Sarah's Events

EXCITING EVENTS IN SUSSEX - ENTERTAINING AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL, FUN AS WELL AS FACTUAL.
Sarah Tobias lecturer in social & cultural history

Keep visiting this site for regular updates

Details given as accurately as possible, but may change, be postponed or cancelled.

PLEASE CHECK ALL VENUES, FEES, DAYS BEFORE BOOKING. Details of venues at end.

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SASHAR R.I.P.

MAY

Summer 2013
C O U R S E S & S A T U R D A Y S
Portslade Aldridge (Adult Education) Community Academy

Foredown Tower, Portslade- free parking

Life Between-the-wars (1918-1939)

This course focuses on social and cultural changes that followed World War 1, when high living declined for the wealthy due to the lack of servants, and cultural life took on a particular aspect, reflected in the architecture, design, fashion, literature and cinema of the era. We also focus on changes in women's lives. with slides, film clips, books, images and artefacts.

Friday 24 May* 10am-4pm

Fee: £30 concessions £25 (over-60s/benefits/BN41 postcode)
Book 01273 422632

*Friday 24 May & Saturday 25 May (mini-course) can be booked together with discount

Art Deco & the 'Moderne'

After WWI a new, very distinctive style emerged 1920s/30s, vibrant with colour, its modern designs full of sharp patterns and influenced by many styles and countries. Its iconic elegance furnished homes in a new, exciting fashion, utilizing modern technology, materials & electricity. Architectural buildings of every type from churches to cinemas, houses, bus stations, garages and lidos were developed in this style which had many influences. It was associated with the Jazz Age and also described as "jazzy" and it utilised modern innovations, such as plastic, chrome, aluminium and electricity. The smooth lines and geometric patterns were found in and on everything from art to fashion, furniture, light fittings, ornaments, glass ceramics and jewellery. Cinema and film included sets and flowing dresses and the style reached its height of fashion in the Hollywood musical with the wonderful Busby Berkeley Hollywood film dance routines. Illustrated with slides, film clips, books and costume.

Saturday 25 May* 10am-3pm Fee £24

*Friday 24 May & Saturday 25 May (mini-course) can be booked together with discount
Book: 01273 422632

Free parking, buses stop nearby, refreshments, small garden area around tower - and fantastic views .

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JUNE

C O U R S E S & F I E L D T R I P S

Visiting the Victorians Summer Field Trips

4 Wednesdays 5, 12, 19, 26 June 2013

Meet Brighton Station

Four guided visits to houses, museums and collections which illustrate Victorian social, domestic and working life. Venues include Museum of London, The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garrett followed by guided Southwark sanitation walk; and

Thomas and Jane Carlyle's house in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.

More information for those who request it.

(2012 trips included Down House, Kent; Apsley House & Wellington Arch, Canal & Foundling Museums, London; & Houses of Parliament).

Fee £35 does not include travel, admission to venues or refreshments.

Whiteway Centre, Rottingdean downloadable booking form: http://www.rwc.org.uk

L E C T U R E S / T A L K S / T O U R S

PRESTON MANOR

(End of Preston Park, Brighton) Free parking, buses stop nearby, Preston Park railway station nearby

“HIDDEN HISTORIES” - A real life Lady Chatterley?

Saturday 8 June 11am-12.30pm & 2-3.30pm

1970s: apparent evidence emerged that Lady Ellen Thomas-Stanford formed a liaison with her butler and her illegitimate heir was alive, well and living in Canada. True? Find out about the private life of the Edwardians in this investigation into an unspoken taboo of the era: love between the classes. Includes never-before-seen documents and photographs, discussed over tea and biscuits.

Talk on the Edwardians, the class system and scandal of divorce and unmarried mothers by social historian Sarah Tobias

Lady Ellen, her butler, archive material and documents discussed by Paula Wrightson, Preston Manor's creative programme manager

Admission: £10 members £8 includes tea and biscuits.

Book: 03000 290902

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/WhatsOn/Pages/PMHiddenHistoriesAreallifeLadyChatterley.aspx

HEALTHWALKS 10th ANNIVERSARY WALKING TOURS
Historic Cemeteries Walk
Sunday 09 June 11am – 12.30pm
The cemeteries of Brighton are a secret treasure trove of history and wildlife.
Explore some of them with local social and cultural historian, Sarah Tobias
Meet at the Bear Rd (NOT Lewes Rd) entrance to Woodvale & Extra-Mural Cemetery. FREE
Healthwalks full version of the Led Walks programme including bus information and walk descriptions
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/healthwalks10

PRESTON MANOR
"HIDDEN LIVES" DOMESTIC SERVICE IN THE 1920s & 30s:
Below Stairs Tour and Talk

Saturday 15 June 11am-12.30pm & 2-3.30pm

The fascinating story of a lost world - that of the domestic servant. We discuss every aspect of the life f the servant inits final throes of the 1920s and 1930s,when a large proportion of the British population was in service. We will look at the domestic servants during this period who worked at Preston Manor, including letters and photographs not normally shown to the public. The hours were long and the work was hard but were the servants dedicated? Did they enjoy their work? Did they like their masters? You will see the servants hall and back staircase, not normally open to the public. Our talk will take place in one of the manor rooms.
All this and tea and biscuits, too!
Lecturer Sarah Tobias, Additional information, photographs and archive material Paula Wrightson, Preston Manor's creative programme manager.

Book: 03000 290902

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/WhatsOn/Pages/PMHiddenHistoriesAreallifeLadyChatterley.aspx

“HIDDEN GARDEN”- The Edwardian Kitchen Garden Revealed

Thursday 20 June 11am-12.30pm & 2-3.30pm

A unique and rare chance to visit the ruined wall gardens - not open to the public - where vegetable and fruits were grown. See remains of glasshouses, fernery and gardeners cottage. After this special tour we go into one of the manor rooms for a session on the history of walled kitchen gardens from medieval times to Twentieth Century, looking at archive documents, maps, pland ans photographs of the manor gardens and surrounding area. Fin out about country house kitchen gardening in its Edwardian heyday.
Tea and biscuits will be served.
Lecturer Sarah Tobias, Additional information, photographs and archive material Paula Wrightson, Preston Manor's creative programme manager.

Book: 03000 290902

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/WhatsOn/Pages/

All further details and information : 01273 292981

G U I D E D H O U S E T O U R S

“HIDDEN HOUSE” - Behind the Scenes at the Manor

C. Sarah Tobias 2011

Saturday 22 June 11am-2.45pm & 2-3.45pm

Unique guided tour. Discover hidden rooms and secret places not normally open to the public.

If you have ever visited a historic property and longed to go through that door marked ‘private’, now you can at Preston Manor! Sarah Tobias has devised a fascinating 'backstage' tour taking you into rooms, vaulted cellars and up concealed servants’ staircases, to attics where female servants slept and into corridors not on the public route.

Admission: £15 & £12 includes tea & biscuits.

These popular tours fill quickly. Places are limited to 12 persons per tour - early booking advised

Tour guides Sarah Tobias & Paula Wrightson (Preston Manor Creative Programme Manager)

N.B. There are lots of stairs, some low door frames -and it is VERY COLD in some parts of the house.

Book: 03000 290902

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/whatson/pages/behindthescenesatprestonmanor.aspx

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Sussex University

The London Look: fashion and style (1780-2013)
International Summer School 4 weeks 24 June - 17 July for students from outside UK
Module IS149 FHEQ Level 4
Tutors Sarah Tobias & Alexandra Loske
Fee £1395 plus accommodation

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/iss/modules/directory/2012/49790

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JULY

PRESTON MANOR

(End of Preston Park, Brighton) Free parking, buses stop nearby, Preston Park railway station nearby

"HIDDEN LIVES" DOMESTIC SERVICE IN THE 1920s & 30s:
Below Stairs Tour and Talk

Saturday 6 July 11am-12.30pm & 2-3.30pm

The fascinating story of a lost world -that of the domestic servant. We discuss every aspect of the life of the servant in its final throes of the 1920s and 1930s, when a large proportion of the British population was in service. We will look at the the domestic servants during this period who worked at Preston Manor, including letters and photographs not normally shown to the public. The hours were long and the work was hard but were the servants dedicated? Did they enjoy their work? Did they like their masters? You will see the servants hall and back staircase, not normally open to the public and our talk will take place in one of the manor rooms.

All this, and tea and biscuits, too!

Lecturer Sarah Tobias, Additional information, photographs and archive material Paula Wrightson, Preston Manor's creative programme manager.

Book: 03000 290902

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/WhatsOn/Pages/PMHiddenHistoriesAreallifeLadyChatterley.aspx

“HIDDEN HISTORIES” - A real life Lady Chatterley?

Saturday 13 July 11am-12.30pm & 2-3.30pm

Talk on the Edwardians, the class system and scandal of divorce and unmarried mothers by social historian Sarah Tobias

Lady Ellen, her butler, archive material and documents discussed by Paula Wrightson, Preston Manor's creative programme manager

Admission: £10 members £8 includes tea and biscuits.

Book: 03000 290902

“HIDDEN GARDEN”- The Edwardian Kitchen Garden Revealed

Saturday 20 July 11am-12.30pm & 2-3.30pm

A unique and rare chance to visit the ruined walled kitchen gardens - not open to the public - where vegetable and fruits were grown. See remains of glasshouses, fernery and gardener's cottage. After this special tour we go into the manor for a session in one of the manor rooms, which includes the history of kitchen gardens from medieval times to Twentieth Century, looking at archive documents, maps, plans and photographs of the manor gardens and surrounding area. Find out about country house kitchen gardening in its Edwardian heyday.

Tea and biscuits will be served.

Guide and lecturer Sarah Tobias, Archive information Paula Wrightson, creative programme manager for the manor

Book: 03000 290902

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/Whatson

CONCERT OF WORDS & MUSIC

Unitarian Church Hall, New Road, Brighton

REFLECTIONS ON GRIEG
The Life, Letters and Music of composer Edvard Grieg
Devised by Ambrose Page who also plays piano

Narrated by Sarah Tobias * Grieg narrated by Peter Morris

Programme notes: Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) is undoubtedly Norway's most famous composer, and it is his music that helped give this nation its own identity. Indeed, his contribution in this respect has made him a national hero in the eyes of many Norwegians! This concert of words and music will include a selection of his piano works, interspersed with readings, illuminating different aspects of Grieg, both as a man and as a composer. AP

Friday 26 July 12.30pm Admission £3 on door

SATURDAY WORKSHOP

PACA Portslade Aldridge (Adult Education) Community Academy

Foredown Tower, Portslade
Free parking, buses stop nearby, refreshments, small garden area around tower - and fantastic views across fields.

The Homefront in Wartime

Trip back sixty plus years, when daily life was turned upside-down, but the fighting spirit shone through! We spend our war day on the home-front: find tips to stretch our budgets, eke out our food ration, keep up with fashion by “make do and mend” and celebrate an austerity Christmas. Illustrated with books, documentary footage, slideshow, ephemera and authentic items.

Saturday 27 July 10am-3pm

Fee: £24 Book: 01273 422632

HEALTHWALKS 10th ANNIVERSARY WALKING TOURS
Historic Preston Manor Walk
Saturday 30 July 11am– 12.30pm
Join local historian, Sarah Tobias and Paula Wrighson, Preston Manor's creative programme manager,
for this fascinating glimpse into the history of Preston Manor grounds including the pump house
and walled garden.
Meet outside Preston Manor, front entrance, Preston Park. FREE
Healthwalks full version of the Led Walks programme including bus information and walk descriptions
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/healthwalks10

G U I D E D H O U S E T O U R S

PRESTON MANOR
(End of Preston Park, Brighton) Free parking, buses stop nearby, Preston Park railway station nearby

“HIDDEN HOUSE” - Behind the Scenes at the Manor

C Sarah Tobias 2011

Thursday 31 July 11am-2.45pm & 2-3.45pm

Unique guided tour. Discover hidden rooms and secret places not normally open to the public.

Admission: £15 & £12 includes tea & biscuits.

These popular tours fill quickly. Places are limited to 12 persons per tour - early booking advised

Tour guides Sarah Tobias & Paula Wrightson (Preston Manor Creative Programme Manager)

N.B. There are lots of stairs, some low door frames -and it is VERY COLD in some parts of the house.

Book: 03000 290902

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/whatson/pages/behindthescenesatprestonmanor.aspx

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AUGUST

PRESTON MANOR

(End of Preston Park, Brighton) Free parking, buses stop nearby, Preston Park railway station nearby

"HIDDEN LIVES" DOMESTIC SERVICE IN THE 1920s & 30s:
Below Stairs Tour and Talk

Saturday 3 August 11am-12.30pm & 2-3.30pm

All this, and tea and biscuits, too!

Lecturer Sarah Tobias, Additional information, photographs and archive material Paula Wrightson, Preston Manor's creative programme manager.

Book: 03000 290902

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/WhatsOn/Pages/PMHiddenHistoriesAreallifeLadyChatterley.aspx

“HIDDEN GARDEN”- The Edwardian Kitchen Garden Revealed

Saturday 10 August 1

1am-12.30pm & 2-3.30pm

Tea and biscuits will be served.

Guide and lecturer Sarah Tobias, Archive information Paula Wrightson, creative programme manager for the manor

Book: 03000 290902

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/WhatsOn/Pages/PMHiddenHistoriesAreallifeLadyChatterley.aspx

G U I D E D H O U S E T O U R S

PRESTON MANOR
(End of Preston Park, Brighton) Free parking, buses stop nearby, Preston Park railway station nearby

“HIDDEN HOUSE” - Behind the Scenes at the Manor

C Sarah Tobias 2011

Friday 16 August 11am-2.45pm & 2-3.45pm

Unique guided tour. Discover hidden rooms and secret places not normally open to the public.

Admission: £15 & £12 includes tea & biscuits.

These popular tours fill quickly. Places are limited to 12 persons per tour - early booking advised

Tour guides Sarah Tobias & Paula Wrightson (Preston Manor Creative Programme Manager)

N.B. There are lots of stairs, some low door frames -and it is VERY COLD in some parts of the house.

Book: 03000 290902

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/whatson/pages/behindthescenesatprestonmanor.aspx

“HIDDEN HISTORIES” - A real life Lady Chatterley?

Saturday 31 August 11am-12.30pm & 2-3.30pm

Talk on the Edwardians, the class system and scandal of divorce and unmarried mothers by social historian Sarah Tobias

Lady Ellen, her butler, archive material and documents discussed by Paula Wrightson, Preston Manor's creative programme manager

Admission: £10 members £8 includes tea and biscuits.

Book: 03000 290902

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/WhatsOn/Pages/PMHiddenHistoriesAreallifeLadyChatterley.aspx

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Forthcoming in Autumn 2013

PRESTON MANOR

Heritage Weekend Open House FREE event

Saturday 14 September 11am-12.30pm

Guided tour of Preston manor grounds, pump house, walled garden and graveyard

HIDDEN HOUSE - behind the scenes tours

(all details above)

Thursday 19 September 11am-12.45pm & 2-3.45pm

Thursday 24 October 11am-12.45pm & 2-3.45pm

Friday 6 December 11am-12.45pm

Early booking advised as the tours fill up quickly

Guides for all Sarah Tobias and Paula Wrightson

Venue and date tba:

Watch this space for details of the première of Dido's Lament: Rituals of Death and Mourning: short, hauntingly beautiful black and white film noir on the superstitions and rituals associated with death and mourning.

Presented by DeadGood film partnership of Sarah Tobias and Valentina Lari (director).
Music specially composed by glynne Cicada.

Contact if you are interested in attending.

C O U R S E S
To include

Culture and Society in Late Victorian Britain 1865-1895

The long Victorian period was one of complete contrasts, especially during the latter part of the century. We study progress and change in architecture, technology, domestic life, work, leisure and the arts, using literature as a backdrop to set the scene, and paintings to demonstrate domestic and public life. We focus on cultural aspects of society, considering and contrasting expansion and development, and reflecting on wider issues surrounding debates on effects of change in society, community as a whole and women's status.

We look at various transforming revolutions which impacted on society, including advances in technology, the electrical revolution of 1870, and scientific thought some of which caused landowners to reconsider agricultural methods of farming; this in turn effecting changes in rural and urban life. During this period there was considerable migration from country to town which brought about changes in traditional ways of living. Plus, we consider other facets which remained constant, such as the huge gap between the lives of wealthy and poor. Urban housing was required for the growing work force and the emerging middle-class, as well as the alterations in grand country houses of the wealthy. Various architectural changes took place from the elegant neo-classical style to the fanciful Gothic.

We also discuss social investigation and reforms, in particular the work of Charles Booth's “Life and Labour of the People in London” which included his famous poverty maps. Social conscience among the burgeoning middle classes led to social investigation and action. There were many women social investigators, such as Brighton born Clementina Black (1853-1922), feminist, author and social reformer who was concerned with women’s work and wages, was a founder member of the Women’s Industrial Council in 1894, later becoming its President, and was involved with the 1888 Match Girl’s Strike at the Bryant and May factory – conditions which we will also study.

The course will be illustrated with slides, books, extracts from period diaries and journals, prints, paintings and video clips.

City College, Brighton 10 weeks Monday 2-4pm start 23 September 2013

Ref: COM045 Fee: £99 Book- T: 01273 667767 or download booking form from website: http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/adult/

Whiteway Centre, Rottingdean 10 weeks Wednesday 10.30am-12.30pm start 25 September 2013

Fee £75 Download booking form: http://www.rwc.org.uk/index.html

PACA Portslade Aldridge (Adult Education) Community Academy

6th Form College, Portslade
Free parking, buses stop nearby, refreshments, small garden area around tower - and fantastic views across fields.

Preston to Portslade: A short history of Brighton, Hove & Portslade

We study social history, expansion, growth and change in architecture and town structure, including industry, slum areas, hospitals, and lively cultural life.

Includes ancient history field trip with historian Trevor Povey on 1st october.

6 weeks Tuesdays 10.30am-12.30pm start 24 September

S P E C I A L E V E N T
PRESTON MANOR

(End of Preston Park, Brighton) Free parking, buses stop nearby, Preston Park railway station

"Phone for the Fishknives, Norman"
A fun event based on the Betjeman poem, 'How To Get On In Society' about correctness and etiquette.
Plus, can you match the cutlery and which is the pilchard fork?
Sunday 22 September 2.15-3.15pm & 3.30-4.30pm
£5 plus normal house admission (all rooms open)

T A L K

St Bartholomew's Pathology Museum

Grade II listed museum built in 1879, at historic St Bartholomew's Hospital
(not currently open to public due to renovations)

Robin Brook Centre, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE

Wednesday 25 September doors open 6.30pm
DEATH & MOURNING IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND

Illustrated talk on fascinating rituals and customs

Fee: £6 including snacks and wine

https://www.facebook.com/BartsPathologyMuseum

Follow on Twitter http://www.smd.qmul.ac.uk/about/pathologymuseum/

PRESTON MANOR

(End of Preston Park, Brighton) Free parking, buses stop nearby, Preston Park railway station

"DIDO'S LAMENT": RITUALS OF DEATH AND MOURNING

Sunday 29 September 2-4pm

A room in the house will be laid out for mourning and there will be screenings of the short (20 minutes), hauntingly beautiful film, Dido's Lament - Rituals of Death & Mourning, in the Macquoid Room, followed by discussion with director, producer and two of the cast.

Free with house admission (all rooms open)

Booking will open late August. Information: 01273 292981

PACA Portslade Aldridge (Adult Education) Community Academy

Foredown Tower, Portslade
Free parking, buses stop nearby, refreshments, small garden area around tower - and fantastic views across fields.

The Magic of Christmas: History of Festive & Seasonal Traditions

We study the fascinating origins of winter traditions and Christmas customs from earliest times to Twentieth Century, including those of Sussex.

5 weeks Thursdays 10.30am-12.30pm start 14 November fin 12 December.

S A T U R D A Y S T U D Y D A Y S
Whiteway Centre, Rottingdean

Art Deco, Modernism & the Jazz Age

After WWI a new, very distinctive style emerged, directly following Art Nouveau. Architectural buildings of every type from churches to cinemas, houses, bus stations, garages and lidos were developed in this style which had many influences. It was associated with the Jazz Age, also described as "jazzy" and it utilised modern innovations, such as plastic, chrome, aluminium and electricity.

The smooth lines and geometric patterns were found in and on everything from art to fashion, furniture, light fittings, ornaments, glass ceramics and jewellery. Cinema and film included sets and flowing dresses and the style reached its height of fashion in the Hollywood musical with the wonderful Busby Berkeley dance routines. We look at influences, architecture, style, fashion, interiors, paintings and clips of favourite films and stars of the period. A fabulous feast of colour, illustrated with a huge amount of images.

Tutors Sarah Tobias & Paul Nielson who will give the last session of the day on Jazz

Saturday 23rd November 10am-4pm

Fee: £20 includes refreshments and light lunch

Booking from mid-summer: http://www.rwc.org.uk

L I N K E D L E C T UR E S
PRESTON MANOR

(End of Preston Park, Brighton) Free parking, buses stop nearby, Preston Park railway stationc

Christmas at Preston Manor

Three linked, illustrated lectures on the fascinating history and customs of the festive season as may have been celebrated at the manor.

Tuesday 23 November: Regency, Georgian and earlier

Tuesday 3 December: Victorian & Edwardian

Tuesday 10 December: Twentieth Century & Homefront Xmas in Wartime

All 10.30am-1.30pm

All further details Paula Wrightson Tel: 01273 292981

PACA Portslade Aldridge (Adult Education) Community Academy

Foredown Tower, Portslade

Free parking, buses stop nearby, refreshments, small garden area around tower - and fantastic views across the fields

Flea-Pits & Picture-Palaces: history of cinema-going

The fascinating history and expansion of cinema and cinema-going from the early pioneers who lived and filmed in Brighton, Hove and Shoreham (where cinema experiments started) to the ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll era of the Fifties. We look at archive footage and film clips.

Saturday 30 November 10am-3pm

Spring & Summer 2014 courses include

Spring 2014

Arts, Culture and Society: Late Victorian Britain 1865-1895

A new and exciting vision of domestic history as revealed in literature, art and the moving image: interpretations of late-Victorian cultural and social developments. We will observe the visual experience of change in architecture, technology, domestic life, working conditions, farming, poverty, women’s status, leisure activities, fashion, style and the arts.

We consider how children were educated and trained for various occupations and trades, as well as studying labour, conditions and new occupations, which led to changing trends in the home and style of living, eating and the way houses were decorated, for example wallpaper. We also look at different roles of servants and housekeeping. Other areas of study for comparison will include arts, literature and the importance of fashion and etiquette.

At this time there was much adulteration and dilution of food – sheep's droppings to weight tea packets, for example, and brick dust for colouring. People became ill or died from eating certain foods, including ice-cream, as a consequence. Inspectors were appointed to regulate hygienic practice and ensure customers were not cheated when food was incorrectly weighed. There were many types of eating-places such as soup-house, coffee stall, chop house and tea gardens, as well as elegant dining rooms and hotels. We look at food, dining and the Victorian kitchen garden, which was benefiting from new technologies and scientific ideas on horticulture. Seed packets were designed in bright colours of exquisite artistic design.

We look at period books and paintings, including the touching story of unmarried “Esther Waters” by George Moore which was made into a film starring Dirk Bogarde (we view clips), and the social novels of writers such as Dinah Craik, George Gissing, Margaret Oliphant, Anthony Trollope, Thomas Hardy and H.G. Wells, as well as the works and life of witty Oscar Wilde who had associations with Brighton.

If you like history and books and paintings this course is definitely for you! Illustrated with slides, books, extracts from period diaries and journals, prints, paintings and video clips.

City College, Brighton 10 weeks Monday 2-4pm start 13 January 2014

Ref: COM076 Fee: £99 Book- T: 01273 667767 or download booking form from website: http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/adult/

Whiteway Centre, Rottingdean 10 weeks Wednesday 10.30am-12.30pm start 15 January 2014 Fee £75 Download booking form: http://www.rwc.org.uk/index.html

Saturdays

CITY COLLEGE, BRIGHTON

5 week fortnightly course

THE NOVEL AS SOCIAL HISTORY

A new and unique course comprising literature, social and cultural history and book club.

Within the pages of the novel we discover more than just a story. Setting, portrayal of characters and background detail tell us much about the period and its social history.

We study the social and cultural history of the novel by exploring the background information we are absorbing unwittingly and which is not the main theme, but which gives us a deeper and clearer understanding of period and general minutiae of everyday life. Within every piece of fiction is a wealth of information on culture and social life which can lead us into a deeper understanding of a subject, time or place, period in history, genre, working conditions, habits, style or social trend that we might pursue further, or deepen our knowledge and intensify our interest.

Within the pages of the novel we discover much more than just a story or work of fiction. The setting, portrayal of characters, clothing, habits, and background detail tell us much about the period and social as well as cultural history in which the story is set. We learn about customs, manners, etiquette, clothing, speech and aspects of everyday, domestic and public life - from the poorest working class living in slums to the wealthiest socialites. A humorous novel can lift our spirits and a dark one make us reflect.

As extracts from several novels are read out, we discuss what exciting `other' information we are discovering. How people live, what else they do with their time, what their living conditions are really like, how they are educated - possibly by the way they `speak'. We can tell a person's class by the way they are dressed and how they talk to other people. We can view relationships and the class system, as well as other background details about architecture, housing and rural and urban settings.

We will also compare the written word with its moving image - the film of the novel.

A list of suggested reading is available from the tutor although it not a requirement of the course to read the novels mentioned.

There will be opportunity for further, informal discussion after the session in a non-classroom environment, such as college or nearby cafe.

5 fortnightly Saturdays 11am-1pm

Saturdays February 1, 15, March 1, 15, 29
Ref: COM010350 Fee: £55 Book- T: 01273 667767 or download booking form from website: http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/adult/

CITY COLLEGE, BRIGHTON

Art Deco and Modernism

After WWI a new, very distinctive style emerged 1920s and 1930s, directly following Art Nouveau. Vibrant with colour, its modern designs were full of sharp patterns. Architectural buildings of every type from churches to cinemas, houses, bus stations, garages and lidos were developed in this style which was influenced by earlier, Ancient Egyptian, Greek and neo-classical forms.

Art Deco style was associated with the Jazz Age, so it was also described as "jazzy", and it utilised modern technology and innovations, such as plastic, chrome, aluminium and electricity. The smooth lines and geometric patterns were found in everything from art to fashion, furniture, light fittings, ornaments, glass, ceramics and jewellery. Its iconic elegance furnished homes in a new, exciting fashion,

It liberated women, who wore the new slender, boyish, free-flowing tubular garments, cut their hair into a short bob, wore make-up, smoked and danced the night away in nightclubs. All shocking!

Cinema and film included elegant sets and flowing dresses and the style reached its height of fashion in the Hollywood musical with the wonderful Busby Berkeley Hollywood film dance routines. We look at influences, architecture, style, fashion, interiors, paintings and 1930s film clips.

A fabulous feast of colour, illustrated with a huge amount of images.

Saturday 8 March 2014 1-4pm
Ref: COM142 Fee: £35 Book- T: 01273 667767 or download booking form from website: http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/adult/

Summer 2014

Illusion and Reality - late Victorian Britain 1865-1895

Life for wealthy and poor during the long Victorian period was one of complete contrasts, especially during the latter part of the century. We look at life in countryside and town, discussing the differences between living conditions on the working farm to that of town dwelling and its various amenities and amusements. In this context we discuss the family, courtship, love and marriage as well as childhood and upbringing and home life. The illusion that Victorians were all strait-laced, uptight, humourless, easily shockable people is quite the opposite!

We compare domestic, social and cultural life, including how paintings and literature of the period depicted society; for example, in Robert Tressel's narrative of the poverty stricken house painters and paper-hangers in The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (set in fictional Hastings), Thomas Hardy's depiction of the strong-minded Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Anthony Trollope's fascinating portrayal of middle-class greed and corruption in The Way We Live Now.

The home was paramount and the family was its focus. A place to escape from the stress of long working hours in factory and office. New technologies and ideas of hygiene changed how houses were run, decorated and furnished. 'Below stairs' is even more fascinating than 'above'. Houses were run with military precision and an army of servants, or perhaps just one cook-housekeeper for the lower middle-class. Leisure time was enjoyed by all classes in many different ways.

Illustrated with slides, books, extracts from period diaries and journals, prints, paintings and video clips.

City College, Brighton 5 weeks Monday 2-4pm start 28 April 2014
Ref: COM186 Fee: £55 Book- T: 01273 667767 or download booking form from website: http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/adult/

Whiteway Centre, Rottingdean 5 weeks Wednesday 10.30am-12.30pm start 30 April 2014
Fee £38 Download booking form: http://www.rwc.org.uk/index.html

Summer Field Trips 2014

Living with the Victorians - field trips: June 5, 12, 19, 26

Tutor/guide Sarah Tobias

Four guided visits to houses, museums and collections which illustrate late Victorian social, domestic and working life. We study customs, architecture, interiors, furnishings, art, fashion, domestic equipment and machinery and generally view life in the home. Visits include Leighton and Linley Sambourne Houses in Kensington with informed house guides.

All accessible by public transport. Meet Brighton Station approximately 10am, finish varies.

4 weeks (does not include travel, admission to venues, house guides or refreshments)

Fee £38 Download booking form: http://www.rwc.org.uk/index.html

Sarah Tobias Dip Eur Hum, BA Hons, MA

Entertaining social/cultural/local historian.

Ask for details of talks/guided walks/visits for groups, clubs, societies. Current list of 30+ topics

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Venue Addresses, transport and refreshments

City College

Pelham Street, Brighton BN1 4FA

Location:

Behind York Place & London Road, turn up Cheapside – Aldi supermarket on corner. Or, turn left in Trafalgar St walking down from Station.

Transport & Parking:

Lots of buses nearby.

Nearby car park, about 5 minutes walk.

Railway station few minutes walk

Refreshments and further information:

Restaurant. Tea and coffee bar on balcony of Main Building.

Coffee shops, small cafés and public houses in nearby London Road

London Road and Trafalgar Street: shopping, banks and supermarkets

Foredown Tower

Foredown Road, Brighton (Portslade) BN41 4EW

Transport & Parking:

No. 6 bus stops nearby-200 yds walk

Free car parking outside,

Refreshments and further information:

Refreshments available.

Garden all round Tower and fantastic views across countryside

Portlade 6th Form Community Centre

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy

High Street Portslade, BN41 2PG

Transport & Parking:

No. 1 bus

Car parking

Refreshments:

Cafe area

Preston Manor

Preston Drove, Brighton BN1 6SD

Location:

Situated at end of Preston Park.

Transport & Parking:

Buses and rail nearby

Free parking outside and in adjacent street.

Refreshments:

No cafe. Refreshments provided by staff at some events where stated.

Chalet restaurant in park and public houses opposite

Rottingdean Whiteway Centre

Whiteway Lane, Rottingdean, BN2 7HB

Location:

By Library/Grange Museum

Transport & Parking:

Buses stop nearby and on seafront.

Small car park, but always full. Possible space if you get there early

Fairly near street parking

Refreshments:

Kitchen with tea and coffee making facilities (provided)

Historic tea rooms and public houses in High Street.

Further information:

Kiplings walled garden and village green and pond nearby.

Few minutes walk to sea and beach. Shops, small supermarket and bank in High Street.

Whitehawk Inn Community Centre

Whitehawk Road Brighton, BN2 3NS

Transport & Parking:

Buses stop nearby and some outside venue

Metered street car parking

Refreshments:

Café and garden area

Further information:

Few minutes walk to sea, beach and Marina or East Brighton Park

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU

Sarah Tobias Dip Eur Hum, BA Hons, MA

Entertaining social/cultural/local historian.

Ask for details of talks/guided walks/visits for groups, clubs, societies.

Current list of 30+ topics

Friday, 3 May 2013