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Council launches stop smoking campaign with Ipswich Town FC

News
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Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Town Football Club have joined forces to launch a new stop-smoking campaign, as figures reveal tobacco use contributes to nearly 1,000 deaths annually in the county.

Why it matters: Smoking costs Suffolk an estimated £703m each year in health and social care costs, lost productivity and smoking-related fires, making it the single greatest risk for early deaths in the county.

The big picture: The "Never Stop Trying" campaign aims to help create a smoke-free generation by:

  • Sharing real-life success stories from Suffolk residents

  • Drawing parallels with Ipswich Town's 22-year journey back to the Premier League

  • Offering enhanced support through Feel Good Suffolk, the county's stop-smoking service

Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Town Football Club have joined forces to launch a new stop smoking campaign
Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Town Football Club have joined forces to launch a new stop smoking campaignFeel Good Suffolk

What they're saying: "I am proud to support this campaign, which is not just about quitting smoking, but about changing lives. This campaign is all about supporting people in their quitting journey and showing them that they can succeed in the end with the right support," says Cllr Steve Wiles, Cabinet Member for Public Health.

"We are proud to be part of this important campaign and to support our local community in making healthier choices," says Dan Palfrey, Director of Foundation at Ipswich Town.

By the numbers:

  • Nearly 1,000 deaths per year in Suffolk are linked to smoking

  • Smokers are three times more likely to quit with support from their local service

  • The national target aims to reduce smoking rates to below 5% by 2030

How to get help: Residents can access support through Feel Good Suffolk's stop smoking service, which offers one-to-one coaching, phone support and digital tools.

The bottom line: With smoking causing nearly 1,000 deaths each year in Suffolk, this campaign brings together local government, sport, and healthcare to tackle what remains the county's biggest preventable killer.

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One man's mission to preserve Ipswich's transport heritage

Feature
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

As our transport landscape continues its rapid evolution, one local enthusiast has embarked on a remarkable journey to preserve a piece of Ipswich's recent history.

Bus preservation in Britain has come a long way since 1956, when four pioneering enthusiasts purchased their first historic London bus for a mere £40. Today, more than 5,000 preserved buses grace our nation's roads, each telling its own story of public transport's evolution.

This story begins with fleet number 147, an Optare Versa bus that once ferried countless passengers between London Road and Martlesham park and ride sites.

Now, this former Ipswich Buses workhorse has found a new home, rescued from potential obscurity for £4,000, by Jake Gooding, a local bus enthusiast and now proud preservationist.

I have to say, £4,000 for a fully-operational bus feels like an absolute bargain when compared to the cost of a half-decent SUV nowadays.

After becoming sidetracked (a common occurance for me) and going down a potentially divorce-inducing rabbit hole, exploring the idea of a "News Bus" in Ipswich, I got back to the task in hand.

"Indeed, prices of single deck buses are usually around the £2,500 range for a second hand one, and double deckers are usually around £4,000-£5,000, Jake informed me.

"The reason why ours was a little expensive is because it has a range of mod cons like air-conditioning, next stop announcements capabilities etc."

Optare Versa fleet number 147
Optare Versa fleet number 147Jake Gooding

Jake's vision includes restoring the vehicle to its former Ipswich Buses glory, complete with period livery. It's a labour of love that will demand dedication and expense, with annual running costs of around £500 and regular maintenance to keep the bus roadworthy.

The Optare Versa itself has an interesting technical history. Originally fitted with a MAN engine, it later received a Cummins power unit during its service life with Ipswich Buses. These engineering changes reflect the practical realities of keeping a hardworking public service vehicle on the road.

If all goes according to plan, this piece of Ipswich's transport heritage will make its preserved debut at The Big Bus Show at Stonham Barns in August 2025. There, it will stand (park?) proud as a testament to our town's transport heritage and the dedication of those who work to preserve it.

Jake Gooding
Jake GoodingJake Gooding

Some might question why anyone would want to preserve such a relatively modern vehicle. Yet in an era of rapid technological change, where tomorrow's buses might be unrecognisable from today's, preserving examples of recent transport history becomes increasingly important.

Fleet number 147's story didn't end when it left Ipswich Buses' service in November 2020. Instead, it's beginning a new chapter – one that will help ensure that future generations can appreciate how their parents and grandparents travelled around our town.

You can follow the project via its dedicated Facebook page.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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