Halesworth & Southwold Community News - July 2025 by Countrywide Publications

Please send any editorial from your local groups, clubs and events for the paper to edit@micropress.co.uk Thanks

Annual Parish Meeting was a great success

This year's Annual Parish Meeting was a fantastic success, held in the Town Park and attended by approximately 150 people.

The event was full of energy and community spirit. The live bands were amazing and created a brilliant atmosphere throughout the day. The food was delicious and went down a treat with visitors.

One of the most encouraging parts of the day was the interest shown by the residents of Halesworth. There were lots of questions and councillors made every effort to engage with them and share as much information as possible.

Local organisations also had a great presence, speaking to plenty of residents about what they do and how people can get involved.

Thankfully, the weather held out, the rain stayed away, and we were able to enjoy a lively and enjoyable afternoon outdoors. A huge thank you to everyone who came along and made it such a memorable day.

At the annual council meeting in May, Joyce Moseley was elected as Chair, with Gugue Sibanda and Gabrielle Maughan appointed as Vice Chairs. We look forward to a productive year

ahead under their leadership.

Halesworth Town Council has recently restructured its committees, and they now have new names to better reflect their focus and responsibilities. The current committees are 'Community Services', 'Community Assets', 'Planning & Highways', 'Staffing' and 'Finance & Governance'. These changes are now in effect and will be reflected in upcoming meetings and communications.

Halesworth Market continues to thrive and remains a staple of our community. We're open every Wednesday from 9am to 1:30pm, welcoming both regular traders and a variety of pop-up stalls that join us throughout the month. There's always something new to discover, so come along, support local businesses, and enjoy the friendly market atmosphere! If you'd like a stall at the market, please email: enquiries@ halesworthtowncouncil.gov.uk

Stay Connected: Our website remains a central hub of information for everyone in the community. From council updates and meeting minutes to local events and services, it's a great place to stay informed and connected with what's happening in Halesworth: halesworthtowncouncil.gov.uk

D.C. Patrick

Patrick

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D.C. Patrick

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D.C. Patrick

NEWSAGENTS

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4 Market Hill, Framlingham Has taken over Grange News

Blyth Valley Parkinson Support Group news

In July, as a change from our normal meeting, we'll be having an informal garden party for members and friends.

The venue is yet undecided but anyone wishing to attend should contact one of the numbers at the end of this report. We'll be pleased to see you all.

This support group for people with Parkinson's and their partners/carers has a friendly meeting on the second Thursday of most months, in Holton Village Hall from 10:30am-12pm. We normally

have a speaker on some relevant subject and time to chat and share experiences over a cup of coffee or tea. Looking ahead, we'll have a very interesting and helpful meeting when Coral Stebbings will lead us in seated exercise on August 14th. Do make a note of this date. Everyone's welcome to attend our meetings and if you'd like any further information, please contact Margaret on 01502 478502 (margaret@wrush.plus. com) or Gail on 01502 817004 (aandgattﬁeld@btinternet.com)

Suffolk Singers Summer Concert at St. Edmund's Church, Southwold

Suffolk Singers are pleased to announce their summer concert, 'Love Walked In', a choral celebration of love.

Under the direction of musical director Claire Weston, the concert will take place in the church of St. Edmund King & Martyr, Southwold on July 5th at 7:30pm. The programme will include an eclectic mix of music, old and new, on the theme of love.

David

over 40 years experience and runs newsagents in Halesworth and Framlingham.

Bob

Following Bob's retirement David is taking on the rounds covered by Grange news

Bob's son Craig will continue to manage the service and will be delivering 7 days a week to all the same locations.

David has over 40 years experience and runs newsagents in Halesworth and Framlingham.

Bob's son Craig will continue to manage the service and will be delivering 7 days a week to all the same locations.

We hope you will continue to support the business and please do get in touch should you have any queries regarding deliveries in and around Woodbridge and the surrounding villages.

We hope you will continue to support the business and please do get in touch should you

Tel: 01986 874 305 & 07907 223 715

Suffolk Singers have performed in many of Suffolk's spectacular churches over the years, but this will be their ﬁrst ever performance in Southwold's beautiful parish church.

Apart from the other attractions of this delightful seaside town, it's worth a visit to Southwold just to see St. Edmund's, a Grade I listed, 15th century church situated in the middle of the town. It's considered to be one of Suffolk's ﬁnest churches. It lies under one continuous roof, and was built over about 60 years from the 1430's to the 1490's; it

replaced a smaller 13th century church that was destroyed by fire. The exterior is a beautiful example of East Anglian flint work. Inside, it's worth looking out for the carved and decorated angels in the roof, the spectacular font cover, and the great medieval rood screen with its fine paintings. The figure of Southwold Jack is well-known to anyone who loves Adnams beers. The armourclad figure, dating from the Wars of the Roses, is still called upon today to announce the start of services by striking his bell with his battle axe.

Preparations for this concert are well underway so come and join us for an evening of beautiful music! Tickets are available priced at £15 and £5 for under 16's, and can be obtained by either calling the ticket line: 07843 840876, from: wegottickets.com/event/658150 (booking fee applies) or on the door. We look forward to seeing you there!

Halesworth Town Council

Spring Fair raises over £2,400 for Cancer Research

The committee and volunteers would like to thank everyone who came along to our Spring Fair which we held at Holton Village Hall on May 17th.

We hope that all of you who stayed for lunch enjoyed the food. We've received some really nice comments about the meals, which means a lot to us, so thank you very much. It was a lovely friendly community event and the hall looked very pretty with all the ﬂower table decorations.

We're so grateful that so many of you support our events and we're delighted to say that you raised an amazing £2,425.19 for the incredible work carried out by Cancer Research as they continue to ﬁnd new treatments and better diagnostic techniques in their ﬁght to beat cancer.

We have to say a huge thank you to the following businesses for providing items used for our meals: Cleveleys, Co-op Halesworth, Spar Halesworth, Tesco's Beccles, The East of England Co-op Beccles. Their support makes a massive difference to us and we're extremely grateful to them.

We'd also like to thank the following businesses for providing items for our rafﬂe: Tulula's Fish & Chips, Patrick's Newsagents, Adnams Southwold, Mumfords Southwold and Hidden Ivy Holton. Congratulations to everyone who won a rafﬂe prize and thank you all for taking part.

Thank you to Market Fields Holton for donating the lovely food hamper which raised £157 and was won by Beverley from Ipswich. The Bonus Ball Gin Hamper was won by Maxine V with May 17th lottery bonus ball number 26.

A special thanks to Woottens of Wenhaston for donating some fantastic plants for the plant stall. Thank you to everyone who baked cakes or savouries for our cake stall, donated a rafﬂe prize or contributed in any way.

Our next fundraising opportunity is our street collection which takes place in The Thoroughfare on June 27th outside Coopers and The Angel, also on June 28th outside The Co-op.

We're in the I-Chameleon pop up shop in The Thoroughfare Halesworth from: July 3rd & 9th. We have something outside the shop each day. Thursday is Tombola. Friday we have Jane Bastow with her very popular plant stall. Saturday is cake day. Monday it's books and jigsaws. Tuesday the Ukulele Band are playing for us from 11:30am ish (weather permitting). In the shop, we'll have lots of bargains and we'll have some nearly new clothes (with good labels eg. Seasalt, Dash, FatFace Weird Fish, Boden etc). Please call in and say hello.

For more information, please contact Dawn Davis 01986 873640.

Reydon Show 2025!

Are you a baker, artist, photographer, crafter, sewer, knitter, gardener or ﬂower arranger? Why not enter the Reydon Show?

The show celebrates your talents big and small plus there's certiﬁcates and various trophies to be won.

The show takes place on August 2nd at Reydon Village Hall. 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 children's categories open to

kids under 12 so if your child is a keen maker of Lego, gardener or arts and crafter they can enter too, and kids' enter free! So, plan your preserves, ready your radishes and corral your carnations. Programme of categories available at Bridgefoot Stores, Reydon or can be emailed to you if you contact Charlotte: frogclock@hotmail.com.

Photographic categories are:

• Seed Heads

• Black & White Photo

(any subject)

• Rainy Day

• Animals at Work

VE Day celebration raises over £1,000

The Chair and committee would like to thank everyone who supported us on our VE Day Cream Tea Celebration at the museum on May 11th.

It's fair to say everyone who visited us had a great afternoon, the weather was lovely and the people who kindly donated the food did an outstanding job.

In addition, it'd be wrong if I didn't mention that some of the scones were donated by Morrisons Supermarket in Lowestoft. The Spar in Halesworth contributed by donating strawberries, butter and other goods and Cleveleys supplied the cream for the scones.

A total of £1,015.98 was raised and again, the ladies in the tea tent (and the gents who did the washing-up) did a brilliant job, as did everyone.

Congratulations to everyone

who won a prize on the tombola and thanks must go to Sheila Matthews for the hard work of organising the tombola.

The main point of the afternoon was of course to celebrate VE Day: The funds raised will go towards ensuring that the story of the airﬁeld and surrounding area is kept alive for future generations - A big thank you to you all.

The marquees are down, the clean-up completed and we're ready to welcome visitors again every Sunday and Bank Holidays from 2pm-5pm. Please feel free to call-in and you'll be assured of a warm welcome. We look forward to seeing you on our Open Day which this year will be held on August 24th, on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Thank you, Tim Meechan (Treasurer)

at Farmhouse Bakery for the delicious lunches. Thank you

from Gordon

Halesworth branch of Cancer

The hall set up and ready to go for our Spring Fair

Gordon Frary would like to thank family and friends for all his cards and gifts on the occasion of his 90th birthday on May 5th. Thanks also to Kevin and all

Halesworth Airfield Memorial Museum

Roses are blooming!

Plant sale grows £820 for Halesworth & District Gardeners' Society

This

thank you! Special thanks to Yvonne Eady, we couldn't do it without you!

Our final meeting before the summer break will take place on July 10th at the Rifle Hall, Halesworth. Doors open at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start. One of the best speakers we had last year was our own Alan Wetherby who gave a fascinating talk on bees. We're delighted to have him back again, this time talking about butterflies as they appear throughout the year. Alan's focus will be on local butterflies in our

area. Where he lives in Wissett, there are no less than 25 species. His talk will also cover moths and bees, so you get three for the price of one!

Details of all our activities can be found on our Facebook page and the notice board outside Coopers in the Thoroughfare, Halesworth. Alternatively, you can call our Club Secretary Brian Hammond on 01986 872712. Happy gardening! - Adrian

Halesworth in Bloom

Our valiant volunteers work year round keeping Halesworth's many public spaces and roundabouts looking as attractive as possible, and we really appreciate all the kind comments that come our way when we're gardening, thank you!

This year, as well as maintaining our existing plantings, we've planted in the three new planters installed by the Town Council in the Old Market Place. Roses are gloriously blooming opposite the train station at the top of Station Road following our mammoth (and very prickly) pruning sessions earlier in the year.

If you'd like to help (however much/little time you can spare), You can email us on: email@ halesworthinbloom.com, reach us through our Facebook page, use the contact form on our website halesworthinbloom.com, or come along to the borders at the main town park entrance where you'll usually ﬁnd us at 10am on Tuesday mornings. We'll be very pleased to see you!

If we're lucky to get lots of sunshine but no rain, then watering is another important job. Could you help us by adopting a particular planter for watering in the warmer months? Several businesses about the town kindly give us access to a tap to make this quite easy. One of three new planters in the Old Market Square

Thank you for the owl box!

Many people have commented on seeing owls over Blyth Meadow recently, so when the Green got a donation from Sarah and Peter of a new owl box that seemed the right place to put it.

Many thanks to Paul for his help in putting it up. This is the second owl box in Blyth Meadow and probably will not be used until next year.

As you go about the Green, look out for the other bird boxes: there's a kestrel box on the horse chestnut in Chestnut Meadow and several small bird boxes in Arthur's Wood (beyond the Community Orchard). If you see any of them being used, please let us know (email below), what kind of bird and when you saw it. They don't all stick to the boxes designed for them, jackdaws are especially opportunist. Everyone's coming out for walks in the summer weather, unfortunately we're noticing this means many more dog poo bags hanging on trees, and dog poo lying around. Coming across dog mess in long grass when you're strimming really isn't funny, volunteers have had the stuff ﬂying into their faces, it's dangerous and unhealthy. Don't kick it into long grass or hang it up, pick it up and deal with it. There are bins at the Arthur's Wood entrance, at White Bridge and at Three Ways, in addition to the ones you've got at home. Big change of tradition: Work parties have gone fortnightly for the early summer. So if you feel like putting on your boots and picking up a tool, the next one is on July 2nd starting at 9:30am until approximately

Halesworth Millennium Green

LOCAL SERVICES DIRECTORY

Love Local Suffolk Ham, Roasted Veg & Goat's Cheese Tart

This hearty tart brings together smoky Suffolk-cured ham, sweet roasted vegetables, creamy goat's cheese, and a crisp herb pastry - all sourced from the heart of East Anglia. It's ideal for a picnic, light supper, or centrepiece lunch, and every ingredient helps support local farmers, butchers and makers!

Ingredients (serves 4-6) For the Herb Crust:

• 200g plain ﬂour (Maple Farm in Kelsale mill their own organic ﬂour)

• 100g unsalted butter (Fen Farm Dairy in Bungay traditionally make their own hand-crafted butter)

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme or rosemary (from your garden or local greengrocer)

• 1 egg yolk (most local farm shops will have fresh eggs available)

• 2-3 tbsp cold water

For the Filling:

• 2 red onions, sliced

• 1 courgette, sliced

• 1 green pepper, chopped

• 1 small sweet potato, cubed

• 3 tbsp rapeseed oil (Can be bought locally from Hillfarm Oils in Heveningham, Halesworth)

• 150g Suffolk-cured ham, torn or roughly chopped (try a local butcher such as K. Clarke, Bramﬁeld)

• 150g soft goat's cheese

(Available from lots of local farm shops including Friday Street Farm in Farnham & Suffolk Farmhouse Cheeses in Creeting St. Mary)

• 2 eggs (most local farm shops will have fresh eggs available)

• 150ml double cream (available from your local farm shop)

• Salt & pepper

• Fresh rocket/watercress, to serve

Love Local

Method:

1. Make the pastry: Rub the ﬂour and butter together until crumbly. Add herbs and a pinch of salt. Mix in the egg yolk and a little cold water until the dough comes together. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

2. Roast the veg: Heat oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Toss red onion, courgette, pepper, and sweet potato in rapeseed oil, season, and roast for 25-30 minutes, until golden and soft.

3. Blind bake the base: Roll out the pastry and line a 23cm tart tin. Prick the base, line with baking paper and ﬁll with baking beans. Bake for 15 minutes, remove beans, and bake for 5 minutes more.

4. Assemble & bake: Whisk eggs and cream, season lightly. Spread roasted vegetables into the tart base. Scatter over chunks of Suffolk ham and

dots of goat's cheese. Pour in the egg mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and set. Serve With:

A crisp green salad and slices of local sourdough (Pinetree Bakery on Smallgate in Beccles or The Tudor Bakehouse on Market

Place in Bungay). Delicious warm or cold. Perfect for a summer lunch or sharing platter.

Love Local, Taste Suffolk

This recipe supports:

• Suffolk butchers & farmersSuffolk ham, eggs, veg

• Independent dairies - cheese, cream, butter

• Local oil producers - Hillfarm rapeseed oil

• Bakers, growers & greengrocers

- right on your doorstep

• Buying local means better ﬂavour, fresher food, and a stronger community. Every bite supports a business near you!

Bungay Street Market

The beloved Bungay Street Market is back on July 6th, promising a vibrant day out for the whole family! Taking place in the heart of the town, the market will feature over 100 stalls offering everything from delicious local produce and artisan foods to handmade crafts, vintage ﬁnds, and stylish clothing. Visitors can look forward to an uplifting atmosphere, with performances from a local choir and talented buskers bringing music to the streets throughout the day. It's a fantastic opportunity to explore Bungay's charm while supporting small businesses and enjoying the best the region has

to offer. With the inﬂux of visitors expected, the event will also provide a welcome boost to Bungay's High Street shops, cafés, and pubs, making it a true celebration of the town's community spirit and entrepreneurial ﬂair. Don't miss this highlight of the summer calendar, whether you're browsing for unique treasures or simply soaking in the atmosphere, Bungay Street Market is the place to be. Market opens at 9am-4pm. Admission is free and there is ample parking available at Bungay Golf Course.

Why supporting our independent businesses matters

From historic Bungay to the colourful beach huts of Southwold, Suffolk is a county full of character, charm and community spirit.

At the heart of our towns and villages are local businesses; independent shops, family-run cafés, homegrown producers, and creative artisans, that make our corner of the world truly special. The 'Love Local' message isn't just about shopping close to home... It's about recognising the role these businesses play in making Suffolk such a vibrant and unique place to live.

Keeping Suffolk's character alive

Whether it's the butcher in Beccles who's been serving customers for generations, the ﬂorist in Saxmundham who knows just what to create for every occasion, or the baker in Framlingham whose sourdough is the stuff of legend, these businesses are rooted in place and tradition. They make our high streets distinctive, full of personality and history, not just copies of the same chain stores found in every town.

Supporting local people and the local economy

Every time you buy from a Suffolk-based business, you're helping to support real people in your community. You're keeping someone's dream alive, paying wages that support local families, and keeping money circulating in our towns and villages rather than disappearing into national or global chains.

Local businesses often use other local suppliers too; whether that's a Leiston café using honey from a local beekeeper or a Southwold gift shop selling Suffolk-made candles and crafts.

It's a ripple effect that strengthens the whole region.

Building stronger communities

Local business owners know their customers by name. They sponsor school fêtes, support local charities, and often go the extra mile when someone is in need. In

Suffolk's smaller towns and rural villages, these connections matter. They foster a sense of belonging and mutual support that can't be bought online.

Protecting the environment

Choosing to shop local is often a more environmentally conscious choice too. Fewer delivery miles, less packaging, and more locally-sourced goods mean a smaller carbon footprint. When you buy vegetables grown in East Anglia or beer brewed just

down the road, you're not only enjoying something fresh and delicious, you're doing your bit for the planet, too!

High streets need us more than ever

The last few years have been tough on small businesses. Rising costs and changing shopping habits mean many independent retailers are struggling to stay aﬂoat. Suffolk's high streets need our support to thrive. A little shift in where we spend our money can make a huge difference.

It starts with us

Loving local doesn't have to mean spending more... It's about making conscious choices. Buy your Christmas presents from a local independent business, or pick up your Friday night wine from a village deli or farm shop. Every small action adds up!

Suffolk has always been a place of proud communities and independent spirit. By backing our local businesses, we're helping to keep that spirit alive, not just

generations. So next time you need

Halesworth High Street Image credit: seanseyeview

Southwold High Street Image credit: Sam Tanno

Colin's family would like to thank everyone for their help and support during his long illness. Especially the wonderful carers at First Choice and the district nurses etc. Any donations in his memory can be made to Halesworth Dementia Carers Fund.

In memoriam

Colin Haken

JULY 1ST

Quiet Morning

Wrentham Chapel

10am-1pm. Set yourself up for the summer holidays with a peaceful time for quiet reﬂection in a variety of ways. Refreshments provided. Those wanting to stay longer may bring a packed lunch. No charge, but donations always welcome.

JULY 1ST, 8TH, 15TH, 22ND & 29TH

(Every Tuesday)

Baby Bounce & Tot Rock Southwold Library

10:30-11am. Every Sunday & Tuesday. Instruments, clapping, jogging & action rhymes for babies & toddlers of all ages. Free, no booking required.

JULY 1ST, 8TH, 15TH, 22ND & 29TH

(Every Tuesday)

Free Summer Holiday Kids Crafts Southwold Library

11am & 2pm. Every Tuesday. Fairies: July 22nd & Aug 5th & 19th. Dinosaurs: July 29th & Aug 12th & 26th. Crafts supplied by the Friends of Southwold Library. No need to book.

Until - JULY 2ND Exhibition

Halesworth Gallery

11am-4pm. Exhibition of works by Simon J G Ciappara FRPS, Joe Davey & Lee McConville. Admission free. 01986 873064

Until - JULY 2ND

Michael Bullen: Art Exhibition The Studio, Walberswick, IP18 6TN 11am. The Studio is an old ﬁsherman's house down by the harbour, built on stilts to protect it from the highest tides. Large car park just by the Gallery & a couple of spaces at the Studio itself. Michael has a permanent exhibition studio in Market Place, Halesworth. Email: michaelbullen@btopenworld. com for viewing info.

JULY 2ND

The Last Showgirl (18) The Cut, Halesworth 7:30pm. The story of Shelly Gardner (Pamela Anderson), a 57-year-old Vegas showgirl who must plan for a new future when she learns the venue's about to close.

JULY 2ND, 9TH, 16TH, 23RD & 30TH

(Every Wednesday)

Crochet & Craft Club

Southwold Library

2:15pm-4pm. £2pp. Friendly group for all crafters & those who crochet (any ability). Barbara on hand to teach crochet beginners, add to your crochet skills or troubleshoot problems, should you want to. Or, bring your latest craft project & work on them together. BYO equipment or Barbara can supply crochet equipment at a price. Hot drinks supplied.

St. Peter’s, Holton FLOWER FESTIVAL

Dances through the decades 12th & 13th July 10am-4pm

Refreshments Ra le & Tombola SONGS OF PRAISE - 6pm Sunday

JULY 5TH

JULY 3RD, 17TH & 31ST

Kids, Come & Read to Ash the PAT Dog!

Southwold Library

3:30pm. The Read2Dogs scheme provided by PAT helps improve literacy skills & wellbeing in young people by developing their conﬁdence, interest, & enjoyment in reading. Dogs are non-judgemental & great listeners, they don't interrupt/ correct, they aid conﬁdence & concentration levels. PAT Dogs are also known to encourage positive social behaviours, enhance self-esteem & inspire.

JULY 4TH

Blyth Poets

'The isle is full of voices'

Southwold Library

2:15pm-3:30pm. Poetry group meeting. First Friday every month. All welcome to read or just listen. We invite contributions of original work/well-loved poems. Refreshment break in The Canteen. Free, no booking.

JULY 4TH, 11TH & 19TH

Chess Club

Southwold Library

4:30pm. Free play every week for kids 7+ & adults. Beginners' teaching & assistance. Interested in other board/strategy games?

Let us know & we can expand the group. 01502 442817. JULY 4TH

Exhibition Opening Party

Halesworth Gallery

6pm-8pm. All welcome to this evening's event ahead of the Gallery's exhibition of works by Richard Denny, Rachel Furze & Anna MacRae, from July 5th30th. 01986 873064

JULY 4TH & 5TH

Austentatious (14+)

Thorington Theatre

7:30pm-9:50pm. Presented by Show & Tell. From the West End to the woods, Austentatious comes to you on a strictly limited tour. For a delightful evening, the all-star cast will improvise a hilarious new Jane Austen novel, inspired entirely by a title from the audience. Performed in period costume with live musical accompaniment. Tickets from £23pp. thoringtontheatre.co.uk

JULY 6TH, 13TH, 20TH & 27TH

Cèilidh

Reydon Village Hall

7pm-10pm. With the Once Bittern Cèilidh Band. £15pp incl. summer buffet. BYO alcohol. Soft drinks & snacks available. Book tickets in adv. Charlotte 07715 388916 or email: frogclock@hotmail. com or online: www.ticketsource. co.uk/reydonvillagehall. Funds to the RVH Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund to repair, renovate & reﬁt the hall.

JULY 5TH, 12TH, 19TH & 26TH

(Every Saturday)

Open Afternoon Walpole Old Chapel

2pm-4:30pm. Visit this atmospheric Grade II listed building, once a farmhouse but with a long history as a nonconformist meeting house, evidenced by its superb interior. Toilet facilities & limited car parking opposite the Chapel. info@walpoleoldchapel.org

JULY 5TH - 30TH

Exhibition Halesworth Gallery

11am-4pm. Exhibition of works by Richard Denny, Rachel Furze & Anna MacRae. Admission free. 01986 873064

JULY 6TH

Pendulum Workshop

The Harmony Centre, Walpole, IP19 9BB 12pm-2pm. Join Sarah Lou for this pendulum workshop to connect with your inner self & psychic energies. £33pp. Booking essential, 07737 026052, sarahlousolutions.co.uk

JULY 6TH

Open Afternoon

Steamworks, Blyth Road, Southwold 1pm-4pm. Open to visitors. Come see! Café, miniature railway & shop will be open, plus guided tours of the site available. 01502 725422.

mail@southwoldrailway.co.uk

JULY 6TH, 13TH, 20TH & 27TH

(Every Sunday)

Baby Bounce & Tot Rock Southwold Library 10:30-11am. Every Sunday & Tuesday. Instruments, clapping, jogging & action rhymes for babies & toddlers of all ages. Free, no booking required.

(Every Sunday)

Lego Club

Southwold Library 12:15pm-1pm. Open to all ages, adults & kids. This summer, we're building: Crazy Creatures. All Lego donations welcome. Free, no booking required. Adults: Would you like to help with Lego Club? Just ask staff.

JULY 8TH

Romeo & Juliet

The Cut, Halesworth 7:30pm. Rollo Bacon & Scarlett Fisher play Shakespeare's starcrossed lovers in RoughCast's 1st ever production of Romeo & Juliet. Tickets from £7pp.

JULY 9TH

Sophie Hannah Reydon Village Hall 3pm. Join award-winning author Sophie Hannah for afternoon tea. 'No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done' is her gripping new thriller. It tells the shocking story of the Lambert family, whose extreme & unethical actions stun their community, raising questions about morality, loyalty, & human behaviour. Tickets: £6pp incl. refreshments, available from Southwold Library 01502 722519 or: ticketsource.co.uk/ southwoldlibrary

JULY 10TH

Scrabble Club

Southwold Library 2:15pm. 2nd Thurs of every month. All equipment supplied. Refreshments. Free, no booking.

JULY 10TH

'A Streetcar Named Desire' Walberswick Village Hall 6:30pm (doors open), 7pm start. National Theatre Live. Starring Gillian Anderson. Refreshments available. Tickets at door by card only: Adult £15pp, Under 21s £10pp.

JULY 10TH

'Swifts & Us' talk

St. Mary's Church, Halesworth 6:45pm. Halesworth Swifts Group. Talk by author Sarah Gibson talking about the history, design & lifestyle of swifts & their plight as an endangered species. If you love swifts, you won't want to miss this! Book copies available to buy. Open to everyone. Free entry (donations welcomed).

JULY 11TH & 25TH

Mah-jong Group

Southwold Library 2:15-4:15pm. 2nd & 4th Friday of the month. Can you play mahjong? Want to learn? Come & join the group! £1pp.

JULY 12TH

Words & Music

The Cut, Halesworth

7:30pm. A concert to raise funds for Walpole Chapel. An evening of songs & readings feat. some of our ﬁnest musicians & local writers. Tickets £20pp.

JULY 13TH

Halesworth Harmony & Friends: Concert for WaterAid

The Cut, Halesworth 7:30pm. Halesworth Harmony Concert to support WaterAid. An evening of poetry & gorgeous songs from around the world & close to home to raise money for WaterAid. Incl. music from popular local acoustic duo, Keith & Mary-Jane. Tickets £10pp from The Cut Box Ofﬁce: thecut.org. uk, 0300 303 3211 or email: boxofﬁce@thecut.org.uk

JULY 15TH

'Three Victorian Paintings'

The Cut, Halesworth 2:30pm. Presented by Halesworth & District U3A. All welcome. Roger Simpson looks at the complexity of meaning in Victorian narrative painting. Paintings under discussion are: 'Work' by Ford Madox Brown, 'The Awakening Conscience' by William Holman Hunt & 'The Derby Day' by William Powell Frith. U3A talks are free to members, non-member tickets £4pp.

JULY 19TH

Folk in Ruins

Sibton Abbey Ruins 2pm-6pm (entry from 1:30pm). By kind permission of Nicholas Levett-Scrivener, Presented by The Friends of St. Peter's Sibton. Music by Syzewell Gap, Silmor & Mary-Jane & Keith Tyrrell; family entertainment from Miraiker's World of Puppets incl. Punch & Judy, circus skills, face painting & other family entertainment. Food & drink. Tickets (cash only): adults £20pp, U16s free, from Weavers Tearoom & General Stores at Peasenahll & available on the day at Sibton Abbey Ruin & Sibton Church. Limited ticket availability on Eventbrite.

JULY 19TH

Homeopathic Support Group

The Harmony Centre, Walpole, IP19 9BB 11am-12pm. Interested to learn how to support yourself & family with minor ailments using natural ingredients? Each session features info on remedies for particular problems. £10pp. For more info: 01986 784500 or 01473 737717.

JULY 19TH & 20TH

Sibton's Folk History

JULY 20TH

Open Day

Blythburgh Station 10am-4pm. Free entry, free tea/ coffee/cake. See our progress in the unearthing & restoration of this unique narrow gauge station. Parking's signposted. Demonstration goods train will be "hauled through the power of the sun" as the 89-year-old battery-electric locomotive is now charged by solar panels. Reinstated main line track, platform & goods sidings. Narrow-gauge goods wagons. Award-winning restored original Goods Shed. Landscaped live steam model railway. Artefact & heritage railway display, book sale & railway ﬁlms in the Village Hall. More info: 07379 789665 or 01986 874240. halesworthtosouthwold railway@gmail.com

JULY 20TH Brass on the Grass Jubilee Green, Reydon 12:30pm-4:30pm. Annual community & family event with the Wrentham Brass Band, Sole Bay Singers. Stalls, BBQ, refreshments & more. Bring a chair! More info? Email: info@blythvalleyrotary.co.uk

JULY 22ND Meet the East Suffolk Lettings Team Southwold Library 10am-1pm. Our aim is to increase residents access to the private rented sector. If you're a landlord, we want to meet you! Come & discuss landlord beneﬁts & free services incl. within the rent guarantee scheme. eastsuffolklettings@ eastsuffolk.gov.uk

JULY 23RD Southwold Model Yacht Regattas: Pick-up Regatta Southwold Model Yacht Pond, IP18 6BN 2pm. Model yacht sailing's been taking place in Southwold for 125yrs+. Anyone's welcome to come & have a go at sailing. We can even lend you a boat for the day & show you what to do (please book in adv.). All entries taken at the pond on the day. Please arrive at least 30mins in adv. No club membership requirement. Small charge to pre-book a boat to borrow for one regatta. Come & spectate. 01502 724146 mikewells380@gmail.com

Sibton Church 10:30am-4pm. Discover the memorials & uncover the stories behind the stones of some of those who've gone before & now rest in Sibton Churchyard. An exhibition & records about some unexpectedly famous people, & those who made their home in Sibton. Refreshments at the church available both days. Tickets (cash only): Adults £5pp, U16s free. Tickets available in adv. from Weavers Tearoom & General Store at Peasenhall. Limited ticket availability on Eventbrite.

JULY 24TH Halesworth Vinyl Collective: 'Teenage Symphonies to God' Brian Wilson & the Beach Boys The Cut, Halesworth 7pm-9pm. Beach Boys afﬁcionado Steve Garlick will take us on a deep dive into the soundtrack of the California myth & the darkness that lurks beneath it. Tickets: £5pp adv., £6pp OTD.

BUNGAY, SUFFOLK NR35 2TL

JULY 24TH - 27TH

LATITUDE

Henham Park

Music, comedy, theatre, dance, authors, live podcasts, poets, cabaret, kids & family programme, street feast, wild swimming, theatre of food, mind, body & zen, Trailer Park, lavish lounge. HEADLINE

ACTS: Sting, FatBoy Slim, Snow Patrol, Kaiser Chiefs, Basement Jaxx, Elbow, Clean Bandit, Example, Feeder & so much more! Comedy from Greg Davies, Bridget Christie, Reggie Watts & so many more! latitudefestival.com

JULY 25TH

Blythburgh Mini Market & Café

Blythburgh Church

10:30am-12pm. Last Fri of the month from March-Oct. Stalls selling a variety of items, incl. homemade cakes, cards, gifts, jewellery, honey, etc. Tea, coffee & homemade cakes. Large free car park, 5 mins from Southwold, everyone welcome!

JULY 25TH

Flower Festival Viewing

South Cove Church, NR34 7JD

6:30pm View the ﬂower displays, canapés & glass of wine incl. Entertainment by Spangle. Tickets £12pp from Alison: 01502 675610 or Caroline: 07757 796377.

JULY 25TH

Quiz Night

Reydon Village Hall

7pm. £5pp BYO drinks & snacks. Teams of up to 6. Rafﬂe! Soft drinks, sweets & crisps available to buy. Book tickets with Charlotte at Southwold Library: 07715 388916, email: frogclock@hotmail.com. Funds to the RVH Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund to repair, renovate & reﬁt the hall.

JULY 25TH

Iago Banet: The Galician King of Acoustic Guitar The Cut, Halesworth

7:30pm. Described as a "master of the guitar" by Sean Rafferty, Iago creates stories without words, enthralling audiences as he does so. He fuses styles ranging from gypsy jazz, blues, Americana, country & dixieland, to swing, pop & folk. He's a oneman-band on acoustic guitar not to be missed! Tickets: £15pp. JULY 26TH

Wenhaston Produce Market

Wenhaston Village Hall

10am-12:30pm. Lovely variety of handmade cards, jewellery, handbags & knitted items, homemade jams, Dexter Beef, local author Ruth Leigh, Sally Debenham soaps & serums & other plant & food produce on sale. Café open for tea, coffee & homemade savouries & cakes. We're always looking for new

Saturday 12th July

Halesworth,

For stall enquiries, please contact Pam on

stallholders to come & join our friendly crowd! Everyone's welcome. More info, email Carol at: caz-mike@outlook.com

JULY 26TH

Southwold Model Yacht Regattas: 1st Regatta

Southwold Model Yacht Pond 2pm. Anyone's welcome to come & have a go at sailing. We can even lend you a boat for the day & show you what to do (please book in adv.). Regular races, plus the Pout Cup for sailors aged 16 & under. No club membership requirement. Small charge to pre-book a boat to borrow for one regatta. Come & spectate. 01502 724146

mikewells380@gmail.com

JULY 26TH & 27TH

Flower Festival

South Cove Church, NR34 7JD

11am-5pm. Free entry, refreshments, tombola, books, donations welcome, free parking. JULY 27TH

Vanity Fair

Thorington Theatre

5:30pm-7:30pm. 2hrs, incl. 20min interval. Welcome to the whirligig of Vanity Fair! Take your place on the carousel, among the social climbers, buffoons & preening dandies. In a world of gossip & speculation,

where scandal & celebrity can turn on a sixpence, we follow the twisting fortunes of Becky Sharp & Amelia Sedley. All's to play for & the stakes are perilously high. Don't miss this exciting new adaptation, presented by Moving Parts Theatre Company. Suitable for all. Tickets from: £23pp.

JULY 30TH

Southwold Model Yacht

Regattas: 2nd Regatta

Southwold Model Yacht Pond

1pm. Anyone's welcome to come & have a go at sailing. We can even lend you a boat for the day & show you what to do (please book in adv.). Regular races & Family Relay Race, & Quincentenary Salver for Beach Yawls, for sailors of any age but only sailing a Beach Yawl. No membership required. Small charge to pre-book a boat to borrow for one regatta. Come & spectate. 01502 724146 mikewells380@gmail.com

JULY 31ST

Mini Monsters Creepy

Crawly Roadshow

Southwold Library

11am & 2pm. Come meet the mini monsters: minibeasts, reptiles & invertebrates. Find out fascinating facts about the animals before getting up close & personal with each species. £2

per child. Open to children 5+. Limited spaces. Book today! 01502 442817. ticketsource. co.uk/southwoldlibrary

JULY 31ST

Reading Group

Southwold Library 6:30pm. This month, we're reading: 'The List of Suspicious Things' by Jennie Godfrey. Pick up a book at Southwold Library. Free, no booking required. 01502 722519.

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.

Organ & Harp Recital at Ilketshall

St. Andrew

There will be a recital given by John Witchell, playing our new organ and Hannah Collins playing her beautiful harp.

This will include some well-known classical pieces such as Bach's Tocarta and some light lesser-known gems. Refreshments of cheese and wine or cake and coffee will be brought round at the end of the performance.

There's no tickets, or charge for entry, but any donations, in aid of our church roof repairs will be most gratefully received. (Card reader or Gift Aid envelopes will also be available). Parking and toilets available at the Village Hall, just 150 yards away. Whilst with us, you'll be able to see our 11th-century

wall paintings, which include 'Wheel of Fortune' (man's rise to fortune then fall from grace), plus the 'Eyes of God', both very rare, being one of only a handful of others around the country. Notice too, our unusual tower, partly round but topped with a hexagonal upper section from which there's a magniﬁcent view.

Wed 2 July, 7:30pm Tickets £7

THE LAST SHOWGIRL US, 2024, Director: Gia Coppola, 1hr 30mins, (18).

The story of Shelly Gardner, a 57-year-old Vegas showgirl who must plan for a new future when she learns the venue is about to close. Pamela Anderson is ﬁnally allowed to shine in a dramatic role and gives the performance of her career which was met with great acclaim, and the presence of Jamie Lee Curtis in anything is always a bonus!

Tue 8 July, 7:30pm Tickets £13

ROMEO & JULIET

Rollo Bacon & Scarlett Fisher play Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers in RoughCast’s ﬁrst production of Romeo & Juliet.

Sat 12 July, 7:30pm

Tickets £20

WORDS & MUSIC

A concert to raise funds for Walpole Chapel.

An evening of songs and readings featuring some of our ﬁnest musicians and local writers. Sopranos Charmian Bedford, Madeleine Holmes and baritone, Rob Gildon, will be accompanied by Nathan Williamson in a selection of songs celebrating and spanning the life of Chapel, from its 17th century origins to the present.

Sun 13 July, 7:30pm

Tickets £10

Directed by Mark Burridge & feat. music by William DrewBatty, Roughcast’s dramatic production captures the romance, drama and humour, of one of Shakespeare’s bestloved plays.

A CONCERT FOR WATER-AID

Presented by Halesworth Harmony & Friends. Proceeds will support Water Aid in their campaign to bring clean water and sanitation to people in Rwanda. We hope you’ll come and support us as we bring an evening of songs old and new on a watery theme to raise money for this vital charity.

Tue 15 July, 2:30pm Tickets £4 / £0 members THREE VICTORIAN PAINTINGS

Presented by Halesworth & District U3A. Roger Simpson will look at the complexity of meaning in Victorian narrative painting. All welcome. The paintings under discussion are ‘Work’ 1852-65, by Ford Madox Brown; ‘The Awakening Conscience’ 1853, by William Holman Hunt, and ‘The Derby Day’ 1856-58 by William Powell Frith.

Thu 24 July, 7pm

Tickets £5 adv / £6 OTD ‘TEENAGE SYMPHONIES TO GOD’ - BRIAN WILSON & THE BEACH BOYS

Halesworth Vinyl Collective is a new initiative designed to make high quality music accessible to everyone.

Beach Boys afﬁcionado Steve Garlick will take us on a deep dive into the soundtrack of the California myth and the darkness that lurks beneath it.

Fri 25 July, 7:30pm • Tickets £15

THE GALICIAN KING OF ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Iago Banet ‘The Galician King of Acoustic Guitar’ launched his 3rd album ‘TRES’ in 2023, with a tour which included multiple sell-out shows and sensational receptions from audiences across the UK. He’s showcased his immense talent at festivals, displaying new levels of skill, complexity and versatility, whilst fusing styles, ranging from gypsy jazz, blues, Americana, country and dixieland, to swing, pop and folk. Iago’s technique and approach to performance have captivated crowds across the UK and Spain. He’s a one-manband on acoustic guitar not to be missed! Described as “a master of the guitar”’ by Sean Rafferty, BBC Radio 3 In Tune; as “nothing short of phenomenal” in a recent review, and as a “highly recommended artist” by Celtic Connections, Iago creates stories without words, enthralling audiences as he does so.

MADOX BROWN

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Details: 01986 874521 mail@valleyfarmholton.co.uk

were thrilled to attend the Asset Education Awards ceremony to celebrate all the children and staff for their achievements across the Asset schools.

Kath

Bungay Primary School

were delighted to welcome parents/carers of our year one and two classes into school to watch their performance of

ooring solutions tailored to your needs. If

Edgar Sewter Playschool

Edgar Sewter Playschool is independently run, Ofsted rated 'Good' and is open Monday to Friday during term time for funded and non-funded children in the term after their second birthday.

We have three intakes during the school year; in September, January and April with smooth transitions into main school nursery. Out Of School club runs for children from four years and up with breakfast club from 8am and after school club from 3:30pm with ﬂexible collection times (snack included) up until 6pm during term time.

Holiday Club runs this summer from July 21st - August 22nd from 8am. We offer ﬂexible start and

pick up times to suit individual needs. We also open each half term and at Easter and we welcome children from all schools.

All places are subject to demand and availability of spaces. Early booking is requested,if possible, to enable us to plan for the needs of each child, stafﬁng and spaces within areas of the school.

For further details please call 07796044277 or email: esplayschool@gmail.com to register, book a place, or arrange a visit to meet us for a chat. For help with childcare costs: childcare choices.gov.uk Hayley, Anthea, Yvonne & Stacey

Edgar Sewter Primary Nursery

Our nursery children at Edgar Sewter School have started a fantastic new topic called 'The Big Wide World'. It's all about helping them learn about different places and experiences!

So far, our little explorers have loved sharing their holiday memories and showing photos of their family adventures. This has helped them connect with and appreciate different parts of the world. They even had fun packing a suitcase for a pretend trip to a warm place, talking about what they might need.

The children also got creative, using different building toys to make all sorts of transport that could take us around the world. They had great chats about how these vehicles were alike and different.

Coming soon: A trip to Foxburrow Nature Reserve!

We're all really excited about our upcoming school trip to Foxburrow Nature Reserve. There, the children will learn about the amazing creatures that live there and the different places they call home. It's going to be a wonderful hands-on experience learning about local wildlife!

We're so excited to welcome our new families during June and July for special transition visits, getting ready for a fantastic September start! It's not too late to join us! We still have places available for September 2025. We offer ﬂexible options including full days, half days, 15 hours, or 30 hours, and we are happy to discuss a plan that works best for your family.

If you would like to ﬁnd out more, please do not hesitate to get in touch! 01986 873194, ofﬁce@ edgarsewterprimary.co.uk

Update from 2nd Halesworth Brownies

Since our last report, we've been up to lots!

We've welcomed Poppy who's volunteering with us as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award. Poppy used to be a Brownie with us at 2nd Halesworth Brownies.

We started the term with a show and tell evening, where we talked about and showed what we'd been up to in the Easter holidays.

We had an evening in which we designed a picture of what we thought would be the greatest place in the world, the Brownies came up with some brilliant designs.

We spent an evening learning about what's good and bad for the environment and we became environmental detectives, taking a walk to see which good and bad things we could spot. The Brownies have now completed their zero waste and charities badges, well done to all of you!

As part of our charity badge we held a cake stall in Halesworth to raise money for Halesworth Volunteers. The Brownies baked lots of goodies, helped us with pricing up, chatted to those who

supported us and dealt with the money. We raised the grand total of £182.05, thank you very much to everyone who supported us!

We're now working towards our Take Action theme award and the Girlguiding Anglia outdoor challenge badge. The girls enjoyed an evening making monsters out of recycled materials (pictured above), the Brownies came up

Bramfield, Ringsfield and Brampton Primary Schools activities

Last month, the reception children at Bramﬁeld Primary School celebrated World Bee Day. We learnt all sorts of facts about these busy little insects and how important they are in helping us to produce fruits and seeds to eat.

We tried out the different jobs bees in a colony do including collecting nectar, nest building and caring for the young. Of course, everybody wanted a turn at being the queen bee!

We're all very keen on bees now, and the children have been so excited to notice bees landing on some of the ﬂowers we planted to entice them into our garden. They watch them closely, talking about what they can see: "Look, there are its antennas!" "Can you see its eyes? It's got ﬁve,

remember? Two big and three small." "It's getting the nectar with its long tongue." Thank you bees!

The Reception children at Brampton and Ringsﬁeld Primary School had their ﬁrst school trip and spent the day at Carlton Marshes.

The children embarked on an amazing wildlife adventure! They went pond dipping and found various creatures living in the water, including water boatmen, ﬁsh, snails and lots more! They then went on a minibeast hunting mission and found a variety of creatures under the logs, in the large bug hotel and in the long grass. Finally, the children went to a bird hide to spot some of the birds in the nature reserve.

We all had a wonderful time and look forward to more trips together in the future.

Holton St. Peter Primary School

Two of our Holton St. Peter children won the Asset's Science award and Asset's Fundraising award.

Our Chair of Governors,

Cook, also won this year's governor award.

Bramﬁeld observing the bees Searching for minibeasts

Pond dipping

'The Bee Musical'.

The children worked incredibly hard to learn lines and songs and we also saw some amazing outﬁts!

with some fantastic designs. We held a promise evening in the park, in which Daisy, Isabelle and Layla made their promises. Congratulations on making your promises and ofﬁcially becoming Brownies.

We have lots more planned for the summer term!

Shelia, Karen, Sarah and Poppy

What is the Halesworth Probus Club?

We're often asked this... Quite simply, it's a club for retired and semi-retired men and women to get together for friendship and social gatherings.

The Halesworth & District Probus Club meets twice a month at The Angel Hotel. On the ﬁrst Monday monthly, we meet for an informal coffee morning. On the third Monday, we have an excellent two-course dinner and coffee, followed by a speaker. We also have a big summer lunch at Halesworth Golf Club in July, and an equally big Christmas

lunch in December. This coming August, we shall also be having afternoon tea by courtesy of Dave and Jackie Rich. Husbands, wives and partners are always invited to these events.

If you'd like to join this very friendly and welcoming organisation, we'd love to see you! You're more than welcome to come along and give us a try, and see what we're like before committing yourself.

On May 20th, we had our usual lunch (it was beautiful poached salmon) followed by a short

AGM. Our Chairman, Michael Homphray-Cooper was re-elected for another year. Clive Snell and JohnWood were re-elected as Treasureer and Secretary respectively. At the end of the meeting, Michael then presented Paddy Cox with a certiﬁcate of Lifetime Honorary Membership for services to the club.

For full details of membership, please contact me and I'd be delighted to tell you all about the Probus Club. John Wood, Secretary 07840 982171

Victorian paintings unveiled

The stories behind the canvas

On July 15th, Roger Simpson will be presenting his talk titled 'Three

will be investigating the

at three pictures. Particular compositions that enjoyed great popularity during this period (1837-1901), but in a style largely rejected by the artistic elite. These works communicated a huge amount of information to their onlookers, on many levels, offering a unique insight into the 19th century and the British Empire. The plight of women, the effects of the class system, and the onslaught of industry are forced to the front of the observer's mind. Within each picture, there's a story to uncover, either optimistic, educational, or tragic.

In many ways, narrative art was the reality television of the Victorian era. The

public loved it. Accessible and sensational, it transported viewers into the scenes shown and let them identify with the characters depicted.

The three paintings are 'Work' (1852-1865) by Ford Madox Brown; 'The Awakening Conscience' (1853) by William Holman Hunt (pictured) and 'The Derby Day' (1856-1858) by William Powell Frith.

This has all the hallmarks of a compelling talk and will start in the Cut Arts Centre, Halesworth at 2:30pm and all are welcome.

Please note that U3A talks are free to current Halesworth and District U3A members. For nonmembers, tickets are available at £4 in advance or on the door at the Cut. Why not come early and have lunch in the Café and take the chance to catch up with your friends? We look forward to seeing you there!

Gareth Malone to return to Latitude after a decade!

It's time to warm up your vocal cords and practice those falsettos, as one of the UK's most inspirational musical ﬁgures, Gareth Malone, will be returning to Latitude after a decade to create a once-in-alifetime festival choir!

The Latitude choir will be created and rehearsed entirely onsite during the festival weekend with 100 of this year's attendees, culminating in a breath-taking live performance opening our iconic Obelisk Arena on Sunday; an incredibly special and unrepeatable opportunity for participants and audiences.

"Coming back to Latitude after 10 years feels incredibly special. I can't wait to work with a brandnew group of voices and create something extraordinary together. This is truly a one-time-only performance-a celebration of unity, music, and the incredible atmosphere of Latitude." - Gareth Malone, OBE Gareth's previous appearance at Latitude made an indelible mark on festival history. In just three days, he assembled and trained a choir made up entirely of Latitude audience members.

The result was one of the most

heartwarming and memorable moments the festival has ever seen. Participants ranged in age, background and musical experience. Among them was a then 14-year-old Amy Davies from Suffolk, who performed in front of thousands while her parents watched proudly from the crowd, and Carrie Fitton, a 57-year-old journalist from Bury St. Edmunds, who described the choir as "a complete mixed bag of people from all over the country." 100 singers will be selected. All rehearsals take place live at the festival-there are no prefestival sessions.

• July 24th: Initial meeting with Gareth

• July 25th & 26th: Full rehearsals in the morning and afternoon

• July 27th: Live opening performance on the Obelisk Arena stage This is a rare opportunity to share the stage with one of Britain's most celebrated musical leaders and open Latitude in the coveted Sunday afternoon slot.

Gareth Malone OBE is a BAFTAwinning choirmaster, broadcaster and cultural ﬁgure who has

197 ladies gear up to take part in the iconic Pink Ladies' Tractor Road Run

The iconic Pink Ladies' Tractor Road Run is set to return in style on July 6th as it continues to raise astonishing amounts for charity.

This year will mark the event's 21st run and 197 women are gearing up to drive the 20-mile route through south Norfolk and north Suffolk on a convoy of decorated tractors, swathed in pink.

To date, the popular event has raised an incredible total of £1.22m in aid of Cancer Research UK's breast cancer appeal.

hundreds of ladies over the years and has raised an incredible amount of money for Cancer Research UK for breast cancer research. We're very proud and honoured to be recognised in this way. But cancer hasn't gone away so we must continue to raise funds for this very worthwhile cause."

transformed public perceptions of choral singing.

"Gareth's return to Latitude after a decade is something we're all eagerly anticipating. His ability to bring people together through music is unparalleled, and we know that this performance will be a highlight of the festival. The opportunity for 100 festivalgoers to join him in creating this choir is a rare and unforgettable experience, and we can't wait to see what magic Gareth and the singers will create on stage."

- Melvin Benn, Founder & Managing Director of Latitude Festival

To apply to be in the choir, all you have to do is upload a short video or audio clip of yourself singing Happy Birthday, and another song of your own choice, plus a little bit about yourself. Good luck! Apply at: www. shorturl.at/uFlrd or scan the QR code with your smartphone/tablet.

Organiser Annie Chapman (pictured above) who, together with her husband John, recently received an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours, said: "The Run this year is beyond all expectations! I am still receiving late entries and are now up to 197, two of those are passengers and 50 are newbies! It's very humbling to have received the award for an event that should have been a 'one off' in 2004. The Run has involved

Each year, thousands of people line the route, cheering on the Pink Ladies in towns, villages, laybys and gardens. Houses and businesses are bedecked in pink bunting, banners and ﬂags and many supporters dress in headto-toe pink. Each year about a quarter of the ladies taking part are new to the event with many having never driven a tractor before.

This year, Amy Hoddy from Stradbroke will be taking part for the ﬁrst time. She said: "My husband and son run the Mariners Galley Café in Rushall and I have watched the Pink Ladies Tractor Run pass the café for the past two years and kept saying I'd love to

take part. At Christmas, the café did a rafﬂe to raise money for the Pink Ladies and we made almost £500. During this time, I expressed my wishes to the organiser, Annie, about taking part. But I don't own a tractor and have never driven one. Annie found a tractor for me to drive and I am being loaned a 1958 Massey Ferguson 35x. I'm absolutely blown away that I'm going to be a pink lady. Everyone talks about what an incredible event it is and to take part is a real honour. I already have plans to have some driving practice before hand and am already looking for all things pink and glittery for both my tractor and self. Fundraising is already underway with friends and family already sponsoring me."

The convoy's route starts at Thorpe Abbotts airﬁeld before heading through Thorpe Abbotts, Brockdish and Upper Weybread, arriving in Harleston at about 12:30pm, before stopping for

lunch between 1pm and 3pm at Gawdy Hall Meadow, Redenhall to which everyone is invited to bring a picnic lunch.

The route back to Thorpe Abbotts airﬁeld heads through Pulham St. Mary, Rushall, Langmere Green and back to the airﬁeld.

Last year, 191 women took to 178 tractors for the run raising £127,150 towards the everexpanding grand total.

Annie said: "As with any event of this size it cannot be achieved without the support of many people. I would like to express my thanks to all tractor owners, landowners, the many marshals, collecting ladies and anyone else who helps to make this event happen, it's a large team effort!"

Donations for this year's event can be made via: fundraise. cancerresearchuk.org/unite/pinkladies-tractor-road-run-2025. For more information about the event please visit: ladiestractorroadrun.co.uk

Pink Ladies Tractor Road Run Organiser, Annie Chapman at the 2024 Road Run Image credit: Jono Slack

Victorian Paintings'. Art historian Roger Simpson,

deeper meaning in Victorian narrative painting by looking in detail

Halesworth & District U3A

Latitude, 2024

Image credit: Stephen Keable

WHAT’S ON AT THE SAIL LOFT?

Summer 2025:

Welcome to the Sail Loft

Here you’ll ﬁnd all the exciting things we will have going on this Summer

LIVE MUSIC! July 26th & August 16th

Introducing our new Diners Loyalty Card. Simply collect 8 stamps for every 2 courses you enjoy with us & receive a free meal on your next visit (T&C’s apply)

Steak Night*: Every Thursday evening. Pan seared minute steak, fries, dressed rocket with a brandy & peppercorn sauce £21.95 incl. house glass of wine or pint of lager

Food focus of the month: Come & join us each month where you’ll ﬁnd a different food focus as we go through each season

September 20th, 21st & 22nd: The Sail Loft’s very own Annual Beer & Burger Festival, Raising money for the RNLI with live music, exciting speciality burger selection, cask ales and cider at £4.50/pint.

Wine Evening: Thursday 16th October (Wine supplied by Jeroboam Wines)

2 for £15 Menu*: Starts November 3rd. Enjoy 2 courses from our pre-set menu for just £15, available Monday-Friday, between 12pm-3pm

Quiz & Curry Night: Starting November 6th. £15pp, includes prize for winners!

Lunch Club: First Thursday of every month, starting November 6th

A different themed 2-course lunch with coffee, talk from our Chef about the dishes served and a full recipe card.

* NOT AVAILABLE DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

FOOD FOCUS OF THE MONTH

June: East Coast Lobster

July: Summer BBQ

August: East Coast Fish

September: Mussels

Gardening in July Summer's peak and how to make the most of it

July is a pivotal month in the gardening calendar. With long, sun-drenched days and warm evenings, plants are growing at full throttle, ﬂowers are in full bloom, and fruits and vegetables are ripening under the summer sun. But with this abundance comes the need for care and attention to keep your garden

healthy and vibrant.

Here's what to focus on in your garden this July:

1. Water Wisely: As temperatures climb, consistent watering becomes essential-especially for containers, hanging baskets, and newly planted shrubs or trees. Early morning or evening is the best time to water, helping

reduce evaporation and ensuring moisture reaches the roots. Consider using mulch around plants to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

2. Deadhead & Prune: Keep your garden looking its best by regularly deadheading spent ﬂowers. This not only tidies up the display but also encourages plants like roses, geraniums, and sweet peas to produce more blooms. Light pruning of shrubs like lavender, philadelphus, and weigela can also help maintain shape and stimulate new growth.

3. Support Tall Plants: Many perennials (such as delphiniums and hollyhocks) can become top-heavy and risk damage from wind/rain. Use canes, stakes, or plant supports to prop them up and keep your borders looking neat.

4. Harvest the Rewards: If you grow your own fruit and vegetables, July offers a satisfying array of pickings: courgettes, runner

Waveney Valley Trefoil Guild

Do you ever reminisce on your time as a Rainbow, Brownie, Guide or Ranger, missing the friendship, new challenges and support? Would you like to get active in your community, create adventures and challenges of your own?

Waveney Valley Trefoil Guild was formed just over 10 years ago, in September 2014. The aims of a Trefoil Guild are to keep alive among members, the spirit of Guiding and Scouting, and carry that spirit into the communities in which members live and work.

A Trefoil Guild offers members personal and social opportunities whilst supporting

Guiding and Scouting. We have had an amazing 10 years. There have been visits to towns and cities for sightseeing, visits to activity centres to try abseiling, zip wires, fencing, canoeing etc. We've travelled to Edinburgh to meet with Scottish Trefoil members, and in July, 12 Trefoil members are visiting the Lorne Guiding activity centre near Belfast. Closer to home, we've tried our skills at bowling, putting, bell ringing, basket making and so much more whilst also ﬁnding time to fundraise for local charities and supporting Guiding and Scouting in the area. We also support our Anglia Guide Activity Centre, Great Hautbois House.

beans, lettuce, strawberries, raspberries, and early potatoes may all be ready for harvest. Regular picking encourages plants to keep producing and helps avoid waste.

5. Sow for Late Summer & Autumn: It's not too late to sow crops for a later harvest. Beetroot, salad leaves, spring onions, and carrots can all be sown in July. Hardy biennials like foxgloves and wallﬂowers can also be sown now for ﬂowering next year.

6. Watch for Pests & Diseases: Warm weather can bring an increase in garden pests like aphids, red spider mites, and cabbage white butterﬂies. Keep an eye out and take action early-whether that's encouraging natural predators like ladybirds, using organic sprays, or hand-picking where feasible. Also, be on alert for signs of powdery mildew on plants like courgettes and delphiniums.

7. Take Cuttings: Now's a great

But we do need new members with fresh ideas to keep us young, keen and active. It doesn't matter if you're 18 or 80. We have members of all ages and we'd love to welcome you to our local Guild!

We usually meet once a month on the second Thursday at Beccles or Bungay, often in the evening to include those members who work, but sometimes during the day. We also regularly share meetings with the Trefoil Guild based in Southwold. Check the Trefoil Guild website for more information on Trefoil Guilds/contact us on: thereselynn5554@gmail.com

time to take softwood or semiripe cuttings from herbs and shrubs like rosemary, lavender, penstemon, and hydrangeas. These can root quickly in a shaded, moist environment, giving you new plants for free.

8. Lawn Care: Lawns can suffer in hot, dry conditions. Raise the mower blades slightly to avoid stressing the grass, and water only during prolonged dry spells. Feeding the lawn with a summer-speciﬁc fertiliser can also give it a boost.

9. Enjoy! Amidst the weeding and watering, don't forget to take time to enjoy your garden. July's perfect for alfresco dining, evening strolls among the ﬂowers, or simply relaxing with a good book in a shady spot. With a bit of regular care, July can be one of the most rewarding times in the garden. Whether you're harvesting your own food or admiring colourful blooms, it's a month that truly celebrates the joys of outdoor life!

Lawns can suffer in hot, dry conditions: Raise mower blades slightly when cutting in July to avoid stressing the grass

SPORTS Halesworth Dementia Carers' Fund Golf Competition

Southwold RFC under 15s celebrate successful season!

Southwold RFC Under 15s closed the 2024-25 season with an end-of-season BBQ and the presentation of awards and accolades.

The boys hit the ground running at the start of the season in September with some very competitive games in the beginning of the season against some very good sides in Suffolk and Norfolk, but despite the disappointment, the boys showed great resilience and desire to improve, working hard in Wednesday training sessions to show coaches Stuart, Roger, Kenny, and Simon a hunger to listen, learn, and improve. This team effort and hard work paid off in the new year as the team went on to win the Suffolk RFU Under 15s Plate, the boys winning the trophy after an unbeaten campaign in this competition.

A successful playing season was wrapped up with winning the Festival Plate at Colchester RFC Under 15s festival with 16

under 15 teams from around the country participating in a full day of excellent rugby.

The Under 15s are getting ready to prepare for next season as they transition into an Under 16s (school year 11) team and will start some relaxed Summer Touch Rugby which is open for U13s and above from June 10th at 7pm and every Tuesday throughout June and July at the Halesworth Campus off Harrisons Lane. We welcome anyone to come along and have a go at this non-contact version of the game.

Southwold RFC welcome all to come and have a go at rugby regardless of experience.

If you'd like more information about your child playing rugby, then please contact: • Girls and boys upto school year 7: southwoldrfcminis@gmail.

com • Boys school year 7 and above: youthchair@southwoldrfc. co.uk

The Halesworth Golf Community came together in remarkable fashion on May 7th, raising a staggering £7,100 in support of the Halesworth Dementia Carers' Fund (HDCF).

The event, ﬁlled with camaraderie, compassion and competition, was a powerful tribute to those impacted by dementia and the critical work being done by HDCF.

Congratulations go to the winning team: Tony Marshall, Teddy Mattocks, Andrew Perkins and Nicholas Sillett, who took home the engraved shield, which was kindly crafted in 2023 by the Halesworth Men's Shed.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our very generous sponsors, especially Suffolk Car Centre for their continued support, and also to Pearce & Kemp, Spectra Packaging, S.J Geomatics, Kevin Townsend, Norton Peskett, Micropress, Dynamic Dental, Broadway Colours, Gentleman's Row,

A.W & D. Hammond, Jordan Fencing, Glam R Beauty Salon, Durrants, Van Djik, MRWCF Electrical, Wenhaston Parish Council and Huus who also sponsored the event so generously.

We also thank all the local businesses for their great support.

We'd also like to thank the golf club for making us so welcome. Our special thanks go to Sara Higgins, Ben

and Mark and their teams for their outstanding work and course preparation.

The HDCF team (Anna, Iris, John, Irene and Nicky) were instrumental in the day's success, and Robin Douce deserves special mention for selling so many rafﬂe tickets, we ran out!

Thanks to our captains; Paul, Dave and Barbara for their leadership, to Viv for managing the finances and entries, and to every member and visitor who contributed raffle prizes or who placed bids in the auction. The auction of fourball vouchers alone raised over £800. A special mention also goes to Terry Jeffery for donating one of his stunning paintings, which will be auctioned at a future event to further benefit HDCF.

We were all deeply moved by Tessa Summers, who shared her personal story about the care her late father received. Her heartfelt account reinforced the invaluable role of HDCF.

Our thanks also to Tony Pennock for introducing the 'Fore Get Me Not' golf initiative, highlighting the importance of inclusive golf opportunities for those living with dementia. We are excited to look into adopting this at Halesworth Golf.

Next year's event will take place on May 6th, 2026 when we hope to bring back the shotgun start. More details will follow later in the year.

Finally, a personal note of thanks to John Giles, who dedicated so much time and heart to making the day memorable, despite it being a difﬁcult one personally for him. His efforts exemplify the supportive spirit that deﬁnes or community.

Thank you once again to everyone who took part and contributed. We look forward to welcoming you back next year!

With best wishes, HDCF, John Giles and Sara Higgins info@halesworthdementia.co.uk

Update from Halesworth Angel Bowls Club

We're well into our 241st season at Halesworth Angel Bowls Club (HABC). It's a wonder that we've lasted that long! I wonder what the bowlers at the Angel Inn back then would think of the club now? It's only another nine years until it's our 250th birthday!

I know they'd wonder at the condition of the green at the top of Dairy Hill. It's the best it's looked for many years and competitors enjoy bowling on it as it runs so true. It's amazing how well our green keeper Nick Gardener has mastered the husbandry of the grass in such a short time. We've had our ups and downs. At the moment, we're on an up. Our open days a month ago attracted 12 new applications for membership. A few of those were seasoned bowlers but most had no experience of the game. With the help of our resident coach Stuart Bourne, a number of them are already showing promise. The club play in four leagues. With league games, cup games and roll ups, it'd be possible to play on six days out of seven. Of-course there's been a lot

of hard work carried out by all our members. Despite it being voluntary, there's still an expense keeping the green up to this standard. We're lucky to have a number of sponsors who commit to advertising their wares and we'd welcome more.

Ben Cardwell (present Secretary) (benjaminjon44@gmail.com) will let you know how you can help. A pleasant surprise was our adoption during April by You Drink the new 'tap room' which has established itself in the thoroughfare. Our thanks to them for raising in excess of £150 to support the Angel Bowls Club.

Durrants are supporting our Three Wood Triples Tournament at the end of August. We invite other clubs to enter too. We're conscious that we still need to improve our record in the various leagues, but we are working on it and (given the short experience of most of our bowlers) we are doing quite well. The bottom line is that we're all enjoying ourselves. So if anyone's interested in having a go, they'd be welcome on a Tuesday or Saturday afternoon.

Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway CIO

Over the last weeks and months, the railway charity has been moving forward on many fronts.

Most importantly, the volunteers have spent every Tuesday workday maintaining the station at Blythburgh and the track at Halesworth, keeping it in the best possible condition. It's important to us that this historic railway (now being revived almost 100 years after it closed) is a credit to East Suffolk. Favourable comments from passers-by seem to show that it is.

The spring Open Day at Blythburgh station was very successful, with a lot more visitors than the previous year's event, and donations were very much increased. Thank you to everyone who came, contributed, and enjoyed the trains and refreshments.

unique 90-year-old solar-charged battery-electric loco, and shunting demonstrations will take place. Films will be shown in the Village Hall. There will be displays on our work and plans, guided tours, and track-bed walks to east and west. For those who don't know where we are, the station is almost opposite the White Hart in Blythburgh (a pub we very much recommend, by the way!)

Future events and services:

At All Saints Blyford, we're making progress towards establishing a wildﬂower meadow in the churchyard.

Our next Open Day at the station is on July 20th, between 10:30am-3:45pm. As always with our events, it's totally free and the light refreshments are also free. Demonstration trains will be running, using our

We have the rails and sleepers for our track extension to the west, thanks to very generous donations from our members, and are ready to make the railway longer. But the local Parish Council are strongly opposed to railway restoration, and have placed many legal obstacles in our path. These could hold up our project (which is supported by the vast majority of people in the Blyth Valley and beyond) for months or even years, a fact that is naturally depressing to the volunteers who give so much of their time and money to this charitable cause. It's to be hoped that the local authorities can ﬁnd a way to allow the restoration to happen.

After spending many hours last year pulling ragwort and thistle, and repeatedly mowing and raking, we successfully cleared one section of the churchyard where there are few graves. After we'd prepared the ground, we sowed yellow rattle seed. Also known as 'meadow maker'. Yellow rattle is an annual spring-flowering plant that takes nutrients from grasses that outcompete wildflowers. Where there's yellow rattle in a meadow, wildflowers thrive.

Yellow rattle is difficult to establish and with no sign of it during May, we were starting to think that our efforts had been in vain. We should've had more faith! In June, we noticed a patch of yellow rattle in one corner of the area we'd sown. So long as we can keep the rabbits from nibbling off the flower heads, the yellow rattle will spread. Gradually, the grass will lose its vigour and we shall have more wildflowers.

Wildlife carvings:

On the last Saturday of May, members of the PCC visited the studio of wood carver Mary Anstee-Parry in Walsham-leWillows. The purpose of the visit was to discuss with Mary the wildlife designs that she'll carve into two oak benches that we've commissioned from Crispin Chalker for the churchyard. The following day, Mary made a return visit to the church to see for herself the ﬂowers and insects in the churchyard. In the next step in the process, Mary will sketch designs for the PCC to approve.

Many local residents will be familiar with Mary's carvings on the Millennium Green noticeboard near the skate park.

Calling all wood turners!

We have a pile of yew wood in the churchyard from the tree surgery that was done in January.

We'd love to hear from any wood turners who would be willing to turn the yew into chopping boards, bowls or anything else that we could sell to raise funds for the church.

• Stall on the Green: July 19th, 11am-2pm. The stall is a 'bring and buy', so if you're planning a de-clutter of your house/garden, please consider donating plants, books, china, glass, bric-a-brac, etc to the stall. After July, we'll hold the Stall on the Green on the third Saturday of the month in August, September, October and November.

• Memories of Covid: On July 19th, an art installation in the church will commemorate the crisis and the creativity of the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Memories of Covid' is a touring exhibit, which has also been on display at Ickworth House. The installation will be in Blyford Church from 11am until mid afternoon.

• Wild Church Service: In July, the Blyford Wild Church Service will be on July 20th at 10am. Wild Church Services are relaxed and informal. They combine prayer and poetry, reﬂection, readings and music. Wild Church takes place outside, so please dress appropriately for the time of year.

• Roy Tricker returns to Blyford: Roy Tricker is coming back on September 19th to entertain us with a guided tour of the church starting at 6pm. Doors open at 5:30pm.

• Loaves & Fishes Open Mic: Our annual open mic is on October 7th in the church from 6pm-8pm. Doors open at 5:30pm.

We're open to ideas for other community events, so please get in touch if you have suggestions. Thank you and get in touch! Blyford PCC is very grateful to all our donors, volunteers and supporters and to everyone who helps out at our events and work parties. Thanks also to everyone at the Blyth Valley Team Ministry. To know more about All Saints Blyford, please come to the stall on the green or to an event/service, or contact any members of the PCC: Virginia Storey, Charlie Hawkins, John Handley, Martin Clarke, Christina Ballinger, or our Team Rector, Rev Dominic Doble.

Beccles Model Railway Show 2025

Leiston and Sizewell's wartime memories

This is a local history project inviting all residents of Leiston or Sizewell (or anyone who lives elsewhere with a local connection) to write about a family member who served in WWI or WWII, even if you or your family moved here in the years after the war.

Maybe someone you know served in the Armed Forces or the Home Guard, Women's Voluntary Service, a reserved occupation or was an ambulance driver?

Photos are also welcome. The contributions will become ﬁrst a folder, then a book, to create a lasting record.

Circle 67

East Suffolk Council

Community spaces set to flourish as environmental scheme returns

'East Suffolk Blooms', which encourages people in East Suffolk to grow beautiful, pollinator-friendly wildﬂowers, is returning for 2025.

Cakes & Ale Caravan Park, on the former site of Leiston Airfield, also known as Theberton Airfield, recently held another popular flyover by a Spitfire and Mustang. The 357th and 358th Fighter Group Memorial records the 82 American servicemen who lost their lives. Many local people worked there. Do you have anyone in your family history amongst them?

We'd love to hear from you. There's more information at: leiston.info/VE80 and in Leiston Library, or please email: history@leiston.info

Circle 67 brings King Lear to life this summer

Following Circle 67's successful production of 'The Dresser', we are now in rehearsal for our regular shorter summer Shakespeare, which this year is 'King Lear'.

As ever, we'll be appearing in various pub gardens in the area plus Bungay Castle Bailey. For the ﬁrst time, we shall also be giving a performance against the backdrop of the ruins at St. Andrew's Church, Walberswick. Looking ahead, our winter production is planned to be 'Treasure Island', a seasonal family favourite.

We always welcome new members of any experience, or

who have none at all. There's more to amateur dramatics than appearing on stage: wardrobe, props, scenery building, lighting and sound, publicity and stage management are all essential requirements to putting on a production.

If you are interested and want to ﬁnd out more about what we do, please get in touch. Details can be found on our website: www. circle67.co.uk or contact the group via email: info@circle67. co.uk for more information. We're also on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Wally Smith, Chair of Circle 67

Is there a correct way to grieve?

When faced with a bereavement for the ﬁrst time, we might naturally look to what grief experts have to say on the subject...

There are many different theories about grief and how we might work through it. These different theories can be helpful to a point but can sometimes become a stick with which to beat ourselves. We can be made to feel that were not grieving 'properly' if we do not ﬁt into the formula set out by a grief model. The truth is, the only real expert on your grief, is YOU. Your grief is as unique to you, as is your relationship with the person who's died. We all have different personalities and ways of responding that are unique to us. We can think of grief as a tangled ball of wool. Emotionally, we can feel up and down, confused, angry, guilty, sad, relieved and as if we don't know which way to turn. We can feel there's no way out and we can't see the end. It's important to remember:

• There's no right or wrong way to grieve.

• There's no set time period for grief.

Others may suggest that you should be "over it" by now. However, we can continue to

grieve for our loved ones for the rest of our lives. Initially, the grief is raw and all consuming, but usually over time this does ease. Though difﬁcult, we do ﬁnd a way to continue with life and the 'new normal' we are faced with. We will always think about them, love them and miss them, especially at certain times or on days when their absence is more deeply felt.

My experience is that over time, grief becomes something that we learn to live alongside. I think of it as two parallel lines running alongside each other:

• Everyday life ____________

• My grief ________________

We do both at the same time.

In reality, the two are not separate but intertwined. We continue to grieve whilst also living life. We do not work through grief, come out the other side, then continue on as if nothing has happened. In reality, we take the people we love with us, as we move forwards with life.

To ﬁnd out more about joining one of Rosedale's Bereavement Support Groups, call: 01379 640810 or visit: rosedalefuneralhome.co.uk

This article was written by Sarah Howard, Rosedale Funeral Home, Bereavement Support Group Facilitator

Each year, East Suffolk Council distributes free packs of bulbs to town and parish councils, community groups and organisations to plant locally as part of the East Suffolk Blooms campaign.

amazing project to promote an all-round effort to help maintain the beauty and cleanliness of the district, earlier ﬂowering bulbs are being offered that provide colour during early spring.

applications for East Suffolk Blooms 2025."

Packs of Carlton daffodil bulbs will be available to collect in the autumn, around October, from two locations in the district. The scheme is funded by East Suffolk Services Ltd, who will be providing £3,000 worth of ﬂowering bulbs.

This time, in tandem with the East Suffolk's

Successful applicants to last year's scheme planted numerous native bulbs in towns and villages across East Suffolk, resulting in colourful ﬂower displays which beneﬁtted pollinators.

Cllr Sally Noble, East Suffolk's cabinet member for the Environment (pictured left) said: "Year on year, we continue to receive a high level of interest in this scheme, which is why we are pleased it is returning for 2025. We expect to have enough bags of bulbs to distribute one to each of 50 groups across the district, and we look forward to receiving

An application form will be available to complete online until 31 August, before a judging panel meets to decide the successful applicants, with additional consideration given to groups reapplying after missing out last year. Applicants will then be informed of the decision by September. my.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/ service/east_suffolk_blooms

Biodiversity under our noses

It's surprising what biodiversity is right under our noses, and Rydal Mount is a prime example.

Just outside the village of Wissett, set in 25 acres of wood and wildﬂower pasture, this is the setting for a full day's practical immersion into the work and challenges to conserve our environment.

June 29th, 10am-5pm at Rydal Mount, Wissett, IP19 0JP.

Hosted by Halesworth Area Sustainability Hub (HASH) in association with the owner Alan Witherby, the day includes walks, talks and workshops around the theme of 'Biodiversity'. The Wissett Parish Council has already produced a detailed biodiversity plan, which will be outlined by Edward Flaxman, a local landscape architect, and this will be particularly interesting for local parish councils who have to produce a plan for each

parish.

Other walks and talks include 'Walking the path to Enlichenment', looking at lichens which are probably the most fascinating yet overlooked life-forms in the natural world, bird watching and ringing, and Dorothy Casey walking very slowly observing meadowland flowers and butterflies (Purple Emperor and Purple Hairstreak butterflies are frequent inhabitants at Rydal Mount).

Everyone's invited to take part in a discussion with by Peter Alano and Richard Symes on the uses that land can be put to, which leads aptly into the ﬁnal discussion on a hot local issue, that of solar farms. Wissett already has one solar farm and another is planned. This discussion will be led by a panel consisting of three East Suffolk District Councillors who are all on the Planning Committee,

Katie Graham, Geoff Wakeling, and Tom Daley. (Cabinet member for Energy and Climate Change). This should prove very lively, interesting and informative, particularly for local people who may be facing a similar issue in the near future - According to the Planning Inspectorate, there are developed plans for 10 large solar farms across the East of England, which about 24,000 acres of land. Alongside these activities, there will be stalls and exhibitions from Wisset Biodiversity, Halesworth Heritage Trees, Wilder Wenhaston's Blyth River project. Hot drinks will be available and people are welcome to bring picnics, as we cannot provide food. All-day tickets are £20, children and Parish Councillors free. Details on our website: halesworthash.com/ rydal-mount-biodiversity-day 07920 055888

Financial focus on... The end of domicile

The concept of domicile (or in simple terms, where you'd consider your natural home) has been part of our tax system since 1799. For those with nonUK domicile, it largely affected whether your non-UK situated assets would be assessable to UK Inheritance Tax (IHT) when you died.

From April 2025, the concept of domicile has been abandoned. Instead, the concept of long-term residence needs to be considered.

Whether you are resident in the UK for a tax year is now determined by the 2013 Statutory Residence Test rules which apply a series of tests to give a categoric ruling: an 'Automatic Overseas Test'; an 'Automatic (UK) Residency Test' and if the ﬁrst two don't give an unequivocal answer, a 'Sufﬁcient Ties Test'.

Any one of these tests can be affected by the number of days spent in the UK in the tax year and your residency position for up to three years previously.

Once you have determined your yearly residency position, your long-term residency position can be calculated. If you've been in the UK for 10 out of 20 years

(not necessarily consecutively), you become classed as long-term resident and liable to UK IHT on worldwide assets on death. On leaving the UK (permanently) there's now a run-off period ranging from three to 10 years before you lose the "long-term UK residency" status. The runoff period is also determined by the length of time that you have been here.

There is some good news for returning ex-pats: whereas before, you ran the risk of re-acquiring UK domicile (and thus exposure to UK IHT on worldwide assets) after having been classed as UK resident for as little as one year, now you have to be resident for 10 out of 20 years. For others, possibly not so good news: under the old rules you acquired UK domicile (and worldwide UK IHT exposure) after 15 out of 20 years' residency in the UK. Now the bar's been lowered to only 10 years, potentially exposing you to a greater IHT exposure.

If you previously had held nonUK domicile status, you should look to recheck your residency status. The change to long-term residency status looks back 20

years and makes reliance on the 2013 Statutory Residency Tests. Before 2013 of course, you were likely to have recorded your residency presence and thus domicile status under the pre2013 residency rules. These now have to be recalculated. There are some limited transitionary reliefs available but probably only for a short while.

Hope this helps. For further information, please contact Robin Beadle (pictured) via email: robin.beadle@ensors.co.uk

Disclaimer: Specialist advice should always be sought prior to taking any action on matters discussed in this article.

The Garrett Family

by Fraser Hale

In this talk, Fraser Hale will be taking us on an illustrated stroll through the lives of the Garrett family, from their roots in Woodbridge, through the early years of growth in Leiston, and then along two diverging boughs; the later Leiston branch, who were manufacturers of agricultural machinery, steam engines and trolleybuses, and the stout and fruitful Aldeburgh branch, who played a significant role in the town's development and were prominent figures in various fields.

Fraser came to the heritage sector after a 35 year career in engineering. As well as his engineering qualiﬁcations, he holds a BA (Hons) in History, and

was the curator at Woodbridge Tide Mill for ﬁve years before joining the Long Shop Museum in Leiston as Operations Manager in late 2020. He graduated to Museum Director in early 2023. The talk takes place on July 21st 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 talk starts at 2:30pm. No need to book, just turn up, £1 for members and £3 for visitors, including tea/coffee/ biscuits. Good, free car-parking. Only members can take part in our meetings on Zoom, but it only costs £8 for a year's membership: www.avsfhg.org.uk/membership Zooming is free.

Yoxfayre returns to Yoxford this July!

Dog show, ﬂower show, silent auction, music, rafﬂe, tombola, games, cakes, barbecue, ice cream van, vintage clothing and much more at Yoxford's Big Weekend!

Yoxford's Oxfayre (which ﬂourished from the 1980s to the early noughties) is returning this summer with a new name, 'Yoxfayre'. Taking place on July 5th, the event incorporates the Yoxford Flower Festival at St. Peter's Church, which is also the venue for an evening concert.

Bringing the community spirit back to the village, there'll be plenty of things for everybody to enjoy throughout the day; from a dog show, to old fashioned fun and games such as 'splat-a-rat' and the stocks in Mulberry Park, run by the youth club. A variety of stalls will include bric-a-brac and vintage clothing to books and plants and produce as well as a tombola and rafﬂe.

Over in St. Peter's Church, the annual ﬂower festival will have an abundance of displays, including one by the children of Yoxford & Peasenhall Primary School. Local professional musicians Alec Hone (organ) and Anna Noakes (ﬂute) will be performing in the church throughout the day along with children from the school singing under the guidance of Yoxford resident, opera singer Katie Graham. A saxophone group will be performing in Mulberry Park.

No summer fair would be complete without tea and homemade cake, available in the church with a barbecue and Parravani ice cream van outside the village hall.

Sing Out! Yoxford (a free concert by Yoxford's local

community choir) takes place in the church at 7:30pm.

"Oxfayre was a huge event in the 80s and 90s. It was such a fun day out and we all missed it, so it's thrilling to bring it back! Everyone in Yoxford is joining in and we look forward to welcoming friends, family and visitors from across the county to join in the celebrations over Yoxford's big weekend!" - Lynn Walford.

A silent auction is already live, with a chance to win a signed 16cm high Yoxman bronze sculpture, kindly donated by the sculptor Laurence Edwards. Bids now being taken and the closing time is 5pm on July 5th. Email: yoxfayre@gmail.com.

An added bonus to the day's events is the Yoxford History Group's exhibition 'Creative Yoxford', in the Village Hall, featuring work from current artists and writers in the village such as Laurence Edwards and Nancy Main along with information of past creative endeavours and people.

The ﬂower show continues on July 6th and there's Yoxfayre Songs of Praise at 3pm, all are welcome. Proceeds from Yoxfayre will be divided between St. Peter's Church (for the organ restoration), Yoxford & Peasenhall Primary School (for play equipment) and the Townland Trust. The organising committee is keen to hear from anyone who can offer help on the day and from anyone who can donate items for the stalls and rafﬂe or grow some plants for the plant sale.

Visitors are advised to bring some cash with them.

Rosedale Bereavement Support

Ensors Chartered Accountants

Angela Skelcher

Halesworth Area Sustainable Hub (ASH)

Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Louisa Garrett

Newson Garrett Richard Garrett

J C WOODPRODUCTS

Painters and Decorators

WI members back lifesaving CPR training resolution

Halesworth WI members got together to discuss the National WI resolution which will be put forward at this years national AGM. The resolution was to encourage members to learn the techniques of CPR and immediate responses to heart attacks. We were shocked to hear that there were more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year and fewer than 1-in-10 survive, women having a lower chance of survival than men. Early CPR and deﬁbrillation can

more than double the chance of survival.

So the resolution calls on WI members to train in the delivery of CPR, what to do in an emergency and to know where deﬁbrillators are available. We all voted in favour of this resolution. We followed this with a medical quiz, at which most failed miserably but caused much merriment with our answers!

We had enjoyed our birthday lunch earlier in the month with good food and much chatter. Something at which we excel!

July at Halesworth Library

July marks the start of the summer holidays and the start of the Summer Reading Quest! Join us on July 19th, from 10am12pm, at Halesworth Library for our Summer Reading Quest signup event. There will also be lots of activities throughout the summer holidays. Kicking off a jampacked summer, we have two sessions of 'Kitchen Chemistry' (run by Kinetic Adventure) on July 25th from 10:30am-12:30pm and 1pm-2:30pm. Tickets for 'Kitchen Chemistry' are £1 and can be purchased from a member of library staff.

On July 29th, we'll have a free, drop-in craft session from 11:30am-12:30pm, where we'll be making lots of fun things!

The Friends of Halesworth Library will be holding their AGM on July 24th from 6:30pm at the library. Copies of the agenda, the report of the trustees to members and the latest accounts will be available for collection from the library from July 7th. The guest speaker this year will be local writer Natalie Meg Evans, who will talk about the importance of libraries to authors.

There will also be a session of

Author Sarah Gibson visits to talk about swifts

Halesworth Swifts Group celebrate a good start to another swift season and are delighted to announce this year's main event.

Sociable Sundays on July 13th and 27th from 10:30am-12:30pm and Board Games Café on July 28th 2pm-4:30pm, both hosted and run by volunteers of the Friends of Halesworth Library. Not forgetting our regular activities and drop-ins!

• Every Tuesday from 10am11:30am, there's a free Rhyme Time & Play session to sing fun songs followed by free play with our toys.

• Every Wednesday at 10am, our Time Out sociable group for older people meet for tea and biscuits.

• The Knit & Natter group meet alternate Tuesdays from 2pm4pm, staff can provide dates.

• Lego Club is on every Saturday 12pm-1pm

• Family Board Games Club every Sunday 10:30am11:30am.

• Advice drop-ins from East Suffolk Council customer services every Tuesday 10am4pm

• Barclays Bank on Wednesdays 9am-5pm.

• Citizens Advice have a dropin every other Tuesday 10am12pm, please ask a member of staff for future dates.

Sarah Gibson (the author of the beautiful and inspirational book 'Swifts and Us') will be presenting a talk about swifts at St. Mary's Church, Halesworth, on the evening of July 10th. Doors open at 6:45pm.

Sarah (Communications Ofﬁcer for Shropshire Wildlife Trust) admits she became aware of swifts late in life, but once she tuned in, she was completely hooked. That tends to happen with these particular birds. Her book 'Swifts and Us' is fascinating and inspirational. Beautifully written, it's a book you'll ﬁnd hard to put down. She covers the ancient history, design

and lifestyle of the birds and their plight as an endangered species in our time. She meets people around the world and on her own little patch who are devoted to helping them, and she urges us to tilt the balance and keep swifts ﬂying in our skies.

Refreshments will be provided and the Halesworth Swifts team will be on hand to answer your questions and report the latest news.

This illustrated talk is free and open to everyone (donations appreciated for the work of Halesworth Swifts). Doors open at St. Mary's Church, Halesworth at 6:45pm for 7:30pm. Copies of Sarah's book will be available to buy.

Make a note in your diaries. If you love swifts, you won't want to miss this!

“Thank you Rosedale, your support and guidance made this difficult time a little more bearable.”

Renowned local choir gets behind global charity

Halesworth Harmony and friends' concert for WaterAid on July 13th at 7:30pm, The Cut, Halesworth IP19 8BY. Do come and support us at our summer concert as we bring you an evening of songs and poetry (old and new) on a watery theme, to raise money for this vital charity. In 2019, Halesworth Harmony took part in 'Sing for Water', a remarkable annual event which brings together choirs from all over the country to raise money for WaterAid. Co-founded in 2002 by the Thames Festival Trust and Helen Chadwick

(renowned composer, singer and musical director), Sing for Water has contributed over £1.3 million to WaterAid to change and save lives around the world. Six years on, we're returning to take part in the wonderful massed-choirs concert on September 14th at The Scoop on London's South Bank.

Around the world, one-in-10 people still don't have clean water close to home, and one-infour people don't have a decent toilet of their own. Billions of people have no way to wash their hands, despite this being so vital to protecting health. Proceeds from all Sing for Water activities

this year will support WaterAid in their campaign to bring clean water and sanitation to people in Rwanda. To donate to WaterAid via our JustGiving page: www. justgiving.com/page/hh-wateraid We hope very much to see you at The Cut on July 13th for an evening of gorgeous songs from around the world and close to home. We're delighted to include music from popular local acoustic duo, Keith and Mary Jane. Tickets £10 from The Cut Box Ofﬁce: www.thecut.org.uk, boxofﬁce@thecut.org.uk, 0300 303 3211.

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Halesworth Harmony

Halesworth WI

Halesworth Swifts

Halesworth marks 80th Anniversary of VE Day

The day started off with a special service at St. Mary's Church which was live streamed online. This was attended by the Halesworth Royal British Legion (RBL), county and town councillors and the Suffolk Phoenix Brass Band.

Halesworth & Southwold Community News - July 2025

Annual Parish Meeting was a great success

D.C. Patrick

D.C. Patrick

Patrick

D.C. Patrick

D.C. Patrick

Blyth Valley Parkinson Support Group news

Suffolk Singers Summer Concert at St. Edmund's Church, Southwold

Reydon Show 2025!

VE Day celebration raises over £1,000

from Gordon

Plant sale grows £820 for Halesworth & District Gardeners' Society

Halesworth in Bloom

Thank you for the owl box!

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Love Local Suffolk Ham, Roasted Veg & Goat's Cheese Tart

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Bungay Street Market

JULY 24TH - 27TH

Organ & Harp Recital at Ilketshall

HOOKER HOUSE DENTAL PRACTICE

Neat Feet

Bungay Primary School

Edgar Sewter Playschool

Edgar Sewter Primary Nursery

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Bramfield, Ringsfield and Brampton Primary Schools activities

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Victorian paintings unveiled

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197 ladies gear up to take part in the iconic Pink Ladies' Tractor Road Run

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Gardening in July Summer's peak and how to make the most of it

Waveney Valley Trefoil Guild

SPORTS Halesworth Dementia Carers' Fund Golf Competition

Southwold RFC under 15s celebrate successful season!

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Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway CIO

Leiston and Sizewell's wartime memories

Community spaces set to flourish as environmental scheme returns

Circle 67 brings King Lear to life this summer

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Biodiversity under our noses

Financial focus on... The end of domicile

The Garrett Family

Yoxfayre returns to Yoxford this July!

J C WOODPRODUCTS

Painters and Decorators

WI members back lifesaving CPR training resolution

July at Halesworth Library

Author Sarah Gibson visits to talk about swifts

Renowned local choir gets behind global charity

SUFFOLK OFFICE

Halesworth marks 80th Anniversary of VE Day

HANDY TEAM