EventsNews

Dominic Knight August 16, 2025

September news & events from Southwold Library

Meet Local Crime Writer Peter Tyler

Monday, 8th September, 11am talk @ Southwold Library

Peter’s burning ambition, after a busy career and family life, was to write a book. He embarked on a ten-week online Creative Writers’ Course with Penguin Random House and started writing his first book in 2019 – finishing it in 2022 at the age of 71.

21:36 and RIP are set in South East London and follow the Police investigations of murders and assaults amid a world of deceit and corruption.

All proceeds from the books go to the charity supporting the Lord Kitchener Memorial Holiday Centre in Lowestoft.

Free talk, no need to book.

Afternoon Tea and Poetry with Blake Morrison

Sunday, 14th September, 3pm @ Southwold Library

Part of Poetry in Aldeburgh Festival 2025 (online: www.poetryinaldeburgh.org).

With funding from Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund.

Among Blake Morrison’s best-loved poems are those celebrating east Suffolk, with its big skies, reedbeds and shingle beaches. It’s a landscape he has known and written about for 40 years, especially the coastal strip: Covehithe, Dunwich, Sizewell, Shingle Street.

For this event, in discussion with Tamar Yoseloff, he’ll reflect on the importance of Suffolk in his work and why, despite writing memoirs, novels and plays, poetry remains his first love. He’ll also read new poems from a forthcoming collection, about love, war, age and the loss of his younger sister Gillian.

Blake will be signing copies of his books, supplied by Southwold Books

Tickets are free, but must be booked in advance. Available from Southwold Library – tel: 01502 442817 or online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/southwoldlibrary.

Legal Matters Advice and Information: Nursing home fees: should I start saving now?

Monday, 15th September, 10.30am

Local Solicitor Stuart Johnson, fully accredited with Solicitors for the Elderly, will advise on how nursing home fees could affect you and what you need to be doing now.

Free talk, no need to book.

Beginners’ Italian

Monday, 13th October for six weeks, 4–6pm

£120 for 12-hour course

Book at Southwold Library – tel: 01502 442817 or online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/southwoldlibrary.

Ann Cleeves

Thursday, 16th October, 6.30pm @ Southwold Arts Centre

Ann Cleeves is the multi-million-copy bestselling author behind TV series Shetland, Vera and The Long Call. Her first Shetland novel, Raven Black, won the Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger for best crime novel, and Ann was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger in 2017. She was awarded the OBE in 2022 for services to reading and libraries. Ann will be talking about her writing, including her new book, The Killing Stones.

Tickets are £25, including a signed copy of her new Jimmy Perez novel, The Killing Stones (a £10 ticket talk-only ticket can be bought with each £25 one), and are available from Southwold Library – tel: 01502 442817 or online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/southwoldlibrary.

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.

Kids, Come and Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Thursday, 11th and 25th September, 3.30pm @ Southwold Library

The Read2Dogs scheme provided by PAT helps to improve literacy skills and wellbeing in young people by developing their confidence, interest and enjoyment in reading.

Dogs are non-judgemental and great listeners – they don’t interrupt or correct – so they aid confidence and concentration levels. PAT Dogs are also known to encourage positive social behaviours, enhance self-esteem and inspire young people to relax and have fun.

Come and read to Ash and enjoy his calm company.

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 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, 12th and 26th 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.

Scrabble Club

Thursday, 11th September, 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 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, 25th September, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

This month, we are reading: The Great Level by S K Tillyard.