Skip to main contentEnter
Attwells logo

Attwells Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

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.

Thomas Wolsey 550 project celebrates success and new funding

News
Attwells logo

Attwells Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

The Thomas Wolsey 550 project has concluded its public programme after 550 days, marking a significant milestone for Ipswich's cultural heritage. The initiative has also secured additional funding to continue its education work until March 2025.

Why it matters: The project has reached thousands of people through its education programme, community grants, and public events, aiming to increase social mobility and improve pride in Ipswich.

Key details:

  • The project launched on 10 March 2023, initiated by Ipswich Central  with support from founding partners including Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, Birketts, ABP Ipswich, and the University of Suffolk.

  • It focused on the 550th anniversary of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (1473-1530), using his story to inspire local youth.

  • The education programme has won further funding from the Ipswich PDP Investment fund, administered by Suffolk County Council, to continue until the end of March 2025.

  • Eleven community grants projects were funded, covering various age groups and areas of Ipswich.

What they're saying:

Lee Walker, CEO of Ipswich Central, said: "When a proposal to celebrate the anniversary of Wolsey's birth was first raised three years ago, I don't think anyone had an inkling of just how much of an impact that project would make over the course of its 550 days."

Project director Kath Cockshaw said: “Wolsey started life in Ipswich, just like the children we are working with.  He was a confident go-getter, and his astronomical career path was unprecedented."

Wolsey 550 Launch Event
Wolsey 550 Launch EventIpswich Central

Local impact:

  • The project included a 'Wolsey's Ipswich' exhibition and touring trailer display presented by The Hold.

  • A Tudor-themed parade called 'Wolsey's Big Huzzah!' took place along The Saints to the Cornhill on 4 July.

  • The Wolsey 550 Place-Changers scheme engaged youth in the project.

  • Community grants supported various local initiatives, including a Windrush Quilting Project in Castle Hill and a stained glass window project at Gainsborough Library.

What's next: A special "New Mass for Thomas Wolsey", written by Ipswich-born composer Ben Parry, will be performed at St Mary le Tower on 13 October, featuring choirs from Ipswich and Hampton Court. The team is making a film to celebrate the project's achievements, which will be published at the end of October.

The bottom line: The project's organisers thanked the many volunteers who helped produce and deliver events across the 18-month programme and have secured additional funding for ongoing education work. Project Chair Terry Hunt said, "We look forward to unveiling further plans as soon as we can."

For more information: Visit www.thomaswolsey550.co.uk.

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

Today's supporter

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.

Speak with us

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

News
Attwells logo

Attwells Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

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.

Load next article