New show set to take place at Ipswich library thanks to link with former student.
Suffolk New College media students are hosting their annual live TV event at Ipswich County Library on Wednesday 5 February 2025.
The show is called ‘The Book Clurb’ and will air on Rising Studio Youtube Channel between 7pm – 8pm. (Rising Studios – YouTube)
The concept sees learners who want to work in the media world come together to create a TV show to help prepare them for life after college.
This production will include a live performance from AfterDrive who have been featured on BBC Radio 1 and Radio X.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first ever Suffolk New College live event and one of the learners involved is keen to encourage the public to tune in.
Luke Johnson, 18, from Ipswich is on a level 3 media programme. He said: “We want to make this a night to remember. I think it’s going to be awesome.”
Another level 3 media student is Keeley Lilley. The 17-year-old from Ipswich said: “I’m so excited to be able to play such an important role within our live event.”
The idea for Ipswich County Library to develop a programme of ‘Library Lates’ was originally sparked by theatre specialist Kirsty Tallent, who was the Storyteller in Residence for Suffolk Libraries between 2023 and 2024. ‘Library Lates’ are special events hosted by libraries outside of their regular opening hours, offering a variety of activities such as live performance, arts & crafts, cultural celebrations and more. These events aim to provide unique experiences within the library setting and attract audiences who don’t typically use libraries.
The ’Library Lates’ campaign is being managed by Sally Garwood, herself a former student of the college. Sally said: “I took part in producing the live TV event module when I was a student on this exact course at Suffolk New College between 2011 and 2013, so I was delighted when the course tutor approached me in my role at the library looking for a venue. “I’m excited to be working alongside my former tutor Eli Turay, who developed my interest in sound production when I was a student at the college. It’s a project that feels close to my heart and like it has come full circle.”
Sally added: “After leaving college I was so excited to get out into the world of work, but started feeling deflated as I found it difficult to feel inspired by the creative opportunities available in Suffolk. They we’re pretty much non-existent and so I was pushed to leave Ipswich to seek opportunities available in London. I hear this story on repeat. Opportunities have improved and creative organisations in Suffolk work really hard to provide talent development programmes for young people. Suffolk Libraries is part of this cohort and we want to be a creative development and careers provider for young people who are fresh out of college or university to level up their practice.”
One of the media lecturers at Suffolk New College is James Baxter. James is proud of his students in terms of the work they have put into this. He said: “My favourite thing about the live event is that it allows students to work independently and show off how professional they can be.
“Quite often we notice that students who do the best at the live events are the ones who go on to really have great work experience outcomes or go on and get top industry jobs.”