Issue 5 April 2005
April 2005
IMT NEWSLETTER No. 5
In March and April we had two excellent and well attended lectures at our new venue, the Lecture Room at Ipswich Library. Having outgrown the Waterfront Centre on the Dock, the new site has proved a most suitable alternative.
There are more events in the pipeline:
• Our final lecture is on Wednesday May 4th at 7.30, when Bob Malster will tell us about “Ipswich Dock and its Engineers”. Bob is a well known local maritime historian and writer. It promises to be an excellent and informative evening, again located at the Lecture Room in Old Foundry Road. (Reservations to Des Pawson on 01473 690090.)
• After the Thames Barge Passage match from Gravesend to Pin Mill on Saturday June 25th, some barges may assemble in the Dock. In conjunction with the Society for Sailing Barge Research (SSBR), we are holding an exhibition at the Waterfront Centre. (Sat./Sun. June 25/6th, 10am. - 4pm.) Note: The Pin Mill S.C. Barge Match takes place the following Saturday, July 2nd
.
• The weekend of September 10/11th is Ipswich Heritage Weekend when ‘normally closed’ buildings are opened to the public. This will include The Waterfront Centre under the Old Custom House where many ship models and other artefacts are displayed - laid on by the Trust; we shall also be holding an exhibition on site.
• Then comes Autumn and Winter! We are currently planning our programme and, in addition to another series of lectures, feel that “more social” event(s) could offer members the chance to socialise. Being investigated at the moment is a showing of the feature film “Ha’penny Breeze” - about sailing at Pin Mill in the ‘50s - and/or a
“Shanty Evening” by a very well known and entertaining local group. More later!
Do you fancy helping the Trust and becoming more involved?
As you will know, we have various projects in hand and your expertise and enthusiasm would of tremendous help. Opportunities include:
• We have an agreement with the developers of Cranfields Mill for them to provide some large ‘display windows’ in the foyer where the Trust will exhibit local maritime artefacts. Help and advice in design and layout would be much appreciated.
• Some very interesting artefacts have been donated and are now stored in our newly-acquired container (now lined and insulated) on the Island Site at the Dock. Now that we have this facility, the hunt is on for more ….. Do you have anything that may be suitable?
• Without doubt there is a wealth of our local maritime history tucked away in garages and lofts all over the area and it needs publicity to find it! Would YOU be interested in taking on the not-very-onerous job of becoming IMT’s “Publicity Person” with this the prime target?
• We need someone to catalogue our existing and newly acquired artefacts.
• Also if anyone has or knows of any spare racking suitable for artefact storage within the container, then please contact Des Pawson.
• Help and ideas are needed in planning our 2006 programme.
• Finally, we don’t have a website - a volunteer to create one would be most welcome!
We are always looking for new blood to join the “IMT team”. We meet, usually once every couple of months, at The Waterfront Centre (usually on Wednesdays at 5pm) to discuss all matters pertaining to The Trust and its projects. If you would like to be involved in any way - or to find to out more - please give our Chairman, Des Pawson, a ring on 01473 690090.