The Havant WEA Spring term 2020 was running smoothly when Covid 19 hit the world and life changed.
The Art Appreciation course presented by Prasannajit de Silva at Bedhampton Community Centre: “Art of the British Empire” was full, as was a History course at Emsworth Community Centre: “England in the Drama and Change from Medieval to Early Modern Society” by tutor Jennifer Goldsmith. These courses had to end abruptly although fortunately they were near completion.
A planned Day School by tutor Geoffrey Mead “Hearth and Home: Aspects of Housing History” was able to take place in March, just before lockdown.
As face to face courses were then not permitted the future for WEA courses seemed bleak – then Zoom came into our lives. The Havant WEA autumn courses were able to take place, not in local halls but in people’s homes, provided by Zoom on laptops and TVs. The lecturers were willing to use Zoom, so the planned autumn courses were accessible and once advertised were soon fully booked.
The Art Appreciation course presented by tutor Michaela Cranmer: Brave New World, The Art of the 1930’s and the History Course by Jennifer Goldsmith:|All Smoke and Mirrors-espionage, treachery, plots and plotters, are both running smoothly. The courses are full, and participants are able to communicate with the tutors and fellow students through the wonder of modern technology. It is anticipated that different Art Appreciation and History courses will also take place in the New Year. Information about courses will be on the WEA website.