Summer Term 2026 Courses
From April 2026 ESLifelongLearning will be running the following courses:
English Radicals: History of English Radicalism
The Course will cover 700 years of English Radicalism from the Peasants Revolt to the 20th Century taking in the Civil War, John Wilkes, The Chartists, Sylvia Pankhurst and much more. The course will use historical material and discussion to discuss this topic.
Tuesday 14th April – Tuesday 12th May 10.30am – 12.30am (5 Sessions)
Enfield Baptist Church, Tutor – Laurie Johnston – Cost £90 (Annual Membership Fee £8.00)
Course Outline
Covering over 700 years of English Radicalism starting with the Peasants Revolt and going through to the 20th Century we will explore people and events in English History that can be described as English Radicalism. Using historical materials/sources and lively debate we will explore whether a coherent and enduring programme and movement can be discerned. Some of the events and people we will look at are The English Civil War, John Wilkes, Tom Paine, The Chartists and the Womens Suffragette Movement.
History on our doorstep: The New River in Enfield
Emphasising social/political history the course looks at the construction of The New River, its route and its importance for London’s Water supply.
Friday 17th April to Friday 15th May 10am – 12am (5 Sessions)
Enfield Baptist Church, Tutor – George O’Reilly – Cost £90 (Annual Membership Fee £8.00)
Course Outline
With an emphasis on social and political history the course examines the construction of the New River in the early seventeenth century, its importance for London’s water supply, even today over 400 years later, and its route passing close to some of Enfield’s most important historical sites and villages.
Description
Alongside the main subject matter of the new River, the course will explore a variety of related historical themes such as the growth of London’s merchant classes and their connections with Enfield; the importance of Enfield as a country retreat for Tudor and Stuart monarchs; Enfield’s connections with the East India Company; and the growth of London’s early joint stock companies.
Places of historic interest covered on the course will include Elsyng Palace, Myddleton House, Theobalds House, Capel Manor and the hamlets and villages of Clay Hill, Forty Hill, Winchmore Hill and Bulls Cross.
Classes are interactive with plenty of discussion in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Reading and research beyond the classroom are encouraged.
Walking Man: Giacometti and his Circle
This course explores the artist’s pioneering impact on 20th Century art. Exploring his early career to the development of the ‘walking figures’ during and after the Second World War.
Thursdays – 16th April to 21st May (No class 7th May) – 5 Sessions
10.30am – 12.30am, Enfield Baptist Church
Tutor – Chantal Condron – Cost £90 (Annual Membership Fee £8.00)
Course Outline
Coinciding with a season of the work of Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966) in London with a major exhibition at the Barbican; and a new international centre dedicated to him in Paris, this course explores the artist’s pioneering impact on 20th century art. We explore his early career and involvement with Cubism and Surrealism, and the development of his eponymous ‘walking figures’ during and after the Second World War.
Creative Women: Women Artists, Writers & Musicians
In the creative world women have often been overlooked. This course will make a small step in correcting this imbalance. You will enjoy the creative work of women from the ancient world and to the present day.
Thursdays – Thursday 11th June to Thursday 9th of July (5 Sessions)
10.30am – 12.30am, Enfield Baptist Church
Tutor – Colin Lomas – Cost £90 (Annual Membership Fee £8.00)
Course Outline
In the creative world women have often been overlooked both in their work and the influence they have had on other artists. We will look at some of the work of women writers, artists and musicians over the centuries finishing with the modern day. We will listen to, look at and hear some of their work during the course and then discuss their impact on the cultural world. By the end of the course participants will have a greater understanding of the role of creative women and made a small step in correcting the imbalance in our knowledge of creative women.