Blyth Valley Rotary

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Doing good is not only fulfilling, also creates a positive ripple in the world around us. Let’s unite to inspire and protect one another!

Together, we can transform lives, uplift our community, and find fun in helping others. We are Blyth Valley Rotary. Originally Luncheon meetings were held at the Swan Hotel Southwold during 1959 and gradually the numbers were built up to approach the twenty‑five candidates required for a Charter. Eventually Southwold Rotary Club were in a position to hold our Inaugural Luncheon Meeting at the Swan Hotel on Tuesday, 8th December, 1959. twenty‑five names appear in the list of Founder Members, with Rotarians Nelson Field as President, George Bumstead as Vice‑President, Aubrey Day as Secretary and Alec Gower as Treasurer. Regular meetings continued, with the Club going from strength to strength, in readiness for the Charter Presentation, which was held on Tuesday, 26th April, 1960 at the Swan Hotel. The same list of names is printed on the menu for this occasion. Over the years the Rotary Club of Southwold changed its meeting day from Tuesday to Monday and has met at the Swan Hotel, Sutherland House, Minivers Restaurant and the Congregational Church Hall before settling at the Craighurst in 1968. Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million with 46,000 clubs.
'Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves'

https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary

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04/11/2026

Women Who Inspire 2027 Friday 5th March 2027 Halesworth Golf Club 6.30 pm to 7 pm

Event: Women Who Inspire 2027 -Inspiration, friendship, food and fun.

Blyth Valley Rotary Club is delighted to announce the return of its popular annual Women Who Inspire event, taking place on Friday 5th March 2027 at Halesworth Golf Club, Suffolk, celebrating International Women's Day.

Founded 15 years ago by Dr Cathy Ryan MBE, this special event celebrates the achievements, contributions and stories of inspiring women, both past and present.

This year promises to be another fantastic evening, featuring three inspirational guest speakers who will share their fascinating stories, experiences and achievements. There will be plenty to enjoy, with a delicious two-course meal, lively conversation, laughter and the opportunity to meet new people.

And it's certainly not just for the ladies! We warmly encourage men to join us too. Whether you're coming with your partner, friends, family or colleagues, everyone can enjoy an evening of interesting stories, fresh perspectives and great company.

Women Who Inspire celebrates achievement, encourages opportunity, champions women's rights and independence, and recognises the positive difference people make in the world around us.

Come along, bring your friends and be part of something special!

EVENT DETAILS

Event: Women Who Inspire 2027

Date: Friday 5th March 2027 at 6.30 pm

Venue: Halesworth Golf Club, Bramfield Road, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 9XA

Featuring: Three inspirational guest speakers

Includes: A delicious two-course meal

Ticket Price to be confirmed

Organised by: Blyth Valley Rotary Club www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk

Great stories, great food, great company – and inspiration for everyone!

We look forward to welcoming you for a memorable evening.

03/11/2026

It's amazing what we can do together!
Local people. Local causes. Lasting friendships.
Be part of the fun. Be part of the difference.
A little of your time can make a big difference.
Have you got a few hours to spare? We'd love your help!
Do you love your local community? We enjoy meeting people. Fancy being part of something positive?

Blyth Valley Rotary is looking for friendly volunteers to help at our community events around Southwold, Reydon and the surrounding villages.

Whether it's helping with a charity event, welcoming visitors, selling raffle tickets, setting up, or simply lending a hand, your time can make a real difference.

Volunteers need no membership. No experience needed. Just a smile and a willingness to help!

You might even make a few new friends along the way.

Give a little time. Make a big difference in your community.

Get in touch with Blyth Valley Rotary and come and meet us!
Friendship with a purpose! We are looking for members and volunteers so we can do more in our community. Rotary as much more than volunteering – it's about friendship, belonging, helping others and feeling proud of making a difference locally. We can change lives together www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk or email [email protected]

03/11/2026

EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE HERE!

Southwold Christmas Day Swim 2026

Fancy doing something a little different this Christmas Day morning in Southwold?

Join us on Monday 9th November as Early Bird tickets go on sale!

Take the plunge, brave the chilly North Sea and be part of a fantastic Southwold Christmas tradition. Whether you're a seasoned swimmer or just fancy a festive dip, come along and make a splash for charity!

Christmas Day morning– Friday 25th December 2026

Gun Hill Beach, Gun Hill Beach Kiosk, Southwold, IP18 6HF

Swimmers enter the North Sea at 10.30 am by the Gun Hill Beach Kiosk

ALL PROFITS go to three fantastic causes:

- RNLI
- East Anglian Air Ambulance
- Halesworth Parkinson Support Group

Grab your Early Bird ticket and save!

👉 Register here from Monday 9th November 2026:

https://www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk/p/swim26.html
Sponsored by Stay In Suffolk
Supported by
One dip, three great causes, and plenty of Christmas spirit!
- Advance registration opens Monday 9th November 2026.
- Advance registration closes 21st December at midday.

Registration is on the morning, 9.30 am, at Gun Hill Beach, Southwold, IP18 6HF

fans East Suffolk One Radio BBC Suffolk

03/11/2026

💜 Blyth Valley Rotary Plants Purple Crocuses

Blyth Valley Rotary has planted purple crocus corms at North Green, Southwold, supporting Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign to help eradicate polio worldwide.

Thank you to East Suffolk Council and Southwold Town Council for kindly granting permission, and to Andy Bruce, Elaine, Suku, Sally, Colin and Pauline for their help and support.

Together, we can help make a difference and create a polio-free world! www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk

Blyth Valley Rotary – Making a Positive Difference. 💜

02/11/2026

SOUTHWOLD CHRISTMAS DAY SWIM 2026! 🎅

Ready to make a splash this Christmas?

Grab your Santa hat, rally your friends and family, and sign up for Southwold's fantastic Christmas Day Swim!

Have fun, embrace the chilly challenge and help raise vital funds for THREE INCREDIBLE CHARITIES! ❤️

Whether you're a seasoned sea swimmer or fancy trying something different this Christmas, come and be part of something truly special!

📅 Friday 25th December 2026
📍 Gun Hill Beach Kiosk, Gun Hill Beach, Southwold, Suffolk
⏰ Registration from 9.30am | Swim at 10.30am

🎁 Give your Christmas morning a purpose — register from Monday 9th November 2026 and help make a difference!

👉 SIGN UP HERE:
https://www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk/p/christmas-day-swim.html

Tag your swimming buddies, spread the word and let's make this year's swim bigger, better and full of festive fun!

Three amazing charities. One brilliant community. One unforgettable Christmas splash! ❤️

Thank you to

29/10/2026

Blyth Valley Rotary will have a tree here at St Mary's Church Halesworth www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk

29/10/2026

500 multi-coloured Crocus Corms/bulbs, donated by East Suffolk Council to Blyth Valley Rotary, were planted today by the churchyard volunteers at St Edmunds Church. Various locations in the Churchyard

27/10/2026

Can you help with our upcoming events?

The Blyth Valley Rotary is getting ready for three of our favourite community traditions of the year, and we are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make them a massive success! Marshalls needed. www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk

Whether you love community lights or a brisk winter dip, we’d love to have you on board to volunteer. [email protected].
Thank you!

27/10/2026

❤️ SOUTHWOLD CHRISTMAS DAY SWIM 2026 ❤️

MAKE A SPLASH-MAKE A DIFFERENCE.- MAKE A MEMORY.

This Christmas morning, let's come together as a community to do something truly special! ❤️ Help 3 incredible Charities
Join us on Friday 25th December at Gun Hill Beach, Southwold, for our wonderful Christmas Day Swim — a celebration of courage, kindness, community spirit and the power of people coming together for a good cause.

Be brave. Take the plunge!
Be festive. Dress up and join the fun!
Be part of it. Cheer our amazing swimmers on!

❤️ Make a difference. Help raise money for charity!

Southwold RNLI 🙏
East Anglian Air Ambulance Charity 🙏
Blyth Valley Parkinson Support Group 🙏

Whether you're dipping into the chilly North Sea, supporting a loved one, or watching from the shore, every smile, cheer, and donation helps make this event truly special.

📍 Gun Hill Beach, Gun Hill Kiosk, Southwold, Suffolk
⏰ Registration from 9.30am
🌊 Swim starts at 10.30am

🧑‍🎄This Christmas, give the gift of kindness. Every swimmer, supporter and donation helps turn a festive tradition into something that makes a real difference.

Let's fill Southwold beach with festive spirit, laughter, courage and community pride! ❤️

👉 Ready to take the plunge? Register here:
https://www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk/p/christmas-day-swim.html

📣 Please LIKE, SHARE and spread the word with friends, family, neighbours, colleagues and across Southwold, Reydon and Suffolk and other county communities.

ONE COMMUNITY - ONE CHRISTMAS MORNING- A BIG DIFFERENCE TOGETHER

27/10/2026

Reydon Christmas Lights Switch-On Returns for 2026

Jubilee Green Reydon – The countdown to Christmas is officially on as the village's festive heart prepares to glow. The annual Reydon Christmas Lights Switch-On will take place on Saturday, 5th December 2026, at 5 pm, bringing the community together for an evening of music, festive treats, and holiday magic. Switch-on is at 6 pm.

The festivities will kick off at Jubilee Green, where locals and visitors alike can gather to enjoy traditional Christmas carols. The wonderful Southwold and Reydon Choral Society will be accompanied by the festive sounds of the Wrentham Brass Band.

To keep the winter chill at bay, the Blyth Valley Rotary will serve hot refreshments throughout the event, including mulled w**e, coffees, teas, hot chocolate, and homemade soup. Rumour has it a very special seasonal visitor will also appear to delight the village's youngest residents.

Organised entirely by a dedicated committee of volunteers, the Reydon Christmas Lights rely heavily on year-round fundraising, community events, and local generosity to keep the village shining bright each year. All funds raised during the evening will go directly toward maintaining and expanding the light displays for future generations.

The event details are as follows:
• Date: Saturday 5th December 2026 5 pm
• Location: Jubilee Green, Reydon IP18 6GY
• Admission: Free (Donations gratefully accepted)

Enquiries [email protected]

The Randolph Hotel has sponsored the event again this year, and they welcome you to join them afterwards.

Everyone is welcome to join in the festive cheer. If you can't attend but still want to support the village lights fund, or if you're a local business interested in sponsoring, please get in touch with the committee directly at [email protected].

www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk

Address

Sole Bay Bowls Club, Halesworth Road, Reydon
Southwold
IP186NR

Telephone

+447769708371

Website

http://www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk/

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