Eastern Angles marked Our Freedom: Then and Now with a pair of creative projects rooted in the heritage of Ipswich’s Westgate Ward and shaped by the voices of local residents.

The first, Oh, What a Wonderful Westgate, was a community sound collage inspired by the neighbourhood surrounding the Eastern Angles Centre. Created using words contributed by people who know and love the area, the audio piece invited listeners to accompany it with a 30‑minute walk through Westgate. Many of the stories were linked to buildings along the route, encouraging participants to continue exploring the town to discover the other places mentioned. As the walk unfolded, a digital turning dial scanned imaginary airwaves, picking up memories of shops and parties, celebrating ancient buildings, and sharing tales of local legends from across Ipswich.

Alongside this, Eastern Angles developed Home Fires, a powerful immersive production set in wartime Suffolk. Drawing on real‑life accounts and local stories, the play transported audiences into the experience of Ipswich residents during the Second World War – from families sheltering from air raids to communities finding strength in the face of uncertainty. The production celebrated the courage, resilience and spirit of a town that endured darkness and emerged into the light.

Both projects grew out of Eastern Angles’ commitment to placing local heritage at the heart of its work. Through weekly research and development workshops with members of its core community groups – EA Youth Theatre, EA Young Company, EA Third Act and EA After School Club – and through engagement with residents living around the Arts Centre, ideas were shaped collaboratively to ensure that local voices and stories remained central to the work.