WATERFRONT LIFE IS PROUD TO BE NOMINATED IN TWO CATEGORIES AT THE EADT BUSINESS AWARDS 2017
ISSUE 07 • JUNE 2017
Lifestyle Magazine for Ipswich Residents, Businesses and Visitors
Proud supporter of
Cover Photo by MARK DOBRZANSKI using an LG G5 smartphone
WATERFRONT Life
1 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ER F RO N T L I FE
“
Editor’s
When the founders of WL sat down in November last year, I was volunteered to sketch out the proposed first 6 months. Notice the ‘sketching’ and the 6 months! We didn’t want to presume! You are reading the 7th issue, which means that – yes – I have had to turn our original 6-month plan in to a fully-fledged 12-month outlook. With this comes the responsibility to continue to ensure that WL does not require any borrowing (we are a not-for-profit) and the task of showing our strategic, financial partners that we are continually developing and offering more & more value for money/return on investment. We are expanding print distribution and pushing the continual development of digital platforms. What is also included is the development of all sub-brands and ‘Student Life’ and ‘The Saints’ are highly important factors in the planned growth. Regular meetings are continuing with the key players in these sub-brands and by the end of quarter 2, we will be able to report on the progress being made and just what our rapidly growing print & online readership can expect. Majorly exciting times are ahead. All YOU really have to do is carry on reading & feeding back….simple! Thank you to everyone and as ever….. please continue to feed back to us on all topics. My very best wishes. Richard Stewart Editor
WORD
“
“The original plan for the brand has now had to develop into an official business plan”
CONTACT US 01473 35 35 12 info@waterfrontlife.co www.waterfrontlife.co
Contents... WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENTS The Wine Rack .........................................................3 THE VIEW FROM THE SALTHOUSE Duty Calls ............................................................8 STUDENT LIFE Featured Magazine ................................................................................13-26 THE SAINTS Featured Magazine .....................................................................................27-38 RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR Round 2.............................................................................39 WATERFRONT LEGAL Remember Your High-Vis ..........................................................40 MYSTERY SHOP REPORT Thomas Wolsey ..........................................................42-43 WATERFRONT COUNSEL Election Fever ....................................................................... 47 2 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ER F RO N T L I FE
The
Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is through its ‘Growing Places Fund’. News that vital public investment - subject to legal documentation – is available has pleased many, particularly Ben Gummer MP who has been a driving force and supporter to achieve WRITTEN BY SAMANTHA KIRK completion of the Waterfront project for several years. In the latest of our articles on the Mr Gummer added: “People in Ipswich have development of the Winerack, we been waiting a long time for this moment – take a look at how funding was promised for ages and now at last it has come. agreed to deliver this waterfront We have confirmation that the Winerack landmark. project is now fully-funded and ready to go. We should see builders on site soon. Standing proud on the Waterfront, the It has taken six years to get to this point, from symbolic structure of the 2008 banking when in 2011 I brought NAMA, the Irish bank crisis has received a long-awaited boost who owned the building, over from Dublin to for developer John Howard, as funding has Ipswich in an effort to get things moving. Down been agreed which will help to kick-start to tense phone calls we have had over the last development. few weeks, this has taken an enormous amount Branded as ‘The Winerack’, the much talked of effort. about contemporary apartment scheme, will I am very grateful to the HCA, New Anglia LEP, provide 149 homes and 5,000 square feet of Ipswich Borough Council and most of all to commercial space and will support over 50 John Howard, for making this project happen. new jobs. The Homes and Communities Agency is set to We all now want to see the project delivered so invest £15 million, along with £5 million from that we can remove this blight from the Town’s skyline and for our town to show its ambition the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. in full again.” Construction is expected to start later this Developer John Howard said: “Both my partner year. Ipswich Wharf Developments (IWDL) and I are Ipswich born and bred and this has led by John Howard and Jeremy Scowsill - is been more than just a business project for us. the project developer and has been advised on the financing by Zenzic Partners who have With the help of the HCA, the LEP, Ipswich crafted a creative capital solution, that will Borough Council, Zenzic and our very allow delivery of the landmark project. supportive local MP, Ben Gummer, we are at long last looking forward to completing the The Homes and Communities Agency’s conversion of the Winerack into fabulous investment is through its ‘Home Building 3 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ER F RO T L I FE homes forNlocal people and beyond.” Fund’ and the investment from New Anglia
WINERACK
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Waterfront OUR PORT
CO-WRITTEN BY BOB JONES & RICHARD STEWART
Associated British Ports (ABP) is the UK’s leading ports operator with 21 ports and boasts the UK’s leading export port for agricultural products at Ipswich. In the latest of our regular spots, ABP’s former personnel manager – Bob Jones teaches the first part of a thorough history lesson. POST ICE-AGE Frozen ice begins to thaw in an area originally 500 miles from the sea and an island is formed. Neolithic migrants settle.
ROMANS Whilst many continued west following the invasion, some stayed and founded a small trading post. Occasionally, vessels made their way up the shallow (Orwell) river and the first evidence of a Port was created.
7TH TO 10TH CENTURIES With trade dwindling as the Romans
influence waned, it wasn’t until 950 AD that the Town grew to the extent of establishing its own Royal Mint. However, the new-found importance of the area achieved under Saxon rule soon vanished.
DANES Having previously tried and failed, in 981 the Danes’ invasion
succeeded and the Town’s ramparts were reduced to ashes. The invaders demanded ‘Danegeld’ or ‘protection money’ from the 1000 or so inhabitants and trade almost stopped; the river & port silting-up.
CANUTE In 1016 Canute sailed up the Orwell and disembarked at Ipswich. The following Summer, having driven his armies towards London, Canute was King of England.
HENRY II & RICHARD I Trade in Ipswich eventually picked up and
by the end of the 12th Century, various trades were being established. Wine was imported from France and wool was being exported from the local areas.
KING JOHN & THE COMMON SEAL In 1200, King John sold the Town its first Charter and its importance was symbolised by a ship device on its first Common Seal. The River now saw many ships trading from Ipswich. By 1281 a merchant community formed and although barely surpassing the previous 1000 resident mark, a collector of customs dues was appointed and first mention is made of a north bank, wooden common quay. SHIPBUILDING …commenced in earnest in the early 14th Century, with
various yards being built along the east bank of the Orwell. A post 9 year war truce with France saw a lift of foreign import restrictions and the wine trade built once more. Trade in skins, wool, leather, fleeces & fish also thrived and with the coming of the Wooloons in 1336, the wool trade – already established in north Suffolk – began to flourish. It was in 1340 that the extent of the Port of Ipswich was defined as being from the Town on both sides of the high tide water, to a point beyond Landguard Point, now covered by the sea.
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BEHIND THE SCENES
THE VIEW FROM THE
SALTHOUSE Duty Calls
WRITTEN BY RICHARD STEWART
28 year-old Shane Smith has just celebrated his 9 year anniversary with Gough Hotels. Starting out as a waiter, Shane’s customer service skills shone through and following a move through the concierge team, General Manager Diogo then promoted Shane to Restaurant Supervisor, before handing an initial Junior Duty Manager role over to the engaging young man. Here, our editor Richard Stewart chats to the now fully fledged Duty Manager: Openly inspired by his boss Diogo, Shane starts our chat in a sun soaked room overlooking the marina, enthusing about teamwork. Shane is 1 of 6 Duty Managers or DM’s and is mainly responsible for food & beverage, although “DM’s get involved in most aspects of the running of the hotel”. Fitting in the inevitable, unsociable shifts with helping at home to look after 4 monthold Charlie, doesn’t seem to faze Shane one bit and teamwork shines through with the afternoon sun, as Shane talks about “everyone being close enough to answer any call for help 24/7”. Wanting to leave guests with the best possible impression guides Shane through
SHANE LEFT, WITH COLLEAGUE JOSÉ
his working day; breakfast & lunch service, afternoon tea and on to pre-dinner drinks and evening dining. “Keeping the kitchen informed and ahead of the game” is key. An electronic diary system is kept up to date throughout the day; noting matters such as dining room bookings, cleaning & maintenance. The diary then becoming the go-to source of information for the next DM on shift. Trained the ‘Salthouse’ way from a detailed training pack, all front of house staff can easily move from hotplate to order taking to bar and back through the chain again, although each service will see the DM specify each colleague’s role for that particular shift. Shane confirms that 20 new wines will appear on the hotel’s wine list in the coming weeks, along with some “fruity cocktails”, so continuing to train staff to pair drink with food will ensure that “servers can impart as much knowledge as possible”; something that has become a Salthouse trademark. The biggest compliment? “Guests that don’t want to go home”. I press for more…? “Guests will still be in the hotel in the late afternoon of the day of their checkout and that is a great feeling” explains Shane. If the ‘Duty’ in the title DM is that of absolute guest satisfaction, then Shane certainly seems to take his duty very seriously.
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IPSWICH News
“GREAT PEOPLE MAKE GREAT PLACES” WRITTEN BY CATHY FROST
On Friday 12 May, the first ‘Celebrating Ipswich Conference’ was held at Trinity Park; a collaboration of the University of Suffolk and All About Ipswich. Over 120 delegates from the business and tourism communities spent the morning listening to several inspiring presentations celebrating Ipswich and discussing the role of Ipswich, the wider connection to Suffolk and the role of our new Destination Management Organisation [DMO].
The overriding message that came across from the conference was one of huge positivity. Alex Paul - the chair of the Ipswich DMO - said it was time for Ipswich to move forward and be positive about what it has to offer to both its residents and visitors. There is much to be proud of, including our beautiful parks, stunning Waterfront, abundant heritage, great food and independent shopping and an outstanding cultural offer. The future role of the Ipswich DMO will be to collaborate and encourage investment from all tourism partners both in Ipswich and further afield. Tourism in Ipswich is estimated to be worth millions every year and this sector will continue to grow as we become bolder and braver about how we promote the town and its wide offer. It was emphasised by Visit England’s Andrew Stokes, the keynote speaker, of the importance of collaboration and a shared vision for promotion. “Love the lovable and work together to change what needs changing”, another quote from one of the speakers. I believe that we all have a responsibility to help with this, and for us to spread positive messages about the amazing resources we have in the area. It is a work in progress but we have a strong foundation now to build on. It has been projected that with a 20% uplift in tourism day visits and a 10% uplift in day visitor expenditure, it would generate an extra £40 million for the local economy per year.
IMAGE CREDIT TO AAI
If you are a business and would like more information on how the Ipswich DMO can benefit you please contact info@waterfrontlife.co or info@allaboutipswich.com 9 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ER F RO N T L I FE
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BEHIND THE CAMERA? Attention all keen photographers We are running a monthly competition to find the following month’s magazine cover for all 3 of our brands. Please take note of the current brand mood for each. Entries to be emailed only to media@waterfrontlife.co
TERMS Amateur photographers only. One entry per person, per month. Original photo only - no filters. Portrait orientation only. Entries to be submitted as high-res Jpeg. Please note clear space required at the top of the photo for magazine title. The Editor’s decision is final. Please refer to our website for full guidelines.
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ISSUE 05 • JUNE 2017
Lifestyle Magazine for the Students of Ipswich
Proud supporter of
Cover Photo by CLAIRE KING using an iPhone 7
STUDENT Life
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“
Editor’s
WORD
“
Hello and welcome to your monthly edition of Student Life! Summer is just around the corner and I hope you have all been making the most of the good weather. As Schools, Colleges, Sixth Forms and the University winds down for the summer break, now is the perfect time to enjoy what Ipswich has to offer, whether that is a walk in the park or a cold drink along the Waterfront! As always we have some fantastic student content for you to read and engage with. So find a comfy spot in the shade, pour a glass of cool lemonade and enjoy!
CONTACT US 01473 35 35 12 info@waterfrontlife.co www.waterfrontlife.co
Best wishes. Rachel Gilbey Co-editor
Contents...
MYSTERY SHOP REVIEW DanceEast ................................................................................ 15 WATERFRONT TRAVEL Cultural Travel Advice..........................................................16-17 BLUE IS THE COLOUR Chat with MP Ben Gummer ................................................18-19 FASHION CANDY STYLE Q&A With Pam Davis ......................................................20-21 MY LIFE Advice from Suffolk Mind and Where’s Your head At ...............................22-23 TECH EXPERT What it means to be ‘tech savvy’ .........................................................24-25
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MYSTERY SHOP REPORT
DANCEEAST
REVIEWER’S NA ME : Rachel Gilb ey VENUE : DanceE ast APPEAR ANCE
1
NEEDS IMPROVIN
TIME & DATE : 12 /5/17 at 19:30 SCENARIO TO RE VIEW : Witness
2
G
3
FAIR
4
GOOD
5 EXCELLENT DanceEast is situa te for ‘Jerwood Danc d on the Waterfront and is very easy to locate. Ju eHouse’. st look ou REASONS WHY
RATE THE OVER AL
1
NEEDS IMPROVIN
L INTERNAL AP
2
G
PEAR ANCE OF
3
FAIR
VERY GOOD
THE VENUE
4
GOOD
REASONS WHY
VERY GOOD
5
EXCELLENT
When you step in light and airy feeliside the venue’s foyer, the spac e just opens up. ng due to the larg There is a which during the e day opens outside glass windows and the space boas ts a café too.
CUSTOMER SE ACKNOWLEDGE D WITH A SMILE/ GREETING
YES
RVICE
PROFESSIONALLY / APPROPRIATELY DRESSED
YES
REASONS WHY
SMILING AND GAVE EYE CONTACT
YES
WEARING A NAME BADGE
THANKED FOR CUSTOM
N/A
YES
HANDLED QUERIES/ISSUE S PROFESSIONALLY
YES I arrived just as fuss, showed me the performance was due to start to my seat. What and the staff quick coul was handled very ly, swiftly and profes d have been an embarrassing m with no oment sionally.
PRODUCT
1
NEEDS IMPROVIN
G
2
FAIR
3
GOOD
4
5 EXCELLENT I had a brilliant experience at Da nceE re-visiting and m aking the most of ast from start to finish. I look fo rward to their onsite café facility. SUMMARISE TH E EXPERIENCE IN 6W Reflective, Refresh ing, Insightful, Em ORDS otional, Motivatio nal & Thought-p This was my first rovoking time visiting Danc eEast to watch a greeted with a wa pe rm and friendly rfo rm an ce an d I was rece Mental Health an d through the perfo ption. ‘Witness’ is a visual explor atio you are left refle rmers’ striking an cting on the heal d captivating mov n of th and wellbeing ement, around you. The of not only yourse performers show lf but those cased incredible ability to tell a sto sk ill ry through movem and flexibility. Th invested in the pr ent and dance pr ovoked emotion an eir oduction. I am lo oking forward to and I wonder wh my next visit to Da d I was at performance I nceEast will see next? REASONS WHY
VERY GOOD
15 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ERF RO N T L I FE
t
WATERFRONT Travel
How do we avoid dropping ourselves in ‘it’? SUBMITTED BY STUDENT LIFE READER CONCERNED_CHARLIE
“I am genuinely worried about embarrassing myself and causing further embarrassment to my hosts, when I travel abroad in July – a celebration of finishing my A Levels – yay!! I and a couple of friends intend to visit various destinations, including countries that adhere to strict Muslim rules. Therefore, your help in steering us in the right direction would be much appreciated; when it comes to customs, traditions etc.” WRITTEN BY POPPY BROWN The world is culturally diverse. It is full of a wide variety of experiences that we can access. When it comes to travelling to a different country it is important to be aware of that country’s way of living in terms of culture. As visitors we should be open-minded and respectful and comply with the local cultural norms of a destination. Just think of it as someone entering your home country – you treat their home how you would treat your own – with respect. Here are some of TravelQuest’s cultural requirements to be mindful of when travelling. 16 • JU NE 2017
1. DRESS CODE Check before travelling if your clothing is appropriate for your place of travel. Don’t be deceived by Dubai’s glamorous westernised persona, remember it is an Islamic state with traditional values that need to be honoured. For example in Dubai and Marrakech it is essential for the shoulders and knees to be covered in public (swimwear is acceptable by the pool / at the beach). The same is required in Thailand when visiting temples where it is also required for shoes to be removed.
2. PUBLIC BEHAVIOUR There are numerous factors to consider when travelling in terms of behaving in public. Things we may take for granted in our everyday lives. One example is talking on your phone on public transportation; in Japan this can be considered rude and therefore announcements are conducted which ask for your phones to be put on silent. Public displays of affection can be a sensitive subject for some cultures, especially in Islamic states due to their religion. Another detail to acknowledge is that showing the soles of your feet can also be considered offensive in countries such as Thailand and Dubai. During Ramadan those of the Muslim religion fast during the day and in some countries eating and drinking during daylight in public is forbidden (with exceptions). Additionally drinking alcohol in public in some countries is seen as bad-mannered and could leave you with a fine! Another point to mention in regards to alcohol is age limit, check it before you go.
3. TIPPING ETIQUETTE Tipping isn’t a legal requirement however it is expected in the USA and Canada in most circumstances. This includes restaurants, bars, tour guides, taxi drivers, hairdressers, manicurists and hotel housekeeping – just to name a few!
• WAT ERF RO N T L I FE
TravelQuest Suggests: - Learning a few phrases in the language. Please Keep in Mind… As native English speaking travellers we can not presume everyone speaks our language or feels confident speaking our language. - Research the culture / religion before visiting. - If you want to give something to those less fortunate – provide educational gifts. - Ask permission to take a photograph or video.
17 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ER F RO N T L I FE
WATERFRONT Blue
Non-Political
QUESTION TIME CO-WRITTEN BY RICHARD STEWART & RACHEL GILBEY
There was a ‘wish-list’ of local names that Waterfront Life wanted to court when it started late last year. The only significant one that had remained out of reach until now, was Ben Gummer MP. Ben’s office had been contacted at that time regarding Ben becoming a guest writer in print & online, but until recently his team seemed to have shielded him. To be fair to all concerned, we had now been informed that our initial approach to the offices of Member of Parliament for the Ipswich Constituency – Ben Gummer, had not registered and that this was probably because it had been ‘lost’ in an email system that, understandably, featured an inbox peppered with 100’s of communications a day. As editor, I hadn’t been too concerned, as I reckoned on a meeting at some point; as our paths were more and more likely to cross as the ‘Life’ brands started having more and more doors opened to them.
Neither was I sceptical that when the call eventually came in - facilitated by friend of our publications Liz Harsant - it was perfectly timed to coincide with general election campaigning. My lack of scepticism was borne out of my knowledge that, when I did sit down with Ben, the resulting article was not going to be politically motivated or charged. So, in a University of Suffolk, airconditioned room on one of the hottest days of the year at the end of May, I opened dialogue with our MP by stating that I was on a fact-finding mission; a mission to chat about what I and my team were doing locally, more than what Ben had planned, up until Thursday the 8th of June and of course, in whatever guise thereafter! Not wishing to come across as arrogant at our first ever meeting, I went on to explain that we were not a group of editors that favoured politics and nor were we interested in garnering comment from every political party to ensure balanced journalism…. we were simply wanting to chat to a highprofile, pro-Ipswich figure, who – it seemed
18 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ERF RO N T L I FE
from knowledge gathered over the years – was a nice bloke, who loved his home town. To his credit, Ben immediately warmed to the idea that at 4.45pm on a Friday, he was likely to end his week – a fraught week which had included the Manchester terrorist attack which had understandably forced a re-schedule of our sit-down – talking about passions away from a campaign-remit, political arena. We started off chatting about the regeneration of the Waterfront, but rather than ask about the effect on the economy of the new river crossings, or the local Highways’ plans for traffic management, I wanted to know about whether the money being spent in the immediate area was dividing opinion in the Town. Reassured and informed that it really shouldn’t, Ben openly chatted about regeneration in the wider area and was enthusiastic about the improving transportation and in particular, the completion of the long overdue refurbishment of the railway station and the plans for millions of pounds worth of new trains on our commuter lines towards Norwich & London. The resulting effect being that visitors (and indeed residents) would find it more pleasurable and convenient to get to our town and once here, would be greeted by a fit for purpose station and pleasant concourse. We discussed the obvious flip-side to this being the western approach to the Waterfront and I was pleased to hear that Ben was highly confident that sooner than imagined, this area would join the ranks of the rest of the Waterfront’s desirable façades. In fact, a tanned looking Ben had only that afternoon been standing on top of the Winerack with John Howard, taking
in the breath-taking views and celebrating the recent news of a timeframe for work commencing on the structure; another massive forwards move in positively altering the area’s skyline. We touched on Ben’s 6-point vision for the future of Ipswich, but I swerved us away from any ‘party line’ and on to my and Rachel’s plans for our Student Life brand. An ever-more relaxing Ben told us how passionately his big boss – TM the PM (my words not his!) - felt about one of Student Life’s main focus points; mental health. We discussed my own deeply held beliefs that mental health first aid should be taught/discussed alongside any physical first aid and Ben clearly and concisely offered his support to our aims. We discussed our plans that now involved local Year 12 & 13 students forming steering groups with us, along with the valuable buy-in of the University’s own Students’ Union and student population. Ben was acutely attentive throughout and I was left with a true feeling that our budding relationship could be developed in the near future, regardless of the upcoming vote count. So, 30 minutes later our time was up… not because Ben was given any form of ‘wind this up’ sign from his companion, but because I (hopefully we) had achieved all that was set out to be achieved at a first meeting. Certainly, I was now aligned to the pre-interview impression that Waterfront Life / Student Life / The Saints would benefit from ongoing dialogue with a ‘high-profile, nice bloke, who loved his home town’ and who might just appreciate a tie with a publication that steered him away from out and out politics….at least most of the time!
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Q&A WITH FASHION EXPERT PAM DAVIS
Is it worth keeping supposedly ‘out of style’ fashion items? Thank you so much for featuring a fashion expert in our magazine. All of my girlfriends and of course I, want to find out more about this lady in the months ahead and what help she can give to us! Could I start by asking about a tired old wardrobe!? Being a poor old student, I recycle my clothes regularly and when I say “recycle”, I mean cut holes in jeans and sew on new buttons & accessories to old tops! BUT, if I just store what I see as out of fashion clothing items, will I see that fashion come around again and if so, how long will it take!? I know that fashion can easily be dictated by me if I choose, but your fashionista’s comments will go a long way to helping out here. TIA! QUESTION SUBMITTED BY BEA FISCHER
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“If you keep it long enough it will come back in fashion.” My style of personal styling has an element of this statement involved. YES... certain pieces may come back in fashion depending on how designers’ creativity evolves within the fashion industry, naturally, not by any length of time. Will it come back in fashion... who knows? It may. It may not. Best not to guess. Create your own individual style in the meantime. Fashion evolves naturally. What was unimaginable just a few years ago has now happened - shoulder pads are back in the shops and back in our wardrobes, for the first or second time around. Be it music, food or cars, all trends have a life cycle and none more so than fashion trends. Fashion is ever changing, we are blessed with the best of British Fashion designers available on our high streets, offering diverse collections to suit all ages, shapes, and sizes. So... “keeping it long enough” may become something that may not happen for a while. If some pieces enhance your wardrobe, keep them, but use them wisely to earn their worth within your working wardrobe. Without a doubt, fashion has cycles... one of my most used phrases is “fashion does full circle” - I truly believe this.
GET IN TOUCH E: pamela@fashioncandy.co.uk M: 0771 3095355 www.fashioncandy.co.uk
50% of my personal wardrobe consists of timeless classic pieces that have never dated spanning over 20 years+. I am still able to wear all of those pieces today within my personal wardrobe, whatever the occasion. Trends have a life cycle too, they’re just more condensed. We now live in a fast-paced consumer society. Pictures of what’s on the catwalks of London Fashion Week will be on the internet the same day. Everything is absorbed quicker and we want it quicker. Looks hit the High Street much faster. Therefore YES, an element of fashion does have cycles - they repeat every 20 years. So much dictates how fashion has cycles: - Introduction of a style - Increase in popularity - Peak of popularity - Decline in popularity - Rejection of a style.
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MY Life
NOT UNDER MY ROOF QUESTION SUBMITTED BY ‘JAYJAY’
“I am now an independent young man, having lived without parental boundaries in Uni accommodation. I am looking forward to returning home for the Summer, but not to feeling like a ‘kid’ again... I have wanted to get involved writing for Student Life for a little while and this is the perfect opportunity. I’m not ready to provide a bio for the editor and therefore, I am writing under just my initials. That was an option and I’ve taken it! I have a loving family waiting for me at home in Essex and I am looking forward to spending the summer back with them and my old mates. The thing that I’m not looking forward to is returning to the boundaries that were there for me and my younger sister when I left for Uni last year. I can’t be alone in this feeling and I need to find a way to explain to my family that love them as I do, I am now a more independent person than the one that they dropped off to my new home late last year.”
WRITTEN BY EZRA HEWING
Leaving home to study at University and live independently brings challenges as well as newfound freedom. It’s natural for people to feel less secure and even disconnected when leaving the family home, especially if it’s for the first time, but what happens when people return home for the summer break? Finding your feet and adapting to student life will give you new ways to get important emotional needs met. Learning the layout of the campus and local amenities will give you some sense of security. Being responsible for planning study, as well as deciding when and what to cook, and when
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to go out and come home, gives you more control and autonomy than you may be used to. Making new friends and enjoying social life helps meet emotional needs for community and connection when we have left the people we grew up and went to school with. Going home for the summer break is likely to be a big change for students and parents. The family home is the space which parents or guardians have shaped to provide a safe and private space, both for them and for the family. Parents wanting their boundaries respected and students wanting to continue enjoying their newfound freedom; this is about the need we have to feel we have a sense of control over our lives. So, what can we do to meet everyone’s needs? Taking time to share your experiences of life on campus and by actively taking the lead on things you might do away from home might be a useful strategy. Offering to cook a meal or making changes to your
bedroom are ways of communicating the changes in your new life. Using the summer break to connect up with old friends or, if you can afford to, to go travelling can give you a break from the family home if going back to old boundaries is stressful. Most importantly, asking your parents to discuss the changes can help everybody to understand that an important stage in life has arrived, which will be easier if it’s spoken about openly. This will give everybody the best chance of enjoying the summer break.
If you’re experiencing stress as a student, seek help from student support services or visit suffolkmind.org.uk to find out more about how you can manage stress effectively.
Suffolk Mind
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TECH Expert
What even is
TECH SAVVY? QUESTION SUBMITTED BY ‘TECHYNOTME’
“I don’t class myself as ‘Tech Savvy’ and I am due to start University in September. I think I might need help! Surely there can’t be much difference in what Tech I will need at Uni, versus what tech I had at my disposal when I was at school only a few years ago – can there!? I mean; I have 3 years of being a mature student ahead of me and I’m well – now mature! I managed perfectly well through 6th Form and in my A Levels – well tech wise anyway; my parents might argue about the perfection surrounding my eventual results!! I use a smart phone, I use a tablet and I have a treasured, state of the art TV and sound system – so I think that I am pretty clued up when it comes to tech in the 21st century. However, do I need a reality check or is tech really the user-friendly arena at home and at work/study that it’s made out to be in this day & age?”
WRITTEN BY ASHLEY SHOREY-MILLS
Apparently being tech savvy is being “well informed about technology, especially computers”. But does that even scratch the surface nowadays on what it takes to be well informed about technology? After all, we use mobiles instead of a computer for a start, technology lives everywhere from our wrists to the transport we use. Not to mention the array of electronic equipment in your home, place of work, or university. Being ‘tech-savvy’ has never been so vital to everyday living it seems, but technology is now such common-place, it is hardly something we need to learn, as it is more something we have already learnt. Understanding technology, in all its guises is not even a consideration, but a necessity. Of course, with so much technology around, how do you know what you are buying is the right thing for you? How
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can you be sure it will ‘talk’ to your other technology at home? Not to mention that it won’t be replaced with something newer in 5 minutes time. The convergence of technology has become a greater and greater requirement, so understanding how it works “behind the scenes” is now becoming the next stage of being tech savvy. After all, your wearable technology is good on its own, but it is truly great when used alongside other devices to help your lifestyle improve. Having a smart lightbulb is lovely, but understanding how that lightbulb can work alongside safety and security devices in your home to alert you when something is wrong is truly smart. This is where the confusion and complication of smart technology really starts to show, so this is where being tech savvy is handy, but not the be all and end all. So, of course, I am going to say that Hughes gives great advice on your tech needs through their smart team. And we do. But what else can you do? The internet is a wonderful place for information, but too often can be easily distorted by opinions and inaccurate info. The most important thing you can do is research the backbone of any smart technology you are looking to buy or rent. Not just ‘what it does’, but more importantly ‘how it does it’. That way, you will fully use all the array of benefits smart technology can offer your lifestyle, and make the most of the purchase you have made. The ‘smart home’ and smart technology is/will be the single biggest change to our daily lifestyles over the next 3-5 years……… maybe we need to be more “smart tech savvy” now? 25 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ER F RO N T L I FE
JOB BOARD STUDENT WRITER
REVIEWER/MYSTERY SHOPPER
If you’ve ever fancied yourself as the next big factual writer, then look no further. We are looking for talented writers to join our editorial team and cover topics as diverse as Physical, Sexual & Mental Health, Tech, Fashion & Travel. • Based remotely – home, Uni(!), halls • No customer facing work • Deadlines to meet! • Regular meetings with the Editor
We require help!! Due to new features being added in print & online, we need a reviewer/mystery shopper to attend local shows/productions and review them!!
The role does not carry a salary, but the successful applicant will be paid expenses and their name will be ‘in lights’! No experience is required, you just have to be an articulate writer. If you have a CV then great, if not – don’t worry!
• Based remotely – home, Uni(!), halls • No customer facing work • Report/review follow up • Regular meetings with the Editor The role does not carry a salary, but the successful applicant will be paid expenses and their name will be ‘in lights’! No experience is required, you just have to be an articulate writer and love going out! If you have a CV then great, if not – don’t worry!
SALES & MARKETING ASSISTANT We require help!! Due to our rapid growth, we need a sales & marketing assistant to help with identifying & contacting local businesses to develop strategic partnerships in all 3 of our brand publications. • Based remotely – home, Uni(!), halls • Regular meetings with the Editor • Administrative matters including data collection, data input and online research • Potential development to include face to face visits with potential supporters The role does not carry a basic salary, but the successful applicant will be paid monthly commission, based on increased income via new business partner engagement. No experience is required, you just have to be pro-active and confident! If you have a CV then great, if not – don’t worry!
No closing date set. Replies please to richard@waterfrontlife.co
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THE Saints ISSUE 04 • JUNE 2017
Proud supporter of Cover Photo by STEVEN JOHNSON using a Canon Rebel XS
THE Saints
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Saints DIRECTORY
1. ASSET & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 2. MARIANNA BOUTIQUE
33a St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF Never knowingly underdressed hand picked collections of clothing, footwear & accessories.
3. SPORT & LEISURE 4. ICE CREAM PARLOUR 5. MERCHANT HOUSE INTERIORS
11. APPLAUD COFFEE
19 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF Sisters Hannah and Beth serve an award winning espresso blend alongside guest single origin coffees. They also serve breakfast, lunch and home-baked cakes. Seating inside and outside in their courtyard garden.
27-29 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF 12. THE ITALIAN SHIRT SHOP An established, and much admired 17 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF shop offering stunning homewares, My absolute love of all things from pick-up pieces, to lighting, Italian makes having my own mirrors and furniture. Italian shirt shop a labour of love.
6. MAUD’S ATTIC
13. CAKE & CATWALK
7. THE HOUSE IN THE TOWN
14. FLORIST 15. PUB 16. ROSE HOUSE BUTCHERY
25 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF An eclectic mix of jewellery and gifts, furniture, lighting, and much much more.
23 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF 2 floors of striking homewares, with rooms dressed to be welcoming and imaginative.
8. LOVEONE
21 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF An alternative to the standard high street gift shops and with an ethos to showcase the very best designers and makers
9. TRAM RECORDS
21 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF Stocking a curated selection of contemporary releases from the finest independent labels in the world, providing a small sanctuary to browse and discover something new.
10. SUBTERRANEAN ARTS
21 St Peter’s Street. IP1 1XF contemporary art gallery, with a counter culture book & media emporium
15 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF Look fabulous for less; jewellery, bags, scarves & more
5-7 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF We’re all about celebrating fantastic British produce and traditional skills, with a passion for rare and native breeds.
17. ITALIAN BISTRO 18. HAIRDRESSER 19. HOTEL 20. ESTATE AGENT 21. ARTS & CRAFTS 22. PURITY–THE BEAUTY RETREAT
30 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XB Proud to have reached Guinot Crown Salon Status and awarded Guinot Finalist Salon of Excellence.
23. DENTIST 24. JENNY WREN’S YARNS
14 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF stocking a wide range of knitting and crochet yarns, patterns, kits, books and a range of accessories including a selection of buttons.
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25. BAREFOOT & GILLES 2 Cromwell Court, IP1 1XG We are a well-established firm of architects, designers and development consultants, with a business-minded practice and a positive, practical approach to architecture.
26. ITALIAN RESTAURANT 27. INDIAN RESTAURANT 28. HAIRDRESSER 29. SURVEYOR 30. RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT 31. ESTATE AGENT 32. TRAVEL AGENT 33. MUSIC STORE 34. IPSWICH MORTGAGE CENTRE 10-12 St Nicholas Street, IP1 1TJ Helping our customers to achieve an affordable and ideal mortgage.
35. KWAN THAI
14 St Nicholas Street, IP1 1TJ Our extensive and varied menus, together with exceptional customer service will provide you with an unrivalled dining experience!
36. ISOBELLA’S
16 St Nicholas Street, IP1 1TJ If you want great clothes, have a “normal” woman’s figure & don’t want to pay through the nose your prayers have been answered.
37. DOORSTEPS
18 St Nicholas Street, IP1 1TJ Family run sandwich bar and coffee shop serving locally roasted coffee and freshly made food.
38. SWEET SHOP 39. ART GALLERY 40. CROMWELLS–ANTIQUE STORE 24 St Nicholas Street, IP1 1TS Experience the vintage items, collectables & furniture.
41. INSURANCE AGENT 42. OFFICES 43. ESTATE AGENT
44. HAIRDRESSER 45. DELICATESSEN 46. BEAUTY SALON 47. WINE BAR 48. ITALIAN RESTAURANT 49. INDIAN RESTAURANT 50. CHINESE RESTAURANT 51. AT TWENTY5 25 St Nicholas Street, IP1 1TW European/British restaurant, serving lunch & dinner
52. TRAVELQUEST
27-29 St Nicholas Street, IP1 1TW Staff have experienced some of the best resorts and destinations the world has to offer.
53. WINDOW TREATMENT 54. K BAR & GRILL 33-37 St Nicholas Street, IP1 1TW Burger heaven! Serving the best burgers around since 2011
55. WOMEN’S CLOTHING 56. BEAUTY SALON 57. ANTONIO GIOVANNI 45 St.Nicholas Street, IP1 1TW Gents grooming salon offering traditional Barbering and Wet Shaving. Appointments and walk in service available.
58. TRAVEL CLINIC 59. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER 60. HAIRDRESSER 61. COFFEE SHOP 62. TRAINING & BUSINESS ADVICE 63. JOB CENTRE 64. NURSING AGENCY 65. DOUBLE S DESIGN 33 Silent Street, Ipswich IP1 1TF Digital Design Agency creating websites that stand out, get noticed and win customers. Confident, professional logo design that captures your brand.
65. POLITICAL PARTY HQ 66. SOCIAL CLUB 67. ARMY CAREERS
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S T N I A S
John Manning is owner of ‘The House In Town’ and opened his destination shop in 2011, as an addition to his mother’s shop Maud’s Attic and his brother’s venue Merchant House Interiors. All three shops can be found in the charming St. Peter’s Street, occupying numbers 23 to 29. John has a background in property development & interior design, which has led to retailing home interiors and accessories.
IN N MANN N BY JO H C O -W R IT TE
E L Y T S
G
exactly the ones that needed to be told. Marketing a business digitally is a must in the 21st century, but will it ever replace good, old-fashioned face-to-face service? My first experience of using social media for the shop was with Facebook, and it still proves to be a good marketing tool as posts can reach thousands of people each time. During the last few years Twitter has been a popular platform for me, and more recently Instagram seems to be a more visual way of interacting with customers. During a busy day, it is useful to be able to take a photograph of a new product and share it with a wide audience in just a few seconds.
After a couple of years of trading, I was asked the question “Is all of this stuff online?” so many times that I decided When Waterfront Life created The to have a website built for me. It is a Saints sub-brand, the stories behind double-edged sword; as whilst it gives independent & entrepreneurial business customers the opportunity to view some owners such as John Manning, were of my products from home, the nature of 32 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ER F RO N T L I FE
what I sell is that there are many new products coming out every day and it is very difficult to keep the site moving as quickly as my stock does! Very recently I have had my website overhauled by Ipswich based Swallow Marketing, and optimised for use on mobile phones and tablets - had thousands of new products added, and old stock removed. This had been a major investment in time and money, but necessary in this digital age. Swallow also created my new branding, with the logo shown at the bottom of this page. This will appear on carrier bags and business cards in the near future. My customers are the most valuable part of my business, and I have a great relationship with them. This allows me to take a more informal approach to my social media as I feel I’m sharing information with friends rather than strangers. Because of mobile applications, I am able to deal with enquiries from customers both day and night. I don’t see too many negative aspects of this as I would always rather deal with enquiries as soon as possible. My shop is complemented by 2 others owned by my family - Maud’s Attic & Merchant House Interiors. All 3 shops have their own social media but each business has a very different style to the other. The difficulty that I face is that many customers expect to have a look around the 3 shops and then go home and look at it all again online. Whilst I have the website, it is not
intended to replace the experience of shopping in our interesting and quirky stores. I for one don’t understand how someone is able to make the decision to commit a sum of money to a product without seeing it in the flesh. My shop alone offers over 40,000 different products from beds to sofas, to mirrors to lighting, and much more. I cannot keep all of this in the shop, but I am able to hold a piece of furniture from many of the ranges I offer, so you can at least feel the finish and appreciate the texture and colour of the wood for example. All 3 shops offer such a wide array of products; many of which are one offs, so keeping a website updated to that degree as an independent business is impossible without a vast ongoing investment which ultimately would have to be passed on. My ethos is to keep my costs as low as possible, thus allowing me to keep my prices as low as possible. Hopefully this is beneficial to all.
On Facebook @HouseInTown On Twitter @TheHouseInTown On Instagram @thehouseintownipswich
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THE Saints
SUMMER
on The Saints WRITTEN BY CATHY FROST
The Saints becomes the perfect destination on a summer’s day. When the weather gets warmer it’s a great place to browse the shops and enjoy many of our fabulous al fresco shopping and dining opportunities. For many of our businesses it’s time to showcase their gardens. Maud’s Attic and Merchant House open up their courtyard garden, a real treasure trove for outdoor garden accessories. Why not have afternoon tea or an early breakfast at Applaud Coffee in their pretty garden amongst the herbs and roses? For alfresco dining or cocktails at sunset head to At Twenty5 or K Bar and Grill, both on St Nicholas Street and both real sun traps in the early evening. St Peter’s Street is home to the annual Saints Summer Craft and Vintage Market. This artisan market has been running for 6 years, and showcases all the best in art and design from the local area. For one day the road is closed to traffic and the street plays host to over 25 stalls, selling a whole range of unique and original products; including jewellery, ceramics and textiles. Many of our businesses are open as well on the day. The market has been pivotal in the development of the
Saints as an independent shopping destination, creating a real buzz about the area. For many people visiting the markets it is often the first time they experience the range of shops on offer in the area. We are hopeful that we will welcome the market back towards the end of the summer, so watch this space! Due to its central location, the Saints provides the perfect link for accessing both the Waterfront and the town centre; for more information on events happening on the Saints please keep an eye on the Waterfront Life website and social media, along with The Saints, St Peters and St Nicholas Facebook page. The summer is a great time to explore. There are many gems to discover!
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SOCIALISING IN THE
SAINTS
On the 8th of May, a group of friends was drawn at random from the Waterfront Life/The Saints Facebook competition entries - as winners of an afternoon/ evening socialising in The Saints. Angela, Kelly & Vicki could not have been better company, as our editor shadowed them during their time shopping, wining & dining. This is the story of how very satisfying it is to socialise in the Saints… With the Facebook competition in full swing, one of the first tasks ahead of the day was to source a local business sponsor, who would be willing to support our feature in return for some valuable print & digital editorial. Step up…. Barefoot & Gilles Architects:Business-people Roger and Liz had been living in a converted Church Hall in St Peter’s Street for nearly ten years before they decided to relocate their business to Cromwell Court, just behind their home. It wasn’t just the convenient location that swayed their decision however, it was also the friendly atmosphere and general ‘buzz’ of the place.
“The ‘Street’ positively hums with activity and there’s just about everything you need on your doorstep. As a place to live it has the best-run bar in the region (we’ve carried out extensive research on this!) a good selection of restaurants and retail offers; ranging from artisan butchers through to style shops” enthused Roger. As an architectural practice the footfall along the street isn’t very important to the entrepreneurs, but the general atmosphere of their workplace certainly is. “Our staff here appreciate the convenience of this location, we’re 10 minutes from the station, 5 minutes from the town centre (this helps with recruitment) and for a business lunch – see above!” continued Roger. “The Waterfront is fast gaining recognition as a ‘go to’ destination in the region as more shops and restaurants open and I’m pleased to be able to say that some of these have been the work of our practice. We have further projects ‘on the drawing boards’ here and we look forward to completing them and giving ‘The Saints’ even more ‘buzz’!” concluded Roger. Grateful thanks from the editorial team go to Roger and Liz, without whose support, this feature would not have been the roaring success that it was.
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SOCIALISING IN THE
SAINTS
The Ladies’ day started with lunch at ‘K BAR & GRILL’ and gave me my first opportunity to meet the group that I would be sharing my Saturday afternoon and early evening with. We had a quick chat before I left the ladies to enjoy lunch. Afterwards, they enthused about their various choices of meze, breads, steak & chicken…adding that the venue was “quaint” & “lovely” with “excellent 5-star service”. I set about the task of ensuring that this wouldn’t be a one-off visit to The Saints by starting the retail therapy at ‘MAUD’S ATTIC’. Owner and long-standing inhabitant of the street - Wendy - greeted my newest friends with a genuine smile and offered them an uninterrupted wander around what
would later be described by the ladies as a “beautiful” shop with “lovely jewellery” and “full of treasures”. Necklace purchases in hand, it was off to Wendy’s son John’s home from home ‘THE HOUSE IN TOWN’. John has been a guest writer in our publication since day 1 and is a huge advocate for the artisan shopping area. His three-storey town house was described as “a really unique space”, with “such a lovely vibe, that feels just like being at home”. The collections within each of the rooms were greeted with much admiration by the group, with the added comment of the shop being “a well thought out mix & match that just works”. Weatherproof unicorn statue and Jedi meerkat ornament bagged (yes, you can pretty much buy anything for the home in John & his family’s shops!!), we moved on to ‘JENNY WREN’S YARNS’. Hundreds of balls of wool don’t tell half the story here, with all things ‘make-yourself’ available to buy and expert advice on hand. The ladies commented on the “colourful layout” and how surprised they all were with just how much fun they had contemplating a hobby that hadn’t previously been on their radar. “Your brain starts to wonder what you might be capable of!”. Lois offers regular knitting & crocheting classes and we left with a date firmly in the diary. A quick traffic check and we cross back over the road to meet up with Cathy, at her unique gift shop ‘LOVEONE’. The ladies loved “the unusual bits” on offer in the shop, commenting further that they “loved Loveone!”. Cathy obviously personifies the independent nature of the streets, as the group went on to say that “Cathy was inspiring” and was a “true advocate of the area”. A noted stock range was that of gifts for children and with that in mind, an
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SOCIALISING IN THE SAINTS SPONSORED BY BAREFOOT & GILLES illustrated book and stuffed bunny went through the till, before it was on to ‘CAKE & CATWALK’. Owner Lynn was fully prepared to greet her latest guests and poured some fizz, as the group meandered around her fashion boutique. The ladies commented that it was a real “experience” seeing all of the different items on offer and what a “treat” it was to speak to such a passionate business owner. “Unique & affordable” were also used to describe the visit. A bag & some jewellery better off and glasses ‘chinked’, we set on our way to our penultimate stop ‘THE ITALIAN SHIRT SHOP’. Owner Antonio Bellini oozes Italian flair and with his mixture of knowledge and the shop’s authentic background music, the ladies found themselves treating their other halves to items from “the wide choice of very reasonably priced stock”. Having expected true Italian designer wear to be expensive, the group were astounded that their purchases had price tags less than those found in ‘chain high street’ stores. With “ray of sunshine” Antonio handing out the receipts, we waved bye bye to our last shopkeeper and made our way to “TRAVELQUEST”.
So, with items bought and with a holiday nearly booked, it was home for an outfit change before meeting up again for predinner drinks at ‘THE THOMAS WOLSEY’, where “a friendly welcome awaited”. There was just enough time to drink to the success of the day, before taking the short walk to the final venue ‘KWAN THAI’. The highly-rated Thai restaurant expertly maitre d’d by Lesley was lively and the ladies were treated to “a faultless service”. My recommendation of ‘weeping tiger’ – a “succulent steak dish marinated to perfection” went down a treat, along with excellent wine from an “extensive wine list”. Despite being busy, the group received starters and mains in good time and the staff were friendly. “The meal was exceptionally good and it was a fabulous night out. We will all be returning again; both with friends and our husbands.” “Thank you Waterfront Life & The Saints for a fabulous day. We all enjoyed ourselves so much and have enjoyed telling people all about our day out. We may be booking a trip to New York too!”.
Our final afternoon stop, this independent travel agent is one of the newer neighbours in St Nicholas Street. A small & knowledgeable team run by manager Mary was on hand to quote for the ladies’ dream break to the big apple. The group were invited to peruse some New York brochures, with the added benefit of Prosecco and nibbles. The “lovely, friendly and really welcoming” staff “took the time to ask questions” and the ladies ended up with a very enticing quote, much lower than they were anticipating. “A fabulous end to the shopping spree”. 37 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ERF RO N T L I FE
Thinking of a holiday to Italy... Pop in to
for all the latest offers & brochures or come along to our Taste of Italy Evening to find out more...
A Ta s t e o f It a ly
Join us for an informative evening on Thursday 15th June 6.00pm with Italian wine & nibbles
CALL US FREE tickets - limited sp for your ace available
Visit t.co.uk s lQue Trave all our for vents e latest
Visit or call TravelQuest to book your next holiday 27-29 St Nicholas Street, Ipswich IP1 1TW 38 • 2017 • WAT ERF RO N T L I FE ipswich@travelquest.co ukJU NE)01473 357018
Book with confidence 094 4
RESTAURANT of the year 2017
40 VENUES ARE THROUGH TO ROUND 2 17 VENUES WILL HAVE TO TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR ROUND 2 JUDGING BEGINS IN LATE JUNE To see if your favourite has made it through, visit https://www.waterfrontlife.co/roty2017/ Good luck to the remaining venues
SPONSORED BY
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WATERFRONT Legal
Remember your
HIGH-VIS
WRITTEN BY ROGER LOOMES With summer round the corner and the lighter evenings, we are seeing many more people getting out and about on their bikes and as such see the region’s roads getting busier with both cyclists and motorcyclists. It is important, however, to be aware of the risks. National statistics show that 75% of serious or fatal cycle accidents happen in urban areas, around 75% at or near a road junction, and surprisingly, 80% occur in daylight. Many people wear high visibility clothing at dusk but few feel the need to wear it during the day which may well contribute to them not being very visible to motorists – hence the high percentage of daylight accidents. If you are involved in a cycling or motorbike accident which leaves you needing medical help, you may be entitled to compensation. What you can claim for will depend on the injury and its future implications on your life, but your claim might include compensation for the injury itself, whether it causes a long-term or short-term problem, loss of earnings -
including overtime – whilst you recover from the accident, replacement of damaged possessions – including your bike, the cost of paying someone else to do things that you normally do yourself such as housework and gardening and the loss of enjoyment suffered as a result of not being able to do the things you enjoy in life, such as going out on your bike! It is important to seek specialist advice as soon as possible after the incident so the facts are fresh in your mind. This is also important to ensure you get appropriate medical assistance and interim payments to help with rehabilitation, care and daily living expenses while your claim is ongoing. Roger Loomes T: 01473 849950 E: roger.loomes@ashtonslegal.co.uk Roger has over 30 years legal experience and is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
for all your legal needs 01473 849949 4 0 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ERF RO N T L I FE
The Principal Residential Block Managing Agent Across The Ipswich Waterfront If you would like a free, no obligation, proposal and quotation for the management of your block please contact us; 01473 216 200 enq@ews.co.uk 31 Lower Brook Street Ipswich IP4 1AQ
Buildings Management
Service Charge Management
Staff and Contractor Management 41 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ERF RO N T L I FE
MYSTERY SHOP REPORT
“THE THOMAS
WOLSEY IS A ‘PROPER’ PUB” VENUE THE THOMAS WOLSEY, ST PETER’S STREET, IPSWICH TIMING WEEKDAY EVENING
Occupying a large frontage in The Saints trading area, The Thomas Wolsey pub has the appearance of a ‘proper’ local and offers an alternative to the Waterfront’s modern bars. The venue was checked out by our mystery shopper – Claire.
SERVICE I can usually find fault with pub/bar service, as typically the bar is not read properly by the staff and in a busy environment, you have to jostle for both physical position and placement. However, with plentiful, attentive staff, I was served immediately and with smiles and courtesy. SCORE 5/5
FIRST IMPRESSIONS The pub fits seamlessly in to the unique area of The Saints. Its façade is welcoming and the age of the building gives the feeling that the interior will be cosy. The saloon style double doors add to the initial appeal. SCORE 4.5/5
CLIENTELE The demographic is ever so slightly older than you might imagine for a central area of a large town, but the pub plays to its strengths. The atmosphere is good and due to the above, not so intimidating for a lone lady as some (most) pubs can often be. ‘Nicely noisy!’ SCORE 4.5/5
AMBIENCE & GREETING The wooden floor and the abundance of similar design material make for an expected and anticipated interior; one of a cross between a village and a town centre pub. The atmosphere was good and with plenty of bar staff, the welcome was quick and genuine. SCORE 4/5
RANGE There is a great choice of beers, lagers, wines & spirits and very sensibly priced. Guest beers feature and the staff are happy to guide you through all of what’s on offer. Unusually in this day & age, the pub only serves packet bar snacks. SCORE 4.5/5
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TOILETS The ladies toilet is conveniently located at the end of the bar on the ground floor. One cubicle seems to do the trick and the area is clean & tidy. SCORE 4/5 STANDARDS & DÉCOR There is a decent mix of high tables,
cushioned seating and a large bench. Although seating initially seems a bit limited on a busy evening, helpful signage points to an upstairs seating area and there is some limited seating in a side passageway. Upstairs is a lot quieter and there is ample table area. The venue is clean, tidy and well presented. SCORE 4/5
The Thomas Wolsey is a ‘proper’ pub. The staff are well trained and welcoming and if you want an alternative to the local ‘bar scene’ then this is it. Management seem to have the correct outlook for their business and you feel that your custom is greatly appreciated.
OVERALL SCORE
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4.4/5
WATERFRONT History
ALL ABOUT…
SUFFOLK RECORD OFFICE and THE HOLD WRITTEN BY AMY RUSHTON
Looking back at the history of the Suffolk Show—a quintessentially Suffolk day out for everyone! We love the Suffolk Show here at the Record Office! It’s always a fantastic opportunity for us to shout about what we do (including, this year, ‘The Hold’!), and to show Suffolk people some of the rich heritage we care for on their behalf. We hope you enjoyed this year’s event – we thought it would be nice to wrap-up our own show experience with a little wander through the rich history of this ‘superbly Suffolk’ day out!
In 1831, a group of landowners and progressive farmers met at the White Hart, Wickham Market, to discuss the possibility of holding an agricultural show. The group formed the East Suffolk Agricultural Association (we hold a fascinating range of archives from the Suffolk Agricultural Association at our Ipswich branch!). The Agricultural Association set themselves the task of improving farming techniques in their county by holding an annual show. Since this date, the Suffolk Show has mirrored and helped to shape agriculture and rural life in Suffolk. The first show was held on 21 September 1831 at Wickham Market and embraced only East Suffolk with the Earl of Stradbroke as president. West Suffolk started their own show the following year and for over twenty years the two shows existed side by side. After the two shows merged, the Show moved round the county, often on the estate of the current President. In 1856, the East and West Suffolk shows amalgamated to form the Suffolk Agricultural Association. The first of the new Suffolk shows was held in the centre of the county at Stowmarket and it then moved to different areas every year. While Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds were the most popular sites, Stowmarket, Saxmundham, Beccles, Framlingham and Sudbury also hosted several shows. This practice continued until,
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in 1959, a 130-acre site was purchased on Bucklesham Road, Ipswich for a permanent Suffolk Showground. Since 1960 the show has been held on this site. Agricultural associations sought to improve agricultural methods by, for example, judging farm animals from leading breeders, holding ploughing matches and rewarding cash prizes to men and women who worked on the land and contributed to improving agriculture. The East Anglian Daily Times has also been a great supporter over the years. Reporting on the Royal Show at Ipswich in 1934 it was noted that special thanks were due to Mr C H Clarke of the East Anglian Times ‘who undertook the whole of the Press Publicity work at home and on the continent for a considerable period before the Show, and stimulated a sustained interest in the event until it was assured of success’. As part of its ongoing development and to celebrate the Association’s 175th anniversary, the Showground was re-branded TRINITY PARK. This brand is supported by three lifesize sculptures of a Suffolk Horse stallion, a Red Poll bull and a Suffolk ram, known as the Suffolk Trinity, which take pride of place at the redesigned main entrance.
Wine tasting at the Show in 1977—IRO/C491/7/40
Princess Diana at the Show in 1986 —IRO/SAA/010
Send your memories of the Suffolk Show to suffolk.remembers@suffolk.gov.uk Looking forward to seeing you next year!
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Part of the
Group
What’s on offer? BREAKFAST
Cargo Coffee House is one of the
newest Waterfront Life partners. We are a coffee house who prides itself on producing fresh, local and tasty food alongside great coffee in the very heart of the Ipswich waterfront. Situated at the front of the incredible University of Suffolk building we are open to all, whether you’re a student, tutor, local resident or visitor, we welcome all to pop in, grab a chair and enjoy the stunning surroundings. Are you a student watching the pennies? We offer a standard student discount across all food and drink, just flash your card at the till!
Porridge Pastries Breakfast muffins Fresh smoothies Granola pots LUNCHTIME Homemade soup Freshly made sandwiches, baguettes and paninis Gourmet salads Homemade sweet treats We also stock… Chilled drinks Fresh fruit juice Crisps Seeds Popcorn and other healthy snacks
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WATERFRONT Counsel
ELECTION Fever WRITTEN BY LIZ HARSANT
Liz Harsant was elected Councillor in 2002 to represent Holywells Ward and in 2004 became Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, in a joint administration (Conservatives /Lib Dems) for 6½ years. Amongst other things, community spirit is one of the reasons that Liz writes for Waterfront Life. ‘Election Fever’ hardly applies to the recent Suffolk County Council elections where turnout in Ipswich was very poor indeed roughly around 30 percent. I often ask residents why they don’t vote and the answer is “well it makes no difference” or “I can’t be bothered the same person always gets elected”. Yet the County Council runs all of the most important services which nearly everyone who votes will at some time in their lives need to use. For us local politicians in Ipswich we have local elections every year and as soon as one election is over we are talking about the next. Looking for and selecting candidates, discussing the issues we think the electorate are interested in, composing and delivering newsletters in our Wards and knocking on doors to see what problems or issues local residents have which we might be able to help resolve.
The day of the election is always hectic; us activists have to start as early as 5 a.m. and some parties have tellers sitting on polling stations. I’m convinced that residents have no idea why we do this but everyone has an electoral roll number and that is what the teller asks for. This is reported back to HQ and we then know that person has voted and later on in the early evening we don’t have to go round to their house and check!! Readers will by now probably have switched off, but it all fits together; canvassing, identifying your particular party’s voting intentions, telling to see if your pledges are going out and finally “knocking up”; persuading residents to go and vote. This year I stood for the County Council in the Gainsborough Division and although I didn’t win, I only lost by 3 votes. For all politicians, ‘The Count’ is a very tense time even if you are sure you are going to win there is always that little element of doubt and for me this year it was particularly stressful! So now we have another election - perhaps one of the most important elections in our lifetime. So let’s hope people go out and vote whatever their politics - it really is important.
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FROM DARK TO LIGHT
READ ALL about it
Henry Curtis-Williams: From Dark to Light Art Exhibition, will run for two weeks between May 27th and June 10th, celebrating the extensive portfolio of photography, textile and mixed-media artwork that Henry Curtis-Williams crafted during his life. Tragically in May 2016, whilst suffering from a sudden and severe mental illness which was unknown to his family and friends, he took his own life in London. The circumstances of Henry’s death remain deeply upsetting for his family, friends and those he met during his time studying and working between London and Ipswich. However, organising and displaying this exhibition is a way to grieve openly and celebrate the raw and extraordinary talent this wonderful young man possessed. The aim is to open an honest and positive dialogue about mental health, so that alongside charities like Suffolk MIND (www.suffolkmind.org. uk) and male suicide prevention campaign CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably, www.thecalmzone.net ) positive steps can be taken towards a brighter future. Mental health related charity materials will be available in the exhibition space with information on how to access vitally important helplines and support networks for those affected by suicide. Please visit Loveone in St Peter’s Street - open from 10am until 5pm. Henry was absolutely treasured by so many friends and colleagues and so many hearts will remain heavy after this tragic loss of a beautiful young personality. Follow updates and some of the stunning pieces from the exhibition on Instagram: @fromdarkto_light
UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK UNVEILS NEW GRADUATION GOWNS Designs for the University of Suffolk graduation gowns have been unveiled. This autumn marks the first time students will be graduating with University of Suffolk awards since the institution became independent in August 2016. Suffolk’s county colours of red, blue and yellow have influenced the designs with the golden yellow taking prominence. The University’s logo mark is also incorporated by being woven into the fabric lining of the hoods. There will be 11 different hoods depending on the level of award graduates will be receiving such as foundation degree, bachelors, PGCE or Masters.
HERBAL REMEDY It’s a stressful time of year for students across the globe. Whether a fresher or in your final year, summer exams are never fun. All-nighters, long days in the library, last-minute cramming - it’s enough to make any graduate shudder at the memory. But there’s one surprising ingredient that has seen a surge in sales after a recent study found it helps improve memory: rosemary. According to high street health food chain Holland & Barrett, sales of the herb have increased by 187 per cent compared to the same time last year. 48 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ER F RO N T L I FE
MY Life
Working together to make Suffolk the best place in the world WRITTEN BY CAROLE THAIN Suffolk Mind wants to make our county the best place in the world for talking about and taking care of mental wellbeing. · All of us have mental health, just as we have physical health, and one in four of us will suffer from mental ill health in any given year. · Just as five-a-day, a little exercise and a balanced diet are part of keeping physically healthy, so it is with mental health.
QUAY PLACE
By joining Friends of Suffolk Mind you will be part of a growing network of people who have pledged to find out how important mental health is and how to look after it. It’s free to join and will give you lots of useful information and support to make your own mental health a priority and create a life that meets your needs, and helps others meet theirs. A small step but one that could make a huge difference in your life and the lives of people you care about. www.suffolkmind.org.uk
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WATERFRONT Maritime
IPSWICH’S EARLY PADDLE STEAMERS WRITTEN BY FRASER YATES Most people rightly associate the Steamboat Tavern with the paddle steamers that used to ply from Ipswich to Harwich and London, but did you know that 2015 was the 200th anniversary of the first steamboats from Ipswich? On 25th June 1814 a notice appeared in The Ipswich Journal announcing the imminent start of a Steam Packet Service to Harwich; 10am every morning from Ipswich and 6pm return from Harwich. However, these were early days of the new engine designs and, just like today, the introduction of new technology did not always go to plan!
before, particularly for ladies! Bearing in mind that the alternative transportation to London was by stage or mail coach, it will have been attractive to many. The Ipswich made her first voyage in March 1826 from London to Ipswich. Her scheduled voyages commenced in April and took around 11 hours to complete. She made weekly sailings from spring to autumn between Ipswich, Harwich and London, and was joined by the sister ship Suffolk later in 1826. Moving on a few years, with the Great Eastern Railway and their sea-going fleet from Harwich to service, they also introduced paddle steamers for ever popular excursions between Ipswich, Felixstowe and Harwich. They had steamers called the Ipswich and the Stour built in 1864, which were replaced by the Orwell and Stour in 1873 and 1878, and an excursion paddle steamer Norfolk in 1897. This nicely brings us back to the Steamboat Tavern; as the paddle steamers either moored on the quay adjacent the pub or directly opposite on the other side of the new Cut.
Their steamer, the Orwell, was built at Great Yarmouth with a Norwich foundry supplying the engine. However, the engine was not sufficiently powerful and a replacement was obtained from the noted London engineers H Maudslay & Co., and was delivered by sea. The Orwell eventually went into service in 1815 between Ipswich and Harwich, but unfortunately was not a success and disappeared from history within a few weeks. The next mention in the local press of paddle steamer or steam packet is September 1825, when the launch of the steam vessel The Ipswich was announced; proclaiming services to London in a maximum of 10 to 14 hours with every sort of refreshment and accomodation exceeding anything seen 50 • JUNE 2017 • WAT ER F RO N T L I FE
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COMING SOON MYSTERY SHOPPER .....We check out another Waterfront venue i.n.c.o.g.n.i.t.o. ‘ROTY’…..Has your favourite eatery made it into Round 3 of the highly anticipated ‘Restaurant of the Year’ awards? ‘STUDENT LIFE’….. Our strategic partners offer more help & advice on far reaching topics. We also introduce readers to the work of new student writers ‘THE SAINTS’…..We shadow a couple in the lead up to ‘date night’ in the Saints. Hair & makeup through to dressing to impress. Readers should keep an eye on our Facebook & Twitter for the chance to win! ‘WEDDING PLANS’ …..We link up with a wedding planner, a body image consultant and an emotional wellbeing specialist, to explore the stress behind the dress.
Get the digital issue straight to your inbox - sign up on our website www.waterfrontlife.co @waterfrontlifeips 51 • JU NE 2017 • WAT ER F RO N T L I FE
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