Dear Settlement Members and Friends,
I hope you are all well and enjoying the second half of the autumn term!
Carly Simmons
I am very sorry to announce the departure of Assistant Manager, Carly Simmons, after a little over three years of superb contribution to the artistic and creative core of the Settlement. Her deep understanding of the arts and of the Settlement workings has been of enormous benefit to all of us. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavours.
Rules for Living
Don’t forget to book for the next Settlement Players production, a fast-moving comedy, taking place soon on site in The Little Theatre, Kincaid Hall; Thursday 13 – Saturday 15 November (7:30 – 10pm; £10):
Settlement Players: Rules for Living – Letchworth Settlement
Settlement Sessions
The Settlement Sessions concert on 24 October went very well with those of Scottish descent taking the chance to celebrate their heritage, and those of us with alternative heritage joining in with them as they appeared to be really enjoying themselves!
The Sessions continue on Friday 21 November with the return visit of Cut the Mustard, blues duo Martin and Dave, who will entertain us with music from New Orleans and beyond playing a variety of instruments, including a 1930 National Steel Guitar. This time they will be supported by local contemporary artist Mike Excell. Tickets are £13 and are available via the website with doors opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. There will be the usual licensed bar. Book here:
Settlement Sessions: Cut the Mustard – Letchworth Settlement
AGM
As messaged separately, the Annual General Meeting of the Letchworth Educational Settlement will be held in the Kincaid Hall on Tuesday 25 November at 7.30pm. You are invited to enjoy a glass of wine or soft drink after the meeting with the Committee.
Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair
The Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair for 2025 is set for Friday 28th November, 2-7pm. Admission is FREE.
Please visit during the afternoon to see the fabulous arts & crafts sellers in the hall, and enjoy tea and cakes in the main building. An essential Settlement event! Look out for this year’s raffle tickets and make sure you buy lots of them!
If you have any items for our hampers (for raffle prizes), tombola, or Settlement stall (which will sell virtually anything non-electrical) do please bring them to the office from now onwards! Many thanks indeed for anything you might be able to donate.
If you are able to make cakes for the event please do so! These will be very much appreciated. Please being them in nearer the time. Thank you. See you there.
Saturday Morning Programme
There are still places available on:
Still Life Drawing Club – Letchworth Settlement Saturday 15 November 10am – 12pm (sessions sold singly; £20) with Vanessa Stone.
Exploring Mixed Media – Letchworth Settlement Saturday 15 November to Saturday 13 December 10am – 12pm (5 weeks; £75) with Callum Abbott.
Christmas Workshops
Make a fabric basket for Christmas with raw edge appliqué decoration – Letchworth Settlement Saturday 29 November 10am – 3pm; last places now booking with Kathryn Dearn & Jane Neesam.
Festive Table Arrangement – Letchworth Settlement Saturday 29 November 1:30- 4pm; with expert florist Helen Allen.
Fused Glass Christmas House – Letchworth Settlement Sunday 7 December 10am – 3pm; welcoming back tutor Jane Ducarreaux.
Write A Christmas Story – Letchworth Settlement Sunday 7 December 10am – 3:30pm; surprise your friends and family with a short story for Christmas!
Christmas Gingerbread House Felt Banner Workshop – Letchworth Settlement Sunday 7 December 10:30am – 2:30pm; something different for this year’s seasonal décor.
Notre Dame Du Haut (Ronchamp) – Letchworth Settlement Sunday 7 December 3 – 4pm; with Tim Parrott speaking about this superb piece of architecture by Le Corbusier.
A Christmas Carol – A Reading – Letchworth Settlement Friday 12 December 7 – 9pm; welcoming back The Living Theatre.
Artist-in Residence: Shannon Lane.
The Letchworth Settlement is thrilled to announce that, in partnership with Herts Visual Arts (HVA), the new Artist-in-Residence 2025-26 is Shannon Lane. Shannon’s role at the Settlement is intended to enhance and challenge our perceptions of art and the humanities and she has already made a great start on setting up in the workshop.
Shannon is a surrealist artist working primarily in acrylic on canvas. Her practice explores the complexities of mental health, the confrontation of inner demons, and the transformative power of finding light in the darkness. Through surreal imagery that blends the unsettling with the whimsical, she aims to make daunting and frightening subjects approachable, sparking curiosity and reflection in her viewers.
You may have a chance to talk to Shannon and see some artwork when you next visit the Settlement!
Spring Term 2026
As you know, the huge range of Spring Term 2026 courses, workshops and events are all selling now.
All courses: Courses – Letchworth Settlement
All workshops: Workshops – Letchworth Settlement
All events: Events – Letchworth Settlement
Best wishes everyone,
-Nick
