Welcome to the IDHTS’s website
Last edited 3rd March2026
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.
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 26th March is Wednesday is ‘The History of Colne Valley Railway’ by Paul Lemon (Chairman of CVR). Paul will be presenting on the history of The Colne Valley Railway which is a heritage steam & diesel railway in Essex near Sible Hedingham, Castle Hedingham & Halstead. As well as train rides on the full-size railway, they also have a 7¼ gauge miniature railway and a large model railway. Additionally, they host one of the few publicly accessible signal boxes across the country. Please come along and find out more about one of our nearer Heritage Railways. Image from CVR website. Image from CVR Website.
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 are always welcome.
Other 2026 Spring Season Meetings Planned are:
Apr 29th: R.A.F. Bawdsey Radar "The Eyes of the Few" Presented by Graham Murchie. The presentation covers a brief history of early radar, the events leading up to the development of a viable system and the establishment of the world’s first operational radar station at Bawdsey. It focuses on the people involved with a very brief mention of the technology. It concludes with a short summary of how Bawdsey was used during and post WWII Image from the Presenter.
May 27th: Boat building in Ipswich by Chris Turland-, presentation details to follow please see website or our Facebook page for up to date details. This is a change to the originally advertised in the 2026 Programme
*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.
