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 […]
The Birth of British Landscape Painting 1750-1870
Both John Constable and his contemporary MW Turner broke new ground in landscape painting, but their 18th century predecessors had, in many ways, paved the way. This six week course will chart the development of landscape painting in Britain from the mid-18th century onwards, discussing the work of artists such as Richard Wilson and Thomas […]
Botanical Art
A five-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 […]
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 […]
Get Writing for All with Adrian Poynton – 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
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 basketry course will work in a contemporary style using willow and other natural materials. Beginners will make some simple forms on which to explore a range of basic techniques and material processes whilst more advanced basketmakers will be introduced to a variety of materials and construction techniques with which to explore surface and form. […]
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 […]
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.
Pilates – all levels including beginners
Pilates is an anti-aging, lifespan-enhancing method of safe and effective body conditioning, developed by Joseph Pilates, where exercise is simplified as required, according to ability. Pilates himself declared "...in ten sessions you feel the progress, in twenty sessions you see the progress, in thirty sessions, it will change your life." However, learners will need to […]
Portraiture
Portrait painting is becoming increasingly fashionable in the art world. There are many painting styles that can render a stunning portrait. New Settlement tutor Komathy is introducing this portraiture course to teach how to sketch and paint portraits. Komathy will provide guidance as you start your own painting. She will teach quick painting methods, how […]
Oil Painting
The afternoon Thursday 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 […]
Fascinated by Freud
ID….EGO……Freudian Slip……..Lots of words we use today originate from Sigmund Freud himself. Freud has been controversial in his theories of personality, yet he is still considered worthy of study in the area of Psychology. In fact, Freud’s work has influenced many areas of art/culture/film and therapies still used today. Have you ever wondered about this […]
Nature for Wellbeing – Science, Stories and Action
Emma Dagless, Policy and Programme Manager for Nature and Wellbeing at Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, will reveal how science can help confirm the positive impact of nature on our health and wellbeing. Illustrated with personal stories, Emma will consider how we can use this knowledge and understanding when navigating the inevitable ups and downs […]
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, […]
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 […]
Greek Myth
Our continuing exploration of Greek Myth FATES, FURIES, GRACES, MUSES, AND THE TROJAN HORSE New starters to this ongoing course are welcome.
Still Life Drawing Club: Collage & Drawing
June 7th - Collage & Drawing Combined: made patterned papers and mixed media drawing. 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 […]
Simple Free Motion Embroidery – Seaside
Fun times for sewists and their sewing machine at any level. Complete beginners or long time stitchers … everyone is welcome to spend a Saturday morning with us, sewing and eating cake! We're running 3 workshops using basic raw edge free motion machine embroidery. Each session stands alone or you can develop your skills through […]
Exploring Interior Design
Exploring Interior Design will develop your ability to visualise in three dimensions and help make your ideas an exciting reality! Key skills, such as measuring, making scale plans, using the colour wheel, compiling mood boards, and working within budgets, will be focused upon, and revisited over time as appropriate, along with other relevant topics. Learners […]
A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr
"Unlike anything else in modern English literature," according to D.J. Taylor, this tender, elegant novella tells the story of a damaged survivor of the First World War who spends a summer restoring a medieval wall-painting in a village church in Yorkshire. There he discovers the peace of the countryside, the warmth of his welcome into […]
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. […]
Settlement Sessions: Gary Stewart
Gary is a Scottish singer/songwriter with four albums to his name and a strong following in his adopted home of Yorkshire. He will entertain us with a set of his own songs mainly about paranoia, love and resilience, with a second set of early songs by Paul Simon. Expect to hear many of Paul’s classic […]
Simple Free Motion Embroidery – Lighthouse
Fun times for sewists and their sewing machine at any level. Complete beginners or long time stitchers … everyone is welcome to spend a Saturday morning with us, sewing and eating cake! We’re running 3 workshops using basic raw edge free motion machine embroidery. Each session stands alone or you can develop your skills through […]
Embroidered Brooches
Come and craft your own one-of-a-kind embroidered brooch in this cosy and creative workshop. You’ll learn a variety of embroidery stitches to create intricate patterns and textures, then transform your design into a wearable piece of art. All materials are provided, and no experience is necessary—just bring your creativity! Whether you want to add a […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Haywire
Haywire By Eric Chappell A warm, funny and entertaining comedy from the writer of the classic sitcom Rising Damp. Alec Firth is having an affair with his assistant, Liz, and has planned a romantic holiday for them in Spain without making his wife Maggie remotely suspicious, he thinks. His mother is in a home, the […]
Simple Free Motion Embroidery – Sew your favourite seaside place
Fun times for sewists and their sewing machine at any level. Complete beginners or long time stitchers … everyone is welcome to spend a Saturday morning with us, sewing and eating cake! We’re running 3 workshops using basic raw edge free motion machine embroidery. Each session stands alone or you can develop your skills through […]
Slow Stitched Meditation Rolls
Unwind and find your creative flow in this mindful slow-stitching workshop. You’ll create a beautiful, textured meditation roll using hand-stitching techniques and a curated selection of fabrics and threads. The repetitive nature of stitching makes this a calming and grounding experience, perfect for slowing down and reconnecting with your creativity. All levels are welcome, and […]
Vivace Choir singing Songs & Spirituals
Vivace Choir is a medium choir of about 20 to 30 members drawn mainly from the villages of South Bedfordshire. They present 3 concerts each year and sing traditional choral music along with music from operas and operettas and stage musicals. We are promised a mixed programme of Spirituals and songs inspired by them plus […]
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 […]
Nature for Wellbeing – Science, Stories and Action
Emma Dagless, Policy and Programme Manager for Nature and Wellbeing at Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, will reveal how science can help confirm the positive impact of nature on our health and wellbeing. Illustrated with personal stories, Emma will consider how we can use this knowledge and understanding when navigating the inevitable ups and downs […]
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 […]
Sensational shirring skills
Fun times for sewists and their sewing machine at any level. Complete beginners or long time stitchers … everyone is welcome to spend a Saturday morning with us, sewing and eating cake. We will be offering a number of Pick and Mix workshops over the Summer. A workshop with the aim of understanding how and […]
Artists in Residence Takeover
Artist in Residence Takeover 📅 3rd June – 18th July 2025 📍 The Letchworth Settlement Join us for an inspiring Meet & Greet on Saturday 28th June, 2 – 5 PM! Artists Becky Ullah and Nade Simmons invite you to an afternoon of creativity, conversation, and community. Discover how our residency has shaped our practice, […]
Still Life Drawing Club: Dramatic Black Paper
July 5th - Dramatic Black Paper: working with vibrant colours 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 […]
Invisible Zip Skills
Fun times for sewists and their sewing machine at any level. Complete beginners or long time stitchers … everyone is welcome to spend a Saturday morning with us, sewing and eating cake. We will be offering a number of Pick and Mix workshops over the Summer. A workshop with the aim of overcoming the fear […]
Settlement Sessions: Elizabeth & Jameson
Hannah and Griff first joined forces in 2016, merging their individual backgrounds of traditional folk and folk pop/rock to create a stunning acoustic folk/roots duo, with original songs rich in emotive storytelling and a harmony-driven sound featuring guitar, violin and exquisite vocals. Doors and the licensed bar will open at 7 pm for a 7.30 […]
Felt flower reels
Join us for a fun and creative workshop where you’ll make an embroidered felt flower presented on a vintage cotton reel. You’ll learn how to cut, shape, and assemble a felt flower, creating a timeless decoration that adds a touch of handmade beauty to your home. Perfect for all skill levels, this workshop is a […]
Beautiful buttonhole and button skills
Fun times for sewists and their sewing machine at any level. Complete beginners or long time stitchers … everyone is welcome to spend a Saturday morning with us, sewing and eating cake. We will be offering a number of Pick and Mix workshops over the Summer. A workshop with the aim of developing your skills […]
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.
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 […]
Corruption in British Politics in the 1850s
Learn how 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 a […]
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 […]
Willow Bread Basket Workshop
Suitable for beginners, this workshop will teach you traditional stake and strand weaving to make a small basket for serving bread or storing foods such as eggs or fruit. You will learn how to make a base, add stakes and weave the siding using techniques that include pairing, waling and English randing. The basket will […]
Make a Crown Book
Discover how you can make a small crown book which can be used as a folio to store prints, postcards or notes. This book is made from just two pieces of card/paper. It can be adapted to different sizes. In the workshop you will make a crown folio. You will also make an example which […]
Easy Rider and American Graffiti (A Classic Albums soundtrack special)
Released four years apart and aimed at young Americans disaffected by the Vietnam war and the Nixon years, Easy Rider and American Graffiti were seminal films on so many levels, and their use of rock music to comment on or amplify the narrative re-defined what a movie soundtrack could be. In this next instalment in […]
An introduction to Classical Studies
An introduction to Classical Studies: the Ancient History and Civilisations of the Greeks and Romans from the perspective of many different disciplines, including architecture, archaeology, art, drama, literature, philosophy, politics, religion, social history, and much more.
Settlement Sessions: Hebridean Fire
Multi-instrumentalists, Elsa McTaggart and Gary Lister, from the Isle of Lewis take you on an eclectic musical journey through the Islands and Highlands of Scotland past and present. Expect soulful laments, high-energy, beautifully arranged sets of jigs, reels, and traditional songs with plenty of laughter, joy and warmth. Doors and the licensed bar will open […]
