Maggie the Ipswich play bus retires after 20 years

A bus which has been trundling around Ipswich delighting children for 20 years made her final journey on Friday.

The time has finally come for Maggie the Ipswich play bus to enjoy her retirement.

Since 2003, the double-decker 'playbus' has been making its way up and down the town, welcoming little ones on board for playtime, stories and plenty more besides.

Likened to an enormous preschool on wheels, a generation of Ipswich youngsters have grown up squealing with delight at the sight of Maggie’s beaming face rounding a corner.

However, at almost 40 years old, it is now time for Maggie to enjoy a well-earned rest, and let her successor, Dennis, take the wheel, explained the playbus coordinator, Mandy Potter, who runs the sessions along with playworker, Lindsey Beddow.

Mandy Potter is the playbus coordinator. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)Thousands of children have had great fun with Maggie over the years. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Maggie turned 20 this year. Pictured, playworker Lindsey Beddlow. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)Mandy Potter pictured with Darcey. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

“We’ve called these past two weeks Maggie’s ‘cheerio tour’,” explained Mandy.

“It’s been great fun. Some of my first children who are now 22 years old have been coming back to see her.

“Lots of teenagers have been coming to visit, and saying, ‘We can’t believe Maggie’s going!’

“She holds such a special place in their memories.”

• READ MORE: Ipswich 'playbus' Maggie gets £1,000 boost ahead of 20th birthday

On Friday morning, Maggie parked up at Ulster Avenue for a final goodbye.

Now, Mandy and the team are excited to introduce their new playbus, Dennis, to the community.

“Dennis is an ex-London bus,” explained Mandy. “We decided to have a boy bus for a change. He’s only 13 years old, so he’s young and much more of a modern bus.

“The children have been drawing pictures of Maggie and Dennis together, and it’s really sparked their imagination. Obviously, everyone will be sad to see Maggie go, but we are excited to meet Dennis.

“He’ll be able to carry on Maggie’s legacy.”

Dennis is expected to take to the road in mid-October.

Children play happily on Friday, Maggie's final day in service. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Maggie has been offering play sessions to the under-fives since 2003. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)Friday was Maggie's final day of service before she embarks on a well-earned rest. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)