EventsNews

Dominic Knight April 18, 2025

May news & events from Southwold Library

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

Saturday, 14th and Sunday, 15th June @ Southwold Arts Centre, St Edmund’s Hall

Author talks by: M J Arlidge and Lisa Hall, Jayne Chard, Kate Ellis, Robert Goddard, Chris Hammer, Barbara Nadel, Maureen Paton and Tim Sullivan.

Tickets: £6 per talk, £20 per day or £40 for the weekend.

Lunches with the authors.

Plus:

Kate Ellis’ ‘Fatal Fete’ Murder Mystery Night Friday, 13th June, 7pm.
Fun Crime Quiz Night Saturday 14th June, 7pm.
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 Southwold Library (tel: 01502 722519 or web: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/slaughter).

Face-to-Face Legal Matters Advice and Information: Being an Executor – the Pros and Cons

Monday, 12th May, 10.30am @ Southwold Library

Local solicitor Stuart Johnson, fully accredited with Solicitors for the Elderly, will advise on the pros and cons of being an executor for someone’s will.

Free talk, no need to book

My Tutu Went AWOL – A Talk by Iestyn Edwards

Monday, 12th May, 2pm

Iestyn Edwards is an Olivier-Award-winning, Guildhall-trained opera singer, former Busker of the Year and author of My Tutu Went AWOL. Drawing on material from the book and making full use of a background in vaudeville, Edwards talks about his time being the Combined Services Entertainment ‘experiment’, sent out to entertain British troops on the US bases in Iraq and Afghanistan during the conflicts. In a tutu. . . which was at least nice and light when running for cover during all the rocket attacks. . .

As heard on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, Loose Ends, Midweek and Saturday Live.

‘A rare and perfect synthesis of art and larkiness.’ Libby Purves, The Times.

‘Achingly funny.’ Daily Mail.

‘Only the divinely unique Iestyn Edwards could be in a tutu in war-zones and talk about it so perfectly. Fascinating, moving and completely hilarious.’ Miranda Hart.

‘Extremely funny – and fascinating. An enchanting and unlikely mixture of showbiz memoir, war reportage and bromantic comedy.’ *****. Piers Torday.

‘A book unlike any other, of a story unlike any other. Totally mad, very funny and highly recommended.’ *****. Adam Kay, author of This is Going to Hurt. The Nation’s Favourite Book (Guardian).

‘Spreads a bow wave of happiness and silliness. A unique and fabulous diva with the voice of an angel.’ Dame Joanna Lumley.

Retiring collection.

Friends of Southwold Library Fete and Plant Sale

Saturday, 24th May, 10am–4pm St Edmund’s Green, Southwold

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

Would you be able to give us any plants? If you think you can, please contact Southwold Library (tel: 01502 722519).

All funds towards supporting Southwold Library.

Free Star Crafts for Kids

Tuesday, 27th May, 11am and 2pm

Come and make Squeezy Stars, Star Wands, Star Suncatchers, Star Magnets and much more!

Crafts supplied by the Friends of Southwold Library. No need to book.

Wow! Science Alive Workshops for Kids

Wednesday, 28th May, 11am and 1.30pm @ Southwold Library

Our ‘Science Alive’ workshop is a mix of potions and chemistry that we can all try to create colours in a tube. We bring the fun factor to science and this is a hands-on activity (we even ask the adults to join in). Let’s bring on the magic!

£2 per child. Open to children 6–11.

Please do not wear your best clothes as we will be using food colouring which may stain hands and clothes.

Limited spaces. Book your place today! Tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk; web: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries.

Pirate Crafts, Games and Fun for all the Family

Thursday, 29th May, 11am and 2pm @ Southwold Boating Lakes and Tearoom

Make a pirate hat, treasure chest, parrot, sword and much more!

Free stories, games and fun.

Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

A Complete Unknown (2024) 15 – Wednesday, 14th May, 3pm

In the early 1960s, 19-year-old Bob Dylan arrives in New York with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. Forming his most intimate relationships during his rise to fame, he grows restless with the folk movement, making a controversial choice that reverberates worldwide.

Maria (2024) 12 – Wednesday, 18th June, 3pm

Famed opera singer Maria Callas retreats to Paris in the 1970s after a glamorous yet tumultuous life in the public eye.

Tickets – £5, including refreshments. Book a ticket at southwoldartscentre.co.uk, visit the box office at Southwold Arts Centre, Cumberland Road, Southwold IP18 6JP or tel: 01502 722572.

Kids, Come and Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Thursday, 8th and 22nd May, 3.30pm @ 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 and enjoy his calm company.

Southwold Library Jigsaw Swap Shop

Come and help yourself to a jigsaw at Southwold Library completely free! You can take one and return it, take one and return a different one or just take one (we have plenty).

Come and check out what we have available.

Blyth Poets ‘The Isle is Full of Voices’

Friday, 2nd May, 2.15–3.30pm

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, 9th and 23rd May, 2.15–4.15pm

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. £1 per person.

Scrabble Club

Thursday, 8th May, 2.15pm

Second Thursday of every month.

All equipment supplied.

Refreshment break in the Canteen.

Free event, no booking required.

Crochet and Craft Club

Every Wednesday, 2.15–4pm

£2 each.

A friendly group for all crafters as well as those who crochet (to any ability). Barbara will be on hand to teach crochet beginners, add to your crochet skills or troubleshoot problems, should you want to. Or just bring along your latest craft project and work on them together.

Bring your own equipment or Barbara can supply crochet equipment at a price.

Hot drinks supplied.

Lego Club!

Sundays, 12.15–1pm

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.

Southwold Library Reading Group

Thursday, 29th May, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

This month, we are reading: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch.