Archive Project Chronicles Demolished Caribbean Social Club

An archival initiative seeks to document and disseminate narratives concerning a town’s former Caribbean social club. The Ipswich Caribbean Association (ICA) was established in the 1970s, utilizing a structure on Woodbridge Road as a community hub. This venue hosted various activities, including fitness and martial arts classes, dominoes clubs, dance evenings, and luncheon clubs for elders, which offered traditional cuisine. The club ceased operations in 2010, and its building was subsequently demolished in 2012. A new exhibition related to this project is currently being presented at the Spill arts festival’s Think Tank building. Franstine Jones, a member of the ICA Project steering committee, stated, “It was the place where people from my community went for everything.” She added, “It catered for everyone, from christenings, through childhood and the teenage years, until they were adults and could use it as a social club.” Robin Deacon, the artistic director of Spill, commented, “The ICA Project reflects a desire for Spill to focus on the histories of our town, giving voice to those best placed to tell their own stories. “It is important to understand 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.“As well as the Suffolk Archives at The Hold in Ipswich, we are delighted to be working with the Black Cultural Archives in London to place these fascinating local stories into a national story that highlights the importance of Caribbean cultures in the UK.” Many regarded the ICA as a pivotal location for self-discovery, understanding family’s role in the community, and finding one’s place. It was a venue for celebrating significant life events, including weddings and wakes. Children anticipated these gatherings, where they would connect with other Black children from across Ipswich, engaging in playful competition. The club was remembered for its music, featuring reggae and dub, and later garage and hip hop events, serving as a secure and creative environment. Its unique character fostered a sense of pride. By adolescence, many individuals were familiar with numerous Black Caribbean families due to frequent interactions, leading to strong community bonds. The club was deeply cherished and is widely missed. Elijah Turay is associated with Angelle Joseph’s Friday evening program, broadcast across BBC Local Radio in the East of England and accessible via BBC Sounds. The ICA premises on Woodbridge Road were shut down subsequent to a firearms incident that occurred in the early hours of 19 December 2009, resulting in one man being wounded and four other individuals sustaining injuries. Over 300 attendees were present at the club for a private event during that period. The Ipswich Borough Council, then governed by a Conservative-Liberal Democrat administration, subsequently rescinded its yearly £50,000 grant allocated to the association. By 2012, the council’s Labour administration declared an inability to finance a £1.25 million renovation of the structure, leading to its demolition to make way for a car park. The ICA Memories exhibition is accessible from 10:30 to 16:00 between 16 and 24 November at the Spill Think Tank, situated adjacent to Ipswich Museum on High Street. Additional events are scheduled at the venue, including “A Conversation with John Ferguson and Tony Powlett” on Thursday, 21 November, at 19:30. Updates on Suffolk news can be followed on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding its external linking policy is available.