DO you know what is going on in your area? A two-day community fair starting in Ipswich tomorrow answers a host of questions from jobs, to housing, crime busting, health, volunteering, leisure and training opportunities.

By Amanda Cresswell

DO you know what is going on in your area?

A two-day community fair starting in Ipswich tomorrow answers a host of questions from jobs, to housing, crime busting, health, volunteering, leisure and training opportunities.

Family entertainment will be laid on throughout the two-days including storytelling, dance and live bands. On both days Evening Star cartoonist, Jock Davies, will put pen to paper at lunch-time to show visitor's views in cartoon form.

More than 70 exhibitors will be at the Corn Exchange to give information, advice and demonstrations about services, groups, societies and clubs in your area. There's also the chance to find out more about job opportunities and volunteer work.

Ipswich Mayor, Maureen Carrington-Brown, will open the fair, called Community 2002 – Taking Ipswich Forward, at 11 am. From 12.15 to 12.45pm storytellers, Sonali Choudhury and Gary Wynne, will take you on a verbal adventure with their tales aimed at children under eight years.

At 2 pm Michael Clarke will perform a thought-provoking monologue and there's more storytelling at 3pm. At 4 pm the Sikh Association Dohl Players will be on stage followed by more music at 4.45 pm.

The fair opens at 10 am on Friday with pop band Exit 13 on stage at 10.30 am. At 11.15 am the Dance East youth group, Visions, will be appearing and there will more music throughout the day. This includes pop duo Uncle Black at 12 noon, solo female singer Kriss Hackett at 1.15 pm, folk/pop band Blind Poets at 2.30 pm and a second appearance by OK Hotel at 3.30 pm.

Among the many stands will be Princes Trust, Otley College, Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk Stop Smoking Service and the Caribbean Association.