The economics behind the AI revolution
Nick Gardener will answer your questions about the astonishing rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recent times. Is it a threat? How far might it replace human intelligence and decision making? What about deep learning in areas like speech recognition? What about the economics behind what has been called the industry of the future? Is […]
Roots to Remedies: A Medicinal Talk by Resident Artist Becky Ullah
Join us on the 17th July when one of our Resident Artists, Becky Ullah will be giving a free talk on her medicinal series of artworks. Think all plant-based medicines are just herbal remedies? Through her art, Becky reveals how many modern prescription drugs originate from plants—some still harvested today. In her Medicinal Botanical Collection, […]
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
This iconic building came perilously close to collapse in the 1990s owing to its inadequate foundations. An international team of engineers succeeded in saving it, but the road to salvation was far from smooth.
FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY – LETCHWORTH
🎤 A brilliant night of stand-up comedy featuring Garrie Grubb, Mary Bourke, Arthur Smith & MC Gary G Knightley 🗓 Saturday 19 July 2025, 7–10pm 🚪 Doors open at 6:15pm 📍 229 Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4UB 🔞 Ages 18+ 💸 Refunds available up to 7 days before the event Join us for […]
Writing Convincing Dialogue
‘A good story is life with the dull parts taken out.’ Alfred Hitchcock Great writers write great dialogue – they know what to leave in and what to leave out. They know dialogue is a valuable instrument in their writers’ toolkit. We will discuss its functions, consider extracts from published works and practise writing effective […]
Dynasty: The Shape of Chinese History
Chinese history for over 2,000 years has been all about the rise and fall of successive dynasties. The empire was founded around the same time as the Roman Empire and it collapsed not long before the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Then, unlike Rome, it rose again - and again. This lecture examines the […]
Introduction to Watercolours
This 2-hour workshop is aimed at those who have never used watercolours before or those who want to start with some basic skills. We will discuss how to choose between the materials: paper, brushes and paints. We will cover 8-10 different skills, making a reference swatch pad that you can refer to at home as […]
Sixty years on: was 1965 music’s best ever year?
Sixty years ago, the music world was on the crest of a creative wave unlike any experienced before or since. Bob Dylan forsook folk music to go electric while the Beatles made Rubber Soul, their most mature album yet. Motown put black music centre stage as never before while the likes of Dusty Springfield, the […]
Tai Chi & Qigong: Swords & Fans
This two hour taster session of Tai Chi Sword (Jian) and Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan will give those students who have already gained experience of the Tai Chi Hand Forms a chance to extend their practice of Tai Chi principles in ways that will enhance and perhaps challenge their applications of the movements. For […]
Victorians: Power and Corrupt Politics
Learn how Victorian voters could be corrupted. Who could vote? Which political parties were involved? Who became MPs? Which issues gave rise to reform and how were they suppressed? What events were happening at the time? Who was involved? What tactics were employed? Is it all about money and/or power? Drawing from recently published diaries […]
Painting Animals in Acrylic
Learn how to use acrylic paints to create realistic images of animals. This course covers painting birds, horses, dogs and cats but all animals and pets can be visualised.
Art Nouveau and its National Varieties
This talk reviews the development of various national varieties of Art Nouveau at the turn of the 20th century. It also points out the connections and differences between Art Nouveau and the national varieties of what became known as Art Deco in the 1920s.
Make a Country Frame Basket
Make a willow frame basket for harvesting garden produce, foraging or collecting eggs. In this workshop you will make an ancient style of basket by constructing a frame with hoops, traditional bindings and ribs, followed by lots of weaving. You will learn the principles of strength, balance and tension that help shape your basket. Completed […]
Collage Workshop with Callum Abbott
Join artist Callum Abbott for his collage workshop, where he will be showing you a variety of 20th century collages as well as his own artwork as preparation to create your very own collage! Beginners welcome, all you need is a pair of scissors and some glue and feel free to bring along your own […]
The 1960s and the birth of modern protest
The 1960s were a tumultuous decade in American social and political history, marked by a rising culture of protest that reshaped the way Americans engage with their political process. This lecture will explore how the civil rights movement, Vietnam War demonstrations (both pro- and anti-), and an emergent youth culture ushered in novel forms of […]