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Tickets to see comedian Chris McCausland at the Ipswich Regent selling fast

News
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Stand-up star Chris McCausland is set to perform his brand-new show "Yonks!" at the Regent Theatre in Ipswich on 18 March 2025. The comedian, known for his sharp wit and TV appearances, promises another night of masterclass comedy.

Why it matters: McCausland's last tour was a sell-out, and his "rising star" status makes this a must-see event for comedy fans in Ipswich.

The big picture: Despite being called an "overnight success", McCausland has been honing his craft for over two decades, or as he puts it, "bloody yonks".

Chris McCausland Yonks! at the Ipswich Regent theatre
Chris McCausland will perform at the Ipswich Regent on 18 March 2025Ipswich Regent

Key details:

  • The show is part of McCausland's 2024 tour.

  • It promises to be another "masterclass in stand-up comedy".

  • Tickets are now on sale, with organisers encouraging early booking due to expected high demand.

McCausland's journey:

  • Started stand-up in 2003 at a new act night in Balham.

  • Won the Jongleurs J2O Last Laugh competition in his first year.

  • Took six shows to the Edinburgh Festival between 2005 and 2012.

  • Awarded the Creative Diversity Award for comedy by a Channel 4-led panel in 2011.

Television appearances:

  • A regular panellist on "Have I Got News for You" since 2019.

  • Hosted "Live at the Apollo" in January 2022.

  • Starred in Channel 4's reality show "Scared of the Dark" in April 2023.

  • Premiered his own chatshow, "The Chris McCausland Show", on ITV1 in June 2024.

Breaking barriers: He was the first blind contestant on "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2024 and hosted a four-part travelogue series, "The Wonders of the World I Can't See", in 2023.

The bottom line: With his unique perspective and growing popularity, McCausland's "Yonks!" has the potential to be a standout event in Ipswich's comedy calendar. Book your tickets before they go at https://ipswichtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/chris-mccausland-yonks/

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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