SHORT COURSES AT THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM

Run in association with Goldsmiths’ College, these form part of the Open Museum programme and can give access to degree study. “Merchants and mariners: sea trade 1750-1850” will be held Tuesday mornings, January 31-March 21 and “The hundred parishes of Blackheath” Wednesday mornings, February 1-March 22. Fee: Pounds 30 or Pounds 6 per session. Saturday courses include: “The Royal Navy and the West Indies” on April 1 and “The Victorians afloat”: 19th-century river steamers” on February 18. Fee: Pounds 25 each. Details: Suzanne Testa, 0181 858 4422.

JANUARY 24

METEOROLOGY

Why was November so mild? What is a Rossby Wave? Is climate change taking place? Teachers of key stage 3 geography and science can find out at the Meteorological Office College, Shinfield Park, Reading. The course includes: observing, recording and charting the weather; weather patterns - high and low pressure systems; satellite and radar data; and climatology over the UK. Fee: Pounds 80 including resource pack. Details: 0344 854802.