Weekly Events
So much is happening across the Blyth Valley Churches and communities here are weekly activities.
Holy Communion
St Mary's Church, Halesworth
Every Wednesday at 10 am
Everyone welcome for our mid-week Holy Communion at St Mary's Church.
Cafe Church
On Zoom
Every Tuesday at 10 am
Everyone welcome for a time of community and support at our weekly cafe church.
For login details of how to join, or to be added to the mailing list, please email:
The Revd Alison Alder at:
or
The Revd Linda Berry at:
Morning Worship
St Andrew's, Bramfield
9:30 am every Thursday
Everyone welcome every Thursday for our midweek worship at St Andrew's Bramfield.
Halesworth Men's Shed
Back of Chinny's Carpark
(27 Norwich Road, Halesworth, IP19 8BX)
Tues, Weds, Thurs 10-2 and Sat 10-12
Well equipped workshop, for anyone interested in working and socialising around a bench for themselves, others and the community.
Telephone: 01986 835 905 or drop in.
'Growing Younger' Prayer Group
Zoom
Every Monday (excluding bank holidays) 9:15 till 9:45 am
A new Diocesan prayer group 'Growing Younger' meeting weekly on zoom. To pray for children, young people, families, paid and volunteer workers, teachers, schools and churches.
To join contact:
Emma Allinson
Church Mice Tots Group
St Mary's Church, Halesworth
Every Thursday 11:30am-1pm
We are relaunching our Church Mice Tots Group from Thursday 12th September, focusing on under 2's. Come along to our relaxed group, led by Pauline a Qualified Early Years Teacher. Come along for a cuppa and cake and join in some fun activities with your little ones.
Rhyme Time and Play Session
Every Tuesday 10-11:30 am
Halesworth Library
Everyone welcome for our free Rhyme Time & Play session to sing fun songs followed by free play with our toys.
Halesworth Community Larder
St Mary's Church Hall, Halesworth
Monday, Wednesdays and Saturdays 10:30-11:30 am
The Halesworth community larder project is available for anyone in need. Every welcome just pop along to St Mary's church hall.
Time Out
Every Wednesday 10 am
Halesworth Library
We also hold a Time Out group for older people every Wednesday 10am, to make new friends and chat over a cup of tea.
Halesworth Dementia Carers' Fund
Mondays 11am – 12.15pm Seated Movement to Music at Holton Village Hall. Tuesdays 2pm – 3.30pm Memory Café in the Co-op Community Room. Wednesdays 2pm – 3.30pm Singing with Friends at Holton Village Hall. Thursdays 1pm – 3pm Creative Art at The Cut.
Fridays 12.30pm – 1.30pm Seated and Standing Tap in the Co-op Community Room.
Fridays 2pm – 3.30pm Carers Support Group in the Co-op Community Room.
We welcome all people caring for those with dementia, and those suffering from dementia. All these activities provide wonderful stimulation, and greatly enhance quality of life, so do come and support us.
February 2025
So many events are happening across the Blyth Valley Parishes. Check out some of them here.
Starting Rite
St Peter's Church, Holton
5 Week Program Starting Feb 2025
A 5 week program that incorporates sensory play, stories, music, song and baby massage to support the spiritual nurturing of babies and their parents.
Contact: pauline@growingtogetherearlyyears.co.uk to book or for more information.
Sociable Sundays
9th February 2025
23rd February 2025
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Halesworth Library
Everyone is welcome at Halesworth Library for our sociable Sunday's. Come to meet, chatter and enjoy others companies and see what the library has to offer.
Author Talk Ann Shearer
On Thursday 20th February at 2.30pm
Halesworth Library
The Friends of Halesworth Library welcomes author Ann Shearer for this month’s book talk. Ann Shearer worked for The Guardian on and off for 20 years. Since then, she has been a Jungian analyst and psychotherapist, engrossed in stories people tell about themselves. Her books reflect these interests, from ‘Disability: Whose Handicap?’ (1981) to ‘Why Don’t Psychotherapists Laugh?’ (2016). Talks and refreshments are free, but donations are always welcome.
Board Games Cafe
24th February 2025 2-4:30pm
Halesworth Library
The friends of Halesworth Library will be hosting a board games café. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun.
Toy and School Uniform Exchange and Family Picnic
St Mary's Church, Halesworth
20th February 2025 from 11:30 to 13:00
Everyone is welcome to come along to our next toy exchange and family picnic at St Mary's Church in Halesworth.
Feel free to drop of donations for the toy and school uniform exchange a few days before in the exchange area of school uniform in the church.
We will also be having a free family picnic, with some yummy food, crafts and activities. We will also be having a story time about the parable of the Sower.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Rosedale Bereavement Support Groups
Starting Monday 3rd March 2025 from 2-3.30 pm
Running for 8 Mondays.
At the Pear Tree Centre.
Led by an experienced bereavement group facilitator, in association with Rosedale Home, Halesworth.
This is a complimentary course for everyone, regardless to how long you have been bereaved or what funeral home you used.
Grief is a price that we pay for loving. Everyone's experience of grief is unique, and there is no right or wrong way to grief. In this group you will find a group of people who care - and understand what you are going through.
Booking essential.
Introducing Praise and Prayer to Your Toddler
Are you looking for a fun and easy way to introduce praise and prayer you your toddler? We will be running a 6 week program focused on introducing prayer and praise this Lent. This will run on Mondays from the 3rd March 2025 from 9:30 am till 10:30 am.
Join us as we create a praise and prayer bag over the course of 6 weeks, based on the Bible Society’s Resource ‘It’s Going to Be Fine’. Each week we will do a craft, story and prayer. At the end of the course you will have your very own praise and prayer bag to take home.
Booking is essential.
Walking the Labryinth
St Peter's Church in Holton
3rd March 2025 from 2 till 4 pm
Everyone is welcome at the next Walking the Labryinth at St Peter's Church in Holton. This will be on Monday 3rd March 2025 from 2 till 4 pm. This months theme will be 'Primroses - the harbinger of Spring'. Come along and join us for a time of relaxation, reflection, walking the Labryinth and yummy treats.
Pancake Extravaganza
St Mary's Church, Halesworth
3rd March 2025 from 6:30 till 8:30 pm
Join us for all things pancakes. Not just eating but we will also be having a fun pancake race around the church!
Shrove Tuesday
St Mary's Church, Halesworth
Tuesday 4th March from 4 till 5:30 pm
Families with children aged 3-11 years old are welcome to our free Family event for Shrove Tuesday. We will be having a storytime sharing the story of the first lent, we will make and eat some yummy pancakes, will have crafts and activities and there will be some pancake races around the church.
Launch Event: Community Allotment
We would love to invite everyone, whether you are a community group or an individual to our launch event for the Community Allotment Project.
Join us at St Mary’s Church in Halesworth on 4th March 2025 at 6:30 pm to learn about this amazing new project, the funding we have received, the aims of the project and how to get involved. There will be a short presentation by Pauline (Children, Family and Youth Worker), followed by nibbles and refreshments.
This project has been funded by East Suffolk County Council and we have the following Target Outcomes:
Through delivering the project, and also through delivering a co-production process, we aim to deliver the following outcomes:
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A safe space for our young people to gather. (Beneficiaries: young people)
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To support the well-being of individuals and groups within
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Halesworth through the project. (Beneficiaries – All that participation in the project).
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To support children, families and young people to learn about healthy living and food choices. (Children, families and young people in the area).
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To provide a space for people who may feel socially excluded. (Well-being group, SEND Support Group)
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To be a collaborative project between different groups within the community. (Everyone!)
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To co-produce the project alongside key stakeholders.
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To make a project that is long-term to support and become a central hub for the community of Halesworth. (Everyone!)
Pauline really is passionate that this as a project that is funded by East Suffolk County Council is going to support everyone in our community; through a very exciting intergenerational project.
A Spectrum of Song
A vibrant workshop for all who enjoy singing music for worship
Saturday 8th March 10am-4pm
St Mary's Church Halesworth
From Tallis to Townsend - an enthralling musical journey through Christian worship music. Explore a wealth of eclectic styles, from the music of the early church to the vibrant sounds of today's worship. Something for everyone!
Led by Richard Hubbard
St Edmundsbury & Ipswich Music Development Director
Tickets £10
'Living in Hope'
Lent Study
The Church of England’s Lent theme for 2025 is “Living Hope” and it has produced a range of resources on this theme. Jason is ordering some copies of the Church of
England “living Hope” Lent booklet, which has daily reflections for the season.
Alternatively, the booklets and other related materials can be accessed vias the Church of England website:
If you would like to be part of a group, there are at least two opportunities for you to join one. Both groups will be following that Lent course written by Embrace the
Middle East “Hope in Hard Places”.
1. In person at 4pm on Monday afternoons in Wenhaston, starting on 10th March
2. Online via Zoom at “Café Church” Tuesday mornings at 10am, starting on Tuesday 11th March.
Please contact me if you would like to join one of these groups:
revalialder@gmail.com or 01502 478855.
Lunchtime Recital
12th March 2025 at 12:30 pm
St Mary's Church, Halesworth
The Friends of St Mary's Church would like to invite everyone to the first lunchtime recital of 2025. An organ recital will be given by organist Jason Busby.
Light refreshments served from 12 noon or bring your own picnic.
Free admission with retiring collection for the Regeneration of St Mary's Church.
Contactless giving available.
Jumble Sale
15th March 2025 11 am till 3 pm
All Saints Church, Blyford
We are holding a fundraising sale of pre-loved clothes in the church on Saturday 15th March, 11am to 3pm. We shall be in the church on the morning of Saturday 8th March from 10am to 11am to receive donations. Outside that time-slot, you can leave clothes in the church porch (in bags, please).
Holton and Blyford Quiz
15th March 2025 at 7 pm
Holton and Blyford Village Hall
7 pm for 7:30 pm start.
Do you have what it takes to be the ultimate quiz champion? Then, gather your friends and join us for Quiz Night at Holton and Blyford Village Hall. This is your chance to show off your knowledge and have fun in a friendly competition.
There will be a fully stocked bar and we ask that people do not bring their own drinks, but feel free to bring your own nibbles. There will also be a raffle on the night.
Joint Fundraiser between Village Hall and Holton Church.
£5 per person (cash only) tickets can be purchased from Halesworth Bookshop, Alison Cackett, or Veronica Mowat. All money raised will be in aid of Holton and Blyford Village Hall and St Peter’s Church, Holton.
Coffee Morning and Table Sale
15th March 2025 at 10:30 am
St Margaret's Church, Heveningham with Ubbeston
Everyone is welcome to join us for our coffee morning and table top sale; perfect for Mother's Day, anniversaries and birthdays. We have also received many donations of children’s books and puzzles and these will also be on sale. Please come along and say ‘hi’ again.
What it takes to be a Grandparent in Faith
15th March 2025
An event hosted by the Mothers Union (MU). This ‘Grandparent Day’ will be held at St John’s church, Caudwell Hall Road, Ipswich IP4 5HF. Doors open 10am with coffee/tea and cake, the programme starts at 10.30am – 2.30pm. The day is for all grandparents and honorary grandparents and will include worship, key speakers and small group workshops.
The Grand Linstead Quiz
15th March 2025 at 7 ppm
Linstead Village Hall
Entry Fee £4 per person. Teams of up to four. £25 to the winning team In aid of Village Hall funds
Light refreshments provided but bring your own liquid brain stimulant.
To enter a team, please contact: Pauline (01986 785347)
or Janet (01986 785289)
Big Breakfast
22nd March 2025 9:30-1pm
Holton and Blyford Village Hall
Halesworth Branch of Cancer Research are hosting a Big Breakfast in Holton and Blyford Village Hall. Everyone is welcome to come along and have a delicious breakfast.
Lady Day Service and Commissioning of the Board
25th March 2025 at 2 pm
Bury St Edmunds Cathedral
Lady Day Service and Commissioning of the trustee board, diocesan officers and branch leaders. Tuesday 25th March St Edmundsbury Cathedral 2pm Do come to the Lady Day service on March 25th in the cathedral, when members of the trustee board will be commissioned, along with the all diocesan officers and branch leaders. Banners can be brought to this service as long as they come with a banner stand. Tea will be served after the service in the cathedral. The service will be live streamed via the cathedral website and can also be viewed in the days after March 25th. So why not make a day of it, come to Bury St Edmunds earlier in the day to and try to spot other Mothers' Union members who you can chat to before coming to our Lady Day service.
Mystery, Murder and Mayhem: The playful world of crime writing
27th March 2025 at 2:30 pm
Halesworth Library
On Thursday 27th March at 2.30pm The Friends of Halesworth Library welcome author Natalie Meg Evans for this month’s book talk. Mystery, Murder and Mayhem: The playful world of crime writing. To celebrate the debut of MURDER AT MERRY BEGGAR’S HALL, Suffolk author Natalie Meg Evans talks in her new guise as mystery writer, Kay Blythe.
Coat of Hopes
The Coat of Hopes is a patchwork coat on an ongoing walking pilgrimage through the UK, hoping to focus people's minds on the climate and ecological emergency.
The coat will be in Norwich from February 28th - March 22nd, from March 23rd-26th will be going to Lowestoft, then on April starts its journey to Ipswich, calling at Wrentham on April 7th and Halesworth on April 8th. The full itinerary is on the coat of hopes website.
You can read more on page 26 of March's edition of the Blyth Valley Times.
Easter Family Picnics
10th April and 17th April 2025
From 11:30 am till 1 pm
St Mary's Church Halesworth
Everyone is welcome to join us at St Mary's Church in Halesworth for our Easter Family picnics. Come and join us for a free picnic and some Easter crafts and activities.
Coffee Morning
12th April 2025 10:30 am
St Margaret's Church Heveningham with Ubbeston
Everyone is welcome at our coffee morning. Join us for a cuppa and a nice slice of cake.
Art Exhibition
17th, 18th and 19th April
St Mary's Church, Halesworth
The Chediston Art Group will be returning to St Mary's Church in Halesworth with an Easter themed exhibition. Be sure to come along and enjoy all their art work.
Work Party
19th April 2025 10 am - 1pm
All Saint's Church, Blyford
Our first volunteer work party of 2025 will be on Saturday 19th April from 10am to 1pm, with a mid morning break at the Queen’s Head, over the road from the church. Even if you can’t lend a hand, call in to say hello if you are passing.
St George's Day Parade
Halesworth
19th April 2025 at 2:30 pm
Everyone is welcome to join us for a St George's Day Parade starting at Edgwar Sewter Primary School, to the library and down the Thoroughfare ending at the church. Once at the church we will be flying the flag. Children are welcome to dress up as knights, horses and dragons. We hope to be joined by some other local groups and will be making flags and dragons at the family picnic the Thursday before.
Concert
24th April 2025 at 7 pm
All Saints Church, Blyford
On Thursday 24th April at 7pm, Blyford Church will be the venue for a Spring Concert with Heartbeat choir and local musicians Karen Thomas and Jane Parker.
Student Choir Concert
28th April 2025 at 6 pm
St Mary's Church, Halesworth
A student Choir of the University of Liberec, in Bohemia; will be coming for a very special concert at St Mary's Church in Halesworth. The theme is to be “V E Day" in words and music. As we are also celebrating the 80th Anniversary of V E Day this year, we hope that the choir will add to our own celebrations during this evening.
After the concert, the choir members, average age about 21, are very keen to meet and talk to members of the audience, to improve their English, which already is very good.
Admission is free.
