Issue 10 March 2007

News letter March 2007

New Members

We would like to welcome to the following new members of the IMT

Stephanie Valentine,

Peter Willis

Mr & Mrs J Furlong

John Holmes

Mr & Mrs B Moss

D Barklem

James Pawsey

June Webb

Ron Revans

The booking form for this event is enclosed with the newsletter.

Please remember that guests are welcomed to all our events.

New Timings

Remember that we have changed the timings of the meetings; the bar will open at 6.45pm, with supper being served at 7.00p.m. and lectures will begin at 8.00pm.

Future Events

April 18th Capt Richard Woodman 

Please note the change of date

Summer Events

June 30th / July 1st

Barge Weekend and celebration of IMT’s 25th Anniversary Exhibition and Reception for IMT members at the Wet Dock The Merchant Service in Napoleonic Times Richard Woodman’s expertise on this period

in our history is well known, as is his ability to tell an enthralling story.

August 6th to 13th

Visit to Ipswich of the replica vessel “Discovery” This vessel was built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the voyage from Ipswich to America by the Discovery and two other vessels which resulted in the establishment of Jamestown.

Past Events

March 8th John Field

Maritime Ipswich in the Story of America with a focus on Jamestown

Over 80 members of the Trust and their guests met once again at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, many having enjoyed a delicious pre-

lecture dinner, to hear John Field tell us about “Maritime Ipswich in the story of America with a focus on Jamestown”. John is a founder member of the Trust and has visited Jamestown USA several times to

further his interest and involvement between the two towns which are, this year, celebrating the 400th anniversary of the events which led

to the foundation of Jamestown. In the early days of world exploration, Spain and Portugal mutually agreed a monopoly in colonising the world. John explained that an agreement between them “carved up” the world into two distinct East-West halves . . . East for Portugal, West for Spain (the line passed through South America, hence Brazil

being Portuguese). England was late into the field!

Not to be outdone, 400 years ago, three ships including one named “Discovery” sailed from Ipswich loaded with migrants determined to

establish a colony in America. John told us how the Gosnolds of Otley Hall near Ipswich organised the project and of the recruitment,

voyage and privations of the expedition together with the political wrangling which went with it. This led to the establishment of

the colony which was to become Jamestown. He finished his talk with pictures of the town as it is today.

Can You Help?

Would you like to become more involved with the IMT? There are two important anniversaries this year; that of the voyage of the Discovery to America and the founding of the IMT. To mark these occasions, we would like to make the summer events extra special. To do this we need volunteers to work with the committee. If you have a little time to

give, please contact Des Pawson 01473 690090