IPSWICH is celebrating a key figure in the abolition of slavery today.A new exhibition has opened marking the anniversary of the death of Thomas Clarkson, a tireless campaigner for the cause and a former Suffolk resident.

IPSWICH is celebrating a key figure in the abolition of slavery today.

A new exhibition has opened marking the anniversary of the death of Thomas Clarkson, a tireless campaigner for the cause and a former Suffolk resident.

Abolition - The Thomas Clarkson Story will now be on display at Ipswich Museum for around six months.

Councillor Judy Terry, Ipswich Borough Council's arts, culture and leisure portfolio holder, said: “This is the first exhibition to open under the new Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service.

“It's a fascinating exhibition and some aspects are deliberately designed to be provocative and uncomfortable, to reflect the nature of the strong subject matter.

“The wider project has seen a programme of events and outreach activities with local schools and consultation with African and Afro-Caribbean community groups.

“This programme has helped inform and shape the development of the content and style of the exhibition so this is truly an exhibition about people by the people.”

The free exhibition focusing on Thomas Clarkson, who lived the latter part of his life at Playford Hall near Ipswich, also looks into why the slave trade operated, the impact of the slave trade on Ipswich and explores the cultures from which African people were taken.

Which famous ex-resident of Ipswich would you like to see an exhibition about? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.