Community directory

Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation

Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation is a charitable Industrial and Provident Society. Its mission is to generate income from the 5,500 acre property estate on Letchworth Garden City in order to fund six charitable objects, including recreation and leisure, education and learning and the relief of poverty and sickness.

Since 1995, the Foundation has ploughed over £17.8m into its charitable activities in Letchworth Garden City. This includes grant-aid of £3m to Garden City clubs and societies, voluntary and charitable organisations. Yet the Foundation does not cost rate or tax payers a single penny. Its activities include:

* The Ernest Gardiner Day Hospital, based at Pearsall Close, off Pixmore Avenue, provides day care and therapy to patients referred to it by their GPs.

* The First Garden City Heritage Museum is open Monday-Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm and tells the story of Letchworth, the world's first Garden City.

* Plinston Hall, opposite Letchworth's beautiful Broadway Gardens, offers a vibrant programme of live entertainment and is home to over 25 clubs and societies.

* The Spirella Ballroom, the centrepiece of the Grade II listed former corset factory, is a popular venue for weddings, dances and presentations.

* Broadway Cinema, Letchworth's three-screen cinema in the heart of the town centre, is 90% owned by the Foundation.

* Standalone Farm is a working educational farm on Wilbury Road, open from March to September.

* Letchworth Garden City Tourist Information Centre, at 33-35 Station Road, is 100% funded by the Foundation and offers information on attractions and events in Letchworth Garden City and other destinations.

* The Foundation operates two 15-seater minibuses with tail-lifts available to clubs and voluntary organisations.

* Letchworth Town Centre's Shopmobility service offers residents and visitors alike using its electric scooters and is based at the TIC.

The funding for all of the above is generated through the prudent, proactive and profitable management of the Letchworth Garden City Estate. The Foundation has office, factory and shop premises available to let on attractive terms.

For details please call or visit their website.

Registered charity number 28211R