Last Updated on March 3, 2023
- Launched 14/12/16
- Closed 03/03/23 (but no new posts since 2018)
- Original URL sosuffolk.com
Sosuffolk.com was launched to be an antidote to the overwhelmingly negative national media and local press that focussed on ‘selling misery’.

The idea was to focus on positive news, but it turns out that maybe misery is what people want. I worked with several collaborators on this project so the content of Sosuffolk.com has been archived here on the Lawsie website.
So Suffolk content archive
The 545 at The Apex
Seeing as most things these days cost more than a fiver (apart from a Freddo – I think we’re still safe for a few years), paying five pounds to see five bands at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds sounds like a pretty good deal. With a lineup consisting of The Fifths, Lunar Echoes, Alter…
Connor Adams at Jerwood DanceHouse
If you get the opportunity to see Connor Adams live, go see him live. I know I’ve just given away the bottom line of my review in the first paragraph, but I’m just so enthusiastic after having attended his recent gig at Jerwood Dance House. Celebrating the release of his new record, Open My Eyes,…
Hypnotherapist and Life Coach Helen Wyer
As I approach Helen Wyer’s Suffolk home, I’m greeted by her welcoming smile and her rescue pup, Maddy. A sucker for dogs, I kneel down to stroke her while Helen tells me that she saved Maddy from being put to sleep after she was deemed ‘too energetic’ by the shelter where she was staying. It’s…
Some have yellow stockings thrust upon them
Castle Theatre Company’s rendition of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at Glemham Hall contained lots of cheeky humour combined with a topical take on gender On a Friday evening in the summer sun, whilst enjoying a picnic in the picturesque grounds of Glemham Hall, I watched Castle Theatre Company act out Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Although it’s a…
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Summer Isle Films celebrate ten years in production
Summer Isle Films, a broadcasting and media production company based in Suffolk, UK, are celebrating their ten-year anniversary. As they continue to forge ahead in the industry, Founder, Tom Newman, looks back at their achievements and talks about the changes he has seen. As a company expands its credibility and increases the portfolio of work…
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Choreocracy at Dance East
Just by reading its name, it’s easy to work out the premise of Choreocracy (a blend of ‘choreography’ and ‘democracy’). However, the show itself is far more complex… After grabbing a drink, we noticed a phone charging station in the reception of DanceEast. It was a forewarning: ensure your device has enough juice for the…
What the moon saw at Dance East
Contemporary Dance in Suffolk has developed quite an enviable reputation. Thanks in no small way to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with DanceEast at the Jerwood Dance House. Situated on the historic Waterfront in Ipswich DanceEast has become a beacon for dancers and members of the public. DanceEast caters for all age…
Modula Synthesizer meetup – a first for Suffolk
Modular synthesziers, what are they? Your first question when reading this article may well be ‘what is a modular synthesizer’. In the photo of a modular synthesizer at the top of this article might look like an old telephone exchange to you. You’re not alone. But if you might not know what a modular synthesizer looks…
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The Frame Workshop & The Kettle Girls welcoming winter
https://youtu.be/T1Omz_-2X78 Singing and art are two things that are well known to lift the spirits and this week, amongst the bustle of late night shopping in Ipswich, Frame Workshop & Gallery on St Nicholas Street, hosted an event giving people the chance to enjoy both. With the new winter exhibition on display, Robin Peters, owner…
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Woodbridge Giant Christmas Street Fair Gallery
The Giant Christmas Street Fair in Woodbridge has established itself as a popular destination for Suffolk residents and visitors who wish to get into the Christmas mood. The local food producers were kept busy by the large crowds, and the stall holders we spoke to reported that they had enjoyed a very successful Christmas fair. In…
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The curious case of Lady Norfolk, Lord Rust and the Secret Beer Club
We love it when a plan comes together. We love it just a much when two great Suffolk companies come together. A few days ago two Ipswich based companies; Beer & Co and Lady Norfolk & Lord Rust announced they were working together on a special event. Beer & Co have a great reputation for…
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Redgrave residents pull together to save pub for the whole community
Pubs in Suffolk have been in decline for several years. People having less money to spend on relaxing and the low cost of supermarket alcohol many village pubs have had to close their doors. But with some really great community action some Suffolk pubs are adapting to changes and finding a vital new position in…
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Ten Christmas Markets and Fairs in Suffolk
Christmas is fast approaching in Suffolk and it is the season for festive fun and fabulous shopping and we are spoiled for choice. Our county holds a great array of Christmas markets and fairs which showcase the very best of local produce and crafts. But they are not just a place to find unique and…
Keep Warm and Carry on Driving
The weather has turned. The mornings are darker, the nights are drawing in and the temperature has begun to drop. Next will come hard frosts and ice will cover paths and windows. But despite the desire to hunker down and stay indoors throughout the colder months, every-day life doesn’t stop. There is still the commute…
The Gunpowder Plot and a Suffolk man’s part in it
In 1605, an event, eighty-eight days from initiation to end, with thirteen main characters, two pairs of brothers, cousins, marriages, a planned assassination of a king and kidnap of a princess, 36 barrels of high explosives, plague, betrayal, thirteen deaths: eight by execution, one of natural causes and four in a last stand shoot-out and…
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Bonfire night & fireworks in Suffolk – things to remember
Remember, remember – Five things to think of this 5th of November Bonfire night can be a great time to get together and have fun whether you have fireworks at home or go to one of the many great displays around our county.But, because of the very nature of the event: explosive fireworks, being out…
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Things to do in Suffolk this November
November is a busy month for the county, so here’s our current five favourite things to do in Suffolk in November: Fireworks at Christchurch Park Lavenham Literary Festival Heveningham Hall Fireworks Ways With Words Southwold Literature Festival Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre Fireworks at Christchurch Park This yearly event at Christchurch Park is not only…
Rip it Up at The Regent
Last night I danced the night away – well, sort of. It was more a permanent state of jiggling about in my seat for a couple of hours and my best friend was in the chair beside me doing the same. The reason being, that we were at a performance if Rip it Up at…
Why Suffolk is the best place to find pumpkins for Halloween
Halloween is approaching fast and there is no denying that one vegetable enjoys it’s hey-day around this festival – the pumpkin. Of course, there is nothing intrinsically supernatural about this large orange food, but its abundance during these autumn months has lent it to being used for both food and fun.‘Pumpkin’ carving is thought to…
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Milkman’s magic wallet – remembering Suffolk
The Milkman’s magic wallet – what was it? I grew up in rural Suffolk in the 1970s and 80s, and without wishing to get too misty eyed about the past I do sometimes find my self pondering how different daily life is for anyone growing up today. There are several really big differences that have been…
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Vince Cable, Terry Waite, Blake Morrison & many more to appear at Southwold Literature festival
According to the poet Ted Hughes November is “the month of the drowned dog”. Not one bit in Southwold: It’s the month of sparky talks and dazzling debate at the Ways With Words Southwold Literature Festival (November 9-12). Festival-goers can hear speakers on a variety of different topics: Terry Waite talks about surviving captivity; Vince…
Things to do in Suffolk this October
There are lots of things to do in Suffolk this October. Here are a few of our favourites. Ipswich Ghost tours October half-term fun at Jimmy’s Farm Framlingham Sausage Festival Halesworth Arts Festival Oktoberfest, Ipswich Corn Exchange / Christchurch Park Ipswich Ghost Tours When: First Thursday of every monthWhere: Starting from outside the Tourist Information…
Woodfarm Barns expands Suffolk holidays to include barges
Suffolk has a well-earned reputation as a popular holiday destination. The county has a wide variety of opportunities for holidaymakers. One of the aspects of the tourist trade in Suffolk that has contributed to the success is that Suffolk business owners love to innovate. While Suffolk has plenty of very nice ‘standard’ holiday homes and…
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Ipswich from the air – the best of the drone footage
Drones are now more popular than ever. Even just a year or so ago the sight of a drone buzzing by would have been enough to stop us in our tracks, now we’re getting used to drones. We’re all getting used to seeing drone footage used in television and film, and don’t think twice about…
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Suffolk Songwriter Bessie Turner is turning heads (and ears) worldwide
Bessie Turner lives on a houseboat on the River Orwell here in Suffolk. It’s this rural ideal, complete with everything that living on the river entails that can be heard in Bessie’s music. But the wide open space of the Suffolk countryside is only one of Bessie’s influences. Musical influences include everything from potent modern…
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Superyacht Tenders and Toys wins Queens Award
Suffolk company Superyacht Tenders and Toys (SYTT) has been awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2017. This prestigious award has been given to Superyacht in recognition of its outstanding growth and contribution to international trade. The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is the UK’s highest accolade for business success, celebrating the country’s achievements in international trade, innovation…
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New Orwell Bridges – first look
Recently we revealed that Ipswich is likely to get two new bridges to cross the River Orwell. The project has been awarded to Foster + Partners who have published some images to show what the two new river crossings might look like. While these plans aren’t final they do reveal some of the current thinking…
Suffolk; the ideal dog lover holiday destination
If you’re a dog lover then you’ll love a holiday in Suffolk. With so many pubs, coffee shops, beaches and tourist attractions welcoming dogs, it’s the perfect destination to enjoy some quality time with your dog And on top of all that, we’ve even got holiday cottages for the dog lover seeking a holiday! I…
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Confirmed: Ipswich won’t get a single new bridge
After many years of speculation and misinformation regarding a new bridge being built across the River Orwell in Ipswich we can finally reveal the truth. Ipswich will not get a single new bridge. A new bridge across the Orwell in Ipswich – the theory Rumours of a potential new bridge across the Orwell have been…
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Residents’ parking offered to Stoke (Ipswich) again
Suffolk County Council asks residents of Stoke if they want a residents’ parking scheme. Residents and business owners in the Stoke area of Ipswich are being consulted about their desire for a possible new residents’ parking scheme. Parking in this area of Ipswich has been a challenging issue for many years. Because the Stoke area…
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Watery Woodbridge – photo gallery
Woodbridge is a popular town for many reasons, and has a lot to offer to both its residents and those who visit. There are plenty of great places to eat and drink to choose from and an interesting range of shops in the town centre. The Riverside Theatre has been entertaining young and old for…
Ipswich Railway Station – on Croft Street!
Ipswich Railway Station was not always where it is now.Croft Street, situated in the south side of Ipswich in the area known as “over Stoke” (meaning “on the other side of Stoke Bridge from the town centre”) is today a strange mixture of the ancient and the modern. Stand at the bottom of the Street,…
The lost music venues of Ipswich
Ipswich has always had a lively music scene. But in much the same way that bands come and go, so we lose venues. The Ipswich music venues that are no longer with us are worth taking a moment to remember. It’s not just the musical memories these defunct venues hold for us, they were also…
SuperGlu set for the States
Okay they’re technically an Essex band, being based just over the border in Manningtree, but SuperGlu are a band that Ipswich has taken to their heart. When SuperGlu first hit the stages of Suffolk it was clear from the outset that here was a band with that special ‘something’ that would take them to far…
What is being built next to Burger King on West End Road in Ipswich?
You may have noticed some fairly speedy construction happening next to the (relatively) new Burger King on West End Road in the heart of Ipswich. This area of central Ipswich has undergone significant development in recent years. First the Royal William was demolished to make way for Lidl. Then The Mermaid pub was built sitting…
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5 amazing facts about the history of Ipswich
If you have lived in or near Ipswich for a while you may know some interesting facts about the history of the town. But there are also some amazing facts about the history of Ipswich that you might not know about. Ipswich is a very old town and has many hidden fascinating secrets. Ipswich is…
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Christmas Tree disposal in Suffolk – the TRUTH
Christmas trees are a central part of the way we decorate our homes to celebrate Christmas. A lot of the Christmas trees in homes throughout the country are grown in Suffolk. Forestry is something we do with aplomb. We’ve always seen having a Christmas tree as bringing a little bit of the Suffolk countryside into…
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BestBadges.co.uk celebrate 15th birthday
pswich based company BestBadges.co.uk was founded in 2001 by two musicians who were frustrated by their experiences of trying to buy promotional goods to promote their band. Bassist Andrew Culture and singer Stuart Tyldesley started BestBadges.co.uk principally to serve the music industry, but interest in the company swiftly grew far beyond bands and record labels.…
Farmers under increasing pressure to secure their chemical stores
British Farmers are experiencing an increasingly intense pressure to improve the way they store chemicals, including Plant Protection Products (PPPs). The Environment agency makes clear what is expected of Farmers with regards to storing chemicals not only securely, but handling chemicals in a way that reduces the risk of accidental environmental contamination. In fact the…
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Black Shuck
Imagine, if you will, a sixteenth century village on the coast of East Anglia. It is August, but an enormous storm has taken hold and the sky is dark and rain hammers the ground with force. A congregation are cowering inside a small church, hiding from the ferocious weather, the sounds of which are deafening…
Pacitti Company Announces their Autumn Programme for 2017: Education, Science and Art.
Pacitti Company are delighted to announce the next season of Think Tank events for Autumn 2017. The programme will go on sale on Friday 7 July on the Company’s new website which launches today. This new season of talks, courses and Salons is best described as reclamation of space. The Pacitti Company Think Tank is…
So Suffolk About page
Suffolk is a truly amazing county and this website hopes to inspire you to live, love and enjoy all that is has to offer, from the beautiful coastal stretches to the woodlands, the historic towns and villages, the shops, events, music, arts and festivals and, of course, the people.
Iconic landmarks and famous characters past and present throughout the county, means there is wealth of history that is, So Very Suffolk.
With the variety of landscapes from sandy beaches to rural idylls, makes it a truly beautiful place to explore; the scenery being, So Very Suffolk.
Entertainment is abundant from forest theatres to ballet, music festivals to glorious food and drink celebrations, showcase the amazing talents both home-grown within the county, and visiting from around the world, that is, So Very Suffolk.
Whether you like to spend your leisure hours relaxing in a spa or climbing the tree tops Suffolk is host to activities to suit any tastes, the huge range and variety on offer being, So Very Suffolk.
Whether you live here or are just visiting we hope you enjoy the sights, sounds, fun and beauty that this wonderful county has to offer.
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