November news & events from Southwold Library

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 ‘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.

Tickets are £6 a talk, £10 for a Friday Day Ticket, £25 for a Saturday or Sunday Day Ticket, or £60 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.

Friday, 8th November

• 2pm: Carol Woolton, who is a jewellery historian, editor, author and stylist, and was Jewellery Editor at British Vogue for 20 years.
• 3.30pm: Professor Richard Fortey talks about his new book, Close Encounters of the Fungal Kind: In Pursuit of Remarkable Mushrooms.

Saturday, 9th November

• 10am: Lisa Wollett talks about her experiences and researches creating Lost to The Sea: A Journey Round the Edges of Britain and Ireland.
• 11.30am: Jane Cholmeley co-founder of the Silver Moon Women’s Bookshop, details her experiences in A Bookshop of One’s Own.
• 2pm: D J Taylor, George Orwell expert, in conversation with the author of Orwell in Southwold Ronald Binns
• 3.30pm: Samuel Burr, TV executive, talks about his hot debut novel, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers.
• 5pm: Ian Collins and Richard Mabey: local biographer Collins is in conversation with nature writer Mabey.

Sunday, 10th November

• 10am: Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily, speaks about her new historical novel, The King’s Mother, about the War of the Roses.
• 11.30am: Lucy Hughes-Hallett speaks about her latest historical biography, The Scapegoat: The Brilliant Brief Life of the Duke of Buckingham.
• 2pm: Simon Loftus, local phenomenon, in conversation with Lucy Hughes-Hallett about his latest book, Who’s There.
• 3.30pm: Rachel Hore bestselling author, on her new novel set on the Cornish coast, The Hidden Years.
• 5pm: Kate Sawyer author of The Stranding, talks about her new book, This Family.

Orwell in Southwold: A Guided Walk With Local Author Ronald Binns

Saturday, 16th November, 11am, 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 – tel: 01502 722519; online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries

What on earth is Cacao? Talk with Mili Mendez, Local Cake Maker and Cacao Enthusiast

Sunday, 24th November, 2pm @ Southwold Library

Can you tell your Ocumare from your Porcelana? How about your Güasare from your Sur del Lago Hybrid? Cacao seems to be everywhere now, but how do you know what you are getting?

Learn about Venezuelan cacao and why the Sur del Lago region in Venezuela is a genetic hub for Criollo cacao varieties, not just in Venezuela but possibly worldwide.

Join Mili Mendez for a talk on all things Venezuelan cacao.

Free talk, no booking required.

Hop to it Quiz Night!

Friday, 29th November, 7pm @ Cardinal Newman Hall (Old Sorting Office)

Southwold Library is pledged to raise £650 for St Elizabeth Hospice in exchange for a Little Hare statue to decorate and keep.

Teams of 4, £3 per person.

Bring your own drinks and snacks. Raffle!

Book early to avoid disappointment, limited places. Contact Southwold Library – tel: 01502 722519; online: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

Southwold Arts Centre and Southwold Library Present: Southwold Community Cinema

Vindication Swim 2024 (PG) – Wednesday, 20th November, 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.

Swede Caroline 2024 (15) – Wednesday, 11th December, 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.

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

Kids, Come and Read to Ash the PAT Dog

Thursdays, 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.

Blyth Poets ‘The Isle is Full of Voices’

Friday, 1st November, 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, 8th and 22nd November, 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, 14th November, 2.15pm

Second Thursday of every month.

All equipment supplied.

Refreshment break in the Canteen.

Free event, no booking required.

Crochet Club

Every Wednesday, 2.15–4pm

£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.

Lego Club!

Sundays, 12.15–1pm

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

Thursday, 28th October, 6.30pm @ Southwold Library

This month, we are reading: Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson.

Pick up a book at Southwold Library – tel: 01502 722519; e-mail: southwold.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

Free event, no booking required.

Baby Bounce and Tot Rock

Every Sunday and Tuesday, 10.30–11am @ 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, 10am–12noon @ 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) – tel: 07598 582955; e-mail: anita.fiddy@realisefutures.org.