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

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Former British tennis star brings Andy Murray's winning formula to Ipswich

News
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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

Mark Petchey, the coach who helped shape Andy Murray's early career, is bringing his expertise to Suffolk tennis players through a new coaching programme at Ipswich Sports Club.

The big picture: A team of elite coaches, led by former British No.1 Petchey, will deliver weekly sessions at the club from 9 January to 27 March, offering local players access to elite training methods.

Why it matters: This marks a rare opportunity for local tennis players to learn from a coach who guided Andy Murray into the world's top 50 rankings alongside other high-calibre instructors.

Outdoor paddle and tennis courts at Ipswich Sports Club
Outdoor paddle and tennis courts at Ipswich Sports ClubOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

Programme details:

  • 90 minutes of elite coaching every Thursday from 13:30 to 15:00

  • 30-minute debrief and Q&A over coffee or tea

  • Maximum six players per coach

  • All skill levels are welcome

  • Includes a Jamie Murray-designed doubles programme

The coaching lineup includes:

  • Chris Daynes (Lead Coach)

  • Mark Petchey (Former British No.1, Andy Murray's former coach)

  • Active Away coaching team (delivering Jamie Murray's doubles programme)

  • Jeremy Cowley (Men's County Captain, Culford Coach)

  • Ben Smith (Stowmarket Tennis Club Head Coach)

  • James Ling (Experienced Coach, Former Texas Head Coach)

  • Josh Dashwood (LTA Development Partner, Newmarket Coach)

By the numbers:

  • 12-week programme

  • £150 for members (about £12.50 per session)

  • £180 for non-members

  • Pay-as-you-go options from £15 per day for members, £20 for non-members

Membership bonus: The club is offering a "Winter Warmer" deal that provides three months' membership for the price of two, starting from £90 for off-peak access.

The bottom line: With only 18 places available and a lineup of coaches who have trained champions, the programme offers Suffolk tennis players a unique chance to elevate their game under elite guidance. To book a place, contact membership@ipswichsports.co.uk.

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

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

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

Feature
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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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