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Nottingham Police hunt Ipswich Town fan over alleged disability hate crime

News
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Police in Nottingham are seeking the public's support to identify an Ipswich Town supporter following reports of abuse directed at a disabled Nottingham Forest fan during a match at the City Ground in November.

Why it matters: Nottinghamshire Police are treating the incident as a hate crime and believe the man they would like to talk to may be from the Suffolk area.

Nottinghamshire Police are seeking this man in relation to an incident at the Forest Ground last November
Nottinghamshire Police are seeking this man in relation to an incident at the Forest Ground last NovemberNottinghamshire Police

The details:

  • The incident occurred around 17:00 on 30 November after the final whistle

  • Witnesses reported seeing an away supporter mocking a disabled Forest fan in the Bridgford Stand

  • The suspect allegedly banged on the glass separating the fans in an attempt to antagonise the victim

  • Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident

What they're saying: PC Rose Barton from Nottinghamshire Police said: "While we appreciate this individual is not likely to be local due to him being sat in the away end, we'd encourage anyone who recognises him from this appeal to come forward."

Help with the investigation: Anyone with information should:

  • Call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident 203 of 30 November 2024

  • Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

The bottom line: Nottinghamshire Police are working with both football clubs as part of their investigation, stressing there is "absolutely no place for hate in any of its forms in our communities."

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
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

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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