Histomat: Adventures in Historical Materialism

'Historical materialism is the theory of the proletarian revolution.' Georg Lukács

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Jack the Ripper Weekends - leaving Ipswich in 2007

While searching around for bus timetables, I came across the following tempting offer from one local bus company - Beeston Buses, based in Hadleigh, near Ipswich - 'Jack the Ripper' Weekends 2007.

'JACK THE RIPPER ~ Weekends 2007

Dare you walk in his shadow?? As night falls, we delve into the shadowy alleyways and dark cobbled streets of Whitechapel to follow the Ripper's blood-stained trail of terror. We inspect the murder sites, sifting through the evidence and eliminating one suspect after the other Your search will take you to the doorway where the only clue was found and the awe inspiring building where the last victim desperately sought shelter before she was murdered. Finally, by the light of a lone lamp and the shadow of an abandoned Victorian building, we will unmask the Ripper.

SATURDAY:
We depart Ipswich at 1000 hrs for the journey to London. On the way, you will have approx. 3 hours to spend at Lakeside for shopping and Lunch before continuing on to the Hotel. You will check into your Hotel in the Docklands and be given time to freshen up before being taken into central London to begin the walk at 1930 hrs. After your walk, lasting approx. 2 hours you will have a Fish and Chips Supper before the Driver collects you and takes you back to the Hotel for the night.
SUNDAY:
After our full english breakfast, you will be taken into London ready for a 'flight' on the London "Eye" at 1000 hrs. After our flight, there will be time for Coffee by the riverside before boarding your boat for a two course Lunch cruise, complete with stunning views of sights, such as Houses of Parliament and St Pauls Cathedral. You will then be collected and taken into Covent Garden to spend the remainder of the afternoon, before departing at around 1700 hrs for the return journey to Ipswich.'


And all for £113! However, I rather doubt the prospect of 'following the Ripper's blood-stained trail of terror' is somehow going to be that popular now with the good burghers of Ipswich in the light of recent events...

Still, perhaps they could soon offer a deal for Londoners - 'Dare you walk in the shadow' of the 'Ipswich Ripper'? Come to visit the 'shadowy alleyways and dark cobbled streets of Portman Road...inspect the murder sites, sift through the evidence and eliminating one suspect after the other' - after all, I am sure Suffolk police would appreciate help with their enquiries...

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5 Comments:

At 3:48 am, Blogger paddington said...

Whether the more morbid obsessions of the press reflect our taste for a good, juicy murder mystery or vice-versa, I don´t know. But my dad told me yesterday that he was driving down the A14 when the police arrested the first suspect in Trimley. He reported seeing two or three police vehicles being followed by a half-mile long cavalcade of press cars and vans. George Orwell may have been correct when he said that the perfect serial killer is always a provincial doctor (Crippen, Shipman), but it seems at the moment that an ex QE2 butler will suffice.

Hope you had a good Christmas, dear boy. I managed to pass my Christmas Eve and Day entirely in Spanish - rewarding, but utterly, utterly exhausting...

 
At 11:33 pm, Blogger Cliffite said...

Kinda like an upmarket version of the "bad taste" parties in Croydon where people dress up in orange flip-flops and green pants for "fun." Except with a disturbing rather then sad crowd.

 
At 11:51 pm, Blogger Meaders said...

You see loads of these tours round Whitechapel - presumably not all from Ipswich. Occasionally they bump into the Kray Twins sightseers and much hilarity ensues, naturally.

 
At 11:02 am, Blogger Snowball said...

Cheers for the comments. I reckon poor old Beeston Buses a) planned this before er, recent events occured but then decided they had paid the deposit so they were stuck with it b) cancelled it after recent events but forgot to take it off their website or c) are very sick people who decided to organise this after recent events for reasons of 'bad taste' as Cliffite suggested - to try and cash in. Such is capitalism - the relentless drive to accumulate profit overrides everything...

Happy new year folks...

 
At 8:44 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just out of a matter of interest, is it unethical for locals to make money out of the media circus that descended on Ipswich to cover the murders?

I recall the residents of Cromwell Street making a bob or two flogging over inflated cups of tea to the assorted journos and hacks.

 

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