At the AGM in April, our Mayor and President, Cllr Elizabeth Hughes, told us about the clearance of overgrown shrubs in Handford Road, close to the end of Elliott Street. It revealed the plaque shown in the photographs:

'THE IPSWICH SOCIETY

LANDSCAPED & PLANTED

IN MEMORY OF

DIANA COWLEY 1934-95

WHO CARED ABOUT

IPSWICH

MAR…'

This clearly dates back about twenty-five years and celebrates an Ipswich Society member of note. The Society tidied this neglected piece of land – ownership is uncertain – and planted it, seeding an area of grass. Later crocus bulbs were added. Our Chairman thinks that the grass used to be maintained by IBC Parks Dept who would mow whenever they cut the grass on the adjacent triangles but, he thinks, when the Agency for Highway maintenance went back to SCC and they contracted grass-cutting to a private provider, the incoming team would only mow council-owned grass (as per their contract). Hence the lack of maintenance and overgrowth. The vegetation on this strip was left to run riot and hide the plaque which is now not in very good condition in 2022).

RG

Next article