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
• W3L (Wirral 3Ls)
• WLL (Wirral Lifelong Learning)
• Liverpool University
• Birkenhead 6th Form College
• Wirral Metropolitan College
• West Cheshire College
• Internet learning - College On The Net
• Careers Advice Service (LearnDirect)
• Tutor Hunt
  

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.

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 check birth certificates!) and this provider includes social activities as well. Obviously most of their students are retired but some work shifts and can therefore attend daytime classes.

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.

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 in Wallasey.

The course are accredited through the OCN (Open College Network)

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 are also one of the very few (three??) institutions which offer the Master in Administration of Archives course .

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. I don't know anything about the fee structure.

If, after all this, you are totally confused, ring Learn Direct. This is a brilliant Government-funded service. It is open 10.00am to 8.00pm seven days per week and you can ring as often as you like free of charge. If you forget every other number, all you need to remember is this one!

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

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.