News and Comment

'Ipswich Icons'

Even if one thinks the word 'icon' is over-used nowadays, it's possible to be very pleased that the Ipswich Star and the EADT are carrying articles by The Ipswich Society on Wednesdays and Saturdays, respectively. The subjects covered so far are Pykenham's Gatehouse followed by County Hall, St Mary at the Elms, the history of the port up to the opening of the Wet Dock. the Society's Awards, the Custom House and the Running Buck. The articles should prove informative to the general reader and are good publicity for the Society.

Buildings 'At Risk'

English Heritage has a national list of Grade I and II* buildings which are vacant and in poor condition. Local Authorities are encouraged to list their Grade II buildings similarly .at risk'. IBC's list consisted of Cliff Brewery, the Old Bull in Stoke Street and County Hall. But they have now had to add St Michael's Church in Upper Orwell Street (badly damaged by fire), 4 College Street (house on corner of College Street and Bridge Street), and 1-5 College Street (next to Wolsey's Gate). IBC urges the buildings' owners to make them weather-poof and secure while still vacant.

Two New Names

We are getting used to 'The Saints', i.e. St Nicholas Street and St Peter's Street, a useful name for an area which includes a variety of shops and other businesses. The owners, supported by IBC. have obtained funding from the Government to help promote the area. 'Blackfriars' might take more getting used to. Although the remains of the Blackfriars monastery are still to be seen between Foundation Street and Lower Orwell Street, this is to be the 'brand' name of the wider Fore Street, Orwell Place, Eagle Street and poor old Upper Orwell Street. Both these 'new' areas are crucial to the admirable aim of linking the Waterfront to the town centre. Christmas lights in Fore Street and the new name should be a welcome start to what will be a long and gradual process of linkage.

Sherrington Blue Plaque

The Society's most recently installed Plaque was unveiled on 20 September. It is on the east wall of lpswich School chapel and easily visible from Henley Road.

Sir Charles Sherrington. the great neurologist, was a pupil at Ipswich School and after retiring returned to the town living briefly in Graham Road and then 73 Valley Road. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1924, was President of the Royal Society and appointed to the Order of Merit. Mike Cook, you may remember, gave a lecture about Sherrington which was reported in the April 2012 Newsletter.

John Norman