Text contributed by Anneliese; pictures by Emma, Glen and Johnny.
Crossing the Norwich Road at 7.15 am wearing vintage 1970s gear is not your average start to a Friday morning. But that’s how it was for Johnny and I on our way to meet Ian at the Radio Suffolk studio to talk to Wayne Bavin on his breakfast show about the Ipswich Outdoor Group’s Golden Anniversary celebrations in anticipation of the 1970s fancy dress walk. Ian sensibly wore civilian clothes – let’s be honest, fancy dress doesn’t really work on radio anyway!
We were greeted with very welcome coffees and whisked into the studio. Before we knew it, we were introduced and being interviewed. It’s just like you see on tv: big microphones, headphones and lots of buttons, plus us three glancing at each other every time to see who was going to answer!
It was all over in minutes and Wayne had moved on to the next subject before we were even out of our chairs. It was brief but fun, and we said we’d go back if they want us to. There’s always plenty to talk about with the IOG.
You can listen to us if you wish. The programme is available until 12th June on BBC Sounds: Wayne Bavin – 15/05/2026 – BBC Sounds. [The interview is about 1 hr 40 mins into the programme.]
The second Golden Anniversary celebration event of the year took place the following day. The 1970s themed fancy dress walk through Ipswich started outside Christchurch Mansion, the scene of practice sessions for the Guinness World Record breaking conga line a few years ago.
Led by Lou in hand-embroidered purple flares and home-made IOG top hat, we followed Pied Piper style through the streets of Ipswich, stopping outside buildings that have played a part in the Ipswich Outdoor Group’s history over the last 50 years. Some were very familiar to us newer members as venues we use now, but some were older, like the Black Horse Pub, the earliest meeting place that we know of.
We had great fun in front of the portal near the Corn Exchange, waving at people in Lithuania who were looking bemused that Ipswich seems to be stuck in a 1970s time warp. The walk finished at Isaacs where everybody chatted enthusiastically about the day.
I have to extend a huge thank you to everyone who attended and made such an effort with their outfits. Plenty had gone out of their way to purchase clothes specially, and some were wearing garments they still had from 50 years ago. All the more impressive that they fitted!
We are now counting the weeks until the next event, the Hallowtree weekend on the 10th to 12th July – it’ll be packed full of more laughter and fun.
