News
The Hold to host exhibition on Suffolk's witchcraft history
Suffolk Archives will host a new exhibition on the county's 17th-century witch trials, featuring rare loans from the British Library, V&A and Tate never seen in Suffolk before.
The Hold
The Hold is a Suffolk County Council facility on Ipswich Waterfront, housing Suffolk Archives, the John Blatchly Local Studies Library, an exhibition gallery, café, shop, and teaching spaces shared with the University of Suffolk.
News
Young Ipswich artists invited to follow in Constable's footsteps
A new art trail and drawing competition is inviting the town's young artists, from toddlers to teenagers, to create their own Constable-inspired landscapes while The Hay Wain hangs in Christchurch Mansion.
News
'Finally booked that appointment': Let's Talk Women's Health empowers action
Hundreds of women attended The Hold in Ipswich on Saturday for Let's Talk Women's Health, where expert-led seminars on breast cancer, endometriosis, pregnancy and menopause drew crowds eager to ask questions and learn how to better look after their health.
News
Future Female Society marks 10 years of supporting women and girls in Suffolk
Future Female Society, which has supported more than 2,400 women and girls across Suffolk, celebrated its 10th anniversary this week – with its founder reflecting on a decade of life-changing impact and looking ahead to the next ten years.
News
New exhibition to celebrate disability history
A new exhibition exploring the lives, achievements and challenges of disabled people in Suffolk opens at The Hold in Ipswich on Thursday, 27 February 2026.
Long Reads
What's on in Ipswich this Christmas: Your guide to festive shows
From traditional pantomimes at the Regent and New Wolsey Theatre to dance adaptations of classic tales and cinema screenings, Ipswich venues are offering entertainment for all ages throughout the festive season.
News
Criminal or trailblazer? Margaret Catchpole's story returns to Suffolk
The personal letters of Margaret Catchpole, a servant girl who became a Suffolk legend after her daring jail escape and eventual deportation to Australia, invite visitors to decide for themselves whether she was a criminal or a woman charting her own path.
News
Free event offers chance to discuss community safety concerns with Suffolk experts
Residents can question Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner and safety experts about violence against women and community safety concerns at The Hold on Wednesday, 24 September, from 18:00.
News
Discover your local roots with free access to new 400-year-old records
Suffolk residents can access newly digitised historical records for free at The Hold in Ipswich and Suffolk Libraries, with online beginner sessions planned to help people get started.
News
Exhibition to celebrate the 'unsung heroines' of Suffolk's fishing past
The stories of remarkable women who performed skilled but back-breaking work in Suffolk's once-booming herring industry are being brought to life in a new touring exhibition.
News
BAFTA-nominated film inspiration to speak at LGBT+ History Month event tomorrow
A leading academic will share her personal experiences of living under discriminatory legislation as a lesbian teacher in Suffolk and how those challenges led to her involvement in an acclaimed British film.
News
From Suffolk to the world: Exhibition traces centuries of local migration
A new exhibition at Suffolk Archives will tell the stories of Suffolk residents who shaped global history, from Puritan settlers to Gold Rush adventurers.