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Historic St Nicholas Church tower set for urgent repair works

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Attwells Solicitors

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Plans have been submitted to repair the falling masonry at one of Ipswich's oldest churches. Due to safety concerns, the tower of St Nicholas Church requires immediate strengthening work.

Why it matters: The repairs are critical for public safety, with recent inspections revealing a "sufficiently high" risk of falling masonry from the tower.

The details: Churchgates 2000 has submitted plans to Ipswich Borough Council for strengthening works:

  • The repairs will focus on the inner face of the parapet at the top of the church tower

  • Scaffolding and hoarding will be erected around the tower

  • The finials at the top of the tower will be boxed in for protection

St Nicholas Church is one of Ipswich's oldest churches
St Nicholas Church is one of Ipswich's oldest churchesOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The background: St Nicholas Church dates from 1300, with substantial refitting in 1849:

  • The tower, built in the 15th century, was rebuilt in 1886

  • The building is maintained by the Ipswich Historic Churches Trust

  • The church has seen limited use since 2017

  • It previously served as a conference centre and offices for the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich after being reopened in 2001

  • Recent inspections in 2024 identified the need for remedial works

Historic significance:

  • The church features a historic ring of five bells

  • Four of the bells were cast by Henry Pleasant of Sudbury in 1706

  • The second bell, cast by Miles I Graye of Colchester in 1630, remains in the original oak frame

Bottom line: The works will address urgent safety concerns at one of Ipswich's oldest churches, which has remained a landmark in the town for over 700 years.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Computer scientist son of micro-brewery owner first to complete Ipswich pub trail

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Adam Littler, a 23-year-old computer scientist whose parents were brewers, has become the first person to complete both Sip'Swich drinks trails, visiting all 15 venues in just two days.

Why it matters: The Sip'Swich trails, organised by Ipswich Central  in conjunction with Ipswich Borough Council, aim to showcase the town's brilliant selection of pubs and bars to a wider audience, helping people discover new venues they've never visited before.

The big picture: Littler, who moved to Ipswich six months ago, was awarded a limited edition Sip'Swich reusable cup and received a surprise £50 voucher from men's retailer James St. Peter's for being the first to complete both trails.

Mark Hubert of James St. Peters presenting Adam Littler with his voucher
Mark Hubert of James St. Peters presenting Adam Littler with his voucherIpswich Central

What they're saying: "Having moved to Ipswich six months ago and loving a drink with friends, when I saw the trails being promoted in the local paper newsfeed it was right up my street as something to do!" Littler said.

By the numbers: The ambitious pub-goer visited 13 venues on Saturday 8 March before returning to complete the final two a couple of days later. He collected his prize less than a week after the trails launched.

The details: As a computer scientist with brewing in his blood, Littler scored each location on a 1-10 scale rating for enjoyment of the drink, price and atmosphere.

"The Arbor House and Crafty Fox were two venues that I was really impressed with for their friendly and knowledgeable staff plus recommendations they made. The Arbor House was an unexpected gem that I'd go back to, and, the Crafty Fox had a really lovely vibe about it," he said.

To make the challenge more interesting, Littler had a different type of drink in every venue, including wine at Boom Battle Bar, a cocktail at Cosy Club and a spirit at The Black Horse Inn.

Adam Littler sitting in a cafe
Adam Littler was the first to complete the Sip'Swich trailAdam Littler

What's next: Littler plans to do the trail again with another group of friends so his girlfriend can also win a reusable cup. Meanwhile, the trails will run until the end of April or when all prizes have been claimed.

Lee Walker  from Ipswich Central said:

Ipswich is so lucky to have an incredible range of pubs and bars each with their own character and ambience. We devised Sip'Swich as a way of showcasing those places to a wider audience.

The bottom line: Further special prizes will be awarded over the coming weeks, including a voucher for a brewery tour donated by the Briarbank Brewery. Details and trail cards can be downloaded from www.allaboutIpswich.com/sipswich or collected from any of the 15 participating venues.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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