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Independent local businesses unite for The Walk's first Christmas market this Sunday

News
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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Local business owners are coming together to create a new festive shopping experience in one of Ipswich's historic thoroughfares as The Walk hosts its first Christmas market from 10:00 to 16:00 this Sunday, 01 December.

Why it matters: The event will support local traders and craftspeople and create a unique Christmas shopping experience in one of the town's prettiest thoroughfares.

The details:

  • The market launches this Sunday with 20 traders

  • Offerings include craft beer, preserves, fashion, jewellery, arts and crafts

  • Stalls will be placed along The Walk, with both indoor and undercover spaces available

  • The event coincides with the Artisan Market on The Cornhill, creating a broader shopping experience

Founders Will and Jenny outside Threads for All in Ipswich
Will and Jenny, owners of Threads for All and organisers of the Christmas MarketOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

Behind the initiative: The market is organised by Will and Jenny, owners of Threads for All, who opened their independent fashion and homeware store in The Walk in the late summer of 2024. Their shop offers gender-neutral and unisex fashion alongside accessories and homeware.

The bottom line: By bringing together independent traders and coinciding with the Artisan Market on the same day at the Cornhill, this new Christmas market aims to showcase The Walk's potential as a destination for shoppers seeking unique, locally sourced products.

The Walk Christmas Market

A festive showcase of local traders offering everything from craft beer and preserves to handmade gifts and artworks, bringing the Christmas spirit to one of Ipswich's historic shopping thoroughfares.

  • Christmas
  • 1 December
  • 10:00-16:00
Threads for All in Ipswich

Producers & Artisan Market at The Cornhill

Combining the best local artisan produce with top quality crafts and delicious Street Food, the Artisan Markets really are a chance to enjoy a chilled Sunday morning in the heart of our County Town.

  • Food & Drink
  • 1 December
  • 10:00-15:00
Producers & Artisan Market at Cornhill
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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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