Skip to main contentEnter
Purposeful journalism for people who care about our town
Ipswich.co.uk logoSupport our journalism
News

3,000 visitors already signed up for Suffolk Rural's Big Day Out celebration

The popular mini county show returns for its 20th year with tractor displays, animal handling, and free interactive experiences. Best of all? Free tickets are still available.

Why it matters: Suffolk New College's annual Big Day Out has become a fixture in the community calendar since it began in 2005, offering a day of family activities while showcasing the college's rural campus.

Principal and CEO of Suffolk New College and Suffolk Rural Alan Pease with his two year old grandson called Oscar at the 2024 Big Day Out event
Suffolk New College
Principal and CEO of Suffolk New College and Suffolk Rural Alan Pease with his two year old grandson called Oscar at the 2024 Big Day Out event

The details: The event takes place on Saturday 10 May from 10am to 4pm at the Suffolk Rural campus in Otley. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including:

  • Tractor displays

  • Equine demonstrations

  • Floristry workshops

  • Live music

  • Food stalls

  • Tree climbing

  • Animal handling

All departments will offer free interactive experiences related to their courses.

Things to note:

  • Free entry for all visitors

  • £5 car parking charge per vehicle

  • Dogs are not permitted at this year's event because the college houses livestock.

What they're saying: "We are delighted to be celebrating 20 years of the Big Day Out. We place a tremendous amount of value on the role that we have in the community - and we can't wait to welcome visitors to our Suffolk Rural Campus on 10 May," said Charlotte Rossiter, event supervisor for Suffolk New College .

The bottom line: Despite 3,000 visitors already registered, free tickets remain available and can be secured via the Suffolk New College online ticket sales website.

Our content is free to read thanks to the generous support of Happiness Club

Samantha Brook

Happiness Club

Based in Ipswich, Happiness Club is on a mission to help residents and businesses cultivate lasting happiness and wellbeing.
News

SEN Santa sessions at Buttermarket this weekend

Santa will turn down the music and limit numbers at the Buttermarket Shopping Centre this weekend after parents asked for calmer festive events for children with special educational needs (SEN).
by
Continue reading →
News

Suffolk researchers test whether singing can treat Parkinson's 'poker face'

Researchers in Suffolk are launching what they believe is the first UK study testing whether musical-theatre-style singing can rehabilitate facial expression in Parkinson's patients – addressing a symptom that affects around 9 in 10 people but has limited treatment options.
by
Continue reading →
News

Woman fighting for life after hit-and-run on Burrell Road

A woman is in a life-threatening condition in hospital after being hit by a car whose driver fled the scene on Burrell Road in Ipswich this morning, with a man in his 30s now arrested in connection with the incident.
by
Continue reading →

Ipswich School, ICS and All About Hearing

The ICS team outside their offices in Henley, just outside Ipswich

ICS

Founded in 1998, ICS has been the trusted IT partner to businesses across Ipswich and Suffolk for over a quarter of a century.
Russell Osman having his ears checked by All About Hearing audiologist and co-director, Karen Finch

Exceptional hearing care with a personal touch

Suffolk’s independent hearing specialists, combining expert care, cutting-edge technology and personalised service to help you hear at your best.
News

Gym manager's childhood inspires hospital toy appeal

A Martlesham gym manager who spent much of her childhood in hospital has launched a toy appeal that has collected nearly 150 Christmas gifts for young patients at Ipswich Hospital.
by
Continue reading →

Ipswich School, ICS and All About Hearing

The ICS team outside their offices in Henley, just outside Ipswich

ICS

Founded in 1998, ICS has been the trusted IT partner to businesses across Ipswich and Suffolk for over a quarter of a century.
Russell Osman having his ears checked by All About Hearing audiologist and co-director, Karen Finch

Exceptional hearing care with a personal touch

Suffolk’s independent hearing specialists, combining expert care, cutting-edge technology and personalised service to help you hear at your best.
News

Police appeal for witnesses after Pearl Road burglary

Detectives are investigating a burglary at a home on Pearl Road in Ipswich on Monday evening, where jewellery and bank cards were stolen and used fraudulently.
by
Continue reading →
Load more content
This article is free to read thanks to
Want our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday?

Have you subscribed to our free weekly newsletter?

If you haven’t, you really should. You’ll get our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday afternoon, just in time for the weekend. You can unsubscribe at any time, although 99.7% of people don’t.

  • Lee Walker
  • Joe Bailey of Brighten the Corners
  • Mark Hubert
6,630+ people are already loving it