A Rich Diet of Culture This Autumn in Steyning.

Leonardo and Shostakovich, medieval history and theatre insights all rub shoulders in the WEA autumn schedule – apart from the Theatre class all run for 10 weeks of 2 hour sessions starting in the last week of September.

Leonardo:
On Tuesday mornings from 27th September we will have Frank Ferrie on Leonardo da Vinci – a wide-ranging course intended to mesh with the National Gallery blockbuster exhibition this autumn. This is not limited to art history but will deal with the historical background to the Italian Renaissance, putting Leonardo in context, and in addition to bringing Leonardo’s artworks vividly to life it will examine all aspects of the Renaissance, locating Leonardo’s art and innovations in a truly European context, examining other Renaissance masters both Italian and Northern and looking also at Leonardo as the ‘polymath’ (painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, scientist, musician...)

Course Information:
Course Tutor - Frank Ferrie. Tuesdays at 10 a.m. 10 sessions starting on Tuesday 27th September 2011. Fee of £79.

Penfold Hall, Church Street, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3PN

Shostakovich:
On Wednesday afternoons from 28th September we will have Robert Carrington on The Compleat Shostakovich. Robert’s courses on music appreciation have an enthusiastic following – eclectic and always full of the unexpected, Robert follows his own enthusiasms and conveys them to the rest of us. Shostakovich is certainly one of them, a hugely rewarding composer whose work was conditioned by the constraints of life in Soviet Russia. This course is intended to outline the huge volume and variety of genres covered by his work. No prior knowledge of music theory is required; you don’t need to be able to read music to enjoy these entertaining and instructive afternoons.

Milestones in Medieval History:
On Thursday afternoons from 22nd September we will have Jennifer Goldsmith on Milestones in English History 1066-1603. The course will focus on some of the major events which have shaped our nation and how they affected life in Sussex – ranging from the Conquest and the first Civil War through the Magna Carta, Simon de Montfort and the Battle of Lewes, to the Black Death (local deserted villages), the Wars of the Roses and the huge changes of the Reformation (local monastic houses), Mary Tudor and the Sussex Martyrs up to Sussex preparing for invasion and the Armada. We hope it will be a good preparation for the short programme of special Steyning Early History day courses planned for February and March next year.

Theatre:
On Friday mornings, but only once a month from 7th October we will again have David Heley on Experience of Theatre. As in previous years David will be discussing aspects and techniques of theatre, guide us on current productions and we will share experiences of plays we have seen. No acting is involved though we do sometimes read play extracts.

David is immensely knowledgeable and a most inspiring tutor and this course is always very popular, but because he is now so busy with other work for the Open University we will have him for only five sessions. After this we intend to turn the monthly Friday mornings into a sort of theatre club, and carry on by ourselves.

All these courses except the Theatre one will cost £79; the Theatre course will be £37.50. As always people are welcome to turn up on the first day without booking and make a decision then about whether to proceed, paying the next week – but all these courses are likely to be popular so it is wisest to book. It’s also a great help to us as we know how many people to expect.

You can book with the WEA regional office at any time (space permitting) up to one week before the course starts. You either book online at https://enrolonline.wea.org.uk or by telephone on 0800 328 1060. You may be entitled to fee remission, if you are on an income-based benefit, or the dependent of someone who is. To check your eligibility ring the WEA office on the number above.

For more details, venues etc see the WEA brochure which will be in the Library shortly or look at courses online at the URL above.

Sarah Leigh 01903 813422 or sarah.c.leigh@btopenworld.com

Return To News Page