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Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday 9am - 4pm

Ipswich Institute

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Ipswich Institute

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Est. 1824
Membership organisation providing leisure learning courses, library, catering and more.

Members' library & reading room, with daily newspapers and internet facility. We also offer educational courses, lectures & visits, and have an onsite cafe

30/10/2026

Spooky season is upon us and we have plenty of books to suit, if that's what you enjoy. What about one settling down with one of these this weekend?

Pictured:
🎃Daphne Du Maurier - After Midnight, thirteen chilling tales for the dark hours
🎃Joy Ellis - An Aura of Mystery
🎃Susan Hill - The Mist in the Mirror
🎃Agatha Christie - Hallowe'en Party (audio CD)
🎃Bram Stoker - Dracula
🎃Charles Dickens - The Haunted House
🎃Linwood Barclay - Whistle

28/10/2026

The Ipswich Tourist Guides Association Afternoon Tea Walks series continues in November with 'Trials and Tribulations in 17th Century Ipswich' on Wednesday 4th Nov, and 'Blue Plaques' the following week on Friday 13th Nov.

Trials and Tribulations: Hear tales of life in Civil War times - emigration to the 'New World', a preacher's imprisonment and the arrival of the 'Merry Monarch'.

Blue Plaques: Discover the stories behind the plaques awarded to the many distinguished people in Ipswich - will our own special plaque be featured?!

Places cost £12 per person, including refreshments. Book in person at the library or online via our website: https://tinyurl.com/teawalks

26/10/2026

Our chess mini-course, led by International Chess Master Dagne Ciuksyte, has reached halfway and we received this great feedback after last week's session:

"Today we spent a good hour analysing one of the games played by our chess tutor, Dagne, who never walks past an opportunity to attack the opponent's king. Time flew past fast when we analysed the position, trying to understand the best way to exploit the black king's position.

"Along the way, we paid attention to white's strategy involving as many pieces as possible, assessing the changing point value of pieces as the game progressed, thinking ahead while noting threats coming from the opponent and so on.

"There's definitely a lot of 'talking to yourself' going on when considering every move we play in the game!"

Our chess courses, tasters and workshops are a fantastic chance to learn from one of the best. The current Saturday mini-series has only one space remaining, but if this is something that would be of interest, why not visit our website and sign up to our email newsletter to be informed of future opportunities.

www.ipswichinstitute.org.uk

24/10/2026

Don't forget you can raise free donations for us every time you shop online, by using the easyfundraising website, app or donation reminder. Just search 'The Ipswich Institute Reading Room and Library' to set us as your chosen cause.

Whether you are buying a new coat, renewing your insurance, booking a holiday or just doing your weekly supermarket shop, more than 8,000 retailers will donate, including all the big names such as John Lewis & Partners, BT, Expedia, Argos, ASOS, Just Eat, Uswitch and many more.

Please support us, it is so quick and easy to do! www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/the-ipswich-institute-reading-room-and-library

22/10/2026

The draw for the Institute Lottery Club's September prize pot took place this week in Page's Café. Congratulations to the holder of ticket number 147, who won £142!

The lottery team are keen to boost the prize pot even further and it isn't too late to join, Institute members can pick up an application form from the library to enter the scheme.

www.ipswichinstitute.org.uk/lottery-club

21/10/2026

One from our neighbours at Ipswich Minster, which is sure to be of interest to many of our members and friends. Although not until April 2027, ticket sales are already going well, so early booking is recommended.

THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER
HOW HISTORY’S GREATEST COLD CASE WAS SOLVED

A Talk by Kingfinder, Philippa Langley MBE

Friday 23rd April 2027 at 7:00pm

From the car park in Leicester to the heart of one of England’s greatest mysteries, Philippa Langley MBE brings her latest groundbreaking research to Ipswich Minster.

Her decade‑long investigation, The Missing Princes Project, has uncovered extraordinary evidence that challenges centuries of accepted history—revealing that the Princes not only lived on, but re‑emerged to confront the first Tudor king.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of discovery and insight, followed by a Q&A and book signing.

A must‑attend event for anyone who loves history.

Tickets available via our website
www.ipswichminster.org/the-princes-in-the-tower

19/10/2026

A big thank you to Emily Howes for signing our copies of her books The Painter's Daughters and Mrs Dickens at the Suffolk Book League event last week.

Both novels have been returned today by members who took them along to the talk - what a lovely thing for both them and Emily to have done! We're very pleased the event was a sell out and went so well.

There are not currently any reservations for Mrs Dickens, but that is sure to change so get in quick if you'd like to be first in the queue!

19/10/2026

📣 Last call for bookings to Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery on Tuesday 17th November📣

This British Library landmark exhibition uncovers the extraordinary life of the Queen of Crime, which inspired so many unforgettable stories and characters.

Tickets for coach travel and exhibition entry cost £45 for members and £55 for non-members and can be made in person at the Institute library or online via our website: https://tinyurl.com/Institute-Day-Trips

Book by noon on Wednesday (21st October) to join us.

16/10/2026

This full day yoga workshop with popular yoga tutor Sarah Moss focuses on the heart, a very important organ, bringing care, balance and joy through asana, breathing, meditation and relaxation.

Sarah leads regular courses and workshops at the Institute, as well as teaching classes across Ipswich. She has more than 10 years experience, including four years of training with The British Wheel of Yoga.

Taking place on Saturday 24th October, upstairs at the Institute library, places cost £35 for Institute members, and £45 for non-members. You can book in person at the library or online via our website: https://tinyurl.com/InstituteSaturdayWorkshops

14/10/2026

What a beautiful day for a trip to The Red House, Aldeburgh! And then on to Snape Maltings this afternoon️, what a treat!

https://tinyurl.com/Institute-Day-Trips

Address

15 Tavern Street
Ipswich
IP13AA

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm
Saturday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441473253992

Website

http://www.ipswichinstitute.org.uk/

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