General Studies
Course Title: General Studies
Course Code: RE44419
Start Date: 19/09/2020
Day of the Week:- Thursday
Session: Afternoon
Length in weeks: 20
Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Price: £
The programme for the Spring Term is below and the course can still be booked at a reduced cost. Please contact the office for details.
SPRING TERM 2020
Session 11: 9th January
Bedford Cemetery – Colin Woolf
Bedford Cemetery situated to the North end of Foster Hill Road opened in June 1855. I describe it as ‘history below our feet’. I was ‘volunteered’ to be a Friend in 2013 following my retirement and I have enjoyed an interesting relationship ever since. There are many stories to be told about ‘our residents’, who lived and worked in Bedford in years gone by. I will talk about how and why Bedford Cemetery came about and the people that were involved in the early days of its existence.
Session 12: 16th January
“Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel” – Ruth Hogan
Join us for an afternoon in the company of Bedford born Ruth Hogan, the bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things, as she talks about her new novel Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel. The Keeper of Lost Things which was a big ‘word of mouth’ hit has sold over 830,000 copies. Ruth’s third novel is a tender and heartfelt story of a complicated mother and daughter relationship. An irresistible read, it introduces a new cast of wonderful and charmingly eccentric characters. It has received fantastic reviews since publication:
‘A poignant tale of love and family’ Good Housekeeping
‘Enchanting . . . divine’ Prima
‘This book really shines . . . laugh-out-loud funny’ Stylist
‘A moving exploration of the complex relationship between mothers and daughters.’ Observer
Ruth will be ready to sign copies of her book and answer any questions you might have about her writing career.
Session 13: 23rd January
The Nobel Prize for Literature (1901-2019): Politics and Art – Dr Stephen Rogers
Seen as the most prestigious of all literary prizes, in recent times the Nobel Prize for Literature has courted controversy. As a result of a scandal in 2018 no prize was awarded, and in 2019 two awards will be made. In 2016 Bob Dylan was awarded the prize. In this talk we will look back over the history of the prize, look at some of the famous winners (Boris Pasternak) and some of the more unlikely ones (Winston Churchill). We will discuss acceptance speeches and try to understand why some writers have received this accolade (Hemingway, T. S. Eliot, etc.), and why others have not (James Joyce, etc.).
Session 14: 30th January
The Moons of Jupiter & Saturn – places for life? – Dr Mark Chamberlain
Liquid water oceans underneath the outer icy crusts may be the best places to search for life elsewhere in our solar system. However, considerable technological challenges will have to be overcome.
Session 15: 6th February
Portraits of the Lake District – Hemant Jariwala
A “photo-essay” on the beauty of the Lake District with his own unique photography style. The presentation will cover iconic locations and Hemant will give an insight in to the photographic processes and equipment he employs.
Session 16: 13th February
Satellites : Natural & Artificial – Tim Parrott
Until the second half of the twentieth century, Earth had one satellite, the Moon. Then the Russians launched Sputnik. Today our daily lives depend on satellite technology.
HALF TERM
Session 17: 27th February
3D Street Art – Paul Nicholson
Although most street artists work on flat surfaces, a growing number of them have ventured into sculpture in recent years. These include the environmental activist Jonesy, the organic forms of Cityzen Kane and the giant mushrooms created by Christiaan Nagel. Photographs will include many sculptures to be found on the streets of London and others from around the world, from thumb nail-sized artwork to larger than life installations.
Session 18: 5th March
Witness to History, an Eighteenth Century Quaker Marriage Certificate – Dr Barry Dackombe
The Quaker marriage of William Morris of Ampthill and Ann Marsh of Hitchin in December 1789 was witnessed by 79 people. This session will look at who the Quakers (Society of Friends) were and their significance which was highlighted through personal research into the marriage certificate and those who signed as witnesses to the marriage.
Session 19: 12th March **new topic just added**
MG : Going in Style – John Day
The MG name has been around for nearly 100 years and has always been synonymous with affordable and fun motoring. The lecture studies the beginnings of this iconic brand and covers its history right through to the current era and ownership by a Chinese manufacturer. The range of cars produced in its long history are reviewed through the eyes of a local enthusiast, John Day who has owned, restored and used many different models dating from 1929 to the present day. The lecture will also be of interest to anyone considering ownership of an affordable Classic car with tips on how to avoid the pitfalls of starting out on this rewarding hobby.
Session 20: 19th March
Seven Modern Poems – Margaret Norwich
In 1821 Percy Bysshe Shelley said that “poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.” Almost 200 years later it will be interesting and perhaps informative to turn from the work of our acknowledged legislators, to consider what seven contemporary British poets make of our modern world, and what we make of them!