Tourists in the Book

We all recognise the syndrome of 'familiarity breeds contempt' combined with 'the grass is greener on the other side of the fence'. So I had a look in the Visitors' Book at the Tourist Information Centre. Not surprisingly, most comments praised the TIC, its helpful staff and the wonderful use of St Stephen's Church. But I also found these remarks about the town.

"Interesting mix of old and new." (Winnipeg, Canada)

''Nice town, especially the new Waterfront." (Venlo, Holland)

"Very attractive town centre," (Oakden, S Australia)

"A lovely town with lovely things to visit." (Inveruno, Milan, Italy)

"What a treasure, Ipswich!" (The Enfield Society)

"Lovely people and town." (Dallas, USA)

"Tres jolie ville et attachante. Les habitants sont tres sympathiques," (Aix-en-Provence)

"Brilliant place. You are lucky to live here!" (Manchester)

"I liked it very much to see Ipswich and we are glad we stayed in Ipswich and we didn't go to Cambridge because Ipswich is beautiful." (Utrecht, Holland)

"Ipswich ticks all the boxes architecture, cleanliness, friendliness. Must come again." (Canterbury, UK -particularly interesting!)

Yes. there was a comment on the lack of public lavatories, and one on the need for leaflets in other major languages, And I can't be sure that the comments in Spanish and Japanese were complimentary - but I suspect they were!

Neil Salmon