Getting out and about now that the weather is improving seems to be the thing to do these days. Strolling into town and looking around and upwards has always been a good occupation for me and I'm sure it's the same for many members.  Which is why it's important to keep your eyes peeled and watch out for new projects which are emerging from the ground or reaching completion with topping out events and the like.

I lived in Germany for twenty-nine years and one of the things that was prominent, certainly during the building of houses but other structures too, was ‘The Richtfest’.

This is the occasion when people who are building a house, or having some major renovations done on their house, give thanks to the builders and all involved in the construction work with a mini-ceremony; it typically occurs when the final beam is added to the roof.  The crown-shaped wreath is hung at the top of the roof and the builders, architect and owners have a beer and read a Richtfest poem.

I'm not saying it's a tradition that should be introduced into Great Britain, mainly because of the potential consequences of beer consumption during a working day… but I have fond memories of these indications of a building nearing completion. I don’t for one minute think that anywhere in our town will feature a wreath of this kind, but one never knows.

It may be early days in the course of the year, but already there are projects around the town which are coming to our notice with the Ipswich Society Awards 2023 event in mind.

Keep an eye out for possible nominations. The project might have been completed in the last two years, having been missed last year, or it has just passed us by. Please let the Hon. Secretary  know or contact me (all contact details are on page 27). 

Tony Marsden, Vice-Chairman

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