One of Spring’s magical additions to the Tide Mill renovation project was the Mouse Game.

We commissioned an illustrator to create beautifully detailed colour images of twelve mice. These are hidden around the Mill, and those who find all twelve win a chocolate mouse (made by Bex’s husband, artisan baker Johnny Spillings). It’s been hugely popular, with the chocolate mouse supply having to be replenished regularly.

A sweet touch was to give each mouse the name of someone from the Tide Mill team, either from its trustees or suppliers. Here’s Nigel, named after the estimable Nigel Barratt.

Spring’s Simon Hazelgrove, with characteristic modesty (yes, really!) declined the opportunity to be remembered in perpetuity as a mouse. But the Tide Mill trustees haven’t let the matter rest there – so Simon turned up for a site inspection this morning to find that the Mill cat has been renamed.

Spring has been delighted to work with Simon Loftus on his new book about Southwold, a comprehensive history written by Simon on behalf of Southwold Museum, of which he and I are both trustees.

This is the first broad history of the town to be written for a number of years, and is, in part, a collation of articles and pamphlets published by the Museum over the years. Spring designer Glen Cone designed and artworked the book and Spring print managed the project too.

It is available to buy now from the Museum for the cost of £8, and members of the Southwold and Reydon Historical Society (the official members group connected to the Southwold Museum) can enjoy free postage. Adnams Cellar & Kitchen stores are also selling the book, and we have heard that they’re flying off the shelves.

Those of you that are familiar with us Springers will know just how much we love the Suffolk coast. Whether it’s a long leisurely weekend stroll through Dunwich Heath, or a brisk walk along the beach at Southwold, we just can’t get enough!

So when the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB team approached us to develop a set of brand guidelines, we were delighted to help them communicate the value of this landscape that we love so much. Working to create a set of assets that their partners and stakeholders could use without changing the established logo, Spring has introduced a flexible and relevant colour palette, accessible fonts and a binding tone of voice.

We worked with the AONB team to consolidate and develop their brand for use across a range of communications platforms. We were particularly lucky to have a set of four beautiful woodcuts at our disposal. Designed by local illustrator and printmaker Claire Curtis to mark the 40^th anniversary of the AONB, these woodcuts are the perfect complement to the strong, contemporary colours and graphics of the AONB logo.

The brand guidelines are available for download on the Suffolk Coast and Heaths website.

If you love Southwold and you want to uncover a real gem, let us introduce the Pit Stop.

To those of you who have already discovered this magical place beside Southwold Golf Club on The Common, we’re preaching to the converted – but if you’ve never been, do make this weekend the first time of many.

Run by the wonderful Anne Clarke and her small team of girls, the Pit Stop is a great place for children to run free safely, play with some of the many toys, play tennis on one of the three courts and eat good food. For parents it offers a rare opportunity to relax, read the papers, drink tea and perhaps tackle one of Anne’s legendary breakfasts (followed by excellent home made cake – why not!).

The cricket pavilion style building on site is decorated with pictures drawn by the Pit Stop’s loyal young visitors (and some by their parents too.)

Not just for children, it’s a great place for walkers and cyclists to stop for refreshment on a circuit of Southwold’s bounds, and has a large group of regular visitors who stop to chat and relax in this convivial environment.

This amazing Southwold community asset just about covers its costs, so does not need a blow like the generator breaking down. Which it did, during the short winter break.

When we heard about this set back, we offered to buy a new one – and so, last week, that’s just what we did.

In terms of contributions, it’s tiny in comparison to that made by Anne Clarke, and we were delighted to be able to help keep the Pit Stop powered up.

Why not have a break from the chocolate and hot cross buns this Easter weekend to indulge in a mouth-wateringly creative recital from dynamic pianist Nathan Williamson.

Performing at St Edmunds Church on Saturday 7th April as part of the Southwold Concert Series, Nathan will be showcasing his talent both as one of the foremost young musicians in the country and as Artistic Director for the series.

The programme for the evening is:

Liszt – Variations on a theme of Bach (Weinen, klagen, sorgen, zagen)

Bach – Fantasia and Fugue in A minor, BWV 904

Mozart – Fantasy and Fugue in C major, K.394

Nathan Williamson – Variations on a theme of Mozart (world premiere)

Franz Liszt – From the ‘Transcendental Etudes’: Eroica, Harmonies du Soir, Chasse-Neige

Ludwig van Beethoven – Sonata in A flat, op.110

The concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12, to include an interval drink courtesy of our co-sponsors, Adnams. All attendees are invited to become Friends of the Concert Series for just a fiver a year – this largely goes to support the work of the Concert Series, but also ensures you are kept up to date with the latest news and receive the beautiful season brochure each year.

The Box Office is at Spring, 4 Church Street (open 9-5.30, Monday to Friday) or by calling Lucy Aldous at Spring on 01502 726161.