Ipswich's Thomas Wolsey Pub in St Peter's Street is preparing for a Tudor Christmas celebration next week - including a visit from the great man himself!
The pub is believed to be the nearest to Wolsey's birthplace 550 years ago - and hours of entertainment are planned as part of the Tudor-themed event.
Organised by the pub and the Wolsey 550 group, the Cardinal - played by Phil Roberts - will be bringing in a consignment of the special beer produced by Ipswich brewery Briarbank accompanied by two Suffolk Punch horses at 3.30pm.
At 6.30pm visitors will be entertained by members of the Ipswich Gilbert and Sullivan Society singing carols and an hour later The Silburys will be playing their own festive songs.
Project Director with the Thomas Wolsey 550 celebrations Kath Cockshaw said: “This is just one of dozens more events being held over coming months to mark the 550th anniversary of Wolsey’s birth in Ipswich.
"Our ‘Tudor Christmas’ will be completely different to anything else being held locally and should appeal to the whole family – including those looking for an alternative to all the tinsel and Mariah Carey!”
Damon Jeffery, landlord of the Thomas Wolsey pub said: “My team and I wanted to do something memorable to celebrate the anniversary of our namesake and what better than a Tudor Christmas evening?
"I am very grateful to all the wonderful volunteers, to Blakenham Farms and to Birketts for their direct sponsorship of the event.
"I can’t wait to see everyone having a great time on a site which, if history had taken a different course, could have been one of the most prestigious colleges in Britain.”
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