Salford u3a

Salford u3a Fun, activities and learning opportunities for the retired and semi-retired of Salford

Another fascinating outing for our Explorers. Thanks to Sheila for the report and to Pat for the photos. “Fireground in ...
16/06/2026

Another fascinating outing for our Explorers.
Thanks to Sheila for the report and to Pat for the photos.

“Fireground in Rochdale was the June destination for our Exploring Greater Manchester group. A number of explorers arrived by train which was ideal as Fireground (housed in a former fire station) is just a few minutes walk away.

The museum aims to show Greater Manchester's firefighting story within the wider picture of the history of firefighting. The museum holds collections of photographs, uniforms and firefighting equipment besides its impressive fire appliance fleet.

Our guide, David, gave us a very informative and entertaining tour around the collection including the Victorian street and Blitz area.

Thanks to David and also to James who provided tea/coffee before the tour began. Certainly a place to visit again as individuals or with family”.

Looks like Pat is considering a career in the fire service but doesn’t fancy polishing the brasses!
https://salfordu3a.com/

Our Bird Watchers enjoy a monthly visit to one of the many nature reserves around the region, each having their own part...
07/06/2026

Our Bird Watchers enjoy a monthly visit to one of the many nature reserves around the region, each having their own particular habitat and interest. However, in the past month they’ve been focusing their binoculars closer to home as convenor, Hugh, tells us.

“To celebrate Salford u3a’s 40th anniversary, we set ourselves the task of spotting 40 birds around Salford – yes, there really are that many species in our urban area, and some to spare. Together, we came up with the following.

GARDENS: House sparrow, Blackbird, Starling, Dunnock, Wren, Goldfinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Long tailed tit, Chaffinch

WATER: Mallard duck, Mute swan, Canada Goose, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted duck, Black headed gull, Herring Gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Heron, Cormorant, Kingfisher

OUT & ABOUT: Swift, Swallow, House Martin, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Pied wagtail, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Pheasant

WOODLAND: Jay, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Tree creeper

Apart from the water birds, any of the others could land in your garden and if you have a pond you may get a heron too!

There are, of course, lots more birds to see in Salford and some of those listed are less common than others. Here are some more if you want to try harder -
Blackcap, Song thrush, White throat, Ring necked parakeet, Chif chaf, Gold crest, Great crested Grebe, Little grebe, Common tern, Tawny owl,
Long eared owl, Grey wagtail, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Hobby, Curlew”

Photos: the group on a trip up the M6 to Brockholes; heron; great tit; woodpecker



Check out their future plans and all our other groups here https://salfordu3a.com/groups/

Another group, another coach trip! The Plants and Gardens group does a lot of visits around Greater Manchester but also ...
29/05/2026

Another group, another coach trip! The Plants and Gardens group does a lot of visits around Greater Manchester but also plans an annual outing to somewhere further afield, as convenor, Sheila, tells us.

"On what turned out to be hottest day in May (ever!) the Plants and Garden group along with other u3a friends travelled by coach to visit Bridgemere Garden Centre and show gardens. People enjoyed walking through the various gardens and reading a little about their foundation such as the Cottage garden and its connection to the Women's Institute.

Another garden worth a mention is the Octavia Hill garden. Octavia was described as a pioneering social reformer and one of the founders of the National Trust. The garden at Bridgemere is a version of the one that won People's Choice at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2024.

The day proved to be an enjoyable one with the journey enhanced by our driver, Stuart, setting the air conditioning on the coach at just the right temperature. Thank you, Stuart!"

You can see the group's plans for the coming months here https://salfordu3a.com/groups/plants-and-gardens/
.... and all our groups here https://salfordu3a.com/groups/

Our Local History group has a 'historical' day out a couple of times a year. Convenor, Andy, has sent this report of the...
25/05/2026

Our Local History group has a 'historical' day out a couple of times a year. Convenor, Andy, has sent this report of their latest venture.

"The forecast had been bad for days. It was raining when we got up. But 38 of us from the Local History and Plants & Gardens groups turned up regardless to get on the coach and make the most of what was bound to be a soggy day.

How wrong we were! As we made our way up the motorway to Hall, the skies cleared, the sun came out and we had an absolutely brilliant day. Holker Hall and Gardens is a wonderful destination and we were sorry we could not have stayed longer. Our tour guides explained that the hall you see today was rebuilt in the 1870s by the 7th Duke of Devonshire after a fire had destroyed the original. The hall is still lived in and retains a family connection to the Cavendish family of Chatsworth House fame. Exploring the hall is a delight and the gardens truly magnificent.

After an impressive lunch in the Courtyard Cafe, we made our way to nearby Cartmel. It's always lovely to explore this attractive village and most of us also took the opportunity to visit the historic 12th century priory.

A great day out was had by all and we look forward to our next outing later in the summer!

In the meantime, the Local History group returns to its programme of member-led talks. Full details at salfordu3a.com/groups/local-history and new members are always welcome."

And you'll find all our groups listed here https://salfordu3a.com/groups/

Nine members of our European City Breaks group are back from an enjoyable 3 night trip to Malmo. The weather was very ki...
23/05/2026

Nine members of our European City Breaks group are back from an enjoyable 3 night trip to Malmo. The weather was very kind, with non-stop blue skies until our last morning. And it was lilac time, with trees in bloom and their perfume everywhere.

Malmo is an attractive mix of old and new, and it proved an excellent base for exploring further afield – Copenhagen, Lund and Ystad (for Wallander fans) are all within easy reach by train.
The Scandinavian food went down well - meatballs, smorgas, pastries, wonderful bread and cheese and not a pickled herring in sight. As you’ll see from the photos, some of us chose a better day for a canal cruise than others – but we’re not put off by a drop of rain!

Most of all, we had a good time in great company.

Photos: a tale of two canal cruises; meatballs and smorgas; lilac in the evening light; Malmo’s Turning Torso; Lund’s astrological clock; Copenhagen’s Nyhavn and canine boater; Ystad cottages

Our new History group enjoyed its second meeting with this month’s talk, titled Slavery, Slander and Strife: The Dolphin...
22/05/2026

Our new History group enjoyed its second meeting with this month’s talk, titled Slavery, Slander and Strife: The Dolphinholme Strike of 1832-33. Thanks to Chris for hosting, in convenor Rita's absence, and for this report.

“An excellent presentation by John followed by lots of discussion. Fascinating yet little-known subject with several important issues raised. Working conditions, trade unions vs mill owners, owners links to slavery, early Industrial Revolution in the countryside...the 1830s, when, like the 1960s, the times they were a-changing.”

Comments from members:
‘Very interesting talk from John, Really well presented too. Dolphinholme made history and I’d never even heard of it before today’
‘Thanks for getting John to explain the Dolphinholme worsted factory strike – I was in the village as a kid and never knew about it’

I think many of us can echo that last comment about the place we grew up in and how little we were taught about its history.

Next month’s topic is Constance Markievicz: debutante, artist, soldier, politician. I wonder how many of our members have heard of this remarkable woman.

Our Explorers have been on their travels again, as group convenor, Sheila, tells us.“Manchester's Victoria Baths was the...
17/05/2026

Our Explorers have been on their travels again, as group convenor, Sheila, tells us.

“Manchester's Victoria Baths was the destination this month for the
Exploring Greater Manchester group.

This Grade 2 star listed building was opened in 1906 by the Lord Mayor of Manchester who described the building as a "water palace". It consisted of private baths, three swimming pools, a Turkish bath and a laundry, but the building was closed in 1993. However, due to much public interest and Heritage Lottery Funding, a restoration programme began in 2007. Its now cared for by the charity the Victoria Baths Trust serving as a venue for many events.

Our group was given a guided tour by an excellent guide who gave
us much information about the history of the baths and also about its current situation and uses. Throughout the tour the many windows containing decorative glass were much admired.

Thanks to John, (who used to swim in one of the pools) for arranging this visit which was rounded off by tea/coffee and biscuits served to us by volunteers from the Trust.”

They have an interesting programme of visits for the rest of the year https://salfordu3a.com/groups/exploring-greater-manchester/ - always topped off by a tea/coffee stop, of course.
https://salfordu3a.com/

Here's the latest from our lively German group: thanks to convenor, Linda, for the update."The German Group was set up i...
15/05/2026

Here's the latest from our lively German group: thanks to convenor, Linda, for the update.

"The German Group was set up in 2023 for people with some knowledge of German. We are a very friendly group, always happy to welcome new members. The Group is not suitable for beginners, but fluency is not required. We enjoy speaking German together; we also read texts, listen to songs and podcasts, and play language games.

Because 2026 is the 40th anniversary of Salford u3a, we have spent some time talking about what we were all doing 40 years ago. We have read texts about Germany in the 1980s and listened to recordings of interviews, especially concerning the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989."

If you have some German and would like to develop your speaking and listening skills, contact Linda and she will tell you more https://salfordu3a.com/groups/german/

We also have groups for French and Spanish enthusiasts at different levels and there's always scope for other languages if a few people want to get together and give it a go. They aren't taught 'classes', they're all about sharing knowledge and skills.

Our Bird watchers have been on their travels. Here's a report from their group convenor, Hugh."We visited Burton Mere RS...
08/05/2026

Our Bird watchers have been on their travels. Here's a report from their group convenor, Hugh.

"We visited Burton Mere RSPB site on the Wirral for our April meeting. A very good turn out was rewarded with lovely weather and a splendid array of birds both in numbers and variety. It is an estuary site with varying habitat. Here is the collected list of sightings. It must rank as one of our longest lists, certainly in my time!!

Spoonbill
Mediterranean gull
Avocet
Lapwing
Chiff chaff
Sand Martin
Grey lag
Tufted duck
Mallard
Shoveller
Spotted redshank
Black tailed godwits
Moorhen
Coot
Black headed gulls
Little egret
Ruff
Black cap
Wren
Knot
Common redshank
Sandpiper
Buzzard
Crows
Robin
Blue tit
Great tit
Blackbird
Magpie
Heron
Shell duck
Canada geese
Reed bunting
Buzzard
Gadwall
Linnet
We also heard but failed to see a reed warbler and a Cetti’s warbler. One day!!

We have capacity for more members despite newcomers each of our trips this year!! Next trip on 21 May is to Brockholes near Preston. Lovely spot and again potential for rarities. A few sand martins and if really lucky a bittern perhaps!!

Photos of Avocets, Lapwing and Heron, plus view of Burton Mere, courtesy of David Killon."

Find out more about Bird watching and all our other groups here https://salfordu3a.com/groups/
If you're not a member of Salford u3a, you're welcome to attend a couple of "taster" sessions before committing to membership. Please make contact with the convenor prior to attending a group in case there are any changes or capacity issues.

Ordsall Hall is a formerly-moated Tudor mansion, seemingly plonked in the middle of a Salford housing estate. It's a fas...
03/05/2026

Ordsall Hall is a formerly-moated Tudor mansion, seemingly plonked in the middle of a Salford housing estate. It's a fascinating place, as Sheila Thomas tells us, following a recent Group visit.

"In spite of the chilly and windy April weather (but no showers),
members of the Plants and Garden group thoroughly enjoyed their tour of the garden at Ordsall Hall given by Head gardener, Jo, who shared her knowledge and enthusiasm for the garden with us.
We were especially interested to see and hear about the Community Barn project. This is a wonderful wooden structure constructed by craftsmen using techniques from days long gone. It will provide an all-weather space for visitors to use throughout the year. Nearby there will be new pathways andadditional planting areas.
We continued our tour through the gardens to the front of the
house and to the Tudor Knot garden. In between, we spent some time learning about the fruit trees in the orchard where one particular crab apple tree was splendidly still covered in blossom. There were new picnic tables/benches here too, so definitely a place to return to in the Summer - hopefully on a much warmer day!"

Such a lot of interesting places on our doorstep.

Address

Salford

Telephone

+447375779023

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Salford u3a posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Salford u3a:

Shortcuts

Share

Category