Affinity PR and Affinity PR Coaching

24/08/2026

“Gaia” is so beautiful. I’m very proud that Ipswich hosted Luke Jerram’s artwork ahead of London, at SPILL Festival + Think Tank a few years ago.

Gaze in awe-struck wonder at our Earth, as Luke Jerram’s floating installation recreates the planet through high-resolution NASA imagery and exquisite lighting.

20/08/2026

"This underappreciated UK town is ideal for a surprising summer staycation" writes Claire Boobyer for The Independent.

She's talking about Ipswich, where I met up with her a few months ago at one of my favourite Waterfront venues, Coffeelink. I told her about all the independent businesses (cafes, restaurants and bars, hotels, retailers, entertainment providers) that really are the beating heart of this town. And how Ipswich has more Arts Council England funded centres of excellence (aka National Portfolio Organisations) than all the nearest major cities in the East of England.

Ipswich is an arts and cultural powerhouse, punching way above its weight compared with many much larger places, and it's the 400+ events each week that help to connect everyone here.

Fingers crossed that we are shortlisted for the UK City of Culture 2029. 🤞🤞🤞

Lured by a beautiful waterfront, subversive music venues and quirky independent shops, Claire Boobbyer discovered a Suffolk harbour waiting to be rediscovered

20/08/2026

“Ipswich is an unfairly overlooked gem of a place”, says The Telegraph in its latest City of Culture article.

It talks up the town’s historic and iconic architecture, parks, specific cultural asset venues such as DanceEast, Ipswich Museums' Christchurch Mansion, and the sense of community found at Ipswich Town Football Club.

(Spoiler: they rank Ipswich’s chances just behind Sheffield, in their opinion, and that’s nowhere near the bottom.)

From Scotland to Suffolk, these are the places vying for the 2029 honour. Our expert considers which is most worth a weekend of your time

20/08/2026

If you are curious about unconventional arts experiences, "The Interpreter" is likely to thrill you. It's an ambitious new interdisciplinary performance from The Art Station, premiering in Suffolk on Monday 31st August 2026.

Inspired by Italo Calvino’s "The Castle of Crossed Destinies" and 's animation "The Interpreter", the performance explores the need to tell our stories.

A group of travellers journey through a forest and gather in a forgotten castle, each having lost the ability to speak in words. Their host offers them a deck of cards, and in turn each traveller uses the images to communicate their own story.

You can expect a unique performance of live music, theatre, dance, narrated storytelling, fabulous costumes, animation, tarot, and lots of laughter. All staged in the magical woodland amphitheatre at Thorington Theatre.

Tickets available via the link below.

The Interpreter - An ambitious new interdisciplinary performance premiering at Thorington Theatre, Suffolk. VIP Preview Sunday August 30th - 7.30pm - 10.30pm invited audience only Public performance Monday 31st August 2026, 8.30pm - 10.30pm Expect art, music, mischief and plenty of fun!

17/08/2026

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I’m back and this week on Suffolk Sound I will be sharing whether or not I saw a Puffin in Anglesey and how A levels went… and you may not know my guest by name but you will know her PR work - Ipswich City of Culture Bid, SPILL Festival, DanceEast, Primadonna and Life Arts Mind Body Spirit Festival. She is also a Visiting Fellow to the Suffolk Centre for Culture and Heritage.

Helen Oldfield from Affinity PR and Affinity PR Coaching joins me to talk about her life and work in Suffolk, what motivates her, what she is passionate about and also her rescue dog Russell ♥️

Join me from 10am on Tuesday or listen again through the app or website 😉

[Photo credit Simply C Photography]

16/08/2026

Huge congratulations to Thorington Theatre and Charlie Mackesey for enabling people to raise £43518 in aid of National Trust Dunwich Heath and RSPB Minsmere, which have experienced such devastating damage in recent wildfires.

Charlie walking on Dunwich Heath with his beloved Barney. This Thursday there are two fund raising shows hosted by Charlie raising money for the relief of RSPB Minsmere 💙 last tickets Thorington Theatre remaining. Book link in bio

10/08/2026

Ipswich's bid to become City of Culture 2029 was submitted today to the Govt's Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The bid team's workload has been heavy and intense for the two months of this project, all pulling together to help write the best possible bid which reflects everyone in Ipswich, and which was shaped by the 1000+ people who engaged with the 100+ community events in every corner of the town throughout July.

With every cultural project, there are memorable moments when you look back and can appreciate the joy of what you've contributed to. Today, seeing this new video of "Big Up The Bid", by local father and daughter rapper duo Voodoo Browne and Praise B, was one of the most joyful moments for me. Their infectious, upbeat message celebrates Ipswich's rich cultural heritage and shows culture to be at the heart of the town and cherished by its diverse communities.

Now we wait until Autumn when the Govt's judging panel will decide on which 4 places are shortlisted. 🤞

This video was the result of a community project and team effort from the following contributors:

VoOdOoBrOwNe and Praise B (Writers and rappers)
Jimmy Green - (Music producer/Composer)
Jake Ayleward - (Mix engineer)
Grace Newman - (Assistant engineer)
Punch Studios
Darnell Thompson (Director and editor)
Marcus Harris - Noble (Executive Producer)
Amy Vaughan (Executive Producer)
Kirsty Tallent
Rosy May (Dancer}
Gemma Louise
Ipswich Isaac
Mrs Laura Browne (Nannie Browne)
Tom Newman
Mark Straw
Ben Miller
Pearl Groden
Hannah Houghton
DanceEast
Istanbul Kebab
Castle Hill Community Centre
IPSWICH TRANSPORT MUSEUM LIMITED
Adidas Originals
Martin Williams
& The People of Ipswich

04/08/2026

Charlie Mackesey, best selling author of children's book “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” will host a special fundraising event at Thorington Theatre on 13th August, to fundraise for restoration work at RSPB Minsmere and National Trust Dunwich Heath.

The event will be held at the Thorington Theatre on August 13.

29/07/2026

Ipswich’s young people have spoken.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JSavVtYbh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Ipswich’s young voices want culture shared 🎶

29/07/2026

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