In The Loop – 22 Nov 2025 News and Spring Term Courses
Hello everyone and welcome to the November edition of ‘in the loop’. As we enter the start of the festive season, we are looking forward to getting the Christmas tree out and making Stoke Lodge look cosy and festive.
All our spring term courses are open for enrolments, so don’t forget to get your new year sorted before the Christmas madness hits! The office will be closed from Christmas eve to the start of the term in January so if you want to book with us in person or over the phone rather than online make sure you get in touch before our annual break.
Stuck for a gift ideas? You can give an Adult Learning gift voucher in any amount; we have paper vouchers here in the office or e-vouchers we can email out. If that’s the Christmas treat you want, don’t forget to start dropping those (not to subtle) hints to your nearest and dearests now!
A few Stoke Lodge practicalities
Water, water, everywhere!
You may have noticed we had a rather large leak in the upstairs corridor recently! The main source of the leak has been resolved but we do need a bit of additional work done in the exposed ceiling to make sure the drainage pipes have the correct angle to ensure rainwater is channelled away from the main roof! We are hoping that will be completed soon so we will be able to get the ceiling all fixed properly and given a fresh lick of paint. Although it’s been interesting to get a view of the inside of the roof! We are hoping that will be patched up in the next few weeks.
Just a quick note to remind all learners to park considerately, particularly in our back car park. Some days we are quite tight for available spaces it really helps if people don’t leave too big a gap between cars.
We are an amazing old building but with that you do get these challenges, and we appreciate your patience while this all gets sorted out!
Creative Writing
We are so proud of our talented creative writing learners and want to say a huge well done in particular to Ellis, who has just published his children’s fantasy novel which he has been working on in class and to Karen who recently had her story published in a prize-winning anthology. It’s so wonderful to see their hard work and talents recognised.
If you want to put pen to paper you could try one of our spring course with Carolyn Lewis
The Art Of Short Story Writing R22B
An introduction to short story writing, covering key elements and tips for publication. 5 weeks from 13 Jan, Tue 1pm-3pm £99
An opportunity to share creative writing in a friendly environment. One session on Wed 28 Jan, 1pm-3pm £22
Charity Donations
Following our recent exhibitions of learner’s work, you may know that we take a small commission from any sales of work, which we donate to a local charity.
I am delighted to say we have recently donated £300 raised from the sale of artwork here at Stoke lodge to Lighting Up who run art sessions for people living with Dementia.
We also collected just over £100 in tea and coffee funds on Remembrance Day which will be donated in full to the Royal British legion Poppy Appeal.
New Beginners language courses starting in the new year
New year – new skill. Why not kick off 2026 with a new language.
These courses are suitable for beginners, and no previous knowledge of the language is required.
Davide Ariasso, Fridays 1pm – 3pm, starts: 09 Jan 2026 for 16 weeks, £264
Spanish for Beginners LSJ30
Julian Segura, Wed, 1pm-3pm, starts 7.1.2026, for 16 weeks, £264
French for Beginners LFC31
Catherine Flageul, Wed, 1pm-3pm, starts 7.1.2026, for 16 weeks, £264
Portuguese for Beginners LMR26
Margarida Rodriguez da Silva, Thur, 1pm-3pm, starts 15.1.2026, for 10 weeks, £165
Life Saving Defibrillator
We are really pleased to be able to host a community access defibrillator which has been provided through a partnership between Bristol City Council and Great Western Ambulance (GWAA).
The Defib will be fitted to the wall just outside the main door meaning it will be available 24/7 to anyone who might need it.
In the new year we are hoping to get some training from the fantastic team at GWAA in how to use the defib and will be opening that up to regular learners, local people or regular Stoke Lodge users who might like to come along.
Last chance to book for these one-day courses before Christmas.
Philosophy for everyday life – What is good and bad, right and wrong? SMJ4
In this workshop we will explore some different ethical theories which explain ‘good and bad, right and wrong’. We will discuss a range of moral issues and dilemmas and identify some explanations of the basis of morality. One session on Sat 6 Dec, 10am–3pm £42 with Jim Mepham
Seasonal Gardening: Make the best of your garden in time for Spring SCP5
One in a series of short, day courses designed to make every gardening season special by anticipating what can be done and how. We will include pruning, propagation and plant selection. One session on 5 Dec, 10am -3pm £42 with Christine Pritchard
Italian Day: Opera Puccini e Verdi – Tenuto in Italiano LM25
L’Opera italiana con Verdi e Puccini, la loro vita e le “arie” più famose con Pavarotti, Caruso e Renata Tebaldi. Parleremo dei grandi teatri italiani e i direttori d’orchestra. Gli studenti devono avere un buon livello di italiano. One session on Sat 6 Dec, 11am-4pm £42 with Marika Parisi
Christmas Pies and Tarts CSA16
There’s more to Christmas baking than mince pies. We’ve got your Christmas celebrations covered with some exciting savoury centrepieces, desserts and sweet treats in our festive pies and tarts session. One session on Tue 9 Dec, 10.30am-2.30pm £70 with Sarah Alder
Spring Term Courses
All our spring term courses are available to enrol with some courses full or close to full already, so if you have your heart set on a particular course, please don’t forget to book your space.
We have some great creative textiles courses including…
Crochet Plus-Top-Down Garment T78B
This course focuses on the top-down crochet technique to create a made-to-measure seamless garment. 5 weeks from 14 Jan, Wed 1pm-4pm £130 with Cristina Valladares
Tunisian Crochet – Intermediates T27B
A course for those who have mastered the basics of Tunisian crochet and are ready to elevate their craft. 5 weeks from 15 Jan, Thur 1pm-3.30pm £127 with Cristina Valladares
Dressmaking And Textiles – Mixed Ability T95B
A practical course for all skill levels, where learners develop dressmaking techniques at their own pace. 11 weeks from 13 Jan, Tue 6.30pm-9pm £232 with Lorraine Joseph
Build your drawing skills with…
Drawing – Beginners P44C
This course offers a friendly, supportive, and structured environment for beginners to develop their drawing skills as well as for those looking to refresh their basic techniques. 5 weeks from 13 Jan, Tue 9.30am-12.30pm £132 with Mary Kelly
Drawing Skills – Mixed Ability P62C
Weekly exercises and projects to develop confidence with pencil, charcoal and coloured pastels. Suitable for beginners and those wishing to improve. 5 weeks from 14 Jan, Wed 1pm-3pm £84 with Roma Widger
I Wish I Could Draw People! Figures And Faces – Beginners & Intermediates P56A
An opportunity to develop figure and portrait drawing skills, starting with photographs and moving to clothed models in the last 3 sessions. 5 weeks from 16 Jan, Fri 9.45am-12.15pm £125 with Bill Guilding
Just Charcoal P52C
An introduction to charcoal drawing, covering types, tools, and techniques. 5 weeks from 15 Jan, Thu 10am-12.30pm £105 with Jenny Ibrahim
Painting and Print…
Impressed-The Art Of Dry Point Etching P49C
You will learn how to create etchings by tracing images onto plastic sheets, inking them, and using a printing press to produce your artwork. 5 weeks from 13 Jan, Tue 1pm-4pm £145 with Rebecca Plas
You will learn to create bold, colourful designs using the relief printing technique of linocut. 5 weeks from 14 Jan, Wed 9.30am-12.30pm £145 with Rebecca Plas
A practical introduction to watercolour painting, featuring a variety of approaches and techniques. 5 weeks from 12 Jan, Mon 1pm-4pm £132 with Mary Kelly
Watercolours – Mixed Ability P57C
A course for beginners exploring watercolours and experienced painters enhancing their techniques. 5 weeks from 13 Jan, Tue 6pm-8.30pm £110 with Elham Talay Minaei
Watercolours – Intermediates P59C
An intermediate course expanding on basics and deepening colour theory for a richer experience. 5 weeks from 15 Jan, Thu 1.30-4.30 £125 with Elham Tayay Minaei
Space For Creativity – Mentoring For Artists P70C
Weekend workshops offering experienced painters a space to develop their practice. Sat and Sun 17/18 Jan, 10am-4pm £100 with Laurel Smart
We are absolutely delighted to have jewellery making back at Stoke lodge and this term learners have been making some fantastic silver rings, next term will be pendants so sign up now and don’t miss out.
Beginners Silver Jewellery-Pendants K44A
You will learn to produce a piece of jewellery from start to finish, including metal cutting, soldering, and finishing techniques. Guided by an experienced tutor and jeweller, you will receive step-by-step demonstrations and continuous individual support. You will create your own silver pendant, with the opportunity to add your unique designs to its surface decoration. Course costs include your silver.
4 weeks from 16 Jan, Fri 10am-1pm £165 with Alice Barratt
History and Literature for the new year…
NEW literature course: Literature of the border: Valeria Luiselli, Yuri Herrera and Carlos Fonseca. (LG3)
The novels deal with themes of migration, identity, and the harsh realities of border crossing, and the quest for belonging and self-discovery. 5 weeks from 16 Jan, Fri 12:45pm-14:45pm £84 with Gorka Diaz
Neoclassism: Art in the age of Napoleon and Jane Austen SRS10
This course looks at the paintings, architecture and fashion to shed light on this exciting and colourful period. 3 weeks from 28 Jan, Wed 7pm-9pm £50 with Richard Stride
‘No place for ladies’ – 19th century women and their military adventures SRS8
This course looks at the lives of six individual women to glimpse into the difficult and dangerous roles that they undertook. 6 weeks from 13 Jan, Tue 1pm-3pm £100 with Richard Stride
Discovering your Family History made easy SFH2
Gain a deeper understanding of the most used family history resources, and the use of correct research techniques. 10 weeks from 14 Jan, Wed 6.30pm-8.30pm £165 with Rosemary Caldicott
Keep an eye on our social media channels in the run up to Christmas for festive fun.
Kindest regards
Jenny
