Winter Lectures

These lectures will take place in Museum Street Methodist Church on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm. Please feel free to bring your friends. There is no charge for anyone.

21 October -- People Commemorated by Blue Plaques

Dr John Blatchly will talk about some of the notable people commemorated by our Blue Plaques. He has long been interested in the lives and achievements of distinguished local people and was very helpful in providing advice and information when we first set up the scheme in 2000. He will also include other candidates worthy of such recognition.

9 December -- The New Wolsey Theatre - its Achievements, Ambitions and Plans

Our speaker will be David Edwards, Chairman of the Theatre's Board of Directors. He has been Chief Executive of Derby Playhouse and much involved with Aldeburgh Music. As a local man and a great enthusiast for the New Wolsey, he is in an ideal position to assess the role of theatre in this community.

13 January -- Flood Protection for Ipswich

Nick Rowlinson of the Environment Agency is Project Manager of the Ipswich flood protection scheme. He will therefore be able to describe and explain the extent and purpose of this £50m project which will protect the Waterfront and much of the town centre.

10 February -- The Problem of Empty Homes

David Ireland, our speaker, is Chief Executive of the Empty Homes Agency, an independent charity which highlights the waste of empty property in England and helps provide solutions to bring them back into use. David has had recent discussions with Ipswich Borough Council about empty homes, so he should have some local issues to talk about, as well as national.

10 March -- Two Distinguished Suffolk Naval Families

This talk about the Saumarez and Broke families will be given by Tim Voelcker who has recently published a book about Admiral Saumarez. The local connections with Broke Hall and Shrubland Hall should make this an intriguing lecture to end our season.