A brief history ... 

Ipswich Community Radio first broadcast over a long weekend in September 1989, from a caravan in Christchurch Park. At that time we were part of the Venue for Ipswich Campaign – long defunct – and known as VIC Radio.

The aim then was to create a radically different kind of radio by training Ipswich people – especially people marginalized or ignored on other local stations – so they could make their own programmes, in their own way. That’s still the aim now.

Our first proper home was the Castle Hill Community Centre. From there we moved to the Murrayside Youth and Community Centre, and then to Sorrel Horse Mews on Grimwade Street down by the docks. Since 2003 we’ve been based in the CSV Media Clubhouse, with an office and two purpose built studios.

During the early years we organised a dozen or more short broadcasts on FM, involving hundreds of volunteers, and featuring an enormous variety of Ipswich people and organisations, plus a wealth of music you’re never likely to hear on other local stations. Once we moved to The Clubhouse, we began broadcasting as an internet only station, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

From the beginning, though, the dream was always to secure a permanent FM licence, and that dream came true in March 2006. We were awarded a 5-year licence in the first round of applications when the government finally gave the go-ahead for a brand new tier of genuine community radio. On August 15, 2007 we launched on 105.7fm.

ICR is registered as a non-profit distributing company and overseen by a Board of Trustees, who are the guardians of its spirit and philosophy. A Steering Group is responsible for the operation day-to-day. But the real soul of the station remains our volunteers, people like you, who give a voice to the diverse communities that make Ipswich what it is.