News & Comment

Help needed at St Peter's

Jean Hill is once again organising a list of Society volunteers to be in St Peter's Church on Thursdays from May until the end of September. Two sessions are available: 10am-l pm and 1 pm-3.30pm. Those of you who would be willing to help, not necessarily every week, are asked to contact her.

A future for a better range of films

The recently formed Ipswich Film Theatre Trust has successfully negotiated with the Borough Council to re-open IFT for public shows, probably three times a week from May.

A 'Vision for Ipswich'

We welcome efforts by Ipswich Central and IBC to inspire development of the Ipswich economy. The conference held in the Town Hall on 21 January discussed the town's strengths (e.g. history, blossoming higher education, location) and weaknesses (e.g. the retail centre compares unfavourably with regional competitors). Although investment-led progress is difficult right now, 'vision' rightly precedes co-ordinated action.

Well done, traders

Ipswich market has been named as the best small market in Britain. Since the admirable decision to move the market to the Cornhill in 2002 it has brought new life to the town centre on four days a week. But it is still a 'small' market for a biggish town. Many stallholders only come for a day or two each week, so most of the credit should go to the regular nucleus which includes the two fruit & veg stalls, the fish stall, the florist's and the 'biscuit stall'. These are the people who are there rain or shine and who get to know many of their customers.

Controversial sale

Reports that IBC is likely to sell a stake in Ipswich Buses to the national firm, Go Ahead, are causing concern amongst frequent bus users. Although Go Ahead is said to have a good reputation and will probably have only a minority stake, this could be seen as the thin end of the wedge. Ipswich Buses, one of the town's greatest assets, is a very well run facility and responsive to local needs, far more so than is seen on the town routes run by First Bus.