Open Hours of Government: Mon – Fri: 8.00 am. – 06.00 pm.
+1 800 123 456 789
Meets the first Wednesday of each month at 2.30pm @ Reydon Village Hall.
Fun social group with monthly speakers or activities.
Saturday, 17th February, 7pm @ Reydon Village Hall
ÂĢ5 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 â 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 10amâ12noon
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 â Drama Games Workshop
Sunday, 18th February, 2pm for 45 mins
ÂĢ4.50.
Fun drama games workshop to meet characters from the show. For children aged 7â11 (must be accompanied by an adult).
Alice In Wonderland â Family Production
Sunday, 18th February, 4pm
ÂĢ11 a ticket/ÂĢ38 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, itâs 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
ÂĢ2 per child.
Learn plate spinning, juggling, diablo, hula hoop, flower stick and more! Skills for all ages. Limited spaces. Book your place today! â 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 ÂĢ6, 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 Undergroundâs 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
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.
A look at the military commanderâs 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 ÂĢ5, including refreshments.
Book a ticket at www.southwoldartscentre.co.uk or visit the box office â 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 â 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, 10amâ12noon
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) â 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. Beginnersâ teaching and assistance from Phil weeks two and four.
Mah-Jong Group
Friday, 9th and 23rd February, 2.15â4.15pm
Second and fourth Friday of the month.
ÂĢ1 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, 2.15â4pm
ÂĢ2 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 âThe Isle is Full of Voicesâ
Friday, 2nd February, 2.15â3.30pm
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 â 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 â they donât interrupt or correct â 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, 12.15â1pm
Free event, no booking required.
Open to kids (and adults) of all ages. This winter, weâre 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, 10.30â11am
Free event, no booking required.
Instruments, clapping, jogging and action rhymes. For babies and toddlers of all ages.
Blyth Valley Rotary has lots to celebrate as we go into 2024.
Firstly, a huge thanks to everyone that has supported our events throughout 2023. Thank you to our volunteers and Friends of Rotary that have really helped with events, enabling us to increase our âevents calendarâ. Thank you to the businesses that have sponsored us; this allows us to donate more resources to charities and causes, locally, nationally and internationally.
We are also delighted that we have managed to recruit six new members. We continue to try and encourage local residents to join us. Our future lies with a new generation. We need new ideas, new inspiration and motivation and younger people to get involved. Please, if you have any time to give, get in touch.
Our December Xmas campaign started with the launch of our Advent Calendar. Each day throughout December, we âgave or didâ. Our Advent Calendar donated to recognised charities and organisations or we undertook a charitable action â for example supporting The Toy Service, Halesworth and taking the toys collected to social services for distribution; placing Xmas Trees in Halesworth, Wrentham and Southwold; working in partnership with the Reydon Lights Committee for the Blessing of the Tree; and donations given for Mosquito Nets, Kids for Kids, The Salvation Army, Halesworth Dementia Carers, The Blayze-ing Star Charity, Reydon and Southwold Food Bank, and Reydon and Southwold Scouts/Cubs, plus many others.
Of course, the Advent Calendar takes us to the highlight of our year:
The Christmas Day Swim
Christmas morning gave us a calm sea, mild temperatures and a record-breaking number of swimmers, with over 350 registrations. Our nominated charities this year were Sole Bay Care Fund, Southwold RNLI and the Cambridge and Suffolk, Blood Bikes. We also know several people gained sponsorship for other charities, making our total collected currently at over ÂĢ5k. If anyone wishes to donate, please go to: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/blyth_valley_rotary.
The year to come
In 2024, we will be continuing to expand our range of activities and community work.
We hope to start Rotary Kids locally, more on this later. We also want nominations for our Rising Star Award, recognising an exceptional local young person who demonstrates âgood citizenshipâ, or an environmental champion, a carer, a charity worker or an individual that has gone the extra mile. We will be contacting local schools, youth groups and organisations or you can nominate via our website. More information on this will follow.
Dates for your diary
Thank you once again. Please follow us via our website, twitter or social media, to follow us and book for events.
If you would like any further information please contact us via www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk.
Wishing you very happy New Year from Blyth Valley Rotary
Dr Cathy Ryan MBE
President, Blyth Valley Rotary
Pic at top: Christmas Day Swim 2023
Pic below: Father Christmas with Amanda Humphrey, Sole Bay Singers, Reydon Lights Switch On 2023
Blyth Valley Rotary is inviting you, your family, friends, colleagues and your clients to join us for Southwold Christmas Day Swim on Gun Hill Beach close to the Gun Hill Beach Kiosk. The Swim starts at 10.30 am. This year, we will be raising funds for RNLI Southwold, Sole Bay Care Fund, and Suffolk & Cambridgeshire Blood Bikes. These charities really need help to make people’s lives better. Please spread the word about the Southwold Christmas Day Swim!
Event: Annual Southwold Christmas Day Swim (16+ years).
Time: 10.30am start of swim.
Venue: Gun Hill Beach Kiosk IP18 6HF.
Registration: Registration for the swim is either online https://blythvalleyrotary.co.uk/christmas-day-swim or on the day from 9am, ÂĢ10 in advance or ÂĢ12 on the day from 9 am. We will be accepting cash and card payments (subject to wifi service!) for registration. Essential that all swimmers register to comply with health and safety and insurance requirements.
FREE EVENT TO WATCH AND ENCOURAGE THE BRAVE AND HEARTY ON THIS FESTIVE COMMUNITY OCCASION!
Blyth Valley Rotary Club was renamed in July 2023 from the Southwold Rotary Club. We are the same people working hard in our community to make a difference. We are a non-profit organisation, which means that every penny we raise goes back into charities or volunteer groups to help the community. We raised over ÂĢ22,000 last year, and all of that money has gone to good causes. Our website informs the public where the money has been spent: https://blythvalleyrotary.co.uk/about-us/.
We are participating members of Community Action Suffolk and Volunteer Suffolk hoping to help communities more, especially ours! We actively encourage volunteering and would love to encourage employer-supported volunteering: https://www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/volunteering/employer-supported-volunteering/.
Please join in and make a difference. If you aren’t able to join us please share the event or you may wish to donate to these charities via the link: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/blyth_valley_rotary.
On behalf of the Blyth Valley Rotary and our volunteers, we look forward to seeing you on Christmas Day on Gun Hill Beach.
Saturday, 13th January, 7pm @ Reydon Village Hall
ÂĢ10 per person, including ploughmanâs supper and lucky entrant draw.
Teams of up to six. Bring your own drink. Raffle!
Book your tickets with Charlotte at Southwold Library, tel: 07715388916; e-mail: frogclock@hotmail.com.
All funds towards the RVH Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund to repair, renovate and refit the Hall.
Face-to-Face Legal Matters Advice and Information: Contested Wills â When, Why and How to Contest Them
Monday, 15th January, 10.30am @ Southwold Library
Local solicitor Stuart Johnson, fully accredited with Solicitors for the Elderly, will advise on how to contest a will or how a will can end up being contested.
Free talk, no need to book. Tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.
Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema
Now retired and living in self-imposed exile in the world’s most glamorous city, Poirot reluctantly attends a sÃĐance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. He soon gets thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets when one of the guests is murdered.
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.
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 ÂĢ5 including refreshments. Book a ticket at www.southwoldartscentre.co.uk or visit the box office â tel: 01502 722572; Southwold Arts Centre, Cumberland Road, Southwold IP18 6JP.
Friends of Southwold Library Quiz Night!
Saturday, 27th January, 7pm @ Cardinal Newman Hall (Old Postal Sorting Office).
Teams of four â ÂĢ3 per person. Bring your own drinks and snacks. Raffle. Book early to avoid disappointment, limited places.
Contact: Southwold Library â email: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk; tel: 01502 722519.
Reydon and Southwold Pantomime Present Dick Whittington!
Performances on: Saturday, 27th January, 5pm; Sunday, 28th January, 2pm; Monday, 29th January, 7.15pm; Tuesday, 30th January, 7.15pm; Thursday, 1st February, 7.15pm; Friday, 2nd February, 7.15pm; and Saturday, 3rd February, 2pm and 7.15pm.
@ Southwold Arts Centre
Tickets are ÂĢ10/ÂĢ12 adult; ÂĢ5/ÂĢ6 child; and ÂĢ25/ÂĢ30 family (two adults and two under-16s).
Available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/rspanto or in person at Southwold Library or Southwold Arts Centre.
Bedtime Stories @ Southwold Library
Tuesdays in December and January, 5.30pm
Free drop in. All welcome for some bedtime stories â nightwear optional.
Activity Afternoons @Southwold Library
Weekdays from 2.15pm
Crochet every Wednesday; Scrabble third 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, 10amâ12 noon @ 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) â 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 7+ and adults. Beginnersâ teaching and assistance from Phil weeks two and four.
Mah-Jong Group
Friday, 12th and 26th January, 2.15â4.15pm
Second and fourth Friday of the month.
ÂĢ1 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, 2.15â4pm
ÂĢ2 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 âThe Isle is Full of Voicesâ
Friday, 5th January, 2.15â3.30pm
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, 18th January, 2.15pm
Third 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
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 â they donât interrupt or correct â 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, 12.15â1pm
Free event, no booking required.
Open to kids (and adults) of all ages. This winter, weâre building: Humongous Houses. All donations of Lego welcome.
Adults: Would you like to help with Lego Club? Just ask staff.
Southwold Library Reading Group
Thursday, 25th January, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library
Free event, no booking required.
This month, we are reading: Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson. 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, 10.30â11am @ Southwold Library
Free event, no booking required.
For babies and toddlers of all ages. Instruments, clapping, jogging and action rhymes.
