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Get Writing for All

These classes are ideal for anyone who enjoys writing or would like to start. No experience is necessary. The emphasis is on having fun and through a combination of reference to published texts, writing and listening, confidence is built in writing fiction and non-fiction. Short, optional homework exercises are set weekly with supportive feedback from […]

Life Drawing

Drawing the human body is a wonderful way for anyone, from beginner to the more experienced, to improve their drawing skills. Using short and long poses, and a variety of media and materials we will explore the visual potential of the human form to create exciting images.

Creative Writing for Improvers

This course is for those with some basic knowledge and experience in creative writing who wish to continue to develop their skills in a supportive environment. It will focus on writing prose and the techniques used to write articles, short stories, novellas, and novels. • Develop your skills in the fundamentals of writing effective stories […]

A Journey through the most Beautiful Places in the Middle East

On this journey with Wafà, we will discover 25 of the most beautiful places of the Middle East. We will visit lush oases, endless deserts and UNESCO World Heritage sites from the Valley of the Kings, to Wadi Rum and Petra, to the Island of Qeshm, the largest in the Persian Gulf. We will discover […]

Exploring Opera

Using a combination of talk, live and recorded musical examples and video, this course will steer you through the joyous experience of opera whether you are already experienced, a complete novice, or somewhere in between. The emphasis is on enjoyment of each work and many of them will be available to watch in the ‘Met. […]

Chinese Intermediate

This course is for those who have a good basic knowledge of spoken Mandarin and Chinese characters. We will be following a textbook and lots of videos for conversation and vocabulary building. We will also be having fun practising more Chinese characters (excellent for mindfulness), reading simple Chinese books and news headlines, and following the […]

Chinese Beginners Plus

This course is for those who have a basic understanding of Mandarin Chinese, including Pinyin. We’ll be extending your vocabulary, learning from everyday conversations, having fun practising Chinese characters (good for mindfulness), reading simple Chinese books, and finding out about Chinese culture and customs. By the end of the course, you should be able to […]

Printmaking: Playing with Print

Let’s get printing! During this short course we will experiment with different types of printing techniques, gelli plate printing, silk screen, collograph, tetrapak, and lino using a variety of inks and paints. This will be a very informal relaxed course where we can share ideas and find inspiration for our printing projects.

Exploring Interior Design

This new course will develop your ability to visualise in three dimensions and make your Interior Design concept an exciting reality! You will learn how to measure, make a scale plan, use a colour wheel, create a mood board, and, crucially, work within budget. Suitable for beginners seeking a structured approach to their personal projects […]

The Wright Brothers and the Science of Flight

In 1903, the Wright brothers kick-started the modern era of high-speed travel by air. With practically no data to work with, they built up their own with painstaking experimental kites and gliders. Their final mastery of powered flight is one of humanity’s greatest engineering achievements. The photographic evidence available online brings the story to life.

Settlement Players – The Flint Street Nativity

The Flint Street Nativity by Tim Firth (writer of Calendar Girls, Neville's Island and Kinky Boots) Miss Horrocks' class of seven-year-olds is about to perform their nativity play at Flint Street Junior School for the proud mums and dads - and the occasional social worker. But squabbles arise when Gabriel wants to play Mary, the […]

Five Remarkable Women – Natalie Kalmus

Christopher Budd talks about Natalie Kalmus, the Dynamic Executive Head of the Technicolor Art Department. Natalie Kalmus was credited as ‘Colour Consultant’ of Technicolor films produced from 1934 to 1949.

The Educational Philosophy of the Settlement

What was the Settlement Movement? What were its goals for adult education? Does the Letchworth Settlement have the same goals today? What are the goals of adult education likely to become ?...and can we meet them? What is education for, anyway? If you are interested in these questions - or you have some of your […]

The Art of Architecture – 20th Century

Come and explore the history of architecture from its beginnings in the ancient world to the present time. This three lecture overview with James Willis will take you to ancient Egypt and Rome, the French Cathedrals, English Country gardens, modern New York and so much more! As the modern world expands through international trade and […]

Quiz Night

It’s that time of year when our Quiz Setters come along to the Kincaid Hall to tease us with another of their fiendish but fun quizzes. Maximum teams of 6 (one table) can be booked at £10 per head. Please book together to help us allocate seats. We can also allocate spaces if there are […]

Tin treasures: Embossed folk art decorations

Join us for a festive workshop at The Settlement in Letchworth Garden City, where you’ll learn the art of embossing tin to create beautiful folk art decorations. In this hands-on class, you’ll discover traditional embossing techniques to craft intricate designs on tin sheets, transforming them into stunning ornaments perfect for your holiday decor. Whether you’re […]

Five Remarkable Women – Leonora Carrington

Join Louise Lahive for a talk about Leonora Carrington. In May 2024 Leonora Carrington’s work ‘Les Distractions de Dagobert’ was sold for £22.5 million at Sotheby's auction house in New York. At the time, this was a record amount paid for a work by a British-born female artist. But not many people have ever heard […]

The Beertles Saturday 7th December

The Beertles in Letchworth! Following the success last year of this fabulous Beatles tribute band, the Settlement presents, The Beertles in Letchworth live in the Kincaid Hall on Saturday 7th December at 8pm (doors: 7.30pm). “Mark & Tom as John & Paul are incredible” “What an amazing show, I’m buzzing! Licensed bar provided by Garden […]

A Hard Day’s Night

Come and relive all the fun, excitement, and chaos of Beatlemania at our special 60th anniversary screening of A Hard Day’s Night. Packed with classic Beatles songs written and recorded at lightning speed, this modestly made, relatively low budget pop flick captured a real sense of a cultural moment unfolding. Six decades on, it remains […]

The Beertles Sunday 8th December

The Beertles in Letchworth!  EXTRA SHOW DUE TO PUBLIC DEMAND! Following the success last year of this fabulous Beatles tribute band, the Settlement presents, The Beertles in Letchworth, an extra show in the Kincaid Hall on Sunday 8th December at 7pm (doors: 6.30pm). “Mark & Tom as John & Paul are incredible” “What an amazing show, […]

Five Remarkable Women – Constance Lytton

Hear Craig Angus, Assistant Archivist at Knebworth House, Park & Gardens talk about the life of suffragette, Lady Constance Lytton of Knebworth, using photos, letters and family documents from the Knebworth House Archive, to discuss the part she played in the struggle for women’s suffrage and the life changing effect it had upon her.

Willow Christmas Decorations – Angels, Stars, and Reindeer

Learn how to make some lovely festive decorations in this workshop suitable for beginners. You can make as many of each as time allows. Choose from cute angels, star wands, or one-stick reindeer – a truly ancient method of bending and wrapping a withy to represent an animal; ours will include small rose prunings for […]

Le Club de Culture Francaise

Come and join us for 2 hours of fun that will include a presentation of different aspects of French culture. There will be books magazines and DVD that you can borrow. This French immersion afternoon will give you also an opportunity to chat and enjoy the company of others whilst sharing fun activities around French […]

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