If variety is the spice of life, then I certainly had it spicy last weekend!
On Friday night, I was out with the detached youth workers from 4YP (For Young People) an Ipswich based charity that works with 7–25-year-olds at their town centre hub, in schools and out in the community.
4YP provides support for young people based on their individual needs along with a range of services for young people with identified poor mental health and wellbeing. Their work is needed more than ever as national funding for youth services has fallen by 73 per cent since the Tories came to power – a £1bn real-terms cut.
Workers are out four times a week looking for young people. I had a walkabout with Scarlett and Zoe, who started off talking to groups of primary school aged pupils. They were in groups and seemed to be happily playing, though there was one young lad of 7 who was out on his own. He did head off home on his bike, but I wouldn’t let my seven year old out on his own at that time of evening. We also spoke to teenagers who were 15 years old. They didn’t seem to be up to anything but wanted a safe, dry place to hang out together. Sounds like what I was looking for at 15! Unfortunately a heavy rain shower ended the evening early.
On Saturday morning, I attended a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the charity Cancer Campaign in Suffolk. This dedicated team includes therapists, counsellors and educators that come together to support people in Suffolk. This includes education about prevention, risks and survivorship.
High-profile radio presenter, Mark Murphy is the new Head of this charity, and I am sure he will bring his energy to the role. Slightly odd chatting to him in a room full of wigs! He said that one in two people develop cancer – a sobering statistic. He will be leading on fundraising, so I hope we can all get behind this great local charity.
Apple Day is the annual festival at the Holywells Park orchard, which I have been to many times. There is a well-worn path round the orchard: Holywells Park Friends stall for a kid’s goody bag, freshly squeezed apple juice, Holywells Honey (both Spring and Summer varieties available), hot drinks with lots of apple cake and then a freshly cooked apple fritter. The cook ran out of fritter batter, so we waited at the head of the queue until she returned with fresh supplies from the Co-op – great service!
Into town for the start of the Spill Festival. You can’t miss the inflatables if you have been in town. On the Cornhill there is Mega Bunny, Egg Cat and Octopus (with 12 legs!) and in the Buttermarket there is REST and Eye of Newt. Fun for children of all ages!
Only one event on Sunday, the Civic Service. The Mayor of Ipswich leads fellow Mayors from across Suffolk and Civic Leaders to walk in procession from Ipswich Town Hall to St Mary-le-Tower Church. It is an opportunity to come together for a service of thanks in our county town.
St Mary le Tower has been at the heart of Ipswich for more than a thousand years, and since the year 1200 has been its Civic Church. Vicar Tom Mumford kept it right up to date with a call for a moment’s silence to “send our love to Arras”, in the wake of the murder of a teacher in our twin town.
There is lots going on in Ipswich, why don’t you get out there and discover it?