Friday, 24th January and 21st February, 9am–1pm @ Reydon Village Hall

Tea/coffee and toast (pastries when available) 9–11am.

Soup and bread 11am–1pm (plus takeaway soup – bring your own container).

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

Friday, 28th February, 7–10pm @ Reydon Village Hall

With the Once Bittern Ceilidh Band.

£15 per person, including bowl of chilli and rice (meat and vegetarian options).

BYO alcohol.  Soft drinks and snacks available.

Book your tickets in advance with Charlotte (tel: 07715 388916; e-mail: frogclock@hotmail.com) or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/reydonvillagehall.

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

Friday, 7th February, 7pm @ Reydon Village Hall

£5 per person.

Teams of up to six.

Bring your own snacks and drink.

Raffle!

Soft drinks, sweets and crisps available to buy.

Book your tickets with Charlotte at Southwold Library (tel: 07715 388916; e-mail: frogclock@hotmail.com).

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

Friends of Southwold Library Quiz Night!

Saturday, 25th January, 7pm @Cardinal Newman Hall (Old Postal Sorting Office)

Teams of 4 – £3 per person.  Bring your own drinks & snacks.  Raffle

Book early to avoid disappointment, limited places.

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

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).

Kids, Come and Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Thursdays, 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, 3rd January, 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 10th and 24th January, 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, 9th January, 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, 30th January, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

This month, we are reading: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.

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).

Reydon Village Hall Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund Reindeer Beetle Drive

Friday, 6th December, 7pm @ Reydon Village Hall

£6 per person plus festive nibbles. 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 reindeer first!

Drop in or book your tickets with Charlotte – tel: 07715 388916; e-mail: frogclock@hotmail.com; web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries. All funds towards the RVH Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund to repair, renovate and refit the Hall.

Southwold Library Christmas Tree Festival

Throughout December during opening hours

Guess the Christmas Film!

Free! Donations welcome.

Big thanks to all the local groups, clubs and businesses who have decorated our trees.

Friends of Southwold Library Coffee Afternoon

Saturday, 7th December 2–4pm @ Southwold Library

Hot drinks, mince pies or biscuits.

Cake stall, craft stall, game stalls, and raffle.

All funds towards supporting Southwold Library.

Visit Santa @ Southwold Library

Sunday, 8th and 15th December, 11am–2pm

Robin crafts, meet and photo with Santa plus gift.

£4.50 per child.

Face-to-Face Legal Matters Advice and Information: Powers of Attorney – Acting as an Attorney under a Power of Attorney

Monday, 9th December, 10.30am @ Southwold Library

Local solicitor Stuart Johnson, fully accredited with Solicitors for the Elderly, will advise on what a Power of Attorney is, what it may involve if you are made one.

Free talk, no need to book.

Snow Globes and Other Christmas Science Experiments With Kinetics Science Adventures – ‘Lab in a Library’

Saturday, 21st December, 11am and 1.30pm @ Stella Peskett Millennium Hall

Find out about the science behind the festive favourite snow globes and make your own to take home. Plus other Christmas-themed science experiments.

£2 per child. Open to children 5+. Limited spaces. Book your place today!

Tel: 01502 722519: e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk; web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries.

Gingerbread Men Crafts

Sunday, 22nd December, 11am and 2pm @ Southwold Library

Free crafts – no need to book. Make a wide variety of gingerbread-themed Christmas crafts.

Southwold Library Reading Groups Christmas Do

Thursday, 12th December, 6.30pm

Are you in a reading group? All reading group members welcome to this annual Christmas get-together.

A chance to compare notes, discuss group favourites (and the ones you hated) and get recommendations for the New Year.

Tea, coffee and squash provided, but please bring nibbles and any other drinks to add to the evening’s offerings

Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

Swede Caroline 2024 (15) – Wednesday, 11th December, 3pm

As Caroline readies herself for the championship, the competitive giant vegetable-growing world is rocked by scandal. Her prized marrow plants are stolen and her life turns upside down, so she hires two private detectives.

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

Kids, Come and Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Thursdays, 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.

Blyth Poets ‘The Isle is Full of Voices’

Friday, 6th December, 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 December, 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, 12th December, 2.15pm

Second Thursday of every month.

All equipment supplied.

Refreshment break in the Canteen.

Free event, no booking required.

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.

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, 9th January, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

This month, we are reading: Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney.

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 Reydon Community Quiz 2024/25 season commenced on 18th October, and it was lovely to see many of our regular quizzers back.

Amanda Humphry took the role of quiz leader for the evening and presented six rounds of varied questions, which provoked plenty of discussion and much deliberation along the way!

Winners were ‘What the Ecc?’ with 106 points, ‘Who are we?‘ in second place with 104 points, and in third place, ‘Threes Company’ with 98 points.

Together with proceeds from the raffle, the evening raised £222. The local good cause selected to receive this month’s donation is ‘New Leaf for Reydon and Southwold’. This volunteer group has continued to maintain and tidy the area along Mights Bridge as well as other local areas, and the money donated from this month’s quiz will help to fund more bulbs and plants. The local community are very appreciative of those who generously give their time like this, and we will all look forward to seeing lots of daffodils in the spring!

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, 15th November, and the Christmas quiz will be on Friday, 13th December 13.

Dates for the new year are to follow. There is sometimes space for another team, so do contact me if you are interested in joining us at ahumphry@talktalk.net.

Southwold Literary Festival

Friday, 8th–Sunday, 10th November @ Southwold Arts Centre

Inspired by the success of ‘Slaughter in Southwold’, Southwold Library, Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Books launched ‘Southwold Literary Festival’ in November 2023. The 2024 Festival features an amazing mix of fiction and non-fiction authors speaking about a fascinating range of subjects.

Tickets are £6 a talk, £10 for a Friday Day Ticket, £25 for a Saturday or Sunday Day Ticket, or £60 for the whole weekend

Tickets can be booked at Southwold Library, either in person, by phone (01502 722519) or by visiting: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries; or at Southwold Arts Centre, either in person, by phone (01502 722572) or by visiting www.southwoldartscentre.co.uk.

Friday, 8th November

• 2pm: Carol Woolton, who is a jewellery historian, editor, author and stylist, and was Jewellery Editor at British Vogue for 20 years.
• 3.30pm: Professor Richard Fortey talks about his new book, Close Encounters of the Fungal Kind: In Pursuit of Remarkable Mushrooms.

Saturday, 9th November

• 10am: Lisa Wollett talks about her experiences and researches creating Lost to The Sea: A Journey Round the Edges of Britain and Ireland.
• 11.30am: Jane Cholmeley co-founder of the Silver Moon Women’s Bookshop, details her experiences in A Bookshop of One’s Own.
• 2pm: D J Taylor, George Orwell expert, in conversation with the author of Orwell in Southwold Ronald Binns
• 3.30pm: Samuel Burr, TV executive, talks about his hot debut novel, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers.
• 5pm: Ian Collins and Richard Mabey: local biographer Collins is in conversation with nature writer Mabey.

Sunday, 10th November

• 10am: Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily, speaks about her new historical novel, The King’s Mother, about the War of the Roses.
• 11.30am: Lucy Hughes-Hallett speaks about her latest historical biography, The Scapegoat: The Brilliant Brief Life of the Duke of Buckingham.
• 2pm: Simon Loftus, local phenomenon, in conversation with Lucy Hughes-Hallett about his latest book, Who’s There.
• 3.30pm: Rachel Hore bestselling author, on her new novel set on the Cornish coast, The Hidden Years.
• 5pm: Kate Sawyer author of The Stranding, talks about her new book, This Family.

Orwell in Southwold: A Guided Walk With Local Author Ronald Binns

Saturday, 16th November, 11am, from Southwold Library

Join Ronald Binns on a tour of George Orwell’s Southwold and see the houses where he lived and wrote.

Learn about his long association with the town and how Southwold and its people entered into his writing.

Ronald Binns is the author of Orwell in Southwold.

£5 per person. Approx. 75 minutes. Limited number.

Book your tickets at Southwold Library – tel: 01502 722519; online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries

What on earth is Cacao? Talk with Mili Mendez, Local Cake Maker and Cacao Enthusiast

Sunday, 24th November, 2pm @ Southwold Library

Can you tell your Ocumare from your Porcelana? How about your Güasare from your Sur del Lago Hybrid? Cacao seems to be everywhere now, but how do you know what you are getting?

Learn about Venezuelan cacao and why the Sur del Lago region in Venezuela is a genetic hub for Criollo cacao varieties, not just in Venezuela but possibly worldwide.

Join Mili Mendez for a talk on all things Venezuelan cacao.

Free talk, no booking required.

Hop to it Quiz Night!

Friday, 29th November, 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; online: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

Vindication Swim 2024 (PG) – Wednesday, 20th November, 3pm

The inspirational story of Mercedes Gleitze, who in 1927 became the first British woman to swim the English Channel. Discover Mercedes’ struggle in overcoming both the cold waters of the English Channel and the oppressive society of 1920s England.

Swede Caroline 2024 (15) – Wednesday, 11th December, 3pm

As Caroline readies herself for the championship, the competitive giant vegetable-growing world is rocked by scandal. Her prized marrow plants are stolen and her life turns upside down, so she hires two private detectives.

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

Kids, Come and Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Thursdays, 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.

Blyth Poets ‘The Isle is Full of Voices’

Friday, 1st 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, 8th and 22nd 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.

Scrabble Club

Thursday, 14th November, 2.15pm

Second Thursday of every month.

All equipment supplied.

Refreshment break in the Canteen.

Free event, no booking required.

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.

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, 28th October, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

This month, we are reading: Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson.

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.

A popular local event raising money for charity returns this weekend, offering visitors an enjoyable day out packed with displays, exhibits and fun for all ages.

The Henham Steam and Country Show (formerly the Grand Henham Steam Rally) takes place on Saturday, 21st and Sunday, 22nd September 2024 at Henham Park, near Southwold. As well as offering a fantastic family day out with exciting displays, parades and attractions, visitors will once again be able to steer one of the show’s steam engines and find out what it takes to manoeuvre one of these incredible machines.

Public steering is always a popular part of the event, with a large number of visitors taking part in exchange for a donation to charity. Public steering will take place on both days in the Len Murray Arena, which will also feature displays from the Bolddog FMX Team, Spectrum Kites, Ben Long Falconry and steamroller barrel rolling.

Meanwhile, in the Parade Ring sponsored by Farnham Leisure, there will be displays from Will’s Working Spaniels and the Lowestoft Dog Agility Display Team. Around the show, there will also be hundreds of vintage, classic and custom vehicles, working steam engines, live music on the band stand, a vintage fairground, children’s entertainment including Storm in a Teacup stilt walkers, a stamp trail and avenues of trade stalls and rural crafts.

Chair Helen Walker said: ‘This year, we celebrate our 48th event and have also changed the event name to better reflect everything that the show has to offer. We have a great timetable of displays and parades planned, including our popular public steering which is one of my favourite parts.

 ‘As well as raising money for local good causes, we also give back to the community through our education day, now in its third year. On the Friday before the show, we invite over one hundred children from local schools to come to the site and learn about farming, steam and engineering.

‘As always, our committee and volunteers have been working hard throughout the year to make this event possible and I would like to thank them for all their hard work once again.’

As a charity, the show raises thousands of pounds each year for local organisations, including Wangford Community Council, Blyth Valley Rotary and the Parochial Church Councils of Sotherton, Uggeshall and Wangford-cum-Henham.

Each year, the organisers also donate to additional beneficiaries, and this year have chosen SERV Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, Suffolk Accident and Rescue Service (SARS) and Norfolk and Waveney Mind.

Entry is £17 on the gate for adults and over 14s, £3 for children aged 8-14 years and children under 8 go free. There is also ample free parking.

For the latest show news, please visit www.henhamsteam.com and follow on Facebook, X and Instagram.

In-depth, qualitative research is being carried out in Suffolk’s coastal communities this autumn, commissioned by Suffolk County Council in partnership with East Suffolk Council.

The aim of this work is to provide an understanding of the unique conditions faced by people living in Suffolk’s coastal communities. It complements parallel research into official statistics describing the area and the needs and issues faced by residents and communities.

Research background

Suffolk County Council, in partnership with East Suffolk Council, has commissioned social research organisations SQW and Social Life to conduct research into the unique local conditions faced by people living in Suffolk’s coastal communities.

Our two research questions are:

1. How are Suffolk’s coastal communities doing at present? This links to perspectives on individual and collective wellbeing.

2. How might Suffolk’s coastal communities navigate the future? This links to perspectives on resilience in the context of economic, social and environmental change.

Work done to date

SQW has begun research to develop a coherent data framework and scoping interviews have been conducted with key local community and public sector representatives. Three communities have been identified as research sites: Hollesley, Reydon and Kessingland.

Qualitative research

This autumn, the Social Life team will visit the three communities to carry out in-depth research. We will:

• conduct interviews with stakeholders and community representatives.

• carry out in-person street interviews, with an online version of the survey also promoted.

• hold group discussions.

• map local social infrastructure.

The qualitative research will:

• capture perceptions and understanding of key issues linked to wellbeing and resilience.

• explore the protective factors that can support wellbeing and future resilience in the three locations.

• capture the views of all groups living in the three areas, including those less often represented.

Next steps

Social Life plan to begin reaching out to local stakeholders and parish councillors as soon as possible, in advance of visiting the three communities in late September/early October.