What's On in Letchworth - 13 to 20 June

Here’s our round-up of some events over the coming week, compiled by the Local & Tourist Information Centre, also available in The Comet. For more information visit the Local & Tourist Information Centre’s website here.

Author Victoria Hislop:  Today, Thursday. Bestselling author, Victoria Hislop will discuss and sign her new novel, ‘Those Who Are Loved’. At the Spirella Ballroom, Bridge Road. Tickets £6, from David’s Bookshop which can be deducted from the cost of the hardback book (£20) if purchased on the evening. For more information call 01462 475900.

Active Letchworth – Gentle Exercise: Today, Thursday. Gentle seated exercise to music. Accessible for all abilities. At Edwin Nott, 18 Birds Hill From 10.30am - 11.15am. To find out more and to book sessions call 01462 474838.

Open Door Coffee Morning: Today, Thursday. Coffee Morning with free refreshments. At Letchworth Free Church, Norton Way South. From 10.30am until 12pm.

Hayfever: Friday, June 14, Saturday June 15, Friday June 21, Saturday June 22.
The Settlement Players present this sublime comedy of bad manners by Noel Coward. At the Little Theatre, Letchworth Settlement, Nevells Road. Each evening at 7.45pm. Tickets are £10 and can be purchased at David’s Music or online at www.settlement-players.co.uk

Letchworth Natural History Society – Friday Evening Strolls: Friday, June 14. Ivel Springs local walk on the edge of Baldock. Meet at Baldock Football Club TL 240342. What better way to spend a summer evening than joining this LNHS for a circular stroll of about three miles. Starts 7.15pm. Adults £2.50, LALG members £2 (with a valid LALG card), accompanied under 16’s free. All very welcome. For more details on the programme visit facebook.com/Letchworthnhs.

Letchworth Festival 2019: Saturday, June 15 to Sunday, June 30. Today sees the launch of the Letchworth Festival celebrating its’ 10th anniversary with many events happening across the town over the next fortnight. We have highlighted some of the events happening this week, however there are lots more, for a full programme of all events please visit www.letchworthfestival.org or pick up a programme from Letchworth Tourist Information Centre, Station Road and other venues across the town centre.

Launch of the Museum at One Garden City: Saturday, June 15.Letchworth Garden City's brand new social history museum space officially opens today. Open every Monday to Saturday 10am - 4pm throughout the Festival. Admission free. Located at the Heritage Foundation's new head office, 'One Garden City', on Broadway Gardens, next to Morrisons. For more details email josh.tidy@letchworth.com

Farmers Market: Saturday, June 15. The monthly Farmers Market selling locally produced meats, vegetables and other foodstuffs. In Leys Square. From 9am to 1pm

Digswell Arts – Artists’ Open Studio: Saturday, May 15 to Sunday, May 16. Visitors will be able to talk to the artists about their creative practice - from painting, ceramics, photography, mixed media and sculpture - purchase work, and also find out about the range of workshops run by current fellows and visiting alumni artists. At the Fenners Building, 7 Openshaw Way. Between 10am – 4pm.

Suffragette Stories – Yesterday and Tomorrow: Saturday, June 15. An art exhibition and experience, held in the atmospheric setting of The Cloisters building, and exploring the theme of suffragettes from Letchworth and the local area. Local artists have been invited to exhibit and their artwork will be displayed for this one day only, plus music, food and drink. This is part of a yearlong initiative supported by the National Lottery Heritage Lottery Fund, and the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation (in particular The Garden City Collection). Free entry and parking. At The Cloisters, Barrington Road. From 11am – 3pm. Free entry and parking.

Telescopes in the Town: Saturday, June 15. Members of our local Letchworth & District Astronomical Society will be bringing their solar scopes and trying their hand at projecting images of the sun so you can safely view some of the amazing things you can see when you look at the sun. They will be looking for sunspots and flares. Remember do not look directly at the sun it can harm and damage your eyes. In Leys Square. Free event.

Letchworth Morris Men’s Day of Dance: Saturday, June 15. Dancing sides at various locations around the town centre. Between 10am and 4pm.

Run Round the Garden: Sunday, June 16. Three running events in one day: 5k Garden City Run, The Garden Mile, Kid’s Fun Run. In Letchworth Garden City. See www.nhrr.org.uk/run-round-the-garden.html for more information and to register.

Summer Fair: Sunday, June 16. Icknield nursery and infant school present their Summer Fair: Barbeque, drinks & cakes, tombola, face painting, books & toys, bouncy castle, sand art, games and much more. At the Icknield School, Archers Way. Starts at 12pm. Email wispatalk@hotmail.com for more information or visit www.facebook.com/wilburyandicknield.

World’s End Tour: Sunday, June 16. Guided walking tour of locations used during the making of The World’s End film in Letchworth Town Centre. Starts at Broadway Cinema and may include visits to pubs. About one mile in distance. Tickets: £5.00 available from the Tourist Information Centre.

Kingfisher Club: Monday, June 17. Howard Cottage Housing Association runs this club for local people who have low to moderate dementia or are socially isolated. Fun activities and games, plus light refreshments and a two course, nutritious lunch. At the Kingfisher Court, Southern Way. 10am – 3pm, cost is £15. For more information call 01462 683307.

Festival Walks: Monday 17 June. A circular walk about 6miles to learn about the History of Fairfield Park, the former Three Counties Asylum with guide Geoff Smith. This walk is not suitable for buggies or people with mobility issues. Please wear sturdy shoes and clothes appropriate for the weather. Under 16’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. We regret that dogs are not able to join us. Meet outside One Garden City entrance next to Morrisons. Tickets free, but you will need to book your place at the Tourist Information Centre on Station Road. For details of this and all other walks during the Festival please visit www.letchworthfestival.org.

Book signing by Award winning author Katherine Rundell: Monday, June 17. Costa Award-Winning Children’s Author, Katherine Rundell will discuss and sign her new book, ‘Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise’ as part of Independent Bookshop Week and the Letchworth Festival. Entry is £5 which includes a copy of the paperback book. At David’s Bookshop, Eastcheap. From 7.30pm - 9.00pm. For more details call 01462 475900.

Letchworth’s Historic Highlights - Evening Walk: Tuesday, June 18 and Thursday, June 20. Join Letchworth Historian, Josh Tidy, on a pleasant stroll through some of the highlights of the first Garden City's history. Starting at the Spirella Building in the Foyer at 6pm (free parking in the car park, accessed via Icknield Way). Takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, there is a small amount of walking on grass/uneven ground – please wear sensible footwear. Tickets are free but must be booked, online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/evening-walk-letchworths-historic-highlights-tickets-61150041420.

Letchworth Film Festival: Tuesday, June 18. West Side Story from 8pm -10.30pm. At Broadway Cinema and Theatre, Eastcheap. Tickets £5 from the venue or online. For further information visit www.broadway-letchworth.com

Fiction Evening: Wednesday, June 19. An evening of fiction exploring community, loneliness, friendship with bestselling novelist Libby Page and major debut author Richard Roper. At David’s Bookshop, Eastcheap. From 7.30-9.30pm. Tickets £6 from the venue and can be redeemed against a purchase on the evening. For more details call 01462 475900.

Toddler Tales: Wednesday, June 19. Toddler Tales is a mixture of lively stories and rhymes. Aimed at toddlers and pre-school children. At Letchworth Library, Broadway. From 2.15pm – 2.45pm. Free event.

Zumba: Wednesday, June 19. A fitness workout that combines Latin, Jazz, African and other international music with dance moves. A mixture of Zumba and toning. At Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Rosehill Hospital, Hitchin Road. From 5.30pm – 6.30pm. For more details and to book call Jaqui Derrick 01462 678804, jaqui@letchworthcentre.org or www.letchworthcentre.org.

Bringing Dead Streets to Life: Wednesday, June 19. The Letchworth and District Family History Group present speaker Andy Gibbs of the British Schools Museum. At Mrs Howard Hall, Norton Way South. At 8pm. Entry fee is £4 for non-members and £2 for members.

The Chelsea Experience’ by Roger Harvey:  Thursday, June 20. With eight Gold Medals in 12 years at the Chelsea Flower Show for his displays of rare and unusual shade or woodland plants, nurseryman Roger Harvey tells us why showing and being successful at Chelsea is the pinnacle of his horticultural career. At The Cloisters, Barrington Road.Tickets £3.00 from the venue on the night. For more details email: enquiries@ldga.org.uk or visit www.ldga.org.uk
 
Willian Bowls Club- Open Days: Thursday, June 20. Starting today “Willian Foxes" are putting on four "Come and Try Bowls" open days during the Letchworth Festival fortnight. Thursday 20, Saturday 22, Tuesday 25 and Thursday 27 all from 2pm to 4pm. Equipment and Tuition provided. At the Lower Bowls Green, Norton Common, Icknield Way. Come on down and have a go, we are a friendly bunch!
For more details ring David on 01462 642790 or www.willianbowlsclub.org
 
Letchworth Ark: Thursday, June 20. A Community Drop-in Centre for homeless and vulnerable people. Offering practical and emotional support, including hot drinks, food, clothing and toiletries. At The Salvation Army, Norton Way North. From 9.30am – 11.30am. For more details call 01462 677263.

Si Cranstoun - Twisting the Night Away: Thursday, June 20. The dynamic Si Cranstoun and his band are making a welcome return to the Broadway with their blend of Doo Wop, Soul and Rocking Rhythm & Blues. At Broadway Theatre, Eastcheap. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £19.50. For more details and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.

The Medicinal Uses of Plants: Thursday, June 20. Susan Mitchell will speak on the medicinal uses of garden plants from history and the present day. Find out how common and more unusual plants can help healing. Come along and bring a friend. At Mrs Howard Hall, Norton Way South. From 7.30pm- 8.30pm. Tickets £2 from the venue on the night. For more details visit www.transitionletchworth.org

Lois Walpole – Weaving Ghosts: On now until Sunday, September 8. A new exhibition which focuses on ghost gear, basketry skills and sustainability. At Broadway Studio and Gallery, 2 The Arcade. Open 10am – 5pm Wednesday – Saturday and 10am – 4pm Sunday. For more details visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.