Weston Branch Spring Course  – posted 10 December 2011

May I draw your attention to the next course at Weston? This is concerned with architectural aspects of English Cathedrals. 

This course was run very successfully last year at Helmdon (in evenings), when our Chairman and his wife enrolled for it, so I can confidently recommend the course content.

The course Tutor is Keith Hasted who ran the course on modern architecture for us at Weston, which I enjoyed hugely.  Hence I am certain that this will be a most enjoyable and informative course for anyone with even a casual interest in these enormous buildings that are part of our heritage.

The course commences on Wednesday 11 January, at 2pm. and runs for 10 weeks.

More info from:

Glyn Gill Jones

(01327) 261265

e-mail

Northamptonshire 2012 Spring & Summer Course Brochure  – posted 03 December 2011

                                       click for brochure

Northamptonshire Forum AGM On 26 November  – posted 25 October 2011

The WEA Northamptonshire Forum AGM is to be held this year on Sat 26th November at Parsons Memorial Hall, Great Houghton.

The hall is quite modern with disabled access and a good sized car park. Posters will be available at next course session (01 Nov) or can be downloaded from the Northants website www.weanorthamptonshire.org

The lecture will be 'Cancans & Courtesans' by David Price who is a new tutor for the WEA. There will also be a short 10 min presentation by the manager of KCU about their work & the WEA involvement.

We have chosen this venue just outside Northampton because it is a more central location in the county & we hope this will enable more people to attend. If you are aware of anyone who would like to attend but has difficulty getting to the venue then please let me know & I will see if we can help in any way. We would like to see as many members from the various branches as possible.

Please can you make sure that all current learners & past & present members of the branch are aware. Any WEA members from the county are eligible to attend - they do not need to be attending a course at the moment.

Tutors are also welcome to attend if they wish but unless they are also WEA members are not able to vote.

Since the last AGM one committee member has left and another has told us he plans to resign at the AGM. We therefore very urgently need some new people on the Forum committee and would welcome volunteers. Please have a think about this before the meeting & decide if you are able to volunteer - it is not an onerous task - involves attending about 3 meetings a year and helping the Forum to think up some ideas for new summer activities  …

Bridget Chapman

WEA Tutor Organiser, Northamptonshire

Talk On Drovers' Roads   – posted 14 October 2011

A lecture on "Drovers' Roads across the South Midlands" has been arranged by the Weston Branch of the WEA for the evening of Friday 21 October.

We'll gather at 7.30pm for a glass of bubbly or fruit juice and some nibbles; then at 7.45 we'll go into the lecture hall to hear Bruce Smith, a well known local expert on the subject, tell us what he knows about this fascinating subject.

There are no tickets for this event, just a charge of £4 entrance at the door -- and I'll personally refund it if you aren't delighted with the evening!

 Why is our 'Welsh Lane' so called when it's right in the middle of England?  Come and find out.   

Glyn Jones

(01327) 261265  

WEA National Conference 2011   – posted 27 September 2011

Equality, Inclusion and
Action in Adult Education

Friday 28th October
East Midlands Conference Centre
University of Nottingham

9 p.m. - 4 p.m.

A one day conference on the role of adult education
in building a bigger and better society.

Speakers include:

• David Hughes, NIACE Chief Executive
• Dame Pauline Green, President of the International
Co-operative Alliance
• Richard Wilkinson, co-author of
‘The Spirit Level’

A choice of sixteen workshop sessions, including:

• Tom Wilson, Director of unionlearn
• Henry Tam, writer and policy expert in democratic
engagement
• Peter Bradley former MP, and Chief Executive
of Speakers’ Corner Trust
• WEA workshops on running educational projects
for equality, inclusion and community involvement.
Plus a conference address from John Hayes
MP, Minister of State for Further Education,
Skills and Lifelong Learning.

Closing date for registrations requiring a pre-payment invoice is 14th October.
Closing date for registrations paying online or by cheque is 20th October.

For more information contact:

www.wea.org.uk/news/conference2011.aspx

More About The Autumn Course At Weston WEA   – posted 9 September 2011

The next course of the Weston Branch of the WEA starts on Wednesday 21st September, at 2.30pm (or 2.20 if you want a coffee or tea before the class starts) in the rooms of the Community Project.

Alan Chantler, our tutor, will examine the development of forensic science over the centuries, referring to actual cases and also to those featured in detective fiction, films and TV dramas! 

This will be a course with a lot of visual material on what is both a highly relevant topic in the C. 21st (and one that is currently a political "hot potato"), as well as one that has provided material for the writers of books and screen plots. 

Chatting to Alan, I have been able to assure him that we are a lively lot who are ready to ask questions -- something he tells me that he particularly welcomes. 

Glyn Jones 

Autumn Course At Weston WEA   – posted 20 August 2011

The autumn course is entitled "Science in the detection of crime".

The course will be of special interest to those who enjoy detective fiction, both in book form or on TV and film.

Our tutor, Alan Chantier, will examine the development of forensic science over the centuries using case histories, old and modern.

Wednesday 21 September 2.30-4.00 pm for 10 weeks at the Weston Community Project. The course fee of £50.25 includes coffee and tea.

Leicester Branch WEA Summer School  – posted 27 May 2011

For the East Midlands Region website click here

All welcome

For more information about these courses and fees please contact:

WEA Office, Vaughan College, St Nicholas Circle, Leicester, LE1 4LB, tel 0116 251 9740,

Vaughan College

Modern China

1 and 2 July 10am-4pm £47.50

Geological maps

1 and 2 July 10am-4pm £40

Textile jewellery and corsages

4 and 5 July 10am-4pm £44.50*

English 18th century furniture

4, and 5 July 10.30am-4pm £39

Includes visit to Kelmarsh Hall 7 July 2-4.30pm

What makes the English laugh?

4 and 11 July 10.30am-4pm £39

Tai Chi Yang Style

6 and 13 July 10.30am-4pm £29.25

Eco knitting

7 and 14 July 10am-4pm £48.50*

Edwardian Leicester 1

3 and 14 July 10.30am-4pm £29.25

*includes cost of materials

Belgrave Hall Museum and Gardens

Making the most of your garden in summer

5 and 12 July 10am-4pm £32.50

                               click here for more information

Northamptonshire WEA Forum Summer Actvities 2011  – posted 3 February 2011

All Welcome

Guided Tour of Rushden Hall

Fee  £3 Tuesday 10 May 2.30 pm

and Wednesday 18 May 2.30 pm

Sywell Aviation Museum

Fee £4 Monday 16 May 6 pm

An Historical Tour of Rothwell Or in Local Dialect Rowell!

With Maurice Goodwin – volunteer manager of

The Heritage Centre

Fee £5 Tuesday 7 June at 2 pm

The Mount Alderton

(off the A508 near Grafton Regis)

With Derek Batten, Owner

Fee £3 Thursday 16 June at 2 pm

Higham Ferrers Walk

With William Walford

Fee £4 Wednesday 13 July at 10.30 am

Places on these visits fill up quickly.

Richard Farquharson (WEA Helmdon branch secretary)

can give you more details and let

you have an application

form for tickets.

There Will Be A Garden Course At Weston Branch After All   – posted 3 February 2011

It will be a course about the history of garden design and function, from mediaeval period to C20. So its very much the same kind of thing, but over a longer time span,as that originally envisaged, and I see that it will include some local examples.

Our Tutor will be Judith Hodgkinson, who is currently giving a similar course at Kelmarsh Hall, just over the county boundary in Leicestershire. She comes highly recommended and I am confident she will not disappoint us.

The course starts Wednesday 9 February, at 2pm.  The course details otherwise are as before: 8 weeks long (ending before Easter), 2 hours each week, course fee £52.
Oh yes. In case you don't know, each week there'll be free coffee or tea, as is usual at Weston Community Project (and they are 'real' coffee and Fairtrade tea too)

Glyn Jones

Branch secretary

Weston Branch Spring Course: Famous Gardens & Gardeners - posted 18 January

Unfortunately the Tutor - Andrew Mikolajski - is ill and will not be able to
start the course on the 19 January 2011 - or the 26th January

Apologies for this late notification but we hope to commence the course next
week and will inform you accordingly.

Peter Stubbs
Chairman Weston branch WEA

Northamptonshire WEA Forum   – posted 16 November 2010

                                          click for poster

East Midlands Region Annual Conference & AGM    – posted 25 October 2010

This year's WEA East Midlands Region, Annual Conference and AGM will take place on Friday, November 12th, at the Indian Community Centre (ICCA) on Hucknall Rd, Nottingham.

If you are interested in going please email the Helmdon branch secretary Richard Farquharson, who will send you the details as to how to access the enrolment form, and  also tell you where you can find directions to the event.  Otherwise, contact: Teresa Mosley, WEA Office, 39 Mapperley Rd, Nottingham NG3 5AQ.

Richard Farquharson e-mail

Autumn Course – posted 3 September 2010

May I  take this opportunity to promote the forthcoming Weston WEA course on the Social History Behind Family History (starting 2pm on Wednesday 22 September) with Brian Jones.  The Fee will be £48.75 (£43.90 for those taking another course).  No fee if receiving job seeker's allowance, income support or certain other benefits.

In addition,  the Weston Community Project plan to hold a practical course on researching family history using our new laptops and the internet. If you are interested in the latter please tell me or Mike Crozier.

Glyn Jones

(01327) 261265

e-mail

NB See below for details of the 15 October choral concert and the talk on Astrop Spa on 12 November.

Advance Notice Of Forthcoming WEA Weston Courses   – posted 5 July 2010

Autumn 2010:   The Social History of Family History with Brian Jones

Spring 2011:    Famous Gardens & Gardeners  with Andrew Mikolajski

Autumn 2011:  Science and the Detection of Crime with Alan Chantier

Spring 2012:    Cathedrals with Keith Hastead

(No decision has been taken yet whether to run summer courses 2011 and 2012)

Prior Notice:  12th November.  A talk by Deborah Haytor at 7.30 pm entitled ‘High Society at Astrop: The History of Astrop Spa’.  Tickets £5. Nibbles and bubbles during break in lecture.

Further details in due course.

Advance Notice: Consensus Vocalis Visit  – posted 16 June 2010

The Northampton choir Consensus Vocalis  is booked to revisit Weston WEA on the evening of Friday 15 October.  &.30 pm. Tickets £8.  All profits to go tothe chairty designated by CV.    Drinks and snacks during interval.

Several Helmdon folk enjoyed their light-hearted evening a couple of years ago and may wish to make a note of the date (I expect it to be a sell-out).

As before, the money raised will be devoted to a charity of the choir's choice.

Glyn Jones 

Summer Course  At Weston WEA  – posted 21 April 2010

Vita Sackville West: gardener, novelist, poet.  This creative woman is best known for the creation of Sissinghurst,  a garden which still draws visitors and influences gardeners today.  The course will look at Vita as gardener and also as best-selling novelist (The Edwardians, All Passion Spent) and award-winning poet.

Tutor: Susie Bevan        Fee £26.10 (concessions)

Venue: Weston Community Project, High Street, Weston NN12 8PU

Date: Wednesday 2.30-4pm.        6 meetings from 28th April 2010

More info from:

Glyn Gill Jones

(01327) 261265

e-mail

Northamptonshire WEA Forum Summer Activities – posted 9 April 2010

All Welcome but booking must be made on a booking form obtainable from Richard Farqharson, WEA secretary.

The Summer 2010 Activities are to:

Holy Sepulchre Church, Sheep Street, Northampton, Northamptons’s oldest standing building. With John Knightley M.B.E. Fee £3 Tuesday 25 May at 2.30 p.m. Further info from Marguerite Stephenson 01536 513986

Heritage Tour of One of the Country’s Earliest Co-op Towns - Desborough with John Lee, lifetime Resident. Fee £4 to include tea and cakes at heritage centre Tuesday 1 June at 2 pm
Further info from Sue Payne 01780 782747

An Historical Tour of Brackley with Blue Badge Guide – Pat Roll. Fee £3 Thursday 1 July at 2pm. Further info from Bridget Chapman 01604 813445

Tour of Helpston & Visit to Clare Cottage with Brian Jones Fee £4 Tuesday 15 June at 10.30 am. Info from Marguerite Stephenson 01536 513986

Tour of Wollaston Village & Beacon Hill with a visit to the museum & Curiosity Cottage with David Goodman.
Fee £3 Wednesday 7 July at 2 pm. Further info from Mary Traxton 01933 224324

Weston WEA Annual General Meeting – posted 3 March 2010

You are cordially invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Weston Branch of the WEA.
This will be held on Wednesday 17 March at the conclusion of the current class (about 4.00 pm). This will last a few minutes before we adjourn in the usual way for cakes and drinks. Nominations for the Committee and notification of items for 'Other Business' should be sent to the Secretary by Wednesday 10 March.

Glyn Jones (Secretary)

TWO WESTON WEA Courses for Spring/Summer 2010 Announced – posted 15 December 2009

The Making of the landscape from the Tudors to today.  Much of the landscape around us has been shaped during the last 400 years. This course will study the effects of new farming systems, enclosure and new fashions in gardens and parks.

Tutor: Deborah Hayter.        Fee £43.50 (concessions)

Venue: Weston Community Project, High Street, Weston NN12 8PU

Date: Wednesday 2.30-4pm.        10 meetings from 20th January 2010 (postponed from 13th because of weather)

Vita Sackville West: gardener, novelist, poet.  This creative woman is best known for the creation of Sissinghurst,  a garden which still draws visitors and influences gardeners today.  The course will look at Vita as gardener and also as best-selling novelist (The Edwardians, All Passion Spent) and award-winning poet.

Tutor: Susie Bevan        Fee £26.10 (concessions)

Venue: Weston Community Project, High Street, Weston NN12 8PU

Date: Wednesday 2.30-4pm.        6 meetings from 28th April 2010

More info from:

Glyn Gill Jones

(01327) 261265

e-mail

New Northamptonshire WEA Forum Web Site Launched – posted 7 December 2009

The new WEA Forum website for Northamptonshire was launched at their AGM in November 2009.

The website address is www.weanorthamptonshire.org.  It has links to the main WEA website and also Northants branch websites, such as the one for Helmdon.

It also has lots of general information about the WEA plus information specific to Northamptonshire, such as the walks programme. The Forum summer events will also be included as soon as they are available.  It is also possible to download the 2010 spring/summer brochure from the website. 

Northamptonshire WEA Forum AGM – posted 16 October 2009

              This will take place on Saturday 28th November at

                            Yardley Hastings Village Hall NN7 1EX

                                  from 10am to 2pm

            (Tea and coffee on arrrival.  Meeting starts at 10.30 am).      

      View of the WEA in Northamptonshire (Bridget Chapman - county organiser)

                         AGM of the Northamptonshire Forum

          A Talk by Brian Giggins "Smothered in the Bog House""

                         Buffet lunch provided £5 per person.

Please send cheques payable to "Northamptonshire WEA  Forum" to Peter Head,

323 Wellingbourgh Road, Rushen, Northants, NN10 6BB by 12th November 2009. with your name, address and telephone no.   If you require a receipt please enclose sae.              

Antiques and Collectables Course– 3rd October 2009

The Weston branch of the WEA is offering a course on "Antiques and Collectables" on two Saturdays, 10th & 17th October, from 10 am to 3 pm. The course will be tutored by Peter Edwards, an antiques dealer from the far end of the county, whom we are fortunate to attract over here. 

Peter will bring the materials for the first week, and examine items you bring on the second week. Bring your own packed lunch (we'll provide tea and coffee).

The course costs £26.10 (£23.50 if you are already enrolled for another WEA course this term)

IMPORTANT    If you wish to come on this course you must register with me in advance, preferably by e-mail (or by telephone 01327 261265).

Should I fail to register 12 or more for the course before Tuesday 6th October the WEA's Organiser for Northants will cancel it. 

Glyn Jones  (Hon. Sec.)

Notice of National WEA AGM and Date of WEA East Midlands Annual Conference – 23rd September 2009

The WEA conference this year is in in Glasgow over Friday/Saturday 02/03 October 2009
Full details can be found at http://www.wea.org.uk/weanews/conference_2009.htm
All WEA members are eligible to attend but registration is required.

I have a copy of the Agenda for the Saturday WEA extraordinary conference (happens every two years) if anyone would like to see it.

The WEA East Midlands Annual Conference takes place on Monday 30 November 2009.

Richard Farquharson

Secretary Helmdon branch WEA

Heritage Days in Nothamptonshire– 20th August 2009

(NB Sent to WEA branch members but this notice is applicable to general public)

I know many branch members are interested in local heritage, so thought I might just mention the Northampton heritage open days from 10th to 13th Sept.

Many buildings that are not usually open to the public can be viewed on these days & others are offering guided tours. All are free.

Details from www.northampton.gov.uk/heritageopendays where you can download a brochure.

Bridget Chapman

WEA Tutor Organiser, Northamptonshire

01604 813445

Weston WEA Branch News – 20th May 2009

'Antiques and Collectables' is the title of a course on Saturday 10th and 17th October, 10am to 3pm.  It will be led by Peter Edwards for WEA.  On  the second day he may  look at antiques brought by the class.  Peter is a professional antiques dealer in the NE of the county. 

This  autumn Weston WEA  expect to offer   'Discovering Family History' at Weston Community Project. It will be four weeks of class at Weston (computer literacy essential), one at a Public Library and one at the County Record Office. Tutor: Mike Crozier.

Glyn Gill Jones   e-mail

NB  There is a 'Coffee Stop' at Weston, every Tuesday 9.30-11.30. Fresh coffee (good quality, fairtrade, or tea) and homemade cakes. No fixed charge, just leave something in a bowl for what you've had.

Weston WEA Branch: Notice of AGM – 29th April 2009

The third Annual General Meeting of the Weston Branch of the WEA will be held in the rooms of the Weston Community Project, the High Street, Weston on Wednesday 13th May 2009 at 4.00pm.

You are cordially invited to attend this meeting. Light refreshments will be served after the AGM.

The agenda and nomination papers relevant to the AGM are enclosed. The Minutes of the last AGM are posted at the Weston Community Project. If there is any matter you wish to raise under Any Other Business please let me know.

Glyn Jones (Honorary Secretary) e-mail               

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEA – Weston Branch       Annual General Meeting  2009

in the rooms of the WCP at 4 pm on 13th May 2009

Current office holders:   Chairman – Keith Keeves;

Secretary – Glyn Jones;    Treasurer – Phil Mansell.

Committee members: – Peter Stubbs and John Thorne.

AGENDA

Welcome: The Chairman                                                    

Minutes of the 2nd Annual General Meeting held 12 March 2008

Annual Report of activities:                        The Chairman

Financial Report:                                           The Treasurer

Provisional programme for 2009–10:        The Secretary

Election of officers and committee members for 2009-2010

A.O.B.

……………………………………. cut off ……………………………………..          

Weston WEA Branch                     Nomination Paper

I wish to nominate  …………………….……..  for the position of (delete all but one)    Chairman,    Secretary,    Treasurer,    Committee Member.

Signed ………………………….      Dated ………………….

Please note that nominations must be received by the Hon. Sec.

(Glyn Jones) by Wednesday 6th May 2009

Summer 2009 Course – 12th April 2009

Starting Wednesday April 22nd 2009 for six weeks: Professor Bill Prescott will speak about The Best Known Artists of the First Half of the Last Century Who Worked in Southern England & Their Artistic Output.

The sylabus will include the most notable painters sculptors and engravers - men and women such as Eric Gill, Stanley Spencer, Clare Leighton, Henry Moore, Dora Carrington, Paul and Peter Nash and John Piper. There is much to discover and enjoy.

This course will take place at the Weston Community Centre, 2.00 – 4.00 p.m. at the Weston Community Project, High Street, Weston. It will cost £33 for the entire course (coffee or tea included, of course!).

Glyn Gill Jones

(01327)261265

e-mail

Northamptonshire WEA Forum Summer Activities – 16th March 2009

These will include a visit to Wellingborough Museum and Northants Film Archive Trust (Thursday 14th May, Fee £3), An Historical Tour of Finedon with Finedon Historical Society (Wednesday 10th June, Fee £4), An Historical Tour of Elton with Brian Jones (Tuesday 14th July, Fee £4), and A Tour of Delapre Abbey (Tuesday 28th July, Fee £5).   All members or learners on WEA courses are welcome, as indeed are WEA tutors and  people new to the WEA.

Richard Farquharson has further information.  Places are limited, so if you are keen the advice is to get in early! There are no fee reductions as these activities are not subsidised by the Learning & Skills Council.

Spring Term 2009 Course – 27th November 2008

Starting Wednesday 7th January 2009 for 10 weeks (with a half term break): Peter Leyland will lecture on Detectives in Fiction. The course will look at the history of the detective character from Edgar Allan Poe's Dupin to P.D. James's Adam Dalgliesh. There will be a detailed study of Holmes, Wimsey, Poirot and Marlowe, looking at selected works in which they appear, with some reference to film and TV treatment. There will also be consideration of modern crime writers such as Ruth Rendell and Ian Rankin.

(Note: These books will be referred to on the course in some detail: 1. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Penguin) 2. Strong Poison - Dorothy Sayers (NEL) 3. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Agatha Christie (Fontana) 4. The Long Goodbye - Raymond Chandler (Penguin) 

This course will take place 2.00 – 3.30 p.m. at the Weston Community Project, High Street, Weston.

Glyn Gill Jones

(01327)261265

e-mail

Autumn Term 2009

Starting Wednesday, September 30th for ten weeks with a half term break: Keith Hasted will lecture on Olympics, Airports and Art Museums. The last thirty years have seen architects set free to use unprecedented resources to create new public buildings. China and the developing world are building at a stunning pace, but London is the vital centre for such architecture, where architects such as Richard Rogers and Norman Foster have taken a leading role. The course will take a fresh look at some of these new buildings, how they were designed and how they work, both in the UK and beyond.  This  course will last from 2.00 to 4.00. and will take place at the Weston Community Project, High Street, Weston.

Glyn Jones

(01327) 261265   

Lecture notice from Weston WEA – 6th October 2008

(in association with HAFWEG)

A Public Lecture

Biodiversity:

Why It Matters In The Landscape Around Us

Dr Godfrey Armitage

7.30 p.m.

Friday 7th November 2008

Weston Community Project

Entry £3, to include  interval drinks.

Tickets  at the door from 7.00 p.m.

Autumn Course 2008 at Weston WEA – 10th September 2008

Weston WEA

Autumn Term 2008

The Making of the Medieval Landscape

     Tutor: Deborah Hayter

Learn about the clues in the countryside around us today that teach us about the landscape of the past and the people that inhabited it

2 – 3.30 p.m. every Wednesday for 10 weeks beginning

17th September 2008 at Weston Community Project,

High Street, Weston

Cost: £41.25

More information from Glyn Jones (01327) 261265

County-wide Courses Of Interest Commencing Autumn 2008

- 13th June 2008

CANONS ASHBY

Contact: R Dibben

Tel: 01788 890515

Heritage Houses: the house, its history & owners Tutor: Keith Hasted

An introduction to the architectural roots which produced buildings such as Canons Ashby and influenced their subsequent styles. There will be opportunities to explore the house during the course. Although part of a longer modular course, new students are welcome as each term looks at a different aspect of the historic house: architecture, furniture, collections, life in the country house and gardens.

Information about this course may be obtained from Mr R Dibben (01788 890515).

10 meetings Thursday 10am–noon Canons Ashby House, Nr Daventry

Starts 25 September 2008 Fee: £55 (concessions A £49.50, B Free)

LAMPORT HALL

Contact: Mrs Jo Stroud

Tel: 01604 843284 

Plant propagation Tutor: Andrew Mikolajski

Autumn is the best time for increasing your stocks of plant. This practical course

will instruct how to collect, prepare and store seed, cut up bulbs and take cuttings.

The course will be held on 1, 8 and 22 October. Places limited – please ring the branch contact to reserve a place.

3 meetings Wednesday 1–4pm The Old Laundry Room, Lamport Hall

Starts 1 October 2008 Fee: £24.75 (concessions A £22.25, B Free)

WESTON

Contact: G Jones

Tel: 01327 261265 

The making of the medieval landscape Tutor:Deborah Hayter

The bones of earlier landscapes are all around us, in villages and farms, in the

ridge and furrow of medieval fields, in the patterns of parish boundaries. We will

learn to recognise the clues, and find and unravel the evidence which will elucidate the making of the landscape and the societies which inhabited and created it.

10 meetings Wednesday 2–3.30pm Weston Community Project, High Street

Starts 17 September 2008 Fee: £41.25 (concessions A £37.10, B Free)

Venue accessible to wheelchairs

This is only a selection of the courses available in Northamptonshire.  For other details please contact the secretary, Richard Farquharson.

Music For A June Evening - 27th May 2008

Music for a June Evening

A Concert by

Concensus Vocalis

7.30 p.m., Friday, 6th June 2008

Weston Community Project,

High Street, Weston

The ten-person Northampton-based choir, Concensus Vocalis, is coming to entertain us on June 6th with Music for a Summer Evening.  Called “Northampton’s answer to the King’s Singers“ by Northampton Music Appreciation Society they will build their evening’s programme around choral masterpieces from four centuries, varying in style from Monteverdi’s madrigals to pieces in the style of the Swingle Singers.

Between the choral pieces, the individual singers – including local broadcaster Anna Murby – will entertain us with solo pieces in a wide variety of styles.

Concensus Vocalis are already well-known locally for their annual candlelit Christmas concerts at Canons Ashby.  June’s concert is sure to win them even more friends.

Tickets £7.50, to include interval drink, available from Phil Mansell (01327 860784) or Glyn Jones (01327 261265) or at the door from 7.00 p.m.

                                               All Proceeds to Africaid

OFSTED Report Confirms A Strong WEA - 23rd May 2008

The publication on May 7th of the Ofsted inspection report on the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) confirms a return to strength for the UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult education.

The report describes the overall effectiveness of WEA provision as good and identifies provision in the subject area of Health, Public Services and Care as outstanding.  It also confirms that the WEA has strong capacity to improve further.

                                      Click here for a report summary

International Short Story Competition - 1st May 2008

The 2nd Annual Ted Walters International Short Story
and Poetry Competition 2008
 
The University of Liverpool Creative Writing Society for Lifelong Learning, is to Commemorate "The 2nd Annual Ted Walters International Short Story and Poetry Competition 2008"  in Liverpool's year as the European Capital of Culture.' International entries welcome!
 
1st prize Short Story Category: Competition Winner £200, Runner up will receive £50
1st Prize Poetry Category: Competition Winner £200, Runner up will receive £50.
 
Click for Competition Entry Form and Rules
The deadline for all categories is 31st May 2008.
 
The University of Liverpool Creative Writing Society for Lifelong Learning will donate £1 from each and every poem and short story entered to the Macmillan Cancer Support, which is once again our chosen charity for the second year running. This email is from the Workers' Educational Association (WEA).

Workers' Educational Association
70 Clifton Street, London, EC2A 4HB
Website: www.wea.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 1112775

Weston Branch WEA Spring Course 2008 - 10th April 2008

Country Lives with tutor Susie Bevan, consisting of six meeting starting on Wednesday 23rd April at 2pm at the Weston Community Project

Cost £22.50 (full) £20.25 ( some concessions)

“There is a long tradition of countryside writing in Britain.  We are fortunate to have several of these authors describing our own locality at different times in history.  The course studies the lives and work of John Clare, Flora Thompson and HE Bates and through them deepens our knowledge of our countryside and its history.”

For more information about this course the contact is Glyn Jones (01327) 261265.

The Northamptonshire WEA  Forum Summer Activities For 2008 - 21st March 2008

Events include:

The Gardens of Lamport Hall on 15th May with Andrew Mikolajski

Behind the Scenes at the Royal & Derngate Theatres on Wednesday and Friday 9th and 11th July

Visit to Priest’s House Easton-on-the-hill with Paul Way and an historical tour of Easton village with Brian Jones on Tuesday 17th June

An Historical Tour of Towcester on Thursday 5th June

For further details of these events contact the Helmdon WEA branch secretary, Richard Farquharson (01295) 760079 or e-mail

For your diary:  The Northamptonshire Forum AGM is on 1st November 2008

Gardening Courses For 2008 - 26th January 2008

Run by Andrew Mikolajski who tutored a gardening course at the Helmdon branch in 2006, all at Lamport Hall Northampton  NN6 9HD

APRIL 

Wednesday 16,  10.30-12.30pm

Planting Trees, Shrubs & Hardy Plants

A practical morning  in the garden that will show you how to get a range of hardy plants off to a good start. The importance of good root growth is highlighted. Refreshments provided. £10.50 per person

Tutor: Andrew Mikolajski

Tel: 01327 843419 

MAY 

Wednesday 14, 2.00-4.30pm

Planning a Cutting Garden

How to grow a range of annuals from seed that will provide cut flowers for the house within eight weeks – and how to get plants to carry on producing till November! Refreshments provided. £10.50 per person

Tutor: Andrew Mikolajski

Tel: 01327 843419 

SEPTEMBER

Wednesday 10, 2.00-4.30pm

Guide to Autumn Planting

Autumn is a great time for planting hardy trees and shrubs. This afternoon course explains how to ensure they will bed down properly for the winter and get off to a flying start next spring. Refreshments provided. £10.50 per person

Tutor: Andrew Mikolajski

Tel: 01327 843419 

OCTOBER 

Wednesday 15, 10.00am-4.00pm

Plants for Free!

Autumn is the best time for increasing your stocks of a range of plants. During this day course, we’ll be taking cuttings, collecting and sowing seed and cutting up bulbs. Lunch included. £45 per person

Tutor: Andrew Mikolajski

Tel: 01327 843419

Letter from the General Secretary of the WEA - 20th January 2008

17th January 2008

Colleagues,
On Tuesday of this week John Denham, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills launched the Government's consultation on the future of adult education, "Informal Adult Learning - Shaping the Way Ahead". The consultation document can be accessed through the following weblink http://www.adultlearningconsultation.org.uk/.

The launch was hosted by the Social Market Foundation and the Chair of WEA Trustees Dick Taylor both introduced proceedings and commented throughout the discussion which followed the presentation by John Denham.

For once I'm impressed with the way the government is setting about this consultation. I can commend the document which is clear, easy to read and invites comments on a range of issues. The scope and breadth of the consultation are wide, just as we would expect, and there are clear signs that the Secretary of State and the DIUS are genuinely listening. There are plenty of references to the WEA and our sister organisations, to RH Tawney, Rochdale and North Staffordshire, as well as to the Swarthmore settlement in Leeds, all of which resonate with us in the WEA. At the same time, there is also much about how developments affecting demography, society and in particular technology and the internet have also contributed significantly in recent years to changing adults' expectations, attitudes and access to learning opportunities.

These are really important and fundamental issues, and the WEA should welcome the opportunity to contribute to such a wide-ranging debate about the future of adult learning in this country, and in particular the framework which has been established by the Secretary of State for the consultation between now and May.

It was also clear from listening to John Denham that he wants the consultation to "get past" organisations and institutional boundaries and for the voices and views of students, tutors and the public to be heard. I believe the WEA can significantly help him achieve those goals, and that this is an opportunity which the WEA can apply to its advantage.

We have until 15th May to respond, and I want a "bottom up" consultation within the WEA, in which we encourage groups of students (from all of our curriculum strands) and tutors to respond to the questions posed in the document before we invite members and Trustees to approve any response. I shall also be talking with other organisations which are likely to share our aims and values, and have a similarly wide learner base and/or membership, about areas of common ground we share. Maria Flemmer and Graham Marsh will support me and they will also facilitate and coordinate that process, involving people from Regions in it.

Our response, among other things, needs to recognise that learning and access to it through non-traditional channels, like the internet and TV, are now very much part of adults' lives, and they will not diminish. But it should also emphasise the importance of structure and more traditional models of teaching and learning, recognising that face to face learning, in groups, as well as fundamental to enhancing and transforming people's lives, is also a force for creating a more inclusive, civilised and, in Tawney's own words "tolerable" society.

The above weblink will also shortly include access to an online form that people can complete and submit as part of the consultation, so anyone who wishes can make an individual response as well as contribute to the WEA's response through the process I have described above and about which you will receive further details in due course.

If you know of anyone, inside or outside the WEA, who will not receive this communication, but who would welcome the chance to be included in the process I am setting up, then please feel free to copy this message to them.

Richard Bolsin
General Secretary

Tel : 020 7426 3455
Fax: 020 7426 3451
Mobile: 07771 807217
Email: rbolsin@wea.org.uk

Workers' Educational Association
Registered office: 70 Clifton Street, London, EC2A 4HB
Website: www.wea.org.uk
Company limited by guarantee registered in England No: 02806910
Registered Charity Number: 1112775

Notice from Northamptonshire WEA Forum - 5th October 2007

Brixworth Church.

A Meeting of the Northamptonshire WEA Forum will be held on Saturday 3rd November 2007 at Brixworth Village Hall from 10 am to 2 pm (Tea and coffee on arrival.  Meeting starts at 10.30 am).

Bridget Chapman, County Organiser, will give A VIEW OF THE WEA IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE followed by the AGM of the Northamptonshire Forum. (There will be an opportunity to discuss the future activities of the Forum, so bring your ideas along to the meeting.)

There will also be an illustrated talk: STONE IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE & ITS USES by Diana Sutherland (author of the book Northamptonshire Stone).

There will be an opportunity to visit Brixworth Church in the afternoon. Buffet Lunch provided £6 per person for meal. More information from the WEA secretary Richard Farquharson.

Notice from Weston WEA – August 2007

Autumn Term
The Great Central Railway - Tutor: Martin Bloxsam
Commences Wednesday 19th September 2007 at 2:00 p.m. and runs for 10 weeks.

Spring Term
The Victorian Underworld - Tutor: David Willis
Commences in January 2008. Dates to be announced. Runs for 10 weeks.

Summer Term
Local Authors - Tutor: Susie Bevin
Dates to be announced. Runs for 6 weeks.

All enquiries to Glynn Jones - 01327 261265.

Courses Available All Over Northants - May 2007

We have a complete list of all the WEA courses taking place in Northamptonshire.

Notice from Farthinghoe WEA – April 2007

Antiques and Collectibles

Tutor: Peter Edwards

This two-day workshop provides an introduction to antiques and collecting. Concentrating mainly on style identification, furniture, ceramics and glass, we'll also look at some of the mysteries of the antiques trade. There will be an opportunity at the second session for learners to bring along objects of their own for discussion.

Pre-booking by 28th April 2007 essential; please telephone R Hedges (01280) 702439.

2 meetings Saturday 12.30 - 5 pm                               Farthinghoe Village Hall

5th and 12th May 2007                         Fee 21.60 (concessions A £18, B Free)

Notice from Weston WEA – March 2007

Course on Rural Life in Victorian Times

Tutor: David Willis

This six week course attempts to illustrate the nature and transition of agricultural and rural life in this crucial period of historical development.

6 meetings, Wednesday 2–3.30pm, starting 18th April 2007

Weston Baptist Chapel Hall, High St, Weston

Fee: £21.60, concessions £18 or free. Enrolment is at the first session.

For more details tel: G. Jones (01327) 261265

New Tutors Needed for Northamptonshire – July 2006

The WEA is actively seeking part-time tutors to provide courses on: Local or general history; music, art or design appreciation; architectural studies; literature; creative writing; sciences; natural history; religious studies; anthropology; social studies; garden design/history; languages; or any other relevant area of expertise.

If you are an adult education tutor and would like more information please contact Bridget Chapman, Northamptonshire Tutor Organiser. Email: bchapman@wea.org.uk or telephone: 01604 813445. Note that there is no closing date - applications can be made at any time.

Appointment of Northamptonshire Tutor Organiser – July 2006

Bridget Chapman has taken over the role of Northamptonshire Tutor Organiser. Bridget lives in Earls Barton and has 14 years experience of working in adult education in Northamptonshire, having been previously employed by Northamptonshire County Council Adult Education Department.

This position of Tutor Organiser was previously known as Area Learning Manager. Denise Cowley decided not to renew her contract for this position, at the end of the first six-month period, but will continue to be a tutor for the WEA.

Appointment of new Area Learning Manager - 1st February 2005

Dr Denise Cowley has been appointed to the post of WEA Area Learning Manager for Northamptonshire. This part-time position (previously known as County Organiser) is to oversee the operation of branch courses and the community program within Northamptonshire. To support Denise a part-time administrator will be hired very soon.

Denise, who recently moved to the Whittlebury area, has considerable experience in adult education (including with the WEA). Her last post was as a Program Head for the University of Manchester Centre for Continuing Education. With her specialist subject area being Medieval History it is likely that Denise will be able to provide courses for WEA in addition to her management role.

WEA members from Helmdon and other local branches met Denise at a recent area meeting in Towcester. The very positive statements with regard to support of branch courses was most welcome. We look forward to working with Denise to promote and enhance the operation of the Helmdon branch.

Resignation of County Organiser - 27th January 2005

Anthony Upton resigned his position before completion of his initial six-month contract. The WEA East Midlands Region were quickly able to hire a new Area Learning Manager for Northamptonshire so we were not unduly inconvenienced by this resignation.

Anthony Upton was recently appointed to the post of County Organiser for Northamptonshire.

Anthony lives in Northampton and knows the county well. As in other counties in the East Midlands Region, it is hoped that a WEA office will be set up and currently suitable accommodation is being sought. Anthony has worked as a further education tutor and also has good experience of the voluntary sector. He taught computing for several years, but his interests now are environmental and ecological - he currently organises the Green Festival in Northampton.

Good Send-off for WEA Organiser for Northamptonshire - 17th April 2004

Bob Chapman with WEA Tutor Geoffrey Starmer in the background.

There are proposed boundary changes which will have a direct impact on WEA branches in Northamptonshire.

A New National forward Plan was agreed this autumn by the National executive Committee as part of the WEA's recovery strategy to rebuild the organization after the serious leadership, management and financial crises which came to a head during 2002-2003. One of the aspects of this plan, which is designed to improve the operational efficiency of the WEA, is to change District boundaries by 1 August 2004 to match those of the Government Regions, resulting in Twelve Districts becoming nine regions.

In some cases this will result in the merger of two Districts into one; in others it means the transfer of some territory to another District. In our District the biggest change - and one which we all regret - is the loss of Northamptonshire to East Midlands District. We will take over the southern bits of Essex and Hertfordshire which are currently in London District.

The WEA has appointed John Williams, District Secretary of London District, to lead this national regionalisation project. In Eastern District the Management Team is overseeing the changes in the context of its planning for 2004 - 2005. We will work closely with Bob Chapman in supporting the transfer of the Community and General Programmes to East Midlands District. We expect that Bob will work with branches as usual to 'tie-up' as much of the 2004- 2005 programme as possible before the end of July 2004.

The District Secretary of East Midlands District is Mike Attwell who took over from Russell Gent who retired last year. He is a very able manager who has been employed by the District for many years in other roles. Mike made it very clear to me that he hoped that Bob would carry on in a similar role with his District. Bob, however, has decided to retire at the end of July. In the meantime he will be conferring with East Midlands District on all the details which will be of concern to you. I am certain that this will be an important topic of discussion at the Northamptonshire Federation AGM on 31st January 2004.

From a letter to branch secretaries from Carolyn Daines, Secretary of the Eastern District WEA, Cambridge.

The topics from the Northamptonshire Summer Programme were many and varied, and were sampled with much pleasure by Helmdon branch members. Here is just a flavour of some of our excursions into the county……

Centenary Picnic/Merry Wives of Windsor

Date: Saturday, 19th July 2003 Venue: Prebendal Manor, Nassington

Nassington Prebendal Manor - click to visit web site.

The centenary picnic was held at the Prebendal Manor at Nassington, near Fotheringhay, in the north of the county. As at the same event last year, it was a lovely evening and the setting was outstanding.

Fifty WEA members arrived early, and were entertained by Dan Evans. Dan is reckoned to be the best dulcimer player this side of the Atlantic, and his playing was amazing, beautifully setting the scene for what was to come later in the evening.

Then came the picnic, for which we were joined by around 250 members of the public (complete with elaborate picnic hampers and candelabra!), to be followed by the play for the evening "The Merry Wives of Windsor".

Heartbreak Productions produced a lively and very funny production This is, uniquely for Shakespeare, a comedy based in Middle England, and aimed at an English audience. It highlights Shakespeare's brilliance in being able to use his theatrical experience and originality to produce a great crowd-pleaser. The eight actors each had two or three parts to play and I was intrigued by the slickness of costume changing, and the excellence of the acting when actors changed characters. All in all a memorable evening, and we shall be back next year!

Audrey Forgham

Buildings of Northamptonshire

Tutor: Peter Hill
Date: Saturday 21st June 2003 Venue: Fotheringhay Village Hall

Dr Bob Chapman, County Organiser, at Fotheringhay

Around 35 of us, from all parts of the county, met in the recently completed and well equipped village hall to hear Peter Hill outline just how much of Northamptonshire's architecture has been lost. Figures given included 80 churches, chapels and other religious institutions, over 300 inns and public houses; farmsteads, windmills and cottages. Illustrations showed how changes to roads and the decline in some industries had changed the size of towns and villages. The fortunes of Fotheringhay were cited as an example of how politics and religion has affected the castle and, one huge, monastic settlement there. After an alfresco lunch with wine about 25 of us motored the four miles over to the once important town of King's Cliffe. Here we visited the large parish church, strolled through the narrow passageways and along the once busy main street, stopping frequently for excellent descriptions and explanations from our excellent and well-informed tutor.

Peter and Ann Mackness

The Dome that worked: The Great Exhibition of 1851

Tutor: Joanna Rodgers
Date: Saturday 7th June Venue: Blakesley Reading Room

On a warm sunny afternoon in June, Joanna Rogers gave a very lively and well-researched talk comparing the Great Exhibition of 1851 with the Millennium dome of 2000.
The early exhibition was housed in the spectacular Crystal Palace, constructed of glass and designed by Joseph Paxton. In the 1850s Britain was changing from a nation mainly employed in agriculture to one where manufacture was of prime importance. Prince Albert considered there was a need for a showcase for industries of all nations at this time. In fact it glorified British manufacture, over half of the 100,000 exhibits were from Britain or the British Empire. More than 6 million people came to see the displays, many of them travelling to London for the first time.
Not only was the Great Exhibition a popular success but it also made money. The Albert Hall, South Kensington Museums and the whole area round Exhibition Road were developed with proceeds from the 1851 fair. In fact there is still money available for industrial projects from funds set up at that time.
Joanna contrasted this very successful project to the Millennium Dome, which had such a different history.

Valerie Moir

A Church Walk

Tutor: Robin Rowe
Date: Thursday 3rd July Time: 7- 9pm Venue: Lyddington and Stoke Dry

WEA members on the Lyddington Church Walk.

In case you are wondering how we summoned the enthusiasm to drive from Sulgrave to within a couple of miles of Uppingham let us say at once that we made this occasion and afternoon and evening out! This particular session was the last in a series of six, evening, church walks in the north and east of the county. We chose to do this one because we have long been delighted by the topography and architecture of the Welland Valley and Rutland; and we knew that Lyddington boasts a beautiful large church and bishop's lodging house - a reminder of the days when the village was in the diocese of Lincoln. Our tutor drew our attention to the many unusual and well preserved architectural features including the choir screen, wall paintings, and the mass or communion rail surrounding all four sides of the altar table. After this our group of 30 drove the mile or so to Stoke Dry for another fascinating walk around the church which, after the Reformation, continued to secretly celebrate the catholic mass in a side chapel for the Digby family. Most of our group had attended all six of these walks and were fulsome in their regard for Robin Rowe's well informed lectures.

Peter and Ann Mackness