City of Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding thanked the landlord of the Thomas Wolsey in St Peter’s Street after they launched a successful campaign for Ed Sheeran to visit whilst on his tour in Australia.
After 10 months of campaigning, the shape of you singer visited the city where he was named co-mayor on his travels and signing a giant pink mural of himself.
Damon Jeffrey, landlord of the Thomas Wolsey in Ipswich with City of Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding (Image: Damon Jeffries)
Mayor Harding had employed the help of Thomas Wolsey landlord Damon Jeffrey to convince Sheeran to make the trip, whilst on a visit to our Ipswich last year.
As a thank you, The Thomas Wolsey has been awarded a letter of appreciation from the City of Ipswich.
In her letter, Mrs Harding says: “From the very first spark to the final celebration, the campaign to bring Ed Sheeran to our Ipswich was something truly special.
The Thomas Wolsey had turned into ‘The Old Phone’ ahead of Sheeran’s homecoming gigs (Image: The Thomas Wolsey)
“After I officially invited Ed Sheeran, inspired by his visits to multiple Ipswich cities, our community took the idea and turned it into ten months of creativity, humour, and pure Ipswich spirit.
“The result was unforgettable, with our campaign bringing the Ed Sheeran to the biggest and best Ipswich in the world. With the pink dust now settled, I want to celebrate everything we accomplished together and thank you for the role you played in making it happen.
The letter from the City of Ipswich Mayor in full (Image: The Thomas Wolsey)
“Over ten months the momentum kept building fuelled by creativity, imagination and a good dose of fun, generated the extraordinary result of around $3 million in earned media value at no cost to ratepayers.
“Businesses brewed, baked, painted, and dreamed up ideas that captured national attention. Schools, performers, and community groups added their own flair. Residents shared the message far and wide.
“I want to thank you once again for your contribution. It was a privilege to champion the campaign, but it was the people of Ipswich that made it all possible. We can officially say, ‘Mission Ed-complished!”