Free Community Coffee Morning

Friday, 27th November, 9am–11.30am @ Reydon Village Hall

Tea/coffee and toast (pastries when available).

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

 

Reydon Village Hall Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund Ceilidh!

Saturday, 21st November, 7–10pm @ Reydon Village Hall
With the Once Bittern Ceilidh Band.
£15 per person, including soup supper.
BYO alcohol. Soft drinks and snacks available.
Book your tickets in advance with Charlotte:

• Tel: 07715388916
• E-mail: frogclock@hotmail.com
• Online: ticketsource.co.uk/reydonvillagehall.

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

 

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.
• 3.30pm: Erika Clegg – Author of Southwold 365, celebrating Southwold gems.
• 5.30pm: 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.
• 11.30am: 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.
• 3.30pm: 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.
• 11.30am: Piers Blofeld – Master of Lies: How Anthony Blunt’s Treachery Changed Our World.
• 2pm: Lucy Hughes-Hallett – Cleopatra: Histories, Dreams and Distortions.
• 3.30pm: 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.

Celebrating 100 Years of Winnie the Pooh

 

Sunday, 22nd November, 2–3pm @ Southwold Library

 

Winnie the Pooh crafts, games and fun celebrating the silly old bear’s centenary.

 

Free event, no need to book.

 

 

Gruffalo Granny Crafts, Games and Fun

 

Sunday, 29th November, 2–3pm

 

Celebrate the publication of the newest Gruffalo book with associated crafts and puzzles.

 

Free event, no need to book

 

 

Southwold Community Cinema

• 25th November, 3pm – The Christophers (2025). A once-celebrated artist’s children enlist a forger to access his unfinished canvases in a deceptive bid to secure an inheritance.

• 16th December, 3pm – Savage House (2026). A gloriously unscrupulous social climber and his razor-sharp wife prepare to host a dinner party for a duke and duchess in 18th-century England.

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

 

Southwold Library is Looking For a Get Connected Volunteer (18+)

We are looking for volunteers who are confident in using digital technology (including devices and software) to facilitate IT support sessions in libraries.

What’s involved

• Working under the direction of the Library Manager and library staff, volunteers will:
• Helping to set up e-mail and social media accounts such as Facebook or Instagram.
• Help with online shopping, eg Amazon, eBay and groceries.
• Help with the basic functionality of both mobile phones and/or PCs.
• Help with travel plans using the Google app and alternatives.
• Help with basic Microsoft Office functions such as word processing and spreadsheets.

As you will be working with sensitive information and potentially vulnerable adults, this role will require a DBS check and both safeguarding and GDPR training which will be provided.

For more information, contact Southwold Library:

• Tel: 01502 442817
• E-mail: library@suffolk.gov.uk.

Apply at https://suffolkcommunitylibraries.co.uk/volunteer/volunteering-roles/

 

Home Educators Group

Wednesdays, 10–11am @ Southwold Library

Are you educating your child(ren) at home?

Come and meet with like-minded adults and children and shape this new group.

 

Come and Read to Amber! Meet Amber the Canine Concern Therapy Dog

Wednesday, 4th November, 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, 5th and 19th November, 2.15pm @ Southwold Library

Usually the first and third Thursday.

Refreshments available.

 

Scrabble Club

Thursday, 12th and 26th November, 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, 6th November, 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, 13th and 27th November, 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, 30th October, 13th and 27th November, 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: southwold.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 autumn, we’re building: Vast Vehicles.

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, 26th November, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

This month, we are reading: Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad.

Pick up a book at Southwold Library.

Free event, no booking required.

Contact:

• Tel: 01502 722519
• E-mail: southwold.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/.

 

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.

Reydon Show 2026

The Reydon Show 2026 was brilliantly attended this year, with large numbers coming to see all the lovely entries. The weather always keeps us guessing in this country, and I think the heat has frazzled up the fruit, veg and flowers (though we did have a good selection in the novelty vegetables) as the entries were low. So, remember next year if you can produce anything for a category, you might be in luck! I reckon most people would be able to enter a pot plant, so bring them along.

It was lovely to see all the baked goods, photography, and handicrafts – but always happy to have more next year. The kids’ creativity was amazing, and we would encourage even more children to enter the free kids’ categories next year – they can enter any arts and craft including 3D models, miniature gardens and Lego! So, any parents or grandparents out there, encourage your children to enter free next year. When you are planning your 2027 planting or embarking on some arts and crafts, remember the first Saturday in August will be the Reydon Show next year.

The trophy winners for 2026 were:

• Ernest Moyse Memorial Trophy – most outstanding exhibit in flower classes – Lynn Nicholls.
• Challenge Cup (Open) – most points in vegetable and fruit section – Phil Dawson.
• Garden News Shield (Reydon residents only) – most points in vegetable and fruit section – Phil Dawson.
• Charlie Martin Cup (Reydon residents only) – runner up in vegetable and fruit section – Celia Wigg.
• Fitzgerald Cup – most points in flower section – Joint Winners: Lynn Nicholls and Anita Freeman.
• Frances Moyse Memorial Trophy – most outstanding exhibit in vegetable classes – Joe Taylor.
• Silver Plate – most points in cookery classes – Carol Horton.
• Reydon Show Trophy – best exhibit in adult handicraft – Charlotte Clark.
• Reg Belcher Trophy – most points in handicraft – Charlotte Clark.
• Copperwheat Trophy – best exhibit in pot plant classes – Anita Freeman.
• Reydon Parish Council Shield (Reydon residents only) – best exhibit in cookery classes – Michelle Webb.
• Sam Adamson Cup – best exhibit in photography classes – Charlotte Clark (Reserve: Sandy Doyland).
• Dillon Gibbon Trophy – most points in photography classes – Di Dawson.
• Jack and Ann Robins Cup – best exhibit in kids’ classes – Taylor Murray.

Reydon Show 2027

We are hoping to encourage lots more of you to enter the Reydon Show 2027, so we thought we had better start by explaining what a village show is. A village show is a traditional community event where people from a village and the surrounding area come together to show off their skills and display their best produce, baking, flowers, crafts, and other talents.

So why should you enter? You should enter the Reydon Show because it’s a fun, low-pressure way to get involved in your local community, and you might surprise yourself. The Reydon Show is a wonderful celebration of local talent, creativity, and community spirit. From home-grown vegetables and beautiful flowers to delicious cakes, homemade preserves, crafts, photography and children’s creations, there are classes for all ages and interests.

But you don’t need to be an expert or a prize-winning gardener to take part, the fun is simply in having a go. Entering the Reydon Show is a chance to show off something you’ve grown, baked or made, try something new, meet other local people and perhaps even take home a trophy!

Most importantly, by entering, you’re helping to keep a much-loved local tradition alive and making the show a real celebration of the people who live in our community. So why not have a go? You might just discover a hidden talent! You don’t have to be an expert, just enter something you enjoy, have a go, and see what happens! So, save the date, the 2027 Reydon Show will take place on Saturday, 7th August 2027.

Charlotte Clark