Ipswich Maritime Trust unveil new information board

Sailing Barge Victor and the Old Customs House were opened to the public on Saturday to mark Heritage Open Day.

To commemorate the occasion a new information board was unveiled at the customs building to mark the maritime heritage of Ipswich. 

The heritage open day lets people access the Sailing Barge Victor. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

The board was made by Ipswich Maritime Trust with help from All About Ipswich and was revealed by the deputy mayor of Ipswich, councillor Lynne Mortimer.

Cllr Mortimer said: "Ipswich Maritime Trust is a good friend of the waterfront, promoting the seafaring heritage of the town while also caring for its present and helping to secure its future and its legacy.

"There are many residents and businesses that rely on the waterfront, there are many importers and exporters that rely on the waterway.

"There are many local people and visitors who come here to experience the history, the culture, the restaurants, and the sheer beauty of this maritime treasure at the heart of Ipswich."

Inside the Old Customs House, visitors could look at old pictures of the waterfront. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

She thanked all those who had helped keep the town's legacy alive. 

Within the Old Customs House, which is now occupied by Associated British Ports (ABP), visitors could view old photos of the waterfront and model ships. 

The exhibition aimed to show how the waterfront had developed over the years and how crucial it was to Ipswich.

The Old Customs House is currently occupied by ABP (Image: Shikhar Talwar) The heritage open day is a national festival organised by National Trust (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

Meanwhile, the barge offered people a chance to sit for a while, with occasional singing performances by local groups. 

Heritage Open Day will continue until next weekend, with people being able to visit the town’s Heritage Harbour, Broomhill Lido, and see a demonstration at Christchurch Mansion and a mock trial at Suffolk Magistrate’s Court.

The heritage open days will continue next weekend. (Image: Ipswich Central) Ipswich Central has been supporting the Ipswich Society to organise and run the Heritage Open Days in town.

Melanie Willis, communications manager at Ipswich Central, said: “Heritage Open Days offer an opportunity to visit all types of heritage venues and here in Ipswich we have lots of interesting places to see.

"Twenty-eight events are taking part this year in and around the town, at both well-known and not so well-known historic buildings.”