Fascist art and architecture in Europe: exponents and opponents
A study day that will weave together the story of Fascist art and architecture in Italy, Germany and Spain in the first half of the 20th century. We will examine examples of architecture, sculpture, poster art and paintings and will … More details …
Tragedy and Triumph: The story of polar exploration
Few stories in exploration are as fascinating as the early attempts to find a way through the North-West Passage and the expeditions to be first at the North and South Poles. In the most hostile environments on earth, men perished, … More details …
Poetry Matters
In 2002 Neil Astley of Bloodaxe Books published Staying Alive, the first in a series of international poetry anthologies, giving it the subtitle ‘real poems for unreal times’. With 500 poems to choose from, this makes an excellent source for … More details …
Sylvia Townsend Warner: Writer, Feminist, Musicologist and Political Activist
This day course will look at Warner’s life, loves and affiliations. She was a writer of great imaginative scope and variety, encompassing fiction, poetry, journalism, biography and an excellent, still very readable, guidebook to Somerset (1946). We shall pay … More details …
Russia and its soviet borders
Russia has long been a mystery to outsiders. Straddling two continents with the longest land border of any country, Russia has by turn looked East, West and inwards. Raising more questions than answers. On this day course we will cover … More details …
Eric Ravilious: his art and life
The art of Eric Ravilious is increasingly popular. Subject of a new film “Drawn to War“, he produced beautiful and evocative landscapes of the England of the 1930s. His disappearance in 1942 adds to the legend. This is a repeat … More details …
The Mature Larkin: The Whitsun Weddings (1964) and High Windows (1974)
This dayschool will focus on the two volumes that cemented Philip Larkin’s reputation as a poet whose work would continue to be read for years to come. Starting with the title poem from The Whitsun Weddings, we shall discuss how … More details …
Eric Ravilious: His Life and Art
The art of Eric Ravilious is increasingly popular. Subject of a new film “Drawn to War”, he produced beautiful and evocative landscapes of the England of the 1930s. His disappearance in 1942 adds to the legend. This course is fully … More details …
Fabric stained glass
Use fabric and a pre-fused bias binding to make a wall-hanging that gives the effect of a Christmas stained glass window. The picture will be finished by hand or machine at home. Choose from these four designs and let us … More details …
Money: A Global History
We all use money, many of us struggle to find enough of it, whereas a few seem to have more than they will ever be able to spend. But do we really understand what it is? This day school sets … More details …
Christmas Card Workshop
Prepare for Christmas by designing and making your own unique cards. There will be ribbons, textured papers, fabric, sequins etc for you to choose from. Envelopes will be provided for your finished pieces. No stitching required, just scissors, glue and … More details …
History of Architecture in Britain – Medieval to Neoclassical
This Study Day will examine the development of architecture in England during a period of great change. The gothic style of the medieval period was beginning to be superseded by Renaissance ideas, which although not fully understood at the time … More details …
The Creation: JF Haydn
Spend a day with some of the most joyous and delightful music in the classical repertoire – Haydn’s beautiful Creation. Composed as a response to Handel’s Messiah, this great work is rightly considered an essential piece for all lovers of … More details …
Philip Larkin, The Early Years (A Centenary Celebration)
2022 marks the centenary of Philip Larkin’s birth. This dayschool offers a chance to explore and possibly reassess some of his earlier poetry, most notably in the volume that brought him to the attention of a wider audience, The Less … More details …
The Life and Art of Edvard Munch
Edvard Munch is known throughout the world for his iconic picture ‘The Scream’, but this great artist produced art of the highest quality for some sixty years. He depicted all stages of life in a colourful, varied and expressive way, … More details …