Alumni and guests are invited to join the Suffolk Cambridge Society for a visit to St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, a talk by Dr. Richard Hoggett followed by a light lunch.

This is a significant year for Bury St Edmunds as it is the 1000th year anniversary of the foundation of the Abbey of St. Edmundsbury by King Canute. Many events and celebrations have been planned and our visit is at the start of several varied commemorations. I am delighted that we have been able to secure the services of Dr. Richard Hoggett as our speaker and guide for the visit. Dr. Hoggett is an acknowledged heritage consultant and archaeologist who was commissioned a few years ago to research the history and national importance of the Abbey Church. This he has done splendidly and he must now be the leading expert on this Mediaeval shrine. He is a fine speaker and we are lucky to have him talk to us before lunch. After lunch, he will guide us around the Abbey ruins.

The programme for the visit is;

• 10.30am: Meet for tea/coffee in Edmunds Room which is in the Cathedral Centre (access is via the Cloisters and take the lift or stairs to the first floor). There is a large car park at Ram Meadow (Cotton Lane, IP33 1XP – charge £2.30). The car park is a 700m walk from the Cathedral and takes about 10 minutes.
• 11.00am: Talk in Edmunds Room by Dr. Richard Hoggett on the history of the Abbey of St Edmundsbury.
• 12.30pm: Soup and sandwich lunch with a glass of wine or soft drink.
• After lunch: Guided tour of the Abbey ruins (sensible walking shoes recommended) or a tour of the Cathedral.