• 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
Well, summer's over and the speed bumps at Cutler's Hill were not removed as we had believed they would be. Unfortunately, the bumps are so severe, it causes some passengers a lot of discomfort when the bus travels over them. Therefore, we'll continue to call at the surgery only on request.
you're coming by emailing: friendsofhalesworthlibrary@ gmail.com or calling: 01986 875095.
and a Kindness Rack (donations of winter clothing much appreciated!) Join us on November 14th at 2:30pm for a Book Talk by Lucy Jensen. Lucy co-wrote 'The South Lookout: our Aldeburgh childhoods' with her friend Liz Lyons. It tells the story of growing up in Aldeburgh in the 1960s and 70s. There's no charge, but donations to cover the cost of refreshments are appreciated. Tickets are free but please try to let us know
If you have little ones at home, join us every Tuesday 10am11:30am for our free Rhyme Time & Play session to sing fun songs, followed by free play with our toys. We also hold a Time Out group for older people every Wednesdays at 10am to make new friends and chat over a cup of tea.
There are two sessions of the regular Sociable Sunday events (hosted by The Friends of Halesworth Library) on November 3rd and 17th from 10:30am-12:30pm, where you can come along and meet new people over a cup of tea! The
month is rounded off with Board Games Café (also hosted by The Friends) on November 25th from 2pm-4pm, with a wide range of games to play for all ages and abilities.
You can find advice dropins from East Suffolk Council Customer Services every Tuesday 10am-4pm and Barclays Bank on Wednesdays from 9am5pm. Citizens Advice have a drop-in every other Tuesday from 10am-12pm, please ask a member of staff for future dates. Did you know that the library can deliver books to your home? If you're unable to visit us at the library, one of our volunteers can come to you. Please contact us on 01986 875095 for further information.
On a brighter note, people are already thinking about Christmas, and we'd like to remind readers that the Hoppa can be hired for community events, such as groups looking to travel to Christmas events or social gatherings like lunches and dinners. The fees collected for community hires help to fund the important work we do providing a regular, local bus service around Halesworth and Holton five mornings a week, plus Tuesday afternoons.
If you'd like to know more about hiring a Hoppa for a Christmas journey, please call the office (01986 875900) before 12pm
on a weekday morning.
Speaking of Christmas, we know there are many people in town who work very hard to put on a tremendous outdoor display of Christmas lights and we feel it's a shame that there are those who would like to see the lights but don't have the means to get to them. Therefore, we're planning to offer a new, early evening service to take passengers on a short tour of Halesworth looking at the Christmas lights put up by residents. We'll announce more details closer to the time, so keep your eyes peeled if you're interested.
Finally, as we move into autumn towards winter, remember that whatever the weather, even in snow, the Hoppa will be there to collect passengers. If you need special assistance, such as a pickup close to your home, we'll do our best to accommodate you, just call the office on the number above and discuss it.
The Sutherland House Sunday lunch is back!
The team at Sutherland House is delighted to announce that they are bringing back Sunday lunch service to this popular Southwold restaurant.
Andy Rudd (Sutherland House Owner) explains that historically, Sunday lunches were a big part of this business and now they're pleased to be re-introducing them... with a twist!
To find out more about dining or staying at Sutherland House or to book a table, please visit: www.sutherlandhouse.co.uk or see our advert on page 14.
As you'd expect, the menu will still include the fine dining options that Sutherland House is known for, and being a Sunday lunch, there will also be a traditional roast on offer. There's something for all tastes and dietary requirements with Dingley Dell roast pork sitting alongside a selection of delicious fish and plant-based dishes. Sunday lunch is served from November through to the end of February and the twist is that the services in December and February will be a three-course Sunday Lunch Jazz Session with music from Suffolk's very own Olivia Castle. Space for these jazz sessions is limited, so be sure to book in advance so you don't miss out!
Halesworth's Pear Tree Centre continues to offer holistic support, including information, counselling, complementary therapies and benefits advice to anyone diagnosed with a life-changing illness, their families/carers or those who have been bereaved.
If you need support, you're welcome to drop in or contact us. We also work alongside the statutory and voluntary sector to help provide extra equipment and enhanced care in the last days of life. We offer emotional, physical and practical support tailored to the person and their family. We also help to facilitate choice about where care is received as the end of a person's life approaches.
Additionally, we support young people over 12 years old who are dealing with their own or a family member's lifechanging diagnosis or who are coping with bereavement. Visit: www.peartreefund.org for more information.
Henham Steam & Country Show:
Henham Steam & Country Show was an action packed and fun-filled weekend. We met some wonderful people and our volunteers were busy spreading the word about our work in the community. The Pear Tree game was a great success and raised £115. Thank you to all the
volunteers who took part and everyone who stopped to say hello and make a donation.
The 'Dee's Den for the Pear Tree Fund Fashion Show' was an incredible, dazzling event which Nikki talks about in the Charity Shop news section below.
Sally Goodacre and Textile Temptations held their Quilting Exhibition at Darsham Village Hall. The quilts on display were absolutely stunning and the event raised an enormous £2,644.56 in memory of fellow quilter Maggie Bartlett who had received support from the Pear Tree Fund. Thank you Sally and everyone who helped or attended the event.
We're delighted to have received a £5,800 grant from the Screwfix Foundation. The funds have been awarded to help towards the cost of maintenance and redecoration of the Pear Tree Centre, making it a clean, well-maintained and inviting space to relax and receive the support we offer to our visitors. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Screwfix Foundation.
Upcoming events:
• October 18th: Big Charity Picture Quiz at The Queen's Head, Bramfield.
• October 23rd-30th: iChameleon Pop-Up Shop, Halesworth.
• October 29th: MacMillan Coffee Morning at the Pear
Tree Centre.
• November 1st: Art Exhibition at the Pear Tree Centre.
• November 2nd: Cake Stall at Laxfield Community Market.
• November 15th: Auction of Promises at Halesworth Golf Club.
• November 22nd: Charity Music Bingo at The Queen's Head, Bramfield.
• November 29th: Halesworth
Pop Chorus Constellation Concert at The Cut.
• December 12th: Dot's Christmas Coffee Morning at Holton Village Hall.
• December 14th: Black Tie Christmas Dance & Buffet at the Rifle Hall.
If you'd like to host an event of your own to raise much needed funds for our amazing charity, we will help to support and publicise your event. Our fundraisers play a vital role in helping us to continue to provide the much-needed support we offer at the Pear Tree Centre and beyond. Please contact Juliette, our Community Fundraiser at juliette.weaver@ peartreefund.org with your fundraising idea.
Dee's Den
Charity Shop news: The Dee's Den Fashion Show was a successful and enjoyable evening at Holton Village Hall. We were welcomed with a glass of fizz and canapés served by
our events committee. We raised £1,406, of which £533 came from clothes sales. Thank you so very much to our amazing models who looked stunning, as well as Joan and Sylvia who organised the outfits. A special thanks to Dani for the music and Esther for makeup, and everyone else who helped. Some of the designer clothes from Valerie's will be on sale in the pop-up shop at iChameleon from October 24th30th and in Dee's Den at the same time, along with our usual range of goodies.
We're now stocking our autumn/winter wardrobes with winter coats, boots and slippers included! Come see us at the Den, we'll have our own scarecrow creation at the end of October. We have an array of fabulous clothes to suit everyone. Not forgetting accessories to complete your outfit.
We have many toys and games for the children, as well as a fantastic selection of jigsaws (all checked), lovely for the longer evenings indoors!
As we approach Christmas, Sue will be running our traditional tombola in the shop, so any donations would be most welcome, new gifts, bottles, tins, sweets etc.
Everyone is welcome at Dee's Den, come and browse for that special bargain with a discounted £1 rail of adult's clothes. We also have bargain baskets of bric-abrac and books too. We're open Monday to Saturday 10am1pm, sometimes a bit longer on a Wednesday and Friday as weather allows.
the above. Small amounts of donations can be dropped off at the shop when we're open. If you have more than a couple of bags or boxes to donate, please let us know and deliver on a Monday/ Thursday morning to the sortingend of the shop where we have extra volunteers on duty. If you're unable to deliver, we can collect. We cannot accept used electrical items, only new and boxed. We have an amazing team of volunteers who work in the shop, donating their time to the charity. If you're interested in volunteering, do call in and leave your number, so we can get in touch with you.
We are most sad that one of our volunteers Sue, has died. Sue used to work on a Monday in the shop. We will miss her and we send our condolences to John and the boys.
Thank you for your continued support of buying and donating your pre-loved items, we really appreciate it. To contact Dee's Den, please call Nikki: 07733 668221.
Huge thanks to all who supported our recent stint in I-Chameleon. Whether it was donating items, volunteering in the shop or purchasing items, your support is greatly appreciated. During the week, we took over £600 which is a great help with our fundraising.
We're most grateful too to Halesworth Town Council for their recent grant and also to Sizewell C for their contribution to our funds. Tickets for our Grand Christmas Draw (first prize £100 cash plus many others) are now on sale at YouDrink and the Halesworth Bookshop. Many thanks to all the local business who have generously donated prizes for this and the raffle which will be held at our Quiz Night in Holton Village Hall on October 25th. Tickets (£5) for the quiz are available now at the Halesworth Bookshop.
There are books on every subject (50p-£1) whilst children's books are just 20p! We have homewares, soft furnishings, several small pieces of furniture (gateleg table, small occasional tables and chairs), as well as plants and homemade marmalade (thank you Jenny). We welcome donations of clean, saleable items of all
Our meeting on October 1st was our annual Charity Night for the Halesworth branch of Cancer Research. What a night it was!
After heavy rain for several days and lots of standing water on the road into Wenhaston, we wondered if anyone would come along to support us. But we didn't need to worry! We had a wonderful turnout and a fabulous night with a lovely atmosphere as everyone enjoyed the stalls and caught up with each other over a cup of tea. We were delighted that Jean was well enough to join us and able to make all the table decorations.
Jane Bastow had a lovely variety of plants on her plant stall and all the craft stalls were very popular. Cancer Research Christmas cards were available and the other stalls included
tombola, cakes, books, jigsaws, bric-a-brac, indoor plants and raffles.
We'd like to thank everyone involved on the night and for contributing by baking, running a stall, serving refreshments, donating a raffle/tombola prize or sending a donation and a massive thank you to everyone who braved the weather and help raise a phenomenal £1,382.25 for the vital work of Cancer Research.
Our next meeting will be a Christmas Workshop on November 5th at 7:30pm and as usual in Wenhaston Village Hall, £5 on the night including refreshments. We welcome back Jenni Baker. The workshop theme is 'Candles & Twigs a Christmas Design'. Details will be available in the newsletter. For more information, please contact Jackie Chenery, 01502 478401.
Top jobs for gardeners this November include:
• Clear fallen leaves, especially from lawns, ponds and beds.
You can leave some amongst your shrubs and herbaceous plants to break down and enrich the soil. This will ensure earthworms and other soil organisms have plenty of food. Cleared leaves can be composted or made into leaf mould.
• Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent them from water-
logging and keep the bottom of the pot out of water. This will also stop the compost from freezing. For added protection against frost, wrap pots in biodegradable fleece or put them under temporary cover.
• November is the perfect time for planting new fruit trees and bushes, but only if the ground is not frosted or too wet. You can also dig over and weed vacant areas of the vegetable plot or garden incorporating wellrotted organic matter.
a
good one to come along to, non-members are always made very welcome.
Peter is the third-generation owner of Thorncroft Clematis, a true family business with passion at its heart. He's lived or worked with clematis almost all his life, growing up surrounded by them in the nursery and its gardens and progressing through the nursery from production assistant to production manager then finally to owner. Peter says: "Over the years, I've been very lucky to meet many clematis enthusiasts and other growers with whom I'm very pleased to have a strong friendship. All this has given me a wonderful foundation to continue the hard work and hopefully the success my parents have enjoyed for many years to come."
The aim for his talks is not only to be interesting, but light-
hearted and generally entertaining as well, so hopefully you can learn more about clematis and have an enjoyable time doing so. The talk is entitled 'Clematis for Every Season'. A good general talk based on what you can have in flower throughout the calendar year. This is a very colourful illustrated talk that will delight the audience with a wide variety of clematis with flowers of all shapes and sizes, providing inspiration for future planting and ideas on how to enhance the garden using clematis for year-round flower. A quick reminder to all members (subscriptions up-todate) that the AGM will take place on November 7th at 4pm at the Co-op Community Room. All members are asked to attend so we can elect a new committee and discuss ideas on future speakers and days out.
Details of all our activities can be found on our Facebook page and the notice board outside Coopers in the Thoroughfare, Halesworth. Or call our Club Secretary Brian Hammond on: 01986 872712. Happy gardening!
Adrian
Do
Dementia
the Alzheimers Society. Coastal Suffolk has 2,200 people living with dementia (almost twice as many as the UK average) and according to Suffolk's Public Health and Communities Team, the highest estimated number of individuals in Suffolk live in East Suffolk. This is very worrying. Further more, it's possible that over 5,000 people in Suffolk have undiagnosed dementia. In England, hundreds of thousands of dementia sufferers are still undiagnosed, as national targets have been missed for the third year in a row. It's estimated that only 62% of people aged 65 or over with dementia in England receive a diagnosis, and fewer receive a specific accurate diagnosis.
If you're worried about your
own memory loss, see your GP. If you're worried about someone else, and you can't persuade them to see a GP, you can write about your concerns to the GP yourself. Patient confidentiality means a GP is not able to give out information about a patient, but they're able to receive information. You can always contact us at the Halesworth Dementia Carers Fund, and we can help you negotiate accessing a diagnosis. What do we do?
Halesworth Dementia Carers Fund (HDCF) has now been going for over 10 years and has been developing a whole range of strategies to help people with dementia. We're able to help with referrals for treatment. Working very closely with local health care providers, like Prestige and First Choice, we are able to put carers into homes where someone has dementia so that their loved ones can have access to some respite time. At the moment, we're trying to expand this so that we can also provide overnight respite care in times of emergency. We also run a range of free activities for those suffering with dementia and their carers. These are very popular, and very well received by those attending them. Our programme of activities at the moment is:
• Monday 11am12:15pm: 'Seated Movement to Music' at Holton Village Hall.
• Tuesday 2pm-3:30pm:
'Memory Café' at Co-op Community Room.
• Wednesday 2pm-3:30pm:
'Singing with Friends' at Holton Village Hall.
• Thursday 1pm-3pm: 'Creative Art' at The Cut.
• Friday 12:30pm-1:30pm:
'Seated & Standing Tap' at the Co-op Community Room.
• Friday 2pm-3:30pm: 'Carers
Support Group' at the Co-op Community Room.
Training & Development:
In an effort to foster inclusivity and compassion, HDCF will soon be launching a series of dementia awareness workshops aimed at local shops, businesses and individuals. These workshops are designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to better understand and support those living with dementia in the community.
The initiative aims to transform Halesworth into a dementia-friendly town, where people with dementia feel welcomed, understood, and safe. By reaching out into a range of organisations, the workshops will provide practical guidance on how to make public spaces and services more accessible and supportive for those affected by the condition.
Local businesses (including shops and hospitality venues) are encouraged to learn simple, yet impactful, adjustments that
can help make their services more accommodating. From understanding the challenges faced by those living with dementia to creating supportive environments, the workshops offer valuable insights that benefit not only individuals with dementia, but the wider community as well.
As these sessions roll out, it's clear that Halesworth is not just preparing to help its residents, but also setting a powerful example of how small towns can lead the way in inclusivity and dementia care.
Volunteer Afternoon: Can you help?
On November 15th, we shall be holding a Volunteer Afternoon, in conjunction with Halesworth Volunteer Centre. If you'd like to know more about what we do, and how you may be able to help, we would love to see you there. It'll be in the Co-op Community Room from 2pm-5:30pm.
You may be a young person looking for something to do, or perhaps involved in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE). Why not come and see if you can help? It would look great on your CV!
Forthcoming Events:
Our next film, to be shown at The Cut, will be 'Thelma' and will be shown on October 23rd. Doors open at 1:30pm for a 2pm start.
In December, we shall be holding a 'Musical Spectacular' at Holton Village Hall. With a range of musical acts, including
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If you'd like to donate to HDCF, scan the below QR code with your smartphone
Bollywood Dancers, it promises to be a brilliant, fun-packed evening. It will be at 7:30pm, with a bar and raffle. Tickets, £10, are available from Hetty's Little Copy Shop. Our next Golf Day will be on May 7th, 2025, so another one for the diary.
Finally:
Our work costs a lot of money and we're looking to expand what we do, so we're very grateful to
everyone who supports us in any way. Our 100+ Club is a great way to help us, with four great prizes every month. Over the last year, local businesses, organisations and individuals have been so generous and supportive, and we thank each and every one of you.
We do work very closely with the Pear Tree Centre, but are a totally separate charity. We're also separate from the British Dementia Society, so do please
bear this in mind when making a donation. We thank you for everything you do, and look forward to being able to reach out to even more people in times to come. For more information, please visit our website: www. halesworthdementia.co.uk, email: info@halesworthdementia.co.uk or call us on: 07990 199632. John Wood, HDCF
Halesworth Volunteer Centre is proud to be working in partnership with Halesworth Dementia Carers Fund.
Halesworth Volunteers have nearly 40 years of supporting elderly and vulnerable people in Halesworth and the surrounding rural communities, and in 2022 we were awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. We run a Community Car Service, ensuring that people who cannot travel independently can get out and about.
Our Community Larder is a friendly place where everyone is welcome. You can bring food, swap food, or just get what you need if you are struggling.
Our brilliant befriending programme 'Isolation Busters' provides social contact, and a range of events and activities for people who are lonely or live alone.
To find out more, visit our website: www. halesworthvolunteers.org or call us on 01986 875600.
Emma Healey, Director, Halesworth Volunteers
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Unit 20, Halesworth Business Centre, Norwich Road, Halesworth IP19 8QJ Tel: 01986 872130 - Fax: 01986 875045
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Unit 20, Halesworth Business Centre, Norwich Road, Halesworth IP19 8QJ Tel: 01986 872130 - Fax: 01986 875045
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Unit 20, Halesworth Business Centre, Norwich Road, Halesworth IP19 8QJ
Tel: 01986 872130 - Fax: 01986 875045
Unit 20, Halesworth Business Centre, Norwich Road, Halesworth IP19 8QJ Tel: 01986 872130 - Fax: 01986 875045 Email: enquiries@pearce-kemp.co.uk www.pearce-kemp.co.uk
Email: enquiries@pearce-kemp.co.uk www.pearce-kemp.co.uk
OCTOBER 31ST
Henry Blofeld Book Signing
Halesworth Bookshop
11:30am. Blowers is back! Henry Blofeld will be chatting & signing copies of his latest book 'Sharing My Love of Cricket'. If you're unable to attend but would like a signed copy, please call in to reserve a perfect Christmas present for a cricket lover.
OCTOBER 31ST Richard Hawking
Halesworth Bookshop
7pm. Richard Hawking returns to discuss his latest release 'A Countryman's Autumn Notebook', the final book in the Adrian Bell quartet, a collection which captures the essence of autumn & the evolving countryside.
NOVEMBER 1ST
Wonderous & Magical Tales (7+)
NOVEMBER 1ST-3RD
Halesworth Winter
Beer Festival
The Rifle Hall, Halesworth Nov 1st: The Rum Dogs, 8pm11pm. Nov 2nd: Cam T & Jordan, 8pm-11pm. Nov 3rd: Alex & Asher, 3pm-5pm. Free entry. NOVEMBER 3RD
Halesworth Harmony
Rehearsal
The Cut Arts Centre
to Friends of Halesworth Library is appreciated). No need to book. Need a lift or have a question? Call 01986 874292 or email: friendsofhalesworth library@gmail.com
NOVEMBER 3RD
Dame Dolly's Spooktacular Show
NOVEMBER 6TH
Art Club
The Green House, 6 Thoroughfare, Halesworth 7pm-9pm. Relaxed & friendly art classes with local wildlife artist Sara Sayer, BYO sketchbook & pensils, other/extra materials available. Different theme each week. £20pp per class. Email: hello@thegreenhousesuffolk.co.uk, call 01986 513177 or pop in to book.
NOVEMBER 8TH
tea & coffee. Enjoy good company in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. The perfect way to start your weekend! Costs £10pp adults, £3pp children.
NOVEMBER 13TH
Van Gogh 'Poets & Lovers'
Southwold Arts Centre
Halesworth branch of CHRISTMASFAIR
Sat 23rd November
10:30am - 2pm
Holton Village Hall Lodge Road, IP19 8RZ
Tea/Coffee & Seasonal Mince
Pies • Hot Light Lunches & Delicious Desserts served from 11:30am • Usual stalls
• Christmas Gifts • Cancer Research Christmas Cards
Halesworth Library 12pm-3pm. Come one, come all! Listen as Dave tells wondrous & magical tales about dark & dangerous dragons, wicked wolves, lazy long-limbed lads, poor penniless peddlers & a radish that was worth 100 gold coins! Storytelling starts at 12pm, 1:30pm & 3pm. Suitable for ages 7+. No need to book.
10:30am-12:30pm. New members welcome, no experience necessary, everything taught by ear & first session is free! For further details, email: halesworth.harmony@gmail.com
NOVEMBER 3RD
Sociable Sundays
Halesworth Library
10:30am-12:30pm. Ever find
Sunday morning dull? Don't stay at home, come join us!
Meet new people, enjoy good conversation & have coffee & cake! (Suggested £1pp donation
St Peter’s Church, Holton
10am until 1pm Saturday 16th November
Holton & Blyford Village Hall Refreshments
Stalls • Raffle
Southwold Arts Centre 1:15pm-3pm. For ages 2-11. Dame Dolly is ready for her Halloween show but disaster strikes, she doesn't have anyone to help her! You'll have to give her a helping hand! With her clipboard in hand, Dame Dolly works her way through the show featuring plenty of audience participation & lots of spooky fun! There's a prize for the best Halloween fancy dress costume! Come along for a Halloween treat this October half term! Tickets: £9pp.
NOVEMBER 3RD
Writers Group
The Green House, 6 Thoroughfare, Halesworth 2pm-4pm. Come & be part of this warm & welcoming group, facilitated by local writer, Katie Flaxman. £14pp. Email: hello@ thegreenhousesuffolk.co.uk, call 01986 513177 or pop in to book.
NOVEMBER 5TH
Café & Catch Up Social Chinny's Sports Bar (Events Room) 12pm-2pm. Hosted by NHS Talking Therapies & Halesworth Volunteers on the first Tues of the month. This is not a therapy session. It's an opportunity to meet with like-minded others in a relaxed environment. Join us for a cuppa & a chat. 16+.
Family Fireworks Evening Saint Felix School, Southwold 5:30pm-7:30pm. Fireworks display, BBQ, snacks, hot drinks, Adnams bar (cash only). Limited parking available. Please walk if you can. Strict no sparklers policy. £5pp. Saint Felix students & under 12s free. Tickets can be bought on the gate (cash only) or purchased in adv. & collected from Saint Felix School's Reception. Please join us at this wonderful community event! www.trybooking.com/uk/DZBP
NOVEMBER 8TH-10TH
Southwold Literary Festival
Southwold Library
Talks throughout the weekend from many brilliant names. Tickets: Fri £10, Sat/Sun £6 per talk or £25 for day ticket. Full weekend ticket: £60pp. www.ticketsource.co.uk/suffolklibraries NOVEMBER 9TH - JANUARY 5TH 2025
Mixed Christmas Exhibition
Southwold Gallery, 64a High Street, Southwold Exhibition showcasing all of the Gallery Artists. More info, call: 01502 723888. NOVEMBER 10TH
Remembrance Day Service
St. Mary's Church, Halesworth 3pm. The Halesworth Royal British Legion will form up with other elements in the Thoroughfare at 2:30pm & march/walk up to St. Mary's Church at 2:40pm. The public are most welcome to join us. After the church service, the act of remembrance will take place in the arboretum. If anybody's interested in becoming a member of the Halesworth RBL, please contact Derek Draper: 01986 872737.
NOVEMBER 11TH
Home-Cooked Brunch Extravaganza The Hub, Huntingfield, IP19 0PH 10am-11am. A delicious home-cooked brunch that promises to tantalise your taste buds! Featuring a spread of locally sourced bacon, sausage & eggs with beans, tomatoes, mushrooms & toast on the side. Vegetarian option also available. Bottomless
6pm. This film's a chance to re-examine & better understand this iconic artist. Exploring the artist's years in the south of France, where he revolutionised his style. The most exciting & dramatic period of Van Gogh's life explored on the big screen. Running time: 90 mins. Ticket: £10pp.
NOVEMBER 14TH
Scrabble Club
Southwold Library
2:15pm. 2nd Thurs every month. All equipment supplied. Refreshments.
NOVEMBER 14TH
Book Talk
Halesworth Library
2:30pm. Lucy Jensen, co-author of 'The South Lookout: Our Aldeburgh Childhoods' will talk about growing up in the seaside town in the 1960s & 70s. To book, please see library staff or email: friendsofhalesworthlibrary@gmail.com. Free to attend, donations for refreshments appreciated.
NOVEMBER 14TH
Halesworth Gardening Association
The Rifle Hall, Halesworth
6:30pm-9:30pm Halesworth Gardening Association meet every second Thursday of the month. NOVEMBER 16TH
Ceramic Mug Painting
The Green House, 6 Thoroughfare, Halesworth 6:30pm-8:30pm. Paint a mug hand-thrown by local potter Kim Croysdill, who will then fire it for you, creating a beautifully unique gift for you or someone else! £25pp. Pop in to book, call 01986 513177 or email: hello@thegreenhousesuffolk.co.uk
NOVEMBER 16TH
Southwold Jazz Club
Southwold Arts Centre
7:30pm. 'Art Themen Organ Trio' with special guest Denny Ilett. Art Themen has been an appealing presence on the British jazz circuit for over 60 years. Ticket: £20pp.
NOVEMBER 17TH
Halesworth Harmony Rehearsal
The Hub, Huntingfield
10:30am-12:30pm. New members welcome. No experience necessary, everything taught by ear & your first session is free! For further details, email: halesworth.harmony@gmail.com.
NOVEMBER 17TH
Sociable Sundays
Halesworth Library
10:30am-12:30pm. Ever find Sunday morning dull? Don't stay at home, come join us! Meet new people, enjoy good conversation & have coffee & cake! (Suggested £1pp donation to Friends of Halesworth Library is appreciated). No need to book. Need a lift or have a question? Call 01986 874292 or email: friendsofhalesworthlibrary@gmail.com
NOVEMBER 19TH
'Southwold Lighthouse' by Christopher Cardwell
The Cut
2:30pm. Who built it, when & why? Why's it located in the centre of Southwold? How does it work? Why is it still operational after more than 100 years? These questions & many more will be answered by Chris Cardwell, Lighthouse Tour Guide & author of the guidebook 'Southwold Lighthouse - History & Context'. U3A talks are free to members, for non-members tickets are £4pp in adv. or on the door. All welcome.
NOVEMBER 21ST
'Building History: The Story of the Weald & Downland Living Museum in West Sussex' talk by Richard Pailthorpe Stella Peskett Hall, Southwold
3pm. Richard Pailthorpe is a former Director of the Weald & Downland Museum. He's also managed Syon Park in London & Parham Park, West Sussex. He's served on regional & national committees of the Historic Houses & is a Trustee of Sussex Heritage Trust. Admission for Members of the Society £5pp. Guests: £8pp.
NOVEMBER 23RD
Christmas Fair
Holton Village Hall, IP19 8RZ
10:30am-2pm. Halesworth branch of Cancer Research's Christmas Fair. Tea/coffee & seasonal mince pies. Hot light lunches & delicious desserts served from 11:30am. Usual stalls, gifts & Cancer Research Christmas Cards.
NOVEMBER 23RD
Halesworth Christmas Lights Switch On Halesworth Town Centre & Market Place
4pm-10pm. Live music, food, drink, stalls & of course, Father Christmas in his sleigh!
NOVEMBER 27TH
Community Lunch
St. Mary's Church, Halesworth
1pm-3pm. Halesworth Volunteers organise a wonderful community lunch on the last Wednesday of every month. An opportunity for people to come & share good food & socialise. Everyone welcome.
NOVEMBER 28TH
Christmas Wreath Workshop
The Green House, 6 Thoroughfare, Halesworth
10am-12:30pm. Let Ailsa guide you in making your very own Christmas Wreath. All materials & seasonal treats provided! £55pp. Pop in to book, call 01986 513177 or email: hello@thegreenhousesuffolk.co.uk
NOVEMBER 28TH
Mystery, Mummers, Misrule... and a Wren
Perceptions of a Tudor Christmas (12+) The Cut
7pm-9pm. A stunning evocation of the highs & lows of a Tudor Christmas performed by 3 actors. Tickets: £10pp.
NOVEMBER 30TH
Blythburgh Christmas Market
Holy Trinity Church, IP19 9LP
11am-3:30pm. 5mins drive from Southwold. Many stalls selling a wide range of Christmas gifts incl. cakes, wreaths, cards, homemade items, etc. Homemade soup, tea/coffee available. Free parking. All welcome.
NOVEMBER 30TH
Christmas Wreath Workshop
The Green House, 6 Thoroughfare, Halesworth
6:30pm-9pm. Let Ailsa guide you in making your very own Christmas Wreath. All materials & seasonal treats provided! £55pp. Pop in to book, call 01986 513177 or email: hello@thegreenhousesuffolk.co.uk
NOVEMBER 30TH
Songbird The Cut
7:30pm-10pm. Widely regarded as one of the most authentic Fleetwood Mac tribute show on the circuit, Songbird make a welcome return to The Cut. Tickets: £24pp.
DECEMBER 1ST
Christmas Wreath Workshop
The Green House, 6 Thoroughfare, Halesworth
10am-12:30pm. Make your very own Christmas Wreath. All materials & seasonal treats provided! £55pp. Pop in to book, call 01986 513177 or email: hello@thegreenhousesuffolk.co.uk
DECEMBER 1ST
Sociable Sundays Halesworth Library 10:30am-12:30pm. Ever find Sunday morning dull? Don't stay at home, come & join us! Meet new people, enjoy good conversation & have coffee & cake! (Suggested £1pp donation to Friends of Halesworth Library is appreciated). No need to book. Need a lift or have a question? Call 01986 874292 or email: friendsofhalesworth library@gmail.com
Got an event you'd like to promote to our thousands of monthly readers? If so, please email the details over to: edit@micropress.co.uk to be included in our 'What's on?' section.
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Members listened with interest as Peter explained how the idea for the Air Ambulance came about after the jockey, Frankie Dettori's plane crash at Newmarket Racecourse.
Frankie was flown to hospital in a light airplane getting him to care more quickly. Following this, funds were sought and The East Anglia Air Ambulance service was set up and began flying in 2001 during the day only. In 2013, they included flying at night and in 2021, set up flying 24 hours. There are now two new larger helicopters which provide a smoother ride and can
take more equipment.
Five helicopters cover all of the East of England, Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. Based at Cambridge, Norwich and Essex they can reach patients, treat them and get them to hospital quicker. It's like taking a hospital to the patient as they carry advanced medical equipment, as well as a doctor and a paramedic. The patient will then be flown to the nearest appropriate hospital for their injuries, which may not always be the nearest.
The 999 centre to take calls is at Chelmsford. The helicopters are
rented with fuel and a pilot.
The East Anglian Air Ambulance is 100% charity, and they rely on donations, coffee mornings, charity runs etc. Their expenses are £500,000 a month. Peter also encouraged us that if we were to witness a heart attack, to begin heart compressions immediately as the survival rate is very low following an attack and we should all learn how to use a defibrillator.
A very worthwhile charity to support as we know the helicopter has come to our aid in town recently in an emergency. www.eaaa.org.uk
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The amount raised at The Maize Maze this year exceeded our expectations and was a fantastic £1,703.33. We are as always very grateful to everyone who comes along and supports our fundraising efforts. We must again said a massive thank you to Bella and her team at The Old Hall Café.
We're very fortunate that we've recently received donations from both Goosegreen Nursery and Wenhaston Flower Club.
Goosegreen Plant Wholesale Nursery opens to the public for three days in September and Mr. Malster (the proprietor) chooses a charity each year to receive donations in lieu of an entrance fee. This year, we were delighted that he chose the Halesworth branch of Cancer Research and collected the wonderful amount of £1,086.85. On Saturday, some of our members manned the collecting buckets and we were made so welcome. We all
thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
The wonderful and unusual plants that were for sale did rather tempt us. We wish Mr. Malster all the very best for his chosen charity next year and would like to thank him for his generosity this year.
Wenhaston Flower Club held their Charity Night for us on October 1st. As you may recall, the weather was terrible, heavy rain for several days but this didn't deter everyone. There was a wonderful turnout on the night and a lovely variety of stalls.
Our next event is our very popular Christmas Fair on November 23rd in Holton Village Hall from 10:30am-2pm. We'll be serving tea/coffee and seasonal mince pies and from 11:30am our hot light lunches and delicious desserts. There will be lovely things on our Christmas stall and the Cancer Research Christmas cards will be on sale as well as all our usual stalls including our popular tombola, raffle and cake stall. We're sorry for the inconvenience, but our event is cash only.
Thank you all for continuing to support the Halesworth branch of Cancer Research, funding the vital work carried out by Cancer Research UK.
For more information please contact Dawn Davis on: 01986 873640.
The Flower Club ladies put on three different craft stalls; Jane Bastow had a lovely display on her plant stall, there were raffles, tombola, books, jigsaws, bric-a-brac, indoor plants, cakes and we were selling our Cancer Research Christmas cards. It was a wonderful atmosphere with friends and neighbours catching up over a cup of tea. We'd like to say a huge thank you to Jackie and the flower club for organising this event for us every year. The evening raised a remarkable £1,382.25.
With Christmas rapidly approaching, we're delighted to say that the Halesworth Lions have invited Father Christmas to come back again this year.
He will be appearing in the Co-op Community Room on November 30th, then on December 7th, 14th and 21st from 10am to 3pm each day. There's
no charge, but donations in our Lions Charity bucket would be much appreciated.
John Wood, Lions Club Secretary
Recently, four colleagues who work at Suffolk County Council Adult Social Care decided to say thank you to Beccles & District Lions Club, Bungay Area Lions Club, Halesworth Lions Club, Lowestoft Lions Club and Southwold (Sole Bay) Lions Club for all they do within their local community by doing a charity parachute jump.
The main organiser, Tanya Carroll said: "We use the Lions Club within our work, often with regards to purchasing equipment. They also provide help wherever they can with all types of requests from food vouchers for the local food bank, to providing an autistic child with an assistance dog that
will be trained to be his constant companion throughout the child's life, even into adulthood. I was so impressed that I felt I'd like to do something for them to continue doing the excellent work they all do."
Tanya approached her colleagues, Cheryl Marshall, Cheryl Spindler and Paul Stephenson with the idea of doing a parachute jump in order to raise money for the Lions, so that it can be donated equally to each of the five Lions Clubs, to say thank you for what they all do within their local community.
They all thought it was a great idea and contacted Parachute UK in Beccles. All four participants funded their own jumps and a
GoFundMe site was arranged for all future donations.
A spokesman for the Lions Clubs added: "Once we heard about Tanya's generous offer, we were amazed and thought what a wonderful idea, as well as a kind gesture. At the same moment, naturally very anxious, that all went well and there was no accidents consider the high risk involved."
On the day of the jump, Tanya invited members of the five Lions Clubs to come along to Beccles Heliport to support and watch them make their jump. It all went according to plan and was a great success. The total amount raised and presented to the Lions Clubs was £1,703, thus each Lions Club
received a fantastic £340.60. This was a brilliant result and all the members present offered their thanks to Tanya, Cheryl, Cheryl and Paul for being brave enough to do the parachute jump in the first place, plus raising such a large amount of money, which will all be used within the Lions Clubs local community on good causes.
If you wish to know more about becoming a friend or member of any one of the local Lions Club mentioned in the article and the work Lions Clubs do, please contact the Lions District 105CE Region 4 Chair, Lion Chris Eglington on: 07454 212036 or email: cd_eglington@btinternet.com
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Beccles Town Council has a bursary fund in memory of Nobel Prize-winning Dorothy Hodgkin Crowfoot, to reward students at Sir John Leman High School for outstanding work in science.
At the town council meeting on the evening of September 10th, the two winners of the awards for this year, Lucy Addison and Freddie Squirrel, were congratulated by Mayor Cllr Colin Hill.
The winning students were accompanied by Mrs. Cimone Bedward (Director of Science, Technology & Maths at Sir John Leman High School), who read out the citations for both students:
"Freddie has been a committed and hard-working student throughout sixth form. He has always strived to get the best result he can, including improving course work to distinction standard for every assignment. His focus led to excellent results and we are proud of what he has achieved."
Sam May (local Financial Adviser of Sole Bay Financial Planning in Halesworth) visited the recently-built library at Edgar Sewter Primary School on September 27th to donate
some books on behalf of the St. James' Place community following a childrens' book drive which saw books being donated from Adviser Practices across East Anglia.
"Lucy is an outstanding student. She works hard in every lesson, revises for every test and shows real commitment to the subject. She has contributed to her own STEM learning outside of school by completing a large portion of her youth STEM Award, in fact the most of any year 10 or 11 student. Well done, Lucy."
It's been a great start to the new year at Holton St. Peter Community Primary School.
The children are now all settled and we look forward to beginning our Christmas celebrations!
We welcome Mrs. Amy Barrett who has joined our teaching team in Year 1/2, Phoenix Class.
We're also welcoming three new governors to our team this year.
We are very lucky at Holton to have a great governing body who helps to support the school.
This month, the children in the Reception Class at Bramfield Primary School have been thinking about 'Families and Feelings'.
to say welcome to our new parents of Pixies in Reception. The children have settled in and are enjoying the start of their school journey. Our Friends of Holton parents fundraising team have many fun and exciting activities and events ready to carry out this year, so please support our community as much as possible. We look forward to another successful year of learning and building our children's opportunities both in and out of school.
Our new Sparkles Nursery is growing every day. If you have a two or three old who would like to come and join our amazing environment, please don't hesitate to give the school office a ring. We'd also
Bungay Primary School had a wonderful trip to Holy Trinity Church for the Harvest Festival. The visit included a meaningful sermon from Ed Land, beautiful singing of two of our harvest songs and some incredible readings from some of our Year 6 pupils.
This was followed by each of the children walking up to the pew to give their offering. We left an incredible amount of food ready to be sent to the local food bank so thank you to all of our families for your donations, this will make such a difference in our local community.
We have read lots of stories about families, including traditional tales like 'Little Red Riding Hood'. The children have loved re-telling the story using puppets and costumes. We have made family trees using photographs of our family members and used these to understand how we're related and also, that families can be different and live far apart and still share lots of love. To celebrate some very special members of our families, we held a 'Grandparent's Tea Party' and invited all our lovely grandparents into our classroom for tea and homemade cakes. The children loved sharing some of their favourite activities with their grannies, nannies and grandads and treated them to a sneak preview of our harvest festival performance song, 'Big Red Combine Harvester'. Brampton Reception children have been learning about the animals and plants that might live in the woodland area next to the school. We read the story 'The Prickly Hedgehog' and it made us curious about the other animals we might see in our local area. The children put their wellies on and walked around the woodland and they discovered so much, including different trees, conkers, acorns and lots of different animals too! They were lucky enough to see the heard of muntjac deer who live in the woods and they also found lots of minibeasts and saw pheasants! We made a book with the pictures
of what we discovered and also had a go at using our phonics to write some simple sentences! Next week, we're going to learn about the story 'The Gruffalo' and the children are very excited! At Ringsfield, Reception and Nursery have been talking about their special families and looking at photographs together. We discovered lots of similarities, including having grandparents and we created family trees to share with each other. The biggest difference we found was the pets that the children have at home and it was very interesting learning about how to take care of them. The children were very fortunate to meet a corn snake named Tony who belongs to Miss Simpson. They learnt about the food he eats, how long corn snakes can get and how they shed their skin. The children were all very brave and had a feel of Tony's scales and decided they were very smooth. Thank you Miss Simpson for providing this experience.
If you're currently looking for a Nursery, we have space at Ringsfield and can provide sessions for the 30 hours funding. Also, if you're looking for a Reception place for September 2025, please do come and visit our three schools and we'll be very happy to show you our EYFS provision. You can call the schools to arrange a viewing.
On November 19th, Halesworth & District U3A will welcome Chris Cardwell, Lighthouse Tour Guide and author of the guidebook 'Southwold LighthouseHistory & Context'. Southwold Lighthouse is a vital working lighthouse for vessels navigating into Southwold Harbour and as a coastal mark for passing ships. Chris will tell us about
our favourite local landmark including who built it, when and why? Why is it located in the centre of Southwold? How does it work? Why is it still operational after more than 100 years? The talk will start in the Cut Arts Centre, Halesworth at 2:30pm. U3A talks are free to Halesworth U3A members, for non-members tickets are available at £4 in advance or on the door. All are welcome.
meadows on the Holton Road side of White Bridge and our volunteers have turned up to the work parties every one of these soaking wet weeks. (Except the work party we cancelled, there are limits!) The more the merrier is a tired phrase, but true. Every time you turn from the haystack you can see that a good handful of other people have moved further down the
get overwhelmed and
Then all that is left is scrub, and although scrub is valuable too (see who hunts over Chestnut Meadow which is all scrub now except for the little inner circles we cut), wildflowers are in more danger and losing more habitats.
Yes, we have tried using tractors rather than volunteer labour to mow these meadows but we
have found that they compact the ground, can't cope all that well with the dense vegetation, and don't give small mammals and reptiles time to escape. Mashed toad and wrecked harvest mouse nests don't help the wildlife. Machinery just doesn't do the wildlife-supporting job as well as people taking their time and being thorough. Just imagine the seriously damaging mess a tractor would have created in the recent weather, if it didn't get stuck. There's still a very little bit more haymaking to finish and then we'll be on to other jobs and the reduced pressure of autumn. We're meeting at the moment at Arthur's Wood (down the little track next to the railway bridge on Quay Street) at 9:30am and everyone is enormously welcome. Meanwhile, next time you go for a stroll along the well-cut paths and notice how flourishing the plant and wildlife alongside is, spare a cheering and thankful thought for the Green's waterproof volunteers! Come and be part of it all!
millenniumgreen.halesworth.net thegreen@halesworth.net
Good news from Halesworth & District Museum! We are about to buy and display the second find of Iron Age gold coins from Blythburgh.
The 22 newly purchased coins, together with the first find of 19, will create a spectacular collection of 41 remarkable coins minted here in Britain for use by wealthy and powerful people in the indigenous population.
The coins are believed to date from between 60BC and around 25AD. Unlike the silver Roman coins in circulation at that time, the British gold coins were unlikely to have been used for everyday purchases. They represented wealth and status, and might have been used to finance wars or diplomatic negotiations.
It's unusual for coins of this quality and significance to be on display in a small museum like ours, and in the area where they were found. Some end up in major national and regional museums. Many hoards are dispersed into private collections. However, our small local Museum is accredited as a suitable location for nationally important finds, and has (almost) raised the money needed for this purchase.
As well as receiving £7,000 in grants from the V&A Grants Fund, the Art Fund and the Headley Trust, we've had generous donations from our Museum Friends and Supporters. That still leaves us somewhat short of the purchase price, but we've decided to proceed by using our treasures reserve fund. That means we still very much need donations to the Blythburgh coin fund, so that our essential reserves are not drained.
As many visitors to the museum will have noticed, the 19 gold coins currently
on display feature exquisite, mysterious images, including stylised animals, abstract symbols and hidden faces. The first find, purchased in 2021, includes one coin which has never been previously recorded and two other coins that each have only one other known example. The new coins have similar motifs.
No one understands what this imagery means, and it's hoped that by housing the combined hoard in one location, Halesworth & District Museum will provide a valuable resource for historians.
However, more importantly, the purchase helps us to keep our local history local and available to all.
If you'd like to help raise the funds needed, you can donate by bank transfer:
• Account name: Halesworth & District Museum
• Sort code: 20-16-12
• Account number: 13489582
Also, an illustrated book about the Blythburgh coins and our collection of Bronze Age axe heads ('Buried Ancient Treasure of the Blyth Valley Suffolk' by Museum Chair, David Wollweber) is on sale at the museum and The Halesworth Bookshop for £10, which includes a £3 donation to the purchase of the coins. And, of course, visitors to the museum are always welcome to make a donation.
Note for your diary:
• November 14th: Alan Clapson will be giving the final Museum talk of the year: 'They Kept the Home Fires Burning'. Alan will be looking at how the Great War 1914-1918 affected Halesworth and its people, and how it was ensured that on their return the men would find a town 'Fit for Heroes'.
St. Mary's Church, Halesworth, was packed on the last Friday night of September for the start of a conference focused on land and food.
"It was fantastic to see so many people, and particularly farmers, engaged in the important subject of food and land and to hear the conversations and debates going on over coffee breaks. Halesworth Town Council are delighted to be able to support the Climate Action Conference as part of the drive to reduce our carbon emissions locally." - Rachel Kellett (Councillor, Halesworth Town Council). Adrian Ramsay (Green MP for Waveney Valley) opened proceedings, after a moving rendition of the song 'Heartwood' by Katherine MacRae, and a welcome from Dominic Doble (Blyth Valley Team Rector and host for the weekend's events).
The Farming Maze (borrowing the format of BBC Radio 4's 'Moral Maze') got stuck in to the subject of land use. How can we best minimise and mitigate against carbon emissions, while still feeding a growing population?
The panelists (Emeritus Prof. Peter Hobson, NFU Suffolk County Chair Glenn Buckingham, Becky Taylor from Greengrow, Richard Symes from Earlsway Farm and Stuart Mayhew from Old Hall Farm) were questioned by Josiah Meldrum, co-founder of Hodmedods, who chaired the session.
Handed around the audience were various items brought along by the panelists, such as a huge and heavy jar full of edible seed varieties, a basket of apples,
photographs of children visiting a farm, photographs of dung, a bag of soil, red diesel fuel, and intriguingly, a shallow circular dish with a ball inside! Their significance became clear in the panel's closing statements.
Many in the audience were local farmers and food producers as well as consumers. Discussion flowed afterwards over wine, cheese and biscuits.
Saturday's programme (introduced by Joyce Moseley, chair of Halesworth Town Council) included a range of presentations drilling down into issues raised by the panelists the night before.
Peter Hobson explained in scientific terms the urgency of addressing the effects of climate change already underway, and the true harms of our entire food system; from soil exhaustion, global transportation, and over consumption. Emily Winter (Waveney Farm Cluster) and Richard Symes (Blyth Farm Cluster) spoke about the benefits of clusters. They share knowledge and know-how across networks of local farmers who are working hard to find sustainable solutions to the challenges they face.
Volunteers from Halesworth's local food larder described the challenges of feeding people more equitably. John Taylor gave an inspiring overview of community-owned energy.
The groups formed from last year's conference relayed their progress in monitoring rivers and pollution, and developing and conserving open spaces.
Sunday provided an opportunity for reflection, with
a thanksgiving service at St. Mary's, addressed by the chaplain for farming.
This was the second Halesworth Climate Action Conference, which, as before, included a week-long exhibition of the activities of local organisations. A mid-week soldout screening at The Cut of the film 'Wilding', telling the story of the wilding of the Knepp Estate in Sussex, set the scene for the weekend.
As part of a rolling programme of events, on November 20th there will be a screening of the film 'Six Inches of Soil', which the organisers, Halesworth Area Sustainability Hub (HASH) are expecting to be equally popular! www.halesworthash.com
Why join Halesworth Business Connections (HBC)? Because for just £25 per year*, you are joining a group that has:
• A membership of like-minded businesses, retailers, food outlets, etc. who want to be part of the Halesworth business community and be able to network, share ideas and knowledge.
• Been established since 2003, successfully promoting Halesworth and the Blyth Valley to attract customers, visitors and businesses and actively encouraging and promoting trading between members.
• A status as a recognised Business Group that allows outside organisations to contact HBC as the 'go to' point of contact to inform members of changes to business law, access to training and grant opportunities and for local and national media to gain views of the business community. All news, opportunities and notices, or to gather the views of our membership, are immediately communicated by email.
• A subscription-based membership. These funds are used to directly promote Halesworth, increase footfall, and ensure Halesworth is an attractive place for visitors and to work and live in, and allows donations to be given in support
of other organisations that benefit the businesses of Halesworth.
• A new interactive website that has enhanced entries to promote members including links to their own website, links to other websites that promote Halesworth, access through Facebook and X (Twitter) and many other benefits.
• Liaison with our local MPs to ensure the Halesworth business community is fully represented at a national level. HBC maintains open channels with town, district and county councils.
• A bi-monthly business breakfast providing networking, usually with key speakers on relevant matters or a chance for members to promote their business plus evening social events.
• Audio and visual equipment available to members at vastly discounted rates.
If you'd like to join HBC, please email: mail@halesworthbusiness.org
*Business membership is £25 per year and reduces by £5 per quarter in the first year of membership. If you join now as a new member the fee would be £15.
It's rather daunting to think that it really will soon be Christmas!
Gifts for Caryl
Many of you will remember our dear friend and volunteer, Caryl Coomer. Every Christmas, we launch a special event called 'Gifts for Caryl'. Caryl absolutely loved Christmas and giving gifts. So this year, we're again asking for Christmas gifts (wrapped if possible), which will then be handed out to older people and families using the Community Larder at Christmas time. Just drop your gifts at the Halesworth
Volunteer (HV) office (yes, still at the Town Council building on London Road). If you could just let us know what age group the gift is for, that would be splendid. A wonderful way of remembering a much missed friend.
Halesworth
Community Larder
It was great to have an opportunity to speak at the Halesworth Climate Conference. We were very pleased to be able to show people the Larder and it was great to receive so many positive and kind comments.
Thank you also to the local Churches that have donated so generously during their Harvest Festivals.
Remember, the Larder's open to everyone. Please come and see what we have on offer. Everyone's welcome. The Larder is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am-11:30am at St. Mary's Church Hall.
Community Car Service
Our volunteer drivers are doing an absolutely amazing job, getting people who can no longer travel out and about and to their all-important medical
Scarecrow Festival:
October 19th - November 2nd
One of our favourite events of the year! This year's Scarecrow Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever! The Halesworth Morsbag Group and Hetty's Little Copy Shop have been busy sewing and printing bunting to decorate the town and the shops, business owners and groups have nearly finished their fantastic scarecrows to go on show from October 19th.
There'll also be a display of scarecrows in St. Mary's Church this year for businesses and groups who don't have a shop frontage in town. The usual Scarecrow Trail will be in full swing with forms available from the Library, Hetty's and the Halesworth Bookshop, £1 each with proceeds going towards the Christmas Lights Switch On. There are cash prizes to be won and the chance to vote for your favourite scarecrow. Just find the ghosts and pumpkins in the shop windows and fill in the letters.
Half Term Events: We have been working with some of our local groups and organisations to provide
some other fantastic events to run alongside the Scarecrow Festival and keep the little people entertained during Half Term. Here's what we have planned:
• October 19th: Scarecrow Trail Live! Runs until November 2nd. Free Scarecrow Trail crafts at Halesworth Library from 10:30am-11:30am.
• October 26th-November 3rd: Halloween Trail around Halesworth Library.
• October 27th: Children's Light Party (under 12's) at St. Mary's Church 4pm-5:30pm. An alternate celebration to Halloween, focusing on light.
clay pumpkin plaque at Purple Pumpkin Creative Studio. Book through: www. purplepumpkinstudio.co.uk
• October 31st: Free Family Picnic & Toy Exchange at St. Mary's Church, 11:30am1:30pm.
• November 1st: Children's events at Halesworth Library Fairytales (under 5's) 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm. Magical Tales (7+) 12pm, 1:30pm and 3pm.
For full details of all the events above, please visit: visithalesworth.co.uk/events
appointments. Can we just ask that if you do need to book a car, please give us at least two working day's notice. We hate having to say no, but we're booking up fast.
Isolation Busting
This is our lovely programme to ensure that people who live alone can get out and about, socialising, taking part in activities or going on a trip out. We'll be organising a number of trips out before Christmas including our annual Christmas shopping trip and a special Christmas lunch trip. Just ring the office on 875600 to find out more. Huge thanks to Julia and the team at HACT for making this possible. And more about Christmas... Rev. Gini has confirmed that the moving and magical all access carol service will be happening again on December 19th at 2pm. Everyone's welcome. HV will be providing tea. There'll be a Community Christmas Lunch at the Day Centre on Christmas Day. Just
contact the HV office to find out more or look out for messages about this on Facebook. Regular monthly events • First Tuesday of the month: Well-being Lunch at Chinny's.
• 3rd Wednesday of every month: Nigel's Quiz at the White Hart.
• Last Wednesday of the month: Everyone is welcome to the Community Lunch in partnership with St Mary's at the Church at 1pm. Soup is back on the menu with yummy cake and sarnies.
• Thanks to the Warm Room for lending us the Day Centre last month, we squeezed in and had a lovely lunch but it will be great to be back in the Church. In sadder news... Everyone at Halesworth
Volunteers would like to send their condolences to the friends and family of Charlie Gooch, a much loved and respected man of Halesworth. He was a true friend to drivers old and new and his befriender J and much respected by our team of staff and shoppers. He will be much missed.
The October meeting of the Blyth Valley & Southwold Suffolk Wildlife Group had a talk with a difference.
Annual General Meeting November 7th 6:15pm for 6.30pm
The Stables, The Angel Hotel, 30 Thoroughfare, Halesworth IP19 8AH
A social evening with refreshments. An excellent opportunity to come and find out more about Halesworth Business Connections.
Following the business part of the evening, there will be 3 speakers:
• Sam May will update everyone on details from the Budget
• Chris Aldrich will give some IT hints and tips
• Kelly Parker will talk about the Visit Halesworth website and free business listings
Free Scarecrow crafts at St. Mary's Church from 12:30pm.
• October 28th: Catch the Scarecrow Train! Departing Lowestoft at 11:06am, calling at Oulton Broad South and Beccles, arriving in Halesworth at 11:39am. Book tickets through: www. eastsuffolklines.co.uk.
• October 29th: Family Pond Dipping at the Arthurs Wood entrance to Millennium Green, 10am-11:30am. Make a
The conservationist, Simon Hooton gave a presentation in two halves. The first outlined the science of climate change, with many graphs and diagrams to explain the negative effects of the burning of fossil fuels over the last couple of hundred years, it made for grim reading. The global situation continues to worsen, with rising sea levels, huge changes in habitat, both manmade and natural, and extremes in temperature and weather as the earth continues to warm.
After a welcome cup of tea, the second half brought hope. Simon suggests that we can all act individually to consume less and think carefully about how our purchases reflect the wider conservation picture. We can raise awareness in our communities through discussion with family, friends, community groups and county representatives. Novels, art, poetry, and storytelling help to raise awareness in a different way, and Simon uses these tools too. These acts may be small in themselves, but together they can make a difference.
On a global scale, there are many agencies, such as the United Nations, working to find alternative ways to mitigate harmful effects, and avoid overexploitation in all its many forms. New technologies able to capture carbon is one positive example; sustainable forms of energy another.
There's an increasing awareness of the urgency required to save and improve natural habitats, and find new solutions for our needs. We were left with the reflection that although there is a great deal to do, a better more sustainable future for our planet is still possible.
It was a lively, informative, and thoughtful presentation that was also entertaining and enjoyable. It gave us all much food for thought. Our next meeting is on November 14th at 7:30pm, in the Southwold Arts Centre, Cumberland Road, Southwold, IP18 6JP. Will Harvey and Alan Miller will talk about the work of the Wilder Wenhaston Group, and the River Blyth Project. Admission £4 to include refreshments, under 25's free. Everyone is welcome. Contact us at: swtblythvalley@gmail.com
The Beccles Choral Society choir has been singing in Beccles since at least 1851, and meets on Tuesday evenings (during term time) in Hungate Church Hall. We would be delighted to hear from anyone who wishes to join. There are no auditions, and you can come along for a taster session or two before you join. Further details can be obtained from the secretary by emailing: beccleschoralsecretary@gmail. com or calling: 01502 464475 or 07851 019952.
Some new and returning members have joined us at rehearsals for our next concerts
which are Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle on November 23rd (7pm) and not long after that, our famous Christmas Cracker with the Waveney Concert Band on December 15th (4:30pm). Looking further ahead, we'll be singing Mozart's Requiem in May 2005, Brahm's Requiem and Christmas Cracker in December 2005, Elgar's Dream of Gerontius at Snape Maltings in May 2006 and Haydn's Creation in November 2026. Look out in Beccles for our bookmarks with our forthcoming concert dates or visit: www.beccleschoralsociety.co.uk
A local lockdown project community radio station plans to extend its broadcasting hours in 2025.
Alde and Blyth Community (ABC) Radio launched in April 2021, initially as a weekend service, but is gradually extending into weekday evenings and is looking to recruit new members to help drive the station forward next year. Based in Saxmundham and staffed entirely by enthusiastic volunteers, the station provides a varied mix of programmes and the response from their growing listening audience has been extremely positive.
Throughout 2023, the ABC Radio team undertook a task to refurbish part of a neglected building into their new home, which included the introduction of a second studio and this summer, the station presented its first live outside broadcast from Aldeburgh Carnival and plan to cover more local events throughout 2025.
The station is funded by their own fundraising events, affordable on-air advertising for local businesses and from occasional and greatly appreciated grant funding.
Wayne Burns (ABC Radio
East Suffolk Gov.
"I made a claim for Pension Credit and got money off my new glasses"
You might be eligible for Pension Credit if you've reached State Pension age. Pension Credit doesn't just top up your income, it comes with extra advantages:
• Free NHS dental treatment
• Help towards the cost of glasses
• Transport to hospital
• Help with housing costs (rent or mortgage interest)
• Free TV licence if you're 75 or over
• Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300
• Warm Home Discount of £150
• A Cold Weather Payment of £25 per day in periods of very cold weather
• Extra money if you care for someone (up to £45.60 per week), or if you have a disability (up to £81.50 per week) You can apply if you own your own home and may be eligible even if you have some savings. You have nothing to lose by applying. If you've previously been turned down, you can still make a new claim each year. For more information, or to apply, call 0800
The
Advice Line is
a
Presenter & Programming
Officer) is very excited about the station's future. "From a passing comment that our coastal communities deserve their own radio station, to what we've achieved over the past three years, the station is definitely heading in the right direction. When creating the station, the greatest piece of advice we received was to start small, establish and grow gradually and that's exactly what we're doing" he said.
If you'd like to get involved in something new, that's exciting and rewarding, ABC Radio would be pleased to hear from you. Perhaps you'd like to be considered as a potential presenter, or part of their studio support? Whether you have experience, or simply wish to learn something new, please contact the station by emailing: aldeandblythcommunity radio.co.uk
You can find ABC Radio on Facebook and listen via the internet, by using the free ABC Radio app (available to download from your app store) and on Alexa and smart speakers. For their current programme schedule, to listen to previous programmes and for full details, please visit the station's website at: www.abcradio.co.uk
Credit, benefits, budgeting, debt and more. Call 0808 278 7866 (MonFri, 10am-2pm), visit www.caes. org.uk or visit your local office or outreach venue.
East Suffolk Council's Community Help Hub offers help with money, including Pension Credit and other benefits. We can do telephone or face-to-face appointments, including home visits. Call 0333 016 2000 and ask for 'help with money' or fill in our referral form: www.eastsuffolk. gov.uk/cost-of-living
8am-7pm, on 0800 678 1602. Citizens Advice East Suffolk can help with
The Community Light Orchestra is pleased to welcome the Birbeck Singers to its next concert at Woodridge Community Centre on November 23rd.
The group sing for fun and enjoy learning together, offering programmes of songs from a wide variety of styles and genres. They are directed by Lindsay Gowers (soprano) and accompanied by Sabine Sutton (pianist).
Formed in January 2011 following study classes at the Ipswich Institute, the Birbeck
Leiston Film Theatre
Singers grew from an initial group of 15 people. Numbers increased, a Musical Director was appointed and the group started to undertake public performances for small audiences. Their name originates from the name of their regular place of practice at the Institute, 'the Birkbeck Room'.
The concert programme includes light classical music and songs from films and the shows and will commence at 7:30pm on Saturday, November 23rd.
Admission is free with a retiring collection in aid of St. Elizabeth Hospice.
St. Elizabeth Hospice is an independent charity and hospice, which improves life for people in the East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney areas living with a progressive or life-limiting illness. Established in 1989, the hospice has built a reputation for delivering high-level care to patients and the community it serves. Through medicine and therapy, they ease pain; give life purpose and make life liveable. Last year the charity supported over 4,000 patients and their families.
Cecilia Metherell
Join the panto fun this January
Team B Productions invites you to have a ball at the Fairy Godmother of all Pantomimes, Cinderella, appearing LIVE at the splendid Leiston Film Theatre between 17th-19th
January 2025.
With one less performance this year, tickets are already in big demand, with seats for some performances already limited.
Join Cinderella on her quest to win the heart of the dashing Prince Charming, with a little help from her best friend, Buttons, and the enchanting Fairy Godmother. But with her wicked stepmother and evil ugly sisters determined to ruin her chances, and with the clock about to strike midnight, will Cinderella manage to win the Prince's love, before the spell is broken?
The pantomime has been written by Wayne Burns and is being brought to the stage under his 'Team B Productions' title, a group of experienced am-dram performers, whose previous sell-out successes have included shows at Leiston Film Theatre and at the Spa Pavilion Theatre in Felixstowe.
Cinderella promises another
fabulous family pantomime, packed to the panto brim with family fun, sing-along songs and enormous effects, plus a huge helping of audience participation, and plenty of laugh-out-loud slapstick nonsense.
Work is also underway on a brand-new comedy-drama, to be staged at Leiston Film Theatre in September 2025. Inspired by the iconic sit-com, Hi-de-Hi and set in a Suffolk holiday camp in the 1980s, 'Mourning Campers' follows the drama on stage and behind the scenes at Archer's Holiday Camp. Tickets are scheduled to be available from January 20th.
Wayne Burns (Film Theatre Manager and Pantomime Director) is looking forward to bringing Cinderella to the stage. "Cinders is probably the most beloved rags-to-riches Pantomimes of all time but is also a logistical nightmare to stage!
The entire cast and crew work as a team and everyone cannot wait to bring our brilliant script to life on stage and perform for such appreciative crowds. Our audiences will have a ball" he said.
Retaining good staff is a vital element in the success of many businesses, and ensuring they feel rewarded and appreciated will be part of ensuring this.
At this time of year, often plans for a Christmas party or other end-of-year celebrations are well under way. Its key Employers understand the tax implications of such events, both to avoid any unexpected costs and to make good use of the available exemptions.
The first important exemption covers annual staff events where the cost per head is under £150. The event must be open to all employees. The £150 threshold is an annual one so this could incorporate, say a Christmas meal and a summer barbecue. It's important to remember that it's a threshold not an allowance, so inadvertently spend £155 per head on an event, and the whole amount becomes taxable.
Trivial Benefits is the next useful exemption and is designed to cover small perks provided to employees, typically things like flowers, a bottle of wine, or a team lunch. There are some conditions to be aware of, to be covered the cost must be below £50 per employee, it cannot be cash or a cash voucher, cannot be specific recognition for services under an employment contract, and must not be a contractual entitlement.
The Pantomime sees renowned Suffolk musician Tom Horton returning as the Musical Director and the energetic students from the Chloe Kinrade School of Dance will be making a welcome return to the stage, as part of the Pantomime extravaganza. So, grab your silver slippers and make sure you book early to avoid missing the ball!
Cinderella will be appearing live at the Leiston Film Theatre on Friday 17th (7:30pm), Saturday 18th (3pm and 7:30pm) and Sunday 19th (3pm) January.
Limited tickets are now available, priced £18.95, £17.95 and £15.95.
Book your seats today on 01728 830549 or online at: www.leistonfilmtheatre.co.uk
For any staff entertaining or incentives outside of these exemptions, the default position is that the costs become taxable benefits for the employees,
reportable on forms P11D each year. The employee will be charged to income tax on the values as well, and in some cases both employee and employer could have National Insurance liabilities. This is something most employers wish to avoid, and so the alternative is a PAYE Settlement Agreement; the employer makes an agreement with HMRC to settle the tax and national insurance costs on behalf of their employees. Another tax to come into play is VAT, the good news is that an input VAT incurred in the provision of staff entertaining is generally recoverable. A common pitfall here is the distinction between staff, and other contractors or suppliers who may be included in company events. Its important to recognise these are not employees, and the element of VAT relating to their attendance is not recoverable. Underpinning all of this, keeping records of exactly who attended what events in the year, and for whom any minor gifts are purchased is crucial, to support the tax treatment should HMRC make any enquiries.
Liz Lockwood (pictured above), 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.
Castleton Brass Band is thrilled to announce its upcoming Christmas Concert series, set to captivate audiences with a diverse repertoire of Christmas hits. Kicking off on November 17th at Sandringham Estate Christmas Fair, this series promises an unforgettable experience for music lovers of all ages. Under the direction of newly appointed conductor Sam Salmon, the band will perform a selection of works that showcase their exceptional talent and passion for brass band music. Also, join us as we spread festive cheer with traditional carols and beloved seasonal favourites in Morrisons, Diss on
Halesworth Repair Café is celebrating the 15th birthday of the international Repair Café movement with a 'Bigger and Better' event on October 22nd, from 2pm-4pm at The Cut, where there's a chance to chat to repairers whilst your item/s are being fixed and enjoy a tea and cake from the great Cut Café.
The Halesworth Café (launched in January 2022) meets monthly at The Cut with a remarkable range of repair options: darning, sewing, electrical, necklace re-stringing and jewellery advice, sewing machine repairs and tool sharpening, gluing/fixing/ screwing, clock repairs and, a recent addition, computer advice and repairs. "We're particularly excited about this,
as computers and smart phones are both expensive to replace and difficult to recycle properly", says Marion Gaze, co-founder of the Halesworth Repair Café, "and It turns out, the UK is the second highest producer of electronic waste per head in the world, yet sadly, we're falling behind other countries in support for repair and reuse". The Café also directs users to local businesses for parts needed and for more specialist repairs, aiming to create a culture of repairing rather than throwing away in Halesworth and surrounding villages.
"We're delighted to welcome the Halesworth Morsbags makers to our celebratory October Café, as well as members of Halesworth Men's Shed, who are also able to fix a range of things at their
regular meetings behind Chinny's, and with whom we enjoy a great collaboration. We're currently looking for a third electrician to join our team, so do please come along if you feel you can help with this, demand for electrical repairs is high!"
The ethos of the Repair Café movement is to encourage people bringing items for repair to sit with the repairer whilst the work is done, learning a bit more about the process: "It's great to see people engaging with the repairs," said co-founder Nick Hoare, "the fixers are all very friendly and knowledgeable and it's a great opportunity to talk and (just like the BBC's Repair Shop) find out more about the backstory to the items being fixed. Since we started, we've looked at 529 items,
successfully fixing 409 of them." What can you do?
Use local repairers or bring items along to the Halesworth Repair Café (October 22nd: 2pm-4pm, and November 16th: 10am-midday) to see if they can be mended. Be thoughtful about buying new things... Can you find what you need as a "preloved" item in our local shops or on social media? Research new purchases to understand how easily repairable they are once they go wrong, email your MP and ask them to support a strong UK fixing economy.
You can follow what the Repair Café is up to on the Halesworth Repair Café Facebook page and for news about the Repair Café movement, check: www.repaircafé.org
We specialise in low cost repair options to buildings and can assist you with any building problem
Brunel House, Norwich Road, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8HX • 01986 875651
5 Ancient House Mews, Church Street, Woodbridge, IP12 1DH
Tel/Fax: 01394 383828
Email: simon.wright@emailm3.co.uk
Mary Montague (who ran a B&B from Hinton near Blythburgh for several years in the mid-1980s) died on September 6th.
She was an active member of the Blythburgh WI as the secretary at this time and helped to write guidebooks for Blythburgh Church.
Mary went on to live at Wissett for a few years and then latterly moved to Wenhaston, where she had enjoyed living since 2006.
People may remember seeing her driving around in her yellow VW with the roof down and walking her dogs around Wenhaston.
Her memorial service will be held at Blythburgh Church on November 22nd at 2pm.
Jim Coby and family will not be sending Christmas cards this year.
We wish you a merry Christmas. We will be donating to the East Anglian Air Ambulance instead.
As the nights draw in and our warmer clothes go on, we can reflect on a spring and summer of play with members and nonmembers alike taking to the courts to keep fit, socialise, have some fun and enjoy their tennis.
As both a membership club and a Pay and Play community facility, we welcome all those keen to have a game of tennis.
The summer months saw several of our members taking part in the Lowestoft & District Tennis League with matches played against Loddon and Southwold, whilst others signed up for our in-house friendly Box League which aimed to bring together players from different groups within the club.
Our junior players continue to take advantage of coaching with our LTA accredited coach, Gary Howe. Gary also runs Tennis Xpress and Cardio Tennis sessions where adult players (members and non-members) can learn new skills and keep fit.
We have official groups set up for doubles and singles play but, equally, some members choose to play regularly within their own established groups. It's very much up to the individual what they decide to do and how they choose to play their tennis.
The summer saw an increase in the number of people paying to play; it's always great to see local tennis enthusiasts taking to the courts and it's also been good to welcome visitors from other parts of the country who fancy a game during their stay.
Fortunately, our floodlights facilitate evening play over the darker months and the courts are available to book 365 days a year.
Our annual membership packages run from May 1st to April 30th but from October 1st, we have half-yearly options which are also half the price!
On a final note, some readers may be aware that we're currently fundraising and seeking grants for the resurfacing of our courts. We're a very attractive-looking facility but on closer examination and during play, it's noticeable that the court surface is getting beyond its sell-by date having lasted almost 30 years. Let's hope we reach our target, so our Halesworth community courts take us into the future and provide years of fitness, competitive skills and fun to come.
If you'd like to know more, visit our website: www. halesworthtennisclub.co.uk where you'll find information and contacts.
Halesworth has been a hive of activity this summer, with September in particular, proving a busy month for the town.
Heritage Day: The Heritage Day took place on September 7th and saw some beautiful late summer sunshine, great news for all those who joined the guided walks of the town, Millennium Green and the Halesworth to Southwold Narrow Gauge Railway on the Sunday. The Thoroughfare was buzzing with folks talking about the historic photographs on display and popping into I-Chameleon, which was used as the 'Heritage Hub' for the weekend. St. Mary's Church was also busy with a repair café, antique valuations, bell ringing for beginners and more! The Museum, the local U3A, the Cut, Halesworth in Bloom, the Library, Bank House and many
other people were involved in making this another splendid and well-supported event for Halesworth, which it is hoped will be repeated next year.
Climate Conference:
The second annual Climate Conference got underway at the end of the month, the exhibition spanning one week and the Conference taking place over three days, with a special (sold out) screening of the film 'Wilding' shown at The Cut Arts Centre. This year's theme was 'Land & Food' and the talks and events attracted many people to join in with the important discussions. St. Mary's Church housed the week-long exhibition of stands from local projects around Halesworth. Halesworth Town Council organised the give-away of trees to those with space to plant them. Visit: www. halesworthash.com to read the full report by Rachel Kellet and
see photographs of the events.
Welcoming new businesses:
Halesworth also welcomed three new businesses during September. The Market Place Artisan Store (after extensive refurbishment) has opened in the Market Place under the enthusiastic ownership of mother and daughter team Anne and Caroline.
The shop is bursting with quirky and colourful artwork, gifts, furniture, jewellery and more, all handmade by local artists and makers including Caroline herself.
Secondly, is Em's Beauty, a high-class salon which has opened its doors in the Market Place, offering lash treatments with visiting therapists also providing sports massage and aesthetics. These talented and professional ladies will be very welcome in the Market Place.
Last but not least, is the hidden gem, Glossed by Eve. Tucked away just off the Thoroughfare,
this calm and peaceful new nail salon is the perfect place to relax and enjoy some pampering. All three businesses can be found on the town website business directory. Keep your eyes on @VisitHalesworth Facebook page and Instagram account for details of more new businesses opening soon! New groups for children, teens and young adults: September saw the beginning of a new Youth Group taking place in St. Mary's Church on a Monday evening from 6:30pm8.30pm. Aimed at approximately 14-18 year olds, the group offers a safe space for teens and young adults to meet and chat.
Church Mice also returns to St. Mary's on a Thursday morning, from 11:30am-1pm for parents and carers of babies/toddlers. Both groups are free with snacks and drinks provided. Visit: www.halesworthtown.co.uk for more information on all things Halesworth.
4lb Flavoured Ribs
4lb
10 Beef Burgers
10 Beef Burgers
5 Pork and Apple Burgers
5 Pork and Apple Burgers
Small Barbecue Packs
Small Barbecue Packs
£9.99
£9.99
All
All
Also Salads, Pickles and Sauces
Also Salads, Pickles and Sauces
• Kitchen tap repairs & replacement
• Bathrooms & wet rooms
• Toilet repairs & replacements
• Shower repairs & replacements
• Disability access installs
• Unblocking
• Loft tanks repairs & replacements
• Ball valve repairs
• Cylinder repairs
• Immersion thermostats & elements
• All types of roof repairs
• Ridge replacement
• Lead flashing
• Flat roofing
• Leak repairs
• Chimney repairs, re-pointing & removal
• Slate & Tiled Roofs
• Dry ridge insulation
• New Roofs
• Ramps & hand rails designed, built & installed
• Doorways widened
• Disabled doors supplied & installed
• Stair rails fitted
• Safe & accessible toilet & wet rooms supplied & installed
• Full home re-design & refurbishment service to suit your needs
• Non-slip surfaces, paths & walkways
• Summer tidy ups
• Hedges & bushes trimmed
• Sheds & greenhouses supplied, installed and repaired
• Fences, Patios & Decking
• BBQ areas
• Garden planting schemes designed & built
• Specialised topiary supplied & planted
• Brickweave & Block paving
• Turf
• General DIY
• Hanging frames/mirrors etc.
• Flatpack furniture put together
• Wall mount TVs
• Installation of bath screens
• Silicone showers & baths
• Tiling
• Lifting & shifting furniture
• Small jobs
• Whether it’s a general tidy up or complete house clearance, we can help with both!
• Emergency repairs
• Re-pointing
• Subsidence & cracks
• Lead flashing
• Chimney repairs, removal & re-lining
• Roof repairs
• General building works/repairs
• Stud walls
• Garden walls & Patios
• Gates & Driveways
• Damp proofing
• Windows repaired & replaced
• Hanging doors
• Wood flooring & panelling
• Kitchen flatpacks
• Boxing in
• High-pressure jetting
• Block drains
• CCTV surveys & investigation
• Treatment plants
• Soakaways
• Grease traps
• Gullies
• Guttering
• Land drains
• Full drainage installations
• Pumping Stations
• Planned Maintenance
