4 Market Hill, Framlingham Has taken over Grange News
D.C. Patrick
NEWSAGENTS
4 Market Hill, Framlingham saH
4 Market Hill, Framlingham Has taken over Grange News
Following Bob s retirement, David is taking on the rounds covered by Grange news
David has 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
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 to all the same locations.
hope you will continue to support the ase e any q ound Woodbridge and the surrounding villages.
4 Market Hill, Framlingham Has taken over Grange News Tel: 01986 874 305 & 07907 223 715
Tel: 01986 874 305 & 07907 223 715
Tel: 01986 874 305 & 07907 223 715
Halesworth Kuk
Sool Won celebrates European Championship success
Students from Halesworth Kuk
Email: sharmangary4@gmail.com
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Traditionally reared local beef lamb pork and poultry
Traditionally-reared local beef, lamb, pork and poultry, home-cooked hams and home-cured gammons OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7am-5pm & Sat 7am-1pm
Sool Won recently enjoyed a successful weekend at the World Kuk Sool Association European Championships and Masters Exhibition in Norwich, where they competed alongside martial artists from across the UK and Europe. The club is delighted to congratulate its newly promoted black belts:
• 3rd Dan: PSBN Charlotta Trimbly
• 2nd Dan: KSN Joseph CaseMatthews and KSN Suzanne Painting
• 1st Dan: JKN Oscar Flint and JKN Isabella Flint These achievements reflect the dedication and hard work of both students and instructors, with the club's Black Belt Programme continuing to go from strengthto-strength.
Halesworth Kuk Sool Won welcomes new members of all ages and abilities. Classes are held
on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Tiny Tigers classes for two to five year olds on Saturdays. The club will also be holding an Open Afternoon, giving visitors the opportunity to watch demonstrations, meet instructors, and learn more about Kuk Sool Won. Free hot dogs will be available while stocks last. For more information, please contact PKJN Ben Matthews from Halesworth Kuk Sool Won on: 07984 967001.
News from Halesworth Area Sustainability Hub
"What's the most thrown away food in the UK? Name five items..." So begins the quiz at the 'Love Food Hate Waste' smoothie bicycle stall, organised by Halesworth ASH at INK's 2026 Fun Sunday event on a sunny day in April.
People of all ages had a go at cycling to create their own smoothie, saving food that may have gone to waste, and keeping healthy at the same time! Children then battled to win at a foodwaste-themed snakes and ladders game.
and Giggler apple juice for their donations.
PS: The answers to the most thrown away foods in the UK are potatoes, milk, bread, bananas, and apples (not salad, which took us all by surprise).
Halesworth ASH continued their engagement work with a screening of the popular Power Station film at The Cut the following week. This was the latest in Halesworth ASH's successful Green Films strand and included a discussion on community energy with guest speakers John Taylor from Community Energy England and Julian Thompson from Community Climate Action.
Annual food waste in the UK is staggering... It's estimated to be around 10.7 million tonnes. That could fill 750,000 double-decker buses every year!
In the UK, 60% of food waste happens in our homes. We waste 4.4 million tonnes of edible food worth £17.5 billion, creating 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. For a family of four, that's around £1,000 wasted per year!
Let's prevent waste, use leftovers, save money, save the environment, and recycle the rest.
Let's fill our new food waste bins with only inedible food, which is then recycled to make compost and bio-fuel.
For top tips, recipes, and further information, visit Love Food Hate Waste/Preventing food waste.
With thanks to Halesworth Co-op, Melons Greengrocer,
The film follows activists Hilary and Dan as they try to turn their London street into a solarpowered community, tracing their journey from knocking on doors to raising funds for solar panels and building wider support for the scheme. The screening was supported by a practical energy and insulation advice clinic from Halesworth Energy Champion William Poulsen.
The audience engaged in discussions afterwards in The Cut Café, and a follow-up meeting to discuss a green energy scheme for Halesworth is now being arranged. To be involved, check the Halesworth ASH website: halesworthash.com to find out more, or email: halesworthash@gmail.com
An update from Halesworth Dementia Carers' Fund
Welcome to our Summer 2026 newsletter. It's been a wonderful few months for the Halesworth Dementia Carers' Fund (HDCF), and we have some exciting news to share. This includes a look back at a hugely successful fundraising event, a brand-new community project that we're proud to join, and some important updates about expanded Day Centre provision for our clients.
Golf Day
Over £5,600 raised!
We're absolutely thrilled to report that our recent charity golf day was a tremendous success, raising over £5,600 for HDCF. This is an extraordinary result and a testament to the generosity of everyone who took part, sponsored a hole, donated prizes, or helped to organise and run the event on the day. Huge thanks to everyone at Halesworth Golf Club and our main sponsor, Suffolk Car Centre, for your continued support.
Every penny raised will go directly towards supporting people living with memory problems and the family carers who look after them in Halesworth and the surrounding area. We're enormously grateful to all of our supporters, and look forward to making this an annual fixture in the Halesworth community calendar.
With special thanks to all our sponsors: Suffolk Car Centre, Go Explore, Durrants, Cecil Amey, Huus, Van Dijk, Dynamic Dental Studio, Pearce &d Kemp, Spectra, Broadway, Townsend Electrical, Micropress Printers, Gentleman's Row, AW&D Hammond, Jordan Fencing, Walfinch, Attik, M.R.W.C.S Electrical, S.J
We're delighted to be part of an exciting new community initiative: Hands Up for Halesworth. This project has been created to make it as easy as possible for local people to discover the many voluntary organisations in Halesworth and the surrounding towns and villages and to find out how they can get involved.
The project's already mapped many local volunteer groups, covering a huge range of causes and activities. If you have a few hours to spare and would like to give something back to your community, visit: handsupforhalesworth.co.uk to see what's available and how you can help.
HDCF is proud to be listed on the platform. Volunteering with us is a rewarding and meaningful way to support people affected by dementia in our community.
Whether you can offer a few hours a week or a little more, we'd love to hear from you.
Day Centre - spaces available
Our Day Centre, located at the Patrick Stead Day Care facility (London Road, Halesworth, IP19 8LR), continues to provide a warm, friendly, and stimulating environment for people living with memory problems. We cover Halesworth and the surrounding towns and villages, and we currently have spaces available.
When we meet:
• Fridays (9:30am-3:30pm)Spaces available now!
• Wednesdays (starting 1st July
'Hands Up For Halesworth' community volunteering campaign launched
PRESS NOTICE - EAST SUFFOLK COUNCIL
2026) - New session, places
filling fast!
Our Day Centre is free to attend; there's just a £5 charge for a hot lunch (donations are always welcome). Activities include music, reminiscence, crafts, and gentle exercise in a supportive and sociable setting.
A friendly assessment is carried out to make sure the Day Centre is the right fit for your loved one. Even if the Day Centre isn't quite the right option, we can still help with advice, signposting, and carer support. No one should face dementia alone.
Other services
As well as the Day Centre, HDCF offers a range of support for people affected by dementia and their carers:
• Carer Support: Practical advice, a listening ear, and signposting to services for family members and carers who are supporting someone with a memory problem.
• Advice & Information: Guidance on dementia, the care system, financial entitlements, and local services, whether you're newly diagnosed or further along the journey.
• Community Outreach: We work across Halesworth and the surrounding area to ensure support reaches those who need it, wherever they are.
• Groups & Activities: Music and movement, a memory café, seated yoga, singing with friends, art, and crafts. More details on our website, or get in touch.
Get in touch 07990 199632 info@halesworthdementia.co.uk halesworthdementia.co.uk
Halesworth Volunteers and Halesworth Town Council (with funding from Community Partnerships at East Suffolk Council) have joined forces to launch 'Hands Up For Halesworth', a year-long community campaign designed to connect residents with local volunteering opportunities and strengthen community wellbeing across Halesworth and the surrounding villages.
The campaign was officially launched at the years Halesworth Town Council Annual Parish Meeting in May. Many Voluntary Organisations joined the activities in the Town Park and chatted to residents about the new project.
The initiative celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together, improve wellbeing and create healthier, happier communities. Through the campaign, local organisations hope to inspire more people to give a little of their time to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
"Hands Up For Halesworth" aims to support the continued growth and success of the local community by encouraging residents to become involved in a wide range of voluntary organisations and community projects operating across the area. The first step of the project - a new website and social media page has now been launched. The website offers a central information point for local voluntary organisations and a way for volunteers to find out about opportunities. The social media channel offers a great way to promote the project. The project leaders will also be working with a local videographer in the near future to capture the diverse roles available.
The campaign highlights a broad range of volunteering opportunities suitable for all ages, interests and levels of experience, helping people discover new ways to contribute locally while meeting others and developing valuable skills.
Residents interested in getting involved can explore local volunteering opportunities and learn more about the campaign by visiting: handsupforhalesworth.co.uk
Premises Licence - Variation Application Name of Applicant: Wissett Village Hall Management Committee
Name of Premises: Wissett Village Hall
Postal Address: 27 The Street, Wissett, Suffolk, IP19 0JG
This application may be viewed at:
EAST SUFFOLK COUNCIL, Station Road, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1RT or Riverside, Canning Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0EQ
Proposed Variation of alcohol licence:
From: 4pm to 11pm Mon to Sat and 4pm to 10pm Sun
To: 12pm to 11pm Mon to Sat and 12pm to 10pm Sun
Dates between which representations must be made to the Licensing Authority:
Start Date: 9 June 2026
Closing Date: 6 July 2026
Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Team, East Suffolk Council (as the Licensing Authority) at one of the above addresses, or by e-mail to licensing@eastsuffolk.gov.uk It is an
• Private indoor pool, exclusive use
• Always warm, min. 30˚C
• Booking flexibility (subject to T +C)
• Minimum 4 sessions
• Discount for more sessions
• Ideal exercise, hydrotherapy or relaxation
• Only1 mile from Halesworth View video at www.valleyfarmholton.co.uk
Details: 01986 874521 mail@valleyfarmholton.co.uk
Halesworth Town Council
Murder & Mayhem
Halesworth author's 19th book
Halesworth resident, Dorothy Courtis (who writes as Dorothy Stewart) has released her 19th book and will be signing copies at Halesworth Bookshop on July 11th from 10:30am.
In Plain Sight is the 4th in her Somerset Murder Mystery series.
Loose Ends, the first book in the
series, was set in the world of art and antiques; Stitch-Up involved a murder in the peaceful Somerset countryside, while Push Over involved a tour of East Anglian stately homes.
Dorothy's books are available from Halesworth Bookshop and as e-books from Amazon.
News from Edgar Sewter Playschool, Parent & Toddler Group &
Our independent, Ofstedregistered Playschool runs Monday to Friday during term time, providing a great start for little ones in a warm, nurturing environment. We offer two-yearold and 30-hour funded places starting this September.
Our new Parent & Toddler Group runs on Thursdays (term time) from 1:30pm-3pm. At just £2 per family, it offers a great introduction to Playschool and a lovely way to meet new friends. We recently welcomed four Copper Maran chicks! The children were incredibly excited and chose the names Omelette, Nugget, Cookie, and WhoDeanie. We also raised Painted Lady butterflies named Rainbow,
Out
of School Club
Eric, Lollipop, Flower, and Cupcake, whom we released into the skies at the town park during the Annual Parish Meeting. It was lovely to see so many people at the park event. We'd like to congratulate Sally, the winner of our "Guess the Name of the Bear" competition. "Bruno" has found a wonderful new home!
Back in our garden, we've harvested our first strawberries and enjoyed them at snack time.
We'll also be holding a cake stall on June 20th at Halesworth Coop, where summer raffle tickets will be on sale too.
For details about our early years provision, or to arrange a visit, call 07796 044277 or email: esplayschool@gmail.com
Edgar Sewter Primary School
Big smiles,
In aid of the RNLI and Dunwich Museum, the Dunwich Drifters put on a wonderful show on June 13th, raising almost £300.
The acoustics and atmosphere were perfect as the summer evening darkened and the stained glass shone.
With Gail's warm and engaging vocals, Holly and Nick on rhythm guitars, Tony on violin, Catherine on flute, Susie on mandolin and djembe drum, and Andrew on bass guitar, the group created a rich, multi-layered sound.
Supported by Tom and Leigh on sound, whose careful work enhanced the balance and clarity throughout the evening, the performance filled the church beautifully.
During an interlude, Caroline read from her Dunwich Voices,
evoking Medieval Dunwich, the vast trading and shipbuilding port, once almost as large as London, that now lies beneath the sea-often referred to as 'Britain's Atlantis'.
"The Dunwich Drifters continue to be an enormous asset, helping to keep Dunwich's musical tradition alive and thriving," says Caroline.
The Dunwich Drifters and Caroline Gay Way would like to extend their sincere thanks to St. Mary's Church for hosting the event and providing such a beautiful setting for the evening.
Everyone enjoyed a fabulous night of music, friendship and community spirit, while raising valuable funds for the RNLI and Dunwich Museum. They are grateful to all who attended and supported these worthy causes.
Out-of-School & Holiday Club
Join us for Breakfast Club from 8am onwards and/or After School Club from 3:30pm-6pm with flexible pick-up times. We're open Monday to Friday during both term time and school holidays. We're registered for tax-free childcare. We're now taking bookings for the summer holidays, running from July 20thAugust 21st. We offer half days, full days, or just a few hours with flexible arrival/pick-up times. We welcome children from all schools! We've been established for over 25yrs with qualified staff. To book a place or to arrange a visit, call 07796 044277 or email: esplayschool@gmail.com Hayley, Anthea, Yvonne & Stacey
big wins, and big plans
Why we're bursting with pride!
There's a brilliant buzz in the air at Edgar Sewter Primary School, and we have some incredibly positive news to share with our wonderful community!
From trophy-winning sports teams and thrilling educational adventures to exciting expansion plans for our youngest learners, our students and staff have been absolutely thriving. Here's a look at what has been happening and why we're boasting from the rooftops about our fantastic school!
Bringing learning to life
We believe some of the best lessons happen outside the classroom. This year, our students have hit the road for some unforgettable experiences:
• Nursery & Reception loved their hands-on day out at Easton Farm
Park
• Years 1 and 2 visited Carlton
Marshes
• Year 3 stepped back in time with a historic trip to Norwich Castle
• Year 4 explored coastal heritage at The Time & Tide Museum
• Year 5 will be visiting Benacre in July
• Year 6 travelled to London to visit The Imperial War Museum
Sporting/dancing superstars
Our annual sports days were a massive success, with students across all year groups displaying immense grit, determination, and fantastic sportsmanship. Even better, our school teams have been dominating local tournaments!
A huge congratulations to our Year 5/6 Cricket Team and our Year 3/4 Rounders Team, who both achieved spectacular 1st place wins! Year 5 participated in Dance East in Ipswich, to be coached by professional dancers and perform on a professional
stage. All the children gave some fantastic performances - what a wonderful experience!
Exciting news for our littlest learners
The future's looking incredibly bright as we announce a major upgrade to our early years provision. We're launching a brand-new, purpose-built twoyear-old room in our Nursery!
This exciting development means we can officially welcome two-year-olds into the Edgar Sewter family for the very first time, providing a nurturing, highquality head start for the youngest members of our community. Whether on the sports field, a school trip, or in our classrooms, the spirit of Edgar Sewter shines through. A huge thank you to our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and incredible students who make us proud every day!
Halesworth Bookshop
John Stannard
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Love & Miss You - Heather xx
Thinking of you Dad - Love Tony & Anthea xx
London's biggest new craze Right on your doorstep!
There's a new attraction in London. It's called The Bowls Club and it was opened in 2022 in Finsbury Square.
Since opening, it's had 1,000 guests, raised over £46,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital, and built what is now officially called the largest bowls festival in the world.
What's behind its success is that
old-fashioned game called Lawn Bowls. The proprietors recognise that it's the most inclusive game ever invented. You don't need to be strong, fast, or coordinated. You don't need to have played before. You can chat away to your partner or the opposition and still feel the genuine thrill of competition when your bowl finishes right next to the jack.
The rage now seems to be for padel or pickleball. They're great for people who are still very fit and active. But lots of people still want the allure of sport and its sociability. Lawn bowls gives just that. The Bowls Club in London has been successful because it provides that sociability with drinks and food.
But hey, you don't have to go to London to enjoy this experience. It's right here on your doorstep!
Halesworth Angel Bowls Club is an oasis at the top of Dairy Hill and has a licensed bar. Come along and give it a go!
We are open on Tuesday and Saturday afternoons, or you can give Ben Cardwell a ring on 07470 811426 to arrange a convenient time.
Walpole Old Chapel July update
Those of you who pass by the Chapel on the road to the village/Peasenhall/Laxfield will have seen that the sacking on the north wall has now been removed.
This was to prevent the lime plaster from drying too quickly, and to protect it against frost.
Hopefully, that particular weather feature has now been replaced by sunny and dry days. Another thing that's now obvious is the size of the specially made rainwater goods, which are large enough to handle the heavy downpours
we're currently enduring and are likely to see more of in the coming years. Keeping the building dry not only protects its fabric but also makes it more comfortable inside for audiences listening to concerts, talks, etc.
As part of our bid for a large grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Trustees have appointed someone to review health and safety in the Chapel, as well as a Project Manager for the various activities taking place alongside the building work. We shall be advertising for consultants to help develop
activity and business planning,
alongside a consultant who'll be responsible for an independent evaluation of all aspects of the project for the Heritage Fund.
There's a lot of work we have to do before we can submit our bid for the larger delivery grant.
We've had the first concert of our 2026 summer programme, which was well received. The new interval tea and cakes were greatly appreciated.
Our next concert will feature Blake Morrison and the Hosepipe Band on July 12th at 3pm. This event will feature poems from Blake Morrison's new collection, Afterburn. We'll again be serving tea and cake during the interval! Tickets to concerts are £12 when pre-booked via TicketSource, or £15 on the door.
Grace Adams, our Artist in Residence, is enjoying exploring the opportunities of the Chapel as well as holding workshops. Details of all events are on our website: walpole.org, and the Chapel's open every Saturday afternoon from 2pm to 4:30pm. We look forward to welcoming you!
The north wall was repaired in June
Halesworth Angel Bowls Club
In memoriam
MAY 27TH - JULY 18TH
Finding Bob Linney
Exhibition
The Cut, Halesworth
10am-4pm. The first comprehensive look at the work of the graphic artist Bob Linney 1947-2023.
JULY 2ND
National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses
The Cut, Halesworth
7pm. Lesley Manville & Aidan Turner star in a striking NT production of Christopher Hampton's adaptation of the classic novel, directed by Marianne Elliott, where a highstakes alliance of seduction & strategy collapses into a destructive rivalry. £15pp.
JULY 3RD
Old Enough to Know Better (12+)
Thorington Theatre
7pm. Terence Blacker's acclaimed, light-hearted show celebrates the humour & freedom of growing older through a witty blend of song & story. From £22pp.
JULY 4TH
Southwold Sausage Festival Old Hall Southwold, IP18 6SG 10am-3pm. Live music, stalls, food & bar, walks & more! Ticketed event only. southwoldsausagewalk.co.uk
JULY 4TH
Kuk Sool Won 40th
Anniversary Celebration
Dairy Hill, Halesworth
12pm-3pm. Come see what we're about. Meet masters, see demonstrations, watch our training & ask questions. While you're here, have a hotdog! Open for 2yrs old up to 100yrs!
JULY 4TH
Brass on the Grass Halesworth Town Park
12pm-4:30pm. A fantastic summer fête celebrating the Wrentham Brass Band.
JULY 4TH
Ballroom & Latin
Taster Class
Reydon Village Hall
2pm-5pm. Basic Waltz & Cha Cha lessons. 45mins tuition & practice time per dance. Mid-session tea & cake break. Open to all ages. £5pp (incl. refreshments). Book tickets in adv. from Charlotte: 07715 388916, email: frogclock@ hotmail.com or online at: ticketsource.co.uk/ reydonvillagehall
JULY 4TH
Beans on Toast
Thorington Theatre
7:30pm. British folk singersongwriter Beans on Toast brings his legendary, interactive live show to the woodland theatre for a 3hr celebration of music & storytelling. Suitable for all. From £18pp.
JULY 5TH, 12TH, 19TH & 26TH (Every Sunday)
FREE Yoga
Halesworth Town Park
10am-11am. Free yoga. Sessions are fully inclusive, suitable for beginners, family friendly, completely free & open to everybody!
JULY 5TH, 12TH, 19TH & 26TH (Every Sunday)
Free Mini's Summer Touch Rugby
Halesworth Campus, off Harrison's Lane
10am-11am. Southwold RFC Mini's Summer Touch Rugby. Join us every Sunday throughout June & July. No experience or membership needed. No cost. Open to ages 5-12. Simply turn up & join in!
JULY 5TH
Walberswick, Dunwich Forest Walk
Meet parking at west end of Lodge Road coming out of Walberswick, after Old Covert 10am-12:45pm. Alde Valley Waveney Ramblers Group walk. Circular 6 mile (9.7km) walk of moderate difficulty. Dog friendly! From the parking outside of Walberswick, we walk along part of the Sandlings Walk & into Dunwich Forest. At St. Helena, we turn through the forest towards Dingle Marshes where we walk a short section of the King Charles III Coastal Path. We then turn away from the path towards East Hill where we reach Lodge Road to return to the parking. For more info, contact Mary K on: 07731 135383.
JULY 5TH
SWT Wildlife Open Garden
Wolseyhouse Farm, Hog Hill Lane, Strickland Manor Hill, Yoxford, IP17 3JF (W3W: workroom.cattle.swanky) 11am-4pm. Beautiful large garden, with recently created wildflower meadow & prairie style planting. Established wall garden, orchard, pond & moat with 2 bridges (pond & moat are unfenced, please take care). Refreshments available to purchase. Free entry. Donations. Please note: No dogs.
JULY 5TH
Gavin Fairhall Lever
Thorington Theatre
7pm. Following his acclaimed debut album, James Gavin collaborates with experimental folk artist Adrian Lever & jazz bassist Tim Fairhall to present a compelling new project that blends tradition, creation, & impro into a dynamic live performance. Suitable for all. From £7pp.
JULY 7TH, 14TH, 21ST & 28TH (Every Tuesday)
Fitness Class (60+) Performance Fitness, Halesworth
10am. Improve your strength, balance & mobility in a friendly, supportive environment. To help the over 60's stay active, independent & confident in everyday life. Incl. in £22/month membership, but trial class is FREE.
JULY 10TH
Dark Music & Fairy Tales (12+)
Thorington Theatre
7pm. Master storyteller Viktor Wynd presents an evening of dark, global fairy tales accompanied by the folk-infused music of
PRODUCE MARKET
Saturday 11th July
St. Mary’s Church, Steeple End, Halesworth, IP19 8LL
For stall enquiries, please contact Geoff on 07818 060 876
Nonny & The Blackshore Collective in a special woodland theatre performance benefiting Wenhaston School. £18pp.
JULY 11TH
Produce Market
St. Mary's Church, Halesworth 9am-1pm. Local producers, crafts, refreshments. For stall enquiries, contact Geoff: 07818 060876.
JULY 11TH
Meet the Moths
Dunwich Heath & Beach (Meet by Heath Barn) 10:15am-11am. Dunwich Heath is home to a variety of amazing moths which come in all shapes, colours & sizes. Find out more about them & get a chance to see them close up with one of our rangers! Free event (venue admission applies), no booking needed. Kids welcome.
JULY 11TH
Book Signing: Dorothy Stewart Halesworth Bookshop
10:30am. Local author Dorothy Courtis (writing as Dorothy Stewart) celebrates the launch of In Plain Sight, the 4th instalment in her popular Somerset Murder Mystery series. Drop by to meet the author & grab a signed copy. Books available in paperback & as e-books on Amazon.
JULY 11TH
The Great Churchyard Bird Watch
St. Peter's Church, Holton 11am-2pm. Everyone welcome for a picnic & summer birdwatch. Selection of activities for the whole family & different bird spotting areas. There will be refreshments & a wonderful time together.
JULY 11TH
Southwold Sandcastle Competition Southwold Beach (in front of Gun Hill) Registration from 12:30pm. Sandcastle building from 12:30pm-3pm. Judging from 3pm. Prizes at 4pm. Presented by Southwold & Reydon Society. Free entry. Everyone welcome! Rules: sandrsoc.uk/sandcastles
JULY 11TH
Northanger Abbey (12+)
Thorington Theatre
7pm. This summer, Moving Parts Theatre Company presents a fresh, music-infused adaptation of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, following the gothicobsessed Catherine Morland as she navigates Regency society. From £23pp.
JULY 11TH
Gigspanner Big Band
The Cut, Halesworth 8pm. An acclaimed, genredefying British folk supergroup feat. legendary musicians like Peter Knight & John Spiers, renowned for their virtuosic, high-energy performances & boundary-pushing collaborative sound. £30pp.
JULY 12TH
Concert
Walpole Old Chapel 3pm. Our next concert will feat. Blake Morrison & the Hosepipe Band, feat. poems from Blake Morrison's new collection, Afterburn. Refreshments during interval. Tickets: £12pp (prebooked via TicketSource) or £15pp on the door.
JULY 17TH
Sea Shanties & Fish & Chip Supper
The Racehorse Inn, Westhall 7pm. Sea Shanties from the Lowestoft Longshire Men raising money for The Pear Tree Fund. Tickets £18pp available from The Pear Tree Centre, The Racehorse Inn & Halesworth Bookshop (cash only).
JULY 17TH
'Coriolanus'
Garden Theatre (10+)
The Queen's Head, Bramfield 7pm (take your seats), starts at 7:30pm sharp. Presented by Circle 67. One of Shakespeare's tragedies, written around the time of Antony & Cleopatra.
A Roman tale of tense political battles, conflict, revenge, & one mans love for his mother. Free entry, donations kindly requested by the cast of Circle 67 into their hat at the end of the performance.
Performance not suitable for children under age 10.
JULY 17TH
Comedy Store Players (16+)
Thorington Theatre
7:30pm. Back by popular demand! A completely unique, high-energy night of completely improvised scenes & sketches based entirely on audience suggestions. From £23pp.
JULY 18TH & 19TH
Art in Ruins II
Sibton Church & Sibton Abbey Ruins 10:30am-4pm. Display of art & craft at Sibton Church for sale. Refreshments all day. Visits to Sibton Abbey Ruins to draw/ photograph/paint & guided tours. Parking at IP17 2LX incl. access to church & walk along River Yox to ruins. Tickets (cash at church on the day): adults £5; family ticket for 4 £15 (incl. accompanied children under 16).
JULY 18TH
A Beautiful Thread: Thomas Hardy in Words & Music (12+)
Thorington Theatre
7:30pm. A spellbinding exploration of Thomas Hardy's dramatic life & works, seamlessly weaving his poetry & novels with a beautiful program of live classical & contemporary folk music. £30pp.
JULY 19TH
Open Garden
Patrick Stead Day Care Centre, Halesworth 11am-5pm. Teas, cakes, stalls, tombola, plant sale, raffle. Come & enjoy the open garden!
JULY 21ST U3A Coach Trips: Norwich Castle Pick-up at The Angel Car Park South 9:30am. Day trip for Halesworth & District U3A members. Travel by coach to Norwich Castle, returning to Halesworth at 4pm. 53 seats on the coach, £10 each. 7 additional tickets available for people NOT travelling by coach but making their own way to the castle. Tickets cover reduced entry to the castle. This event is for members of Halesworth & District U3A. Contact the U3A for membership: halesworth. u3asite.uk/joining-u3a
JULY 23RD Halesworth Music Collective: 'A Different Point of View' Blood on the Tracks at 50 The Cut, Halesworth 7pm. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bob Dylan's legendary album Blood on the Tracks, lifelong Dylan enthusiast Steve Garlick hosts an investigation into the complex recording history, background, & fascinating evolution of these iconic songs. £5pp/£6pp.
JULY 25TH
Around the World in 80 Days (10+)
Thorington Theatre
7:30pm. Riotously entertaining, open-air production feat. a fearless troupe of actor-musicians using live music & inventive storytelling to bring Phileas Fogg's race around the world to life. From £20pp.
JULY 26TH
JULY 24TH
LATITUDE: Friday acts
Henham Park
FRIDAY Main Stage: Jalen Ngonda, The Last Dinner Party & David Byrne. 2nd Stage: Tom Grennan. Comedy Arena: Ross Noble & Sara Pascoe!
JULY 24TH
Oof! (16+)
Thorington Theatre
7:30pm. Starring veteran comedians Arthur Smith & Phil Nice & directed by Kevin Day, Oof! is a hilarious sit-down drama about 2 old men on a bench reflecting on life, showbiz, & the complex cartography of their lifelong friendship. £20pp.
JULY 25TH
LATITUDE: Saturday acts
Henham Park
SATURDAY Main Stage: Billy Ocean, Tom Odell & Teddy Swims. 2nd Stage: Wet Leg. Comedy Arena: Jen Brister with special guest Lenny Henry!
JULY 25TH
Wenhaston Produce & Craft Market
Wenhaston Village Hall
10am-12:30pm. A wide & ever-changing range of local food, produce, crafts, plants, home baking & pre-loved treasures. New stallholders always welcome. Stall fee £10. To book your stall (provided) call: Carol 01502 478732 or email: cazmike@outlook.com. Raising funds for Village Hall maintenance.
JULY 25TH
Kaspar: Prince of Cats (3+)
Thorington Theatre
3:30pm. A magical family adventure based on Michael Morpurgo's book, combining enchanting puppetry, original music, & storytelling following a young bellboy & a spirited American girl on an extraordinary, globetrotting journey of friendship & survival. From £18pp.
LATITUDE: Sunday acts
Henham Park
SUNDAY Main Stage: David Gray, Self Esteem & Lewis Capaldi. 2nd Stage: The Flaming Lips. Comedy Arena: Jack Dee & Sue Perkins!
JULY 30TH
The Big Bad Wolf (5+)
Thorington Theatre
2:30pm. A brand-new, music-filled family show that takes audiences on a silly, rock-&-roll journey into the Deep Dark Wood to uncover the real story behind folklore's most notorious villain, the Big Bad Wolf. From £18pp.
JULY 30TH
The Comedy of Errors
Thorington Theatre
7:30pm. Fast-paced production of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors, original music, traditional costumes, & comedic chaos to this classic farce of mistaken identity. Suitable for all. From £22pp.
JULY 31ST
The Tale of Peter Rabbit & Benjamin Bunny
Thorington Theatre
2pm-3:45pm. Quantum Theatre returns with Michael Whitmore's charming, family-friendly outdoor adaptation of Beatrix Potter's The Tales of Peter Rabbit & Benjamin Bunny, following the 2 naughty cousins on a magical hair-raising adventure in Mr. McGregor's garden. Suitable for all. From £18pp.
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Get ready for Hubfest!
Let's hope August 1st is firmly engraved in your minds or on your calendars!
Hubfest is an annual event not to be missed and it'll sneak up on us before we know it! Bigger and better than before, Hubfest is the Glastonbury of Huntingfield (but without the mud and the cowsheds!) We're so fortunate to have some amazing bands and artists lined up, offering a mix of genres for even the most discerning music tastes.
Starting off and opening the event at 1pm on Stage 1 will be the hugely talented Matt & Jon, playing an acoustic mix of well-known covers with their duelling guitars and haunting harmonies. Arrive as early as you can so as not to miss one of the best performances of the day!
From 2:10pm-2:45pm on Stage 2, the Halesworth Ukulele Band will be performing those toe-tapping rhythms. Sporting bright Hawaiian shirts and a demeanour to match, they'll play a set of popular, well-known songs, accompanied by Chris Turner on bass and Andrew Hyde on lead electric ukulele.
On at 2:45pm on Stage 1, we're lucky to have the exceptional talent of Steve J Curtis, a local professional singer-songwriter playing a mix of blues, country, and Americana.
At 3:45pm on Stage 2, we have a four-piece band called 'Ain't Bitter & Twisted.' Comprising double bass, guitar, violin, and vocals, they play an eclectic mix of 'twisted' folk, along with a bit of country and pop. They're joining us all the
way from down south! At 4:30pm on Stage 1, the Blyth River Blues Band takes the stage. Often described as Suffolk's finest rocking blues band, they're a classic Chicagostyle outfit playing the music of B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, ZZ Top, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, and many more to an exhilarating and professional standard.
At 6:15pm, the Zig Zag Box Cars (a four-piece band of drums, rhythm, bass guitar, and vocals) will play wellknown popular covers from the 60s, 70s, and maybe some 80s. Formed within the last two years, this band is going from strength-to-strength. At 8pm, our headlining and final band is The Annex, who burst out of nowhere in 2024 to take East Anglia's previously undiscovered electro-art rock scene by storm. With pumping bass riffs by Richard Bassett and Ju Brooks welded to hypnotic beats, vocalist/lyricist Ben Sharratt perfectly nails the melodrama and jeopardy of Halesworth market town life. In addition, we have a number of craft stalls and food vendors catering to all preferences. Of course, the Huntingfield Arms will be providing a licensed bar. Hubfest runs from 1pm-9pm. Tickets at a discounted price of £9 in adv. from the Huntingfield Arms, or £10 at the gate on the day. Free parking's available, courtesy of Heveningham Hall. Any queries, please contact: huntingfieldhubfest @gmail.com
- The Hubfest team (David, Peter, and Jeannette)
Here at First Choice Home Care Halesworth, we're always looking to take on empathetic, compassionate Carers.
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Stall availability
Geldeston Village Hall is pleased to announce that there are three stalls available for rent at our upcoming village fête on July 18th.
Each stall can be rented for £10, providing an affordable way for individuals and organisations to participate in this popular community event.
Why rent a stall?
The village fête is always a well-attended event, attracting a substantial number of visitors. Renting a stall offers an excellent opportunity to promote your small business or to raise funds for your chosen charity.
To book and/or for more information, please contact: 07979 122555.
Mauldons Brewery marks 20 years of Silver Adder with limited-edition can launch
Suffolk's Mauldons Brewery is celebrating 20 years of one of its most popular ales, Silver Adder, with a special limited-edition canned release.
Following an initial smallscale online release earlier this year, the Suffolk-based brewery is continuing the celebrations with their 20th anniversary Silver Adder cans, with just a limited number of cases available.
For the past 20 years, Silver Adder has built a loyal following thanks to its crisp, refreshing character and aromatic hop profile. Brewed with Willamette and Cascade hops, the super pale ale delivers a citrus burst followed by a clean, balanced finish, alongside pale malt characteristics and a fresh hop presence that has helped make it one of Mauldons Brewery's best-selling beers.
The launch also forms part of a
wider story for Mauldons Brewery and the Nedging Hall Estate, where heritage, provenance and sustainability remain at the heart of the business. Mauldons Brewery forms part of the familyrun Nedging Hall Estate in Suffolk, which also includes pubs, country houses and farmland. The estate grows barley on the farm, while Mauldons Brewery crafts ales enjoyed across the estate's Suffolk pubs.
Ryan Sheffield, Head of Sales at Mauldons Brewery, commented: "Silver Adder has been a huge part of Mauldons Brewery and Suffolk's brewing scene for the past 20 years, so we wanted to do something special to celebrate the anniversary. We've had a fantastic response to the first release of cans earlier this year and we're excited to continue the celebrations with this limited-
edition run. As a Suffolk brewery with a long history behind us, it's important to us that we continue evolving while still staying true to the quality and character people know us for."
Alongside Silver Adder, Mauldons Brewery produces a range of award-winning ales including Black Adder, Suffolk Pride, Mole Trap and White Adder, with the brewery continuing to champion traditional Suffolk brewing alongside carefully crafted modern favourites.
As part of the wider Nedging Hall Estate, Mauldons Brewery continues to play an important role within Suffolk's food and drink landscape, championing local brewing heritage while supporting the county's hospitality sector and rural economy.
As Suffolk's oldest brewery, Mauldons continues to evolve
while staying true to its brewing heritage. The limited-edition Silver Adder cans mark the latest chapter for the brewery as it looks towards future growth while continuing to champion traditional Suffolk brewing.
With consumers continuing to seek out independent breweries, provenance-led brands and premium craft styles, Mauldons Brewery continues to invest in its range while building on more than 200 years of brewing heritage.
Silver Adder cans are available to purchase via mauldons.co.uk.
The annual Coffee Morning in Wenhaston Village Hall in May was a very happy morning with visitors buying from the stalls and chatting over coffee and biscuits. The morning raised £442.05 for funds which was very pleasing.
In June, we will welcome a speaker from Disability Advice Suffolk which will have taken place when you read this but I'll report on it next month.
On July 16th (which please note is a week later than usual), we'll have our Garden Meeting at Meresig, Back Road, Wenhaston from 3pm-5pm. All are welcome to this but we'd like to know numbers nearer the time please.
We hope the weather will be kind!
We run a support group for people with Parkinson's and their partners/carers which is 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.
Everyone's welcome to attend our meetings and if you'd like any further information, please contact either: • Margaret: 01502 478502 margaret@wrush.plus.com
• Gail: 01502 817004 aandgattfield@btinternet.com
An interior in oils Demonstration by Jim
With all the members of the Beccles Society of Art huddled around Jim's easel in the lounge room of The Club, we were treated to a very informative and enjoyable demonstration.
Jim began by emphasising the importance of 'composition', 'perspective' and 'tone' when tackling the subject of interiors.
He started by using a midtoned board on which he made a simple linear construction using a diluted oil paint mixture of ultramarine blue and umber.
Jim doesn't believe in making an exact copy of whatever he's looking at, but rather prefers to 'interpret' a particular scene. He referred to a painting by Ken Howard for inspiration, which was full of suggestions rather
Power
than literal depictions. "One of the fundamental rules for oil painting is establishing the dark tones first by scumbling loosely using thin mixtures", Jim told us. (Scumbling is an art technique that involves applying a thin, uneven layer of opaque or semi-opaque paint over a dry, contrasting underlayer.) He used three different brushes so as to keep his colours relatively clean and used Gryfin White, which was fast drying. We all watched as Jim confidently and quickly developed his painting of an interior and by the end of the evening, everyone agreed that we'd learned so much in such a short space of time.
-
For all your bookkeeping and payroll requirements
Contact: 07879 424222
lisa@everydaybooks.uk
Geldeston Village Fête
Beccles Society of Art
John Patchett
Three Rivers Talking News expands its service
For the past 35 years, Three Rivers Talking News (3RTN) has recorded items from the local newspaper and distributed them to blind and partially sighted people in the community, keeping them up to date with local news.
Since March, 3RTN has extended its listenership to also include anyone with a chronic illness such as MS, MND, Parkinson's or, indeed, any ailment that makes reading difficult. The content of their recordings has also been expanded to include a variety of items in addition to local news, such as rural affairs, medical matters, sports, and entertainment, including a guide to our local shows and music events. According to chairman Tony Rainbird, 3RTN is now providing "a mini magazine in audio format on a weekly basis."
So how does it work?
"You can self-refer or, if you know someone who would benefit from this service, speak to them and then refer them", says
Mr. Rainbird. "If the person has an Alexa smart speaker, then we can organise access very easily indeed. If not, then we can supply a speaker unit and post out a USB/memory stick of our weekly recordings which can be returned using a special pouch. It's as simple as that. And, the good news is that the entire service is free!"
Mr. Rainbird added, "We want all our recordings to be as interesting as possible to our listeners so we welcome your feedback and suggestions. We're also interested in hearing from health professionals and leaders of support groups in the local area, as they will be instrumental in ensuring the word gets out to those who will benefit most from our service".
For more information, contact Tony Rainbird on: 07833 558005 or email: chair3rtn@gmail.com
Three Rivers Talking News is a registered charity, and all their public-facing volunteers are DBS checked for your safety.
Westhall Charity FC raises over £1,500 for
On Sunday, May 17th, Westhall Charity FC took on its 16th football match, this time in aid of the Pear Tree Fund Halesworth. The day was filled with two matches, garden games, a BBQ, a bar, a quiz, and an auction.
"We owe huge thanks to the LTAA in Leiston for their support and generosity in hosting us again; the staff were incredible. A massive thank you to my wife, who helps and
The Pear Tree Fund
supports me with these events and is always by my side. To my family, friends, supporters, and players: we could not do this without you, so thank you."
We managed to raise a fantastic £1,533 for the Pear Tree Fund. It's an amazing place and they have supported me when I needed it, which has helped me enormously. If you need support for anything, please reach out to them.
"Over 16 matches and several
different charities, we've raised over £11,200 to date since we started. This is something I never expected to achieve. We started this as just a memorial match, but with hard work, we have grown this into an wonderful event where anyone is welcome and which brings so many people together."
The next event in the works is for a children's charity called Dreams Come True (charity number 800248). This will be held at Spexhall FC on August 16th. There's lots to finalise regarding this event, but it's set to be a great one with plenty of football and amazing prizes up for grabs.
We're also working on a new kit from four generous sponsors whom we owe thanks for their support. We can't wait to show you who they are. Please continue to support the work we do in raising money as a group for charity, and don't forget, if you need any support, please visit the Pear Tree Halesworth.
Image credit: Tony Rainbird
Westhall Charity Football Club
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The son of Halesworth who shaped your garden
As you work in, and hopefully take time to enjoy, your garden this summer, it's worth giving a thought to the 19th-century botanists who travelled the world and brought back so many of the plants we now take for granted.
What you might not realise is that Halesworth played a key part in this horticultural revolution. Our town was the birthplace and home of the eminent botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker, who discovered and brought to the UK a wide range of plants, including many of the nowfamiliar garden rhododendrons.
His life, work, and family history are now the subject of a display in the Halesworth & District Museum.
Joseph Hooker (the son of another famous botanist, Sir William Jackson Hooker, who was the first full-time director of Kew Gardens) was born in Halesworth in 1817. His childhood home, Brewery House on Quay Street, has since been renamed Hooker House in the family's honour, and it now houses Daniel Evans & Associates dentists. The Museum display (new for
2026) explores the fascinating story of the Hookers, including Joseph's voyages to the Antarctic (1838-1843) and the Himalayas (1847-1851). It also sheds light on his close friendship and correspondence with Charles Darwin. Hooker was a great supporter of his friend's work; it is recorded that Darwin discussed his ideas on natural selection with Joseph Hooker long before publishing his groundbreaking On the Origin of Species, later acknowledging his indebtedness to Hooker's knowledge and judgement.
So, as a break from the weeding (or indeed the weather), why not pop into the Museum and learn more about Halesworth's famous botanists?
You might also wish to check the website (halesworthmuseum. org.uk/wpress) for our busy 2026 programme of talks. These take place at Halesworth United Reformed Church on Quay Street at 7:30pm, with doors opening at 7pm. Admission is £8, or £4 for Museum Friends (payable at the door, no need to book). Please note that the Museum is now open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-1pm.
RNLI lifeguards start daily beach patrols in East Suffolk
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards will soon return to beaches in East Suffolk to offer a reassuring presence.
Between 10am and 6pm, the lifeguards will patrol daily across two designated beaches from May 23rd, with the service remaining in operation until September 6th.
The beaches in East Suffolk that will initially be monitored by RNLI lifeguards are Lowestoft South and Southwold North
Then, from July 11th, a total of four beaches in East Suffolk will be included in the patrolled beach service as Lowestoft North and Southwold South also join the lifeguarding rota.
The lifeguarding team in the north and east have been working hard to complete vital training and are looking forward to
returning to the beaches full time.
Ted Morgan (RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor) said: "After completing their preseason training, our lifeguards are ready and excited to return to the beach. This year marks 25 years of the RNLI lifeguard service, and we're encouraging everyone to swim between the red and yellow flags so they can enjoy the coast safely."
Councillor Sarah Whitelock (East Suffolk's cabinet member for Communities, Culture, Leisure & Tourism) said: "Our beautiful beaches are visited by thousands of people each week throughout the summer. We want to ensure that families are safe whilst using our beaches, which is why we're grateful to the RLNI for once again being present at Southwold and Lowestoft beaches during the summer. The
RLNI's lifeguarding service is crucial to offering reassurance to visitors, as well as practical help in any emergency situations, and we hope that their presence will allow visitors to relax and fully enjoy the beauty that the Suffolk coast has to offer." When visiting the beach this summer, remember:
• Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
• Keep a close eye on your family, on the beach and in the water, don't allow your family to swim alone.
• If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Find out how at: rnli. org/safety/float To learn more about RNLI lifeguarded beaches, visit: rnli.org/what-we-do/ lifeguards-and-beaches
Halesworth & District Museum
Packed with information: The Hookers display cabinet
Lifeguards will soon take to the surf throughout East Suffolk
Image credit: RNLI/Peter Hancock
WI welcomes ACWW speaker
Halesworth WI members listened with interest as our speaker, Anita Scruby, explained Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), an organisation that brings together women's groups, of which the WI is one.
This organisation was set up by Madge Robertson Watts in the early 1930s to help rural women all over the world, and currently, 22 countries belong to it.
This started off being called 'Pennies for Friendship', where members contributed what they could afford to the fund - perhaps only a few pennies, which was a reasonable sum in those days.
Over the following years, the money has gone toward
helping build wells in Africa and providing preservation equipment for surplus fruit and vegetables to be made into pickles and sold at markets rather than wasted. The income gained from these various enterprises is usually spent on food and education for their children. ACWW has also supplied therapy through art and gardening in Ukraine, helped Romanian children, organised grassroots projects in places such as Mongolia and Tunisia, and provided health and education for women and children in many countries.
It was agreed that this is a very worthwhile organisation that WI members are happy to support. www.acww.org.uk
An incredible month of events
An incredible month of events - thank you to our local community!
On May 9th, we were blessed with beautiful weather for Jane Bastow's Open Garden at The Laburnums. Thank you to everyone who helped, and a special thank you to Jane and David for sharing their stunning garden and putting in so much work to make the day fantastic. The event raised an amazing £1,547.
On May 16th, Pear Tree attended the Halesworth Town Council annual meeting at Millennium Green and joined the launch of Hands Up for Halesworth, a year-long volunteer recruitment project with Halesworth Volunteers and Halesworth Town Council, funded by East Suffolk Community Partnership. The initiative brings local voluntary groups together as a single point of contact for information and volunteering opportunities. You can see what volunteering opportunities we have at: handsupforhalesworth.co.uk/ volunteer-now
On May 17th, Westhall Charity FC played two fantastic matches to raise funds for The Pear Tree Fund. William Bird worked tirelessly to organise a familyfriendly afternoon and evening with a BBQ, match, quiz, and auction, raising an impressive £1,533. A huge thank you to LTAA for hosting and to William and the whole team of players.
On June 3rd, we held our annual Ladies' Lunch at The Wentworth Hotel. A huge thank you to Manon and Barb for organising this lovely event and to all of the lovely ladies who attended. We'll share the total raised very soon.
Upcoming Events
• Heveningham Hall Country Fair: June 27th & 28th:
50/50 Draw! Your chance to win up to £1,000! We'll be at Heveningham Hall all weekend and look forward to seeing you there. We'll have our 50/50 tickets for sale, which give anyone who enters the chance to win up to £1,000. These tickets are available now at The Pear Tree Centre, with 50% of the sales going to our charity and 50% going to the lucky winner! • Fish, Chips, and Sea Shanties: July 17th, 7pm. Come join us for Fish, Chips, and Sea Shanties at the Westhall Racehorse Inn. Your ticket includes shanties from the Lowestoft Longshore Men and a fish-and-chip supper. Tickets are £18 and will soon be available to purchase from The Pear Tree Centre, the Westhall Racehorse Inn, and Halesworth Bookshop (cash only). • Charity Golf Day at Halesworth Golf Club: August 28th. Our Annual Charity Golf Day is in its 11th year. It's always great seeing all of you golfers get your teams of four together and have a great day of golf, all to raise money for The Pear Tree Fund. We have space for teams of four to enter this year's charity day at £50pp, which includes the golf, a bacon butty and coffee breakfast, and a light lunch at the golf club. We're also looking for sponsors and raffle prizes for this event and would be very
Halesworth WI
The Pear Tree Centre
Jane Bastow's Open Garden at The Laburnums
White Camassia and cow parsley behind a relocated Halesworth in Bloom bench in the Town Park
Free Sunday morning yoga comes to Halesworth Town Park this summer
Spring Fair success and a huge thank you!
M. Page with May 16th's lottery bonus ball number 20.
Residents of all ages and abilities are invited to enjoy the benefits of yoga in the fresh air with the launch of Yoga in the Park, a series of free outdoor yoga sessions taking place every Sunday morning from 10am-11am in Halesworth Town Park during June, July, August & September (weather permitting).
Organised by Halesworth Town Council and funded through support from Sport England and The National Lottery, the sessions are completely free to attend and open to everyone, regardless of experience.
Whether you're trying yoga for the first time or looking for a relaxing way to start your Sunday, the sessions have been designed to be welcoming, inclusive and suitable for beginners. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mat if they have one, but mats will also be available to borrow free of charge. Yoga in the Park aims to help people become more active while enjoying the unique benefits of
exercising outdoors. Research shows that physical activity in natural environments can help reduce stress, improve mood, boost energy levels and support overall wellbeing. Practising yoga outside also offers an opportunity to connect with nature, enjoy the fresh air and spend time in a friendly community setting.
A spokesperson for Halesworth Town Council said: "We're delighted to bring Yoga in the Park to Halesworth. These free sessions provide a fantastic opportunity for people to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, meet others in the community and enjoy our beautiful town park. Thanks to funding from Sport England and The National Lottery, we're able to make the sessions accessible to everyone."
No booking is required. Participants should simply arrive a few minutes before the session starts and wear comfortable clothing suitable for gentle exercise and the weather conditions.
for creating these. Thank you to everyone who took one home for a small donation.
We're so grateful so many of you support our events. We're delighted to say that you raised an amazing £2,518.36 for Cancer Research, as they continue to find new treatments and better diagnostic techniques in their fight to beat cancer, their progress is truly astounding.
A huge thank you to the following businesses for providing items used for our meals: Cleveleys, Co-op Halesworth, Spar Halesworth and Tesco's Beccles. Their support makes a massive difference to us and we're extremely grateful. Thank you also to all the committee members and volunteers who made the soup, pies, and desserts that we served at lunchtime.
Thank you also to the following businesses for providing items for our raffle: Adnams Southwold, Africa Alive, The Wentworth Hotel Aldeburgh, Serenity Ceramics and The White Hart.
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 hamper, which raised £242 and was won by D. Cadle. The Bonus Ball Gin Hamper was won by
A special thanks to Woottens of Wenhaston for donating fantastic plants for the plant stall. Thank you to everyone who baked cakes/savouries for our cake stall, donated a raffle prize, or contributed in any way.
On June 21st, Holton Village Hall will be holding a classic car event. Please go along and support them, and look out for our book, jigsaw, and toy stall!
Upcoming Events
• Street Collection: In The Thoroughfare on June 26th outside Coopers and The Angel, and also on June 27th at the Co-op. Please say hello to our collectors, it'll brighten their day! If you have a few pennies to drop into our collecting goblets, we'd be so grateful, as every penny counts.
• I-Chameleon Pop-Up Shop: We'll be in the pop-up shop in the Thoroughfare, from July 2nd8th. We have something special outside the shop each day:
- Thursday: Tombola - Friday: Jane Bastow plant stall
- Saturday: Cake day - Monday: Books and jigsaws
- Tuesday: The Ukulele Band playing from 11am-ish to 11:45am (weather permitting) Inside the shop, we'll have lots of bargains, including nearly new clothes with great labels (e.g., Seasalt, Dash, Fat Face, Weird Fish, Boden, etc.). Please call in, say hello, and pick up a bargain! Please note: Unfortunately, we don't have access to a card machine or tap-and-go facilities, so all of our events are cashonly. We apologise for any inconvenience.
For more information, please contact Dawn Davis on: 01986 873640.
Halesworth Town Council
Memorial Day at the American Cemetery
On May 25th, volunteers from Halesworth Airfield Museum travelled to the American Cemetery at Madingley, Cambridge to present wreaths in remembrance of the men of the 56th Fighter Group, 489th Bomb Group and 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron.
It was the hottest day of the year, but everyone managed to keep cool and felt honoured to take part in this annual ceremony.
We were especially proud when one of the speakers paid tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Leon R. Vance, Jr. who was a pilot in the 489th Bomb Group flying from Halesworth. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1946 for conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. His name is on the Wall of the Missing at the American Cemetery with a gold star beside it. Thank you to volunteers Debbie, Marjorie and Sue for
making the beautiful wreaths. You can find out how Lt. Col. Vance earned his medal by visiting our museum. We're open every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from April until the end of October, 2pm5pm. Keep up with our news on Facebook or our website: halesworthairfieldmuseum. co.uk.
For information, email: halesworthairfieldmuseum@ outlook.com, phone: 01986 875084 or Richie on: 07815 441669. We look forward to seeing you at the museum!
Climate briefing film comes to Beccles
A new climate briefing film is coming to Beccles, inviting residents to hear the evidence and discuss how to respond together.
In Beccles, a screening of The People's Emergency Briefing will take place at Blyburgate Hall on July 10th at 5pm. Tickets are free, open to everyone, and can be obtained by scanning the QR code or going to: www.buytickets.at/national emergencybriefing beccles/2239696
You can also contac the organiser, Mark Popay, on: becclesclimate briefing@btinternet.com
Our local MP, Jess Asato, will be there and the event will be hosted by Beccles Mayor, Joe Athorn. Local councillors, environmental experts and members of the emergency services have also been invited. The event will consist of a 50 minute film, hosted by Chris Packham, followed by a 45 minute discussion and Q&A session. This will enable the audience to take in what they have seen and explore what action can
be taken locally and nationally.
This event is about our future and is open to everyone regardless of politics, religion, educational level, ethnicity or national heritage. We especially welcome young people (over the age of 16) because they are the generation who will feel the effects of climate change the most. Please do come along and bring a friend, neighbour or family member: everyone is welcome.
Friday 10th July
5pm-7:30pm at Blyburgate Hall, Beccles, NR34 9TF
Financial focus on... When not to claim Capital Allowances
For tax purposes, the method of claiming asset depreciation is known as Capital Allowances (CAs). These operate on a reducingpool-of-value basis using HMRCprescribed rates ranging from 3% to 100% depending on the asset (and tax year) involved. These allowances are then treated as deductions against your annual profits.
But must you claim them?
Somewhat counter intuitively, the answer is no - you are not forced to claim CAs each year and there are several reasons why you may choose to waive your entitlement - especially as you generally do not lose the unclaimed value (so you are able to continue claiming in a following year where you left off). You may wish to waive CAs when:
• Your profits are low enough to be covered by your personal allowances and your tax and/ or NIC liability is not affected whether you claim CAs or not;
• You wish to increase the effectiveness of any averaging claim;
• Higher profits are needed for pension or mortgage purposes;
• Claiming them might trigger an excessive Gift Aid donation charge;
• Other loss relief (which may be lost if not claimed) can be used instead; or
• There is a large Balancing Charge (where on disposal the relief you have had exceeds residual value) ahead upon a planned cessation.
A few points to consider when considering waiving your entitlement:
• HMRC cannot force you to make a claim for CAs each year;
• You need to do the maths;
• You can choose to waive some or all of any capital allowances;
• Consider the future;
• You may end up waiving your entitlement to CAs at one rate to replace it in a later year with a lower rate (but ultimately you will still receive the same amount of allowance over the life of the asset – it is just the timing of when you receive the relief that you are adjusting);
• Try to get the CA claim right first time as HMRC take a dim
What's new at Dee's Den charity shop this summer?
With the exceptional warm weather, we had a run on shorts, summer dresses, and outdoor games. Now, with the wet weather, anoraks and wet-weather gear are proving popular!
We still have plenty of stock across a wide range of items, which we rotate regularly. We've added a few extra opening hours now that summer's here, and we even opened on Bank Holiday Monday with the offer of coffee and cake while you shopped. We're also looking at occasionally opening on Sundays to allow those who work to shop; these dates will be announced on social media.
(Thank you to Penny for baking, I know it was highly appreciated!)
We have a wide range of clothes for women, men, and children at reasonable prices, as
well as accessories to complete any outfit, including jewellery, shoes, sandals, and decorative scarves. For men, we have a lovely selection of shoes, trainers, and sandals. We also have a great assortment of board games, toys, and children's books, all reasonably priced. Come and have a look! Always buy when you see something, as items don't hang about!
We stock a wide assortment of books to suit all readers, covering every subject and a huge range of authors (paperbacks are 50p, and hardbacks are £1 or £2). CDs and DVDs remain at only 50p. We also stock bedding, curtains, bric-a-brac, glassware, kitchenware, pictures, and photo frames. Please ask if you can't see what you're looking for, as we have a stockroom full
of items waiting to be put out. We continue to sell a few items on Vinted, eBay, and our local Marketplace to raise more money for the Fund. Additionally, we've had a range of plants and garden items donated. Our delicious homemade marmalade, made by Jenny (one of our volunteers), is also very popular!
Everyone's welcome at Dee's Den! We have our regular discounted £1 rail of adult clothing (outside if dry). With the summer season upon us, we're open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:30am1pm, and now open until 3pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. On rare occasions, we do need to close early, we offer our sincere apologies when this happens, as sometimes volunteers aren't available.
We welcome donations of clean, saleable items including clothes, bric-a-brac, toys, games, and small pieces of furniture. Please drop them off at the shop when we're open. If you have more than a couple of bags, please deliver them on a Monday or Thursday. If you're unable to deliver, just give us a call and we can arrange a collection. Please note that we cannot accept used electrical items (only new and boxed) and we cannot accept pillows or duvets.
If you're interested in volunteering, please call in to leave your details and pick up an application form. Thank you all for your continued support in buying and donating lovely goods, we really appreciate it! To contact the Dee's Den shop, phone Nikki on: 07733 668221.
Bungay Camera Club 'Panels' results
The competition challenged members to submit three related images in a single panel or Triptych.
• 'Cannot see the wood for the trees' by Eddie Pond • 'Flight of the Greys' by Paul Farrow Projected Digital Images: • 'Balletic demise' by Adrian Muttitt • 'Oiling the wheels of time' by Paul Farrow Bungay Camera Club organises a range of activities including practical indoor and outdoor sessions, competitions, talks, and lectures throughout the year, as well as an annual exhibition. On June 10th, internationally acclaimed photographer Justin Minns visited Bungay Camera Club to talk about his learning curve.
view to reopening accounts; and
• Take professional advice unless you understand the implications. By not automatically claiming every allowance at the first opportunity, you can potentially avoid wasting your CAs against other allowances or losses, maximise how relief is generated and reduce potential charges on cessation. Hope this helps Contact details: 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.
A word from Rosedale Bereavement Support
Grief & Loneliness
Mother Teresa once said that loneliness is "the Leprosy of modern society" and the most severe form of poverty. It's ironic that even though we have more ways than ever to communicate with others, almost a quarter of adults regularly experience loneliness. The rates are higher amongst younger adults.
TV, internet and social media have made many of us so selfcontained that face-to-face interactions can sometimes feel awkward and difficult. The death of a loved one can make many people feel they want to withdraw from others and hide away with their pain. Grief can be isolating as we struggle to process our feelings alone, not wanting to burden others or show the depth of our sorrow.
Even if we live with others or have close friends or family members, we can still be lonely for THAT special person and the relationship and closeness we shared. Suddenly, there are big gaps in our life that we're aware of, every moment of every day. It's possible to feel 'lonely in a crowd'. Being surrounded by people at a social event may emphasise our loneliness and detachment from others.
For those who have lost a partner, coming home to an empty house can feel unbearable, many particularly struggle with
long, dark winter nights. Having a TV or radio on can help to fill the silence.
Many bereaved people confess to talking to their loved ones' photo. No, this does not mean they are going mad! It's simply a way of maintaining the connection with that special person.
There are many responses to loneliness, some are helpful whilst others may not serve us well in the long term. Turning to alcohol can be a natural response for some. It can be a way of temporarily numbing the pain. In moderation, it offers relaxation and an occasional outlet for stress.
However, it's important to notice if it becomes a crutch that we need to lean on in order to function day to day and an avoidance strategy for facing our real emotions. We all need something to lean on in life and there's no shame in that. Many find support and comfort in faith, friendship, a job or volunteering, interests and hobbies, music and artistic activities. Of course, we can never replace what our loved one brought to our life but finding the right coping strategies which are beneficial and not harmful, can be a way of filling the loneliness with connection, purpose and fulfilment. Here are some ideas:
• Engage in regular physical exercise (walking out doors, gardening, join a gym, sports club or exercise class).
• Volunteer in a local charity or get involved in community initiatives.
• Pet ownership can be beneficial and therapeutic. Dog walking is good exercise and a great way to meet people. Pets are wonderful company giving us a reason to get up in the morning and a friendly welcome when we get home.
• Take up or re- engage with a hobby. Meeting like minded people is a great way to build connections. Organisations like The university of the Third Age (U3A) offer regular talks, meet ups and outings for the retired community.
• Book groups, choirs and art/ craft classes are a great way to meet people.
• 'Men's sheds' offer friendship and practical projects to get involved in.
Perhaps consider talking to a counsellor or wellbeing professional: There are many private options or your GP will be able to refer you.
Join one of Rosedale's Bereavement Support Groups- all groups are confidential and offer a place to talk and connect with others who are also grieving. Call 01379 640 810 to reserve your free place.
This article was written by Sarah Howard, Rosedale Funeral Home Bereavement Support Group Facilitator
'Decision Makers' by Ken Warne
The Bungay Camera Club hosted its annual 'Panels' competition at Broome Village Hall on May 27th.
Halesworth Airfield Museum
J C WOODPRODUCTS
Decorators
Halesworth Volunteers news
Welcome to our latest update, packed with exciting news, upcoming events, and a massive thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate a major milestone for Halesworth Volunteers (HV)! Community Car Service
Our Community Car Service provides vital transport for medical appointments, shopping, and essential outings to help older people, vulnerable adults, and those with mobility challenges stay independent. Whether you need to use the service yourself or are interested in joining our volunteer drivers, we'd love to hear from you.
We're also pleased to announce that following the government's first tax-free mileage rate increase since 2011, HV will be raising our total mileage rate to 80p per mile starting 1st July 2026, with 55p of that contributing to drivers' expenses. If you'd like to discuss this rate increase, book a trip, or enquire, please call us on 01986 874290 or email:
carservice@halesworthvc.co.uk
Isolation Busters
Isolation Busting is about combatting loneliness by bringing people together through befriending, lunches, afternoon teas, and trips.
Our next Community Lunch is on June 24th from 1pm-3pm in St. Mary's Church. Join us for quiche, sandwiches, cakes, and a tea or coffee. Everyone's welcome and there's no need to book.
Chinny's Social
On the first Tuesday of every month, we meet at the Events Bar at Chinny's for coffee and chat. Everyone's welcome to come make new friends and enjoy some of the delicious food on offer at Chinny's. Our next date is July 7th, from 12pm-2pm.
If you'd like to discover more about Isolation Busters, our programme of events and dates, befriending, or shopping support, call: 01986 875600 or email: info@halesworthvolunteers.org.
Halesworth Community Larder
The Larder continues to support people by offering a range of fresh and stock-cupboard essentials at the bargain price of £3 per basket. Open to everyone,
the Larder's available at St. Mary's Church Hall every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10am-11:30am. Our volunteers look forward to welcoming you for shopping, and for refreshments afterwards. Thank you to everyone who regularly donates; this makes a huge difference and helps us to keep our shelves stocked.
100 Club
Our lucky winning numbers for May were 38, 30, and 27. Congratulations to our winners, who collected prizes of £100, £50, and £25! If you haven't already signed up and would like to join, it's not too late. For just £60 per year, you can be part of our monthly draw, with all profits going toward supporting our vital services. Call: 01986 875600 if you'd like to become a member, and we'll provide you with more information on how to pay.
Quiz
Our fundraising quiz night continues on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in The Stables at the Angel, starting at 8pm. For a small charge of £2 per person, you can have a fun night of quizzing, with the winning team taking home a small prize. Teams of four are ideal, and a prize draw and nibbles will be served during the interval. The next date is July 15th, which (in line with our 40th Anniversary) will be 1980s-themed with an optional 80s dress code! So, hunt out your shoulder pads, leg warmers, and oversized denim jackets and come join us for some 80s fun with our quiz masters, Chris & Ricky. Annual Parish Meeting & Hands up for Halesworth
We had a great afternoon at the Halesworth Town Council's Annual Parish Meeting in the town park on May 16th. It was a brilliant community event for all the family. We enjoyed chatting to lots of you. Thanks to everyone who supported us; we raised just over £400 for our funds.
It was also the launch of Hands up for Halesworth, our new Volunteering Strategy Project working with Halesworth Town Council and funded by the East Suffolk Communities Partnership. Hands up for
Halesworth brings all of the local voluntary organisations together to form a single point of contact for anyone interested in volunteering. There are so many opportunities locally, and our website (www. handsupforhalesworth.co.uk ) brings together and highlights the wide range of options available. We're planning some volunteering events over the next year, and we'll let you know when these will be happening. If you're a voluntary organisation and would like to be involved, please do get in touch: info@ halesworthvolunteers.org.
Pacing to Paget 2gether
On June 3rd, Shaun and friends completed the challenge of pacing 80k around Halesworth and in the gym at Perform Fitness. Thank you to Kye at Perform Fitness for having us and for all your support.
A big thank you to Shaun, who walked around Halesworth and out to Holton and Wenhaston, and to our team of Ricky, Kay, Doreen, Lucy, Charlotte, Kevin, Amanda, and Helen, who walked and ran on the treadmills in the gym-not forgetting Reuben, who cycled out to the villages with Shaun. Fortunately, there was only one downpour, which was quite enough! It was a lovely day, with lots of fun had by all. Check our Facebook page for photos from the day. Thank you to Spectra and the local businesses who generously supported and welcomed us on the day. Thanks to everyone who's donated; so far, we've raised £1,450! If you'd like to donate, there's still time!
Please see our JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/campaign/ pacing2paget2gether. You can also scan the QR code to donate. 40th Anniversary Celebration
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Rifle Hall on June 4th to celebrate our very special milestone: 40 years of HV. For over 40 years, HV has been helping and supporting vulnerable, lonely, and isolated people in Halesworth and the surrounding villages. The dedication and commitment of all our wonderful volunteers is incredible, enabling HV to support people to live happy, fulfilled, and independent lives while remaining in their own homes. Our volunteers are the driving force behind everything we do and are truly inspirational, constantly giving up their time for others and always with a smile. Our 40th Anniversary and National Volunteers' Week was the perfect opportunity to say thank you! We had speeches by Karen Kerridge (Director), Karen Austin (Chair of Trustees), and Norman Hatcher, a former trustee and volunteer driver who also cut the cake. Our scrapbooks, photos, and memorabilia were on display for a chance to walk down memory lane. It was lovely to bring so many people together to celebrate this incredible
40th anniversary cake cutting achievement, including other local organisations we work with in partnership. Thank you to Barbara and the team at the Rifle Hall for the perfect venue, Emma Ward and her team for catering for us all, and to Farmhouse Bakery for the amazing cake. Here's to another 40 years of supporting our wonderful community!
Karen Kerridge, Director
We specialise in low cost repair options to buildings and can assist you with any building problem
SUFFOLK OFFICE
Slimming World
Would you love to lose a few pounds for summer? To feel more confident, healthier, and happier?
My Halesworth members are on fire with their weight loss! I've had the pleasure recently of presenting awards ranging from half a stone to five-and-ahalf-stone, with new members achieving their half-stone award in weeks two or three, and their one-stone award in weeks four, five or six. All of this is while they enjoy family-friendly food, without having to go hungry or count a single calorie!
We're supporting new and returning members every week. We also welcome those who are on GLP-1 medications; we know that losing weight (regardless of whether you're taking them or not) requires changes to the way we eat and think about food.
This is where our groups come in. We'll support you to make those changes so that, when you reach your Personal Target, we can help you stay "Slim for Life." Interested in finding out more? Feel free to get in touch, or just come along to one of my groups on Tuesday. We're a friendly bunch! You'll learn so much, and you'll get the support and motivation to get to where you want to be.
Tuesdays at Halesworth Day Centre, London Road, Halesworth IP19 8LW. 9:30am, 5:30pm & 7pm with Bev: 07912 849995. I look forward to welcoming and supporting you!
Halesworth Hoppa update
After a lively May with many visitors to the town using the Hoppa to visit Ink Festival events, the minds of HACT volunteers turned to our wonderful local supporters after we received generous donations from Halesworth United Charities and Rumburgh Morris Dancers. Halesworth United Charities have been supporting the local community in many ways for literally hundreds of years. Meanwhile, the Rumburgh Morris Dancers provide entertainment around the local area, using the proceeds from their annual collections to support local charities. We're very pleased to have been recognised for the work we do by both of these organisations. The Hoppa is only able to operate
with local financial support, so we are always grateful for the kindness of the individuals, businesses, clubs, and societies who make donations.
In other news, due to changing demands, we're planning to make some alterations to our regular schedule serving Halesworth and Holton. A new timetable is being drawn up, and we will publish it in the coming weeks. Please keep your eyes open for flyers showing the new schedule.
Finally, a reminder for those who hire the bus for Community Hires: the fees have changed to £120 per day (to include 30 miles of fuel), and £2 per mile for all subsequent miles. If you would like to know more about hiring a bus, please call the HACT office on 01986 875900 or email: office@hactbus.co.uk
Summer events at Halesworth Library
We have lots of activities planned over the summer to keep your children occupied!
• July 29th (10am-11am): Sports-Themed Craft Club This event is free, but booking is required. Please contact the library to secure your place!
• July 31st (2:30pm-4:30pm): Chess Taster Session. Drop in anytime! Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to develop your skills, we hope to see you there.
• August 5th: We welcome Mini Monsters to the library with their creepy-crawly roadshow. £1 per child, booking is required. Choose between our morning session (11:30am12:30pm) or afternoon session (1:30pm-2:30pm).
• August 12th (1pm-3pm):
We welcome local artist Anita Andrews for a Craft Workshop. Again, £1 per child, booking required.
• August 21st (10am-3pm): Anita will also be running an all-day workshop showing children (aged 8+) how to create their own notebooks. Lunch is provided; £1 per child, please book in advance.
• August 26th (10am-11am): Rainbow Fish Craft Club Free, but booking is required. Don't forget the Reading Quest, which returns at the end of July! Make sure you pop into the library to sign up and collect your casebook to carry you through the summer.
Regular Library Activities & Drop-Ins
The library hosts regular activities and drop-in sessions. Come and join us:
• Every Tuesday (10am11:30am): Free Rhyme Time & Play session. Sing fun songs followed by free play with our toys. Refreshments provided for parents!
• Every Wednesday (from 10am): Our Time Out sociable group for older people meets for tea and biscuits.
• Alternate Tuesdays (2:30pm4:30pm): The Knit & Natter group meets.
• First Friday of the month (2pm4pm): Our new Mah-jong group meets. At this early stage, the group is open to experienced players. If you have your own Mah-jong set, please bring it along!
• Every Saturday (11am-12pm): Lego Club
• Every Sunday (10:3011:30am): Family Fun Time Partner Drop-In Advice:
• East Suffolk Council
Customer Services: Every Tuesday, 10am-4pm.
• Citizens Advice: Alternate Tuesdays, 10am-12pm.
• Local PCSO Visit: Tuesday 7th July, 10:30am-11:30am. Please ask a member of staff for more details.
Events from The Friends of Halesworth Library The Friends of Halesworth Library invite you to join them for the following events:
• Sociable Sundays (July 12th & 26th, 10:30am-12:30pm): Meet new people and enjoy a chat over cake and a cuppa in the library! Pop in anytime. • Board Games Café (June 29th, 2pm-4:30pm): Plenty of games to choose from, or feel free to bring your own favourites. Join us for a fun afternoon, meet new friends, and enjoy tea and cake! (Suggested donation: £1 to the Friends of the Library, who kindly volunteer to run these events).
Notice of AGM: The Friends of Halesworth Library will be holding their AGM at 6:30pm on June 30th at the library. Anybody may attend the meeting, but voting rights are restricted to members of the Friends.
Copies of the agenda, the report of the trustees to members and accounts for the year to 31st March 2026 will be available for collection from the library from June 15th.
Following formal business, there will be a panel discussion and audience Q&A reviewing the transition of the library service to Suffolk County Council in 2025. We'll also discuss the future projects and activities of the Friends group under the new in-house provision.
The panel will include Daniel Harvey (Library Operations & Delivery Manager), Suffolk Community Libraries and Councillor Annette Dunning Suffolk County Councillor for the Halesworth Division and Ambassador of the Library. Come along, share your views, and be part of the conversation about the future of our library. Finally! Did you know that the library can deliver books and audiobooks straight to your door? If you're unable to visit the library, one of our friendly volunteers can come to you. Please contact us on 01986 506062 for more details.
Halesworth
The Halesworth & District Probus Club was formed in May 1976. To celebrate 50 years, the members, partners and friends attended a wonderful celebration dinner and dance at Halesworth Golf Club on May 16th, exactly 50 years to the day since it was founded. It was a most enjoyable evening, with all members receiving an inscribed pen, and a booklet tracing the history of the Club. Sadly, the evening was shortened slightly by British Rail closing the level crossing for overnight repairs!
The Probus is still going strong after all these years. It's essentially
a "friendship" club, open to all retired and semi-retired people in the area. The Club meets twice monthly, except August. The first Monday there's an informal Coffee Morning, and on the third Monday monthly there's an excellent two-course lunch and coffee at The Angel Hotel. Following these lunches, there's always a speaker, covering anything from the Land Girls, Trinity House, Truly Traceable Pies to the brewing of beer or 17th century Witches in Halesworth. The Probus Club is very friendly and welcoming, and anyone interested in joining is invited to call John Wood on 07840 982171.
Photo credit: Mick Howes
Finding Bob Linney
An exceptional local artist
'Finding Bob Linney', a major new exhibition at The Cut Arts Centre in Halesworth, offers a thrilling kaleidoscope of colour and imagery drawn from the posters and artworks of Suffolk artist Bob Linney. Bob lived and worked in Walpole in Suffolk from 1983 until his death in 2023. For over 50 years he drew, painted, printed and designed an extraordinary range of distinctive posters and other material for music, film, theatre, festivals, community groups and activism. He worked through the transition from hand printing to digital design, and his early grounding in screen printing remains evident throughout his work: His unique style and arresting images retain the vibrancy, vitality and immediacy that comes from a hands-on process - one which has now largely been replaced by anonymous computer-generated design.
This unique retrospective exhibition of Linney's work features many of his most iconic posters - commissioned by organisations as diverse as the British Council, Unicef, Suffolk
Open Studios, regional theatres and local community groupsalongside album covers for bands like UB40 and The Beloved.
Beautifully curated by Tony Casement (Exhibition Coordinator at The Cut) and Nigel Ball (Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design at the University of Suffolk), the exhibition also includes a section on the work Linney undertook with local health workers in poorer countries through his charity 'Health Images'. He ran workshops for local groups throughout the world, travelling far and wide with a portable screen-printing table the size of a large suitcase. And don't miss the short video of a discussion between Linney and an Italian art dealer and collector of his most well-known series of posters for British punk bands.
This must-see exhibition is on show at The Cut until July 18th (opening hours 10am-4pm Tuesdays-Saturdays).
For more information, contact: Tony Casement: 07808 071758 anthony.casement@yahoo.com Jacky Linney: 07999 589951 jacqylinn@gmail.com
Summertime on the Millennium Green
a stroll through the Millennium Green. You'll hear birds singing and see bees and butterflies gathering nectar from the abundance of wildflowers.
Late spring and early summer is always a quiet time for the Wednesday Wonders. Because heavy cutting is kept to a minimum to avoid disturbing our nesting populations, the team concentrated instead on tidying up around the gates and ensuring the paths are kept clear. Even now, a beady eye is always alert to the ever-encroaching Himalayan balsam.
The Green remains a great resource for wildlife. After counting 29 different varieties during the RSPB bird count in January, all the summer migrants we expect are now back. The whitethroats are on the Green in numbers, declaring their territories by song and flight, and cuckoos can be heard calling - though that's not good news for the birds in whose nests they choose to lay their eggs! Look out
for the flash of yellow on the grey wagtails, who tend to nest under the bridges spanning the water. It's also good to have our cows back on our grazing meadows.
Lately, they have had to put up with very hot, sunny days, cold wind, rain, and the occasional violent thunderstorm. Dogs and their owners will no doubt have been caught in a shower and returned home wet through, too. For their use, two extra dog poo containers will be placed on the Green soon.
Rain or shine, the Millennium Green is a wonderful place to be. It's a lovely time of the year, and we hope our readers enjoy it! Please let us know if you see any owl activity around the nest boxes; the more eyes and ears paying attention to wildlife, the better.
(The Wednesday Wondersour valiant volunteers who get together on a Wednesday morning - are always ready to welcome new helpers. Please contact us via: www.millenniumgreen. halesworth.net)
