Welcome to the IDHTS’s website
Last edited 3rd October 2025
The IDHTS
Our History:
Robert (Bob) Pratt, a well known local businessman and amateur historian had the idea to form a Society to provide a forum for all those interested in the history of transport. Bob had already been involved in the formation of two local historical organisations, the Suffolk Photographic Survey & the Suffolk Local History Council (both are accessible via Suffolk Local History Council link). Bob assembled a small group of local transport enthusiasts who formed the Ipswich and District Historical Transport Society in 1963 to cover transport by air, road, rail and water.
The initial format of monthly meetings, with the exception of June, July and August, has continued almost unchanged until the present day. The meetings are addressed by invited locally and nationally known speakers.
Visits are also made to local venues of transport interest.
The Ipswich and District Historical Transport Society publishes a quarterly newsletter 'Transport Matters' (ISSN 0306 0187), this publication includes accounts of lectures given and articles on transport subjects.
IPSWICH AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Membership 2025-2026
Please bring the completed form with you to the September 24th AGM Meeting or send this form along with payment by 30th of September (Membership Costs dependent on distribution choice-See below). If you are sending fee by cheque via the post, we will return your membership card, but you will need to send a STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE. Those not sending SAE, you can pick up your card at the meetings. Postal Address Treasurer: Mr D Kerridge, 197 Ashcroft Road, Ipswich. IP1 6AF.
Membership Fees for 2025/26 are: Digital Membership *Single Membership £12, Joint Membership £15. Print (Postal) Membership Single Membership £14.00, Joint Membership £18.00
If you would prefer to pay by Bank Transfer, there is no need to complete membership form but please ensure you state your Full name, and Full contact details (address, telephone numbers, and preference to print or digital & date of payment) by email to david.kerridge123@gmail.com.
Any queries call 01473 424904.
IDHTS Bank Account: Barclays, Sort Code: 204451 Account No 10477893. Please also send the above information by email
The Society meets at the Ipswich Citadel, Salvation Army, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich IP4 4PH at 7.30 p.m. (doors open from 7.00). Free car parking available & refreshments. Entrance fee £2.50. (Non-members £4.00) Non-members always welcome. http://www.ipswichanddistricthistoricaltransportsociety.co.uk or on the IDHTS Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ipswichanddistricthistoricalsociety/
The Committee reserve the right to amend the programme due to non-availability of the presenter/s. Please always check our website or Facebook page for up-to-date details of events.
IDHTS Meetings 2025/2026
The Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society’s next meeting is on Wednesday October 29th: The presentation is on ‘The Life of an Auctioneer’ (Classic Cars and Motorcycles related), presented by Edward Crichton from Lacy Scott & Knight auctioneers in Bury St Edmunds. In June 2021 saw Edward involved in the first scheduled auction of what has now become an annual event. Last year’s sale was based around a single owner of five cars and numerous motorcycles, which were discovered during a probate valuation in deepest Norfolk. We are sure that this fascinating talk of how an auction is organised and carried out will be of interest to many of our members and any visitors that would like to attend.
The Picture is from the Lacy Scott & Knight website of an example the Classic car & Motorcycle sale from the 1st auction held in 2021. The 1934 Alvis Firefly Tourer with Cross & Ellis coachwork was sold for £32,000. The first owner was supplied by Bambers of Southport, Lancs. Full detailed and documented restoration in 1974. The AFY 850 is featured in “Alvis Firefly Twelve” by Simon Fisher.
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Nov 26th: The History of Mid Suffolk Light Railway-Speaker TBC
2026 Spring Season:
Feb 25th: Shipwrecks around East Anglia- By Andy Beharrell.
Mar 25th: The History of Colne Valley Railway by Paul Lemon (Chairman of CVR)
Apr 29th: R.A.F. Bawdsey Radar "The Eyes of the Few" Presented by Graham Murchie
May 27th: Norfolk Rail Society-Details of NRS presentations & speaker details TBC in Feb TM.
*The Committee reserve the right to amend the programme due to non-availability of the presenter/s. Please always check our Facebook page for up-to-date details of events. Please note that we are unable to update the IDHTS website currently due to IT issues, we hope to resolve this in early September.
