Issue 27 July 2014
Newsletter July 2014
Newsletter No. 27
Old wharves, railway lines,
and the smell of malt…..
For those of us ‘of a certain age’ who have known the dock since the old days – well, let’s say the 1950s anyway – it’s easy to assume that many of our membership, and indeed most of the visitors who now frequent the Waterfront, feel the history of the place as strongly as us oldies. For myself, I cannot spend time there without sensing that old familiar malt smell, and hearing the sounds of the shunting of trucks. Well, we can’t bring those days back, but it was the loss of the old quay names that spurred us to try to persuade the powers-that-be to do all they can to rid us of such horrors as the name ‘Regatta Quay’. What on earth is that supposed to mean?
The names of the Wet Dock quays and wharves reflect the days when all the town’s industry and wealth was centred here. Cranfield, Albion, Wherry, Ransomes, Ballast and Tovell, to name just a few, are surely worth bringing back into everyday use. Also not to forget Common Quay, formerly Key or Cay, which was also known as the Old Quay and is one of the three small quays of medieval Ipswich – Common Quay, Bigod's Quay, and one owned by the Harney family. Going still further back, there is evidence of the original Anglo-Saxon quays now buried deep in river silt beneath our Window Museum, proving if nothing else the inevitability of sea level rise over the centuries! Added to the quays names, of course, are the famed ship builders and their yards which dominated the waterfront in the days before the construction of the Wet Dock. Suffolk oak was much prized by the Admiralty, as was the skill of the Ipswich ship builders, resulting in most of the nation’s wooden warships being constructed here (until they’d felled most of it!).
Our ‘Occasional Paper No. 1’ on this topic can be downloaded from the IMT website, while a useful source can also be found at http://ipswich-lettering.org/wetdockmap.html, where Borin Van Loon sets out some fascinating background into the history of the quays.
We have already had some success with the re-introduction of the famous ship-building name of ‘Barnard’ in the giant new Genesis development currently nearing completion on New Cut West, and with the recent news that the ugly concrete skeleton (aka ‘the wine rack’), beside the Custom House, has finally been purchased by a local developer, we have our chance to promote the name ‘Albion Wharf’ once more. Letters have been written, articles published in the Ipswich Star, and ears bent. So let’s now all push as hard and as loudly as we can, and rekindle the spirit, if not the smell, of our old dock!
A flavour of those days can be seen in the photograph overleaf of the construction of the SW (formerly ‘Ballast’) Quay in the early 1900s. It is one of many recently scanned for our image archive thanks to director Bob Pawsey, and Leonard Woolf who bidded for and successfully purchased the IDC engineer’s complete inventory of the project. A remarkable document revealing much detail of project management and construction methods of the time.
Stuart Grimwade
A unique glimpse of how the Wet Dock Quays were built by hand (full version of article originally printed in the Ipswich Star 20th June 2014)
A remarkable leather-bound volume has recently come to light after over 100 years since it was first produced by the old Ipswich Dock Commission’s chief engineer. It was recently acquired by Ipswich Maritime Trust member Leonard Woolf, and gives us a uniquely detailed record of the construction company’s design and construction of the south west quays in Ipswich Wet Dock. All the tendering specifications, estimates, contracts and bills together with 49 photographs of the work during construction were bound into one volume by the contractors, Easton Gibb & Son. In the picture, Leonard Woolf and Trust director Bob Pawsey are seen examining the volume.
Fellow Trust director Stuart Grimwade describes how, after the construction of the present Wet Dock in 1843 (then the largest of its kind in Europe), the old riverside sloping beach on the south-west side of the dock was used to load ballast for sailing ships that had discharged their cargo. And so it was not until the need for this activity declined with the coming of steam ships that the South-West Quay we see today was constructed during the period 1902-1905. The construction records are remarkable for the amount of manual labour required, and by today’s standards, the low wages of the men involved. The low wages were endorsed by the low values of the estimates and bills. It is rare to have such a first hand and personal description of the kind of practical problems that arose on such a major project in those days, and the way they were resolved as the work went along.
The pictures, one of which is shown here, are remarkable in showing the variety of vessels and lighters using the Wet Dock as well as a detailed record of the quay construction methods.
Leonard Woolf has kindly agreed to donate the use of the records to the Ipswich Maritime Trust and all the photographs have now been scanned by Stuart Grimwade into the Trust’s Image Archive.
Ipswich Maritime Trust - the way forward
Following discussions spanning three Committee meetings, it was agreed at the April meeting that a sub-committee be formed to make recommendations as to the future development of the Trust. The first report from the sub-committee is enclosed with this newsletter.
Areas of Research, Study or Interest
The recent article in the ‘Ipswich Star’ concerning the archive on the building of the southwest quay, bought forth an enquiry from an Ipswich resident who is spending his retirement researching old building contracts, construction methods, and the risks taken by the contractor (financial risks rather than H&S). This made me wonder whether there are IMT members who are also doing some kind of research or study on things vaguely maritime and Ipswich. As many members will know, I take a particular interest in Ipswich ropemaking, sailmaking and sackmaking, together with Halifax Shipyard, and Richard Hall Gower. In my studies, many people who know of my interests have helped me. Could there be some benefit in some kind of register of interests so knowledge can be share or passed on? From my experience one cannot do all the work alone; we must all work together. I would be interested in hearing from any member of their special fields of study. Perhaps a data base of interest and expertise would help one and all?
Des Pawson
Digital Processing of Maritime Photographs
As Members of Maritime Heritage East Ipswich Maritime Trust can benefit from various training courses laid on for Museums in East Anglia. On the 2nd of August in Cromer there is a day session on Digital Processing of Maritime Photographs, a couple of us will be attending and there is a possibility that there would be room for someone else, should you be interested please contact me,
Des Pawson, on 01473 690090.
Museum News
‘Navigation on the Orwell’
(the 10th Window Museum display)
YES the 10th, it hardly seems possible that 5 years have passed since we created the first display. For the 10th display we focus on ‘Navigation on the Orwell’, giving us the opportunity to make the most of a number of donations of equipment used either to survey, or actually navigate the river. We show how the course of the river has changed over the years and how the equipment used to plot its course and to navigate along it have developed and changed. We have incorporated a piece on dredgers, as they are vital to keeping Ipswich a working Port. A fine model of the whole of the river made by Ben Bendall gives people the opportunity to see the various landmarks and buoys that make our river what it is. All in all another fine effort by the Window Wizards. Have no doubt we are already thinking of Window number 11 - ‘Boat Building in and around Ipswich’, and still further ahead to numbers 12 & 13. For a future display we hope to make good use of the wonderfully detailed Caley water-colour drawings and sketches of the wharves and river frontage buildings from the days before the construction of the Wet Dock. The Suffolk Record Office have kindly arranged for us to have these professionally scanned for this purpose.
Des Pawson
IMT Sponsorships update
There are two main projects the IMT have helped sponsor recently.
Ipswich Merchant Navy Association (IMNA) Memorial
Thousands of seafarers who lost their lives in times of war were honoured at a poignant ceremony to dedicate a new memorial on Ipswich Waterfront on April 12th.
Lord Tollemache, Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, unveiled the three-ton granite memorial, put in place on Orwell Quay after a year-long fundraising campaign by the Ipswich branch of the Merchant Navy Association (MNA), and partly funded by the IMT.
People gathered close to the University Campus Suffolk buildings as some 200 representatives of civilian, military and maritime organisations, many with their Standards, marched along Orwell Quay headed by the Harwich Pipe Band at the start of the open-air service, attended by VIP guests, including mayor of Ipswich Hamil Clarke.
Photo courtesy of Tim Leggett
Acting bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Rev Dr David Thomson carried out the act of dedication before a one minute’s silence in memory of seafarers who have died in conflicts and the laying of wreaths.
Capt Geoffrey Hartgrove, chairman of the Ipswich branch of the MNA, said merchant seamen were the “unsung heroes” of the sea.
Many generations of sailors had lived in the town and sailed to destinations all over the world.
Stem to Stern
The project by the Woodbridge 5th Sea Scouts, and part sponsored by the IMT, to build a 12’ 6” Sea Ranger, wooden and copper fastened, clinker built centreboard sailing dinghy, has progressed steadily.
The dinghy is now at the stage of being fully planked and the next stage is the fitting of the laminated knees and thwarts. The sails are now being made by Lawrence Sails of Brightlingsea and should be ready this month. It is hoped that the dinghy will be launched this season.
IMT and Facebook……..
Many of us think Facebook is not something we want to get involved in.
BUT it is possible to find out up to date information on the Ipswich Maritime Trust events and news WITHOUT joining Facebook or giving away any information whatsoever.
You can find out about future events, and information from similar organisations who are linked to the IMT page.
If you are already on Facebook, or join up, then you can make comments and share it with others, BUT it is NOT obligatory.
So please take a moment, click on www.facebook.com/ipswichmaritimetrust and see a different way of communicating.
Page 4
Future Events
Heritage Open Days
September 13th and 14th
I am pleased to report that the Ipswich Society is again co-ordinating the various buildings that will be open this special weekend. As usual IMT will be opening the ground floor of the old Custom House between 10am & 4pm each day. We will be putting on an exhibition based on items and photographs in our reserve collection, which will be enhanced by a display of photos of Historic Lettering from Around the Port, taken by Borin van Loon. This weekend attracts a large number of visitors often in the 600 region, and we need some assistance in manning the rooms at the OCH. Could you help on either a 10am–1pm slot or a 1pm-4pm slot on either day, nothing onerous, mainly to log the number of people visiting, to keep an eye on the exhibits and answering questions if you know the answer, or passing on to someone who may do. It would be great if a few of you could help out, and so spread the load. Please give me a call on 01473 690090 or e-mail me at des@despawson.com if you feel you could help. The more the merrier!!!!
Autumn 2014 talks
We have three more interesting talks on a maritime theme this autumn starting on Wednesday 1st October. The titles of the talks are below with more details on page 10 of the newsletter. Reminders of the all the talks will be sent out closer to the events, together with information for the supper booking (catering by Val, ex of the Steamboat pub), but please make a note of the dates in your diary.
Wednesday October 1st at 8pm ‘Balmoral and the BBC’
by Cathy Shelbourne
Wednesday November 5th at 8pm ‘The Sea-Change Sailing Trust’
by Richard Titchener and Francis Douglas
Wednesday December 3rd at 8pm ‘The story of Navigation 2000 BC – 2020 AD’ by Jeremy Batch
Past Events
Spring 2014 talks
‘The boats of Arthur Ransome’ by Professor Ted Evans and Michael Rines
Wednesday February 5th
The Spring series of supper talks got off to a flying start on 5 February, with an evening devoted to Arthur Ransome. Prof Ted Evans, the secretary of the East Anglian branch of the Arthur Ransome Society, took us through AR’s boats, after an illuminating introduction from Mike Rines. In the early 1920s, AR was the Moscow correspondent for the Daily News and later the Manchester Guardian, and was as a sideline a double agent, being known also as Artur Kirilich Ransome.
AR had a number of cruising boats. His first love was the Lakes, but he started cruising in Russia. During his time there his work gave him the opportunity for a number of discussions with Trotsky, and in 1924 he married Trotsky’s secretary, Evgenia.
AR’s first boat was the aptly-named Slug, which he bought in 1920. This was followed by Racundra, by which time the couple had moved to Latvia; they then came back to this country, settling initially in the Lake District. Here AR wrote five of the Swallows and Amazons books.
In 1935 they moved to Suffolk, to Broke Farm at Levington. Nancy Blackett, a Hillyard, was bought in 1935; it was AR’s favourite boat, and was the Goblin of AR’s best-known stories. She was replaced in 1938 by Selina King, built by Kings at Pin Mill. The war years were ‘boatless’, but in 1947 AR had Kings build Peter Duck.
AR went back to Hillyards in 1952, with Lottie Blossom l, a 6-tonner. Evgenia both named the boat and was responsible for the internal layout. This is Ted Evans’ boat, renamed Ragged Robin lll. Lottie Blossom ll came along in the following year.
Ted has sailed Ragged Robin extensively, recreating many of AR’s voyages.
The first part of the evening finished with two sea shanties sung by the noted baritone Nick Fowler. The audience were invited to join in with Spanish Ladies and Rio Grande, two of AR’s favourites; perhaps mercifully, most decided to listen to Nick.
Mike Rines, for the remainder of the evening, described his mammoth restoration of Nancy Blackett. Mike had been brought up in Scarborough, and had seen this very attractive boat in the harbour. By 1988, then living in Broke Hall Park, the boat had become a wreck, vandalised, with cracked frames and ribs, lying on her side and filling with mud. By the time Mike had found out the history of the boat, and the coincidence of living in a house through which AR may have walked. he was hooked. Trailered to Fox’s yard, Stan Ball and then James Pratt set to work. Some £40 000 later Nancy Blackett was brought back to prime original condition, with all her period features such as mast hoops and traditional fenders and ropes.
Mike sailed her for one season and she was then sold. afterwards, she was bought by the Nancy Blackett Trust, from where she is regularly sailed and has been so equipped. The restoration had led to the formation of the Arthur Ransome Society, an event graced by three ladies who, very many years ago, had been the models for the Swallows and Amazons girls.
The Nancy Blackett, Ragged Robin lll (ex Lottie Blossom l) and Peter Duck will all be at Maritime Woodbridge this summer, 13th and 14th of September’
Geoffrey Dyball
'The Eldreds of Ipswich and Colchester, Hadleigh, Dover and Great Saxham’ by Dr John Blatchly
Wednesday March 5th
The second in our Spring series of talks was given by Dr John Blatchly, on ‘The Eldreds of Ipswich and Colchester, Hadleigh, Dover and Great Saxham’.
Thomas Eldred was the son of a tallow chandler. While both were at Ipswich school he met, and surprisingly became firm friends with, the young Cavendish, who came from a very different background. They each developed a love of the sea. While Cavendish spent a year at Cambridge, Eldred joined the Pelican as bosun. The friends soon met up again, and between 1586 and 1588 completed their circumnavigation of the globe. Their return was not quite front-page news; Drake had just defeated the Spanish Armada. Three ships set out and two returned, with many fewer men.
Much of what we know of the voyage comes from Richard Hakluyt’s Collected Voyages and Travels of Drake, Cavendish and Eldred’, published in about 1600. Hakluyt was the Rector at Wetheringsett, but may have had only little time left for his flock.
Eldred’s house was in Fore Street, in the gap opposite the Neptune. Nothing now remains of it, but there is happily a Leonard Squirrell drawing. An 1845 print shows the overmantel, bought by the Cobbolds and removed to Holywells and now in Christchurch Mansion.
A major part of Eldred’s legacy is Gesner’s Bestiary, printed in Leipzig in 1551 and presented to the Borough of Ipswich. The work is in three volumes, and John put one volume on display.
While Cavendish continued his travels, Eldred settled down in Ipswich, and finished life as Bailiff. He died in 1624.
John looked at other Eldreds: John of Nutmeg Hall, Great Saxham was grander and not related. His journey through Tripoli to the Euphrates and back collecting spices is also recorded by Hakluyt. Brothers John and Philip were top men in Colchester and Hadleigh respectively and a cousin William was Master Gunner of Dover Castle.
An excellent talk, given by an accomplished and erudite speaker.
Geoffrey Dyball
‘Captain Richard Hall Gower 1767-1833’ by Dr Rob Fenton Wednesday April 2nd
RICHARD HALL GOWER - LOCAL HERO, FLAWED GENIUS
What is it about our Ipswich River that it has produced the most brilliant maritime innovators who would grow up to change the world, but who, today, few people seem to be aware of? It took Dr Fenton Robb, an admiring Scot from Eyemouth to research the remarkable story of Richard Gower which Des Pawson relayed to us in the most colourful manner after the AGM.
Gower was born in Ipswich in 1768 and was educated in his early years at Ipswich School. As a young midshipman, he joined the East India Co. ship Essex, bound for South Africa, whose hull, rig, and general handling had changed little since the time of Mary Rose. Disillusioned with what he quickly perceived to be her poor performance and vulnerability in stormy conditions, let alone the generally inhumane living and working conditions of her serving seamen, Gower soon realised that he should devote his time to the holistic study of hull, sail, and rig design, which hitherto, had been regarded as unrelated and indeed entirely separate professions. He sought to prove to the Post Office that he could build them much faster, safer ships for their worldwide trade routes, but at every turn he was thwarted by an extremely conservative ‘establishment’, including King George III.
His only course was to risk all by commissioning his own ship, to be built by Jabez Bayley at Halifax Yard beside his home in Wherstead Road. She would feature a uniquely long hull, radically new bow and stern shapes, mast rig and sail sets. The list of his innovations reads like a modern day specification, including model water tank testing, deck control of all sails, bowsprits, cross-trees, not to mention fundamentally new slab sided hulls, and even twin keels. And so Transit was launched. But she required new skills to sail her as he intended, with which the Admiralty steadfastly refused to co-operate. Other nations, too, such as the Turks, found it difficult to adapt to his methods and sailing instructions. This time commissioned by the Admiralty, Transit II was launched at Halifax yard, but again the new practical sailing techniques he advocated were not followed, made worse by imposed and inappropriate alterations. In time of course, his scientifically produced designs would became the norm for all later modern sailing ships, and indeed, in the case of his underwater bulbous bow, for the most modern of today’s ships.
After a not entirely successful third commission of the royal yacht Osprey, and not suffering fools gladly, he became disillusioned, and retired to his home ‘Nova Scotia’ by the Orwell to continue with new inventions such as a ‘walking’ paddle steamer, and twin hulled catamarans, while still pursuing his campaign against conditions for the ‘three-decked prison ships for 800 men’ which still typified his opinion of the lot of many serving naval ratings. Meanwhile his son became Mayor of Ipswich.
Broke, Gower, and Slade – carve their names with pride.
Stuart Grimwade
IMT Trip to Greenwich ‘Turner and the Sea’ 3rd April 2014
On 3 April thirty nine members and friends enjoyed a trip to the National Maritime Museum (NMM) at Greenwich to see the widely-acclaimed Turner and the Sea exhibition. A pleasant and uneventful journey down, followed by a bit of a struggle with the NMM booking system; eventually, in to the exhibition.
This was a celebration of JMW Turner’s long fascination with the sea, and included paintings from all over the world. The major works impress by their very size. The Wreck of a Transport Ship, not seen in this country for some forty years, is both vast and detailed, and its depiction of a severe storm is probably unequalled.
Also on display wee the Fighting Temeraire, apparently the nation’s favourite painting, the huge Battle of Trafalgar, Calais Pier, and The Shipwreck. We were also able to see some of Turner’s beautiful watercolours, and some of his sketchbooks.
The exhibition brought together in addition some of the Dutch artists who inspired Turner, including van de Velde and Backhuysen. There were some English contemporaries such as Bonington, and a painting each from Constable and Gainsborough. We were also shown in Turner’s Venice an example of his obsession with being able to paint at least as well as anyone in whatever style; on this occasion. to out-do Canaletto on his own patch.
The NMM have a well-deserved reputation for being able to put on exceptional exhibitions, and ‘Turner’ was well up to the mark.
Many of the party then explored the remainder of the NMM. The adjoining Queens House had World War II sea paintings on show , and of course has the marvelous Painted Ceiling. However, seventeen had taken up the ‘extended ticket’ offer to visit the Cutty Sark.
Cutty Sark is one of the nation’s iconic ships. Best known as a tea clipper, she spent only some eight years in that trade, and had many years in foreign ownership. Brought back home, she was used as a training ship before being acquired by a trust for restoration. The disastrous fire is still a vivid memory, and contributed hugely to the eventual restoration cost of some £12 000 000.
The finished job looks worth every penny. The reinforced hull is supported hydraulically some ten feet above the floor of a former dry dock, showing the full sweep and beauty of her lines. She is fully rigged, and from deck level the sight is majestic. Below decks, the new steel is quite unobtrusive; a surprising amount of the original wrought iron frame remains. A number of exhibits show some of the ship’s history.
So back to Ipswich. Thanks as usual to Soames for a comfortable and punctual service.
Geoffrey Dyball
Thames Barge Trips Tuesday 17th June
This is the fourth year of organized IMT sailing barge trips and this trip was the first of this year on Victor, a local barge berthed outside the Old Custom House.
The day started with the last of the 27 passengers on board a few minutes after 0800, and locked out against the flood with the weather giving scattered periods of sunshine. From Orwell Bridge the sails were set for a close reach down the Orwell to Collimer Point where the engine was engaged to assist with the progress against the tide to Harwich Harbour. During this time, tea and coffee with biscuits was served.
The passage up the Stour was with the flood tide to Mistley where the skipper expertly turned the barge around in the very restricted channel to motor downstream to Stutton. Lunch was served whilst at anchor at Stutton and the meal of two courses with wine was very well received. The anchor weighed and with the tide now ebbing, the sails were unbrailed for the sail downstream to Harwich Harbour.
The turn into the Orwell necessitated the engine because the tide was now against us. During our return up the Orwell, a decadent cream tea with homemade scones, jam and real dairy cream was served. After locking back into the Wet Dock, we returned to the Old Custom House where we berthed about 17.30. As the passenger disembarked, all endorsed the view that it had been a great day out.
Bob Pawsey
Membership News
Thank you to everyone who renewed their membership this year. Each year there is a small number of people who do not renew their membership and this is to be expected in any organisation. We reached the 300 mark at the end of last year and are currently back up to 292… so hopefully will exceed the 300 mark again in a couple of months.
New members
A warm welcome to the new members who have joined since December 2013 (with apologies for missing off names of joint memberships where it has not been supplied) –
Ray Oliff, Trevor Jarrold, Natalie Chaplin,
Barbara Back, Theo Clarke, John Wright,
Mrs Tracy Hickey, Benjamin Grant
Fraser Yates
‘Letters to the Editor’
We are putting an additional section in the newsletter where we would like to publish some of the letters we receive from our members. We cannot guarantee to publish all letters received, but if you wish to make a comment on anything in the newsletter, or even better, have a tale to tell which may be of interest to the rest of the IMT membership please get writing!
Please send to
letters@ipswichmaritimetrust.org.uk, or IMT, 309 Norwich Road, Ipswich, IP1 4BW.
IMT 2014 Autumn Talks
Wednesday October 1st at 8pm
‘Balmoral and the BBC’ by Cathy Shelbourne
What really went on behind the scenes while the BBC were filming the six-part series The Cruise: A Life at Sea on board Balmoral, Ipswich-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s largest ship? Cathy Shelbourne was the PR Liaison between the BBC
and FOCL for four weeks whilst cruising through the Pacific and around
Australasia: all was certainly not what it seemed.
Cathy is an approved cruise speaker, a writer, and a Toastmaster – and an IMT
member.
Wednesday November 5th at 8pm
‘The Sea-Change Sailing Trust’ by Richard Titchener and Francis Douglas
The Sea-Change Sailing Trust was established in 2007 and grew out of thirteen years taking accompanied groups of young people sailing aboard a Thames barge, together with a belief that barges are very effective vessels for this kind of work. Although Sea-Change does work with accompanied groups, mainly using the Reminder, half its resources are used to help people return from these and become
involved in what the young people themselves christened the Youth Sailing Scheme.
These voyages are mainly done on the Cambria. Sea-Change tries wherever possible to make the experience of working a barge as authentic as possible. This means minimising engine hours, not a problem with the engineless Cambria, and teaching
traditional marlinspike seamanship.
Richard and Francis will talk about the work and vision of the Trust and their future plans, and include some relevant history about both sailing barges and working afloat with young people.
Wednesday December 3rd at 8pm
The Story of Navigation 2000 BC to 2020 AD by Jeremy Batch
IMT FORWARD
Following discussions spanning three Committee meetings, it was agreed at the 14 April meeting that a sub-committee be formed to make recommendations as to the future development of the Trust. Des Pawson, Bob Fox, Richard Watkinson and Geoffrey Dyball were appointed: this is their first report. The general purpose of what is suggested below is to provide a broad focus for the future: it is not intended to be either exclusive or prescriptive.
Now with a membership of about 300, the Trust was formed in 1982. Its aims are, briefly, the education of the public in maritime history and related subjects, and to help young people to learn to sail. We can properly claim some success in all areas but there is more we can do.
Members give good support to supper talks and the coach and barge trips: there may be scope for further involvement should opportunities arise. There is a growing general awareness of IMT, through the window museum, the press, our web-site and Facebook and we should continue to develop our ‘public’ face, through these means and by developing links with the Borough Council, at both officer and councillor level.
The Trust is financially stable but with limited capital. However, we are reliant on the goodwill of ABP both for our OCH meetings and the container site and of UCS for the supper venue. We ask for and receive limited help from the Borough Council, and we are reliant on planning conditions for possible additional windows (and indeed for the retention of the present window). There is already Committee approval to actively progress the acquisition of more museum windows should they become available and a site for a second storage container. Collaboration with Ipswich Transport Museum on storing/sharing photos is on going.
There are, however, areas where it is felt that the aims of the Trust could be further progressed.
Given the resources needed, it is probably unrealistic for the Trust to create and operate a full-scale maritime museum in the foreseeable future but there are several possible options we could consider now:
1. We could discuss with ABP the upgrading and enhancing of the present display which we created in 2000 in the OCH undercroft reception area and the possibilities of opening for more weekends next year, developing on from previous exhibitions and the Heritage Open Day weekends.
We could also look at alternatives within the Waterfront area: for example, there may be space available within the Isaac Lord complex.
2. In the last few years, we have lost several individuals who had important and direct links with the past and we should act to ensure that an oral record be made before it is too late. We would need to look closely into what work is needed to get an oral history project under way, including identifying organisations (including Suffolk Record Office), who have undertaken similar work to enable us to put a realistic formal proposal forward.
3. There has been a falling-off in worthwhile links with both the Sea Cadets and the Sea Scouts: this is unfortunate but we can do no more than to continue to offer help. A recent approach from Sea Change Trust, opens the possibility of closer cooperation between us.
Geoffrey Dyball (Chairman)
Richard Watkinson
Des Pawson
Bob Fox
14 June 2014