Cardinal Wolsey was the Del Boy of his time.  A wheeler-dealer, a mover and shaker and upwardly mobile.  Born in Ipswich 550 years ago probably in the Black Horse pub, the aristocracy scornfully named him the Butcher’s Boy.  However, King Henry VIII was happy to use his talents to enrich his fortune before discarding Wolsey when he was no longer useful.

Before Wolsey was removed from power, he planned to make Ipswich a seat of learning and aimed to build a substantial college stretching from St Nicholas Street to the Waterfront. All that remains of Wolsey’s structure is the former waterside gate, which can still be seen on College Street.

Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) own the Wolsey Gate which is grade I listed and have responsibility for maintaining it. This involves inspections and regular visits from specialist contractors, who are usually concerned with repointing, removing weeds and any graffiti, and occasionally replacing eroded brickwork. The stone panel (royal arms) also needs recoating with limewash every now and again.

The gate has an outward lean, which can be seen in 18th and 19th century engravings so is not a recent issue.  However, we do keep an eye on it and look out for any signs of renewed movement or fresh cracks.

A Conservationist carried out an inspection in 2019. I’ve had confirmation that the recommended works were undertaken, which in summary was to remove moss, repoint and apply a Limewater protective coating on the Coat of Arms. The next inspection is now due and I have asked to be updated after it’s done.

I met last week with Kath Cockshaw (Project Director) and Terry Hunt (Chair) of the Thomas Wolsey 550 project. This project aims to celebrate Wolsey’s heritage and hopefully use heritage as a way of improving the link between the Waterfront and the town.

The bit of the project that interests me most currently, is their schools programme, which is open to all primary and secondary schools within Ipswich.  This will offer activities for children to help them tell their own story and develop a sense of pride in themselves, their family, their heritage, and the place where they live. It would be great if every school in town was involved.  The strapline on the new IBC Strategy is “Proud of Ipswich” which fits well with the Wolsey schools programme.

We had a walk round the area that was Wolsey’s College back in the 1500s.

The project wants to rename Stoke Bridge as Wolsey’s Bridge, which is surely not controversial?  The county council look after bridges so renaming it would be officially up to them, but the problem will be getting people to use the new name, as the old one has been around for hundreds of years!

We stopped by St Peter’s by the Waterfront church which is now a centre for the arts and heritage.  St Peter’s was a Priory but Cardinal Thomas Wolsey closed the Priory so he could use the church as the chapel to his College. St Peter’s was given back to the parishioners after he died.

There is interest providing a couple of attractions near the silo.  Firstly, a viewing gallery to look over the gate and show Wolsey’s college by virtual reality.  Secondly, a Tudor Garden – a garden with plants used in Tudor times.

These ideas will need to be made possible with Heritage Fund money.

The project has big ambitions, but I am sure the town will be behind them as heritage is used to create interest in Ipswich and revitalise part of the town, creating something we can all be proud of.