Here’s our round-up of some events over the coming week, compiled by Discover Letchworth, also available in The Comet. For more information on these and future events visit the Discover Letchworth website here.
Art and Exhibitions
Parade - A Celebration of Contemporary Art Textiles: On now until to Sunday, February 16. Inspired by the banner Foursquare our City, designed by Edmund Hunter in 1903 to celebrate the founding of Letchworth. Bringing together 15 acclaimed international artists Parade is presented as a survey and acclamation of recent developments in visual art textiles, showcasing the many ways in which threads and fabrics are being used by contemporary artists. At Broadway Studio and Gallery, 2 The Arcade. Open Wednesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm. For more information call 01462 476110 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Tremble | Tromos – Katherine Roberts and Sian Wilson: On now until Sunday, February 16. Tremble | Tromos is a collaboration between multidisciplinary artist Katherine Roberts and sound artist Sian Wilson exploring themes of birth and transformation. In response to Roberts’ poem Tromos the artists have created sculptural work, drawing and soundscape. At Broadway Studio and Gallery, 2 The Arcade. Open Wednesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm. For more information call 01462 476110 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Spa Songs – Fay Zmija Nicolson: On now until Sunday, February 16. Spa Songs is a musical performance composed and choreographed by artist, Fay Zmija Nicolson. Working only with voices, the musical element of this work draws from harmonic relationships found in Early Music, along-side the DIY and anti-establishment energy of folk and punk traditions. At Broadway Studio and Gallery, 2 The Arcade. Open Wednesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm. For more information call 01462 476110 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
The Broadway Plinth – Anna Reading – Flock: On now until Sunday, February 16..We’re pleased to announce that the 2019 Mark Tanner Sculpture Prize winner, Anna Reading, will be exhibiting a new work with us this December as part of our Broadway Plinth programme. This new work continues the artist’s exploration into the absurd relationship between the organic and the synthetic. At Broadway Studio and Gallery. Open Wednesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm. For more information call 01462 476110 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Who Lived In My House: Friday 13 December until Sunday 11 January (Fridays & Saturdays only). Uncover the hidden past in early Letchworth homes. Throughout 2019 a ‘Who Lived at my House’ project sought the ‘hidden histories’ of working men and women who came to the town and helped to build its communities. This exhibition showcases the work of children from Pixmore and Hillshott schools who learned about the history of their homes over 100 years, and the findings of a wider public who came to an event to trace the history of their home. At the International Garden Cities Exhibition, 296 Norton Way South. Open Fridays and Saturdays from 10am 5pm.
Health and Wellbeing
Forty Plus Cycling Club: Thursday, December 19. This week’s ride is to Shuttleworth Aerodrome. Next week’s ride is to Great Offley, with lunch at The Red Lion. Meet at 10.30am. At The Three Magnets, 18-20 Leys Avenue. For more details call Geoff, the rides organiser on 01582 618196.
Winter Solstice Sound Bath: Friday, December 20. Join us as we celebrate the turning of the sun, our days slowly beginning to lengthen! We invite you to journey with sound as we play gongs, singing bowls and instruments - followed by a warming cup of mulled juice and energy bites! The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Hitchin Road. Cost £20. There are two sessions with Sound-and-Silence Resonant healing for mind and body to choose from 6pm or 7.30pm. For more information visit www.letchworthcentre.org.
Kids and Families
Nutcracker Trail: Thursday, December 19 until Sunday, December 22. On the lead up to Christmas, twenty-one Nutcracker Soldiers will be hiding in Letchworth town’s stores – so be on your guard! Pick up your Nutcracker Trail Map at Love Letchworth office at 76 Eastcheap or The Works, Specsavers, Wildwood in Garden Square or Discover Letchworth, One Garden City, Broadway. Then jot down the symbol each Nutcracker character is holding, along with the store that it’s in. Completed forms can then be submitted to the Garden Square letterbox next to the Reverse Vending Machine or the Love Letchworth office, for the chance to win a festive hamper worth £100! Entries must be received prior to 22nd December. Each trail map features a Nutcracker picture which can be coloured in by children. Completed and submitted pictures will be displayed in a retail unit in Garden Square – with one picture chosen to win a family set of tickets to Letchworth’s Ice Rink. For more information visit www.gardensquare-shopping.co.uk.
Skating in Letchworth: Thursday, December 19 to Sunday, January 5. Get festive with the whole family this Christmas at Letchworth Outdoor Pool. The 20 metre by 10 metre covered real ice rink will be located on the terrace. Perfect for all ages and skating abilities, we have a range of figure skates available and skating aids to hire. As well as the ice rink, the cafe will be serving a range of festive hot food and drinks. At Letchworth Outdoor Pool, Icknield Way. Tickets Adult £10, Children £7, 2 Adults and 2 Children £27, 1 Adult and 2 Children £17. Session times Monday – Friday 4pm – 9pm, Weekends 10am – 9pm. For more information including School Holiday and Christmas/New Year session times and to book visit www.sll.co.uk/skateletchworth.
Santa’s Grotto: Saturday, December 21. Santa Claus will be in Garden Square Letchworth Town Centre. Santa will be in his grotto from 10am – 12.30pm and 1pm – 4pm. Entry £3 per child or £5 for two children. All proceeds will go to the Prospects Trust and 1st Baldock (Templars) Cub Scouts.
Free Festive Family Craft: Saturday, December 21. Keep your little elves busy on the run up to Christmas as the Standalone Farm team take over the Museum at One Garden City with our Christmas Craft Saturdays. While you’re here why not pick up a Standalone Farm gift card from Discover Letchworth – just next door? It’s the perfect gift for family and friends! Drop in sessions are free on a first come basis At Museum at One Garden City, Broadway between 10am and 3pm and suitable for children aged between 4-8 years.
Saturday Stories: Saturday, December 21. The stories chosen are aimed at toddlers and pre-school children. At Letchworth Library, Broadway. From 11am – 11.30am. For more details visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/libraries. Free event.
Kids Christmas Yoga Camp – With Happy Little Yogi: Monday, December 23. Join in the festive fun – a day of yoga, arts and crafts, games plus a whole lot more. Give your child a Happy Little Yogi Christmas experience and yourself some breathing time during this busy Christmas time! At The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Hitchin Road. From 9.30am – 4pm (wrap around care available from 8.30am – 5pm). Cost Full day £25 9.30am - 4pm, Half day £18 - morning 9.30am - 12.45pm, afternoon 12.45pm – 4pm. Lunch 12pm – 1pm. Option of wrap around care – £5 per hour from 8.30am - 9.30am and again from 4pm – 5pm. All attendees will need to bring a packed lunch. For more information visit www.letchworthcentre.org.
Baby Rhyme Time: Monday, December 23. Baby Rhyme Time is a fun session of songs and rhymes suitable for babies and toddlers of all ages. At Letchworth Library, Broadway. From 10.30am – 11am. Free event.
Family Art & Crafts Trail: Saturday, December 28. Between 10am-2pm. We all know there can be a bit of a lull between Christmas and the New Year - by the time Boxing Day is over, we are all a little tired of turkey, twiglets and TV. That’s why the Heritage Foundation’s venues and services have come together to create a family art and crafts trail on Saturday 28 December from 10am-2pm, where you can explore some of the town’s historic and cultural gems.Museum at One Garden City (on Broadway) invites you to make pinecone hedgehogs and wooden woodland animals, explore dozens of old postcards and have a hunt around Letchworth’s very own micro museum. Down the road at the International Garden Cities Exhibition, 296 Norton Way South, you can make clay flowers and gardens with local artist Chantelle Stephenson, as well as win a sweet treat by finding all the festive felt creatures in our museum explorers’ trail. Drop in to Broadway Gallery 2, The Arcade where you can make a unique fabric collage, inspired by the current exhibition, Parade – a celebration of contemporary art textiles. You will be given a leaflet at the first venue you visit then gain a stamp for each location you stop at thereafter. Collect at least two of the four stamps and return it to Discover Letchworth (on Broadway, adjacent to Morrisons) either on the day or by Saturday 4 January 2020 latest, to collect a free goodie bag and enter our special prize draw to win a cuddly farmyard family.
Talks, Lectures and Tours
North Herts Stamp Club: Friday, December 20. This month’s subject is Recent Acquisitions plus cake and mince pies. All philatelists welcome. At Mrs Howard Memorial Hall, Norton Way South. From 7pm for 7.15pm. For more information call 01462 635752.
Town and Community Events
Christmas Tree Sale: Thursday, December 19 to Monday, December 23. Pick up a Christmas tree and get your festive preparations underway. At The Wynd. Open between 10am – 5.30pm and staying open until 8pm on Friday December 20. For more details visit www.loveletchworth.com.
St Michael’s 60 Plus Club: Friday, December 20. Drop in for companionship, talks, tea, raffle, outings and more. At St Michael’s Parish Hall, Broadway. From 1.30pm – 3.15pm. New members always welcome. Annual membership £5. For more details call 01462 676001.
Letchworth Garden City Late Night Shopping Extravaganza: Friday, December 20. During December participating retailers will stay open for this late night shopping extravaganza. Pop along and get your Christmas shopping sorted. At Letchworth Garden City Town Centre. Open until 8pm with free parking at Multi Storey, Rowland Way from 3pm - 9pm. For more information visit www.gardensquare-shopping.co.uk or www.loveletchworth.com.
Community Christmas Café – Free Refreshments: Saturday, December 21. Have a break from the Christmas rush and pop in for a cuppa. Try some craft activities and use our free gift-wrapping service. Upstairs we have a quiet area to relax. Citizens Advice are on hand and bring a bag to top up with goodies from Letchworth Best Before Café. At 30A Leys Avenue. From 10am – 3pm. All welcome.
Councillor Surgery: Saturday, December 21. Councillors will be available to the public to obtain information and advice, make a complaint or enquire about services that the Council provides. At Garden Square Shopping Centre. From 10.30am – 12pm.
Christmas Farmers Market: Saturday, December 21. Selling free range meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, honey, cheese and more. You can grab last minute ingredients for a delicious Christmas dinner. At Leys Square. From 11am – 2pm. For more details visit www.loveletchworth.com.
The Community Café: Saturday, 28 December. The cafe have added an extra date and will now be open on this Saturday at 30 Leys Avenue between 10am -3pm.
For more details on these and other events, exhibitions and places to explore over the Christmas break visit www.discover-letchworth.com
