Halesworth & Southwold Community News - November 2025
D.C. Patrick
D.C. Patrick
D.C. Patrick
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D.C. Patrick
As the weather cools and the nights
the community are
The Library will also be offering a Kindness Rack (donations of winter clothing much appreciated!) As part of their 'Thursday Book Talk' series, the Friends of Halesworth Library will be hosting a book talk on Thursday 20th November at 2:30pm.
Further details will be published in due course, on our website suffolkcommunitylibraries. co.uk, social media channels or speak with a member of staff. There will also be sessions of Sociable Sundays on Sunday 2nd, 16th and 30th November 10:3012:30pm and Board Games Café on Monday 24th November 2pm4:30pm, both hosted and run by volunteers of the Friends of Halesworth Library. Talking Therapy can help those with anxiety or depression and the NHS is holding a dropin session on Wednesday 5th November at the library from 1pm-4pm. Saturday 15th November sees the switch on of the Festive Lights in Halesworth.
November at Halesworth Library
Craft activities will be available in the library so why not pop in and see us before going to see Father Christmas switch on the lights?
Don't forget our regular activities and drop-ins! Every Tuesday 10am-11:30am there is 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 2pm-4pm, staff can provide dates. Lego Club is on every Saturday 11am-12pm and Family Board Games Club every Sunday 10:30am-11:30am. You can find advice drop-ins from East Suffolk Council Customer services every Tuesday 10am4pm and Barclay's Bank on Wednesdays 9am-5pm. Citizens Advice have a drop-in every other Tuesday 10am-12pm, please ask a member of staff for future dates.
News from Halesworth & District U3A
On November 18th at 2pm in the Cut Art Centre, Halesworth, Rob Spray will be presenting his talk called 'Hidden Treasures of our Secret Sea'.
The North Sea harbours an amazing variety of life all year round. There is no rugged, rocky coast that people associate with abundant flora and fauna, but offshore there are plenty of places for animals to hide.
Rob from Seasearch will inform us about some of the wildlife which lives unnoticed just off our coast. Unimagined diverse creatures, strange as aliens from another planet, living together in amazing harmony. When not promoting marine life on land, he and his partner Dawn coordinate the Marine Conservation Society's Seasearch project in East Anglia. Seasearch is a nationwide project asking amateur divers to survey for wildlife on their dives - the only practical way to get first hand reports from any significant proportion of our nation's long coastline.
The Wildlife Trusts all support Seasearch and the data gathered
is supplied to the National Biodiversity Network where anyone can view it. Rob and Dawn use digital photography to document surveys and their on-line galleries are the largest resource of published and respected marine images in the region.
This talk will reveal exactly why Seasearch is actively performing such an important role across all areas of environmental coastal protection. Hopefully it will pique your interest to find out more and get involved. The sea needs support and protection and we have a chance to save our seas for the future - and know the risks of not doing so.
Please note that from now on all our monthly talks will start in the Cut Arts Centre, Halesworth half an hour earlier at 2pm and everyone is welcome. U3A events 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 along early and enjoy lunch in the Café and catch up with your friends.
Friends
of Halesworth Community Health & Care
An update from Friends of Halesworth Community Health & Care.
Halesworth Heritage Day
success:
The Halesworth Heritage Day, held at the Patrick Stead Day Centre, proved to be an outstanding success, with visitor attendance far surpassing the expectations of the trustees. Those who attended expressed their joy and admiration at witnessing the remarkable transformation of the centre from its former role as a church to its current status as a vibrant day centre. The positive feedback received on the day underscored the centre's importance within the community.
"Congratulations, beautiful restoration, so welcoming" - N.R. "What a wonderful transformation, so many memories here" - R.L. "An asset to the town" - Ms. P.
Golden Memories:
A heartwarming 1st event:
and thoughtful activities, and shared their anticipation for upcoming sessions.
Acknowledging dedicated leadership:
At this time, the trustees extend a heartfelt thank you to Karen Kerridge, who served as chairperson for many years and stepped down in March 2024 due to the demands of her other commitments, including her new role as Director of Halesworth Volunteers. Karen continued her involvement with the trustees for a year after stepping down, providing valuable advice and sharing the wealth of knowledge she had gained during her tenure. Her dedication to the League of Friends of Patrick Stead Hospital has left a lasting legacy that will be difficult to replace. With David Fosdike now serving as the new chairperson, the trustees are confident in his ability to rise to the challenge and continue the important work of his predecessor. As Karen embarks on her future endeavours, the trustees offer their best wishes to both Karen and David for success in their respective roles.
Despite several unforeseen circumstances that were entirely beyond the organisers' control, the Patrick Stead Day Care Centre was delighted to welcome the Golden Memories group to their inaugural event on October 8th. Participants engaged wholeheartedly in a variety of crafts, shared cherished stories from their past, and enjoyed light refreshments. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and camaraderie, creating a welcoming environment and setting an optimistic tone for future gatherings.
This initial event was met with resounding success, leaving both attendees and organisers eager for further opportunities to connect and foster lasting memories. Many participants expressed their gratitude for the warm reception
Patrick Stead Day Care Centre: Trustees are pleased to announce that from December 2025 through to February 2026, they will be opening the day centre for a Warm Room setting on two Saturdays each month. We intend to provide a free lunch, soup, sandwiches, cake with tea and coffee.
Dates for your diary: December 6th and 20th, January 10th and 24th and February 7th and 21st. The Warm Room will be open from 11am to 2:30pm and all will be welcome but please do book a place on 01986 875664 as space is limited.
Half Term Magic
This year's Scarecrow Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever!
With a theme of 'Magic' and over 80 businesses set to take part in the trail, this is an event not to be missed. From Saturday 18th October to Saturday 1st November, the Thoroughfare, Market Place and beyond will be awash with scarecrows of all shapes and sizes. Pick up your trail forms from Hetty's, the Library or the Bookshop, and don't forget to vote for your favourite. The Scarecrow Train will once again be running on the East Suffolk Line on Tuesday 28th October, bringing visitors in from Lowestoft to Ipswich - tickets will be available to purchase via Greater Anglia. Also on Tuesday 28th - St Mary's Church will be running free Scarecrow crafts and snacks and The Magickal Emporium in the Market Place are welcoming children for a crafting session between 10:30am-12pm (£5 per child). The Millennium Green are offering a free Nature event on Thursday 30th October 10am12:30pm with willow weaving, pond dipping and natural flag making. Halesworth Library will also be running craft events, see their website or Facebook page for details and dates.
Something spooky for the grown-ups: If your days of scarecrow hunting and trick or treating are behind you then there's plenty to do for adults on Halloween. Book your tickets for Fright Night at the Cut - two horror movies, whilst raising funds for INK Festival. The Winter Beer Festival kicks off at the Rifle Hall with a Halloween Fancy Dress Party or if screeching is more your thing, enjoy Halloween Karaoke, spooky shots and creepy cocktails at the Angel.
Christmas Shopping & Events: Halesworth's excellent selection of unique and independent shops make the pedestrianised Thoroughfare and Market Place, the perfect location for Christmas Shopping.
With retailers ranging from homewares, clothing boutiques, gift shops, jewellers, a bookshop, a record shop and so much more, it is easy to find the perfect gifts for all. The main shopping areas are directly linked to the town's car parks and the train station is only a short 5 minute stroll away. This year, there will be two 'Starlight Shopping' events taking place on 14th November and 5th December - with many shops opening late with special offers, live music and more. Keep an eye on our online calendar for more details: halesworthtown.
co.uk/events
Christmas Lights Switch On: The Halesworth Christmas Lights Switch on will take place on November 22nd. Father Christmas will be in his Grotto in St. Mary's Church during the afternoon, the local pubs, cafes, deli's and bakeries will be serving festive treats, hot chocolate and mulled wine, their will be a bar and stalls in the market place early evening and the Switch on procession will be led by the brilliant Royal British Legion Marching Band - Lights on at 5pm. Live music will follow in the Market Place from 6pm. New businesses for Halesworth: Halesworth would like to extend a warm welcome to the Tudor Bakehouse (pictured above), who opened its doors in the Thoroughfare at the end of September. With an excellent reputation for quality and reasonably priced goods, and bakeries in several other locations across Suffolk and Norfolk, the Tudor Bakehouse is a fantastic addition to the Town. Also, new to the Thoroughfare, but not to Halesworth is Perfect 10 Nails, who have relocated from the Market Place to a central position in the Thoroughfare. And more exciting news, Halesworth now has its very own Touring Park! Well done to Charlie and his team for the successful opening of The Beeches Adults Only Touring next to the Holton Road Garden Centre.
WANT A REFRESHING SWIM? REASONS TO SWIM AT VALLEY FARM
• 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
A year of Youth Space
It's hard to believe that a year ago, we begun our Youth Space journey at St. Mary's Church in Halesworth.
Youth Space was something that came out of a project with Halesworth Town Council, Youth Action Halesworth, and work with the Appollo Youth Centre.
The youth of Halesworth were asked, "what do you want?" The answer that we kept hearing again and again, was "a safe place, with safe adults to do real life!"
This is what we have worked hard to create at Youth Space a safe place; where they can hang out and, in their words, do real life. Each week the youth prepare their own food to eat together, they wash up, we have crafts and music available.
We have plant pots outside the church for gardening. We have listened to what they want, they are a musical bunch and we used funding from the town council to get more instruments for them to use. The wanted to make pasta from scratch so we have had a
go at that too.
In the words of one of our Youth Amelia Gee: "Youth Space is held in the church and it is a warm and welcoming church. It is a great space to chill and eat food and a great place to socialise with your friends. And it is like one big family. The best thing about it is the staff they are really nice and if anything has happened, they will try their best to help. And different activities are held, which are really fun and you get to meet new people and make more friends and try new food. And if you have an activity you would like to do, they will take it in to consideration."
We're so proud of Youth Space, how our space has grown and developed as one of safety, love, community and learning together.
The team and myself very much look forward to another year of Youth Space as we continue to see our youth thriving, growing and developing.
By Pauline Milsted, Children Family & Youth Minister
Tudor Bakehouse opened on the Thoroughfare in September
News from Dee's Den charity shop
What an amazing evening we had at the annual Dee's Den Fashion Show, raising additional funds for the Pear Tree Fund. We raised £1,493 which was a wonderful result!
Thank you to everyone involved; our events committee, volunteers from Dee's Den and the Pear Tree Centre and our fabulous models!
We have switched our stock to more wintery clothing now as the weather turns colder. Come and have a look at the range of coats and jackets, footwear for all to keep us warm this winter. Bargains are ready to be picked up each day. Our stock has a quick turnover so one day it is there and then it has gone, don't be disappointed you didn't buy!
We have a wide range of toys, books and games for children and adults; what about a jigsaw to do now the darker nights are here?
Bric-a-brac, glassware, kitchenware, pictures, photo frames all are available. Plants and delicious homemade marmalade - thank you Jenny. We stock a variety of DVD's, CD's and lots of books.
All are welcome at Dee's Den - come in and take a look for that special bargain. Our famous £1 rail of discounted adult's clothes is outside if dry and well worth a look along with bargain baskets of reduced bric-a-brac and books. We're open six days a week,
Monday to Saturday 9:30am-1pm
We welcome donations of clean saleable items of clothes, bric-a-brac, toys, games, small pieces of furniture etc. Please note we don't accept used electrical items only new and boxed. A bag of donations can be dropped off at the shop when we're open. We encourage you to deliver donations to our donation door on Monday and Thursday mornings as the best days for us Phone 07733668221 to discuss if you have a lot to donate. If you are unable to deliver, we can collect. We will also be in the 'pop up' shop, the iChameleon in the Thoroughfare, October 30th to November 5th. We'll have a wide range of items including some of the clothes from the fashion show, do come and take a look.
Thank you to our amazing volunteers who work in the shop and help with sorting donations. If you are interested in volunteering and want to know more do call in or phone for a chat. Your continued support of buying and donating lovely goods and items, is greatly appreciated, helping the charity to provide a range of services both in the community and in the Pear Tree Centre. As Christmas approaches the Den will be holding a raffle, donations would be very welcome. We look forward to seeing you.
To contact Dee's Den, please phone Nikki 07733 668221.
Halesworth's energy future?
Halesworth ASH's September public event was about 'Energy': home, community, industry, business, transport and indeed it was high powered.
This year's Friday panel had wide-ranging expertise, and was invited to inspire us to imagine our energy future.
Adrian Ramsay MP reminded us of what the UK had achieved so far, as well as the action we need nationally and locally to tackle the climate emergency, make us more resilient and lower bills: "There's a lot of passion in Halesworth for creating a greener future and I look forward to supporting the community to achieve this."
Professor Peter Hobson warned us that by 2050, East Anglia will be unlikely to support cereal crops because of our climate changing, necessitating the importance for regenerative agriculture.
Could Halesworth develop a Community Energy project like Suffolk villages Charlsfield and Framsden? John Collins and
Claire Macaulay described the hoops to jump through and stages of setting up these community projects.
John Taylor, from Community Energy UK, gave us an overview on the basis of his 20+ years working in renewable energy.
The importance of community ownership (connection, independence, resiliance, and economic benefit) and growth of it around the UK.
Saturday was practical for a good reason: Halesworth now has its Baseline Study to work from - to see where we can efficiently support our community to migrate to renewable energy systems.
Researched and presented by Opergy, a climate consultant commissioned by the Town Council, this information means we can plan our pathway towards net zero. For example, out of approximately 2,700 homes in Halesworth, we know that 53% have EPC ratings of D or below. Of non-domestic buildings, 59% are D or below. These figures help us know where to concentrate our efforts.
"In order to fly a kite you need to be grounded" Thanks to
Sam and Jonthath from Opergy for grounding us so thoroughly with this baseline. There are many grants and systems to help people make positive changes. However they can be difficult to find and understand how to process. This is why Halesworth ASH has appointed a new parttime Energy Champion to help and advise our community: owner-occupied houses, rented homes, businesses, community enterprises, and industry can all benefit from the various schemes. Now our work is clear: with Halesworth Town Council and Blyth Valley Churches, Halesworth ASH will support the Energy Champion, to advise the Halesworth Community, to reduce our carbon output in our homes, our businesses, transport and land. Details of the panel talks and workshops are on: halesworthash. com/review-of-halesworth-ashenergy-weekend. Our thanks to Halesworth Town Council, Suffolk Climate Change Partnership, and East Suffolk Enabling Communities - we couldn't have organised this event without them.
Halesworth ASH
The Pear Tree Fund
The magic of autumn
Autumn on the Millennium Green is a very special season so we hope you found time to visit the Community Orchard.
You will not have resisted picking up a mahogany coloured shiny conker on your way through the Town Park and may even have seen a squirrel busy collecting acorns under the oak tree. Elder berries and rose hips, too, wove their way through hedgerows on the Green waiting to feed hungry birds.
Not just food for wildlife but humans too since there was also an abundance of apples In the community orchard. It's easy to be bewitched by apples if you stand and look carefully at the different varieties. Not just red, but all shades of green or mottled by darker red stripes some nearly maroon coloured. Then there are the yellows especially our favourite the russet. Not just round but some almost oblong. Firm and crunchy, softer and mellow, sweet or with a distinct tang. Some to be eaten now and some to be stored and eaten later.
planted in December 2016.
We hope that if you have not been to the orchard this year you will make it a date for the next. Picking apples is just one of those activities to share with your children or grandchildren that stirs memories of times gone by especially if you follow it by braving the briars and not minding stained black fingers to collect blackberries. Then it's back home and after all that work? Anybody for apple and blackberry crumble?
Most of the trees were planted in 2008 and came from East Anglia. Four varieties were developed in Suffolk There is "Catherine" from Stowmarket, "Lady Henniker" from near Eye, "Lady Stradbroke" from Henham and "St. Edmunds Russet" from Bury St. Edmunds.
There are also three different varieties of pears. Quince, Medlar and Sweet Chestnut trees were
If you feel like putting on your boots and picking up a tool, come and join a work party. In winter they aren't weekly so contact us on the email below to find out when we'll be there. It'll be a Wednesday morning starting at 9.30 until roughly 11.30, meeting at the containers at the Blyth Industrial Estate entrance to the Green. We provide gloves and tools, you just need to bring a drink and nibble for the break. Have a browse on www. millenniumgreen.halesworth. net or contact the Green on thegreen@halesworth.net
Message from the volunteers:
We're very glad that most dog owners pick up after their dogs. Leaving dog mess around is hugely unpleasant and potentially dangerous (carries diseases for people and cattle). We have to clean it off machines and bikes.
Fixed penalty fines have been issued for this recently on the Green.
Traditional Bronze Turkeys
A feast of real Christmas flavour
Our turkeys have been reared in the traditional way. Slowly matured on the farm to attain the ultimate flavour & texture.
For prices, visit: www.ibstockfarm.co.uk 209354
07760 473687
Ibstock Farm, Bramfield
CHRISTMAS ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN!
10 years of teeing off to raise charity cash
Generous golfers have taken to the tees to raise a recordbreaking £13,092 during the Pear Tree Fund's 10th annual golf day - taking the total raised over the past decade to more than £62,000.
The charity hosted its 2025 competition at Halesworth Golf in late August. More than 160 players took part to help raise the money, taking the total from all of the Pear Tree Fund's golf days to £62,512.
The money will help the charity to support people who have been
bereaved or have life-changing illnesses or long-term physical or mental health conditions, as well as their families or carers.
This includes providing a wide range of services such as information and support to help understand diagnosis, counselling, bereavement support and complementary treatments.
The charity also offers social welfare advice, including benefits and support with finances, as well as support for families, children and young carers.
Juliette Weaver,
volunteer
community fundraiser with the charity, organised this year's event. She said: "We are delighted that we raised such a fantastic sum which will make a real difference by making sure people can receive local support when they need it most.
"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part and to the businesses, volunteers and individuals who supported the event by donating raffle prizes or offering sponsorship. Particular thanks go to our patron, Lois Hunt, who hosted the event at
Single building plot for sale
Are you dreaming of building your own bungalow or having one built for you, on a calm and pretty site in Halesworth?
We have just the site for you. Ideal for a mature couple who want to downsize from a family home. Set in a quiet non-through road, close to the surgery and pharmacist, and only a short walk to the station with hourly trains to Ipswich (then London) or Lowestoft (then Norwich).
Full planning permission for a two-bedroom bungalow means you can be in control of what you want in your new build home.
Price for the large plot with a 120 foot garden is £130,000. Please phone: 07933 128522 or 01986 87595 for further information.
Halesworth Golf, Hammond MG who offered a fantastic prize of a brand new MG3 car and photographer Denise Brady, who gave up her time to capture some special moments on and off the green.
"The funds raised not just this year, but also at our previous golf days, are already having a profound and lasting impact on the community we support, enabling us to help more local people as they navigate lifechanging illness or bereavement.
Our heartfelt thanks go to
everyone who helped the day go with such a swing."
To find out more about the support offered by the Pear Tree Fund or to donate to the charity, call 01986 899655, email info@ peartreefund.org or visit: www.peartreefund.org
Halesworth
NOVEMBER 1ST
Big Breakfast Holton & Blyford Village Hall
9am (doors open), last orders at 10:30am when the frying pans retire. American pancakes, full English & gossip hotter than the coffee. Come hungry, leave smug.
NOVEMBER 1ST Annual Cèilidh Laxfield Village Hall
6:30pm (doors open), dancing begins 7pm. Come enjoy a lively evening with the fabulous Hosepipe Band to celebrate the end of another successful season for Laxfield & District Museum. Bar & refreshments available. Tickets £10pp, in aid of Laxfield & District Museum, must be purchased in adv. Call Elaine: 01986 798531, or email: info@laxfieldmuseum.org.uk
NOVEMBER 1ST
The Roses (15)
Electric Picture Palace, Southwold
7pm. 2025 film. Benedict
Cumberbatch (an architect) & Olivia Colman (a chef) in a successful remake of the 'War of the Roses', a tale of an adversarial marriage. 07815 769565.
NOVEMBER 6TH
National Theatre Live: Mrs Warren's Profession The Cut, Halesworth
7pm. Bernard Shaw's classic, starring Imelda Staunton & Bessie Carter as mother & daughter. Filmed live from the West End. Tickets: £15pp.
NOVEMBER 7TH
Sonic Wave: Film Composer
David Julyan & Will Fergusson
The Cut, Halesworth
7pm. Celebrate 25yrs of Memento with composer David Julyan performing a reimagined live score with strings & synths, plus a Q&A. Pianist Will Fergusson performs improvised pieces from 7pm. Tickets from: £10pp.
NOVEMBER 7TH
Florence Foster Jenkins (PG)
Electric Picture Palace, Southwold
7pm. 2016 film. Hugh Grant & Meryl Streep in the true story of the New York heiress who wanted to be an opera singer despite not being any good at it. Comedy/ drama. 07815 769565.
NOVEMBER 7TH
Prize Bingo
Sizewell Sports & Social Club
NOVEMBER 8TH
Reydon Christmas Fair
Reydon Village Hall
10am-2pm. Reydon Christmas Fair, in aid of Framlingham and Saxmundham Cats Protection.
NOVEMBER 8TH
Craft Fair
Holton & Blyford Village Hall
10am-4pm. Stallholders: £12 per 5ft space, BYO table. Book a space via Alison on: 01986 874442.
NOVEMBER 8TH
Hotel Du Lac (U)
Electric Picture Palace, Southwold
7pm. 1986 film. From the Anita Brookner novel, Dramatic tour de force as a lady ponders her options in a lakeside hotel. 07815 769565.
NOVEMBER 8TH
Open Space Theatre present: 'Vincent in Brixton' by Nicholas Wright
NOVEMBER 9TH
Remembrance Day Service
St. Mary's Church, Halesworth Halesworth RBL will form up with other elements in the Thoroughfare at 2:30pm & walk to St. Mary's Church where a 3pm service will take place, followed by the act of Remembrance at the arboretum. All welcome to join us in the Thoroughfare for the walk to the Church. If anyone's interested in becoming a member of the RBL, please call Derek Draper: 01986 872737.
NOVEMBER 9TH
Knight & Spiers
The Cut, Halesworth 7:30pm. Acclaimed folk duo Peter Knight (violin) & John Spiers (melodeon) bring masterful, genre-defying traditional music to the stage. Tickets: £22pp.
NOVEMBER 12TH
Comrade Tambo's London
NOVEMBER 13TH
Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT) Meeting
Southwold Arts Centre
7:30pm. SWT is Suffolk's nature charity, the only organisation wholly dedicated to safeguarding Suffolk's wildlife & countryside. All welcome to attend, you don't have to be a SWT member. Admission: £4pp (incl. refreshments), under 25's free.
NOVEMBER 14TH
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (15) Electric Picture Palace, Southwold 7pm. 2011 film. Compelling John Le Carre story in which the retired George Smiley (Gary Oldman) is tasked with identifying the mole enmeshed into the top of the British secret service. 07815 769565.
NOVEMBER 14TH
NOVEMBER 15TH
Barry Lyndon (12A)
Electric Picture Palace, Southwold 7pm. 1975 film. Stanley Kubrick directs Ryan O'Neal & Marisa Berenson in Thackeray's 18th century story of the rise of an Irish chancer. Great story, acting & cinematography. 07815 769565.
NOVEMBER 15TH
Departure
The Cut, Halesworth 7:30pm. Music & dance performance by Masumi Saito & An-Ting exploring death, ritual, & the spirit, followed by a postshow discussion. Tickets: £12pp.
NOVEMBER 15THJANUARY 4TH
Mixed Christmas Exhibition 2025
Southwold Gallery
The Cut, Halesworth
Cut Sessions: Dr Feelgood: Doctor's Orders Anniversary Tour
Our annual Christmas Exhibition brings together all our gallery artists to celebrate the holiday season. 01502 723888
7pm (doors open). 7:30pm (eyes down). Popular fundraising evening, in aid of Alde & Blyth Community Radio. Terrific prizes up for grabs! Tickets: £4pp (cash only) from the Sizewell Social & Leiston Film Theatre. Bingo game sheets available on the evening (subject to additional charge). Early booking advised, seats limited.
7:30pm. Nicholas Wright's play about a young Vincent van Gogh discovering life and love in 1873 London. openspacetheatre.org. uk. 01986 872481. £12.50pp.
NOVEMBER 9TH
Halesworth Harmony singing day with Sian Croose
Recruits (15) The Cut, Halesworth 7:30pm. Docu-drama on British volunteers recruited by the ANC during apartheid, with Q&A featuring director Gordon Main & recruit Steve Marsling. Tickets from: £5pp.
NOVEMBER 13TH
The Cut, Halesworth 7:30pm. High-energy R&B from the iconic British band, performing hits like Milk & Alcohol & Down at the Doctors. Tickets: £25pp.
NOVEMBER 15TH
NOVEMBER 18TH
Halesworth & District U3A presents: 'Hidden Treasures of our Secret Sea' by Rob Spray
Homeopathic Support Group
Halesworth & District Gardeners' Society
The Cut, Halesworth 10:30am-4pm. No experience necessary, everything taught by ear. For further details, email: halesworth.harmony @gmail.com
Rifle Hall, Halesworth 7pm (for 7:30pm start). Tim Fuller engaging us with 'Plantsmans Preference'. Raffle, tea & coffee, sales table. Guests £2pp. Membership £10pp/pa.
NOVEMBER 13TH
Cash Prize Bingo
Holton & Blyford Village Hall
7:30pm. Eyes down, dabbers up! A night of bingo, banter & borderline hysteria. Wear your lucky socks & best game faceits cheaper than therapy & twice as thrilling!
The Harmony Centre, Walpole, IP19 9BB 11am-12pm. For anyone interested to learn how to support themselves & 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.
St Peter’s Church, Holton Christmas Fair
10am until 1pm Saturday 15th November
Holton & Blyford Village Hall Refreshments
Stalls • Raffle
The Cut, Halesworth 2pm. Rob Spray explores the fascinating wildlife off our North Sea coast. Free for members; £4pp for non-members. NOVEMBER 19TH La Chimera (15) The Cut, Halesworth 7:30pm. Italy/France/ Switzerland, 2023, Dir: Alice Rohrwacher. Archaeologist Arthur joins a band of graverobbers in a thrilling search for Etruscan treasures. From: £5pp. NOVEMBER 20TH The Who: 60 Years of Music, Mayhem & Conflict The Cut, Halesworth 7pm. Halesworth Vinyl Collective. Richard Mundy presents the story of The Who with music, narration, and fan insights. £5pp adv./ £6pp OTD.
NOVEMBER 21ST
The African Queen (U) Electric Picture Palace, Southwold 7pm. 1951 film. Katherine Hepburn & Humphrey Bogart. Entertaining classic tale in which an unlikely couple are obliged to make an intrepid journey in an ancient steam launch. 07815 769565.
NOVEMBER 21ST
The Blaxhall Sessions present: Kris Drever
The Cut, Halesworth
7:30pm. Acclaimed Scottish folk musician performs new songs & favourites from his solo & Lau repertoire. Tickets £16pp.
NOVEMBER 22ND
Halesworth Repair Café
The Cut
10am-12pm. Meeting once a month, our vision is to work together, reduce waste, share skills & to strengthen our community. We hope to be able to show you how to fix your item, or even get you to do it while we advise!
NOVEMBER 22ND
Cancer Research
Christmas Fair
Holton Village Hall, IP19 8RZ
10:30am-2pm. Light lunches & delicious desserts served from 11:30am. Tea/coffee & mince pies from 10:30am. Stalls, raffle, tombola, cakes, Christmas stall, books, bric-a-brac, etc.
NOVEMBER 22ND
The Last of the Blonde Bombshells (15) Electric Picture Palace, Southwold
7pm. 2000 film. Judi Dench, Leslie Caron & Ian Holm in the story of a resurrected swing band from WWII. 07815 769565.
WHAT'S ON AT THE CUT
NOVEMBER 23RD
Halesworth Harmony
Rehearsal
The Cut, Halesworth
10:30am-12:30pm. Come along for a free taster session. No experience necessary, everything taught by ear, and you'll receive a warm welcome. For further details, email: halesworth. harmony@gmail.com
NOVEMBER 26TH
Slow West (15)
The Cut, Halesworth
7:30pm. UK/New Zealand, 2015, Dir: John Maclean. A young Scotsman journeys across 1800s Colorado in search of love, guided by a mysterious outlaw. Tickets from: £5pp.
NOVEMBER 27TH
Cash Prize Bingo
Holton & Blyford Village Hall
7:30pm. Whether you're a seasoned shouter or a silent swiper, come for the prizes, stay for the laughs. Eyes down & may the odds be ever in your favour!
NOVEMBER 28TH
La Confidential (18) Electric Picture Palace, Southwold
7pm. 1997 film. Well told & gripping detective tale of the LA police department of the 1950s. With Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey & Danny DeVito. 07815 769565.
NOVEMBER 29TH
Annual Christmas Market
Blythburgh Church, IP19 9LL
11am-3:30pm. Blythburgh Church will be filled with stalls selling locally-made crafts & gifts, holly wreaths, Christmas cards, homemade cakes & savouries, jewellery, books, charity stalls, ceramics & stalls with ideas for the perfect gift. Refreshments incl. tea, coffee, mulled wine, mince pies & homemade soup. Large free car park. Everyone welcome!
NOVEMBER 29TH
Southwold Christmas Lights Switch-on Southwold
Light up Southwold! Stalls, street food & outside bars on the High Street from 2pm. Live entertainment in the Market
Place from 2:30pm. Santa's Grotto in the Adnam's Tour Centre from 5:30pm. NOVEMBER 29TH
White Christmas (U)
Electric Picture Palace, Southwold
7pm. 1954 film. Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney & Vera-Ellen, 2 double-acts, assisted by the music of Irving Berlin, plan the restoration of their old general's venue in Vermont. Timeless Christmas story with the best version of the great song. 07815 769565.
NOVEMBER 30TH
Halesworth Harmony Rehearsal
The Cut, Halesworth 10:30am-12:30pm. Come along for a free taster session. No experience necessary, everything taught by ear, and you'll receive a warm welcome. For further details, email: halesworth. harmony@gmail.com
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.
Wenhaston Produce & Craft Market
November 29th will be the last Wenhaston Produce & Craft Market of 2025, running from 10am-12:30pm.
There will be a lovely variety of handmade cards, jewellery, homemade jams, cakes, honey, handbags, knitted cardigans and other items, soaps, face serums, beautiful framed prints, handcrafted wood brooches, keys rings, fridge magnets, tote bags our famous Dexter Beef, garden and indoor plants and much more.
The café will be open for tea, coffee and homemade savouries and cakes.
We're always looking for new
stallholders to come and join our friendly crowd especially, a cheese maker, pork butcher, fresh bread maker, also fresh fruit and vegetables, chocolate maker. Everyone is welcome so please do put the date in your diary and come along and join us we are all a friendly crowd of people. For car parking, please can all visitors park with due care and attention so as not to cause any obstruction especially along Narrow Way to allow emergency vehicles and delivery vans ease of access. For further details contact Carol at: caz-mike@outlook.com
Wed 12 November, 7:30pm COMRADE TAMBO’S LONDON RECRUITS (15) 90mins - 2024 Documentary. We’re thrilled to welcome director Gordon Main and one of the actual recruits, Steve Marsling, to introduce a special screening of this docu-drama inspired by the true story of how the ANC recruited volunteers in Britain in the 1960s and 70s, at the height of apartheid, to travel to South Africa for undercover missions. Screening followed by a Q&A.
Wed 19 November, 7:30pm LA CHIMERA (15) 133mins - 2023 Adventure Comedy Drama. Just out of jail, crumpled English archaeologist Arthur reconnects with his wayward crew of accomplices (a happy-go-lucky collective of grave-robbers who survive by looting Etruscan tombs and fencing the ancient treasures they dig up..
Wed 26 November, 7:30pm SLOW WEST (15) 84mins - 2015 Western/Action. A young Scottish man travels across America in pursuit of the woman he loves, attracting the attention of an outlaw who is willing to serve as a guide.
MRS WARREN’S PROFESSION
Tickets: £15. National Theatre Live. Bernard Shaw’s classic, Imelda Staunton stars alongside daughter Bessie Carter in this powerful tale of morality, independence, and tradition. Filmed live from the West End.
KNIGHT & SPIERS
Tickets: £22. Acclaimed folk musicians Peter Knight (violin) and John Spiers (melodeon) bring masterful improvisation and invention to traditional music. Touring as a duo, they explore the space between folk and classical, creating enchanting performances that have earned widespread praise and inspired audiences.
HIDDEN TREASURES OF
Tickets from: £10. Celebrate 25yrs of Memento with composer David Julyan performing a reimagined live score with his quartet, plus selections from solo work. Incl. a conversation and audience Q&A. From 7pm, pianist Will Fergusson performs improvised, film-inspired pieces in the bar. Organised by Addictive TV.
DR FEELGOOD
Tickets: £25 Cut Sessions: Dr Feelgood - Doctor’s Orders Anniversary Tour. Britain’s legendary R&B band Dr. Feelgood hit the road with their highenergy hits, including Milk & Alcohol and Down at the Doctors. Fronted by Robert Kane, the band delivers raw, electrifying live performances.
IN BRIXTON
Tickets: £12.50. By Nicholas Wright. Presented by Open Space Theatre. Set in 1873, a young Vincent van Gogh rents a London room while training as an art dealer, discovering the secrets of everyday life. Nicholas Wright’s play explores love, adventure, and the shaping of his early artistic talent.
DEPARTURE
Tickets: £12. A music & dance performance by Masumi Saito & An-Ting exploring death, ritual, and the spirit. Blending movement and live music, the piece re-imagines funeral traditions and invites audiences into a contemplative space. Followed by a post-show discussion on death, ritual, and collective grieving.
SONIC WAVE
VINCENT
HOOKER HOUSE DENTAL PRACTICE
Serving the community
• Professional and Caring
• NHS and Private Treatment for Adults and Children
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Dental Implants
Quay Street, Halesworth 01986 872113
Daniel F M Evans B.D.S., M.F.G.D.P.
Neat Feet
There's still time to lose weight ahead of the festive period!
Hannah joined us recently and smashed through her half stone award in week two with an impressive nine and a half pounds so far! She's loving the fact that, by making a few changes, she can enjoy eating real food with her family - never feeling hungry or deprived!
If you're ready to get started, we have a best ever offer on until November 1st!
• Members who join and commit to 12 weeks of support (which will see them through the festive period and into the new year) will get these benefits.
• Pay only for 10 weeks (get two free - saving £11.90)
• Plus: Get the choice of not one,
not two but three cookbooks absolutely free of charge too! Books to be chosen from one of three bundles.
• Saving a total of £26.75!
There's always a warm welcome to new and returning members so why not come along to find out more? We're a friendly, supportive bunch!
Halesworth Day Centre,The Old Courthouse, London Road, Halesworth IP19 8LW. Tuesdays, 9:30am, 5:30pm and 7pm with Bev.
For any queries, please feel free to get in touch, 07912 849995.
Community generosity delivers over £18,000 for The Pear Tree Fund
What an amazing end to summer! We’re thrilled to share that our recent events raised over £18,000 - an incredible result made possible by our wonderful volunteers and the generosity of our local community. Thank you to everyone who took part! Here are some of the highlights: 10th Annual Golf Day raises over £13,000: Our 10th annual Golf Day, held at the end of August, was a huge success, despite our very keen golfers having to brave the wind and rain to take part. An astounding total of £13,092 has been raised for The Pear Tree Fund, which will have a huge impact on our community and enable us to help many more local people navigating life-changing illness or bereavement.
There was certainly a buzz of excitement in the air as players competed for a brand new MG, courtesy of Hammond MG. The raffle also caused quite a stir, with many spectacular prizes up for grabs.
Our heartfelt thanks go to our wonderful host, Halesworth Golf, and to our generous sponsors. Thank you also to everyone who donated a raffle prize and to local artist Terry Jeffrey, who kindly donated his wonderful painting of the 7th green, which was auctioned on the day. Photographer Denise Brady also braved the elements, giving up her entire day to capture some special moments on and off the green.
Finally, a massive thank you goes to our incredible team of volunteers who worked hard behind the scenes to make this day truly memorable. Event
organiser Juliette Weaver said:
"Our 10th annual golf day was an unforgettable event filled with fun, friendship and fantastic golf, all whilst raising vital funds for The Pear Tree Fund."
A night to remember:
Fashion Show success: Here at the Pear Tree Fund, we're still buzzing with excitement (and perhaps a touch of glamour!) after our hugely successful fashion show on September 12th at Holton Village Hall. It was an absolutely fantastic evening, and we're thrilled to announce we raised a phenomenal £1,493 thanks to the incredible support of our community.
All of the clothes and accessories showcased on the catwalk came from our very own charity shop, Dee's Den. We're so fortunate to have such a wonderful community that regularly donates lovely, high-quality clothing, including designer items.
If you're looking for a vintage classic or a designer delight, it is truly worth a visit. Every purchase directly supports the work of our charity, so it's retail therapy that gives back. Why not pop in and see what you can find?
Love and remembrance inspire charity football match:
A heartfelt story of love and community spirit. Emma Woods’ family, who tragically lost two young cousins just six weeks apart, raised an incredible £4,272 at a charity football match to thank the Pear Tree Fund for their "amazing" bereavement support. Their strength and generosity will help so many - thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Read the full story on our website.
Client support: 'Cooking for One' continues:
Thanks to our funders, we’re delighted to keep running our popular “Cooking for One” groups at the Pear Tree Centre. Designed for our clients, these sessions offer much more than recipes - they provide vital peer and social support, helping people navigate the challenges of cooking and eating alone.
Dates for the diary:
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events: • October 29th-November 5th: i-Chameleon pop up shop, 9 Thoroughfare Halesworth. • November 21st: Cockney Knees Up, Queen's Head Bramfield (tickets £35) • November 28th: Winter themed charity bingo, Queen's Head Bramfield (£6 per card)
We look forward to seeing you there and continuing to make a difference together!
Running a fundraiser for us?
We'd love to hear about your event and share your story. Please get in touch with our team today! We're here when you need us: Wondering if The Pear Tree Centre can help you? Our services reach approximately 50,000 people across rural towns and villages like Bungay, Beccles, Kessingland, Southwold, Leiston, Saxmundham, Framlingham, Stradbroke, Fressingfield, and Harleston. Your community is our community, and we're here to provide support.
If you or a loved one needs support, get in touch today: 01986 899655 info@peartreefund.org peartreefund.org
Halesworth Slimming World
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Christmas in the Park
Beyond the Big Top, visitors can explore the Festive Market, filled
with local artisans, craft stalls, and delicious street food. Expect handmade gifts, decorations, sweet treats, and warming winter drinks, alongside live music, Christmas workshops, and family activities including gingerbread making and meet-and-greets with festive characters. Not forgetting your chance to meet the Reindeer.
Tickets start from £10 per adult with optional circus addon seats at £12.50. Pre-booking is recommended as capacity is limited for the Circus Show. Full details and booking are available at:christmasintheparksuffolk. co.uk
"We're so excited to bring a full-scale Christmas Circus to Henham this year," said event organiser Alan Bultitude. "It's going to be a magical, familyfriendly celebration of everything we love about Christmas in Suffolk."
Follow the latest updates at: facebook.com/ christmasintheparksuffolk
Worlingham and Carlton Marshes
The Blyth Valley and Southwold SWT Wildlife Group welcomed Vicky Eyles, Wilder Community Officer for the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, who gave an update on Worlingham and Carlton Marshes.
Carlton Marshes, now a thriving reserve with diverse habitats and excellent visitor facilities, was farmland until the 1970s. Since then, the Trust has steadily restored and expanded it, aiming to create a wildlife corridor along the River Waveney linking Castle and Worlingham Marshes.
Peto’s Marsh, a major recent addition funded with help from the Heritage Fund, has become a haven for overwintering wildfowl and breeding species, with further smaller parcels of land continuing to be added.
Worlingham Marsh is very different. It has always been a wild area, and so the Trust has been able to enhance what is already there. There is limited public access to the Marsh while improvements to habitat are carried out, but greater access will be possible in the future. We watched and enjoyed some fascinating footage from trail cams, a taste of what we will find there.
Vicky also spoke about the wide range of Outreach work she is involved in, from visiting schools, to setting up volunteers work teams, surveys, local events, community wildlife gardens, and discovery walks. Local farmers are often interested in, and support, Trust initiatives, and she offers guidance, and resources, such as relevant books, and the loan of trail cams. These can give wonderful footage of fox or badger families, for example, which can encourage landowners to enjoy what their land supports. It was fascinating to learn so much about two of our nearest reserves, and we left with the feeling that we will visit more often, and explore further.
Our next meeting is on Thursday, November 13th, at 7.30 at the Southwold Arts Centre, IP18 6JP. Ian Bedford will talk about 'The Trouble Without Wasps'. The cost is £5 to include refreshments. Under 25's are free, and all are welcome.
Contact us at: swtblythvalley@gmail.com
Penny Mansfield
Use code “Community25” for 10% o all tickets when booking online
Blyth Valley & Southwold Wildlife Group
Your festive table awaits!
November is just around the corner, the nights are drawing in and, following a relatively mild start to autumn, the woolly jumpers and scarves are back out as the temperature begins to drop. This all means only one thing... Christmas is not too far away!
One of the best things about this time of year has to be the opportunity to get together with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues, putting on your party outfit and enjoying some good food and a glass or two of your
favourite tipple. Throughout December, our local pubs, restaurants, cafés and hotels will be running delicious festive menus, special dishes and themed nights. What better excuse do you need to get your group together and have a night out. We are fortunate to have lots of great establishments in our area so you will not be short of places to go where you can enjoy great food and drink and proper hospitality. With that in mind, have a look at the businesses in this edition of the Community
News and book early to ensure you get the date and time you want, this is especially important for larger groups. So, get the group chat going to find a date you can all make, and start having those conversations
with your friends and family about whether you are booking your favourite pub or fancy trying a new restaurant. It's never too early to start planning your season of festive celebrations!
WE ARE OPEN CHRISTMAS
We can now offer the pub for private hire Ideal for Christmas Parties & festive get togethers 01502 713114 www.theringsfieldtavern.co.uk Cromwell
Ringsfield, Beccles, NR34 8LR
and
MAIN COURSES
• Roast Norfolk Turkey (GF) with chestnut and sausage meat stuffing, pigs in blankets
• Nut Roast (VGA) (GF)
(both of the above dishes are served with roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots, brussel sprouts with sage butter, broccoli, braised red cabbage and gravy)
• Pan-Roasted Fillet of Cod with a Crayfish, Lime and Ginger Butter (GF) (Vg) served with new potatoes, medley of green vegetables
• Slow Cooked Beef Goulash (GF) served with creamed potatoes, medley of green vegetables
• Mediterranean Vegetable Lasagne (V) served with cherry tomato, olive, cucumber and rocket salad
DESSERTS
• Black Forest Roulade (GF)
chocolate sponge rolled and filled with kirsch cherries and fresh cream, drizzled with cherry coulis and dark chocolate shavings
• Warm Sticky Toffee Pudding (GF) served with salted toffee sauce and vanilla ice-cream
• Lemon Posset(GF) blueberry compôte and meringue pieces
• Traditional Christmas Pudding (VG) with dairy-free brandy butter ice-cream
Old Hall Café and local supporters boost Cancer Research funds
On September 18th, myself and committee members Debbie and Sue returned to The Old Hall Café to say thank you to them for holding The Maze by Torchlight event again for us.
We presented them with a certificate to acknowledge the amount of £4,441.24 that they've raised for us over the three years that the event has taken place. The good news is that (all being well) we will be doing it again next year.
Emily, Beth and Chelsea from The Old Hall Café presented us with the cheque for this years total of £1,494.11.
Unfortunately Bella (the owner), couldn't be with us on the day but we're very grateful that she continues to support us and we send our very best wishes to all the staff at The Old Hall Café.
We're also very grateful to Halesworth Co-op and Sarah in the Insomnia Café for letting us have a tabletop sale in the café on September 27th from
10am-2pm. Sarah made us very welcome and the café is a lovely area to meet up for a coffee with friends.
We had three tables, Cancer Research Christmas cards and merchandise, tombola and a nearly-new stall. We raised £238.15. Thank you to everyone who supported us. We hope to do this again as a regular event with different stalls so please look out for our posters and adverts in the Community News etc.
The daughter of Judy (one of our volunteers) got married recently and instead of wedding gifts, they very generously asked for donations to Cancer Research, it was such a kind gesture to think of us on such a special day and they raised £520. We all send our congratulations to Sarah (Nee Cook) and her new husband Patrick as they start their married life together.
Our next event in Holton Village Hall will be our very popular Jumble Sale on October 18th so I'll let you know how
we got on in the next edition of Community News. Also Wenhaston Flower Club will have held their Charity Night for us on October 7th so will report back on this as well.
The last event for 2025 will be our Christmas Fair on November 22nd in Holton Village Hall from 10:30am-2pm. This is one of our big events of the year where we serve our lunches. On the menu will be homemade soup, a choice of two mains and a lot of delicious desserts which we serve from 11:30am. We'll also be serving tea/coffee and
Bramfield, Ringsfield and Brampton Primary Schools activities
The Reception and Nursery children at Ringsfield Primary School had a trip to a Big Top circus tent at the Village Hall. They got the chance to try the circus skills of spinning plates, juggling with scarves, walking across a balance beam, and they even had a go at using a diabolo. Some of our families then went to watch the show over the weekend. We were very lucky to have this on our doorstep and the children really enjoyed the experience!
The Reception class at Bramfield Primary School have been enjoying the story of 'The Little Red Hen' as they investigate Harvest and what that looks like.
To begin with we read the story,
thinking about how the Little Red Hen was feeling when her friends wouldn't help her. Next we explored wheat. The children tried removing the wheat from the ears and husks and we then had a go at grinding the wheat to make the flour. That was hard work!
The final and best stage according to the children was making the bread which we got to enjoy at snack time. To use up all the ingredients the children turned our class into a pizza restaurant where they were served their pizzas that they had helped to make.
The Reception children at Brampton have really settled well into our daily routine and
are trying so hard with their learning. We recently learned the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and enjoyed using the repetitive language to retell the story with their friends. They also had a challenge to make a bed that was "just right" for one of our bears. They all tried super hard and made the most amazing beds, picking and choosing which materials they would like to use. Great work guys!
traditional mince pies from 10:30am.
Our priority of course is raising funds for Cancer Research but we also like it to be a community event where people can meet up with friends and neighbours so we try to keep the price of our meals as low as possible so it's affordable for all, so please stay for lunch if you can. We'll also have our usual stalls, so if anyone would like to bake for us for the cake stall or donate a raffle prize, we'd be extremely grateful. We'll be
having our very popular tombola and Debbie and Sue's Christmas stall with homemade preserves and Christmas Puddings etc. It's also the perfect opportunity to stock up on books and jigsaws for those long winter nights. We do apologise for the inconvenience but our events are cash only. Thank you to our loyal supporters and welcome to anyone who will be visiting us for the first time. We truly can't do this without you all. For more information please contact Dawn Davis on: 01986 873640.
Halesworth WI report
Members listened intently as Andrew from the East Anglian Air Ambulance explained the differences between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest and were surprised to learn that 80% of cardiac arrests happen in the home.
We watched as Andrew demonstrated the correct CPR method on the dummy brought with him, then gave various members an opportunity to practise reminding us that the tune to do compressions too was "Singing Alive". He reminded us that the three important things to remember: • Ring 999
• Send someone for the defibrillator • Begin heart compressions immediately. This may lead to broken ribs but saves a life. Compressions should be done with the arms straight, hands locked together and using the heel of the hands to give firm pressure and to try to continue until help arrives or someone is able to take over if you're exhausted. CPR is now taught to cubs, brownies and primary school children, WI's, and many organisations to increase the knowledge of what to do in an emergency and help to save a life. We all left feeling that we had learnt a great deal.
Bramfield making pizza Brampton making beds for their bears
Ringsfield's Circus Trip
Halesworth branch of Cancer Research UK
WHAT’S ON AT THE SAIL LOFT? Winter 2025/26:
Welcome to the Sail Loft
Here you’ll find all the exciting things we will have going on this Winter
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 Friday 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 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: First Thursday of every month, starting November 6th. Come & join us for a tasty curry & test your knowledge with our in-house quix master! £12.99pp, includes prize for winners!
Lunch Club: First Thursday of every month, starting November 6th (Spanish Basque)
A different themed 2-course lunch with coffee, talk from our Chef about the dishes served and a full recipe card. £22.95.
* NOT AVAILABLE DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
FOOD FOCUS OF THE MONTH
October: “Holy Shiitake!” (Mushrooms)
November: “Oh my Gourd” (Pumpkins etc)
December: “Seasonings Greetings” (Festive Treats)
January: “Veganuary”
from Wenhaston Flower Club
Our meeting on October 7th was our annual Charity Night raising funds for The Halesworth Branch of Cancer Research.
This years Charity Night was a different format as it was also a celebration of 45 years since the club was founded by Jean Spindler and Hazel Ward. We were delighted that both ladies were able to attend and they were presented with bouquets of flowers.
Roger was Jean and Hazel's very first demonstrator and although he's retired from demonstrating, he was persuaded to team up with Jane for this very special occasion.
They took it in turns to astound us with some beautiful arrangements which were donated as raffle prizes. Thank you to everyone who provided the other raffle prizes and congratulations to everyone who won a prize.
Thank you to the flower club
members who prepared the plates of food and served the drinks and thank you anyone who contributed in any way to make the evening a success. There was an opportunity to buy Cancer Research Christmas cards, and beautiful knitted items on Sally and Julie's stall.
Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and supported this wonderful evening, celebrating 45 years of Wenhaston Flower Club and raising funds for the Halesworth branch of Cancer Research. We will let you all know how much was raised in the next edition of The Community News.
Our next meeting is on November 4th in Wenhaston Village Hall at 7:30pm and will be our Christmas Workshop with Roger. Details of what you'll need will be listed in the club's next email to members but you will need a wooden coat hanger.
For more information, please contact Jackie Chenery on: 01502 478401.
Festive Dining Wordsearch!
A feast of festive words are hidden... Can you find them all?
December Festive Menu
QUEENS HEAD, BLYFORD
STARTERS
Homemade Spiced Parsnip Soup with Homemade Bread & Butter
Fried Fish & Sweet Curry Dipping Sauce
Prawn Cocktail Flatbread, Crispy Kale & Sriracha Seasoning
Vegan Mezze of Hummus, Pickles, Baba Ghanoush, Tapenade & Crispy Flatbreads
Turmeric & Onion Seed Flatbread with Crispy Kale & Parsnip Crisps
Two Courses
£30pp • Three Courses £37.50pp
DESSERTS
Chocolate Brownie & Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream
Lemon Posset with Homemade Shortbread
Baked Vanilla Cheesecake with Spiced Berry Compote
Bakewell Tart & Cardamom Custard
Classic or Vegan Christmas Pudding
Available throughout December • Ideal for smaller work groups & family bookings
To book, please call: 01502 478404 or email: enquiries@queensheadblyford.co.uk
Jean and Hazel
Roger and Jane
Hall. For full details, or
and will help participants to discover practical ways to understand, support, and communicate with people living with dementia. The workshop is open to all will be held at The Patrick Stead Day Centre, next to the
to book a place please call 07990 199632, or go to: info@halesworthdementia.co.uk Secondly, we now offer Seated Yoga Classes, also at the Patrick Stead Day Centre. These sessions, run by Wallfinch Care Agency, will be every Thursday from 10:30am-11:30am. These sessions are a great way to keep fit mentally and physically, and are a huge benefit to those with dementia and their carers. Again,
PRIVATE HIRE TRAVEL
more
a
Halesworth Volunteers
News from Halesworth Volunteers.
Community Car Service
Our Community Car Service offers transport for medical appointments, shopping trips and essential outings ensuring people remain independent; stay connected and able to meet their everyday needs. Our drivers support mostly older people, vulnerable adults and those with mobility challenges. Our dedicated volunteers go above and beyond to ensure people get to their destinations, on time, and home again safely. If you are interested in joining us, as a new volunteer driver, or if you need to use the service, we would love to hear from you. Please give us a call on (01986) 874290.
Community Larder
We still have lots wonderful fresh seasonal produce, do come and give us a look, in St Mary's Church Hall, on a Monday, Wednesday and Saturday morning from 10.00am –11.30am. We are looking forward to our family event in half term week. This is Monday 27th October, when we will be having the therapy donkeys visiting and will be presenting the winners of our recipe book cover design competition with Edgar Sewter School. Following our morning events, we will be offering a cooking demonstration. Check out our social media on Facebook for more information nearer the time, or give us a call on 01986 875600. We are very excited about the launch of our new cook book "A larder full of recipes", which we hope will be available for the beginning of November. Thank you to Amanda for all her hard work with this.
Halesworth Volunteer Day
We had a successful and enjoyable day last month at our Halesworth Volunteer Day in partnership with Halesworth dementia Carers Fund and the Pear Tree Fund. We welcomed lots of people to the Rifle Hall, to discover more about the amazing work we all carry out, as well
as some other great charities locally, and how to get involved. It was lovely to see many friends throughout the day too, enjoying refreshments and activities with Suffolk Artlink. Thanks to everyone who popped in to see us. We are delighted to have recruited 2 new volunteer drivers! A really big thank you to Christies Care Ltd, for supporting this event. Also, thanks to Matt Gunns, Community Engagement Officer at Christies for his expertise, planning and promotion of the event. Finally, thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who kindly baked for us and helped on the day. If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering locally and how you can get involved please contact us on 01986 875600 or email karen. kerridge@halesworthvc.co.uk.
Harley Davidson Birthday Treat
A belated birthday treat for one of our lovely ladies Vicci, a ride with the wonderful Kingsley on his Harley Davidson! Vicci used to be a biker girl, but after the passing of her partner almost 20 years ago, had not been on a motorbike since. A big thank you to Kingsley for bringing "Cheryl 7" out on a sunny September afternoon and for making it such a special and memorable occasion for Vicci.
Fundraising news We have an exhilarating fundraising event coming up on November 29th! Ricky Hardy will be braving "Falling for Funds" and taking on a parachute jump to raise funds for HV. We will have sponsor forms in the office and our Just Giving page is going live imminently. Please get in touch if you are able to support Ricky.
Upcoming dates
We would like to wish our Quiz Master Nigel Plummer a speedy recover. We miss you Nigel and hope to see you back with us again next month. In the meantime, a big thank you to Chris Remblance for stepping in as Quiz Master. Join us for an 8pm start on Wednesday 19th November in The Stables at the Angel. Thanks to Cleo and Simon for your continued support. Our next community lunch with St Mary's Church will be Wednesday 26th November. As we have moved into autumn and the cooler weather, we will be serving homemade soup again. There will be the usual sandwiches, crisps and cakes. Everyone welcome, please join us at 1pm, at St Mary's Church, no need to book just come along.
The first Tuesday of the month is our Chinny's Social, in partnership with NHS Talking Therapies. Join us on November 4th in the events bar at Chinny's from 12pm-2pm.
Karen Kerridge, Director
A belated birthday treat for one of our lovely ladies Vicci,
ride with the wonderful Kingsley on his Harley Davidson!
Mandatory identity checks are coming to Companies House
If you're a company director or hold significant control over a business, there's an important new requirement you need to prepare for.
Earlier this year, Companies House introduced a voluntary identity verification process.
Now, as part of the wider reform under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, the process is about to become mandatory.
Starting from November 18th 2025, anyone looking to set up a company or become a director will need to verify their identity before they can be appointed. If you're already listed as a Director, you'll be asked to complete verification when you file your next confirmation statement after the deadline - filing ahead of the 18th November 2025 deadline may give you more flexibility.
If you're a person with significant control (PSC) but not a Director, the deadlines are staggered over a 12 month window from 18th November
2025 depending on your birth month. PSC's are advised to check their individual deadline on the Companies House website.
It might sound like a big change, but the good news is that the process is designed to be simple and quick. Most people will be able to verify online using their smartphone by just taking a photo of your face and your ID, and facial recognition software does the rest. If you'd rather not go digital, you can head to a participating post office or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) and verify in person.
Once you're verified, Companies House will issue you an 11-digit personal verification code. This code will be your key for future filings, so do keep it safe!
The move is all about improving transparency and trust in the UK's corporate register. With up to seven-million people expected to go through the process over the next year,
it's a significant step forward in making company information more reliable and secure.
Now is the time to prepare, go to: gov.uk/guidance/verify-youridentity-for-companies-house to start the process. Make sure everyone in your organisation who needs to verify is informed and ready to act. Leaving it too late could mean you're unable to file documents on time and associated late filing penalties.
For further information, speak to your adviser or contact us.
The information contained herein is given by way of general guidance only, is correct and applicable only at the time of delivery and no action should be taken solely on the basis of the information contained herein.
Ensors Accountants LLP will be pleased to provide further guidance on the issues, and how they might affect you.
No liability is accepted by the firm for any actions taken without seeking appropriate professional advice.
A night of style and success!
What a night to remember!
We’re still buzzing after our hugely successful Fashion Show on Friday 12th September at Holton Village Hall. It was a fantastic evening, and thanks to our wonderful community, we raised an incredible £1,493!
From the moment the doors opened, the hall was packed with excitement and laughter - the perfect setting for a spectacular night of fashion.
Glamour on the catwalk
Our amazing models took to the catwalk, showcasing a stunning array of outfits that had everyone's eyes glued to the stage. From elegant ensembles to more casual, chic looks, there was something for every taste, beautifully presented to inspire and delight. The models, a testament to local talent and enthusiasm, truly brought the clothes to life with their poise and confidence.
Guiding us seamlessly through the evening was our wonderful compère, whose engaging introductions and warm presence added an extra layer of sparkle to the show. A massive thank you to our compère and to all our brilliant models, you were all absolutely superb!
Discover your own style at Dee's Den
All of the clothes and accessories you saw on the catwalk came from our very own charity shop, Dee's Den.
We're so fortunate to have such a wonderful community that
regularly donates lovely, highquality clothing - We even receive designer items!
If you're looking for a vintage classic or a designer delight, it's truly worth a visit. Every purchase directly supports the work of our charity, The Pear Tree Fund. It's retail therapy that gives back, so why not pop in and see what treasures you can find?
The heartbeat behind the hems
This annual event simply wouldn't be possible without the dedication of an army of incredible people working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Our deepest gratitude goes to Sylvia and Joan, whose hard work over the months leading up to the event was absolutely invaluable. Their commitment ensured every detail was meticulously planned and executed.
A huge thank you also goes to Dani and Louise, whose combined talents created the perfect musical backdrop and a lively atmosphere from the mic. We also extend our thanks to Seva, Claire, and Belinda for all their hard work and support. We're so grateful for their time and passion. We also want to extend a huge thank you to the fantastic volunteers from Dee's Den: Lynda, Vivienne, Katy, Jane, and Frances. Their ongoing support and efforts are truly the backbone of such events, and we're so grateful for their time and passion.
The Pear Tree Fund is fortunate to have such a committed Events
A word from Rosedale Bereavement Support
I don't know about you, but to me, the world we now live in feels unrecognisable to the one I grew up in. Life seems to be changing at such a pace, I can hardly keep up!
The rapid rise of social media has led to everyone being able to share their own story, making sure their voice is heard and their point is made. Interrupting and shouting others down seems to have become acceptable behaviour on TV and radio interviews and life in general.
As someone working in the field of counselling for many years, I have noticed a subtle change of late. It now seems that in general, whilst everyone wants to be heard, there aren't many people who are prepared to listen.
A big part of my counselling training was learning how to really listen, making sure that the speaker feels truly heard and understood. Listening is such a valuable gift to give someone, all it costs us is our time.
When someone is bereaved, they often want to talk about their loved one. They miss them and are in their thoughts constantly. They don't want them to be forgotten and talking about them can be one way of keeping their memory alive.
Many bereaved people report that often people avoid mentioning their loved one in
Committee, and we must acknowledge their incredible contribution. Thank you to every member who came and helped on the night, ensuring everything ran smoothly. And who could forget the canapés? A special thank you to the committee members who generously donated the ingredients and their time to prepare these delicious treatsthey were certainly a hit!
Finally, a big shout-out to everyone else who played a part in making the evening such a success.
A truly enjoyable evening
We were delighted by the kind comments from guests, many saying how much they enjoyed the night. All funds raised will help us continue supporting local people affected by serious illness, bereavement, and caring responsibilities.
See the style!
We have a wonderful series of photos that perfectly capture the glamour and excitement of the night, showcasing our models looking incredibly chic. Keep an eye on our social media channels and website for a glimpse into this unforgettable evening!
Thank you, once again, to everyone who attended, volunteered, modelled, and supported our Fashion Show. Your generosity makes a profound difference to The Pear Tree Fund and the lives we touch every day.
We can't wait to see you at our next event!
Blyth Valley Parkinson's Support Group
About 15 of us enjoyed our outing to Carlton Marshes where we had a pleasant walk around the site and partook of a tasty lunch in the restaurant. It's a good place to visit with interesting walks, good food and a gift shop. As I write, we're looking forward to a presentation by Medical Detection Dogs in Holton Village Hall after the CC deadline.
On November 13th, we'll have a visit from Annette Dunning Community Engagement Officer and Rural Energy Officer for the Rural Coffee Caravan. We have enjoyed Annette's visits before and have received good advice.
We run a support group for people with Parkinsons and their partners/carers which is a friendly meeting on the second Thursday of most months, in Holton Village Hall from 10.30 to 12 noon. We normally have a speaker on some relevant subject and time to chat and share experiences over a cup of coffee or tea. Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings and if you would like any further information, please contact Margaret Bloomfield on 01502 478502 (margaret@wrush. plus.com) or Gail Attfield on 01502 817004 (aandgattfield@ btinternet.com).
conversation. Perhaps they want to avoid causing further upset or don't know what to say to make things better? The truth is, the bereaved person is already upset and almost nothing anyone says can make things better!
Grief can also make some people feel very uncomfortable - perhaps it reminds them of their own past bereavements? Or they prefer to avoid talking about messy emotions, preferring to keep the 'stiff upper lip'?
Of course, some people prefer to grieve privately. We all have our own way of dealing with grief - there is no right or wrong way.
However, making time to listen to someone talk about their loved one and their bereavement can provide an outlet for grief, making them feel less lonely and isolated. It also demonstrates respect and helps to build stronger and more supportive relationships. Perhaps we all need to slow down a bit, respect each other more and create some space to listen.
Rosedale's Bereavement Support Groups provide a safe, trusted place to talk about bereavement and be listened to.
Call: 01379 640 810 to reserve your free place on the next group.
Are you a good listener? Do you have parenting experience or valuable life skills and a few hours a week to spare?
Home-Start Suffolk is looking for caring, compassionate volunteers to support local families going through tough times. Just a little of your time each week can make a big difference to a parent who feels overwhelmed or isolated. What do our volunteers do?
Home-visiting volunteers are at the heart of what we do at Home-Start Suffolk. They offer practical and emotional support to a local family once a week, in their own home. This might mean being a listening ear, helping with daily routines, or simply showing up with kindness and understanding. It’s all about being a trusted, reliable presence when it’s needed most.
We also offer a variety of other volunteering roles to suit your skills, interests, and availability - including telephone support, group support, community-based
This article was written by Sarah Howard, Rosedale Funeral Home Bereavement Support Group Facilitator Get a waddle on and join
Team B Productions invites you to their egg-citing family Pantomime, Mother Goose, appearing live at the splendid Leiston Film Theatre between the 9th and 11th January 2026. With one less performance this year, tickets are already in big demand, with seats for some performances already limited.
Mother Goose's heart may be full, but her purse certainly isn't - she's behind with the rent and in danger of losing her farm. Thankfully, there's a twist of fate, when a magical goose that lays golden eggs arrives, turning their family fortunes upside down. But when the devious Demon DarkHeart arrives, will Mother Goose be tempted to give up her wealth - and her gorgeous goose, in return for youth and beauty?
The pantomime has been written by Wayne Burns and is being brought to the stage under his 'Team B Productions' title, a group of experienced am-dram performers, whose previous sell-out successes have included shows at Leiston Film Theatre and at the Spa Pavilion Theatre in Felixstowe.
Mother Goose promises another traditional family pantomime, packed to the panto
brim with toe tapping tunes and crack-ing jokes, that'll have you honking with laughter, with more audience participation than you can shake a feather at!
Work is also underway on a brand-new comedy-drama, to be staged at Leiston Film Theatre in September 2026. Inspired by the iconic sit-com, Hi-de-Hi and set in a Suffolk holiday camp in the 1980s, Mourning Campers follows the drama on stage and behind the scenes at Archer's Holiday Camp. Tickets are scheduled to be available from Monday 12th January 2026.
Wayne Burns (Film Theatre Manager & Pantomime Director), is looking forward to bringing Mother Goose to the stage. "I think this is one of the most fun packed, novel and possibly barmy Pantomimes we've ever staged! It's got bucket loads of silliness and jokes - and not forgetting a 10ft goose! The entire cast and crew work as a team and everyone cannot wait to bring our brilliant script to life on stage and perform for such appreciative crowds" he said.
The pantomime sees renowned Suffolk musician Tom Horton returning as the Musical Director and the energetic students
roles including fundraising, and office-based opportunities. No special qualifications needed - just empathy, life experience and a desire to help. We provide full, free training and ongoing support. Volunteering is flexible and fits around your life. You'll also join a warm, supportive network of like-minded people. Why volunteer with Home-Start Suffolk?
• Give back to your community • Build confidence and gain new skills
• Be part of something that truly matters You can change a lifeincluding your own. Get started today. Visit www.homestartinsuffolk.org or call us on 01473 621104 to find out more.
The Pear Tree Fund
J C WOODPRODUCTS
ROSE, Chris
We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Chris on October 3rd at Lancaster House Care Home, Watton, after a long battle, bravely borne, with frontotemporal dementia.
His passing was sudden but peaceful, at the age of 58.
Chris, a native of Halesworth, was a pupil at Halesworth Middle School and Bungay High School, before graduating from Reading University with an honours degree in biotechnology. He then spent many years in banking with Barclays before becoming a chartered accountant with Price
Waterhouse Cooper in Norwich. He was a very keen sportsman and enjoyed playing many sports including football for Bedingfield Eagles, Halesworth Town, Southwold Town and Walberswick United and swimming with Halesworth Dolphins. He was also a very keen Ipswich Town football supporter.
There will be a funeral service at Colney Woodland burial ground on November 4th at 1pm.
He will be sadly missed by us all and his many friends he had made over the years. From all his loving family.
Halesworth Men's Shed launches new online shop
Halesworth Men's Shed has launched a new online shop.
The shop (which runs on Gumtree) will sell donated tools, handmade products made by members, and other DIY-related items, at knock-down prices.
"We hope that this will help local trades people, especially younger apprentices, get set up in business more affordably," said Shed member Jez Donaldson. Proceeds of sales will help fund the running of the Halesworth Men's Shed, which is a registered charity.
"Buyers will be able to visit the Shed to check the items for themselves, before collecting them, and if they're thinking of
Edgar Sewter Playschool
We follow Early Years Foundation Stage guidance to enable children to grow socially and emotionally through play in our cosy, nurturing environment.
We run Monday to Friday during term time and currently have some availability for children in the term after their second birthdays.
Our Breakfast and After School Clubs are available term time for children from four years old. Breakfast Club is from 8am onwards and After School Club is from 3:30pm-6pm with flexible pick up times.
We are open during October half term.
For help with childcare costs visit: childcare choices.gov.uk Playschool and Out of School Club is managed independently. We are a volunteer committeeled charity which has been established over 25 years. Ofsted rated 'Good' in October 2024.
For further details, please call: 07796 044277 or email: esplayschool@gmail.com to register, book a place or arrange a visit.
Hayley, Anthea, Yvonne and Stacey
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of their public collections held this summer in Aldeburgh and Southwold.
• Aldeburgh Seafront on May 18th: £517.74
• Southwold Seafront on June 22nd: £232.35
• Aldeburgh Carnival Church Service: £260.72
All aboard for the Hoppa's Christmas Light Tours!
joining the Shed, they can have a look around at the same time" said Donaldson. Links to the shop are now available on the Shed's website: www.halesworthshed.org.uk, and on their Facebook page. You can also go directly to the Men's Shed's online shop by scanning the below QR code with your smart phone.
We're making a list, we're checking it twice, we're taking our passengers, so cheery and nice, 'Cos Christmas lights are coming to town!
Following a very successful year in 2024 of Santa Special trips the Hoppa will be running a similar service again this year. Last year buses went out in the evenings to see the wonderful lights that the good citizens of Halesworth put up for Christmas. Demand for last year's trips was enough to fill three buses on different nights and proved to be very popular. The trips are free, but many passengers donated money to the charities that sites in Beddingfield Crescent and Green
Bank supported. Last year festive mince pies, sausage rolls, cheese straws etc. were served to passengers by suitably attired Hoppa Staff. And according to our passengers it was great fun, and well worth repeating. These trips are not just for those who regularly use the Hoppa, everyone is welcome to join us.
Dates are not yet fixed but, if you would like to register your interest please tell a Hoppa driver or buddy - leaving your name and contact details including address and phone number. Or you can call our office Monday to Friday before 11:30am on 01986 875900 or email: office@hactbus.co.uk
the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal (£111.84). The remainder of the funds raised will directly support the band's continued efforts to nurture and develop new and existing players. These funds help cover the costs of instruments, music, uniforms, and essential expenses such as the rental fee for our band room and instrument upkeep.
The Band is dedicated to fostering local talent and providing musical opportunities
for all. Our main band practices are held on Mondays and Thursdays from 8pm-9:30pm, with a dedicated Training Band practice on Thursday evenings from 7pm-7:45pm.
Whether you're an experienced brass player or drummer, an explayer looking to return to your passion, or someone new to music and interested in learning, we welcome you to join us! For more information, please visit our website: leistonband.org or email Nikki Glennon-Bird (Band Secretary): secretary@leistonband.org
Thank you again for your continued support!
We specialise in low cost repair options to buildings and can assist you with any building problem
Sole Bay United Juniors FC kicks off new season with fresh energy!
As the whistle blows for the start of a brand-new grassroots football season, there's a real buzz of excitement running through the club. Players, families, and supporters are ready for another year of football, friendship, and community spirit.
This season brings with it some exciting developments. The club is proud to announce a brand-new sponsor, Prime London, whose generous support will help us continue to grow and provide opportunities for young players. Alongside this, our teams will be stepping out in smart new kits supplied by local business East Point Sports, showing once again how strongly our community pulls together to back grassroots sport.
One of the most eagerly
anticipated moments of the season is the launch of our new Under7s team, who enjoyed their very first match on September 14th. For many of these youngsters, it was their first taste of competitive football, and the excitement was clear to see. Their enthusiasm was a great reminder of what grassroots football is all aboutcreating opportunities, building confidence, and fostering a lifelong love for the game.
At the top end of our club, our Under 15's are currently able to offer a couple of coveted spots! If you or someone you know in this age group is looking for a club, please let them know about us. From the youngest players to our more established teams, there's a real sense of possibility about what this season could
bring. With new kits, new faces, and the backing of the community and new sponsors, we're set for an exciting journey both on and off the pitch.
Sponsorship opportunities still available:
While the club is thrilled to have Prime London on board this season, we are still looking for further sponsorship to help cover some of our biggest yearly costs. Essentials such as line paint and footballs represent a significant ongoing expense, and this area is currently open for support from another local business.
As always, the support of parents, volunteers, and local fans is what makes this all possible. Here's to another season of goals, teamwork, and memories to last a lifetime.
Halesworth Millennium Green
Fresh insights into Halesworth's famous 'murder'
Some little known angles on an infamous chapter of local history were on offer at Halesworth & District Museum's latest talk.
Speaker Kevin Wooldridge offered the title 'The Life, Death and Afterlife of PC Ebenezer Tye'. And while much is known - and has been assumed - about the young policeman's death, it was the 'afterlife' of that tragic event that raised some fascinating questions.
The basic facts of the case are well known to many Halesworth residents. PC Tye joined the police force in 1861, having previously worked as a blacksmith. He met his death on 25 November 1862, when he had been positioned on Chediston Street, Halesworth, to keep an eye on John Ducker, a local resident and suspected burglar. A search was organised later that day when the young constable failed to return to the police station, and his lifeless body was found in the foul river marsh close to Chediston Street.
Frederick Haward, the surgeon conducting the postmortem, identified a contusion on PC Tye's forehead 'sufficient to have caused insensibility' but no sign of a skull fracture. His conclusion was that PC Tye had died due to immersion in water.
Suspicion immediately fell on Ducker, who was arrested at his home in nearby Clarke's Yard. However, there were no witnesses to the affray, other than one who reported hearing angry words and another who described
hearing the accused's footsteps. Ducker professed his innocence, and continued to do so throughout the subsequent Coroner's hearing, his committal for murder and his trial at Ipswich. Nevertheless, he was found guilty and sentenced to death.
Newspaper reports from the time refer to John Ducker as 'aged', an 'old man' and 'infirm', and having displayed evidence of severe blows about the face. This being in stark contrast to the presumed fitness of a young PC previously working as a blacksmith.
But despite some concerns about the conviction, and pleas for clemency, Ducker was hanged outside Ipswich Gaol in April 1863 - the last public execution in Suffolk.
Having presented the history of this terrible event in Halesworth's past, Kevin turned to the 'afterlife' of PC Tye's death. He highlighted some occurrences shortly after Ducker's convection. For example, even before the execution, it is believed that Halesworth magistrates took advantage of the publicity in their bid for a new police station for the town. In January 1863 they argued that the investment should be increased from £500 to £900.
John Hayes Hatton, Chief Constable for East Suffolk had previously resigned in 1842, was reappointed 1857, then resigned again in 1869 after being declared bankrupt and following charges of misappropriation of police funds.
And in 1872, Dr George Haward, son of Frederick Haward the postmortmen surgeon, was accused of abusing a 15-yearold female patient. The girl's parents claimed they were offered money to keep quiet, through the accused's father. Seven years later Dr George Haward was found guilty of assaulting another young girl and was sentenced to 18 months hard labour.
Whatever the relevance of these events from around the time of PC Tye's death, there is no doubt that the story lives on in modern minds. The East Anglian Daily Times ran an article in 2019 entitled 'Did the last man hanged publicly in Suffolk really deserve to die?' No conclusion was reached. In the same year, the Halesworth INK Festival in Halesworth told the story in a play called Reasonable Doubt.
Suffolk Archives have used PC Tye's murder as a case study, asking students to consider the issues surrounding crime and punishment, and asking: 'Did John Ducker get a fair trial?'
A previous display at Halesworth & District Museum considered the circumstances surrounding the death of PC Tye.
And the case was the inspiration for a musical performed by Edgar Sewter Primary School, Halesworth.
And of course the popularity of Kevin's talk provides the latest
Benjamin Lillestone Gross, Coroner, solicitor and Treasurer to East Suffolk Police, went bankrupt in 1871 with debts of £8,600 (£1.3 million today).
HANDY TEAM
evidence of the enduring power of the story of PC Tye and John Ducker. The next talk in the Museum's 2025/26 season, on October 23rd, is intriguingly titled 'The Most Famous Halesworth Resident You Have Never Heard of' (and Halesworth in the 17th century). The speaker will be Museum Chair, David Wollweber. As usual, the venue is Halesworth United Reformed Church, Quay Street, Halesworth IP19 8EP. The start time is 7:30pm (doors open 7pm), and entry costs £6, or £3 for Museum Friends. Pay at the door, no need to book. See you there!
PC Tye is remembered across the centuries. The photos above show the grave in the 19th century, and now, in the modern day
