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.
Letchworth Ark: Today, Thursday. A weekly 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.
Forty Plus Cycling Club: Today, Thursday. This week’s ride is to Harpenden, with lunch at The Engineer. Next week’s ride is to Henlow, with Christmas lunch at The Five Bells. Meet at 10.30am. At The Three Magnets, 18-20 Leys Avenue. For more details call Geoff, the rides organiser on 01582 618196.
Step into the Christmas Card: Today, Thursday. Caroline Holmes will give an illustrated lecture to The Arts Society North Hertfordshire. At Spirella Ballroom, Bridge Road. Lectures at 11am and 2pm. Visitors £7. For more details visit www.theartssociety.org.uk.
Antony and Cleopatra: Today, Thursday. Broadcast live from the National Theatre, Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo play Shakespeare’s famous fated couple in his great tragedy of politics, passion and power. At Broadway Cinema, Eastcheap. Starts 6.45pm. Tickets £17 includes a complimentary drink on arrival. For more details and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com
Gulls – what a load of rubbish: Friday, December 7. A talk by Paul Roper to Hitchin & Letchworth RSPB Group, on Gulls, migration and conservation challenges. At The Settlement, 229 Nevells Road. Starts 7.30pm. Visitors welcome £3.
Christmas Book Signing: Saturday, December 8. Multiple book signings throughout the day, 10am - 12pm Claire Harding-Wild and Jane Dismore, 12pm – 2pm Hugh Bicheno and Simon Michael, 2pm – 4pm Jane O’Reilly and J.S. Watts. At David’s Book Shop, 12-14 Eastcheap. From 10am. For more information call 01462 684631.
Art Studio - Open Weekend: Saturday, December 8 and Sunday 9. The Digswell Arts Trust’s Winter Open Studios event, where visitors can view paintings, drawings, ceramics, textiles, photography, jewellery, sculpture and elements of taxidermy, and talk to the artists about their creative practice, purchase work and also find out about the range of classes and workshops that are available. At the Fenners Building, Openshaw Way. 10am to 4pm. For more information visit www.digswellarts.org/winter-open-studios-at-the-fenners/
Who Let the Dads’ Out: Saturday, December 8. A group for Dads’, Grandads’ and father figures to enjoy with their under 6’s. Pop along and enjoy a bacon roll, coffee and biscuits. Make some crafts and have a comfy seat! Usually ends with a story. Every second Saturday monthly. At St Paul’s Church, Pixmore Way. From 10am – 11.30am. For more details call Peter on 07986 709199.
Meet Jingle Bells: Saturday, December 8. Get in the Christmas spirit – bring the kids to Letchworth town centre to meet Jingle Bells. He’ll be there at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. For more details visit www.gardensquare-shopping.co.uk.
The Christmas Journey: Saturday, December 8. Join St Pauls’ church for a family friendly Christmas Journey Experience including a shepherd’s camp, the Wise Men’s Tent, pet a camel and of course, peek into the manger! Free refreshments. At St Paul’s Church, 179 Pixmore Way from 10.30am -12.00pm. Pre-booking not needed but its recommend showing up early to get a space.
Tenors at Christmas: Saturday, December 8. The number one selling operatic trio Tenors Un Limited, will be performing their new Christmas show, as part of the group’s 15th anniversary celebration UK tour. At Broadway Theatre, Eastcheap. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £21. For more details and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Letchworth Chorale – Brahms: Saturday, December 8. Letchworth Chorale will perform Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem). Conductor: Tom Nichol. Piano: Alison Borner and Mike Crowley. At Howgills, 42 South View. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £10, concessions £8, students £5 available from David’s Bookshop 14 Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3DE or on the door.
Family Arts Studio – Winter Prints: Sunday, December 9. Artist Kaitlin Ferguson leads a hands-on craft activity inspired by the artworks on display in the Broadway Gallery. At Broadway Gallery, 2 The Arcade. From 10am to 1pm. Admission is free with no booking required. Family Arts Studio activities are open to all but primarily aimed at accompanied children aged 3+ and families. For more information call 01462 476110 or email broadway@letchworth.com.
Artisan Christmas Market with Grotto: Sunday, December 9. Join St Thomas More Parents’ Association at their Artisan Christmas Market to help raise funds for the school and provide a platform to local businesses run by local parents. With 20 stalls you are sure to find some fabulous Christmas presents. Plus licensed bar and Hot Gourmet Food. Father Christmas will be handing out small toys to the little ones. At Fortescue Hall, 84 Pixmore Way. From 10am – 4pm.
Santa’s New Sleigh: Sunday, December 9, Monday 10 and Tuesday 11. Christmas is fast approaching and Santa’s Sleigh is nowhere to be found. Will Sprocket and Dibs be able to create a new sleigh in time or will Christmas be cancelled? At Broadway Theatre, Eastcheap. Starts Sunday – 1.30pm, 4.30pm, Monday – 10.30am, 1.30pm, Tuesday – 10.30am, 1.30pm, 5pm. Tickets £13, £48 family. For more details and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Letchworth Heritage Bridge Club: Monday, December 10. Already a player. This group meet on Monday at 1pm. All players welcome, members £2.50, visitors £3.50. Also a relaxed learning group for beginners and improvers on Fridays at 9.30am. At Fortescue Hall, Pixmore Way. For more details call Marion Watkins on 01462 730289.
Vintage Swing Dance Classes: Monday, December 10. Learn to swing dance, jitterbug and jive! Whether you are an absolute beginner with 2 left feet or a seasoned pro, these weekly swing dance classes have something for everyone. No partner or pre-booking required. At Brotherhood Hall, Gernon Road. From 8pm – 11pm. Admission £10 includes 2 classes, social/practice time and refreshments. For more details visit www.jiveswing.com.
Letchworth Natural History Society: Tuesday, December 11. Christmas Party with games, quizzies and food. At The Kincaid Hall, The Settlement, 229 Nevells Road. Starts at 7.30pm. Free parking. All welcome. Admission adults £2.50, LALG members £2. (With a valid LALG card). For more details on the programme call Thelma on 01462 893893 or visit www.letchworthnaturalhistory.org.uk.
Transition Tuesday – Carbon Conversations Games Night: Tuesday, December 11. Join in this Transition Town festive evening where you will play the ‘Carbon Conversations’ games. Will these games, themed on travel, home energy and food, help you find your New Year’s resolution? At Mrs Howard Hall, Norton Way South. From 7.30pm – 9.30pm. Admission free, but a £2 donation to help cover room hire and refreshments is welcome. For more details visit www.transitionletchworth.org.
Gentle Yoga and Meditation Class: Wednesday, December 10. Enjoy a gentle and relaxing yoga practice followed by a guided meditation. At St Michael’s Parish Hall, Broadway. From 10.30am – 11.45am. For more details and to book call Jodie on 07902 012598 or email info@yoga-bliss.co.uk or www.facebook.com/northhertsyogabliss/
Garden City Court Lunch Club: Wednesday, December 12. An over 60’s monthly lunch club, with a two course hot lunch and soft drink. Come with friends or make new friends and stay for the afternoon quiz. Arrive at 12.45pm for 1pm service. At Garden City Court, Whiteway, Jackmans Estate. Your first lunch is free, £5 thereafter. For more details and to book call 01462 473100 or email garden@quantumcare.co.uk. Dietary requirements must be stated when booking.
Letchworth Howard Rotary – Charity Christmas Concert: Wednesday, December 12. Join Letchworth’s City Chorus for Sounds of the Season songs and carols to get you into the spirit of Christmas. Wine and mince pies will be available. At Letchworth Free Church, Norton Way South. Doors open 6.45pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £10, under 13’s free are available at David’s Music, 14 Eastcheap, Tourist Information Centre, 33-35 Station Road, call 07748 901717 or email: davidg@letchworthrotary.org.uk.
Letchworth Music Club: Wednesday, December 12. Angela Brownridge - piano. 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.
The Nutcracker Trail: On now until Friday December 21. On the lead up to Christmas, two friendly, five foot tall Nutcracker Soldiers are visiting Garden Square. After their appearance in Santa’s Grotto, they will be moving from shop to shop, so be on your guard! Shoppers are invited to hunt down the Nutcrackers in order to win a prize. Simply note down which store you see them in each week and then submit your entry form to Specsavers in Garden Square before Friday 21st December. A winner will be selected at random from the correct answers and will bag a family set of cinema tickets. There are also two runner up prizes to be won. At Garden Square Shopping Centre. For more details visit www.gardensquare-shopping.co.uk.
Santa’s Grotto: On now until December 22. Santa will be in his Grotto every Saturday until Christmas. At Garden Square Shopping Centre. From 10am – 12.30pm and 1pm – 4pm. Entry £3 per child or £5 for two children. All monies raised goes towards Prospects Trust and 1st Baldock (Templars) Cub Scouts.
Letchworth Christmas Shop: On now until Saturday, December 22. With an exclusive range of bespoke Letchworth gifts, including 2019 calendars, charity Christmas cards and gifts for all budgets. Pop in and see for yourself. At Community Museum, 12-14 The Arcade. Open 10am – 4pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Eduardo Paolozzi – General Dynamic F.U.N.: On now until Sunday, January 13. An exhibition of prints by the pioneer of pop art. Sir Eduardo Paolozzi (1924–2005) was one of the pioneers of the pop art movement in the UK. At Broadway Gallery, 2 The Arcade. Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm. For more details call 01462 476110 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
