On a sunny Friday late in September myself and my colleague Louise hosted our very first member event – a guided walking tour around the historic town of Bury St. Edmunds. I had never attended or hosted a member event before so I was not too sure what to expect – and I wasn’t disappointed!
After introductions with our guides and members, everyone was keen to get started. We split into two groups as our guides took us round the medieval square of Bury St. Edmunds, starting at the war memorial on Angel Hill. Our guides described the two biggest events in Bury’s history – the story of the Magna Carta and how it found its beginnings in Bury and the story of Edmund the Martyr, the 9th century East Anglian king after whom the town is named.
Chris, our guide, spoke loudly and enthusiastically and made sure that all could hear and feel part of the tour. We made our way into the Abbey Gardens and the Cathedral where Chris described the history of the area, pausing to take questions and making sure all of our members were involved.
We then walked up Churchgate Street and round the entire medieval square, with plenty of stops and history on the way.
The tour ended back at Angel Hill where we enjoyed tea and cakes in the Athenaeum, which itself was full of history and features a Victorian-era observatory in the green dome roof that is currently undergoing renovation. Myself, Louise and our members had a wonderful morning in Bury and everyone was very appreciative of Ipswich Building Society and the member events we arrange.
If you’re a member of the Society and fancy joining us for any of our upcoming events, visit our members lounge.
