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The Carbon Charter in conjunction with THE Suffolk Growth organisation has provided some funding to provide online information sessions about how smaller businesses can reduce their carbon footprint.
The one hour sessions are aimed at the following businesses, just click on the links below to book these FREE online sessions:
Tuesday 17 October at 10am – Hospitality
Thursday 19 October at 3.30pm – Food and Retail
Thursday 2 November at 10am – Visitor Attractions
Community groups, schools and businesses are invited to get their skates on and book an exclusive ice-skating session in December, when a synthetic ice rink suitable for all the family is installed at arc Shopping Centre. Our Bury St Edmunds, which runs the Business Improvement District (BID), is working with a number of partners to ensure that all sessions at the festive attraction, including skate hire, will be completely free. When not booked by a group every session will be available on a first-come first-served basis to members of the public, with no reservation necessary.
The Bury St Edmunds Family Christmas Ice Rink, which will be able to cater for up to 25 skaters per session, will be located in Charter Square between December 14 and January 3. It will be part of the Christmas In Bury St Edmunds experience from a partnership hosting a variety of events from mid-November and through December.
Chief Executive of Our Bury St Edmunds Mark Cordell said: “This is going to be a fantastic festive treat for families in the town centre – and most importantly there’ll be no charge, because Christmas can be a costly time of year anyway. It’ll be a great activity in itself, or an option to take a break from shopping or before heading to a Christmas meal, with some evenings offering skating until 8pm. We are very mindful of the environmental effect as our winters get warmer, which is why we have opted for this extremely realistic synthetic rink and not real ice.”
The synthetic ice rink, provided by Odin Events, will be one of the most advanced available giving the closest possible experience to real ice but without the environmental impact and high energy use of keeping the rink frozen.
Allan Hassell who manages arc Shopping Centre and is also Vice-Chairman of Our Bury St Edmunds commented: “This will be something that every member of the family can enjoy, even if they have never tried ice-skating before because we will also have a number of skate-aids to help beginners. Families can just turn up and skate at the open sessions without having to worry about booking or hiring skates. We are pleased to be working with the BID to bring this marvellous event to Bury.”
The Bury St Edmunds Family Christmas Ice Rink will also be supporting Gatehouse, which operates the town’s food bank, as its charity partner.
The rink will officially open on Thursday 14 December at 11am following a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by the Mayor of Bury St Edmunds Diane Hind. Councillor Hind who chairs Bury St Edmunds Town Council, which is one of the project partners, said: “I am so looking forward to welcoming the very first skaters onto the rink in December. As a Town Council we are very pleased to be supporting this initiative, which I hope will encourage residents and visitors into Bury St Edmunds this Christmas.”
Schools, community groups – especially any working with those with reduced mobility – and businesses who wish to book the 12m by 8m rink for their own exclusive use may do so by emailing Mark Cordell. Further information about the skating rink will be available at: www.ourburystedmunds.com/events/bury-st-edmunds-family-christmas-ice-rink/
A magical, memorable experience set to entertain families of all ages in Bury St Edmunds this Christmas, has already seen over 900 tickets sold in just its first week on sale.
Set in an all-weather auditorium in the stunning Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, children and adults alike will enjoy an Oscar® winning modern retelling of Peter and the Wolf, accompanied by live performances from the fantastic Orpheus Sinfonia.
And children under five can delight in the experience for free, although they must have a ticket and be accompanied by an adult.
Peter and the Wolf tells the inspirational story of a child finding their own inner strength and courage to overcome adversity. The modern adaption by Breakthru Films, recreates Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev’s 1936 classic symphonic fairy tale.
In total, 16 performances will take place from Thursday 7 December to Sunday 10 December, with screenings each day at 1pm, 3.15pm, 5.30pm and 7.45pm.
Peter & the Wolf Live is being organised by West Suffolk Council as part of the Christmas in Bury St Edmunds partnership of events and activities.
Cllr Cliff Waterman, Leader at West Suffolk Council, said: “We are delighted to be putting on this magical, memorable experience for families across our West Suffolk communities to enjoy in the run up to this Christmas.
“It’s part of the wider mix of festive fun organised by the Christmas in Bury St Edmunds partnership for people across West Suffolk and visitors to the area to come along, have a good time, and support the shops, cafes, restaurants, and other local businesses.
“It’s also another example of the wonderful mix of leisure and cultural activity taking place, that makes West Suffolk a great place to visit all year around, but an even better place to live and work.”
Tickets are still available and cost £15 for adults, £8 for children aged between five to 15, while under fives get in free but must have a ticket and be accompanied by an adult. To book tickets visit the What’s on West Suffolk website or phone 01284 758000, or book in person at The Apex in Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds.
Christmas in Bury St Edmunds includes events and activities by the arc, Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds Town Council and West Suffolk Council.
For more on what’s on in Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding area in the run up to this Christmas, visit
www.christmasinburystedmunds.co.uk
