New plans to restore Wolsey’s Gate as project enters next phase

The ambitious project to celebrate one of Ipswich’s most famous historical figures is moving into an exciting new phase, bringing fresh plans to conserve a key local landmark and open it up for everyone to enjoy. As the Wolsey 550 project shifts its focus towards the physical preservation of Wolsey’s Gate, it has announced a change in leadership. Professor Jenny Higham, Vice Chancellor of the University of Suffolk, is stepping up as the new Chair, succeeding former East Anglian Daily Times editor Terry Hunt.

This transition marks a significant moment for our town’s heritage. The project was originally set up in 2021 to mark the 550th anniversary of the birth of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey right here in Ipswich. Now, the focus is expanding from events and education to creating a lasting physical legacy that will benefit the community for generations to come.

Building on a successful first phase

The first phase of the project proved to be a massive success, demonstrating just how much interest there is in our local history. Under Terry Hunt’s leadership, an 18-month programme of events engaged around 40,000 people. Even more impressively, the project’s educational outreach managed to work with every single school across Ipswich, involving more than 20,000 students.

Reflecting on his five years at the helm, the outgoing Chair expressed his pride in watching a simple idea to celebrate a birthday grow into something that has genuinely transformed the town. He noted that the work has helped to build a stronger sense of aspiration and pride within our historic county town, particularly among younger residents, and shared his excitement for the project’s future progress.

Looking ahead to Wolsey’s Gate

With the project board now being renewed for its second phase, the team is setting its sights on a major new goal. This is a crucial step in protecting a piece of Tudor history that sits right on our doorstep.

Beyond just conserving the bricks and mortar, the team is planning to create safe public access to the site. The upcoming work will include:

• Developing a comprehensive conservation programme for Wolsey’s Gate and the adjoining churchyard walls.
• Creating new interpretation materials to help tell the story of Wolsey’s grand plans for his Cardinal College.
• Continuing to raise funds and deliver heritage education across the town.
• Providing careers development opportunities for schools in Ipswich.

“The Wolsey 550 project provides a significant opportunity for communities in Ipswich to celebrate the town’s history,” says Professor Jenny Higham, the incoming Chair. “I am excited to take on the role as Chair and I thank Terry for his extensive contributions to this project. As we enter the second phase, I look forward to bringing all the partners together to continue to build the legacy for Thomas Wolsey and his ambitions for his ‘Cardinal College’ site.”

The project’s leadership is clear about the importance of this next step. Project Director Kath Cockshaw highlighted that the first phase surpassed all expectations in showing how much love Ipswich has for its heritage.

“Phase 2 brings very exciting challenges as we prepare to tell the stories of a very complex heritage site and develop its relationship to the town,” she explains. “We look forward to being able to ensure safe, informed access to Wolsey’s Gate – a site of real national importance.”

A collaborative effort for Ipswich

This ambitious work is not happening in isolation. It forms an integral part of the new 10-year Culture and Heritage strategy for Ipswich, which is set to launch this October. The project continues to be a collaborative effort, supported by local heritage organisations and businesses.

Leaders from across the town have praised the initiative. The CEO of Ipswich Central, Lee Walker, emphasised that celebrating our unique cultural identity is essential for the town to thrive, calling it a highly significant heritage placemaking project. Similarly, Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, pointed out how powerful our heritage can be in bringing people together and connecting new generations with our remarkable history. He welcomed the new Chair and reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting the project’s continued success.

The second phase of the project will continue to be delivered in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, and other key stakeholders. The initiative is managed by the Wolsey 550 CIC, which is hosted by Ipswich Central, combining heritage work with core town-centre development. If you are interested in learning more about the upcoming conservation work at Wolsey’s Gate, exploring the educational resources, or finding out how you can support the project’s fundraising efforts, you can find all the details by visiting www.wolsey550.co.uk.

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