Classical Greece
What have the Greeks done for us? In many ways, classical art and architecture form the basis of modern civilisation. This course analyses ancient Greek culture, from the Trojan war to the Elgin marbles.
More details ...New Crafts: Natural Skincare and Bathing Products
This workshop will offer the opportunity of making a variety of skin care and bathing products using only the highest quality natural ingredients, organic oils and butters and pure essential oils. You will be able to make a variety of … More details …
Reading Paintings: Dante to Dada
Explore the links between art and literature, from Dante to Dada. Discover the stories behind famous paintings; meet Paolo and Francesca; find out which Reynolds was “the most discussed British painting of the age.” No experience necessary.
More details ...Women in Ancient Rome
This day-school focuses on the women in Roman society including childhood, education, marriage and motherhood. Through contemporary art and literature, we examine their status, both social and legal and also consider a few individual women and the influence they had … More details …
Lorna Doone
This 1865 novel has never been out of print. We’ll discuss what makes it a compelling story; what it shows us about Victorian Britain and developments in novel-writing. Please read to the end of chapter 6, for discussion at the … More details …
Art of Post-War Britain 1945 – 1970
In this four week course we will consider:- St Ives school: with a focus on a new interpretations of the Romantic Landscape tradition, looking at the work of artists including Peter Lanyon, Wilhelmina Barnes-Graham, Patrick Heron and Barbara Hepworth. London … More details …
New crafts: Quilting Techniques
This is a machine based course designed to give students the confidence to either make a quilt or to be able to work on smaller projects. Taking place over six half-day sessions it will cover machine techniques, rotary cutting (equipment … More details …
The Road Movie: America and Beyond
The journey/quest plot of the road movie has allowed film makers to explore a wide range of themes: from politics to notions of freedom, from family relationships to gender issues. This study day will look at examples of the genre … More details …
Remembering Vaughan Williams
The life-story of this great composer is a chronicle of changing times. His music is the soundtrack of the century – by turns dynamic, reflective, challenging and just plain gorgeous.
More details ...Daphne du Maurier
During this course we will study three novels by the Daphne du Maurier. Often under-rated because of her popular appeal we will look at the skill of her narrative style, consider her ability to write to a variety of sub-genres … More details …
1959: the year that changed Jazz
A course for both beginners and experienced jazz fans – we will explore the origins and development of The Blues and Jazz, with a particular focus on 1959 when some of the most essential albums in the genre were recorded, … More details …
Nature’s other Minstrels
Bird song has long been associated with British poetry, especially in the Romantic period, 1780s to 1820s. This may explain why the nightingale became the most celebrated bird in English verse. The course will focus on poems by Coleridge, Wordsworth, … More details …
Coming in from the cold – more on church interiors
During the Looking at Old Churches Day School held a few years ago, there simply wasn’t time to explore interiors in any depth. In this little course we aim to put things right and shall turn our attention to Monuments, … More details …
Making Peace – Keeping Peace
It is of course simplistic to say that history repeats itself. But writing and performing two Great War centenary events for my home community (Axbridge) kept ringing bells and raising questions about our current predicament. In particular, the 2018 Remembrance … More details …
New Crafts: Festive Needle Felting
Ever fancied learning to needle felt? It’s a wonderfully fun, relaxing and rewarding craft form. Learn how to make these wonderfully Festive Tree Decorations. You will be shown how to organise, shape and sculpt the wool using a specialist barbed … More details …