www.ipswichmaritimetrust.org.uk

Fred, more recently a lecturer on many local subjects from maritime to ornithology, sailed with the P & O line in the mid 1950’s when, as he will confirm, “Aeroplanes still came second to Liners”! Having served on the passenger liner “Stratheden” and the cargo liner “Pinjarra”, Fred will tell us about life aboard in those days. After giving us a look into the history of P&O, we will be taken on an illustrated “virtual” voyage to Australia and back. Seaplanes at Southampton, a walk around the streets and port of Aden – and much more.

William Tyler is an accomplished speaker (and writer) on many aspects and “the goings-on” in local life. 

Both these groups of men (and women) lived on the margins of society.  Both were criminal, and yet more often than not were regarded as heroes by the local populace. Suffolk has more than its fair share of both, enjoying as it does a long indented coastline and a great deal of countryside - ideal for a spot of poaching.

The opening of the Wet Dock happily coincided with invention of photography, and ever since has attracted photographers like ducks to water!  One of the very first was a local artist named Robert Burrows whose family lived and traded near the dock in the 1840s.  It's not for nothing that his technique involved a complicated process making 'wet paper' negatives!  His are the earliest surviving images of Ipswich, or indeed anywhere, so it's with some of these remarkable and rare pictures that Stuart and Des start their tour and tales of the dock, its ships and trades from the days of Nelson up to more recent times.

The Trust now has a unique archive of images of the port and its river, and Stuart and Des have woven these into the history of local sail and rope-making to bring the past alive for us.

All are welcome to our lectures at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, Woolverstone where a warm welcome, bar, adjacent parking and an optional supper await. Supper commences at 19.00 hrs, and the talk at 20.00 hrs

The cost for attending a talk is £3.50 for members and £4.50 for guests.  Please note that it is only necessary to book for suppers (1 week in advance, please!) but not for the talk.

Supper reservations at £12.00 (Optional, but why not enjoy a full evening out!) may be made by email to: bookings@ipswichmaritimetrust.org.uk or call Fraser on 07531 083576

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