Local History Classes in Merseyside

For anyone interested in doing a local history class but who doesn't know where to find one, read on....

WEA (Workers Educational Association)
Tel: 0151 243 5340

A wide range of courses, open to anyone over 16, some in conjunction with Liverpool University, at all levels, all over the UK and The Gambia. Also offer a scale of fees depending on circumstances.

They issue a brochure late August / early September every year and usually another brochure in January of the following year. However, the January brochure can cause confusion as it only lists NEW courses, not those that continue all year. If you don't see any brochures in the usual places just ring up for one. 2011/2012 will see a change in their advertising; centred more on leaflets and a newspaper advert and follow-up calls to students already on their datbase. The brochure may disappear!

You can enrol at the first meeting but pre-enrolment is always advisable for busy courses for any provider!

As the name suggests, W3L is designed for over-50's (but they don't actually reject anyone younger!) and includes social activities as well.

Brochures are issued every September, December and March for the coming term, and they have Open Day(s) each year in early September, at Bebington Civic Centre. Fixed fees for membership, courses and for social activities.

If you don't see any brochures in the usual place just ring up for one.

Most courses are held at Bebington Civic Centre although some other venues are in use as the organisation is growing so quickly; for example, Victoria Hall and Eastham Library. There is now a varied selection of Wirral, Liverpool and Chester and Social History courses.

This is the adult education service of Wirral Borough Council and they run a range of courses in Leasowe, Rock Ferry and some outreach venues - for example, organic gardening in the Community Allotments, Wallasey - and arts and crafts. The courses are accredited through the OCN (Open College Network). Look in the local press or ring the Leasowe office on the above number.

The University run a wide range of courses all over Merseyside, some in conjunction with the WEA - for example, they usually run a Diploma in Local History (although not every year - it runs over two or three years) and, naturally, other Degrees.

They issue brochures but don't seem to distribute them very widely, but they usually also do more detailed leaflets on specific courses/subjects, so ring for one if you don't see it, once on their mailing list you will receive a new brochure each time they are issued. There is some fee remission. There is a credit system in place so you can build up University credits after comlpeting a course.

I'm sure there are many providers but for Archaeology, Local History, foreign languages and several other subjects I would recommend www.college-on-the-net.co.uk Lynn Bright runs this service and her website is excellent.

Also try:
- Department of Continuing Education, University of Oxford for their course Advanced Diploma in Local History via the internet

- The University of Leicester provide some postgraduate courses in History, Heritage Management and Archaeology, via distance learning courses.

This is a Government-funded service and it’s brilliant!  It is open 10.00 am to 8.00pm seven days per week and you can ring as often as you like free of charge.

They have at least two massive databases that will almost certainly find a suitable course for you. When you ring they ask about all the relevant factors such as where you live, whether you want an accredited course or not, days or evenings, etc., then give you details of suitable courses and contact numbers.

Local Young Archaeologists' Clubs

Mersey & Dee Branch, David Jon Marrow
World Museum Liverpool, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EN
Tel: (Discovery Centre Office) 0151 478 4232

Wrexham & District Branch, Heather Butler
Alyn Waters Country Park, Gwersyllt c/o 5 Shortfield Way, Upton, Wirral CH49 9BB
Tel: 0151 200 9779
Email: ladyemma@sky.com

Historical societies are also a valuable way of learning about the past and can offer routes into local history and archaeological education.  Try Birkenhead History Society and the Wallasey Historical Society if you wish to pursue this path.  Wirral Archives based in Cheshire Lines Building, Canning Street, Birkenhead, Wirral also offer monthly 2 hour ‘free’ sessions on a range of Wirral history topics!

To contact them you can either email: neandermole@hotmail.com
or telephone: 01244 531 623

This list is as accurate as I can make it, but please check brochures and/or websites or ring the numbers given if you are unsure.