WEA, CDFAS, U3A in Chorleywood
WEA
Anyone with a passion for knowledge will love the WEA – an adult education provider with a difference.
“It’s a stimulating and social experience.” says Michael Mansbridge, “People like to fill gaps in their knowledge and share interests and beliefs. There is no pressure, you soak up as much as you want.”
WEA, which stands for Workers Educational Association, was started in 1903 by the son of a Gloucester carpenter who had been forced to leave school at 14. He later founded the WEA originally to promote education to working men.
Long time member of the Chorleywood and Rickmansworth branch Michael Mansbridge considers being part of the WEA a total pleasure.
“ The WEA keeps the grey matter going. It’s much more challenging than being in a lunch club! I once did a course in International Politics and the tutor had met President Tito!”
Michael admits that his days of essay writing are long gone.
“We go along to be entertained and it’s a stimulating and social experience. People often like to fill gaps in their knowledge. One member who was an engineer joined art and philosophy classes. The aim is for members to share interests and beliefs. There is no pressure, you soak up as much as you want. There are some excellent courses coming up,
A favourite trio of tutors return this season, Virginia Brisco surveys Archaeology in Britain, Madeline Edmead presents Art and The Enlightenment and Michael Bartlet looks at Love, Loss and Heroism – an exploration of conflict in literature. The current commemoration of WW1 has ignited a controversy about how we remember the past in a way that neither glorifies war nor denigrates its victims
Nicola Lowe will return to present this autumn’s Study Day The human form in Western Art.”
Meetings held at Chorleywood Library St John Fisher Catholic Church shire lane, Baptist Church, Chenies and Ricky Tennis club
Courses last 10 or 20 weeks and work out at around £7 a lesson. Full details on course programme 01923 282848 or email rosemary.warburg@btinternet.com
CDFAS (Chorleywood Decorative and Fine Art Society)
Our local branch of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Society has a reputation for securing the best speakers and arranging incredible tours. Launched in 1968, it has around 230 members who come together once a month to listen to talks on art, music, archaeology and travel, and to take part in occasional special interest days and trips.
“We try to think of tying in lectures with visits.” says Visit Secretary Andrew Walker, ” In 2014 We have a talk on late Turner in October followed by a trip to Tate Britain to see his paintings in November. Then we have a lecture on the commemoration of the fourth centenary of the death of El Greco presented by Gail Turner who is a practising artist and teaches at the V&A. In December Peter Medhurst delves into the origins of the Christmas Tree. He’s a musician and very entertaining, he usually asks for a piano so he can play in his presentation. Our Day of Special Interest for the autumn is The Golden Age of Furniture and our first visit in October is to Arundel Castle.”
For details email hiland90@ntlworld.com
Keenagers
Cultural & varied interest talks for lively-minded older people.
Meetings are held each month on a Thursday at 2.30 in the Florence Brown Hall, Chorleywood Baptist church with a different guest speaker each time covering a wide range of topics from art to social history, wild life to gardening.
All are welcome.
U3A
The third age is the stage of life when you no longer work full-time and you have finished bringing up your family – in practice that’s an age range of about 50 to 100. The University of the Third Age is a self-help scheme that took off in the UK 30 years ago. You don’t need formal qualifications and there are no exams. Members share their knowledge, experience and talents with others. Each U3A also has a central monthly meeting with a visiting speaker.
Chorleywood U3A was formed in June 2010. There are more than 40 interest groups enabling members to keep fit, broaden their knowledge, improve their skills or simply enjoy themselves.
In addition to the interest groups, regular monthly meetings give members a chance to socialise and listen to guest speakers who cover a wide range of topics.
Meetings are usually held at the Memorial Hall next to Chorleywood Common but they also organise coach and theatre outings.
Related Articles
October 2013 CDFAS Art Deco Day