Suffolk Archives—The Hold

An update from

Suffolk Archives is part of Suffolk County Council and used to be known

as Suffolk Record Office. The service is responsible for collecting and preserving material that is relevant to the history of Suffolk, its communities and people. For example, this could be historic records, maps, photographs, newspapers, or local studies material. There are three Suffolk Archives branches across the county, in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Lowestoft. These branches are home to 900 years’ worth of history captured through millions of items, many of which are of national and international significance! Our searchrooms are open to everyone what could you discover about your family, home, work, community, or school? The Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft branches have recently reopened to the public operating an appointment system to ensure everyone is kept safe. To find out more about how to visit, visit our website: www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/ planning-your-visit/

Introducing The Hold

This year, Suffolk Archives is also excited to be able to welcome you to The Hold, a brand-new heritage centre on the waterfront in Ipswich. The Hold has been made possible thanks to a major multi-million-pound contribution from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as support from Coastal Communities Fund, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, Ipswich

“What could you discover about your family, home, work, community, or school...?”

Borough Council, and numerous heritage organisations across Suffolk and further afield. Home to the Suffolk Archives Ipswich branch, which will be opening later this year, and shared with the University of Suffolk, The Hold is an exciting new visitor attraction and meeting place for Ipswich, with a purpose-built exhibition gallery, café, shop and more. Come and be inspired by the regularly changing programme of exhibitions in our gallery, not to mention a whole range of archive-inspired displays to explore all year round. Be wowed by local artist Valerie Irwin’s charcoal sketches displayed at an enormous scale, watch BBC Look East’s Kevin Burch reporting ‘news from the archives’, and discover childfriendly hands-on displays exploring different topics through recordings, photographs, models and even puzzles. While you are visiting why not pop into the Café at The Hold and treat yourself to a coffee or light lunch, and don’t forget you can browse a wide range of Suffolk and heritage inspired cards and gifts in the shop. What’s more, this wonderful new space means that we can now proudly host a fantastic and varied programme of events and activities, helping to share Suffolk Archives collections in a whole host of new ways. From exhibitions to film screenings, family craft activities to talks and lectures, we have something for everyone! This year’s July to December What’s On Guide is available in printed form from your local Suffolk Archives branch or library, or can be downloaded as a PDF from the Suffolk Archives website: www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/whatson (continued overleaf…)

The Hold

Forthcoming exhibitions at The Hold:

The Hold - viewing Valerie Irwin's sketches

17 July – 27 September: Brick

History; A family-friendly journey through history, all imagined in

LEGO® bricks. 15 October – 9 January 2022: House and Home; Step back in time and find out what house and home means to Suffolk people throughout history.

We hope to see you soon!

www.suffolkarchives.co.uk Suffolk Archives Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @suffolkarchives Café at The Hold Facebook: @cafeatthehold Suffolk Archives is pleased to have received the VisitBritain Good to Go mark in recognition of the COVID-19 processes implemented to maintain cleanliness and aid social/physical distancing.