Monday 14 November 2016

EXCITING EVENTS IN SUSSEX - 
ENTERTAINING AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL, FUN AS WELL AS FACTUAL
Sarah Tobias, lecturer in social and 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 - SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM OF PAGE. 
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2016-2017
Adult Education Classes and other events

DECEMBER..................Christmas events: 

THIS SATURDAY:
Winter Customs and Christmas Traditions:
A fascinating history of the Festive Season
We study the origins, meanings and significance of many winter and Christmas customs from Pagan to mid-twentieth century; learn how traditions came about and discover who Saint Nicholas was and the godforms that became Father Christmas and Santa Claus. Lots of interesting and fascinating information plus festive Sussex customs and reminiscences of a family Christmas in a tiny cottage in Rottingdean.
Illustrated with slides and film.
Saturday 3 December 10.30am-3.30pm
Fee £30 Ref: COM454
Book in person at Student Centre, Pelham Street or Tel: 01273 667767
http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/parttime/history-winter-customs-christmas-traditions-one-day-masterclass-dec-16-6796.html

Preston Manor
Preston Drove (end of Preston Park)
Free parking, trains and buses nearby.
UNRAVEL DICKENS 'A CHRISTMAS CAROL'
Saturday 10 December 2pm 
"A Christmas Carol"was a runaway bestseller when it was published in 1843 and established the way to celebrate Christmas. This entertaining talk with excerpts goes behind the story to explore everyday life in Victorian Britain.
Presented by Paula Wrightson and narrated by Sarah Tobias
£7.50 plus Manor admission includes glass of sherry and biscuits
Book: 03000 290902  

Rottingdean Library
A CHRISTMAS MERRIMENT
Mainly humorous readings for the festive season
Monday 12, December 3-4pm
Admission by donation in aid of the Library and PETA 
(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
Read by Anita Gilson & Sarah Tobias
Mulled wine and mince pies will be served after the readings. 


St Wulfrun's Church, Ovingdean
CHRISTMAS CRACKERS
Humorous readings for the festive season in this
beautiful, ancient church
Friday 16 December 2.30pm
Admission by donation in aid of the church and Friends of Brighton & Hove Hospitals
Read by Anita Gilson & Sarah Tobias
Tea and cake will be served after the readings.  Dress warm


* FATHER CHRISTMAS AT THE MANOR *
17, 18, 20, 21,22, 23 December 10am-5pm 
Meet Father Christmas in the cosy fireside setting of Lady Ellen's fabulous
drawing room. Other seasonal activities in the house. Advance booking only.
Event is for children only and accompanying adults.
Book: 03000 290902


Currently running:                                                    City College
Culture and Society Between the Wars 1918-1939 
Monday 10 weeks 1.30-3.30pm start 19 September

City College at Whitehawk Inn, Whitehawk Road
Early Victorian Britain: 1837-1860
Wednesday 10 weeks 1-3pm start 21 September   FULL 

SPRING 2017 - enrolling now
JANUARY:
Saturday Courses

THE NOVEL AS SOCIAL HISTORY 7: COMPARING CULTURES
Within the pages of the novel we discover more than just a story. We study the social and cultural 
history of the novel by exploring the background information we are absorbing unwittingly and which is the main theme.  THIS TERM: we shall be comparing novels from different cultures such as ‘The Mother’ by Pearl S. Buck (1933) which is set in China, and ‘The Far Cry’ by Emma Smith (1949) which is mostly set in India and includes the very descriptive journey there. Reading list available from tutor.

5 fortnightly Saturdays 11am-1pm start 14 January
Fee £60 concessions: £42, £21  Ref: COM174

Book in person at Student Centre, Pelham Street or Tel: 01273 667767
http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/parttime/history-the-novel-as-social-history-7-comparing-culture-jan-17-6814.html





The Film of the Novel 2: 1950s & 1960s
We study novels and extracts of films by reading books and viewing film clips and comparing them and discuss alterations filmmakers made to the screenplay, and what changes were made to the story or characters from the original novel on which it was based. Book extracts and film clips will be followed by analysis, comparison and discussion. NOVELS and FILMS of the same title include ‘Room at the Top’ (1957) by John Braine (film 1959), ‘A Kind of Loving’ (1960) by Stan Barstow (film 1962) and ‘The L-Shaped Room’ (1960) by Lynne Reid Banks (film 1962). Reading list available from tutor.

5 fortnightly Saturdays 2-4pm start 14 January
Fee £60 concessions: £42, £21 Ref: COM081B
Book in person at Student Centre, Pelham Street or Tel: 01273 667767
http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/parttime/history-the-film-and-the-novel-1950s-and-1960s-jan-17-6810.html



Weekday Courses
T
The Inter-war Years: Twenties and Thirties Britain 1920-1940
We study the culture of “Live for today” - how life changed in Britain after WWI. There was decline but social and cultural life took on a new aspect reflected in architecture, design, fashion, music, literature and distinctive style of Art Deco and Modernism; including Shoreham's fun-loving 1920s “Bungalow Town” and the cinema industry there. Although there was poverty and notorious razor gangs, 'thirties Brighton saw a new prosperity for residents and increase in day trippers.

During this period there was a wealth of wonderful literature and the joy of film. Cinema-going was extremely popular and influenced people’s lives in many ways including what they wore. Imitating your favourite film star meant dressing like them, so clothing for the working class included synthetic silk – ‘Rayon’, and  young women cut their hair short in a ‘bob’, wore cosmetics, smoked and shortened their skirts in order to dance the Charleston – just like their liberated screen idols.
But, 1930s also saw the depression and much poverty, slums and lack of food and work.

Monday 10 weeks 1.30-3.30pm start 16 January
Fee £115 concessions: £70/£35
Ref: COM265
Book in person at Student Centre, Pelham Street or Tel: 01273 667767
http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/parttime/history-the-inter-war-years-twenties-and-thirties-britain-1920-1940-jan-17-6817.html

Post-war Britain 1939-1969
This course focuses on social and cultural changes that followed the upheavals of World War Two, including architecture, housing, living and working conditions, relationships, fashion, books, cinema and public health - such as the forming of the NHS in 1948. We also focus on changes for women and adjustments to their domestic, social and family life following the war.  

We study austerity to affluence in post-war Britain as seen in the many novels and films of the period. Books which had a social impact and also became films include Room at the TopA Kind of Loving and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. Also, the play A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney made into a film, explored various social themes, such as unmarried motherhood, mixed-race relationships, and homosexuality. Modernization during this period included changes in social attitudes, but some aspects of life – especially for women - hardly changed at all, even during the ‘swinging sixties’. We discuss the wider social impact, changes and attitudes. And, of course, coffee bars and Rock ‘n’ Roll!

Illustrated with slides, documentaries, and film clips. If you are interested in a short booklist for the period please contact the tutor

Monday 10 weeks 6.30-8.30pm start 16 January
Fee £115 concessions: £70/£35 Ref: COM451
Book in person at Student Centre, Pelham Street or Tel: 01273 667767
http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/parttime/history-post-war-britain-1939-69-may-17-6808.html


              City College at Whitehawk Inn, Whitehawk Road                                
                             (Buses stop outside or Marina stop on sea road then walk up 5 mins)

            Mid- Victorian Britain: 1851-1875
                Our studies include 1851 Great Exhibition, 1870 Education Act,
               Mrs Beeton, and female reformers such as Florence Nightingale,  Josephine Butler and the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act and Caroline Norton and the Married Women's Property Act.
                 
                 Wednesday 10 weeks 1-3pm start 25 January
                 Fee: £75 (£10 MTB/VOL) £30 EBPC
               Enrolment opens 18 November - only 2 places left




Varndean College at Woodingdean Youth Centre 
(car park and buses stop almost outside)

"Never had it so good": Post-war and 1950s Britain
On this 6 week course we will look at how life changed post-
war. The 1951 Festival of Britain celebrated the nation and
showcased its contribution to the arts: colour, clothes, cinema,
the 'New Look', prefabs, frozen peas, gritty realism in books
and films...and Rock 'n' Roll! A riot of nostalgia. The course
looks at all of the above...and more! Using local Brighton 
history as a backdrop as well as looking at the national picture,
this is a great course for those wanting a trip down memory 
lane as well as those with an interest in our fascinating and
cultural history.
Tuesday 6 weeks 12-2pm start 31 January
Fee  £45,  £30 (Woodingdean residents under 65), £15 (over 65 MTB) Tel: 01273 546602

FEBRUARY:
                                                                        Single Saturday
This is where we came in” – Cinema 1930s-1950s
We study the impact and influence of cinema and film during its heyday when cinema-going reached its height of popularity.

Early film was educational as well as entertaining. Ordinary people could view on screen what they never would see in their lives. It was an escape from reality. The heyday of cinema was during the1930’s when working-class people could sit in a picture-palace and be thrilled by the sights on screen, follow their particular film stars and copy the hairstyles, make-up and fashions – racy! Another boom came during the 1950s, with its brightly coloured film and famous film stars.

During this period there was a main and a ‘B’ film, news, cartoons, documentary or travelogue and forthcoming adverts. You could enter the cinema halfway through a film and so know the ending before watching the beginning! – people leaving would say this is where we came in”.

We look at film clips, noting cultural aspects, architecture, social conditions, relationships, fashion, speech patterns and more, followed by analysis and discussion.

Saturday 4 February 10.30am-3.30pm
 Fee £30 Ref: COM455
Book in person at Student Centre, Pelham Street or Tel: 01273 667767
http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/parttime/history-cinema-1930s-1950s-this-is-where-we-came-in-one-day-masterclass-feb-17-6795.html

SUMMER 2017

APRIL:
Weekday Courses
1940s and the Homefront in Wartime
Monday 5 weeks 1.30-3.30pm start 24 April
Fee £60 concessions: £42, £21
Ref:  COM091
Book in person at Student Centre, Pelham Street or Tel: 01273 667767
http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/parttime/history-1940s-and-the-homefront-in-britain-apr-17-6818.html

Art Deco, Modernism and the ‘Jazz Age’ 1918-1939
Monday 5 weeks 6.30-8.30pm start 24 April
Fee £60 concessions: £42, £21
Ref: COM452
Book in person at Student Centre, Pelham Street or Tel: 01273 667767
http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/parttime/history-art-deco-modernism-the-jazz-age-1918-1939-april-17-6800.html

MAY:
Saturday Courses
The Novel as Social History 8: Summer Reading
3 Saturdays 2-4pm - 22, 29 April & 13 May  
Fee £50 Ref:  COM449
Book in person at Student Centre, Pelham Street or Tel: 01273 667767
http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/parttime/history-the-novel-as-social-history-8-summer-reading-apr-17-6815.html

Exploring Brighton's Rich History
2 classroom sessions and 3 Brighton field trips
Saturday 5 weeks 11am-1pm start 6 May
Fee £60 concessions: £42, £21 Ref: COM081
Book in person at Student Centre, Pelham Street or Tel: 01273 667767
http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/courses/parttime/history-exploring-brighton-s-rich-history-may-17-6803.html
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"DIDO'S LAMENT":  VICTORIAN RITUALS OF DEATH AND MOURNING

Short, hauntingly beautiful black and white film noir, on the superstitions and rituals associated with death and mourning, filmed in Woodvale Cemetery and Preston Manor, Brighton, and at Shoreham by DeadGood films



Written and produced by Valentina Lari & Sarah Tobias
Directed by award winning Valentina Lari    
                                        Music specially composed by glynne Cicada                                             
Featuring Sarah Tobias as The Grieving Widow/Narrator/Singing voice   

Screened May 2014 Corti Quatra Edizione Sicily Short Film Festival
December 2014 Cinecity 12th Film Festival Komedia Cinema, Brighton

   
22 February 2015 -  Latest TV (Channel 8)  with interview7 March, 17 April TV screenings at Preston Manor for 'Ghosts the Victorians and us' 
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 Sarah Tobias MA, BA Hons, Dip Eur Hum
Entertaining lecturer in social, cultural and local (Brighton, Sussex, UK) history
Contact me for talks/guided walks/visits for groups, clubs, societies.
Current list of 30+ topics
Also contact me for poetry readings and narrations.

More information about me, my subjects, research and contact:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-tobias-0318943a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile 
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Courses -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: many shops, some banks and supermarkets

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

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:
Shops, Co-op, public library in same road.
Few minutes walk to sea, beach and Marina or East Brighton Park

Woodingdean Youth Centre
Warren Road, Brighton, BN2 6BB
Transport & Parking:
Car park outside Library and Community Centre. Buses stop nearby almost outside venue
Refreshments:
No café. Downs Hotel across road serves tea, coffee and refreshments at bar and has outside area
Further information:
Woodingdean public library in same road, almost next door. Shops, Co-op, dry cleaners nearby

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R.I.P.
 2016
                                                    2015                                                2013