General History Programme dates 2025 at 12.04.25
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A |
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WE DO NOT MEET IN JANUARY |
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B
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10 February 2pm to 4pm
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Candlemas the Pagan and then Christian celebration Alison Barsby The Making of the Mighty Pen in Birmingham Caroline O'Callaghan At our new home St Peters Community Church (see above) £3 a member |
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C
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31 March 25 2.30 to 4pm £3 each
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The very popular Paul Harding will do a presentation on A Victorian Easter which was lively and full of facts including the Easter Hare All changed in the 1837 with the new young Queen Victoria? In celebration, the Victorian Easter became a time for fairs, bonnet parades, bunnies, bonhomie and lavish celebration. Victoria's appetite, both for food and, indeed, for life meant that she became 'as plump as a partridge'. |
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D
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Friday 11 April
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A morning visit to Birmingham by Train to The Jewellery Quarter then a 7-minute walk to The Pen Museum. It has been estimated that the city produced three quarters of the world’s pens in the mid to late 19th century. Hear the voices of the Victorian workers and experience the interactive displays. 19 members went on a beautiful sunny day and were split into 2 groups for the tours. We made nips, learnt history, saw a film of one of the former workers and did graphology. https://search.app/1xcHtKtNZJrCAwDy8 Prebooking open to all members £7.50 for over 65’s + train fare |
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E
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12 May 2025 2.15 to 4pm £3 each
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Tony Robinson’s The History of Britain - THE VICTORIANS The actor takes a fresh and humorous look at British history, ‘from the bottom up’. Instead of the usual stories of the powerful, rich and famous, this is history through the eyes of the common people. In this film we explore their everyday lives: how they washed, ate and made a living; and also, how the behaviour of those who ruled the land affected them. One thing for sure, life for the common people was tough! A colour film followed by group discussion & refreshments.
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F
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Monday 9 June 2.15 to 4pm £3 each
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The History of Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto & Orvieto all are maximum of 15 minute presentations and then questions and a group discussion. Etruscans and Umbrians Angela Curtis The Romans Liz Wood Refreshments at half time Early Medieval from 500 A.D. Vincent O’Callaghan Papal States, Communes and the Renaissance. Caroline O’Callaghan This is for all group members not just those travelling. |
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G
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Tuesday 15 July a visit by car share
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The Needle Museum & Bordesley Abbey departing Kidderminster at 9.30am and returning at around 2pm for a tour of Forge Mill explains the gruesome story of how a needle was made in Victorian times. This takes place in the atmospheric surroundings of the world’s only remaining water powered needle scouring mill. Open to all members booking being taken now £5 a head but spaces in cars are limited unless we have other drivers for the day. To be fair members travelling in cars will contribute to the costs following our u3a rules. |
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H
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04 to 11 September
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Umbria, Assisi & Perugia: The Heart of Italy Following our successful visits to France and Spain we have booked another this time to Italy - Fully Booked |
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I
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13 October 2.15 to 4pm £3 each
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Tony Robinson’s The History of Britain THE TUDORS In this film the actor and history enthusiast explores the history of Britain through the everyday lives of ordinary people. How a knacker became an executioner, and how clothes were made. Finding Henry's sunken ship the Mary Rose. Showing us how food was prepared in Tudor England. A look at cumbersome armour. A colour film followed by group discussion and refreshments. |
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J
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10 November 2.30 to 4pm |
A Tudor Christmas Banquet - a presentation from the very popular Paul & Helen Harding more details to follow but we have been promised a fascinating talk ...... open to all members £3 each |
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K
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8 December 2.15 to 4pm £3 each
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The Tudor Monastery Farm Part 1 Archaeologists Peter Ginn & Tom Pinfold and historian Ruth Goodman, who is also a leading specialist in Tudor domestic life. In this televicion film they turn the clock back to the year 1500 to take on the role of the lay-folk who did the bulk of the farming and crafting within monastic lands. There are domestic tasks to tackle, from lighting fires with flint, making meals with depleted crops during the Hunger Gap and using a tread wheel to fetch water from the well. Peter and Tom's first job is to move the sheep to fresh grass. Wool at this time was known as 'the jewel in the realm', because it generated much of the nation's wealth. A colour film followed by group discussion and refreshments. |
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