Carnival spirit set to return

CARNIVAL spirit is set to return when a procession through the centre of Ipswich celebrates the arts, music and culture of the town.

July will herald the arrival of Ipswich Community Carnival and it will come in a different, community-based form to the events enjoyed annually in the past.

"The theme will be the history of Ipswich over the last 800 years," explained carnival co-ordinator Blue King.

"People will be able to come along and join in with the music and dance and costumes.

"It will be on July 12 and on foot. There will be no floats. It will be a procession through the centre of Ipswich which will lead everybody to the town hall where there is going to be an all day music event by CSV Media.

"Hopefully by the time it comes to July there will be a lot of excitement and a lot of people involved."

Ipswich Carnival in its previous form folded in 2000 due to lack of support and a torrent of criticism. Blue has now taken up the mantel in the hope of building an event of which the town can once again be proud.

"Because we haven't had a carnival for quite a few years I decided to instigate one this year," she said. "I'm running this as a bit of a pilot project to gather energy and get people thinking about the carnival.

"It will be very much a community carnival to celebrate the diversity of the community."

In advance of carnival day a number of workshops are being held to get people involved in the creativity of the event.

The first of these will be held between 11am and 4pm on March 8 and April 14.

Blue added: "They're free and open access to the arts to anybody of any age and any ability.

"We'll be teaching skills and making things that will be part of the carnival in July. And everybody at the workshops will be invited to come and take part in the procession."

Anyone wanting more information is asked to contact Blue at The Point, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, or by calling 01473 418026.