Join us at Adult Learning – Celebrate 60 Years of Stoke Lodge!
Hello Everyone, Hope you are enjoying the summer break and coping in the particularly hot weather!
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to Adult Learning in just under a month.
How time flies! – Don’t miss out – remember to book your place!
60 Years of Adult Learning at Stoke Lodge
In 1966 Stoke Lodge became the headquarters for the West Bristol Institute for Further Education so this year is the Diamond Anniversary of Adult Learning at Stoke Lodge.
Thorough the academic year we will be looking at ways to celebrate and mark 60 amazing years. We will definitely want to hear from you, about your experience of learning at Stoke Lodge through the years and will be asking for your memories and stories.
We’ll keep you posted on celebration activities coming up through the year!
Cookery – one day courses
We have lots of delicious one day courses running this year with our talented cookery tutor Sarah Alder – so ‘dig in’ to some culinary delights.
Inspired by the Mediterranean (C1AS)
Learn how to make a delicious spread of dishes inspired by the Mediterranean. We’ll be visiting Greece for delights such as spanakopita and salads, Spain for dishes such as chorizo and white bean stew and romesco and we’ll finish with a trip to Italy for dessert. Tuesday, 22 September, 10:30am -2.30pm
Introduction to Japanese Cooking (C4AS)
You will be introduced to key Japanese cooking methods and ingredients while preparing dishes such as sushi, gyoza, chicken yakitori, and yaki soba. We will prepare everyday Japanese recipes, focusing on flavour balance, knife skills, and essential techniques. Tuesday, 29 September, 10:30am -2.30pm
We will make and feast on a variety of bold and flavourful Middle Eastern mezze dishes such as chicken shawarma, houmous, tabbouleh, ajvar (aubergine and pepper dip), warm and cold salads, batata hara (spiced potatoes) and flatbreads. Tuesday, 6 October, 10:30am -2.30pm
Introduction to French Cooking (C10AS)
Come and learn a variety of French cooking techniques as we prepare classic dishes such as soufflé, pithivier, pistou, or petits pois à la française. The class explores well-known French recipes and regional influences, with tips on sourcing ingredients and adapting dishes so they are easy to recreate at home. Tuesday, 13 October, 10:30am -2.30pm
You’ll be guided through a range of Turkish cooking methods while preparing popular dishes such as karniyarik (lamb stuffed aubergine), pilav (rice), sigara böregi (cheese pastries), and havuç mücveri (carrot fritters). Sessions focus on classic recipes and regional traditions, offering practical advice on ingredient choices and simple adaptations so dishes can be confidently recreated at home. Tuesday, 20 October 10:30am -2.30pm
Explore Bookmaking and Papercraft
We are delighted to be offering bookbinding here at Stoke Lodge this year, so why not create your own bespoke and unique books with our fab new tutor Emma Hopton
Bookbinding 1: Pamphlet Stitch Potential (C60A)
Using the pamphlet stitch as a starting point, this course explores book construction, binding techniques and creative adaptation. The pamphlet stitch is one of the oldest and most satisfying bindings there is, and it is the one that tends to get people hooked. Deceptively simple, it is also endlessly adaptable; change the cover, the thread, the format or the paper and you have something entirely new.
Emma Hopton 5 weeks from 18 September Friday 1pm-4pm
Keeping An Artist’s Journal (A81A)
A creative and reflective course that combines artistic exploration with personal expression, encouraging the development of a unique visual journal. Through the process of recording thoughts, memories and experiences, you will explore a range of creative techniques and media, including sketching, watercolour and mixed-media collage.
Roma Widger 5 weeks from 16 September Wednesday 1pm-3.30pm
Get Creative
Lots of courses to help you to get creative, develop and explore your artistic skills.
A course offering a practical introduction to gouache painting in a friendly, supportive, and structured environment, ideal for beginners as well as those wishing to develop or refresh their painting techniques using vibrant and versatile gouache paints.
Jenny Ibrahim 5 weeks from 17 September Thursday 10:00am -12:30pm
Learn How To Crochet – Beginners (C31A)
A course offering a practical introduction to crochet in a friendly, supportive, and structured environment, ideal for beginners as well as those wishing to refresh their basic skills and techniques, with a different project explored each week.
Cristina Valladares 6 weeks from 15 September Tuesday 6pm-8.30pm
Or for those with some experience looking to develop skills…
Learn How To Crochet – Improvers (C32A) Cristina Valladares 6 weeks from 15 September Tuesday 1.30pm-4pm
Acrylics – Mixed Ability (A76A)
Working from artist studies, photographs and direct observation, you will develop confidence in using acrylic paints to create vibrant, blended paintings while exploring composition, colour and personal artistic style.
Janet Lueck 8 weeks from 30 September Wednesday 6.30pm-9pm
Blind Embossed Printing (A77A)
A welcoming and creative introduction to blind embossed printing for learners of all abilities, helping participants develop essential printmaking skills and techniques, explore the unique possibilities of texture and relief, build confidence through experimentation and creative expression, and create distinctive tactile prints with supportive tutor guidance.
Janet Lueck 8 weeks from 1 October Thursday 6.30pm-9pm
A welcoming and creative mixed media course for learners of all abilities, helping participants explore a range of materials and techniques, build confidence through experimentation and skill development, and create finished artwork using paint, collage, texture and composition with supportive tutor guidance.
Sam Bailey-Price 5 weeks from 17 September Thursday 1pm-3.30pm
Exploring Gelli Printing (A70A)
A welcoming and creative gelli printing course for learners of all abilities, helping participants explore colour, layering, texture and pattern, build confidence through experimentation, and create unique finished pieces with supportive tutor guidance.
Sam Bailey-Price 6 weeks from 14 September Monday 9:30am-12:00noon
Drawing Techniques (A71A)
Learners will enjoy a structured yet relaxed introduction to drawing, exploring a range of materials including pencils, biros, felt pens, charcoal and drawing inks.
Sam Bailey-Price 6 weeks form 16 September Wednesday 6.30pm-8.30pm
Watercolour – Mixed Ability (A64A)
A welcoming course for all skill levels, designed to build confidence, develop techniques, and encourage creative exploration—from complete beginners discovering the joy of painting to experienced artists refining their skills and exploring advanced methods.
Elham Talay Minaei 6 weeks from 15 September Tuesday 6pm-8.30pm
Watercolour Absolute Beginners (A67A)
Learners can expect a relaxed, step-by-step introduction to watercolour painting. You will explore basic techniques such as brush control, colour mixing, washes, layering, and simple composition. Each session includes guided exercises to help you build confidence gradually and develop the skills to create your own finished pieces
Elham Talay Minaei 6 weeks from 17 September Thursday 4.30pm-7pm
Expanded History and Language courses
We have some excellent new courses taking a look at the history of world religions, classics and introducing new languages to expand your linguistic skills.
Exploring World Religions (SF1)
An introduction to some of the world’s major faith traditions, exploring how religions began, what their followers believe, and how they continue to influence cultures, communities and everyday life today.
Fabian Mander 12 weeks from 23 September Wednesday 6pm-8pm
Latin – Part 1 Introduction/Refresher (L1FM)
Discover the language of ancient Rome in this introductory course, suitable for complete beginners as well as those with some ‘rusty’ knowledge.
Fabian Mander 16 weeks from 14 September Monday 1pm-3pm
Ancient Greek – Part 1 Introduction (L3FM)
Curious about the language of Plato, Aristotle and ancient drama? This course offers a gentle introduction to Ancient Greek, for learners with no prior knowledge.
Fabian Mander 16 weeks from 17 September Thursday 1pm-3pm
This course particularly compliments our Greek History courses and is very of the moment after the success this summer of the latest record-breaking film The Odyssey.
Dutch Level 1A – Part 1 Complete Beginners (LDV5)
Get a flavour of Dutch and learn some useful phrases that you can use when visiting any Dutch speaking country. An excellent introduction for complete beginners, who will be introduced to
basic vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, providing them with basic knowledge of the language.
Victoria Holderied-Milis 12 weeks from 7 October, Wednesday 1pm-3pm
Mandarin Chinese Level 1A – Part 1 Introduction (L5FM)
An introduction to the Chinese language, history and culture with a multifaceted exploration of the origins, evolution and modern usage of Mandarin.
Fabian Mander 16 weeks from 16 September Wednesday 10am-12noon
Farewells and Welcomes
We are sad (but happy for them) to wish a fun packed retirement to both Marivi O’Leary, our much loved Spanish tutor after 30 years teaching for Bristol Adult Learning and also to Christine Pritchard our wonderful expert gardening tutor after 16 years’ teaching with us. They have both been part of the family here for a long time, we will miss them but wish them a very happy retirement.
We were also sad to say goodbye to the lovely Marika Parisi, Italian tutor, who made a great impact in the 4 years she has been with us, who has moved to Spain.
We are though, absolutely delighted to welcome a fabulous new group of tutors to Stoke Lodge this year. We really hope you will enjoy the new courses and subjects on offer from:
Victoria Holderied-Milis – who will be offering Dutch and German, Rita Hanks teaching German, Valentina Cavanelliteaching Italian, Barbara Bolzoni teaching Italian, Elise Tingle teaching Italian and Spanish, Lucrecia Jimenez teaching Spanish, Gemma Casado Garcia teaching Spanish, Fabian Mander -teaching Latin, Ancient Greek, Mandarin and World Religions, Emma Hopton teaching Bookbinding and Bookmaking, Janet Lueck teaching Acrylics and Blind Embossed Printmaking, and Sam Bailey-Price offering Mixed Media, Drawing and Gelli Printing.
All our courses for the 2026/27 academic year are available to view and book online, or you can pop into Stoke Lodge or give us a call on 0117 9038844.
Our paper course guides are currently at the printer and are being delivered to homes at the end of August.
Paper copies will also be available here at Stoke Lodge – hopefully arriving one day next week.
This year we are absolutely delighted that one of our very accomplished painting learners George Oxford, kindly agreed to allow us to feature his work as our cover art. It is a vibrant and dynamic abstract work, full of colour and life, that will do a brilliant job of helping our course guides to stand out when they land on peoples doormats later this month, so a big thank you to George.
We had so many courses this year that the room for pictures was very limited but if you explore the guide you will also find a sun-kissed window scene by Bill Lillie and a floral street scene by Monica Kan so another thank you to both of them for allowing us to showcase their stunning work.
Hope to see many of you in our 60th year at Stoke Lodge – and please feel free to say ‘you don’t look a day over 59’!
Kindest regards
Jenny
