Supporting our neighbours and protecting the Heritage Coast

The most recent LionLink newsletter out this week indicates that Walberswick is the preferred landfall site, and that Southwold and Reydon should not be affected by the various new energy infrastructure projects (for the time being at least).

Despite this, the planned public meeting on this Friday will still proceed as Reydon Parish Council believes that it still has a responsibility to work with neighbouring communities to help to protect them from imminent harm, and to protect the Suffolk Heritage Coast, National Landscape and East Suffolk community interest; its concerns as a parish council extend beyond its parish boundaries.

The public meeting will be in Reydon Village Hall on Friday, 21st February at 6.30 pm.

Come and find out more. Ask your questions. Have your say. All welcome.

The agenda can be downloaded here.

A Life Working in Landscape

The February meeting of the local Blyth Valley and Southwold group of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust welcomed Anne Westover to talk about her lifelong love of working in the countryside. Trained as a landscape architect, Anne has worked in many areas, from the leafy sections of Welwyn Garden City, to Leeds, to Norwich County Council, and now to smaller, local projects. She was involved in the preservation of old and significant trees, and in the overall maintenance of green areas. The beautiful Kett’s Heights above Norwich was restored recently by the council together with volunteers, and Anne designed the new metal gates there. It is well worth the climb. Keeping and planting screening trees was part of Anne’s brief, and many of the pine trees at Sutton Hoo remain as a result and are now very much part of that landscape.

There is much work being carried out at local level. Hedgerows that are over 30 years old now need permission to be grubbed out, and Suffolk hedges have been surveyed at a parish level to help provide this information. Local volunteer Tree Wardens help to propagate young trees, and involve the community in learning about and managing trees and hedgerows. Cemeteries can be havens for growing local species, and Wickham Market and Woodbridge were mentioned. Our native black poplar is in decline, and there are efforts to increase their numbers locally, for example in Wenhaston.

Anne’s job gave her a very wide brief, and her work with different councils gave us an idea of how decisions are made, and how tree and hedge management is carried out. It was an interesting and informative evening.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, 13th March at 7.30pm. Simon Dudhill from the Hawk and Owl Trust will tell us about his work with barn owls and red kites. This is our annual visit to Wenhaston Village Hall, Hall Road, Wenhaston IP19 9EP. Entrance is £4, to include refreshments. All are welcome. Under 25s free.

Contact us at swtblythvalley@gmail.com.

Penny Mansfield

Author Talk with Bestselling Author Simon Scarrow

Wednesday, 19th March, 6.30pm @ Reydon Village Hall

Simon Scarrow is a Sunday Times No 1 bestselling author with several million copies of his books sold worldwide. After a childhood spent travelling the world, he pursued his great love of history as a teacher, before becoming a full-time writer. His books – which have sold six million copies – include two earlier Berlin thrillers featuring CI Schenke: Blackout, which was a Richard and Judy Book Club Pick and a Sunday Times bestseller; and Dead of Night, which was a top-ten bestseller.

Simon is also the author of a quartet of novels about the lives of the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon Bonaparte: Young Bloods, The Generals, Fire and Sword, and The Fields of Death; a novel about the 1565 Siege of Malta, Sword & Scimitar; Hearts of Stone, set in Greece during the Second World War; and Playing with Death, a contemporary thriller written with Lee Francis. He also wrote the novels Arena and Invader with T J Andrews.

Simon will be talking about his writing and his new book, A Death in Berlin, featuring CI Horst Schenke fighting crime against the backdrop of wartime Berlin.

Tickets: £6 with free glass of wine/juice – available from Southwold Library (tel: 01502 722519; web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries).

Suffolk Libraries Day: Southwold Library Treasure Hunt

Saturday, 22nd March, 10am–1pm, 2–5pm

Our fun treasure hunt leads you on a circular walk around Southwold.

Solve the clues to uncover our hidden message.

£3 per hunt. First Prize: Adnams vouchers!

Completed hunts to be returned to Southwold Library by 5pm on Saturday, 22nd March.

Fun for all ages – a lolly for every child that finishes.

Buy from Southwold Library or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries.

Suffolk Libraries Day: Cake Stall

Saturday, 22nd March, 10am–1pm, 2–5pm @ Southwold Library

Wide range of homemade cakes and biscuits.

Suffolk Libraries Day: Quiz Night

Saturday, 22nd March, 7pm @ Cardinal Newman Hall (Old Sorting Office)

Teams of 4 – £3 per person.

Bring your own drinks and snacks. Raffle!

Book early to avoid disappointment, limited places.

Contact Southwold Library (tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk).

Coding Club Volunteer Wanted @ Southwold Library

Could you help teach children how to code?

Equipment provided (we have laptops and BBC micro:bits) and coding sessions will fit around your availability. If you know about coding, then please get in touch (tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: charlotte.clark@suffolklibraries.co.uk).

Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

The Critic (2023) 15 – Wednesday, 26th March, 3pm

A powerful London theatre critic lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme that has deadly consequences. Starring Ian McKellen and Gemma Arteton.

Conclave (2024) 12A – Wednesday, 23rd April, 3pm

Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events, participating in the selection of a new Pope. Surrounded by powerful religious leaders in the halls of the Vatican, he soon uncovers a trail of deep secrets that could shake the very foundation of the Roman Catholic Church. Starring  Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow.

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

Kids, Come and Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Thursday, 13th March, 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.

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.

Hop-to-It Hare Fund

Southwold Library is pledged to raise £650 for St Elizabeth Hospice (as part of their Hop-to-It Statue Trail 2025) in exchange for a Little Hare statue to decorate and keep.

We have a variety of handmade hare crafts, hare merchandise and hare games to help us raise the funds, so do pop in and see how you can support us and St Elizabeth Hospice.

Blyth Poets ‘The Isle is Full of Voices’

Friday, 7th March, 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, 14th and 28th March, 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, 13th March, 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 spring, we’re building: Wonderful Wildlife.

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, 27th March, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

This month, we are reading: The Details by Ia Genberg.

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.

Realise Futures Walk-in Advice and Guidance

Every Thursday, 10am–12noon @ Southwold Library

Do you have a learning disability/autism?

Do you need some support, advice or information?

Come along to one of our walk-in advice and guidance sessions. There is no need to book an appointment. Our advisors will talk to you about the support you need.

We can provide advice, guidance and information on housing, employment, benefits, training, money, travel, safety, health, bills/letters and social.

Please contact: Anita Fiddy, Service Locality Co-ordinator (East) (tel: 07598 582955; e-mail: anita.fiddy@realisefutures.org).

Are you a baker, an artist, a photographer, a crafter, a sewer, a knitter, a gardener or a flower arranger? Then why not enter the Reydon Show?

The show celebrates your talents big and small plus prize certificates and various trophies to be won. The show takes place on the first Saturday of August each year, so save the date for 2025 – Saturday, 2nd August. Entries have to be in on the Friday night or the Saturday morning and the exhibition opens at 2pm.

We also have a range of children’s categories open to kids under 12, so if your child is a keen Lego builder, gardener or arts and crafter they can enter too – and kids enter free!

So, plan your preserves, ready your radishes and corral your carnations ready for August. Programme of categories will be available at Bridgefoot Stores, Reydon nearer the date.

Photographic categories this year are:

• Seed Heads.
• A Black-and-White Photo (any subject).
• Rainy Day.
• Animals at Work.

The Reydon Community Quiz welcomed in 2025 with Jim’s New Year Quiz on 17th January. This was a lively and fun-filled evening led by Quizmaster Jim, with a quiz presented in his own inimitable style! With a range of questions, music rounds and even a bit of community singing, the well-attended evening was enjoyed by quizzers both familiar and new.

In a closely fought quiz, winners were ‘If Onlys’ with 130 points; in second place, ‘What, No Broadside?’ with 124 points; and in third, ‘Nirvana’ with 120 points. (Every team scored over 100 points!)

Together with proceeds from the raffle, the evening raised a huge £376. At the suggestion of the quizzers, this total will be split between our local Rainbows/Brownies/Guides Group, and our local Beavers/ Cubs/Scouts Group. Our young people are the future of our community, and we send our good wishes to all the youngsters in these long-established local groups, and to the volunteers and leaders who work with them.

A huge thanks as always to our loyal quizzers for their generosity, participation, and support, to hosts Sole Bay Bowls Club and raffle helpers. Thanks also to Southwold Press for providing paper for the quizzes.

The next quiz will be on Friday, 21st February.

Further dates for the new year are as follows. . .

• Friday, 21st March.

• Friday, 18th April (TBC as it is Good Friday).

• If there is enough demand, there will be one on 16th May.

There is sometimes space for another team, so do contact me if you are interested in joining us on ahumphry@talktalk.net

Simon Mayo – Join Simon for Afternoon Tea

Saturday, 1st February, 3pm @ Reydon Village Hall

Black Tag is the gripping new thriller from bestselling author and legendary broadcaster Simon Mayo.

When the West End Gallery is set alight, it seems like a tragic accident. But as the ashes settle, a far more sinister discovery is made: an unidentified body. Black Tag takes readers on a suspenseful journey through the hidden corridors of power and privilege.

Simon Mayo, known for his compelling storytelling and intricate plot weaving, has once again crafted a novel that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Simon will be talking about his writing and signing copies of his books.

Tickets are £6, including refreshments – available from Southwold Library (tel: 01502 722519; web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries).

FoSL February: Why Not Become Our Friend?

Speak to existing Friends to find out how being a Friend of Southwold Library is free, fun and supports your library.

• Tuesday, 4th February
• Wednesday, 12th February
• Thursday, 20th February
• Friday, 28th February

10am–12noon Friends of Southwold Library Registered Charity No. 1163525.

Face-to-Face Legal Matters Advice and Information: I’m Nervous About a Power of Attorney – What are the Safeguards?

Monday, 10th February, 10.30am @ Southwold Library

Local solicitor Stuart Johnson, fully accredited with Solicitors for the Elderly, will advise on Power of Attorney safeguards.

Free talk, no need to book.

Know Another Drop In – Drink Awareness Campaign

Tuesday, 11th February, drop in 2–4pm

Do you know how much you drink? Join us for our Know Another drop-in session at Southwold Library and chat with others in a welcoming and friendly environment!

Our non-judgemental and specially trained staff will be offering advice and resources on how to better understand alcohol and cut down on drinking. You can also take our short questionnaire to learn about your drinking habits and show you what your alcohol intake could mean for you.

Know Another is our drink-awareness campaign to help you understand your alcohol intake and get advice to help cut down. Our libraries offer regular drop-in groups for you to chat with trained staff and find resources, and we host free mocktail events every few months at different libraries to socialise with others and try new non-alcoholic drinks.

Elly Griffiths

Friday, 14th February, 2pm @ Southwold Arts Centre

Elly Griffiths is the author of the best-selling Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries and the Stephens and Mephisto books. In 2016, she was awarded the CWA Dagger in the Library for her body of work.

Elly will be talking about her writing, including her new book The Frozen People, and signing copies of the book.

Tickets are £6 – available from Southwold Library (tel: 01502 722519; web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries).

Emergency Services and Everyday Heroes Crafts

Tuesday, 18th February, 11am and 2pm @ Southwold Library

Free crafts – no need to book

Make a wide variety of crafts celebrating everyday heroes including their vehicles, hats and dogs.

Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

Freud’s Last Session (2024) 12A – Wednesday, 19th February, 3pm

3rd September 1939. The world is on the brink. A monumental session with two of the greatest minds of the twentieth century over the future of mankind and the existence of God. Starring Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Goode.

The Critic (2023) 15 – Wednesday, 26th March, 3pm

A powerful London theatre critic lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme that has deadly consequences. Starring Ian McKellen and Gemma Arteton.

Conclave (2024) 12A – Wednesday, 23rd April, 3pm

Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events, participating in the selection of a new pope. Surrounded by powerful religious leaders in the halls of the Vatican, he soon uncovers a trail of deep secrets that could shake the very foundation of the Roman Catholic Church. Starring  Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow.

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.

Terrific Train Fun! Trainmaster Suffolk

Thursday, 20th February, 10.30am and 11.45am @ Reydon Sports and Community Centre

Miles of track and trains to play with plus ride on train and a train rollercoaster!

£4 per child for 1 hour’s play!

Limited spaces. Book your place today! Tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk; web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries.

Hop to It Quiz Night!

Saturday, 22nd February, 7pm @ Cardinal Newman Hall (Old Sorting Office)

Southwold Library is pledged to raise £650 for St Elizabeth Hospice in exchange for a Little Hare statue to decorate and keep.

Teams of 4; £3 per person.

Bring your own drinks and snacks. Raffle!

Book early to avoid disappointment, limited places. Contact Southwold Library (tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk).

Kids, Come and Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Thursday, 13th February, 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.

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.

Hop-to-It Hare Fund

Southwold Library is pledged to raise £650 for St Elizabeth Hospice (as part of their Hop-to-It Statue Trail 2025) in exchange for a Little Hare statue to decorate and keep.

We have a variety of handmade hare crafts, hare merchandise and hare games to help us raise the funds, so do pop in and see how you can support us and St Elizabeth Hospice.

Blyth Poets ‘The Isle is Full of Voices’

Friday, 7th February, 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, 14th and 28th February, 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, 13th February, 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, 27th February, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

This month, we are reading: If We Were Villains by M L Rio.

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.

Realise Futures Walk-in Advice and Guidance

Every Thursday, 10am–12noon @ Southwold Library

Do you have a learning disability/autism?

Do you need some support, advice or information?

Come along to one of our walk-in advice and guidance sessions. There is no need to book an appointment. Our advisors will talk to you about the support you need.

We can provide advice, guidance and information on housing, employment, benefits, training, money, travel, safety, health, bills/letters and social.

Please contact: Anita Fiddy, Service Locality Co-ordinator (East) (tel: 07598 582955; e-mail: anita.fiddy@realisefutures.org).

The Birds of North Carolina

On a bitterly cold January evening, the Southwold and Blyth Group of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust gathered to hear Simon Thompson’s illustrated talk on the birds of North Carolina. Originally from Suffolk, and now returned here, Simon lived for 30 years in North Carolina, observing the wildlife, travelling extensively and running birding tours around the world, which he continues to do. This part of America is not often on the British tourist trail and it was fascinating to learn more about it. North Carolina has three geographical areas: the Mountains, the Piedmont Plateau, and the Coastal Plain, and each area is rich in birdlife. The forested mountains are home to many species whose general names we recognise – warbler, robin, waxwing, siskin – but whose bright colours and songs are completely different. Many are migrant species from the tropics. The Northern Saw-whet Owl was a particular favourite. The lower Piedmont, with more open farmland and longleaf pines, has the grassland species and wildfowl – sparrows, woodpeckers, teal – but again with bright colourations. The Coastal Plain has huge marshlands and lakes, as well as sandy shorelines and barrier islands. The area attracts a wide variety of water fowl, such as rails, oystercatchers and plovers, and vast numbers of snow geese and other migrant seabirds. Offshore there are storm petrels and shearwaters.

It was a relaxed and enjoyable evening, and although it ended with a look at the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in September last year, we were left with the positive message that nature will heal itself over time.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, 13th February, at 7.30pm. Anne Westover will talk about a Life Working in Landscape, with a passion for trees and hedgerows. Please note that this will be held at  Reydon Village Hall, Lowestoft Road, Reydon IP19 6RF. Entrance is £4, which includes refreshment. Under 25s free. All are welcome.

Contact us at swtblythvalley@gmail.com.

Penny Mansfield

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Tim Passmore is seeking the views on his new Police and Crime Plan.

The plan sets the direction of policing in Suffolk for 2025–29.  Please go to SUFFOLK POLICE & CRIME PLAN 2025/29 to access the survey which will close at 9am on Monday, 20th January 2025.

The PCC is also seeking your thoughts on his proposal for the policing budget and the amount of council tax you pay towards policing in the next financial year. He is proposing an increase of 5.1% which is the equivalent of £14 a year for a Band D property. Please go to the survey to make your views known: Council Tax Precept Survey 2025–26.  This survey closes at 9am on Thursday, 30th January.