For our March quiz, we welcomed Charlotte Clark of Southwold Library as our guest quizmaster.

We were entertained by Charlotte’s light-hearted and enjoyable quiz, and particularly enjoyed learning some new facts about pineapples!

Scores were once again very close this month: in third place were ‘What, No Broadside?’ with 132 points; in second place ‘What the Ecc ‘ with 134 points; and winners once again this month, ‘Three’s Company’ on 136 points.

Together with proceeds from the raffle, the evening raised £282. This was donated to FoSL (Friends of Southwold Library) and presented to Charlotte there and then. The fabulous work she and the rest of the Library team do is hugely appreciated by the local community, so we are delighted to help support them.

An e-mail of thanks for our February donation was received from the team at the VHC, and this was shared with the quizzers.

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

The next quiz will be held on Friday, 19th April. 

The May quiz is cancelled, so the April one will be the last one until the autumn. There is sometimes space for another team, so do contact me if you are interested in joining us at ahumphry@talktalk.net.

Medieval Knight Crafts

Tuesday, 2nd April, 11am @ Southwold Library

Accompanies The Canterbury Tales @ Southwold Arts Centre (see below)

Free crafts! Swords, shields, castles and much more! No need to book, just drop in.

The Canterbury Tales by Half Cut Theatre

Thursday, 4th April, 4pm @ Southwold Arts Centre

Packed full of laughs and loves, music and mayhem. Come on this raucous journey which will delight young and old alike.

Book for the show at www.southwoldartscentre.co.uk.

Terrific Train Fun! Trainmaster Suffolk

Thursday, 4th April, 12.30pm and 1.45pm @ Reydon Village Hall

£4 per child for one hour’s play!

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

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

Free Unicorn Easter Crafts for Kids

Tuesday, 9th April, 11am and 2pm @ Southwold Library

Come and make unicorn decorations, unicorn Easter eggs, unicorn masks and much more! Plus unicorn tattoos. Crafts supplied by the Friends of Southwold Library. No need to book.

The Lowestoft Longshore Men Sing Sea Shanties

Sunday, 14th April, 5pm @ Southwold Library

Tickets £5 including hot drink and biscuit.

Book at Southwold Library – tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk; or online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries.co.uk.

Lin Le Versha: Southwold’s Own Resident Crimewriter Extraordinaire

Monday, 15th April, 11am @ Southwold Library

Free event, no need to book.

Lin Le Versha drew on her experience in schools and colleges as the inspiration for the Steph Grant crime series, which now includes four books. Lin is the Director of the Southwold Arts Festival. Creative writing courses encouraged her to enrol at the UEA MA in Creative Writing and her debut novel, Blood Notes, was based on her final assessment piece. Lin will be talking about her writing, including her latest title, Blood Ribbons. Lin will be signing copies of her books.

Erica James: Join Her for Afternoon Tea

Saturday, 4th May, 3pm @Reydon Village Hall

Tickets are £6, including refreshments.

Erica James is the author of 24 bestselling novels, including Gardens of Delight, which won the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, and Sunday Times top-ten bestsellers Swallowtail Summer, Coming Home to Island House, Letters from the Past, Mothers and Daughters, and A Secret Garden Affair. Erica will be talking about her writing including her latest title, An Ideal Husband. Erica will be signing copies of her books.

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

Friends of Southwold Library Present Slaughter in Southwold: Southwold Library Crime Writers’ Festival

Saturday, 15th and Sunday, 16th June @ Southwold Arts Centre, St Edmund’s Hall

Tickets £6 per talk, £20 per day or £40 for the weekend (lunches not included). Lunches with the authors.                

• Authors’ talks by: Rev Richard Coles, Jane Casey, Nicci French, Elly Griffiths, Tom Hindle, Cara Miller, Jacqueline Sutherland, A K Turner and Ruth Ware.
• Plus: Kate Ellis’ Death at the Dig Murder Mystery Night – Friday, 14th June, 7pm.
• Fun Crime Quiz Night – Sunday, 17th June, 7pm.
• Whodunnit puzzle sheet available from 1st May – £1. Solve the crime and you could win a £10 book token.
• Raffle for a luxury crime-related hamper (raffle tickets available from 1st May at Southwold Library).

Booking from 1st April at the Library – tel: 01502 722519; or online: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/slaughter.

Activity Afternoons

Weekdays from 2.15pm @ Southwold Library

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

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.

Chess Club

Every Friday, from 4.30pm @ Southwold Library

Free event, no booking required.

Free play every week for kids aged seven plus and adults. Beginners’ teaching and assistance from Phil weeks two and four.

Chess Club Volunteer Wanted!

Phil, our chess volunteer, can only do a couple of Fridays a month – we are looking for another volunteer for the other Fridays to help other players, especially beginners.

Training provided! Interested? Contact Charlotte – tel: 01502 722519 or e-mail: charlotte.clark@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

Blyth Poets ‘The Isle is Full of Voices’

Friday, 5th April, 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.

Mah-Jong Group

Friday, 12th and 26th April, 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.

Scrabble Club

Thursday, 11th April, 2.15pm

Second Thursday of every month.

Free event, no booking required.

All equipment supplied. Refreshment break in the Canteen.

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.

Kids, Come and Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Wednesdays, 4pm @ Southwold Library

Free event, no booking required.

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. Contact 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 spring, we’re building: Wonderful Wildlife. All donations of Lego welcome.

Adults: Would you like to help with Lego Club? Just ask staff.

Southwold Library Reading Group

Thursday, 25th April, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

Free event, no booking required.

This month, we are reading: The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. Pick up a book at Southwold Library.

Tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

Baby Bounce and Tot Rock

Every Sunday and Tuesday, 10.30–11am @ Southwold Library

Free event, no booking required.

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

Friday, 5th April, 6.30pm – Eyes Down 7.00pm @ Reydon Village Hall

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

Prizes! Raffle!

Book your tickets with Charlotte at Southwold Library (tel: 07715 388916; e-mail: frogclock@hotmail.com). All funds go towards the RVH Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund to repair, renovate and refit the Hall.

Saturday, 23rd March, 7pm @ Reydon Village Hall

If you like Bingo, you’ll love Beetle!

£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 (tel: 07715 388916; e-mail: frogclock@hotmail.com).

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

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 small cash prizes and various trophies to be won. 

The show takes place on the first Saturday of August each year, so save the date for 2024 – Saturday, 3rd 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 baker, 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 available at Bridgefoot Stores, Reydon nearer the date.

Photographic categories this year are:

• A Woodland Scene.
• A Suffolk Landmark.
• A Baby Animal or Animals.
• Something Mainly Orange.

Friday, 8th March 7–10pm

With the Once Bittern Ceilidh Band.

£10 per person, including buffet supper. BYO alcohol. Soft drinks & snacks available.

Book your tickets with Charlotte at Southwold Library – tel: 07715 388916; email: frogclock@hotmail.com.

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

February saw nine teams enjoying the Reydon Community Quiz, with Quiz Master Graham at the helm. As always, a good-humoured and entertaining evening was had by all!

Scores were very close this month: in third place were ‘What, No Broadside?’ with 115 points; in second place, ‘Treacle Tarts’ with 117 points; and winners this month were ‘Threes Company’ on 118 points.

Together with proceeds from the raffle, the evening raised £320. Quizzers suggested local charities to be this month’s recipients, and the Voluntary Help Centre was the one whose name came out of the hat, so our donation will be winging its way to the VHC with our thanks for all they do to support so many members of our community.

A thank-you card was received from Reydon Christmas Lights for January’s donation, and this was shared with the quizzers.

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

The next quiz will be held on Friday, 15th March 15. 

Dates for the next quizzes are 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 at ahumphry@talktalk.net.

Free Bills Advice @ Southwold Library with Melanie Wilson

Saturday, 2nd March, 10am–12pm

Includes: energy, broadband, mobiles and TV packages.

I have over six years’ experience in the utilities business, having been a partner since 2018 with Utility Warehouse, a WHICH-award-winning, UK-based provider since 1996. As a provider for energy, broadband, mobiles and home insurance, they can save people money and simplify their monthly bills, but I offer a ‘Melanie’ thrown in for FREE. Even though I tell people what I do with UW, I will always offer honest FREE advice (or reassurance) regarding energy, landline, broadband, mobile and TV package issues, no matter who your providers. I can offer advice on the day or arrange a time and date to see you in the privacy of your own home.

Contact – tel: 07923 582961; e-mail: melanie.wilson@uw.partners; web: https://uw.partners/melanie.wilson.

Face-to-Face Legal Matters Advice and Information: Your Will – leaving gifts for children and grandchildren @Southwold Library

Monday, 18th March, 10.30am

Free talk, no need to book

Local solicitor Stuart Johnson, fully accredited with Solicitors for the Elderly, will advise on making your will and ensuring gifts go to your children and grandchildren.

Suffolk Libraries Day: Southwold Library Treasure Hunt

Saturday, 23rd March, 10am–1pm, 2–5pm

£3 per hunt. First Prize: Adnams vouchers!

Our fun treasure hunt leads you on a circular walk around Southwold. Solve the clues to uncover our hidden message. Completed hunts to be returned to Southwold Library by 5pm on Saturday, 23rd 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 @ Southwold Library

Saturday, 23rd March, 10am–1pm, 2–5pm

Wide range of homemade cakes and biscuits.

Suffolk Libraries Day: Quiz Night @ Cardinal Newman Hall (Old Sorting Office)

Saturday, 23rd March, 7pm

Teams of four – £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.

Friends of Southwold Library Book Stall @ outside Lloyds Bank

Saturday, 30th March, 9am–1pm

Wide selection of books. All funds towards supporting Southwold Library.

For further details, contact Southwold Library – tel: 01502 722519.

Terrific Train Fun! Trainmaster Suffolk @ Reydon Village Hall

Thursday, 4th April, 12.30pm and 1.45pm

£4 per child for one hour’s play!

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

Limited spaces. Book your place today!

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

Volunteer Wanted Chess Club @ Southwold Library!

Chess Club runs every Friday from 4.30pm

Phil, our chess volunteer, can only do a couple of Fridays a month – we are looking for another volunteer for the other Fridays to help other players, especially beginners.

Training provided!

Interested? Contact Charlotte – tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: charlotte.clark@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

• 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–12pm

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.

Blyth Poets ‘The Isle is Full of Voices’

Friday, 1st March, 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.

Mah-Jong Group

Friday, 8th and 22nd March, 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.

Scrabble Club

Thursday, 14th March, 2.15pm

Second Thursday of every month.

Free event, no booking required.

All equipment supplied. Refreshment break in the Canteen.

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.

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. Contact 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 spring, we’re building: Wonderful Wildlife. All donations of Lego welcome.

Adults: Would you like to help with Lego Club? Just ask staff.

Southwold Library Reading Group @ Southwold Library

Thursday, 28th March, 6.30pm

Free event, no booking required.

This month, we are reading: Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake. Pick up a book at Southwold Library.

Contact – 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.

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

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.