Stonham Barns, 9.30am - 1pm, enquiries 01449 711 111

Ceilidhs Barn Dance, Clopton Village Hall, 7pm, Adults £8, youth £4 under 10’s Free, 01394 383329

Sun 11th May

Talk: Colonel Thomas Blague, Suffolk’s most Famous Cavalier by John Sutton, Bury Records Office, 77 Raingate Street, Bury St Edmunds, 10am, £5.50

South Suffolk Show, Ampton Racecourse, Ingham, Adults £10, Seniors and Children 5-15 £5, 01638 750879

Vintage Fair, Corn Exchange, Ipswich, 12pm – 5pm, £2

Essex Clock and Watch Fair, Marks Tey Parish hall, Old London Road, CO6 1EJ, 9am – 2pm, Admission £2.50, www.ipswichbhi.org.uk/essexfair.html

Broke Hall Garage Sale Trail, Broke Hall Estate, Ipswich, 10am – 2pm, Between 50 & 100 families selling items from their own garage. Maps will be on sale at various points on the estate for 50p, Hundreds of bargains.

Katie Brown Quintet, California Social Club, 195 Foxhall Road, 8pm - 10.30pm, £14, 01473 231552

RHS Notes and Nibbles Buffet lunch and complimentary programme, Royal Hospital School (school Chapel), Holbrook, pupils from the school perform a programme of solo and chamber music, 1pm, £5 inc. lunch

Tue 20th May

Lunchtime Concert Series; Edmund Aldhouse (Organ), St Mary Le Tower, Tower Street, Ipswich, 1.10pm, donations welcome

Wed 21st May – Mon 26th May

Spring Beer Festival, The Dove Street Inn, St Helens Street, Ipswich, 01473 211270

Wed 21st May

Ipswich and District Electrical Association AGM and Supper Golden Hind, Function Room, Nacton Road, Ipswich, 7.30pm

Fri 23rd – Mon 26th May

The Lions Club of Ipswich, Art Show, Tithe Barn, Sproughton, visit www.ipswich-lions.anglianet.co.uk for more information

Sun 25th May

Ipswich Waterfront Market: crafts, books, bags, jewellery, food, accessories, vintage, www.ipswichevents.co.uk/Markets/IpswichMarkets/

Tue 27th May

Lunchtime Concert Series; Christine Stevenson (Piano), St Mary Le Tower, Tower Street, Ipswich, 1.10pm, donations welcome

Wed 28th-Thu 29th May

Suffolk Show, Trinity Park, Ipswich – see page 4 & 5 Ipswich RSPB Local Group Field Meeting at Rushmere Common for seasonal birds, Meet at 6.30pm at Heath Road entrance, Map ref TM197445, 2 hrs, 3 miles, Contact 01473 258791, All welcome

Wed 28th May

Open Day, Freston Tower, Nr Ipswich, 10am - 4pm, Free Admission

Sat 31st May

Talk - A Day at the Races by Dr Pat Murrell, Bury Records Office, 77 Raingate Street, Bury St Edmunds, 10am, £5.50 Masquerade Charity Ball, Wherstead Park, Ipswich, 6.30pm for 7pm start, £60pp, 07947 185871, Sonia.Clarke@hotmail.co.uk 21

Bury St Edmunds Festival is back to full strength The Bury St Edmunds Festival is back to ten days this year, with a packed programme bringing top international performers to the historic market town together with opportunities for local people to get involved.

Based at the award-winning Apex concert hall, Festival events will also take place at the Theatre Royal, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, The Athenaeum, St Mary’s Church, Unitarian Meeting House, The Hunter Club, Bury Picture House and Smiths Row. This year’s Festival includes a weekend of free street entertainment around the town sponsored by ‘ourburystedmunds’ and arc

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shopping centre and coincides with the display of the Lincoln Magna Carta at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in preparation for the 800th anniversary celebrations.

Festival Manager, Nick Wells says, “It’s great to have the Festival back to full strength and to be able to make the most of the wonderful venues to bring high quality entertainment to the town. We’ve got a packed programme of events mixing old

The return of Penguin Café, the powerful sound behind countless well-known film and television theme tunes, and the amazing Aurora Orchestra distilling the essence of Mahler’s 1st Symphony with 15 players instead of 100 as part of their Apex residency.

Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra celebrating its return after making its Festival debut in 2012 and the inaugural concert of Suffolk Camerata a new chamber orchestra founded by professional conductor Ben Palmer, who went to school in Bury St Edmunds.

the return of Respectable Groove to tell the true story of Bach and the Organist’s Daughter - another surprising musical journey.

The Armonico Consort performing breathtaking medieval plainchants and motets including Tallis’ 40-part masterpiece Spem in Allium with the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble.

Classic comedy She Stoops to Conquer, a special Comedy Club 4 Kids featuring top comedians without the rude bits, plus the worldfamous Gandini Juggling mixing circus and theatre. Also look out for the brilliant comic, Rainer Hersch’s show All Classical Music Explained – a simple and stupid approach to a difficult subject! Is the triangle hard?

What do conductors actually do? … and why classical music is so much like sex.

Dutch harpist Lavinia Meijer, who has made top-selling recordings of music by Ludovico Einaudi, who performed in the Apex when it first opened, and Philip Glass; and Lara Melda, a rising star since winning BBC Young Musician in 2010.

The much-loved Mbawalu band is back to perform South African jazz grooves at the Apex with a 200-strong township choir of local adults and primary school children singers, while Kosmos weave classical and world music with virtuosic fiddlers and accordion.

Acclaimed dancer Steven Player recreating the bawdy Elizabethan jigs performed by Shakespearian actor Will Kemp in his Nine Daies Wonder trip from London to Norwich, and

Laid back lunchtimes every weekday at the Apex including the engaging 4 Girls and 4 Harps, saxophonist Alan Barnes, upbeat Dixie Strollers, and West Suffolk Youth Jazz Orchestra …to name a few.

The 2014 Festival brochure is widely available and can be viewed online on the Festival website at www.buryfestival.co.uk Buying Festival tickets is easier than ever: go online at www.buryfestival. co.uk, call 01284 758000, email bookings@theapex.co.uk or visit the Festival Box Office at The Apex in Charter Square.

Concert-goers can order preperformance light meals at the Apex Bar this year, while the Apex café is open all day for drinks and snacks.

favourites and new fusions with a few musical surprises to keep our audiences on their toes.”

Nick’s Festival include:

highlights

Fresh from London success Gecko are back in town New Wolsey Theatre Artistic Associates Gecko to present new full-length work at the Jerwood DanceHouse Ipswich Fresh from closing the London International Mime Festival with production Missing, and an acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, multiaward winning physical theatre company and New Wolsey Theatre Artistic Associates Gecko return to the Jerwood DanceHouse Ipswich with new work Institute from Thursday 1st until Saturday 3rd May. When the time comes will anyone really care? Set in a warped world of emotional compartmentalisation where memories are filed and relationships scrutinised, four people undergo a series of extraordinary physical treatments as they struggle to prepare themselves for the outside world.

Speaking about the work Gecko’s Artistic Director Amit Lahav says, “Institute will pull you in and take you on a voyage – your relationship with the word

“Sparring Partners” a comedy by George Holmes 2014 is the Deben Players 50th anniversary and they will be celebrating with several events throughout the year. In May they will be presenting the premiere of “Sparring Partners” at the Seckford Theatre. It’s a comedy based at a Hotel and Spa and has been written by George Holmes who has been a member for many years.

At a Hotel and Spa there is never a good time for a blockage in the drains!

Particularly on a Bank Holiday when there is a fully booked promotional event. Things go from bad to worse for the Hotel manager when the guests and staff start playing up. Take a handyman who is not very helpful, a mother who keeps interfering in your love life, a meddlesome battle-axe, accident prone athletes, a newly married couple and other equally demanding guests and you have a recipe for an interesting weekend!

“Sparring Partners” is a hilarious comedy and the perfect way to spend an evening at the Seckford Theatre in May. Join the Deben Players and help them celebrate their 50th anniversary.

The performances are Wednesday 14th May to Saturday 17th May, nightly at 7.30pm. Tickets can be booked online at www.debenplayers.net or by phoning the box office on 01394 276770. The Box Office is also open at the theatre on performance nights.

‘care’ will ultimately determine how that journey feels for you. The idea that society is becoming more fragmented, individualistic and desensitised is terrifying to me. I’m fascinated about what the implications may be if we don’t ask questions about the way we care for each other.”

Expect an ingenious set design which includes giant filing cabinets from which fully formed memories, entire relationships and hidden secrets are pulled out and stored away; visceral movement and intricate group choreography from the all-male cast; and moments of stunning tenderness and beauty that shine out from the shadows so brightly they leave you reeling.

Last seen at the DanceHouse in 2011 with a Rough Cut performance of Missing, Gecko was awarded a Total Theatre Award in 2005 for The Race, with previous work Taylor’s Dummies voted Time Out Critics Choice of the year 2002.

Institute is a flagship presentation for We Are Ipswich, a unique collaboration between DanceEast, Gecko, New Wolsey Theatre and Pacitti Company.

We Are Ipswich is an alliance between leading creative companies in Ipswich uniting to show the world what talent, creativity and top quality work is being made in Ipswich. It is about making the most of what Ipswich has to offer, which is expanding all the time. The products of this collaboration will appear during 2014 allowing audiences to become acquainted with other venues and other world-class work being created in Suffolk, will create jobs, and aim to attract revenue for the town.

• To book tickets for this performance contact the Box Office on 01473 295230 or visit www.danceeast.co.uk

Vicar of Dibley

For the Two Rivers forthcoming production the local theatre production will be presenting a selection of episodes from the much loved BBC TV comedy series ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ including all the characters from the show, Owen, Frank, Hugo, Alice, Mrs Cropley, David and of course… no, no, no, no, no production would be complete without Jim Trott!

Richard Curtis, the writer of ‘The Vicar of Dibley” requests that all the royalties for this production go to his chosen charity ‘Comic Relief’, which celebrated it’s 25th anniversary last year.

The quiet Oxfordshire village of Dibley needs a new vicar for St Barnabas Church. When Geraldine Granger arrives one wet and stormy night the villagers are surprised to learn their new vicar is a woman! How will this conservative and rural community cope with the ‘babe with the bob cut and the magnificent bosom’? Gradually Geraldine works her magic on them all, all except local councilor and head of the parish council, David Horton. Will he ever accept a woman vicar in his local church and village? And will he ever come to terms with his son Hugo being in love with the hapless verger Alice?

Performances will take place at The Sir John Mills Theatre Gateacre Road Ipswich, from Wednesday May 14th to Saturday 17th May. • Tickets are priced at £9 adults and £8 concessions and are available from the Theatre Box Office on 01473 211498 between 10am – 2pm weekdays or through the Eastern Angles website: www.easternangles.co.uk/sjm 23

• Gym Party

PULSE: The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich is delighted to announce the full programme for the 14th annual Pulse Festival Ipswich from Thursday 29th May to Saturday 7th June 2014. Pulse Festival Ipswich is a part curated, part open application 10day festival focusing on new and innovative work, offering [audiences] a bright and inspiring snapshot of contemporary theatre and performance.

The 2014 programme presents a diverse range of work by regional, British and international artists across a variety of genres, with highlights including:

• Credible Likeable Superstar Role Model

Credible Likeable Superstar Role Model Thursday 29th May, 7.00pm In a provocative protest against global attempts to sexualise and commodify childhood for profit, award-winning artist Bryony Kimmings and her niece Taylor, nine, play the global tween machine at its own game by inventing dinosaur-loving, bike riding, tuna pasta-eating, alternative pop star Catherine Bennett.

Suitcase Day - Friday 30th May A Pulse initiative, launched at last year’s Festival, The Suitcase Prize is aimed at encouraging theatre makers to think in an environmentally and economically

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sustainable way. 10 work-inprogress performances will be presented that must be brand new and able to travel on public transport

a varied mix of performance in luggage carried by those taking part. At the end of the day a panel of industry professionals will award £1000 to one of these bold and adventurous ideas.

Gym Party - Saturday 31st May Last year, Pulse presented their first co-commission [to the festival], a work in progress of Made In China’s Gym Party in collaboration with Battersea Arts Centre, Mayfest, Sprint and Sampled Festivals.

This year’s Festival presents the final version, which received rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013.

My Son and Heir Saturday 31st May A work-in-progress performance of a Pulse Festival Ipswich cocommission with MayFest, Sprint and Cambridge Junction, about parents who have a son born in the same year as the royal ‘Baby Cambridge’.

Confronting the spectacle of the ‘New Royals’ and their strategic attempts to appear just like us, My Son and Heir is an anarchic celebration of the everyday heroism of parenthood.

Dance Night - Monday 2nd June New to the 2014 Festival, DanceEast and Pulse Festival Ipswich presents Hetain Patel’s American Boy, and a preview of Wendy Houstoun’s Words Into The Dark Raymondo - Thursday 5th June The World Premiere of a New Wolsey Theatre commission from playwright/performer Annie Siddons (Kneehigh, BAC, Unicorn, Bristol Old Vic). A show about growing up for grown ups, Raymondo weaves a dark, funny lyrical narrative of love and survival over an atmospheric live score.

The festival provides a platform for the development and presentation of new work by regional, British and international artists of vision, and aims to nurture artistic ambition and excellence across a range of

art forms. The 2014 Pulse Festival Ipswich will present work across a variety of genres, from comedy to dance and everything in between, in various forms from tour-ready work to rehearsed readings, and works at an advanced stage of development.

Now in its 14th year, Pulse Festival Ipswich has presented new work from a host of local and international artists and companies including Gecko, Talking Birds, Lucy Ellinson, Made in China, Caroline Horton, Victoria Melody, Chris Goode, Mark Thomas, Daniel Bye, Chris Thorpe, Action Hero and Ursula Martinez.

The 2014 Pulse Festival Ipswich welcomes back China Plate as Festival Directors. The established producing team bought last year’s festival a fresh, adventurous line-up that included Caroline Horton’s Mess, Mark Thomas’ Bravo Figaro, a bespoke commission from Lucy Ellinson, and last year’s festival cocommission Gym Party which was developed in collaboration with SPRINT, Mayfest, Battersea Arts Centre and Cambridge Junction’s Sampled Festival. As part of the Festival and China Plate’s commitment to developing work across the country, they will be supporting Search Party’s production My Son and Heir as this year’s co-commission alongside SPRINT, Mayfest, and Cambridge Junction.

The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich is a regional theatre with a national reputation for the quality, range and reach of its work and for embracing cultural diversity in the widest sense.

The theatre is central to the creative life of Suffolk and seeks to expand the horizons of audiences and artists by presenting a programme designed to entertain, enrich and challenge.

• Guinea Pigs on Trial

• Pirate and Parrot

• For information about the Pulse Festival Ipswich 2014 or for the full programme of work please visit www.pulseipswich.co.uk

• Holiday Selfie

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IZE R P MP CO

Rebecca Ferguson is the final headline act announced for this summer’s Forest Live, the Forestry Commission’s annual concert series where artists perform in spectacular woodland locations.

Rebecca Ferguson is often regarded as the most naturally talented singer to emerge from The X Factor TV series. Her million selling debut album ‘Heaven’ launched her in a blaze of critical acclaim in 2011. The album went on to become double platinum in the UK and generated hit singles ‘Nothing’s Real But Love’ and ‘Teach Me How To Be Loved’.

As with ‘Heaven’, Rebecca co-wrote her new album, ‘Freedom’, working mainly with new collaborators including Jarrad Rogers, with whom she wrote five tracks. As well as Jarrad, she also worked with Mr. Hudson, Matt Hales, Toby Gad and TMS, and regular collaborator Eg White. ‘Freedom’ has provided Rebecca with another Top 10 release which has already achieved gold in album sales and features the singles ‘I Hope’ and ‘All That I’ve Got’. The Forest Live dates follow on from an exceptionally well-received UK Spring tour.

Rebecca Ferguson plus guests will be performing at Thetford Forest, Nr Brandon, Suffolk on Thursday 12 June. Tickets £36.30 (including booking fee) are available from the Forestry Commission Box Office by calling 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music.

Britpop pioneers Suede will be performing summer as part of the Forestry Commission’s Forest Live concert series where an eclectic mix of acts perform in magnificent woodland locations around the country.

Suede bounded onto the British music scene with the eponymous No 1 debut album released in 1993 that sold over 100,000 in its first week of release, kick-starting the Britpop revolution and going on to become a Mercury Music Prize winner. Success continued throughout the nineties with further No 1 albums like ‘Coming Up’ and ‘Head Music’ and top 10’s ‘Dog Man Star’ and ‘Sci-Fi Lullabies’.

Fronted by the charismatic Brett Anderson, top 10 singles like ‘Animal Nitrate’, Stay Together’, ‘Trash’, ‘Beautiful Ones’, ‘Saturday Night’, ‘Lazy’, ‘Filmstar’ and ‘Electricity’ epitomised the vibrancy, edge and excitement of the band and ensured an impressive chart presence across a decade before going on indefinite hiatus in 2003. After re-forming for some well-received live shows in 2010-11, Suede got down to recording their sixth studio album. ‘Bloodsports’ was released in 2013 to overwhelmingly positive reviews, marked as one of the great rock comebacks and regarded as one of the best albums of the year.

Suede plus special guests will be performing on Friday 13th June at Thetford Forest, Nr Brandon, Suffolk. Tickets at a cost of £42.35 (inc booking fee) are on sale from the Forestry Commission Box Office on 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music.

Great Ticket Give Away

The Forestry Commission has given Ipswich24 a pair of tickets to see Rebecca Ferguson, Suede and The Pogues to give away to lucky readers. All you have to do to get your hands on a pair of tickets is send your name, address and a contact telephone number, plus the name of the act that you would like to see to; Thetford Forest Ticket Giveaway, Ipswich24, PO Box 774, Ipswich, IP1 9FW or you can enter online at www.ipswich24.co.uk. The closing date is Friday 30th May 2014.

You may enter to see more than one band, however each entry must be on a separate postcard.

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The Pogues will be performing as part of the Forestry Commission’s Forest Live annual concert series this summer where bands play in beautiful woodland settings across the country.

Presenting a compelling hybrid of folk, punk and rock, The Pogues made their mark on the British music scene by producing a string of classic albums including ‘Rum, Sodomy & The Lash’, ‘If I Should Fall From Grace With God’ and ‘Peace and Love’. Their innovative records, played with traditional instruments and electric guitars, created captivating music especially due to the song-writing talent of inimitable frontman Shane MacGowan.

Revered for their legendary live performances, the band regularly headlines festivals across the world yet the Forest Live date will be their first appearance in the East Anglian region in well over a decade.

The Pogues plus guests will be performing at Thetford Forest, Nr Brandon, Suffolk on Saturday 14th June. Tickets £41.25 (including £3.75 booking fee) are on sale from the Forestry Commission Box Office by calling 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music.

Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission, bringing music to new audiences without commercial branding or sponsorship. With everything required for a great night out, including full catering and bar facilities, the concerts are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere.

Income generated from ticket sales is spent on improving the local forests for both people and wildlife.

For further information on Forest Live 2013 call the Box Office on 03000 680400 or visit www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Bluegrass Festival comes to Orwell Meadows

Eight years ago a group of likeminded Bluegrass musicians based in Ipswich decided that they were tired of always having to travel considerable distances if they wanted to broaden their horizons to hear other bands, and decided to put on an event locally, and from this the annual Orwell Bluegrass Music Festival was born.

As the festival has evolved it has become evident that there is a need to broaden the base of the music on offer, and therefore Old Time style music, which tends to be more traditional and has a lot of support, is now included in the line up and has in fact a marquee dedicated to this genre. This year the Festival will be hosting 22 bands including two from USA. There will be two marquees with plenty of seating for the concerts, plus a stage in the bar

specifically for anyone who would like to perform on a first come first served basis.

“We anticipate having in the region of 500 people attending from all over the country with the common purpose of playing music, listening to others and enjoying themselves.” says Chris one of the organisers,

be concerts on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and evening, and Sunday afternoon with a Gospel session in the morning. The event spans a period of three days and majority of those attending will stay either in tents or caravans which gives them a great opportunity to jam with other musicians and make

“And, with this in mind, food, drinks and beer will be available at very reasonable prices to try to ensure that it will happen”.

The Festival is held on a wonderful site at the Hallowtree Scout Camp in Ipswich, within 46 acres of beautiful parkland containing purpose built buildings including modern shower block and toilet facilities. There will

new friends. The weekend ticket price includes the cost of camping.

However, day and evening tickets are also available.

The Orwell Bluegrass Music Festival runs from Thursday 8th until Monday 12th May. For more information you can visit the website at www.orwellbluegrass.co.uk

Concert will remember John

The Savoy Singers are pleased to announce a special concert held in celebration of the life of John Tipple and in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice to be performed at St John’s Church, Orwell Road, and Felixstowe on Saturday 3rd May at 7.30pm.

The programme will include popular songs and choruses from the choir’s repertoire and will also feature solo items from Andrew Tipple, John and Tracy’s son, an ex-Kings College Choral Scholar now an opera singer with appearances at Glyndbourne, London, Glasgow and New York. Tracy, a long-time member of The Savoy Singers, will be singing with them and Andrew will fill his father’s place in the choir.

The Savoy Singers are arranging this concert not only to celebrate John’s life but also to express the families’ grateful thanks to St Elizabeth Hospice and especially their Hospice at Home 24 hour reactive nurseled service.

This team provides advice, support and in specific situations are able to provide specialist nursing care or symptom control as necessary.

St Elizabeth Hospice provides its services free of charge, and threequarters of the £9.1 million running costs is raised by the local community through fundraising and donations.

The Hospice relies on many volunteers who help out across many departments from administration to helping on the ward or in its shops and new recruits are always needed.

Scores of fundraising events are organised each year to raise much needed money.

Please come along to what promises to be an enjoyable evening whilst supporting a worthy cause.

Tickets, priced £7.00 including a glass of wine are available from Delvaux and Russell Smiths Felixstowe or telephone Louise on Felixstowe 01394 275103.

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GIGguide

Have your Event Listed Free!!

Email: info@ipswich24.co.uk Post: PO Box 774, Ipswich, IP1 9FW Thu 1st May

SUFFOLK SONGWRITERS, Tavern, Ipswich

WORDS & MUSIC, The Bull Hotel, Woodbridge The

Steamboat

WALKWAY, The Mulberry Tree, Ipswich

DUGTRIO, SINK OR SWIM, OMNISLASH, HOURS, The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich, £3, 16 + ID required

MICK SQUALOR, JOSH COURT, The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich, £3

Fri 2nd May

SHANE & THE KORRADOS, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe LIAM MANNERING, Olives Bar, Orwell Crossing, A14 East, Nacton

Sat 10th May

THE BONESHAKERS, The Strangers Home, Bradfield NOISY NEIGHBOURS, The George, Hadleigh KARAOKE WITH BOZ, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe

Sat 3rd May

CAMELFOOT RAIDERS, The Wagon, Wix

SECOND SUNDAY JAZZ LUNCH featuring THE GIPPING VALLEY STOMPERS, The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich, food from 12pm, jazz from 2pm

KARAOKE WITH BOZ, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe

SOUL’D OUT, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 3pm

Sun 4th May

KARAOKE WITH BOZ, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe

SHADDOGIE, Kesgrave Social Club, Kesgrave

JAZZ JAM, The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich, food from 12pm, jazz from 2pm KARAOKE WITH BOZ, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe UNITED REGGAE BAND, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 3pm

Mon 5th May

ASHTON JONES 7 THE FUNK COLLECTIVE, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 3pm

Wed 7th May

SUFFOLK COLLEGE SHOWCASE, The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich

Sun 11th May

Fri 16th May

BARRY’S WHITE, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe

Sat 17th May

KEVIN BARRY, Kesgrave Social Club, Kesgrave DIZZI-YAK, The George, Hadleigh KARAOKE WITH BOZ, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe WALKWAY, Strangers Home, Bradfield

Sun 18th May

KARAOKE WITH BOZ, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe

FOLK JAM, The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich

THE REASON, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 3pm

Fri 9th May

BACK 2 BACK, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe

THE MARTELLS, The Bull Hotel, Woodbridge

Sat 24th May

SUFFOLK PRIDE FUNDRAISER EVENT featuring THE HANDSOME DEAD, MISSUNDAZTOOD, FINDING FRANK, The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich, £5 KARAOKE WITH BOZ, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe

Sun 25th May

LAST SUNDAY JAZZ LUNCH featuring LA FONTAINE ENSEMBLE, The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich, food from 12pm, jazz from 12pm KARAOKE WITH BOZ, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe HENRY SMITH BAND, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 3pm

Mon 26th May

MARK ANTHONY & THE FUNKY STUFF BAND, Isaacs on the Quay, Ipswich, 3pm

Thu 29th May

FOLK AT THE BOAT, The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich

Fri 30th May

THE BONESHAKERS, PJ McGintys, Ipswich THE MARTELLS, The Selkirk Inn, Ipswich

Thu 8th May,

TERRY LEE TRAVIS, Olive’s Bar, Orwell Crossing, A14 East, Nacton

Fri 23rd May

OMNISLASH, The Steamboat Tavern, Ipswich, £3, 16+ ID required

Sat 31st May

TERRY LEE TRAVIS, Kesgrave Social Club, Kesgrave KARAOKE WITH BOZ, The Dolphin Hotel, Felixstowe Ipswich24 cannot be held responsible for cancellation of events. If in doubt please check with venue before travelling

• Dizzi-yak

• Omnislash • Walkway 28

Massive gig in Ipswich Park A huge weekend of music is dropping on our doorstep this summer! Fourteen of the biggest names in music are coming to Ipswich’s Chantry Park on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June.

The whole family can enjoy two full days of music including performances and full sets from the likes of McBusted, Jessie J, Backstreet Boys, Rizzle Kicks and The Saturdays. With something for everyone Ipswich biggest weekend will be sizzling this summer!

On Saturday 28th June the East Coast Live event will be headlined by Jessie J who will be joined by Rizzle Kicks and top girl band The Saturdays. Catapulting into the charts and into the hearts of teens across the nation, The Vamps are also on the bill. Union J and US hip hop artist Jason Derulo will also perform the poptastic shows. Three additional hot pop acts were recently added to the bill including chart topper Katy B, hyped girl band Neon Jungle and new to the scene, Rixton, complete an already stellar line up.

If that isn’t enough, the following day Sunday 29th June catch Busted and McFly’s supergroup McBusted, alongside the world’s biggest boyband, The Backstreet Boys. Also on the poptastic bill is English indie rock band, Scouting For Girls, whose Greatest Hits album fired straight up the charts last summer, now they’re back to play the hits live. Joining the lineup is 5IVE, who are fresh off hit TV show, The Big Reunion and its subsequent live shows – The Big Reunion: On Tour. Rounding up with Britain’s Got Talent winners, Diversity, who will be bringing their dance moves all the way across the UK after sellout shows last year.

Director of Live Music at AEG Live, Sam Bush, who is responsible for the shows said, “We were overwhelmed with the response to the two shows from the local community that we decided to offer a weekend ticket so no one missed out. With 14 acts playing full sets across two days it’s going to be an incredible weekend!”

With the sun showing its face these past few weeks – all you need now is a ticket to what’s set to be a huge weekend of music and fun!

Tickets for this fantastic weekend of music are available from www.aeglive.co.uk or www.uklive.co.uk

PRI ZE COM P

COMPETITION

Ipswich24 has teamed up with East Coast Live to be able to offer four lucky readers the chance to win a pair of ticket each to East Coast Live on Saturday 28th June. To be in with a chance of winning this amazing prize just send your name, address and a contact telephone number to: East Coast Live Competition, Ipswich24, PO Box 774, Ipswich, IP1 9FW or you can enter online at www.ipswich24.co.uk.

The closing date for entries is Friday 30th May 2014.

Q. Who is the Headline act at East Coast Live on Saturday 28th May?

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Home to beautiful things for your home Delvaux in Hamilton Road Felixstowe already has a good reputation as the place to go if you are looking for a unique gift for that someone special. However, as well as offering a wide range of gifts and jewellery items, at Delvaux you will also find lots of lovely accessories for your home.

Unusual clocks and mirrors to suit any room in your home, from small to large and in inspiring designs that will be guaranteed to draw attention and be a talking point amongst visitors.

Small pieces of furniture are also on offer and as usual at Delvaux there’s a constantly changing stock with fresh deliveries almost every day.

So if you’re looking for something special, just ask.

If you’re trying to find an unusual gift, would like to buy something special for your home or you would just like to treat yourself to a little something nice then a visit to Delvaux is a must!

Delvaux is open six days a week from Monday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm, and can be found at 116 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe.

Sweet taste of success for Cake Place as business flourishes The Little Cake Place, in Dales Road, Ipswich was only established February 2013, however Lucy’s beautifully decorated, yummy cakes are already proving a big hit.

At The Little Cake Place, Lucy can provide the perfect cake for your celebration, from birthday, and christening cakes to bespoke luxury wedding cakes which stand out from the crowd!

Lucy takes time to find out exactly what you would like, then she spends a great deal of time and expertise to design a cake that is unique and exceptional.

Maybe cupcakes are more your kind of thing, The Little Cake Place probably has the biggest selection of cupcake flavours in the area so

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you are sure to find your perfect sweet treat.

Young entrepreneur, Lucy Abbott started working in a cake bakers learning a variety of skills. A keen baker in her spare time, led to her decision to start her own business and so The Little Cake Place was born!

Now after just over a year the business is flourishing and by popular demand Lucy has extended her business to also include an ever-growing range of party accessories, from greetings cards to celebration banners you will find it all in the shop.

And, if you’re a keen baker The Little Cake Place is ideal for you too. The shop stocks a wide range of decoration accessories including edible goods, sugarcraft materials, tools and

equipment, plus plenty of help and advice if your require it - Lucy and her staff are always willing to advise you on making and decorating your own cakes.

So if you’re planning a wedding and require a very special cake, or you just want to treat yourself to some yummy cupcakes The Little Cake Place is the shop to visit. With free customer parking and competitive prices, Lucy will certainly have the right cake to wow your guests on your special day!

• The Little Cake Place is open six days a week and can be found at 85 Dales Road, Ipswich. For more information telephone Lucy on 01473 744717 or visit the website at www.thelittlecakeplace.com

Turning to Textures

More and more people are starting to renovate their homes and with the increase in this market, flooring companies are bringing different ranges. Colour and stripe was the first new area to receive some great new designs in carpets. But now the new trend this Spring/Summer is for texture.

Whether it is a stripe effect or deep sculptured wool loop piles, carpets are offering more choice than ever before.

Not to be left out the Kitchen and Bathroom and can benefit from some fantastic textured products.

They may not be as defined as the carpets designs, but the new textured effect wood and stone design vinyl offers excellent features. With the texture of the woodgain or the feel of the stone built into wear layer of the vinyl.

Everyone that sees your new vinyl floor will struggle to tell if you have just had a new wood or stone floor. Another useful feature is the textured wear layer adds anti slip benefits so making this flooring ideal for areas where the floor can become wet or slippery!

Spring Plant Fair

The annual Spring Plant Fair, organised by Suffolk Plant Heritage in partnership with Helmingham Hall will be held in the beautiful grounds of Helmingham Hall on Sunday 25th May, 10am-4pm.

A wide range of unusual and popular plants will be available to buy from over 50 nurseries, local National Plant Collections and the Suffolk Plant Heritage propagation group, which will be selling rare plants, some not offered for sale elsewhere.

A plant of Liatris aspera, the ‘rough gayfeather’, will be given to the first 800 visitors to claim them. With attractive spikes of feathery purple flowers, it was used in the beautiful naturalistic plantings at the Olympic Park in 2012.

The Garden Marquee will host Gardening Workshops, including the RHS introducing their ‘Perfect Pollinators’ project; ‘Growing Meadow Flowers in your Garden’; ‘Brilliant Dahlias and ‘Vegetables to Sow in Midsummer’ The Plant Doctors will be available to offer advice on any gardening topic, to identify your mystery plants and plant problems.

Visitors can also browse among a wide range of exhibitors offering everything from hand tools to soap and garden furniture to sun hats.

The Plant Fair gives the whole family a full day out, live music, a dance tent, home made teas and lunches as well as a range of food stalls. Visitors can enjoy the Grade 1 listed gardens of Helmingham Hall, with walled kitchen garden, herbaceous borders, roses and ancient deer park.

Tours of the gardens with Lady Tollemache, tickets £15 each, are bookable from the Helmingham Estate Office by calling 01473 890799 Entry to the Plant Fair and Helmingham Hall Gardens is £6 per adult with children free.

Helmingham Hall is nine miles NE of Ipswich on the B1077. (IP14 6EF)

For more information about these fantastic new flooring ideas take a visit to Archway Carpets in Woodbridge or call 01394 386684 or visit www.archwaycarpets.co.uk

Felixstowe plant sale A Plant Sale will be held at Seaton Road Methodist Church, Felixstowe on Saturday 3rd May from 10am until 12pm.

The plants, which will include perennials, bedding plants, alpines and maybe some tomato plants, will be supplied by Katie’s Garden Centre, so you can be assured of both quality and value for money.

The proceeds will be for the Church and for MacMillan Cancer Support.

There will also be a book stall and a cake stall and refreshments will be available.

The Plant Sale has now become an annual event and those who came to the sale last year went away with lots of bargains, so why not come along this year and see what bargains you can find.

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Affordable vintage fair is all the fashion Curators of ‘Vintage at Goodwood,’ ‘Vintage at the Southbank’ and Britain’s biggest vintage fair, Judy’s return to Ipswich this May.

The Vaped Crusader

The Welsh are considering banning electronic cigarettes indoors – in the same way that traditional cigs are banned.

This is where a line must be drawn.

Let us just deal with facts for a moment. The electronic cigarette produces relatively small amounts of steam. Not smoke. Steam. It dissipates within three seconds, does not smell and is not a danger to anybody within its vicinity. It is, to all intents and purposes, very similar to a steaming cup of coffee with the trace elements of coffee replace by trace elements of nicotine. Nicotine by itself is no more of a danger to us than caffeine. So why are they being banned?

‘They can be seen as a gateway to smoking’. So are we to assume that it is better to force people away from their desks to go and smoke a real cigarette? Can we surmise from this bizarre logic that drinking water from a pint glass is a gateway to alcoholism? Blood tests are gateway to drug abuse?

As long as ‘alcohol free lager’ is ok, adverts for beer and gambling blight televised football, processed food damages our digestive system and fast food makes us fat – then the e-cigarette should be left very alone. Sure do some honest research and tell us if they are a problem, but don’t dictate until you have the slightest iota of evidence. And to those establishments and organisations that ban them ‘because staff can’t tell the difference’ – what are you saying about your staff? It is those very staff that will be out of work when you are forced to close.

Ironically April saw some of the worst pollution Suffolk has ever seen.

It had nothing to with electronic cigarettes.

Charge of the Light Brigade

I was curious recently as to why my monthly direct debit for gas and electricity had almost doubled. Curiosity changed to annoyance when I was told, “I don’t know how we work it out”. Without a hint of apology it was put back to its original figure and I was asked if there was anything else they could help me with. There wasn’t – “but I can help you” I said, “Since I am able to perform basic mathematics and have no desire to assist in the swelling of energy company coffers, employ me in your ‘pluck a number out of the air’ direct debit department.”

Spirit of ’78

This month I spent a night with this, raising money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation – but do you know what it is?

Printing Pressed

I had an epiphany this month. Printers are like phones. As a sheet of crumpled faded documentation spewed from my tired workhorse I decided to rest her and bring in a replacement. That’s when it dawned on me. Printer ink is as expensive as a printer. The instructions scream ‘use only original ink’. So that’s why these things are relatively cheap.

Like phones, you get the main item on the cheap and they make their money from you using it and buying their ink. I still don’t know why a black cartridge is £26 when a bottle of Quink with more ink in it is £4.

Nurse!

I wonder if you would be good enough to spare a thought for a radio colleague of mine. His name I will withhold – suffice to say he presents a show on Hospital Radio Ipswich. In the 90’s Beautiful South released a single called ‘Don’t Marry Her Have Me’. Such is the sense of humour of this group the album version was slightly different.

You can guess what the altered word was. I always knew that one day it would catch out an unsuspecting broadcaster. Frankly, hearing it whilst in hospital would have cheered me up!

See you in June

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The UK’s largest travelling vintage marketplace, Judy’s returns to Ipswich this season, with over 35 leading vintage traders setting up shop at the Corn Exchange. In traditional Judy’s style, traders will be bringing some stunning new season stock, bargain rails and special offers.

Founded in 2005, the formula behind Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair is a simple one; exasperated with rising high street prices and vintage costing an arm and a leg, Judy set out to create a fair that was equally affordable as it was eclectic; handpicking traders from the four corners of the UK, every event culminates in a vibrant vintage marketplace with over sixty years of stock to knock your socks off.

Eight years on, the vintage trend remains strong; vintageinspired designs from the fifties and seventies litter the high street, polo necks and heritage items populated runways at Mulberry, Burberry and Issa – even Kate Moss, a woman synonymous with Topshop, sported a wedding dress twenties in theme. Bringing an alternative to expensive replicas to 30 cities nationwide, Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair offers up the chance to buy genuine pieces of the past [minus the hefty price tags;] fashion through to furniture, accessories and crafts, haberdashery and an antique or two – all affordable, all one-of-akind and all waiting to be worn again.

Founder of the fairs and former Selfridges personal shopper Judy Berger admits that a return to Ipswich is a highlight in the 2014 calendar; “With such a variety of different styles within the town and a prevailing vintage scene throughout, a return to Ipswich was a no-brainer.

“With over 800 shoppers attending our last event, a love of all things old-world certainly rings true; we always have such a wonderful turn-out in Ipswich,” Judy adds, “With families, fashion fans and students alike all looking for that perfect piece of the past to take away with them.”

Ipswich’s Affordable Vintage Fair is at The Grand Hall, Corn Exchange, King’s Street, Ipswich on Saturday May 17th from 12.00pm until 5.00pm, Entry is just £2 with under 12’s free. For more information please visit www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

Model Railway Show

Felixstowe Area “N” Gauge Group will be holding their Annual “N” Gauge Model Railway Show on Saturday 14th June at Trinity Methodist Church, Orwell Road, Felixstowe, from 10am until 4.30pm.

This is a show dedicated to “N” Gauge Layouts and amongst those booked to appear this year are the Group Modular Layout, Winsford Hill; Saneham, Stowley Loop, Padnal Grove, Hadderton, and several others still to be confirmed.

The “N” Gauge Society Shop and Scograil will have their Sales Stands along with The Mid Suffolk Light Railway. The Group will have some on-going projects together with an information stand and a tombola. There will be light refreshments available.

Admission charges have been held at £3 for Adults and accompanied children free.

The venue is wheelchair friendly

Have a BIG idea that will change your local area for the better?

Are you from Ipswich? Do you live in the Castle Hill, Whitehouse or Whitton area and have an idea that will positively change your community? If you do, why not apply for a ‘Try It’ award and make a difference...

The Eastern Enterprise Hub is proud to be working in conjunction with UnLtd to provide funding and support to people in Ipswich who have big ideas for their local communities.

What is the ‘Try It’ Star People award?

The ‘Try It’ Star People award will enable you to access funding of up to £500 to improve your local area. In addition, you will receive personal support and advice on your journey to becoming a local entrepreneur and making a real difference in your community. You will then be able to progress at your own pace and in some cases take on a larger project and apply for the ‘Do It’ award, which is up to £5,000 of funding.

Maureen Clark, an UnLtd award winner has set up the ‘Double L Club’; a lunch club for retired

people living in the North-West area of Ipswich.

“The funding from UnLtd has enabled me to invest in technology that helps to enhance the lives of the club members. I now have a DVD player for the armchair exercises and a laptop to teach IT skills.” Maureen said.

Those who apply for the funding must be able to show that they are passionate about improving their local area, have a good idea for an innovative project, and live, work, volunteer or have an established business in one of the three selected areas in Ipswich. Whatever the idea or project, we want to hear about it.

• To apply for the ‘Try It’ Star People award, please contact Amy Bramwell at amy@eehub.co.uk or give us a call on 01473 527100.

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The Tractor Boy Column For this month’s article I have decided to write about the recent world T20 championships in Bangladesh. With cricket being one of my favourite sports (second only of course to the beautiful game, football) I was highly anticipating what the championships might bring and it is fair to say they didn’t disappoint.

After the qualifying round, in which lower teams competed for the chance to take on the big guns in one of the two main groups, the tournament began for proper on the 21st of March with the highly fancied India taking on Pakistan. It’s fair to say that this game didn’t start the championships off with a bang, more of a sigh. A comfortable seven wicket win for India cementing their stature as one of the pre-tournament favourites to lift the coveted trophy.

However better was to come, much better. The match between Sri Lanka and South Africa to of the big heavyweights in the cricket world was one of the most amazing matches in the tournament.

With two overs to go South Africa needed a mere nineteen runs to claim victory, twelve balls later and not even a six off the final delivery could prevent them suffering a five run defeat. England kicked off their campaign the following day, a disappointing

Suffolk’s youngest sports pundit

defeat to New Zealand via the Duckworth Lewis method, ask an expert to explain it to you! The tournament rolled on with no real drama that was on until South Africa took on New Zealand. Having suffered a collapse in the last two overs against Sri Lanka it was now South Africa’s turn to inflict that on their opponents, needing just seven off the final over Dale Steyn managed to keep them down to just five runs demonstrating why he is seen as the world’s leading bowler. The best moment from an English point of view, although to be fair there were not many to choose from came in the game against Sri Lanka. Having smashed 189 off England’s twenty overs, and with two wickets in their opening over Sri Lanka were in control that was until Alex Hales came into bat. Not for the fast time in the tournament one player changed the game completely, Hales crashing his way to an unbeaten 116 leading England to an improbable victory, one that also proved to be their only success of the tournament as they crashed out at the group stage.

The semi-finals were both very one sided, India who had been rarely troubled throughout the tournament seeing of South Africa and Sri Lanka

defeating the colourful West Indies. The final was set to be a classic both teams with bags of quality and class. Sri Lanka with two batting legends Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakarra looking to finally win the world cup in their final ever appearance for their country, India looking to continue their dominance of the cricketing world.

Sri Lanka restricted the Indians to just 130 despite a brilliant 77 from man of the tournament Virat Kohli.

Sri Lanka started steadily before their wonderful wicketkeeper stole the show, Sangakarra hitting a majestical fifty in his last ever T20 international innings to capture him the trophy that had escaped his grasp and therefore proving that dreams do come true!

• Daniel Ford (aka “Tractor Boy”) would love to hear from readers with suggestions for future items in the column: Tractor Boy, c/o Ipswich24, PO Box 774, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 9FW

Call for more crews for Dragon Boat Races at Alton Water Now is the time to gather your crew and to get ready to make a splash at Dragon Boat Race in aid of Hospice.

Teams are wanted to make a splash at the St Elizabeth Hospice Dragon Boat Race on Sunday 15th June at Alton Water.

Dragon Boat racing is an ancient Chinese tradition and the fastest growing water activity in Britain today – as well as the most fun!

Crews of up to 10 people paddle each 30ft boat, with a drummer at the front beating time and a helm at the tail steering a straight course.

The event is open to everyone and the crews will battle it out over the 200m course watched by spectators – so make sure you bring your family and friends along to cheer you on.

Sarah Archer, St Elizabeth Hospice’s Fundraising Partnerships Manager, said, “The Dragon Boat Race will be exciting, colourful and great fun. Cheer along teams as they take part in three races with the fastest teams going through to semi-finals and then a grand final. No previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit!

“All the money raised from the event will help provide local Hospice care for local people.”

There will be food, drink and entertainment on the day making it a great day out for all the family.

To find out more or to register for the event, visit the website www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk St Elizabeth Hospice costs £9.1 million a year to run and relies on donations, fundraising, gifts in Wills and support for its shops to fund the majority of these costs.

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In Conversation with…

JIMMY WHITE The Snooker Legends’ tour returns to Ipswich to The Corn Exchange, Ipswich on Friday 9th May – such has been the popularity of the Legends’ events in Suffolk - with a repeat of the 1984 World Final – Jimmy White vs Steve Davis – both legends of the game and survivors of the Australian Jungle! This time Dennis Taylor will take over the MC duties, and perform some of his trick shots, and Michaela Tabb will be in charge.

Ipswich24’s Mark Keable caught up with Jimmy white prior to him coming to Ipswich in May. Tell us a little of your early years Jimmy: I started playing snooker in a club called Zans in tooting South London, I wasn’t great at school but my teacher did a deal with me and if I came in for lessons in the mornings I had afternoons off to practice snooker. I think he knew early on that I could make a career from it.

Were you interested in other sports as a youngster?

Jimmy: Not really, I always liked football but never really played When did the snooker bug begin and how?

Jimmy: If I’m honest we used Zans as a place to bunk off school, the fact it had snooker tables was a bonus! I started playing and became good really quickly You’ve been referred to as the “People’s Champion” how does it feel carrying a title like that?

Jimmy: It’s a huge honour and one that really has been passed on since Alex Higgins died. I think people relate to me as someone who’s not perfect, never been perfect but keeps on trying. I’m very lucky to have such loyal fans What has been your best memory of your career?

Jimmy: Winning the UK Championship is the best playing moment.

And your worst?

Jimmy: I guess people will say the six world finals but I had to play well and beat great players to get there so just getting there six times was a massive achievement. So no regrets You’ve also taken part in Poker championships, is there a correlation in the calmness needed in both snooker and poker?

Jimmy: Not really, I play poker for a bit of enjoyment. I’m in no way a professional but I’ve been lucky a couple of times in tournaments.

If it hadn’t been snooker… What do you think you would have done?

Jimmy: I get asked this a lot and the truth is I really don’t know.

Coming from south London and leaving school with no qualifications I guess if it wasn’t for snooker and the life it’s given me then I could have ended up pretty unemployable. Thank god for snooker eh?

To book tickets to Snooker Legends on Friday 9th May you can contact the Box Office on 01473 433100 or visit www.ipswichregent.com.

All tour details can be found on www.snookerlegends.co.uk Ipswich24 has go a pair of VIP tickets, which will include a champagne reception before the event between 6pm and 6.30pm where the winner will get the chance to meet Jimmy White, Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor and Michaela Tabb and receive a snooker cue signed by Jimmy White and Steve Davis and then enjoy the match from a prime seat to give away to one luckey reader. To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, just send your answer to the following question to; Snooker Competition, Ipswich24 Magazine, PO Box 774, Ipswich, IP1 9FW or you can enter online at www.ipswich24.co.uk.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday 7th May 2014.

Q. What card game championships has Jimmy played in?

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What next?

Jimmy: I’m still playing on the tour, I still love it. The legends shows are also a great chance to meet the fans and thank them personally for their support, Ipswich has always had a good fan base. I can’t see a time when I won’t be playing snooker…

• Jimmy and Ronnie O’Sullivan

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Dawn French, the Queen of British comedy, has announced her first ever solo tour. The award-winning actor, best-selling novelist and all round very funny lady has written a new show, based on her life and career, called 30 Million Minutes.

30 Million Minutes will consist of various delights and riches, with the odd irksome tribulation thrown in, as Dawn takes audiences through the various lessons life has taught her, and the things she knows for sure.

Book for this show NOW, because Dawn French is convinced it won’t be long before she is far too doolally to perform it.

The evidence is there for all to see. She is already three quarters certifiably daft. The other quarter is utterly bewildered. And the remaining quarter simply can’t do maths. With a sharp eye for comic detail and a wicked ear for the absurdities of life, Dawn French of Cornwall shares how she has misguidedly spent her whole life vigorously attempting to be a fully functioning female human.

Her extraordinary lack of willpower, combined with an enviable knack for nosey parking and showing off, has driven her to grapple with the big stuff of life in public. 30 million minutes of life in fact. That’s how long she’s been alive.

It’s also worth coming if only to finally witness what size she actually is. Can we believe the stolen images of so many women’s magazines? What is the truth? Is she so unfeasibly large that she can hardly live? Or does she sleep in a matchbox? Marvel at how one woman can mercilessly murder so much chocolate, and yet remain so curiously slim…

As a big fat liar once said of her: “Her singular attempt to be ordinary fails miserably.”

Dawn says, “I’m sick with excitement about this solo tour. I am enjoying the fact that I can’t categorise exactly what it is, but it’s somewhere between a monologue, a play, and an autobiographical slide show with a few funnies thrown in. At last, I have one of my three genie wishes granted, which is that I finally get to work with Michael Grandage. The other two wishes are as yet unfulfilled. They are secret obviously, but suffice to say, one is about Barack Obama in Speedos. The other is about me in speedos, with cheesecake involved... Enough said.”

Catch the show. Or feel like a fool.

• Dawn French will be at the Ipswich Regent on Monday 22nd September.

To book tickets contact the Box Office on 01473 433100.

An all-round good read!

Readers of contemporary women’s fiction will know that in most cases, if the protagonist isn’t slim, she’s trying to get slim. Or wishing she was slim. The chubby heroine never gets the man unless she goes on a diet first, and will often be found drowning her sorrows in a barrel of biscuits or crying into her diet coke at a slimming class.

Local girl Sarah Clark, an avid reader herself, was bored with reading about identikit heroines and decided to create a fun, feisty heroine that the average woman would be able to relate to.

“The average size of a woman in the UK is a size 16,” explained Sarah, “but I don’t see realistic plus size women represented in most of the fiction I read. I wanted to create characters that were intelligent, attractive and successful, but just happened to be size 16 or over.”

The original idea for the book came to Sarah when she was discussing female fiction with a friend in 2012.

“I was talking about the way the media demonises fat people, and I said that I wanted to invent a fat super-heroine – a plus size woman who would change the way the world looks at fat people!

“It just so happened that publisher John Hunt had just introduced a new imprint, SASSY Books, and were looking for new authors. I wrote the first three chapters of Viva Voluptuous, sent them to the publisher, and luckily for me, they loved it.”

While the book doesn’t have Ellie, the heroine, dressed in a tiara and hot pants like Wonder Woman, there is plenty of costume action with a 36

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burlesque theme, a festival appearance and even a cameo from a well-known pop star.

Ellie Johnston has just been dumped by her boyfriend Mark. Being dumped by the man she calls The Weasel has dented her ego, and not only is she sulking, but as a plus-sized blogger she’s feeling like a fraud because her confidence in her curvaceousness has been seriously dented.

While she’s still feeling raw, she comes across some evil comments on a newspaper website, which fires her up with a desire to show the world that you don’t have to conform to a skinny stereotype to be happy, healthy, successful and beautiful. She’s passionate about helping other women escape the tyranny of constant dieting and body hatred, after being caught up in it herself. She enlists the help of her two plus-sized and gorgeous girlfriends, Zoe and Lauren, to come up with a plan, and seeks solace in Jamie, a gorgeous younger man with commitment issues.

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The Viva Voluptuous campaign takes the girls on a hilarious journey through PR disasters, dating sites and flash mobs but will it make a difference?

And will Ellie get her curvy-girl mojo back again?”

Ipswich24 has got a copy of “Viva Voluptuous”

by Sarah Clark to give away to a luck reader. To be in with a chance of winning this great book just send your answer to the following question, along with your name, address and a contact telephone number to: “Viva Voluptuous” Competition, Ipswich24, PO Box 774, Ipswich, IP1 9FW or you can enter online at www.ipswich24.co.uk.

The closing date for entries is Friday 30th May 2014.

Sarah’s book, “Viva Voluptuous” is published by SASSY Books and is available from Amazon now.

Q. What is average size of a woman in the UK?

wellbeing

Driving with dementia A decline in cognitive abilities – for example the onset of dementia – is the greatest concern that families have about elderly relatives driving. Over half (59 per cent) of East of England are worried about it, according to a survey by the IAM1.

Forty-two per cent of those in the East of England have tried to talk to their elderly relative about their driving.

People with dementia may still be able to drive safely for some time after it has been diagnosed, but because of the progressive nature of the disease, there will come a time when they have to give up.

Drivers must tell the DVLA if they have dementia or another condition that affects their driving. The law assumes that people have a right to drive safely and will only intervene when medical conditions impair driving ability. The aim is to allow people to drive for as long as possible. If the DVLA allows someone with dementia to continue driving, then they will almost certainly have to have periodic medical assessments.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said, “Staying healthy is the simplest way

to ensure you are fit to drive but an independent and objective driving assessment will also help people make the right decision at the right time. Experts warn that the numbers suffering from dementia will continue to grow and it is important drivers seek advice before using their cars.

Families and friends need to be aware of the early warning signs of dementia and seek advice and medical help as soon as possible.”

Signs that an individual no longer has the skills needed to drive safely; Difficulty judging speed, distance and space • Getting lost on familiar roads • Straying across lanes or hitting kerbs • Confusing the gas and brake pedals • Making slow or poor decisions • Failing to observe road signs and traffic signals

Getting the right healthcare advice and treatment If you feel unwell, here’s some advice which we hope will help you choose the right route to fast treatment and get well soon!

For good self-care, keep your medicine cabinet well-stocked with the items you and your family need.

For minor illnesses, advice on medications and colds, coughs, minor burns, strains and sprains - or if you need emergency repeat prescriptions - contact a pharmacist.

Your surgery is great for advice on health problems, and examinations and treatments. All main surgeries are open between 8am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday. On the day appointments are available if your need is urgent.

If you need help when your surgery is closed call 111. You will be asked for information to direct you to the correct service, or to arrange for an ambulance where appropriate.

Ipswich Hospital and West Suffolk Hospital have Emergency Departments for emergencies only. Call 999, only for lifethreatening illnesses or injuries.

• Parking inappropriately • Becoming angry or confused while driving • Causing passengers to have concerns about their driving Given the varying progression of dementia, the driving skills of an individual with dementia can decrease significantly in between evaluations, therefore those who

have demonstrated they are able to drive should gradually modify their driving to reduce the risk of an accident.

Over 800,000 people in the UK currently have dementia (17,000 are under 65). This is expected to increase to over a million people by 2021.

Hypnobirthing: The real story Congratulations you’re pregnant!

What will happen now? You have probably been inundated by tales from everyone you have told that you are expecting. People just can’t help giving a ‘gory’ story. The reality is that we as a species have been delivering babies for thousands of years, and we need not fear what our bodies were made to do. The concept of Hypnobirthing is not a new one, and many cultures still carry out their own forms of relaxation to help with birth. However, due to celebrity acknowledgement it has now found itself being a topic of conversation.

Hypnobirthing is an education of birth, with benefits for the mother, father and baby. It allows you to take full control of your birth, believing in your own ability. The experience empowers you.

Through hypnotherapy techniques, the fear and tension often linked with birth can be reduced. Relaxation, self-hypnosis and guided imagery can allow you to tap into your bodies natural tranquilizers-endorphins.

Hypnobirthing prepares you for childbirth by teaching you how these hormones affect your labour and birth. By remaining calm and

focused your body will instinctively know how to perform. Labour and birth should not to be feared.

By building confidence and releasing fear, parents can free their minds and therefore their bodies of any build-up of tensions. Together couples practise deep breathing, script reading and light touch massage, allowing deep relaxation, and the acceptance that birth is positive and natural. You trust your body and your baby to work together to finish the journey that as a couple you started.

All women from all walks of life can experience how amazing birth can be, even those whom have had a very negative first experience.

Victoria Tremain teaches women to be comfortable and relaxed knowing their body is doing what nature intended. As well as this, Victoria teaches partners techniques, so they have a specific role and feel involved in the process, not side-lined as so many do. Victoria strongly believes in hypnobirthing, and encourages couples to embrace the experience so birth becomes wonderful and empowering. Contact Victoria on 07792 955789 to find out how to embrace your pregnancy and end your journey smiling.

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wellbeing

Hayfever and Allergic Rhinitis

by Jules Button

Hayfever is a common problem usually encountered in the spring and early summer. It is also known as Allergic Rhinitis – allergies to airborne substances which lead to inflammation in the lining of the nose, throat and eyes. It is estimated that one in five people in the UK suffer with Allergic Rhinitis and it is increasing yearly.

About Hayfever Hayfever is a seasonal allergic reaction to pollen from grasses, weeds or trees, carried in the air. An allergic reaction happens when your body’s immune system reacts to an allergen because it mistakes it for a harmful invader, such as a virus. Hayfever occurs when your immune system overreacts to pollen allergens, which are normally harmless to most people. This reaction triggers the release of chemicals from certain cells in your nose, throat and eyes. One of these chemicals is histamine, which sets off the symptoms of hayfever.

Symptoms of Hayfever • sneezing • a blocked or runny nose (rhinitis) • itchy eyes, nose, throat and roof of your mouth • headaches caused by a stuffy nose • Dry Cough • Irritability and poor sleep • Asthma can also be triggered or made worse during the pollen season.

If you have hayfever symptoms all

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year round, you may also be allergic to house dust mites, pet hair and moulds. This is called perennial allergic rhinitis.

Hayfever treatments • Antihistamines in tablet or nasal sprays - These are available from your doctor. Some may be obtained, without a prescription, from your local pharmacy

• Steroids or other anti-inflammatory medicines • Nasal sprays and eye drops for irritated eyes – these help to soothe the tissues, helping to wash away pollen • Decongestants – these can be useful in relieving stuffy noses • Herbal and homeopathic medicines - There are many natural remedies available and some work really well. Its best to ask your Herbalist, Naturopath or Health Store advisor to recommend a suitable product for your needs.

Ways to help yourself reduce symptoms.

One of the obvious ways to prevent hayfever is to either avoid, or reduce the amount of pollen one comes across. In general, pollen counts peak at mid-morning and early evening on dry days. Sunny weather means more pollen and counts are higher on a windless day.

Avoid coming into contact with pollen by steering clear of fields and parks (lots of grass), or sitting next to a bunch of cut flowers Keeping your windows shut when pollen count is high, especially bedroom windows Drive with your windows shut. If your car has airconditioning, use it If you have been outdoors, shower and change into clean clothes as soon as you get indoors Wear wrap-around glasses to protect your eyes, even on a dull day Do not dry washing outside – pollen may get trapped in the fibres of clothes and bed linen Finally, keep an eye on pollen counts using weather reports.

There are also several Free Pollen Count Apps to download.

The pollen count The pollen count is the average number of pollen grains in one cubic metre of air over 24 hours. There are pollen counts for grass, tree and weed pollen and fungal spores.

Weekly pollen forecasts predict how high the pollen count will be.

Don’t suffer in silence – If Hayfever is a problem to you speak to your doctor or Natural Health Practitioner.

Health & Peace to you all – Jules For more information about this article, Naturopathic advice or Allergy Testing contact Jules Button (BSc) Email: jules@rainbowapothecary.co.uk or www.rainbowapothecary.co.uk or call 01394 386777 or pop into Rainbow Apothecary 6E Church St, Woodbridge IP12 1DH

Dying Matters Awareness Week encourages people to talk about their wishes and be prepared

It’s Good to Talk Dying Matters Awareness Week takes place from May 12th until 18th and aims to increase the number of conversations and the plans people make around death, dying and bereavement.

During the week, St Elizabeth Hospice is holding an information event called ‘Let’s Talk – practical steps to live and die well’. The drop-in event will be held at the Hospice in Foxhall Road, Ipswich, on Thursday 15th May from 4.30pm until 8.30pm.

There will be interactive information stands and Hospice personnel on hand to discuss these issues and topics and the opportunity to write your bucket list, name your special song, record your funeral wishes and discuss Wills.

Throughout the week, Hospice representatives will also be going out on the road with the Rural Coffee Van. Keep an eye on the St Elizabeth Hospice Facebook page for details of where the Van is during the week.

For more information, visit www. stelizabethhospice.org.uk, email enquiries@stelizabethhospice. org.uk or call 01473 723600.

St Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people living with a progressive illness in east Suffolk and South Norfolk.

The Hospice helps people deal with problems such as pain, anxiety and fatigue, as well as offering practical advice and family support.

ADVERTISE HERE FOR A WHOLE MONTH FROM JUST

£10

Call 01473 715599 before it’s sold!

IPSWICH24 COMPETITION RULES & CONDITIONS: The editor’s decision will always be final. No competition entry will be entered into. Ipswich24 cannot be held responsible for cancellation of events (in the event of cancellation no transfer will be offered or cash alternative). We cannot be held responsible for failure of entries not arriving by deadline. There is no cash alternative to any prize. If you send entries for several competitions in one envelope, each competition must be on a separate postcard with the answer and your details, including a contact telephone number (failure to do this will result in your entry not being included). Ipswich24 reserve the right to pass on competition entry details to third parties, If you do not wish you details to be passed on please state so on your entry.

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