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Issue 172 Newsletter July 2008 


Contents: 

• Editorial

• New Members

• Chairman on Current Affairs

• Traffic Conference

• New Suffolk Boundaries?

• Recent Planning Applications

• Waterfront Food and Drink

• Ipswich on the Waterfront

• Annual General Meeting

• Ipswich Development 1974-2007

• Museums' Ambitious Plans

• Dance House for Dance East

• Snippets

• Transport in Historic Towns

• Ipswich Maritime Trust

• Christchurch Park in the Past

• Heritage Open Days

• St Mary at Stoke

• Churches 5,4,3,2,1 ...

• Sustainable Lifestyles

• Waterfront Visits: An Update

• Orwell Park Observatory

• Tutankhamun & London

• A Spartan Experience at Eton

• Suffolk New College

• Your Committee and Events 


Editorial

This Newsletter may not look quite the same as usual. Perhaps that's no bad thing. The main reason 

is my old friend, a Macintosh Performa, finally expired when I was part way through preparing this 

issue. That the Newsletter is finished at all is thanks to Dennis Allen and John Kemmett. But if you 

find some inconsistencies or omissions don't blame my helpers. It's the fault of a computer which 

gave up after only fifteen years! 


I hope you find some cheering material in these pages. Pessimism about the economy has spread 

rapidly. Still, Ipswich may not suffer the downturn extremes of towns reliant on very high paid jobs 

or astronomical City bonuses. But to cheer you up, you can read here about magnificent medieval 

churches brought back to life, ambitious plans for our museums, and things you could do to save 

money while helping to save the planet! 


I was delighted to encounter the international street market in Butter Market on Saturday, 24 May. It 

brought more of a buzz to the town centre and gave a new temporary character to our finest street - 

even though not everyone liked the sale of hot potatoes and French bread right outside the Ancient 

House. My only criticism was that I saw no prior advertising. The market attracted attention on the 

day, but I fear that those who only stroll up and down 'The Golden Mile' might not have found it at 

all. Perhaps its time to stop thinking of a 'Golden Mile' anyway. There are excellent shops for 

example in Butter Market and elsewhere in the centre. 

Neil Salmon 


Chairman on Current Affairs

The property market has slowed down and various studies give little hope of quick improvement. 

Repossessions are threatening a number of property owners, particularly on the Waterfront where 

early sales were snapped up very quickly. To complete the problem there is currently an ongoing 

investigation into illegal practices which are said to have taken place over some sales of property on 

Orwell Quay. All in all, there is lack of confidence in the future trend in property (especially, but not 

exclusively domestic). This loss of confidence is certain to affect commercial developments. Let us 

hope it results only in a slowdown not a cut back. 


APB's Haven Marina has applied for planning permission to extend the marina towards the lock 

gates. When the last increase in berths was sought the Society expressed worries about the 

decreasing amount of 'free' water left for other recreational uses, such as boat races (remember 

Chinese dragon boats?). We are therefore opposing this development. 


Another aspect of the Waterfront has also re-surfaced - it never goes away. I refer to pedestrian 

access around the water. We have moved on from marinas being protected by barbed wire and 

fences and there is now very good and pleasant access along the water's edge past both marinas. 

When the current building works are completed on the Northern Quays, there will be pedestrian 

access to some 90% of the water. The 10% which prevents a circular walk, which was possible for 

many years when the port was owned by IBC, involves the lock gates. We are told Health and 


Safety considerations prevent this access, but detailed reasons are not given. I think it is time to 

press strongly for this access and I hope the Society will do so, so that once again the citizens of 

Ipswich can enjoy to the full this lovely stretch of water close to the town centre. 

Jack Chapman 


Recent Planning Applications

Railway station, Burrell Road: construction of footbridge and lifts linking platform 2 with 

platforms 3 & 4. 

'Whilst we support a second footbridge with good access for the disabled we are unhappy with 

some of the design details. We like the strong vertical concrete pillars of support at either end of the 

bridge. However we would like to see better screening beneath the stairs. The stairs are 

understandably in three separate flights whereas the roof is one continuous line. This is 

inharmonious with the surrounding good Victorian buildings.' 

(IBC has refused permission because design does not fit with the station.) 

  

1 Neptune Quay: demolition of snooker club and erection of new 8 storey extension to 

Salthouse Harbour Hotel increasing number of bedrooms from 43 to 72. 

'The Society has considered this attractive application. We fully support the demolition of the 

snooker club and its replacement... We do like the facade and its detailing, the retention of a 

pedestrian thoroughfare to Fore Street and the proposed use of the ground floor. However we are 

strongly opposed to its height. Whilst we support the continuation of the rhythmic gables which are 

now an established part of the architectural language of the north side of the Waterfront, we are sure 

it would be better for the peak to be lower than the peak of the buildings on either side, the hotel 

and the Neptune Quay apartments, rather than higher as proposed. This is an absolutely key site; 

would it not be sensible to ask the opinion of English Heritage and CABE before making a 

decision. We are also concerned that the bulk of the buildings will deprive the Neptune Inn of light 

and privacy. Until revised proposals are put forward we would suggest refusal.' 

(IBC has refused permission.) 

  

Unitarian Meeting House: erection of single storey extension to meeting hall. 

'We understand the necessity of finding disabled access facilities available at all times for the 

meeting house but we do not feel it necessary to build an extension. It ought to be possible to 

rearrange the current interior to provide adequate space. We would like to see more discussion with 

the Officers before the current application is considered.' 

(Application withdrawn.) 

  

'Island Site', Duke Street: demolition of commercial buildings and erection of building (8 

floors) for student accommodation and commercial uses. 

'The suggested use of this site is entirely appropriate.' 

(IBC has approved with four conditions.) 

  

Reservoir site, Park Road: demolition of existing reservoirs and erection of 6 dwellings and 

refurbishment of No 3 Park Road. 

'We congratulate the architects and developers for designing this attractive scheme which will 

utilise a brownfield site, set in an important architectural road in such a way that only the upper 

storeys will be seen by passers-by... This will be an expensive site to develop and in the present 

climate there will be a temptation to water down the attractive details of the construction. Assuming 

permission is granted, it will be important to ensure through conditions that it is built absolutely 

according to the plans produced.' 

(IBC approved with minor conditions.) 

  

36 Warrington Road, severance of rear garden, demolition of garage and side extension: 

erection of detached 2 storey dwelling and new garage for No 36. 

'The design of the new house is attractive, well thought out and highly sustainable... The utilisation 

of back gardens for housing, particularly close to the town centre, is very tempting when there is 

pressure to find extra windfall plots in the town. However we feel that this plot is too small for such 

development... The Society feels that this application should be refused because it is 

overdevelopment on a backland site and would alter the Park Conservation Area for the worse..' 

(IBC refused planning permission.) 

  

53-55 Westerfield Road: demolition of 2-apartment building and creation of 6 apartments. 

The Society objected because of size, design, overdevelopment, etc. 

(Application withdrawn.) 

  

Elton Park Works, Hadleigh Road, site of Manganese Bronze and Geest offices: an outline 

planning application for 120 residential units, 70 bed care home, business offices, etc. 

The site is partly in Babergh but rather more than half in Ipswich. There would be several problems 

facing the developers, but the Society supports the application at this early stage. 

The outcome of previous applications which we commented on: 

  

85-87 Fore Street (next to the Lord Nelson): student accommodation. 

We supported it and IBC approved. 

  

19 Neptune Quay, revised landscaping of UCS courtyard. withdrawn. 

19 Neptune Quay, revised landscaping of UCS courtyard. We opposed; now withdrawn. 


Ipswich on the Waterfront

Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council commissioned Colin Buchanan to carry out 

a study of the existing cross-town traffic and make recommendations to improve accessibility from 

the town centre to the Waterfront and the Education Quarter. Buchanans were selected as 

consultants for a number of reasons, one of which is the possibility that they are the only major firm 

of consultants that had not already looked at Ipswich's traffic problems, i.e. they didn't come with 

pre-conceived ideas. 


Buchanan's recommendations are improved access for all road users, including buses, pedestrians 

and cyclists. Currently the gyratory road system carries high volumes of fast moving mixed, but 

predominately local traffic (up to 3,500 vehicles per hour)*. The vast majority of motor vehicles 

using this route are making journeys that start and finish within two miles of the town centre. 

Additionally whenever conditions allow (which is most of the day) vehicles are travelling 

inappropriately fast (frequently witnessed on approach to the zebra crossing behind the Custom 

House) but are held up at the junctions at either end of the system. 


Separately the Government is considering introducing 20 mph speed restrictions in towns, the lower 

speed limit reducing accidents and considerably reducing deaths and injury. 


For Star Lane, Buchanan looked at new road options and major changes to the existing road layout 

including a new road across the College site, a Wet Dock Crossing and an East Bank Link Road. 

None provided the relief required, and without closure or major restriction the gyratory would be 

preferable to the Wet Dock Crossing for most vehicle journeys. 


Buchanan also reviewed a number of options for Star Lane and Key Street/College Street: 

1. Traffic Calming (Pedestrian Crossings, reduced carriageway width, etc.) 

2. Realignment - new sections of road, including part of Star Lane increased to four lanes, two 


in each direction. 

3. Two two-way roads (allowing both Star Lane and College Street to carry east and west 


bound traffic). 

4. Two single lane, one-way roads (one way, as at present, but with a single vehicle 


carriageway, reducing capacity and speed but increasing space for pedestrians and cyclists, 

and making the roads much easier to cross). 


5. A two-way Star Lane, with Key Street/College Street limited to buses, taxis and pedal 

cycles. 


Then came the difficult bit, assimilating the cost in real terms, including the congestion costs, but 

balancing these with the benefits for all road users, and particularly those who need to cross 

between town and Waterfront. 


It is interesting to note that Buchanan predicts that traffic levels will not substantially grow on the 

gyratory: they can't - it is already at capacity! Rather traffic from the new developments on the 

Waterfront will replace some of the traffic currently using the system. This disrupted traffic will fall 

into one of the following categories: 


1. It will go elsewhere. 

2. It will divert into 'quieter' time slots, spreading the rush hour over a longer period. 

3. Users will divert to alternative means of transport, and here the alternative needs to be in place early. 

4. Some users may simply not make the journey at all (confirmation that the journey was not essential, and certainly not essential to the economic development of the town). 


Suffolk County Council need to carry out further research including an origin/destination survey of 

all road users and: 


1. A review of business and residents' travel needs, such that demand can be reduced. One 

serious option here which is about to be introduced in Nottingham is to introduce work-

based car parking charges. If you currently park cheaply or for free at work then there is a 

possibility you will have to pay a reasonable car parking charge in the future, on a scale that 

makes public transport a viable alternative. 


2. An understanding of pedestrians' and cyclists' needs, their source and destination, 

particularly if it is between the town centre and Waterfront/Education Quarter. 


3. The effect that reduced road width for vehicles, wider pavements for pedestrians and the 

introduction of cycle lanes will have on capacity, traffic speed, traffic flow and congestion. 


4. SCC also need to improve local direct communication with individuals, with road users and 

current non-road users (those who avoid the route because of real or perceived dangers or 

because no buses currently use this cross-town route even though it is a direct line from the 

Education Quarter to the railway station). 


5.

An over-riding consideration is to improve air quality across the whole of the gyratory system 

which has been measured and recorded as some of the most polluted air in Ipswich, something none 

of us are prepared to accept. 


Where does Ipswich Society fit into this dilemma? Primarily, one of support for change, along the 

lines proposed by Buchanan, and for a reduction in cross-town traffic, an acceptance that private 

motoring cannot go on growing at the rate it has been for the past few years. 


The East Anglian Daily Times suggested this will take the best traffic management minds to 

address. Well we have had the best the country has to offer on the case and collectively they agree 

there is no easy solution. And Ipswich Borough Council? An acceptance of the Buchanan report 

with reservations. 


*3,500 vehicles per hour represents 1,600 (peak) eastbound and 1,800-2,100 (peak) westbound. The 

difference is an indication that some traffic gyrates clockwise around the town centre, westbound 

along the Waterfront gyratory, eastbound along Crown Street. About 1,000 vehicles per hour head 

southbound along Grimwade Street. 


Annual General Meeting

23 April 2008 at Ipswich School 

Jack Chapman welcomed our president, the Mayor Councillor Inga Lockington. She told us how 

much she had enjoyed the Society's Awards evening, after which she'd been able to make an official 

visit to St Joseph's Prep School, one of our Award winners, and seen the building happily in use. 

Apologies for absence were read out and the Minutes of the previous AGM approved. There were 

no questions concerning the Chairman's report. In the absence of the Hon Treasurer, John Norman 

offered to answer any questions; none was forthcoming. He proposed the adoption of the accounts - 

agreed unanimously. The meeting then approved the enlargement of the Executive Committee 

which was felt to be necessary owing to the Society's active involvement in so many aspects of the 

well-being of Ipswich. The relevant parts of the constitution now read: 


'The officers of the Society shall consist of Vice-President(s), Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary 

and Treasurer, these together with up to twelve other members shall constitute the Executive 

Committee.' (i.e. twelve instead of eight. A quorum will now be seven.) 

This seems a good point at which to reiterate the Objects of the Society. 


1. to promote the study of civic design, 

2. to stimulate public consciousness and appreciation of the beauty, History and character of Ipswich and its surroundings, 

3. to encourage the preservation, development and improvement of the features which go to make pleasing and convenient conditions in which to live and work, 

4. to pursue these ends by such means as meetings, lectures, study groups, exhibitions and 

publications. 

5.The election of Officers and Executive Committee then took place. 


Finally, and for most members the warmest part of the AGM, Beryl Jary's retirement as Hon 

Secretary was marked by the Chairman's expression of appreciation and thanks. Beryl was 

presented with some appropriate tokens of the Society's thanks and made a Life Member of the 

Society, a rare honour. 


Ipswich Development 1974-2007

'Developments of Ipswich during the Period 1974-2007' - this was the title of the talk given after the 

AGM by Mike Smith, former Head of Planning and Development at the Borough Council, someone 

who won the respect of all members of the Society's planning committee during those years. 

Virtually every important aspect of planning and development was covered in his illustrated talk. 


He began with recalling his first impressions in 1974, especially the waste land along the river 

corridor, now being gradually developed. One of the most interesting parts of the talk concerned the 

Belstead Road/Stoke Park area because this was fairly new to members who don't live there. The 

planners' insistence on keeping and creating green spaces is now pleasantly apparent in this 

naturally undulating area. But he pointed out that the relatively low density would not be permitted 

by today's higher density requirements. Housing today is much more likely to consist of three-

storey town houses and four-storey flats. And here the planners have to fight hard for the provision 

of children's play areas which developers aren't so keen on! 


In town centre redevelopments Mike expressed satisfaction with some of the fill-in changes, notably 

two examples in Museum Street and the appearance of the office building next to the Sailor's Rest 

in St Peter's Street. He is less happy about the mass of Crown House in Crown Street which the 

planners found hard to refuse. 


Some important older buildings have been effectively retained. The Philips and Piper building in 

Old Foundry Road/St Margaret's Street was not Listed and could have been lost, but it defines the 

character of the area and with better management now by a housing association provides valuable 

accommodation and a reminder of our manufacturing industry. The Grimwade Hall in Fore Street, 

so recently refurbished (with 'perhaps the most complex new brickwork in Ipswich since the 

Victorians, thanks to Polish craftsmen!') is another example of a worthy rescue. 


Waterfront projects still owe much, he thought, to the owners of Contship whose passion for 

modernising their building set the standard for what could be done at the docks. Difficult decisions 

had to be made over the isolated early developments there - for example Neptune Marina flats did 

look oddly tall but the new UCS building bridges the gap and the heights are appropriate. If there is 

a pause now in starting new developments on the Waterfront that may not be a bad thing. There 

would be time for all concerned to evaluate what is needed next. 


Ravenswood has posed different problems, not having hills or trees like Stoke Park (it was an 

airport after all!) so he welcomed the creation of a strong layout design from the start with a green 

and some radiating avenues. The architecture has been mostly pastiche in style but it has enabled 

the 'affordable' houses to be visually similar to the private. There are some sections of Ravenswood 

in a more modern idiom but, as he said, 'volume housebuilders' are so much more comfortable 

building in traditional styles. 


Looking ahead, he recognised that Britain is entering a difficult time. Redevelopment of the Mint 

Quarter is essential for Ipswich to keep pace with competitors, Norwich and Colchester. He is 

satisfied that the concentration of tall buildings on the Waterfront is suitable for the area and relates 

well to the expanse of water. But he hoped that the Island Site facing it would be a substantially 

green area. As for our Society, he thought that it was essential for us to keep up a watchdog role - 

politicians respond to pressure, and if we don't exert it others will! 


Members who stayed on enjoyed some drinks, nibbles and discussion. The Society thanks Ipswich 

School, particularly Andrew Gregory, for making the premises available. 


Museums' Ambitious Plans

The Colchester and Ipswich Museums service has produced a Development Plan for the years 

2008-2011. Even if you disliked the merger of the museums' services, you might nevertheless be 

pleased with these plans for enhancing the Ipswich Museums. Perhaps the most striking aim is to 

provide a new glazed entrance in High Street, covering over the whole courtyard between the actual 

Museum and the Exhibition Gallery (i.e. the Art Gallery, for the older members!). This would 

incorporate both buildings into one complex and be a welcoming information space rather than a 

display area for artefacts. A Louvre Pyramid for Ipswich! 


There will be increased emphasis on locally specific collections, for example at the Mansion adding 

to the Constable and Benton End art collections and concentrating more on the history of the house; 

at High Street Museum, making more of the Egyptian treasures and the Anglo-Saxons. One 

reservation about the latter is that it does make sense to concentrate on the Romans at Colchester 

and the Anglo-Saxons in Ipswich but not at the expense of significantly downgrading the Roman 

collections in Ipswich. 


Being part of a bigger organisation (now a 'Hub Museum') makes it more likely that external 

funding can be won. Certainly substantial extra money from Government sources and other bodies 

will be needed. We commend this ambitious approach. 


Dance House for Dance East

Not many speakers on arrival would take in their stride the news that they couldn't use their 

PowerPoint display. We regret that our misunderstanding meant that Assis Carreiro has to rely on 

her own voice. Far from being deterred, she spoke for well over an hour and we were captivated. I 

feel sure that Dance East would never have been in their promising situation without the drive and 

communication skills of Assis, their Director. She first outlined her own background - born in the 

Azores, brought up in Canada, worked for the National Ballet of Canada, Director of a Birmingham 

dance school and then a London company where she was a successful fund raiser. 


She came to Suffolk in 2000, to Suffolk Dance which became Dance East. They are based at 

Northgate Arts Centre where there is only one dance studio plus other rooms with concrete floors - 

not ideal! Their new building on the Waterfront adjoining the 23 storey tower will occupy four 

floors. The shell is nearly complete and after the fitting out they expect to open in the autumn of 

next year. 


Assis described the impressive range of activities run by Dance East. It involves adults as well as 

children with particular groups of, for instance, children in foster care, children in hospital, obese 

young people and, of course, high powered work and study for young people with potential as 

dancers - different kinds of dance, because as she insisted it is not a ballet school as some might 

assume. 


Fund raising and invitations to donate equipment are being co-ordinated in the Red Shoe Appeal. 

Our Society has subsequently decided to sponsor a seat to underline our support for this significant 

cultural organisation in Ipswich. 

Neil Salmon 


Snippets

Next stage of the Plan 

The Local Development Framework occupied a lot of the April Newsletter. Some 2000 responses to 

IBC are being evaluated and a report will go to the IBC Executive before the next consultation. It is 

said that by 2021, 90% of the required 15,400 new homes in Ipswich will have been built on 

brownfield land. Worth remembering! 

  

Westgate Centre 

This seems to be the likely new name for the Civic Centre site. It makes geographical and historical 

sense, thank goodness. Contrast more new names of big developments like Voyage in Ranelagh 

Road, Vista in Woodbridge Road and Modus in Duke Street. Confusing and hard to remember? 

  

Another good name 

The Reg Driver Centre in Christchurch Park was officially opened on 6 May. This new visitor 

centre near the Bolton Lane entrance will be a welcome addition to the splendidly restored park. 


Reg was the first chairman of the Friends of Christchurch Park. As well as being a key figure in the 

British Legion and a former Borough Councillor, he was a long standing member of our Society. 

  

SWISS Centre 

Not all members agree with the Society's Executive that the new sixth form centre should not be 

built out of town with all the extra car journeys that will encourage. But IBC's sale of land to the 

County Council will certainly bring in some valuable capital receipts. We look forward to seeing 

how IBC will allocate money to 'improve facilities within the town'. 

  

Great changes for Great Blakenham 

SnOasis is moving closer to getting Government approval. It's hard to tell what effect it will have on 

Ipswich itself. More jobs, more visitors, more money, more cars. If only we could maximise the 

best and minimize the worst! 

  

Ipswich Transport Museum Golden Jubilee 

Congratulations to all the enthusiasts who have created this uniquely valuable Ipswich attraction 

begun in 1958 and located at Cobham Road former trolley bus depot since 1989. Everything in the 

Museum was either built or operated in the Ipswich area. It is open Sundays 11.00-16.00 until late 

November and on weekdays 21 July-29 August 13.00-16.00. 

  

Magistrates to move? 

A new court house may be built next to the Crown Court in Russell Road with the main public 

entrance from West End Road. If so, the present site in Elm Street opposite the police station could 

become part of the second phase of redevelopment of the Civic Centre. 

  

Where is Suffolk? 

We were pleased to hear and see the great achievement of Erdem Misirlioglu, winner of the piano 

section of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in May. Not so pleased to hear that his 

school, Northgate, is in Essex according to the BBC. To add further insult, a few days later 

something in Suffolk (not sure what) was described as being in Sussex. Surely the name of the 

ancient county is to remain despite possible reorganisation! 


Ipswich Maritime Trust

Another year has rolled by with an excellent record of events at the Waterfront, lectures at the Royal 

Harwich Yacht Club, a growing membership of 170 and an ever increasing collection of artefacts in 

Ipswich's rich maritime heritage. 


Out Winter Programme lectures will be held at the royal Harwich Yacht Club on the first 

Wednesday in the month - dates chosen not to clash with the Ipswich Society lectures! 


• 1 October : Brian Kennel/Rupert Marks on the rebuilding of the smack 'Pioneer'. 

• 5 November : Paddy Hazell on 'Orfordness - Bangs, Beams and Boffins'. (A date for bangs!) 

• 3 December : 'James Lawrence - Part III’. 


I hope to be able to arrange guided walks to complement some of the Waterfront events. These will 

be publicised nearer the time at the Tourist Information Centre. 


You do not have to be a member to attend our events and lectures. However, the annual membership 

fee of £5 is modest and worth considering. 

Diana Lewis 


St Mary at Stoke

It is perhaps not generally known that St Mary at Stoke is, in addition to being one of the only two 

Grade I Listed churches in the town, also the only one which was privileged to have benefited from 

the work of William Butterfield. He was an outstanding architect who designed many exceptional 

public buildings, schools and Oxford colleges, in addition to countless church and cathedral 

masterpieces - both in this country and across the world. In 1870 he was commissioned to design 

and build a very large extension for St Mary's which would accommodate the soaring population 

brought about by the arrival of the railway in the parish and the industry which followed. 


Having not originally been regarded as part of Ipswich, Stoke had a character all of its own and 

from the earliest times, crossing the river and 'going over Stoke' was viewed as a journey into a 

different community. St Mary's standing aloof for over a thousand years on Stoke Hill is now 

entering a new phase with the centre of population of Ipswich moving steadily towards it as the 

Waterfront developments take shape. 


Throughout the summer the church will again be open to visitors on Thursday afternoons, 2-4pm 

when a guide will be on hand to show people around. The church is also participating in Heritage 

Open Days. It is anticipated that the Over Stoke History group will be staging a display of 

fascinating local archive material. 

John Barbrook 


Churches 5,4,3,2,1 …

Mission accomplished? The Ipswich Historic Churches Trust may not be quite ready to agree to 

that, with the future of St Clements nearly but not yet finalised. However, remarkable progress has 

been achieved, especially in recent months. 


Five redundant medieval churches in the centre of town were handed over by the Church of 

England to Ipswich Borough Council which then entrusted them to the loving care of Ipswich 

Historic Churches Trust, founded in 1979. Whilst the fabric of the churches has been kept in good 

repair, there have been frustrations for the Trust - tantalising but disappointing negotiations with 

organisations which showed some interest in using the buildings but then backed out. 

First St Stephen's was found a new use as our award-winning Tourist Information Centre. Then St 

Nicholas became the Diocesan Centre for their own public use. The Society's last two Awards 

evenings were held in this pleasant and comfortable setting. 


Now, with very satisfying timing, both St Lawrence and St Peter's opened for new uses during May. 

St Lawrence in Dial Lane had long been disused and internally was in rather poor state. Thanks to 

funding from IBC and a Government Growth Point grant it has been sympathetically restored and 

becomes the St Lawrence Centre, a caf during the day run by Whitehouse Enterprises and Genesis 

and available for hire at other times. Age Concern seem happy with this new venue for their 

purposes. 


St Peter's which Wolsey adapted and used as a chapel for his college, had been partly kept alive by 

the efforts of Roger and Stella Wolfe who, joined by Jill Freestone of the Over Stoke History 

Group, organised its opening to the public once a week in the summer months. But now it is St 

Peter's by the Waterfront a centre for music and the arts and home of the Ipswich Hospital Band. 

Their admirable vision and persistence, with help from Ipswich Historic Churches Trust, won major 

funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Those of us who were there at the opening on 15 May and 

also enjoyed the Band's opening concert on 24 May can vouch for the success of the refurbishment 

and its use as a concert hall. St Peter's also houses very fine new display boards describing the 

history of this important church, which is also the new home for the Ipswich Charter Hangings. Our 

Society has contributed towards the cost of the new guidebook to St Peter's. Dr John Blatchly, the 

fourth chairman of the Ipswich Historic Churches Trust, at the opening of both these 'retired' 

churches, spoke warmly about the churches themselves and all who had contributed to these 

admirable and useful conversions. He spoke like a man with a mission almost accomplished. 

Neil Salmon 


Sustainable Lifestyles

What's to be done about climate change? 

Readers may wonder what sort of response I've had to these articles on the inter-dependent changes, 

both local and global, that will affect our lives. My postbag is divided evenly between those who 

are sceptical of climate change or even the imminent exhaustion of fossil fuel supplies, those who 

are quietly getting on with modifying their lifestyle and "spreading the word" on climate change, 

and those who ask me what I want them to do about it. 


I would like to thank all three of those readers for taking the trouble to reply! But why only three - 

out of a membership of over 1200, whom I would have expected to be the 1% or so of people who 

most care about their town? Then again, I might have struggled with the deluge if you had all 

replied, and maybe those three are all that I need to make the argument for sustainability, quite 

independently of climate change, by raising the following two questions. 


Why do we need sustainability? 

It's obvious really: if we live unsustainably, life will not be sustained. If my first correspondent 

prompts the question, "Why is our present lifestyle not sustainable?", my answer is as follows. The 

earth is estimated to have existed for 4.5 billion years, and its environment has eventually evolved 

into a sufficiently favourable and steady state for complex life to evolve. Many factors are involved, 

but crucially we would not be here now had it not been for early plant life slowly removing large 

amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and instead enriching it with oxygen. Much of the 

absorbed carbon became buried as organic material which decomposed into coal, oil, and gas. 


About 150,000 years ago, homo sapiens appeared, beginning the evolution of the wide variety of 

culture, civilisation, and technology that defines modern life. Many a worthy TV series has been 

devoted to the various aspects of this story, but for how long will it continue? Over the last century 

or so, man has exploited the energy stored in fossil fuels on a massive scale, apparently overturning 

the disastrous consequences of over-population predicted two centuries ago by Thomas Malthus, 

freeing much of the developed world from the tyranny of hard physical labour, and globalising the 

benefits of culture, civilisation, and technology. Who in their right mind would possibly want to 

undo all that is good in that? 


Therein lies the paradox. On the one hand, it seems to me that the early environmentalists were seen 

as precisely some sort of killjoy, denying humanity the benefits offered by the earth's resources, and 

urging restraint "for the sake of the planet". But actually, the planet doesn't need us, it is we who 

depend on it, and it will still be here long after we are gone, still revolving about the sun with the 

moon in tow, possibly for another four or five billion years before the sun's nuclear energy is 

exhausted. On that time-scale, even solar power is not sustainable! 


More immediately for us, however, Malthus's predicted apocalypse may merely have been 

postponed. For the other side of the paradox says that by burning fossil fuels on this massive scale 

for mere decades, we have unwittingly undone the work of millions of years by the early plant life 

that made conditions suitable for our own evolution. The environmental impact of greenhouse gases 

(GHGs) has long been predicted but is unfortunately slow to accumulate: climate change due to 

global warming has taken decades to become apparent beyond reasonable doubt, and will continue 

for decades to come, from the GHGs we have already emitted. 


This is the broad conclusion from over 600 scientists in the 4th Assessment Review of the Inter-

Governmental Panel on Climate Change, based on wide-ranging and increasingly abundant 

evidence gathered over several decades (the IPCC was formed in 1989 when the case for 

investigating climate change was already substantial). Unless we begin immediately to make drastic 

cuts in GHG emissions, the human race risks a man-made climate catastrophe, which may take 

decades more to emerge fully with its attendant risks for mankind's survival, yet we have only the 

next few years in which to arrest the emissions that are causing it. 


One way or another, our GHG emissions cannot be sustained. We don't have processes to re-absorb 

them from the atmosphere at the rate that we currently emit them, and it is not we in the developed 

world who will be predominantly the first to pay the price. But it is we who have the choice: "Do 

we simply let nature take its course (for the outcome will be natural, what ever it may be); or do we 

try to do something about it in the few remaining years when that will be possible?" Even if you 

remain unconvinced by climate change, the argument for sustainability applies equally to the 

exhaustion of the finite resources which we are consuming at an ever-increasing rate, and to the 

ability of the earth to feed a population which demands an ever-increasing level of nutrition. We are 

drawn inexorably back to Malthus's assertion that populations have a natural tendency to grow 

faster than the means of subsistence, which modern technology has enhanced but, far from 

overturning the assertion, it may simply have postponed the consequences - unless we change to a 

sustainable pattern of living. Hence: 


What can we do to make our lifestyles sustainable? 

Purists may argue that life cannot be sustained indefinitely, but do we really want to jeopardise 

succeeding generations through our evidently unsustainable burning of finite reserves of fossil 

fuels? But what is the target level for cuts in emissions? The IPCC recommends 60-80% by 2050. 

The EU has set an intermediate target of 20% by 2020. The UK Climate Change Bill specifies at 

least 60% by 2050, with 26-32% by 2020. These challenging targets may actually prove to be 

conservative, since the work of the IPCC does not take full account of "tipping points" for positive 

feedback mechanisms which bring the risk of runaway global warming. 


The Suffolk Climate Action Plan calls for a more stringent target of 60% by 2025, and there are 

growing calls for 90% cuts by 2050. Where is the consistency, and is any of this feasible? 

I suggest that the possible actions fall into four broad categories. Firstly, there are many simple 

actions which most of us can undertake, which include switching "off" rather than using "standby", 

using washing appliances only when fully loaded, using a washing line or airer rather than a tumble 

drier, boiling only the water you need rather than filling the kettle for just one or two cups, 

installing low-energy lightbulbs, walking or taking the bus rather than the car; and in winter, closing 

doors and windows, turning down the thermostat and wearing more clothes. These simple actions 

save money as well as carbon emissions. They become more attractive as energy prices rise: but 

they aren't enough. 


The second set of actions cost a little more, but pay for themselves quite quickly. If your house has 

cavity walls, insulate them. Likewise insulate your loft. As you need to replace appliances, from 

fridges, freezers, and washing machines to your central heating boiler or your car, choose the most 

energy-efficient options. Thus we may reach our 2020 targets, but not for 2050. 


The third set of actions comprises the things you might do but would not have done otherwise, such 

as generating your own renewable energy, or significantly modifying your home. They include 

double-glazing, solar hot water systems, and newer technologies such as solar photovoltaic panels, 

heatpumps, micro-wind-turbines, and external insulation for houses with solid walls. Not all of 

these will be suitable for all locations, nor will they necessarily offer complete energy solutions or 

be compatible with existing energy-efficiency measures. Crucially, they will tend to be expensive, 

and may struggle to repay the investment over their operating lifetime. If they serve one valuable 

purpose, it is to focus the mind on the important role of economics in tackling climate change! Yet 

the Stern Report of 2006 suggested that an effective response to climate change could cost as little 

as 1% of Gross Domestic Product annually if undertaken soon enough. And more action will indeed 

be needed. 


There is therefore an essential contribution to be made by a fourth set of actions, which lie beyond 

the individual, such as wave and tidal power, windfarms, nuclear power, carbon sequestration, and 

so on. 

Mike Brain 


Orwell Park Observatory

On 28th February the large group of members met in the car park and awaited the full complement 

so that Pete Richards could lead us to the top of the tower, just perceptible in the gloom. In the chill 

of the car park we waited with squash players as they moved into the gym which was being vacated 

by the boys after their evening sporting activities. The sky looked cloudy and there was a little 

disappointment at the prospects for a good viewing. However, our guide was hopeful. Pete led us 

round the back of the gym and up the numerous steps- a lighthouse-like trail up the tower through 

the boys' boot-room and past the haunting sounds of a boarding house preparing for showers and 

lights out. 


We were grateful for the Society's offer to show us their telescope and to the Orwell Park School. 

The school is an educational trust which now owns both the mansion and observatory, and licenses 

use of the observatory to the Society. We were informed that Orwell Park Observatory dates from 

the Victorian era. The wealthy Victorian luminary, Colonel George Tomline, purchased the Orwell 

Park Estate in 1848, and retained ownership until his death in 1889. Tomline entrusted design of the 

observatory to Wilfrid Airy, civil engineer. 


Within the tower, provision was made for private stairs to all levels, Turkish bath chambers, a 

Belvedere below the equatorial room (dome) for viewing the surrounding countryside and sometime 

around the mid 1880's, Tomline had a water powered lift installed to all levels of the observatory 

tower - sadly this was no longer in use. 


The Belvedere was our first stop. It was chilly up there but it contained informative displays of 

society matters and a cosy cubbyhole for the committee. The most impressive part of this space was 

the three meter high windows overlooking the west and north. The balconies at this level were 

surrounded by some huge but exquisite stone buttresses, which added to the magnificence of the 

level. On one of the balconies the Society had placed a small telescope for us to view Saturn. After 

a briefing there we moved onwards and upwards. 


Revealed to us as we reached the top of the stairs was the equatorial room with the dome which 

housed the telescope itself. The dome and shutter, we were informed, are constructed from wrought 

iron frames covered in deal; they are copper clad on the exterior, which explained their wonderful 

green patina. The dome was lined with polished mahogany planking, the appearance was of the 

interior of a very smart, expensive boat. Our guide suggested that a boat-builder had played a major 

part in its construction. We were able to see the dome rotating on wheel sets inset within the circular 

wall of the equatorial room. All of this was mounted in a tower seventy-two feet high to give a clear 

horizon over surrounding roofs. This was a spectacular sight - especially when the shutter was 

opened and we could see the night sky. Unfortunately we could also feel the draught! 


The mount, an enormous grey metal arm and clamp held the telescope and we were told weighed 

approximately tons. It is thought to have been cast by Ransomes of Ipswich at their Orwell works. 

The 26cm refractor (now known as the Tomline Refractor) and 7.5cm transit telescope in were 

installed 1873. The telescope was supplied by Troughton & Sims of London, the object glass having 

been obtained from a prestigious firm in Munich. 


It was not long before we were able to familiarise ourselves with the Tomline Refractor which was 

also aligned on Saturn. Despite the distinct chill everyone was able to enjoy the sighting of Saturn 

through two telescopes and hear a great deal about the history of the observatory and the society. 

We must thank Caroline Markham for establishing the link between our societies and arranging the 

visit. To the Orwell Astronomical Society Ipswich (OASI) we extend our thanks and hope for a 

repeat visit in the future. 

Tony Marsden 


Your Committee and Events

Evening Events (lectures at Museum Street Methodist church) 


• 22 Oct : Roger Gilles on his work as an architect 

• 12 Nov : The Ipswich Society Awards Evening at St Peter's by the Waterfront 

• 10 Dec : Bob Markham: 'A Lifetime with Ipswich Geology' 

• 14 Jan : Ivan Cutting on Eastern Angles Theatre Company 

• 11 Feb : Jayne Austin & Emma Roodhouse on Ipswich Museums' collections 

• 11 Mar : Stuart Grimwade & Des Pawson: 'Aspects of Maritime Ipswich’

Issue 172 July 2008

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