Following almost straight on from the York Festival, it was a wonder that anyone had any energy left for the YAHR Summer School, but we needn’t have worried as the sun shone throughout and the capacity number of participants all had a wonderful time.
As usual, the accommodation at the Hawkhills, near Easingwold was excellent , up to country house hotel standards with lovely gardens and woodland grounds and such good catering that folk were soon commenting about next week’s diets.
There was a good range of subjects to study – from the Iron Age to Cosmology, from the Scottish Colourists to Greek Philosophy, from Beginners Spanish to Improvised Drama; with others to choose from, the range of topics certainly provided something for everyone.
If you have never been to a Summer School – imagine a gathering of u3a folk from across the country (not all Yorkshire folk) where we study together, meet new people over mealtimes and have evening social events as well.
This year, as usual, the YAHR Summer School was booked up well before the closing date for bookings, so if you would like to give it a try in 2025, remember to get in early to make a booking so you are not disappointed. If interested, I am happy to answer any questions you may have before booking (events@yahru3a.uk)
Regional Trustee Margaret, Pat and Brian(YAHR MT chair and vice chair) with Hawkhills staff
Courses available:
2024 YAHR Summer School Summary of Courses Available
Pat Grainger: Russia – Ukraine Conflict 2022
patriciagrainger@btinternet.com
A study of the history of Russia and Ukraine from the perspective of the current conflict. We will consider the countries’ relationship from the 17th century onwards, highlighting the differences in political systems, ideologies, values and beliefs as well as the geo- political context of Europe.
In this context, we will explore definitions and concepts: democracy, autocracy, nationalism, individual freedoms, orthodoxy and religion.
There will be lots of opportunities for group discussion during the course including a consideration of the wider implications for European and global stability.
Ian Fisher: Improvised drama
Improvised drama is a course aimed at teaching the techniques to be able to create a piece of theatre that is not reliant on script and learnt lines, and is open to all. Individuals will be given the confidence and skills to know that they will not fail to produce interesting and enjoyable pieces of drama. Participants will constantly be interacting with other members of the group in a supportive and non-critical environment and always within the individual’s comfort zone. No previous “acting’ experience is needed, just the willingness to join in and most importantly: have fun, learn, laugh and enjoy the whole creative process.
Hazel Ward: Basic Holiday Spanish
This course is aimed at a beginners’ or slightly higher level for those who may have been there, done that and wish to revise their Spanish listening and speaking skills. It will provide opportunities for communication by familiarising visitors to a Spanish speaking country whilst increasing confidence in everyday situations that may arise.
The course will also include Spanish traditions and culture where relevant to the topics studied.
Margaret Alton: Scottish Colourists
Have you been fortunate enough to visit the Island of Iona in spring or summer? Do you enjoy looking a paintings infused with light and colour? These were the two elements that introduced me to the Scottish Colourists and encouraged my decision to offer the topic for this year’s U3A Summer School. We would learn about the lives and works of four artists – Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell, John Duncan Fergusson, George Leslie Hunter and Samuel John Peploe. Each member of the group would take an in-depth look at one of
these artists and one particular painting from the point of view of technique (colour, composition, medium), context, meaning, effects (how do you feel when you look at the painting(s) ?) In conclusion we will have a debate about the relationship of the Scottish Colourists to other early C20th British artists such members of the Bloomsbury Group or The Camden Town Group of Artists.
Teresa Gordon: Life drawing
Life drawing is an artistic technique focused on capturing the human form.
I have delivered this course a few times and have a wonderful life model called Chris who is exceptional. The course will involve learning how to study the human form, also looking at movement and some portrait work.
If you are new to life drawing it’s a wonderful experience, giving you the opportunity to practise observational drawing which is a core skill , and the life room is the prefect facility for honing it. If you have some experience of life drawing, this will be a great opportunity to work with a fabulous model as the model is your creative partner.
The materials required are easel if you have one, don’t worry if not, a board to lean on, apron, large drawing paper, pencils, charcoal and pastels. Paints which you are use to using, plus correct paper ie watercolour, acrylic. Please contact me if you are unsure what to bring.
Derek Barker: 1000 years on the anvil: Iron Age Britain to Anglo-Saxon England
The millennium 400 BCE to 600 CE was a time of enormous change and development. At its commencement the most recent metal technology was being exploited by agriculture based tribal groups, but groups capable of huge constructional projects like Maiden Castle. Under Roman influence coinage was introduced. Roman invasion connected Britain to a European-wide military civilisation for the first time which revolutionised trade, language, buildings, roads, religion and art. It is arguable that Christianity was the longest lasting of these revolutions. Life changed dramatically again at the end of the Roman period. The degree of this drama will be discussed at length as will the degree and nature of the Anglo- Saxon penetration, which still remains controversial. We shall conclude with Saint Augustine and the Sutton Hoo burial and the illumination they shed on contemporary society
Christine Palmer: Mixed Media
This course is as it says. A mixture of painting and collage using a variety of materials such as acrylic or watercolour paint (no oil paint) all kinds of paper, from magazines, newspapers, tissue, foil etc. You can also use bubble wrap, twigs, leaves, feathers, buttons, wool, sand, anything is possible to create a unique painting.
Beth Rudkin: Platorama
Plato will be just one of our Greek philosophers. He is surrounded before and after him by major thinkers, all of whom are relevant today. So we will look at Pythagoras (he’s not just
about geometry we did at school). Then there is Heraclitus, who saw the world always in a state of change. Plato, the wonderful central figure, followed by Socrates and Aristotle, and the Stoics. We will have plenty of chance to discuss their ideas – maybe they may even change our ideas just a little.
Roy Stewart: Cosmology
The aim of these sessions will be to try and explain via cosmology the history of the universe over the last 13.8 billion years. We will start at the big bang and reach our current understanding of the structure and formation of our universe and our place in our local galaxy the milky way including the recent identification of numerous exoplanets. We will then explore the possibilities of how our sun will live out its life and also the way the universe could end. There is no need to worry as we are talking trillions of years in the future.
Elisabeth MacDonald: The English Language – who owns it?
In these sessions we shall briefly consider the origins and subsequent development of the language, in terms of major landmarks in its history. We shall also focus on the language as we have known it, as it is today, and its possible directions. We can all contribute our own experiences and attitudes to usage and enjoy plenty of discussion elis.mac@btinternet.com
YAHR 