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Combat2Coffee launches UK's first portable coffee roastery in Ipswich

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Combat2Coffee, an Ipswich-based veterans' support enterprise, has unveiled the UK's first portable coffee roastery to expand its operations helping former service personnel.

Why it matters: The custom-built unit will enable the social enterprise to increase its coffee production, generating more funding for veterans' outreach services across Suffolk.

The big picture: The roastery, which can process raw coffee beans at temperatures up to 200C, was unveiled at Combat2Coffee's headquarters on Wednesday at an event attended by dozens of guests from the coffee industry and third sector.

Mr and Mrs Rous, Nigel Seaman and Terry Butcher in the new portable roastery
Mr and Mrs Rous, Nigel Seaman and Terry Butcher in the new portable roasteryCombat2Coffee

Key details:

  • The unit has been named after Lieutenant Peter Rous of the Scots Guards, who died during a military exercise in 2009.

  • His parents, former High Sheriff of Suffolk Robert Rous and Teresa Rous, attended the launch ceremony.

  • Operations Director Graziano Moroni hosted a coffee sensory session for guests.

What they're saying: "This isn't a portable coffee shop or an upscaled coffee machine you'd find in your kitchen – this is an amazing bit of kit that turns raw coffee beans into something incredible," said Nigel Seaman, founder of Combat2Coffee.

"The process includes roasting beans up to 200 degrees, creating the ideal temperature for the bold, rich flavours of coffee to develop through hundreds of chemical reactions over a matter of minutes."

Looking ahead: Combat2Coffee plans to use the portable roastery to forge new partnerships with organisations across Suffolk while expanding their veteran support services.

The bottom line: The launch marks a significant milestone for Combat2Coffee as the first UK coffee company to operate a portable roastery.

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Ipswich Regent and Corn Exchange announce star-studded spring entertainment lineup

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The Ipswich Regent Theatre and Corn Exchange have unveiled their spring season programme, featuring top comedians Jimmy Carr and Jack Dee alongside Strictly Come Dancing stars and music tributes.

The big picture: The spring season spans multiple entertainment genres, bringing a variety of performances to Ipswich:

  • Eight major comedy shows running from February to April

  • Six Strictly Come Dancing professionals performing individual shows

  • Two classic opera productions

  • Multiple music tribute acts and performances

Regent Theatre and Corn Exchange spring lineup
Regent Theatre and Corn Exchange spring lineupIpswich Theatres

Key performances

Comedy:

  • Paddy McGuinness: Nearly There (20 February)

  • Jack Dee: Small World (27 February)

  • Chris McCausland: Yonks (18 March)

  • Mo Gilligan: In The Moment World Tour (22 March)

  • Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny (9 April)

  • Rob Beckett: Giraffe (15-16 April)

Dance:

  • Giovanni Pernice (21 March)

  • Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu (23 March)

  • Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez (28 March)

  • Nikita Kuzmin (19 April)

Music:

  • BOYZLIFE (26 January)

  • Big Girls Don't Cry (14 February)

  • The Darkness (6-7 March) - sold out

  • Rumours of Fleetwood Mac (23 April)

  • Illegal Eagles (25 April)

Opera:

  • Madama Butterfly (4 February)

  • La Bohème (27 March)

What they're saying: Councillor Jane Riley, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Culture and Customers, said: "We're thrilled to present an exciting new season of shows at the Ipswich Regent Theatre and Corn Exchange, which are designed to delight, inspire, and entertain."

The bottom line: All shows are now available to book through the Ipswich Theatres website, except for The Darkness performances which have sold out.

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