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D.C. Patrick

4 Market Hill, Framlingham Has taken over Grange News

D.C. Patrick

NEWSAGENTS

4 Market Hill, Framlingham saH

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

Bob

4 Market Hill, Framlingham Has taken over Grange News

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

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

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

4 Market Hill, Framlingham Has taken over Grange News Tel: 01986 874 305 & 07907 223 715

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

hope you will continue to support the ase e any q ound Woodbridge and the surrounding villages.

Tel: 01986 874 305 & 07907 223 715

• 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

An update from Halesworth Town Council

Halesworth

opening of the new Old Station Road play area, which was celebrated with a fantastic community event on June 12th attended by local families, friends and residents.

new play area to life, as well as Halesworth Town Football Club's Under-14s volunteer goalkeeper for helping make the afternoon such a success.

of all ages and abilities. The sessions will continue until the end of September.

'Our

Email: sharmangary4@gmail.com

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6oz STEAK BURGERS: £2.00 each

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& Sat 7am-1pm

Children enjoyed the new equipment straight away, with the park full of laughter, smiles and excitement throughout the afternoon. The opening included free ice creams, goodie bags and sweets, alongside a popular 'Beat the Keeper' football challenge, which proved a real highlight for many of the children who took part.

The council thanked KOMPAN for helping bring the

The council also thanked everyone who came along and supported the opening, and said it looked forward to seeing local children and families enjoy the new community facility for many years to come.

Free Yoga in the Park sessions a huge success!

A new free outdoor yoga programme in Halesworth has got off to a ﬂying start, with around 60 people attending each of the ﬁrst four sessions. Yoga in the Park, organised by Halesworth Town Council, takes place every Sunday from 10am-11am in Halesworth Town Park and is open to people

The initiative is funded by Sport England and The National Lottery and supported by Active Suffolk. Sessions are delivered by local yoga teachers, helping to support local instructors while making yoga more accessible to the wider community. For those new to yoga or without their own equipment, yoga mats are available to borrow free of charge.

The strong turnout at the opening sessions highlights growing interest in activities that support both physical and mental wellbeing while bringing people together in a relaxed outdoor setting. A spokesperson for Halesworth Town Council said: "We're delighted with the

response so far. It's been fantastic to see so many people enjoying the sessions, meeting others and making the most of our beautiful town park. Whether you're an experienced yogi or trying yoga for the very ﬁrst time, everyone is welcome."

Yoga in the Park aims to encourage residents to become more active, improve wellbeing and strengthen community connections through regular outdoor exercise. The sessions are free to attend and no booking is required. Yoga in the Park Every Sunday, 10am-11am Halesworth Town Park. Until the end of September. Free to attend - yoga mats available to borrow.

Heritage Open Days: September 11th-20th

Halesworth will once again

take part in the national Heritage Open Days scheme running from September 11th-20th. This year will include guided walks, talks, tours exhibitions, children's events and more across Halesworth, Holton and Walpole. All events are free but some require booking through The Cut Arts Centre. All of the events will be found on the National Database by searching for Halesworth at: heritageopendays.org.uk. Halesworth is also delighted to once again be working with Beccles and Bungay, and new for this year - Southwold, on a joint programme to advertise the range of events across our four towns. Printed programmes will be available in August from Halesworth's businesses and organisations.

Yoga in The Park

Southwold Library summer events

Hello! Here is our update for August, packed with summer holiday activities, creative crafts, and clubs for all ages.

Creature Crafts

Get creative every Tuesday during the summer holidays at 11am and 2pm. Themes include Sea Creatures (4th & 11th August) and Woodland Creatures (18th & 25th August). Free, no booking required. Kindly provided by the Friends of Southwold Library.

Meet local children's author Lisa Nickell-Lean

July 22nd, 11am: Meet local author Lisa Nickell-Lean as she introduces her new Southwoldthemed picture book, Snoring is Boring. Includes fun dog crafts!

Terriﬁc train fun with Trainmaster Suffolk

July 23rd, 10:30am & 11:45am: Enjoy track, trains, a ride-on train, and a train roller coaster at Reydon Sports & Community Centre.

£4 per child per hour. Spaces limited; book via 01502 442817 or ticketsource.co.uk/ southwoldlibrary.

Summer Pottery Painting

July 29th, 11am & 2pm: Paint mugs, plates, or bowls with Gallery Thea at the Stella Peskett Millennium Hall. £15 per item. Limited spaces; book via TicketSource or call the library.

Sword in the Stone Crafts

July 30th, 11am: Free dropin craft event celebrating Cambridge Touring Productions' upcoming performance of The Sword in the Stone at Thorington Theatre on August 5th (tickets at thoringtontheatre.co.uk). No booking required.

Summer Reading Quest:

Curious Creatures

Children of all abilities can join this interactive summer reading programme to build self-esteem and wellbeing.

Sign up at any library to receive a case ﬁle from July 18th. Collect stickers on each library visit to earn a medal, certiﬁcate, and a unique cuddly creature.

Read to Amber the Therapy Dog

July 1st, 3:30pm-4:30pm: Amber, the Canine Concern Therapy Dog, loves being read to. Drop in for this regular event on the ﬁrst Wednesday of every month. All welcome.

Youth & Adult Weekly Clubs

• Chess Club: July 31st at 4:30pm. Weekly free play

for ages 7 to adult. Beginners' help available.

• Lego Club: Every Sunday, 12:15pm-1pm. For all ages. Summer theme: "Crazy Creatures." Donations and adult volunteers welcome.

• Rummikub Klub: Thursday, 2nd and 16th July at 2:15pm (usually 1st & 3rd Thursday). Refreshments available.

• Scrabble Club: 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month at 2:15pm (July 23rd). Equipment supplied; includes a break at The Canteen.

• Mah-jong Group: 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, 2:15pm4:15pm (July 24th). Learn or play for £1 per person.

• Blyth Poets: Friday, 3rd July, 2:15pm-3:30pm (1st Friday monthly). Share original work, loved poems, or just listen. Refreshment break included.

• Crochet & Craft Club: Every Wednesday, 2:15pm4pm. £2 per session. All abilities welcome; volunteer help and hot drinks provided. Bring supplies or buy on-site.

• Southwold Library Reading Group: July 30th at 6:30pm. Discussing Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Pick up a copy at the front desk.

Community Library Services

• Weigh Your Baby: Selfservice baby weighing available during opening hours: Tue-Fri (10am-1pm & 2pm-6pm), Sat (9:30am1pm & 2pm-5pm), and Sun (11am-4pm).

• Baby Bounce & Tot Rock: Every Sunday and Tuesday, 10:30am-11am. Free drop-in music and rhyme session for babies and toddlers.

• Get Connected Digital Help: Every Wednesday, 10am12pm. Free drop-in advice for technology, online safety, and device navigation.

• Jigsaw Swap Shop: Free during regular hours. Take, return, or swap puzzles from the library's selection.

• Friends of Southwold Library 100 Club: Join the monthly fundraising draw for £1 a month for a chance to win £25 and support library services. Enquire at the desk. Contact Information For details, visit staff at Southwold Library, call 01502 442817 or 01502 722519, or email: southwold.library@ suffolklibraries.co.uk

Gas pipes ﬁrst installed in Halesworth in the 1950s and 1960s are due to be replaced by engineers from Cadent - the UKs largest gas distribution network.

The project will see 2,500 metres of gas main pipelines being replaced with tough new pipes which will last for decades, future-prooﬁng the local network.

Following consultation with Suffolk County Council, Cadent has agreed to carry out these essential works over an 21-week period starting on June 22nd. Roads affected include:

• Chichester Road (closure): June 22nd to July 27th

• Park Road (closure): July 6th to August 10th

• Old Station Road (closure): July 6th to August 10th

• Fenn Close (closure): July 13th to August 10th

• Wissett Road (closure): July 13th to September 4th

• Wissett Close (narrow lane):

July 20th to August 10th

• New Cut (closure): August 3rd-17th

• Norwich Road (trafﬁc lights): August 3rd-24th & September 14th to October 26th

• Fairview Road (closure): September 7th-28th

• Greenbank: September 7th to October 5th

Due to the location of the gas main and to ensure the safety of engineers, the work taking place will be carried out with a mixture of road closures, trafﬁc lights and narrow lanes. When there's a road

closure, a diversion route will be clearly signposted. Access will remain for residents within the work zone.

Eleanor Buxton (Head of Work Management at Cadent) said: "The metallic pipes that are in place in this section of the network, have been very well used over the past 70 years. It's now time for them to be replaced so that we can continue to deliver gas to peoples' homes 24/7, 365 days a year. In this part of Halesworth, more than 85% of homes have gas central heating. Upgrading these pipelines will ensure we can continue to distribute gas safely to them, for many decades to come. These upgrades also have big environmental gains, as they reduce methane emissions and enable a move to more renewable gases like biomethane. This is essential for a cleaner futurethe UK will need energy to come from a range of sources to meet demand and be sustainable. We've worked with the local highways

team, as well as local authorities, to create a trafﬁc management plan that will minimise disruption whilst we carry out these essential works. I thank everybody for their patience as we take the measures needed to ensure our engineers can carry out these works as safely and as efﬁciently as possible." Gas stays ON for the duration of the works. The only interruption to supply will be to properties that take a direct feed from the pipes being replaced (in the immediate local area). Supply to these properties will be disconnected for a short while (it will be back on the same day it goes off), as the property gets connected into the new pipe. Advance notice will be given, and more information will be provided to these properties. If you smell gas, always ring the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999, day or night. Do not assume it's related to these works; it may not be and needs to be checked.

Old

In a stunning spot on the Blyth Estuary sits Old Hall Southwold, home to Southwold Maize Maze, which ﬁrst opened its doors to visitors in 2005. In 2019, the popular Old Hall Café & Walks was added to the site, and the business has grown

to now include a varied events schedule, including Antique Fairs, Makers Markets, and music events, many of which take place in The Big Barn, which used to house the farm's dairy cows.

In an exciting change, Old Hall Café & Walks is now under the management of the Tudor Bakehouse, a traditional local baking business with 30 years of experience, and a small chain of accomplished bakeries and cafés. The team at Old Hall Southwold are thrilled to welcome the Tudor Bakehouse to the venue, and are certain this local business will be a good ﬁt for the site.

At the same time, Will Hall has joined his mum Bella at Old Hall Southwold to help steer the business' future. These changes enable the mother and son team to focus their time on reﬁning the Southwold Maize Maze offering, the Pumpkin Patch, and an evergrowing list of events organised alongside events manager Emily Portsmouth.

"It's a very exciting time to return to Suffolk and join the family business," says Will. "There are some fantastic events planned this summer, and I'm looking forward to getting involved, contributing new ideas and building on my mum's hard work to help Old Hall Southwold become an even greater destination for events and family fun on the Suffolk Coast."

"With Will on board, we hope a fresh and younger perspective will bring some positive changes, and help push the business forwards," says owner Bella, who has been running the site since 2005. "Our goal has always been long-term success, which requires development, growth, and an injection of new enthusiasm," she adds. "Hopefully it'll also enable me to spend some more time on the family farm with my husband Dave!"

June 14th saw a successful Art in the Barn event at the location, celebrating over 40 local artists, and musical duo

Darby and Danny returned to The Big Barn on June 19th for an evening of live music, dancing and midsummer merriment. On top of this, an Antiques Fair also took place in June, hosted by the team from Suffolk Heritage Events.

The ﬁrst ever Southwold Sausage Walk Summer Festival took place on July 4th; Bella and Will teamed up with the original Southwold Sausage Walk founder, Laura, for a day of food, walks, market stalls, live music and more, all focussing on celebrating the Dachshund.

On August 22nd, the Maze by Torchlight event will return, held in conjunction with the Halesworth branch of Cancer Research UK, raising money for Cancer Research UK, and providing an exclusive opportunity to explore Southwold Maize Maze after dark!

One of the ﬁrst ever maize mazes to open in the region, Southwold Maize Maze reached a signiﬁcant milestone last year as it celebrated 20 years of family fun.

This year, Will has worked on the 22nd maze design alongside his mum Bella. This year's maize was precision planted in midMay, and the recent wet and warm weather has provided good growing conditions, so the maize maze is in great shape and it opened on July 18th.

Southwold Maize Maze will be open every day for the summer season until September 6th. For further information about the upcoming summer maize maze season and to book tickets for events taking place at Old Hall Southwold, visit: southwoldmaizemaze.co.uk

Get ready for Hubfest!

Let's hope that August 1st is ﬁrmly engraved in your minds or on your calendars. This is an annual event not to be missed, and it will 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 cowshed!

We're so fortunate to have some amazing bands and artists lined up, offering a mix of genres for even the most discerning musical tastes.

Starting off and opening the event at 1pm on Stage 1 will be the hugely talented Matt & Jon, playing an acoustic mix of wellknown 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 2:25pm-2:45pm on Stage 2, the Halesworth Ukuleles will be performing toe-tapping rhythms. Sporting bright Hawaiian shirts and a demeanour to match, they'll play a set of popular songs accompanied by Chris Turner on bass and Andrew Hyde on lead electric ukulele.

On Stage 1 at 2:45pm, 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 comprising double bass, guitar, violin, and vocals. They'll be playing an eclectic mix of 'twisted' folk, along with a bit of country and pop, joining us all the way from down south.

At 4:30pm, it's the Blyth River Blues Band. 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, professional standard.

At 6:15pm, the Zig Zag Box Cars (a four-piece band of drums, rhythm and bass guitar, and vocals) will play wellknown popular covers from the 60s, 70s, and maybe some 80s. Formed within the last two years, this group's going from strengthto-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 captures the melodrama and jeopardy of Halesworth market town life. In addition, we have a number of craft and food stalls catering to all preferences and tastes. Of course, The Huntingfield Arms will be providing a full bar. The event runs from 1pm9pm. Tickets can be obtained at a discounted price of £9 from the Huntingfield Arms in advance, or for £10 at the gate on the day. Free parking is available in the field, courtesy of Heveningham Hall. For any queries, please email: huntingfieldhubfest@gmail.com

The Hubfest team: David, Peter, and Jeannette

Old Hall Southwold has welcomed Will Hall, the next generation of the thriving family business, to its management, while Tudor Bakehouse has taken on the management of Old Hall Café & Walks.

Will Hall has joined his mum Bella at Old Hall Southwold

June 14th saw a successful Art in the Barn event, celebrating 40+ local artists

Magical history tour

A mediaeval Irish princess, wodewoses (wild men of the forest!) and secret angels and smiley lions were just some of the amazing characters in the latest Halesworth & District Museum talk! A Magical History Tour, presented by Museum Chair Dave Wollweber, certainly lived up to its title, taking its enthralled audience to rare, unexplained and downright strange objects and places in locations in and around Halesworth. And every stage along the way was illustrated with ancient documents or current photographs.

First stop on the tour was the Brampton Stone, a large upright stone in a rough pasture just south of Brampton Station. Is it a standing stone? Probably not, according to David, more likely a folly or possibly a calcrete (naturally formed concrete). Why not pay it a visit and make up your own mind?

The next stop was a recent find, but of truly ancient origin. The Beccles Iron Age Causeway - a path to the past - was uncovered during modern flood alleviation work, but dates back to around 75BC. It's believed to have carried carts and other traffic across swampy land between Beccles and the River Waveney. It was the third stage in the tour that introduced the mediaeval Irish princess - St. Bega, or St. Bee - reputedly an anchoress who attracted the devotion of Benedictine monks at Rumburgh Priory, now Rumburgh Church. Dave told a rapt audience that Bega is believed to have fled from Viking pirates who sought to marry her to the 'King of Norway'.

Staying close to Halesworth, Dave turned his attention to a site steeped in folklore that many of us will have driven past without noticing. The Lady's Well, Blythburgh is a 19th-century brick and stone arched structure built into the roadside bank near the junction of the A12 and A145. Ilketshall St. Andrew was the next tour destination, where visitors to the church can see mediaeval wall paintings, including a rare example of a Wheel of Fortune, probably from the 1300s. Dave explained that this depiction of life's ups and downs would have been used to demonstrate how God is always at the centre of men's and women's fates.

"A real mystery" is how Dave described Mettingham Castleagain a local treasure that many drive past without much idea of what it means, largely because it is closed to the public. It was built by Sir John de Norwich, who was granted permission to fortify his manor house in 1342. After a chequered history, the castle is reported to have been largely demolished in the 18th century. However, Dave pondered whether the castle had ever been ﬁnished in the ﬁrst place, pointing to the lack of ancient building materials at the site. Did Sir John simply run out of money, he asked.

The tour progressed to Barsham, where many are aware that Admiral Lord Nelson's mother was born in the local rectory. However, Barsham Most Holy Trinity Church is home to further treasures and mysteries. A superb brass efﬁgy of an Agincourt period knight

is believed to represent either Sir Robert de Tye (died 1415) or Sir Thomas de Echingham (died 1460). An even more ancient feature of the church is the Barsham Equinox, whereby at the spring and autumn equinoxes, a beam of sunlight shines through a small tower window and illuminates the rood screen cruciﬁx. This special effect, possibly dating back to the 1300s, remained hidden for centuries. The next show (weather permitting) will be on September 22nd.

A "Victorian atrocity" is how Dave introduced the next stage of the tour. He described a rare wooden effigy, depicting Sir John Heveningham. Since about 1450, it lay in Heveningham Church alongside a similar effigy of Sir John's wife. Both effigies were removed in the 19th century, during restoration work, and consigned to a bonfire. Sir John was rescued, but his wife succumbed to the flames.

A Roman road at Dennington, now a trackway, was next on the agenda. Dave shared an intriguing conjecture that the road might have gone via Halesworth, which could tie in with the conﬁrmed Roman settlement at Wenhaston. Which brings us to the secret

angels and smiley lions - a feature of Halesworth Church. As well as these stone carvings, which can be found hiding behind the organ, there are wodewoses depicted on the font, including (somewhat controversially) a female wodewose.

After this enjoyable journey through the ages, Dave brought the audience forward to the 20th century, with a quick trip around local coastal defences, plus a visit to St Michael's Church South Elmham. The church features no war memorials, for the simple reason that all those who served in both world wars came home unharmed. The village is therefore described as 'doubly thankful'.

The talk ended, after a lively Q&A session, and everyone was invited to attend the next Museum talk, which takes place on July 23rd. Kevin Wooldridge will deliver a talk on: Ancient DNA; What does it tell us about history, archaeology or anything else? As usual, the talk takes place at Halesworth United Reformed Church, Quay Street, Halesworth IP19 8EP. It starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm), and admission costs £8, or £4 for Museum Friends. Pay at the door, no need to book.

Halesworth & District Museum

Smiley lion hiding in St. Mary's Church, Halesworth

ALL MONTH

(until September 29th)

Mixed Summer Exhibition

Southwold Gallery

10am-5pm (open daily).

Showcasing artists such as Raymond Leech, Lynn Muir, Fletcher Prentice, Naomi Brangwyn, Chris Williamson, Kate Faircliffe & more!

AUGUST 1ST

Bramﬁeld Village Fête Village Green, Bridge Meadows, IP19 9HZ

12pm-4pm. (See advert below). Stalls, BBQ, hog roast, children's games, tea & cake, live music!

In aid of St. Andrew's Church, Bramﬁeld Village Hall & Bridge Meadow Playing Field

AUGUST 1ST Hubfest 2026

Millennium Green, Huntingﬁeld

1pm-9pm. Live music from The Annex, Matt & Jon, Steve J Curtis, Zig Zag Box Cars & the Blyth River Blues Band. Bar, street food & stalls. Tickets: £9 (in adv. from The Huntingﬁeld Arms) or £10 on the day at the gate, with free parking incl.

AUGUST 1ST

Reydon Show

Reydon Village Hall

2pm. Celebrating community talents of all ages - A wide range of adult & free children's competition categories, spanning photography, baking, arts, crafts, & gardening.

AUGUST 1ST

The Importance of Being Earnest

Southwold Arts Centre 4pm & 7:30pm. Oscar Wilde's ultimate rom-com of errors. Presented by Aldeburgh Classic Theatre. From £18pp.

AUGUST 1ST

Paddington in Peru Victory Road Recreation Ground, Leiston 6pm (gates open), 7:30pm (film starts). Celebrate 50yrs of Leiston Town Council saving Leiston Film Theatre with a FREE openair screening. Film followed by firework finale to end. Fantastic family event feat. local food & drink stalls. Proudly delivered in partnership with Sizewell C, The Long Shop Museum, & Leiston Events Group.

AUGUST 1ST

High Society (U)

Electric Picture Palace, Southwold *7pm (doors open). Summer Season opening black tie gala screening with bubbles & nibbles. 1956 musical/comedy ﬁlm starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong. Free for Life Members, some additional tickets may be available at £12pp.

AUGUST 2ND, 9TH, 16TH, 23RD & 30TH (Every Sunday)

FREE Yoga

Halesworth Town Park 10am-11am. Fully inclusive, suitable for beginners, family friendly, completely free & open to everybody!

Bramfield Village Fête Village

Saturday 1st August • 12pm-4pm

Black Deek Band

The Pretty Grim Border Morris Dancers

Tea • Cakes • BBQ • Hog Roast Children’s Games • Stalls

In aid of St. Andrew’s Church, Bramfield

Village Hall & Bridge Meadow Playing Field (Sorry No Dogs)

Village Green, Bridge Meadows, IP19 9HZ

AUGUST 2ND

Open Afternoon

Steamworks, Southwold 1pm-4pm. Inviting visitors to explore the Steamworks site with guided tours, miniature railway, shop, & café. 01502 725422.

AUGUST 2ND

Nothing Short of Phenomenal (U)

Thorington Theatre

7pm. Acclaimed ﬁngerstyle guitarist Iago Banet delivers a captivating solo performance, fusing gypsy jazz, blues, folk, & rock into an enthralling "oneman band" acoustic experience. General admission: £28pp.

AUGUST 4TH, 11TH, 18TH & 25TH

(Every Tuesday)

Fitness Class (60+)

Performance Fitness, Halesworth 10am. Improve your strength, balance & mobility in a friendly, supportive environment. Helping the over 60's stay active, independent & conﬁdent in life. Incl. in £22/month membership, but trial class is FREE.

AUGUST 4TH

The Magic Faraway Tree (U)

Electric Picture Palace

*7pm (doors open). 2026 fantasy/ adventure ﬁlm. A modern family relocates to the countryside where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric residents. Starring Andrew Garﬁeld, Claire Foy, Nicola Coughlan.

AUGUST 4TH

Romeo & Juliet (10+)

Thorington Theatre

7:30pm. A powerful, visual, & highly accessible adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet.

General admission: £25pp. AUGUST 5TH

Meet Local Author: Marjoke Henrichs Southwold Library

11am. Meet local kids author Marjoke with her new picture book Again! said Rabbit & bunnythemed crafts! "Rabbit is off to the beach with his parents for a day of non-stop sandcastles, football, & fun. But when a giant wave crashes in & the clouds roll over, will his perfect day be ruined?" Free event, no booking.

AUGUST 5TH

Come & Read to Amber the Therapy Dog Southwold Library

3:30pm-4:30pm (drop in). Amber loves being read to by young readers on the ﬁrst Wed of the month. All children welcome!

AUGUST 5TH

The Sword in the Stone (U) Thorington Theatre

3:30pm. Acclaimed musical adaptation offering a interactive, song-ﬁlled family adventure about friendship & courage. General admission: £20pp.

AUGUST 5TH - 8TH

The Importance of Being Earnest Southwold Arts Centre

4pm & 7:30pm. Oscar Wilde's ultimate rom-com of errors. Presented by Aldeburgh Classic Theatre. From £18pp.

AUGUST 6TH

Party with the Snow Sister Stella Peskett Millennium Hall 11am & 2pm. Party games & magical fun with the Snow Sister from Lucy's Princess Parties. £3 per child, limited spaces, book today! Call: 01502 442817 or visit: ticketsource.co.uk/ southwoldlibrary

AUGUST 6TH

Wish You Were Here (15) Electric Picture Palace, Southwold *7pm (doors open). 1987

BAFTA-award-winning comedy/ drama ﬁlm. In a conservative postwar English town, a young woman (Emily Lloyd) faces the fallout of an unplanned pregnancy with an older acquaintance.

AUGUST 7TH

The Teddy Bear's Picnic Thorington Theatre

11am-12pm. Grab your favourite bear! A joyful, interactive show for ages 2-6 packed with songs, dance, & early learning fun. General admission: £12pp.

AUGUST 7TH

Blyth Poets

'The isle is full of voices' Southwold Library

2:15pm-3:30pm. Poetry group meeting on the ﬁrst Fri every month. All welcome to read/listen. Contributions of original work or well-loved poems welcome. Free, no booking required.

PRODUCE MARKET

Saturday 8th August

St. Mary’s Church, Steeple End, Halesworth, IP19 8LL

For stall enquiries, please contact Geoff on

AUGUST 7TH

H is for Hawk (12A)

Electric Picture Palace

*7pm (doors open). 2025 docudrama ﬁlm. After losing her beloved father, Helen (Claire Foy) ﬁnds herself saved by an unlikely friendship with a stubborn hawk named Mabel.

AUGUST 7TH

The Cursed Ring:

A Viking Saga (10+) Thorington Theatre

7:30pm. An epic, mythical tale of heroes, dragons, & villainous treachery for audiences aged 10+ (younger children welcome at parents' discretion). General admission: £25pp.

AUGUST 8TH

Produce Market

St. Mary's Church, Halesworth 9am-1pm. Local producers, crafts, refreshments. For stall enquiries, contact Geoff: 07818 060876.

AUGUST 8TH

Song Sung Blue (12A) Electric Picture Palace, Southwold

*7pm (doors open). 2025 docudrama musical ﬁlm.

Lightning & Thunder (Kate Hudson & Hugh Jackman), a Milwaukee husband & wife Neil Diamond tribute act, experience musical success & heartbreak.

AUGUST 8TH

The Magic Flute (12+) Thorington Theatre

7pm. Opera Anywhere presents a family-friendly production of Mozart's The Magic Flute sung in English & feat. live, real-time painted illustrations by artists James Mayhew & Toto Martinez. General admission: £32pp.

AUGUST 11TH

The Railway Children (U) Electric Picture Palace, Southwold *7pm (doors open). 1970 ﬁlm. After their father mysteriously vanishes, 3 children move to Yorkshire with their mother & embark on an adventure to uncover the truth.

AUGUST 12TH - 15TH

Love from a Stranger Southwold Arts Centre 4pm & 7:30pm. Agatha Christie mystery-thriller. Presented by Aldeburgh Classic Theatre. From £18pp.

AUGUST 12TH

Meet Local Author: Emma Graham Southwold Library 11am. Meet local kids author Emma Graham with her new picture book Tyranno-ROAR-us Rex & dino-themed crafts! "Rex is loud, grumpy, & upsetting the other dinosaurs - all because of an unreachable itch on his bum. Who will step up to help him?" Free event, no need to book.

AUGUST 12TH

The Architecture for Pleasure Walk

Meet at Town Pump in the Market Place 6pm-7pm. Perambulation & discourse on design. Tickets: £15pp (incl. copy of the book). In aid of the Electric Picture Palace

AUGUST 13TH

My Little Village Stella Peskett Millennium Hall 9:30am, 11am & 1pm. Let your child's imagination run wild in our pop-up role play village for walkers up-to age 5. £4 per child (1hr play). Limited spaces. Book via: 01502 442817 or visit: ticketsource.co.uk/ southwoldlibrary

AUGUST 13TH

Monsieur Hulot's Holiday (U)

Electric Picture Palace

*7pm (doors open). 1953 comedy/ slapstick b/w ﬁlm. Monsieur Hulot comes to a beachside hotel for a vacation & accidentally, but good-naturedly, causes havoc!

AUGUST 14TH

Withnail & I (15)

Electric Picture Palace

*7pm (doors open). 1987 comedy

ﬁlm. 2 sloppy actors (Richard E. Grant & Paul McGann) spend a weekend holiday at an uncle's country cottage.

AUGUST 14TH

The Marriage of Figaro (12+)

Thorington Theatre

7:30pm. Wild Arts presents Mozart's comic opera, in a fast, funny, & English-sung production packed with chaotic romance & glorious melodies. General admission: £32pp.

AUGUST 15TH

Timeless (12+)

Thorington Theatre

7pm. A high-energy journey through generations of music, celebrating danceﬂoor anthems & soul classics from legends like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, & Whitney Houston. General admission: £32pp.

AUGUST 15TH

Mother's Pride (12A)

Electric Picture Palace

*7pm (doors open). 2026 comedy

ﬁlm. A grieving family who own a failing pub have their lives changed by brewing real ale & entering the Great British Beer Awards.

AUGUST 15TH

A Saucerful of Floyd

The Cut, Halesworth

7:30pm. An authentic 4-piece rock outﬁt, like the classic 1970's Floyd. Not a single backing track in sight! If you love Pink Floyd, come for an evening of great music & a fab time! £14pp.

AUGUST 16TH

Steps for Research

Southwold Pier 2pm. Join a fun fancy dress character parade along the promenade & High Street, ﬁnishing with a mass picnic on Southwold Common. This event raises vital funds for The Brain Tumour Charity. Enter individually or a family. For info & entry forms, email: john_huggins@btinternet.com

AUGUST 16TH

The 39 Steps (U) Thorington Theatre 3:30pm. Hitchcock's spy thriller gets a hilarious, fast-paced twist in a madcap stage adaptation feat. 4 actors playing 100+ roles with nonstop physical comedy. General admission: £22pp.

AUGUST 18TH

Yellow Submarine (U) Electric Picture Palace *7pm (doors open). 1968 adventure epic animated ﬁlm. The Beatles agree to accompany Captain Fred in his yellow submarine & go to Pepperland to free it from the music-hating Blue Meanies.

AUGUST 19TH - 22ND & 26TH - 29TH

Show & Tell

Southwold Arts Centre 4pm & 7:30pm. Dark-comedy gold by national treasure Alan Ayckbourn. Presented by Aldeburgh Classic Theatre. From £18pp.

AUGUST 19TH

Seaside Stories & Crafts

Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum 11am & 2pm. Make a sandcastle decorations, surfboard bookmarks & keyrings, crabs & much more! Free stories, games & fun.

AUGUST 20TH

Mini Monsters: Creepy Crawly Roadshow

Stella Peskett Millennium Hall 11am & 2pm. Come meet the mini monsters: minibeasts, reptiles & invertebrates. Find out fascinating facts about the animals before getting up close & personal with each species. £2 per child. For children age 5+. Limited spaces, book today. Call: 01502 442817 or visit: ticketsource.co.uk/ southwoldlibrary

AUGUST 20TH

Professor Slug's House of Bugs (2+) Thorington Theatre 11am-12pm. Packed with colourful puppets & catchy songs. Highly interactive, educational family show where the audience helps solve problems for a house full of eccentric insects. General admission: £12pp.

AUGUST 20TH

East of Ipswich (12) Electric Picture Palace *7pm (doors open). 1987 Michael Palin ﬁlm. During a 1950s Southwold seaside holiday, 17-yrold Richard falls for a fellow teenager, but her troublemaking friend disrupts the romance.

AUGUST 21ST The Wizard of Oz (U) Thorington Theatre 2pm-3pm. DOT Productions presents a fast-paced, 60-min musical adaptation of a timeless family adventure. General admission: £23pp.

AUGUST 21ST

Maze by Torchlight The Old Hall Café, Southwold 6pm-9pm (last entries at 7:30pm). An evening of fun in the maze & garden & family games in the park. Navigate your way around the maze as the sun sets - a fun challenge by torchlight! BYO torches, don't forget! Booking tickets online in adv. is advisable (tickets also available on the night), £9pp, U2's free. Café & pizza kitchen open (prebook tables at: 01502 723091). In aid of the Halesworth branch of Cancer Research UK

AUGUST 21ST

Bread & Tulips (12A) Electric Picture Palace *7pm (doors open). 2000 Italian ﬁlm. After being forgotten in a highway café during a bus trip, a housewife decides to start a new life by herself in Venice. Italian with subtitles.

AUGUST 21ST

Rainey's Revue (12+) Thorington Theatre 7:30pm. Led by saxophonist Richard Exall & pianist Dom Barnett, Rainey's Revue delivers an immersive, top-class musical experience celebrating the classic songs of Ma Rainey & the true essence of vintage jazz clubs. General admission: £32pp.

AUGUST 22ND

Grease - The Sing-along (PG) Electric Picture Palace, Southwold *7pm (doors open). 1978 feelgood romance. The classic ﬁlm starring Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta. >

5pm.

AUGUST 25TH

The Jungle Book (4+) Thorington Theatre

2pm & 5:30pm. A wild, brandnew musical adaptation, feat. original music, larger-than-life characters. A madcap family adventure! General admission: £24pp.

AUGUST 25TH

Fairytale: A True Story (U)

Electric Picture Palace

*7pm (doors open). In 1917, 2 children take a photograph believed by some to be the ﬁrst scientiﬁc proof of fairies. (1997 BAFTA-winning drama)

AUGUST 27TH

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (PG)

Electric Picture Palace

*7pm (doors open). 1988 comedy

ﬁlm. 2 con men (Steve Martin & Michael Caine) try to settle their rivalry by betting on who can swindle a young American heiress out of $50K ﬁrst.

AUGUST 27TH

Thingumajig Puppets (U)

Thorington Theatre

7:30pm. A spectacular collection of street theatre, feat. interactive walkabout characters, short puppet plays, & the stunning, 4m-tall illuminated puppets of Ghost Caribou. General admission: £25pp.

AUGUST 28TH

Mini Market & Café

Blythburgh Church

10:30am-12pm. Gift stalls, homemade cakes, jewellery, clothes, crafts, etc. Refreshments available in the café. Free entrance, large car park, everyone welcome! Last Fri every month (March to October).

AUGUST 28TH

American Grafﬁti (15)

Electric Picture Palace

*7pm (doors open). 1973 comedy

ﬁlm. On their ﬁnal night after 1962 high school graduation, California teens cruise before heading toward separate futures.

AUGUST 28TH - 30TH

Southwold Sounds

Music Festival

Southwold Common

12pm-10pm daily. Brand-new, family-friendly festival bringing 3 days of live music, tributes, & seaside vibes. 2 stages of talent alongside street food, bars, fashion stalls, & children's entertainment. Visitors can drop in for a single day or buy weekend passes. Please note, there's no onsite camping. Book tickets at: longtallproductions.live/ southwold-sounds

AUGUST 28TH - 31ST

Southwold & Reydon Beer Festival

Woodley's Yard, Southwold Hosted by the Southwold & Reydon Constitutional Club, the Beer Fest. is a 4-day Bank Hol. celebration feat. a wide selection of local beers, real ciders, live music, & quiz night. Everyone welcome! 01502 722743.

AUGUST 29TH

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. Raising funds for hall maintenance. New stallholders

always welcome. To book a stall (£10), contact Carol on: 01502 478732 or email: caz-mike@outlook.com

AUGUST 29TH

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (15) Electric Picture Palace *7pm (doors open). 2024 Guy Ritchie sea adventure ﬁlm. The British military recruits a small group of highly skilled soldiers to strike against German forces behind enemy lines during WWII.

AUGUST 29TH

Walk the Road: A Celebration of American Folk Music (12+) Thorington Theatre

7pm. Created & presented by the acclaimed Mark Harrison Band. An uplifting celebration of American folk blues history, taking audiences on an informative & amusing journey from the 1920s Mississippi Delta to the

1960s Newport Folk Festivals. General admission: £32pp.

AUGUST 29TH

The Ballad of Wallis Island (12A) Wrentham Village Hall 7:30pm (doors 6:45pm). 2025 quirky comedy movie. An eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island tries to make his fantasies come true by getting his favourite musicians to perform at his home. £5pp at the door. Wrentham Village Cinema.

AUGUST 30TH

Halesworth (Holton) Airﬁeld Museum Open Day Sparrowhawk Rd, Halesworth 12pm-5pm. Refreshments, military vehicles, book sale (& book signing with Dr. Hattie Hearn), music, & much more. Free admission & parking. For more info, check Facebook page & halesworthairﬁeldmuseum.

co.uk or email: halesworthairﬁeld museum@outlook.com

AUGUST 31ST

Family Fun Day

The Randolph, Reydon 12pm-4pm. Hosted in support of the Alzheimer's Society. An afternoon of family activities, entertainment, games, & refreshments to raise vital funds for people affected by dementia. Free entry.

AUGUST 31ST

The Interpreter (U) Thorington Theatre 8:30pm. Blending storytelling, live music, & visual art, The Interpreter follows a group of silent travellers who must reveal their secrets through tarot cards, feat. artwork by Noriko Okaku, an eclectic live score, & playful audience participation. General admission: £25pp.

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.

*To book tickets for the Electric Picture Palace, Blackmill Road, Southwold, please email: boxofﬁce@ southwoldcinema.co.uk or call: 07815 769565.

All event details are correct to the best of our knowledge at time of printing; however, we recommend checking with organisers before you travel to conﬁrm the latest info.

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. 706808

Your warm welcome awaits at Halesworth Slimming World

Have you been thinking about losing weight? Here are a few words from one of my Halesworth members:

"I started my Slimming World journey 15 months ago after a few failed attempts at other "diets". It really is the best thing I've done! Yes, I was very nervous about going through the door as I suffer with anxiety and didn't know anyone, but I was determined to do it! Meeting Bev, the group leader, put me at ease and the other members gave me such a warm welcome too!

I make sure I stay to group every week as it's helped me so much to learn about myself as a slimmer and I pick up lots of helpful hints and tips about food!

The group is such a friendly bunch and you are guaranteed to have a laugh as well as being welcomed with open arms each week. With the help of Bev and the group (who have become good friends), I've definitely come a long way since joining - now heading towards five stone lighter and still going strong! This year I will feel so much more confident when I go on holiday! I'd urge anyone reading this to "just do it!" Take the first step - I'm so glad I did and I promise you won't regret it."

We're welcoming new and returning members every Tuesday - we also love having visitors in group too so if you're on holiday in the area, come and see us to

stay on track!

If you're taking weight loss medication, we can support you to embed the essential lifestyle and mindset changes alongside the medication to ensure you maximise nutrition in the smaller portions you might fancy now and keep your body strong as you lose weight - all for a ﬁt and healthy future! Either way, please feel free to get in touch if you'd like to ﬁnd out more or just come along on Tuesday.

Our groups run at: 9:30am, 5:30pm and 7pm at the Halesworth Day Centre, The Old Courthouse, London Road, Halesworth IP19 8LW. For more information, contact Bev on: 07912 849995.

An update from the Halesworth branch of Cancer Research UK

Regrettably, we had to cancel our street collection which was due to take place in Halesworth outside Coopers and The Angel on June 26th because of the incredible weather. With temperatures above 30 degrees, it'd have been extremely foolhardy to go ahead.

Our next predicted heatwave may be over when you read this, but with increasingly frequent spells of hot weather, here are some tips from Cancer Research to stay safe in the sun:

on June 27th inside the Co-op, as it was lovely and cool in the store. We'd like to thank everyone at the Co-op for letting us hold the collection. Thank you also to everyone who popped some money into our collecting goblets, raising £188.77.

Our next big event will be The Maize Maze by Torchlight on August 21st at The Old Hall Café, Southwold, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm.

Halesworth Harmony

Now on Tuesdays!

Halesworth Harmony's rehearsal day and time are changing.

Following many years of Sunday morning practices, starting from the new choir year in September, our rehearsals will be held approximately fortnightly on Tuesday evenings, 7pm-9pm, usually at The Cut in Halesworth.

So if Sunday morning singing wasn't your thing, why not give us

a go on a Tuesday evening? You don't need to be able to read music and your ﬁrst session is free. We look forward to welcoming both new and returning members for an enjoyable year of singing together. More details about rehearsal dates will be available in due course. For further information, please email: halesworth.harmony @gmail.com

Healing in the heart of Suffolk

Holistic therapies from

• Apply SPF30+ sun cream and reapply regularly throughout the day.

• Stay in the shade where you can.

• Stay hydrated; drink water little and often, and don't wait until you're thirsty.

• Stay out of the sun in the hottest part of the day (11am-3pm).

• Wear loose clothing made from breathable fabrics like cotton/ linen.

Later life can be enjoyed in style at our hotel-style care home, where a happy and homely

Are you looking to grow your business and find new customers?

• Wear a hat and sunglasses when outdoors.

Now for some good news! We did go ahead with our collection

We also want to say a big thank you to everyone on the committee at Holton Village Hall for inviting us to have a stall at their Classic Car Day on June 21st. It was a fantastic day with beautiful weather, lots of classic cars, lovely food, and plenty of happy people. It was a very successful event, and we raised a brilliant £170 on our Cancer Research stall.

At the time of writing, we're halfway through our week in the I-Chameleon pop-up shop in The Thoroughfare (July 2nd-8th). We had a very successful plant day on Friday with Jane Bastow from The Laburnums, and another highly successful cake day on Saturday - thank you, Gill and Paula! More on this in the next edition of Community News.

Tickets can be pre-booked via their website nearer the time (please keep an eye out for when tickets go live) or purchased in person at The Old Hall Café. We will have some traditional fête games, including the everpopular Welly Wanging, Marbles in a Flowerpot, and Quoits, alongside a few stalls. Please note that our games and stalls will be cash-only; we apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you everyone for continuing to support our fundraising events and helping Cancer Research UK in their truly amazing, groundbreaking work to beat cancer.

Dawn Davis, 01986 873640

Here at First Choice Home Care Halesworth, we're always looking to take on empathetic, compassionate Carers. We're a continuously growing team, who always require the most caring people who enjoy making a di erence to someone's day. We o er:

• £14.25hr & 35p per mile mileage.

• Ongoing training

• Free uniform & DBS

• PPE

• Flexibilty in the days you work

As a branch, we pride ourselves on our open door policy, where we encourage all sta to come in have a chat, cup of tea in between calls. 01986 800227 www.ﬁrstchoicehomecare.co.uk

From the stunning coastlines of Norfolk and Suffolk to the rolling hills of Warwickshire, we help you uncover the very best of where you are with our Town & Village Guides.

At Community News, we’re immensely proud of our partnership with local Town and Parish Councils. Together, we’ve produced 28+ bespoke guides (and counting!) across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Oxfordshire, and Warwickshire.

Your Essential Local Companion

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, our guides are designed to be your go-to resource for:

Things to See & Do • Retail & Leisure

Partner with us: Grow your business

Are you a local business owner?

Our guides offer a unique opportunity to put your brand in front of a dedicated local and tourist audience. High Impact: 5,000+ copies printed and distributed per guide.

Glorious sunshine, hundreds of pink tractors and thousands of cheering supporters combined to make this year's Pink Ladies' Tractor Road Run one of the most memorable in the event's 22-year history.

More than 180 women, driving almost 200 tractors of every shape, size and age, took to the roads of south Norfolk and north Suffolk on Sunday (July 5th), creating a spectacular sea of pink in aid of Cancer Research UK's breast cancer appeal.

From vintage classics to modern machines, every tractor was decorated in pink, while drivers of all ages embraced the occasion with colourful outﬁts, balloons, ribbons and bunting as they completed the 20-mile charity route.

The countryside was transformed into a festival of pink as thousands of supporters lined roads, villages, gardens and laybys, waving banners, cheering the convoy and making generous donations throughout the day.

Organiser Annie Chapman said the atmosphere had been "absolutely incredible". "What an amazing day. The weather couldn't have been kinder and seeing so many people lining the route to cheer us on was simply overwhelming. The support we receive every year is phenomenal, but this year's event felt extra special. To see ladies of all ages driving such a wonderful variety of tractors, all united by one goal, was incredibly emotional. We're so grateful to

everyone who took part, donated, volunteered, welcomed us into their villages and stood by the roadside to support us. This event belongs to everyone."

Since it began as a one-off fundraiser in 2004, the Pink Ladies' Tractor Road Run has raised more than £1.36 million for Cancer Research UK's breast cancer appeal.

Organisers are now hopeful that, once all sponsorship, roadside collections and donations have been counted, this year's event will take the overall fundraising total beyond the incredible £1.5 million milestone.

The ﬁnal fundraising total for 2026 will be announced in September.

Annie added: "While the tractors may have been parked away for another year, fundraising certainly hasn't stopped. There is still time for people to donate

and help us reach our ambitious £1.5 million target. Every single pound raised helps fund lifesaving breast cancer research, and we're asking anyone who enjoyed watching the run or who would simply like to support the cause to make a donation if they can."

Anyone wishing to support this year's Pink Ladies' Tractor Road Run can still donate online before the ﬁnal total is announced in September. Donations can be made by scanning the QR code above or visiting the fundraising website: fundraise. cancerresearchuk.org/unite/pinkladies-tractor-road-run-2026

Organisers would like to thank TMO and Cadent for their huge help in modifying and managing the roadworks in Harleston to get the run through the town quickly and safely.

For more information, visit: ladiestractorroadrun.co.uk

Update from Blyth Valley Parkinson's Support Group

In June, we had a very interesting and informative talk by a representative from Disability Advice Suffolk. They have so much information at their ﬁngertips that anyone with a query about help with disabilities can contact them for advice.

We recently had our Annual Garden Meeting on July 16th.

On August 13th at 10:30am in Holton Village Hall, we shall have a visit from the local Parkinson's Nurse, all are welcome.

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 a relevant subject, as well as time to chat and share experiences over a cup of tea/ coffee.

Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings. If you'd like any further information, please contact either: Margaret: 01502 478502 margaret@wrush.plus. com or Gail: 01502 817004 aandgattﬁeld@btinternet.com

Edgar Sewter Playschool news

A warm, nurturing environment for early years learning and play. Playschool at Edgar Sewter School

Our established independent, Ofsted-registered 'Good' Playschool is a great start for two-year-olds, providing a warm, nurturing "home from home" environment run by qualiﬁed, experienced early years practitioners. We have a purposebuilt setting with lots of outdoor space to explore and enjoy.

We follow Early Years

Foundation Stage guidance and are very proud indeed of the great progress our two and three-yearolds have made with us over the last school year.

If you're in receipt of a Golden Ticket, please give us a ring and arrange a visit for a September start. We can offer 15-hour and 30-hour funded places and are open term-time, Monday to Friday.

We've been described as 'a gem of a playschool'. Many children who come to us go on to use our breakfast, after-school and

holiday clubs once they reach four years old. Over the 27 years we've been established, we've built up some lovely relationships with children, parents and extended families. With each child, we really look forward to helping them develop, ﬂourish and enjoy playing and learning whilst with us.

Out of School & Holiday Club

We're open from July 20th to August 21st for holiday club, with ﬂexible start and ﬁnish times from 8 am each day to suit individual needs.

Our breakfast and after-school clubs will resume in September. We wish all our families a happy, fun-ﬁlled summer, and send our best wishes to children joining new classes and moving up to new schools.

We're registered for tax-free childcare and welcome children from four years and up from all schools. To visit, book a place or ﬁnd further information, please ring us anytime on 0779 6044277 or email: esplayschool@ gmail.com. We look forward to welcoming you!

Annie Chapman MBE (Organiser)

Pink Ladies Tractor Run 2025

Alberts Dairy reflects on a wonderful first year!

What a year it's been celebrating our ﬁrst anniversary at Alberts Dairy! This historic barn has been in our family since the 1950s, originally run by Albert, a WWI veteran. To save it from ruin, we lovingly restored it into an eco-friendly, high-quality retreat. When we ﬁrst opened our doors a year ago, we hoped people would come here to rest, recharge, and enjoy the peace of Suffolk. Seeing that dream become a reality has been truly special.

A year of unforgettable stories

That history has now paved the way for a vibrant present.

Over the past year, we've had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful mix of people, all with their own stories and reasons for staying.

Time and again, guests have told us how much they value the quiet escape we offer. We have welcomed:

• Milestone celebrations: A truly delightful couple celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, returning to an area ﬁlled with memories from their younger days.

• Family and events: Guests

attending local weddings, meaningful family reunions, and major local events, including the excitement surrounding the nearby Ed Sheeran concert.

• Quiet retreats: Students seeking a peaceful space to focus on their studies and dissertations, and families who chose to spend a cosy Christmas here, creating new traditions.

Each visit's brought something unique, and it's been a privilege to be a small part of our guests' moments. Naturally, restoring this building has enhanced rather than harmed the intrinsic value of the countryside, and we love sharing the wealth of what is available right on our doorstep.

Thank you to everyone who has stayed with us and shared in this journey. We're so lucky to live in this beautiful part of the country, and we look forward to another year of warm welcomes, quiet escapes, and many more stories to come.

Want to experience it for yourself?

For further information or to book your stay, contact Trudie on: 07949 672923.

Local charity open Europe's first elephant sanctuary

The Pangea Trust, a local charity based in Wenhaston, has just opened the gates to the ﬁrst large-scale elephant sanctuary in Europe. Its 1,000acre reserve in the Alentejo region of Portugal exists to help zoos and circuses rehome elephants in need.

Julie (Portugal's last circus elephant) became Pangea's ﬁrst resident last month. Taken from the wild in southern Africa as a young calf, she spent more than 40 years performing in a Portuguese circus before a national ban on wild animals came into force in 2024. Her owners agreed to rehome her to Pangea, where she is already thriving.

She will soon be joined by Kariba, another female African elephant, wild-caught in the 1980s and currently living alone at a zoo in Belgium.

Julie's habitat is already more than ten times the size of an average European zoo enclosure, and Pangea are now raising funds

open a further 70 acres to give her space to roam this year. Find out more or support Pangea at: pangeatrust.org

Julie's ﬁrst day in her new habitat at Pangea Image credit: Pangea Elephant Sanctuary - Wade Million

Pangea Elephant Sanctuary

Collecting our Highly Commended award for the Treatment to Prevention category

Award wins, new hours, and pop-up success for HDCF

August news from Halesworth Dementia Carers' Fund

(HDCF). Day Centre now open on Wednesdays

We're pleased to share that our Day Centre is now open on Wednesdays as well, giving families living with dementia even more support through the week. If you'd like to know more about places, times, or how to get involved, please get in touch with us.

Highly Commended at the Norfolk & Suffolk Health & Care Awards 2026

We're delighted to announce another award for our work!

HDCF Volunteers were Highly Commended in the 'Treatment to Prevention' category at the Norfolk & Suffolk Health & Care Awards 2026, recognition of the difference this project makes for local families.

A huge thank you to everyone involved: our volunteers, carers, and supporters. This achievement belongs to all of you.

i-Chameleon Pop-Up Shop

August 20th-26th

Donations needed

HDCF is requesting donations for our annual pop-up shop, held at i-Chameleon on the Thoroughfare

from August 20th-26th, to raise funds for our award-winning work supporting the community.

We're looking for:

• Plant pots (not plastic) and plants

• Designer clothes

• Good quality children's clothes

• Branded leisure wear

• Good quality jewellery

• China and glassware

• Cakes (to be donated on August 21st)

Please bring your donations (except cake) to the Patrick Stead Day Centre on August 13th, between 10am-2pm. If you'd like us to collect your items, or can pledge a cake, please call Anna on 07721 842802.

Peasenhall Open Gardens

A wonderful total of £690 was raised for us at Peasenhall Open Gardens. Thank you so much to the organisers for such a lovely weekend, and to everyone who visited and supported the event. Can you help?

Volunteers needed

We're looking for volunteers to help with our events, or for someone who could run an event on our behalf, which we'd be happy to support. If you have an idea, some spare time, or would simply like to get involved, we would love to hear from you.

Tribute to Kathleen Iris Page Kay Goddard

The local dance and theatre community mourn the loss of Kathleen Iris Page, affectionately known to generations of pupils as Kay Goddard.

Kay passed away peacefully Wednesday June 24th at the White House Care Home in Beccles.

Kay's remarkable life inspired a lifelong love of dance, theatre and performance in thousands of young people across Suffolk and beyond.

Beginning her teaching career shortly after the end of WWII, Kay built one of the region's most respected and enduring dance schools. With unwavering dedication, she travelled each week to teach in Halesworth, Saxmundham, Framlingham, Leiston, Diss and Woodbridge, sharing her passion for ballet, tap, modern, jazz and musical theatre with generations of aspiring dancers.

Kay's career was one of extraordinary commitment. She continued teaching until the age of 85, retiring after an incredible 68 years devoted to dance education.

In that time, she became far more than a dance teacher; she was a mentor, role model, conﬁdant and friend to countless young people and their families.

Her inﬂuence extended far beyond East Anglia. Many of Kay's former pupils went on to perform professionally on Broadway, in London's West End, on television, in summer seasons and aboard international cruise ships. Others achieved distinction as soloists with The Royal Ballet, while many followed in her footsteps as dance teachers, passing on the values and love of dance she instilled in them.

Yet professional success

was never how Kay measured achievement. She believed every child deserved the chance to discover confidence, discipline, creativity and joy through dance.

Whether a pupil dreamed of the world's greatest stages or simply danced for the love of it, Kay encouraged each one with equal warmth, patience and enthusiasm. Her classes created lasting friendships, treasured memories and a sense of belonging that endured long after the ﬁnal curtain call.

Known for her wonderful sense of humour, captivating storytelling and infectious enthusiasm, Kay had the rare gift of making every student feel seen, valued and capable of more than they imagined.

Her warmth, kindness and high standards earned the respect and affection of generations of families, many of whom entrusted not only their children but later their grandchildren to her care.

Kay's legacy is measured not only by the remarkable careers she helped launch, but by the thousands of lives she enriched.

Her inﬂuence continues every time a former pupil steps into a dance studio, teaches a class, takes to the stage or remembers with affection the lessons she taught both in dance and in life.

She leaves behind a community of grateful students, colleagues,

families and friends who will forever cherish the memories she created and the opportunities she gave so generously. We mourn her passing deeply, and her life remains one of dedication, generosity, artistry and service. Her contribution to dance education will not be forgotten.

Donations in Kay's memory, if desired, may be made to the Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund, a charity close to her heart, helping to support those within the dance profession she loved throughout her life.

Kathleen Iris Page (Kay Goddard) leaves a legacy that will continue to dance through the lives of generations to come.

"Kay always believed that every child could shine. Her gift was not simply teaching danceit was helping people discover conﬁdence, discipline and joy. We were incredibly fortunate to have known her, and her legacy will live on in every life she touched."

- Coral Stebbings, friend and colleague

Halesworth Dementia Carers' Fund

Badges, beach parties, and big celebrations at Brownies!

We've been up to lots, and it's been a busy Summer Term!

We welcomed Bella, Beatrice, and Martha at the start of term, who have now all made their promise. Congratulations, girls! We hope you enjoy your time with us at Brownies.

We belatedly celebrated 100 years of World Thinking Day by making cards to send to 6th Herne Bay Brownies, who also kindly sent us some cards. It was interesting to learn what they've been up to.

We held a Squirrel party on April 21st to celebrate Squirrel (Sarah) having achieved her ﬁve years as a leader with us at Brownies. We enjoyed squirrel cupcakes and had lots of fun

playing Squirrel-themed games, including pin the tail on the squirrel! Squirrel used to be a Brownie with us and also a Guide, so this was a very special celebration.

The girls have been working hard this term and have successfully completed two interest badges: Kindness and Birdwatching. The Kindness badge included completing acts of kindness, doing good turns at home and at school, and being kind to each other. We worked on creating a kindness tree with leaves that have kind words and messages on them. We also painted some stones with kind thoughts and messages and hid them in the town park - have you

seen one? For our Birdwatching badge, we made bird feeders, went on a walk in the town park to look for birds, and decorated some bird sun catchers to hang at home. With the lovely weather this term, we've had fun getting out and about. We enjoyed some

evenings in the park playing parachute games and bird watching, and when it was rather too hot to venture out, we decorated biscuits and enjoyed chips at church. We celebrated the end of term with a Summer Beach party!

We hope everyone has a lovely summer holiday! We look forward to welcoming you all back in September, when we'll be able to show you the new Brownie uniform, which is due to be unveiled later this month. Karen & Sarah

Halesworth WI

A fine June day out in Horning

At the Halesworth WI, we set off on a ﬁne June morning for our annual outing. Fortunately, the weather was neither too hot nor too cold, and it wasn't raining.

We travelled on the two Hoppa buses, driven by John and Colin, to Horning, arriving in time for coffee and an early lunch before boarding a large boat for a trip down the river.

The driver of the boat gave

a running commentary of the riverside properties we passed (some more palatial than others) and pointed out various birds and wildlife on the river banks before we returned after an hour and a half.

We then headed home, stopping for a tea break on the way at a farm café and shop. We thanked our excellent drivers, John and Colin, for an enjoyable trip out.

Pear Tree Fund

What's on and recent highlights

Catch up on our recent community highlights and see what exciting events are coming up next at the Pear Tree Fund.

New Long-Term Health

Conditions Wellbeing Group

We have a new group to support people in managing their long-term health conditions to improve wellbeing. The group takes a holistic approach and is an evidence-based programme focusing on four core pillars:

• Sleep: Developing healthy habits, rest, and recovery routines.

• Nutrition: Eating for energy, balance, and long-term health.

• Movement: Finding safe, accessible ways to stay active.

• Stress Management: Learning tools for calm, focus, and resilience.

If this group may beneﬁt you in managing a long-term health condition, please contact the centre for more information.

A fantastic month of events!

• Valerie's Art Sale: On the weekend of June 13th/14th, Valerie hosted an Art Show from her garden, showcasing her incredible work. The Pear Tree Centre supported Valerie on her grief journey, and she took part in our art therapy course.

Fast forward several months and she has created over 60 inspiring pieces! Thank you to everyone who visited and made a purchase; Valerie raised an incredible £200 for our charity.

• Seva runs the Lowestoft 10k for our charity! Our lovely Centre Manager took part in the Lowestoft 10K. Seva showed true grit and determination, completing the course in one hour and 18 minutes. Thank you to Seva for putting herself through it all! Everyone's generosity has certainly made it worthwhile, as her current fundraising total stands at a fabulous £2,679.

• Holton Car Show (June 21st) Thank you to all who came along to a fantastic Father's Day car show! We attended with our information stand and Pear Tree game. Thank you to Val and

Sylvia for giving up their time for our charity, and to the Holton village hall committee for the invitation to join. We raised £75.

• Heveningham Hall Country Fair (June 27th & 28th) A big thank you to everyone who visited our stand and purchased 50/50 tickets to support our charity. The winner for Saturday went away with an incredible £915.35, and Sunday's winner took home an outstanding £1,250. A huge shout-out to Barb Kell for working tirelessly to organise this fundraiser, and to all our fantastic volunteers who helped. Our amazing fundraising total was £2,164. Exciting upcoming events!

• August 1st, 12pm-3:30pm, Highfield House in the Sun: Our Dee's Den charity shop will be attending with lots of bargains to be had. Highfield House will have live music, a raffle, a BBQ, and an ice cream van, along with alpacas from the farm and a visit from Wild Encounters. It will be fun for all the family! • August 28th, Charity Golf Day at Halesworth Golf Club: Our 11th annual golf day is set to be an incredible day of golf, with a limited number of team entry spots still available. Tickets are £50pp to play, including a bacon bap, tea/coffee, and a twocourse lunch at the golf club. If you'd like to play and support our charity, please email: beth. yates@peartreefund.org to secure your space. Sponsorship packages are also still available; please contact Beth if your business would like to support us and market themselves at the event.

• September 11th, 7pm, Sea Shanties from The Longshore Men with fish and chip supper at The Queens Head, Bramfield. Tickets are now on sale! Tickets are £22 and available from The Queens Head, Bramfield. The price includes an evening of entertainment by the Longshore Men and a delicious fish and chip supper. This will be held in the garden if the weather is nice, and inside if not.

Valerie's Art Sale in June raised a fantastic £200!

2nd Halesworth Brownies

Squirrel party

local

Victory Road Recreational Ground

Marmalade at the ready!

Leiston to host free open-air screening of Paddington in Peru

Get the marmalade sandwiches ready - Leiston is gearing up to host a free open-air screening of Paddington in Peru this summer!

ﬁreworks ﬁnale to round off the celebrations.

play park on Old Station Road in Halesworth, and to meet Neri Harris, the local resident who was the driving force behind its regeneration. My thanks go to East Suffolk Council, Halesworth Town Council, and to Neri and the other local residents whose commitment made this fantastic new facility possible!

Adrian Ramsay MP

Delivered in partnership with Sizewell C, The Long Shop Museum and Leiston Events Group, the event will celebrate 50 years since the Town Council saved the much-loved Leiston Film Theatre.

Taking place at Victory Road

Recreational Ground on August 1st, the event promises a bear-y special evening, complete with food and drink stalls and a

Wayne Burns (General Manager of Leiston Film Theatre) said: "I'm so pleased that our community can gather together to celebrate the fact that our town is home to Suffolk's oldest cinema. The council made a bold move in 1976 when they effectively saved the town's cinema, not only securing the venue's continuation, but also as a major asset for Leiston. It's not always been easy, but Leiston Film Theatre remains, thanks to the council's ongoing commitment and belief in its cultural importance."

said: "We're incredibly proud to sponsor this special event and to play a part in celebrating such an important milestone for Leiston. The Film Theatre holds a unique place in the town's history, and it will be wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate its legacy in such a memorable way. Events like this create lasting memories for families and bring people closer together, and we're honoured to support an evening that showcases the very best of community spirit."

Today, the cinema continues to bring people together, standing as both a historic landmark and a thriving community asset at the heart of Leiston.

Paddington in Peru was selected by the community through a vote on Leiston Film Theatre's Facebook page. The much-loved bear triumphed over strong competition from Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch, and A Minecraft Movie

Marjorie Barnes (Head of Public Relations at Sizewell C)

Originally opened as the Leiston Picture House in October 1914, Leiston Film Theatre has been a cornerstone of the town's cultural life for 111 years. After a decline in cinema attendance in the 1970s, the venue was saved from closure in 1976 by the Town Council, which has since invested in carefully updating the building to meet the expectations of today's audiences.

Nicky Corbett (Mayor of Leiston) said: "Leiston-cumSizewell Town Council is justiﬁably proud to be responsible for the continued longevity of our fantastic Leiston Film Theatre. Thanks to the foresight of our predecessors back in 1976, the venue continues to be our Council's jewel in the crown.

This celebration will no doubt be an outstanding success and it's great to see how joint working between our sponsors Sizewell C, the Town Council and the Leiston Events Group has resulted in such a tremendous, family event for our town. We can all look forward to an exciting evening. Marmalade sandwiches are optional, of course." Gates open at 6pm, with the ﬁlm starting at 7:30pm. Fireworks will begin shortly after the ﬁlm ends.

Halesworth ASH screens The People's Emergency Briefing to a packed house!

The People's Emergency Briefing film, hosted by Chris Packham, screened to a capacity audience at Westhall Village Hall on one of the hottest evenings of the year and kept conversation going (and drink flowing) at the neighbouring community-owned pub, The Racehorse, until closing time!

The screening, organised by Halesworth Area Sustainability Hub (ASH) as part of its regular "Green Films" strand, is the ﬁrst showing within the Blyth Valley area. Jim Green (Chair of Halesworth ASH) said, "This ﬁlm raises such important questions that we very much hope it will spawn more screenings in our area."

Trustee Rachel Kellett opened the screening, setting a tone for the evening that focused on solutions whilst recognising the challenges that lie ahead - not least "the loud voice of the fossil fuel industry." She shared an observation that was very close to

home: "It's important to recognise initiatives already in place. Right here, there's solar on the roof of the Village Hall as well as the pub next door - free electricity contributes to the ﬁnancial sustainability of both places. Can we do more of this on our community-owned buildings?"

The ﬁlm comprises a series of short pieces to camera from experts in a range of ﬁelds. The "man from the military," Lieutenant General Richard Nugee, looked at the implications of climate breakdown for national security and was met with a reaction of "shock, anger and vulnerability." This was balanced to some extent by a response to former FCO economist Angela Francis: "Good to hear some positives, that we can make a differencewe don't hear this often enough."

Views from the ﬂoor included: "Food security is key. We need to be lobbying our MPs; otherwise, those with

the most money and influence get to dictate." From a self-help perspective, another attendee noted, "This is desperate, we need to explore communitybased sharing of resources and look at doing things collectively. Clean power is an obvious starting point." The concern, "This is a global issue, what difference can we make, there are just too many people," was counteracted by "Relief that the film is being shownnow everyone can know how serious this is," and a final plea for, "Subsidies for solar panels, please!"

Halesworth ASH Trustee and Westhall resident Kim Hoare said, "We were delighted to have farmers in the room (at the height of harvest!), they play a key role in enabling positive change, with access to land to help address food security, carbon sequestration and community energy projects, which the film showed us are critical to creating resilient communities. We're looking forward to continuing the conversation with the farmers and other villagers who want to act on what they've learned from the film. We're delighted that there will be a further screening of the film in Halesworth in September and are happy to talk to others in neighbouring villages about hosting their own film screenings and conversations."

Trustee Nick Hoare added, "We have very recently heard the exciting news that Halesworth ASH has been selected to receive local government support for initiating community energy projects! We're in the process of understanding the next steps for the town and surrounding villages that might be interested; it means we'll be in a great position to support local community energy initiatives with access to practical support and guidance through the preliminary stages. We'd be happy to hear from anyone who wants to be involved in making a difference! Let us know through our website: halesworthash.com."

Unlock the full potential of your accountant

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Technology and automation

The technology utilised by accountants and finance functions has evolved hugely in recent times. We utilise advanced software to automate routine tasks, providing more accurate and timely financial information, and freeing up time & resources to focus on the strategic advice that can add value to your business. These same processes apply to internal finance functions – a review by your accountant can highlight areas of improvement.

Tax efﬁciency and compliance

While tax compliance is a well-known service, accountants can also help with tax planning. This involves structuring your ﬁnances in a way that minimises tax liabilities

and ensures compliance with ever-changing tax laws. By staying proactive, you can avoid surprises and take advantage of available deductions and credits.

Business growth and development

For business owners, accountants should play a crucial role in growth and development. We analyse financial data to identify trends, strengths and weaknesses. This helps you make informed decisions about where to cut costs, where to invest and how to improve profitability and cashflow. Accountants can assist in creating budgets, forecasting future performance and securing financing.

Building a trusted relationship

Working with an accountant should be seen as a partnership. A good accountant takes the time to understand your unique situation, goals, and challenges. This relationship is built on trust and open communication, ensuring that you receive personalised advice and support. This also means the advice provided can be proactive rather than reacting to situations that have already occurred. Take another look

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- Liz Lockwood (pictured), Director, Ensors Accountants LLP

This information is given by way of general guidance only, and no action should be taken based solely on the information contained herein. No liability is accepted by the ﬁrm for any actions taken without seeking appropriate professional advice.

Sizewell C's second Annual Sustainability Report reveals progress on delivering environmental, social, and economic benefits

On July 6th, Sizewell C has published its second Annual Sustainability Report. The report includes Sizewell C's sustainability performance indicators to track progress against long-term targets in areas such as nature, climate, employment, workforce diversity, and waste diversion.

A year on from its inaugural Sustainability Report, the 2026 report reveals Sizewell C has now spent £4.89bn with more than 1,000 UK suppliers, including £1.35bn across the East of England alone.

The project has also created 120 apprenticeships to date, 80 of which are for people from Suffolk. More than 2,000 people are now working on site, with over a third coming from the local area.

The report also highlights progress in supporting local communities. The Sizewell C Community Fund has now provided more than £3.9 million to local projects, while the Sizewell Creative programme

expanded to 27 events across eight locations. The launch of the Site Social Beneﬁts Forum is also helping connect local projects with the supply chain to maximise the social value delivered through the project.

Alongside community beneﬁts, Sizewell C is committed to leaving a positive environmental legacy. The project is targeting a 19% biodiversity net gain (nearly twice the national requirement) with recent assessments suggesting this could be even higher through improved habitat connectivity once the construction site has been restored back to nature and the new habitats have matured. Early signs are encouraging, with successful breeding of natterjack toads, increased marsh harrier activity, and sightings of rare species such as the grayling butterﬂy across the project's nature reserves.

Previously, Tony Juniper, CBE Chair of Natural England, applauded Sizewell C's commitment to nature, stating:

"This joint approach to ﬁnding strategic solutions for nature has enabled this complex, major infrastructure project to proceed on schedule. When we take this kind of action up front, we can secure big wins for Britain's energy security, whilst restoring nature."

The report also demonstrates how Sizewell C is reducing its environmental impact through both circular economy and carbon reduction initiatives. More than 53,000 tonnes of recycled concrete aggregate from Sizewell A and B have been reused on the project, while a commitment to keep construction emissions below 2.1MtCO2e will be achieved through eliminating diesel from site by 2030, using 100% low-carbon electricity, and increasing the use of lowercarbon materials.

The Annual Sustainability Report has been published alongside Sizewell C's 2025/26 Annual Report and Accounts.

Campsite comedy to debut at Leiston Film Theatre

A brand-new comedy drama is to premiere at the Leiston Film Theatre in September and tickets are already selling well.

Mourning Campers has been written by Leiston Film Theatre manager Wayne Burns and is being brought to the stage under his 'Team B Productions' banner, who are also responsible for creating the venue's popular annual pantomimes.

Mourning Campers is set in a Suffolk holiday camp in the 1980s and follows the drama behind the scenes and on stage at Archers Holiday Camp. At a time when the package holiday is growing in popularity, what can be done to keep the campers coming?

Thankfully, the campsite owner has an idea and it's now up to the staff to make it a success.

The idea for this comedy drama, which is deemed suitable for ages 16+, came literary out of the blue - 35,000 feet off the ground! "We were returning home from Florida in 2017 and I grabbed a few airline serviettes and scribbled various notes about possible characters, their mannerisms and a potential storyline to help me through the ﬂight! These notes then sat in my box until 2024, when I ﬁnally started work on a draft script in earnest." said Wayne, who originally hoped to bring the show to the stage in 2025, but ended up postponing it until 2026, as he

wasn't happy about one section of the script.

Wayne was a huge fan of the 1980s BBC sit-com Hi-de-Hi and in 2016 met Jeffrey Holland, who played the comedian Spike Dickson in the hit TV series. "I told Jeffrey that I was hoping to write a script about a Suffolk holiday camp and he wholeheartedly encouraged me to do it - so I did!" said Wayne.

The report captures a year of important milestones, such as Final Investment Decision (FID) and Financial Close, which saw Sizewell C become the ﬁrst UK nuclear project ﬁnanced under the Regulated Asset Base model and to secure investment-grade credit rating.

Nigel Cann, Sizewell C CEO, said: "Sustainability is one of the most important measures of Sizewell C's success. It's at the heart of the commitments we've made to the country, to local communities, to our people, and to nature. This, our second Sustainability Report, is a vital temperature check for our project, demonstrating the progress we've made in our pledge to deliver infrastructure differently.

"As our work ramps up over the coming years, we'll continue to ensure that sustainability remains the golden thread that unites everything we do - leaving communities, businesses, and our country with a better future."

"Mourning Campers is something very different for us all and requires a different discipline from those performing on stage. It's a very exciting exercise for us and there's already a lot of interest in this particular production." said Wayne.

Mourning Campers appears live at the Leiston Film Theatre on Friday 25th, Saturday and Sunday 27th September 2026. Tickets are available from the venue box ofﬁce on 01728 830549 and via the Leiston Film Theatre website at: leistonﬁlmtheatre.co.uk

Wayne has been busy buying up authentic props for the production, as well as making a custombuilt set for the play - on top of working on Team B Productions next family pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, which appears at the Leiston Film Theatre in January 2027.

Brass on the Grass 2026 brings live brass band music to Halesworth Town Park

Blyth Valley Rotary Club's inaugural Brass on the Grass concert brought music, community spirit, and a summer atmosphere to Halesworth Town Park on July 4th.

Accompanied by warm temperatures, visitors enjoyed an afternoon of excellent live brass band music in the park's relaxed setting. The band's varied programme was well suited to a summer afternoon and was warmly received by those who attended.

The event followed weeks of planning by a small team of Rotary members, Friends of Rotary, and volunteers. Stalls, gazebos, and bunting helped transform the park into an inviting venue, and many visitors commented on the welcoming atmosphere. Kelly from Halesworth Town Council praised the event's appearance and the calm, summery ambience created by the organisers. One organiser said, "Seeing the park ﬁlled with music, smiles, and people enjoying themselves made all the hard work worthwhile."

Refreshments, crepes, ice creams, and pizza proved popular

throughout the afternoon, while the teddy stall attracted visitors of all ages.

Rotary collection buckets, together with generous donations from stallholders and members of the public, helped boost the day's fundraising. All proﬁt from the event will go to Cardiac Risk in the Young (C.R.Y.) via @Tobyforever23 (Halesworth Group). C.R.Y. is a national charitable organisation helping to raise awareness of young sudden cardiac death, including sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.

Established in May 1995 by Alison Cox MBE and based in the United Kingdom, more information can be found at: c-r-y. org.uk. The ﬁnal fundraising total will be shared in due course.

Blyth Valley Rotary Club extends sincere thanks to everyone who helped before, during, and after the event. Particular thanks go to the honorary Rotarians, Friends of Rotary, volunteers, and supporters who collected and erected gazebos, decorated the park, served refreshments, ran stalls, welcomed visitors, and helped clear everything away afterwards. The event showed

what can be achieved by a small but dedicated team working together. Special thanks also go to the band for providing such a highquality afternoon of entertainment. Their excellent musicianship and carefully chosen programme were enjoyed by all.

While organisers would always welcome more visitors, it was encouraging to see so many families, friends, and park users stopping to enjoy the music. Many people were pleasantly surprised to discover the event taking place, which gives the club plenty to think about as plans begin for next year.

Blyth Valley Rotary Club would like to thank everyone who supported Brass on the Grass and helped make its ﬁrst year such a success. The club hopes the event will become a regular feature of Halesworth's summer calendar.

For more information about Blyth Valley Rotary Club or to ﬁnd out how to get involved in supporting local community projects, visitors are always welcome at future club meetings and events. Contact: info@blythvalleyrotary.co.uk

Civil Engineer Apprentices at Sizewell C

Early Careers Group visit to Sizewell C

Swiftly this summer

August already! Most of the swifts will have gone by now, leaving us with emptier, quieter skies and that sense of loss and nostalgia for time passing so quickly.

Halesworth is blessed to have a good number of swifts breeding in town and gracing our skies every summer. Hopefully, you have heard their screams of joy and seen them speeding down The Thoroughfare, up and over The Cut, and criss-crossing Chediston Street or Rectory Green. They have also been spotted in Holton, whizzing over Sandy Lane, high above the village, and whirling over Holton Pits, a fantastic insect-feeding area. It's been another active year for Halesworth Swifts. We've installed more nest boxes and gotten more people tuned in and engaged with our blue-sky heroes, who arrived early this year, ﬁrst sighted in town on April 23rd. As well as nest boxes going up on private houses, Durrants estate agents put up two boxes supplied by Halesworth Swifts on their front on The Thoroughfare. They have shown inspiring appreciation and care for the swifts, even making a short information video that brings together Halesworth Swifts and Durrants in a meaningful business-and-environment connection.

Halesworth Swifts held a children's event in Halesworth Library on May 27th. The youngsters enjoyed a variety of art activities, drawing, painting, and making clay models and mobiles of swifts. There were also coloring pages, swift information sheets, and a quiz. Halesworth Swifts are very grateful to everyone who donated money toward their work, and for the generous donation received from the Friends of Halesworth Library.

August events at Halesworth Library

We have lots of activities

planned over the summer to keep your children occupied!

On August 5th, we welcome Mini Monsters to the library with their creepy crawly roadshow (£1 per child, booking required).

Choose between our morning session (11:30am-12:30pm) or afternoon session (1:30pm2:30pm).

On August 12th, we welcome local artist Anita Andrews from 1pm-3pm for a craft workshop (£1 per child, booking required).

Anita will also be running an all-day workshop on August 21st, from 10am-3pm, showing children aged eight and over how to create their own notebooks. Lunch is provided, tickets are £1 per child, please book in advance.

Swift Awareness Week ran from June 27th to July 5th, and Halesworth Swifts set up a window display in the library to mark the occasion.

An evening swift walk on June 27th, starting from the library, was well attended, with around 14 people joining to delight in watching the birds, which were highly visible and active over town (pictured above). Members of the swift group led walkers to the Saxons Way/Norwich Road roundabout to highlight the colony on that side of town, nesting at The Cut and the surrounding area. The walk then continued along Rectory Street, where there are established nesting sites.

Chediston Street, with its old roofs, is another nesting favourite, and from there we headed to the new Hopkins Homes site off Roman Way to see and hear about swift nesting bricks. These are hollow bricks ﬂush with the wall of the house, where the entrance opening is barely visible and causes no interference to the building at all. They are a brilliant concept for secretive swifts, who love to squeeze through a small hole into a hidden, dark cavity to raise their young. This development of houses has thoughtfully built in these nest bricks; we wish every new development would follow their example.

If you're interested in supporting Halesworth Swifts in any way, or if you know where swifts are nesting, please get in touch via the Facebook page or email: halesworthswifts@gmail.com

Edith Summerhayes

On August 26th from 10am11am, we're hosting a Rainbow Fish Craft Club, this is free, but booking is still required. Book at the library for all these events!

We're also hosting a themed Lego Club every Tuesday during the summer holidays between 11:15am-12:15pm. This is a drop-in session, so no booking is required.

Don't forget the Reading Quest, which runs every day through the summer holidays! Drop in between 10am-12pm or 2pm-4pm to speak with our dedicated volunteers.

Regular Activities & Drop-Ins:

• Rhyme Time: Every Tuesday, 10am-10:30am. Free session to

sing fun songs! Refreshments are also provided for parents.

• Time Out Social Group: Wednesdays from 10am for older people to meet for tea and biscuits.

• Knit & Natter Group: Meets alternate Tuesdays from 2:30pm-4:30pm.

• Mah-jong: New group that meets on the ﬁrst Friday of the month from 2pm-4pm. At this early stage, the group is open to experienced players; if you have your own Mah-jong set, please bring it with you.

• Lego Club: Every Saturday, 11am-12pm.

• Family Fun Time: Every Sunday, 10:30am-11:30am.

• East Suffolk Council Customer Services Team Advice: Drop in for advice, every Tuesday from 10am-4pm.

• Citizens Advice: Alternate Tuesdays, 10am-12pm. Please ask a member of staff for more details.

Sociable Sundays

The Friends of Halesworth Library are inviting you to join us for Sociable Sundays on August 9th & 23rd. Come meet new people and enjoy a chat over cake and a cuppa in the library! Pop in anytime between 10:30am12:30pm. There is a suggested donation of £1 to the Friends of the Library, who kindly volunteer to run these events. And 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.

We specialise in low cost repair options to buildings and can assist you with any building problem

SUFFOLK OFFICE

Brunel House, Norwich Road, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8HX • 01986 875651

Halesworth Swifts

Halesworth

Volunteers

Summer news & updates

partnering with Perform Fitness Gym to offer older adults a free one-month taster membership focused on mobility, alongside a shared lunch. You can also join us for our next Community Lunch on July 29th from 1pm3pm at St. Mary's Church, or pop by Chinny's Events Bar for our next Coffee and Chat social on August 4th from 12pm-2pm. To learn more about our events, befriending, or shopping support, contact us at 01986 875600 or info@halesworthvolunteers.org

Saturday from 10am-11:30am.

For more information or to make a donation, please email: larder@ halesworthvolunteers.org

year. This year, we're

We're delighted to welcome our new Foodwise Project Ofﬁcer, Jo Drury, to the Community Larder team, and we extend a big thank you to the Simon Gibson Charitable Trust for new funding to help restock our shelves. The Larder continues to offer fresh produce and essentials for £3 per basket at St. Mary's Church Hall every Monday, Wednesday, and

A big thank you to Charlotte Coby for all her hard work and commitment over the last year as our Foodwise Project Ofﬁcer.

We're sorry to see you leave Charlotte, but incredibly grateful for your continued support as a volunteer and hope that you enjoy your new job.

In fundraising news, we congratulate our June 100 Club

Summer on Millennium Green

It's been a warm start to the summer, but the creatures who live on Halesworth's Millennium Green are doing well. There have been lots of sightings of birds and even a carp in the waters of the New Reach. The rain earlier in the spring has brought all the vegetation to life. As a result, our dedicated volunteers, the Wednesday Wonders, have been working hard keeping the path verges clear and will soon be clearing

Himalayan Balsam on the river banks. They will wait to clear the towpath by the New Reach to encourage slow worms, who are very shy, to inhabit the area. The volunteers are also clearing the cattle grids and making sure the fencing is secure. The cows are now in their large grazing meadow and are settling in well. As always, it's important to keep dogs under

close control around the cows.

The Countryside Code website has good guidance for keeping safe around livestock: gov.uk/ government/publications/thecountryside-code.

Those of us who volunteer for the Green are so grateful for the support of the community in maintaining this vital habitat for the enjoyment of the people and wildlife who live here.

winners who took home prizes of £100, £50, and £25; you can still join the monthly draw for £60 a year by calling 01986 875600. We also want to say a massive thank you to Mick Holmes (pictured), who raised nearly £500 for us by braving the chop and cutting off his 35-year-old long hair!

We have plenty of exciting events coming up. We are hosting an Open Garden fundraising event on July 19th from 11am5pm, which will relocate to the Riﬂe Hall if the weather is wet. On July 22nd from 10am-2pm, Angel Podiatry is hosting a fundraising coffee morning featuring clinic tours and expert foot health advice. Looking further ahead, please save the date for an 80s Musical Bingo and Disco evening at the Westhall Racehorse on September 24th. Finally, to celebrate our 40th anniversary, we're hosting a Charity Golf Day at Halesworth Golf Club on October 16th from 10:30am, costing £50 for non-members and £40 for members, which includes a bacon bap, coffee, and a meal. Local businesses looking to sponsor a hole, donate rafﬂe prizes, or request an entry form can contact info@ halesworthvolunteers.org.

Karen Kerridge, Director

Mick Holmes raised nearly £500 for us by braving the chop and cutting off his long hair! Thank you Mick!

Stone Street, Spexhall

A truly exceptional opportunity to own a stunning, Grade II listed Tudor Suffolk farmhouse, seamlessly blending historic character with modern convenience. Set within 13.74 acres (stms) of beautiful gardens, orchards, paddocks, and ponds, this unique property includes an extensive array of outbuildings - making it ideal for equestrian use, a smallholding, or leisure lifestyles.

1 Milldown, Holton

A spacious four/ﬁve bedroom detached home, located only a short distance from Halesworth town centre and 15 minutes from the coast. This property offers ample off road parking, double garage/studio, views over the Valley and plenty of living accommodation!

Duke’s

Shop Street, Worlingworth

This impressive property offers spacious living, featuring a large open-plan kitchen, four ground-ﬂoor ensuite bedrooms, and a generous master suite. Set on approximately 2.3 acres, the grounds boast a pond, aviary, outdoor kitchen, and hot tub. Two self-contained holiday lets provide excellent income potential, completed by ample parking and stunning countryside views.

Old Brewery Yard, Halesworth

This cosy detached bungalow, which is part of an exclusive over 55’s complex, offers two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, cart lodge parking, all within walking distance of Halesworth town centre.

Chediston Street, Halesworth

Located

walking distance of Halesworth town centre, 129 Chediston Street is one to view! This charming house offers two-bedrooms, a generous rear garden and off-road parking. Plenty of character and charm.

Chediston Street, Halesworth

This charming Georgian cottage situated in the centre of Halesworth presenting well with potential annex space (stp) along with permit parking. This is one to view!

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

1 Wellington Court, Halesworth

Beautifully

six-bedroom

Its location in the much sought after market town of Halesworth means local shops and amenities are within walking distance. OIEO £650,000

a double

and ample built-in

Halesworth & Southwold Community News - August 2026

D.C. Patrick

D.C. Patrick

D.C. Patrick

D.C. Patrick

An update from Halesworth Town Council

Southwold Library summer events

Old

Get ready for Hubfest!

Magical history tour

Bramfield Village Fête Village

PRODUCE MARKET

HOOKER HOUSE DENTAL PRACTICE

Your warm welcome awaits at Halesworth Slimming World

An update from the Halesworth branch of Cancer Research UK

Halesworth Harmony

Now on Tuesdays!

Your Essential Local Companion

Partner with us: Grow your business

Update from Blyth Valley Parkinson's Support Group

Edgar Sewter Playschool news

Alberts Dairy reflects on a wonderful first year!

Local charity open Europe's first elephant sanctuary

Award wins, new hours, and pop-up success for HDCF

Tribute to Kathleen Iris Page Kay Goddard

Badges, beach parties, and big celebrations at Brownies!

A fine June day out in Horning

Pear Tree Fund

What's on and recent highlights

Victory Road Recreational Ground

Marmalade at the ready!

Halesworth ASH screens The People's Emergency Briefing to a packed house!

Unlock the full potential of your accountant

Sizewell C's second Annual Sustainability Report reveals progress on delivering environmental, social, and economic benefits

Campsite comedy to debut at Leiston Film Theatre

Brass on the Grass 2026 brings live brass band music to Halesworth Town Park

Swiftly this summer

August events at Halesworth Library

SUFFOLK OFFICE

Halesworth

Volunteers

Summer news & updates

Summer on Millennium Green

Chediston Street, Halesworth