VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Members will have noticed that some groups get going at the first meeting, others take a while and others fade away. The long term success of a group is usually due to members sharing the jobs rather than relying on one person. For example, members of the walking groups take it in turn to be the walk leader.

The more volunteers we have, the greater the range of activities we can offer. We have a number of interests, all of which are popular, that need your assistance. We need help with trips, excursions, events and short breaks.

Help is also needed for Transport and Industrial History and Village and Town Walks with a Guide. We would like to restart the Daytime Social Group which was very popular for many years, possibly in a different format.

Can you help? If so, please contact William Armitage, 01462 643537, armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk.

 

A NEW GROUP

As LALG a voluntary self-help organisation any member is entitled to suggest or start a new group or a second one if the existing one is full. If you have an idea for a new group contact William  Armitage.

Assistance and support is always available to get it going. After three to four meetings the group would be expected to run their own activities.

The New Group Team:
William Armitage: 01462 643537, armitagewiliam@hotmail.co.uk ​and Jane Webb: 01462 339338.

Contact publicity@lalg.org.uk​​​ to seek help for a new or an existing group on promotion or publicity. For anything else, including finding a venue, please contact William Armitage

 

NEW GROUP SUGGESTIONS

 

AFTERNOON FLOWER ARRANGING GROUP

This group is planning to  meet on Mondays or Tuesdays  and is now looking for a venue.  If you would like to join the group please contact: angielockyeris@icloud.com or  01462 893441.

ALL THINGS VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN or THE HEALTHY EATING GROUP?

If you are trying to reduce your use of animal products for ethical, health or budget reasons, this group should interest you.

One member, Sheila George, said: “I decided to try this group because I have a vegan family member. I came away with a lovely recipe to try.”

Please email Lara if you are interested in this new group. lara.mitchell@me.com​

ARTS and DESIGN

If you would like to help to establish the Arts and Design group please contact William Armitage 01462 643537, armitagewiliam@hotmail.co.uk

ARCHITECTURE AND HOUSING STUDY GROUP

We are planning a programme which could include a look at  proposed developments and infrastructure within N Herts and the Beds border. We might also look at modern and traditional architecture, including visits such as to Prince Charles’s
experimental new town, Poundbury.
For details of July’s meeting contact: William Armitage 01462 643537;
armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

ANCIENT EGYPT STUDY GROUP
 Ancient Egypt was a civilisation of ancient North Africa along the lower reaches of the Nile.
This group could look at their beliefs in the sun god, the pyramids, government, art, culture and writing.

If you are interested, please leave your name and contact details at David’s Bookshop or contact: William Armitage 01462 643537; armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

BAKING

Baking is a method of cooking food that uses prolonged dry heat normally in an oven, hot
ashes or hot stones. The most commonly baked item is bread, but many other types of food are baked such as cakes, cupcakes and classic cakes. The group could be for beginners, more advanced or both.Interested?
Please leave your details at David’s Bookshop or contact William Armitage, 01462 643537,
armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

BILLIARDS, SNOOKER, POOL

Tuesday 9 July, 10.30am Broadway Hotel bar

A meeting to decide which game to play, where, what times etc 

A good attendance will ensure a successful outcome. If you are interested but cannot make 9 July, please contact: William Armitage 01462 643537; armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

CITY BREAKS

There is a lot of interest in city visits, with Liverpool and Bristol being hot favourites.
We have one offer of help to run this group. With two more we should be able to go.
Please get in touch if you can help to make this happen: William Armitage 01462 643537; armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk 

CLASSICAL COMPOSER OF THE MONTH - THE TOP 12
Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, Chopin, Brahms, Haydn, Schubert, Debussy and Copeland.
The group could listen to one composer of their choice each month, possibly taking turns to select a composer they like. If interested please leave your details at David’s Bookshop or email William at armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

CLIMATE CHANGE STUDY GROUP

David Attenborough has reminded us the planet is changing at an alarming rate.

This group could look at what climate change is, what can be done about it and whether we have a personal responsibility to make a contribution to slowing climate change.

If you are interested, please leave your name and contact details at David’s Bookshop or contact: William Armitage 01462 643537; armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

DANCE TIME
Country Dancing
Country dancing was originally called social dancing in the British Isles. It is performed by a group of people, usually in pairs in one or more sets.
LALG member Mandy Baldwin is very happy to teach this new group and she will welcome beginners; no experience is needed.
Please leave your contact details and time preferences at David’s bookshop or email:
William Armitage armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

DAYTIME FRENCH
We already have daytime German and Italian groups. Perhaps we could have a daytime French group?
If you are interested, please get in touch, giving: your name, contact details, and which times and days of the week you would prefer.
Visit David’s Bookshop or email William Armitage at armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

LALG REVUE

Saturday 30 November Letchworth Settlement
Save the date!
The Revue steering group has agreed that their ambition is to provide an enjoyable night out, showing off the many talents of LALG members.
So far they have decided:
There will be a series of acts of around 5-10 minutes each: comedy, entertaining monologues, conjuring, music, singing, poetry, drama, and any other ideas you have!
The majority of performers will be LALG members.
There will be an interval when you can catch up with your LALG friends. Bring your own drinks and nibbles.
The ticket price will be modest.
The steering group will next meet on Monday 8 July, 10am in the Broadway Hotel bar. If you would like to help or offer ideas, please come.
Still needed: more performers, designers, costumes and crew. If you can help in any way, please contact:
Robin Edmett 01462 636085; rjedmett@outlook.com or William Armitage 01462 643537; armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY 2

We are hoping to start a second photography group. It would be based at Fairfield but open to anyone.
We could have photoshoots and share our ideas and knowledge.
Contact: William Armitage armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

POLISH CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND LANGUAGE
A product of its geography, Polish culture and traditions has its origins in the culture of the West Slavs and over time has been profoundly influenced by its interweaving ties with the Germanic, Hungarian, Latinate, Byzantine and Ottoman worlds.
The group could investigate dance, festivals, traditions, etiquette, food and family, as well as conversational Polish, and perhaps we could hold a Polish evening.

Please get in touch if you are interested. William Armitage 01462 643537; armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

We do have some interest but not enough.  Register your interest at David’s Bookshop.

PUDDING CLUB

For anyone who loves puddings. The group could meet in each other’s homes and sample puddings they have made or visit pubs and restaurants with an excellent pudding menu, or buy puddings from specialist makers and eat them at home. The official Pudding Club started in 1985 in the Cotswold village of Mickleton and is still going strong.  There’s more to puddings than sticky toffee pudding and custard.

Please get in touch with Jean Morley 01462 459889 .if you are interested in joining in.

SECOND SOCIAL SEWING GROUP?

Could be run on similar lines to the first Sewing Group, which is full. Members could meet in each other’s houses or use a room such as Mrs Howard Hall. We could bring any sewing project with us, exchange tips and have a relaxing time

SHAKESPEARE STUDY GROUP

Shakespeare  (1564 - 1616) has  been regarded as the greatest English writer ever. His 154 sonnets and 39 plays  have been performed more often than any other playwright’s work. This group could study one work at a time, or visit key locations, or discuss the relevance of his work in today’s world.

This group’s first meeting is on Thursday 4 July, 10am in David’s Café, Eastcheap, to discuss what this group will do: study one of his works or his life etc. No need to say you are coming, just turn up.
William Armitage 01462 643537; armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

SOCIAL RUNNING

Is anybody interested in a running group? This could take place either during the midweek (day or evening, depending on work schedules) or on a Saturday morning – or both.

Routes, mileage and pace to be decided by all those interested. Contact me if you would like me to arrange a meeting with anybody else who may be interested. 

Acting Group Contact: Steve Green 07710 542803; tosh1966@hotmail.com  

TALL STORIES

Do you enjoy telling or listening to tall stories? Then this new group is for you. We will meet once a year to spin some yarns - the more far-fetched the better. Stories will need to have some basis in fact but there is plenty of room for imagination too!

THEATRE GROUP

Wednesday 19 September, 10.30am Broadway Gallery, The Arcade, Letchworth We will discuss productions and explore small experimental groups as well as the more established ones. Also we will visit in a small group locally and further afield, including London and Cambridge live theatre. If you are unable to attend or would prefer an evening meeting please leave your contact details at David’s Bookshop.

TIME TO DANCE

We had a great response to this suggested group,  with at least ten different  dance forms requested.  These were line dancing,  hip hop, jive, ballroom,  country dancing, Latin,  disco, Irish dancing,  ballet and jazz.

There was no outright winner so now some more work is needed.  Firstly we need to find the right teacher(s); any suggestions would be very welcome.  We also need some more volunteers to help make this happen. We are hoping that this group will start in September.

Please leave your contact details at David’s bookshop or contact: William Armitage  01462 643537; armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

UKULELE - ADVANCED If you already play and would like a more advanced group please leave your details at David’s Bookshop or contact William.

Acting Group Contact: William Armitage 01462 643537; armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk or leave your details at David’s Bookshop.

VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN GROUP

If you are trying to reduce your use of animal products for ethical, health or budget reasons, this group should interest you.  Group members could bring along recipes to share and swap tips.  Please email Lara if you are interested in this new group. lara.mitchell@me.com

VILLAGE AND TOWN WALKS WITH A GUIDE

Offers of help are needed to revive the very popular Village Walks group. Please contact any member of the Group Support Team or William if you can help..

William Armitage 01462 643537; armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk

WALKING MEDITATION ON SUNDAYS

Meet at Westmill Lane, Hitchin (where Burford Way and Swinbourne Avenue meet) at 11.00am. This is a drop-in group and will be for roughly an hour. Contact: Irmtraut@btopenworld.com.

WOMEN'S STUDIES

Monday 8 July, 7.30pm David’s Café, Eastcheap

This first meeting will be to plan what this group will do. Women’s studies can place women’s lives and experiences at the centre, we can look at social and cultural issues, and the relationship between power and gender. You can help us to decide.
A good attendance will ensure this group gets going.
William Armitage 01462 643537; armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk