The Guildford Institute

Name: The Guildford Institute
Telephone: +447583217369

Address

Ward Street, Guildford, GU1 4LH

Phone

+447583217369

Website

guildford-institute.org.uk

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Here's what's coming up at The Guildford Institute. We check their site regularly so you don't have to — if they're putting something on, you'll find it here.

Upcoming events at The Guildford Institute

Community

Climate Change: Past, Present, and Future (also Online) - GI 26 004

Sorry, this activity has been cancelled. This course covers: Earth’s climate evolution past, present and future; climate change at the poles, in the oceans, on land, and in the atmosphere; melting ice and rising seas; the relation between climate change and energy use; and climate forecasts. This is a repeat of the course from February 2025. Background reading includes ‘The Rough Guide to Climate Change’, ‘The Emerald Planet’ (Beerling), and ‘The Human Planet’ (Lewis & Maslan).

Mon 13 Apr10:00The Guildford Institute

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Community

A History of Western Philosophy: Medieval - GI 26 005

Western philosophy is divided into three great periods: Ancient; Medieval; Modern. This course is an introduction to some of the key elements in the thought of some of the most influential philosophers of the Medieval period. We will consider to begin Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, and Duns Scotus. It then considers al Kindi, al Farabi, ibn Sina, and al Ghazali. No prior specialist knowledge is required to attend this course. Suggested reading: Kenny, A., A New History of Western Philosophy (Oxford, 2012). (For further reading, see, in the first instance, its bibliography.)

Mon 13 Apr14:00The Guildford Institute

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White Pencil Drawings on Black Paper - GI 26 006

Sorry, this activity has been cancelled. Create striking monochrome drawings in a morning. Choose from a wide variety of reference images and treat yourself to looking and drawing in a slightly different way. Suitable for all abilities but some experience of drawing is useful. Materials provided.

Tue 14 Apr10:00The Guildford Institute

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Creative Writing Workshop - GI 26 007

Enjoy developing and channelling your writing abilities. Writing forms covered include novels, plays, poems, short stories, and memoirs. Classes will cover many aspects of writing, such as getting started, shaping stories, creating characters, and guidelines on getting published. With an emphasis on individual development, there will be reading and discussion of your work in a friendly and constructive setting, as well as some writing projects in class. Please bring a pen and a notepad. Suitable for all levels – beginners are welcome.

Tue 14 Apr10:45The Guildford Institute

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Still Life Drawing - GI 26 008

Come and have some fun testing out lots of different drawing materials and techniques based on a still-life display. Suitable for beginners and confident artists alike (and everyone in between), this workshop will gently encourage you to really look at what’s there and to explore different ways of capturing what you see. Suitable for all abilities. Materials provided.

Tue 14 Apr14:00The Guildford Institute

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Community

Italian for Improvers – Term 3 - GI 26 009

This course is aimed at students who have a basic knowledge of the Italian language and are looking to improve their skills. The course will enable participants to feel comfortable conducting informal conversations about general topics as well as starting to look at reading longer comprehension texts. Discussions of grammar will involve looking at expressing facts in the near past and future. New students will need to purchase the course book, Nuovo Espresso 2 Libro studente + audio e video online ISBN 8861823211. If you are unsure of your skill level please get in touch.

Tue 14 Apr17:00The Guildford Institute

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Italian for Complete Beginners – Term 2 - GI 26 010

Sorry, this activity has been cancelled. This foundation course is for people with no or little knowledge of the Italian language and culture and will enable the participants to feel comfortable when exchanging basic personal information in informal conversations. You will also learn how to ask for directions, order food and drinks, book tickets and accommodation. Basic reading and writing will also be covered. New Students will need to purchase their own course book: Nuovo Espresso 1: Libro student + audio e video online ISBN 978-8861823181

Tue 14 Apr19:00The Guildford Institute

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Community

Chatty Café Scheme: Chatter and Natter Table

Join us on Wednesday mornings at our ‘chatter and natter’ table. Run by our friendly table volunteers, we provide a welcoming space for individuals to come together to meet, chat and socialise over a hot drink. One conversation can make all the difference! Pop in anytime from 10.30am – 11.30am The group will either meet in our cosy Library or in V Café – please pop up to Reception on the first floor and one of our team will be able to assist.

Wed 15 Apr10:30The Guildford Institute

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Introduction to Ballroom and Latin-American Dances - GI 26 109

Over this course, we’ll explore four beautiful dance styles from the International and American Styles: Waltz, Tango, Cha Cha and Rumba. Each lesson begins with a mindful warm-up, followed by some history and the basic techniques and steps of one Ballroom and then one Latin dance after a short break between them (for example, Waltz and Cha Cha). We’ll finish with a short recap and a relaxing cool-down. The aim of each class is to enjoy learning fundamental moves and techniques while discovering the inner dancer within yourself — and, of course, to have fun! This course is suitable for beginners and those returning to dance, no experience necessary, no partner necessary. Students are advised to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, dancing shoes if you have or you may like to dance barefoot or with socks.

Wed 15 Apr11:00The Guildford Institute

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Community

Creating Flowers in Art - GI 26 011

Come along and experiment in creating beautiful flowers in art through your favourite artistic medium. Tutor Songül will guide you in depicting flowers including how to define the image and utilise your medium to create something beautiful whether you choose to use soft pastels, watercolours, or something else. A materials list will be provided. Experience of your chosen material is recommended.

Wed 15 Apr13:00The Guildford Institute

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Community

Hitchcock’s Leytonstone - T385

Alfred Hitchock was the son of a greengrocer and was born in Leytonstone, Essex. Later in life he became known as a legendary director of suspense and thriller films. Gary’s illustrated talk looks at Hitchcock’s early life from 1899 to 1907 and his return to Leytonstone from 1914 to 1926. See how Hitchcock’s upbringing and early life influenced his later movie career. The talk is based on Gary’s own research and observations. It features many rare and exclusive photographs and documents. We’re delighted to offer our afternoon talks on a Pay What You Can basis. We believe everyone should have access to educational and cultural opportunities, and that no one should be excluded because of their financial circumstances. Our talks are £7 for all – if anyone feels they need to pay less than this, please call the team or visit us in person.

Wed 15 Apr15:00The Guildford Institute

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Lord of the Flies in Godalming? The Fiction of Surrey Novelist Jane White - T404

The Godalming-based novelist Jane White (1934–1985) is not a well-known figure today but in the late 1960s and 1970s her fiction was critically acclaimed and widely read. In this talk, Dr Carl Thompson of the University of Surrey will introduce White’s life and career. He will give readings from her fiction, focussing especially on White’s eerie first novel, Quarry (1967), a book which has been described as Lord of the Flies transplanted to the Surrey countryside! Delivered in partnership with the University of Surrey/SAHN (Surrey Arts and Humanities Network). We’re delighted to offer our afternoon talks on a Pay What You Can basis. We believe everyone should have access to educational and cultural opportunities, and that no one should be excluded because of their financial circumstances. Our talks are £7 for all – if anyone feels they need to pay less than this, please call the team or visit us in person.

Wed 15 Apr18:30The Guildford Institute

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Community

Interior Design: The Inside Story - GI 26 012

Sorry, this activity has been cancelled. What is ‘interior design’ to the homeowner, and can professional know-how help you create a beautiful home? This introductory lecture will address the main topics to guide and inspire success, with practical and creative ideas. Avoiding the pitfalls, keeping you to your budget and enjoying the process is essential to achieving your personal and individual interior. This is a repeat of the course from July 2025.

Thu 16 Apr10:00The Guildford Institute

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Community

Turgenev - His Life and Works - GI 26 013

Ivan Turgenev was for several decades in the 19th century the most well-know Russian author in western Europe. Although considered a ‘mild-mannered giant’, his works exposed the evils of 19th-century Russian society, causing alarm and suspicion in Russian government circles. Indeed, Tsar Alexander II acknowledge that Turgenev’s works influenced his decision to abolish serfdom in 1861. No previous familiarity with Turgenev’s works is assumed.

Fri 17 Apr10:00The Guildford Institute

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Community

Stitch & Sip

Come along to our informal community group, where you can learn and share crafting skills with likeminded people. Be part of a fun, friendly and supportive group. Please bring along any projects that you’re working on, be it knitting, crochet, embroidery or needleprint, felting, cross stitch or punch-needle. Anything goes! Stitch & Sip meet on alternate Fridays in V Café, from 2pm – 4pm.

Fri 17 Apr14:00The Guildford Institute

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“Go West!” Devon and Cornwall in Art - GI 25 015

From romantic artists seeking the picturesque to the present, painters have been attracted to Devon, ‘the perfection of England’, and to Cornwall’s more rugged scenery. Explore the counties through the eyes of Palmer and Danby; Pre-Raphaelites including Hunt, Boyce and Brett; British Impressionists in Newlyn including Forbes and Laura Knight, and St Ives artists such as Ben Nicholson and Peter Lanyon.

Tue 21 Apr11:00The Guildford Institute

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German for your Holidays - GI 26 016

Going to Austria, Germany or Switzerland for your holidays and want to converse a little with the locals? Or maybe you are planning a skiing trip for the winter season? This course introduces you to some of the basics you might need to help you enjoy your holiday! Suitable for complete beginners.

Wed 22 Apr10:00The Guildford Institute

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Watercolour Painting for Beginners Continued - GI 26 018

In this four-week course students will be introduced to basic watercolour techniques and applications. You will learn key uses of the medium such as watercolour washes, wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, and colour mixing. Suitable for complete beginners. A materials list will be provided. This is a continuation from the November 2025 course. A materials list will be provided.

Wed 22 Apr13:00The Guildford Institute

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