The World Land Trust

The January meeting of the Blyth Valley and Southwold branch of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust welcomed Dan Bradbury from the World Land Trust (WLT). You may have noticed their office in Halesworth, but their work crosses the globe. Founded in 1989, its aim is to protect land threatened by loss of habitat by buying areas vulnerable to destruction, “real acres in real places”.

What made the Trust different then, and does to this day, is that they don’t organise the conservation themselves as outsiders, but empower the local people to do so. The work started in Belize, Central America, where loss of tropical forest was becoming rampant. Partner organisations were set up, and the “Buy an Acre” scheme proved so successful that it is still in use today. The success of that first operation led to others across the world.

Habitat loss takes many forms, from logging, cattle ranching and agriculture to mining and illegal poaching. Climate change is another major factor. Managing and protecting the growing reserves and wildlife corridors requires considerable resources, and the Trust raises funds, both here and in those countries, through individual and business donors, to train and employ local Rangers. The Rangers engage with the neighbouring communities, working with schools and villages, involving them in the process. The aim is for the reserves to become self-sufficient, both in growing their own regeneration plants, and by creating jobs, such as eco-tourism, for local people.

The Trust also works towards carbon balancing by encouraging businesses to offset their carbon emissions in a meaningful way.

Dan spoke with energy and dedication, and we all came away with a deep appreciation of the far-reaching conservation work of the WLT.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, 8th February at 7.30pm in the Southwold Arts Centre IP18 6JP. Michael Strand will be talking about the Martlesham Wilds Nature Reserve. Admission is £4, including refreshments; under 25s free. All are welcome.

Penny Mansfield

Contact us at swtblythvalley@gmail.com.

December’s Community quiz was cancelled due to illness, so everyone was raring to go for the first quiz of the new year. We were delighted to welcome some new faces as well as many familiar ones!

Jim Archer took the role of quiz master for the evening, with an eclectic collection of rounds where the questions were not always what we expected – just to keep us all on our toes!

In third place were “Who Are We?” with 101 points, in second place “Treacle Tarts” with 104 points, and winners this month on 122 points were “What, No Broadside?”.

Together with proceeds from the raffle, the evening raised £360. This will be donated to Reydon Christmas Lights to start off the fundraising for the Switch-on in 2024. We thank them for their hard work and are already looking forward to next year’s event!

Huge thanks to all who support our Community Quiz, it is hugely appreciated.

 The next quiz will be held on Friday, 16th February.

Dates for the next quizzes are: 15th March, 19th April and 17th May (all on the third Friday of the month).

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

Meets the first Wednesday of each month at 2.30pm @ Reydon Village Hall.

Fun social group with monthly speakers or activities.

• Next meeting: Wednesday, 7th February, 2.30pm.
• Activity: Cookery demonstration.

Saturday, 17th February, 7pm @ Reydon Village Hall

£5 per person.  Bring your own refreshments or purchase soft drinks/snacks. 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 first!

Book your tickets with Charlotte at Southwold Library – 07715388916; or frogclock@hotmail.com.

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

FoSL February: Why Not Become Our Friend?

Friday, 2nd February; Tuesday, 6th February; Wednesday, 14th February; and Thursday, 22nd February; all 10am–12noon

Speak to existing Friends to find out how being a Friend of Southwold Library is free, fun and supports your library. Friends of Southwold Library Registered Charity No 1163525.

Alice in Wonderland Free Crafts @ Southwold Library

Saturday, 17th February, 11am

Make a Cheshire Cat grin, a Mad Hatter hat, q pompom caterpillar and much more! No need to book, just drop in. This activity accompanies the next entry below.

Alice in Wonderland @ Southwold Arts Centre – Drama Games Workshop

Sunday, 18th February, 2pm for 45 mins

£4.50.

Fun drama games workshop to meet characters from the show. For children aged 7–11 (must be accompanied by an adult).

Alice In Wonderland – Family Production

Sunday, 18th February, 4pm

£11 a ticket/£38 family ticket.

Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and have an adventure you will never forget. Come and meet some of the strangest and most peculiar characters, including the mysterious Cheshire Cat, the wacky Mad Hatter and the foul-tempered Queen of Hearts! Filled with live music and puppetry, it’s the perfect show for the whole family!  Book for the Drama Games Workshop and the Family Production at www.southwoldartscentre.co.uk.

Circus Skills Workshop with Mr Bean Entertainments

Friday, 23rd February, 11am and 2pm

£2 per child.

Learn plate spinning, juggling, diablo, hula hoop, flower stick and more! Skills for all ages. Limited spaces. Book your place today! – 01502 722519, southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk  or www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries.

Free Panda Crafts

Tuesday, 20th February, 11am and 2pm

Come and make pompom Pandas, Panda magnets, Panda masks and much more! Plus Panda face painting. No booking needed, just drop in.

Author Kate Thompson

Saturday, 24th February, 3pm

Tickets £6, available from Southwold Library (01502 722519) or www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries.

Join Kate in conversation at the Stella Peskett Millennium Hall. Kate Thompson is an award-winning journalist, ghost-writer and novelist. Her debut novel, Secrets of the Singer Girls, became a Sunday Times bestseller when it launched in 2015. Published in 2022, her novel The Little Wartime Library was based on the remarkable true story of Bethnal Green Underground’s shelter library in WW2, and her latest book, The Wartime Book Club, looks at the bravery of the people of the occupied island of Jersey.

Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

• The Great Escaper (2023) 12a, Wednesday, 21st February, 3pm

In the summer of 2014, a World War II veteran sneaks out of his care home to attend the 70th anniversary commemoration of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

• Napoleon (2023), Wednesday, 27th March, 3pm

A look at the military commander’s origins and his swift, ruthless climb to emperor, viewed through the prism of his addictive and often volatile relationship with his wife and one true love, Josephine.

Tickets £5, including refreshments.

Book a ticket at www.southwoldartscentre.co.uk or visit the box office – tel : 01502 722572;

Southwold Arts Centre, Cumberland Road, Southwold IP18 6JP.

Bedtime Stories @ Southwold Library

Tuesdays in February and March, 5.30pm

Free drop in. All welcome for some bedtime stories – nightwear optional.

Activity Afternoons @ Southwold Library

Weekdays from 2.15pm

Crochet every Wednesday; Scrabble second Thursday; Poetry first Friday; Mah-Jong second and fourth Friday; Ongoing jigsaw all other afternoons. Free hot drinks. Sponsored by East of England Co-op in association with East Suffolk Council.

Realise Futures Walk-in Advice And Guidance @ Southwold Library

Every Thursday, 10am–12noon

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.

Chess Club @ Southwold Library

Every Friday, from 4.30pm

Free event, no booking required.

Free play every week for kids 7+ and adults. Beginners’ teaching and assistance from Phil weeks two and four.

Mah-Jong Group

Friday, 9th and 23rd February, 2.15–4.15pm

Second and fourth Friday of the month.

£1 per person.

Can you play Mah-Jong? Do you want to learn? Come along and join the group at Southwold Library.

Crochet Club

Every Wednesday, 2.15–4pm

£2 each.

A friendly group for all abilities of crocheter. Barbara will be on hand to teach beginners, add to your crochet skills or troubleshoot problems. Or just bring along your latest project and crochet together. Bring your own equipment or Barbara can supply at a price. Refreshment break in the Canteen.

Blyth Poets ‘The Isle is Full of Voices’

Friday, 2nd February, 2.15–3.30pm

First Friday of every month.

Free event, no booking required.

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.

Scrabble Club

Thursday, 8th February, 2.15pm

New date – now every second Thursday of every month.

Free event, no booking required.

All equipment supplied. Refreshment break in the Canteen.

Kids, Come and Read to Ash the PAT Dog @ Southwold Library

Wednesdays, 4pm

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 for up to 15 minutes at a time, plus enjoy a range of dog-themed games, jigsaws, and crafts while you wait. Southwold Library: Old Hospital Hub, Field Stile Road, Southwold IP18 6LD, tel:  01502 722519, e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

Lego Club!

Sundays, 12.15–1pm

Free event, no booking required.

Open to kids (and adults) of all ages. This winter, we’re building: Humongous Houses. All donations of Lego welcome. Adults: Would you like to help with Lego Club? Just ask staff.

Southwold Library Reading Group @ Southwold Library

Thursday, 29th February, 6.30pm

Free event, no booking required.

This month, we are reading: The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson. Pick up a book at Southwold Library. Tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

Baby Bounce and Tot Rock @ Southwold Library

Every Sunday and Tuesday, 10.30–11am

Free event, no booking required.

Instruments, clapping, jogging and action rhymes. For babies and toddlers of all ages.

The Southwold Town Council Roads Consultation Questionnaire concerning a number of traffic priorities that were identified following Southwold Topwn Council’s drop in events last September can be found here.

Physical hard copies of the same questionnaire are available at Bridgefoot Stores, Boydens, The Randolph and Reydon Village Hall.

With the New Year comes the new-look Reydon Village website, formally relaunched today, 8th January.

Aimed at serving our community, the website is the brainchild of Reydon Parish Council, which has backed and funded it from the start. It was decided a while ago that it needed refreshing. The hard work of parish councillors and web and computer experts has produced the brighter, new-look website before you today. We hope you like it.

Because the aim is to serve our community, we want to reflect local needs as closely as possible. If you have any local stories or events to be publicised, if there is anything more you feel the website could do, or if you have any other suggestions about how we can improve our offering, we want to hear from you. Please contact the web management team at reydonweb@gmail.com.

A special thanks to everyone who has made this relaunch possible through their efforts.

PCC proposes increase in precept to fund constabulary in 2024/25

As your Police & Crime Commissioner, setting the policing budget is one of my most important responsibilities. I must ensure that the Chief Constable has the resources required to provide an efficient and effective service.

Later this month, I will need to make a decision about the policing element of the council tax precept. I am planning to ask the Police and Crime Panel to support my proposal to raise the policing element of the precept by £13 a year (for a Band D property) to enable us to maintain the standard of service that the public expect.

I would be very grateful if you could take part in the survey (link below) and let me know what you think. Could I also ask you to forward this on to anyone else you think may be interested in commenting.

PCCPreceptSurvey2024

Please go to my website for more detail.

Tim Passmore

Police & Crime Commissioner for Suffolk