Suffolk Christmas traditions
PUBLISHED: 17:03 21 November 2016 | UPDATED: 17:03 21 November 2016
The Santa Run at Needham Lake.
Archant
What makes a real Christmas? For some it’s the chance to exercise the lungs at a carol service, or a visit to the local panto, while for many it’s an important spiritual highlight of the year. Christmas traditions in the 21st century come in many guises
Christmas Day Swim at Felixstowe in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice The Santa Run
Who’d have thought it? There’s more than one Santa! And you’ll find them in parks and recreation grounds all over the country in the run up to Christmas (where do they find the time?)
The Santa Run has become a hugely popular fun way to raise money for charity – and get some turkey busting exercise – and it’s something the whole family can take part in.
Christmas Day Swim at Felixstowe in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice Ipswich Inflatable 5k Santa Run
Saturday December 3, Trinity Park, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, IP3 8UH
The UK’s only inflatable 5k Santa Run. Pit your wits against ten giant inflatable obstacles that will let you flip, bounce and boing your way around a 5k course in full Santa kit. Crazy, but huge fun and a great opportunity to raise money for local causes.
Scores of bearded Santa's limber up and set off on the annual EACH Santa Run around Ipswich Town Centre on SundayPrice: £25. Contact: events@ukrunningevents.co.uk www.ukrunningevents.co.uk/inflatable-5k-santa-run-Ipswich
Santa’s Heveningham Hell Run
EADT - News
Pics by Alex Fairfull 19-12-10
Santa today arrived at Snape Maltings by barge today with over 100 people lining the shoreline ready to see him.
EADT 20.12.10
Sunday December 4, 11am, Heveningham Hall, Heveningham IP19 0PN
A 10km cross country race through the historic Capability Brown landscape at Heveningham Hall. A Santa Run like no other. Again, you can raise money for the local cause of your choice
Father Christmas to arrive by an historic Thames sailing barge at Snape Maltings ready for its big Christmas events.He is sailing . . .
Saturday December 17, Father Christmas Arrives at Snape Maltings by Thames Barge 3.15pm, Snape Maltings, Snape, IP17 1SP
It’s a little known fact that Father Christmas likes to rest the reindeer occasionally and travel by Thames barge along the beautiful River Alde to Snape Maltings for a little top-up gift shopping (and to sneak a few ideas). No doubt he enjoys a hot chocolate while he’s there. Who wouldn’t?
This has become quite a tradition at Snape, so take the whole family to see him and make a day of it. It’s free! There’s lots to see and do at Snape Maltings, as well as being a brilliant place to find gifts, buy food treats, see some arts and crafts, and enjoy a meal together.
http://www.snapemaltings.co.uk/events
Get in the swim
A little harder to understand this one, but on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, many people like a quick dip (and it’s usually pretty quick) in the near Arctic North Sea. They plunge in at Felixstowe, Southwold, Aldeburgh, Walberswick or wherever’s convenient, often festively dressed for the occasion. They’dre doing it for charity, of course, and each year thousands of pounds are raised for local causes this way.
St Elizabeth Hospice’s Christmas and New Year’s Day Dips
St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich runs both a Christmas Day Dip, in Felixstowe, and a New Year’s Day Dip, in Gorleston.
The Christmas Day Dip is now in its tenth year, and is growing year on year, with around 500 local supporters expected to run into the sea on Christmas morning. The New Year’s Day Dip is in its second year, but organisers hope it will also become popular and raise more money for the hospice. You can register for both the Christmas and New Year’s Day Dips at www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk. Registration is £5 per person for both events and participants are asked to raise sponsorship, or you can take part in the Christmas Day Dip can opt to pay £10 to register and receive a Christmas Day Dip T-shirt.
For more information or to request a paper registration form, contact the fundraising team on 01473 723600 or email fundraising@stelizabethhospice.org.uk.
Rotary Club of Southwold and District
The club organises the Christmas Day swim at Southwold, 10.30am on Southwold Beach near Gun Hill. Fancy dress is encouraged. All swimmers are asked to raise some sponsorship money for the chosen charities, East Anglian Air Ambulance, Southwold RNLI and Waveney Sailability. Swimmers get a medal for taking part and raising money.
You can fund-raise via the Virgin Money Giving page http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ seach for Rotary Club of Southwold and District
