Ipswich 2029 has today announced its first Ambassadors, a group of well-known names who are passionate about championing the town’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.
Together they span music, theatre, film, writing, broadcasting, farming and conservation. What unites them is Ipswich, a town that raised them, welcomed them or gave them their start, and one they believe deserves the national stage.
The first tranche of Ipswich 2029 Ambassadors is:
Ed Sheeran MBE – the global superstar and one of the world’s biggest-selling artists was raised in Framlingham, is a shareholder in Ipswich Town Football Club and is a lifelong champion of the town and county he calls home.
Brian Eno – the pioneering musician, producer and artist who invented ambient music and is often described as one of popular music’s most influential figures, began his creative life at St Joseph’s College and Ipswich Art School.
Nandi Bushell – the multi-instrumentalist from Ipswich cut her teeth in the town’s pub jam sessions before becoming a viral sensation aged ten with her drum battle challenge to Dave Grohl, and has since performed alongside the Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz and at the Platinum Jubilee.
Griff Rhys Jones OBE – the actor, writer, presenter and heritage campaigner has been a resident of the Shotley peninsula for 40 years and is the producer of the annual Happy Christmas Ipswich comedy fundraiser at The Regent Theatre, in aid of The Treehouse (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices).
Kerry Ellis – the singer hailed as the First Lady of West End musicals made her stage debut aged nine as a Munchkin at Ipswich’s Wolsey Theatre before a glittering career including playing Elphaba in Wicked in the West End and on Broadway.
Jimmy and Michaela Doherty – the founders of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park at Wherstead turned a derelict farm on the edge of Ipswich into a much-loved visitor attraction and whose story was told in a series of BBC programmes presented by Jimmy.
Ashton Jones – the soul and funk singer grew up in Ipswich, went from a 15-person crowd at the Spread Eagle to the Royal Albert Hall with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and still calls the town home.
Paul Greengrass CBE – the Oscar-nominated and BAFTA Award-winning director best known for the Bourne action-thriller trilogy and acclaimed works including Bloody Sunday and United 93, has made his home in Suffolk.
The Ambassadors will support the bid in the run-up to the submission of Ipswich’s full application to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 10 August, and if successful, through the shortlisting and judging stages that follow.
Amy Vaughan, Bid Director for Ipswich 2029, said: “What strikes you about this group is not just the range of talent, but the strength of support for this town and this bid. Ipswich has always produced and attracted remarkable people, and this is our chance to show the whole country that. Many of the Ambassadors’ careers started here – a pub jam session, a school art room, a Munchkin costume at the Wolsey. The bid for City of Culture is about making sure the next generation of stories can also begin here for many years to come.”
Ed Sheeran said: “I’ve hoped to see Ipswich become City of Culture since I was a teenager. This town has shaped who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and it has an incredible community spirit. That’s why Suffolk and Ipswich will always be where I call home. Arts and culture should be accessible to everyone, and I know this title would help create even more opportunities for people in the local area. Let’s do all we can to make it happen.”
Nandi Bushell said: “I am backing Ipswich’s bid to be City of Culture in 2029. I’ve lived in Ipswich for nearly my whole life and I am proud to be from here. Without this town’s support, I would not be the musician I am.”
Brian Eno said: “I’ve always believed more in the idea of “scenius” – that scenes, ecologies made up of many people, are the soil out of which the most powerful art in the world emerges, rather than being the “genius” output of any one individual. Ipswich Art School was one of the first such scenes that I was part of, where, thanks to those around me, I started my journey into the world of art. That’s why I’m proud to back the bid to become City of Culture 2029.”
Griff Rhys Jones said: “It’s time to be inspired and join me in backing Ipswich’s bid to be City of Culture 2029! Have you had a look around this town recently? Astounding churches, distinguished ancient houses, an historic port, theatres and concert venues. It’s already a hub for art, music, dance, drama and comedy. Let’s put Suffolk’s leading town back on the map as the leading Suffolk town it is. Ipswich has great value, great people and great potential. This is such a great chance to showcase it.”
Kerry Ellis said: “So much of my journey began in Ipswich, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities and inspiration I found there. It’s a town with a thriving creative spirit and a wonderful sense of community, and I’m honoured to support its bid to become UK City of Culture 2029. I truly believe culture has the power to bring people together, and Ipswich has so much to celebrate, showcase and share with the rest of the UK.”
Jimmy and Michaela Doherty said: “We’ve always believed the best stories come from the places we call home, and Ipswich has a story worth shouting about. That’s why we’re proud to support Ipswich’s City of Culture bid. It’s a chance to celebrate not just the town, but the spirit of the whole county – our creativity, our heritage, our communities and everything that makes Suffolk unique.”
Ashton Jones said: “Everything I’ve achieved in my career started in Ipswich. This town shaped who I am and gave me my first opportunities. That’s why I’m proud to support the City of Culture 2029 bid. Ipswich is full of creativity, talent and ambition, and I know first-hand how the arts can open doors, bring communities together and inspire the next generation”.
Paul Greengrass said: “What we really need is a City of Culture bid that can drive the huge cultural regeneration taking place across Suffolk, so I’m delighted to be backing Ipswich’s City of Culture bid for 2029.”
Further ambassadors will be announced in the coming weeks.
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