In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes >In a message dated 1/31/05 5:43:21 AM Eastern Standard Time, >[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > >> Giving the "masses" what they they need/want without actually asking them. >> Big businesses - and that's what local authorities are - look at a very >> broad >> picture not details/individuals. >> >The few Maine lacemakers would never expect any "local authority" to offer a >lacemaking class. We know the people we like to share time with, and when we >want to get together it is in private homes. The number that can participate >is rather limited because of the long distances one must drive. However, >we've found a lovely set of friends whom we trust in our homes. I think that >the >most we've ever had show up in one place was 6. This number will fit in most >living rooms.
There is, however, a requirement in the UK for the education authority to "meet learners' needs" and this includes providing classes when asked to do so. For a class to be viable, there need to be 12-16 learners - the actual number differs between the various County Councils. However, should there be sufficient to form a class, then the authority should provide a tutor or an alternative. This is why whilst I was studying for City & Guilds at Lichfield, and the Mansfield class was closed due to lack of numbers, three members of that class who were left without a course were able to transfer to our class, and claim reasonable travelling expenses for doing so from their Council. There is no way I could fit four, or six, learners in my living room, even working on their laps! I suspect American houses are somewhat larger than those in the UK, Jeri. Also, it throws up problems regarding insurance (normal household insurance may not cover the risks involved), whether any form of working at home (which this is) would be prohibited by the requirements of the deeds of the property and local bye-laws, whether there is sufficient suitable parking, etc. Once a tutor steps into paid private teaching she needs to be registered with the Inland Revenue as self employed (and having survived this weekend with a husband of that status I am glad I opted to teach voluntarily, much simpler!). Husband and children may not have to get up on Saturday morning, but whether they would approve of having the living room taken over every Friday evening is another matter. And we all know how expert husbands are for finding dropped pins with their bare or socked feet... The Community Education Service may well have a room available somewhere for a self help group to hire - or even take the group under their umbrella - I would suggest the class concerned looks into that option, too. -- Jane Partridge -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.7.4 - Release Date: 25/01/2005 - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
