September news & events from Southwold Library
More Italian
Monday, 28th September for six weeks, 1.30–3.30pm @ Southwold Library
£120 for 12-hour course. For those with some Italian experience.
To book, contact Southwold Library:
- Tel: 01502 442817
- E-mail: library@suffolk.gov.uk
- Online: ticketsource.co.uk/southwoldlibrary.
Italian Conversation
Monday, 28th September for six weeks 3.40–5.40pm @ Southwold Library
£120 for 12-hour course.
To book, contact Southwold Library (details above).
Beginners’ Coding Club @ Southwold Library
Suits those aged 7–11.
Learn to code with Scratch.
An after-school group or weekend group will start in October.
To register an interest (and a preference as to a day/time), contact:
- E-mail: clark@suffolk.gov.uk
- Tel: 01502 442817.
Southwold Literary Festival
Friday, 13th–Sunday, 15th November @ Southwold Arts Centre
Booking opens 1st September.
Inspired by the success of Slaughter in Southwold, Southwold Library, Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Books launched the Southwold Literary Festival in November 2023. The 2026 Festival features an amazing mix of fiction and non-fiction authors speaking about a fascinating range of subjects.
Tickets are £7 a talk, £18 Friday Day Ticket, £30 Saturday or Sunday Day Ticket, £78 for the whole weekend. Tickets can be booked at Southwold Library, either in person, by phone 01502 442817 or by visiting www.ticketsource.co.uk/southwoldlibrary or at Southwold Arts Centre, either in person, by phone 01502 722572 or by visiting www.southwoldartscentre.co.uk.
Friday, 13th November
- 2pm: Felicity Goodall – The remarkable life and legacy of Suffolk writer and naturalist Mea Allan.
- 30pm: Erika Clegg – Author of Southwold 365, celebrating Southwold gems.
- 30pm: Kevin Crossley-Holland – Celebrated poet inspired by Britain’s landscapes, myths and folklore.
Saturday, 14th November
- 10am: Robert Ashton in conversation with Matt Gaw – Storyteller of vanished rural traditions meets the award-winning nature writer.
- 30am: Robert Colls in conversation with Ronald Binns – George Orwell: Life and Legacy.
- 2pm: Alexander Ballinger – Phyllis Dalton: A Career in Costume. From Lawrence of Arabia to The Princess Bride.
- 30pm: James Aldred and Alistair Carr – Emmy-winning natural history cameraman Aldred with explorer and artist Carr.
- 5pm: Stewart White – BBC Look East Legend’s biography, See You at 6.30.
Sunday, 15th November
- 10am: Geraldine Roberts – The Rebel and the Peacemaker: The Incredible True Story of Mary and Charles Bagot.
- 30am: Piers Blofeld – Master of Lies: How Anthony Blunt’s Treachery Changed Our World.
- 2pm: Lucy Hughes-Hallett – Cleopatra: Histories, Dreams and Distortions.
- 30pm: Scarlett Thomas – Award-winning fiction writer of The Sleepwalkers and The End of Mr. Y.
- 5pm: Louis de Bernieres – Smelling of Rooks: Nine Years in the Norfolk Alps.
Come and Read to Amber! Meet Amber the Canine Concern Therapy Dog
Wednesday, 2nd September, drop in 3.30–4.30pm @ Southwold Library
Amber loves being read to by young readers.
First Wednesday of the month. All children welcome!
Rummikub Klub
Thursday, 3rd and 17th September 2.15pm @Southwold Library
Usually the first and third Thursday.
Refreshments available.
Scrabble Club
Thursday, 10th and 24th September, 2.15pm
Second and fourth Thursdays of every month.
All equipment supplied.
Refreshment break in The Canteen.
Free event, no booking required.
Blyth Poets – “The isle is full of voices”
Friday, 4th September, 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, 11th and 25th September, 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.
Chess Club
Friday, 4th and 18th September, 4.30pm @Southwold Library
Free play every week for kids 7+ and adults.
Beginners’ teaching and assistance.
Interested in other board/strategy games? Let us know and we can expand the group.
Contact Southwold Library:
- Tel: 01502 442817
- E-mail: library@suffolk.gov.uk.
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 summer, we’re building: Crazy Creatures.
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, 24th September, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library
This month, we are reading: Clear by Carys Davies.
Pick up a book at Southwold Library.
Free event, no booking required.
Contact:
- Tel: 01502 722519
- E-mail: library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.
Citizens Advice East Suffolk
Last Friday of every month, 10am–12noon drop in @ Southwold Library
Whatever the problem, we are here for free, confidential and impartial advice.
Debt and money; housing; benefits; consumer; family; work; immigration; and health.
Face-to-face drop in: Southwold Library, Old Hospital Hub, Field Stile Road, Southwold IP18 6LD
- Tel: 0808 278 7866.
- E-mail: via https://citizensadviceeastsuffolk.org.uk/.
Have You Been Affected by Crime? Support from Catch 22/Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care
Friday mornings @ Southwold Library
We provide free and confidential support for young people and adults who are victims and witnesses of crime. Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care provides: Practical support; someone to talk to; signposting to relevant agencies; and support through the justice system.
Meet the team and learn more about how we can help Friday mornings at Southwold Library, Old Hospital Hub, Field Stile Road, Southwold IP18 6LD.
Contact:
- Tel: 0300 303 3706
- Online: https://nsvictimcare.org/.
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 or contact:
- Tel: 01502 722519
- E-mail: library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.
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.
Weigh your baby @ Southwold Library!
- Tuesday–Friday: 10am–1pm and 2–6pm.
- Saturday: 9.30am–1pm and 2–5pm.
- Sunday: 11am–4pm.
No booking required.
Friends of Southwold Library 100 Club
Would you like to turn your £1 in £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.
