Victoria Hough GDC: 200727 FDSC (with distinction) RDN RDH (University of Essex 2021)
Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year from Beccles Hospital League of Friends!
League of Friends.
We have been busy this year supporting East Coast Community Healthcare CIC (ECCH). It was highlighted
that Minsmere Ward needed a stimulating and relaxing garden area for patients and staff to sit in. Money was raised from local businesses and staff. The League of Friends made a significant donation and assisted getting
the project underway. The garden is behind the hospital but not accessible to the general public. We felt strongly that those who have lost family and friends at Beccles Hospital should have a peaceful area to come and reflect. So another major project is hopefully starting in spring 2026. This includes landscaping and an improved path from the War Memorial to the car park.
It's planned that there will be a quiet seated area with a sculpted metal tree with leaves attached inscribed with the names of loved ones. This project is likely to cost approximately £20,000.
The Friends will be making a significant donation.
The Friends are a group of 15 volunteers who look after donations and bequests of money for the benefit of patients and staff. Not all purchases are expensive. Slippers that fit seem to be very successful. Not all patients possess these and they help prevent a significant number of falls on the ward which can lead to falls and increased risk of death.
We're a very friendly group. If you can spare two hours every two months, we'd love to meet you!
New members wanted for Earsham Martial Arts Classes
Thank you to the Community News for always sharing our news about our ICENI Taekwon-do classes. We thought it was time we should fully introduce ourselves:
We are Nidge and Susie Bedingfield, we've lived in Bungay most of our lives, and only recently brought our martial arts club to Swift Fitness Gym in Earsham.
We've been teaching martial arts in the Beccles and Waveney area for over 14 years, and are now looking for new students from Harleston, Bungay and Waveney areas, to come join
us at our new location on the Earsham Mill Estate. It's a lovely training studio with spot lighting, sprung wooden floor, air-con, mirrored walls, changing rooms and showers, all ideally set within the gym. Swift Fitness have made us feel very welcome, and also offer their facilities to our members and families. Parents are invited to use the gym for a small fee while waiting for their children, or sit and wait in the very comfy chill room, have a coffee, bring in a laptop, plug in and use the free WiFi. There's also a suntan bed if they fancy
Alan Hopley co-opted to fill councillor vacancy
If you're interested in becoming a Friend or would like some more information, please contact: peter.harrison198@gmail.com
a tan top-up!
Ideally, we'd love them to come and train with us too, with/without the children. The first session is always free.
Our martial arts training is not just about fighting, it's great for your health. The physical range of movements increase your bodies mobility, strengthening limbs as you train, great for mental focus, and perfect for stress relief after a busy day - along with the added bonus of learning to defend yourself with different techniques. This ultimately restores/builds fitness, confidence and wellbeing.
We teach mixed ages, so many of our students are juniors, but as we encourage adults to train too, we have students of all ages including 40s 50s and 60s. If there's enough interest, we also aim to run a separate class for 5-7-year-olds in the new year, from 5:30pm-6:30pm on
a Monday or Wednesday, which would be run prior to the 8+ age classes from 6:30pm-8pm.
All our students are very friendly, respectful and welcoming to new members. We have a group of experienced black belts who assist us in class and help new members. This is an ideal martial art for 14-year-olds who may be off to uni in a few years, giving them an ability to keep them safe. It's also an activity they can continue with at university, their Taekwon-do belt rankings will be recognised nationally. If you're interested in joining a class, please feel free to email us for more information: info@ icenitaekwondo.co.uk or visit our website: icenitaekwondo. co.uk. We'd love to hear from you!
Best Regards, Nidge and Susie Bedingfield, Senior Instructors, ICENI Taekwon-do Club
ICENI Taekwon-do
Beccles Town Council
Beccles Town Councillors voted on Tuesday 2nd December to appoint Alan Hopley to fill the Town Council vacancy
This recipe features a buttery biscuit base, a creamy, spiced filling, and a homemade cranberry and clementine compote topping, echoing the flavours of mince pies and festive citrus.
Servings & Prep:
• Yields: 10-12 slices
• Prep: 30mins
• Chill: 6hrs (minimum)
Ingredients:
Base:
• Digestive biscuits, 250g
• Unsalted butter, melted 125g Filling:
• Full-fat cream cheese, 700g (softened to room temp.)
• Icing sugar (sieved), 125g
• Double cream, 300ml
• Clementines x2, zested
• Mixed spice, 1tsp
• Vanilla extract, 1tsp
Topping:
• Fresh/frozen cranberries, 150g
• Granulated sugar, 75g
• Clementine juice, 50ml
• Water, 2tbsp
Instructions:
1: Biscuit Base
• Blitz the digestive biscuits in a food processor until they resemble fine crumbs, or place them in a re-sealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
• Pour over the melted butter and mix thoroughly.
• Line a 20cm (8-inch) springform tin with parchment paper. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the base of the tin. Use the back of a spoon to compact it.
• Put in the fridge to chill while you prepare the filling.
2: Spiced Cranberry & Clementine Compote
• Put the cranberries, granulated sugar, clementine juice, and water in a small saucepan and
bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
• Cook for about 8-10mins, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have softened and burst, and the sauce has thickened slightly.
• Remove from the heat and allow the compote to cool completely.
3: The Cream Cheese Filling
• In a large bowl, whisk the cold double cream until stiff peaks form and then set aside.
• In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sieved icing sugar, clementine zest, mixed spice, and vanilla extract together until completely smooth and creamy. Ensure there are no lumps.
• Gently fold the whipped double cream into the cream cheese mixture in three stages, being careful not to over-mix, until you have a smooth, light, and airy filling.
4: Assembly & Chill
• Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled biscuit base. Use a spatula to smooth the top.
• Cover the cheesecake loosely with cling film and return it to the fridge for a minimum of 6 hours, but preferably overnight, to allow it to set completely.
5: Decorate & Serve
• Carefully un-clip the springform tin and remove the sides. Slide the cheesecake onto a serving plate.
• Spoon the cooled cranberry and clementine compote over the top of the cheesecake.
• For a beautiful Christmassy finish, garnish with a dusting of icing sugar, fresh clementine segments, and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or bay leaves.
visitor numbers at Beccles & District Museum
We're delighted to report an increase in visitor numbers during the 2025 season.
In addition to local visitors, we had people from Essex, Cambridgeshire, London areas, Kent, the West Country, Lincoln, the Midlands and Durham. Many visitors complemented the museums displays and the welcome from our volunteer staff.
The full open season from 1st April to 30th October 2025, with its three special exhibitions; 'Beccles Rotary Club 75th Anniversary', 'Beccles Fire and Fire Service', and 'Chateaubriand' all being well supported.
The visitors had the benefit of using the newly-installed computer system to aid their research of the museums items and documents. Thanks go to
the Waveney & Yare Housing Association for their grant, which enabled us to purchase the much needed upgrade to the computer.
The museum does not charge an entrance fee, relying solely on donations. Support can be given by becoming a Friend of the Museum for an annual fee of £10. Further details of this and the museum can be found on: becclesmuseum.org.uk
While the museum is closed now until the 1st April 2026, our volunteers will still be busy behind the scenes during the winter months. If you wish to know more about the work of the museum or need help with local or private research, then please email the Curator at: becclesmuseum curator@gmail.com
Storage
Ditchingham Men's Shed secures National Lottery grant for upgrades
Shed community.
that we at Ditchingham Men's Shed have been awarded a Lottery grant of £19,950. Our members (both male and female) have worked so hard to not only build our Shed, but to build our reputation locally. The
learn new skills or continue with old skills and a place to teach others basic know-how to work safely at either their home or with the
To have this extra money means that we can now concentrate on replacing some of our worn equipment, completing safety equipment, updating our premises and improving disabled facilities.
If you are thinking of joining, please contact us. You can email Teresa at: legsatlicks@ aol.com, call: 07867 556968 or 01986 896393, visit our website: ditchinghamshed.org or you could simply come to meet us at our Shed at The Wetlands Centre, Earsham where you will be assured of a friendly reception.
Record rainfall marks Beccles' fifth wettest November
This summary is compiled from the records of Stephen Bartholomew of Beccles.
November 2025:
• Maximum temp: 16.5C (61F) on the 4th compared with 17.0C (62F) in November 2024.
• Minimum temp: -0.6C (31F) on the 26th compared with -2.0C (29F) in November 2024.
• Average maximum temp: 11.59C (53F) - 2025. 10.24C (50F) - 2024. 10.49C (50F) on average.
• Average minimum temp: 5.81C (42F) - 2025. 5.08C (41F)2024. 5.00C (41F) on average.
• Mean temp: 8.70C (47F) - 2025. 7.66C (45F) - 2024. 7.75C (45F) on average.
This general mildness can be associated with an anticyclone placed to drag up mild air from more Southerly locations. From November 1st to 12th, the average maximum temperature was 15.1C, the average minimum temperature was 9.5C and we had 0.28" of rainfall. And then from November 13th to 30th, the average maximum temperature was 8.9C, the average minimum temperature was 2.9C and we had 4.54" of rainfall.
recorded. The return to slightly milder conditions was heralded by a warm front with drizzle on the evening of the 26th, an instance of overnight temperature which exceeded the previous daytime level. This milder air remained in place until the 29th.
• Air frosts: 6 compared with 5 in November 2024.
• Rainfall total: 4.82" compared with 2.37" in November 2024. (30-year average 2.42"). 2025 total is 199% of average.
The two faces of Autumn had revealed themselves within the space of just a few days. The week commencing 18th turned out to be the coldest Autumn week. It culminated in a short period of snow overnight on the 19th into the 20th, which resulted in only a partial snow cover having commenced as steady rain which amounted to 0.40 of an inch.
The eventual 4.82" rainfall total was almost double of longterm average and ranks as the 5th wettest November on my 58 year record. 3 of the last 4 November readings have been excessively wet, 2023 (4.09") and 2022 (6.33"), prior to the "average" total of 2.37" in 2024. Year to date to the end of November, rainfall amounted to 21.87", it may be a "long shot" but with above average December rainfall to attain longterm average for the whole year (25.60").
Autumn 2025: (September, October, November)
• Most rainfall on one day: 1.24" on the 14th, (additionally 1.00" each on the 13th and the 22nd, likely to have been the wettest day in any other month).
The 20th was the coldest day of the month and also the autumn season, Maximum of just 3.5C, 4 of the 6 night air frosts were also noted within this period.
• Average maximum temperature: 15.4c (0.4C above 1981-2010 average).
• Wind Direction (mainly from): South-west 13 days, south 6 days, north-west 4 days and north 3 days.
November 2025 was an extraordinary month being both milder and much wetter than the long-term average. The first 13 days of the month were mild or exceptionally so for the time of year. 2 days were 2C above-average, while the remaining 11 somewhat higher. The average maximum temperature during this period was 4.5C higher than the overall long-term average for the month.
Equally impressive were the night time levels. Minimum during this period fell no lower than 5.5C (one of three nearer expected levels) while 9 of the first 14 nights achieved 10.0C or better, up to 12.6C overnight 4th/5th, the mildest November night since 2020. 3 other nights achieved 12.0C or better. As a result, the average minimum was also 4.5C higher during this period.
Incidentally, the 6 air frosts, all were slight with a lowest minimum of -0.6C. However, also made this the frostiest November since 1998 yet average minimum temperature for the whole month was still 0.8C above the long-term average.
The first 12 days were not only mild, often cloudy but mostly dry, in fact there were 6 consecutive dry days from the 3rd to the 8th.
Just 5 of the month's 22 rain days noted. In fact 0.16 of an inch on the 10th was the only notable fall of 0.28 of an inch recorded. The transformation of the month's character came with the arrival of "Claudia", remnants of ex-tropical storm, which had swiftly crossed the Atlantic.
From the evening of the 13th to the early hours of the 15th, almost continuous rain produced 2.24 inches of rain over 2 recording days.
On the back edge of the storm, initially cooler, then colder air was introduced but also a showery west to north-west air stream which brought rainfall on a daily basis. This included another one inch total on the 22nd. In this part of the country, it's very unusual for there to be 3 days in a month when an inch or more has been
• Average minimum temperature: 8.4c (0.7C above 1981-2010 average).
• Mean temperature: 11.9c (0.5C above 1981-2010 average).
• Rainfall total: 10.38"(152% of 1981-2010 average). The autumn season was slightly milder than the long-term average. September and October had somewhat warmer-thanaverage first 3 weeks but turned cooler during the last week or so in each case. The net result being near average temperature for both months. November had incredibly mild first thirteen days, the remainder of the month, nearer, or in the week commencing 18th below normal values. This week included the coolest day of the season, Maximum 3.5C on 20th. Quite a contrast to 8 of the first 13 days which achieved 15.0C or more, up to 16.5C. The first 8 months of the year suffered an acute shortage of rainfall, just 11.49 inches recorded. These three months accumulated just over an inch less than the previous eight. November was by far the greatest contributor 4.82" (199%), September 2.99" (150%) and October 2.57" (108%) making up more than one and a half times the seasonal average.
TOWNSEND ELECTRICAL
Santa Paws Appeal
Help local pets in need
Our annual Winter/Christmas pet food appeal is underway with animal lovers already starting to donate food, toys and bedding for our local animal/ wildlife rescue charities, with the aim of spreading some love to the animals who need it most.
Wangford Veterinary Clinic is collecting donations of:
• Pet beds, bowls and toys (new and used)
• Food and treats for cats and dogs
Up to 6 dogs: 25 mins £7 or 55 mins £12 – Book online
(in date please)
• Anything that could bring comfort to a rescue animal this
Christmas
No need for fancy gifts; second-hand items can make an absolute world of difference and really help out. We're always so grateful for the incredible support shown by our community year after year.
"We know times are tough, but please remember, even the
167821 • wissettdogfield.co.uk wissettdogfield@gmail.com Wissett, Su olk IP19 0JF
smallest donation can make a big difference!"
If you'd prefer, you can also contribute money to our Santa Paws Appeal, helping these amazing local charities with utilities such as heating. You can donate £1, £5, £10 or an amount of your choice via: wangfordvetclinic.com/charity or via cheque to "Santa Paws Appeal" and sent to: Wangford Veterinary Clinic, Pound Corner, Wangford, Beccles, NR34 8RS.
Your gifts will be shared out between the local rescue homes in time for Christmas and any money donated will be added to what we've raised throughout the year and shared amongst local rescue homes, which are nominated by the public and our clients.
Drop off your donations at Wangford Veterinary Clinic reception and help us make this winter warm and full of hope for the New Year!
An anonymous member of Old Glory (far right) presents a cheque to Rev. Leon Collyer (far left), in the presence of Stella & Tyrone Cattermole of The Rumburgh Buck (centre)
Old Glory
Molly Dancers & Musicians
Now about to enter their 32nd season, Old Glory Molly Dancers & Musicians continue to re-imagine an ancient East Anglian tradition whereby agricultural labourers would take to dancing outside local pubs during the coldest winter months when work was scarce, begging, often with menaces, for cash, beer and bread to sustain them.
In the days when begging was a criminal offence, the dancers wore heavy disguise, soot on their faces, their jackets turned inside out and adorned with ribbons of fabric, for fear of the Lord of the Manor identifying them and thus withholding his largesse, or even evicting them from their tied cottage.
Old Glory's coming season takes in various hostelries in the
locality from Pulham Market, Geldeston, Bungay, Swefling to Pakefield and Lowestoft. Full details can be found at oldglory.org.uk Fortunately, nowadays there's less dependence on the bread line keeping the wolf from the door, and so monetary offerings from the generous public are donated to local charities. Old Glory's last season saw six donations of £500 each being given to the Rumburgh Church fabric appeal, St Elizabeth Hospice, Lighthouse Women's Aid, Emmaus Ditchingham, Norfolk and Suffolk 4x4 Response, and the 'It's On The Ball' testicular cancer charity, which is a charity also supported by The Rumburgh Buck, Old Glory's spiritual home.
Bramfield, Ringsfield
and Brampton Primary Schools activities
The Reception children at Ringsfield, Bramfield and Brampton Primary Schools have been busy stepping back in time after enjoying the picture book 'Peepo!' by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.
The story follows a baby's day in the 1940s, and we used the wonderful illustrations in the book to discover how some aspects of living was different. We then began comparing life "back then" with life today.
At Ringsfield Primary School, the children were amazed to discover that the baby was in a bath with no taps to give hot water. We had a real bath for the children to sit in which they found very amusing. We investigated how hot water
was produced and decided that it would take a long time to fill the bath. The class also looked at photographs, and other household items from the past and matched them with their modern versions. Overall, we discovered that time was very different because of the engineering, and there not yet being electric and plumbing in some homes. The children really enjoyed the story and experiencing the different artefacts.
Ringsfield Primary School exploring items from the past
Festive Sausage Roll Wreath
This cranberry, brie, and thyme sausage roll wreath is a beautiful, flaky, and savoury centrepiece that delivers a perfect blend of festive sweetness and herby richness in every bite.
Ingredients:
• All butter ready-rolled puff pastry (approx. 40cm x 25cm), 500g
• Sausage meat, 450g
• Brie cheese, 100g (cut into 1cm cubes, rind on/off as preferred)
• Dried cranberries, 50g
• Fresh thyme (finely chopped), 1tbsp
• Egg, 1 large (lightly beaten for egg wash)
• Sesame seeds, 1 tbsp (optional)
• Flour (small amount for dusting)
Equipment needed: Baking tray, baking paper, pastry brush, knife and a small bowl/round cutter (approx. 5cm diameter). Method:
1. Prepare the Filling:
• In a large bowl, combine the sausage meat, dried cranberries, and fresh thyme leaves.
• Use your hands or a spoon to mix the ingredients thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed.
• Gently fold in the brie cheese cubes.
2. Shape the Sausage Rolls:
• Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6) and line a large baking tray with baking paper.
• Lightly dust a surface with flour and unroll the puff pastry sheet.
• Divide the sausage mixture in half. Shape each half into a long, uniform cylinder (a sausage shape) that runs the entire length of the pastry sheet. Place one cylinder down the centre of each half of the pastry, keeping it about 2cm from the long edge.
• Brush one long edge of the pastry with the egg wash. Fold the pastry over the filling and press the edges firmly together to seal, creating two long, sealed sausage rolls.
• Turn the rolls over so the sealed seam is underneath.
3. Form the Wreath:
• Cut each long sausage roll into 1-inch (approx. 2.5cm) segments. You should have about 30-35 segments in total.
• Place the small bowl or cutter in the centre of the prepared baking tray.
• Arrange the sausage roll segments around the bowl, pushing them lightly together
in a circle, so they overlap slightly and form a continuous wreath shape.
• Carefully remove the centre bowl, leaving a clear hole in the middle.
4. Bake & Finish:
• Brush the entire wreath generously with the remaining egg wash.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds (if using) or a little extra chopped thyme for garnish.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed, and the sausage meat is cooked through.
• Allow to cool slightly before serving. The wreath is delicious served warm or at room temperature.
Serving Suggestion: Serve the wreath on a large platter with a small bowl of Cranberry Sauce or a festive Chutney placed in the central hole for dipping.
HOPPA news
Getting you to places other buses don't reach
We're at the end of another busy year and all of us at HACT would like to thank our sponsors, supporters and volunteers who do so much to keep the Hoppa running for both regular services and Community Hires.
Drivers and buddies often hear people say they don't know what they'd do without the Hoppa, and we're delighted to feel that the service is important to so many people, whether it's someone going to the shops, a family trip to the park, or a bus full of school children on an outing to join other schools for a sporting event.
To paraphrase an old advert; the Hoppa enables so many people to get to places that other buses don't reach.
The Hoppa is reliant on volunteers so we'd love to hear
from anyone who would like to volunteer as a driver, either to drive for our regular scheduled services, or for some of our evening Community Hires, which is an important source of income for us.
We're also always on the lookout for bus buddies, who collect fares and help our passengers with getting shopping on and off the bus, and sometimes to the door. Without our volunteers, there would be no Hoppa, so please think about it and contact the HACT office on 01986 875900 or email: office@hactbus.co.uk
Finally, we wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy new year! Remember, we'll be running our usual service over the festive period apart from December 25th and 26th and January 1st.
'When There's a Will'
Ian Waller talk on January 19th
Family historians are often reluctant to look for a will as they think their ancestors simply did not leave one. This talk looks at the wealth of information that wills contain, how to find them and what other records support them from those associated with disputes, taxes and personal belongings. No one should rule out the existence of a will and searching for one should be automatic.
Ian Waller is a retired professional genealogist with considerable experience in English research. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman and Education Officer of the Family History Federation. He is a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists and has authored several books in the Society's 'My Ancestor' series.
The talk takes place on January 19th at 2:30pm, in person at the Fromus Centre, Street Farm Road, Saxmundham, IP17 1AL (behind the Library) and for members only, on Zoom. The speaker will be talking to us on Zoom. The talk starts at 2:30pm. No need to book, just turn up, free for members and £5 for visitors, including tea/ coffee/biscuits. Good, free carparking. Only members can take part in our meetings on Zoom, but it only costs £10 for a year's membership - see: avsfhg.org. uk/membership (website under construction) and Zooming is free. Further programme: February 16th: 'Army Records' by Graham Bandy March 16th: Members' Brick Walls
Update from Sole Bay Care Fund
We at Sole Bay Care Fund are always looking at how best to serve and support our wonderful community. We continually review how funds raised are utilised and whether they can be used more effectively to maximise the benefit.
Sole Bay Care Fund was founded to aid support and care of local residents to meet health and social needs, not funded by the NHS or Social Services. In the past, we've also been able to support a wider range of projects which have aided the community
Blossom Clinic Opens Stunning New Premises in Blyburgate
The Blossom Clinic is celebrating an exciting milestone - the opening of its beautiful new premises at 13-15 Blyburgate, right in the heart of the town centre. The striking building is impossible to miss and marks a bold new chapter for the region’s leading aesthetics and beauty clinic.
Founded in 2018 by Arwen Watson, a Registered Nurse Prescriber and lead educator at the Harley Street Institute, Blossom Clinic has grown steadily to become a trusted name in non-surgical aesthetics. Arwen’s ethos has always been clear: o er the very best treatments, maintain the highest professional standards, and always put clients first. From Botox and dermal fillers to skin boosters, laser treatments, and acne solutions, Blossom Clinic provides a tailored approach to help clients feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. Every journey begins with a free consultation, and Arwen prides herself on honest advice about what will work best for each individual.
with pure indulgence. Imagine lying back under a rainbow shower while enjoying a head massage, deep scalp exfoliation, aromatherapy, and even a hand and arm massage. Bliss! Another exciting addition is the Pelvic Floor Chair, a revolutionary treatment using electromagnetic stimulation to strengthen deep floor pelvic muscles helping to reduce incontinence and improve pelvic floor tone - all while you remain fully clothed.
Alongside aesthetics, Blossom Clinic continues to o er a full range of beauty treatments, from facials and lashes to manicures and waxing. For those looking for the ultimate treat, why not try the luxury pedicure and afternoon tea package - perfect for a little ‘me time’ with friends or family?
Arwen would like to thank her incredible team for their dedication and her loyal clients for their continued support. With more plans already in the pipeline, the future looks bright for Blossom Clinic - so watch this space!
The move to larger premises means even more innovation. Arwen is thrilled to introduce the area’s first Head Spa - a sanctuary of relaxation o ering advanced scalp therapies combined
To enquire about treatments or find out more about what the Blossom Clinic can do for you, call 01502 717787, visit theblossomclinics.com, or pop in and see the new space for yourself. You’ll be glad you did!
in different ways. Due to the current increased push for care in the community, the sometimes limited or at risk of becoming overwhelmed services in our area and the rise in the costs or care, we feel it's now important to refocus our resources and funding on direct care in the community.
The community bus was originally run by Southwold Town Council and then the Voluntary Help Centre. Sole Bay Care Fund took over the running of this in 2018. Over the years, the cost of running Mr Bus has substantially
increased and the number of people using the bus has declined to just a few people per week.
The amount of money Mr Bus has been costing the charity on a yearly basis would roughly equate to 400 hours of emergency care for someone in their own home or 70 night sits for those who cannot be left alone. Therefore, we've taken the sad decision to stop the Mr Bus service to enable us to fund more direct care, which benefits a greater number of people in the community. We'd like to take the
opportunity to thank all that have supported Sole Bay Care Fund and Mr Bus over the years, particularly the volunteer drivers, admin team and the sponsors, who have been indispensable and the backbone to the service. We hope that these volunteers will continue to help our wonderful community in conjunction with the Voluntary Help Centre, who we'll be working with to help ensure transport is available for those who need it most in the community. solebaycarefund.uk
Halesworth Area Community Transport (HACT)
Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group
'East Suffolk Through the Lens' returns!
Submit your photos for the East Suffolk Council 'East Suffolk Through the Lens' competition now. Whether you capture the people or places of East Suffolk, East Suffolk Council wants to see them!
East Suffolk Council's photo competition is back, and entrants are being given more chances to win with the introduction of two new categories. The return of the competition follows the success of last year's competition, which welcomed more than 230 entries. This year, photographers of all ages and experience are invited to submit entries for two categories, 'People' and 'Place'. Under-16s will also have their own category, like previous competitions. Whether you're an experienced photographer or just love taking photos, this is your chance to showcase what makes our district such a special place to
live, work and visit! High street retail vouchers will be awarded to the winner of each category. From the three winners, one overall winner will be selected. This photograph will grace the cover of the East Suffolk Magazine when delivered to every household in the district next spring.
The Hollond family of Great Ashfield House
October's Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group (AVSFHG) talk at the Fromus Centre in Saxmundham was the story of Suffolk's lost palace, Great Ashfield House and the eccentric Hollond Family.
Guest speaker, Dave Steward provided a packed room on October 20th with an informative history of both house and its inhabitants due to his exclusive access to photographs, scrapbooks, letters and household items which had been left behind by the family.
1928) married Beatrice Mary Hoare (1866-1959), a minor, in London in December 1883. She was the daughter of Henry Hoare, the Hoare family being owners of the UK's oldest privately-owned bank.
Iseult remained at the house, confining herself to the kitchen with her 25 cats! She moved to Ivy Cottage when she became infirm and died in 1999 aged 101 years.
Entrants are encouraged to capture the essence of the district by photographing the people, places and communities that make East Suffolk amazing.
Cllr Caroline Topping (Leader of East Suffolk Council) said: "Last year's photo competition was extremely successful, proving that we have some keen photographers across the district, and I am excited to see what this year's competition brings. Our district
is full of amazing people, places and communities with unique stories, all waiting to be captured through the lens. It could be an image of an inspiring person in East Suffolk, a beautiful landscape picture that reminds us just how amazing our district is, or an active and supportive community."
Entries should be submitted before midnight on January 31st. Previous entries will not be considered. Winners will be announced during the week commencing February 23rd, with the three winners each receiving a £100 high street voucher. The overall winner will also have their photograph featured on the cover of the East Suffolk Magazine in the spring.
To enter the competition and upload an entry, visit: www. eastsuffolk.gov.uk/photo-comp
Making music fun in East Anglia
Martlesham Brass would like to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.
We hope that you were able to hear Martlesham Brass over the Christmas period, our players were raising funds for our nominated charities, which were Ipswich Outreach, Just 42, and FIND (Families in Need Ipswich). We will report the amount raised next month.
Looking ahead to next month, our main band has a concert on February 7th at 7pm in St. Michael's Church Centre, Martlesham Heath. This concert will include the full film 'Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out' accompanied live! Tickets are available at 07544 962205 or at: martleshambrass.co.uk. Make sure you get your tickets early! If you'd like to learn to play
a brass instrument, or if you already play and would be interested in joining us, please email: join@martleshambrass. co.uk-please note we operate a waiting list for our beginners' band. If you wish to hire the band to perform at an event, please contact our booking secretary by emailing: booking@martlesham brass.co.uk
Home-Start Suffolk
Michelle's story
Michelle started volunteering with Home-Start Suffolk in 2020 and continues to do so now. She has offered support to families in the Waveney area and has been awarded a High Sheriff of Suffolk award for volunteering.
"Being a parent is the hardest job in the world. As well as being the most wonderful and magical experience, it can feel lonely, confusing and guilt ridden too! It always looks like everyone has it together and no one else feels like you do. However quite often they are or have been in the same place.
I enjoy helping people and leaning on my own experiences to help others, ensuring they feel they are not the only ones who have been through tough times.
Everyone at Home-Start Suffolk is fantastic. We have a coordinator that supports us as volunteers and they regularly check in. They're always there at the end of the phone or email.
You learn so much being a volunteer. We're constantly
offered courses that deepen our knowledge around potential family situations and we're invited to peer support where we meet other volunteers.
It's nice meeting different families too. The families I have supported are different to my friends and my children haven't got children yet, so it's nice to be supporting others.
You can really make a difference to people and going forwards, you can move onto supporting another family knowing you did your job in improving their lives.
The families know how long they will have a volunteer working with them and they know when and why you will finish supporting them. Normally families are more confident, they are more themselves, they are not alone and they feel more empowered and confident.
Volunteering has also made me more confident and competent. I think you spend half your life
thinking you're faking it, when actually when you speak to other people you realise you have made it through and you're not faking it. It's a good feeling to know people listen to you, trust you, befriend you. It's quite empowering.
If you can remember those uncomfortable feelings you experienced when you had young children and you have a few hours spare each week and you want to help people through their struggles, you should volunteer too. You can make a real difference."
If Michelle's story has inspired you to find out more about volunteering with Home-Start Suffolk, please visit www.homestartinsuffolk.org
The Hollond family are wellknown in the Saxmundham area, they owned Benhall Lodge Estate from 1810, and it's still owned by Hollond descendants today. The Rev. Edmund Hollond's third son Arthur Edward Hollond (1857-
Arthur Hollond bought Ashfield House (situated just a couple of miles from Badwell Ash) in 1881 and for 108 years, it belonged to the same family. Dave Steward carefully took us through the history of the house from 1755, and the changes and renovations over the years. He also added a personal touch, his own family's special connection to Ashfield House, that his grandfather was Head Gardener and his grandmother, the Cook! Dave included a detailed background of both Arthur Hollond and his wife Beatrice before introducing us to their children; sons Henry and Victor, and five daughters; Gladys, Phyllis (known as Pansy), Muriel, Ivy (known as Iseult) and Elspeth. He mentioned that animals always featured in the children's lives, in their letters and were often seen in photographs with cats, chickens, pigs, goats and a donkey called Opal. Pansy also had a buzzard called Willie. They could speak many languages and the girls were gifted artists, they were 'The Cubs', they called their father 'The Big Brown Bear'. He was often the study for their art. The girls never married and as each of them passed away, only
A very interesting talk, wellillustrated with Hollond family images and their paintings which ended with Dave's own ancestral ties to the family.
Pat Carter (AVSFHG's Membership Secretary) mentioned at the talk that there were references to a Francis Egbert Hollond in Leiston church - any relation? Subsequent research has found that Francis Egbert Hollond (1860-1953) was the younger brother of Arthur Edward Hollond of Ashfield House.
The brothers were the youngest sons of the Rev. Edmund
(1801-1884) of Benhall. Both Arthur and Francis' children died without any surviving issue. If anyone has any information/ images about Francis Egbert Hollond who bought Leiston Old Abbey in 1909, or the Hollond family, then please could they get in touch with Jane Evans email: benhallsternfield history@gmail.com
with their
Share your stories
Let's celebrate our communities!
Here at the Community News, we know that our local areas are brimming with incredible activities, dedicated people, and inspiring stories. From the smallest fundraiser to the biggest achievement, your news is our news, and we want to help you share it! We publish three different papers to cover specific local areas, and we're putting out a friendly call to all the amazing groups that make the up regions of the Beccles & Bungay Community News, the Halesworth & Southwold Community News, and the Leiston & Framlingham Community News such vibrant places to live.
Who are we looking for?
If you belong to any of the following, or any other local group not listed, please consider sending us your updates:
• Local Charities & Fundraising Groups: Did you smash a target? Is there a big event coming up? Tell us how the community can support you!
• Schools & Educational Organisations: We'd love to hear about student achievements, school plays, class projects, or volunteer days.
• Sports Clubs & Teams (Junior & Senior): Send in your match reports, league standings, photos of trophy winners, or sign-up information for new members.
• Community Clubs & Societies: Whether you're a knitting group, a history society, a book club, or a photography collective - what have you been working on?
• Church/Faith Groups: Share details of community outreach, special services, or social events.
• Local Businesses with a Community Focus: Are you running a local initiative or sponsoring a team?
What can you send us? It's simple! We're looking for anything you think your neighbours and the wider community would find interesting, useful, or heart-warming.
• News & Updates: What's new in your group?
• Event Previews & Reviews: Got a cake sale, a performance, or a public meeting planned? Tell everyone about it! And once it's over, let us know how it went.
• Call-Outs for Volunteers/Members: Are you looking for new faces? The paper is the perfect place to spread the word.
• Photos: A picture really is worth a thousand words! High-quality photos of your group in action are always welcome.
How to get your story in print: It couldn't be easier to contribute. You can reach us via email. Send your copy to: edit@micropress.co.uk
Crucial notes for email submissions:
• Write your article or report: Try to keep it concise, informative, and friendly. Include the 'who, what, when, and where' of your news.
• State your specific paper: Please begin your subject line with the name of the paper you are submitting for (e.g., 'Bungay News Submission' or 'Halesworth News Submission').
• Include Photos: Attach any relevant, good- quality photos (make sure you have permission from everyone in the picture!) Tell us who's in the photo and what they are doing.
• Add Your Contact Details: Please include a name and phone number for a main contact person, just in case we have a quick question. We are dedicated to making the Community News titles a true reflection of the wonderful things happening right here on our doorstep. So, don't be shy! Please do write in, share your successes, and let's celebrate our incredible communities together!
East Suffolk Council
Overall Winner 2024: 'Family at Lowestoft Beach' by Jenifer Everett-Day
Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group
Great Ashfield House
Hollond
Arthur Hollond and Beatrice Hoare
The Hollond children (the 'Cubs')
governess
The plaque in Leiston Church
Martlesham Brass
J C WOODPRODUCTS
Bungay Computers
A Christmas message from Community News
As we approach the festive season, we are reminded of the unique beauty and spirit that make our little corner of the world such a special place to live and visit. From our stunning beaches and historic towns to the vibrant local businesses and welcoming communities, there is so much to celebrate.
Christmas is a time for togetherness, kindness, and reflection. It's an opportunity to support one another, cherish family and friends, and look forward to the promise of a new year. Let's take a moment to appreciate the hard work of those who keep our towns and communities thriving - from local shopkeepers and farmers to volunteers and carers who make a real difference every day.
As we gather for festive events, enjoy winter walks along the coast, and share in the joy of the season, let's continue to nurture the sense of community that makes Suffolk so special. Here's to a Christmas filled with warmth, laughter, and goodwill - and to a bright, positive year ahead for us all.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from David, Karen, Polly, Kasey & Gemma (the Community News team)
DECEMBER 13TH - 30TH
Snow White
Beccles Public Hall & Theatre
Various showings at 10am, 1pm, 2pm & 5:30pm. Get ready for a magical adventure this season with Snow White: The Fairest Pantomime in All the Land! Join Snow White as she outwits the Evil Queen and discovers the true power of friendship and courage. The perfect family treat. Tickets: £17.50pp (standard), £15pp (under 16s)
DECEMBER 19TH - 31ST
Robin Hood (U)
Fisher Theatre, Bungay
Various showtimes. Immerse yourself in the wondrous Sherwood Forest this year for the merriest panto in tights! Tickets: £12pp/£18pp.
DECEMBER 21ST
Breakfast with Santa Cosy Café, Harleston
10am or 11am. £15 per ticket, includes: Breakfast, meet Santa & Mrs. Claus, age-appropriate present, kids best Christmas jumper, adults ugliest Christmas jumper, Christmas colouring & a mailbox to post your letters to the North Pole! Book tickets via 01379 852516 or email: cosycaféharleston@gmail.com
JANUARY 3RD
From Here
Blyburgate Hall, Beccles
7:30pm-10pm. A night of homegrown arts in Beccles. Join local artists & Luminescence Theatre Company for a one-off celebration of local talent. 'From Here' brings together performers from across East Suffolk communities to share their work - from personal tales to bold new creations.
JANUARY 7TH
Mrs Warren's Profession Beccles Public Hall & Theatre
7:30pm. NT Live Screening. Imelda Staunton & Bessie Carter star as mother & daughter in George Bernard Shaw's provocative classic about morality, independence & social change. Filmed live from the West End. Tickets £14pp.
JANUARY 8TH - 16TH
Book Fair
Fisher Theatre, Bungay
10am-3pm (also open from 6:30pm on show nights). Browse hundreds of quality pre-loved novels, children's books, & non-fiction titles, with most priced £2 or less. Fresh stock added throughout the week. Donations welcome at the box office.
JANUARY 8TH
We Three Kings of Rock 'n' Roll Beccles Public Hall & Theatre
7:30pm. Celebrating the music of icons, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly & Elvis Presley. Tickets £20pp.
JANUARY 9TH
Oil Painting Workshop for Beginners 24A Upper Olland Street, Bungay 5pm-8pm. £30pp. Hosted by artZone, led by Paul Zawadski. £30pp. Book via: artzone@artbear.co.uk/07789 192311.
JANUARY 10TH
Dan Hadfield as Gary Barlow Beccles Public Hall & Theatre
7:30pm. The UK's leading Gary Barlow tribute brings an unforgettable solo show packed with Take That hits, including Greatest Day, Back for Good & Rule the World. Tickets £25pp.
JANUARY 14TH
La Traviata - RBO (U)
Fisher Theatre, Bungay
6:45pm. Experience the tragic tale of Parisian courtesan Violetta & her doomed love, accompanied by some of opera's most famous melodies. Richard Eyre production starring soprano, Ermonela Jaho. £15pp.
JANUARY 14TH - 17TH
Yippee-Ki-Yay
Beccles Public Hall & Theatre
7:30pm. Open Door Theatre's hilarious musical parody of the ultimate Christmas action movie, Die Hard. Expect explosive comedy, festive chaos, & a sold-out hit returning for another round! Tickets £15pp/£19pp.
JANUARY 15TH
John Cleese Packs It In (12A) Fisher Theatre, Bungay
7:30pm. Join comedy icon John Cleese on his potentially final European tour. This documentary offers a wry, behind-the-scenes look at the 85yr-old legend battling travel chaos & the absurdities of aging, as he reflects on his 6-decade career. Is this truly the end of the road? Tickets: £15pp.
JANUARY 16TH
'The Children's Crusade'
A Brief History of Children's Illustration
Fisher Theatre, Bungay
10:30am. Presented by Art History. Roger Simpson presents his 1st in a series of 6 talks on the history of children's illustration. Tickets: £10 per talk (£51 for all 6 bought in adv.) (U)
JANUARY 17TH
Acrylic Scene Workshop Bungay Castle 10am-1pm. £30pp. Hosted by artZone, led by Paul Zawadski. Book via: artzone@artbear.co.uk/07789 192311.
JANUARY 17TH
Tennessee Twin
Canopy Theatre, Hungate Church, Beccles
7:30pm. Acclaimed UK Americana/Folk/Country duo Victoria & Geoff Meads bring their award-winning sound to the stage. Expect lyrical honesty, melodic tunes & songs blending modern country & Americana. £12pp.
JANUARY 17TH
Bootleg Boss
Fisher Theatre, Bungay
7:30pm. UK based 7-piece band that perform the classic songs of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. £20pp.
JANUARY 19TH
Decoupage Workshop
The Craftery, 6 Hungate, Beccles 10am-12pm. A creative escape to learn the art of decoupage. You'll use beautiful papers & expert guidance to decorate an item to take home. Suitable for all abilities, incl. materials, tools, cake & a cuppa. £20pp, booking essential.
JANUARY 19TH
'Pen To Paper' Workshop with Published Author Victoria Drew-Batty Fisher Theatre, Bungay
10am. Session 1 of 8: Celebrating the art of letter-writing, by hand. Over 8 weeks, we'll discuss published handwritten letters that have stood the test of time; & create our own. £7 per session (£50 for all 8 sessions bought in adv.)
JANUARY 21ST - 24TH
One-Eyed Willy & the Quest for the Big Chest! (18+)
Beccles Public Hall & Theatre
Various showtimes. Ahoy, mateys! The Adult Panto Company returns for its 8th outrageous season with a wild, pirate-themed adult pantomime. Join One-Eyed Willy & his crew for a boisterous, side-splitting romp packed with raunchy humour & camp thrills. £19pp. 18+.
JANUARY 22ND
Café Neuro
Waveney Centre, Beccles
2pm. If you/someone you care for has a neurological condition, a new monthly group meeting is being established in Beccles. Café Neuro will be held on the 4th Thurs of each month. Our goal is to just chat while tea, coffee and cake will be available for purchase. Feel free to come along!
JANUARY 22ND
The Ballad of Wallis Island (12A) Masonic Rooms, Redenhall Road, Harleston 2pm & 7:30pm. Presented by Harleston Cinema. An eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island tries to make his fantasies come true by getting his favourite musicians to perform at his home. Tickets: £5pp adults, £2.50 under 16's (must be accompanied by an adult). Book at Harleston Information Plus in Exchange Street, Harleston or call 01379 851917. Cash only. Ice creams at intervals. Bar available at evening screening (card accepted).
JANUARY 22ND
Working with Colour Art Workshop 24A Upper Olland Street, Bungay 6pm-8pm. £20pp. Hosted by artZone, led by Paul Zawadski. £30pp. Book via: artzone@artbear. co.uk/07789 192311.
JANUARY 22ND Hamlet (12A) Fisher Theatre, Bungay 7pm. Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera stars as Hamlet in Robert Hastie's sharp, stylish & darkly funny contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare's tragedy. £15pp.
JANUARY 23RD
'The Roots of Alice' Sir John Tenniel: The Invisible Man Fisher Theatre, Bungay 10:30am. Presented by Art History. Roger Simpson presents his 2nd in a series of 6 talks on the history of children's illustration. Tickets: £10 per talk (£51 for all 6 bought in adv.) (U)
JANUARY 23RD
Song Sung Blue: The Music of Neil Diamond Fisher Theatre, Bungay 7:30pm. Paying tribute to the music and career of Neil Diamond, paying homage to his vocal range, guitar playing & heartfelt stage presence in a show jam-packed with timeless songs & ballads. Tickets: £13pp/£15pp.
JANUARY 24TH
Burns Celebration Fisher Theatre, Bungay 7pm for traditional home-cooked Burns supper, followed at 8:30pm by a traditional Cèilidh, presented by Far 'N' Away band. Tickets: £26pp meal & Cèilidh/£11pp Cèilidh only.
JANUARY 26TH
'Pen To Paper' Workshop with Published Author Victoria Drew-Batty Fisher Theatre, Bungay 10am. Session 2 of 8: Celebrating the art of letter-writing, by hand. Over 8 weeks, we'll discuss published handwritten letters that have stood the test of time; & create our own. £7 per session (£50 for all 8 sessions bought in adv.)
JANUARY 28TH
Matt Rendell's Inside Stories of the Tour de France
Beccles Public Hall & Theatre
7:30pm. ITV Tour de France commentator Matt Rendell shares stories from his 25yrs of covering the Tour & his dealings with cycling's big names, from Eddy Merckx to Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish to Chris Froome. Tickets £20pp.
JANUARY 28TH
Quiz Night
Fisher Theatre, Bungay
7:30pm. Join us for a light-hearted but competitive evening of curious conundrums & fiendish brainteasers & bring all your friends. Teams of up to 6. £8pp, incl. nibbles & prize for winning team. All proceeds to the Fisher Theatre.
JANUARY 29TH
An Evening of Mediumship with Psychic Tony Stockwell
Beccles Public Hall & Theatre
7:30pm. Remarkably compelling, amazingly detailed, & always humorous. The popular star of TV's Street Psychic, Psychic Private Eyes & Psychic Academy, Tony Stockwell has a long-established credibility as one of the top intuitive mediums. £26pp.
JANUARY 30TH
'The Grotesque' Fisher Theatre, Bungay
10:30am. Presented by Art History. Roger Simpson presents his 3rd in a series of 6 talks on the history of children's illustration. Tickets: £10 per talk (£51 for all 6 bought in adv.) (U)
JANUARY 30TH
We Three Kings of Country
Beccles Public Hall & Theatre
7:30pm. Classic country music evening celebrating the timeless classics of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams & Jim Reeves. Sit back, relax & sing-along to hits like Folsom Prison Blues & Welcome to My World. Tickets £20pp.
JANUARY 31ST
Megson
Canopy Theatre, Hungate Church, Beccles
7:30pm. 4-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominees & double Spiral Earth Award winners, Megson present their truly unique brand of folk music. Debs & Stu Hanna combine infectious vocals, lush harmonies & rhythmic guitar/mandola work with renowned northern humour. Promoting their latest album 'What Are We Trying To Say'. Tickets £15pp.
JANUARY 31ST
The Blondie Experience
Beccles Public Hall & Theatre
7:30pm. Celebrating the iconic music of Blondie through an electrifying new theatre show. Get ready to dance, sing, & relive the magic of Blondie like never before! Tickets £20pp.
FEBRUARY 2ND
'Pen To Paper' Workshop with Published Author Victoria Drew-Batty
Fisher Theatre, Bungay 10am. Session 3 of 8: Celebrating the art of letter-writing, by hand. Over 8 weeks, we'll discuss published handwritten letters that have stood the test of time; & create our own. £7 per session (£50 for all 8 sessions bought in adv.) FEBRUARY 3RD - 6TH Book Fair
Fisher Theatre, Bungay 10am-3pm (also open from 6:30pm on show nights). Browse hundreds of quality pre-loved novels, children's books, & non-fiction titles, with most priced £2 or less. Fresh stock added throughout the week. Donations welcome at the box office.
FEBRUARY 5TH
'Hiding in Plain Sight: A Miscellany of Heritage Features in Beccles' talk Hungate Church, Beccles 7:30pm. Beccles & District Historical Society talk by archaeologist David Gurney. Non-members very welcome £3pp.
FEBRUARY 6TH
'Ratty, Toad & The Dictatorship of the Proletariat' Fisher Theatre, Bungay 10:30am. Presented by Art History. Roger Simpson presents his 4th in a series of 6 talks on the history of children's illustration. Tickets: £10 per talk (£51 for all 6 bought in adv.) (U)
FEBRUARY 9TH
'Pen To Paper' Workshop with Published Author Victoria Drew-Batty Fisher Theatre, Bungay 10am. Session 4 of 8: Celebrating the art of letter-writing, by hand. Over 8 weeks, we'll discuss published handwritten letters that have stood the test of time; & create our own. £7 per session (£50 for all 8 sessions bought in adv.)
FEBRUARY 13TH
'The American Revolution' Fisher Theatre, Bungay 10:30am. Presented by Art History. Roger Simpson presents his 5th in a series of 6 talks on the history of children's illustration. Tickets: £10 per talk (£51 for all 6 bought in adv.) (U)
FEBRUARY 14TH
Brooks Williams
Canopy Theatre, Hungate Church, Beccles 7:30pm. One of the 'Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists,' Georgia-born, Cambridge-based Brooks Williams is a leading light on the acoustic scene. Effortlessly blending folk, blues & country, he'll perform songs from his extensive 35yr, 34-album career, incl. his latest, 'Diamond Days'. Tickets £14pp.
FEBRUARY 20TH
'The Trouble with Disney' (U) Fisher Theatre, Bungay 10:30am. Presented by Art History. Roger Simpson presents his final talk on the history of children's illustration. Tickets: £10 per talk (£51 for all 6 bought in adv.)
FEBRUARY 23RD
'Pen To Paper' Workshop with Published Author Victoria Drew-Batty Fisher Theatre, Bungay 10am. Session 5 of 8: Celebrating the art of letter-writing, by hand. Over 8 weeks, we'll discuss published handwritten letters that have stood the test of time; & create our own. £7 per session (£50 for all 8 sessions bought in adv.) FEBRUARY 28TH
Dana Robinson
Canopy Theatre, Hungate Church, Beccles 8pm. Vermont, USA-based folk singer, guitarist, & master storyteller, Dana Robinson, returns to the UK for the first time in 6yrs. Known for his unique blend of songwriting, wry humour & astute observations, his distinctive guitar style combines British fingerstyle & Appalachian flat-picking. A highly anticipated return. Tickets £12pp.
Got an event you'd like to promote to our thousands of monthly readers? If so, please email the details over to: edit@micropress.co.uk to be included in our 'What's on?' section.
News from Bungay Primary School
from this! A huge thanks to everyone for their support!
ST MARY’S STREET
ArtZone Bungay launch event
Meet the team!
On December 7th, the ArtZone creative team held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with Mettingham-based abstract artist Dom Theobald, to mark the official opening of the workshop space at 24A Upper Olland Street, Bungay NR35 1BH.
ArtZone is a new creative art workshop space in Bungay run by contemporary artists Ally and Paul Zawadzki, who were on hand during the afternoon to greet visitors and talk about the project, and the range of workshops planned for the coming months.
On a monthly schedule, the
sessions will cater for a wide variety of styles and abilitiesfrom absolute beginners through to professionals. Workshops will include subjects such as basic perspective, drawing, still life, landscapes, watercolour, acrylics, oils, linoprinting, monoprinting and the popular 'ink blots and splashes' sessions. We will also offer advice on building up your own set of paints and equipment.
While most sessions are led by Paul, the venue is available to other artists and creatives who wish to host their own workshops and events in the town. Contact artZone for more information or to
THE HANDY TEAM
discuss your requirements.
Check the website and social media for current and upcoming workshops. Sessions are available until 8pm, seven days a week, and numbers are limited to eight people which allows for the tutor to give individual attention, help and advice.
Paul Zawadzki (MA) is a contemporary landscape artist with over 50 years' experience in oil painting. He regularly exhibits in East Anglia, and his work can be seen in London, Milan, Paris, Venice and New York.
Paul's wife Ally is a self taught contemporary abstract artist who also regularly exhibits her work in the region.
