Remember evening classes?

[Rusty Nails]

I know that in some cases they still exist but not anywhere near the range that existed up until around 30/40 years ago. In our house the arrival in the post of the local authority's list of classes for the following year was always a big thing. And the local University did a wide range of evening classes, coming out at around the same time.
Over the years I took classes in woodwork and stained-glass making, as well as sports such as badminton and basketball. I actually learned to swim at the classes in the pool of the local high school. My wife took classes in art, pottery and IT/word-processing, as well as learning Welsh.
There were also a lot of more academic subjects depending on your interests. They were all reasonably priced, with reductions for the unemployed ISTR, and they virtually all used school premises that were otherwise unused in the evenings.
Not wishing to turn this into a debate about the politics of the changes, which will see this thread closed down, but I do feel that those classes really added to the well-being and skills of adults in the UK.

How much use did other forumites make of these classes at the time and has the stuff learned made any difference to your lives and interests?

 

[Drago]

Mind Your Language!

 

[richardfm]

I've done various courses, but not for many years.
Some I recall are;
A 10 week introduction to speaking Welsh
A history of Western philosophy
Wood working
Middle Eastern cookery
A history of the Welsh mining industry.

Some of these were local council adult education classes and some were at the local uni.

All were worthwhile, like much that I have learnt over the years much detail is forgotten, but the basics are there still.

When I look at what's on offer these days there is little to attract me.

 

[Big John]

Did a few after I got married in 1978. Woodwork was one I did, which has helped with any DIY around the house involving wood, and I did guitar classes for a couple of years. I still play it on a daily basis but I've not made my fortune yet and time's running out lol. I vaguely remember doing the European Computer Licence which was basically learning how to use a computer. That was maybe 30 years ago. I've not seen any advertised these days but maybe they're still there for the taking.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I vaguely remember doing the European Computer Licence which was basically learning how to use a computer. That was maybe 30 years ago. I've not seen any advertised these days but maybe they're still there for the taking.

The ECL is still offered, I did look into it a few years ago, before the pandemic.
Sadly, the curriculum is so outdated that I already knew most of it, even though I first used a computer only over 30 years ago, when I was already 30 myself.

 

[annedonnelly]

Funny, I was just thinking of evening classes today. An elderly chap stopped her for a chat as he walked past. I know he's lonely since his wife died a few years ago and I was thinking that an evening class would have been an opportunity for him to socialise.

I did a few back when they were in local schools & colleges. Dress-making, GCSE Law, car maintenance. I enjoy learning stuff. I've done OU short courses too and now will do a workshop in something crafty - kintsugi, cyanotype, printing on fabric are recent ones

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I think evening classes aren't offered as much nowadays, because more people work shift patterns.
Online learning is great for those that can't commit to set times, but, of course, the practical skill classes are harder to do online.
Then again, how many of us have learned some bike mechanics by watching YouTube!