“Events, dear boy, events” is a famous political quote from former Prime Minister Harold MacMillan when he was asked what the most difficult thing was about being PM.

As a one-nation Tory, he probably wouldn’t fit in the Conservative Party of today though, which has moved decisively to the right.

Back to events here in Ipswich. Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) has a highly regarded and experienced Events Team. Most recently they organised the Ipswich Town Football Club celebration event in Christchurch Park, with five days' notice.

The football club did not want to jinx their chances of promotion by organising any celebrations too early, so it was only after the Coventry game that work started.

Ipswich Star: Mr MacDonald is proud of the events taking place in IpswichMr MacDonald is proud of the events taking place in Ipswich (Image: Neil MacDonald)

Even then, it might have gone pear shaped on the Saturday! The events team did their usual efficient job, and it was a fantastic feeling to be part of the happy atmosphere in the park.

I couldn’t see the coach in the park because of all the people but lucked out by being at the Westerfield entrance when the coaches left the park.

The IBC events programme has been successfully running for 17 years in its current programmed format. The 2023/2024 events season successfully delivered a full programme consisting of 24 IBC Events along with Commercial and Charity Events.

The core IBC Events Programme consisted of Ipswich Music Day, Indian Summer Mela, Global Rhythm, Waterfront Weekender, One Big Multicultural Festival, Open Air Theatre, Family Fun Day Series, Remembrance Services and the Christmas Lights Switch-on.

Quite a range of events – surely something for everyone?

The budget also stretched to help in the delivery of the Eurovision Screening, Brighten the Corners, Suffolk Day Freedom of Ipswich Parade, Cornhill Windrush Festival, Murray Road Windrush Festival and Parade, Old Gaffers 60th Anniversary event and the Women’s World Cup Final Screening.

In addition, the Cornhill hosted around 70 commercial, charity and community events, and the successful delivery of a large Outdoor Cinema concept and Oktoberfest event.

The Ipswich Spring Weekender was at the end of March and brought together a diverse range of events to encourage people of all ages to visit Ipswich town centre.

Part of the weekender was a Busking Showcase, which featured musicians who were invited to apply for busking spots across the town centre.

They did get paid a small fee, though this meant that they were decent musicians, and it certainly did add something to the atmosphere of the town centre. Suffolk New College organised several acts from their students. Maybe one will be the next Ed Sheeran!

Eko the Sea Giant, a giant 13-feet puppet, performed as part of a Birmingham based Theatre’s sensational outdoor show. Five puppeteers were needed to make the Giant parade along Tavern Street, high-fiving small children and posing for photos. They then did a twenty-minute play called Out of the Deep Blue on the Cornhill.

The Deben Climate Centre, a non-profit charity moved into the Ancient House during the Ipswich Weekender and was open for three weeks to increase public awareness of climate change and to encourage involvement in local projects.

There were other activities on that weekend too. The aim of the weekenders, and indeed all of the Events programme is to provide events, entertainments or attractions that are not available online or at the out of town shopping areas.

The annual events programme brought 215,000 people into the town.

The political event of the last week was the raining on Rishi Sunak’s parade at the announcement of the General Election.

Harold MacMillan’s other famous quote was “you’ve never had it so good” but that’s a quote that will never be linked to Rishi Sunak.