We’re looking for someone with a keen interest in our village and in digital and content, to help with our online communication.

We’re looking for someone to spend around 3 hours a week with us, to help us to create and post great content on our website and social media channels.

Working with our digital communication lead who will oversee the role, you will help us to grow and nurture our new website and our Facebook channel. You might have a passion for photography or using graphics tools like Canva. If so, this could be for you.

We’re looking for the following:

• Self-motivation
• A flair for words and a creative eye
• Someone who loves social media and can help us develop our plans
• A team player
• Someone who lives in Reydon and has a keen interest in the village

We are able to budget for 3 hours a week, at £10.42 / hour. A lot of our Parish work is voluntary, so if you want to give a little more of your time, we’ll always appreciate it.

The role covers the following core tasks, but may evolve over time:

• Writing posts for our Facebook page
• Designing small graphics for the page
• Finding great photography of the village from our community
• Ideas for how to grow our follower base
• Posting the mandatory communication from the council
• Making website updates
• Checking our Parish inbox
• Adding community events to the website and Facebook pages
• Sourcing stock imagery

Sound like you? Please send your CV and opening letter, or alternative relevant information so we can consider you for the role to: jess.gregson33@gmail.com and cathy@socialandscribe.com

Now Booking: Friends of Southwold Library present Slaughter in Southwold: Southwold Library Crime Writers Festival

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th June At Southwold Arts Centre, St Edmunds Hall

Authors Talks by: David Blake, Chris Carter, Helen Fields, Anthony Horowitz, Lesley Kara, Simon Mayo, Kate Rhodes, & Rebecca Tope.

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

Lunches with the authors – provided by Café 51 & Mark’s Fish Shop

Plus:  Kate Ellis’ “The Case of the Late Cook” Murder Mystery Night Friday 16th June 7.00pm

Fun Crime Quiz Night Saturday 17th 7.00pm

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)

Book at the library, by phone 01502 722519 or on the website www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/slaughter

Mind Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Drop in Support

A mental health drop in service provided by a trained Norfolk and Waveney Mind Recovery Team Member. Talk to somebody about how you are feeling, hear what services we can offer and receive mental health support.

Practical support available on signposting you to other services that we together feel may help.

SOUTHWOLD LIBRARY

FRIDAY 9th June 10am-12pm

FRIDAY 7th July 10am-12pm

FRIDAY 4th Aug 10am-12pm

Whether it’s you needing support, someone in your family, a friend or a work colleague, we are here for you.

Face to Face Legal Matters Advice & Information: Nursing home fees: should I start saving now?

Monday 12th June 10.00am

@ Southwold Library

Local Solicitor Stuart Johnson, fully accredited with Solicitors for the Elderly, will advise on how nursing home fees could affect you and what you need to be doing now.

Free talk, no need to book

01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Compassionate Care: Planning for your Future – including advice from Death Doula Jane O’Riordan

Monday 19th June 2-4pm @ Southwold Library

This information event is about planning for YOUR future care needs, plans that are shared and recorded, so that if you cannot speak for yourselves those caring for you will know what you want.

Suffolk Libraries & St Elizabeth Hospice will take you through the Personal, Clinical, Legal and Financial components.  Live for today but plan for tomorrow.

A previous attendant said “We attended the talk on Compassionate Care Planning and thoroughly recommend it to others. We both found it informative, helpful and not at all depressing!  It was useful to be given the range of decisions we all to need to make and how to record them. The speaker was sensitive to the issues discussed and encouraged dialogue and questions.”

Part of the Compassionate Communities project and involves Suffolk Libraries working in partnership with St Elizabeth Hospice to provide specialist collections of books and support groups.

Free event, just turn up.

Southwold Library 01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Chess Club

Every Friday from 4.30pm @Southwold Library

Free play every week for kids 7+ & adults

Beginners’ teaching & assistance from Phil weeks 2 & 4

Mah-jong Group

Friday 9^th & 23^rd June 2.15-4.15pm

2^nd & 4^th 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

Come Together Tuesdays @ Southwold Library

Every Tuesday 2-4pm

Free Social Afternoon for Adults

Complete the ongoing jigsaw, play a card or board game or bring along your knitting or other crafts.

Free hot drinks

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”

A poetry group meeting at Southwold Library

Friday 2^nd June 2.15-3.30pm

First Friday of every month

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 15^th June:  Third Thursday of Every Month 2.15pm

All Equipment Supplied

Refreshment break in The Canteen

Lego Club!

Sundays 12.15-1.00pm

Open to kids (and adults) of all ages

This Spring we’re building: Wonderful Wildlife

All donations of Lego welcome

Free event, no booking required.

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

Kids, Come & Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Wednesdays 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 – 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.

Free event, no booking required.

Southwold Library, Old Hospital Hub, Field Stile Road, Southwold IP18 6LD 01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Southwold Library Reading Group

This month we are reading:

“The Ashes of London” by Andrew Taylor

Thursday 29^th June 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

Pick up a book at Southwold Library

Free event, no booking required.

01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Baby Bounce & Tot Rock Southwold Library

Every Sunday & Tuesday 10.30-11.00am. 

Instruments, clapping, jogging & action rhymes.

For babies & toddlers of all ages.

The Reydon & Southwold Community Fridge and Pantry welcomed thirty families on its opening day on Friday 28 April, 2023. Thank you to everyone who is supporting this community initiative, led by Reydon Parish Council in collaboration with Southwold Town Council.

The Pantry is open every Friday from 09:00 to 12:00 AND 16:00 to 19:00 at Reydon Village Hall, IP18 6RF.

This initiative helps local businesses reduce food waste by offering our community short-date fresh and dry goods that would otherwise be thrown away, free of charge. This will help create a more sustainable community as well as ease the squeeze on everyone’s pockets as food prices continue to rise.

It follows other successful community fridge projects across the UK, including Kessingland Parish Council, who has opened one in the village library.

Please do continue to spread the word and we look forward to welcoming our community again next Friday. Just come along to Reydon Village hall with one normal sized shopping bag per household.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee food is safe for allergy sufferers.

If you have any questions about the Pantry, please get in touch with the team at reydonandsouthwoldpantry@gmail.com

Help us to reduce food waste by collecting free groceries every Friday from the Pantry at Reydon Village Hall

On Friday 28 April, The Reydon & Southwold Community Fridge and Pantry will open. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered so far and we are looking forward to opening the doors to this new local initiative, led by Reydon Parish Council, in collaboration with Southwold Town Council.

The Pantry helps local businesses reduce food waste by offering our community short-date fresh and dry goods that would otherwise be thrown away, free of charge. This will help create a more sustainable community as well as ease the squeeze on everyone’s pockets as food prices continue to rise.

The Pantry will be open every Friday from 09:00 to 12:00 AND 16:00 to 19:00 at Reydon Village Hall, IP18 6RF.

One normal sized shopping bag per household and please bring your own bag.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee food is safe for allergy sufferers.

We need your support to help make this initiative a success – please do spread the word and we look forward to welcoming you to the Pantry from next Friday!

The Pantry can be contacted at REYDONANDSOUTHWOLDPANTRY@GMAIL.COM

Now Booking: Friends of Southwold Library present Slaughter in Southwold: Southwold Library Crime Writers Festival

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th June At Southwold Arts Centre, St Edmunds Hall

Authors Talks by: David Blake, Chris Carter, Helen Fields, Anthony Horowitz, Lesley Kara, Simon Mayo, Kate Rhodes, & Rebecca Tope.

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

Lunches with the authors – provided by  Café 51 & Mark’s Fish Shop

Plus: Kate Ellis’ “The Case of the Late Cook” Murder Mystery Night Friday 16th June 7.00pm

Fun Crime Quiz Night Saturday 17th 7.00pm

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)

Book at the library, by phone 01502 722519 or on the website www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/slaughter

Coronation Big Picnic – Coronation Kids Crafts with Friends of Southwold Library

Sunday 7^th May 12.30-4.00pm Jubilee Green, Reydon

Music, live performances, Lavenham Falconry, Eastern Archers, Circus workshop, stalls, cake, ice cream – Bring a Picnic!

Reydon Parish Council with grant funding from East Suffolk Council.

Mind Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Drop in Support

A mental health drop in service provided by a trained Norfolk and Waveney Mind Recovery Team Member. Talk to somebody about how you are feeling, hear what services we can offer and receive mental health support.

Practical support available on signposting you to other services that we together feel may help.

SOUTHWOLD LIBRARY

FRIDAY 12th May 10am-12pm

FRIDAY 9th June 10am-12pm

FRIDAY 7th July 10am-12pm

FRIDAY 4th Aug 10am-12pm

Whether it’s you needing support, someone in your family, a friend or a work colleague, we are here for you.

Legal Matters Advice & Information Online: ““Intestacy – what happens when there isn’t a Will?”

Tuesday 16^th May 8.00pm

Local Solicitor Stuart Johnson, fully accredited with Solicitors for the Elderly, will advise on what can happen if someone doesn’t leave a will.

Register your email address with Southwold Library and receive an invite to this free online event

southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk or 01502 722519

Friends of Southwold Library Fete & Plant Sale

 Saturday 27th May 10.00am – 4.00pm St Edmunds Green, Southwold

Fete including plants, books, crafts, cakes, tombola & games.

Would you be able to give us any plants?

If you think you can please contact Southwold Library, 01502 722519

All funds towards supporting Southwold Library

Beginner’s Chess for Adults – Free Course

Monday 29th May-Friday 2nd June 10.00am-12.00pm

Learn to play with Phil @Southwold Library

Booking required 01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Free Hedgehog Crafts for Kids

Tuesday 30^th May 11.00am & 2.00pm

Make a variety of hedgehog themed crafts including wooden hedgehogs, hedgehog scratch art magnets and pompom art hedgehogs.

Crafts supplied by the Friends of Southwold Library

No need to book.

Mr Bean Magic Workshops: For Children Aged 7+

Wednesday 31^st May 11.00am & 2.00pm

@ Stella Peskett Millennium Hall

Learn some magic tricks from the magical Mr Bean.

£2 per child.  Limited spaces.  Book your place today!

01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk or www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries

Chess Club

Every Friday from 4.30pm @Southwold Library

Free play every week for kids 7+ & adults

Beginners’ teaching & assistance from Phil weeks 2 & 4

Southwold Arts Centre & Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

Thurs 25th May-2.30pm

See How They Run 2022(12a)

Tickets – £5 including refreshment

Book a ticket at southwoldartscentre.co.uk or visit the box office Tel : 01502 722572

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

Mah-jong Group

Friday 12^th & 26^th May 2.15-4.15pm

2^nd & 4^th 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

Come Together Tuesdays @ Southwold Library

Every Tuesday 2-4pm

Free Social Afternoon for Adults

Complete the ongoing jigsaw, play a card or board game or bring along your knitting or other crafts.

Free hot drinks

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”

A poetry group meeting at Southwold Library

Friday 5^th May 2.15-3.30pm

First Friday of every month

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 18^th May:  Third Thursday of Every Month 2.15pm

All Equipment Supplied

Refreshment break in The Canteen

Lego Club!

Sundays 12.15-1.00pm

Open to kids (and adults) of all ages

This Spring we’re building: Wonderful Wildlife

All donations of Lego welcome

Free event, no booking required.

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

Kids, Come & Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Wednesdays 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 – 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.

Free event, no booking required.

Southwold Library, Old Hospital Hub, Field Stile Road, Southwold IP18 6LD 01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Southwold Library Reading Group

This month we are reading:

“The Lie” by Helen Dunmore

Thursday 25^th May 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

Pick up a book at Southwold Library

Free event, no booking required.

01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Baby Bounce & Tot Rock Southwold Library

Every Sunday & Tuesday 10.30-11.00am. 

Instruments, clapping, jogging & action rhymes.

For babies & toddlers of all ages.

Reydon Community Quiz took place on 21 April, this month led by guest quizmaster Charlotte Clarke, who led eight teams thorough a light-hearted and entertaining evening of quizzery!

Winners were ‘What! No Broadside?’ with 131 points, ‘Threes Company’ and ‘If Onlys’ in joint second place with 127 points, followed by ‘What the Ecc?’and ‘Who are we?’ in joint third place with 126 points.

The evening raised £305, and this was presented to Charlotte as a donation to FOSL (Friends of Southwold Library) with huge and appreciation for her tireless work both in the library and for the community.

We received a letter from the Rural Coffee Caravan expressing their thanks for the donation we sent them in March.

A huge thanks as always to everyone who attends and supports the Reydon Community Quiz. This has now been running for nearly 20 years since its creation by Jackie Martin!

The next quiz will be held on Friday 19 May, and this will conclude the 2022/23 season. The quiz will return in October, dates for the full season (Oct-May, usually on the third Friday of the month) will be published in good time before that.

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

even artists living and working in Reydon will be opening their studios this June as part of Southwold Arts Festival.

The studios will be open on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th June from 11am to 5pm and the event is free.  More details to follow in May!

Take a look below at some of the artists involved and their work.

Kerry Holmes

Jim Archer

Sula Rubens

Laina West

Now Booking: Friends of Southwold Library present Slaughter in Southwold: Southwold Library Crime Writers Festival

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th June At Southwold Arts Centre, St Edmunds Hall

Authors Talks by: David Blake, Chris Carter, Helen Fields, Anthony Horowitz, Lesley Kara, Simon Mayo, Kate Rhodes, & Rebecca Tope.

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

Lunches with the authors – provided by  Café 51 & Mark’s Fish Shop

Plus: Kate Ellis’ “The Case of the Late Cook” Murder Mystery Night Friday 16th June 7.00pm

Fun Crime Quiz Night Saturday 17th 7.00pm

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)

Book at the library, by phone 01502 722519 or on the website www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/slaughter 

Free Easter Dinosaur Crafts for Kids

Wednesday 5^th April 11.00am-12.00 noon & 2.00-3.00pm

Make a variety of dinosaur themed Easter crafts including dinosaur egg decorations, dinosaur Easter cards and dinosaur bunny masks.

Crafts supplied by the Friends of Southwold Library

No need to book.

Spinning Wheel Theatre presents: The Velveteen Rabbit

Thursday 6th April 3pm

@ Southwold Arts Centre

Based on the book by Margery Williams

Created by Spinning Wheel Theatre

Original songs by Rosie Adediran

Not long after being unwrapped on Christmas morning, the Velveteen Rabbit is cast aside to gather dust.  Shunned by the other braver, more glamorous toys, with expensive motors and flashing lights, he fears he’ll never be played with… but a chance encounter makes him the favourite toy, and with a little magic and a lot of love, he might even become real!

This beautiful tale is brought to life on stage by two actors, inventive puppetry and original songs. A joyful and uplifting tale of magic, friendship and hope, this is a show for all the family!

This piece contains integrated Makaton signing and is suitable for ages 3+

Running time approx. 50 mins

Tickets are £6 per adult & £4 per child with a

Family ticket (2 adults, 2 kids) for £18.

Tickets available from Southwold Library 01502 722519

www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries

Terrific Train Fun! Trainmaster Suffolk

Thursday 13th April 12.30pm & 1.45pm

@ Reydon Village Hall

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

£4 per child for 1 hour’s play!

Limited spaces.  Book your place today!

01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries 

How Climate Evolution comes to Southwold: A new look at an old idea

Monday 17th April 10.00am

A Free Information Event with Dr Roy Gill (BA, MA, PhD Cantab)

@Southwold Library

Covering Sea Level Rise, Ethics, Law & Politics, Rebuilding Infrastructure, Geoscience, Temperature Rise, Humans, Extinction, The Future and Answering What If Questions

Friends of Southwold Library Book Stall!     

Saturday 22^nd April  9.00am – 1.00pm

Outside Lloyds Bank

Wide selection of books

For further details contact Southwold Library, 01502 722519

All funds towards supporting Southwold Library

Compassionate Care: Planning for your Future

Monday 24th April 2-4pm @ Southwold Library

This information event is about planning for YOUR future care needs, plans that are shared and recorded, so that if you cannot speak for yourselves those caring for you will know what you want.

Suffolk Libraries & St Elizabeth Hospice will take you through the Personal, Clinical, Legal and Financial components.  Live for today but plan for tomorrow

Free event, just turn up.

Southwold Library 01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Chess Club

Every Friday from 4.30pm @Southwold Library

Free play every week for kids 7+ & adults

Beginners’ teaching & assistance from Phil weeks 2 & 4

Southwold Arts Centre & Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

Thurs 30th March -2.30pm

Fisherman’s Friends: One and All 2022(12a)

Thurs 27th April-2.30pm

The Outfit 2022(15)

Thurs 25th May-2.30pm

See How They Run 2022(12a)

Tickets – £5 including refreshment

Book a ticket at southwoldartscentre.co.uk or visit the box office Tel : 01502 722572

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

Mah-jong Group

Friday 28^th April  2.15-4.15pm

4th 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

Come Together Tuesdays @ Southwold Library

Every Tuesday 2-4pm

Free Social Afternoon for Adults

Complete the ongoing jigsaw, play a card or board game or bring along your knitting or other crafts.

Free hot drinks

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”

A poetry group meeting at Southwold Library

Friday 31^st March 2.15-3.30pm

First Friday of every month

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 20^th April:  Third Thursday of Every Month 2.15pm

All Equipment Supplied

Refreshment break in The Canteen

Lego Club!

Sundays 12.15-1.00pm

Open to kids (and adults) of all ages

This Spring we’re building: Wonderful Wildlife

All donations of Lego welcome

Free event, no booking required.

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

Kids, Come & Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Wednesdays 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 – 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.

Free event, no booking required.

Southwold Library, Old Hospital Hub, Field Stile Road, Southwold IP18 6LD 01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Southwold Library Reading Group

This month we are reading:

“The Librarian” by Salley Vickers

Thursday 27^th April 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

Pick up a book at Southwold Library

Free event, no booking required.

01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Baby Bounce & Tot Rock Southwold Library

Every Sunday & Tuesday 10.30-11.00am. 

Instruments, clapping, jogging & action rhymes.

For babies & toddlers of all ages.

Be part of an energetic and progressive newly elected Parish Council, where things get done! In the last 18 months the Parish Council has provided many benefits for the community, including: 

• Commissioning 2 quiet lanes in the village 
• Distribution of The Reydon Robin, the free news mag, to all Reydon homes
• Extensive planting in our green spaces
• Distribution of the ‘Better Together’ cost of living leaflet, to all local homes 
• Organising national anniversaries and community events on Jubilee Green

We are working on the complete rejuvenation of ‘The Rec’ and The Allotments, and soon we will be opening a new Community Pantry at Reydon Village Hall. If you’d like to apply to be a Reydon Parish Councillor, please get your application forms in by 4th April. To receive the forms, please visit the East Suffolk Council Elections page or call 01502 523320.

Community fridge and pantry projects have been cropping up across the UK for some time with the cost of living crisis accelerating their popularity.

Originally designed to help to tackle food waste, and redistribute short-date supplies, they have also now become a welcome part of many communities. In the last few months, Kessingland Parish Council has opened one, situated in the village library.

In April 2023, Reydon Parish Council will trial a new Community Fridge & Pantry, after the initiative was proposed and received unanimous support at February’s Parish Council meeting. The project is being run in conjunction with Southwold Town Council. 

The Reydon & Southwold Community Fridge & Pantry will be situated in a room at Reydon Village Hall. It will be open in the morning, and late afternoon, each Friday. The launch date and exact opening times will be announced on our website and Facebook page as soon as we have confirmation.

Our pantry and fridge will stock both fresh and dried goods, based on what we’re allocated or donated from local businesses. We’re working with organisations like Caboodle and Fair Share, which specialise in helping communities to tackle food waste across the UK. The food will be free and the pantry is open to everyone, although the number of items per household may be limited.

We want to invite our gardening community to bring any surplus fruit or vegetables from allotments or gardens along to us. This is exactly the sort of thing we’d love to distribute at the Pantry, and we invite any keen growers to get in touch. We also plan to provide pet food, donated by the RSPCA, and over time we hope to extend the range of items we have available and provide a place for other sustainability and affordability ideas like book swaps.

Do you want to help? We need a team of volunteers to help us to run the project, and we would love you to get in touch if you think you could lend a hand. This could be the occasional local food pickup if you drive, or you might be happy to come and help us at opening times for a few hours. Volunteers working at the Community Pantry will receive free training in Food Hygiene level 2, paid for by the project funding. We are aiming to limit the time needed to one Friday per month for each person, although of course, anyone wanting to help more is welcome. 

Email us at reydon.pc@gmail.com

The project is being funded by a number of organisations, who have all generously donated to help us get this initiative off the ground. Reydon Parish Council (also a funder) would like to give huge thanks to: The Reydon Trust, Southwold Town Council, East Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council and Adnams.

See you at the Pantry! Councillors Jessica Gregson and Madelaine Senior.