It was great to see the latest instalment of Football’s coming home livening up the Cornhill last Sunday. Great to see the town centre full of around 400 football fans watching the Lionesses on the big screen. Supporters witnessed drama and tension throughout. Congratulations to Spain who played brilliantly. Though England lost, the tournament has grown support for women’s football and I am sure that this will be a boost for the grassroots game here in Ipswich.
The big screen showing of the Woman’s Football World Cup final was brilliantly organised and run by the Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) events team, led by Mark Whiting. They have a tremendous record of successful event organisation, including Music Day in Christchurch Park which attracts over 20,000 people.
Last year, 43 events were organised on the Cornhill. We have already had more than that this year. Events bring people in. Events are something different. You can’t get Events on the Internet. Events have become an important part of trying to encourage people to visit the Town Centre.
The biggest event on the Cornhill in June was probably the Suffolk Day parade by the Army Air Corps.
120 soldiers from Wattisham exercised their Freedom of the Borough to parade through the town, ahead of an inspection on the Cornhill by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare Countess of Euston and Mayors of Suffolk.
A proclamation from Ipswich Town Hall steps was given by Chantry Academy students with a freedom theme. Suffolk Medals were presented by Suffolk Community Foundation and there was an Apache Helicopter flypast.
A well attended Health & Wellbeing Fair was organised by IBC in the town centre last week. Fifteen local support groups joined Ipswich Fit and Ipswich Borough Council’s Health and Wellbeing, waste and recycling and Community Safety teams to offer free interactive activities for children and young people. There was information and advice on mental health available, plus volunteering opportunities and children’s activities. It’s wonderful that so many local agencies are coming together on the Cornhill to highlight the mental health and wellbeing support that is available for families in Ipswich.
IBC also organise a “weekender” once a quarter. The next one is on 23-24 September, on the Waterfront.
The first Ipswich Weekender in March was very well received, with events on the Cornhill proving extremely popular. The Summer Ipswich Weekender line-up offered a variety of music to be enjoyed around the town by family, friends, and visitors – ahead of the huge celebration of local talent that is Ipswich Music Day in Christchurch Park.
The third weekender of the year will attract thousands of visitors to the Waterfront and promises to be packed with live music, fantastic food and drink, fairground rides and plenty of fun activities.
The Ipswich Weekender festival offers a fantastic opportunity to local businesses, charities, and communities. IBC is welcoming applications from stallholders, charities, community groups and not for profit organisations. Applicants can apply for a pitch for the weekend as well as having the option to hire equipment from the Council.
There are so many different things on the Cornhill, throughout the year: ITFC Community Events, specialist markets, music, choirs, tennis, dance, games, Windrush, Pride, the Eurovision song contest and many more.
I hope that gives a flavour of the breadth and depth of what is on offer in Ipswich Town Centre and that you want to come in and experience it for yourself. There really is something for everyone!
If you have an idea for an event – or want to run one yourself – let us know. The more, the merrier.