Our photo for December is of seasonal snow insulating and illuminating the North East Suffolk countryside. Have you ever seen snow on Southwold beach? It doesn't happen often so catch it when you can!

Richard Maslen: Blythburgh Poet

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Richard Maslen: Blythburgh Poet

Richard Maslen is a poet living in Blythburgh and writing poetry about and inspired by the local area

Cover of The Magnifying Glass
"The Magnifying Glass"
ISBN 978 0 9545094 5 3
(currently out of print)

Richard arrived permanently in East Suffolk in 1986, from Nottingham via Hertfordshire. Writing since 1953, working in the South Wales docks in the R.A.F. at night began his particular love of places, people and landscape.

He is represented in many anthologies, is a prizewinning poet and recently saw his poems featured on the South Bank in London during the London Art exhibition "The Art of Love". Among the poems chosen by the Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, was "Two Sisters" which featured on the walls of the gallery.

His work to date encompasses not only landscape but family life, love, spiritual matters and much more. His new collection "The Magnifying Glass" is quite different and, he hopes, surprising!

A Selection of Richard's Poems

Blythweb are pleased to have permission to publish here a selection of Richard Maslen’s recent poems that have been inspired by and are about the landscape around Blythburgh in the Blyth Valley. Some of the poems are accompanied by Richard's photographs.

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Some Favourite Websites For December 2024:

Singtong Neeyom Thai RestaurantDelicious authentic Thai Cuisine

Take a look at Singtong Neeyom Thai Restaurant in the centre of Halesworth, for a range of delicious and skillfully prepared Thai dishes created by their own native Thai, Piek.

Green Haven Holidays - Wheelwrights CottageSelf Catering accommodation for up to three people + two dogs, in Rumburgh near Halesworth

Just 500 metres to the dog-friendly CAMRA village pub! This beamed cottage has been beautifully modernised to provide one-bedroom accommodation with kingsize bed, plus additional single bed if required. WiFi. Front garden plus rear courtyard with outdoor furniture. Parking for two cars. Pets welcome at no extra charge. Short breaks available. Close to Halesworth and within 20 minutes drive to Southwold on the Suffolk Heritage Coast.

St James Village OrchardA beautifully well kept natural space cared for and maintained by the community

At the western edge of the small Suffolk village of St James South Elmham is a triangular shaped field of about one acre, bounded on two sides by Metfield Road and Common Road and known as the Greshaw Green Enclosure. The St James Village Orchard Project has transformed the enclosure into a flourishing community orchard.

Rookyard Cottage, HoltonEco-friendly self-catering cottage near Halesworth with private heated indoor swimming pool available

Set in over two acres Valley Farm offers two self-catering cottages, Rookyard Cottage and Swallow Barn, both with eco-friendly features and each sleeping up to four people + cot. Rated AA 4 Stars. WiFi. Private heated indoor swimming pool available. Ten miles from seaside at Southwold. Pets not accepted.

Valley FarmA large family farmhouse in Walberswick

A Grade II listed farmhouse for up to 11, plus 2 cots, with amazing views across the marshes to the sea.