Review: Ipswich Book of Days

Ipswich Society Book of Days coverThe Ipswich Book of Days

by Rachel Field, The History Press, 2014, £9.99

When I got this book I did not put it down. There are many snippets of unusual, intriguing and not-well-known facts. For instance:-

  • January 1800: there was a soup kitchen in the yard of the Coach and Horses, Upper Brook Street.
  • January 1842: The lock at the new Wet Dock was opened; apparently not everyone was happy about it.
  • January 1847: Rev. John Nottidge, who built Holy Trinity Church in Back Hamlet at his own expense, died and there follows in the entry a potted history.
  • 1297: Princess Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward I, was married to the Count of Holland at King's Hall near St Peter's Church.
  • 1868: The Town Hall was opened; there was some dispute about whether the clock would be set to 'Ipswich Time' or GMT. At this period Britain did not have a standard time.

Here are some snippets for April when you may be reading this review in the Newsletter:-

  1. April 1967: the Jimi Hendrix Experience supported the Walker Brothers at Ipswich Gaumont.
  2. April 1911: about thirty Votes For Women campaigners spent the night in the Old Museum Rooms (Arlington's) to avoid filling in their census returns
  3. 14 April 1863: the last public execution took place in the archway off St Helen's Street by the gaol.

I was not sure that I was going to like the format of a Book of Days but I found it to be a good read and informative. Also, some of the items were intriguing so it led me into researching them in more depth.

Mandy Gaylard

 

Ipswich Society Brickmakers coverThe Brickmaker's Tale

by Peter Minter. Bulmer Brick and Tile Co., 2014.

Society members may be interested in this book, published just before Christmas 2014, as many will have visited the Bulmer Brickworks or attended one of Peter's talks. The book is available from the company office (address below), from the Kestrel Bookshop in Sudbury or by post. The cost is £30.00; please add £3.00 postage & packing if you would like one posted.

Bulmer Brick and Tile Co Ltd, The Brickfields, Bulmer, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 7EF.

email: bbt@bulmerbrickandtile.co.uk; telephone: 01787 269232