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

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

CITY BREAKS

LALG members were asked in a survey what visits they would like and City Breaks were equal first with visits to the seaside. Last year members organised a city break to Portsmouth which was fully booked. If you are interested in going on one, or in helping to organise one, please contact: 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

HANDICRAFTERS

There are already a  number of craft groups but we have had some interest in setting up a more general craft  group where members can try a range of activities such as: Sewing, knitting, crochet, patchwork, cross-stitch, dried flowers, cardmaking, jewellery and up-cycling old objects. Call if you are interested: Astrid Hansen 01462 337991

ITALIAN CONVERSATION 3

We have two Italian conversation groups which are full. Do we need a third one? If interested please leave your details at David’s Bookshop or email William Armitage, armitagewilliam@hotmail.co.uk. Please state preference for daytime or evening, along with suitable and unsuitable times.

LEARN TO SWIM

All local swimming  classes are fully booked  and we are unable to  provide a regular class. The manager and coaches at St Christopher school are keen to help. They have offered ‘beginner’ or ‘confidence booster’ classes / instruction during summer holidays. This will probably be the week beginning 8 & 15 July, between 11am and 1pm.  Costs will depend on the amount of sessions and the number of instructors we will require. Once this fortnight is completed we may be able to provide a regular weekly class from September. 

The deadline to contact me if you are interested in joining this group is Friday 12 April.  Leave your name at David’s bookshop or get in touch with: Steve Green 07710 542803; tosh1966@hotmail.com

MEN IN SHEDS

Men’s sheds are community spaces for like-minded people to connect, converse, create and gain a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. The activities are often similar to those carried out in garden sheds, but for groups of men to share together – a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to share and practise skills and knowledge, enjoy making and mending, whilst at the same time making social connections and friendship building (see mensheds.org.uk for more information).

The shed will be whatever members want it to be and the group is currently looking for a venue. This could be an empty office, unit, Portakabin, warehouse, garage or outbuilding but it needs to be able to store the tools and equipment needed for the group’s activities, which might include woodworking, electronics, small engineering projects, repairing, restoring and recycling/converting scrap into useful objects or even use the space for model railways and other hobbies.

This group is looking for a venue. This could be an empty office, Portakabin, warehouse, garage or outbuilding where members can store equipment for hobbies or activities such as woodworking, electronics, small engineering projects, or repairing or converting scrap into useful objects.

If you feel you would like to become involved in the Men In Sheds project or if you can suggest a possible venue for a ’shed’ in Letchworth, please contact either of the group contacts.Astrid Hansen 01462 337991; William Armitage 01462 643537

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.

We do have some interest but not enough.  This is your last call to 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.

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. 

SKETCHING IN THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE

Meeting Wednesday 10 April, 11am at the Broadway Hotel, Letchworth (through the main door, turn right). The group is designed to cater for all those with a love of the English countryside and who would like to try out their sketching and watercolour skills. Walking will be kept to a minimum and should be accessible to everyone.

Sketching in the countryside can open up a new world and is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. If you are interested please contact William or leave your details with David’s Bookshop on 01462 684631.

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

Dancing is a great way to exercise while having fun and making friends.  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. The next step is to find teachers; any suggestions would be very welcome.  We also need some more volunteers to help make this happen.

Leave your contact details at David’s bookshop stating which dance styles you like and your level of  experience, 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

If you have already registered an interest in this Group,  William will be in touch with  you soon to discuss next steps.