Thomas Wolsey 550 project launches in Ipswich, celebrating the life of the town's most famous son

Promising a wealth of activities and opportunities, an 18-month scheme celebrating the life of one of Suffolk's most famous sons launches today.

Thomas Wolsey was born in March 1473 in Ipswich.

Coming from humble origins, the Catholic priest became King Henry VIII's almoner – and eventually, Lord High Chancellor of England – one of the most powerful positions in the country at that time.

The Cardinal's mark is still felt in the town today, with statues and buildings bearing his name, including Cardinal Park, Wolsey's Gate and the Wolsey Theatre.

To this end, the Thomas Wolsey 550 project will see a list of events, activities and education programmes.

This will seek to 'create a new legacy' for Wolsey both nationally and locally, the organisers said.

In addition, it hopes to increase social mobility in the town, as well as public awareness of its rich history, and highlight opportunities for children or young people.

Planned events include an exhibition at The Hold, specialist talks, walking tours, workshops, and an extensive 12-month schools programme.

The project's launch will be heralded by eight bell-ringers at St Lawrence's Church, which will play a ceremonial tune, not unlike one Wolsey would have heard as a boy, from 10.30am.

A short film was also made to commemorate the event.

This looked into Cardinal College, Wolsey's planned legacy for the town, which he hoped would rival Cambridge or Oxford Universities before the project was cut short.

It is available to view on the website, and will also be projected onto the Buttermarket shopping centre today.

Other launch day activities include colourful buntings throughout the town centre and a new beer made by Ipswich brewer Briarbank.

The project was spearheaded by Ipswich Central.

Terry Hunt, project chair and a director at Ipswich Central, said the project had the potential to be 'transformational' for the town.

In particular, he hoped it could generate a sense of aspiration for youngsters.

Mr Hunt added: “To achieve this, we will use the inspiring example of our very own Thomas Wolsey, one of the most extraordinary examples of social mobility ever seen, and someone who realised the importance of education more than 300 years before it became compulsory in this country.

“We would like every school pupil in Ipswich to hear about Wolsey, and be inspired by his achievements, which were very much against the odds. This project will help them to understand just what a rich heritage Ipswich has, as one of the very oldest English towns.

"It has been an important place ever since Anglo-Saxon times. We want our children and young people to be proud of the place where they live.”