What's On

Tai Chi provides core balance, harmony, and wellbeing. Although considered a martial art, Tai Chi is also meditative and an energising exercise.  On this course, seasoned tutor Devdan will guide students through Part 2 of the traditional long form of the Yang style.   Students are advised to wear comfortable clothing to allow stretching and smooth-soled exercise […]

Tai Chi provides core balance, harmony, and wellbeing. Although considered a martial art, Tai Chi is also meditative and an energising exercise. Continuing through Part 3, experienced Devdan will guide students through the progression of the 108 movements of the traditional long form of the Yang style.   Students are advised to wear comfortable clothing to allow […]

Tai Chi provides core balance, harmony, and wellbeing. Although considered a martial art, Tai Chi is also meditative and an energising exercise.  For those who have completed and assimilated the 108 Yang Long Form, this course works on refining the flow of the movements and explores related forms such as 24, 48 and sword.   Students are […]

The existence of evil in the world is considered by many to be highly problematic for the claim that God exists. This course considers (rationally and rigorously) the problem of evil, and an influential response made to one variety of the problem by the American philosopher, Alvin Plantinga. It also considers two highly influential explanations […]

Literally meaning ‘Life Energy Cultivation’, Qigong has its roots in Chinese medicine, philosophy, Tai Chi and martial arts. A holistic system of coordinated body posture, movement, and breathing, Qigong is beneficial for health and balance. The cultivation of Chi (Qi) – the flow of energy – enables meditation through mindful movement of the body.   Students […]

Tai Chi provides core balance, harmony, and wellbeing. Although considered a martial art, Tai Chi is also meditative and an energising exercise.  On this course, tutor Devdan will introduce Yang Style Tai Chi concentrating on short forms; a series of continuous, flowing movements which are performed slowly and gracefully. The forms are learnt gradually, posture by […]

Enjoy developing and channelling your writing abilities. Writing forms covered include novels, plays, poems, short stories, and memoirs. Classes will cover many aspects of writing, such as getting started, shaping stories, creating characters, guidelines on getting published. With an emphasis on individual development, there will be reading and discussion of your work in a friendly […]

In this course we will explore the rich variety of themes and styles of such contrasting ground-breaking poets including T.S. Eliot, W.H. Auden, Dylan Thomas, Walt Whitman, Wilfred Owen and Thomas Hardy. We will explore the poetry’s depth of feeling and relation to world events, with some consideration of the musicality created by forms, such […]

Venus – the morning/evening star has long fascinated humanity. In this day school we shall explore how we have come to understand the nature of Venus from the first telescopic observations to more recent radar imaging and space missions: such as Venera, Magellan and Venus Express. How did Venus become Earth’s “evil twin”? What are […]

One of the first artists to appreciate Welsh scenery was the Welsh-born eighteenth century painter, Richard Wilson. As The taste for wild and dramatic scenes grew, Wales became an essential destination for nineteenth century landscapists, including De Loutherbourg, Turner, Samuel Palmer, and the watercolourist David Cox.  It continued to inspire painters, including Graham Sutherland, into […]

This foundation course is for people with no or little knowledge of the Italian language and culture and will enable the participants to feel comfortable when exchanging basic personal information in informal conversations. You will also learn how to ask for directions, order food and drinks, book tickets and accommodation. Basic reading and writing will […]

Coach visit Parham is one of the country’s finest Elizabethan houses, set at the foot of the South Downs in West Sussex. Changed little over the centuries, it has remained a family home. Granted by King Henry VIII to Robert Palmer of Henfield in 1577. Enjoy tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival before a 90-minute […]

John Keats (1795 - 1921) was the ‘bright star’ of the Romantic Poets, along with Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Though indifferently received in his lifetime, his fame grew rapidly after his untimely death, aged 25. Over two weeks, we will look at a range of Keats’ poetry.  We will discuss his ideas about […]

Join us in V Café on alternate Wednesday mornings at our ‘chatter and natter’ table. Run by our friendly table volunteers, we aim to provide a welcoming space for individuals to come together to chat and socialise.

Music has played a key role in the stylistic development of visual art. Join us for this afternoon of painting with live music, where you can express your inner self and reflect on your relationship with music. Accompanied by Nicolas, who will play solo guitar pieces, Songül will demonstrate with pen and watercolour, but you […]

Constance Spry’s life is a rags-to-riches story. From humble beginnings, she became the flower decorator to Royalty and the crème-de-la-crème of society (most controversially the Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson).  She described herself ‘first as a gardener’, but she was also a cook, an acclaimed writer, and educator. During the World Wars, she kept […]

Do you want to practise your French by engaging in conversation with others? Join native speaker Julie, to practise and exchange with others on a wide range of topics. In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, you will strengthen and expand your knowledge of the French language. This course is aimed at those who are confident […]

Join fellow members in the Institute’s historic library for complimentary refreshments and hear a talk from volunteer, Julian Morgan. Learn about Guildford-born Joan Harrison, whose life changed forever when she answered Alfred Hitchcock's advert for a private secretary. She be-came a key contributor to his work and followed him to Hollywood, then forged her own […]