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Christmas trees to help bears at Jimmy's Farm in hospice recycling scheme

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Used Christmas trees from across Suffolk will be turned into woodchip for bears at Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park, thanks to an initiative by two local hospices. The 'Tree-cycling' scheme brings together volunteers from major companies to support vital hospice care in the region.

Why it matters: The partnership between St Elizabeth Hospice and East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) offers residents an environmentally friendly way to dispose of their Christmas trees while supporting essential care services in the community.

The big picture: This is the fourth year of the initiative, which:

  • Covers 19 postcode areas across Suffolk, including the whole of Ipswich

  • Uses volunteer teams from Amazon, Cadent Gas, Jackson Civil and Medequip

  • Turns discarded festive trees into practical materials for local wildlife

  • Raises funds for two hospices providing critical care services

Staff and volunteers at tree-cycling in 2023
Staff and volunteers at tree-cycling last yearSt Elizabeth Hospice

What they're saying: "It's an amazing thing to be part of, and the money we raise is a phenomenal amount – funds that go such a long way to helping us continue our vital care and support," said EACH's Community Fundraising Manager, Tina Burdett.

Kelly Nekrews, community fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, added: "Please do join our 'tree-cycling' scheme this year and turn your festive clean-up into a gift that gives back to two important charities in your local area."

How it works:

  • Registration is open from 15 November to 5 January 2025

  • Collections take place on 9 and 10 January

  • Available to homes in postcode areas IP1-18 and CO11

  • Donations are encouraged to support both hospices

The bottom line: Residents can register their trees for collection at www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/be-a-star/fundraising/treecycling/

Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The Baths

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Brighten the Corners runs a diverse live music programme, training and education opportunities across three venues, and an annual multi-venue festival in Ipswich, Suffolk.

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Martlesham pub makes history with record-breaking pint pour

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The Douglas Bader has etched its name in the history books after participating in the largest simultaneous pint pour ever recorded.

Why it matters: The Martlesham Heath pub was one of 114 venues nationwide to set a new Guinness World Records title, showcasing the growing demand for both traditional and alcohol-free draught beer options.

The Douglas Bader in Martlesham, Ipswich
The Douglas Bader in Martlesham, IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

How it happened: The nationwide "The Big Pour" event took place on 7 April, with publicans connecting via video call to pour pints of Heineken and Heineken 0.0 in perfect synchronisation.

  • Participants had just 10 seconds to complete their pours under the watchful eye of an official Guinness World Records adjudicator

  • The Douglas Bader was among pubs from across the UK, ranging from Scotland to Surrey, that took part in the record attempt

The bigger picture: The event celebrated Heineken installing its 1,000th alcohol-free draught tap in UK pubs.

  • This milestone makes Heineken 0.0 the most widely available alcohol-free beer on draught in the country

  • The company says it now has more alcohol-free draught installations than any other brand

What they're saying: Lawson Mountstevens, Managing Director Star Pub at Heineken UK, said: "Part of the ritual of going to the pub is watching your pint being freshly poured from the tap – the tilt of the glass, the smooth cascade, and mouthwatering anticipation of the first sip."

  • "This draught experience is central to pub culture, and for non-alcoholic beer to become truly mainstream, it needs to be part of that experience"

  • "It needs to be poured from the tap like any other pint, not just another option in the fridge"

The bottom line: The Douglas Bader's participation in this record-breaking event highlights Ipswich's place in brewing history while reflecting changing consumer preferences in the pub industry.

Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The Baths

Browse upcoming gigs

Check out upcoming BTC events across their three brilliant venues

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