ENTERTAINING & EDUCATIONAL EVENTS IN SUSSEX, UK.   FUN AS WELL AS FACTUAL.   KEEP CHECKING THIS SITE FOR REGULAR UPDATES.   Check venues, fees, dates before booking - accurate as possible, but may change, be postponed or cancelled.

2023-24 COURSES AND EVENTS 

IF YOU HAVE COVID, (NEW STRAINS NOW), 'FLU, COUGH, COLD OR FEEL UNWELL PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND.

     SEASON'S GREETINGS

   CHRISTMAS

TOMORROW

Hop50 Cafe

Palmeira Square, Hove BN3 2FL (in the old church)

Talk

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MERRIMENT

Thursday 30 November 2-3pm

A jolly hour of festive fun to get you in the mood for Christmas! You'll find out how customs came about: the first Christmas card, the tree, hanging up the stocking, pudding, cake, crackers, gifts and garlands. Plus a few lively readings.

Speaker Sarah Tobias

FREE (donation) No booking needed – just turn up (limited seating - get there early to secure a seat)!

Hop50cafe is a safe community space and cafe - enjoy lunch, a snack or tea/coffee before the talk

https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/adult-social-care-hub/health-and-adult-social-care-directory/hop-50

                          ZOOM:

The Regency Cook, food historian Paul Couchman and social and cultural historian Sarah Tobias will be repeating their informative and entertaining courses including:

HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS, FEASTING AND FOOD

Fascinating history and food from Pagan to 20th century. Sarah Tobias tells you the fascinating history of Christmas and Paul Couchman, The Regency Cook, shows you the fabulous feasts and everyday food associated with it.

Recipes will be available - you can follow along with Paul as he demonstrates for you live. An ingredient list and all recipes will be provided before the course.

Great fun as well as highly informative - and to get you in a festive mood.

3 weeks, Thursday 7, 14, 21 December 7-8pm

Enrol via eventbrite:  https://bit.ly/HistoryXmas3weeks

Fee: £40 Earlybird until 19 November and £50 thereafter

 ! Celebrate Christmas !

Fabulous Customs and Traditions of the  Winter and Festive Season 

The first Christmas tree - Queen Victoria,
Prince Albert and children

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

2024

  There may be problems currently with online enrolment and phone & e-mail unavailable so best to enrol in person at the college or please contact me and I can assist. SARAH.TOBIAS@gbmc.ac.uk

MET history courses are here: (new site tba)

          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.  

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.

THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. FULLER DETAILS WITH LINKS WILL APPEAR SOON.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024

ZOOM:

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

JOIN US FOR TWELFTH NIGHT CELEBRATIONS!

Food historian Paul Couchman and social historian Sarah Tobias invite you to

TWELFTH NIGHT REVELRY, FUN AND FOOD

Sarah will explain how Twelfth Night was celebrated, including games,

and Paul will demonstrate some dishes from the period.

Ingredients and recipes will be sent to you after the event which will be  recorded so you can watch at your leisure.

5 January 2024 7-8pm (very popular 2023)

Early Bird discount until 1 Dec £15.50, £20.50 thereafter

Enrol via eventbrite:  https://bit.ly/TwelfthNight2024

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 November 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!  

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

Ref MACL011D1A  11am-1.30pm  Fee £91. Places are limited.    

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/the-novel-as-social-history-rebellion/

*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 

Concessions for those on benefits

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

Elegance and Enlightenment: English Society in the Eighteenth Century

We study an age of elegant living – and not so elegant living in countryside and town. This was a time of enlightenment, the arts, culture, literature, the Grand Tour, scientific experiment, observance of nature and new ideas. 

Science, anatomy and the study of the human form were of great interest. There were many innovators, inventors and original thinkers spawned in this era, including the Lunar Society; and we see the Industrial Revolution and all that it inspired, including the use of mass-produced goods, textiles, machinery and technology.  

This was also the age of travel with improvements to roads and carriages which led to coaching inns. The era saw the beginnings of consumerism and shopping and was a period of ideas and advancement in every form and the beginnings of our modern society. 

Tuesday 10 weeks 10.30am-12.30pm Start 16 January 2024

Enrol: https://www.rwc.org.uk/18thcent

FULLY BOOKED

 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)

Late Victorian and Edwardian England 1880-1914

Much innovation at the end of the Victorian period included the motor car. The short ‘Golden Age’ of the Edwardians sees changes to the idyll of elegant, wealthy life, but not to the great poverty of the working class. We view new ideas in the arts, architecture, literature, fashion, leisure, the home and era of Art Nouveau. Illustrated with colourful powerpoint slideshows.

8 weeks Monday  10am-12noon. Start 22 January

Code: XY671 Fee £38 Very generous concessions available for over 65s and those on benefits

Enrol by phone 01273 546604

SUMMER 2024 Starting week of 22 April 

Enrolment opens November 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 12 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

Concessons for those on benefits  

ZOOM:

Food and Fun!

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 7-8pm - event finished but available on video - contact Paul*

HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS, FEASTING AND FOOD

Fascinating history and food from Medieval to 20c 

Thursday  7, 14, 21 December 7-8pm

TWELFTH NIGHT REVELRY, FUN AND FOOD

5 January 2024 7-8pm (very popular 2023)

LOVE AND LOATHING : AN ALTERNATIVE ST VALENTINE'S

14 February 2024 7-8pm

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. Date TBA

TAKING TEA ON A SUMMER AFTERNOON

Mar/April/June date 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

****

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

 LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!  

COURSES CURRENTLY RUNNING - finishing soon:

 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. 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 

. 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 tiimes and into contemporary life, looking at particular aspects that have made the  town an unusual and unique resort, including its ‘racy’ image. Course is illustrated with slides, video, historic maps, local guide book extracts and prints.

Ref CL0848-1C Tuesday 6.30-8.30pm 10 weeks starting 19 September  Fee £152

. 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. 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.            

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

 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.

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

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) 

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.  Illustrated with PowerPoint slideshows,                  Ref CL0418-1C Wednesday 1-3pm 9 weeks starting 20 September Fee £68  

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!  Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows. 

FULLY BOOKED 

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

 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.

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

Code: X619 Fee £38 Concessions available for over 65s and those on benefits £14

Enrol by phone 01273 546604

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

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

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