A DIVERSE range of groups and organisations pulled together this week to highlight the many services on offer to Ipswich people.Community 2002 – Taking Ipswich Forward, was held in the Corn Exchange and was an Aladdin's Cave of interest and activity.

By Nick Richards

A DIVERSE range of groups and organisations pulled together this week to highlight the many services on offer to Ipswich people.

Community 2002 – Taking Ipswich Forward, was held in the Corn Exchange and was an Aladdin's Cave of interest and activity.

This was the fifth time an event such as this has been held in the town and brought together more than 50 organisations, offering information on jobs, education and training.

In addition, stalls provided leaflets and handouts on such subjects as drug abuse, road safety, community safety and volunteer opportunities.

Marva Phillips, who runs an information stall for the Books on Black Culture Organisation, said she had talked to some people who were keen to find out more.

She said: "People are often interested in the cookery books, but also on the religious ones. We have a book about Stephen Lawrence, which is aimed at younger children here and several people have shown interest."

David Picton, a road safety officer, said it was important that visitors to his stand were not being bombarded with too much information.

He said: "We have a campaign at the moment aimed at young men to encourage them to drive safely and we are trying to promote that message. We don't want to preach to people, especially the young and would rather give them something to take away and read.

"We are also giving information about cyclist training, walking buses and crossing patrols."

The past, present and future shape of Ipswich was on show at Taking Ipswich Forward with a wide variety of eye-catching displays celebrating the history of the town and looking at strategic planning for future developments.

The two-day event also featured live music, puppetry and other stage performances.

Michael Clarke performed a monologue showing the effects of racism throughout a young coloured person's life.

He said: "I play the same person at three different ages – eight, 20 and 30 and my monologue shows how he changes from primary school onwards. There are two different endings, one positive and one negative and I choose one ending to finish the performance."

The event was a jointly organised venture between Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk Council, Ipswich Council for Voluntary Services and Suffolk Police. It was supported by Suffolk College, Ipswich Primary Care Group and the Ipswich Community Safety Partnership.