High Sheriff of Suffolk gives Vote of Thanks to our Volunteers

The Courtroom of the Guildhall in Bury St Edmunds was as bustling as it might have been in the 13th century when townspeople crowded in to witness the trial of some unfortunate local resident. On Wednesday 14th March, however, those present were full of optimism at what the future holds for Bury St Edmunds Guildhall now almost at the completion of its £1.75 million Lottery-funded restoration, and due to open to the public in July.

The sheer beauty of the renovation is striking. Being guided through the various rooms of the oldest civic building in the country by the Guildhall Manager, Suzanne Stevenson, was like turning the pages of history, leading from the present, to the 2nd World War (the only remaining WW2 RAF Radar Plotting Room has also been restored), to the Stuarts, to the Tudor kitchen, and to the Medieval world of Henry III.

The High Sheriff, Geoffrey Probert, was present to thank the hundred or so volunteers who have committed time and energy to ensuring the success of the Guildhall Project. More than 70 were present to listen to speeches and to mingle with fellow volunteers. There was a palpable sense of energy and anticipation among them.

Karen Hurden, a volunteer from The Arts Society Bury St Edmunds said: "It was an honour to attend the Guildhall in Bury St Edmunds when the High Sheriff visited. It was particularly interesting to meet other volunteers and to realise the variety of contributions being made by them throughout the county.”

Other volunteers from The Arts Society Bury St Edmunds present at the event were Carolynn Usher and Penny Taylor; also present was past Chairman Tessa Underwood and Mary Payne, Young Arts. Jayne Tracey, Heritage Secretary for our Society, had invited the High Sheriff to the event, but was herself unfortunately unable to be present.

Guildhall Trustee Simon Pott in his speech kindly gave special thanks to The Arts Society Bury St Edmunds for support throughout the project.