There’s plenty to see and do at the second Letchworth Festival.

WITH nearly 100 events and activities, the second Letchworth Festival promises something for everyone.

It runs from Saturday, June 26 to Sunday, July 11.

Opening with dancing in Leys Square and with a Town Crier competition on Broadway and ending with Proms in the Park in Howard Park, the Festival’s centrepiece is the World War Two victory celebration organised by the Arts Centre, which will take place on the middle weekend of July 3 and 4.

Roger Harrison, spokesman for the organising committee, said: “This is a local festival which will show how much talent Letchworth people possess.

“We have been really impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the schools, clubs and organisations which have helped us to put this programme together. Businesses too have been very enthusiastic and are running many promotions and competitions, so the festival will provide an opportunity to bring more visitors to the town following the improvement work.”

Among the highlights of the programme are:

• Town Crier competition

• International dancing by several local groups in Leys Square, with a chance to join in

• Swimming galas

• Open Gardens day, run by the Arts and Leisure Group

• Transition Towns Group events including an Open Garages day to clear out your clutter

• Debates and talks organised by David’s Bookshop

• Country, town and natural history walks

• Wine tasting at Broadway Hotel

• A celebration of life in Letchworth during World War Two, organised by the Arts Centre with sponsorship from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This complements the exhibition currently on display in the First Garden City Heritage Museum

• Visits to schools, churches and other public buildings – and a brewery.

• One act plays, poetry and drama workshops

• Archaeology and history events organised by the two museums

• Street Arts day throughout the town centre

• Proms in the Park featuring performances by groups from Highfield and Fearnhill schools, the folk club and many others

Copies of the programme can be obtained at David’s Bookshop in Eastcheap, The Tourist Information Centre in Station Road, the library and other locations in the town centre. The Festival website www.letchworthfestival.org also contains full details of all events.

Lee Boswell, town centre manager, said: “It’s been amazing to see how many groups and organisations have got behind this year’s festival. It really bodes well for the future and hopefully we can ensure that the Letchworth Festival becomes bigger and better every year.”