Classes and activities
Online
If you’d like to join one of our online classes but you don’t feel confident using Zoom, we can offer tips and technical help if you contact us on itsupport@opendoorberkhamsted.co.uk
Acrylic painting workshops with Louise Williams
Every Tuesday from 12 January to 2 February
1pm to 3pm or 7.30pm to 9.30pm
£50 for 4-week course
Learn new techniques and explore ideas at these sociable small group Zoom workshops. For beginners and those with more experience. Louise is kindly making a donation to Open Door in lieu of venue hire as the workshops are via Zoom.
To join Louise, email gocreate123@gmail.com
Every Tuesday from 12 January to 2 February
1pm to 3pm or 7.30pm to 9.30pm
£50 for 4-week course
Learn new techniques and explore ideas at these sociable small group Zoom workshops. For beginners and those with more experience. Louise is kindly making a donation to Open Door in lieu of venue hire as the workshops are via Zoom.
To join Louise, email gocreate123@gmail.com
Art with Edwina Wilks
For more information or to sign up, contact Edwina on weenawilks@hotmail.com or text 07595 310951.
Acrylic Art
Wednesdays (13-27 January), 11am to 12.15pm
£25 for 3 sessions
Exploring and experimenting with different ideas and techniques using acrylic paint.
Week 1: New ideas for creating different effects on surfaces, using different sized brushes, rollers and palette knives
Week 2: Experimenting with different thicknesses of paint to create exciting effects
Week 3: Working creatively using the Sgraffito technique
After-school online art group (6-8 year olds)
Thursdays (14-28 January) or Tuesdays (12-26 January), 4pm to 5pm
£25 or £10 per session, plus £5 for a paper lantern, a battery candle light, a collection of different coloured tissue papers and some glue, which Edwina can deliver to you
Week 1: Drawing and colouring: Percy Pig, Angry Birds and Pikachu
Week 2: Making a 3D model of your favourite character (that you drew ) in papier maché and cardboard
Week 3: Making a decorative paper lantern with coloured tissue shapes and patterns
Watercolour painting taster course
Mondays (1-22 February), 11pm to 12.15pm
£35 for 4 sessions, plus an optional £15 for materials, which Edwina can deliver (8 artist-quality half-pan watercolour blocks, brush set and pad of watercolour paper)
Week 1: An introduction to brushes, paints, paper and surfaces - depth and space in seascapes, using blue tints, tones and shades
Week 2: An introduction to colour mixing - composition and texture in landscapes
Week 3: An introduction to simple still life work - colour theory and 3D forms
Week 4: An introduction to simple portraiture - Cubism, with the emphasis on shape, tint, tone and shades in flesh colours
Having fun with painting, mixed media and printing techniques
Wednesdays (3-24 February), 11am-12.15pm
£35 for 4 sessions
Week 1: Experimenting with different colour effects to create surfaces that will be used for building up your final pieces on, as well as creating pieces to overprint on or cut up for collages
Week 2: Producing colour collections, created by using a variety of contrasting materials of the same colour range both painted and printed using different methods and materials
Week 3: Manipulation of materials to create different textures and textural effects
Week 4: Using found materials and printed matter to enhance pieces you create using the resources you have produced over the last few weeks
For more information or to sign up, contact Edwina on weenawilks@hotmail.com or text 07595 310951.
Acrylic Art
Wednesdays (13-27 January), 11am to 12.15pm
£25 for 3 sessions
Exploring and experimenting with different ideas and techniques using acrylic paint.
Week 1: New ideas for creating different effects on surfaces, using different sized brushes, rollers and palette knives
Week 2: Experimenting with different thicknesses of paint to create exciting effects
Week 3: Working creatively using the Sgraffito technique
After-school online art group (6-8 year olds)
Thursdays (14-28 January) or Tuesdays (12-26 January), 4pm to 5pm
£25 or £10 per session, plus £5 for a paper lantern, a battery candle light, a collection of different coloured tissue papers and some glue, which Edwina can deliver to you
Week 1: Drawing and colouring: Percy Pig, Angry Birds and Pikachu
Week 2: Making a 3D model of your favourite character (that you drew ) in papier maché and cardboard
Week 3: Making a decorative paper lantern with coloured tissue shapes and patterns
Watercolour painting taster course
Mondays (1-22 February), 11pm to 12.15pm
£35 for 4 sessions, plus an optional £15 for materials, which Edwina can deliver (8 artist-quality half-pan watercolour blocks, brush set and pad of watercolour paper)
Week 1: An introduction to brushes, paints, paper and surfaces - depth and space in seascapes, using blue tints, tones and shades
Week 2: An introduction to colour mixing - composition and texture in landscapes
Week 3: An introduction to simple still life work - colour theory and 3D forms
Week 4: An introduction to simple portraiture - Cubism, with the emphasis on shape, tint, tone and shades in flesh colours
Having fun with painting, mixed media and printing techniques
Wednesdays (3-24 February), 11am-12.15pm
£35 for 4 sessions
Week 1: Experimenting with different colour effects to create surfaces that will be used for building up your final pieces on, as well as creating pieces to overprint on or cut up for collages
Week 2: Producing colour collections, created by using a variety of contrasting materials of the same colour range both painted and printed using different methods and materials
Week 3: Manipulation of materials to create different textures and textural effects
Week 4: Using found materials and printed matter to enhance pieces you create using the resources you have produced over the last few weeks
Art classes with Julie Smare
Thursdays, from 3pm
£5 per session
Join Julie for a weekly art class via Zoom – beginners welcome.
To join, email Julie at julie.smare1@gmail.com
Thursdays, from 3pm
£5 per session
Join Julie for a weekly art class via Zoom – beginners welcome.
To join, email Julie at julie.smare1@gmail.com
Charcoal Drawing with George Winter
Tuesday 26 January, 9 and 23 February, and 9 March, 7.30pm to 8.45pm
Free of charge
Join four fortnightly online sessions where artist George Winter will introduce you to the basics of working with charcoal and explore the characteristics and expressive nature of this wonderful drawing medium.
To sign up, please complete this booking form.
Tuesday 26 January, 9 and 23 February, and 9 March, 7.30pm to 8.45pm
Free of charge
Join four fortnightly online sessions where artist George Winter will introduce you to the basics of working with charcoal and explore the characteristics and expressive nature of this wonderful drawing medium.
To sign up, please complete this booking form.
Crochet and Chatter/Knit and Natter
Mondays, from 1.30pm
Free of charge
Meet weekly with like-minded locals for a catch up - all welcome (you don't have to knit but a bit of a chatter would be nice). Pop the kettle on, grab your knitting (or crochet) and click on this link at 1.30pm on a Monday.
Mondays, from 1.30pm
Free of charge
Meet weekly with like-minded locals for a catch up - all welcome (you don't have to knit but a bit of a chatter would be nice). Pop the kettle on, grab your knitting (or crochet) and click on this link at 1.30pm on a Monday.
Drawing for Beginners with Maud Edgar
Thursday 21 January, 4 and 18 February, and 4 March, 10.30am-11.45am
Free of charge
Join Maud Edgar for four fortnightly online sessions where you'll have fun exploring the creative potential of drawing.
To sign up, please complete this booking form.
Thursday 21 January, 4 and 18 February, and 4 March, 10.30am-11.45am
Free of charge
Join Maud Edgar for four fortnightly online sessions where you'll have fun exploring the creative potential of drawing.
To sign up, please complete this booking form.
Little Signers Club
Anna's online signing classes are suitable for babies from 3 months, toddlers and children up to age 3. Discover the huge benefits of using British Sign Language signs to aid communication for your baby or toddler, learn a new skill and have fun together whilst doing so. Online classes are a mixture of songs, signs and know how to help with your parenting journey. Anna offers regular free taster sessions and meet-ups for new parents, and there are fabulous online resources to access too!
If you have any questions, please get in touch with anna@littlesignersclub.co.uk. Full details of all classes can be found on the Little Signers booking site, or find out more on Facebook or Instagram.
Anna's online signing classes are suitable for babies from 3 months, toddlers and children up to age 3. Discover the huge benefits of using British Sign Language signs to aid communication for your baby or toddler, learn a new skill and have fun together whilst doing so. Online classes are a mixture of songs, signs and know how to help with your parenting journey. Anna offers regular free taster sessions and meet-ups for new parents, and there are fabulous online resources to access too!
If you have any questions, please get in touch with anna@littlesignersclub.co.uk. Full details of all classes can be found on the Little Signers booking site, or find out more on Facebook or Instagram.
Paracise with Susie Alderson
Mondays, 2pm to 2.45pm
Fridays, 10.30am to 11.15am
First class FREE, then £5 a session
Join Susie for her 45-minute Paracise (low impact exercise to music) sessions by Zoom.
For more information, please contact Susie on susie.alderson@outlook.com or 07762 138356 – or visit www.paracise.com
Mondays, 2pm to 2.45pm
Fridays, 10.30am to 11.15am
First class FREE, then £5 a session
Join Susie for her 45-minute Paracise (low impact exercise to music) sessions by Zoom.
For more information, please contact Susie on susie.alderson@outlook.com or 07762 138356 – or visit www.paracise.com
Pilates with Michelle Selinger
Mat Pilates
Mondays, 9am to 9.45am (12noon on Monday 28 December)
Tuesday, 6.30pm to 7.15pm
Thursdays, 6pm to 6.45pm
Fridays, 9.30am to 10.15am
Barre Pilates
Wednesdays, 9am to 10am
It's £24 a month for as many classes as you like, and Michelle is making a donation to Open Door from the proceeds. Michelle will record at least two classes a week – so if you are unable to do a class live, you can catch up via YouTube.
To book, please drop Michelle an email at michelleselinger@outlook.com or call her on 07826 858533.
Mat Pilates
Mondays, 9am to 9.45am (12noon on Monday 28 December)
Tuesday, 6.30pm to 7.15pm
Thursdays, 6pm to 6.45pm
Fridays, 9.30am to 10.15am
Barre Pilates
Wednesdays, 9am to 10am
It's £24 a month for as many classes as you like, and Michelle is making a donation to Open Door from the proceeds. Michelle will record at least two classes a week – so if you are unable to do a class live, you can catch up via YouTube.
To book, please drop Michelle an email at michelleselinger@outlook.com or call her on 07826 858533.
The Open Door Book group
Last Wednesday of the month at 2pm
Last Thursday of the month at 7.30pm
We have two reading groups, who meet on Zoom for lively discussions! Here’s what’s coming up.
27/28 January – The Familiars by Stacey Halls (Gripping, historical fiction for a dark, winter’s evening.)
24/25 February – Therapy by David Lodge (Can Laurence ‘Tubby’ Passmore come to terms with the disappointments in his successful life?)
31 March/1 April – HomeFire by Kamila Shamsie (A reimagining of Sophocles' play Antigone unfolding among British Muslims: gripping, emotional and very readable.)
28/29 April – The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (A love affair between 15-year-old Michael and an older woman, Hannah, is revisited by Michael, when Hannah stands trial for WWII war crimes.)
26/27 May – Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (An engaging, thought-provoking read about race, class and money, as Emira Tucker puzzles her way through her mid-20s, in Philadelphia, USA. Is there more to life than her babysitting job?)
30 June/1 July – Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (Journalist Jean Swinney’s suburban 1950s world became a 2020 ‘book of the year’ for many readers, due to its compassion and quiet humour.)
28/ 29 July – Fools of Fortune by William Trevor (The violence of the 1920s’ Irish Troubles haunt Willie’s search for happiness. A poignant story of courage and love.)
Email Jane Ellen at fredcharliej@gmail.com for further details on how to join the group (it’s free to everyone) and to register your place. Jane can also provide further details about the books and information on using Zoom.
Last Wednesday of the month at 2pm
Last Thursday of the month at 7.30pm
We have two reading groups, who meet on Zoom for lively discussions! Here’s what’s coming up.
27/28 January – The Familiars by Stacey Halls (Gripping, historical fiction for a dark, winter’s evening.)
24/25 February – Therapy by David Lodge (Can Laurence ‘Tubby’ Passmore come to terms with the disappointments in his successful life?)
31 March/1 April – HomeFire by Kamila Shamsie (A reimagining of Sophocles' play Antigone unfolding among British Muslims: gripping, emotional and very readable.)
28/29 April – The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (A love affair between 15-year-old Michael and an older woman, Hannah, is revisited by Michael, when Hannah stands trial for WWII war crimes.)
26/27 May – Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (An engaging, thought-provoking read about race, class and money, as Emira Tucker puzzles her way through her mid-20s, in Philadelphia, USA. Is there more to life than her babysitting job?)
30 June/1 July – Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers (Journalist Jean Swinney’s suburban 1950s world became a 2020 ‘book of the year’ for many readers, due to its compassion and quiet humour.)
28/ 29 July – Fools of Fortune by William Trevor (The violence of the 1920s’ Irish Troubles haunt Willie’s search for happiness. A poignant story of courage and love.)
Email Jane Ellen at fredcharliej@gmail.com for further details on how to join the group (it’s free to everyone) and to register your place. Jane can also provide further details about the books and information on using Zoom.
Winter Wellbeing Club with Kate Peel
Sundays at 11am (from 17 January) or Thursdays (from 21 January) at 7.30pm
Intro class free then £10 a session or £75 for 8 sessions (first come, first served - booking essential)
This series of classes will help you understand the pillars of wellbeing, make positive choices to improve resilience and mental health, and use signposting and tools to build your happiness and health. Topics will include resilience, gratitude, mindfulness, sleep, activity, rest and stress.
Classes are via Zoom and offer the chance to connect with others. Join Kate for this informative, practical and nurturing club that aims to equip you through the pandemic and beyond. We promise fun along the way! The club is suitable for all ages. More details on the flyer.
Email Kate Peel at peelkatharine@gmail.com for more information and to register your place.
Sundays at 11am (from 17 January) or Thursdays (from 21 January) at 7.30pm
Intro class free then £10 a session or £75 for 8 sessions (first come, first served - booking essential)
This series of classes will help you understand the pillars of wellbeing, make positive choices to improve resilience and mental health, and use signposting and tools to build your happiness and health. Topics will include resilience, gratitude, mindfulness, sleep, activity, rest and stress.
Classes are via Zoom and offer the chance to connect with others. Join Kate for this informative, practical and nurturing club that aims to equip you through the pandemic and beyond. We promise fun along the way! The club is suitable for all ages. More details on the flyer.
Email Kate Peel at peelkatharine@gmail.com for more information and to register your place.
Yoga with Hilary Warrell
Chair yoga
Wednesdays, 10am to 11am
First class for FREE, then £8 a session
Hilary is running chair yoga classes via Zoom, with the opportunity to stay for a social virtual cuppa and chat afterwards. Join her for an hour of functional and fun mindful movement and breathwork, designed to improve joint mobility, strength, balance, coordination, confidence and mood. It’s suitable for all ages and designed to be very inclusive.
Regular yoga
Wednesdays, 8.30am to 9.45am
Thursdays, 6.30pm to 7.45pm
First class for FREE, then £8 a session
Join Hilary via Zoom at her regular yoga classes.
To book, please contact Hilary on 07963 252577 or hgwarrell@hotmail.co.uk
Chair yoga
Wednesdays, 10am to 11am
First class for FREE, then £8 a session
Hilary is running chair yoga classes via Zoom, with the opportunity to stay for a social virtual cuppa and chat afterwards. Join her for an hour of functional and fun mindful movement and breathwork, designed to improve joint mobility, strength, balance, coordination, confidence and mood. It’s suitable for all ages and designed to be very inclusive.
Regular yoga
Wednesdays, 8.30am to 9.45am
Thursdays, 6.30pm to 7.45pm
First class for FREE, then £8 a session
Join Hilary via Zoom at her regular yoga classes.
To book, please contact Hilary on 07963 252577 or hgwarrell@hotmail.co.uk
Yoga with Raccine
Mondays, 7pm to 8.15pm
Fridays, 10am to 11.15 am
First class free, then £5 a session
Raccine’s teaching style works for both beginners and experienced students, with an emphasis or breathing technique, stretching and mobilisation of the body, together with traditional and modern yoga poses. Classes start and finish with time for relaxation.
Email Raccine at raccineyoga@gmail.com to book a place
Raccine has also made some yoga videos you can follow at home at a time that suits you. Enjoy!
Gentle yoga
Stress relief
Twist and release
Energy balance
Upper body and relaxation
Mondays, 7pm to 8.15pm
Fridays, 10am to 11.15 am
First class free, then £5 a session
Raccine’s teaching style works for both beginners and experienced students, with an emphasis or breathing technique, stretching and mobilisation of the body, together with traditional and modern yoga poses. Classes start and finish with time for relaxation.
Email Raccine at raccineyoga@gmail.com to book a place
Raccine has also made some yoga videos you can follow at home at a time that suits you. Enjoy!
Gentle yoga
Stress relief
Twist and release
Energy balance
Upper body and relaxation