Events
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Watercolours
This opportunity is for anyone wishing to explore watercolours, from beginner to the more experienced painter. We will be looking at different theories, and practical applications, exploring this versatile medium. We will find our preferred technique and develop our personal style. From portraits to florals, landscapes to botanical, we will delve into subjects working from […]
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Get Writing for All – Monday
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 […]
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Abstract Painting
Each lesson begins with an approachable practical experiment that is later developed using various materials such as acrylic paints, watercolours, pen and ink and collage. All will be demonstrated to understand how the materials can be used in each session and constant guidance will be given throughout the course. Contemporary artists are introduced and discussed […]
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Writing your Memoirs
Have you thought about writing your life story but are concerned that you will not know how? If so, this course is for you. In a supportive atmosphere, you will be offered suggestions designed to give you confidence in writing even if you have never done anything like this before. You may find that this […]
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Get Writing for All – Tuesday
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 […]
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Chinese brush Painting: Animals and People
We will be looking at some of the techniques used in Chinese Xieyi (free style) figure and animal painting. We will be using Chinese brush painting materials throughout. Suitable for beginners and improvers.
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Applied Arts
This Art Club focuses on experimentation with a wide range of materials and mixed media. Taught by Chantelle Stephenson, a local artist and established tutor at the Settlement. She will provide inspiring ideas and direction on technique. Each class begins with demonstrations, and you are then encouraged to develop ideas and allow your work to […]
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Botanical Art
A 5-week course looking at the Botanical World. Using plants, fruits, feathers, finds, and all things Botanical, Jill will give demonstrations and guidance on the techniques used to achieve success with a variety of mediums from pencils, coloured pencils, watercolours, and pen and ink. Jill will give advice on anything that needs to be brought […]
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Precipice by Robert Harris
Set in the summer of 1914 this thrilling novel seamlessly weaves fact with fiction to tell the story of the love affair of Prime Minister H.H. Asquith and Venetia Stanley, an aristocratic socialite less than half his age, a love affair which becomes a matter of national security in the dangerous days on the brink […]
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Woven Tapestry
Learn woven tapestry skills at your own pace. A course perfect for learning the basics in tapestry weaving and for further developing skills and woven tapestry knowledge. Choose from a selection of projects aimed at various skill levels from beginner to improver. Lucy will work with you to help you develop your weaving and design […]
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Get Writing for All with Adrian Poynton – Tuesday
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 […]
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Woven Tapestry
Learn woven tapestry skills at your own pace. A course perfect for learning the basics in tapestry weaving and for further developing skills and woven tapestry knowledge. Choose from a selection of projects aimed at various skill levels from beginner to improver. Lucy will work with you to help you develop your weaving and design […]
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Get Writing for All – Wednesday
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 […]
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Contemporary Basketry for all abilities
The basketry short courses are contemporary rather than traditional in style. They will introduce a variety of materials and construction techniques for learners to explore surface and form. They are suitable for beginners and anyone with a little basketry or creative making experience.
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The Sketchbook
The Sketchbook course is an ideal course for anyone wishing to explore an idea or theme in greater detail. The course will allow you to develop drawings, prints and painting studies in an array of different mediums and techniques all guided by the tutor throughout. You will be given a hardback concertina sketchbook to develop […]
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Yoga
This yoga class will serve as an introduction, each week building on what is learned. Sessions will consider the underlying philosophy for up to 15 minutes, continue with an exploration of poses and flow, and end with a relaxation.
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Get Writing for All with Adrian Poynton – Wednesday
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 […]
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Material Journeys in Art and Culture
Travels of Pigment, Paper and Plants into the Art of the Northern Renaissance and Enlightenment How did ultramarine blue, derived from an Afghan rock (lapis lazuli), and carmine red (from a Mexican beetle) find their way into Rubens, Van Eyck and Rembrandt’s paintings in Antwerp and Amsterdam, via Venice and Seville? In a second story, […]
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Oil Painting
The Thursday afternoon oil painting group is a lively, approachable and unique class. Students are encouraged to build and respond to their own natural strengths and focus on building their own unique style within the painting process. Each student shall shape a diverse narrative from their own sources of inspiration, from their own sketches, photography […]
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The Film Journey: From Concept to Screen
What needs to happen before you sit down to enjoy watching a film? Starting with the sources for film content, and moving on to how films are financed and produced, we progress to how distribution rights are negotiated. The marketing of films takes place across many platforms, until the film reaches its final destination on screens near you or through other […]
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Exploring Mixed Media
Join artist Callum Abbott on a journey to find freedom through art, develop your own personal style and learn how to combine mediums and materials to create unique works of art. We will be exploring abstract drawing, collage and painting and will delve into colour, composition and technique.
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Focus on technique – Triangular zipped purse 03/03/2026
This workshop focuses on simple but effective techniques. We create a lined purse with a top stitched zip and apply fusible wadding.
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Whose Wine is it Anyway?
Do you fancy yourself a wine connoisseur? If so then join us for another fun evening of wine tasting coupled with a quiz. Our three experts will tell you all about the wine you are tasting, but which one of them is telling the truth? With 7 to 8 different wines to taste, your guesses […]
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Settlement Players Present Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None
Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’ Directed by Jo Roskilly Performance Dates 12th-14th March 2026 Watch the Trailer here. One of Christie’s most foreboding tales and a masterpiece of dramatic construction, this classic play’s growing sense of dread and unfaltering tension will keep you guessing to the very end. Devon in the late 1930s. Ten […]
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Criminal Psychology
A short course for those who are curious about what causes some people to commit crimes and would like to find out more about the psychology of crime and criminal behaviour. Topics and questions to be considered may include: · Are we biological programmed to commit crime? · Are we psychologically programmed to commit crime? […]
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Settlement Players Present Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None
Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’ Directed by Jo Roskilly Performance Dates 12th-14th March 2026 Watch the Trailer here. One of Christie’s most foreboding tales and a masterpiece of dramatic construction, this classic play’s growing sense of dread and unfaltering tension will keep you guessing to the very end. Devon in the late 1930s. Ten […]
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Mixed-Media Mindfulness
This 2-hour workshop is an escape from our busy lives! So many of us are rushing from one place to the next with a long to-do list. This is an opportunity to put that list away and give our brains a break. This workshop will be a pressure-free space to play, create, and enjoy the moment with […]
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Settlement Players Present Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None
Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’ Directed by Jo Roskilly Performance Dates 12th-14th March 2026 Watch the Trailer here. One of Christie’s most foreboding tales and a masterpiece of dramatic construction, this classic play’s growing sense of dread and unfaltering tension will keep you guessing to the very end. Devon in the late 1930s. Ten […]
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Easter Bunnies – A focus on technique session 17/03/2026
This workshop focuses on simple but effective techniques to create two projects. 1. Stitch a bunny basket to hold Easter treats Use some basic hand stitching to make your bunny face and line your felt “basket” to create a jolly gift or decoration. 2. Make a Flopsy or Mopsy bunny shape using fusible wadding and […]
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Still Life Drawing Club with Vanessa Stone
March 21st - Linear Forms: exploring mark making with white ink on black paper Vanessa has been running a Still Life Drawing Club for the last three years in Newark on Trent and brings this monthly club to the Settlement. The club focuses on bringing out each person’s individual style by everyone working from a still […]
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Settlement Sessions: Dale Storr
An evening with Dale Storr one of the UK’s leading exponents of New Orleans piano. Described by Manfred Mann’s Paul Jones as a very, very fine piano player, Dale will play and sing songs from his heroes, Dr John, James Booker and Fats Domino amongst others. So get ready for an emotional rollercoaster ride of […]
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Watercolour Florals with Becky Ullah
This 2 hour workshop will be all about fun watercolour florals. We will be celebrating the start of spring with some beautiful flowers and you can go detailed or loose and let your creative juices flow, with the guidance of Becky to help with those tricky watercolour behaviours.
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Beginners Raw Edge Machine Applique: Embroidery Easter Cards
This is a workshop for anyone who would like to have a go at raw edge machine applique. You will make up to 2 Easter cards during the session. No experience needed other than a basic ability to use a sewing machine. Learn how to apply a decorative fabric design and stitch it using your […]
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Creative Writing with Elizabeth Barber– A Taster Day!
This taster day is an opportunity for beginners and writers at all levels to practise their writing skills with stimulating, confidence-building exercises, feedback and guidance. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to explore fiction writing and wondered how it differs from creative non-fiction? If so, why not come along and learn more in a small, friendly group?
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Willow Plant Supports with Hazel Godfrey
This beginners’ willow workshop will teach you two weaving techniques and a style of binding for making useful structures for your garden. You will make a 5ft wigwam style support ideal for creating height in pots or garden borders. These supports work brilliantly with plants such as climbing nasturtium, sweet peas, and clematis. n.b. For […]
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Intermediate Raw Edge Machine Applique: Embroidery Spring Daffodils
Your chance to spend some time stitching some spring daffodils, using your sewing machine to draw with! This workshop is suitable for those who have done any machine applique before (including the beginners’ course on the same day.) We will stitch up to 2 designs suitable for making into greetings cards or other decorations.
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Make a Fused Glass Panel for Home or Garden
During this one day workshop you will have the opportunity to create a fused glass panel, suitable for your garden or home. You will learn about the glass being used, how to design your panel and cut glass before preparing and laying out your piece ready for firing. Firing will take place off site and […]
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Print & Stitch: A Day of Creative Exploration with Donna Davies
Set aside time to unwind, explore, and enjoy the pleasure of working slowly with cloth, pattern, and stitch. This immersive one-day workshop invites you to combine accessible fabric printing methods with hand embroidery to create layered, expressive textile pieces. The morning session focuses on gentle, exploratory mark-making and fabric printing. You’ll try out block printing […]
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Surrealism: Create Your Own Dream World with Shannon Lane
This one-day workshop invites participants to create their own surrealist dreamworld painting using acrylic paint on canvas. Through guided prompts and practical demonstrations, students will explore imagination, symbolism, memory, and unexpected combinations of imagery to develop a personal surrealist scene.
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BBC radio’s ‘Children’s Favourites’ – The hidden history with Stephen Barnard
For any child in the 50s, 60s or 70s, the Saturday morning radio request show ‘Children’s Favourites’ -later renamed ‘Junior Choice’ - was a big part of growing up. Presented by ‘Uncle Mac’ and created by the BBC’s quaintly named Gramophone Department, the show introduced us to characters like Nellie the Elephant, the three billy […]
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Servants in a Victorian Country House
This lecture will look at the work and lives of servants in the houses of the gentry and aristocracy and allow us to think about the work they performed, accommodation and how they were recruited. Expect to meet butlers, housekeepers and scullery maids.
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The Making of Modern Israel
Illustrated lecture followed by questions and discussion. This lecture seeks to explain the origins of the terrible conflict of recent years. It covers the period from the 1880s to the foundation of the state of Israel in 1948. It begins with the birth of Zionism in the late 19th century and the Balfour Declaration of […]
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Patchwork and Quilting – taking your skills further with Sheena Roberts
Seeing Art Through Fabric: Shape, Balance, and Stitch: In this relaxed workshop, we’ll explore how an abstract collage by Loló Soldevilla can inspire a quilt composition. No art history experience is needed — we’ll focus on looking, noticing shapes and balance, and translating those ideas into fabric. Rather than copying the artwork, you’ll experiment with […]
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Chinese brush painting – Painting Spring Flowers with Marion Dearlove
We will be looking at Chinese brush painting techniques for painting crocus, tulip, narcissus, daffodils and blossom. We will be using Chinese bush painting materials.
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Buccaneers: American Heiresses and Country Houses
At the end of the Victorian Period several British aristocrats married American heiresses. Sometimes these marriages were love matches in others they were cynical attempts to revive family fortunes. We will meet the Duchess of Marlborough and Lady Curzon among others.
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Easter Table Flowers with Helen Allen
Make a super Easter wreath ring for the table ( or door) using long lasting and fresh spring flowers and blossom, foliage, eggs and a few twigs. No knowledge of flower arranging required. You will learn tips for spring materials and how to care for your design.
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Classic Albums: Carole King’s Tapestry & Bill Withers’ Still Bill
Join us for another talk in our Classic Albums series exploring some of the most outstanding LP records ever made. Stephen Barnard takes us back to 1971, when Carole King – once a creator of made-to-order songs for lovestruck teenagers – re-emerged triumphantly with Tapestry. Packed with exquisitely crafted songs about friendship, love and back-to-nature living, […]
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An Introduction to Greek Myth
An introduction to the rich tradition of Greek myth that still permeates our lives in the 21st century, without us always noticing it. Learners will be introduced to the origins and traditions of a wide range of myths including the stories of the Minotaur, Icarus, Arachne, Circe, Jason and the Argonauts, and many more that […]
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Love the clothes you have – Simple repairs for everyone with Jane Neesam
Save the planet and save your money. Learn 5 key skills to love your clothes for longer. Simple repairs for everyone. We will.be using resources from .Repair What You Wear to learn how to mend our clothes. Learning how to: Thread a needle. Sew a button on. Repair a split in a seam. Hem (turn […]
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The Structure of Gothic Cathedrals
The great Gothic cathedrals can appear dauntingly complex, both on the inside and outside. Yet, with a beginner's knowledge of engineering, it isn't difficult to distinguish the structure from the ornament. These architectural marvels then become not only more intelligible, but more moving.
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Sea Shanty Workshop
A workshop which explores the history of sea shanties then focusses on learning five or six (or more depending on the group) in unison and/or simple harmonies.
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How Britain nearly changed the outcome of the American Civil War
The American Civil War ran from 1861-1865. Several times during the war, Britain very nearly was at war with the Union. Britain was involved in building the Confederate Navy and also encouraged France to join in recognising Independence for the South. Bill will draw on personal diaries during his talk.
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Creative Writing Workshop for Competitions
If you want to improve your writing, entering writing competitions are a great way to focus your mind, refine your craft and achieve recognition. Competitions offer cash prizes, a chance to get published, and valuable feedback. This workshop will examine available competitions for flash fiction, short stories and poetry. After considering tips on how best […]
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Introduction to using your Sewing Overlocker with Jane Neesam
Are you too scared to get your overlocker out of the box? Bring it along and get started on some basic overlocking skills including: Threading. Recognising and achieving good Stitch and tension. Understanding when to use 4 threads vs 3 threads. Jane recognises how challenging overlockers can be and aims to give you confidence to […]
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Botanical Art – beginners and continuers
For beginners and continuers to Botanical Illustration. Jill has been tutoring for over 20 years and can use her skills to give confidence to those new to drawing and painting. The course will enable Jill to guide you through the steps to achieve accurate drawing skills, Working with a variety of mediums…from watercolours, to coloured […]
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Settlement Sessions: Brooks Williams
Cambridge UK-based, Statesboro, Georgia US-born, admired by both listeners and fellow musicians, Brooks Williams has been a leading light on the acoustic music scene for three decades. Listed as one of the ‘Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists, his guitar skills are evident as he effortlessly slides in and out of folk, blues and country. An evening […]
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Settlement Sessions: Vikki Clayton
Vikki is a self-styled Folk Diva and one of this country’s finest interpreters of Traditional and Contemporary song having a very pure voice and formidable guitar technique. Brought to us courtesy of Hitchin Folk Club who were unable to book her themselves as her 2026 tour only had a few spaces left. We were lucky […]
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Still Life Drawing Club with Vanessa Stone
May 16th – Feather and Stones: looking at pattern and blending tones using gouache and coloured pencils Vanessa has been running a Still Life Drawing Club for the last three years in Newark on Trent and brings this monthly club to the Settlement. The club focuses on bringing out each person’s individual style by everyone working […]
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Still Life Drawing Club with Vanessa Stone
June 20th - Fantastic Flowers: large scale drawings of brightly coloured flowers using inks and watercolour pencils. Vanessa has been running a Still Life Drawing Club for the last three years in Newark on Trent and brings this monthly club to the Settlement. The club focuses on bringing out each person’s individual style by everyone working from […]
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Settlement Sessions: El Chamuyo
The El Chamuyo Quartet is a London-based group performing a wide range of Argentinian Tango music from the golden era of the 1920’s and 1930’s through to the tango nuevo masterpieces of Piazzolla as well as original music. The group comprises a violinist, pianist, bass player and a player of the bandoneon, a type of […]
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Settlement Sessions: Joe Topping
Semi-Finalist in The Voice and described by Sir Tom Jones as a “Weaver of Dreams”, Joe is a folk singer and multi-instrumentalist whose singing and guitar playing regularly moves listeners to tears. This will be a very special evening so do make sure you get a ticket. www.joetoppingmusic.com Joe Topping's 'Forever Young' | Blind Auditions […]
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Settlement Sessions: Dave Ellis and Boo Howard
Dave Ellis and Boo Howard simply exude class. With Boo’s wonderful voice and Dave’s stunning song writing and guitar playing, they always put on a great show. Dave Ellis & Boo Howard Doors and licensed bar open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
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Settlement Sessions: Edwina Hayes
Back by popular demand, Edwina Hayes, one of the finest female singer/songwriters this country has produced in years will be at the Settlement to play for us. Edwina learned her trade in the folk clubs of Yorkshire and has supported Jools Holland, Loudon Wainwright III and Nanci Griffith Edwina brings together English Folk, Americana and […]
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Settlement Sessions: Barry Goodman
Starting with a seasonal talk exploring some of the many traditional customs associated with Christmas and the months of winter generally, in story, song and pictures. Some may be familiar, while others will be less well-known, with the opportunity to find out about them and join in some of the songs. In the second half, […]