We are the Workers’ Educational Association - also known as the WEA - and we're the UK’s largest voluntary-sector provider of adult education.;xNLx;;xNLx;We were founded in nationally in 1903, but the Eastern region began in 1913 in order to support the educational needs of working men and women who could not afford to access further or higher education. Today we provide courses for all kinds of adults but we maintain our special mission to provide educational opportunities to adults facing social and economic disadvantage.;xNLx;;xNLx;We run over 10,000 part-time adult education courses each year. Our 110,000 students reflect all ages and interests, and come to us from all walks of life. We are one of the UK’s biggest charities, and operate at local, regional and national levels through our regional offices and volunteer-led branches. Our courses are created and delivered in response to local need, often in partnership with local community groups and organisations.
The first record of a District meeting (although there may have been an earlier one in 1913) was on 29 March 1913. It was held at Trinity College, Cambridge, and was attended as was customary at that time by the secretaries of existing branches.
On 1 September 1917 George Pateman was appointed the first full-time salaried Secretary of the Eastern District of the WEA. The appointment stemmed from an earlier undertaking given by Albert Mansbridge at the second AGM held at Queens College, Cambridge in July 1915.
Sophie Green, tutor-organiser, Kettering Scheme 1919 - 39
WEA branch members from the Bedford area on a summer ramble to Elstow 1924
A Biology class at Toddington in 1931-32
During the 1940's a small band of Brookmans Park residents used to make their way to Potters Bar to attend a WEA class.
A WETUC Weekend School at Heacham early 1950's (District Secretary Jacques extreme left)
Jack Nobbs teaching at Bludeston Prison 1966
WEA/History Publishing Society publications
WEA students on a field study excursion 1980
This is one of the very useful outputs from practical local history courses by Workers Educational Association groups in Hertfordshire.
This film festival was run by the WEA in Essex to celebrate the games coming to London. There were three films shown, including Fire from Olympia, which was directed by Oscar nominated Christopher Miles. There were study days to accompany the films and these were overseen by WEA tutor Laurence Staig.
WEA Learning for Wellbeing Award Winner ERNEST WOODROW 'In recent years, Ernest has been on an amazing journey,' said Lynn Arnold, Ernest's nominator. 'He has gone from mental illness and isolation to playing a central role in developing and sustaining a vibrant community project - and learning in all its forms has been at the heart of this transformation.'
Eastern Region is celebrating this week after four of its learners won at the annual NIACE Adult Learners' Week (ALW) Regional Awards at Duxford.
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