COLOURFUL preparations for this year's Ipswich carnival parade are under way today, organisers announced. The launch of the Genesis and Rushmere Community Resource Unit (CRU) Carnival Club, in Wright Road, was led by two artists from Ipswich Community Carnival.

COLOURFUL preparations for this year's Ipswich carnival parade are under way today, organisers announced.

The launch of the Genesis and Rushmere Community Resource Unit (CRU) Carnival Club, in Wright Road, was led by two artists from Ipswich Community Carnival.

Around 30 people took part in four hours of creative activities to make sculptures from re-cycled materials, learn face painting techniques and carnival dance.

Ipswich Community Carnival co-ordinator Blue King said: “We are already making costumes and sewing on sequins. We want to get more people involved in the parade this year so we have started carnival clubs throughout the town to involve locals in the design and making of costumes and floats.

“We had the launch of our first carnival club at Whitehouse Community Centre a couple of weeks ago. It was a fantastic event. Locals from three years to 80 years all laughing, getting their faces painted, Cuban dancing and making headdresses. The club continues each Monday until the end of July.”

All participants of the clubs will be taking part in the carnival parade which takes place on Sunday August 24.

Ms King added: “The walking parade will go through the town centre and finish in Christchurch Park where we will have an afternoon of music, dance, food and community stalls.”

Carnival artists will also be running arts sessions for professionals and the general public during IBC's Ip-art Festival in June and July.

For more information about the clubs and the carnival visit www.ipswichcommunitycarnival.org

Do you like the carnival? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk