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Top bins: Town bins get the Premier League treatment

News

Ipswich Borough Council has teamed up with Ipswich Town FC to install 21 new ITFC-themed bins ahead of the club's Premier League return. The bins aim to boost recycling and keep the town clean as it prepares for increased visitor numbers.

Opinion

There was a famous article published by Plymouth Live in 2015 about a wheelie bin that blew over. It went viral and became a meme, poking fun at the quality of local journalism. So, I was somewhat reluctant to cover this. But, you know what, the bins look much better in blue and white and will help keep the town looking its best for new visitors. So, what the hell. Read on, bin enthusiasts.

Why it matters: Bear with me. The 21 new bins create a visual walkway from Ipswich Station to Portman Road, encouraging fans to separate common litter items like plastic bottles and aluminium cans and not just lob them on the floor.

New ITFC-themed bins
Bluey and Digby show their enthusiasm for the new binsIpswich Borough Council

The big picture: The bins are wrapped in Ipswich Town's blue and white scarf design, promoting civic pride with the slogan "A Proud Premier League Town - think smart, think blue, recycle".

What they're saying: Clearly excited to share the rubbish news:

  • Councillor Neil MacDonald, Ipswich Borough Council Leader: "We're incredibly proud of Ipswich Town being back in the Premier League and in readiness of the extra supporters visiting Portman Road, we have teamed up with the Football Club to ensure we have the necessary waste and recycling solutions to support extra fans visiting Portman Road."

  • Mark Ashton, Chairman and CEO at Ipswich Town Football Club: "Promotion to the Premier League is a great opportunity for both the Club and the town of Ipswich to showcase itself to the world, and we're proud to be playing a part in this important initiative."

The bottom line: As Ipswich prepares for its Premier League spotlight, even the bins are getting a promotion-worthy makeover. COYB.

Former Ipswich Town striker charged in £600k cannabis smuggling case

News

Former Ipswich Town striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged with attempting to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through a UK airport.

The big picture: The 33-year-old, who spent two seasons at Portman Road from 2011 to 2013, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers in Scotland following the seizure of approximately 60kg of the drug at Stansted airport.

Jay Emmanuel Thomas playing for Ipswich Town
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas playing for TownAlamy

Key details:

  • Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, was arrested Wednesday in Gourock, Inverclyde.

  • He's accused of attempting to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through Stansted airport.

  • Border Force officers found approximately 60kg of the drug in two suitcases from Bangkok.

  • Emmanuel-Thomas is set to appear at Carlisle magistrates court Thursday, charged with importing class B drugs.

60kg of cannabis
60kg of cannabis was seizedNCA

JET's Ipswich career: The journeyman joined Ipswich in 2011 for £1.1m from Arsenal, scoring nine goals in 75 appearances for the Tractor Boys. He left Ipswich in 2013 in a swap deal with Bristol City. He most recently played with Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship.

The bottom line: The NCA warns that cannabis smuggling into the UK carries a maximum 14-year prison sentence, contradicting misinformation some couriers receive about facing only fines.

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