Ganges 100 and Springfest - Free On The Waterfront

It is St George's Day anyway but there are more reasons for Suffolk people to celebrate on Saturday 23rd April 2005.

Ipswich Waterfront will host two events at the same time - Ganges 100 and Springfest 2005.

In a festival that will encompass the best in live entertainment including music, dance, street theatre and food, Springfest will run alongside the HMS Ganges 100 Centenary Parade.

HMS Ganges Association is holding the parade to mark the centenary of the founding of the naval training centre at Shotley, near Ipswich. The event is part of the year-long Sea Britain 2005 celebration and is taking place in the 60th anniversary year of the ending of the Second World War.

Association members will march along the Waterfront with the Band of the Royal Marines, 4 Army Air Corps from Wattisham and 22 Squadron representing the Royal Navy, the Army and the RAF. During the parade, 3 Army Air Corps will treat visitors to a spectacular fly-past. HMS Shoreham and HMS Raider will provide naval support.

The parade will be attended by the second Sea Lord and will be an opportunity to say "thank you" to the many veterans who loyally served their country.

Meanwhile, Springfest, promoted by Ipswich Borough Council, is the first of what could become an annual celebration at the heart of the East of England's most exciting regeneration project, The Waterfront.

Springfest events, which include visual arts, music, story-telling and dance, commence at 10am and will finish approximately 5pm on the site of the Suffolk College car park, off Duke Street roundabout.

And it's free! So, for a springtime special, get along to the Waterfront on Saturday 23rd April 2005.

Sea Britain 2005 is taking place all over the UK and is commemorating Nelson's victory at Trafalgar 200 years ago. It also reminds us of the continuing importance of the sea in our lives. Ipswich, with its long and proud maritime tradition, is joining towns and communities across Britain to celebrate the sea.