Some Shorts

The fire at St Mary Elms in August, cause unknown, was a sad blow to a fine and regularly visited church. But it could have been worse. A hatchment has been lost and much cleaning up remains to be done but thankfully the roof and the tower survived.

Christchurch and Holywells Parks will remain locked at night, we are pleased to learn. But it seems that Friends' groups may be required to contribute more supervision.

The Police's proposed move from Elm St/Civic Drive to share space with SCC at St Edmund's House (Rope Walk) and Landmark House (Whitehouse) could free up space for a large development of the Civic Centre site and boost that end of the town centre.

The 'night economy's' latest figures indicate that 12,000 people are in town at peak times. The full economic pros and cons of this part of the economy would be interesting.

New information boards with maps will start to appear this month. They should help to improve links between the town centre, railway station and the Waterfront.

Big Lottery Fund money (£1million+) will be devoted to Whitehouse and Whitton to develop community facilities - welcome news to NW Ipswich, where it is needed.

The new Egyptian Gallery at High Street Museum should be especially helpful to primary school pupils but fascinating also to all visitors who will find much else to enjoy as well.

Edith Cook, pioneer aviator, parachutist and balloonist, commemorated by our Blue Plaque in Fore Street, has at last had a named headstone erected in Coventry where she died following a parachuting accident.