For the love of becoming a family Written by Melanie Willis,

Published on September 9, 2023

Fireworks at Christchurch park, Ipswich

Dear Ipswich, I love you!

I love you because you are my home town and always have a special place in my life.

I’m proud to be Ipswich born and raised. I was born at Ipswich Hospital, attended school here, work here, was married here, and have lived here for most of my life. I’ve even started my family here, having two children with my husband (also an Ipswichian!) to enjoy the Ipswich love as they grow into adults. It’s a great place to live, work and raise a family.

My top three things about Ipswich are:

Our parks

They are fantastic! I can’t think of any other town that has as many parks and open spaces to enjoy as Ipswich. They are so well looked after, all different, offering great walks, play areas and have events held in them too as a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.

Our buildings.

We have some lovely buildings in the town – the Customs House, Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich Town Hall, The Regent Theatre, Ancient House, Orwell Bridge, Endeavour House and the Willis Building to name a few that I particularly love. St Peters Street and Ipswich Waterfront are lovely.

Our Events.

I’ve always loved going to the Fireworks in Christchurch Park at the start of November with the funfair and Ipswich Music Day in the Summer plus events at Ipswich Waterfront or Holywells Park and of course watching Ipswich Town play football at Portman Road! These are my top things about Ipswich, but there are many more. It’s a lovely town, with many lovely people. It’s great to have the opportunity to show a love of Ipswich thanks to this campaign. Thank you to all involved!

Melanie Willis

Love Letters to Ipswich

For the love of the drive to school - Ipswich.love

For the love of the drive to school

You were a daily drive to school with my dad in the 1980s and later my teenage playground for all those formative experiences until I was 18.

For the love of the drive to school - Ipswich.love

By Tim Robinson

For the love of Hopscotch - Ipswich.love

For the love of Hopscotch

Born in a house on the Broke Hall estate and then lived in two other houses there, the noise of the speedway was always a familiar sound on Thursdays

For the love of Hopscotch - Ipswich.love

By Sarah Slater

For the love of being a Suffolk baby - Ipswich.love

For the love of being a Suffolk baby

Like most Suffolk babies, I was born in ipswich hospital in 1998, it’s where I started life. I grew up and lived between Suffolk and London

Lily Hammond, UWU Studio

By Lily Hammond

The cup-winning team with Bobby Robson as manager celebrate with the Cup

For the love of a captivated soul

Ipswich, you are the very essence of my being, a town that holds not only a cherished family connection but also the potential to rise from the ashes and reclaim your glory.

Carl Day

By Carl Day

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