History of Sudbury’s sports clubs unveiled with launch of new heritage exhibition

The storied history of sports throughout Sudbury is available for all to view this week, following a new exhibition’s grand unveiling.

Almost 70 invited guests packed into Sudbury Arts Centre – formerly St Peter’s – to mark the official launch of the History of Sudbury Sports Clubs project.

Attendees received a first look at the new exhibition, which can be viewed for free at Sudbury Heritage Centre, using a large interactive touch-screen, starting today.

Created by the heritage centre, in partnership with the Sudbury Sporting Memories group, the project has digitally compiled stories, timelines, photos and ephemera in one place.

Project co-ordinator Robin Drury said: “We hope this project will shine a light on Sudbury’s communities of the past, while seeking to preserve records that may otherwise have gradually disappeared over time.

“This will also enable many records to be kept under one roof and fully available to visitors to the museum.”

The History of Sudbury Sports Clubs project was delivered after securing grants from Suffolk County Council’s new Culture Project Fund, plus further funding from Babergh District Council.

To begin with, the interactive exhibition will feature information on four of the town’s clubs – football, cricket, rowing and swimming – with plans to expand this as the project continues to develop.

At the launch event, a variety of speakers representing different clubs in Sudbury were present to share their perspectives on the town’s sporting history.

They included football historian Darren Witt; John Mallett, from Sudbury Cricket Club; James Carnegie, from Sudbury Hockey Club; Andrew Blit, from Sudbury Rowing Club; and Peter Thorogood, from the town’s institute club.

Sudbury Museum Trust chairman Peter Minter, who chaired Sudbury Rugby Club for 40 years, said: “Sudbury punches above its weight in terms of sporting achievement.

“We are excited to see the enthusiasm expressed for this idea and we look forward to seeing many visitors coming to see this new exhibition.”

Entrance to Sudbury Heritage Centre, within the town hall in Old Market Place, is free.