This Sunday visitors to Ipswich town centre will be welcomed with a display of green themed entertainers as a part of Ipswich Central’s first ever Go Green Extravaganza.

From 11am until 4pm families will be entertained by Snip and Clip, the garden barber beetles, accompanied by Mrs Garden, the Djansa Drum Group, Flower Stilt Walkers, a human statue and the SGR Thunders.

Throughout the day between 11.30am and 3.30pm Snip and Clip will be performing their interactive show, which encourages children to get involved in their fun song and dance routine.
rom midday until 2pm the Djansa Drum group will be performing their West African tunes on drums and other percussion instruments which are made from renewable resources and brought at fair prices directly from the producers.

During the event the Flower Stilt Walkers (pictured left) will also dazzle the crowds, and a special green human statue will perform a unique recycling themed mime, utilising a wheelie bin - which is guaranteed to be a sight not to be missed!

In addition to the entertainment, the SGR Thunders will be on hand to distribute the free Go Green fabric reusable shopping bags, and free energy efficient light bulbs (whilst stocks last) to the visitors.

“We are all set for the Go Green event this Sunday 30th March, and we want to invite everyone to join us for a day of fun entertainment, interesting exhibitions, tasty samples, free giveaways and some enjoyable green education.” Paul Clement, Executive Director of Ipswich Central explained. “Being green doesn’t have to be difficult and boring – this Sunday we will prove that it can be both simple and fun.”

As the first ever Ipswich Central Go Green Extravaganza draws closer, both of Ipswich’s shopping centres have announced their support of the Go Green campaign.

The Buttermarket Shopping Centre has undertaken a massive campaign to make shopping greener in Ipswich. Starting with a Carbon Trust Energy Survey, the centre has been reviewing its overall energy and waste policy to reduce their carbon footprint.

Colin Roberts, manager of the Buttermarket, explains: “The Buttermarket is committed to becoming a greener shopping centre, and we have already taken a number of steps in the right direction including reducing our electricity and gas usage and recycling both waste and water. The Carbon Trust is so impressed with the changes we have made that they are planning to use the Buttermarket as the UK example for how a shopping centre can reduce its carbon footprint.”

“Sometimes small steps can make a big difference, which is why we are supporting the Go Green Extravaganza on Sunday 30th March. Shoppers can be confident that when they visit the Buttermarket they will be visiting a greener shopping centre – and we are committed to becoming even greener in the future.” Colin continues.

The Buttermarket isn’t the only centre in Ipswich to have undertaken the challenge to become greener – Tower Ramparts is another shopping centre thinking about its impact upon the environment.

Mike Sorhaindo, manager of Tower Ramparts, explains: “As an integral part of Ipswich town centre, Tower Ramparts fully supports the campaign to make Ipswich ‘Go Green’. We have been focussing on recycling as our key green objective – we currently send over two tonnes of cardboard to be recycled every two months, which is a fantastic start. We have also made massive steps forward in reducing the amount of electricity, gas and water we use in the public areas of the shopping centre, and we are constantly looking into more ways to increase our recycling and reduce our carbon footprint further to make the Tower Ramparts a greener shopping centre.”

“It is fantastic news that both the Buttermarket and Tower Ramparts Shopping Centres are supporting our campaign to make Ipswich a greener place to shop and visit.” Paul Clement, Executive Director of Ipswich Central commented. “On Sunday 30th March visitors to the Cornhill, Ipswich can find out about the small steps they can take to become that little bit greener, including receiving a free reusable shopping bag. The event isn’t just educational – it’s also a fun family day out with lots of entertainment being provided by stilt walkers, craft workshops, live music and much, much more.”

To find out more about Ipswich Central’s green activities please visit: www.ipswichcentral.com

About the Go Green event
The Cornhill in Ipswich will be transformed into a green oasis on Sunday 30th March when Ipswich Central hosts its first ever Go Green Extravaganza. The family day will have a strong focus on fun and is free of charge. Local businesses and organisations will all gather together to showcase green products, services and advice on how small changes can make a big difference to the environment.

Business who will be exhibiting on the day include: John Banks Honda, First Buses (with one of their buses), Greenest County & Green Transport (from Ipswich Borough Council), CRed Campaign, Flavours (delicious locally produced food), Aldercarr Farm, Cox Saab (with their BioDiesel car), Master Composters (from Suffolk County Council), RSPCA, Suffolk Eco Trade, Xpresso, Evolution, Starbucks, Marks and Spencer, Enjo (eco-friendly cleaning products), Shop Bags, LEV (electric bikes), Ink Express, Patched Elephant (recycling school products and uniforms) and the Bike Doctors.