HISTORY COURSES
Welcome to our History section! We offer a wide range of classes for you to explore and learn from. Take a look at our selection and find the perfect fit for your interests and schedule.
We can't wait to see you in class!
Join Bob Massey on an intriguing journey through the evolution of the Music Hall, exploring its origins from the pubs of the 1830s to the of venues across the UK. Discover how this vibrant form of entertainment from working-class roots to the elegant variety theatres, such as the Nottingham Empire. We'll also delve into its decline during the 1970s and its shift to working men's clubs before witnessing its revival in the 1990s as it returned its pub origins. Experience the rich of the Music Hall through words, music, and film.
Exploring Music Halls
The History of Education
in
Nottingham
Welcome to our course on the History of education in Nottingham.
Join Bob as we explore the history of education from its earliest roots to the present day, highlighting key local figures who have shaped its development over the years. We will journey through various time periods examining the changes and advancements that have occurred in each era. Get ready to gain a deeper understanding of the educational landscape and its rich history!
The historic mill at Arnold, built in 1792 by Robert Davison, John Davison, and John Hawksley, was a significant industrial site. This five-story structure housed workshops, a wool warehouse, a dyehouse, a granary, stables, and a large millpond, facilitating the processing of raw cotton and wool into finished goods. By 1800, the mill employed approximately 2,000 workers, including 600 framework knitters, showcasing its importance in the local economy. After death of Hawksley in 1815, the machinery was sold, and the site transitioned into Nottingham's first gas works, while the pond continues to be a feature in Arnot Hill Park today.
The Ghost Mill of Arnold
War art has played a significant role in capturing the profound human experiences of conflict, particularly during the First and Second World Wars. Artists sought to depict the realities of war, from the horrors faced by soldiers to the impact on, often as a means of commentary or protest. Beyond these pivotal conflicts, war art can also found in various contexts throughout history, reflecting societal struggles, resilience, and the quest for peace. Through these artworks, we gain insight into the emotional and psychological effects of warfare, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the need for understanding.
War Art and why it was created
What really led to The Second World War?
What really led to The Second World War?
The Second World War has never really gone away.
This year is the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), marking the end of World War II in Europe. Numerous T.V. programmes, events and ceremonies will honour the veterans and remember their sacrifices during a war that claimed about 30 million deaths - half of them civilian.
Some claim that those who have lived through the world’s most destructive conflict to-date - and even those who haven’t - feel it as part of their experience of what they are. Many of us are familiar with the names Chamberlain & Churchill. In September 1938, Britain’s Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, promised ‘Peace for our time.’ His counterpart, Winston Churchill said: ‘It could have been prevented without a shot, but no one would listen.’
So why did Britain & Germany go to war again in 1939 following what many were told - and believed - would be the war to end all wars? Why - despite being labelled a blustering buffoon - did Italy’s first fascist dictator – Mussolini - cause such concern for Britain? Why did France collapse so quickly &, given Verdun, can it be blamed for doing so? Why was Hitler tolerated for so long?
Beginning with Poland, this course explores why Britain, France, Germany and Italy went to war – a war whose legacy continues to be felt today.
Britain's Forgotten Blitz: Zeppelin Raids on the East Midlands
While the devastating Blitz of London and Coventry during World War II remains firmly etched in our collective memory, an earlier aerial assault on British soil has largely faded from public consciousness: the Zeppelin raids of World War I.
These hydrogen-filled behemoths brought terror from above long before the Luftwaffe's bombers darkened English skies. Though less destructive than later bombing campaigns, these raids had a profound psychological impact on a population experiencing aerial bombardment for the first time in history.
Beyond the well-documented attacks on London and Kings Lynn, these German airships also targeted smaller communities across the East Midlands, including Ilkeston, Nottingham, and Derby. The sight of these massive silver vessels silently drifting overhead before unleashing their deadly cargo created a unique form of psychological warfare that rattled British morale.
Initially presenting a seemingly insurmountable challenge to British defenses, Zeppelins operated beyond the reach of conventional weapons, appearing invulnerable as they floated above anti-aircraft fire. However, their ultimate defeat came through technological innovation and tactical adaptation that would foreshadow air defense strategies of future conflicts.
Zeppelins Over the Midlands
Decoding Dunkirk: Media Reception Across National Boundaries
Churchill transformed the 1940 evacuation of 338,000 Allied troops from Dunkirk from a "disastrous defeat" into a "miracle of deliverance." This event has since secured what some claim is a "semi-sacred" position in Britain's collective consciousness. But does Christopher Nolan's 2017 film Dunkirk reinforce or challenge this national mythology?
Nolan's film has been noted for its departure from traditional heroic war narratives, potentially representing the universal experience of defeated armies rather than exclusively British triumphalism. This raises compelling questions about how media reception varied across national boundaries, particularly in Germany and France, whose historical perspectives on the event differ significantly from Britain's.
This analysis explores how Dunkirk has been interpreted by British and German media, examining whether the film transcends national narratives to offer a more nuanced portrayal of this pivotal historical moment, or if it ultimately reinforces existing cultural interpretations.
Join archivist and local historian Chris Weir as we delve into Nottingham's transformation from the 1890s to the early 1970s. This engaging course will explore significant themes such as the development of council estates, the expansion of library services and education, and the rise of global industries like Raleigh. Discover how these changes reshaped the landscapes of inner suburbs, including St Ann's, and contributed to the city's rich history. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about Nottingham's vibrant evolution!
The making of modern Nottingham
Researching Local History
Discover the rich history of local landscapes and with our engaging course! Unlock a variety of, from fascinating books and documents to the unique physical features Nottinghamshire and beyond. Explore elevated hills, abandoned railway lines, and stunning church monuments that tell the stories of former manorial sites and significant local figures. Join us for an journey into the past!
The period from the Easter Rising to the Good Friday Agreement was a tumultuous one in Irish history, marked by the struggle for independence, partition, and the Troubles. The Easter Rising of 1916, though a military failure, sparked a surge in Irish nationalism and led to the War of Independence. Partition in 1921 created Northern Ireland, a predominantly Protestant region that remained part of the UK, and the Irish Free State, later the Republic of Ireland. The subsequent Troubles, a period of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland, lasted for decades before the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 brought a measure of peace and power-sharing. This course aims, by studying a range of sources, key individuals and events to explore this turbulent chapter of Irish and British history.
Irish History from the Easter Rising of 1916
to the Good Friday Agreement of 1998
They Were Amused! Some Examples of Late Victorian Humour
It is sometimes said that the Victorians lacked a sense of humour.
This is nonsense.
During the Queen Empress’s reign some of the funniest books ever written were published. So, for example, Dickens’s vision of life in his novels is shot through with comic gusto. We’ll be looking at three examples of late Victorian humour though no prior knowledge will be assumed.
The Savoy Operas by Gilbert and Sullivan
(including The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance and The Gondoliers) were hugely popular in their day both in Britain and America.
They are still revived and, given a good production, come up fresh as paint.
We’ll be exploring their humour and why they have survived so long. The Diary of a Nobody (1892) by George and Weedon Grossmith is a spoof diary which provides a detailed and comic insight into life in suburban London).
Three Men in a Boat (1889) is the best known novel of Jerome K. Jerome and has been described by one critic as ‘one of the comic gems in the English language.’ We will be looking at these wonderful examples of humour in the context of their time and looking at how they have affected later writers.
Musicals: Strife, Low Life and High Society
​
This course combines both history and music as we journey through history looking at musicals, including Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Chicago, Singin' in the Rain, Gypsy, Miss Saigon and others. Also covered will be musicals focused on the history behind industrial issues - there are a surprising number of these! We'll examine political, cultural and social issues that form the basis of the plots and how the historical contexts in which they were written have often affected views of history portrayed in the shows themselves. We will also consider in particular the life and career of Cole Porter, whose background and lifestyle contrasted markedly with those of the mainly Jewish composers and writers behind some of the best-known musicals. With film clips and musical extracts.
Join us on a captivating journey as we explore life in the six Eastern European states that became part of the Soviet bloc after World War II:
Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania.
This course delves into the history of the Warsaw Pact countries, often perceived in the West as a singular entity molded by the Soviet Union. However, each nation unique traits, individual challenges, and distinct political systems that exposed vulnerabilities in the fortress constructed by Josef Stalin's regime.
As we progress into the 1980s, emerging cracks became apparent, leading to the eventual collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, influenced by various internal and external tensions. Through engaging film clips, photos, and artworks, we will uncover the rich and complex narratives of these countries.
Behind the Iron Curtain
Women in the Shadows
Highlights the remarkable achievements of women writers, musicians, and artists in the 19th century. Despite facing significant obstacles, these trailblazers pushed boundaries and carved out their paths in a male-dominated society. Their creativity and resilience not only contributed to the cultural landscape of their time but also laid the groundwork for future generations of female artists. Join us as we celebrate their legacy and the indomitable spirit that drove them to succeed against all odds.
Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” — Albert Einstein