ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL- EXCITING EVENTS IN SUSSEX UK - FUN AS WELL AS FACTUAL
DETAILS OF VENUES AT END - SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM OF PAGE.
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ADULT EDUCATION COURSES, WORKSHOPS, TALKS and EVENTS 2017
Autumn 2017
 
BRIGHTON METROPOLITAN COLLEGE (City College)
This historic house, at the end of Preston Park, decorated in Edwardian style and with rooms on four floors, is a delightfully unique and hugely atmospheric setting for studying. The tutor is also a house guide and lecturer.
The Edwardians (1900-1910)
We study the short ‘Golden Age’ before ‘the black pit of war’ (J.B. Priestley’s description) that was to change the idyll of elegant living for the wealthy socialising on a grand scale, but was also a tarnished age for the poor living in slums. We compare domestic, social and cultural life, including how paintings and literature depicted society. Includes house tours above and below stairs.
(Tutor is also a house guide and lecturer)
Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows, books, prints, paintings and texts.
8 weeks Tuesday 1-3pm 10 October 2017 (end 5 Dec) - Ref COM565 Fee A£80 B£56 C£24
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667767/667788
Online: https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-edwardians-1900-1910
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We study themes of population, agriculture, social and domestic life and women’s role in this period which includes Civil War (1642-1651) and Interregnum (1649-1660) when England was in military power under Oliver Cromwell. After the 1688 Glorious Revolution came a time of restoration and rebuilding including Christopher Wren’s St Pauls Cathedral. This interesting, exciting period witnessed foundation of the Bank of England (1694), growth of London, trade and science.
Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows, prints and paintings.
10 weeks Monday 1.30-3.30pm. Start Mon 18 September 2017 (end 27 Nov)
Ref COM142 fee £115 concessions available for those on benefits.
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788
Full
https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-conflict-and-revolution-the-stuart-age-1603-1702
The Novel as Social History: 20C Women Writers
Unique course comprising literature, social and cultural history and book club.
Within the pages of the novel we discover more than a story. We study the social and cultural history by exploring 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.
THIS TERM: 20c women writers include Amber Reeves, E.M Delafield, Elizabeth von Arnim, Nan Shepherd, E.H. Young, Dorothy Whipple, Marghanita Laski, Elizabeth Jane Howard, Elizabeth Jenkins and Barbara Pym. Full reading list available from tutor when you have enrolled and you are expected to participate in group discussion.
5 weeks fortnightly Saturday 11am-2pm starting 23 September (end 18 Nov)
Please note longer session time with no increase of fee
Please note longer session time with no increase of fee
Ref COM076 Fee £60
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788
https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-the-novel-as-social-history-20th-century-women-writers-short-course
OCTOBER:
Varndean College at Holy Cross Church Hall, Woodingdean
Culture and Society Between the Wars 1918-1939
Life changes after the First World War – high living for the wealthy declined with lack of servants, but cultural life took on a particular aspect reflected in architecture, design, fashion, music, literature, cinema and distinctive style of Art Deco and Modernism. Further changes altered everyday living and perceptions, especially how women viewed their role.
Various events had an impact on people’s lives, including the launch of Penguin paperbacks in 1935, which enabled the working-class to purchase books cheaply, thus opening up a whole new world to them; as did cinema-going which reached its height of popularity in the 1930’s.
6 weeks Monday 10.15am-12.15pm start 9 October Tel: 01273 546604
Ref VCPDX433 Fee £60 concessions for Woodingdean residents and those on benefits
A Sussex Christmas: customs, myths and legends of winter in the festive season
Illustrated with powerpoint slidesows, books and documentary.
Saturday 25 November 2017 11am-3pm
Ref COM521 Fee £25
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788
https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-a-sussex-christmas-customs-myths-and-legends-of-winter-in-the-festive-season-1-day-course
Brighton Metropolitan College (City College)at Whitehawk Community Centre
Late Victorian Britain 1875-1902
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.
Wednesday 10 weeks 1-3pm Start 20 September
Fee £75 (£10 MTB/VOL) £30 EBPC
FULL Tel: 01273 682222
DECEMBER:
Surrenden Road, Brighton
(bus no. 5b stops outside)
An Edwardian Christmas
A delightfully nostalgic exploration of Christmas customs and traditions. We study how wealthy Edwardian families enjoyed an elegant festive season packed with many of the traditions we still enjoy today, such as cards, gifts, games, greenery, decorations, tree and roast dinner with delightful desserts followed by games. We compare this with the meagre but special Christmas for the poor and for which families saved to enjoy festive food and tiny treats and toys for the children.
A delightfully nostalgic exploration of Christmas customs and traditions. We study how wealthy Edwardian families enjoyed an elegant festive season packed with many of the traditions we still enjoy today, such as cards, gifts, games, greenery, decorations, tree and roast dinner with delightful desserts followed by games. We compare this with the meagre but special Christmas for the poor and for which families saved to enjoy festive food and tiny treats and toys for the children.
Saturday 2 December 11am-2pm
Ref No: VAARX410 Fee £22 Tel: 01273 546602
Ref No: VAARX410 Fee £22 Tel: 01273 546602
BRIGHTON METROPOLITAN COLLEGE (City College) at PRESTON MANOR
THE EDWARDIANS AT CHRISTMAS
Saturday 9 December 11am-3pm
Seated round the fabulous fireplace of the panelled Macquoid room we go back in time to see how Edwardian families celebrated the festive season and how their servants prepared for it. We look at some of the customs, traditions, food and entertainments.
(Bring a packed lunch to eat in the servant's quarters. Tea & coffee supplied Ref COM568 Fee £25
Enrol: at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788 https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/part-time
Father Christmas will be at Preston Manor and the house decorated in festive style
Saturday & Sunday 16 & 17, Wednesday-Saturday 20-23 December 10am-4.30pm
Pre-booked timeslots only.
This year's attractions include Hunt the Mouse trail and The History of Christmas - short guided tours around the Manor rooms by costumed guide.
SPRING 2018
JANUARY:
We study morals, manners, fashions and foibles of the period and contrast culture, industry, the Enlightenment and literature with a world of gambling, vice, drunkenness, thieves and rascals - of all classes. We discuss innovations and changes leading up to modernization, including advances in agriculture, new styles of architecture, gardens, grounds and public buildings, and look at social and domestic life. A fascinating period which includes flight and computers.
Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows, books, prints, paintings and texts.
Monday 10 weeks 1.30-3.30pm start 15 January
Ref COM265 Fee £115 concessions available for those on benefits
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788
https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-eighteenth-century-england-from-anne-to-george-ii-1702-1760-short-course
Making Waves: the development of Brighton – a unique resort
We study Brighton’s history, discussing possible explanations for its rise in popularity, fame, infamy, and unique development; considering why a poor fishing town should have developed into something more than just a seaside resort. We focus on aspects that have made Brighton an unusual resort, including its ‘racy’ image and interwar razor gangs. Other topics include poverty and slum housing and how rapid expansion causes problems as well as prosperity.
Illustrated with maps, powerpoint slideshows, prints, paintings and texts.
Tuesday 10 weeks 7-9pm start 16 January
Ref COM451 Fee £115 concessions available for those on benefits
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788
https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-making-waves-the-development-of-brighton-a-unique-resort-short-course
SPRING Saturday course:
Female Novelists
Unique course comprising social and cultural history and book club
Within the pages of the novel we discover more than a story. We study the social and cultural history by exploring 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 everyday life.
THIS TERM: novelists include Nevil Shute and Monica Dickens. Full reading list available from tutor and you are expected to participate in group discussion.
5 Fortnightly Saturdays 11am-2pm start 13 January
Ref COM174 Fee £60
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton. Tel: 01273 667788
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton. Tel: 01273 667788
https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-the-novel-as-social-history-comparing-20th-century-male-and-female-novelists-short-course
BRIGHTON METROPOLITAN COLLEGE (City College)
AT PRESTON MANOR – Unique venue
This historic house, at the end of Preston Park, decorated in Edwardian style and with rooms on four floors, is a delightfully unique and hugely atmospheric setting for studying. The tutor is also a house guide and lecturer.
We study social conditions, domestic and working life for all classes in town and country; the arts, literature, fashion, travel, leisure, holidays and early cinema. The summer season’s giddy whirl for women of fashion was in sharp contrast to poor wives and mothers trying to keep a decent home and the family fed. Includes house tours.
Ref COM569 Fee
(A) £96, (B) £67, (C) £29
Varndean College at Holy Cross Church Hall, Woodingdean
(Buses stop outside)
The Inter-war Years: Twenties and Thirties Britain (1920-1940)
Social life took on a new aspect and the culture of “Live for today”. Women bobbed their hair, used cosmetics and danced in their new short dresses. In Brighton there were notorious razor gangs, but the 'thirties saw a new prosperity for residents and increase in day trippers. 1930s saw decline, much poverty, slums and lack of food and work. However, cinema-going was extremely popular and influenced people’s lives in many ways.
Monday 10.15am-12.15pm 6 weeks starting 29 January (fin 12 March)
Fee £60 concessions £20/20 Tel: 01273 546604
FEBRUARY
SPRING Single Saturdays at Brighton Metropolitan (City College), Pelham Street:
Victorian Rituals of Death and Mourning
Death and mourning were part of everyday life in Victorian England. Death played an intricate and symbolic role. Mourning was filled with ritual and lasted a long time - two years for a widow - and spawned much industry in the way of clothing, jewellery, teapots, stationery and everything associated with undertaking.
Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows – plus a rare opportunity to view short b&w film “Dido’s Lament: Victorian Rituals of Death and Mourning”, screened 2014.
Saturday 03 February 11am-3pm Ref COM523 Fee £25
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788
https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-victorian-rituals-of-death-and-mourning-1-day-course
MARCH:
Space, Light & Speed: Art Deco and Modernism 1918-1939
The Decorative Movement, Modernism or ‘moderne’, later described as ‘Art Deco’ was based on classical and other influences, including Egyptian - after the 1922 opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb. The distinctive iconic style of space, light and speed, utilised modern technology and innovations such as plastic, chrome, aluminium and electricity. Smooth lines and geometric patterns featured on architecture, advertising, fashion, jewellery, furniture, glass, ceramics, lighting, metalware, technology and cinema.
Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows, books and paintings. and texts.
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788
https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-space-light-speed-art-deco-and-modernism-1918-1939-1-day-course
Surrenden Road, Brighton
(bus no. 5b stops outside)
"Beautiful and Useful" - Victorian Arts & Crafts
A reaction to mass production, the Arts and Crafts Movement was a group of craftsmen, artists, designers and architects who aimed to raise the status of the applied arts (useful) to that of the fine arts (aesthetically significant). It was largely inspired by William Morris, whose firm produced hand-made textiles, books, wallpapers and furniture. The idea was to return to the use of natural materials and make individual items. The style was full of colour, as were the paintings - mainly narrative, full of symbolic meanings, especially the Pre-Raphaelites.
Lots of fabulous illustrations.
Saturday 3 March 11am-2pm Ref no: VAARY556 Fee £22
Saturday 3 March 11am-2pm Ref no: VAARY556 Fee £22
R SUMMER 2018 R
APRIL:
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| Tourists on the Grand Tour |
This was a time of enlightenment, literature, the Grand Tour, scientific experiment observance of nature and the arts. Great advances were being made, Industrial Revolution was under way and there were many innovators, inventors and original thinkers who helped mould the period. We look at manufacturing, commerce, trade, shopping and banking, as well as trade in slaves, sugar, tea and tobacco and domestic and social life.
Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows, books, prints, paintings and texts.
Monday 5 weeks 1.30-3.30pm start 16 April
Ref COM091 Fee £60
Enrol: Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788
https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-innovation-and-experiment-georgian-england-1760-1800-short-course
From Page to Screen: the film of the novel
We study novels and films and view movie clips, followed by analysis and comparison, discussing alterations filmmakers made to screenplays, often changing storylines or removing characters from novels on which they were based and glamorising the whole. E.g. Hitchcock’s film ‘Young and Innocent’, completely differed from the novel ‘A Shilling for Candles’ by Josephine Tey on which it was based.
Illustrated with film clips and books.
A list of the novels is available from tutor.
A list of the novels is available from tutor.
Tuesday 5 weeks 7-9pm start 17 April
Ref COM452 Fee £60
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788
https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-from-page-to-screen-the-film-of-the-novel-short-course
Summer 2018 Saturday courses
Summer 2018 Saturday courses
Unique course comprising literature and social and cultural history.
Books for summer reading - recommendations, discussion, background social history... and novels to read before class. If you like books, literature and social history – this is for you! A different, unusual, exciting way of reading and learning in a friendly, relaxed group. We also view extracts of two of the novels that were made into films.
A reading list is available from the tutor and you will be expected to participate in group discussion.
Saturday 28 April 10am-4pm
Ref COM449 Fee £25
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788
MAY:
Summer in the City: exploring Brighton’s unique history
2 classroom sessions & 3 Brighton field trips
We study the fascinating history of Brighton in two classroom sessions giving a brief historical overview and looking at early maps. This will be followed by three field trips, getting to know our unique city, discovering lots of hidden gems and understanding how Brighton evolved from a small Georgian fishing town to the vibrant seaside resort of today.
Be prepared to walk on each field trip for almost two hours, to wear suitable clothing for all weather and to bring water if it is hot.
11am-1pm start 12 May (end 9 June)
Ref COM081 Fee £60
Enrol at Student Centre, Pelham Street, Brighton, Tel: 01273 667788
https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/brighton/study-at-the-met/courses/history-exploring-brightons-rich-history-short-course
For students 18-24 years from non-UK countries
COOL BRITANNIA: HOW FASHION SHAPED BRITISH CULTURE
(1800-2018)
Session 2: 4 weeks 23 July-16 August
Field trips include: Brighton Museum Fashion Gallery, V&A Fashion Galleries, National Portrait Gallery, Museum of London
Tutor Sarah Tobias
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/iss/modules/directory/2016/63449
(2017 fee £1,558 for 15 credit module plus housing £158 per week & field trips fee £65)
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
Brighton Metroplitan 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:
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
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
Varndean College
Surrenden Road, Brighton, BN1 6WQ
Transport & Parking:
Car park, bus no. 5b stops outside
Refreshments:
Vending machine for cold drinks
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 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
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
Chalet restaurant in park and public houses opposite
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In Very Loving Memory
 2016 
2015 2013
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