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Five Unusual Facts About Ipswich, Suffolk’s County Town
Thanks in part to the new University of Suffolk, the thriving Waterfront area with its pubs, clubs and restaurants, Ipswich is fast becoming known as a desirable place to move to. The Royal Mail, using official government data. recently rated it as one of the top places to live and work in England.
Hamiltons Removals are based on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, and so are well placed to help with local and international removals to Ipswich. Here are five unusual facts about the town.
Home to The First Petrol-Driven Lawn Mower…
The world’s first commercially-marketed powered lawnmower was made in the town by Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies. The company originally specialised in agricultural machinery such as ploughs, combine harvesters and traction engines and were based at Orwell Works, in the Duke Street area of the town. The mower was powered by a petrol engine and revolutionised the way gardeners cut their lawns – although the early models were too expensive for most of the population. The £137 price tag equates to around £15,000 in today’s money and was more likely to be used just by the Edwardian elite and wealthy sports clubs.
…and The Youngest Listed Building
Thanks to the innovative design of Sir Norman Foster, Ipswich boasted the youngest Grade 1 listed building in the whole of the UK. The glass-clad Willis Faber & Dumas building which is instantly recognisable to anyone who drives through the town centre, was built for an insurance firm which is now called Willis Towers Watson.
The building, above, was originally completed in 1974 and received its historic accolade 17 years later. It wasn’t out of place either – it stands next to Ipswich’s Unitarian Meeting House, one of the town’s oldest surviving buildings, and which is also Grade 1 listed.
There’s Another Eight Across the Globe
Ipswich is one of England’s oldest towns, if not the oldest. It dates back to Roman times, although the town only really began to take shape in the Anglo-Saxon period, thanks to trade with Europe which helped to kick-start the development of the docklands area.
And there are plenty of other Ipswiches across the globe. The USA has four – in Massachusetts, South Dakota, Wisconsin and New Hampshire – while there are another two in Jamaica, a seventh in Manitoba, Canada, and the eighth is in Queensland, Australia. There is also a group of islands just off the southern tip of Chile called Islas Ipswich, but these are not inhabited and the only way to reach them is by boat.
Blues Lead the Way on and off the Pitch
Say ‘Ipswich Town Football Club’ and most people will think about Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Alf Ramsey, and the triumphs at home and abroad in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. But the club has a couple of other claims to fame as well. They were one of the first in England to use goal nets in 1890 – before then there were lots of arguments about whether a goal had really been scored or not, and the net acted as a form of ‘pocket’ to put an end to such disputes.
And in 1992 they were the first club in English football’s top flight to have an all-seater stadium. The Blues converted the terraces in the north and south stands into seated areas with a capacity of 22,600. Later ground developments mean the ground can now accommodate just over 30,000 fans.
The Chaucers Lived Here
Thomas Wolsey might be the most famous son of Ipswich, but Geoffrey Chaucer, the poet and author who is most famous for The Canterbury Tales, also has a strong connection with the town. Previous generations of his family, who were then known as the Malyns, were prominent members of the town’s business community. The family is believed to have worked in the leather, shoemaking and wine trades.
Although Chaucer himself was born in London, it seems likely that he visited Suffolk in later life, and his most important work can be read as a satire on Ipswich’s business community. The family connection is commemorated with a blue plaque in Tower Street.
International Removals to Ipswich with Hamiltons
If you are interested in commercial, domestic, local or international removals to Ipswich, then Hamiltons will be able to help. Our friendly, dedicated team has more than 25 years’ experience in helping people move house, and our name has become synonymous with professionalism and excellent customer service.
We also offer a number of optional extras, including insurance, packing and cleaning services, and specialist removals for large and bulky items such as horses, pets, and large vehicles and machinery.
Our UK removals team can also help with moves to all parts of the country, including the rest of Suffolk, Norfolk and the whole of East Anglia, and all the major towns and cities, including Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Manchester. If you would like to know more, follow this link for our contact details.
The Top Five Countries to Move to With Children
One of the most important factors to consider when moving abroad is your children, because if they are happy, then the chances are you will be too.
Hamiltons Removals are specialists in removals to Europe and many countries further afield, and have been helping families move abroad for more than a quarter of a century. Here is our guide to the top five countries to move to with a family.
Sweden
This Scandinavian country ranks consistently highly in expat surveys as an excellent place to bring up children. Three out of every four families who moved here said that their sons and daughters enjoyed a better quality of life than before, according to an HSBC report.
The country’s childcare provision is one of the most generous anywhere in the world, and new mums and dads are entitled to 480 days (16 months) of parental leave. Many people say that Sweden’s schools are better than those on offer in their home countries. The downside is the high levels of taxation – so if you want quality, you have to pay for it.
Switzerland
This European country has a lot in common with Sweden, with high-quality healthcare and education systems. However, you may need to take out some form of health insurance when you arrive, and while state-funded schools offer free tuition, the best international schools have long waiting lists and high fees.
Switzerland does, though, score highly in many other respects. The crime rate is extremely low, and while the country is famous for chocolate and cheese, the Swiss set great store by a healthy diet. Muesli was invented here, and youngsters are encouraged to eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables rather than unhealthy snacks.
If you add into that a culture which encourages walking and cycling rather than driving, then it should come as little surprise that the country has one of the highest life expectancies in the world (82-83 years old).
Belgium
A survey by respected expat organisation InterNations showed that Belgium is fast becoming one of the best places to move to with a family. Almost three quarters of all parents say it is easy to get a place in a school of their choice for their sons and daughters. And more than 80% of mums and dads are happy with what their children learn once they are on the school roll. Childcare is also considered to be affordable and accessible.
New Zealand
Surveys show this is also one of the best places to bring up a family. One of the main factors is the healthy lifestyle – there are plenty of sports to play, and outdoor activities such as camping and hiking are also part of the country’s DNA.
New Zealand’s air is among the least polluted in the world, and the quality of the country’s water is also extremely high. In the event of your son or daughter falling ill, then the country offers free GP healthcare to enrolled children under the age of 13. And, if you’re English, you don’t need to worry about learning a foreign language either!
Canada
This is also considered one of the best places to bring up a family, because the locals are so friendly – more than two out of every three people who moved there said it was more welcoming than their home country. Canadians are well known for being tolerant and open-minded, with the result that many different cultures, including from Europe, Asia and South America, have all set up home in Canada.
Like New Zealand, children in Canada can enjoy a whole host of outdoor activities, particularly during the summer months. And even in winter there’s plenty of sports to take up, including snowboarding, ice hockey and skiing.
Removals to Europe and Worldwide with Hamiltons Removals
Hamiltons Removals offer excellent, individually-tailored packages if you are considering removals to Europe, including Sweden, Switzerland and Belgium. We can also help you with international removals to Canada, New Zealand, and many other worldwide destinations, including the USA, South Africa, Australia, the UAE and Dubai.
If you would like to know more, follow this link or call us on 01379 855203. You can also email us at info@hamiltonsremovals.co.uk.