ABOUT! OUT

Top tips for fun things to do in Suffolk … by Charity Crewe

SOUTHWOLD ARTS FESTIVAL

Southwold Arts Centre, Cumberland Road & St Edmunds Church

Saturday 24th June –

Saturday 1st July l Tickets are available from the Southwold Arts Centre, 01502-722572, and at, southwoldartsfestival.co.uk

A flock of famous faces is descending on Southwold for the annual Arts Festival, including Tony Robinson, who will be recounting tales from the set of Blackadder and his many years on Time Team. Also in the line-up are The Times gardening columnist and Gardener’s World presenter, Joe Swift, and retired cop turned comedian, Alfie Moore. There’s plenty of music on offer too, including an evening of jazz and blues with singer, Paul Jones, and acclaimed Soft Machine guitarist, John Etheridge.

Food Museum, Stowmarket

Friday 28th – Sunday 30th July l £50 for a weekend pass, with day tickets starting at £15. Further details and booking, primadonnafestival.com

The literary festival that puts women’s writing in the spotlight returns to the splendid grounds of the Food Museum. The impressive line-up of authors includes Adele Parks, Patrice Lawrence and Joanne Harris. Other highlights include pop star turned author, JB Gill who will be discussing his new career as a children’s writer, and actor, author and Celebrity Masterchef champion, Emma Kennedy is chatting about female strength and getting hench. There will also be plenty of music, comedy, creative writing masterclasses and workshops from publishing industry insiders.

WOLSEY’S IPSWICH EXHIBITION

Suffolk Archives at The Hold, 131 Fore Street, Ipswich

Friday 14th July - Sunday 29th

October

This year marks 550 years since the birth of Ipswich’s most famous son, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, and Ipswich has been marking the occasion with, Thomas Wolsey 550, a city-wide programme of events and activities. The Hold is doing its bit for Henry VIII’s right-hand man by hosting a free exhibition exploring Wolsey’s life and legacy. Alongside treasures from Suffolk Archives’ own collection, there will be some impressive loaned exhibits, including Wolsey’s Cardinal hat, which normally resides at Christ Church College, Oxford. Terry Hunt, chair of Thomas Wolsey 550, said: “we can use his story to inspire our young people to feel proud of their hometown’s rich history.” l For details about the exhibition go to, suffolkarchives.co.uk/whats-on/ l Other events being organised for the Thomas Wolsey 550 celebrations include guided walks and concerts. Visit, thomaswolsey550.co.uk

WOODBRIDGE FESTIVAL OF ART AND MUSIC

Elmhurst Park, Woodbridge

Friday 1st September - Saturday 2nd September l For further information and tickets, woodbridgefestival.com

The Soul II Soul frontman, Jazzie B, is once again headlining the Woodbridge Festival. The much-loved Elmhurst Park event is happening over two days for the first time in eleven years. Friday will celebrate top regional talent, while international acts will play on Saturday which will also see a new wellbeing area, as well as the Kids, Literary and Art Zones, and the local food and drink village. “We are hugely grateful to have been given funding to expand the festival,” says festival chair, Naomi Drown. “We are a not-for-profit community festival, set-up to put on high-quality acts and promote creativity in our local area.” The festival will also be staging several other events around the town from 30th August - 3rd September.