WEA courses

During this 8 week introduction to food allergens course, we will covering what a food allergy and a food intolerance is, what the difference is between a food allergy and a food intolerance and why it is important you know the difference, why these food allergies and intolerances are on the increase. We will also look at what the 14 recognised food allergies are and why there are only 14 at the present time. And finally, we will look at how the law is helping making the food industry more accountable to label and keep foods safe for all consumers.

What did it feel like to be a holiday maker in the past? Originally holidays were just Holy Days and a chance to make merry but they didn’t involve you leaving home. Travel for leisure really does not start until the 17th century with trips to a spa or seaside town for health reasons and to enjoy the social life. Later the Grand Tour is available for the wealthy. Change comes with the railways and cheap day trips, and in the 20th century paid holidays, seaside towns and holiday camps. Over the last 50 years overseas holidays, have been within the reach of many but what do current environmental and social concerns mean for the future? Join the class to find out more.

In this talk, we will explore attitudes towards women in the Middle Ages, especially to women as rulers. In the Middle Ages, just one woman – the Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I – inherited a claim to the English throne. Yet, on her father’s death, her cousin, Stephen, seized control of England, so that Matilda was never crowned as queen. For many medieval people, the idea of a woman ruling in her own right was foreign to contemporary minds. We will look at why this was and why queens consort, such as Matilda of Boulogne, King Stephen’s wife, and Eleanor of Aquitaine, King Henry II’s wife, represented more acceptable (if still occasionally controversial) figures of female political power.

The term will begin with an analysis of the condition of the remaining Christian Principalities of the Holy Land and the challenges they would face in the wake of the failure of the Second Crusade. In particular a continued study will be made of the growth and achievement of the Zengid dynasty, and how that would contribute to the further endangerment of Outremer. We will also look at the continued efforts of the Kingdom of Jerusalem to strengthen its own position within the region, and why those efforts would ultimately lead to further failure at the Battle of Hattin.

Giving you a chance to make your own plaque or help out with the community mosaic wall piece, to be displayed at the centre.

We will begin by considering the later reign of King Cnut and the problems of the succession which then followed. We will elaborate on the more specific reasons as to why eventually Edward of Wessex was able to stake his claim once more upon his father’s throne. We will go on to consider the challenges posed against Edward and the re-establishment of his dynasty, as well as factors which would finally guarantee an independent Anglo-Saxon monarchy. We will also look at the rivalry with the Godwin family against whom King Edward Would find himself opposed later in his reign

The course aims to encourage learners to attend art exhibitions and/or musical events with a greater background knowledge in order to enhance appreciation. If actual attendance is not possible, to undertake independent research and hence, enjoy a more active and cultural lifestyle. The class also offers an opportunity for learners to interact socially with like- minded people in intellectual pursuits. It also encourages learners to acquire critical and analytical skills through debate and discussion. The course covers all styles and periods from the Renaissance to the present day. It is multi media to accommodate diverse learning styles and preferences. It is suitable for beginners and connoisseurs alike.

Join us to investigate buildings across the county and discover the stories they tell. From when they were built and why, to what and who they were for, this course takes a selection of historic buildings including houses, shops, public buildings, places of industry and entertainment to start our exploration of the history of Essex people and places. By the end of the course you will have new places to visit and a starting place to investigate a building of your own.

This course will help you develop further watercolour techniques interrelated with drawing skills, and in connection with inspiring examples in art history. It will help you learn classical techniques in a subtle way, by relating them to examples by various masters of drawing and watercolour and contemporary artists. If you would like to have a fresh view of watercolour painting and drawing, and learn how to achieve expressivity by carefully combining techniques such as glazing, graded wash or cross-hatching, this course will offer you an overview and will inspire personal artworks of great subtlety and sensitivity It will also encourage you to create your own original artworks based on the techniques learned and it will bring a fresh perspective on known techniques and styles, if you have already practised them in your own paintings. You will need to bring your own materials, paints and paper along for this course. The tutor will let you know what to bring

If you’re interested in finding out how the English language developed (and why we don’t all speak German, Danish or French instead of English) this course is for you. We look at the development of the English language through seven different lenses, starting with Old English (Anglo-Saxon) which built on Celtic languages and Latin. We explore the many influences on English including the Vikings through Old Norse, Norman French, Biblical English, Shakespearean English and Global English.