Summerwatch on Mousehold Heath

On Friday I walked with a group of folk from Move On East for a 'Summerwatch on Mousehold Heath' walk. Before very long the skies darkened and the thunder started to boom, as the storm gathered. We were forced to seek shelter and have our picnic early.

Despite all the interruptions everyone remained positive and before very long we were able to resume our ramble through the heath. Led by Adult Education tutor, Peter Walton, and Mousehold Heath Warden, Will Stewart, we were treated to a really interesting and enjoyable experience. I think I talked to just about everyone in the group, and all were agreed that it had been a rewarding day.

One of the things that impressed me was the level of prior knowledge amongst the group - and even when people didn't know something, they weren't scared to ask - which is great!

From my point of view there were so many positives from this experience - namely:

• People learned a lot of new things from Will, Peter and each other
• They were outdoors in a local green space that some people would not ordinarily visit
• We all got some fresh air and had a good long walk, which has obvious health benefits
• People were talking, laughing and listening. There was an excellent group spirit.
• Some members of the group expressed a definite interest in volunteering with conservation management tasks on the heath

This was, then, an excellent example of informal learning. I can't make any claims about this being a life changing event for the participants, but it was definitely a positive step; and as the saying goes - a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Thoughts of Food - Food for Thought!

Colin & Glen during an earlier talk about food from the past...



A Taste of Old England' (H753NC8CLT)
To close our Adult Learners' Week programme in Norwich, on Saturday 16th May at 11.15am in the castle keep, along with some other Adult Education tutors (one of whom is a Nutritional Therapist), I'll be doing a session where we explore, not only, the Norman Xmas dinner eaten in the castle in 1121, but also the diet of the local population outside of the castle in that period (wow - what a long sentence... you can breathe now).

I will also be showing you some remains of dinners thrown away by builders of the castle, some 900 years ago. This will be followed by an opportunity for people to taste an Anglo-Norman favourite - beef and strawberry sauce. I'm glad to say that this won't have been cooked 900 years ago. It promises to be, both, fresh and delicious. Entrance to the museum is free for all participants.



Marching on their Stomachs' (H754NC8CLT)
In the afternoon, starting at 2.00 we'll be down the Regimental Museum where we'll be doing a session called 'Marching on their Stomachs'. The museum curator, Kate Thaxton, will lead a walk through the museum where she will talk about food related items. Led by Nutritional Therapist Glen Matten, we will also be looking at, and, indeed, tasting, a modern army ration pack. I hope to have a former National Serviceman present, who will share some of his anecdotes about the beloved ration packs.

If you wish to attend please call 0844 800 8002 and quote the numbers in brackets, above.
If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to get in touch at
colin.howey@norfolk.gov.uk

Many thanks!
~ Colin

Debt Management Workshops

Are you worried about debt? Do you want ideas and skills to try and manage your money better?

Norfolk County Council Adult Education Service is running a series of free debt management workshops to help people to budget, cut bills and resolve debt problems.

Knowledge is part of empowerment!

Details of the courses being run are set out below:

Norwich - Wensum lodge 10.00-12.00
Tuesday 24 February (course code dmbsn24)
Friday 27 March (course code dmbsn27)
Friday 24 April (course code dmbsn24a)

For more information and to enrol on one of these courses please contact Elaine Dale on 01603 306568 or email businessstudies@norfolk.gov.uk quoting the appropriate course code.

Today I had a timely personal reminder about how disempowering a skills gap can be. I freely admit that, although (by some miracle - it was a good day!) I have a GCSE maths equivalent, I really struggle with numbers. Anyway, I was asked to quote some costs for a course and so I sat down and spelled out, step-by-step (or so I thought!!), how the thing would total up to... well, I made it in the region of several thousand pounds (!). 'Wow, our prices are still a bit steep', I thought, but when I went back over it all, it seemed that it must be correct.

Anyway, today I was putting together some more costings for someone, and I must have a clearer head or something, as I saw it all quite differently and totalled it up to a few hundred. Now, this course was only half the hours of the other one, and alarm bells began to ring. I have just had to send what I can only describe as a grovelling apology to the person who received my original quote. Fortunately, he is a kindly human being who, although he will no doubt rib me mercilessly for this, will forgive me my fallability.

My point here is this: all my life I've felt stressed when faced with numbers and maths. I know that I'm deficient in this area, and I've avoided facing up to it. However, after this 'blip' I've decided to talk to my manager about doing a course to improve my skills. I know I'm not gonna find this easy. I have a lot of bad memories associated with maths (it didn't help that I used to burn my maths books periodically, and I wasn't at school very much in the first place). You can't hide away forever though - it's time to face my gremlins!

Free Taster -> Cooking for Optimum Health, Part 1 - Hellesdon High School, 4th March 2009

Course overview:
What better investment than your health! This is a practical cookery course offering the opportunity, not only to learn the essentials of healthy eating, but just as importantly, how to put it into practice. The emphasis is on cooking dishes that both taste great and are good for health.

Course content:
Each session will tackle an essential aspect of healthy eating, giving a hands on guide to the theory, before putting it into practice by cooking (and eating!) one or more themed dishes. Each week will tackle a different theme, as follows:

· Week 1: Healthy breakfasts
· Week 2: Fruits, vegetables and beneficial plant compounds
· Week 3: Herbs, spices and their health benefits
· Week 4: Healthy snacks & healthy packed lunch ideas
· Week 5: The Mediterranean Diet

Additional requirements:
An apron, pen and paper and container to take food home, plus additional ingredients – see below.
Additional costs and materials:
On enrolment you will be given information regarding the ingredients/utensils you will be expected to supply to an approximate cost of approximately £5-£8 per week (depending on what’s being prepared).

The tutor...

The tutor for this course, Glen Matten, is a qualified Nutritional Therapist who has extensive experience of working in community settings, and is a passionate advocate of evidence based healthy nutrition. For more information, click on the following links:

UKTVFood

EveningNewsArticle

RealNutrition

Venue...

This course will be held at Hellesdon High School. Free parking is available.

Date/Time...

Wednesday 4th March, 6.45-9.15pm.

To enrol...

In order to ensure your place, it is essential to enrol in advance. Please telephone Norfolk Adult Education Service on 0844 800 8002 quoting the following course reference number:

H528NC8BLT (Cooking for Optimum Health, Part 1)

Please note: a short follow-on course is booked, subject to sufficient interest.

Free Strictly Flamenco! Taster

Strictly Flamenco!

Norfolk Adult Education are offering the chance for anyone aged 16 and over to learn Flamenco dancing, in an evening class to be held in the school hall. Flamenco is a fiery, passionate Gypsy dance with exciting rhythms and footwork originating in Southern Spain.

This free 2 hour taster will give you the chance, not only to dance, but also to improve your posture and fitness – all in a friendly and supportive atmosphere! During this session you will learn a simple Flamenco dance, with wrist, arm and footwork techniques. It will be taught by an experienced tutor, accompanied by a Flamenco guitarist.

When?
Thursday 26th February, 7:00-9:00pm

Where?
Bignold Primary School Hall

How to enrol?
Places on this course are limited, so it is essential that you enrol in advance to guarantee your place. To enrol for the Strictly Flamenco! Taster, phone the Adult Education Customer Service Centre on 0844 800 8002, quoting the following course number -> A825NC8BLT.

* This free taster will be followed by a 5 week course, starting on the 5th March.

Free Ancient Warrior Combat 'Taster' Day! on Saturday 28th February.

Course tutor, David Holman, engaged in combat.

Would you like to learn how to fight like a Celtic Warrior, a Roman Gladiator, a Viking, or even your favourite hero from the Lord of the Rings? Well now you can!!


Video footage of the 2006 Battle of Hastings Re-enactment - the sort of event this course prepares you for...

Norfolk County Council Adult Education Services are running a 1 day free ‘taster’ - the 'Ancient Warrior Combat' class - on Saturday 28th February at the Sewell Park Sports Centre (on site of Sewell Park Community College - formerly, Blyth Jex). This will lead to the full 'Ancient Warrior Combat Beginners Part 1' course.

This ‘New Beginners Course’ is 10 weeks long (delivered in two courses of five weeks each), and is part Martial Art, part Historical Re-enactment. Students will be trained to a high, safe standard using light weight wooden swords, before being allowed to test their skills on the battlefield with metal weapons, and once trained they may even find themselves as extras in Film and TV productions. The manufacture of costumes and equipment will also be discussed on the course.
All participants are advised to wear loose fitting clothing and training shoes.
All basic training equipment will be supplied, and participant are advised to wear loose fitting clothing, training shoes, and to bring a cold drink. Lunch will be provided free of charge for those who have booked in advance.

The Combat Course will cover:

Attack & defence with the sword
Sword with shield combat
Use of the Spear in attack & defence
Stances, posture & movement
Unit drill & battle tactics
Choreographed combat & stunts
Competition fighting techniques
Mock Battles
Archery using the English Long Bow
Instruction on how to make historical costume & armour

The course is open to men and women aged 18 and over (16-17 year olds are able to join with parental consent)


Video footage of Blood feud of the Finns - one of David's re-enactment experiences...

Places on the course are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Enrolment:
To enrol, telephone Norfolk Adult Education Service on 0844 800 8002, quoting course reference number:

H523NC8BLT (Ancient Warrior Combat Taster Day);
H524NC8BL ('Ancient Warrior Combat Course Part 1'). This full five week course will cost £42:00 full fee; £21:00 Means Tested Benefits fee. * Part 2 of this will follow in the Summer term.

Dates:
Taster Day:
Saturday 28th February, 10:00am-3:00pm.

Full course start date:
Friday 6th March, 8:00pm-10:00pm – and then on the full course, on Friday evenings, 8:00-10:00 until April 3rd (x5 weeks)

Please note: The comments section for this blog has 'moderation' control; this means that I will read the comments and approve them before making them public. This is to stop abusive material, but it does mean that there will be a delay before your comments are published ~ Colin

Above, Scenes from Battle of Hastings re-enactment...

About the Tutor

A former Royal Marine, David Holman has been involved in historical re-enactment in the UK since 1992 when he formed a local Historical Re-enactment group called “Swords of Pendragon” The group performed displays mainly in the Norfolk area. David has appeared as an extra in the movie “Gladiator” as well as many productions for UK TV.

It was during his 3 ½ years living in Finland that he developed his experience in Re-enactment into the ‘Ancient Warriors Combat Training Course’.David taught six successful courses there focusing mainly on the Viking era, and formed 3 new groups totalling 40 members. Now back in the UK, he will be joining up with friends from ‘Britannia’, a re-enactment society, which has performed displays from the Iron Age up to the Norman Conquest. He will also be visiting Finland during the summer, to run training, and take part in shows. David also enjoys Metal & Leather working, and has made most of his own ‘Period Costume’ as well as items for his students & customers.