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How the Wolsey 550 project has transformed local history education in Ipswich

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From Tudor gaming to legal career workshops, an 18-month heritage project has used Cardinal Wolsey's remarkable rise from humble Ipswich beginnings to inspire thousands of local students.

The big picture: The Thomas Wolsey 550 project has reached more than 6,400 students across 44 schools, using the cardinal's life story to spark ambition and creativity in Ipswich's young people.

Why it matters: More than 60 partner organisations and 70 volunteers came together to deliver the 18-month heritage project that has:

  • Given Ipswich schools a new way to engage students with local history

  • Provided nearly £30,000 in community grants to support heritage activities

  • Created partnerships between schools, businesses and cultural organisations

  • Helped gather valuable insights about how local people view and value Ipswich's heritage

  • Set the foundation for future heritage projects in the town

Wolsey’s Big Huzzah in Ipswich Town Centre on 4 July 2024
Wolsey’s Big Huzzah in Ipswich Town Centre on 4 July 2024OC Photography

Key events included:

  • A heritage parade featuring 350 primary school pupils

  • An exhibition at The Hold displaying Wolsey artefacts

  • A touring exhibition that visited major events including Latitude festival

  • Career workshops across various sectors

  • Digital projects where students recreated Tudor Ipswich through gaming

What they're saying: "Quite simply, this has been one of the best projects I've ever been involved in," says Thomas Wolsey 550 Chairman Terry Hunt. "The outputs I've seen have gone way beyond our expectations."

Going deeper: A new ten-minute video and 90-page report capture the project's achievements. "The film is a joyful, uplifting record of an incredible 18 months," says Lee Walker, CEO of Ipswich Central. "The statistics really pack a punch for what has been achieved in a relatively short space of time."

Official film for the ‘Thomas Wolsey 550’ project

Looking ahead: The project's success has secured additional funding to continue its educational programme until March 2025, thanks to Suffolk County Council's Ipswich Investment fund.

The bottom line: Project organisers are now using insights gained from the past 18 months to prepare plans for a larger heritage initiative, with a lottery funding application expected before summer 2025.

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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