Here’s our round-up of some events over the coming week, compiled by Discover Letchworth, also available in The Comet. For more information visit the Discover Letchworth website here.
Skating in Letchworth: On now until Sunday, January 5. Get festive with the whole family this Christmas at Letchworth Outdoor Pool. The 20 x 10 metre covered real ice rink is located on the terrace. Perfect for all ages and skating abilities. The cafe will be serving a range of festive hot food and drinks so be sure to join us! 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.
Forty Plus Cycling Club: Today, Thursday. This week’s ride is to Harpenden, with lunch at The Engineer. 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 rides organiser on 01582 618196.
The Twelve Days of Christmas: Today, Thursday. The Arts Society presents a talk by Peter Medhurst. Celebrating Christmas goes back several Millennia – none of them Christian. One was a Roman Feast of Kalends on 1st January, another was the Nordic Festival of Yuletide, based on the winter solstice – both embracing drunkenness and gluttony. At Spirella Ballroom, Bridge Road. At 11am and 2pm. For more information visit theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk.
Sounds of Christmas: Today, Thursday and Friday 6. Letchworth Arcadians present Sounds of Christmas. At Letchworth Free Church, Norton Way South. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £10 includes a glass of mulled wine. For more information and to book call 07511 519387 or visit www.letchworth-arcadians.co.uk.
Letchworth Garden City Late Night Shopping Extravaganza: Friday, December 6, 13 and 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.
Christmas Coffee Morning: Friday, December 6. Tea, Coffee & Home-Made Cakes, Christmas Cards, Books, Festive Music & A Friendly Chat. In the Parish Hall at St Michael's Church. From 10.30-12.00.
RSPB - Talk by Patrick Barkham, 'Islander': Friday, December 6. Patrick (Nature writer for The Guardian) takes us around some of Britain’s small islands, meeting some of their wild residents - from Orkney voles to Bonxies. He explores how small islands can be ecological laboratories, warning signals and sanctuaries, for wildlife and us. At The Settlement, Nevells Road. At 7.30pm. Cost is £3. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk/groups/hitchinandletchworth
ABBA MANIA: Friday, December 6. It is just over 40 years since ABBA won Eurovision and now it’s your chance to thank ABBA for the music! ABBA MANIA is accepted as the world’s number one touring ABBA tribute production. ABBA MANIA brings ABBA fans old and new a night not to be missed. If you’re looking for an excuse to party, reminisce or simply be entertained by the best music ever, then ABBA MANIA is for you! At Broadway Theatre, Eastcheap. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £24. For more details and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Wilbury Winter Fayre - Community Forum: Saturday, December 7. Join us for
drinks
and cakes, with a family play session (10.00am -11.30am), dance workshop (11.30am -12.30pm). Christmas crafts and knitting. Plus pennies & pounds stall, Tesco's Best Before groceries and stalls to browse for Christmas bits! At Wilbury Hall, Bedford Road. Between 10.45am and 12.30pm.
Letchworth Knit and Natter Group: Saturday, December 7. Pop along and browse their stall, with hand knitted items that would make ideal Christmas presents. All items sold in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Outside Iceland, Garden Square Shopping Centre. From 9am – 1pm.
Christmas Craft Saturdays: Saturday, December 7. 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! At Museum at One Garden City, Broadway. Drop in sessions are free on a first come basis between 10am and 2pm and suitable for children aged between 4-8. These sessions will also run on 14 and 21 December.
Santa’s Grotto: Saturday, December 7, 14 and 21. Santa Claus makes a welcome return to Garden Square Letchworth Town Centre this year to see who has been naughty or nice. 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.
Christmas Fair: Saturday, December 7. Please join us for our 'first Saturday in the month' community event, with refreshments, cakes, marmalade, gifts, toys, games, books, cards, two hamper raffles and tombolas, chocolate and plant stall. At the Free Church Hall, Gernon Road. From 10am – 12pm. Admission 50p.
Festive Craft Market: Saturday, December 7. The Craft Market is the ideal place to find unique gifts for your loved ones and treats to fill the stockings with. At Leys Square. From 10am – 4pm. For more details visit www.loveletchworth.com.
Meet Bjorn the Polar Bear: Saturday, December 7 and Sunday 8. Bjorn is an awe-inspiring animatronic polar bear, complete with blinking eyes, a sniffing nose, moving mouth and realistic sounds. His assistant Innuit, Ursula, accompanies Bjorn and will help to educate children about polar bears, their plight in the wild and associated environmental issues. Bjorn will be appearing at Garden Square at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on both days. There are 50 free tickets for each show, available via the booking app. Book early to avoid disappointment! For more information visit www.gardensquare-shopping.co.uk.
A Christmas Concert: With Tenors Unlimited: Saturday, December 7. A fantastic new Christmas show from Tenors Un Limited - Scott Ciscon, Paul Martin and Jem Sharples, the number one selling classical vocal trio! The guys’ rich vocal harmonies and down to earth sense of humour have endeared them to audiences around the world. At Broadway Theatre, Eastcheap. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £21, concessions £18. For more details and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Cultivo Christmas 1K: Sunday, December 8. Join in this family fun run/walk supporting The Need Project who help local people in crisis. With cake sale, face painting, raffle, fancy dress, how many sweets in a jar and more. At Cultivo Lounge, Leys Avenue. Starts 10am. Get your sponsor form from Cultivo Lounge.
Family Arts Studio – Winter Prints: Sunday, December 8. Join artist Katherine Roberts for a hands-on craft activity in the Studio. At Broadway Studio and Gallery, 2 The Arcade. From 10am - 10.45am, 10.45am - 11.30am, 11.30am - 12.15pm, and 12.15pm - 1pm. Please check in at the gallery info desk upon arrival to receive a free timed ticket for one of the timeslots. Family Arts Studio activities are open to all but are primarily aimed at accompanied children aged 3+ and families. For more details call 01462 476110 or email broadway@letchworth.com.
Nutcracker Trail: Monday, December 9 – Sunday 22. On the lead up to Christmas, twenty-one Nutcracker Soldiers will be hiding in Letchworth town’s stores – so be on your guard! These festive figures will be displaying different symbols. Pick up your Nutcracker Trail Map at Love Letchworth, 76 Eastcheap or The Works, Specsavers and Wildwood in Garden Square. Completed forms can 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. Colour in and submit the Nutcracker picture which 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. Join in the FREE Nutcracker Tree Decoration Craft Workshop on Saturday 14th December from 10am to 3pm. Trained supervisors will be on hand to offer creative guidance. For more information visit www.gardensquare-shopping.co.uk.
The Wind in the Willows: Tuesday, December 10 – Sunday 15. Join us on an exciting adventure along the riverbank with a brand-new staging of Kenneth Grahame’s family classic ‘The Wind in The Willows’ this Christmas! Meet loyal Mole, faithful Ratty and wise old Badger. With catchy new songs and lots of humour that will entertain and delight the whole family. At Broadway Theatre, Eastcheap. Show times Tuesday and Wednesday 10.15am, Friday 10.15am and 1.15pm, Saturday 11am, 3pm and 7pm, Sunday 11am and 3pm. Tickets £15, concessions £13, family £54. For more details and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Transition Town Letchworth Tuesday Talks – Making a Christmas Cracker: Tuesday, December 10. Join us for an evening of workshops and demonstrations on how to make Christmas crackers, Christmas decorations, Christmas wrapping papers and little gifts with a low carbon footprint. There will be an opportunity to help us create the decorations for Transition Town Letchworth's 'Green Christmas' entry to Letchworth's Christmas Tree Festival. All Welcome, for a convivial evening with festive refreshments. At Mrs Howard Memorial Hall, Norton Way South. From 7.45pm – 9.15pm. Join us at 7.30pm for festive refreshments. Admission free, but a donation of £2 to cover costs is appreciated. For more information visit www.transitionletchworth.org.
Coppelia: Tuesday, December 10. Royal Opera House: A classic returns to The Royal Ballet repertory with Ninette de Valois’ charming and funny Coppélia – a story of love, mischief and mechanical dolls.At Broadway Cinema, Eastcheap. Starts at 7pm. Tickets £18 includes a complimentary drink on arrival. For more information and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Letchworth Natural History Society – Christmas Party: Tuesday, December 10. A get together for members past and present, with games, quizzes and food. At The Kincaid Hall, The Settlement, 229 Nevells Road. Starts at 7.30pm. Free parking. Admission 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 call Thelma on 01462 893893.
Winter Festival: Wednesday, December 11 to Sunday 15. Leys Square will be full of drink and food pop-ups, as the annual Winter Festival returns. Enjoy Letchworth’s diverse collection of shops, boutiques, galleries, pubs and restaurants, pick up some Christmas presents or simply sip on a cup of mulled wine and soak up the atmosphere. At Leys Square. From 12pm – 8pm. For more details visit www.loveletchworth.com.
Letchworth Music Club: Wednesday, December 11. Michael Foyle (violin) and Maksim Štšura (piano). The Foyle-Štšura Duo were praised for playing of ‘compelling conviction’ by the Daily Telegraph at their Purcell Room debut in 2015. Since starting their collaboration in 2012, they have performed extensively in prestigious venues across the UK including Queen Elizabeth Hall, Buckingham Palace, St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Purcell Room. At Howgills, 42 South View. Starts at 7.45pm. Guest Tickets at the door £15, £7.50 children/students. For more details call visit www.letchworthmusicclub.co.uk.
Free Festive Family Craft: On now until Saturday, December 21. Join Standalone Farm Takeover on Saturday 14, and 21 at the Museum at One Garden City for free Christmas themed crafting activities. At One Garden City, Broadway. From 10am – 3pm.
Parade, a Celebration of Contemporary Art Textiles: Friday, December 13 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: Friday, December 13 to 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: Friday, December 13 to 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: Friday, December 13 – 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.
