Regular readers may recall an excellent article by former County Archaeologist Keith Wade in the Newsletter of July 2019 dealing with the area between St Peter and St Mary-at-Quay, called by some ‘St Peter’s Port’ – a potential candidate as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, if heritage organisations start to focus on the international historical importance of the Ipswich story. The article can be viewed via the Society’s website and it includes possibly the only illustration of Wolsey’s College. Keith did mention to the Editor at the time the poor quality of the copy-of-a-copy etc., but the latter was pleased to publish it. Indeed a copy of the article accompanied our Chairman’s letter to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris which was sent in the ensuing weeks.

In 2023 those organising the Wolsey 550 celebrations have endeavoured to trace the original footprint of Wolsey’s College, the remains of which have largely been obscured by industrial and road development in Ipswich, apart from the Water Gate in Key Street: the last survivor.

Not only that, but recent issues of our Newsletter have dealt with the first Wolsey Pageant.

Society member Carole Sims donated a copy of Wolsey Pageant, June 23rd-28th 1930: souvenir programme. The book runs to 114 pages and is priced on the cover ‘one shilling’. This was the publication referred to in David Saunders’ letter to the Editor in our April issue. It contains much information about the performance including performer credits and a full script. The book probably deserves an article of its own. However, it also contains a reproduction of the Wolsey’s College illustration – perhaps the best one available to us. The Cardinal is on the left.

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