Skip to main content

For the love of finding connections Written by Polly Rodwell, Retired Teacher

Published on September 13, 2023

Christchurch Park, Ipswich

Dear Ipswich, I hope you are having a great day.

I really love Ipswich and I’m so sad to see people putting it down. Yes, as with all towns of this size, we have problems: closed shops, potholes, and poverty to name just three. But Ipswich has so much to offer!

Our parks are amazing: a family could spend several days in Christchurch Park and still not experience all it has to offer, and all free!

And what about the free music festivals, the free activities on the Cornhill, the Pulse Festival, the eateries, the theatres and the dance school?

And, contrary to what you read on social media, people in Ipswich are friendly and helpful. Only a couple of days ago, we found a toddler running through town in a panic because he’d lost his family. A young couple took it upon themselves to scour the town. They found the father and brother and ran back to tell us he was on his way.
So many good things but my final love is our hospital. We are so lucky to have it.

Polly Rodwell
Retired Teacher

Love Letters to Ipswich

For the ‘Love on your side’ - Ipswich.love

For the ‘Love on your side’

A love letter to Ipswich as the town that shaped a life — from Broke Hall Primary School to friendships that still gather.

For the ‘Love on your side’ - Ipswich.love

By Rachel Dalton-Thorpe

For the love of accountability and aspiration - Ipswich.love

For the love of accountability and aspiration

A love letter to Ipswich and its potential — one resident's years of challenging perceptions and raising the county town's game.

For the love of accountability and aspiration - Ipswich.love

By Lynn Turner

For the love of Dot Cotton - Ipswich.love

For the love of Dot Cotton

A love letter to Ipswich's long story — from a lost castle and 13th-century shipbuilding to the trades that built the town.

For the love of Dot Cotton - Ipswich.love

By Annabelle, Ellie, Marika, and Reece

For The Love of Creative Opportunities - Ipswich.love

For The Love of Creative Opportunities

A love letter to Ipswich and second chances — from a childhood of art prizes to finding creative opportunity later in life.

For The Love of Creative Opportunities - Ipswich.love

By Sammi Wong

Recent news
Around Ipswich

Beyond the ranking: What community connection really looks like in Ipswich

A new national index has sparked questions about community connection in Ipswich. We look beyond the league table at what the figures really measure, the context they miss and the people bringing our town together.

Local Government

Ipswich Secures £1 Million Sport England Boost for Active Communities

A Million Pound Boost for Ipswich’s Active Communities Ipswich is set to get a massive…

Charity Events

Have you heard of @goodweirdrunning?

Callum Sparkes is running to every away game for the ITFC premier league season 2026/2027. We follow him all the way and support his crowdfunding effort in this article

Culture

Celebrate a Decade of Live Music: The Smokehouse and University of Suffolk’s Double 10th Anniversary in Ipswich

Our town’s beloved grassroots music venue, The Smokehouse, is marking its 10th birthday with a…

To top