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. 

N.B Blogger stopped updates to followers. If you want me to update you with new posts, please contact.

2025-2026

<<  ONLINE  >>

NEXT WEEK

Things that go Bump in the Night! A Halloween Happening

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 vimeo (you don't need an acount to view):                

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 7-8pm 

 (Watch any time after that if you prefer)

 Early Bird Discount until 15 October!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/things-that-go-bump-in-the-night-a-halloween-online-happening-tickets-1784034357789

1A Pelham Street, Brighton, BN1 4FA

 "The Whiplash Curve" of Art Nouveau and 

Iconic Geometric Art Deco.

This relaxed Saturday session is for those who are interested in comparing and contrasting the flowing, curvaceous lines of Victorian Art Nouveau with the interwar geometrical style of iconic Art Deco. 

Art Nouveau was organic, using elements found in nature, for example flowers, insects and trees. Its style was sensual with whiplash lines, tendrils of hair and sprouting vines, creating an asymmetrical and fanciful appearance.

In comparison, iconic Art Deco style was geometric. It was associated with the Jazz Age, so was also described as "jazzy". It utilised modern technology and innovations, such as plastic, chrome, aluminium and electricity. The smooth, regular patterns were found in and on everything from art to fashion, furniture, light fittings ornaments, glass, ceramics and jewellery. Its elegance furnished homes in a new, exciting fashion and hugely influenced cinema: facades, interiors, film sets and costume.

Both styles were innovative and daring, emerging from earlier influences – Egyptian being a major feature of Art Deco.

Illustrated with hundreds of colourful slides.  

Single Saturday 11am-3pm 22 November 

Ref: MCOM166D1A Fee: £36

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/history-the-whiplash-curve-of-art-nouveau-and-iconic-geometric-art-deco/

      

🎈🙋🎈

AD ED CLASSES 2025-2026

RELAXED, FUN AND FULL OF INTERESTING STUFF (& NICE PEOPLE)! 

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 about this, please do not enrol.

Currently running:

AUTUMN 2025

INDEPENDENTLY RUN BY THE TUTOR at The Church of the Holy Cross Parish Hall, Woodingdean (Brighton). Bus nos 2, 22 stop outside. Small car park back of hall.

Early Twentieth Century Britain and WWI Home Front (1900-1918)

 An interesting period of social, domestic and working life before “the black pit of war”, when wealthy Edwardians led lives of extreme prosperity, while the poor struggled in great poverty and hardship. All was to change forever when men went to war and women went to work in WWI. We see what life was like on the home- front. 

We study the Edwardian era “Indian Summer” of peace and prosperity before the horrors of war, when Britons viewed themselves at the beginning of a new century, full of potential and promise, changes and reforms. But…. as years progressed, Edwardians knew there was to be war and started preparing.

We observe domestic, working and social life on the home-front during WWI; the impact it had during this period and its life-changing effects post-war.  

When men went to war women went to work. We focus on women and the home-front. They took on what had been seen as hard and heavy work, in factories, on farms, driving buses, and more. Their stories are fascinating with women displaying their ingenuity and inventiveness. Nurses writing home from overseas or who were stationed in Britain give us a touching insight into the lives of men and women during this period.

llustrated with powerpoint slideshows.

8 weeks Monday 10.30am-12.30pm start 22 September

£75 Cheque payable to "Ms S Tobias" stating your name, address, telephone and e-mail. Post or deliver: Ms S Tobias, C/o Fleur Butler, Church of the Holy Cross, Downsway, Woodingdean BN2 6ND. 

MET courses taught at Pelham Street Brighton BN1 4FA 

              Any problems enrolling, please contact me enrolling, contact me,  SARAH.TOBIAS@gbmc.ac.uk

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

To be eligible for a 50% discount on courses (not single Saturday), you must meet the below criteria :

 - Unemployed and in receipt of a means tested benefit

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

Pelham Street, 

Life, Work and leisure Between-the-Wars (1918-1939)

We study how life changed 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.

There was a decline in high living after the First World War as the supply of servants dramatically dropped. 

Further changes altered everyday life and perceptions, especially how women viewed their role, although little was being done to change their status even though they had contributed so greatly to the war effort and workforce. Wives had been liberated during wartime when they had to work and look after home and family alone, but did life return to the usual role-play once their husbands returned? Pioneers, such as Marie Stopes with her birth control methods aimed at freeing women from the continual cycle of child-bearing, while others, such as pilot Amy Johnson, took on exciting challenges.

Various events had an impact on people’s lives, including the launch of Penguin paperbacks in 1935, and Gollancz’s Left Book Club in 1937, 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 and influenced the way people lived, including how they dressed and spoke. It was also educational and informative, as well as an escape from the drudgery of everyday life.

Illustrated with books, slides, video 

10 weeks Mondays 3-5pm Start 22 September 

Ref: MACL067E1A Fee £165   2 places remaining! 

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/history-life-work-leisure-between-the-ars-1918-1939-2/

The Development of Brighton - 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.

10 weeks Tuesdays 6.30-8.30pm Start 23 September 

Ref: MACL143D1A Fee £165 

FULL-contact if you would like to enrol as an extra place

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/history-the-development-of-brighton-fishing-town-to-fashionable-resort/           

                         

   Rottingdean Whiteway Centre

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.

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 and finish with how Christmas was celebrated.

Illustrated with PowerPoint slideshows 

10 weeks Tuesday 10.30am-12.30pm Start 23 September Fee £110

1 place remaining !

INDEPENDENTLY RUN BY THE TUTOR at The Church of the Holy Cross Parish Hall, Woodingdean (Brighton). Bus nos 2, 22 stop outside. Small car park back of hall.

Illusion and Reality - Late Victorian Britain (1865-1902)

For those who are interested in the great changes and progress at the end of the nineteenth century, leading into new ways of thought, progressive ideas and action, energy, optimism and innovation, However, there was also stagnation and pessimism, overcrowding and illness.

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 which included the cinema and the motor-car. Lots of books, journals and newspapers enlightened  a new readership, especially those who benefited from a higher standard of schooling and being able to read. 

We study work, domestic life, architecture, technology, leisure and the arts, literature and painting, and advances in medicine and the legacy of men such as Joseph Lister and his work on anaesthesia which changed surgical treatments, allowing more people to survive after an operation. We see how hospitals functioned and the long working day of the nurse and doctor. People could still go to prison for minor offences and life inside was bleak, especially difficult for women. 

Illustrated with powerpoint slideshows, period texts and paintings.                               

8 weeks Wednesday 1-3pm start 24 September

£75 Cheque payable to "Ms S Tobias" stating your name, address, telephone and e-mail. Post or deliver: Ms S Tobias, C/o Fleur Butler, Church of the Holy Cross, Downsway, Woodingdean BN2 6ND. 

                

<<<ONLINE (Vimeo)>>>

Join the Regency Cook, Paul Couchman, and social historian Sarah Tobias for more of their continuing, delightful, illustrated online classes and courses with a global audience!

Upcoming 2025

👻THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT: A HALLOWEEN HAPPENING

Friday 31 October 7-8.15pm (details at top)

🎄HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS, FEASTING AND FOOD

Fascinating history and food from Medieval to 20c

Thursday 4,11,18 December 7-8pm

Further details and links will appear soon, later - declare an interest/reserve a place: paul.g.couchman@gmail.com

2026

🎂TWELFTH NIGHT REVELRY, FUN AND FOOD

Monday 5 January 2026 7-.8pm 

💌LOVE AND LOATHING : AN ALTERNATIVE ST VALENTINE'S

Saturday 14 January 2026

Further details and links will appear later in year - declare an interest:

paul.g.couchman@gmail.com

     

SPRING 2026

Pelham Street, Brighton

Roaring Twenties to Thirties Depression: Interwar Britain (1919-1939)

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. Leafy suburbs were spreading around the country and governments tried to tackle social and health problems.

1930s saw the depression and much poverty, slums and lack of food and work. We view the working class and how they lived; their homes and family life and the poor prospects at the time for the working man and his housebound wife – or possibly a working one. Life was extremely hard for the poor. Much of the illness and disease was the result of social and housing conditions – but medical advances were being made, for example, vaccination & blood transfusions.

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 raised.

During this period there was a wealth of wonderful literature and the joy of film. Cinema-going was extremely popular and influenced people’s lives in many ways including what they wore. Imitating your favourite film star meant dressing like them, so clothing for the working class included synthetic silk – ‘Rayon’, and young women cut their hair short in a ‘bob’, wore cosmetics, smoked and shortened their skirts in order to dance the Charleston – just like their liberated screen idols. 

Illustrated with books, slides, video

10 weeks Mondays 3-5pm Start 12 January 

Ref: MACL132E Fee £165

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/history-roaring-twenties-to-thirties-depression-interwar-britain-1919-1939/

                

   Rottingdean Whiteway Centre

The Shaping of Early Victorian Britain (1837-1850)

10 weeks Tuesday 10.30am-12.30pm Start 13 January

Details to follow later in year

                    

  Pelham Street, Brighton

Women at War! Life on the Homefront WWI & WWII (1914-1945  

We study how women coped admirably in both World War One and Two and how it changed their lives. From being housewives and mothers they became independent women working and looking after their homes and taking on important war work. 

Daily life was turned upside-down, but the fighting spirit shone through! We view domestic, social and working life on the home front – rationing, shelters, factory work and more. Also included are readings from WWI & II diaries of women, such as Nella Last – warm, witty, courageous, charming and funny as well as heart-breaking in parts. Women displayed their ingenuity and inventiveness.  Nurses writing home from overseas or who were stationed in Britain give us a touching insight into the lives of men and women during this period.

When men went to war women went to work. They took on what had been seen as hard and heavy work in factories, on farms, driving buses, in the armed services, as pilots, doctors, nurses, typists, spies, in the Land Army and in the WRVS and other voluntary organisations, as well as being housewives and mothers. At home during war and after, women had to cope with rationing and learning to ‘make do and mend’ while attempting to remain glamorous, keeping up with fashion and cosmetics. 

When men returned from war women returned to the home they had not really left, no longer allowed to carry on with jobs for which they were highly trained, such as Ruby the welder.

Illustrated with books, slides, video 

 

10 weeks Tuesdays 4-6pm Start 13 January 

Ref:MACL164D1A Fee £165 

Enrol: https://www.brightonmet.ac.uk/courses/history-women-at-war-life-on-the-homefront-wwi-wwii-1915-1945/

INDEPENDENTLY RUN BY THE TUTOR at The Church of the Holy Cross Parish Hall, Woodingdean (Brighton). Bus nos 2, 22 stop outside. Small car park back of hall.

LATE VICTORIAN BRITAIN

8 weeks Wednesday 1-3pm Start 21 January

Details to follow

  INDEPENDENTLY RUN BY THE TUTOR at The Church of the Holy Cross Parish Hall, Woodingdean (Brighton). Bus nos 2, 22 stop outside. Small car park back of hall.

LIFE, WORK AND LEISURE BETWEEN-THE-WARS (1918-1939)

8 weeks Monday 10.30am-12.30pm Start 26 January

Details to follow

INDEPENDENTLY RUN BY THE TUTOR 

Venue to be confirmed

The Novel as Social History: 

WOMEN AND IDENTITY 

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. 

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.

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 an extensive and detailed knowledge of everyday life 

Within each piece of fiction is a wealth of information on culture and social life which leads us into deeper understanding of a subject, time, place, period in history, genre, working conditions, habits, style or social trend that we might pursue further, deepen our knowledge and intensify our interest.

There are two books to read each fortnight over 10 weeks in a specific order and make notes. You then participate in lively group discussion in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This term’s  novels include: “Agnes Grey“ by Ann Bronte (1847), “A Brave Lady” by Dinah Craik (1871), “Consequences” by E.M. Delafield (1919), “Vera” by Elizabeth von Arnim (1921), “Daddy's Gone A-Hunting” by Penelope Mortimer (1958), "The L-Shaped Room" by Lynne Reid Banks (1960) – 4 more: 

REQUEST FULL READING LIST IN ADVANCE OF THE  

        COURSE FROM TUTOR: SARAH.TOBIAS@gbmc.ac.uk  

5 fortnightly Saturdays 11am-1pm Start January 2026 

     Venue and Dates TBA              

>> Please contact  if you would like to study this course <<  

sarah.tobias@gbmc.ac.uk

   

☼  SUMMER 2026 ☼

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  

Ref: MACL001E1A Fee £120 

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

  “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 

Ref: MACL131E1A Fee £97  

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

INDEPENDENTLY RUN BY THE TUTOR 

SUMMER READING

Saturday 20 June 11am-3pm

3 books to read and discuss, looking at the social and cultural history within the text. 

Novels will include "Summer" by Edith Wharton (1917)

Further details and venue TBA - 

Contact if you are interested in attending sarah.tobias@gbmc.ac.uk

 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 

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

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.