The region is set to enjoy some of the warmest May temperatures in 40 years – with today’s bank holiday forecast to be the hottest since records began.
Temperatures could hit 28C (82.4F) as people round off their three-day weekend, and bookmakers have slashed odds on seeing the hottest May day ever recorded this month from 6-4 to 2-1.
The May Bank Holiday was introduced in 1978 and the temperature has never topped the 28C mark since then.
Bank Holiday Monday in 1999 was 23.6C, while the hottest bank holiday weekend ever was in 1995 when temperatures peaked on the Saturday at 28.6C.
The glorious weather brought thousands of visitors to a host of events around Suffolk and Essex, with more planned today.
Visitors flocked to Felixstowe yesterday for one of the region’s biggest displays of vintage vehicles.
The Ipswich to Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run left Christchurch Park in Ipswich and people lined the route as the cavalcade made its way to the coast.
It is the 48th year the run – organised by volunteers at the Ipswich Transport Museum – has been held and featured more than 500 vehicles, including cars, lorries, motorcycles, buses and military vehicles.
Ipswich’s May Day Festival was held yesterday and featured a host of guest speakers, live bands and entertainment across three stages, as well as food stalls, fairground rides and activities for children.
FA Cup winner and Ipswich Town legend Roger Osborne opened the festivities at midday, with speeches from Labour MP Emily Thornberry, Unison’s Becky Tye and Chris Baugh from the PCS Union.
In Wetheringsett, near Stowmarket, the popular Middy in the War Years event took place with military vehicles, steam rides, refreshments and a barbecue, continues today.
Hundreds of dog walkers and their owners descended on Ickworth House, near Bury St Edmunds, on Saturday.
The event, organised for charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, saw dog walkers take on 8km and 3km routes around the parkland of the historic National Trust property.
The month-long Bury St Edmunds Fringe Festival also came to a close on Saturday at the Hunter Club with 30 artists performing across four stages, plus an open mic session.
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