Your guide to some events over the coming week in the Garden City complied by Discover Letchworth, also available in The Comet.
Arts & Exhibitions
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.
Fearnhill & Highfield School Art Exhibition: On now until Saturday, February 22 The Art and Design Departments at Fearnhill School and The Highfield School are very proud to present their annual art exhibition of work by their A level students. At 30a Leys Avenue. Open Fridays and Saturdays 10am until 2pm.
Health & Wellbeing:
Forty Plus Cycling Club: Thursday, 6 February. This week’s ride is to Maulden, with lunch at The Dog and Badger. Next week’s ride is to Kimpton with lunch at The Boot. Meet at 10.30am. At The Three Magnets, 18-20 Leys Avenue. For more details call Geoff, the ride’s organiser on 07770 600370.
Five Rhythms Dance Workshop: Saturday, February 8. This workshop we will explore our relationship to space through using the map of the flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness. Space that is moving within and how we relate to the ever-changing partner of space that is all around us. At The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Hitchin Road. From 2:30pm until 5:30pm. Cost £30. For more information visit www.letchworthcentre.org.
Practical Alexander Technique: Sunday, February 8. Workshop with Judy Hammond, learning and practising basic principles of how to move and “use” our bodies can prevent backache and tense shoulders and necks. They are simple and fun to do. At The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living, Hitchin Road. From 9:30am for 9:45am start until 4:30pm. Cost £65 includes lunch and refreshments by Nourish. For more information visit www.letchworthcentre.org.
Active Letchworth – Gentle Exercise: Tuesday, February 11. Gentle seated exercise to music. Accessible for all abilities. At Sax House, Western Way. From 2pm. First 4 weeks free (usually £1).To find out more and to book sessions call 01462 474838.
Kids & Families
Coffee Morning: Friday, February 7. Join us for coffee/tea and cake - chat with friends old and new. At the Parish Hall, St Michael's Church, Broadway. From 10.30am – 12pm. All welcome! Proceeds in aid of Parish Funds
Who Let the Dads Out: Saturday, February 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.
The Royal Naval Association: Monday, February 10. This group provides comradeship, support and welfare assistance to serving and ex-serving members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Merchant Navy and their families. At Letchworth Rugby Club, Legends Lane, Baldock Road. Every 2nd Monday. Starts 7.30pm. Anyone with an interest in the aims of the association are welcome, to which associate membership is available. Why not come along and enjoy the company of shipmates to “swing the lamp” and take part in planned social events.
Pick-n-Mix: Wednesday, February 12. Drop in for tea and biscuits, have a chat and make new friends. Various activities and themed sessions. Refreshment kindly donated by the Co-Op. A warm welcome awaits. At Letchworth Library, Broadway. From 10.30am 12pm.
Garden City Court Lunch Club: Wednesday, February 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.
Open Door Coffee Morning: Thursday, February 13. With free refreshments, and a warm welcome. At Free Church Hall, Gernon Road. From 10am – 11.30am. Free parking and admission. Access through side door on Leys Avenue.
Talks, Lectures & Tours
Lapis Lazuli: Pursuit of a Celestial Stone: Thursday, February 6. The Arts Society presents a talk by Sarah Searight. This follows the travels of this precious stone from Afghanistan through burials in the ancient world, in wall paintings in medieval Byzantine churches, ending with early Renaissance Madonnas robed in ultramarine, ground as pigment from lapis lazull. At the Spirella Ballroom, Bridge Road. At 11am and 2pm. For more information visit http://www.theartssocietynorthherts.org.uk.
Write it Right - Self-editing with Elizabeth Barber: Friday, February 7. During the day you will consider published works, try some editing exercises and work in small groups on your own writing. If you do not have anything to bring, come along anyway and participate in a small, supportive group. New and experienced writers are welcome. At The Settlement, 229 Nevells Road. From 10am – 3pm. Cost £27. For more information contact ebarbersherriff@gmail.com. For further information and booking visit www.letchworthsettlement.org.uk.
RSPB – Nightjar migration and Movements: Friday, February 7. Greg, a research ecologist at BTO, tells us about the use of tracking technology to reveal Nightjar migration and foraging movements during the breeding season. At The Settlement, 229 Nevells Road. Starts 7.30pm. Visitors welcome £3.
LALG - Everything European: Monday, February 10. European Attitudes to Sustainability in the Clothing Industry. Join this Letchworth Arts and Leisure Group with speakers Peter Bentley, volunteer for Oxfam and Stephanie Killingbeck-Turner, Extinction Rebellion. At the Garden Room, The Settlement, 229 Nevells Road. From 7.30pm. All welcome. £3 LALG members, £4 non-members. For more details call Mandy on 01462 339438 or email Praful: pasoneji@ntlworld.com.
An illustrated talk on the planned City of Columbia, Maryland: Monday, February 10. Brent Smith presents an illustrated talk on the planned city of Columbia, Maryland, USA. An American garden city of 100,000 residents, the idea of James W Rouse. At the Settlement, 229 Nevells Road. At 7.30pm.
Transition Town Tuesday – Imagining a Letchworth Open Street Event and AGM: Tuesday, February 11. Join us to watch a short film on how communities across the world are temporarily closing streets to motor traffic and opening the space for local communities. We shall then try out a ‘Transitional Imagining’ technique to create a plan for a Letchworth Open Street event. The event will start with the Transition Town Letchworth AGM, highlighting last year’s achievements and plans for 2020. At Mrs Howard Memorial Hall, Norton Way South. From 7.30pm – 9.15pm. All welcome, admission free, but a £2 donation to help cover room hire and refreshments is welcome. For more details visit www.transitionletchworth.org.
Letchworth Natural History Society - AGM and members’ evening: Tuesday, February 11. AGM followed by members’ photos and other items of interest. 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.
Archive Tour of the Garden City Collection: Wednesday, February 12. Your chance to discover some of the fascinating stories behind Letchworth’s historical artefacts — with a guided tour of our archive by the Collections team. At Wilbury Hills Road. From 11am to 12:30pm. Register for free at Eventbrite.
Guided Walking Tour of Letchworth Garden City: Wednesday, February 12. Join one of Letchworth’s Town Historians on a pleasant stroll through some of the historical highlights of the first Garden City’s history. Meeting at Discover Letchworth, One Garden City, Broadway. From 2pm to 4pm. Register for free at Eventbrite.
Theatre, Film, Music & Dance
Griff Rhys Jones – All over the place: Friday, February 7. Griff is back and once again all over the place touring the UK this autumn with his brand new full-length stand-up show. At Broadway Theatre, Eastcheap. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £20.50. For more details and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Saturday Night Dances: Saturday, February 8. Ballroom – Latin – Sequence, music by Janice. At the Spirella Ballroom, Bridge Road. From 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Entry is £7.50 per person. For further information contact Jan on 01462 628247 or 07811 053648 or visit www.come-dance.co.uk.
Don Giovanni: Saturday, February 8. Merry Opera returns to Broadway Theatre with Mozart’s fabulous music in a staging of his opera Don Giovanni in an English translation by Amanda Holden. At Broadway Theatre, Eastcheap. At 7.30pm. Tickets £21.50, concessions £19.50. For more details and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Kinky Boots: Sunday, February 9. Charlie is a factory owner struggling to save his family business, and Lola is a fabulous entertainer with a wildly exciting idea. At Broadway Cinema, Eastcheap. Starts at 6.45pm. Tickets £18 includes a complimentary drink on arrival. For more information and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Sinderella: Tuesday, February 11. In a UK first, flying over the pond to wave her magic wand (no pun intended!) Stacy Layne Matthews (Ru Pauls Drag Race S3, All Stars S4) joins the cast of Sinderella as The Fairy Drag Henny! Will she be able to ensure true love still prevails or will our Wicked Step Mother Divina De Campo (Ru Pauls Drag Race UK) and her wicked Step Daughter Fifi Jamie Campbell (Everybody’s Talking about Jamie) get their evil way! ‘Rob King’ (BGT 2019 semi-finalist) joins the cast as Prince Charming. At Broadway Theatre, Eastcheap. Starts 8pm. Tickets £22.50. For more details and to book call 01462 681088 or visit www.broadway-letchworth.com.
Letchworth Music Club: Wednesday, February 12. Harmoniemusik is an acclaimed ensemble of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn and piano/harpsichord well-known for its enterprising, eclectic and entertaining programmes of chamber music covering music from the last three centuries. Harmoniemusik presents carefully designed concert programmes tailored to the audience, venue or occasion. A Harmoniemusik performance is always intimate, informative and inspiring. 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.
Town & Community Events
The Letchworth 10 - Week 4 – Best Model from Recyclable Materials: Saturday, February 8. Week 4 of 10 weeks of the craziest and funniest competitions… ever! Re-use, Reduce and Recycle. £200 cash prize. At Leys Square. From 11am – 3pm. Free entry prior to event. Entry on the day £10. Open to all. For more information visit www.loveletchworth.com/letchworth10.
The Great Legal Bake: Tuesday, February 11 and Wednesday, February 12. This year Citizens Advice North Herts have signed up to take part in the Great Legal Bake, during the week 10th — 14th February 2020! We’ll be selling the goodies on Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th and all money raised will go to Citizens Advice North Herts. At the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, 49 Station Road.
