GATEACRE BROW

No.2. Small 2-storey brick villa pre 1840, centre panelled door (later glazing) in moulded doorcase with imposts, round arch and fanlight with glazing bars, sash windows and canted bay.

No.4. Double fronted stucco villa of 2-storeys, pre 1840, centre panelled door in moulded doorcase with imposts, round arch with fanlight & glazing bars, 2 12-paned sash windows below, 3 above; stone side walls, large early Victorian extensions.

Nos 6 & 8. Adjoining stone houses on 1840 map; 2 storeys and attics, 6 has panelled centre door in round arched moulded doorcase, 12-paned sash on 1st floor & added rectangular stone bay to right, 2-storeyed canted timber bay to left with wood mullioned & transomed windows & 'Ipswich' centre. 8 has 3-light stone mullioned window below with 12-paned sash over, similar canted bay; doorway in left wing; resited (?) datestone at high level carved "I P S" "1807".

Nos 10 & 12. Small square early C19 cottages, scored stucco, hipped roof; ground floor has simple Victorian shop front, 2 12-paned sashes above, 1 16-paned sash window and 1 blocked one on each floor.

Bear & Staff pub. Part pre 1805, stables c.1840, much rebuilt.

Unitarian Chapel. Licensed 1700, enlarged upwards 1719, with mid Victorian re-ordering. A plain rectangular red sandstone building, the plan typical of a Dissenting Chapel designed for preaching, an austere auditorium of sound materials with plain fittings. 2 segmental headed windows to N, 3 to S. (2 of these have had heads raised) 1 segmental headed window to E end over added Vestry, later Venetian window at W. end over gallery. Original simple round arched doorway with keystone, off centre, at W. end; traces of similar arch at E. Added ashlar buttresses at W. end, and date "1700" on carved stone, all mid-Victorian ? Interior now has E - W orientation with Communion Table, small organ & C18 Pulpit (resited), some C18 panelling, C19 W. gallery on cast iron columns. Bust of Rev. Wm. Shepherd (1768-1847) for 56 years Minister here, in niche in centre of N. wall - traditionally the position from which he preached. Other monuments include Thomas Rodick obit. 1855 - bust by J.A.P. Macbride (1819-90)

continued . . .