Formed in 1957 as the Ipswich Land Transport Society, the ITS is still going strong, currently meeting once a month and still retaining some of the original founders as members. An early venture into the preservation and restoration of road vehicles with a local connection grew into the Ipswich Transport Museum, which was divested in 1990, although the two organisations continue to share many members.
That the Society has flourished can be attributed to the position that Ipswich finds itself, served by many modes of transport, all of which are thriving and providing much of interest for the membership to study. The town is situated on the Great Eastern Main Line railway, with frequent trains. The growth of the port of Felixstowe has led to huge increases in the volume of freight trains passing through, well in excess of that found in similar-sized towns. This growth has also brought large ocean-going ships to the port, making it a centre for any with an interest in shipping.
Ipswich itself continues as a port, and retains its historic Waterfront area around the Wet Dock. The closure of Ipswich Airport caused aviation activity here to cease, but elsewhere in the County, military aviation continues at a level which attracts enthusiasts from all over Britain. The local bus company, Ipswich Buses, survives as one of the last municipally-owned bus companies and services in the town are also provided by the First Group-owned Eastern Counties. Many small, family-owned, bus and coach companies also serve the area.
This variety is reflected in the illustrated Journal, produced monthly and delivered to members. Its 48 pages cover the current transport scene in the town and wider County, featuring Railway, Buses and Shipping. Historical topics are occasionally covered. Meetings are held monthly in the autumn/winter months on the third Monday in the month, at Greenfinch Church Hall in the Chantry area of the town, and feature speakers on a variety of transport topics, and meetings are open to non-members.
Membership is open to all at £15 per annum. To join, please do contact Derek Austin, 27 Coopers Close, Witnesham, IP6 9ES, (01473 785673).
This article was written and supplied by Steven Worsley, Secretary, Ipswich Transport Society
Images from the Ipswich Transport Society. Container Ship image Zelijko Markot
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Who wrote this about Ipswich?
Sam Sherman
Sam is a Co-Founder of Ipswich.love. Passionate about Ipswich, Sam looks to see how we might jointly reverse some of the recent negativity and bring some deserved positivity back to our beloved Town.
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