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 the 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.
Friday, 8th November
âĒ 2pm: Carol Woolton, a jewellery historian, editor, author, stylist and jewellery editor at British Vogue for 20 years.
âĒ 3.30pm: Professor Richard Fortey talks about his new book, Close Encounters of the Fungal Kind: In Pursuit of Remarkable Mushrooms.
Saturday, 9th November
âĒ 10am: Lisa Wollett talks about her experiences and researches creating Lost to the Sea: A Journey Round the Edges of Britain And Ireland.
âĒ 11.30am: Jane Cholmeley, co-founder of the Silver Moon Womenâs Bookshop, details her experiences in A Bookshop of Oneâs Own.
âĒ 2pm: D.J. Taylor, George Orwell expert, in conversation with Ronald Binns, the author of Orwell in Southwold.
âĒ 3.30pm: Samuel Burr, TV executive, talks about his hot debut novel, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers.
âĒ 5.00pm: local biographer Ian Collins in conversation with nature writer Richard Mabey.
Sunday, 10th November
âĒ 10am: Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily, talks about her new historical novel, The Kingâs Mother, about the War of the Roses.
âĒ 11.30am: Lucy Hughes-Hallett talks about her latest historical biography, The Scapegoat: The Brilliant Brief Life of the Duke of Buckingham.
âĒ 2pm: Simon Loftus, local phenomenon, in conversation with Lucy Hughes-Hallett about his latest book, Whoâs There.
âĒ 3.30pm: bestselling author Rachel Hore talks about her new novel set on the Cornish Coast, The Hidden Years.
âĒ 5pm: Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding, talks about her new book, This Family.
Tickets are ÂĢ6 a talk, ÂĢ10 for a Friday Day Ticket, ÂĢ25 for a Saturday or Sunday Day Ticket, or ÂĢ60 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.
Harry Potter Book Night 2024
Thursday, 17th October 6-7pm @ Southwold Library
Free Harry Potter book night event.
Crafts, games, sorting hat and fancy-dress competition.
Free Harry Potter Activity Pack
Saturday, 12th âSunday, 20th October
Come and pick up your free pack full of special Harry Potter Book Night 2024 activities, and owl and wizard craft materials supplied by the Friends of Southwold Library.
Friends of Southwold Library Quiz Night!
Saturday, 19th October, 7pm @ Cardinal Newman Hall (Old Postal Sorting Office)
Teams of four – ÂĢ3 per person. Bring your own drinks & snacks. Raffle.
Book early to avoid disappointment, limited places. Contact Southwold Library â email southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk or call 01502 722519.
The Lowestoft Longshore Men Sing Sea Shanties
Sunday, 20th October 5pm @ Southwold Library
Tickets ÂĢ5. Book at Southwold Library â tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk; or online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries.co.uk.
Face-to-Face Legal Matters Advice and Information â Powers of Attorney: What are they and do I need one?
Monday, 21st October, 10.30am @ Southwold Library
Local Solicitor Stuart Johnson, fully accredited with Solicitors for the Elderly, will advise on how a Power of Attorney works and who might need one.
Free talk, no need to book.
Tel: 01502 722519, or email: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.
Free Bat Crafts for Kids
Tuesday, 29th October, 11am and 2pm @ Southwold Library
Come and make Dangly Bats, Pop-Up Bats, Scratch Art Bats and much more! Plus Bat Tattoo!
Crafts supplied by the Friends of Southwold Library. No need to book.
Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema
âĒ The Fall Guy 2024 (12A) – Wednesday, 25th September, 3pm
After leaving the business one year earlier, battle-scarred stuntman Colt Seavers springs back into action when the star of a big studio movie suddenly disappears. As the mystery surrounding the missing actor deepens, Colt soon finds himself ensnared in a sinister plot that pushes him to the edge of a fall more dangerous than any stunt.
âĒ La Chimera 2023 (15) – Wednesday, 30th October, 3pm
Everyone has their own Chimera, something they try to achieve but can never find. For Arthur, the Chimera is the woman he lost, Beniamina.
âĒ Swede Caroline 2024 (15) – Wednesday, 20th November, 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.
âĒ Vindication Swim 2024 (PG) – Wednesday, 11th December, 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.
Tickets – ÂĢ5 including refreshments. Book by going online at southwoldartscentre.co.uk, calling 01502 722572, or visiting the box office at Southwold Arts Centre, Cumberland Road, Southwold IP18 6JP.
Drumming Workshop with Mr Bean Entertainments
Wednesday, 30th October, 11am and 2pm @ Stella Peskett Millennium Hall
Suitable for children 5+.
All instruments provided. Structured learning exploring a wide range of instruments leading to grand finale. Harmonious, cacophonous fun for all!
ÂĢ2 per child. Limited spaces. Book your place today! Call 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk; or online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries.
Kids, Come and Read to Ash the PAT Dog
Thursdays 4pm @ 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 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 and enjoy his calm company.
Blyth Poets âThe Isle is Full of Voicesâ
Friday, 4th October, 2.15â3.30pm
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, 11th and 25th October, 2.15â4.15pm
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. ÂĢ1 per person.
Scrabble Club
Thursday, 10th October, 2.15pm
Second Thursday of every month.
All equipment supplied.
Refreshment break in the Canteen.
Free event, no booking required.
Crochet Club
Every Wednesday, 2.15â4pm
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.
Lego Club!
Sundays, 12.15â1pm
Open to kids (and adults) of all ages.
This autumn, weâre 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, 31st October, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library
This month, we are reading: The Stranding by Kate Sawyer.
Pick up a book at Southwold Library â tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.
Free event, no booking required.
Baby Bounce and Tot Rock
Every Sunday and Tuesday, 10.30â11am @ 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, 10amâ12noon @ 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.