Skip to main content

For the love of a sonnet Written by Tony Marsden, Retired Teacher

Published on October 20, 2023

For the love of a sonnet - Ipswich.love

Dear Ipswich, I trust you are well.

For Ipswich we should always hold a warmth:
A site of age-old footfall and renown;
Traders, merchants from both east and north
Barter on a river-bend: an ancient town.
In Ipswich there will always be a trace
Of malt and grain, of iron-grit grime of years.
The tang of toil and task about the place;
Then brewers, foundry men and engineers.
In Ipswich, well-worn walks beyond the quays
See aggregates, cement and forest goods.
In town financial fields show expertise
Unlike the times when smokes and corsets could.
These days and echoes past we should admire-
But our future is to what we must aspire.

Tony Marsden
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

Our weekly pick of events in Ipswich – September 14 2026

What’s On in Ipswich This Week: Inspiring Gatherings, Culture and Days Out Whether you are…

Around Ipswich

Ipswich Christmas Fayre returns to town centre

The festive season is taking shape in the centre of town, bringing a welcome chance…

Education

Seeds of Hope & Action Exhibition Comes to Ipswich This Autumn

A summary of a number of events and activities coming up in Ipswich under the umbrella of Seeds of Hope

Around Ipswich

Ipswich schoolchildren bring the town’s history to life with new digital heritage trail

A blog summarising the new Blue Plaque unveiled in Ipswich by children from Broke Hall Primary School and describing the launch event of Ipswich Trailmakers in the presence of the Mayor of Ipswich and local MP

To top