WEA courses

Discover the changes in our food with time: how it was cooked, how it was eaten, where it came from, and how it affected our society and language, from the early Stone Age to this century, with an emphasis on British history. Find out which of our table manners date back to the Middle Ages, and how some of the most up-to-date and expensive restaurants are re-inventing Stone Age techniques; what advice from the fourteenth century still holds good today, and which most certainly does not. Each session will include some adapted recipes that you may (or may not) wish to try for yourself.

As built, canals linked towns and cities with the remote corners of the English countryside. Built largely to carry coal to fuel the Industrial Revelation, they are used today for pleasure purposes. Canals offer the opportunity to improve health and wellbeing, whether walking along the towpath or travelling along in a barge. Come and join this illustrated course where you will develop your historical / technical skills by finding and exploring a number of sources about the canals. Your tutor will guide you towards sources which provide information on the physical design of your local canal, the industry it was built to serve and the individuals who worked tirelessly to make a living. There will be a study of the Trent & Mersey, Peak Forest and Somersetshire Coal Canals, together with a review of the impact on the canals of the Napoleonic War. The course will look at some of the features of canals, such as Bridges, Tunnels, Aqueducts, Reservoirs, Gauging Docks, Weighing Machines, Gauging Stations and Winding Holes. This course is suitable for learners with a previous knowledge of the subject To note down key points, it is suggested that you bring a notebook.

Explore the life and legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte with our History: Napoleon: Citizen to Emperor course. Learn about his rise to power, military campaigns, and impact on European history. Ideal for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in learning about one of history's most influential figures.

Join this engaging course that delves into the captivating history and evolution of idioms, expressions, and accents in (British) English. Explore both newer and older accents while uncovering the origins of everyday idioms and literary expressions. The course will also look at slang and secret languages that have evolved over time. This is course is open to beginners and those with prior knowledge of the subject. Taking place online, over the course of six weeks, with access to presentations and discussions even after each session.

Embark on a fascinating journey through time and space as we unravel the mysteries and marvels of the Silk Road. This 10-week course offers a comprehensive exploration of one of the most significant trade routes in history, tracing its origins, evolution, and enduring legacy. From the bustling marketplaces of ancient cities to the cross-cultural exchanges that shaped empires, we will delve into the rich tapestry of cultures, economies, and ideas that flourished along this ancient network of trade routes. · This course will offer a rich interdisciplinary exploration of the Silk Road, drawing on historical texts, archaeological evidence, visual media, and discussion to deepen understanding of its pivotal influence in world history.

This 10-week course explores the life and times of Samuel Pepys, focusing on his diaries that provide an unparalleled view of 17th-century England. Through Pepys’ meticulous documentation, we will delve into the reign of Charles II, the devastation of the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London, and everyday life during the Restoration period. Including the numerous scandals at court and Pepys’s own behaviour! This course will offer insights into the personal, social, and political landscapes of the time, revealing how one man's observations can illuminate an entire era marked by dramatic events and profound changes.

Join us for this course which will review historical events, from long ago up until recent years and link them with how newspaper and magazine cartoons reflected attitudes and controversies of that time. This beginner course will primarily focus on the historical context and political impacts of their cartoons rather than the artistic techniques but through that analysis students will gain a deeper understanding of the role of political cartoons in the 20th century.

This course is designed to build on the work developed during the course last term and aims to support those who have either attended the previous course, or have some experience of crafting, and wish to continue to learn more techniques and skills to move forward to develop arts and crafts skills. Where appropriate, you will look at the history behind the development of the different art and craft skills and techniques, together with their popularity and trends. During this friendly course, you will learn how to use a variety of different resources and medias such as card, canvas, wool, fabric, glass and wood.

The awareness of the importance of counselling for the wellbeing of individuals is increasingly recognised as a key issue for the overall health and prosperity of our society. This course will support learners to explore the basics of counselling, the nature of the profession and how skills in counselling can support positive interactions in the workplace. This course focuses on an understanding of the concept and practice of the main practical counselling skills and the theories underpinning these. The course is aimed at anyone who may be considering either a career or further learning in counselling, as well as those wanting to develop valuable helping and listening skills and self-awareness.

This course will consider and analyse the following authors and their texts. These are: Strange Meeting - Susan Hill. So Long Hector Bebb - Ron Berry. Flaubert’s Parrot - Julian Barnes. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro. Innocence - Penelope Fitzgerald. These texts will provide a window into the different regions of Britain during two decades of major change in the social fabric and political nature of Britain, though several of our texts will trace these changes back to the earlier part of the twentieth century, and in doing so, we will encounter themes of identity, class and the decline of Empire. There will be much to prompt discussion and challenge our assumptions.