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Ipswich set for street art spectacle with Wild Walls Festival

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Oliver Rouane-Williams

Ipswich is gearing up for a vibrant celebration of street art and community spirit this September as the Wild Walls Festival transforms the town with murals, workshops, and family-friendly events.

Why it matters: The four-week programme runs from 6 September to 5 October and will showcase local talent, bring internationally renowned artists to Ipswich, and create what could be one of the largest murals in East Anglia.

The big picture: Art Eat Events CIC and The Subversiv Collective have joined forces to deliver this inaugural street art festival, supported by Arts Council England, Ipswich Borough Council, and Ipswich Central .

A new large-scale mural on the Ashtons Legal building by Woskerski
A new large-scale mural on the Ashtons Legal building by WOSKERSKITim LeggettThe Ipswich Society

Key details:

  • Features new large-scale murals, including a 576 square metre piece on the University of Suffolk's James Hehir Building

  • Additional murals will be located at The Hold, Ashtons Legal building, and Great Colman Street with smaller pieces appearing in unexpected places around town

  • Offers free urban art workshops, an art market, and a virtual reality graffiti exhibition

  • Includes free screenings of three iconic films at King Street Cinema

  • Concludes with a ticketed closing party at The Baths on 5 October

  • Renowned artists ATMA, NYCES, WOSKERSKI, and KB Design developed mural designs with local young people during summer workshops

  • A new street art trail will guide visitors through the works

Lily Hammond
Ipswich-born and Suffolk-based Lily Hammond is one of the Wild Walls artistsLily Hammond

What they're saying:

  • Iona Hodgson, Wild Walls project manager: "We are very excited to offer locals and visitors the opportunity to see this work and celebrate the town's street art culture during the Wild Walls Festival."

  • Nigel Ball, Head of Arts at University of Suffolk: "It is exciting that a contemporary street art festival of this kind is coming to Ipswich, celebrating not only local talent but also bringing in internationally renowned artists to the region."

How to attend: Most events are free. Those using Ipswich Buses to attend will be reimbursed in cash on arrival.

What's next: Full programme details and artist information available at www.wildwallsfestival.com. Film screenings can be booked at www.kingstreetcinema.co.uk.

The bottom line: Wild Walls Festival promises to inject creativity into Ipswich's urban landscape, offering residents and visitors a unique opportunity to engage with street art culture.

Portrait photo of Oliver Rouane-Williams
Oliver Rouane-Williams
Mentioned in this article:
Ipswich Central 
Art Eat Events
The Subversiv Collective
Ipswich Borough Council
Posted in:
Events, attractions and things to do
Art, photography and film
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Nine arrests made in Ipswich police operation targeting road criminals

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Oliver Rouane-Williams

More than 70 vehicles were stopped and over 190 Traffic Offence Reports issued during a multi-agency day of action in Ipswich last week.

Why it matters: The operation targeted criminals using Ipswich's road network while also focusing on dangerous driving behaviours that contribute to fatal collisions.

The big picture: The intelligence-led operation involved nine partner agencies and took place on Tuesday, 22 April at a check site at Sainsbury's in Hadleigh Road, aiming to disrupt organised crime groups that operate across county borders.

Police arrested nine people and stopped more than 100 vehicles
More than 70 vehicles were stopped and over 190 Traffic Offence Reports issued during the latest operationSuffolk Constabulary

By the numbers:

  • 71 vehicles were escorted to the check site, with just 14 found clear of offences

  • 63 Traffic Offence Reports were issued at the site

  • 129 additional speeding offences were detected in surrounding areas

  • Five vehicles were seized for various offences

The details: Police made four arrests, including three for drug-driving and one for a suspect wanted by Lincolnshire Police for theft. Immigration Enforcement made five further arrests after checking 51 people.

Officers focused on the "Fatal Four" offences that commonly cause serious accidents: drink/drug driving, mobile phone use, speeding, and not wearing a seatbelt.

A motorcyclist was recorded travelling at 81mph in a 40mph zone on the A1214 London Road.

What they're saying: Sergeant Alex Kelly of the Roads and Armed Policing Team said: "Days of action like this are vital in helping us gather and share intelligence with partner agencies, and are also a great way of intensely targeting an area."

"I have attended far too many collisions where one of the 'Fatal Four' elements was a contributing factor, some of which have resulted in the loss of a loved one."

Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore added: "The number of arrests and traffic offences recorded show just how valuable these multi-agency days of actions are."

"I fully support these pro-active campaigns. They send out a strong, clear message to those who choose not to comply with the 'fatal four' that Suffolk Constabulary is on the case."

The bottom line: The operation was part of the National Police Chiefs' Council's Operation Spotlight, which focuses on criminal use of the road network and targets those committing the most dangerous driving offences.

Portrait photo of Oliver Rouane-Williams
Oliver Rouane-Williams
Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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