Events
-
-
Expressive Watercolours Online
Watercolour is an exciting and versatile medium. During this course we aim to explore this versatility playing with colour and a host of different techniques such as laying washes, wet-in-wet, sponging. We will also look at how to put a successful picture together through a range of different subjects from flowers to landscapes with the […]
-
Expressive Watercolours
Watercolour is an exciting and versatile medium. During this course we aim to explore this versatility playing with colour and a host of different techniques such as laying washes, wet-in-wet, sponging. We will also look at how to put a successful picture together through a range of different subjects from flowers to landscapes with the […]
-
Exploring Garden Design
A course for all garden lovers wishing to explore further about garden design. Create either a large or small project, learn how best to plant up boarders & pots, to making the best of your existing garden, no matter its size. You will understand have to create a scale plan of your garden ideas showing […]
-
Patch to Quilt – Build your quilting confidence one stitch at a time
A relaxed, informal class to learn the skills of machine patchwork and quilting and add a little design pizazz along the way! A range of techniques will be covered including rotary cutting, getting the best from your sewing machine, colour choices, machine piecing and quilting, and basic construction methods. There will be a fresh project […]
-
Patch to Quilt – Build your quilting confidence one stitch at a time
A relaxed, informal class to learn the skills of machine patchwork and quilting and add a little design pizazz along the way! A range of techniques will be covered including rotary cutting, getting the best from your sewing machine, colour choices, machine piecing and quilting, and basic construction methods. There will be a fresh project […]
-
Friday Flowers
Create wonderful, seasonal floral designs and learn tips to get the best from your cut stems. With a range of floral designs from vintage to contemporary, you will try something different each week to enjoy fresh for the weekend. The course is at beginner to intermediate level but is not entirely suitable for absolute beginners, […]
-
Settlement Sessions: Emily Slade
After last years successful concert we are delighted to welcome Emily back to perform in her home town of Letchworth. Now a well established and popular performer, Emily has played with some big names in the folk circuit. She is some of Britain's foremost fingerstyle guitarists, and will entertain us with her own songs as […]
-
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 […]
-
-
Prize Draw for Folk by the Oak Family Package
Win a voucher for 2 adult and 2 child tickets to Folk by the Oak 2026 on 19th July 2026 with a souvenir programme and poster to collect on arrival. Total package is worth over £164. The Draw will take place on 1st June 2026 at 10am at the Settlement. The prize has been kindly […]
-
Get Writing for All with Elizabeth Barber – Monday Morning
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
Writing your Memoirs with Sharon Priestley
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 […]
-
Chinese Brush Painting: Landscape Composition
We will be looking at some of the techniques and compositional forms used in Chinese Xieyi (free style) landscape painting. We will be using Chinese brush painting materials throughout. Suitable for beginners and improvers
-
Get Writing for All with Elizabeth Barber – Tuesday Morning
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 […]
-
Applied Arts with Callum Abbott
This Art Club focuses on experimentation with a wide range of materials and mixed media. The tutor 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 take on its own unique style. This course leads you to working […]
-
Botanical Illustration with Jill Winch
Jill will explore over 5 weeks the intricacies of Botanical illustration using watercolours, coloured pencils, pen and ink. Jill will look at the detailed work involved in the Botanical world.
-
The Gate of Angels by Penelope Fitzgerald with Margaret Norwich
A love story, a ghost story, a glorious comedy set in Edwardian Cambridge, beautifully evocative of place and time, this novel is also a philosophical enquiry into the body/mind controversy much discussed at Cambridge in 1912, but never with such style and humour. Please join us to explore the ways in which this slender novel […]
-
Woven Tapestry – Tuesday Evening
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 […]
-
Get Writing for All with Adrian Poynton – Tuesday Evening
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 […]
-
Get Writing for All with Elizabeth Barber – Wednesday Morning
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 […]
-
Contemporary Basketry for all abilities
This mixed-ability basketry course is contemporary in its’ approach and will use a wide variety of natural materials. Beginners will start with simple forms on which to explore a range of basic techniques and material processes. Improvers will build on their experience thus far, learning to manipulate and apply basketry techniques to new and sometimes […]
-
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. The course is also ideal for those wishing to strengthen […]
-
Get Writing for All with Adrian Poynton – Wednesday Evening
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
Topics in Psychology with Lesley Ayres
Why do different individuals see things differently? What influences what we see and how our memory works? Are we reliable witnesses? Some topics that be considered in this course: - Cognitive Psychology – how do we learn things? - Memory – how it works (or not in some cases) - Perception – do we all […]
-
Settlement Sessions: Country Night
From the band that brought you The Beertles. Time to dust off your boots, get your cowboy hats ready for a night of toe tapping music. Forget your troubles and have a great evening. Yeehaw!!
-
Raw Edge machine embroidery – Elderflowers, Ox-Eye Daisies and Bees
Use your sewing machine to embroider some ox-eye daisies and elderflowers. You will make up to 2 greeting cards during the session. You need to be able and ready to use a sewing machine to start the easier of the two cards. Suitable for confident beginners and intermediate stitchers. Learn how to apply a decorative […]
-
Exploring Garden Design
A course for all garden lovers wishing to explore further about garden design. Create either a large or small project, learn how best to plant up boarders & pots, to making the best of your existing garden, no matter its size. You will understand have to create a scale plan of your garden ideas showing […]
-
Collage Club with Callum Abbott
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.
-
Come Write With Me – with Claire Hogan (Afternoon)
Join a supportive creative community via an informal “Come Write With Me” session, where writers of all levels can gather, focus on their own projects, set goals and write together with our very own Writer-in-residence, Claire Hogan. Each session begins with brief introductions and a short overview of what everyone is working on. Claire will […]
-
Come Write With Me – with Claire Hogan (Evening)
Join a supportive creative community via an informal “Come Write With Me” session, where writers of all levels can gather, focus on their own projects, set goals and write together with our very own Writer-in-residence, Claire Hogan. Each session begins with brief introductions and a short overview of what everyone is working on. Claire will […]
-
Lippan Art – Bring Indian mural art to life
A centuries-old mud craft from the region of Gujarat, India. Originally used to decorate murals on mud hut walls. Using clay lines and various mirror shapes to create intricate patterns, depicting life in the villages and geometric patterns. Often painted white to reflect the heat and keep the huts cool. Mirrors were also used to […]
-
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 […]
-
Settlement Players Production of G B Shaw’s Pygmalion
G B Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’ Directed by Cliff Francis Performance Dates 18th-20th June 2026 Eliza Doolittle aspires to more than selling flowers on the streets of Covent Garden. After a chance meeting with Professor Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering, she finds herself the subject of a bet to pass her off as a lady in London’s high […]
-
Settlement Players Production of G B Shaw’s Pygmalion
G B Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’ Directed by Cliff Francis Performance Dates 18th-20th June 2026 Eliza Doolittle aspires to more than selling flowers on the streets of Covent Garden. After a chance meeting with Professor Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering, she finds herself the subject of a bet to pass her off as a lady in London’s high […]
-
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 […]
-
Settlement Players Production of G B Shaw’s Pygmalion
G B Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’ Directed by Cliff Francis Performance Dates 18th-20th June 2026 Eliza Doolittle aspires to more than selling flowers on the streets of Covent Garden. After a chance meeting with Professor Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering, she finds herself the subject of a bet to pass her off as a lady in London’s high […]
-
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 […]
-
Patchwork and Quilting – Taking your Skills further – Happy Machine, Happy Sewing
Is your sewing machine feeling a little temperamental? Skipped stitches, tangled threads, or just not sure you’re using it to its full potential? This friendly, hands-on workshop is here to help. In Happy Machine, Happy Sewing, you’ll learn how to care for your sewing machine with simple, everyday maintenance—no technical jargon, no overwhelm. We’ll cover […]
-
-
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 […]
-
-
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.
-
-
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 […]
-
-
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, […]
-
-
Settlement Sessions: LaLuke: Letchworth Arts and Leisure Group Ukulele Orchestra -Ticket sales opening soon
Laluke ….Letchworth’s own ukulele orchestra, back by popular demand after February 2026’s high energy, very entertaining and just fabulous, concert where tickets sold out faster than we could release them. Doors and the licensed bar will open at 7 pm for a 7.30 pm start. Ticket sales opening soon
-
-
Settlement Sessions: Kate Garner
Join Kate Garner, daughter of the legendary Chas Hodges of ‘Chas & Dave’ at the piano, as she sings the songs that have defined her life, from her childhood growing up in a musical London family to her own successful career as a singer & songwriter. Kate will tell the fascinating stories behind these timeless […]
-
-
Settlement Sessions: Viv Lucas and Rhys Wilson
Our first double-header where two talented musicians will entertain you with their own songs as well as songs from their inspirations, Neil Young and Gordon Lightfoot. They will each perform a one hour slot, finishing and with well-known songs performed as a duet. Both Viv and Rhys are returning to the Settlement from previously successful […]
-
-
Settlement Sessions: Banter
Banter’s music is rooted in traditional English folk, but they incorporate influences from jazz, brass, and other global sounds, giving their performances a distinctive, playful twist. Their arrangements are known for quirky harmonies, inventive instrumentation, and energetic live shows, blending soulful vocals with raucous dance tunes. Doors and the licensed bar will open at 7 […]
-
-
Settlement Sessions: Steve Tilston
One of the most celebrated songsmiths, widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music. The words, arrangements and subtle, quite superb guitar playing could be no one else. With over 25 albums to his name, Steve is quite simply unmissable. Book now to ensure you get a seat for what will be a […]
-
-
Settlement Sessions: Isle ‘ave a Shanty
Isle ‘Ave A Shanty are a 6-piece a capella male harmony group based on the Isle of Ely. specialising in traditional songs from the sea and the country in a folk style as well as putting a folk twist on some modern classics! They are a rarity in being a sea shanty band from a […]
-
-
Settlement Sessions: Honey and the Bear
Shortlisted band duo of the year in 2023 their live performances' are full of variation from emotive and dramatic full-bodied ballads to rip-roaring tales of adventure on the seas. Weaving stories into song, with a strong focus on their Suffolk roots, community and family, they are able to bring a tear to your eye in […]
-
-
Settlement Sessions: Elsa Jean McTaggart
Highly skilled Scottish duo Elsa McTaggart and Gary Lister bring you the best of Scotland’s folk and Celtic music. With their warmth and laughter, they create an atmosphere of ceilidh and craic, introducing music of old and threading it through modern arrangements and compositions with their many Celtic instruments and styles. Interspersed with storytelling and […]
-
-
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 […]
-
-
Settlement Sessions: Jack in a Barrel
A Festive Folk Celebration. Join acapella group Jack in a Barrel this Christmas for a joyful blendof tradional and contemporary folk songs, classic carols and rousing festive sing-a-longs. Heartfelt, harmonious and full of cheer. Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start
-
-
Settlement Sessions: Sam Carter
Midlands-born singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Sam has earned a reputation for vivid, narrative-driven song writing and captivating live performances. He is a highly regarded instrumentalist whose live performances are nothing short of captivating, filled with the raw honesty, humour, and skilled musicianship that underscore his standing as one of contemporary folk’s brightest talents. Doors and […]