Tell our Wonderwall 'Why you're here'

14 July 2010

One of Suffolk’s most beautiful settings on the River Orwell was the perfect backdrop for Suffolk’s own classical opera star Laura Wright to launch our Wonderwall, a very different way of finding out about what Suffolk people like about our county.

During the event, which took place today at the Suffolk Food Hall at Wherstead near Ipswich, Laura sang “Somewhere over the Rainbow” before unveiling the Wonderwall with Paul Winter, Chief Executive, Ipswich Building Society.

Laura Wright, who has lived in the county since she was two, shot to stardom as BBC’s Chorister of the Year and released 3 albums as part of all girl classic group All Angels. She said: “I love Suffolk and I’ll love it until I’m old and wrinkly. The community spirit here is wonderful.”

Paul Winter, Chief Executive, Ipswich Building Society, said: “In recent times Suffolk has grown and is expected to be one of the fastest growing counties in the next decade. We feel it’s a good time to increase our understanding of how people in Suffolk feel right now.”

The magnificent 8ft by 6.5ft Wonderwall will travel around Suffolk towns to give local people their chance to give their thoughts by writing on a sticker and attaching it to the wall.

Paul Winter added: “We value local opinion and I hope people will tell us what they really think. We want to really understand what it is that attracts people to Suffolk and once here, why they stay.”

The Wonderwall will be in Saxmundham on 24 th July, Sudbury on 31 st July, Aldeburgh on 6 th August, Southwold on 21 st August, Hadleigh on 29 August, Woodbridge on 12 th September and Haverhill on 18 September. Ipswich date to be published soon.

For those unable to see the Wonderwall at any of the travelling locations, an online Wonderwall has been created at www.facebook.com/SuffolkWonderwall and a You Tube site at www.youtube.com/user/SuffolkWonderwall

There will also be the opportunity to enter a fun treasure hunt to find Ipswich Building Society mascot Pound the Hound’s bone. The treasure map is on the other side of the Wonderwall.

The Wonderwall survey results will be published later in the year and shared with key organisations locally including Choose Suffolk. Guests at the event were the first to give their thoughts about Suffolk and included representatives from Suffolk New College, Archant, Ipswich Borough Council, Aldeburgh Music, Mid Suffolk District Council, East Anglian Children’s Hospice and Suffolk Education Business Partnership.

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