Latest News

Come and explore how the people of Letchworth Garden City made a significant contribution to World War II with fascinating photographs and objects, classic film clips and an array of interactive features.

There’s plenty to see touch, listen to and learn – try on a gas mask, squeeze into a life size Morrison Shelter and sit down in a 1940s living room.

Whether you’re exploring a replica 1940s living room, trying on a gas mask or ’ trying to fit into a life size Morrison Shelter, there is plenty to listen to, see, touch and learn.

Letchworth Garden City will be celebrating all things environmental this Saturday (17 July), with over 12 conservation aware organisations ‘on show’ in the new Leys Square between 10am and 3pm.  

The town’s very first ‘Earth Day’ will feature stallholders such as the Shark Trust, HydroActive, North Hertfordshire Beekeepers, Transition Town Letchworth, The Fish Film Company and many more, as well as the regular Farmers’ Market.

Last weekend, registered charity, the League of Friends and members of the Heritage Foundation took part in Letchworth Arts Centre's WW2 festival, inviting visitors to play the classic family game of ‘Beetle Drive’ on Broadway Gardens, raising awareness for the Ernest Gardiner Day Hospital.

A school in the world’s first Garden City that recently received the Hertfordshire Quality Standards Award for its Early Years Unit, has good cause to celebrate.

Stuart Kenny, Director General of Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, officially opened the Early Years Unit at Stonehill School, last Friday, in Western Way, on the Grange Estate.

The Unit – which was set-up in January 2009 - provides both excellent playground and indoor facilities.
 

With many nationwide Town Centre improvement and redevelopment schemes being shelved at the moment because of the depressed financial situation, the world’s first Garden City has ‘bucked the trend’ and has just completed the first phase of its Town centre revitalisation plans.

The £8m Street Scene scheme - fully funded by Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation - and constructed by leading international construction company Skanska – was officially opened on Friday, June 18, by Stuart Kenny, the Foundation’s Director General.

Candidates Welcome!

Got the passion and ambition to make a difference?

Interested in helping to shape the future of Letchworth Garden City by serving the community as a Governor of the Heritage Foundation?

This September, six of the Foundation’s Governor positions will be subject to direct elections, through a ballot, conducted by the Electoral Reform Society, of electors in the Garden City.

Electoral Registers being made available to Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, for the purpose of this September's Elected Governor Elections, contain only 14,000 of the 25,000 voters living in Letchworth Garden City.

If you are one of the 11,000 voters who 'opted out' from these registers but would like to vote in September's postal ballot to elect six Foundation Governors, register direct with us today

The Heritage Foundation Board has named the successor to Stuart Kenny, who retires after 15 years at the end of June.

John Lewis, 44, will take over the reins as the Foundation’s Chief Executive and will be looking to re-locate from his present home in Milton Keynes, nearer to the world’s first Garden City, in due course.

A former Olympic Silver Medallist, World Champion and World Record holder graced the stage at the recent Heritage Foundation’s Sports Clubs Dinner in the Spirella Ballroom.

Guest of honour and former top flight hurdler Colin Jackson addressed an audience of Garden City Sports Clubs and other invited guests and focussed on the importance of grass roots sport. As well as sharing the highlights of an illustrious career as one of Great Britain’s premier athletes of all time, Colin answered a range of questions from the audience.

The Garden City Meeting
Thursday 13 May 2010

Plinston Hall, Broadway
7pm for 7.30pm start

Presented by Stuart Kenny, Director General and Colin Chatfield, Chairman, this meeting is your chance to learn about the Heritage Foundation’s latest plans for the Garden City and to find out what’s been happening over the last year.

Reg Pettit is just one of many people who have helped the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Museum by donating photographs and objects and telling them about his wartime experiences.

Reg served his country in many places during World War Two, from Africa to the Middle East and his experiences are just part of the displays at the Museum’s current World War Two exhibition, which is packed full of objects and memories.

Members of the 500-strong John Buchan Society toured the world’s first Garden City last weekend after enjoying a series of presentations on renowned novelist of ‘The Thirty-Nine Steps’, the inspiration for three Hollywood blockbusters, and one time Governor General of Canada, John Buchan.

Long standing resident and historian, Peter Harkness, presented his case on Buchan’s alleged time spent ‘undercover’ in Letchworth between 1915-16, acknowledging that the fictional Garden City of Biggleswick from Buchan’s 1918 novel ‘Mr Standfast’, was based on Letchworth Garden City.

This competition is now closed - thank you for all your entries, watch this space for the winners' announcement.

Convey the essence of the world’s first Garden City in a banner or flag for Letchworth.

Banners were popular in the early Garden City, proudly displayed by organisations, at Letchworth’s many events, processions and grand occasions.

2010 is the perfect time for banners and flags to make a comeback. With a full programme of summer events planned, the winning designs will be reproduced on fabric and put on display.

Around 450 trees are to be planted to create a community Orchard and the first new commercial Orchard in Hertfordshire for decades. Since the 1950’s, more than 60 per cent of Orchards in England have vanished – largely down to housing or industrial developments taking over.

This September, the people of Letchworth Garden City will be invited to vote for six of the Heritage Foundation’s 30 Governors.

A community talent contest called ‘Letchworth’s Got Talent’ has been unveiled in the world’s first Garden City, to search for the town’s next big star.

Are you the next big thing from Letchworth Garden City?

Calling all musicians, dancers, singers, magicians, performers, comedians, dramatists, as well as any other unique talented individuals or groups, the deadline for entries is Friday 16 April.

Entry costs just £5 for soloists or £10 for groups of two or more.

Serenity Day Spa, formerly found at 6-9 The Gallery, has moved to new premises at 63 Station Road.

Come and experience the beauty salon with a difference. All the regular beauty treatments plus a spa experience, at affordable prices and at a convenient in-town location.

Opening Times
Monday 10am – 7pm
Tuesday 9:30am – 9pm
Wednesday 9:30am – 7:30pm
Thursday 9:30am – 9pm
Friday 9:30am – 7pm
Saturday 9am – 6pm

To make an appointment, telephone 01462 686999

Howard Cottage Housing Association has just received a £35,000 grant from Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation to fund a Home Support worker for the elderly in the world’s first Garden City.

The scheme primarily helps people in the Garden City living in owner occupied  or privately rented properties to maintain independence in their homes, by providing safety checks, gardening, bathroom adaptations – a wide range of practical help and also advice on benefits, all forms of ‘paperwork’ etc.

Welcome to Totz to Teenz, recently opened at 19 The Wynd, selling a unique range of fashion for young people of all ages.

This children's wear retailer adds to the fantastic mix of independent retailers already in The Wynd and across the Garden City.

Open Monday to Saturday, 9 to 5.30pm (early closing on Wednesdays)

Telephone 01462 484830

16 of the Foundation’s 30 Governors are elected by the people of, and organisations operating in, Letchworth Garden City.

Six are elected every five years through a postal ballot of electors. One is appointed by the County Council and another by the District Council.

Eight are directly elected by Letchworth Garden City clubs, charities and organisations. At the present time, there are over 130 such organisations ‘registered’ with the Foundation for this purpose.

The former Fermark premises at 646 Blackhorse Road are to be partly demolished, with the remainder being refurbished to create a 6,000 sq ft industrial unit and yard area for FGH Controls Ltd.

Work is anticipated to finish in April 2010. FGH Controls Ltd will occupy the premises on a new nine year lease, in addition their existing headquarters at Blackhorse Road.

The Heritage Foundation has contributed £250,000 to the project and is pleased to support a local company as it goes from strength to strength.

Stuart Kenny, Director General of Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, opened the ‘Wings of Hope’ Fun Day at Fearnhill School, Letchworth Garden City, on Saturday, January 30.

Find out about a whole host of regular activities and events taking place in Letchworth Garden City.

The latest edition of 'Spotlight' is available now from the Tourist Information Centre and is being delivered to 14,250 homes in Letchworth Garden City.

Published quarterly by the Foundation, Spotlight features details of regular weekly, fortnightly and monthly clubs, societies and support groups plus a wide variety of community events.

Event Highlights - February to April

With half term just round the corner (15-19 February) the Heritage Foundation is on hand to offer the perfect selection in family entertainment.

Enjoy a movie at Broadway Cinema, let the kids 'run off steam' at the PlinstonKids Holiday play scheme or get creative with craft activities at the First Garden City Heritage Museum.

Plinston, Broadway, SG6 3NX
North Hertfordshire’s premier entertainment venue

Operated and funded by the Heritage Foundation, Plinston have a new season of live music to welcome in 2010!

The Foundation has agreed terms with Packington Estate Enterprises Ltd on a 150 year long leasehold letting of the former Opalion Plastics site in Works Road.  Comprising approximately one acre, planning permission has been granted for the construction of five new business units totalling 18,760 sq ft.  These will be available on long leases, bringing new industry and new jobs to the Garden City.

Plinstonkids is the perfect way to keep your child entertained during the summer break.

Treat them to an exciting and varied programme of creative activities – arts, crafts, team games and trips.

From theme park thrills to farm visits; ball-pools and inflatables to quizzes and theme-days – they've got what it takes to keep your child amused.