The Lamb Guild presents a programme of six weekend schools open to all at Chancellors, the University of Manchester’s Conference Centre near Owen’s Park in Fallowfield, Manchester. Attendance may be on a residential or non-residential basis. Booking is by cheque payable to “Lamb Guild of Holly Royde” for £85 residential and £80 non-residential and sent with a booking form to the designated tutor leading each residential school. This fee includes Saturday evening meal and Sunday lunch, teas and coffees for both residents and non-residents. Residents will also have breakfast on Sunday. Early booking is advisable and the booking “cut off” is twelve days before the weekend in question. No refunds will be given after this point.
LAMB GUILD WEEKENDS 2012
SPRING TERM
Sat/Sun February 11th/12th Dr Birgitta Hoffman -
Vikings beyond the Conquests (LG61)
This weekend school takes a closer look at the Vikings and their trading and settlement networks, both as a historical phenomenon and from the archaeological perspective.
The lectures will be:
Lecture 1: Why would anybody want to go a-viking? The Norsemen at home
Lecture 2: The first targets: The raids and settlements in the British Isles and Francia
Lecture 3: Following the Trade: The Nordic presence in the Mediterranean, the Byzantine Empire and the Abbasid Kaliphate
Lecture 4: Going West: Iceland, Greenland and Vinland.
BOOKING: send cheque made out to “Lamb Guild of Holly Royde” to Dr Birgitta Hoffman, 55 Broadwalk, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5PL. Go to Booking Form
Sat/Sun March 10th/11th Dr Gareth Curtis -
Beethoven and the Image of Greatness (LG62)
Once upon a time, histories of music tended to be couched in terms of a period of evolution leading up to Beethoven, with later composers judged according to their success in living up to his achievement. Nowadays, this seems a crude, even comical view; nevertheless, the idea of Beethoven as the model for what a 'great composer' should be like dies hard.
This course will follow three particular strands in his output. First, we shall explore a selection of his most ambitious heroic works, beginning with the 'Eroica' Symphony, since these are the sort of works which have been most universally accepted as great masterpieces. The second strand will involve comparison with other less 'mighty' works (such as the 8th Symphony) to see what if anything the idea of greatness might mean here. Finally, we shall delve into the late string quartets - variously regarded as infinitely great and/or infinitely incomprehensible. Where possible, we shall look at the music against the views of a range of commentators from those who were roughly contemporary with Beethoven through to more recent critics.
BOOKING: send cheque made out to “Lamb Guild of Holly Royde” to Dr Gareth Curtis, 25 Westbourne Park, Urmston, Manchester M41 0XR Go to Booking Form
Sat/Sun April 14th/15th Dr Robert Callow -
Great Voyages of Biological Discovery (LG63)
The great navigations of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries opened up new worlds to European explorers. Towards the end of the sixteenth century, naturalists were beginning to accompany the voyagers, making detailed notes of their experiences and collecting large numbers of specimens of animals and plants. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the enormous numbers of specimens returned to Europe constituted major challenges to classification and theology. These challenges in turn inspired Linnaeus to develop a revolutionary system of classification and Darwin to advance his theory of natural selection. They also had substantial commercial and political repercussions. Four great voyages illustrate both the courage and skill of their captains and the insight and ability of their naturalists. Each session will begin with an illustrated lecture describing the specimens and biological contributions of a particular voyage. The discoveries will be evaluated for their contributions to contemporary thought as well as their lasting legacy. Each lecture will be followed by a discussion of topics raised. Detailed course notes will be provided.
Lecture topics:
1. Voyaging with James Cook aboard the Endeavour (1768-1771)
2. Voyaging with Matthew Flinders aboard the Investigator (1801-1805)
3. Voyaging with Robert Fitzroy aboard the Beagle (1831-1836)
4. Plunging the depths in the Challenger (1872-1876)
BOOKING: send cheque made out to “Lamb Guild of Holly Royde” to Dr Robert Callow, 60 Primrose Lane, Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 6LW Go to Booking Form
AUTUMN TERM
Sat/Sun October 13th/14th
Christine Musgrove and Dr Creina Mansfield –
Windows to a Universe: The Letters and Art of Vincent van Gogh (LG64)
Van Gogh's moral outlook and strong personal sense of duty echo in the contemporary writings of George Elliot, Dickens and Zola. Such values inform the tenderness of his writing and stir the creative force of his art. Today his paintings attract huge audiences and fetch fantastic prices but in his lifetime he experienced indifference and rejection, relying on his brother for encouragement and the means of survival.
Driven with disarming honesty to pursue his artistic dream he proved remarkable in capturing the dignity of work in the monotonous toil of peasant life whilst also expressing with startling and electric intensity his response to the beauty and power of nature.
Placing the artist in the context of then and now, this day school will explore through words and art his tortuous human and artistic journey.
BOOKING: send cheque made out to “Lamb Guild of Holly Royde” to Dr Creina Mansfield, Beech Court, Beech Hall Drive, Tytherington, Macclesfield, SK10 2EF. Go to Booking Form
Sat/Sun November 17th/18th Dr Alan Sennett and Dr Creina Mansfield –
The Riddle of Anglo-German Relations 1890-1914 (LG65)
Using literature, film and historical documents we will examine the remarkable sea-change in Anglo-German relations in the twenty years prior to the First World War. Why did the once close relationship between these two imperial states deteriorate into one of suspicion and hostility? How did this change manifest itself through “invasion narrative” literature, popular journalism and increasingly fraught diplomatic relations? Can an exploration of these issues assist us in explaining the origins of the First World War?
BOOKING: send cheque made out to “Lamb Guild of Holly Royde” to Dr Alan Sennett, Flat 5, 36 Oak Road, Withington, Manchester M20 3DA Go to Booking Form
Sat/Sun December 15th/16th Michael Tunnicliffe -
Herod the Great: The True Story (LG66)
He connived his way to the throne, then he murdered wives and sons during his long reign St. Matthew claims he massacred the innocents of Bethlehem. Yet he left a legacy of many wonderful buildings, including the Temple at Jerusalem. Herod the Great and his dynasty cast a long shadow. Come and explore a remarkable and dangerous family.
BOOKING: send cheque made out to “Lamb Guild of Holly Royde” to Michael Tunnicliffe, 5 St.George's Way, Kingsmead, Northwich, CW9 8XG Go to Booking Form
Skeleton Programme for Each Weekend
Saturday
Arrive for
16:00 Afternoon Tea in Lounge
16:30 to 18:00 Lecture 1
18:30 Dinner in Restaurant
20:00 to 21:30 Lecture 2
Sunday
Breakfast for Residents in Restaurant
09:30 to 11:00 Lecture 3
Coffee and Biscuits in Lounge
11:30 to 13:00 Lecture 4
Lunch in Restaurant
NOTICE
LAMB GUILD AGM
The 2012 Lamb Guild Annual General Meeting will be held at Chancellors Hotel and Conference Centre at 2:00 pm on Saturday April 14th.