ENTERTAINING & EDUCATIONAL CLASSES, COURSES AND EVENTS IN SUSSEX, UK.   

FUN AS WELL AS FACTUAL - NO HOMEWORK!   

KEEP CHECKING THIS SITE FOR REGULAR UPDATES.   

Check venues, fees, dates before booking - accurate as possible, but may change, be postponed or cancelled. 

  FESTIVE GREETINGS

            

2024

🎉HAPPY NEW YEAR🎉

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 February 2024

MET courses taught at Pelham Street Brighton BN1 4FA -  unless otherwise stated.

  There may be problems currently with enrolment. It's best to enrol in person at the college or please contact me and I can assist. SARAH.TOBIAS@gbmc.ac.uk

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

MET COLLEGE CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK. REOPENS 3 JANUARY 2024

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

            All other courses and events here on this blog.    

N.B. History courses may contain outdated attitudes, cultural depictions and language which cause offence today.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.

! IF YOU HAVE COVID, 'FLU, COUGH, COLD, FEEL UNWELL, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND !

 SPRING 2024 

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

The short ‘Golden Age’ before ‘the black pit of war’ (as J.B. Priestley described it) that was to change the idyll of elegant living for the wealthy socialising on a grand scale. We compare the huge class divide from inherited upper class wealth to middle class new money and the great poverty of the working class.

We study social conditions, domestic and working life for all classes in town and country, and view new ideas in the arts, architecture, literature, fashion,  leisure and in the home.  Organic Art Nouveau’s sensual style was in vogue with its asymmetrical and fanciful appearance.

We consider the influence of early cinema and the effect of the railway: ‘Metroland’ and the move to the suburbs which advanced the Garden City Movement. Finally, we celebrate an Edwardian Christmas.

Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows, books, prints, paintings and texts.

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

Fee £152 Half price concession for those on benefit

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/in-the-shadow-of-the-century-the-edwardians-1900-1914/

The Novel as Social History: Rebellion!  

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.  

This term’s theme is about characters who rebelled, protested or resisted 1850s-1950s.

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:  “Ruth” by Elizabeth Gaskell, (1853), “The History of Mr Polly by H. G. Wells (1910), “Crewe Train” by Rose Macaulay (1926)”, “East Wind, West Wind“ by Pearl S Buck (1930). Request full reading list of 10 books from tutor well in advance of the course: SARAH.TOBIAS@gbmc.ac.uk

  

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

Ref MACL011D1A  11am-1.30pm  

Fee £91. Places are limited. -THREE ONLY REMAINING

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

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. If you feel you may be uncomfortable please do not enrol.

 Looking at Victorian Art as Social History: Narrative painting and its impact
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 or fanciful. Some took a moral stance, and the fallen woman was a popular subject.      

Course is illustrated with masses of Victorian paintings on powerpoint slidehows. 

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

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/looking-at-victorian-art-as-social-history-narrative-painting-and-its-impact/

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

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

The Victorian era saw many changes in all aspects of daily life including merchandising and consumerism - partly due to the Great Exhibition; effects of the Industrial Revolution, the opening of the London Underground, philanthropy and feminism.  

We study the later effects of the Industrial Revolution and its consequences and how the 1851 Great Exhibition showcased manufacturing and invention, helping to bring about a rise in commercial enterprise and consumerism.    

                                                                                                                                                      This was a time of philanthropy and feminism with great women such as Florence Nightingale and her use of statistics; and the tireless work of social reformers such as Josephine Butler, who fought to bring about the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act, and Caroline Norton’s huge input for the Married Women’s Property Act, despite her husband’s abuse.

We shall examine life at home and work, poverty, living conditions and sanitary reforms, as well as improvement in travel due to the Underground, and the colourful world of the Pre-Raphaelite painters and the Arts and Crafts Movement.

Illustrated with images, powerpoint slideshows and film.

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

Fee £68 Concessions - half-price for those on benefits

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/the-great-exhibition-and-mid-victorian-britain-1851-1870/

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  FULL

 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: 23CHGY671 

Fee £64 Very generous concessions for over 65s/those on benefits- £16!

https://varndean.ac.uk/courses/adult/263/ Enrol by phone 01273 546604

SUMMER 2024 Starting week of 22 April 

 The Golden Summer of the Edwardians (1902-1914)

Edwardians ‘saw themselves at the beginning of a new century of promise’ (A.J. Taylor). The wealthy were extremely rich and the working-class were beginning to voice concerns. This was a time of struggle for women’s rights and the courage of the Suffragettes. An interesting period of social, domestic and working life.

We study the short period of peace and prosperity before the First World War when life and living was completely changed for all. 

‘In so far as any single group in a community imposes a popular image of its domestic life on an age, for Edwardian England that group was the very rich.’ (Marghanita Laski). This was in contrast to those living in abject poverty. The middle classes were doing better and the working class were aiming to be respectable and hard-working. 

Writer J.B. Priestley’s view of Edwardian England was that,  ‘…there were many changes, many reforms, yet all seems so Victorian, not at all Edwardian…in sweet little cottages that were menacingly insanitary.’ 

We take a hard look at the suffragettes and their struggles including the notorious “Cat and Mouse Act”.

Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows, documentary and film clips.

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

Fee £82 Half-priceconcession for those on benefits

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/the-golden-summer-of-the-edwardians-1902-1914/

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

This course is for lovers of fashion and the fascinating social and cultural history of Britain. It examines how social history has inspired fashion, just as clothes have influenced social and cultural history. We examine historic inspiration that has formed and forms innovative fashion, designers and style. 

We examine how the social and cultural background of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries influenced British fashion then and now. We focus on aspects of trendsetting style 1700s-2000, such as the voluminous and extravagant court dresses and exuberant hairstyles of the Georgian period and the dapper Regency dandy; Victorian crinoline, bustle and aestheticism; Edwardian Art Nouveau, elegant Art Deco, wartime recycling, swinging sixties, and subculture of mods, rockers, goths, skinheads and punks. We see how the wheel of fashion and style turns again and again.

You will learn how to read fashion and how it informs us and what your clothes say about you. We will analyse key style developments and designers such as Mary Quant and the “Swinging Sixties”.  A really exciting and fascinating course that will make you think differently about style, clothing, its influences and origins, and what you and others wear.

Illustrated with masses of fashion illustrations and powerpoint slideshows.           

Ref: MACL045D1A 10 weeks Tuesday 1-3pm 10 weeks start 23 April Fee £152 Half-price concession for those on benefits.

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/fashion-history-from-the-18th-to-20th-centuries-how-it-defined-and-shaped-societystyle-and-culture/

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

For those who love the iconic style of Art Deco and clean lines of Modernism. The smoothly distinctive style dominated all aspects of domestic and cultural life and was notable for its architectural and design features. Iconic and elegant, it was used to furnish homes in a new and exciting fashion, utilizing modern technology and materials, and various electrical devices.

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 in 1922 by Howard Carter and Lord Carnaervon .

The distinctive iconic style of space, light and speed, vibrant with colour, its modern designs full of sharp patterns, was also described as "jazzy” and it 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 influenced cinema. 

The distinctive ‘Modernist’ style dominated all aspects of domestic and cultural life and was notable for its architectural and design features. The elegant style was used to furnish homes in a new and exciting fashion.

Illustrated with colourful powerpoint slideshows and illustrations. 

Ref MACL001E1A Tuesday 6.30-8.30pm 8 weeks start 23 April 

Fee £132  Hlaf-price concession for those on benefits

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/art-deco-and-modernism-iconic-culture-in-the-inter-war-years-1918-1939/

 Summer in the City: Exploring Brighton’s Unique History

If you are interested in the distinctive history of Brighton and how it evolved, and enjoy walking through the city and discovering places you might not know, then you will enjoy this course comprising of three classroom sessions and three field trips.

We study the fascinating history of Brighton in three classroom sessions and three field trips, starting with a brief historical overview and looking at early maps. During the three field trips, we will get 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. 

Your tutor will guide you to further places of interest so that you can stroll around and familiarise yourself during summer, discovering additional hidden gems.

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.

               Classroom sessions are illustrated with images, maps and powerpoint slides.                                      

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

Fee £82 Half-price concession forthose on benefits

(3 classroom sessions and 3 Brighton field trips)

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/summer-in-the-city-exploring-brightons-unique-history/

 The Novel as Social History: Books for Summer Reading

If you love books, reading, social and cultural history, and lots of lively discussion in a relaxed, informal atmosphere then this one-day course is definitely for you.

This is a unique one-day study session comprising literature and social and cultural history. Within the pages of the novel we discover more than a story - enthralling ‘other’ information about people, relationships, class and place.

We discuss books for summer reading from a selection of three or four novels with lots of background social and cultural history to be read before class (whole or part), plus further recommendations.

A different, unusual, exciting way of reading and learning in a friendly, relaxed group. We We also view extracts of one of the novels that was made into a film.

You will be expected to participate in group discussion in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Novels are: “A Room with a View “ by E.M. Forster (1908), “Landscape in Sunlight” by Elizabeth Fair (1953)   “Travels with my Aunt” by Graham Greene (1969) and possibly one more. 

Ref MACL144D1A  Saturday 8 June 11am-3pm Fee £31  

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

                                 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)

The family, work, leisure, travel, art and culture.  This period saw the burgeoning “leisure industry”: holidays - particularly the seaside – travel to the countryside, and in the new green spaces of the town as public parks were opened for all to enjoy and benefit.

We study improvements in working hours and conditions but there it was still long and continuous toil for the poor and an unhealthy urban environment with little time off. However, society was changing and we explore the urban and rural environment and the importance of getting to the countryside for a day out; and for green spaces near industrial areas known as “green lungs”.  

1871 gave people a few days off. Holidays for all. The seaside was particularly popular and where people cast off inhibitions. There were tea gardens serving beer and wine, dancing, fireworks, travelling fairs, circus, theatre, music hall, Gilbert and Sullivan and sport.

Thomas Cook’s tours was founded in 1841 with a Temperance rally outing which effectively kickstarted modern tourism and was in full swing during this period.

Illustrated with powerpoint slides and film clips.

Ref MACL067D1A  Wednesday 1-3pm 8 weeks start 24 April 

Fee £68 Half-price concesson for those on benefits 

Enrol:  https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/mid-victorian-life-and-leisure-1850-1870/ 

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.

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

DALLIANCE AND DINING IN GEORGIAN AND REGENCY PLEASURE GARDENS

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!  

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

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.