FUN AS WELL AS FACTUAL. KEEP CHECKING THIS SITE FOR REGULAR UPDATES.Check venues, fees, dates before booking - accurate asbut may change, be postponed or cancelled. N.B Blogger stopped updates to followers. If you want me to update you with new posts, please contact. 

  

🌞  SUMMER  🌞

! NEXT WEEK - BOOK NOW TO ENSURE  YOUR PLACE !

The Regency Town House

 10  BRUNSWICK SQUARE, HOVE, BN3 1EH 

    Brighton and Hove heritage, conservation, community

 TEA LEAF TO TEA BAG: 

 A history of tea, consumption and ritual

                                          SATURDAY 13 JUNE 10.30am-3.30pm

Includes wonderful 18/19c teapots, caddies, tea cups, saucers, mote spoons, Art Deco sugar bowl, and other items; tea tastings, tea, specialy baked biscuits - bring packed lunch for a fascinating day.

“Taking Tea” –a fascinating social history starting in 2737, illustrating the elaborate ritual and evolving industry that grew out of adding boiling water to tea leaves.

A long tradition from China and the legend of the Emperor Shen Nong and a simple tea leaf, through to the pyramid-shaped ‘teapigs’ of today.

Camellia Sinensis is an evergreen plant of the Camellia family and by using it to make a beverage a whole industry grew up, requiring special equipment such as silver kettles, teapots, cutlery, drinking vessels made of fine china - and sugar and cream,  which also needed special tools and containers. Also, beautiful, polished tea tables.

Tea was so expensive it had to be kept locked in a caddy. “Taking tea” became a pleasant afternoon ritual perfected by the seventh Duchess of Bedford, but it was a Portuguese priest who first gave an account of tea drinking in 1560. A fascinating afternoon.

Illustrated with fascinating images on powerpoint slideshow.

             

£25 via eventbrite (plus booking fee)-book early, places limited to 25

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tea-leaf-to-tea-bag-a-history-of-tea-the-rituals-that-surround-it-tickets-1985542799964?

The Town House is minutes away from the sea, and shops, cafes and restaurants in Western Road

🌞SUMMER COURSES🌞

🎈🙋🎈

Ad Ed Classes

 RELAXED, FUN, FULL OF INTERESTING STUFF (& NICE PEOPLE)! NO HOMEWORK. SCROLL DOWN FOR DETAILS OF HOW TO ENROL ✍

  > ! IF YOU HAVE COVID, 'FLU, COUGH, COLD, FEEL UNWELL - PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND IN CONSIDERATION OF YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS ! <

N.B. History courses may contain outdated attitudes, cultural depictions and language which cause offence today. They have to be viewed from an historic perspective. When discussing the content these views are not those of the tutor. If you feel you may be uncomfortable, please do not enrol.

 Independently run by the tutor at The Church of the Holy Cross, Woodingdean (Brighton). Bus nos 2, 22 stop outside. Small car park back of hall.

Roaring Twenties to Thirties Depression - Interwar Britain (1918-1939).

We study the culture of “Live for today” in changing post-WWI Britain, including 1920s Shoreham's fun-loving “Bungalow Town” and its cinema industry. Although there was poverty and notorious razor gangs, 'thirties Brighton saw a new prosperity. Governments tried to tackle social and health problems. Large department stores, including Woolworths, offered respectable work for young women.

New, leafy suburbs were offering the luxury of a £495 house with inside WC and a bathroom that could be secured with a down payment of £1 if the £25 deposit could be found. There was a wealth of wonderful literature and the joy of film. 

Illustrated with books, slides, video

 8 weeks Monday 10.30am-12.30pm Start 20 April (Tutor Sarah Tobias)

FINISHING END OF JUNE

Fee: £75 Cheque payable to "Ms S Tobias" stating your name, address, telephone and e-mail and title of course. Post or deliver: Ms S Tobias, C/o Fleur Butler, Church of the Holy Cross, Downsway, Woodingdean BN2 6ND & e-mail me to list you: SARAH.TOBIAS@gbmc.ac.uk. Fee can be paid in two halves. 

   Rottingdean Whiteway Centre

Three Fabulous A’s! - Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco (1850-1950)   

  Three new and exciting movements from the middle of the Victorian century to the middle of the Twentieth century. After industrialised mass-produced goods, the Arts and Crafts movement celebrated a return to individual handcrafted items. This led to the ornate, nature-inspired designs of Art Nouveau which morphed into the geometric style of Art Deco. All influenced people’s lives and living. Highly illustrated with masses of colourful power-point sideshows, books and images. 

6 weeks Tuesdays 10.30am-12.30pm Start 21 April - FULLY BOOKED

Tutor Sarah Tobias COURSE ENDED

MET courses taught at Pelham Street, Brighton BN1 4FA

               Any problems enrolling, please contact me.

 Enrolment: 01273 667704 Admissions: admissions@gbmc.ac.uk 

To be eligible for a 50% discount on courses you must meet the below criteria :

 - Unemployed and in receipt of a means tested benefit

- You receive a state pension and the total of any other income (including salary and private pensions) is less than £952 per month or £1,534 as a couple.

- Employed and earning below £22,038 annual gross salary

Pelham Street, Brighton

The Three Fabulous A’s! - Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco (1850-1950)   

 Arts & Crafts      Art Nouveau        Art Deco

 Three new and exciting movements from the middle of the Victorian century to the middle of the Twentieth century.

After industrialised mass-produced goods, the Arts and Crafts movement celebrated a return to individual handcrafted items. This led to the ornate, nature-inspired designs of Art Nouveau which morphed into the geometric style of Art Deco. All influenced people’s lives and living.

We study the impact of arts and culture on 19th and 20th centuries society and the very distinct and colourful look of each of these inspired, innovative and iconic styles, starting with William Morris led Arts and Crafts. It began mid-century in Britain, comprising a group of craftsmen, artists, designers and architects who aimed to raise the status of the applied arts to that of fine art. They hand-made individual pieces that were also useful, and designed exquisite houses, furniture and furnishings.

Art Nouveau style followed on directly from Victorian Arts & Crafts and was in response to radical changes and technological advances. It was highly decorative, with undulating and flowing forms, waves, asymmetrical lines and famous “whiplash” curve. Its organic structure, designs and motifs were influenced by many forms; as was 1920s & 30s iconic Art Deco, Modernist style, but this was geometric and curving, utilising modern technology and materials such as cement and chrome. 

Highly illustrated with masses of colourful power-point sideshows, books and images. 

8 weeks Tuesdays 6.30-8.30pm Start 21 April  (Tutor Sarah Tobias)

Ref: MACL001E1A Fee £120 Discount available for those on benefit or pension. 

FULLY BOOKED - Waiting list only

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/history-the-three-fabulous-as-arts-and-crafts-art-nouveau-and-art-deco-1850-1950/

FINISHING END OF JUNE

  “Never had it so good” A World of Change-Post-War Britain 1945-1960

The Festival of Britain 1951

The fabulous ‘Fifties and swinging Sixties!  After the drabness and depression of war we see a burst of colour and hope for a brighter future with Dior’s New Look, The Festival of Britain, modernity in homes, welfare reforms - and Rock ‘N Roll!

We study social and cultural changes that followed the upheavals of World War Two, including the need for housing and improvements in living and working conditions. This was a new post-war era of optimism – particularly with the wonderful 1951 morale-boosting South Bank Festival of Britain visited by millions. There were changes in fashion and new interest in cosmetics. Interiors became brighter with fun wallpaper, modern furniture and kitchens.

We see the effects of relationships due to how people had altered, which led to quite a few divorces.  We also focus on women and the adjustments to their domestic, social and family life following the war.

Amid the social and political changes came the youth revolution; milk & coffee bars, dance halls & Bill Haley and The Comets. This period saw the introduction of new writers, social realism and the ‘angry young man’, e.g. Joe Lampton in Room at the Top.

"Go around the country and you will see a state of prosperity such as we have never had in the history of this country."  Prime Minister Harold Macmillan 1957

Illustrated with books, slides, film and documentary

6 weeks Mondays 3-5pm Start 11 May (Tutor Sarah Tobias)

Ref: MACL131E1A Fee £97  Discount available for those on benefit or pension.

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/never-had-it-so-good-a-world-of-change-post-war-britain-1945-1965/  

   FINISHING END OF JUNE

The Regency Town House

                              BRUNSWICK SQUARE, HOVE, BN3 1EH 

                        Brighton and Hove heritage, consrvation,community

Watch out for exciting events, classes, courses talks and workshops at the Regency Town House in Hove taught or presented by Sarah Tobias, including a tour of the restored stables and history of some interesting characters who lived in the house. Ms Tobias will also be curating an exhibition on servants in 2027

The Town House is minutes away from the sea, and shops, cafes and restaurants in Western Road

To come: "Death and Mourning", Restoration of the stables, History of Christmas, 2026, "Blessed Servants" exhibition 2027

📅Date for your Diary

The Grange Museum, The Green, Rottingdean, Brighton BN2 7HA

Mrs Beeton and Household Management 

Wednesday 2nd September 1pm

Illustrated talk by Sarah Tobias

Mrs Beeton did a great deal in her short life. She was more than the author of the famous book which was not just a cookery book. It detailed everything a middle-class woman needed to know about managing her household and servants from finances to first-aid. 

Donation of £3 recommended. No booking-first come basis. Numbers are limited. 

Beautiful Grange Gardens cafe adjacent

------------------------------------

🍃 AUTUMN 2026 🍃

HERITAGE  OPEN DOOR SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER  FREE EVENT

               Brighton & Hove Open Door 2026 

           Heritage Open Days (11-20 September 2026) 

England’s largest grass roots heritage festival involving over 40,000 volunteers and 5,000 events. A chance to see hidden places and try new experiences – all FREE    

THE REGENCY TOWN HOUSE

                                  13 BRUNSWICK SQUARE, HOVE, BN3 1EH                                                   
     Brighton and Hove heritage, consrvation, community

Georgian and Victorian Rituals of Death and Mourning

Illustrated talk by Sarah Tobias

In the dining room. 

Tea, coffee, cake & specially baked mourning biscuits available to purchase downstairs in the basement tea room.

Saturday 12 September 11am & 1pm. Each lasting 45 mins.

Event is free but PRE-BOOKING ONLY. Limited seating.

Link to book will appear here later in year

 👀 LOOKING AHEAD 👀

Booking opens soon

 Pelham Street, Brighton

Autumn 2026 

10 weeks Monday 3-5pm (tbc)

The Development of Brighton - Fishing Town to Fashionable Resort

  Spring 2027 

10 weeks Monday 3-5om (tbc) 10 weeks

 A History of Fashion and Society: Elegant Georgians to Rebellious Punks (1700s-2000s)

Summer 2027 

6 weeks Monday 3-5pm (tbc) 

Looking at Victorian Art: Paintings as Social History 

 Link to enrol will appear soon

  Rottingdean Whiteway Centre

Tutor Sarah Tobias -Places are limited. Courses book out early

           

SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER 7 11am-3pm 

Study Day

BOOKING OPEN NOW

Looking at Victorian Art as Social History

The fascinating, colourful Victorian narrative and figurative paintings tell us much more than the main picture and are full of symbolism and meaning, exposing other features hardly noticed: revealing massive social, economic and cultural changes, turmoil and emotions.

We study later Victorian artists who wanted to show domestic scenes and ‘real life’ and were not afraid of painting controversial subjects which might shock the public. Paintings, such as the large William Powell Frith’s Derby Day were so popular when they were shown that a rail was needed to stop the public from getting too close to the pictures and damaging them.

Domestic scenes showed interiors of everyday life which appealed to the public. Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell chose to use fiction to expose social conditions in a way that fired the reader’s interest and enabled them to become aware and to discuss, maybe act. Artists attempted to expose conditions by painting them realistically rather than making the subjects beautiful. Some took a moral stance, and the fallen woman was a popular subject.

Illustrated with masses of Victorian paintings on powerpoint slidehows.

Tea, coffee and biscuits available in kitchen throughout day. Bring a packed lunch.

BOOKING OPEN NOW! Places are limited. £25

https://www.rwc.org.uk/looking_at_victorian_art_paintings_as_social_history 

The Transformation of Mid-Victorian World 1851-1875  

We study rich and poor and their world: their architecture and living conditions - from large country estates and town houses to humble cottages and rookeries of the residuum; their social life, culture and the impact of influential women.

We view architectural styles from the grandest country estate to vernacular dwellings, town, terraces, municipal and public buildings and view the internal workings of the home.  Other course themes include schooling and the work and life of the governess, mechanic’s institutes which provided evening education for workers; the poor, their lack of amenities, deficient nutrition and medical attention and the effect of their appalling living and working conditions. 

We also see how campaigning women made a difference, such as Barbara Bodichon who wrote “Women and Work” which argued that a married women's dependence on her husband was degrading and who founded the “Englishwoman's Review”, a journal run entirely by women for women. 

Illustrated with PowerPoint slideshows.

10 weeks Tuesday 10.30-12.30 Start 22 September 

Link to book will appear here in August

PROBLEMS WITH BLOGGER - ALL FURTHER COURSES WILL APPEAR HERE SOON.

Rottingdean Whiteway Centre:

ART & ACTUALITY Tuesday 3.15-5.15pm Start 22 Sept GORGEOUS GEORGIANS: LIFE IN 18C ENGLAND - Wednesday 11.45-1.45pm Start 23 Sept 23.    Church of the Holy Cross Woodingdean: "NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD"-POST-WAR BRITAIN (1945-1960s) Monday 10.30-12.30 Start 28 September

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sarah Tobias MA, BA Hons, Dip Eur Hum

(Former associate tutor at Sussex University)

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 

****************************************************************************************

Courses -Venue Addresses, transport and refreshments

Brighton Metropolitan College MET (formerly 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:

College canteen. Tea and coffee bar on balcony of Main Building. Vending machine. 

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

London Road and Trafalgar Street: many shops, some banks and supermarkets

Holy Cross Church Hall, Woodingdean

Warren Road, Brighton, BN2 6ND

Transport & Parking:

Car park outside Library and Community Centre over the road, opposite church hall. Bus nos 2, 22, 22A stop nearby.

Refreshments:

Tea-making facilities in hall. Small cafes nearby. Downs Hotel almost next door serves tea, coffee and refreshments at bar and has outside area. 

Further information:

Woodingdean public library over the road. Shops, Co-op, dry cleaners nearby    

Rottingdean Whiteway Centre

Whiteway Lane, Rottingdean, Brighton, BN2 7HB

Transport & Parking:

Very small car park outside, some nearby parking in side streets, car parks on main sea road (few mins walk).  Bus nos 2, 22, 22A stop nearby, Bus nos 12, 12A, 12X, 27C, 47 stop by the White Horse Hotel on the seafront - short walk.

Refreshments:

Tea-making facilities in hall. Small cafes nearby and in Museum tea garden next door during summer.

Further information:

Rottingdean public library and museum next door (opening times vary). Shops and Co-op in the High Street. Post office. Several historic public houses, village pond, windmill (not generally open), Grade II listed 1300s St Margaret's Church, accessible downland and a few minutes from the sea and beach. 

Data Protection: No personal data collected or stored.