Salford u3a

Home
United Kingdom
Salford
Salford u3a

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

20/08/2026

Our Explorers have stayed close to home the last couple of months. Convenor, Sheila sent these updates.

“In July, the Exploring Greater Manchester group spent an enjoyable morning on a guided walk along Chapel Street in Salford, led by group members, Margaret and Harry.

We met near Manchester Cathedral with the walk concluding at Salford Museum and Art Gallery where the "talk" part of the walk continued in the cafe with more stories about the area from our two guides. Topics included churches, the hospital, the police station and a favourite Northern drink - Vimto.

For our August visit, we enjoyed a guided tour of Salford Museum and Art Gallery. Salford u3a is not the only organisation to be celebrating an anniversary this year: Salford was granted city status in 1926 and we were shown the Your Salford 100 exhibition – all 100 items chosen by Salford people (some of them Salford u3a members) from the museum's collection.

Whilst in the Victorian Gallery, our guide told us about the history of the building then we were invited to step back in time with a walk around Lark Hill Place to imagine how Salford life may have been in days gone by.

Thanks to Sharon for arranging this visit which, incidentally, began in the foyer/cafe area - now there's a surprise!. A further anniversary to remember here as Peel Park, at the back of the museum building, opened in1846. Therefore, this year is the park's 180th birthday. Happy anniversary to all.”

They’re a little further afield next month, at the Whitworth Art Gallery. All visits are planned around public transport, which, fortunately, allows plenty of options around Greater Manchester.

You'll find everything you need to know about Salford u3a here https://salfordu3a.com/ including how to join for just £5 for the remainder of the year.

18/08/2026

The Let’s Go group had a big turnout for a visit to Clayton Hall Living History Museum on Saturday.

What a revelation! Tucked away off the main road, this Tudor moated manor house, with origins in the 12th century, was a step into the past. The moat has long since been drained but the building shows evidence of all its developments from Tudor times onwards. One of the volunteers gave an interesting talk about the history of the house and the families that lived there, most notably the Byrons and Humphrey Chetham, and we explored the many Victorian rooms with time for a bit of dressing up and getting in practice as a kitchen maid!

The team of volunteers, the Friends of Clayton Park, were so welcoming and informative throughout, and we finished in the café with tea/coffee and snacks.

The Hall is open twice a month and well worth a visit. It’s conveniently sited at its own tram stop, as well as on several bus routes.

Let’s Go is such a brilliant group for linking members together for outings like this or to the cinema, exhibitions, or just a regular coffee meet-up. New members welcome https://salfordu3a.com/groups/together/

14/08/2026

Estelle sent us an update about the Wine Appreciation Group's summer barbecue.

It was much enjoyed by all - everyone contributed food and they had a most enjoyable sociable afternoon, celebrating friendship and all things Salford u3a at 40.

Keep an eye on those sausages!

You’ll find all our groups here https://salfordu3a.com/groups/

12/08/2026

Another month, another garden – there’s always something new to see in and around our area. Sheila sent this report.

“For our July meeting, the Plants and Garden group visited Parrs Wood Environmental Centre where one of our members, Linda, is a volunteer gardener. Some people may remember it as a Rural Studies Centre for Manchester schools. It became the Environmental Centre in 2011 and the gardens are now tended by volunteers.

Our visit began with morning tea/coffee outdoors under the shade of a huge tree whilst one of the volunteers, Kit, told us about the Centre, past and present. We then explored the garden areas, finding a surprise at every turn.

Although Manchester's busy Kingsway road is nearby, we all agreed that the Centre is a lovely, reflective place to visit.

Thank you to Linda for arranging our visit.
Look out for the Open days and Plant Sales.”

https://salfordu3a.com/groups/

11/08/2026

We just hit 500 followers on Facebook!

Welcome, and thank you all.

It must be our photogenic members, plus all the adventures they get up to.

https://salfordu3a.com/

10/08/2026

We’re lucky to have the Bridgewater Canal running through our borough: a great place for strolling, cycling – and boating!
Thanks to Jeanette for this report

“A group of 6 lovely members from the ‘Lets Go Together’ group recently enjoyed a sunny afternoon barge trip on the Bridgewater Canal.

The cruise took us eastward from Boothstown Marina to Leigh and back. The delicious afternoon tea included a small cup of soup, finger sandwiches, scone with clotted cream & jam, ginger cake, chocolate fudge cake, macaron & fruity mousse.

There was a choice of alcoholic & non alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, plus tea & coffee.”

A very enjoyable afternoon.”

The group enjoys a great range of activities; whenever a member suggests something, there’s usually someone else interested.
They also have a regular coffee morning, which is useful for members to get to know each other and welcome new members.

Further information here https://salfordu3a.com/groups/together/

https://salfordu3a.com/

28/07/2026

Our French groups, Conversation and Intermediate, enjoyed a post-Bastille Day get together courtesy of John and Marian, with their beautiful garden providing the perfect oasis.

They were celebrating their shared love of French language and culture, as well as Salford u3a’s 40th anniversary. French is one of our longstanding interest groups and has been running for a lot of those 40 years (though we’re not sure how many).

Everyone contributed a dish with a French flavour, and Jacques Brel and Edith Piaf provided a suitable background.

Un après-midi très agréable.

Both groups are open to new members. You'll find a description of them here https://salfordu3a.com/groups/french/ and you're welcome to try them both out to see which would suit you best.

Unfortunately, we don't have a beginners French group but if anyone could offer to start one, do let us know

https://salfordu3a.com/

26/07/2026

Our History group is throwing up a great variety of topics, often with mysterious titles. This month’s presentation by Bernie followed this pattern - The Immortal Dinner, 1817.
Thanks to Chris for the report.

“Excellent presentation, Bernie. Thanks for a very enjoyable talk on an unusual subject.

Topics of conversation at the Immortal Dinner of 1817 resonate with us today: Britain and Europe, extreme weather, the cost of living, new technology, politics and protests, royal scandals.

Poets, painters and patrons musing over these matters, whilst enjoying a Sunday afternoon lunch, the best-known being William Wordsworth, John Keats and Charles Lamb.

A vivid portrayal based on the host’s (painter Benjamin Robert Haydon) diary and autobiography.”

Bernie’s talk was followed by a lively q and a, and subsequent speculation on who might attend a similar dinner today.

Now we’re looking forward to next month’s intriguing topic, courtesy of Rita: The origins and impact of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion

Older people in Salford

https://salfordu3a.com/

25/07/2026

Welcome to our new group, ‘Writing for Pleasure’, starting next week.

Here’s an introduction from Convenor, John.

“What is ‘Writing for Pleasure’ all about?
Well, it does not matter if you are a complete beginner or you have been writing for a long time, or you started and stopped and now wish to resume writing again. You might be an accomplished writer but need a refresh.

‘Writing for Pleasure’ is about enjoying yourself through writing, without getting to bogged down too much about publishing. The group is about learning from each other and feedback given in a safe environment.

As convenor, I will facilitate and guide you through the creative writing process covering areas such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Flash and Micro Fiction, Poetry, Scriptwriting and most importantly having fun in the process.

The group will meet in Community Room 1 at Eccles Gateway from 19:00 to 21:00 hrs on the last Monday of the month.
The cost of each session will be £3 which includes refreshments.
So, if you would like to join this group or for further information then please email [email protected] marking the subject line of your email FAO: John Halstead."

Good luck, looking forward to hearing how it goes 😊

https://salfordu3a.com/

16/07/2026

Our Rock and Pop group knows how to party!

They recently hosted their first-ever event, an 80s-themed party, where they were joined by other u3a members as well as the locals who presumably just dropped in for a quiet pint at the Church Inn in Swinton and got drawn into the fun.

Keyboard player, Alan, kept the 80's music going strong with some classics, and managed to get people up on the dance floor. This was Alan’s first performance since recovering from a couple of serious brain operations, and what an excellent performance it was.

Our Chair, John, acted as MC, channelling his inner Brucie to get people involved with Play Your Cards Right. After a long run of losers, Jim finally hit the winning streak with conviction and no hesitation, winning a very nice bottle of rum.

Prize for the best 80s attire went jointly to Ann and Sue in their 1986 clubbing gear, complete with legwarmers and headbands. Sue also struck lucky in the raffle, bagging one of the top prizes.

This fabulous event raised £345 for the Daughters of Salford https://daughtersofsalford.org.uk/ which runs Salford Baby Bank. The total included a generous donation from Doreen, our longest standing u3a member and honoured guest at our recent 40th anniversary lunch.

Everyone had such a good time that the group is considering making it a biennial event – not the same theme but more of the same fun and mayhem and a chance for members to let their hair down (metaphorically, if not literally).

Find out more about the group here https://salfordu3a.com/groups/rock-and-pop/
If you’d like to try it out, please get in touch via [email protected]

https://salfordu3a.com/

Salford Baby Bank Older people in Salford

Address

Salford

Telephone

+447375779023

Website

http://www.salfordu3a.com/

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:

Want your organisation to be the top-listed Non Profit Organisation in Salford?