December 2011
Coming
up
Friday 2nd December 2011
Southwold Switch On Night, starting in the High Street and Market Place at 5 pm with stalls and local choirs singing carols, and followed by the Southwold and Reydon Corps of Drums processing with Father Christmas up the High Street at 6.45 pm. The Switch On of Southwold’s Christmas Lights will take place at 7 pm on the Town Hall Balcony, with Father Christmas being joined by this year’s special guests from the CBeebies TV show Grandpa in My Pocket, James Bolam and Susan Jameson.
Saturday 3rd December 2011
The Amazing Bazaar, St Edmund’s Hall, Southwold, 10 am–4 pm. Craft, food, bric-a-brac, clothing, Christmas stalls and refreshments. Free entry.
Saturday 3rd December 2011
Switch on of Reydon Christmas Lights, Reydon Corner, 6 pm. Carols, handbell ringers and the Blessing of the Crib. Plus a special visitor. . .
Sunday 4th December 2011
The Voice Project presents Wintersongs 2011 featuring Human Music, The Cut, New Cut, Halesworth IP19 8BY, 7.30 pm. Wintersongs 2011 will be a concert of inspiring contemporary yet seasonal vocal music. Human Music is a six-piece A Capella vocal ensemble with a difference. Members of the group compose all the material themselves. Highly inventive, rhythmic and textural pieces take their place amongst lyrical and thoughtful pieces – a vast cross-section of vocal music, influenced from across the spectrum of music for voices from around the world. In these intimate acoustic performances, the four female and two male singers will sing their own settings of poems including: Pablo Neruda, Anne Sexton, Rumi, Robert Southey, Derek Mahon, Matsuo Basho and William Shakespeare. Tickets: £10 (£8.50 concs). Box Office: 0845 6732123.
Until Thursday 8th December 2011
Exhibition of work by Virginia Storey (jewellery), Jenny Nutbeem (textiles) and Jacqueline Pooley (mobiles) in the upstairs gallery of CRAFTCO, 40a High St, Southwold, Suffolk IP18 6AE, tel: 01502 723211, web: www.craftco.co.uk.
Saturday 10th December 2011
The League of Friends of Southwold Hospital is holding a Christmas Coffee
Morning at the Outpatients Department, Southwold Hospital, Field Stile Road, Southwold, from 10 am until 12 noon. There will be cake and book stalls, and a raffle. Admission free.
Saturday 10th December 2011
Framlingham and Saxmundham Cats Protection Homing Fair, Saxmundham Town Hall, 10 am–12 noon. There will be a chance to see all the cats we have in care looking for new homes along with stalls selling goods. We will be there offering any advice that you may need. Entrance is 50p or a tin of cat food. We look forward to seeing you there.
Saturday 10th December 2011
St Felix School PTA Christmas Fayre. Just a reminder that Saint Felix School, Southwold will be holding its annual Christmas Fayre on this day. The Fayre will take place between 1 pm and 4 pm in the Sports Hall. There will be a wide variety of stalls selling everything from jewellery, skin-care products, Scandinavian home goodies, wool and papercrafts, bric-a-brac and fashion to Christmas decorations and homemade produce. There will also be hand-spinning demonstrations. Father Christmas and his little Elves will be in residence during the Fayre. Festive refreshments, including mulled wine and mince pies, tea, coffee, homemade soup and cakes will be available throughout. Everyone is very welcome to come along to the event. Further information can be obtained from the School Office (tel: 01502 722175).
Saturday 10th December 2011
There will be plenty of Christmas concerts this December, but ‘A Sparkle of Songs’ promises to be something out of the ordinary. The members of the North Suffolk Youth Choir, whose ages are 12 to 18, are known for their musical talent and vitality of performance, and will be showing this on 10th December when they present a concert of vocal and instrumental items at St Benet’s RC church, Beccles. As well as songs for Christmas, they will be performing others from their repertoire, some of which are included on their recently released CD. There will be an opportunity for all to join in with familiar carols. The concert begins at 4 pm and will be followed by refreshments. Tickets are £6 (under tens: free, ten to 16: £2) and are available from Beccles Sewing and Needlecraft, by contacting 01502 722906/secretary@nsyc.org.uk and at the door.
From Saturday 10th December 2011 until Tuesday 31st January 2012
Exhibition of work by Jacky Linney (textiles), Irena Sibrijns (plates and vessels) and Elaine Nason (pictures) in the upstairs gallery of CRAFTCO, 40a High St, Southwold, Suffolk IP18 6AE, tel: 01502 723211, web: www.craftco.co.uk.
Saturday 17th December 2011
The Pakefield Singers are delighted to announce a concert, ‘A Christmas Gloria’, at 7 pm at St Edmund’s Church, Southwold. They will be singing Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ with guests the Blythe Quartet, who be playing Corelli’s ‘Christmas concerto’. There will be carols for choir and audience, and soloists will be popular local singers Valerie Walker and Joanne Knight. Conductor will be Vetta Wise. The choir is returning to beautiful and historic St Edmund’s, following a highly successful concert there earlier this year. All donations to a delicious reception hosted by the Choir after the concert will support the charity East Coast Hospices. The Pakefield Singers are going from strength to strength under Vetta (who recently directed the massed Beccles Festival Chorus) most ably assisted by accompanist Alison Evans. The choir enjoys singing an unusually lively and diverse repertoire, including classical works, songs from musicals, and African songs, as well as great choral classics like the Vivaldi Gloria! Tickets are £12 (free for under-12s). More information is available at www.pakefieldsingers.com.
Until Sunday 18th December 2011
The RNLI Southwold and Dunwich Fundraising Branch Christmas Shop will be open in Mark Elliot Furniture, Victoria Street, Southwold, from 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Saturday, and 11 am to 3 pm Sunday. A wide range of gifts, calendars, diaries and Christmas cards are available.
Tuesday 20th December 2011
Suffolk Pensioners’ Association, Southwold and Reydon Branch. Carol Service, 2 pm at the United Reformed Church. Minister: Revd Charles Croll. Organist: Mrs Jean Kingston. Please join us. Members and non-members most welcome. Tea and mince pies afterwards in the United Reformed Church Hall.
Wednesday 21st December 2011
Southwold Trefoil Guild Christmas Party, Guide Centre, Cautley Road, 2.30 pm. Note that the meeting is on the third Wednesday this month.
Friday 13th January 2012
The Randolph Big Quiz – we are delighted to announce that our Annual Big Quiz will be held in both restaurant areas – Teams of six people – £5 per ticket, including light buffet supper – all proceeds this year going to Reydon Primary School Music Room. Please support this very worthwhile cause and banish some of those Winter Blues – call 01502 723603 for reservations.
Wednesday 18th January 2012
Ladies that Lunch event at The Swan House, Beccles, 1 pm. Much-admired actress Alison Collinge will give an illuminating insight into the world of repertory theatre and life in between ‘treading the boards’. Alison trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, London, where her most cherished roles included Nina in Chekhov’s ‘The Seagull’ and Marianne in Arthur Miller’s ‘Playing for Time’. Alison has a wealth of experience in dance and choreography, which provided her with numerous teaching opportunities at Ravenscourt Theatre School, London. She will address the audience, with stories between the courses and a Q & A session after dessert. An event not to be missed and booking is recommended. Tickets cost £17.50, including a two course set lunch, a glass of wine and may be obtained from The Swan House Restaurant on 01502 713474. For full details of this event and others, see www.swan-house.com.
Blyth Valley Community Radio news
Blyth Valley Community Radio wishes all our listeners a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Listen out for all the Christmas wishes from the businesses in Southwold Reydon, Halesworth, Walberswick, Dunwich, Wrentham, Blythburgh and surrounding areas, plus Lowestoft.
We will be broadcasting live on Christmas Day and Boxing Day from 9 am to 3 pm. We will be able to send your Christmas messages on those days or before as an alternative to sending Christmas cards for a donation to the radio!
There will not be a breakfast programme between Boxing day and New Year, as hopefully everybody will be enjoying the holiday. We will, however, be broadcasting live on New Year Eve, so why not see in the New Year with your local radio station?
We are always happy to welcome new volunteers, for presenting or behind the scenes! We'll publicise your event or advertise your business – our business rates are very competitive. Dedications for birthdays, anniversaries and just to say hello as well! Phone us on 01502 722727 at the Casino, 01502 723900 at the Bunker at St Felix School or e-mail us on studio@bvcr.co.uk.
December 2011 programme schedule for Blyth Valley Radio on 105.0 FM, and the world wide web on www.blythvalleycommunityradio.co.uk
Monday
7 am–9 am: The Breakfast Show
9 am–10.30 am: Bill’s Monday Morning Music Mix
10.30 am–12 noon: Rod’s Records
12 pm–2.30 pm: Sylvie’s Magazine Show (interviews, birthdays, dedications local stories etc), sponsored by Howells and Jolley Chemists
2.30 pm–3 pm: Big Band Show with Muriel
3 pm–4 pm: Classical Music Hour
4 pm–6 pm: Drive Time with Fox
Tuesday
7 am–9 am: The Breakfast Show
9 am–11 am: The Tuesday Show with Lee and friends
11 am–2 pm: Listen to the 40s with the Muffin Man
2 pm–3 pm: Keith with the news and current affairs
2.30 pm–3 pm: Poetry Plus with Oonagh (fortnightly)
3 pm–4 pm: Jazz music
4 pm–7 pm: Denise and Chrissie (fortnightly)
Wednesday
7 am–9 am: The Breakfast Show, sponsored by CS Gas
9 am–11 am: Music with Fox
11 am–12 noon: Easy Listening
12 pm–1 pm: The Wednesday Supplement with Sylvie (music and chat; the Southwold and Reydon Society second week of the month)
1 pm–4 pm: Country Music with Bill, sponsored by The Observatory Opticians
4 pm–6 pm: Sue’s Sandwich, sponsored by The Red Lion
Thursday
7 am–9 am: The Breakfast Show
9 am–11 am: The Brunch Show with Nick
11 am–1 pm: Music with DJ Baz
1 pm– 2.30 pm: Dave and Twig’s Talking Minds
2.30 pm–4 pm: Classics with Stan and Muriel
4 pm–6.30 pm: Drive Time
Friday
7 am–9 am: The Breakfast Show
9 am–11 am: Music and Chat with Nick
11 am–12 noon: Easy Listening with Malcolm, sponsored by Jenny Jones Estate Agents
12 pm–2 pm: Malcolm’s Bits and Pieces
2 pm–3.15 pm: Twig’s Sunny Side Up
3.15 pm–4.30 pm: Salsa with Winston and Fiona
4.30 pm–6.30 pm: Drive Time
Saturday
9 am–11 am: The 60s with DJ Baz and DJ Craig, sponsored by Daddy Long Legs
11 am–1 pm: 70s and 80s with Nick
1 pm–3 pm: The Top 20’s Music Mix
3 pm–5 pm: Country Music with Colin R
5 pm–6 pm: Music and Chat with Lawrence
Sunday
9 am–12 noon: The Sunday Request Show with Bill
12 pm–3 pm: Sunday Music with Colin
3 pm–6 pm: Malcolm’s Penny Arcade (music and information, including a variety of stories, rhyme and variety shows).
National, local news and weather on the hour.
Local What’s On Diary throughout the day.
Southwold Library: what’s on this month
Switch-on Southwold
Friday, 2nd December. Southwold Library will be open until 6 pm and will be joining in with the Christmas fun. All day: Grandpa in My Pocket colouring and craft; Children’s lucky dip; pick up a Christmas puzzler – word searches, anagrams, crosswords etc for adults and children; a collection of Christmas books for children; plus DVDs for all the family at this cold, dark time of year.
Book sale
Sunday, 4th December, 2 pm–3.30 pm. Fill a bag for £2.50 (bring your own bag) or fill a cotton bag for £3.50.
Come and meet local author Terry Reeve
Monday, 5th December, 2 pm. Retired Lowestoft Journal journalist and author Terry Reeve will be coming to talk about his new novel, Only the Springtime. It is a fact-based historical novel set mainly in Bungay and traces the relationship between a great French statesman and writer and the daughter of a Bungay clergyman thrown together after the French Revolution. Terry Reeve has written many volumes of Suffolk-based fiction and non-fiction, and will be talking about his writing, his new book and answering any questions. Only the Springtime will be available to buy.
Lowestoft and Waveney Alzheimer’s Society Support Group
Wednesday, 14th December, 10.30 am–11.30 am, Southwold Library. Access information and meet people affected by dementia over a cup of tea in an informal setting. For more information, contact Paul or Alison (e-mail: alzheimers.lowestoft@btconnect.com or telephone: 01502 514712).
Craft and Chat Evening
Wednesday, 4th January, 6.30 pm. Bring your unfinished knitting/sewing/craft or start a new project while having a pleasant talk and refreshments.
Southwold Library Reading Group
Thursday, 5th January, 6.30 pm. Discussing Human Croquet by Kate Atkinson.
Time-out events for adults
Every Tuesday, 2 pm–3.30 pm:
• 6th December – Jigsaw Club.
• 13th December – Craft and Chat: bring your unfinished knitting/sewing/craft or start a new project while having a pleasant talk.
• 20th December – Crossword and Jigsaw Club. Come and ask for help with clues or solve new crosswords together. Plus the ongoing jigsaw.
Every Sunday
• Baby Bounce and Tot Rock 10.30 am–11 am. Music, rhymes, singing and dancing for babies and toddlers.
• Storytime 11.30 am–12.15 pm. Stories, crafts and colouring for seven year olds and under.
• Children’s Fun Group 12.15 pm–1 pm. Crafts, games, puzzles and fun for seven to twelve year olds.
• Internet lessons 1 pm–3.30 pm. Open to anyone. Come and have one-to-one training on any aspect of the Internet, from complete beginner to those who want to know about a particular website or e-mail. Half an hour at a time, but as many lessons as you would like. To book a slot, ring 01502 722519.
Charlotte Clark, Library Manager, Southwold Library
Coastal Light comes to Blythburgh
My forthcoming solo exhibition, Coastal Light, will be held at the Old Chapel, Dunwich Road, Blythburgh, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 9LT.
The private view is on Friday, 2nd December, 6 pm–8.30 pm and it will then be open each weekend until Sunday, 18th December 2011.
Opening times: artist licence. Every Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. Saturday 3rd December to Sunday 18th December 2011.
I graduated from Art School in Canterbury after achieving my Fine Art degree. I am constantly drawn to the beauty of the east coast, having been brought up here and inspired by the changing coastline.
I have continued to develop my unique pinhole works, a combination of photography and quite literally local mud from the landscape. My pinhole camera is transported on a trailer enabling me to travel around to new locations, recently travelling to the north Norfolk coast as well as continuing to explore the Suffolk coast Some exposures take up to an hour, during which time I am inside my homemade eight-foot long camera, with just this pinprick of light shining through. Every image is unique; I never get the same result twice.
I integrate mud into my images and use this as my paint. This tangible mud reference weaves together the landscape and the image.
The images achieved can seem like a new way of looking at the world with a mysterious magic to them – very different to those produced by today’ s sophisticated digital technology.
I will also be exhibiting aside from this a series of woodland paintings inspired by the local landscape and portrait drawings.
Sarah Webster (sarah@sarahwebster.co.uk, tel: 07786 223335, www.sarahwebster.co.uk (very soon!))
A swinging start to the Festive Season!
After Christmas Lights switch-on, there’s more in Southwold to brighten the run-up to the Christmas holiday, particularly for local jazz-lovers.
On 4th December, ‘Rhythm ‘n’ Reeds’ make their regular monthly appearance at The Kings Head, Southwold, with their own brand of swing-era jazz. Then, as trailed in these pages last month, Friday, 9th December sees the launch of ‘Jazz @ The Pavilion’, a new venture to bring top-quality jazz to Southwold. ‘DixieMix’, led by Simon Nelson, will be the featured band for this inaugural session.
Simon is well known hereabouts from regular appearances at the very successful ten-year series of Southwold Jazz Festivals. His inspired trumpet/cornet/flugelhorn playing, and entertaining vocals, are key elements of any band that he fronts. His front-line colleagues on the night will be trombonist Chris Wigley and reed-player Karl Wirrman. Southwold’s own Kevin West will add guitar and banjo to the backing of John Benson (bass) and Tony Wilkins (drums). Chris and Tony were also popular regulars at the SJF. John Benson – in case any of my readers don’t know – was the bassist with the Kenny Ball Band for many years. This will be a lively evening!
The session will be at the William Godell Sports Pavilion on the Common. Doors open at 7.30 pm and the music is due to start at 8. Admission by pre-purchased ticket only. Tickets at £7.50 each, and further information, can be had from myself (01502 724159) or Annette/Peter Mace (01502 722920/01502 724159).
Keith May
Room for alternative retail
A band of small-scale local entrepreneurs are keen to show there’s still ‘alternative life’ yet in an old Suffolk town – despite a wave of national chain stores which have recently opened on Southwold’s seaside High Street.
Local vintage and antique dealers are staging ‘pop-up vintage finds fairs’ over the next few weeks (and into the New Year) in varying venues in the town – offering an unusual but hugely popular range of quirky and alternative clothing and household goods from times past – in a bid to show shopping in Southwold is still distinctive and caters for all wallets.
‘There’s talk in the town that these chain shops – maybe useful for some – are turning Southwold into “Anytown by Sea”,’ said fairs co-ordinator and Southwold resident for 20 years, Mandy Birch.
‘Southwold’s been “different” for decades with all sorts of individual and unusual shops,’ added Mandy – ‘And all that now seems a bit threatened. There are still some independent shops, but they are becoming rarer than ever – it seems chains and offices are beginning to dominate. If the shops just become bland and ordinary, the type seen everywhere, that would be very sad – and really damage the tourist trade.’
The popularity of vintage and alternative goods locally has been proven by Mandy, her business partner Nadia Leonard and fellow dealers throughout the summer at a tiny, but well supported outdoor market held in a Southwold side street. Now, building on experience, the new season of indoor fairs will hopefully again attract customers from near and far.
‘Nadia and I try to make sure each fair offers everything from retro frocks and fashions to rustic finds, small furniture and artworks, “upcycled” household wares and recycled treasures from yester-decade – all pretty cheap and cheerful too,’ explained Mandy, who lives in North Road, Southwold.
Stock at every fair will vary, often with different dealers promoting their specialist interests – ‘So visiting once will never be enough,’ Mandy keenly added. ‘We don’t want Southwold to be like anywhere else. Southwold’s quirky edge – with its great look, fab Pier, quaint summer theatre and cute mini-cinema – mustn’t be drowned by bland shops found everywhere else. It would be great if Southwold was a mecca for vintage and antique goods again, too – these small fairs could be the start of that: Portobello by the sea!’
Vintage Finds Fairs, Southwold:
- Southwold Scout Hut – December 2nd/3rd – for the Christmas Lights.
- Conservative Hall – December 17th/18th and December 27th–31st.
- More dates to be announced.
Mandy Birch stocks up with vintage ‘finds’
Reydon and Southwold Pantomime Group
Hello there. Just a little piece from the Reydon and Southwold Pantomime Group.
Well, would you believe it, soon it will be time to do our pantomime. Oh yes it will!
Are you coming with your family, and your friends?
Oh you should because you’ll enjoy it. Yes you will, trust me, I’m the King’s Mother.
There’s Jack and Jill (the one’s that went up the hill for water) and there’s something nasty down the well.
Also, there’s the Dame and the Witch, who you have to Boo and Hiss, and singing and dancing.
You’ll not want to miss it, everyone enjoys it. Oh yes they do!
It’s all taking place at St Edmund’s Hall, Southwold – 22nd to 28th January 2012.
Tickets on sale at Daddylonglegs from Tuesday, 13th December 2011.
Watch for our poster around the town soon.
See you there!
Sing Your Heart Out
Coming this January, the 12 Lost Churches and ViBes Disco are bringing you the biggest singing competition the Heritage Coast has ever seen.
There will be four heats held on Friday, 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th January, each of which has a prize of £50 for the winner and also great prizes donated by Greene King for the runner up. Both finalists will be entered into the final, which will be held on the Saturday, 28th January and the overall winner will take home £500 in cash!
All of the entry donations will be donated to the East Anglian Air Ambulance, The ultimate goal is to showcase the 12 Lost Churches Bar, Restaurant and Function Suite. Therefore, they have donated all the prize money for the event.
The Competition is open to everyone over the age of 16 and is run in a similar format to the X-Factor. Although it helps to be able to sing, it is more about how entertaining you are. If you can’t sing but manage to get the crowd laughing by your presence, then you are on to a winner.
Coast Idol is there for entertainment and therefore we really encourage everyone to have a go. You really don’t have to have the best voice.
You can be sure of a very entertaining evening whether you enter or not and we encourage all competitors to bring all their friends to cheer them on.
Designated Drivers will receive FREE soft drink all night! On each of the heats and the final (terms and conditions apply)
Entry registration finishes at 9 pm on each of the heats and is on a first come, first serve basis, so be sure to get there early.
For more information or to enter, please contact James @ ViBes Disco on 07850 174946 or visit www.vibesdisco.com/coastidol.
For more information about the 12 Lost Churches, call 01728 648986.
The 12 Lost Churches, Cliff House Holiday Park, Minsmere Road, Dunwich IP17 3DQ.
Southwold Classical Music Society
The December meeting will be on Tuesday, 13th December at 7.30 pm in St Edmund’s Hall, Southwold. This will be based around the theme ‘Morning, Noon and Night’, and members are invited to bring their own choice of music inspired by this title – other than Suppe!
Visitors are always welcome (£2, including refreshments) and further information may be obtained from Pauline Alderman on 01502 675660.
Southwold Concert Series
If you happen to be reading this issue hot off the press then there might still be time to get to our Christmas Extravaganza on Saturday, 3rd December at 7.30 pm in St Edmund’s Church.
The concert will feature special guest soprano Elinor Jane Moran and tenor Richard Knight, local rising star Olivia Castle – a recent BBC Chorister of the Year Finalist – and the St Felix Choral Society with their conductor Andrew Jenkins. A wonderful array of Christmas music is promised, from extracts from Bach’s ‘Christmas Oratorio’ to Gilbert and Sullivan and audience singalongs of Christmas favourites!
Mulled wine and refreshments are available to all ticket holders and anyone aged 16 or under comes absolutely free. To book, call Lucy Aldous on 01502 726161, or come to the church on the day from 7 pm.
2012 concerts start with a welcome return to Southwold for the brilliant Sacconi Quartet, who will be giving an afternoon recital on Saturday, February 18th at 3 pm. Tea and cakes are included in the ticket price – do note the afternoon start time!
In the meantime, my sincere thanks to you all, especially the concert series patrons, Spring, and all our sponsors and supporters, for your patronage of our events. A very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year to you all!
Nathan Williamson, Artistic Director
www.southwoldconcertseries.co.uk
Southwold WEA
The Southwold branch of the WEA is holding a course of eight weekly sessions entitled ‘Some Classics of French Cinema’, commencing on Wednesday, 18th January 2012 from 2.30 pm until 4.30 pm in the Methodist Church Hall, East Green. (Half term 15th February 2012.) As our tutor, we will be welcoming back Jo Statham, whom many will remember from her previous enjoyable courses. Each week, we’ll investigate a classic from a different genre of French film from the 1940s to the 1980s. Included will be drama, fantasy, comedy, the ‘crime caper’ and the New Wave. The course will be illustrated by numerous film excerpts.
The fee will be £45.60. Means-tested benefit – free. The first session may be treated as a ‘taster session’ free of charge.
All are welcome. Details can be obtained from the Branch Secretary, Margaret Thomas (tel: 01502 724402, e-mail: mcethomas@aol.com).
Christmas at St Margaret’s Church, Reydon
Sunday, 18th December
- 6 pm: Candlelit Carol Service.
Monday, 19th December
- Carol singing around the village. Meet outside The Randolph at 6.30 pm.
Christmas Eve
- 4 pm: Crib Service.
- 11.30 pm: Midnight Mass.
Christmas Day
- 8 am: Eucharist (BCP).
- 9.30 am: Christmas Family Eucharist.
For more information, contact the Reverend Richard Henderson on 01502 722192.
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