Long Reads
Local creatives launch Ipswich's first monthly zine club
Ipswich’s first zine club launches this week at CHIp Studios on Turret Lane, run by Amy Wragg of SoapBox Spoken Word CIC and Suzanne Chung from CHIp CIC.
Long Reads
Behind the sound desk: How Brighten The Corners volunteers are running the show
Brighten The Corners is known for its gigs. But behind the scenes, young people aren’t just watching the show. They’re running it.
Long Reads
The new record label teaching young Ipswich artists to make money
When Matthew Applegate invited local musicians to learn about earning money from their music, he discovered a shocking truth: nearly all of them had no idea how to monetise their work. Now, his new record label is changing that.
Long Reads
Dial Lane Books: The brilliant indie bookshop sticking 'two fingers up to Amazon'
At Dial Lane Books, the only independent bookshop in Ipswich, owner Andrew Marsh isn't just selling books – he's fulfilling an eight-year-old's dream while building a community that proudly sticks "two fingers up to Amazon."
Long Reads
Suffolk's radar pioneers to be celebrated at special anniversary event
The 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War will be marked by an event celebrating the pivotal radar technology developed in Bawdsey and Martlesham Heath.
Long Reads
Cognito: The new arts collective breaking the mould in Ipswich
Discover Cognito, the freshest and most exciting new arts collective in Ipswich, earning a reputation for its innovative and immersive exhibitions where creators remain anonymous and art speaks for itself.
Long Reads
From inside out: How prisoners are leading mental health reform
With Suffolk's reoffending rates rising by 5.3% – the highest increase in the UK – a peer-led programme born out of a Suffolk prison is creating continuity for inmates through employment and mental health support.
Long Reads
More than a shed: The enduring appeal of Suffolk's beach huts
Retired couple Barbara and Alan have visited their Felixstowe hut "Idle Hours" daily for 24 years, embodying the deep connection many owners feel.
Long Reads
The roots and revival of DnB and jungle: How WREKT is reshaping electronic music culture in Ipswich
Electronic music event WREKT has established itself as more than just another night out, offering a platform that honours the rich cultural heritage of jungle and DnB while showcasing both legendary pioneers and emerging talent.
Long Reads
Serenade Sessions: A new kind of music event for Ipswich
Introducing Serenade Sessions from CHIp, a new and brilliantly intimate monthly live music experience that the whole family will enjoy.
Long Reads
How a moment of empathy sparked an NHS worker’s dive into tech entrepreneurship
From a chance observation in a café to a groundbreaking hearing solution, Ipswich-based entrepreneur Michelle McDonagh's journey shows how empathy can spark innovation.
Long Reads
Brighten the Corners: How Joe Bailey and his team are reshaping Ipswich’s live music scene
"When I found that letter again, it made me realise we’d actually got somewhere." From education workshops to sell-out grime gigs, the team behind Brighten The Corners have created an ecosystem for live music in Ipswich.