Open Hours of Government: Mon – Fri: 8.00 am. – 06.00 pm.
+1 800 123 456 789
Friday, 5th April, 6.30pm â Eyes Down 7.00pm @ Reydon Village Hall
ÂĢ5 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, youâll love Beetle!
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 (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 â 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 childrenâs categories open to kids under 12, so if your child is a keen baker, gardener or arts and crafter, they can enter too â 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:
Friday, 8th March 7â10pm
With the Once Bittern Ceilidh Band.
ÂĢ10 per person, including buffet supper. BYO alcohol. Soft drinks & snacks available.
Book your tickets with Charlotte at Southwold Library â 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 âWhat, No Broadside?â with 115 points; in second place, âTreacle Tartsâ with 117 points; and winners this month were âThrees Companyâ on 118 points.
Together with proceeds from the raffle, the evening raised ÂĢ320. Quizzers suggested local charities to be this monthâs 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 Januaryâs 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.
Photo above: Helen Walker and Cathy Ryan (Blyth Valley Rotary and Sole Bay Care Fund)
Following a successful event in 2023, the organisers of the Grand Henham Steam Rally have been able to provide ÂĢ44,000 for six local charities.
Held in September at Henham Park near Southwold, the Grand Henham Steam Rally is organised by volunteers from Blyth Valley Rotary, Wangford Community Council, the Parochial Church Councils of Sotherton, Uggeshall and Wangford-cum-Henham and many other individual volunteers.
In exchange for the three organisationsâ huge number of volunteers throughout the year and their work, they were provided with a total of ÂĢ33,000.
Every year, the rally committee also chooses several additional local charities to support, and in 2023 these were the Pear Tree Fund in Halesworth, Sole Bay Care Fund and Beccles Army Cadets.
At an event in January, the rally organisers presented these three nominated charities with donations totalling more than ÂĢ11,000 and heard from representatives from each organisation about how their work is benefitting local people. The event was also an opportunity to thank the many volunteers who give up their time throughout the year to make the rally possible.
Chair Helen Walker said: âOur 47th rally was another successful event, and we were pleased to see so many visitors and exhibitors enjoying their weekend. From its earliest days, the rallyâs main aim has been to raise money to support local good causes and we are delighted to still be able to do this.
âAs always, I would like to thank our committee and volunteers who work so hard behind the scenes throughout the year to make the rally as successful as possible. We are already working on the 48th rally, which takes place on 21st and 22nd September at Henham Park and we look forward to seeing everyone there.â
For the latest rally news, please visit www.henhamsteamrally.com  and follow them on Facebook, X and Instagram.
All photos: Henham Steam Rally
Martlesham Wilds
The February meeting of our local Blyth Valley and Southwold Wildlife group welcomed Michael Strand from the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to talk about Martlesham Wilds. This is an exciting new reserve on the outskirts of Woodbridge, bordering Martlesham Creek and the River Deben.
There was tremendous support from the community to raise the ÂĢ1 million needed to complete the purchase of the land, formerly an organic farm which already had a wonderful variety of habitat. There is ancient woodland, unimproved pastures, mudflats, and saltmarsh.
Although the rewilding will happen over time in a natural way, there are several initiatives to start the process. Both the restoration and creation of new ponds will provide essential fresh water across the site for a wide variety of wildlife. Ancient oaks and wild grasslands will provide plentiful seeds. Certain areas will be unobtrusively fenced, to allow grazing to take place, an essential component in diversifying the ground cover, and allowing messy scrub areas to develop. Shallow scrapes and meandering âfoot drainsâ have been excavated on the grazing marshes, providing an ideal habitat for migratory birds.
Local community groups are involved in the baseline monitoring of the flora and fauna. There are already healthy groups of voles, badgers, otters, snakes, and lizards, and it is hoped that over the next few years, species such as the nightingale, turtle dove, skylark and yellowhammer will become more abundant.
We are fortunate to have such an exciting new venture nearby, and Michaelâs detailed knowledge and enthusiasm left us wanting to visit the Wilds, and enjoy the transformation of this beautiful reserve over the years to come.
Please note that our next meeting is at Wenhaston Village Hall IP19 9EQ, on Thursday, 14th March at 7.30pm, when Rupert Mansfield will talk about the Lowestoft Kittiwake Project. Admission is ÂĢ4, to include refreshments; under 25s free. All are welcome.
Penny Mansfield
Contact us at swtblythvalley@gmail.com.
Free Bills Advice @ Southwold Library with Melanie Wilson
Saturday, 2nd March, 10amâ12pm
Includes: energy, broadband, mobiles and TV packages.
I have over six yearsâ 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 âMelanieâ 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 â 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 â 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, 10amâ1pm, 2â5pm
ÂĢ3 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 â 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, 10amâ1pm, 2â5pm
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 â ÂĢ3 per person.
Bring your own drinks and snacks. Raffle!
Book early to avoid disappointment, limited places. Contact Southwold Library Ââ tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.
Friends of Southwold Library Book Stall @ outside Lloyds Bank
Saturday, 30th March, 9amâ1pm
Wide selection of books. All funds towards supporting Southwold Library.
For further details, contact Southwold Library â tel: 01502 722519.
Terrific Train Fun! Trainmaster Suffolk @ Reydon Village Hall
Thursday, 4th April, 12.30pm and 1.45pm
ÂĢ4 per child for one hourâs 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 â 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 â we are looking for another volunteer for the other Fridays to help other players, especially beginners.
Training provided!
Interested? Contact Charlotte â tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: charlotte.clark@suffolklibraries.co.uk.
Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema
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, 10amâ12pm
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.
Blyth Poets âThe Isle is Full of Voicesâ
Friday, 1st March, 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.
Mah-Jong Group
Friday, 8th and 22nd March, 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.
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, 2.15â4pm
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.
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. Contact Southwold Library â 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 spring, weâre 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 â 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.
For babies and toddlers of all ages. Instruments, clapping, jogging and action rhymes.
The World Land Trust
The January meeting of the Blyth Valley and Southwold branch of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust welcomed Dan Bradbury from the World Land Trust (WLT). You may have noticed their office in Halesworth, but their work crosses the globe. Founded in 1989, its aim is to protect land threatened by loss of habitat by buying areas vulnerable to destruction, âreal acres in real placesâ.
What made the Trust different then, and does to this day, is that they donât organise the conservation themselves as outsiders, but empower the local people to do so. The work started in Belize, Central America, where loss of tropical forest was becoming rampant. Partner organisations were set up, and the âBuy an Acreâ scheme proved so successful that it is still in use today. The success of that first operation led to others across the world.
Habitat loss takes many forms, from logging, cattle ranching and agriculture to mining and illegal poaching. Climate change is another major factor. Managing and protecting the growing reserves and wildlife corridors requires considerable resources, and the Trust raises funds, both here and in those countries, through individual and business donors, to train and employ local Rangers. The Rangers engage with the neighbouring communities, working with schools and villages, involving them in the process. The aim is for the reserves to become self-sufficient, both in growing their own regeneration plants, and by creating jobs, such as eco-tourism, for local people.
The Trust also works towards carbon balancing by encouraging businesses to offset their carbon emissions in a meaningful way.
Dan spoke with energy and dedication, and we all came away with a deep appreciation of the far-reaching conservation work of the WLT.
Our next meeting is on Thursday, 8th February at 7.30pm in the Southwold Arts Centre IP18 6JP. Michael Strand will be talking about the Martlesham Wilds Nature Reserve. Admission is ÂĢ4, including refreshments; under 25s free. All are welcome.
Penny Mansfield
Contact us at swtblythvalley@gmail.com.
