Latest news with #IpswichMuseum
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fire alarm saves museum store room from blaze
A museum store room may have been lost to a fire had its alarm not been working, a fire service said. Suffolk Fire and Rescue was called to an automatic fire alarm within a building belonging to Ipswich Museum on Charles Street on Saturday night. Crews found there had been a fire in the electrical intake to the property that had spread to the void between the ground and first floor levels. The fire service said there had been damage to the ceiling, but no artefacts being stored in the building had been affected before a stop message was received at 20:31 BST. "Had the building have not had a working automatic fire alarm, the fire would have gone unnoticed for a considerable time and the building would have probably been lost," a spokesperson for the fire service said. When crews arrived at the scene, they had to isolate the electricity to the property and remove the ceiling to access the fire within the void. UK Power Networks was also in attendance and the fire service said the electrical supply would be "out for a while". The 144-year-old museum on High Street has been closed since 2022 for a substantial renovation to create an additional gallery, new educational space, new cafe and improved toilets. The site was expected to reopen this year, but was pushed back to next year after Ipswich Borough Council said the project had so far been "complex and significant" and it wanted to do the work "properly". The council has been approached for comment. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Setbacks push museum reopening back to 2026 Inside 140-year-old museum during mammoth renovations Ipswich Museum revamp £2.7m over budget Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Ipswich Museum Ipswich Borough Council
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix fans say 'exquisite' and 'impeccable' period drama is 'enchanting'
The Dig tells the story of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo in Suffolk - and fans are already in awe of the 'beautiful and moving' film Period drama enthusiasts are in for a treat as the 'impeccable' film The Dig is currently available to stream on Netflix. The 2021 cinematic depiction of John Preston's acclaimed novel brings to life the tales of the 1939 excavation at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk. Inhabitants were required to clear out as archaeologists uncovered an undisturbed ship brimming with enigmatic Anglo-Saxon artefacts. The motion picture showcases a stellar cast, featuring Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes portraying Edith Pretty and Basil Brown, respectively. The narrative follows landowner Edith's resolve to explore the burial mounds on her estate with the assistance of self-taught archaeologist Brown, who she employs in the hope of unearthing their secrets. Boasting a lofty score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has garnered recognition for its 'excellent' performances from viewers. A critic says: "This isn't my type of film usually, but I found it to be enchanting and captivating. Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes are excellent, as is the young lad. A window on a dangerous time but also captures the charm of England back then , when everyone had manners and everything was done with TLC." Another viewer added: "I just watched The Dig, and I have to say, it's such a beautiful and moving film. I knew a little bit about the Sutton Hoo discovery, but this film really brings the whole story to life in such a heartfelt way. It's not just about the archaeology; it's about the people behind it and everything they went through.", reports Surrey Live. In the nascent stage of their working relationship, Edith presents an offer matching what Brown had been getting from the Ipswich Museum, yet upon his declaration of its insufficiency, they settle on a more substantial sum for his expertise. Initially, Brown would cycle long distances daily until Edith extends the hospitality of on-site accommodation, shared with her driver and chef, plus two assistants to aid in his endeavours. Despite attempts by his previous colleagues to draw him back into their explorations, Brown remains steadfast in his solitary excavation. His persistence soon pays off when he stumbles upon enigmatic iron rivets from a ship, hinting that the site might be the final resting place of a figure of supreme stature—perhaps an ancient king prompting an unforeseen voyage of discovery. A fan wrote: "Beautifully shot and carefully written. It's a well-crafted story about discovery, death, love and hope, set in a turbulent time where Great Britain is about to go to war with Germany. Though this historical film suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the first half of the movie, it delivers an emotionally compelling and resonating story that we rarely see these days." For those keen to delve into the true tale of the Sutton Hoo excavation and immerse themselves in a period drama, The Dig is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Setbacks push museum reopening back to 2026
The reopening of a museum has been pushed back to next year after a multi-million pound renovation ran into unexpected issues. Ipswich Museum has been closed since 2022 for a remodelling which will include an additional gallery, new educational space, a new cafe, and an improved shop and toilets. The project incurred £2.7m in extra costs, and, separately, rotten roof batons have been among discoveries in the Victorian building that have delayed the scheduled work. "When you do such major works to an old building you are going to find things that you didn't expect, so we are determined to do it properly," said Carole Jones, the Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for planning and museums. Inflation and supply chain disruption have contributed to the £2.7m overspend, the council said last week. It was considering scaling back the project, but Ms Jones said the cost increase was given the "unanimous" support of councillors at a full council meeting on Tuesday, with work continuing to the original plans. The renovation had gone beyond its original estimate of £8.7m but was still within its budget of £11.8m, including £5.6m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Asked why the reopening was being set back, Ms Jones said: "It's simply that its such a precious building and such a wonderful collection, and this is a once-in-a-generation refurbishment, we want it done properly. "Undertaking these construction works to a Grade II* listed building comes with an expectation that, in such a complex and significant project, some elements will take longer and require more work than envisaged. "You'll see scaffolding covering the museum and a false roof - the builders have taken the roof off inside and removed the tiles for the first time since it was built and discovered things like some of the batons were rotten." The council had hoped for a reopening in summer 2025 and had previously said it was unable to predict an exact date. "I am hoping for Spring 2026," added Ms Jones. "If there is something else they will have to see to that - but I am hopeful." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Inside 140-year-old museum during mammoth renovations Uncertainty over museum reopening date Ipswich Museum revamp £2.7m over budget Ipswich Museum
