December
Every Monday
Yoga, Henley Community Village Hall, Ashbocking Road, 7.45pm – 9.15pm, 01473 690762
Ballet, Tap & Modern Dance Classes, Witnesham Village Hall, for ages 3 to Adult, from 4pm, call Kelly on 07799 130967 or email kelly@enpointedancing.co.uk for more details, A Qualified Member of United Teachers of Dance
Line Dancing, Bramford Road Methodist Church Hall, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Ipswich Sea Cadets – The Sea Cadet Corps is a nationwide voluntary uniformed youth organisation. Most of our activities are based on the traditions and customs of the Royal Navy.Activities for 10-17 year olds, For more information see our website at www.tsorwell.co.uk or telephone (01473) 259508 or e-mail info@tsorwell.co.uk
Suffolk Promenaders Square Dance Club, Rushmere Village Hall, Humber doucy Lane, Ipswich, 7.30pm – 10pm, Only £2, tea and coffee provided, contact 01473 422663 after 2pm for further details
Every Tuesday
Badminton Cub looking for new members, beginners or more experienced players are welcome, 7.30pm to10pm, refreshments and cake included, For further info contact Robert on 01473 711799.
Dance & Music Improvisation, Northgate Arts centre in Ipswich, 7pm -8pm (studio available from 6.45-8.15pm for warm-up and warm-down) £5 / £3.50 (freelance dance artists and concessions) Telephone 07830755070
Yoga, Halifax School, Prince of Wales Drive, Stoke Park, 7.30pm – 9pm, 01473 690762
Pyjama Drama, Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road, 9.40am Rainbows, 10.30am Raindrops, 11.15 am Dewdrops, Drama & creative play classes for children up to the
age of 7, for more info contact Jane on 0844 272 6579
Martlesham Heath Country Market, The Pavilion, The Square, Martlesham Heath, 9am, home-made, home-grown, and home-crafted items for sale. Info 01473 623849 or www.martleshammarket.co.uk
Ipswich Folk Dance Club, St Johns U.R.C, Cowper St, 8pm – 10pm. Experience not necessary, as all dances are walked through first, and then called. For full details call
01473 212085.
Tea Dance, Ballroom & Sequence Dancing, Sidegate Lane Community Centre, 2pm -4pm, £2. Includes tea and biscuits, for further information tel 01473 257593.
Knit ‘n’ Natter Group, Bags of Handles, Walton, Felixstowe, 6pm – 9pm, Knit, Natter and browse through hundreds of knitting magazines available to the group.
Every Wednesday
Voices Together, award winning female singing group. Whitehouse Baptist Church, Waterford Road, Ipswich, 7.30pm – 9pm. Friendly rehearsals. No auditions. Easy listening music. Interested? Call Kath 01473 652351
Pyjama Drama, Brackenbury Sports Centre, Felixstowe, 9.40am Rainbows, 10.30am Raindrops, 11.15 am Dewdrops, Drama & creative play classes for children up to the age of 7, for more info contact Jane on 0844 272 6579
New Voices is a friendly, enthusiastic choir who sing a wide variety of choral music. 7.30pm – 9.30pm, Seventh Adventist Church, Rope Walk, Ipswich, New members are welcome. Email info@newvoices.org.uk for more information.
Chi Kung Class, Westerfield Village Hall, 6.15pm – 7.30pm, for full details, contact
Jo email Dharmatree@yahoo.co.uk or call 077 46829197.
Yoga Class, Westerfield Village Hall,
7.40pm – 9.15pm, for full details, contact Jo email Dharmatree@yahoo.co.uk or call
077 46829197.
Every Thursday
Pyjama Drama, Ipswich Sports Club, Henley Road, Ipswich, 9.40am Rainbows, 10.30am Raindrops, 11.15 am Dewdrops, Drama & creative play classes for children up to the age of 7, for more info contact Jane on 0844 272 6579
Ipswich Country Market, Rushmere Village Hall, Humber Doucy Lane, 10.15am to 11.30am, Local Food, Handmade Crafts Open to all, Free Entry
Coffee and Chat informal coffee morning with activities, 10.00am – 12noon All Saints Church Hall Blenheim Road, Ipswich
Yoga Class, Museum Street Methodist Church, 12.45pm – 1.45pm, 01449 615351
Every Friday
Pyjama Drama, Village Hall, Capel St Mary, 9.40 Rainbows, 10.30am Raindrops, 11.15am Dewdrop, Drama & creative play classes for children up to the age of 7, for more info contact Jane on 0844 272 6579
Every Saturday
Mini-Market, Manning’s Amusements, Sea Road, Felixstowe, 10am – 4pm
Pyjama Drama, Kesgrave Community Centre, 9.15am Rainbows, 10.15am Rainbows, 11.15am Sunbeams, Drama & creative play classes for children up to the age of 7, for more info contact Jane on 0844 272 6579
Kesgrave Country Market, Kesgrave Scout H/Q Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, 9.30am – 11.30am, home-made, home-grown, and home-crafted items for sale, further information Tel. 01473 623849 or www.martleshammarket,co.uk
Thu 1st Dec
Ghost Tour Of Ipswich with Gemini Travel, meet outside Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, St Stephen’s Church, St Stephen’s Lane, Ipswich, 8pm, £5, 01473 258070
Thu 2nd Dec – Tue 6th Dec
Christmas Tree Festival, St Mary le Tower Church, Tower St, Ipswich, 9am-5pm, adults £2, children free
Fri 2nd Dec
Rough Cuts: Darren Ellis, Dance East, Jerwood Dance House, Ipswich Waterfront, www.danceeast.co.uk
Christmas Tales & Ales Tour, Gemini Travel, 01473 462721
Martlesham Heath Aviation Society Monthly Meeting, Martlesham Heath Community Centre, Old Felixstowe Rd, Martlesham Heath, 7.30pm, Characters of East Anglia – presented by Mark Michels, £2.50/£1.50, www.mhas.org.uk
English Guitar Quartet Concert, Constable Hall, Gandish Rd, East Bergholt, 8pm, www.svam.org.uk
Suffolk Book League, St Joseph’s College Library, Ipswich, 7.30pm, doors open at 7pm, Members £4, Non Members £7.50, Students Free, www.sbl.org.uk
Sat 3rd Dec – Sun 4th Dec
Christmas Fair, Stonham Barns, Pettaugh Road, Stonham, 10am – 4pm, Free Entry, Celebrate Christmas in a Winter Wonderland with lots of shops and seasonal craft stalls packed with Christmas Ideas. Free Entry to see the owls, special flying displays, follow the Christmas pudding quiz trail and have fun at kid’s seasonal workshop at the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary. Visit Father Christmas in his Snowy Owlish grotto with a gift for each child (£2.50)
Sat 3rd Dec
Adult Musical Theatre Workshop inspired by Dirty Dancing, Dance East, Jerwood Dance House, Ipswich Waterfront, www.danceeast.co.uk
Christmas Concert, Holbrook Choral Society, Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, 7.30pm, www.rhscommunity.co.uk
Christmas Concert, St Peter’s by the Waterfront, Ipswich, 7pm, The concert will feature the Ipswich Hospital Training Band and the Springfield Junior School Choir, Tickets £6 available from St Peter’s by the Waterfront on 01473 225269.
Christmas Concert with the Springfield Junior School Choir, St Peter’s by the Waterfront, Ipswich, St Peter’s Band, Book on 01473 225269, www.stpetersbythewaterfront.co.uk
Christmas Fair Holbrook Village Hall, 10.30am – 2.30pm, 01473 327993, iao RSPCA
Big Christmas Bazaar, Church Hall, Kirton, 2pm – 4pm
Christmas Wreath Workshop (advanced), Ickworth House, Park & Gardens, Bury St Edmunds, 11am – 3.30pm, £50. Includes park and garden admission. Join head Gardener at Ickworth’s festive wreath making workshop. Watch a demonstration and then make your own wreath for your front door. Materials provided – please bring your own secateurs and gloves. Morning/afternoon coffee and lunch included. This is a slightly more advanced workshop for those with some experience, Booking essential on 01284 769505 (Theatre Royal Booking agency).
Sun 4th Dec
Christmas Street Fair, Woodbridge, 10am – 4pm
Victorian Christmas, Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, 10am – 4pm, free event
Concert, The Sudbourne Ensemble, St Andrew’s Church, Felixstowe, 3pm, Tickets £10 children free, book on 01394 670633, www.felixstowemusic.com
Antiques & Collectors Fair, Cameo Hotel, Copdock, up to 90 stalls
Christmas Gift Fair, Dance East, Ipswich Waterfront, 10.30am – 4pm,
Charity Dog Walk, Meet Manor Terrace Car Park, Felixstowe at 11am, to register contact Mary-Anne on 07840 871547 iao Animal Health Trust, see page 21 for details
Tue 6th Dec
Christmas Tree Festival, St Mary-le-Tower Church, Tower Street, Ipswich, 9am – 12pm, see over 70 decorated Christmas trees. Refreshments available. Adults £2, Children and Concessions free, www.stmaryletower.org.uk
Lunchtime Concert, St Mary-le-Tower Church, Tower Street, Ipswich, 1.10pm, Michael Nicholas – popular favourites in association with the St Mary-le-Tower Christmas Tree Festival, Admission free, retiring collection – refreshments available from, 12.20pm, www.ipswich-church-choir.co.uk
Wed 7th Dec
Suffolk Wildlife Trust Illustrated Talk – Mammals of Suffolk/Simone Bullion, St Margaret’s School, Bolton Lane, Ipswich, 7.30pm, £2 on door
Pensioners Christmas Lunch, Dunwich Heath, from 12pm, Enjoy this traditional feast of three courses and coffee in the unique setting of the Coastguard Cottages. After lunch enjoy some Carol singing by local school children. (Private parties also catered for), Tickets £19.50 per person. Early booking recommended on
01728 648501.
Sing Out For Marie Curie, Co-op Education Centre, Fore Street, Ipswich, 7.30pm, £4, Refreshments and Raffle,
Thu 8th Dec
Lunchtime Concert, The Gippeswyk Singers, Museum Street Methodist Church, Ipswich, 1pm -1.50pm, admission free
Ipswich RSPB Group Indoor Meeting, Sidegate Lane School, Ipswich 7.30pm, Christmas Social Evening with finger buffet (contributions appreciated) plus ‘Havergate Island’. An illustrated talk by Kieren Alexander,Group members £1.80, Non-members £3.00, concessions apply, All welcome, Contact
01473 423213.
Fri 9th Dec – Sat 10th Dec
Lavenham Christmas Street Fair, 6pm – 8.30pm Friday, and 10am – 5pm Saturday, More info on www.discoverlavenham.co.uk
The Gift of God, a play for Christmas, All Saints Church Hall, Blenheim Road, Ipswich, Friday 7pm, Saturday 2pm & 7pm, Tickets £3, children £1, proceeds to children’s charities. Ring 01473 742462/747363 for more information or to reserve tickets
Fri 9th Dec – Sun 11th Dec
Christmas Fair, Little Hall, Lavenham, Friday 5pm – 8pm, Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm, Exciting range of ceramics, pottery, textiles, jewellery, pictures, prints & cards, Free Entry
Sat 10th Dec
Carols and Songs, Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, Decibelles from 11am-1pm and New Voices from 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Festive Market, Woodbridge, 10am – 4pm
Ipswich RSPB Local Group Field Meeting at RSPB North Warren and Thorpeness for geese, wildfowl & winter Birds, Meet at 10am at Thorpeness car park. 4 hrs. 5-6 miles. Map ref TM472596. Contact 01473 258791,
All welcome.
Special Winter Tour – Christchurch Characters, Ipswich, Christchurch Mansion, 11am, £4/£3 Friend of Ipswich Museum, Book on 01473 433554
Christmas Craft Fayre, Trinity Methodist Church Hall, Felixstowe, 10am – 4pm, visit Father Christmas in his Grotto from 10am, craft stalls, selling beautiful gifts, craft supplies, jewellery, hand-made cards etc. Refreshments will be available, along with home-made cakes and mince pies
Saturday Talks – Charles Dickens and Suffolk presented by Clive Paine, Ipswich Record Office, Gatacre Road, Ipswich, 10am – £5.50, book on 01473 584541
Winter Showcase, Dance East, Jerwood Dance House, Ipswich Waterfront, www.danceeast.co.uk
Suffolk Singers, directed by Claire Weston, a “Prelude to Christmas”, All Saints Church, Wickham Market, Tickets £8, under 14’s £5, available from Rob or Daphne Rose on 01728 748199, Also from the Teapot Tearoom, Wickham Market, www.suffolksingers.co.uk.
Christmas Concert, Ipswich Gilbert & Sullivan Society, St Peter’s Church A, Stoke Park Drive, Ipswich, 7pm, 01473 434062
Christmas Tree Festival, Traditional Christmas Concert, Stowmarket Parish Church’s, 7pm, 01449 615275/01449 676800, www.stowmarketchorale.org.uk
Constable Country Ramble: Walking in the Footsteps of Constable, Flatford Mill, 10 am – 1pm, Join a 3 hour (4 mile) guided ramble to visit some of the places and views which inspired the artist John Constable, including the village of East Bergholt and the lane along which he walked to school. £6, booking essential 01206 298260
Sun 11th Dec
Carols in the Italianate Garden, Ickworth House, Park & Garden, Bury St Edmunds, 6pm – 7.30pm, Free entry, Join a special carol concert for a perfect evening for all the family to enjoy some warming food, great shopping and rousing carols. Bell ringers and choirs will help you along the way to get you into the spirit of Christmas.
Tue 13th Dec
Illustrated Presentation by John Bulbeck/RAF Marine Branch 1963-1965, Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society, Ascension Hall, Larchcroft Rd, Ipswich, 7.30pm, doors open 7pm, members £1, non members £2, www.ipswichanddistricthistoricaltransportsociety.co.uk
Lunchtime Concert, St Mary-le-Tower Church, Tower Street, Ipswich, 1.10pm, Christine Stevenson piano – a celebration of Liszt (b.1811), Admission free, retiring collection – refreshments available from, 12.20pm, www.ipswich-church-choir.co.uk
Felixstowe Area Social Club for Retired Persons, Christmas entertainment from the R2G2 Barbershop Quartet, Old Felixstowe Community Centre, 2.15pm, New members always welcome. Please call Matthew Robertson, 01394 282202 for more information.
Ipswich RSPB Local Group Midweek Walk round Christchurch Park. Meet at 10.00am at Soane Street entrance, 2 hrs. Map ref TM165448. Contact 01473 714839,
All welcome.
Wed 14th Dec – Wed 21st Dec
Christmas Spectacular – Co-Op Juniors, Snape Maltings Concert Hall, www.coopjuniors.co.uk
Wed 14th Dec – Sat 24th Dec
Boy Blue Entertainment presents Legacy. The Works, Jerwood Dance House, Ipswich Waterfront, Hip Hop Dance Theatre Co, 01473 295230, www.danceeast.co.uk
Wed 14th Dec
Carols on the Coast, Dunwich Heath, 1.30pm – 2.30pm, carol service with Leiston Middle School Brass Band and choir, while enjoying a warm mince pie & glass of mulled wine. Free.
Thu 15th Dec
Suffolk Family History Society – The History of British Steam Railways presented by Rev Tom Tyler, Red Cross Hall, Chevallier St, Ipswich, 7.30pm, admission £2,
Sat 17th Dec
Ipswich Sings Christmas, Ipswich Corn Exchange, 7.30pm, Box Office 01473 433100
Christmas Celebration Concert, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford, 4.30pm, 01284 769505
Christmas Fun, Dunwich Heath, 10.30am – 2pm, Santa’s reindeer have disappeared! See if you can complete the trail and find them and Santa! Fun games and activities in the Barn too, Tickets £5.00 per child (includes a gift & discount voucher for the Tearoom).
Sun 18th Dec
Christmas Folklore & Carols, Thornham Walks Activities, 2pm – 4pm, 01379 788345/01449 724633
Monday 19 December 2011, 7.30pm
Boo Hewerdine plus special guests – Ezio and Booga, Duke Special,
Brooks Williams and State Of The Union
Ely Maltings, Ship Lane, Ely, Cambs CB7 4BB
Tickets available from www.boohewerdine.com
also from Burrows Bookshop, Ely and from 07841 881 597.
Mon 19th Dec
‘Arctic Explorers’, Foxburrow Farm, Saddlemakers Lane, Melton, Woodbridge, 10am – 12.30pm, £4, An Activity morning for 6-10 year olds, Come and find out about amazing arctic wildlife and learn about the lives of the Inuit tribe, Book 01394 380113 or at foxburrow.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Carols with Father Christmas, Market Hill, Woodbridge, 6.30pm
Tue 20th Dec
Lunchtime Concert, St Mary-le-Tower Church, Tower Street, Ipswich, 1.10pm, St Mary-le-Tower Church Choir – Giles Brightwell organ, Michael Nicholas director, Carols and Music for Christmas, Admission free, retiring collection – refreshments available from, 12.20pm, www.ipswich-church-choir.co.uk
Mon 26th Dec
Constable Country Ramble: Boxing Day in the Stour Valley, Flatford Mill, 10.30am – 1pm, Enjoy a 2.5 hour (4mile) guided ramble through the beautiful landscape of the Stour Valley, using quiet footpaths to explore the rich tapestry of fields and woods that were the inspiration for the artist John Constable, £6, booking essential 01206 298260
Tue 27th Dec
Winter Walk with the Warden, Dunwich Heath, 10am – 12pm, Over indulged over the festive period? A two-hour guided walk with the warden exploring the fascinating wildlife of Dunwich Heath. Please meet outside the Information Centre opposite the Coastguard Cottages, Tickets £5, Early booking recommended on 01728 648501.
Guided walks at Minsmere
(www.rspb.org.uk/minsmere)
Costs : Adults £7, RSPB members £5, children half price, unless otherwise stated
Places limited. Unless stated, booking is essential. Call 01728 648281 or email bookings.Minsmere@rspb.org.uk
Weekend wildlife walk
December: Sun 11, Sat 31
Start at 9.30 am (2.5 – 3 hours)
Join us for a seasonal weekend walk to look for breeding birds, flowers, insects, migrants, wintering ducks and a host of other wildlife highlights that may be present at the time.
Winter wander
December: Thurs 8, Fri 16, Mon 19, Wed 28
Start at 10 am (1.5 – 2 hours)
Join us for an introduction to Minsmere’s winter wildlife highlights. Enjoy a relaxed walk with a later start, returning to the visitor centre in time to purchase a warming bowl of soup. These shorter walks will take in one or two hides, depending on where the best variety of wildlife can be seen, and are ideal for beginners and improvers. Costs: adult £5, RSPB member £4, children half price.
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