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Local talent to headline youth-managed gig at The Baths

News
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Tune Up's latest cohort of young event managers will bring four rising stars to The Baths stage for Independent Venue Week.

Why it matters: Tune Up is a programme run by Brighten the Corners to train 16-25 year olds in live music event management, while also supporting the region's emerging talent.

The details: The Tune Up team has handled all aspects of event planning, from artist selection to technical requirements.

  • The showcase will feature performances from Sophie the Great, Arthur Black, Headcheck and Helix

  • The 300-capacity venue will host the event as part of Independent Venue Week

  • Tickets are available for Ā£7 via DICE

The Tune Up team
The Tune Up teamBrighten the Corners
The Tune Up team
The Tune Up teamBrighten the Corners

Behind the scenes: Faye Sage, a Tune Up participant, said: "With Tune Up it's given me a really great opportunity to take a deep dive behind the scenes of creating an event, I have been taking on roles outside of my comfort zone to learn a range of new skills."

The artists' view: "Being given platforms such as the ones provided by Brighten The Corners and Tune Up are so important to independent artists like us," said Helix, one of the performing bands. "We know first hand how important Tune Up is to young people with our social media platforms being managed by Ella who took part in a Tune Up course in 2023."

How it works: The programme runs as a 10-week course, with industry professionals sharing expertise across different sectors. This showcase represents the work of the sixth cohort, while the seventh term has already begun.

Helix performing at The Smokehouse in Ipswich
Helix performing at The Smokehouse in IpswichBrighten the Corners

What they're saying: "We're really excited to be back with a new Tune Up gig, this time spotlighting local artists who we've been following for a while," said Tune Up Coordinator Caitlin Whittaker. "The group has worked really hard in promoting and producing the show."

What's next: The next term has just begun and will conclude in April before the following cohort will work towards operating the Cornhill stage at Brighten The Corners Festival in June.

The bottom line: The showcase represents both an opportunity for young people to gain practical experience in event management and a platform for local artists to perform at a major venue.

Emerging Talent Showcase at The Baths

Four of the region's most exciting emerging artists come together for a special showcase as part of Independent Venue Week 2025. The line-up features Sophie the Great, Arthur Black, Headcheck and Helix.

  • Music, Gigs & Concerts
  • 31 January
  • 19:00-23:00
Emerging Talent Showcase at The Baths
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 Ā£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 Ā£4,000, by Jake Gooding, a local bus enthusiast and now proud preservationist.

I have to say, Ā£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 Ā£2,500 range for a second hand one, and double deckers are usually around Ā£4,000-Ā£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 announcementsĀ capabilitiesĀ 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 Ā£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 ā€“ 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 Ā£24 per year

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