Litter in the town from Keith Faull

I just received (and read  with great interest) the July 2018 issue of the Newsletter. I was struck particularly by the Chairman's remarks about 'eyesores' in the town.  

I felt compelled to write to the Newsletter to add to the list of town eyesores: general litter. The amount of litter in the town and surrounds has now reached offensive proportions. In a short walk down into the town centre I saw (no pun intended) two dining room chairs, an electric heater, discarded drink cans, a number of plastic containers; thousands of cigarette butts – particularly around bus stops and cafes, more lumps of discarded chewing gum than it is possible to count.

My concern is that the levels of what can only be described as rubbish in the street have reached the point where there is little or no incentive to 'do the right thing' and look after our town. May I suggest some vigilante citizens who take it upon themselves to tidy up our streets?

 

Home thoughts from another county from Raymond T. Wheeler

I wish I could be of more help [to the Ipswich Society]. Sadly, though, the lack of time available to me at present, not to mention the fact that I live in ‘darkest Norwich’, mean that I cannot offer any commitment as yet.

I grew up in Ipswich and remember many great characters there, especially at the Docks where I was employed by HM Customs & Excise for a while before moving away in the early 1970s. Like so many, one only appreciates what one knew when, years later, one realises how special it was.

Although I enjoy living in Norwich, I love to visit Ipswich as frequently as possible and much prefer Ipswich! Consequently, I am seriously moving back ‘home’.

Meanwhile, it is great to belong to The Ipswich Society – many thanks for a fantastic Newsletter. Very best wishes and every success.

(P.S.: I shall be very happy for my letter to be included in the October Newsletter; I do hope it is properly expressed in good English because Mr Salmon used to be my English teacher!)

 

John Andreasen and St Clement Church from Ken Wilson

The name of John Andreasen came up recently; he and St Clement’s were for so long closely associated that many of us can never think of the one without the other coming to mind.

He was a lay-preacher and when the church was in use he was one of the churchwardens; when it became redundant he cared for it – indeed jealously guarding it – including opening days, virtually single-handedly. He made friends with the drifters who frequented the churchyard and made sure they behaved themselves. Indeed, he could be said to merit a substantial section in the guidebook.

On one wonderful day John exhibited his impressive collection of church memorabilia and when dusk fell he held a lovely candlelit service. On another occasion he enthralled a group of us by recounting how he had successfully exorcised the uneasy sprit of an old mariner that had been the cause of some consternation in part of the Wet Dock.

A famous Ipswich character, without a doubt.

 

Signs and ‘signage’ from Margaret Hancock

I was interested to see that the walk looking at 'Secret signs of Ipswich' included the winged wheel Cyclists' Touring Club sign on the wall above the Age UK shop [in Upper Brook Street]. I'm sure many local people have walked along the street for years without noticing it. Not so, Ipswich Society members Ken & Maureen Nichols – themselves both lifelong CTC members – who made sure that the sign was left intact whenever the building changed hands or was redecorated. An excellent example of how important it is for all of us to speak up to retain our heritage.

On a less positive note, I'm becoming increasingly annoyed by the signs put up around the town to warn of road closures and to advertise events that remain in situ weeks if not months after the date has passed. In the last few days I've seen signs about the Women's Tour on 13th June, and a large Eastern Angles banner on the waterfront promoting the Maria Marten play performed there in mid-July. Signs advertising a Food & Drink event which took place in June remained in situ until the week before the Maritime Festival in mid-August. Surely, those responsible for putting signs up should have some obligation to remove them (& the remains of the plastic cable ties) instead of littering the town in this way?