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 & refreshments available. Non-members always welcome.
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.
Time: 19:30 hours (doors open at 19:00 hours)
Admission: Members: £2-50 Non-members: £4
(includes refreshments)
Further Information: Chairman: Sylvia Kerridge Tel: 01473 424904
e-mail: chairman at IDHTS
Secretary: David Kerridge Tel: 01473 424904
e-mail: secretary at IDHTS
IDHTS Meetings 2023/24
Autumn Programme
Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society Event-Wednesday September 27th 2023
The IDHTS will be holding their Annual General Meeting in which we will be celebrating the 60th year Anniversary since the society was first formed. After our short AGM, this will be followed by free refreshments, then we will have a presentation “The V1 & V2 The World’s First Cruise Missiles.” Presented by Mervyn Russen. The presentation will include: Who designed the V Weapons, how the catapult worked that launched it, how the missile itself worked, the woman who flew it! How we defended ourselves against it and V1 & V2 Statistics
Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society Event-Wednesday 25th October
The IDHTS October meeting will be holding a presentation on ‘The History of the Felixstowe Flying Boats’ Presented by Chris Turland. The story of the first world war flying boat station at Felixstowe and the later MAEE, (Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment) along with pictures and facts about these magnificent aircraft.
Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society Event-Wednesday November 29th The IDHTS November meeting will be holding a presentation on The Leiston Works Railway- ‘Reviving Leiston's Railway Heritage’ Presented by Julian Warner & Roger Graham. The L.W. Railway Trust are working to restore the line that once served the now-closed Richard Garrett Engineering Works, and which represents an important but currently incomplete part of the rich industrial heritage of this small Suffolk town.
Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society Event-Wednesday February 28th .
The IDHTS February 2024 meeting will be holding a presentation:
The History of the Charles Burrell Museum - Presented by Teresia & Richard Stock from the Charles Burrell Museum. Discover the history Charles Burrell’s works, founded in the late 18th Century, learn about the family history and the people who worked there, and the machinery produced- over 4,000 steam engines were built in golden age of engineering.
Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society Event-Wednesday March 20th
The History of RAF Bentwaters - presented by Simon Gladas. The presentation will cover the history of RAF Bentwaters from 1943 to 1993. Beginning with the origins of the airfield and the early use by the RAF in WW11, through to the arrival of the Americans in 1951, the many units and aircraft types deployed during the Cold War. For those who remember the skies in Suffolk full of jet fighters and the many airshows, it will bring back many memories and if you have wondered what did happen at one of the largest bases in the UK then this presentation will reveal all. Presented by Simon Gladas, a volunteer at the Bentwaters Cold War Museum, the talk will include many photos from the extensive archive held by the museum. (Air).
Please note this replaces David Kerridges London Transport Museum Depot ‘A Transport Chest’ and will be re-scheduled later.
Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society Event-Wednesday April 24th
The Airship Trust - presented by Andrew Lawson - The Golden Age of British Airships, and focus on the R100 and R101 story and the history around the Cardington airship station. (Air)
Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society Event-Wednesday 29th May 2024.
Presentations from the Norfolk Railway Society will include:
East Croydon to Kimberley Park: 50 Years of Railway Reflections by Martin Care. Presentation Synopsis: Moving from a childhood laced with a healthy interest in both
model and full-sized railways Martin will reflect on his career in the railways over nearly four decades and most recently a move into railway station restoration at Kimberley Park alongside the Mid-Norfolk Railway. The talk will be accompanied by some artefacts to help illustrate the story.
Followed by Just a Boring Little Shunter? by Richard Adderson Presentation Synopsis: A personal pictorial look at the class 03, 04 and 08 diesel shunters, set against a background of the ever-changing East Anglian railway scene over the last fifty plus years.
Past Meetings
IDHTS Meetings 2024/25
The April IDHTS Meeting will be taking place on the 30-04-25 the subject is ‘Early Car Production and Motoring in Suffolk”- Presented by Chris Turland. Chris will take us through motoring in the early days, you could be amazed at the variety of manufacturers there were in Suffolk. For example, there were six manufacturers in Woodbridge alone! So come and find out more about motoring in Suffolk and enjoy the ride!
26-03-24 ‘Platforms, Pirates & Pop’ -The History of Rough and Maunsell Towers Presented by Andy Beharrell. What connects Screaming Lord Sutch, Gianni Versace, the actor Ralf Little (Death in Paradise) and Doctor Who? While this sounds like a question from Only Connect, the answer lies in local east coast waters - the Maunsell Forts. These are a series of army and navy forts which were built in the second world war offshore in the North Sea to protect us from enemy Airforce and naval incursions. These forts played a crucial role in early warning for air and sea raids. Abandoned after the war their history was then varied and, as you can see from the characters mentioned, at times unexpected. Some were occupied by Pirate Radio stations while others were used as film locations. One even became a micronation. This presentation looks at this unique history, the transport involved, and the mixed cast of characters involved with these platforms. The presentation examines what is left of them and the unique legacy which they have left behind.
26-02-25- Please note that there is a CHANGE to The Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society’s next meeting on the 26th February- ‘A Magical Maritime Tour-Ipswich to Chelsea Bridge’ Unfortunately, the speaker that was to present on ‘The History of Felixstowe Port’ is now unable to attend the February meeting. So, we now invite you to join Mike Farthing on a past trip he took, sailing on the Sailing barge (Victor) from Ipswich Docks, then from the bridge of a modern Ro-Ro Vessel (Baltic Eider) to Tilbury Dock. On then to Tower Bridge on the restored M.V. Balmoral and finally on to Chelsea bridge on the river cruiser Pocahontas. Using extensive video footage taken at the time in June 2005, Mike will take us on this unusual journey to relive this adventure!
Photo Acknowledgement: Courtesy of the Maritime Trust Archive
27-11-24 “Brand New Steam for the 21st Century”, Building of the ‘Prince of Wales’, following in Tornado’s tracks presented by Liz Gibson. Following the successful project to build A1 Tornado, in 2013 The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust launched its second project to build a Gresley Class P2, based on the original 1934 design. With the need to resolve key design issues made possible with 21st century technology the forecast is for a fifteen-year build and a cost of around £6.5m.
30-10-24- Debach Airfield Group, “Flying Cats plus one Flying Dog” 493BG 8TH Army Air Force in WWII-presented by Richard Taylor Richard will cover the history of Debach airfield (his farther helped build it!) and the history of 493rd USAAF Bomber Group whilst at this airfield. Pictures courtesy of 493rd USAAF website: Bombers photo taken 9th April 1945 during a raid on Schleissmen, Germany along with the Debach Village Sign commemorating the 493rd Group.
25-09-24 (AGM)- Light Refreshments will be served at the end of the AGM. Followed by: “Red Sails on the Orwell”, R & W Pauls including Sailing Barges presented by Chris Turland. The remarkable story of the maritime activities of R&W Paul, a local trader in grain and animal feed products who have a history stretching back to the 1700's and had a significant effect on the shipping in the Orwell and the growth of Ipswich as a port.
Sailing Barge VICTOR
