Welcome to the IDHTS’s website
Last edited 5th November 2025
The IDHTS
Our History:
Robert (Bob) Pratt, a well known local businessman and amateur historian had the idea to form a Society to provide a forum for all those interested in the history of transport. Bob had already been involved in the formation of two local historical organisations, the Suffolk Photographic Survey & the Suffolk Local History Council (both are accessible via Suffolk Local History Council link). Bob assembled a small group of local transport enthusiasts who formed the Ipswich and District Historical Transport Society in 1963 to cover transport by air, road, rail and water.
The initial format of monthly meetings, with the exception of June, July and August, has continued almost unchanged until the present day. The meetings are addressed by invited locally and nationally known speakers.
Visits are also made to local venues of transport interest.
The Ipswich and District Historical Transport Society publishes a quarterly newsletter 'Transport Matters' (ISSN 0306 0187), this publication includes accounts of lectures given and articles on transport subjects.
The Society meets at the Ipswich Citadel, Salvation Army, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich IP4 4PH at 7.30 p.m. (doors open from 7.00). Free car parking available & refreshments. Entrance fee £2.50. (Non-members £4.00) Non-members always welcome. http://www.ipswichanddistricthistoricaltransportsociety.co.uk or on the IDHTS Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ipswichanddistricthistoricalsociety/
The Committee reserve the right to amend the programme due to non-availability of the presenter/s. Please always check our website or Facebook page for up-to-date details of events.
IDHTS Meetings 2025/2026
.
The Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society’s next meeting is on Wednesday November 26th: The presentation is on ‘The History of Mid Suffolk Light Railway’-Speaker to be confirmed. The Mid Suffolk Light Railway is Suffolk’s only standard gauge heritage railway, offering steam open days and events throughout the year. The presenter will update the audience on their past and recent history on the ‘Middy’, including the recent extension of the line as a part of this incredible project, the construction of the destination station, ‘Aspall Halt’. Picture of ’Sir Berkeley" supplied by Mid Suffolk Light Railway.
*The Committee reserve the right to amend the programme due to non-availability of the presenter/s. Please always check our Facebook page for up-to-date details of events. Please note that we are unable to update the IDHTS website currently due to IT issues, we hope to resolve this in early September.
2026 Spring Season:
We do not meet in December or January
Feb 25th: Shipwrecks around East Anglia- By Andy Beharrell.
Mar 25th: The History of Colne Valley Railway by Paul Lemon (Chairman of CVR)
Apr 29th: R.A.F. Bawdsey Radar "The Eyes of the Few" Presented by Graham Murchie
May 27th: Norfolk Rail Society-Details of NRS presentations & speaker details TBC in Feb Transport Matters & IDHTS Website.
*The Committee reserve the right to amend the programme due to non-availability of the presenter/s. Please always check our Facebook page for up-to-date details of events. Please note that we are unable to update the IDHTS website currently due to IT issues, we hope to resolve this in early September.
