The history of the FWBO in Ipswich

1985	Rex Smart starts running meditation classes at his home in Spring Road.
1988	Classes move to a house in Bramford Road.
1989	Buddhist community founded at Palmerston Road. Classes move to the tiny front room there. 3-4 classes per week taking place.
1990	Rex Smart ordained as Saddharaja.
Oct 1990	The Evolution shop is founded.
June 1992	Jñanamitra moves to Ipswich, a year after being ordained.
July 1992	Classes move to the Co-op Education Centre on Upper Orwell Street.
Jan 1993	The charity 'FWBO (Ipswich)' founded.
Feb 1995	Buddhist community 'Maitriloka' founded at Newark Close.
1992-1997	Gradual increase in class sizes and resources.
Spring 1997	Classes move to a large dance studio at the Unicorn Centre, Foundation St.
Summer 1997	Steve Wilson ordained as Harsharatna.
July 1997	House on Hadleigh Road bought as new home for 'Maitriloka' community.
May 1999	Saddharaja leaves for Windhorse Trading, Cambridge.
March 2000	Unicorn Centre becomes unavailable. Classes become peripatetic; rooms used at the Library, the Town Hall, and Suffolk College (courtesy of SIFRE).
April 2000	Srivandana moves to Ipswich from Brighton.
2000	Bodhivamsa (from Colchester Buddhist Centre) joins the Ipswich teaching team.
October 2000	Lease signed on premises at 5 Thoroughfare (current premises).
June 2001	Roger Evans ordained as Gunasara, Martin Hillary ordained as Dayasara.
July 2001	Ipswich Buddhist Centre officially opens. Spiritual opening by Sanghadevi; secular opening by the Mayor of Ipswich.
July 2002	Jñanamitra (representing Suffolk Buddhists) meets the Queen and receives a royal handshake during the Jubilee tour.
June 2004	Mairtin O'Connor ordained as Sukavi.

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