'There's now't to do in Ipswich', Part 1

Groups and organisations which relate to our town: a list to challenge those who claim that ‘nothing ever happens in Ipswich'.

 

Greenways Countryside Project

It exists to protect and enhance the countryside, landscape and open space across an area of about 100 square kilometres in and around the town of Ipswich, and home to around one quarter of the population of Suffolk, for the benefit of wildlife and local people. The project relies on volunteers to complete much of its practical conservation work. (www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways/)

 

River Action Group

The RAG was established in 1997 when the Borough Council's Environment Panel decided that the area of the Gipping from Stoke Bridge to Sproughton needed particular environmental improvement. Initially the Group comprised volunteer groups, Ipswich Borough Council planning officers, Greenways Project, Anglian Water and the Environment Agency. More recently members have included Sustrans, representatives from Suffolk County Council, the Inland Waterways Association and the River Gipping Trust. (https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/rag)

 

Ipswich Arras Association

The Association warmly welcomes new members and family members to share in our friendship with the people of the city of Arras in northern France. Ipswich has long had an Accord with Arras which is a city steeped in history from Roman times through to the French Revolution, the Great War and World War 2. In medieval times Arras was renowned for the quality of its tapestries and that heritage is still celebrated today. (http://ipswicharrasassociation.onesuffolk.net)

 

Ipswich Heritage Forum

Ipswich Heritage Group was set up around 2001 by Ipswich Museums so that heritage-related organisations could provide some mutual support and exchange information. Since the latter has been predominant the Group decided in 2011 to change its name to 'Forum'. It makes possible the spread of information about the activities of participating organisations when we could easily remain in ignorance of each other, however active in our field. (https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/ipswich-heritage-group)

 

Friends of Ipswich Museums

The FOIM is a group which enjoys the Ipswich museums (Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich Museum, Ipswich Art School Gallery) and supports them by raising funds from membership fees and special events. Sometimes it initiates the projects but mostly it responds to suggestions from the Museum Service. (http://friendsofipswichmuseums.org.uk)

 

Ipswich Building Preservation Trust

includes conservation enthusiasts, Council members and officers, and the business community. Since 1978, all these groups have been represented on the committee of the Ipswich Building Preservation Trust, a daughter organisation of The Ipswich Society. We monitor buildings at risk. We support the officers of the Borough in working to secure historic buildings. We are ready to play our part when buildings become available for restoration. (www.ipswichbuildingpreservationtrust.org.uk)

 

Ipswich Historic Churches Trust

The Trust's aims are 'the preservation and maintenance for the public benefit of redundant churches of all denominations in the Borough of Ipswich which are of historic or architectural value'. For the churches in our care we want to keep them in good repair, find suitable new uses and tell people about their history and special features. (www.ipswichhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk)

 

Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society

The Society provides a forum for all those interested in the history of transport. A small group of local transport enthusiasts formed the Society in 1963 to cover transport by air, road, rail and water. Invited speakers at meetings, visits and a newsletter are included in their activities. (www.ipswichanddistricthistoricaltransportsociety.co.uk)

 

Ipswich Archaeological Trust

The Trust was formed in October 1982 to inform the people of Ipswich about, and involve them in, archaeological work being undertaken in the town and surrounding area. The archaeological deposits which underlie Ipswich town centre are of international importance. Excavations carried out since 1974 demonstrate that Ipswich is one of the earliest English towns and one of the first in north-west Europe. The town was probably founded by the East Anglian Kings buried at the famous Sutton Hoo cemetery in the early 7th century. The archaeology of Ipswich provides a unique opportunity to understand the early development of our present-day urban society. (http://ipswichat.org.uk)

 

Ipswich Maritime Trust

The Trust was formed in 1982 from the Maritime Ipswich Committee, which organised a year long series of events as part of the Maritime England Initiative. These included a summer exhibition in the ‘Home' warehouse (now Ashton KCJ office). IMT then prepared a visionary plan for the then run-down Wet Dock. It aims: ‘to educate the people of Suffolk in all matters maritime'. The Trust runs the Window Museum on Albion Quay celebrating the town's rich maritime heritage, organises talks and other events. (http://www.ipswichmaritimetrust.org.uk)

 

Ipswich Women's Festival Group

The group aims to research and celebrate local women's achievements - organising events and developing resources including the Ipswich Women's History Trail. The Group started in the 1980s and was continued by Community Education Local Women's History Group in the 1990s, which compiled the first leaflet, and also held an exhibition of Women and Work. In 2011, the group decided to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Census Boycott, when 30 local women avoided completing their Census forms by staying at the Old Museum Rooms overnight in a campaign to get Votes for Women. (http://ipswichwomeninhistory.co.uk for the Ipswich Women's History Trail illustrated guide)

 

Friends of Christchurch Park (http://focp.org.uk)

Friends of Holywells Park (http://www.holywellspark.org.uk)

Friends of Chantry Park (http://chantrypark.org)

Friends of Landseer Park (https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfLandseerParkIpswich/)

They exist to secure the preservation, protection and improvement of the Parks as a places of historic and ecological interest, beauty, tranquillity, rest and recreation; to promote the conservation of the natural plant, animal and bird life in the Parks; to encourage appropriate use of the Parks through a range of activities; to educate the public in the history, natural history and other aspects of the Parks.

 

Ipswich Transport Museum

It has the largest collection of transport items in Britain devoted to just one town. Everything was either made or used in and around Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk. It was founded in 1965 as the Ipswich Transport Preservation Group, and since that time a collection of over 85 vehicles has been built up to give a fleet of exhibits second to none in the country. In 1988 the Museum was granted a licence to occupy two-thirds of the former Priory Heath Trolleybus Depot, and this enabled the many exhibits to be gathered together under one roof for the first time in their lives. Open to the public on around 100 days throughout the year. (http://www.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk/index.html)

 

Suffolk Local History Council

The purpose of the SLHC is to encourage and support the study of local history and to act as an umbrella organisation for groups and individuals with similar interests in the county of Suffolk. It administers a Local Recorders Scheme throughout Suffolk, publishes a journal and newsletter and arranges events. (http://www.slhc.org.uk)

 

Suffolk Preservation Society

The Society is a small self-funding charity that stands up for Suffolk's special heritage and landscape qualities through the planning system - its historic buildings, towns and villages and distinctive landscapes. With no political or commercial affiliations, it takes a long term strategic view. It helps communities to protect and promote their valued landscapes and historic environment and provides independent advice to district planning authorities. (http://www.suffolksociety.org/home)

There are many more active organisations in and around our town, most of them relying on enthusiastic volunteers - just like The Ipswich Society. See our back page