Staff at Food Museum in Stowmarket bid farewell to Suffolk Punch horse, Zippo

A beloved horse is set to leave a Suffolk museum following the momentous birth of a rare foal last month.

Staff at Food Museum in Stowmarket are bidding farewell to Zippo, a Suffolk Punch horse who first arrived at the museum in 2019.

The museum recently celebrated a historic occasion when a female Suffolk Punch foal, named Juno, was delivered on the grounds – the first birth of the endangered breed at the site in 100 years.

However, the difficult decision has been made to find Zippo a new home to allow mare Faith and Juno time and space to bond.

The museum is committed to supporting the Suffolk Punch rare breed, and visitors can meet both Faith and Juno in our paddock.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust lists the breed of horse as critically endangered – placing it more at risk than the giant panda.

Zippo will leave tomorrow morning to become a companion for another Suffolk Punch horse elsewhere.

Also at the Food Museum, a new state-of-the-art Changing Places toilet has been launched with the opening of the new toilet block.

The block was designed by Modece Architects and built by Stowe Building Contractors with the new facilities improving accessibility for museum visitors and it is also open for visitors to the town centre, during the museum’s opening hours.

Museum director Jenny Cousins said: ‘Having good-quality toilets is important to all our visitors, and helps to make the museum a welcoming place for all.

“Some people struggle to go out unless they know that there are appropriate facilities available to them, such as a Changing Places Toilet.

“We’ve had people tell us that this is the difference between them being able to visit or not.

“With the addition of the Changing Places Toilet, we are proud to play our part in improving the experience of the town centre in Stowmarket for local people and visitors alike.”

A Changing Places Toilet is fully accessible and has added facilities such as a hoist, changing bench and shower.

The new amenities are part of the museum’s commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all visitors, as well as supporting the local community.

The project was funded through a Changing Places Fund from the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities, Mid Suffolk District Council, Muscular Dystrophy UK, the MEND fund from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England as well as additional funding from Suffolk Growth.

The block was officially opened by Mayor of Stowmarket Cllr Terence Carter on Thursday, July 10.

He said: “I am delighted to officially open the new Changing Places toilet at the Food Museum.

“This facility represents a significant movement towards inclusivity for our town.

“With over 14 million people in the UK living with a disability, and more than 250,000 of us relying on Changing Places toilets, it is crucial that we provide the necessary amenities to support their needs.

“This new toilet not only enhances the accessibility of the museum but also ensures that Stowmarket is a welcoming place for everyone.”