‘Just the Ticket’ was an extraordinary experience offered to learners in Blackburn.  The group trips to Whitworth Art Galley (Manchester) and Lyme Park (Cheshire) were a great success.  The learners were in environments outside the classroom and feedback given during the experiences and after the course were very positive.

The main activity at the Lyme Park workshop was making paper from paper pulp  After observing a demonstration the ladies prepared the paper using the equipment.  They all alternated and made different coloured paper and embellished it.  Learners’ feedback included descriptions of the experience as a ‘playful’ , ‘therapeutic’, ‘fun’, ‘inspiring’, ’enjoyable’  and ’educational’.

Learners participating enthusiastically.  The change of scene from inside a classroom to a different setting and being involved in a creative experience, where there were no restrictions on the nature of a design created, encouraged learners to create designs and produce items that one learner  described she ‘didn’t know’ she ‘could do’.

The Art Gallery display was ‘breathtaking’ and the ladies could identify with the traditional designs and patterns in the fabrics and garments displayed from India.  Some found it hard to describe in words just how amazed they were at seeing artefacts of historical significance.  Many had not ever attended an Art Gallery before.  This display was ‘thought-provoking’  and inspired the learners for designs for the workshop activities.  The workshops were lead by enthusiastic staff who effectively demonstrated different techniques.  Some design ideas and techniques will be developed and experimented on in a NCFE Level One Garment Making Course that some learners are already undertaking this Summer, and products made at the workshops will be presented in portfolios for accreditation.

The trip was well organised and information was given prior to going on the trips.  Learners had a vague idea what activities we might be doing once we got to the venues.  But I don’t think they anticipated that it would be such a memorable and inspiring experience.

We managed to use our time wisely.  All learners arrived back in time to collect children from school which had been a concern for some parents.  Ladies interacted very well on the trips considering some had never met before.

My personal conclusion to the trips is that it achieved the planned outcomes for the courses. WEA had effectively arranged for them to be ‘whisked away’ and have an extraordinary experience. I know the learners went home at the end of a day with taking more away with them than just their samples from the workshops.

It has been a privilege to have been able to supervise and participate as a tutor with the WEA.