Felix Thornley Cobbold

Born at Holywells and educated at Ipswich School, Felix was a great son of Ipswich.

After Eton and King’s College, Cambridge he became a lawyer, a brewer, a farmer, a banker, a JP and MP.

He gave the site and funds for public baths in Fore St; a clock and carillon to St. Clement’s Church and his Mayor’s fund provided great sums for the East Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital.

By 1906 he was Ipswich’s MP, a seat which he held until his death. He bequeathed Gippeswick Park to the Borough; considerable sums for the purchase of works of art in the Mansion and much land to the county.

A most memorable generous act was, when Christchurch Mansion was threatened with development he bought it for the Borough: he later gave townsfolk parties there. He truly was “a munificent benefactor”.

The plaque was unveiled on 8th April 2011 by Anthony Cobbold, scion of the Cobbold family.