ISSUE 13 • DECEMBER 2017
Lifestyle Magazine for Ipswich Residents, Businesses and Visitors
Proud supporter of
WATERFRONT Life
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Editor’s
December 2016. It was only a year ago, but so much has happened in that time. From sitting down for a coffee to discuss an idea for a ‘Waterfront newsletter’….all the way to an award-nominated, high-quality magazine/website & social media platforms. It’s been quite a year and it’s now time for the Team to take a moment to reflect. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the daily & monthly workload, that we forget just how far we have come since our first edition. There are so many people to thank as we blow out our metaphorical candle; our strategic partners, our writers, our design team, our new associates, our financial partners/advertisers and of course, you, our readers. We could not have achieved all that we have without all of these people and we are truly grateful to each and every one of you. So on to the festive season! The area has an almost magical look in winter; with the sparkling lights on shore and on the water. It’s an important time of year for our local traders and a time for residents to reflect on the year gone by and look forward to what 2018 may bring. Whatever your story, I hope that everyone has something to celebrate from 2017 and a lot to look forward to next year. Thank you to everyone and as ever…..please continue to feed back to us on all topics. My very best wishes for a happy festive period and for a prosperous & healthy new year. Take care, Richard Stewart
WORD
CONTACT US 01473 35 35 12 info@waterfrontlife.co www.waterfrontlife.co FB & IG @waterfrontlifeips TWITTER @waterfront_life
Contents...
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Happy Birthday To Us!
THE VIEW FROM THE SALTHOUSE ..................................................................................5 WATERFRONT LEGAL The Challenges of Christmas & School Holidays ..................7 THE SAINTS Featured Magazine ......................................................................................13-18 MYSTERY SHOP REPORT Countryside Stoves ....................................................20-21 WATERFRONT NEIGHBOURS Aqua Pharamcy .................................................26-27 2 • D EC EMBER 2017 • WAT ER F RO N T L I FE
Waterfront OUR PORT
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... WRITTEN BY 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 features our editor spends a DAY in the LIFE of ABP’s Deputy Harbour Master – Cpt. Nick Shaw and gets a behind the scenes look at the operation of the lock gates. Captain Nicholas (Nick) Shaw comes from a seasoned maritime background, having joined the Merchant Navy as a cadet at 16 years old. From ship’s command, to serving the Port of Felixstowe for 13 years, 65 year old Nick then joined ABP to work alongside friend and previous Waterfront Life interviewee – Jerry Coleman - as a lock operator, 4 years ago. Retirement doesn’t figure in Nick’s immediate future plans and with longevity established, I then ask the most basic question possible to get us underway…..Why does the marina need a lock!? I’m told that, at low tide and with other factors working against the Waterfront location, without a lock in place, the river Orwell would suck the water out of the Marina and all vessels would end “on the bottom”. “With the lock in place, all vessels have 24-hour access to the berths” explains Nick. “High or low water; the vessels stay afloat”. Whilst predominantly now catering for the leisure crafts that visit or are berthed at
the Marina, the need for a lock dates back to 1839, when the first stone was laid at the original site of the first, commercially required, lock (mid-dock). ABP runs a tight ship! Vessels call up on Channel 68 (although I am amazed to learn that not all leisure craft are required to have a radio….or keep it switched on!) and alert the Harbour Master’s office of their impending arrival. Those without a radio, just show up! “The Marina can get ‘full’, but generally speaking, berths are normally available and you can get up to 16 yachts in the lock” says Nick. “But you can’t pre-book space, so some warning of arrival is ideal for planning”. It can take up to 45 minutes to adjust water levels that can start 3 meters apart and this cannot be rushed, such is the wave that could be initiated by letting water through too quickly. During high-water - a twice a day occurrence - water levels are identical in the River and in the Marina and the lock gates are open; facilitating immediate access in & out, subject to the operation of the swing-bridge of course!
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WATERFRONT Residential
Nicholas Estates PROPERTY of the MONTH THE CAMBRIA, £240,000
Nicholas Estates are pleased to bring to the market for sale, this beautifully presented split level two bedroom apartment, offering views on to Ipswich marina and located in the popular Regatta Quay development. This well laid out property offers 2 double bedrooms (private balcony off master bedroom), kitchen/ diner with steps up to circular shaped lounge giving panoramic views towards the town centre and marina. Boasting allocated parking, easy access to all amenities, town centre and Railway station; an early viewing is recommended.
SERVICED ACCOMMODATION Stunning two bedroom serviced apartment available for short term rental. Nicholas Estates offer this high standard, fully furnished, two bedroom serviced apartment; ideal for business or leisure stays. This first floor apartment is available for a minimum of 3 days. For longer periods of over 28 days please call for a bespoke quote. 4 • D EC EMBER • WAT ER F RO N T L I FE Nicholas Estates• 01473 2017 215743 • www.nicholasestates.co.uk
BEHIND THE SCENES
THE VIEW FROM THE
SALTHOUSE
The Man Behind The Brand WRITTEN BY RICHARD STEWART
From toilet cubicle cleaner to porter to business owner; if ‘coming up through the ranks’ is a pre-requisite for a successful businessperson, then Robert Gough ticks that particular box. Here our editor meets the owner of Gough Hotels, the family trading name behind the Salthouse: At 14 years old, Robert was inducted into the family hotel business by parents Dick and Mary, when instructed to clean the toilets at the Angel in Bury! In 2017, a 51 year old Robert now works alongside his mum and has ‘Owner’ on his business card. It’s that on-the-job education, coupled with an MBA in Hotel Management, that has stood this effervescent hotelier in good stead. “We had a vision in 2002” explained Robert. “A Victorian warehouse came up for sale on what was known as the Ipswich Quayside and we could immediately see a unique opportunity to build a 40 bedroom, boutique style of hotel, not available in the area. We had to be brave….we had to be forwardthinking; but in the knowledge that the area was destined for significant growth, we decided to be first to show our confidence in all of the plans for the area”. And so, in 2003, the Salthouse opened its doors to the paying public; boasting duvets 5 • D EC EMBER 2017
as standard (unheard of a decade and a half ago), walk-in showers (a deviation from the standard ‘shower over bath’) and state-of-theart, in-room music systems. “We had a clear view” said Robert. “We wanted differentiators and coupled with these, we reduced the possible number of bedrooms, allowing us to boast larger rooms all round. We used our experience in the industry and ensured that we could offer an accredited 4 star hotel, but with 5 star facilities and service”. And Ipswich responded. In an unusual scenario for the industry, the hotel had a waiting list for its rooms. There was a need for expansion and so in 2008, already leasing space for the existing hotel’s lounge in the neighbouring snooker hall, the Salthouse purchased and subsequently demolished the adjoining building and rebuilt an extension, providing 38 additional rooms. I finish my chat with Robert by asking what has pleasantly surprised him the most and what the future holds? “I am delighted that so many local residents choose to stay overnight at the hotel for their special occasions” said Robert. The industry expects a high ratio in favour of out-of-town guests, but the Salthouse goes some way to bucking this normal trend and that’s to its huge credit. “As far as the future is concerned…..we will continue to innovate and upgrade”. We will watch with interest.
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WATERFRONT Legal
THE CHALLENGES OF
CHRISTMAS & SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WRITTEN BY TINA INNISS
Considering the arrangements for Christmas is often a challenging time for separated families. Working out the time for children to spend time with each of their parents, as well as their wider family, can be the subject of a lot of dispute. Changing family units inevitably mean a change in routine and that applies very much in the festive period. After years of working with separated parents, I have seen how much of a struggle it can be for parents to come to terms with the idea that their children will wake up on Christmas Day, away from them in this traditional family period. The best advice I can give to parents is to think about what their children want and need. It is important for children to have regular time with both of their parents and the Christmas holidays are no exception. Many families alternate Christmas Day year on year, with children
spending Christmas Eve and Day with one of their parents and perhaps Boxing Day with the other parent. This gives children the opportunity to experience this magical time with both their parents and provides an easy structure for even young children to understand. However, in the modern day many parents may have new partners who themselves have children, so Christmas might include exciting, or daunting, new children; so it is best to forewarn, to avoid any surprises. When thinking ahead to Christmas, what are your options if you and your ex cannot agree arrangements? Mediation can help you and your ex talk through issues in a supportive, non confrontational environment. At Ashtons, we offer an initial meeting at no charge, to anyone who wants to find out more about the mediation process. Tina Inniss is a member of the national body Resolution, and through them, a trained mediator.
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WATERFRONT Counsel
IPSWICH COUNSEL 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.
restaurants & coffee houses - and Suffolk Mind’s Quay Place; the wonderful new facility in St Mary at the Quay - it definitely makes the Waterfront the ‘place to go’.
This year has seen a lot of changes in the Town, including ongoing work on transportation fit for the 21st Century; which is gradually allowing the free flow of traffic. The Waterfront has seen the University of Suffolk establish the Ipswich Waterfront Innovation Centre as a focal point for developing new entrepreneurs and ICT businesses. Suffolk New College offers students full and part time courses in leisure learning and apprenticeships, in its state-of-the-art building and as student numbers grow, it is always a pleasure to welcome them to our Town and to bring them into our community.
So, what do we have to look forward to in 2018? The Ipswich Garden Suburb; which could bring 3,500 new homes to our Town, bringing economic prosperity as well as much needed housing. The Upper Orwell Crossings; which again will bring inward investment to Ipswich and make travel from the East to the West Bank so much easier. The Waterfront will see more housing developments going ahead; the Winerack being the most prominent and hopefully some benches along the Orwell Quay. The proposed improvements to the Cornhill will open up more opportunities for new shops and visitors to come to Ipswich and we mustn’t forget our Theatres, DanceEast, our Museums and of course the Parks; all helping to make Ipswich a destination attraction.
This year has seen the Waterfront become more attractive and appealing to visitors. Maritime Ipswich was a huge success, along with other events held this year and when you combine this with all the
For me of course, this year has had its disappointments; with Ben Gummer not being re-elected. However, I always like to be optimistic and move forward - to make our town the greatest in East Anglia.
…..and so the Festive Season has begun and as we look back on 2017, we start to look forward to 2018.
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THE NEW RANGE ROVER VELAR
NO HEADLINE REQUIRED
One look at the New Range Rover Velar says it all. The exterior silhouette and continuous waistline are the perfect blend of elegance, simplicity, sophistication and glamour. Even the attention to detail has been given careful attention to detail. These few words can’t really do this stunning vehicle justice. Perhaps it’s wiser just to take another good long look. Now available for test drive, contact us to find out more. Marshall Land Rover Ipswich 1 Crane Boulevard, Futura Park, Ipswich, IP3 9QL 01473 215 900 www.marshall.co.uk/land-rover 10 • • WAT ER(I/100km): FRO N TUrban L I FE22.2-45.6 (12.7-6.2); Extra Urban Official Fuel Consumption Figures for DECEMBER the Range Rover2017 Velar range in mpg 37.7-57.7 (7.5-4.9); Combined 30.1-52.5 (9.4-5.4). CO2 Emissions 214-142 g/km. Drive responsibly on and off-road.
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
INTRODUCING THE RANGE ROVER EVOQUE LANDMARK EDITION
To celebrate six years of Evoque, the Landmark Edition features dynamic bodystyling, Carpathian Grey contrast roof and Gloss Dark Grey 19’’ alloy wheels. Available in three colours, including luminescent Moraine Blue, with a Graphite Atlas trim finisher, the new Landmark Edition takes design to the next level. Unique to the Landmark Edition, a Dark Satin Brushed Aluminium interior finisher adds a striking counterpoint to the all Ebony Oxford leather interior with contrast Lunar stitch. A full glass fixed panoramic roof enhances the sense of interior space and provides uninterrupted views of the surroundings. Marshall Land Rover Ipswich 1 Crane Boulevard, Futura Park, Ipswich, IP3 9QL 01473 215 900 www.marshall.co.uk/land-rover Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the Range Rover Evoque (Five-door and Coupé) range in mpg (I/100km): Urban 27.457.7(10.3-4.9); Extra Urban 44.1-76.4 Combined 36.2-67.3 (7.8-4.2). CO2 Emissions 11 • (6.4-3.7); D EC EMBER 2017 • WAT ER FRO N T L I FE181-109 g/km. Official EU Test Figures. For comparative purposes only. Real world figures may differ.
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IT’S PARTY SEASON Flawless Image is ready for Christmas with a range of gifts to treat the ones you love; from Temple Spa gift sets and Mii makeup sets to aromatic candles and room fragrances to bring a sense of relaxation and spa to your home. There are also new Christmas nail colour collections from OPI and Biosculpture to really get you into the party spirit.
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Biosculpture Gel Nail Extensions £25 instead of £40
Russian Volume lashes £45 instead of £80 12 • D EC EMBER 2017 • WAT ERFRO N T L I FE
THE Saints ISSUE 10 • DECEMBER 2017
Proud supporter of
THE Saints
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DIRECTORY s t n i a S 11. APPLAUD COFFEE
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
ASSET & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FORMER CLOTHING STORE SPORT & LEISURE ICE CREAM PARLOUR MERCHANT HOUSE INTERIORS
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
25 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF An eclectic mix of jewellery and gifts, furniture, lighting, and much much more.
7. THE HOUSE IN THE TOWN
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
13. CAKE & CATWALK
15 St Peter’s Street, IP1 1XF Look fabulous for less; jewellery, bags, scarves & more
14. FLORIST 15. PUB 16. ROSE HOUSE BUTCHERY
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 11 Arcade Street, Ipswich IP1 1EX Digital Design Agency creating websites that stand out, get noticed and win customers. Confident, professional logo design that captures your brand.
POLITICAL PARTY HQ 66. SOCIAL CLUB 67. ARMY CAREERS
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THE Saints
T H I S Y E A R & Next WRITTEN BY CATHY FROST
Cathy Frost is the owner of Loveone in St Peter’s Street, one of Ipswich’s most unique gift shops. Cathy is also the Coordinator of The Saints Traders Group As we approach the closing weeks of the year, it’s always a good time to take stock of the how the year has been - both for the shop and my community on the Saints. It still continues to be a challenging time on the High Street; this year being no different to the last few, with pressures from not only the internet and out of town shops, but also the bigger economic picture, Brexit and general bad news stories. One thing Loveone and my neighbours are really good at though, is spreading the message of the importance of community and fighting for our high streets. We have worked hard at fostering relationships with both Ipswich Central, our Business Improvement District and Ipswich Borough Council. Together we are a much stronger voice and a wider reach, both locally and regionally. The traders have been very involved with all of the targeted campaigns from All About Ipswich, including Heritage Weekend and Food & Drink Forknight; celebrating what we do well in a very historic and attractive quarter of the Town. Waterfront Life magazine continues to be an important link for18the•Saints quarter DECEMBER 2017
to the Waterfront community, especially as we are one of the main routes linking the town centre to the Waterfront. Our fortunes are intrinsically linked. My own personal highlights this year were reaching the finals of the RETAS, an industry award for independent gift shops, and celebrating 10 years on the High Street. I still firmly believe that our high streets have a huge part to play at the heart of our communities; with a shifting emphasis now to a retail-leisure mix. The fact that we can access shopping 24/7, means that the need for bricks and mortar shops may wain, but the indies on your local high street can offer personal service, product knowledge, interesting conversation and a sense of place. I have a simple wish for next year….to see the Saints remain as a go-to destination for something different; both for shopping and also for eating and drinking. I very much hope that we will see the return of our popular Street Markets and continue to grow as a community, playing our part in helping Ipswich realise its potential. A big thank you to all the visitors and shoppers who have supported the Saints this year, it is very much appreciated…..but remember your indies are for all year, not just for Christmas!
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MYSTERY SHOP REPORT
“PROFESSIONAL, SINCERE & FRIENDLY” COUNTRYLIFE STOVES, DUKE STREET TIMING: WEEKDAY MORNING
You may be forgiven for driving past Countrylife Stoves on more than one occasion and not registering the venue’s product line, such is the understated exterior and the residential look of the building. However, the ‘Stove & Fireplace’ business has been trading since 1978, so must be doing a lot of things right. We sent our mystery shopper – Andy – in to warm up on a cold November day.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS Situated on a busy spur into the town centre, the signage is somewhat lacking, with only one external sign that still doesn’t offer an explanation of the product on offer. There are some additional window graphics providing clues, but you have to have a good look in the windows to get the full picture. That stated, the building looks homely. SCORE 3.5/5 GREETING A gentleman was dealing with customers when I entered and didn’t acknowledge me, but very quickly, a lady came down to the shop floor from the mezzanine level and I was greeted with warmth, genuineness & professionalism. SCORE 4.5/5 FACT FIND The lady – by the name of Mitzi as I was to find out – asked me some detailed questions regarding my enquiry. Through this, not only did Mitzi ensure that she had all of the information available to her to assist me, but showed a real desire to want to understand the background to my visit to her store. At no point did I feel overwhelmed by this and I bought into Mitzi’s approach completely. SCORE 5/5 PRODUCT LINE The shop is well stocked with seemingly everything the relevant homeowner could want or need. From stoves to fireplaces to ironware to decorative pieces to fuel, the store is brimming with products, but not to the detriment of the layout or the navigation. SCORE 5/5
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PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE As Mitzi asked her questions and therefore got to hear more about my cottage in the countryside, I was offered option after option, but again, not to the detriment of each product, nor to my understanding of the advice being offered. Mitzi skilfully worked out square footage (yes old school, but welcome!) versus output and displayed thorough knowledge at all times. SCORE 5/5 OVERALL SERVICE To me, it makes such a difference when as a customer - I get the feeling that the sales adviser genuinely (and I’ll stress genuinely) wants to 1. Understand my needs and then 2. Offer advice based on those needs. In sales, this process is known simply as ‘Needs Based Selling’. With some ‘sick & slick’ salespeople, the training element is way too obvious. However, Mitzi’s approach was both genuine and effortless; certainly not trained in to her. I can honestly state that I have seldom been dealt with as professionally, sincerely & friendly. My only negative from the visit was that at no point did Mitzi take my name or any of my contact details. Had I been a ‘real’ customer, I would have wanted Mitzi to know my name at least and then ideally to have received a follow-up from my visit. It may well be the firm’s policy not to follow up visits to the showroom, but if it is, then Mitzi’s excellent approach to customer service is, in my opinion, being unsupported somewhat. This has also led to a score of 4, rather than 5. SCORE 4/5 STANDARDS & DECOR The showroom is inviting, well planned out and – with a roaring fire lit – very homely. Everywhere is clean & tidy and the whole area is easy to navigate. All internal signage/pricing is clear & obvious and the décor is very fit for purpose. SCORE 4.5/5
Mitzi is a credit to the business and is one of the best salespeople that I have dealt with in a long time; either in my ‘real life’, or as a very experienced mystery shopper. The venue may be understating itself locally, but once inside, this is a minor detail and you are made to feel welcome and valued. The knowledge shown is exemplary and whether you own an older style of property, or a modern home, if you already have - or have the ability to have - a fire or stove…..get yourself down to this store.
OVERALL SCORE
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4.3/5
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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a welcome to
SUFFO
...
CUE SE S E R & E R I LK F
RV I C E
WRITTEN BY JON SOUTHGATE
I hope you enjoyed reading last month’s coverage of “A day in the life of a Firefighter”, which I have the pleasure of trying to follow and expand upon over the coming months with a regular article. I’ll be giving you further insights into the range of incidents our crews are attending in your area, across Ipswich and across the county; highlighting incidents of note. To start with, I’ll introduce myself and where I fit into SFRS. I’m Jon Southgate - a Station Commander - with my role being that of Deputy District Commander of the South District. To put that into context, we have 35 fire stations in Suffolk; 4 crewed 24/7, 2 crewed daytime hours Monday to Friday & 29 crewed solely by On-Call (OC =parttime) personnel. The 4 + 2 fire stations also have an OC crew who get called in when the main fire appliance is called out - so you can see that we rely so much on our OC colleagues! That’s where it all started for me, becoming an OC Firefighter at Princes Street fire station nearly 32 years ago. Back then, I was running my own business making reproduction furniture 23 which • D ECwas EMBER 2017 and restoring antiques, really
satisfying but when a mate joined Princes St OC, he absolutely raved about it which intrigued me enough to follow suit and give something back to my community. This meant making some sacrifices. The first one was my full beard had to go – moustaches were allowed but nothing more! More than that was a commitment to being available for emergencies from work, home, leisure and sleep! Being my own boss meant I could down tools and make up the time later – sometimes working through the night to get export orders ready! After 2 ½ years OC and encouragement from my Station Commander, I joined SFRS full time, was posted to Haverhill, then Ipswich and worked my way up through 4 promotions to have the privilege of now running 5 fire stations; Needham Market, Hadleigh, Nayland, Holbrook and with a great sense of pride, Princes St. I work a flexible duty system so can still be called out from home or office to attend incidents. However, now as a supervisory commander, another role I have is that of a Fire Investigator (more of that in future articles). Happy Christmas, stay safe & I’ll see you
•in WAT N T L I FE theERFRO New Year!
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
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WATERFRONT Maritime
CLIFF QUAY BREWERY
The Cobbold’s on Ipswich Docks WRITTEN BY ANDY PARKER
Over the last 60 years in Ipswich nearly every pub was run by Tolly Cobbold, with a brewery based at Cliff Quay since 1746. It now stands empty after closing in 2002, on its site is the now closed but what was once a hugely popular pub the Brewery Tap, housed in the Victorian brewery offices and possibly in what was an 18th century brothel. It now faces possible regeneration, becoming an area of the waterfront for residential housing, restaurants, new businesses and use by the University of Suffolk. Cliff Quay Brewery was built when Thomas Cobbold moved his operations to Ipswich. The early 18th century operation has been a debating point for local historians over the last century, due to limited documents. The traditional viewpoint is that the Cobbolds moved from Harwich due to issues with the water supply, forcing them to ship water to Harwich from Ipswich.
There is little to no evidence for this, having become lost in Suffolk folklore. A more tenable view is that the ability to be closer to the water spring in what is now Holywell’s Park (a Cobbold estate) made it cost effective and closer to the emerging markets for Cobbold beers and ales. However, without evidence for either reason the point is moot, nonetheless the business flourished in Ipswich following the move. The success of the brewery and the importance of the Cobbold family in every aspect of Victorian Ipswich society and business, including banking, shipbuilding and the railways, pushed the growth of the town. The Cobbolds were a driving force in the creation of a railway that established a line to London. The railway helped expand the breweries markets and helped the port of Ipswich develop and thrive. The result of this was seen in the popularity and demand for Cobbold pubs, with around 300 pubs across Suffolk, many in Ipswich surrounding the docks and its workers. Today the Cobbold name is synonymous with Ipswich and the development of the town owes itself largely to their businesses and philanthropy.
www.ipswich maritimetrust. org.uk IMAGE CREDIT STUART GRIMWADE/IMT ARCHIVE
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WATERFRONT Neighbours
ADVICE & EXPERTISE ON THE DOORSTEP Aqua Pharmacy, Duke Street WRITTEN BY RICHARD STEWART Established in September 2012 “to bring pharmaceutical services to the expanding Waterfront residential and business communities”, Aqua is a family run, local community pharmacy. Its small team is headed up by owner Michelle Claridge and boasts experienced and enthusiastic professionals, who really want to look out for people’s health. Aqua also operates as a training environment, joining up those newer professionals, to gather experience and expertise.
The modern, well designed venue facilitates easy and pleasant access to a full range of NHS and private services to all residents; the design of which is fully inclusive of those who may have mobility difficulty or disabilities. Aqua’s services include; prescription dispensing (including a request and collection service from surgeries across Ipswich), NHS Healthchecks, flu vaccination, stop smoking service, emergency contraception and other sexual health services. Additionally, the Pharmacy boasts a busy, private travel vaccination & malaria prevention clinic, to cater for those holiday health needs.
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Aqua Pharmacy CHEMIST ~ HEALTH ~ BEAUTY ~ THERAPY
“As a small, professional business we rely on the loyalty of our local community to support the services delivered from the pharmacy” explained Michelle. “Like so many other parts of the health and other sectors, pharmacy is being hit very hard by the current economic climate and recent government cuts, which leaves small companies particularly vulnerable”.
Michelle has worked in community pharmacy for nearly 30 years and drawn experience from every part of that. This experience includes having worked for all of the major corporates - as an independent community pharmacy locum, work within the former Primary Care Trusts (PCT) and in GP practices for the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). “All that I have experienced, helps to inform and inspire the services Aqua seeks to deliver to the community it serves” said Michelle.
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C YC L E S A L E S • S E RV I C I N G • C LOT H I N G ACC E S S O R I E S • S O C I A L R I D E - O U T S G U I D E D M O U N TA I N B I K E R I D E S
14 PRINCES ST • IPSWICH • IP 1 1QT
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WATERFRONT History
ALL ABOUT…
SUFFOLK RECORD OFFICE and THE HOLD WRITTEN BY AMY RUSHTON
CHRISTMAS As we prepare for the festive season we thought we would look back at the origins of Christmas traditions. Many midwinter festivals in eastern and European cultures predate Christmas. Modern celebrations borrow ideas from these. Since Pagan times, evergreens have been valued for their ability to retain signs of life in the middle of winter, hence the custom of decorating our houses with holly and ivy.
By Elizabethan times, food was part of Christmas festivities. In wealthier households, a banqueting course of expensive and intricate food displayed the wealth of the host and the culinary skills of his lady. The austere Commonwealth period resulted in little celebratory fun, and it wasn’t until the Restoration of 1660 that Christmas revelries regained popularity. In 1662, Samuel Pepys recorded in his diary that he ate ‘plum porridge and a roasted pullet, followed by mince pie.’ (This was a frugal meal, owing to his wife’s illness.) We owe many of the modern Christmas traditions to the Victorians: • Prince Albert popularised decorating a Christmas tree - although he was not the first to introduce the tradition to England. The Victorian tree was festooned with toys, small gifts, candles, candies, fancy cakes, and paper chains. • Tom Smith, a confectioner’s apprentice from London, devised the first Christmas Cracker after a trip to Paris in 1840. • The first Christmas Card was invented in London in 1843 by Henry Cole to advertise his business. John Calcott Horsley designed it - 1,000 cards were printed and handcoloured. Charles Goodall first mass produced Christmas card designs from 1862. By 1871 there were complaints that sending cards was slowing down the post and in 1881 the Royal Mail asked people to post early for Christmas.
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The earliest known portrayal of Father Christmas (the English version of Santa Claus) was in Ben Jonson’s play Christmas His Masque, first performed in 1616. Traditionally, Father Christmas is portrayed wearing green robes - harking back to the story of the Greek bishop, Saint Nicholas, who gave gifts to the poor. The red-robed Santa Claus is an American influence. Thomas Nast, the American cartoonist and satirist first drew the modern version of Santa Claus in 1881. As families gather round their festive tables, they often reminisce about Christmases past and earlier generations; which encourages some to research their family history by purchasing a subscription to online family history sites, not realising they can use Ancestry and FindmyPast in the three Suffolk Record Offices and Suffolk Libraries for free. Digital copies of many popular family history sources are also not online yet, including in Suffolk’s church registers and parish papers dealing with poor relief and charities. Settlement examinations, removal orders, bastardy bonds and relief payments, give family historians a broader sense of how their ancestors lived and the struggles they faced. Probate records are another valuable source. Our paid research service provides invaluable help, for those who cannot make a personal visit.
HD1651/1/7(2) & HD1651/1/6 Father Christmas at Messrs Footman Pretty & Co, Department Store (now Debenhams) in Ipswich
To find out more, visit https://www. suffolkarchives.co.uk/services/researchservice/
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Weddingswww.nicholasestates.co.uk Advert Example Visit nicholasestates.co.uk for properties in Ipswich, Felixstowe2017 and surrounding villages. 32 • DECEMBER • WAT ERFRO N T L I FE