The events in January 1868 started on a Monday evening (January 27) with the mayor, John Patterson Cobbold, inviting around 600 “principal citizens” to a “Conversazione”.

East Anglian Daily Times: This was the Ipswich Town Hall from 1841 to 1865. It had been converted from the remains of St Mildreds Church with a new frontage. Picture: WILLIAM VICKThis was the Ipswich Town Hall from 1841 to 1865. It had been converted from the remains of St Mildreds Church with a new frontage. Picture: WILLIAM VICK (Image: Dave Kindred)

There was a ball on the Tuesday evening and a formal opening on Wednesday morning at a council meeting.

The previous Town Hall, on the same site, was demolished and the foundation stone for the current town hall was laid April 18, 1866.

The building was designed by Lincoln architect, Pearson Bellamy, and constructed by Ipswich builder Edward Gibbons for £11,749.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Ipswich Town Hall in 1951. The small car park in front of the town hall was used by visitors to the town hall and shoppers. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEThe Ipswich Town Hall in 1951. The small car park in front of the town hall was used by visitors to the town hall and shoppers. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: Dave Kindred)

By the 1960s the building was too small for the magistrates’ courts, police station and council offices it housed.

By the early 1970s the civic centre, magistrates’ courts and a new police station had relocated around the civic drive area.

Members of the royal family, including the Queen, have been visitors over the decades.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Cornhill and town hall, Ipswich in 1897. The horse drawn tram service ran in the town from October 1880. The service was replaced with electric trams in 1903. Taxi cabs were moved from the Cornhill to Lloyds Avenue when it opened in January 1931. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEThe Cornhill and town hall, Ipswich in 1897. The horse drawn tram service ran in the town from October 1880. The service was replaced with electric trams in 1903. Taxi cabs were moved from the Cornhill to Lloyds Avenue when it opened in January 1931. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: Dave Kindred)

The Town Hall is a focal point for major events in the town, such as civic receptions for local achievers.

In this week’s Days Gone By I feature a few of the special occasions that have taken place at the Ipswich Town Hall.

Do you have memories of the Town Hall? To submit a letter, in less than 300 words, write to David Kindred, Days Gone By, Ipswich Star/EADT, Portman House, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1RS or send an e-mail.

East Anglian Daily Times: Maintenance work high on the Ipswich Town Hall around 1910. Safety regulations appear to have been very different then! Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEMaintenance work high on the Ipswich Town Hall around 1910. Safety regulations appear to have been very different then! Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: Dave Kindred)

East Anglian Daily Times: The Queen visited Ipswich in 1977 as part of her Silver Jubilee tour of the nation. Crowds cheered from the Cornhill as The Queen, escorted by Mayor David Myer, were about to climb the Town Hall steps. Picture: TONY RAYThe Queen visited Ipswich in 1977 as part of her Silver Jubilee tour of the nation. Crowds cheered from the Cornhill as The Queen, escorted by Mayor David Myer, were about to climb the Town Hall steps. Picture: TONY RAY (Image: Tony Ray)

East Anglian Daily Times: The Town Hall floodlit for Christmas 2007. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEThe Town Hall floodlit for Christmas 2007. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: Dave Kindred)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town team captain, Mick Mills, and goal scorer, Roger Osborne, on the steps of the Town Hall when a Civic reception was held in May 1978, the day after Ipswich won the FA Cup. There were similar scenes when the club won the UEFA Cup in 1981. Picture: TONY RAYIpswich Town team captain, Mick Mills, and goal scorer, Roger Osborne, on the steps of the Town Hall when a Civic reception was held in May 1978, the day after Ipswich won the FA Cup. There were similar scenes when the club won the UEFA Cup in 1981. Picture: TONY RAY (Image: TONY RAY)

East Anglian Daily Times: Fans packed onto the Cornhill in 2000 to celebrate the return of Ipswich Town Football Club to the Premier League. The view from a helicopter was taken as the open top bus, with players and management, arrived at the town hall (right) for a civic reception. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEFans packed onto the Cornhill in 2000 to celebrate the return of Ipswich Town Football Club to the Premier League. The view from a helicopter was taken as the open top bus, with players and management, arrived at the town hall (right) for a civic reception. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town Football Club won the Division Two championship in the 1960-61 season, crowds cheered in front of the town hall as players arrived for a civic reception. The manager of the football Club, Alf Ramsey, and Mayor Percy Fowler, are at the door of the town hall. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEIpswich Town Football Club won the Division Two championship in the 1960-61 season, crowds cheered in front of the town hall as players arrived for a civic reception. The manager of the football Club, Alf Ramsey, and Mayor Percy Fowler, are at the door of the town hall. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: Dave Kindred)

East Anglian Daily Times: Members of the Ipswich Speedway team on the steps of the town hall as they arrived for a civic reception after winning British League Championship, the Knock Out Cup and the Best Pairs trophy in 1976. Riders included are; Dave Gooderham, Ted Howgego, Tony Davey, Billy Sanders and John Louis. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEMembers of the Ipswich Speedway team on the steps of the town hall as they arrived for a civic reception after winning British League Championship, the Knock Out Cup and the Best Pairs trophy in 1976. Riders included are; Dave Gooderham, Ted Howgego, Tony Davey, Billy Sanders and John Louis. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: David Kindred)

East Anglian Daily Times: The civic party on the town hall steps after returning from a service to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward Vll and Queen Alexandra in August 1902. The Mayor, Arthur Churchman, is in the centre. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEThe civic party on the town hall steps after returning from a service to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward Vll and Queen Alexandra in August 1902. The Mayor, Arthur Churchman, is in the centre. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: Dave Kindred)

East Anglian Daily Times: July 1909 saw huge crowds gather in front of the town hall for the arrival of General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEJuly 1909 saw huge crowds gather in front of the town hall for the arrival of General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: Dave Kindred)

East Anglian Daily Times: The Duke of Edinburgh, inspecting a guard of honour provided by HMS Ganges, during a visit in the 1950s. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEThe Duke of Edinburgh, inspecting a guard of honour provided by HMS Ganges, during a visit in the 1950s. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: Dave Kindred)

East Anglian Daily Times: A packed Cornhill, Ipswich, in June 1930, when the Prince of Wales, (who abdicated in December 1936 as the uncrowned King Edward Vlll), visited to officially open the town's new airport. This photograph was taken as he arrived at the town hall. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEA packed Cornhill, Ipswich, in June 1930, when the Prince of Wales, (who abdicated in December 1936 as the uncrowned King Edward Vlll), visited to officially open the town's new airport. This photograph was taken as he arrived at the town hall. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: Dave Kindred)

East Anglian Daily Times: The Mayor Frederick Rands, and members of the Corporation on the town hall steps on October 11, 1919, when a civic reception was held for the 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment when they returned from the First World War. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEThe Mayor Frederick Rands, and members of the Corporation on the town hall steps on October 11, 1919, when a civic reception was held for the 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment when they returned from the First World War. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: Dave Kindred)

East Anglian Daily Times: A civic reception was held for the Ipswich Town Football Club team in 1962 when they won the First Division title. This photograph was taken as the team gathered on the steps after arriving in an open topped bus. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVEA civic reception was held for the Ipswich Town Football Club team in 1962 when they won the First Division title. This photograph was taken as the team gathered on the steps after arriving in an open topped bus. Picture: DAVID KINDRED ARCHIVE (Image: Dave Kindred)