Letters to the Editor

90-92 Berners Street from Francis Beaumont

I was reading the Society's latest Newsletter and noticed an inaccuracy. As I live in Berners Street I've done a bit of research into the street over the years and knew that 90/92 Berners Street started off as a school - not a nurses' home as stated in the interesting article about Italianate buildings [Issue 207].

The details of those living at No 90 (92) in 1862 were:-

Elizabeth (head) & Jane Butler Schoolmistress

Mary Edwards English teacher

Julie Clerc French teacher

Joana Pape German teacher

2 domestic servants & a nurse

30 female “Scholars” 8-17 years old.

In addition to this school, in 1862 the other large building in the street, today's vets at no. 56, was another school with 10 residential students.

I'm not sure when No 90 was built. Research into earlier dates is problematic. The area was still under development, and street names and house numbers changed. There was a “Military Road” in the area - possibly where Anglesea Road is now, but it's difficult to be sure.

[This ‘eyecatcher' building at the top of Berners Street is Listed Grade II and described as ‘A late C19 red brick building with stucco dressings. Originally 2 houses, it is now divided into flats'. -Ed.]

 

Ipswich Market on the Cornhill from Sue Arbuthnot

Reading Neil Salmon's article in the April Ipswich Society Newsletter today warmed my heart. I've been going to the market for many years and never failed to enjoy the experience. Fish, veg., and flowers are usually on my list - but I've spotted Hoover bags as well!

So very much more useful and used than tables and chairs and possibly a fountain which would be clogged up pretty quickly!

Ex-M&S bosses don't know everything!

Suffolk Churches from Felicity Cambridge

H. Munro Cautley's well known book originally published in 1937 and recognised still as the authority on Medieval Church Architecture and featuring a gazeteer of Suffolk's churches with over 400 photographs taken by the author has just been reissued. The more recent editions now include a Supplement on Victorian Church Building by Anne Riches and a Survey of Lost and Ruined Churches by John Blatchly and Peter Northeast.

I believe this book, originally printed and published by my father with the imprint Norman Adlard and Company, could be of interest to members of the Ipswich Society - if they do not already have a copy, of course.

5th edition published by Boydell and Brewer, £45, although check to see if a special offer price of £33.75 is still available.

 

Medieval churches in Ipswich from Ken Wilson

The report on the interesting proposals for St Clement's Church in the April Newsletter is a reminder that, of our twelve* medieval churches (only York and Norwich have more) six are thriving with active congregations and the other five redundant ones are all in good uses.

The fact that no fewer than four of our churches are dedicated to St Mary is evidence of her long association with Ipswich, not least in the - now sadly lost - shrine in Lady Lane that, in its day, was second only in importance to that at Walsingham, visited by royalty and the setting for a royal wedding.

A statuette of the Virgin and Child that now graces the church in Nettuno, Italy is reputed to be the very one from Ipswich, saved from destruction during the Reformation and taken there for safety. A modern reproduction by Robert Mellamphy is to be found in St Mary Elms where more information about the ‘Madonna of Ipswich' is also to be found.

[*Interestingly, the Suffolk churches website (www.suffolk churches.co.uk) includes St Mary & St Botolph at Whitton, making thirteen medieval churches in the Borough. -Ed.]

 

School places in ‘New Martlesham' from Charles Currie

Following your kind publication of my letter in the latest newsletter, I thought I'd point out another apparent planning anomaly.

I realise that the development at Martlesham is not in Ipswich, but it will certainly have an impact on the town. According to the rather laudatory articles in the local press there will be 2000 houses in the completed scheme. And, as if it were a good thing, there is then a list of the school places that will be provided. 52 early years, 630 primary and 600 secondary. Isn't that wonderful?

But wait a minute, what demographic is being catered for here? One school age child in five eighths of the homes, and three eighths of the homes with no school age children at all?

I know that planners have far more refined statistics than I do for the needs of a particular population, but doesn't that make the target home owner unusually celibate, and owning a lot of empty bedrooms?

The developer will walk away with a healthy profit, leaving a legacy of "immigrants stealing my child's school place" having to be dealt with by the local community.

Including Ipswich.

 

Hanse Boston from Alison Fairman, Chairman Boston Hanse Group

I read from with interest your Newsletter [Issue 205, page 9] about your society's visit to Kings Lynn with a tour around the town with Dr Paul Richards, our very good friend. I thought I should contact you as some of your facts are wrong!

Boston joined the new Hanseatic league in 2015, after Hull the previous year. I am not aware that Great Yarmouth is a member.

We in the Boston Hanse Group have been aware of your application to join and are delighted that you will join the English Hanse towns. We went to Bergen last year with Kings Lynn and Hull and had a really interesting time making various connections with Europe.

We are taking 20 of us to Kampen this year including four Youth Hanse students, the only ones in England. We will link up with Kings Lynn and Hull again. We have our second International Day here on the 27th May, and would be delighted to meet any of your group. If there is any help we can give you, just contact me. Look forward to welcoming you to Hanse.