Can you help with our upcoming events? We are looking for extra hands to help at community events!

 Can you help with our upcoming events? Reydon Christmas Lights, Southwold Light Up Southwold and the Southwold Christmas Day Swim! We are looking for Marshals to help us.

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!

Whether you love community lights or a brisk winter dip, we’d love to have you on board to volunteer. info@blythvalleyrotary.co.uk

Thank you!

Reydon Christmas Lights Switch-On Returns for 2026! - A community event assisting the Reydon Christmas Lights Volunteers

 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 wine, 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 info@blythvalleyrotary.co.uk

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 reydonchristmaslights@gmail.com.

Blyth Valley Rotary applied to East Suffolk Council’s ‘East Suffolk Blooms’ scheme this year and we were lucky to receive 500 bulbs for the community!

Blyth Valley Rotary applied to East Suffolk Council’s ‘East Suffolk Blooms’ scheme this year.  Our organisation was successful and received one bag of bulbs to plant this winter.  This will be a bag of 500 crocus bulbs and will be planted in St Edmunds Church, Southwold

 

East Suffolk Council received 53 applications from voluntary and community groups.

Blyth Valley Rotary is donating £500 to the Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Suffolk Coastal Debt Centre

Blyth Valley Rotary is donating £500 to the Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Suffolk Coastal Debt Centre, which provides free debt advice and practical support. An invaluable resource for our community

Cheque presentation to Jane Sampkin Voluntary Help Centre Southwold with President Steven Seager

Blyth Valley Rotary recently donated £1,000 to the Voluntary Help Centre Southwold, with President Steven Seager presenting the cheque to Jane Sampkin.

Blyth Valley Rotary has donated £1000 to the Voluntary Help Centre in Southwold, a vital organisation for the community

Blyth Valley Rotary has donated £1000 to the Voluntary Help Centre in Southwold, a vital organisation for the community

Southwold & District Voluntary Help Centre is a vital community organisation that offers practical help, transport, and support services to older people, individuals with disabilities, and anyone facing social isolation in Southwold, Reydon, and surrounding villages.

Stella Peskett Millennium Hall, Mights Road, Southwold, Suffolk, IP18 6BE

Phone: 01502 724549

Email: hello@southwoldvhc.com

Website: Southwold VHC

Blyth Valley Rotary has donated £1000 to the Reydon Village Hall £1000 to the Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund

Blyth Valley Rotary has donated £1000 to the Reydon Village Hall £1000 to the Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund. Simon Loftus (who originally opened the hall in 1977) launched the Golden Anniversary Appeal Fund on October 31st 2023. The fund was set up to help repair, renovate, and refit Reydon Village Hall in preparation for its 50th anniversary (the hall officially opened on April 30, 1977, and the appeal launched on October 31st 2023)

Make a Difference with Blyth Valley Rotary

Make a positive difference with Blyth Valley Rotary! - Friendship, fun and making a difference!

Have you ever wanted to give something back to your community, meet new people and be part of something truly worthwhile?

Join Blyth Valley Rotary and discover how rewarding it is to help others! Together, we support local causes, make a positive difference to

Southwold Christmas Day Swim 2026 -Community event supporting local causes

Blyth Valley Rotary delighted to announce the Southwold Christmas Day Swim 2026

SOUTHWOLD, UK — Blyth Valley Rotary is excited to announce the return of the much-loved Southwold Christmas Day Swim for 2026. Brave swimmers and festive spectators alike are invited to gather on the beach next to the Gun Hill Beach Kiosk for a memorable morning of holiday cheer, community spirit, and charitable giving. Early Bird Registration opens Monday 9th November 2026

Event Details:

Date: Christmas Day Morning, December 25th 2026

Registration 9.30 AM
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Beach next to the Gun Hill Beach Kiosk, Southwold
Advance Registration Deadline: Midday on December 21, 2026
Registration on the Day

Supporting Vital Local Causes

All proceeds and donations raised from this year’s Christmas Day Swim will directly benefit three incredible organisations:
RNLI: Providing crucial, life-saving rescue services along our coastline.
East Anglian Air Ambulance: Delivering rapid, advanced emergency medical care across the region when every second counts.
The Blyth Valley Parkinson Support Group: Offering invaluable support, community, and resources to individuals and families affected by Parkinson's.

Sponsors are Stay In Suffolk - Independent  holiday letting agency based in Suffolk

How to Participate

Participants wishing to take the festive plunge are encouraged to secure their spot early. Swimmers must read and agree to the terms and conditions before completing registration.
If you are purchasing tickets for more than yourself, please provide the names of all other participating swimmers using the questionnaire provided at checkout.
Advance registration will close strictly at midday on December 21st 2026. 

Blyth Valley Rotary is dedicated to community service, supporting local charities, and bringing people together for meaningful local events. 

Volunteers for the event, please contact info@blythvalleyrotary.co.uk. www.blythvalleyrotary.co.uk

Joining us as a Blyth Valley Rotarian or as a Friend of Rotary

Joining a Rotary Club offers a good mix of community impact, professional growth, and personal connection. While the core mission is rooted in the motto "Service Above Self," members gain a lot from the experience.

Are you looking to join a club to meet people, or are you more interested in hands-on community service projects?
We try to meet once

Join Us: Corporate Membership with Rotary! -flexible option for businesses, non-profits, schools, and government groups to involve their employees in a local Rotary club

Join Us: Rotary Corporate Membership! Rotary International's corporate membership is a flexible option for businesses, non-profits, schools, and government groups to involve their employees in a local Rotary club. It’s a great way to boost community spirit, connect with others, and make a positive difference!

If you're looking for a great way for your

Blyth Valley Rotary has donated £500 to the wonderful Reydon & Southwold Community Fridge & Pantry!

Blyth Valley Rotary has donated £500 to the wonderful Reydon & Southwold Community Fridge & Pantry! This remarkable local initiative works tirelessly to tackle food waste and support our community. We are proud to help support this community group Need their services or want to visit? The Pantry is open every Wednesday and

Covehithe Plough Day

Covehithe Plough Day - a whopping £3294 profit will be donated to the chosen charities. Thank you to everyone who supported this event. Massive thanks to Graham Scriven and Christine Scriven, Blyth Valley Rotary and volunteers. Thank you to #TheSouthwoldUkes for playing over the lunch time. Thank you to the Volunteers . We could not

Reydon Christmas Lights Switch-on

Saturday 5th December 2026  Starts 5pm    Light Switch-on 6pm on  Jubilee Green Reydon  IP18 6GY 

Reydon Christmas Lights switch-on event has become a community event. This is the centrepiece of the celebration, as Reydon is lit up with Christmas Lights on Bridgefoot Corner and Jubilee Green, Reydon.

Throughout the year, the Christmas Lights fundraising team work tirelessly to raise the funds needed to Light up Reydon

Traditional Christmas Carols, Wrentham Brass Band, Southwold and Reydon Choral Society and a special visitor will

Thursday night was 'Speaker Night . Fascinating, informative talk 'Supporting Dalit Children'

Thursday night was 'Speaker Night . Fascinating, informative talk https://supportingdalitchildren.com/ by Dinah and Peter Findley and Lali and Pete. Supporting Dalit Children is on a heartfelt mission to empower impoverished Dalit children in India by providing essential financial and social support for their education. Raising global awareness of the systemic discrimination they face,

Henham Steam and Country Show - the club members agreed to contribute £350 again

The club agreed to contribute up to £350 towards a coach for a local schools’ education visit to the Henham Steam and Country Show on the Friday before the show officially opened. Lots of very smiley children and huge excitement.

Dictionaries4Life is a Rotary Project - is a long-running literacy initiative organised by Rotary GB&I (Great Britain and Ireland) in partnership with Usborne

Blyth Valley join with other Rotary CLubs to support this project organised by Rotary GBI We deliver Usbourne Dictionaries to primary school children (typically key stage 2 pupils in Years 3 through 6, depending on the club) to support literacy and help them keep a valuable reference book for life. Due to the war in the Middle

Afternoon Tea to Breast Cancer Awareness Now Organised by Rotarian Sally Bird (Non Rotary Event) but we celebrate our members doing good!

Sunday 27th September 2026 2-4 pm at The Southwold Putting and Cafe On The Green. £10 per person . Come join us for a relaxed afternoon tea! We have lots of fun activities lined up, and it’s all for a great cause—every penny we raise will go to Breast Cancer Awareness Now. This wonderful charity is the largest in the UK dedicated to

Friends of Blyth Valley Rotary- We would always welcome volunteers to lend a hand and help at events - no commitment needed

Every so often, we need an extra pair of hands to help with events. Its very unlikely to be too physical and some roles may be sitting down. It is a volunteer role and shifts are two hours generally speaking Get in touch if you are able to help info@blythvalleyrotary.co.uk Covehite Plogh Day Sunday 4th October 2026 Volunteers needed for Refreshments and

The Southwold United Reformed Church hosts an annual Christmas Tree Festival featuring community-made decorations.

The Southwold United Reformed Church on High Street, Southwold hosts an annual Christmas Tree Festival featuring community-made decorations. Blyth Valley Rotary will be taking part in this community display of trees.