Learning in York
You need a break from everyday life, but you’re not the type to sit on a beach all day. And if your mind’s not otherwise occupied you’ll spend the whole holiday thinking about all those things you’re trying to have a break from. Sound familiar?
Take a break in York and as well as exploring the historic architecture, the attractions and the shops, you can join an archaeological dig, learn to fly, improve your artistic skills, your cookery skills – you can even learn Anglo-Saxon! And at the end of your holiday, whether it was 2 days or 2 weeks, you’ll feel refreshed, relaxed – and you’ll have learned something new into the bargain!
Here are just a few ideas for your next learning holiday:
Join a Dig
York Archaeological Trust has been running a training excavation at St Leonard’s Hospital, York each summer since 2001. This is an important ‘urban’ excavation, a type of site not normally accessible to the general public. According to documentary evidence, the hospital of St Peter (later St Leonard) was founded on this site by 1073. However, evidence found during this excavation supports a theory that the hospital was originally founded on this site by King Athelstan in 936.
The huge number of finds so far (including over 3,000 special finds, 400 kg of pottery and 4 tonnes of brick and tile), dating back to Roman and Viking times, have provided invaluable insights into the activities that took place on the site, and the lives of the people living there. Top-quality teaching will be provided by experienced York Archaeological Trust staff, catering for all levels of ability and interest. No previous experience is necessary. The training excavation is open to everyone aged 16 years or over, but there are also special activities for children.
There are three types of hands-on experience available:
Tasters (1-2 days) cater for people who would like to try a little excavation work before deciding whether to get more deeply involved.
Longer courses (1 week or longer) give participants a thorough understanding of excavation techniques and procedures, working alongside YAT’s excavation staff. Lectures, visits and talks are included in some packages. Free admission to JORVIK and the ARC is available to all trainees. There is also a lively social element, which is strictly optional!
For more details contact: Karen Bettsworth/Helen Dennis on 01904 663045 or email stleonard@yorkarchaeology.co.uk Website: www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk
York University Summer Schools
Week-long summer school courses are offered by the university’s Centre for Continuing Education. They run throughout July and August 17-23 and fees include tuition time, meals, accommodation, evening talks and course-related field trips. Examples of past courses include> :
Inventing Yorkshire
Through lectures, readings, discussions and visits, this course will look at the Yorkshire worlds of the Brontes and Laurence Sterne, and more recent writers such as Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath. By looking at films such as Brassed Off and The Full Monty, and TV series such as Last of the Summer Wine, it will explore how art and media have turned Yorkshire into an imaginary place while visiting such locations as Haworth, Coxwold, Bradford and Whitby to see the reality they used.
Creative Writing: Poetry and Short Stories
This is a ‘hands-on’ practical course, based on writing workshops and one-to-one tuition, using the inspiring location of the City of York with its historical, artistic and architectural features to the full. Whether you are a total beginner or have some experience of writing, there will be something for you.
Jazz
What music is it that legitimately falls under the generic term ‘Jazz’? What were the conditions that gave rise to its creation and where and when did it come about? What were the essential ingredients of Jazz and once it had emerged how did the music develop? Through a series of lectures, videos, discussions and listening to examples, this course will try to answer these questions. It does not require any knowledge of musical theory and its structure assumes no prior knowledge of Jazz.
A County in Transition: York and Yorkshire in the 18th Century
This course will consider the period of transition during the 18th Century that took place, both in terms of growth in Yorkshire and the changing role of the City of York. It will explore the topography of Yorkshire, which enabled industrial expansion to take place and the growth of the textile towns of Leeds, Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield.
The Railways and Victorian Britain
It will trace the development of the country’s railway system including a look at York as a railway centre and the career of George Hudson. Among other aspects to be examined will be railway architecture, railways and art and literature, railways and the development of towns, railways and holidays, railways and food, and railways and crime. This well-researched and stimulating course will be of interest to those who like railways and those with an interest in social and economic history and in the culture of Victorian England.
Giacomo Puccini and his Musical World
This course will explore all of Puccini’s operas, with musical illustrations on CD and video, together with operas by Mascagni, Leoncavallo, Cilea, Giordano, Franchetti, Leoni, Alfano, Catalani, Sandonai and others. It will also consider Puccini’s musical predecessors and his successors. This course is suitable for newcomers to opera as well as more seasoned opera-goers.
Great Gardens of Yorkshire
It will explore the whole garden experience, including design principles, symbolism, planting, ornament and water features, as well as the relationship with the focal point of the layout: the house. There will be plenty of opportunity to look at both the wider context and the detail of decoration and planting. Many of the gardens are set in magnificent countryside and some include exceptional features such as ruined abbeys in the layout or as part of the view. Illustrated talks will reveal the wider cultural context and the key personalities behind these remarkable places.
Stabbing in the Dark: Illuminating the Dark Ages
There is a common misconception: that ‘Dark Age’ people lived in small huts, exposed to the elements, trying to make the most of a life that was nasty, brutish and short. However, in this course we will discover that this is far from the truth, and that the Anglo-Saxon period produced works of art and literature of great sophistication and complexity, revealing a culture far from dark in its outlook. It is, in particular, York and the North of England that can lay claim to being the cradle of Anglo-Saxon artistry and the birthplace of its greatest minds.
Richard III and the Wars of the Roses
There is no better place to begin exploring the history of medieval England than with the Wars of the Roses. And there is no King of England more notorious than Richard III. This course shall go straight back to the documents and chronicles of the Middle Ages for an in-depth exploration of these troubled times. The city of York provides the perfect base for this research. For details on the summer schools programme, call the Centre on 01904 434620 for an information pack and booking form, or email residential-schools@york.ac.uk
For an up to date list of current courses visit the University of York website or email direct.Learn To Fly
If this doesn’t take your mind off the office, nothing will! York Gliding Centre is situated in the middle of the Vale of York, where the summer thermals allow long, soaring flights, locally and across country. The Centre has a range of two-seat, solo and motorised gliders and 30 qualified instructors. Five-day training courses are available from April – September. Tel: 01904 678694 for further details, email: yorkglidingcentre@btinternet.com
Art Courses at Castle Howard
There could not be a more perfect setting in which to improve your artistic skills than the fabulous Castle Howard, one of Britain’s grandest stately homes. The house displays a magnificent collection of paintings, and the grounds are simply inspirational. The courses cover drawing, watercolour, acrylic and oil painting and sculpture. Tel: 01262 401334. Website: www.castlehoward.co.uk
Art at Adze Gallery
Right in the city centre, the Adze Gallery is a small but exciting contemporary gallery and sculpture garden, run by Dee Bray-Calvet and David Durham. As well as the gallery on Gillygate, they also welcome visitors to their lovely house, Minster Yard Studios, in the shadow of York Minster, where they run 2-day master classes with exhibiting artists in painting, drawing, sculpture and stone carving. For more details call 01904 674348 or email adzegallery@hotmail.com
Cookery at Hazlewood Castle
Treat yourself to a luxurious break at Hazlewood Castle with cookery Masterclasses by superchef John Benson-Smith, 1999 Northern Chef of the Year, BBC Mastechef judge and one of Loyd Grossman’s six top UK chefs. With a maximum of just 8 people in the class, informative tutorial and hands-on cooking in Hazlewood Castle’s kitchens, you can really get to grips with new skills and new ideas. To get you in the mood, the class begins with a two-course luncheon and champagne, naturally! The course, including lunch, costs £65 per person, and special room rates in this lovely hotel are offered to attendees. Dates for 2006 are: 24,25,26 Jan; 13,14,15,16,20,21,22 Feb; 20,21,22,23 March; 3,4,5,6 April; 1,2,3,4 May. For more details call: 01937 535353, websites: www.hazelwood-castle.co.uk www.cookery-masterclass.co.uk
Betty’s Cookery School
No visit to York is complete without calling at Betty’s Tearooms in St Helen’s Square. Choose from an exclusive range of teas and coffees, all-day breakfast (but this is no greasy spoon!), lunch or something wicked from the cake trolley. Once experienced, forever smitten! And chocoholics beware – you’ll never get past the display of handmade chocolates on the way out without succumbing to temptation.
Betty’s also offers 1 and 2 day cookery courses, covering a wide variety of subjects from breadmaking to family meals to advanced chocolate techniques. Most courses take place at weekends, and even teenagers can learn cook during school holidays. Classes are given by Betty’s own master bakers next to the craft bakery in Harrogate. For course details call Betty’s Cookery School on 01423 814016, website: www.bettysandtaylors.co.uk
For any further information and your free guide to York please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org
Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager - Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org website: www.visityork.org