Your guide to some events over the coming week in the Garden City, complied by the team Discover Letchworth, also available in The Comet.
Art & Exhibitions
Architects of Letchworth: January – Cecil Hignett: Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25. Discover the stories behind the architects who made Letchworth. Get to know a new architect every three months throughout 2020 and beyond, with a series of changing displays exploring the people who designed and built the world’s first Garden City. At The International Garden Cities Exhibition, 296 Norton Way South. Open Friday and Saturday from 10am – 5pm.
Natural Dye Workshop with Gal Leshem: Sunday, January 26. In this half-day workshop, we will explore the traditional technique of natural dyeing. Join artist Gal Leshem to learn about the qualities of plants as natural dyes and generate a range of beautiful fabrics. At Broadway Gallery, 2 The Arcade. From 10.30am. Cost £45. For more information visit www.broadway-letchworth.com/studio-gallery/
Parade — A Celebration of Contemporary Art Textiles: On now until 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, 2 The Arcade. Open Wednesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm. For more information call 01462 476110 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Health & Wellbeing
Free Winter Warmer Event: Friday, January 24. Several ‘Winter Warmer’ events are being run to help older people stay safe and well this winter. There will be a diverse range of talks that will cover a range of helpful topics from exercise and nutrition to advise on contacting important services such as NHS111. Attendees will benefit from this community event with the chance to meet new people and perhaps take part in some gentle activities. At Howard Cottage Housing Association, Tabor Court, Beech Hill. A free event from 10am to 1.30pm with refreshments and light lunch available. Booking essential. Please register by visiting www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/winter-warmer-stay-safe-and-well-this-winter-tickets-78599552377 or contact HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044.
Forty Plus Cycling Club: Thursday, January 25. This week’s ride is to Guwith stard Wood, lunch at The Cross Keys. Next week’s ride is to Gamlingay, with lunch at The Woodview Farmshop. Meet at 10.30am. At The Three Magnets, 18 – 20 Leys Avenue. For more details call Geoff, the ride's organiser on 07770 600370.
Yoga Nidra with Alison Fairchild: Saturday, January 25. Come in, make yourself comfortable and be guided into a deeply nourishing state of relaxation or Yoga Sleep. Nothing to do, no-one to please, just a whole, delicious hour of rest. At The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Hitchin Road. From 1.45pm for 2pm – 3pm. Cost £12 including Nourish refreshments. For more information visit www.letchworthcentre.org.
Chi Kung with Chris Nutley: Saturday, January 25. Chi Kung is a system of gentle exercises, slow flowing movement & breathing techniques designed to stimulate & balance the flow of Chi or energy through the body. Includes Nourish Refreshments. At The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Hitchin Road. From 2pm – 5pm. Cost £35. For more information visit www.letchworthcentre.org.
Relaxation through Self Awareness with Marcia da Silva Pinto MRSS DTM: Sunday, January 26. Based on the legacy of French physiotherapist Therese Bertherat, this workshop will take you in a series of precise, gentle and organic movements releasing constraints and reawaking dormant muscles, increasing your body perception and sharpening your senses. In addition, we will explore main pressure points to harmonize health. Everyone welcome, especially people with back or other injuries, people suffering from anxiety, depression or sleep deprivation. At The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Hitchin Road. From 10am – 12.30pm. Cost £20. For more information visit www.letchworthcentre.org.
Herts Health Walks: Monday, January 27. Enjoy the countryside and local green spaces, with these free walks led by qualified volunteer leaders. Choose a stroll or a two mile walk. Meet at Three Magnets, Leys Avenue. At 10.30am. For more details on this and other Health Walks, visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/healthwalks or call 01992 588433. No booking required, just turn up.
Active Letchworth – Gentle Exercise: Monday, January 27. Gentle seated exercise to music. Accessible for all abilities. At the Kingfisher Court, Southern Way. From 10.45am — 11.30am. To find out more and to book sessions call 01462 474838.
Active Letchworth – Qigong (Tai Chi): Tuesday, January 28. Based on Tai Chi, Qigong focuses on breathing and movement to relax the body, relieve stress and improve your flexibility and co-ordination. These sessions can help to reduce risk of falls. At Tabor Court, Beech Hill. From 10.30am – 11.15am. Cost £1 per class, first 6 sessions free. To find out more and to book call 07826 671384.
Herts Health Walks: Wednesday, January 29. Enjoy the countryside and local green spaces, with these free walks led by qualified volunteer leaders. Choose a stroll, 1 — 2 mile or 3 mile walk. Meet at St George’s Church Hall, Common View. At 10am. For more details on this and other Health Walks visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/healthwalks or call 01992 588433. No booking required, just turn up.
Kids & Families
Baby Rhyme Time: Monday, January 27. 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.
Toddler Tales: Wednesday, January 29. 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.
Theatre, Film, Music & Dance
Letchworth Recorded Music Society: Friday, January 24. Featuring ‘Better than CD?’ by John Houghton. At The Settlement, 229 Nevells Road. Starts at 7.30pm. Guests £2.50. New members and visitors welcome. For more details call Judie on 01462 632171.
Letchworth Chorale: Monday, January 27. Join this friendly group of singers performing a variety of music. No audition required! At Central Methodist Church Hall, Pixmore Way. Starts 7.30pm. Just turn up on the night. For more details visit www.letchworth-chorale.org.uk.
LALG Opera and Ballet Group: Tuesday, January 28. We shall watch a DVD of Bizet’s opera The Pearl Fishers. A good production, performed by New York’s Metropolitan Opera, a good story and not a heavy opera. At The Settlement, 229 Nevells Road. Starts 7.15pm. Admission £2.50 members, £3.50 non-members. No need to book, just turn up. For more details visit www.lalg.org.uk or call 01438 241043.
La Boheme: Wednesday, January 29. Royal Opera House: Puccini’s opera of young love in 19th-century Paris is packed with beautiful music, including lyrical arias, celebratory choruses for Act II’s evocation of Christmas Eve in the Latin Quarter and a poignant final scene over which the composer himself wept. At Broadway Cinema, Eastcheap. Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £18 includes a complimentary drink on arrival. For more information and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Jazz Appreciation Society: Thursday, January 30. We shall be welcoming in the New Year with a programme of music by the great saxophonist Gerry Mulligan’s highly-regarded (but sadly short-lived) Concert Jazz Band from the early-1960s, presented by Bob Wright. With a full supporting programme as always. At the Conservative Club, 1 Birds Hill. Doors open 7pm. Visitors and new members always very welcome. More details from Bob Wright on 01462.454562.
Town & Community Events
The Letchworth 10 — Week 2 – Best 2 Minute Performance: Saturday, January 25.
Week 2 of 10 weeks of the most crazy and funnest competitions… ever! Letchworth’s Got Talent? £500 cash prize. At Leys Square. From 11am – 3pm. Free entry prior to event. Entry on the day £10. Open to all, amateurs and professionals. Professionals will attract a handicap. Entries close Sunday, January 19. For more information visit www.loveletchworth.com/letchworth10.
Coming soon.…
