In The Loop 29 Jan 2026
Hello everyone and welcome back to the spring term with Bristol Adult Learning. It’s been rather wet and windy but hopefully we have some lovely crisp spring days to come.
As we move into February we will be celebrating the start of the Lunar New Year – the Year of the Horse –symbolising adventure and vitality. The 16 day festival starts on 17 February and we wish all those celebrating a very Happy New Year.
Mid-February also marks the start of Ramadan, an important time in the Muslim calendar. Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community and we wish all those observing Ramadan a peaceful holy month. “Ramadan Mubarak” (have a blessed Ramadan)
Here at Adult Learning we have some great courses still to join that will help to brighten up these winter months.
Textile Courses
Get creative with textiles…
Crochet Plus-Tunisian Crochet Garment T78D
You will design your own garment, learning how to measure your body and follow the necessary steps to create it. Using Tunisian crochet, you will work with basic or advanced stitches and incorporate colour play. Beginners can create flat panels, while experienced learners can work in the round.
Fabric Weaving – Beginners T96C
A creative introduction to hand-weaving on a rigid heddle loom, guiding learners through the process of making cotton fabric and transforming it into unique, personalised pieces.
With Libby Ballon, starting 25 Feb, Wed 5.45-8.30pm for 6 weeks at St Paul’s £215
Art Courses
Try a new technique or medium with Patina, Etching and Watercolour…
Decorative Paint Techniques-Patina P57H
You will explore a variety of patina techniques to create aged, weathered, and textured effects on different surfaces. You will experiment with layering, colour changes, and surface reactions to achieve organic, time-worn finishes. The course encourages creative play, combining artistic intuition with simple, effective methods. Whether you are new to art or looking to expand your skills, you will leave with unique samples and lots of inspiration.
With Elham Talay Minaei, starting 27 Feb, Fri 10-1pm for 4 weeks £110
Watercolours – Mixed Ability P57D
You will develop the confidence and skills to create captivating watercolour paintings that express your unique artistic vision. Your tutor will provide tailored guidance and support to help you achieve your artistic goals. By the end of the course, you will have gained a range of new techniques and leave with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
With Elham Talay Minaei, starting 24 Feb, Tue 6-8.30pm for 6 weeks £130
Impressed-The Art Of Dry Point Etching P49D
You will learn how to create etchings by tracing images onto plastic sheets, inking them, and using a printing press to produce your artwork.
Experiment with mark-making techniques to transform photos of meaningful places, pets, or your own abstract designs into striking prints. You will also explore alternative materials like Tetra Pak. If you wish, you can further develop your prints by adding colour.
With Rebecca Plas, Staring 24 Feb, 1-4pm for 6 weeks £174
Language Courses
Language courses still available to join…
Get a flavour of Italian and Italy in this course. Learn some useful phrases that you can use when visiting any Italian speaking country. An excellent introduction for beginners, who will be introduced to a range vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, providing them with all the basic knowledge of the language.
With Laura Geraci starting 5 Feb, Thu 7-9pm for 8 weeks £132
Italian Level 1B – Beginners Plus LLG15 – Starting 4 Feb, Wed 10-12noon for 8 weeks £132
Italian Level 2A – Intermediate LLG16 – Starting 4 Feb, Wed 1-3pm for 8 weeks £132
Brush up your holiday French LFD306
If you would like a little refresher of your basic knowledge of French ahead of your travels, this course, taught over 6 sessions, will enable you to brush up on common phrases to use abroad in conversations and transactions.
With Albane Herpin starting 24 Feb, Tue 10-12noon for 6 weeks £100
Get by in Portuguese on Holiday LMR27
Learn some basic ‘survival’ Portuguese to cope in essential, everyday situations. Including greetings and introductions, finding your way around, booking accommodation, visiting places of interest, shopping, travelling around, eating out, asking and answering questions, having a simple social conversation.
With Margarida Rodrigues da Silva, starting 24 Feb, Tue 2-4pm for 6 weeks £100
Or explore some compelling stories with…
Contemporary Hispanic Literature Taster – Just £10
Dive into the electric worlds of three of the most compelling voices in Hispanic American literature, exploring how they reimagine everyday life.
With Gorka Diaz, on 13 Feb, 12.45-2.45pm £10
Who were the Spartans? We look at Spartan society, including their unique family and education systems, and ask why they were feared, but also admired for their ‘laconic’ sense of humour.
With Richard Stride, starting 25 Feb, Wed 7-9pm for 5 weeks £84
Exploring Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony R10B
A music appreciation workshop for classical music novices and enthusiasts, designed to engage and inspire. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, first performed in 1824, has greatly influenced Western classical music and European culture. How did he create it, and what does it mean to us today?
With Matthey Heyse-Moore, on Sat 7 Feb, 10am-4pm, £56
Things to brighten the darker months…
Bristol Light Festival returns this year between 19-28 February with a variety on installations across city set to transform dark spaces into illuminated works of art. You can find out more about what is available on their website www.bristollightfestival.org
Explore Bristol’s only subterranean tour with the St Nicholas Market and Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour. The tours run on Thursdays at 11am and at 11am and 2pm on Fridays and Saturdays. You can find out more and book here https://www.st-nickstours.com/
The Martin Parr Foundation who are based at Paintworks in South Bristol, have an upcoming exhibition – The Last Resort starting on 20 Feb.
To honour Martin Parr following his death on 6 December, the MPF gallery will now open in 2026 with an exhibition of Martin’s iconic series, The Last Resort. Shot around the English seaside town of New Brighton between 1983 and 1985, The Last Resort was one of the pioneering bodies of work driving British colour documentary photography and established Martin as one of Britain’s most influential photographers.
Martin Parr Foundation – The Last Resort
We are ready for 2026 to be a fantastic year and we hope to see you at Stoke Lodge over the coming months.
Kindest regards
Jenny
