Ipswich Maritime Trust

The first series of evening lectu-es in the spring proved to be popular and led to the creation of a mailing list and newsletters. The one remaining lecture in the 2004 series is by Richard Smith on 7 April. He will speak about "Thames Barges in Suffolk" at the Waterfront Conference Centre, Custom House at 7.30 pm.

Three summer events, "the Sailing Barge Family Heritage Weekend", "The Rally of Tall Ships Weekend" and "The Ipswich Heritage Weekend" brought hundreds of visitors to the Waterfront Conference Centre to enjoy exhibitions on maritime themes arranged by the IMT.

Hugh Moffat's book "Ships and Shipyards of Ipswich" was distributed to twenty High Schools in the local area by the Trust.

There is hope that a fresh Lottery application will enable the restoration of the historic vessel MV "Pinmill".

There is good news on the probability that IMT will have a permanent exhibition area within the Cranfield Mill Development Plan (due for completion in 2007). The quay frontage is vitally important to the IMT and the developers are equally keen to focus on this historic aspect. Large purpose-built glass display cabinets will be placed in a prominent secure location, within which artefacts, memorabilia and all things maritime will be on show.

DIANA LEWIS, Ipswich Society representative on the Ipswich Maritime Trust