Throughout the autumn and winter, the Blyth Valley and Southwold wildlife group, organise monthly meetings where they invite guest speakers to present on various topics of interest. Here, Penny Mansfield reports on their October meeting.

Suffolk Shingle – Tales of Treasure and Trash

Our October meeting of the Southwold and Blyth Valley Wildlife Trust group was a little different this month. Kate Osborne gave a lively presentation, “Tales of Treasure and Trash”, about life on the shingle on our Suffolk beaches She brought a wide variety of examples of the good and the bad to be found. On the positive side, we have some of the best vegetated shingle habitat in the UK: plants such as sea kale have adapted to have roots that are two metres long, but low-growing plants are more vulnerable, and to be avoided while walking. Treasures such as sea glass and hag stones can be found, but driftwood and seaweed are home to microscopic life that feeds other creatures and are best left alone.

We were encouraged to pick up litter wherever we see it. We had a quiz, a jar of varied “treasures” to identify, which aroused much discussion, and was fun. The “trash” of plastic debris in all its forms, and the continuing problem of sewage and chemical pollution was the negative side of this subject, and one that affects us all.

It was an engaging, participatory evening, and one that gave us a practical insight to the highs and lows of beachcombing.
Our next talk is on Thursday, November 9th at 7.30pm, at the Southwold Arts Centre, IP 18 6JP. Tony Brown will be talking about the Broads and its Wildlife. Admission £4, to include refreshment. Under 25s free. All are welcome.

Penny Mansfield. Contact us at swtblythvalley@gmail.com

Voluntary Help Centre

Registered Charity No. 1164155

It could be you!  Whether you are joining us as a volunteer or needing help from a volunteer, the VHC welcomes you all.

The VHC has been in the community for over 30 years and needs volunteers to help with requests for transport as well as for the non-driving requests, such as the fortnightly Lunch Club.

Volunteering with the VHC does not commit anyone to a regular schedule.  All volunteers decide for themselves when and how often they wish to help out, making volunteering as flexible as they are.  Volunteer drivers also receive 45p per mile per journey undertaken.

In particular, volunteers are needed in Walberswick, Blythburgh, Wangford and Wrentham areas, to help meet journey requests from those villages.

So why not join the VHC and be a volunteer before you need a volunteer?

Come and talk to us at the Stella Peskett Millennium Hall and see how you can help, or phone us on (01502) 724549

Date for your dairy:  Saturday, 18th November, Christmas Fayre, Stella Peskett Millennium Hall, 12 noon – 4pm.  We’d love to see you!

Christmas Cards:  Our ever-popular Christmas cards will also be available to buy from November, so please call in or give us a call with your order request.

Free Talk by Ian Anderson, Author of “The History and Natural History of Spices”

Monday 16th October 11am

Ian Anderson, author of ‘The History and Natural History of Spices’ will be sure to inform and entertain.

Come along for free to delve into the botanical and historical world.

No need to book

Southwold Arts Centre & Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2023) 12a (Comedy)

Wednesday 18th October 3.00pm

 Mad About The Boy: The Noel Coward Story (Documentary)

Wednesday 15th November 3.00pm

Oppenheimer (2023) 15 (Historical Drama)

Wednesday 6th December 3.00pm

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

Friends of Southwold Library Quiz Night!

Saturday 21st October 7.00pm

Stella Peskett Millennium Hall

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

Book early to avoid disappointment, limited places.

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

Join us for an Indoor Beachcomb with Beach Bonkers plus Sea Themed Crafts

Tuesday 24^th October 3.00-5.00pm

Can you decipher the clues to find the treasures hidden in the mini-beach?  Have you ever held a mammoth’s tooth?! You can at the tableful of beachcombed treasures!  And there’s a giant beachcombing board game – will you look after the beach and make it to the end and become a successful beachcomber? 

This event is possible thanks to a grant from Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sustainable Development Fund.

Terrific Train Fun! Trainmaster Suffolk

Wednesday 25^th October 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

Free Parrot Crafts for Kids

Thursday 26^th October 11am & 2pm

Make balancing parrots, pompom parrots, parrot gliders & more!

No need to book.

Southwold Literary Festival

Saturday 4^th & Sunday 5^th November @ Southwold Arts Centre

Inspired by the success of “Slaughter in Southwold” Southwold Library, Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Books have launched “Southwold Literary Festival” this November.

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.

Saturday 4th November
Rebecca Bishop: 10.00am
Heidi Swain: 11.30am
John Boyne: 2.00pm
Ben Aaronovitch: 4.00pm

Sunday 5th November
Geoffrey Munn: 10.00am
Kate Thompson: 11.30am
Esther Freud: 2.00pm
Louis de Bernières: 3.30pm

Friends of Southwold Library Coffee Morning

Saturday 25th November 10.00am – 12.00noon

Stella Peskett Millennium Hall

Hot drinks, mince pies or biscuits.

Cake Stall, Craft stall, Game stalls, & Raffle

All funds towards supporting Southwold Library

Erica James: Join Erica for afternoon tea at Reydon Village Hall

Sunday 26th November3.00pm

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”, and “Mothers and Daughters”.

Erica will be talking about her writing including her latest title “A Secret Garden Affair”. Erica will be signing copies of her books.

Tickets are £6 including refreshments available from Southwold Library 01502 722519 or www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries

Author Janet Gershlick talks about how and why she wrote her book “Southwold: A Place to Love” and an online book called ‘When The Sky Falls In’ (Janettalks.com)

Monday 27^th November 11.00am @ Southwold Library

Janet has lived in Southwold, Suffolk for over twenty years. She arrived at a time of her life when she was looking for both a change and new beginnings. When working as a radio presenter on Talk Radio UK she opened a map of the country looking for a place to live and with ‘help’ decided on Southwold. She visited for the weekend and twenty five years later…!!  Janet says: “When I first arrived in Southwold many years ago I knew I had found my place. I have loved it ever since and it has seen me through many life changes and events. I looked around and saw that many others had an immense love of Southwold.  The names of the beach huts and the inscriptions of loved ones on the benches and those tiny brass plaques on the pier. 

People wanting to share history, stories and memories. To leave behind a footprint. I knew then that I had to write to record and acknowledge the people and their stories”.

She will also talk about the rather strange incident that led her to Southwold, her need to write – her next project and her experiences when she wrote a performance piece that she took to Edinburgh Fringe.

Janet will be reading from both books and explaining the backstory of both books.  Signed copies of ‘Southwold: A Place To Love’ will be available to buy.

Free event, no booking required.

Realise Futures Walk-In Advice & Guidance

Every Thursday @ Southwold Library, 10-12noon

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 & Social

Please contact: Anita Fiddy Service Locality Coordinator (East) Phone: 07598 582955  Email: anita.fiddy@realisefutures.org

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

Free event, no booking required.

Mah-jong Group

Friday 10^th & 24^th November 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

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 3^rd November 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

Free event, no booking required.

Scrabble Club

Thursday 16^th November:  Third Thursday of Every Month 2.15pm

All Equipment Supplied

Refreshment break in The Canteen

Free event, no booking required.

Lego Club!

Sundays 12.15-1.00pm

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

This month we are reading:

“A Secret Garden Affair” by Erica James

Thursday 30^th November 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.

Free event, no booking required.

Throughout the autumn and winter, the Blyth Valley and Southwold wildlife group, organise monthly meetings where they invite guest speakers to present on various topics of interest. Here, Penny Mansfield reports on their September meeting.

When Birds Sing

At our September meeting of the Blyth Valley and Southwold Suffolk Wildlife group, we welcomed Saffron Summerfield to talk about the nature of bird song. Saffron is a musician, composer, and bird song recordist, who sometimes incorporate birdsong into her work. She started the evening with a folk song about the cuckoo to intrigue us, and followed this by exploring some of the reasons birds sing – to establish territories, or attract a mate, but also for fun, as some recent research shows.

The way birds produce sound, through their syrinx, a bellow-like structure, can create considerable volume, as we know from listening to the tiny wren. Tone and pitch vary widely, from the goldcrest at the high end, to the bittern’s boom at the low end, audible for up to three miles.

Whilst most birds learn to sing from their parents, possibly while still unhatched, there are exceptions, and others might learn from different adults. The extraordinary marsh warbler learns a variety of bird songs along its route from East Africa and can reproduce them in an unbroken rill that can last for half an hour, in its efforts to beat its rivals in the mating game.

Recorded birdsong can have a calming effect and has been used in public spaces for this reason, and many musicians have been fascinated and inspired to use bird songs in their work.

The evening ended with Saffron playing a beautiful recording of a robin singing, with her guitar and quiet verbal accompaniment. It was a stimulating evening, and very much enjoyed.

To find out more about our group and monthly meetings, contact us at swtblythvalley@gmail.com

Penny Mansfield

Compassionate Care: Planning for your Future

Monday 25th September 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

Tea & Mystery: Meet author Tom Mead

Saturday 30th September 3pm @ Southwold Library.

Meet author Tom Mead & hear all about his historical locked room mystery “Death & the Conjuror” followed by afternoon tea.

Tickets £3 (book in advance).

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

Mah-jong Group

Friday 8^th & 22^nd September 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.

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 1^st September 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 21^st September:  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 Summer we’re building: Crazy Creatures.

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:

“So Much Love Left Over” by Louis De Bernieres.

Thursday 28^th September 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 Show 2023 was brilliantly attended this year with lots of people entering across the categories and large numbers coming to see all the lovely entries.

With last year’s heatwave well behind us we had a great number of entries across the fruit and vegetable classes, though the heavy rain made some of the cut flower classes tricky!

The categories that were less weather dependent proliferated and it was amazing to see all the baked goods, art, photography and handicrafts. 

The kids’ creativity was delightful and we would encourage even more children to enter the free kids’ categories next year – they can enter any arts and craft including 3D models and Lego!  There will also be new kids’ cookery and gardening categories next year. 

So, when you are planning you 2024 planting or embarking on some arts and crafts remember the first Saturday in August will be the Reydon Show next year. 

The trophy winners for 2023 were:

Ernest Moyse Memorial Trophy – most outstanding exhibit in flower classes – K Eagles

Challenge Cup (Open) – most points in vegetable & fruit section – C Akers

Garden News Shield (Reydon residents only) – most points in vegetable & fruit section – C Akers

Charlie Martin Cup – (Reydon residents only) – runner up in vegetable & fruit section – C Wigg

Fitzgerald Cup – most points in flower section – Kay Eagles

Frances Moyse Memorial Trophy – most outstanding exhibit in vegetable classes – Roger Webb

Silver Plate – most points in cookery classes – C Livermore

Reydon Show Trophy – best exhibit in adult handicraft – C Clark

Reg Belcher Trophy – most points in handicraft – C Clark

Copperwheat Trophy – best exhibit in pot plant classes – Y Eady

Reydon Parish Council Shield (Reydon residents only) – best exhibit in cookery classes – N Horton

Sam Adamson Cup – best exhibit in photography classes – C Horton

Dillon Gibbon Trophy – most points in photography classes – P Harrild

Forensics & Crime Solving Workshop with Kinetic Science Adventures

Thursday 10th August 11am & 1.30pm @ Stella Peskett Millennium Hall

Take fingerprints, exam a crime scene, dress as CSIs and work out who the criminal is and how the crime was committed.

£2 per child. Open to children 5+ . 1.5 hours. Limited spaces. Book your place today!

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

 Free Crafts @ Southwold Library accompanying Southwold Open Air Family Theatre

Tuesday 15th August 11-12 Shakespeare crafts – Make your own ruff, quill and Italian masks!

Tuesday 22nd August 11-12 Robin Hood crafts – Make a Robin Hood hat, puppets and arrow bookmark!

Tuesday 29th August 11-12 Alice crafts – Make a Cheshire Cat grin, Mad Hatter hat and Alice from a loo roll!

Book now www.cambridgetouringproductions.co.uk 07771 593218.

Free Family Picnic & Parrot Crafts, Stories & Games @ Jubilee Green Reydon with Southwold Library

Wednesday 16th August from 12

Bring your own picnic & seating

Make balancing parrots, pompom parrots, parrot gliders & more!

No unaccompanied children

If wet collect crafts from Southwold Library

My Little Village – Under 5s Role Play Fun

Thursday 17th August 9.30am, 11am & 1pm @ Stella Peskett Millennium Hall

Come and join us at My Little Village and let your child’s imagination run wild in our pop-up role play village!

What will they choose to be today? A firefighter, a vet , a singer or maybe a chef. Or you could sit around the campfire and roast marshmallows playing the ukulele in our festival area!

Role play sessions for walkers to 5 years

£4 per child for 1 hour’s play! Event costs subsidised by the Friends of Southwold Library

Limited spaces. Book your place today! 01502 722519 southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries

Horse Stories & Crafts with Redwings Horse Sanctuary

Wednesday 23rd August 11am @Southwold Library

Meet Charlotte from Redwings Horse Sanctuary & hear about their work.

Followed by horse stories & crafts with Southwold Library.

Free event, no need to book.

Orwell in Southwold: a guided walk with local author Ronald Binns

Saturday 26^th August 11.00am 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 01502 722519 www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries

Ready, Set, Read!: Summer Reading Challenge 2022

15th July – 3rd September 

Fun for children of all ages 

Join Ready, Set, Read! at Southwold Library 

Read or have 6 books read to you, collect prizes and when you finish get a bag, medal & certificate!
 

Friends of Southwold Library Book Stall!

Saturday 26th August 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

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 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.

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 11^th & 25^th August 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 

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 4^th August 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 17^th August:  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 Summer we’re building: Crazy Creatures 

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: 

“Instruction for a Heatwave” by Maggie O’Farrell 

Thursday 31^st August 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.