SPILL Think Tank to host events looking back at Ipswich Caribbean Association, formerly in Woodbridge Road
Memories of a former Caribbean club in Ipswich will come pouring back during a series of events planned later this month.
SPILL Think Tank is looking to explore the history of the now-demolished Ipswich Caribbean Association (ICA), in Woodbridge Road.
The public will, for the first time, be able to enjoy the rich history of the building through collected oral histories, photographs and archived materials.
The events run from November 16 to 24 and aim to relay the building’s cultural impact, particularly among the numerous communities that made use of it.
Robin Deacon, artistic director and chief executive of SPILL, described the ICA as a ‘much-missed resource’ used by many different groups.
The ICA project reflected the organisation’s desire to explore Ipswich’s history, while offering a voice for those best placed to tell their own stories, he noted.
Robin said: “It is important to understand that this does not aim to be some definitive history of the ICA, but to provide a snapshot of its huge significance.
“As several people interviewed for the project have pointed out – you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”
The ICA, located behind the Regent and the former Odeon, now The Hope Centre, was demolished in 2012.
It shut in 2010 after a December 2009 shooting caused the council to withdraw funding.
The site was then used to extend the Regent car park.
For the project, the team at SPILL have worked alongside Suffolk Archives as well as the Black Cultural Archives in London.
Robin said this would help connect the story of the Ipswich hub to the national picture highlighting the importance of the UK’s Caribbean community.
The events are as followed:
– ICA memories – An exhibition of portraits by photographer John Ferguson capturing the faces and stories who made use of the building (November 16 to 24; 10.30am to 4pm)
– Picture this… – A family drop-in workshop where people can create small books inspired by images of the ICA (November 16; 12pm to 4pm)
– Documenting The Caribbean Club: Then And Now – John Ferguson and documenter Tony Powlett have a conversation with Robin Deacon (From 7.30pm, tickets are £5)
SPILL are also interested in hearing the stories of those who made use of the ICA to be recorded for future generations.
Robin added: “We would also like to hear more stories from those who use to attend the Caribbean Club to add to these public archives, so please do get in touch.”
Anyone who wishes to do so can get in touch with Robin at www.spillfestival.com.
The Ipswich Caribbean Association project is being funded by the Annie Tranmer Charitable Trust and by Historic England’s Everyday Heritage grant programme.
