What would we do without wasps?

The Blyth Valley and Southwold group of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust welcomed the entomologist Dr Ian Bedford to our November meeting to talk about wasps. These insects aren’t usually met with much sympathy, but Ian’s talk showed us how to view wasps in a different light.

There are an astonishing 9,000 different species of wasp in the UK. All are excellent pollinators, a great help with pest control, and an essential part of the ecosystem. The great majority are solitary wasps, which are generally no trouble to us. They may live underground, or in nooks and crannies in trees, bushes or sheds. Gall wasps create odd little growths on leaves, branches or acorns to harbour their young. Other wasps are parasitic, using caterpillars and grubs as hosts for their eggs. Some, like the bee wolf, hunt a single species to feed their offspring.

Only about 1% of wasps are social, living in large colonies, and we have eight native species. The yearly cycle begins when a mated queen wakes from hibernation, begins to build her nest and to lay eggs. The workers, infertile females, then labour to build, protect, feed and repair the nest. Their lives are short, two to three weeks. Male drones hatch later, and once mated with a new queen, they too die. By late summer, the wasps’ need for sugar makes them uninvited guests at outdoor meals, but Ian suggests we resist the urge to swat them. They sting if provoked, and an alarm pheromone in the venom will attract other angry wasps. There are kinder, more effective ways to deal with the issue. They dislike certain smells, so have cloves-studded lemons, peppermint tea or thyme on the table. A false wasps’ nest hanging nearby has been shown to be effective, as wasps are territorial creatures. Their value in our gardens is significant and, where possible, they are best left alone. Wasps may even help humans medically, as their complex venom is being studied for new ways to fight bacteria.

 It was a fascinating talk that made us look at these useful insects in a much more positive way. Our next meeting is on Thursday, 8th January, 7.30pm, at Southwold Arts Centre. Local naturalist Tony Brown will talk about ‘The Fascination of Fungi’. Admission is £5, to include refreshments; free for under 25s. All are welcome.

Contact us at swtblythvalley@gmail.com.

Penny Mansfield

Southwold Library Christmas Tree Festival

Throughout December during opening hours

Guess the Christmas creatures!

Free! Donations welcome.

Big thanks to all the local groups, clubs and businesses who have decorated our trees.

Friends of Southwold Library Coffee Afternoon

Saturday, 6th December, 2–4pm @ Southwold Library

Hot drinks, mince pies or biscuits.

Cake stall, craft stall, game stalls and raffle.

All funds towards supporting Southwold Library.

The History of Felbrigg Hall – a talk by Margaret Younger

Monday, 8th December, 11am

Come along for a talk on the history of Felbrigg Hall and the people who have lived there.

Margaret Younger is a member of the National Trust House Team at Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk and has kindly agreed to bring the stories of the Hall to us at Southwold.

Margaret’s talk will cover the history of house and its parkland, which is located south of the Cromer to Holt road, and includes stories about the more interesting people who lived there.

Free talk, no need to book.

Visit Santa @ Southwold Library

Saturdays, 13th and 20th December, 10am–1pm

Santa crafts, and meet and photo with Santa plus gift.

£4.50 per child.

Snowman Crafts

Sunday, 22nd December, 11am and 2pm @ Southwold Library

Free crafts – no need to book. Make a wide variety of snowman-themed Christmas crafts.

Southwold Library Reading Groups Christmas Do

Thursday, 11th December, 6.30pm

Are you in a reading group? All reading group members welcome to this annual Christmas get together.

A chance to compare notes, discuss group favourites (and the ones you hated) and get recommendations for the new year.

Tea, coffee and squash provided, but please bring nibbles and any other drinks to add to the evening’s offerings.

East Suffolk Warm Welcomes Activity Afternoons

Weekdays from 2.15pm @Southwold Library

Card games every Tuesday, Crochet and craft every Wednesday, Rummikub first Thursday, Scrabble second Thursday, Board games third and fourth Thursday, Poetry first Friday, Mah-Jong second and fourth Friday.

Ongoing jigsaw all other afternoons.

Southwold Arts Centre & Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

Black Bag (2025) 15 – Wednesday, 3rd December, 3pm

When his beloved wife Kathryn is suspected of betraying the nation, intelligence agent George Woodhouse faces the ultimate test – loyalty to his marriage or his country.

Tickets – £5, including refreshments. Book a ticket at www.southwoldartscentre.co.uk or visit the box office @ Southwold Arts Centre, Cumberland Road, Southwold IP18 6JP, tel: 01502 722572.

Let Us Help You Get Connected

Every Wednesday, 10am–12noon @ Southwold Library

Need help with tech? A drop-in advice session where we can help you with things like:

• Setting up e-mail and social media accounts.

• Online shopping (Amazon, eBay and more).

• Basic support with smartphones, tablets and computers.

• Travel plans using Google Maps and similar tools.

• Staying safe online and avoiding scams.

For more information, ask library staff, call 01502 722519 or e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

Friends of Southwold Library 100 Club

Would you like to turn your £1 into £25 and support your library?

For just £1 a month, you could win £25 at our monthly draw.

Southwold Library 100 Club is a fundraising club, and money raised will be used to support the facilities and services supplied by the Library.

*** More members  =  More prizes ***

Ask to join at Southwold Library today!

Southwold Library Jigsaw Swap Shop

Come and help yourself to a jigsaw at Southwold Library completely free! You can take one and return it, take one and return a different one or just take one (we have plenty).

Come and check out what we have available.

Blyth Poets ‘The Isle is Full of Voices’

Friday, 5th December, 2.15–3.30pm

First Friday of every month.

A poetry group meeting at Southwold Library.

All welcome to read or just listen.

We invite contributions of original work or well-loved poems.

Refreshment break in the Canteen.

Free event, no booking required.

Mah-jong Group

Friday, 12th December, 2.15–4.15pm

Second and fourth Friday of the month

Can you play Mah-jong?

Do you want to learn?

Come along and join the group at Southwold Library. £1 per person.

Scrabble Club

Thursday, 11th December, 2.15pm

Second Thursday of every month.

All equipment supplied.

Refreshment break in the Canteen.

Free event, no booking required.

Crochet and Craft Club

Every Wednesday, 2.15–4pm

£2 each.

A friendly group for all crafters as well as those who crochet (to any ability). Barbara will be on hand to teach crochet beginners, add to your crochet skills or troubleshoot problems, should you want to. Or just bring along your latest craft project and work on them together.

Bring your own equipment or Barbara can supply crochet equipment at a price.

Hot drinks supplied.

Lego Club!

Sundays, 12.15–1pm

Open to kids (and adults) of all ages.

This winter, we’re building: Humongous Houses.

All donations of Lego welcome.

Free event, no booking required.

Adults: Would you like to help with Lego Club? Just ask staff.

Southwold Library Reading Group

Thursday, 8th January, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

This month, we are reading: Underland by Robert Macfarlane.

Pick up a book at Southwold Library (tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk).

Free event, no booking required.

Baby Bounce and Tot Rock

Every Sunday and Tuesday, 10.30–11am @ Southwold Library

Instruments, clapping, jogging and action rhymes.

For babies and toddlers of all ages.

Free event, no booking required.

Free Community Coffee Morning and Lunch

Fridays, 14th November and 5th December, 9am–12.30pm @ Reydon Village Hall

• 9–11am: Tea/coffee and toast (pastries when available).
• 11am–12.30pm: Soup and bread (plus takeaway soup – bring your own container).

Reydon Village Hall Management Committee in conjunction with Reydon & Southwold Community Fridge & Pantry.

Wiggle and Giggle Youth Theatre Present: A Wonderful Winter Warmer

Saturday, 22nd November at 3pm @ Reydon Village Hall

£5 entry per person – pay on the door (cash only)

With raffle and refreshments provided by Reydon Village Hall.

Reydon Village Hall Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund Reindeer Beetle Drive

Friday, 5th December, 7pm @ Reydon Village Hall

If you like Bingo, you’ll love Beetle!

£6 per person plus festive nibbles. Prizes! Raffle!

Never been to a Beetle Drive before? It is light-hearted and sociable fun suiting all ages. A dice-based game where the aim is to complete your beetle reindeer first!

Drop in or book your tickets with Charlotte – tel: 07715 388916; e-mail: frogclock@hotmail.com; online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/reydonvillagehall.

Reydon Village Hall Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund Quiz Night!

Friday, 9th January, 7pm @ Reydon Village Hall

£5 per person bring your own snacks.

Teams of up to six – Bring your own drink – Raffle!

Soft drinks, sweets and crisps available to buy.

Book your tickets with Charlotte at Southwold Library – tel: 07715 388916; e-mail: frogclock@hotmail.com.

All funds go towards the RVH Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund to repair, renovate and refit the Hall.