Spring 2012 Talks.

Wednesday 1st February, 8pm – ‘Colonel Tomline and the Development of Felixstowe’ by Phil Hadwen, Felixstowe Historian.

Colonel Tomline was an extremely rich man, owning the 18,000 acre Orwell Park Estate and much of Felixstowe’s seafront. Thoroughly eccentric, as well as being a philanthropist, he set out to enhance the area he owned thus bringing benefits to the local economy and populace as well as to himself.

Amongst his local achievements he built the railway to Felixstowe as well as the Dock, also completely rebuilding his house at Orwell Park and created most of the West End of Felixstowe.

Tomline was a man of many parts, being an art lover he built an impressive gallery and library at his home, as well as his own Observatory and was an MP for many years.

Sadly he died in 1889, only 3 years after completion of the Dock – one wonders what he would make of the area today? (The accompanying photograph is by Marjorie Carter of Pin Mill who lives – appropriately – in Tomline Cottages.)

Wednesday 7th March, 8pm - ‘On the Beach – the work of Coastguard Rescue Officers’ by Peter Creasey and Sara Hopkinson, Coastguard Officers.

Holbrook Coastguard Station Officer Peter Creasey (an IMT member) and Deputy Station Officer Sara Hopkinson will offer an insight into the work of Coastguard Rescue Officers.

HM Coastguard is a national emergency service and the Holbrook rescue team is based at the RHYC and has responsibility for the Shotley Peninsular from the Ipswich Wet Dock to the White Bridge on the Stour at Manningtree. The team is often in the news concerning incidents at the Orwell Bridge but is also involved in a range of other tasks, some dramatic and some very routine.

Peter and Sara should also be able to give us an up to date perspective on the future organisation of the Coastguard service. 

Wednesday 4th April , 8pm – the IMT AGM followed by the second of the ‘IMT DIY nights’ at approximately 8.30pm.

After the very popular series of 15 minute talks by IMT members at the AGM in 2011, we are repeating the format this year with three more very varied maritime themed talks. More details will be sent out closer to the event.

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 18.45 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 £12.50 (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

Please report any site problems to: Webmaster