What can 21st Century Ipswich learn from Cardinal Wolsey?

The Wolsey 550 Project marks the anniversary of the birth of Henry VIII's right-hand man who is believed to have been born in the town in 1473.

The project will run for the next 550 days - until the autumn of 2024 - and as well as focusing on the life and career of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey it also aims to celebrate today's young people who are trying to overcome obstacles to better themselves.

The anniversary celebrations were launched at Ipswich Town Hall. (Image: Warren Page/Ipswich Central)

Launching the event, Wolsey 550 chair Terry Hunt said that the Cardinal's story should be an inspiration to everyone down the centuries.

Wolsey was the son  of a commoner - a merchant or butcher - who, through his own hard work, rose to become the most powerful person in the country apart from the King.

Wolsey 550 chair and former Ipswich Star and EADT editor Terry Hunt welcomed public interest in the anniversary. (Image: Warren Page/Ipswich Central)

Mr Hunt said: "Is there a better, more inspiring example of social mobility than Thomas Wolsey?

"Humbly born, he became the most important person in the land, with the exception of Henry VIII. What an inspiration for our young people of today."

Young people featured in the launch event - explaining how the Wolsey link could inspire in the future.

Singers from Ipswich School at the Thomas Wolsey launch (Image: Warren Page/ Ipswich Central)

And a choir from Ipswich School - where Wolsey was a pupil in the 15th century - peformed a piece by his contemporary Thomas Tallis.

A newly-commissioned video showing the footprint of Wolsey's Cardinal College in the area of the town between St Peter's Street and Lower Brook Street is part of the initial story.

It is on show in a pop-up Wolsey Centre in the former Edinburgh Woollen Mill in the Butter Market street this weekend which is the first big "Weekender" event in Ipswich this year.