Letter to the Editor

40 years of Conservation in Ipswich

from John Field, Chair, Ipswich Conservation and Design Panel

I feel that it is necessary for me to bring to your attention, and to that of your readers, my deep concern regarding the report on the talk I gave at the Society's recent AGM, which appeared in the last edition of the Society's Newsletter.

I am concerned that as the article is headed "AGM Talk by John Field" in the Newsletter index, readers will understandably assume that its contents are a review of the points made by me in my talk. I would like to stress that this is not the case and that only the first paragraph of the article, and some of the second, relate to my talk.

I must make it very clear that the points raised in the remainder of the article cannot be attributed to me. In fact, I must also stress that these do not reflect my own views or my memories on the issues it raises.

I would like to suggest that, in future, any views put forward in the Society's Newsletter should be clearly and carefully attributed to the person responsible in order to avoid a repeat of the type of ambiguity and embarrassment I have referred to above.

Finally, whilst writing, I would also like to express some disappointment that the bulk of my talk covering, with illustrations, the many initiatives aimed at protecting and enhancing the town's architectural heritage, introduced by Ipswich Borough Council over a 40 year period, was not referred to at all. I consider this important message to have been the main thrust of the talk but, unfortunately, this was not touched upon at all in your review.

See also '40 years of conservation in Ipswich' by John Field, Ipswich Society Newsletter, April 2013, page 8 - Editor