We study all aspects of society including, agricultural and urban developments, manufacturing and shops, industry and the arts, wealth and poverty, architecture and art, new class structure and working conditions, as well as the lives of some of the people and characters that made up the social and cultural orb of early Victorian life.

The family was central to peaceful harmony and the new middle-class norm was for separate spheres: women in the domestic sphere focusing on husband, family care and “good works”, while men were to be in the public sphere, including politics and commerce.

We consider how children were educated and trained for various occupations and trades, as well as studying conditions and new occupations, which led to changing trends in the home, style of living and dining. We also look at different roles of servants and housekeeping and finish with how Christmas was celebrated.

Formerly an Associate Tutor for CCE at the University of Sussex, Sarah Tobias is an experienced and sympathetic adult education tutor who started her teaching career 24 years ago at Rottingdean Whiteway Centre. She has a Diploma in European Humanities; BA Hons in History and European Humanities; Master’s Degree in Histories and Cultures and Certificates in Further Education Teaching. Sarah is a social, cultural and local historian and an established, experienced university lecturer, college tutor, public speaker (over 30 subjects), tour guide and writer. She is also an occasional dramatic narrator, costumed role player, playwright and filmmaker. https://sarah-tobias.blogspot.com/