ENTERTAINING & EDUCATIONAL EVENTS IN SUSSEX FUN AS WELL AS FACTUAL        

       KEEP VISITING THIS SITE FOR REGULAR UPDATES -DETAILS OF VENUES BOTTOM OF PAGE         Check venues, fees, dates before booking - accurate as possible, but may change, be postponed or cancelled.

2023-24 COURSES AND EVENTS 

START NEXT WEEK FROM MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

   LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!       

PLACES FILLING FAST (SOME ALREADY FULL)  - SCROLL DOWN

If you have covid (new strains now), flu, cold, cough, feel unwell, please do not attend.

FREE EVENTS

HERITAGE  OPEN DOOR SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER  FREE EVENT

               Brighton & Hove Open Door 2023   

           Heritage Open Days (8-19 September 2023) 

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 of which are FREE     
           

Sarah Tobias will be guiding her famous 

THE GRAND CEMETERY TOUR

Woodvale and Extra-Mural Cemeteries

Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 3QB 

Guided tour

Much more than gravestones...

Beautiful, grounds, full of trees and winding pathways; monuments, statues, symbolism and chapels as well as the grave in a glade of Thomas Highflyer the rescued 12 year old slave boy.

Saturday 9 September 11am -1pm £Free. Pre-booking only. Limited to 30 places  FULLY BOOKED - Waiting List  THIS EVENT HAS TAKEN PLACE.

Annual Ageing Well Festival Brighton & Hove runs from 29 September - 13th October 2023

Lots of free or low cost events https://ageingwellfestival.org/ for people over 50

Free illustrated single class by Sarah Tobias 

The Development of Brighton; A unique resort.

Special features of Brighton’s unique development - from early life on the downs to vibrant twentieth century. We view how a small, poor fishing town emerged into a fashionable resort. Includes brief history of Woodingdean and Rottingdean.

Church of the Holy Cross Church Hall, Downsway Woodingdean (Brighton), BN2 6BD

Monday 2 October 10am-12pm  Places will be limited, early booking essential

Fully booked  - Waiting List

   MET history courses are here: https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/history-part-time-brighton            Tel 01273 667704 Admissions: admissions@gbmc.ac.uk 

No homework required and classes are relaxed and fun as well as informative. 

                                       All other courses and events here on this blog.                              

MET courses taught at Pelham Street Brighton BN1 4FA -  unless otherwise stated.  There may be problems with online enrolment and phone & e-mail overburdened so no replies - if this is the case, please contact me. SARAH.TOBIAS@gbmc.ac.uk

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 about this, please do not enrol.

 The Victorians and How They Lived (1850-1902)   

This was a time of great change and progress, particularly toward the end of the century; leading into new ways of thought, progressive ideas and action, energy, optimism and innovation.  Our study includes men and women, but focuses particularly on the latter.

The Victorian age was a time of contrasts and contradictions. On the one hand, piety, prudery, stiffness and hypocrisy; on the other, free thinking, high living immorality. In-between was the ordinary, hard-working, fun-loving Victorian who wanted to enjoy all that was on offer in this fast-moving world. Leisure was enlivened in museum, cinema and theatre. Playwright Oscar Wilde’s life was as fascinating as his comedies., although his life was not.

Samuel Smiles promoted “self-help” and believed that all men and women were personally responsible for their own success or failure. Some of the successful people we study include photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, who is considered one of the most important portraitists of the 19th century, and look back at mathematician Ada Lovelace who designed computer language long before the first computer she helped to invent.  

Work, domestic life, technology, home life, leisure and the arts are iIlustrated with powerpoint slideshows and video clips.

  Ref CL0029-1C Monday 1.30-3.30pm 10 weeks starting 18 September Fee £152

                 https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/victorians-how-they-lived-brighton-metleisure               

 The Development of Brighton - from fishing town to fashionable resort 

Special features of Brighton’s unique development - from early life on the downs to vibrant twentieth century. We view how a small, poor fishing town emerged into a fashionable resort.

 We discuss Brighton’s history from early times to Georgian and into contemporary life, looking at particular aspects that have made the town an unusual and unique resort, including its ‘racy’ image, and emergence into modern society.  

We study the town’s social life, poverty and slum housing, and how rapid expansion causes problems as well as prosperity.  We will also consider the situation of Brighton – quite a large town, but just sea one way and  Downs on the other.

Brighton has a rich architectural heritage which we  explore, and see how buildings such as theatres, dance halls and skating rinks helped to mould its image; as well as the many shops, factories and  industries. Cultural life in Brighton has always featured highly, from music hall, to racing and cinema-going. Wartime impacted highly on a town renowned for entertainment and accommodating many visitors looking to enjoy the piers, palace and bracing sea air.

Course is illustrated with slides, video, historic maps, local guide book extracts and prints.

Ref CL0848-1C Tuesday 6.30-8.30pm 10 weeks start 19 September  Fee £152 Few places remaining

https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/history-development-brighton-fishing-fashionable-resort-met-leisure

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         Fit for a King (or Queen): 1000 Years of Coronations, Ceremony and Feasting 

Hugely fascinating, spectacular rituals and procedures performed at grand occasions and the food that was eaten over 1,000 years of history. Of particular interest during the coronation year of King Charles III.

Spectacular rituals, observances, and procedures performed at grand and formal occasions and the food eaten at grand banquets. 

A British coronation is an historic and religiously significant event filled with glorious pomp and ceremony, special robes and important items; all symbolic and hardly changed over 1,000 years. 

Some of these enthronements were hugely expensive, such as those of Charles I and George IV, but a few were more restrained, such as that of William IV who did not want a ceremony at all.

We view the hugely fascinating, curious customs, long-held and complex traditions, lavish robes, resplendent regalia, glorious guests, dazzling jewels, and magnificent feasts of ages past to the present day. 

Illustrated with many captivating PowerPoint slides.

Ref CL0664-1C 11am-1pm Saturday 23 September  Fee £17

https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/history-fit-for-a-king-or-queen-1000-years-of-coronation-ceremony-and-feasting-brighton-met-parent 

Tea Leaf to Tea Bag: A history of tea, consumption and ritual 

“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 in 2737 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.

Ref CL0668-1C 1.30-3.30pm Saturday 23 September Fee £17

https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/history-tea-leaf-tea-bag-consumption-ritual-brighton-met-parent

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 The Novel as Social History- Occupations: work, working conditions and social impact

Unique course comprising literature, social and cultural history, book club – and lively discussion!  Within the pages of the novel we discover more than a story - enthralling  ‘other’ information about people, relationships, class and place.

We study the social and cultural history of the novel 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 

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.

There are two books to read each fortnight and make notes, and you are expected to participate in group discussion in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This term’s novels include: “The Three Clerks” by Anthony Trollope (1857), “The Romance of a Shop” by Amy Levy (1888),  “High Wages” by Dorothy Whipple (1930, set 1912-1920s), “Mr Ma and Son” by Lao She (1929),  “Love on the Dole” by Walter Greenwood (1933) “The Bachelors” by Muriel Spark (1969, set 1950s),  Request full reading list from tutor well in advance of the course. Details on college website:             

Fortnightly Saturdays: 30 September, 14 October, 4 & 18 November, 2 December

 Ref CL0026-1C 11am-1pm Fee £73 < one place remaining  Ref CL0749-1C 1.30-3.30pm Fee £73

Places limited to 10 per session, so early booking essential 

N.B. Some novels contain outdated language, attitudes and cultural depictions which cause offence today. They have to be read and viewed from an historic perspective. When discussing the content these views are not those of the tutor. Please do not enrol if you will feel uncomfortable with this.

  https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/the-novel-as-social-history-brighton-met 

MET at The Church of the Holy Cross Church Hall, Downsway, Woodingdean, Brighton, BN2 6BD

Buses 2 & 22 stop outside. Small car park adjacent, Library car park over road or sidestreets

Turbulence, Change and Reform: Early Victorian Britain (1837-1850) 

Social and cultural history during the early Victorian era, which was a time of change and development leading to reforms. It was also experiencing the effects of the Industrial Revolution. 

We study all aspects of society including, agricultural and urban developments, manufacturing and shops, industry and the arts, wealth and poverty, architecture and art, new class structure and working conditions, as well as the lives of some of the people and characters that made up the social and cultural orb  of early Victorian life.

The family was central to peaceful harmony and the new middle-class norm was for separate spheres:  women in the domestic sphere focusing on husband, family care and “good works”, while men were to be in the public sphere, including politics and commerce. 

We consider how children were educated and trained for various occupations and trades, as well as studying conditions and new occupations, which led to changing trends in the home, style of living and dining. We also look at different roles of servants and housekeeping.

               Illustrated with PowerPoint slideshows,                  

Ref CL0418-1C Wednesday 1-3pm 9 weeks starting 20 September Fee £68  

Free for those on benefits Only few places remaining

https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/turbulence-change-reform-victorian-britain-history-brighton-met

ROTTINGDEAN WHITEWAY CENTRE,

Whiteway Lane, Rottingdean (Brighton) BN2 7HB

Nearby car park on seafront road. Buses stop on seafront outside White Horse Inn, and no. 2 in the High Street. Next to Grange Museum and tea garden

Gorgeous Georgians: Life in 18th Century England  

We study the elegant magnificence of the buildings and stunningly lavish life of a small handful of society, contrasted with the devastatingly poor members of the lower class who lived in abject poverty, and the grim goings-on of the underworld of pickpockets, prostitutes, thieves, gamblers and gin-drinkers - of all classes!

Not only a time of intrigue, debt and excess but also many interesting and colourful personalities - men and women who wrote, painted, sculpted, made beautiful gold, silver, glass or pottery; dressed in the extremes of fashion, were witty or worthless, talented and intellectual, but never dull. A hugely fascinating period.

Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows. 

FULLY BOOKED 

10 weeks Tuesday 10.30-12.30 Start Tuesday 19 September 2023 Fee £90

https://www.rwc.org.uk/new-a_world_of_change_post-war_britain_1945-1965

 Varndean College at The Church of the Holy Cross Hall,  Downsway, Woodingdean (Brighton) BN2 6BD 

(Buses 2, 2A, 22, 22A stop outside, small adjacent car park, Library car park across road, sidestreets)

Power and Growth: Late Victorian Britain (1880-1900)

We study work, domestic life, architecture, technology, leisure, the arts and painting, as well

as advances in medicine, such as anaesthesia which changed surgical treatments, allowing more people to survive after an operation, and the surprisingly innovative treatment in asylums. We see how hospitals and prisons functioned, and take a look at how a Victorian Christmas was spent.

Illustrated with colourful powerpoint slideshows.

7 weeks Monday  10am-12noon. Start 9th October

Code: X619 Fee £78 Concessions available for over 65s and those on benefits

Enrol by phone 01273 546604

 An exciting and unusual event! - Study day at the West Pier Centre 

(Lower prom by sea, opposite West Pier ruins) 

"Really enjoyable, thanks for a lovely day" - same event 12 July 2022

"Thank you so much for a delightful day; I really enjoyed it"  11 April 2023

"I found it very interesting and learnt a lot"  11 April 2023 

             Patrick Hamilton’s “The West Pier” 

.We study social, cultural, local and West Pier history, characters and events within Patrick Hamilton’s novel set in 1920s Brighton.

Morning session is followed by a short seafront tour.  After lunch there is an illustrated powerpoint slideshow showing the history of Brighton and its people in the 1920s, life on the seafront  and history of the West Pier.

You'll be greeted with tea, coffee or cold drink and biscuits. Bring a packed lunch to eat on beach or forecourt. Many nearby cafes. 

                                Please read the short novel before the session.

                               Lecturer and guide Sarah Tobias is also ex-West Pier tour guide 

                    Tuesday 24 October (half-term 2023)  11am-3pm 

                            Places are limited to twelve Fee £28 (+ booking fee, £29.76) 

Book via eventbrite : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/study-day-patrick-hamiltons-the-west-pier-tickets-667143613507

From the comfort of your armchair - or hidden behind it:

The Regency Cook Paul Couchman and History Lecturer and performer Sarah Tobias

present online via zoom:

                   THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT: A HALLOWEEN HAPPENING

    The history of Halloween, spooky poetry and readings and frightening food

You will discover the origins of Samhain (Halloween) the darker part of the year, when the veil of life and death is at its thinnest; hear amusing poetry and discover food for All Hallows Eve which you can also make – ingredients and recipes will be available.

A fun and terrifying evening - if you dare!

Tuesday 31 October 7-8.15pm Eventbrite link will appear here. 

 !Celebrate Christmas! Fabulous Customs and Traditions of the           Winter and Festive Season 

A feast of festive fun for those interested  in the fascinating customs, traditions, myths and legends surrounding Christmas and winter, including the Christmas tree, plum pudding, crackers and cards. You will find lots of entertaining information from this one-day session taught in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere - to get you in the mood for Christmas! 

We study early origins, winter solstice and pagan rituals of Roman times, as well as the symbolism of evergreens and cereals, such as holly, ivy, mistletoe, rosemary, wheat, fir and bay, and significance of fire and flame. We discover who Saint Nicholas was and the origins of Father Christmas and Santa Claus, and find out how traditions came about, such as why sixpence is put into the pudding, the reason candles are lit, why children put up a stocking, and why plum pudding is eaten at Christmas.   

We follow the entertainments and customs of Tudor & Elizabethan Christmases when festivities were on a Grand Scale. Georgian Christmases were much quieter and more sedate, although there were also balls and parties. We see how the Victorians and Dickens ‘invented’ the commercial Christmas; look at it in all its glory and discuss its confections, cards, crackers, decorations and games. Finally, a look at Twentieth century Christmas celebrations and how the Festive season was spent from the early century through to the Fifties

Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows.  

Ref CL0665-1C/MACL118D1A 11am-3pm Wednesday 13 December Fee £31

https://www.gbmc.ac.uk/history-customs-myths-and-legends-of-winter-in-the-festive-season-brighton-metleisure

ZOOM:

The Regency Cook, food historian Paul Couchman and social and cultural historian Sarah Tobias will be repeating their intformative and entertaining courses.

HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS, FEASTING AND FOOD

Fascinating history and food from Medieval to 20c

Wednesday 22, 29 November, 6, 13 December

2024

ZOOM:

The Regency Cook, food historian Paul Couchman and social and cultural historian Sarah Tobias will be repeating their intformative and entertaining courses.

TWELFTH NIGHT REVELRY, FUN AND FOOD

5 January 2024 7-.8.15pm (very popular 2023)

LOVE AND LOATHING : AN ALTERNATIVE ST VALENTINE'S

14 January 2024

MET courses, Pelham Street Brighton - Further details to follow soon

 SPRING 2024 

Booking opens September 2023

 In the Shadow of the Century: The Edwardians: (1900-1914)

Ref MACL028D1A Monday 10 weeks 1.30-3.30pm 10 weeks start 15 January Fee £152

 Fashion History from the 18th to 20th Centuries: how it defined and shaped society, style and culture

Ref: MACL045D1A Tuesday 10 weeks 3-5pm start 16 January Fee £152

The Novel as Social History: Rebellion!  

Fortnightly Saturdays Sat 20 January, 03 & 24 February, 09 & 23 March

Ref MACL011D1A  11am-1pm  Fee £73  /  Ref MACL074D1A  1.3-3.30pm  Fee £73.   Places limited to 10 per session, so early booking recommended 

*Request reading list from tutor well in advance of start of course*

 Looking at Victorian Art as Social History: Narrative painting and its impact

Ref MACL065D1A Saturday 16 March 11am-3pm Fee £31

MET at The Church of the Holy Cross Church Hall, Downsway, Woodingdean, Brighton, BN2 6BD

The Great Exhibition and Mid-Victorian Britain (1851-1870)

Ref MACL058D1A  Wednesday 9 weeks 1.30-3.30pm start 17 January Fee £68 

Free for those on benefits 

SUMMER 2024 Starting week of 22 April 

Enrolment opens September 2023

 The Golden Summer of the Edwardians (1902-1914)

Ref MACL009D1A Monday 1.30-3.30pm 6 weeks start 22 April Fee £82 

 Art Deco and Modernism: Iconic culture in the inter-war years (1918-1939)

Ref MACL001E1A  Monday 6.30-8.30pm 8 weeks start 22 April Fee £132 

 Summer in the City: Exploring Brighton’s Unique History

Ref MACL008D1A  Saturday 11am-1pm 6 weeks start 27 April £82 

(3 classroom sessions and 3 Brighton field trips)

 The Novel as Social History: Books for Summer Reading

Ref MACL144D1A  Saturday 8 June 11am-3pm £31  Places are limited to 10 so early booking advised

MET at The Church of the Holy Cross Church Hall, Downsway, Woodingdean, Brighton, BN2 6BD

 Mid-Victorian Life and Leisure (1850-1870)

Ref MACL067D1A  Wednesday 1-3pm 9 weeks start 24 April Fee £68  

Free for those on benefits

ZOOM:

The Regency Cook, food historian Paul Couchman and social and cultural historian Sarah Tobias will be repeating their intformative and entertaining courses.

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT: A HALLOWEEN HAPPENING

Tuesday 31 October 7-8.15pm

HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS, FEASTING AND FOOD

Fascinating history and food from Medieval to 20c 

Wednesday 22, 29 November, 6, 13 December

TWELFTH NIGHT REVELRY, FUN AND FOOD

5 January 2024 7-.8.15pm (very popular 2023)

LOVE AND LOATHING : AN ALTERNATIVE ST VALENTINE'S

14 February 2024

FEEDING THE POOR AND FEASTING WITH THE WEALTHY

Social history and historic food showing how the poor ate humbly in comparison to the lavish banquets and dinner parties of the wealthy

TAKING TEA ON A SUMMER AFTERNOON

Mar/April/June dates TBA (very popular 2023)

Further details and links will appear soon later in year - declare an interest/reserve a place:

paul.g.couchman@gmail.com

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Study Days at the West Pier Centre, Lower Prom Arches 2024

Study the novels, characters and inter-war social and Brighton history in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, right by the beach and sea

Comments from Patrick Hamilton's West Pier Study Day

"Really enjoyable, thanks for a lovely day" - 12 July 2022

"Thank you so much for a delightful day; I really enjoyed it" 11 April 2023

"I found it very interesting and learnt a lot"  11 April 2023 

 

Spring/Summer dates to be announced. Please contact me if you are interested

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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 

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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. 

 

The West Pier Centre
103-105 King's Road Arches, Brighton, BN1 2FN 

Transport & Parking:

Nearby car parks - Regency Square. Buses stop in Western Road and walk down.  

Refreshments:

Wine or cool drink provided  

Situated on the lower prom and seafront. Various shops and lots of cafes and restaurants. Hotels on upper level over the road. Western Road and popular streets of Brighton with many shops and cafes are 10-20 minutes walk

Data Protection: No personal data collected or stored.