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Buckden Learning Group ("BLG")
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The Buckden Learning Group meets for face-to-face courses at the 12th century site of one of the Palaces of the Bishops of Lincoln; it has connections to Katherine of Aragon and other royal visitors. The venue is approximately 1 minute from the A1 and has ample free parking. Meetings are normally held on the ground floor of a Victorian mansion that dates back to 1872. Occasional meetings are held in the King's Room in the 1485 brick tower. In addition to face-to-face courses some courses are run on Zoom to utilise distant tutors.
Courses of 10 weeks include a half term break.
There will be a 15 minute break during each session.
To look at previous courses click here
Course Title: Monet: More than Haystacks & Water Lilies
Course Description: This course will explore a wide range of French Impressionist Monet’s work. As well as some of the more familiar & famous aspects such as his paintings of haystacks and water lilies, we will consider examples of his early paintings illustrating his changing style as well as his much less documented pencil & pastel sketches. By comparing these different aspects of Monet’s work it will highlight the full creative spectrum of this famous artist. Fully illustrated with discussion.
Note: there will be a one week gap, date to be confirmed in 2025.
Tutor: R Holland-Hargreaves
Venue: ZOOM
Day Of Week: Tuesday
Start Time: 10:00
Duration: 2.00 hrs
Date: 03/06/25
No. of Weeks: 6
Fee: £
Course Title: Armada, America and Aspirations of Empire
Course Description: Elizabeth I never lived to see a permanent English colony in North America - that moment would belong to James I, when Jamestown was established in 1607. But this was less than five years after Elizabeth's death, and it is fair to say that much of the "groundwork of Empire" was done under her rule. In this series of four talks, Simon will examine Elizabeth I's foreign policy from the 1570s into the 1580s. He will explore the growing imperial tensions with Spain, the privateering activities of Francis Drake, the emerging conflict with the Spanish Netherlands, the path to the Spanish Armada itself, and England's ever-growing confidence at sea which would finally propel the nation on the path to imperialism and colonisation.
Tutor: Simon Gregor
Venue: ZOOM
Day Of Week: Tuesday
Start Time: 10:00
Duration: 1.50 hrs
Date: 02/09/25
No. of Weeks: 4
Fee: £
Course Title: From Sleeping Giant to Superpower (c1890-1980)
Course Description: After the end of the Civil War and the period of Reconstruction, the United States began to realise the enormous industrial potential which could transform the country into a dominant world power. A chronological approach focuses on both domestic issues and foreign policy and traces the emergence of the USA as a Superpower in the second half of the Twentieth Century and its impact on world affairs.
Tutor: Mike Muncaster
Venue: Claret Centre, Buckden Towers, Buckden, PE19 5TA
Day Of Week: Tuesday
Start Time: 10:00
Duration: 1.50 hrs
Date: 30/09/25
No. of Weeks: 10
Fee: £
