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Order in the court: Ipswich residents invited to play magistrate for a day

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Attwells Solicitors

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Ipswich residents can step into the shoes of a magistrate on Saturday, 14 September, as the town's Magistrates Court opens its doors to the public for Heritage Open Days 2024.

The big picture: This rare opportunity allows the public to explore a working court and gain insight into the justice system. It's part of Ipswich's contribution to the national Heritage Open Days event, which celebrates this year's theme of "Routes, Networks & Connections."

Ipswich Magistrates Court
Ipswich Magistrates CourtOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

Why it matters: Many people never enter a courtroom unless called for jury duty or facing charges. This event demystifies the legal process and helps citizens understand how local justice works.

Key details:

  • Date: Saturday 14 September 2024

  • Time: 11:00 to 15:30

  • Location: Ipswich Magistrates Court, Elm Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2AP

  • Cost: Free entry

  • Pre-booking: Not required

What to expect:

  • Mock sentencing exercises, including "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears - was Goldilocks Guilty?!"

  • Opportunities to speak with Magistrates and representatives from other agencies

  • Behind-the-scenes tours of court cells

  • Meet police dogs (hopefully) and see a prison van

  • Talks from a Law lecturer from Suffolk University

  • Meet representatives from the Crown Prosecution Service and local law firms

Important information:

  • As a working courthouse, there will be a security presence

  • Visitors may be searched upon entering the building

  • Prohibited items may be confiscated

What they're saying: Melanie Willis, Communications Manager at Ipswich Central , said: "Heritage Open Days offer an opportunity to visit all types of heritage venues and here in Ipswich we have lots of interesting places to see."

How to participate: No booking is required. Simply turn up at the Magistrates Court on the day to join in the activities.

The bottom line: Whether you're interested in law, local history, or just curious about what happens in a courtroom, this unique event provides valuable insights into an essential part of Ipswich's civic infrastructure.

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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Attwells Solicitors

An award-winning local law firm. Attwells is rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors and holds an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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Farage more trusted than Starmer in East of England, latest poll finds

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Attwells Solicitors

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is more trusted to represent the UK internationally than PM Keir Starmer among East of England voters, new polling reveals.

Why it matters: The findings highlight a significant decline in trust for the main party leaders in the region less than a year after the general election.

The poll, conducted by communications agency PLMR and Electoral Calculus, shows Farage ranked highest among named leaders at 19% in the East of England, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer (13%), Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (6%) and Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (5%).

Nigel Farage
Nigel FarageAlamy

The bigger picture: One in three voters (33%) in the region responded "none of the above" when asked which political figure they would trust most, suggesting a broader decline in overall trust in UK political leaders.

By the numbers: The same poll indicates Reform UK would become the largest party in the region if an election were held tomorrow:

  • Reform: 21 seats

  • Conservatives: 10 seats

  • Labour: 4 seats

  • Liberal Democrats: 2 seats

  • Greens: 1 seat

In contrast: Nationally, Farage and Starmer are tied at 16% among those who named a preference, highlighting a more polarised national picture, with the Reform UK leader building more trust with voters in the East of England specifically.

What they're saying: "This polling highlights a significant decline in trust for the two main party leaders among East of England voters when it comes to representing the UK on the international stage," said Tim Miller , Managing Director of PLMR Genesis , the East of England branch of PLMR.

Reform and Nigel Farage have seemingly been able to capitalise on this and it's now translating into voting intentions, with the Party set to overtake Labour and the Conservatives in the region with the largest number of seats – a seismic political shift.

Between the lines: The poll suggests Reform would make strong gains across the region, potentially taking seats from both major parties:

  • Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket from Labour

  • Essex: Braintree from the Conservatives and Thurrock from Labour

  • Cambridgeshire: North East from the Conservatives and North West from Labour

  • Norfolk: North West from the Conservatives and South West from Labour

Tim Miller on a backdrop of Ipswich from above and political party colour overlays
Tim Miller of PLMR GenesisOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The national outlook: The survey of 5,180 adults showed Reform securing 25% of the vote share nationally, compared to 23% each for Labour and the Conservatives. This would translate to 227 seats for Reform, 180 for Labour and 130 for the Conservatives.

The bottom line: "If Labour wants to keep Reform at bay, hold onto the gains they made in the East of England and remain in government in four year's time, the Party needs to focus on getting their message across more clearly to voters and instil confidence in their domestic agenda," Miller concluded.

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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