Area: Suffolk

'We are a group of family history enthusiasts based near the East Suffolk coast, midway between Felixstowe and Lowestoft ... which includes the towns of Aldeburgh, Leiston, Saxmundham, Framlingham and Orford. However, we are the only family-history group within quite a large part of Suffolk ... We offer our members a range of services, including monthly talks on a diverse range of topics, assistance with their personal research, access to a growing collection of archive material and an informative quarterly newsletter.'

'The Society is concerned with the local history of the area covered by Aldeburgh, Thorpeness, Leiston, Snape, Iken, and Sudbourne ...  We carry out archaeological digs, have a comprehensive series of lectures and expeditions, and an ongoing oral history programme.'

'The Aldeburgh Literary Festival was started in 2002 by John and Mary James of The Aldeburgh Bookshop. It has featured an extraordinary variety of talks, from the local to the global, the serious to the hilarious, the scientific to the philosophical. The Festival is proud to be located in Aldeburgh at the Jubilee Hall and we are delighted that our audience fills the streets of Aldeburgh with visitors and conversation in a winter weekend. The intimate atmosphere makes it very special. We are also proud that this is a completely independent Literary Festival receiving no grants or sponsorship.' Normally held September.

'Started life as The Aldeburgh Festival Club. It was founded in 1948 , the year of the first Aldeburgh Festival and provided somewhere for Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears - together with the performers and guests, to meet in convivial surroundings ... With the passage of time, the close association with the Aldeburgh Festival diminished and after a number of years of falling membership and lower attendances at events - probably reflecting the changing demographic influences in the town, the Club members in 2014 decided to regenerate the Club and it was formally renamed The Aldeburgh Phoenix Club. Events are now held fortnightly in three different venues ... New members and guests are always made very welcome.'

'We currently have about twenty members ranging from relative beginners to those who are more broadly experienced. The latter are very happy to share their knowledge and, indeed, that is very much the ethos of the Group. We have chosen not to offer serious competitions, preferring to encourage and support rather than compete. If you are interested in photography and like what you have read about us, why not consider coming along as a visitor one evening or joining us as a full member.'

Member of the Alpine Garden Society Grouping

Member of the Antiquarian Horological Society Grouping

'We are a friendly, informal and sociable club, with members of all levels of ability. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month ... Anyone with an interest in photography is welcome. Come and meet us, attend your first two meetings for free. Members under 23 years old and in full time education are exempt from the annual membership fee.'

Member of the BCSS - 2 East of England Grouping

 Member of the British Horological Institute Grouping

'Our members range from teenagers to retired seniors. We all share our enjoyment of image composition, cameracraft, computer techniques and going head-to-head in a few fun competitions! ... Our meetings are very varied, offering practical help sessions, competitions, talks by guest speakers, photography and image editing tutorials, indoor (in normal times) and outdoor photography sessions.'

'The Festival brings ten packed days of entertainment in venues and spaces all around the town. It allows us to see highly anticipated performances from artists of international renown alongside home-grown talent.' Normally held Mid May.

Member of the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers Grouping

'The Society was formed in 1960 to promote and encourage an interest in the history of our town and its surrounding area. To this end we hold a series of lectures each year from October through to March on topics of local history.'

'Our Society was founded 1958 as the St Margaret's Camera Club and is open to all those who are interested in photography whether they are novices, amateurs or even professionals. Through practical demonstrations, competitions, lectures or just by talking to others about photography, the Society's aim is to help our members learn more about the art, to encourage the development of photographic skills and the appreciation of photography. Advice is always on hand, no matter how experienced or inexperienced you are. Our annual programme of weekly events include guest lectures and interactive workshops.'

Member of the Butterfly Conservation Grouping

Member of the Christians in Science Grouping

Member of the Cottage Garden Society Grouping

'An astronomy society based under the dark skies of the North Suffolk coast. We have been operating since Midsummer 2013 and have built up a group of likeminded members who cover various levels of competency, from absolute beginner to keen amateur, and who are all invested in the development of their astronomy knowledge and skills.'

'The Society has been established since 1948 for the advancement of Photography as an Art and a Science through the mutual assistance and friendly criticism between its members. The society welcomes anyone who has an interest in photography, where we provide a friendly atmosphere combining monthly and annual competitions with guest speakers, members’ workshops and demonstrations.'

'We're a friendly Suffolk Camera Club welcoming members of all ages and abilities ... Activities include competitions, talks, exhibitions, tutorial/beginners sessions, and visits to other clubs and events.'

Member of the GeoConservationUK Grouping

'The Club was formed many years ago by a group of like minded people enthusiastic about the art of photography, who were keen to improve their picture taking skill, and for some time now, its membership has shown itself worthy in opposition against other clubs occasionally many times the size of Halesworth. Competitions form a small but an important part of our yearly programme which is also made up of informative talks by visiting speakers, demonstrations, visits to other clubs, local outings with cameras and an excellent social side.'

'The Heritage Circle, a local history group, meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month ... There is a speaker each month on a variety of subjects: halfway through the presentation, we take a break for refreshments and this is an opportunity to chat with fellow members. The talks are a mixture of local and national topics of interest.'

'Membership of the Society is about 130 with more than 60 attending the monthly meetings which are held on the first Thursday of the month (not Jan, Aug or Dec) ... Speakers talk on and/or demonstrate, with or without visual presentation, garden or related topics with each one being an expert in their subject.'

'Our mission is to create, develop and produce a vital and dynamic programme of theatre, and other live performances and projects, for all the people of Suffolk and surrounding areas.'

'The Society meets every third Tuesday of the month from September to April at 7.30 pm ... when we have a visiting speaker.'

'OASI is a society for people interested in astronomy. We are based at Orwell Park Observatory and Newbourne Village Hall, both situated near Ipswich, Suffolk. Members enjoy a wide range of interests in astronomy and include armchair astronomers, casual observers, and dedicated amateurs with specialist skills in visual and photographic observing, constructing telescopes, public education in astronomy and the history of astronomy.'

Member of The Arts Society - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of Plant Heritage Grouping

'Our first festival was in November 2016 and we hold them annually. We also work with local and national organisations in the arts & literary fields to support poetry in our area. We continue to be very heartened by the level of personal support and encouragement for our collaborative and volunteer led venture.' Normally held Early November.

Member of the Richard III Society Grouping

Member of the RSPB - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of the RSPB - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of the RSPB - 2 East of England Grouping

'The Society was founded in 2003 to provide a focal point for amateur astronomers of all levels of interest and ability to meet and share their enjoyment of the night skies. Members are drawn from nearby towns and villages in the Stour Valley area and from further afield. At each meeting an illustrated talk will be given either by a society member or by a guest speaker.'

'Almost everyone enjoys taking photographs these days. However if you want to develop your skills and take more satisfying photographs, joining a camera club is an excellent step. There is a lot of practical help at hand. Most members are only too happy to share their expertise. If there is something you'd like to be able to do, there's probably someone in the club who can help. Informal "How-to-do-it" sessions could be arranged throughout the new season (if there is a demand). Also, if you are thinking of purchasing equipment, you can usually find some good advice.'

Member of the Suffolk Beekeepers' Association Grouping

Member of The Astrological Association Grouping

'The Association is a thriving community of over 700 beekeepers ... Its purpose is to promote good beekeeping. This involves crop pollination and the collection, sale, showing and use of honey and wax. We provide instructions and demonstrations in these subjects, leading to an understanding of these fascinating insects and how to keep them healthy. There are facilities for courses in beekeeping and nationally recognized examinations can be taken. There are also branch libraries with beekeeping books ... Regular indoor meetings are held at Kesgrave, Barsham and Bury St Edmunds with practical apiary meetings, social gatherings and events at other locations in the county during the year. Attendance at these events is open to non-members.'

Member of the Suffolk Beekeepers' Association Grouping

Member of the Suffolk Beekeepers Association Grouping.

'We are the voice of Suffolk birdwatchers. An independent birding group and registered charity founded in 1973 ... The Suffolk Bird Group runs a full calendar of indoor and outdoor events and all are welcome. The indoor talks cover a range of topics from local patches, foreign bird trips, conservation and the occasional interactive ones such as demonstrations of BTO Birdtrack and bird drawing tips.'

'Suffolk Book League was founded in 1982 and has introduced a varied programme of novelists, historians, poets, journalists, biographers, MPs and social commentators to speak in Suffolk ... The SBL is a registered charity, the aim of which is to promote, encourage, foster or strengthen by all and every suitable means the habit of reading and the wider and more general distribution of books, by and among all people.'

'Founded at Lowestoft in 1975, we are a group of keen amateur genealogists whose objectives are to promote and encourage the study of family history, genealogy, heraldry and local history with particular reference to Suffolk; and to promote the preservation, security and accessibility of archive material ... A warm welcome awaits you at any of our Group Meetings. Each Group organises its own programme of talks, walks, open days and events. Advice is always available for those just starting their family tree, or those who are looking for a missing "branch".'

Member of the Suffolk Family History Society Grouping

Member of the Suffolk Family History Society Grouping

Member of the Suffolk Family History Society Grouping

Member of the Suffolk Family History Society Grouping

Member of the Suffolk Family History Society Grouping

Member of the Local History Society Federations Grouping

Member of The Orchid Society of Great Britain Grouping

Member of The Wildlife Trusts Grouping

Member of The Arts Society - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of The Arts Society - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of The Arts Society - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of The Arts Society - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of The Arts Society - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of The Arts Society - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of The Arts Society - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of The Arts Society - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of The Arts Society - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of The Arts Society - 2 East of England Grouping

Member of the Suffolk Beekeepers' Association Grouping

Member of the Suffolk Beekeepers' Association Grouping

Member of the Western Front Association Grouping

'Our aim is to help our members learn more about the art of photography and to develop their photographic skills. The club is open to anyone with an interest in photography, whether novice, amateur or professional, or even non-photographers. We meet monthly and have a varied programme of speakers, competitions, demonstrations and practical evenings.'

Member of the World Ship Society Grouping