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Snow Lion heads to Our Bury St Edmunds Christmas Lights Event

A fabulous Snow Lion is bringing the magic of Christmas to Bury St Edmunds for the town’s annual Christmas Lights Event on Thursday November 14.  The traditional free admission event, packed full of entertainment and fun activities, will be the first chance to see this year’s illuminations as dusk falls on the town centre as well as a chance to meet some favourite seasonal characters.

The event promises an afternoon and evening of family entertainment and attractions, organised by Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BID), with something for all ages.  The Cornhill and Buttermarket will be full of stalls, featuring crafts and gifts as well as those supporting charities and local good causes.  Charities taking part this year include Boomerang’s Pet Foodbank, Upbeat Heart Support and many other local organisations.  It’s an opportunity to do some Christmas shopping, meet Santa or enjoy fairground rides which will include a big wheel and a helter-skelter.

Our Bury St Edmunds BID has been organising the Christmas Lights in the town for over a decade.  Chief Executive Mark Cordell said: “Every year we like to bring something different to our Christmas Lights Event and this year is no exception as we welcome the stunning Snow Lion and the Red Queen as well as a number of other characters and entertainers. Bury St Edmunds Round Table are helping us ensure that Santa and his sleigh, along with the elves will be here too.  It’s a lovely reason to spend some time in town, perhaps do some shopping, have something to eat or drink or just enjoy the attractions and fairground rides.”

Throughout the afternoon and evening the stage entertainment will include a magician, Theatre Royal pantomime characters from Aladdin and the choir from St Mary’s Church as well as much-loved performances from local schools and colleges. The Snow Queen, Ice Princess and their Snowman friend will be among the crowd to meet fans of all ages.

All the lights in the displays use the most energy-efficient LED bulbs and the time they remain on is carefully managed to conserve energy.

The Our Bury St Edmunds Christmas Lights Event runs from 3pm to 8pm and is supported by ShopSafe.   More information is available at www.ourburystedmunds.com and on social media @ourburysteds. 

Bury St Edmunds shortlisted for national dog friendly award

Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk has been shortlisted by the National DogFriendly Awards 2024 in the UK’s most dog friendly town category.

Last year the town won silver and was crowned the most Dog Friendly town in England, now it has its sights set on gold and winning the national award.

The DogFriendly Awards recognise and reward dog friendly places and pet businesses that go the extra mile for the benefit of the UK’s 12.5 million dogs and their owners. Winners of the DogFriendly Awards in each of the categories are chosen by public vote with the winners announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday, 21st November.

With more pet owners now taking their pooch on holiday with them,  Bury St Edmunds has developed its own dog friendly scheme to help visitors and residents easily identify where their four-legged pal is made welcome. Around 140 shops, eateries, places to stay, attractions and more which have signed up to the scheme, can display a blue paw print logo sticker and water bowl.

Chief Executive of Our Bury St Edmunds BID, which now includes the town’s official tourism brand Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, Mark Cordell said: “It is fantastic that Bury St Edmunds has reached the finals for a second time, two years in a row. Last time we were England’s most dog friendly town, this year we hope to be the most dog friendly town in the UK.

“Not only does Bury St Edmunds welcome dogs in many of our businesses, but many go the extra mile offering items on their menus, free snacks for dogs and more and many of our local accommodation businesses offer dog stays too. It means that residents and visitors know that they don’t have to leave their four-legged member of their family at home when they visit the town allowing them to visit and stay longer.

“In addition, this last year the town’s tour guides now offer dog friendly tours to visitors and St Edmundsbury Cathedral has become dog friendly and has even published a dogs of the Cathedral calendar for 2025.”

Jon Kay, who founded the town’s dog friendly scheme with help from Bury St Edmunds Town Council, Our Bury St Edmunds BID, and Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, said:

“We are super proud to be a finalist again, which is reflective of what we already believe – that Bury St Edmunds is one of the most dog friendly places in the country. The accolade is a testament to the combined efforts of local businesses and a passionate group behind the scenes going over and above to make our four legged friends welcome. We are excited and hopeful for the awards but know competition will be tough.”

For more information about Bury St Edmunds Dog Friendly Scheme visit www.dogfriendlybse.co.uk or watch the video on YouTube, which gives a real dog’s eye view of the town.  For more details about other things to see and do and where to stay visit www.burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk.

Our Bury St Edmunds Gift Card is perfect festive reward

Rewarding staff over the festive season can present a corporate challenge – parties, bonuses and different festivals to celebrate can mean the same thing might not work for everyone, but recent research shows that gift cards remain a firm favourite when making work teams feel valued.  And the Our Bury St Edmunds Gift Card which can be spent in more than 70 shops, restaurants, wellbeing and other businesses in the town centre has become a popular corporate festive gift for both staff and clients since its launch four years ago.

The initiative from the Business Improvement District (BID) organisation helps to lock more spending into the local economy, further supporting the town centre.  The card is Mastercard-backed and an e-card version has also recently been launched allowing multiple people to receive it immediately or on a date within six months, simply by uploading a list of recipients.

Business Support Manager at Our Bury St Edmunds Mike Kirkham said: “The way companies celebrate at Christmas and other important festivals has changed in recent years, particularly since the pandemic.  Rewarding staff or clients with a gift card, giving them the option of where to spend it, perhaps on a treat for themselves or to help their own festive spending go further is much more flexible and will be appreciated by many. For existing organisations already using physical Our Bury St Edmunds Gift Cards for their colleagues, the digital option presents a new opportunity to reward their team with an e-card that can be delivered on a date or time of their choosing, enabling planning efforts and minimising administration involved in gifting their people a local reward.

“The Our Bury St Edmunds Gift Card is also a great Christmas present for someone who’s not easy to buy for and is also well within most ‘Secret Santa’ budgets too.”

The fintech company behind Town & City Gift Cards which provides the Our Bury St Edmunds Gift Card is Miconex.  Managing Director Colin Munro commented: “The introduction and enhancement of digital gift card options for organisations is part of Miconex’s continued investment in the technology supporting our gift card programmes so we can stay at the forefront of gift card trends, give employees what they want and make it easier than ever for organisations to choose local.”

Meanwhile to buy the card as an individual gift could not be simpler. It can be ordered online either as a card that’s posted out or as an e-card and a number of shops in the town centre also stock the card where it can be picked up free of charge and loaded with the gift amount online.

For more information visit www.ourburystedmunds.com.

 

STUDIOCANAL Unveils Bear-y Special Statue in Bury St Edmunds as part of Paddington Visits

Everyone’s favourite bear has taken a seat in Bury St Edmunds as part of Paddington Visits, a far-reaching trail spanning the UK and Ireland.

Paddington Visits launches in Bury St Edmunds as part of trail celebrating everyone’s favourite marmalade loving bear

Today, fans of all ages took a pew next to Paddington as STUDIOCANAL unveiled a statue of the marmalade loving bear in Bury St Edmunds.

Launched as part of Paddington Visits, a trail of Paddington Bear statues across the UK and Ireland to celebrate the forthcoming release of PADDINGTON IN PERU, arriving in cinemas on November 8th, Paddington took a seat on a bench in arc Shopping Centre and was immediately embraced by the local community.

With passersby stopping for selfies, Bury St Edmunds is one of 23 locations taking part in Paddington Visits, a trail which will see the special statues appearing in cities, towns, and beauty spots all over the UK and Ireland. Everyone in Bury St Edmunds buzzed with excitement as they gathered to welcome its newest neighbour: a meticulously crafted and painted statue sporting the wise bear’s signature red hat, blue duffle coat, and, naturally, a marmalade sandwich in paw.

Families and children can embark on an adventure to find their local Paddington, with locations ranging from John O’Groats to Land’s End, Westport Co. Mayo to London, and, of course, a very special stop in Newbury, the hometown of Paddington’s creator, Michael Bond.

With Paddington coming to towns, cities and beauty spots, STUDIOCANAL has teamed up with Ordnance Survey to help intrepid explorers discover Paddington in various locations in the UK and Ireland, head on over to Ordnance Survey’s website to learn more.

Allan Hassell, Centre Manager at arc Shopping Centre commented: “It was lovely to welcome Paddington to arc Shopping Centre today. The statue and bench will be a real talking point in Charter Square, and I’m sure Paddington’s many fans will be as thrilled as we are to see him here.”

Mark Cordell, Chief Executive of Our Bury St Edmunds BID added: “I am delighted that Bury St Edmunds is part of the Paddington Visits UK and Ireland trail. Paddington on his bench will be another free attraction in our town centre that will be perfect for selfies, photos and videos to share on social media. With the new film ‘PADDINGTON IN PERU’ opening in November, people will be eager to see it and I’m sure it will generate a lot of interest around our three cinemas: Abbeygate, Everyman and Cineworld.”

Speaking on the launch of Paddington Visits, a spokesperson from STUDIOCANAL commented: “We are delighted to launch Paddington Visits, a trail which will see everyone’s favourite bear bringing fun, kindness and warmth to communities across the UK. We hope that everyone seeks out their local Paddington, whether that’s dropping by for a chat about your day or to enjoy a marmalade sandwich or two while enjoying the view! Paddington is ready to welcome everyone!”

Paddington Visits launches ahead of the bear’s latest cinematic outing, PADDINGTON IN PERU, in UK and Ireland cinemas November 8. This new adventure will see Paddington return home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears. With The Brown Family and Mrs Bird in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mysterious disappearance plunges them into an unexpected journey from the Amazon rainforest to the mountain peak of Peru.

Locations taking part in the Paddington Visits trail include:
• Ashby de la Zouch – Ashby Spa WI Garden
• Birmingham – Medicine Terrace
• Bury St Edmunds – arc Shopping Centre
• Cardiff – St David’s Centre
• Chester – Foregate Street
• Westport, County Mayo
• Edinburgh St Andrew Square Garden
• John O’ Groats – John O’ Groats Sign Post
• Lanark – High St
• Land’s End – Land’s End Sign Post
• Liverpool – Liverpool ONE
• London Paddington – Connaught Village
• London Westfield – White City, W12
• Manchester – Hardman Square
• Newbury – Northbrook Street
• Newtownards – Conway Square
• Penrith – Town Centre
• Peterborough – Queensgate Shopping Centre
• Reading – Broad Street
• Salisbury – Fisherton Street
• Southampton – Westquay Shopping Centre
• Sunderland – Bridges Shopping Centre
• York – Dean’s Park

Picture caption: Paddington Visits launches in Bury St Edmunds ahead of the beloved bear’s return to the big screen in PADDINGTON IN PERU, in cinemas from November 8th 2024

Inclusivity event aims to make Bury St Edmunds more accessible

Community leaders in Bury St Edmunds have joined forces with businesses to work towards making the town even more accessible to the less able and those living with dementia or disabilities.

An Inclusivity Community Conference was hosted last month at St Edmundsbury Cathedral supported by the Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BID).   A number of organisations from the health and social care sector including Leading Lives and Community Catalysts took part and delegates also included the town’s MP Peter Prinsley and Town Council Chair Diane Hind. 

The conference organisers included Sue Hughes DL and Canon Pastor and Sub Dean at the Cathedral the Reverend Canon Matthew Vernon with input from Suffolk County Council’s Adult and Community Services department.  Mr Vernon commented: “Although there are already legal requirements in place to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, this initiative is looking at going much further than that wherever possible.  We are looking at encouraging better understanding of a range of conditions and disabilities to ensure everyone feels welcome.  Engaging with professionals in the health and care sector and seeking their expert advice is a first step and it’s also important to remember that not every disability is immediately apparent but being able to offer a helping hand or a little more time can make a big difference.”

Work has already started in some areas of the town centre to improve inclusivity.  In February this year Our Bury St Edmunds BID worked with local provider Three Eggs Training to offer a workshop for town centre businesses to better understand neurodiversity and so provide a better experience for customers who are not neuro-typical.  The BID has also previously worked with Suffolk MIND to offer workplace mental health support following the pandemic.

Chief Executive of Our Bury St Edmunds BID Mark Cordell said: “One of the key objectives of the BID is to increase the numbers of people visiting our town centre and I hope that by working together we can all have a greater understanding of what we can do to make people with disabilities or different needs feel more confident and comfortable about coming into Bury St Edmunds.  By making positive changes there is an opportunity for new customers to come here and feel welcome which is what the BID and our business members want.”

The conference agreed to promote inclusive and accessible businesses with a logo and window sticker which will feature the rose of St Edmund.  Details of the requirements to be met in order to join the initiative will be announced in due course.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral launches 2025 Dogs in the Cathedral Calendar

St Edmundsbury Cathedral are celebrating being a dog friendly Cathedral with a new 2025 calendar featuring dogs in the Cathedral.

12 local pups were photographed around the building for the calendar, including a border collie giving a sermon, a Scottish terrier playing the Cathedral’s organ and a cocker spaniel using a kneeler. The desk calendar features a different breed each month of the year, with models supplied by those in the cathedral community.

Marketing and Communications Manager, Catherine Rayson, created the calendar with photography by Tom Soper Photography and printing by local firm, Premier Printers. She says, “With Bury St Edmunds being voted the most dog friendly town in England last year, we wanted to celebrate the fact that dogs are very welcome at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. All our models were so well behaved and gave me two of the most fun workdays I’ve had in a while!”

The launch of the new calendar comes just a few weeks before Bury St Edmunds compete once again in the National DogFriendly Awards. The awards honour and acknowledge establishments that go above and beyond to accommodate the UK’s 12.5 million dogs and their owners, ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment.

The calendar will be on sale from Tuesday 1 October in the Cathedral Shop and via the Cathedral reception. Copies cost £10.00.

Dogs have been welcome in St Edmundsbury Cathedral for some time, with a request that they be kept on a lead. Some pups are even regulars at services, like May’s model, Mikey. Visitors and their furry companions will find a water bowl outside the Cathedral and a warm welcome in the form of a dog treat from the welcome desk.

STUDIOCANAL Announces Paddington Visits

Statues of everyone’s favourite bear will be taking a seat in locations across the UK and Ireland in early October.

● Paddington Visits is a far-reaching trail celebrating everyone’s favourite marmalade loving bear
● Over 20 Paddington statues will be installed on benches stretching from John o’Groats to Land’s End
● Paddington Visits launches ahead of the beloved bear’s return to the big screen in PADDINGTON IN PERU, in cinemas November 8th 2024

16 September 2024 – LONDON, UK: Red hat? Check! Blue duffle coat? Check! Emergency marmalade sandwich? Triple check!

Today, STUDIOCANAL has officially announced production for Paddington Visits, a trail of Paddington Bear statues across the UK and Ireland to celebrate the forthcoming release of PADDINGTON IN PERU, arriving in UK cinemas on November 8th, 2024.

From Liverpool to Land’s End to Birmingham to Bury St Edmunds, and of course, London Paddington, bear-y special statues are coming to cities, towns, and beauty spots across the UK and Ireland in early October. Each meticulously crafted and painted statue will sport the wise bear’s signature red hat, blue duffle coat, and, naturally, a marmalade sandwich in paw.

Fans, friends, and family can step into Mr. Gruber’s shoes, sit with Paddington for a spot of tea, a sandwich or two, or even write a postcard to Aunt Lucy!

Actor Hugh Bonneville, who plays Mr. Brown in the film, comments: “I am thrilled to reveal we are going to be unveiling a number of benches across the UK, all featuring a statue of our beloved bear. Ahead of the new film, fans, families and friends can sit down and have a chat with the marmalade loving bear, so watch this space for more information about Paddington…coming to a bench near you!”

Paddington Visits launches ahead of the bear’s latest cinematic outing, PADDINGTON IN PERU, in UK and Ireland cinemas November 8. This new adventure will see Paddington return home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears. With The Brown Family and Mrs Bird in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mysterious disappearance plunges them into an unexpected journey from the Amazon rainforest to the mountain peaks of Peru.

Locations taking part in Paddington Visits include:
• Ashby
• Birmingham
• Bury St Edmunds
• Cardiff
• Chester
• County Mayo
• Edinburgh
• John O’ Groats
• Lanark
• Land’s End
• Liverpool
• London Paddington
• London Westfield
• Manchester
• Newbury
• Newtownards
• Penrith
• Peterborough
• Reading
• Salisbury
• Southampton
• Sunderland
• York

PADDINGTON IN PERU in UK and Ireland cinemas on November 8 2024.

 

Worldwide flavours at Our Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival

Some of Bury St Edmunds’ most popular restaurants are set to share their kitchen secrets this bank holiday weekend as Suffolk’s ‘Foodie Capital’ prepares to host the annual Our Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival.  And visitors can let their tastebuds tour the world without leaving the town centre thanks to the delicious variety of foods on offer.

From the heat of the Caribbean to the most refreshing cocktail in town, dozens of stall holders will have treats for every taste throughout the free-admission two-day event.  And alongside all the different food and drink stalls will be a range of family-friendly, fun activities including fairground rides and free face-painting. 

Among the highlights are some fabulous food and drink demonstrations at the Stoves Cookery Theatre – this year also featuring Michelin-starred celebrity chef Galton Blackiston who makes a welcome return to the event on bank holiday Monday.  Sharing the stage throughout the weekend will be chefs and drinks specialists from some of the area’s favourite establishments including festival regulars 1921, The Angel, Maison Bleue, Three Kings and Forage Kitchen.  Returning after making their debut last year are Rustico, The Wine Cellar, Giggling Squid and Bay Tree Café. The Old Cannon Brewery will be raising a glass to open the theatre kitchen on Sunday morning.

The festival is organised by the Business Improvement District (BID) organisation Our Bury St Edmunds BID.  Chief Executive Mark Cordell said: “We are so proud of the food and drink businesses in Bury St Edmunds and like to give as many as possible the opportunity to engage with this event to showcase what they do.  A number who were involved for the first time last year are joining in again and others like Papakis Deli and Beautiful Beers who have had a longstanding presence are back too.

“The Farmers’ Market on Angel Hill is always a great draw and arc shopping centre will be the place to be for a number of other free festival attractions for all ages including face-painting, virtual reality games and test-driving a racing car simulator.”

For more information about the event, which runs from 10am to 5pm on Sunday 25 and Monday 26 August, visit: www.ourburystedmunds.com/foodanddrinkfestival or follow Our Bury St Edmunds social media channels.

Abbeygate Cinema Celebrates its Centenary

Since 1924, Hatter Street in Bury St Edmunds has been a home for moving images, from the very early days of cinema, right through to the current digital landscape. Abbeygate Cinema is now celebrating its centenary year with an extra special programme of films which takes inspiration from each decade of the past century, commemorating this massive milestone. 

From its humble beginnings as a music hall, showing short snippets of moving images, to now holding the biggest screen in town, Abbeygate has been a home for entertainment to the Bury St Edmunds community and holds a special place in the hearts of many residents. The building has seen generations pass through its doors, with life-long patrons now introducing their families, welcoming in a new wave of film lovers. Much has changed in the past 100 years, projection equipment was digitised in 2010 and expansions to the premise have allowed for three auditoriums and an adjoining restaurant and bar. However, the heart of Abbeygate Cinema remains the same, bringing film and The Arts to its local community whilst providing them with a safe and welcoming home away from home. 

From 23 August, the collection of classic films will be screening right through until the final celebration on 09 November. Featuring beloved titles such as The Shawshank Redemption, Bladerunner, Jaws and The Big Lebowski, the schedule also includes unique events and screenings scattered in there too, from audience selections to history tours with the cinema’s longest-running employee, Pat Church. 

General Manager, Gareth, had this to say about the momentous occasion, ‘We are delighted to be celebrating 100 years of film on Hatter Street. This is a fantastic opportunity to reminisce and remember all of the amazing connections made here, from first dates, first films for children to lifelong friendships amongst the team- past and present. We start the celebrations with JAWS, a film that means a lot to Pat and with tickets at £1.50, we hope for a full screen to kick things off with a bang.’ He added ‘It has been a hard couple of years for Cinema, but we are delighted to be backed by our wonderful and loyal membership base. Throughout our Centenary celebrations, a member can bring a guest for free to any of these special screenings. We take great pride in being the oldest Cinema in Bury St Edmunds and our close connections to the local community. As well as being a celebration, we are also fundraising for a defibrillator to help keep Hatter Street and wider safe’

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