IPSWICH: This week marks a fantastic landmark for the Evening Star. On Wednesday the Star is 125 years old and to celebrate this amazing achievement a number of events are being held throughout the summer from a gala lunch to street parties.

IPSWICH: This week marks a fantastic landmark for the Evening Star.

On Wednesday the Star is 125 years old and to celebrate this amazing achievement a number of events are being held throughout the summer from a gala lunch to street parties.

And this week, to mark the publication of the very first edition on February 17 1885, there will be a series of features charting the history of the Star.

From its coverage of Ipswich Town Football Club and its many campaigns through to the national events that have rocked the town, the Star's role in the community will be celebrated.

And on the day itself, BBC Radio Suffolk's Mark Murphy will be broadcasting his breakfast show live from the Star's offices in Lower Brook Street Ipswich.

Mr Murphy said: “I am a Star reader and from an Evening Star reading family.

“I was born in Ipswich so have always had the Star and feel quite an affinity with it.

“When I found out it was 125 my immediate reaction was that we must go and help celebrate.

“I'm really keen to go there and meet some of the characters and look back through the archives and just see what makes a newspaper tick.”

Mr Murphy has broadcast from the Star offices once before for Children in Need and took Pudsey Bear along.

He used to write a column for the paper and has had several run-ins with another Star columnist Matthew Tacket over the years.

Mr Murphy said: “Matthew Tacket told me off when I first joined 20 years ago for playing

conkers on radio.

“I did point out that at that time there was actually a ventriloquist on radio as well.

“Matthew Tacket did come on my show once. I gave him one of my ugly mugs to go with his

own.”

Star editor Nigel Pickover said: “I am very proud to be editor of this award winning paper in its 125th year.

“The Star has always been a big part of the community in Ipswich and throughout this year we plan to make the town part of our celebrations.”

n Send us your memories of the Star throughout the years to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

HISTORIC WEEK: Celebrating the Evening Star's 125th birthday, from left, Radio Suffolk's Linda Walker, Alison Acton, Rob Dunger and Mark Murphy, with Star editor Nigel Pickover and Jo Reeder.