| Letchworth is the world's first Garden City,
based on the pioneering theories of Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928).
Howard foresaw a new community which combined the best
of both town and country, and Letchworth was developed from 1903 to realise
Howard's aims. The ground plan was by Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin, with
tree-lined streets, low-density housing, spacious gardens and public parks.
The Letchworth Garden City Society was founded in 1978.
It is for everyone interested in the town - its buildings, architecture,
amenities and social history - as well as the principles on which it was
founded.
In addition to promoting interest in the Garden City and
the Arts & Crafts Movement from which it was conceived, the Society
is active in local conservation to ensure that Letchworth's unique character
and appearance is protected and preserved, and that any new developments
are in keeping with this environment.
The Society is represented on many local groups including
the Town Forum, the Architectural Heritage Advisory Group and the Architectural
Heritage Award Scheme. We have nominated a Governor for the Letchworth
Garden City Heritage Foundation.
The views of the Society are regularly requested by both
the North Hertfordshire District Council and the Letchworth Garden City
Heritage Foundation on all major issues concerning the town.
Society members have collaborated closely with the Garden
City Heritage Museum, for whom we have undertaken a photographic survey
of the Conservation Area.
We organise visits to historic houses and gardens, and
other planned developments such as Hampstead Garden Suburb and guided walks
around the Garden City.
We publish a free quarterly newsletter containing interesting
articles on aspects of Letchworth past and present and have a season of
monthly evening meetings, beginning each September and ending with the
AGM in June.
These meetings are usually held at The
Settlement on Friday evenings at 8 p.m., and generally include talks
and slide lectures on subjects including local history, archeology and
the natural environment; local planning, architects, designers and the
decorative arts. There is only a small admission fee and Non-members
are welcome.
Please Join Us
You will find the Society informal, friendly and welcoming
to new members. For a small annual membership fee you will pay a reduced
entry fee to attend meetings, and be sent copies of the Societies newsletter
quarterly.
If you would like to join please contact us by Email
or come along to one of our meetings.
| Honorary Life President |
Tom Downing |
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| Committee: |
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| Chairman |
Alan Lupton |
Secretary
Treasurer |
Janet Scroggins
Andrew Miller |
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| Editor |
Ann Godshalk |
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| Council Members: |
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Rosamond Allwood
Ray Hedley
Margaret Pierce
David Chastney-Parr |
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