Cookridge and Horsforth U3A upcoming events

RHS BRIDGEWATER (12 May 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 07:18:00 GMT

The former site of Worsley New Hall, in Salford, is a heritage landscape that's been transformed into an iconic RHS Garden. Landscape architect, Tom Stuart-Smith created the masterplan and the fantastic Bridgewater team, alongside award-winning garden designers, have brought ‘gardens within a garden’ to life by blending history with world-class horticulture

Gardens, garden centre and café.

Pick-up points

Depart ASDA, Holt Park - 08.50

Depart Opposite Queen’s Arms, Horsforth - 09.00

Depart opposite Fink Hill car park – 09.10

Arrive RHS Bridgewater – 10.00 for 10.30 entry to gardens

Depart RHS Bridgewater to arrive back Horsforth by approx. 18.00

Entry to RHS Bridgewater @ £13.82 + coach £11.91 = £25.73

RHS Members and one guest @ £00.00

So RHS members and guest pay only £11.91 each

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

· Pre purchased guidebooks @ £2.50
· GUIDED TOUR OPTIONS @ £5.00 per person, EITHER

Weston Walled Garden

The Chinese Streamside Garden.

Any queries contact Moira Clarke or Barbara Stearn

Please pay online or send a cheque made out to Cookridge and Horsforth U3A to Barbara Stearn or pay by card at one of the Monday meetings

Wildflower Walk (13 May 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Wildflower Walk

Led by Lorraine Harding

Guided walk searching for and identifying wildflower plants. Walk will take 1.5 - 2 hours.

Refreshments available at the venue.

A handout will be available prior to the walk.

Booking opens on 16th

Sasha Hill - The Eccentric Brontes (18 May 2026)

Mon, 18 May 2026 09:30:00 GMT

A different look at the Bronte family. Most people know of the famous sisters Charolotte, Emily and Anne Bronte but this talk encompasses all eight members of Patrick Bronte's family. In this examination can be found the heroes, the eccentric, the ridiculous and the extremely sad ( and they are s just the men). We see where the talented family are likely to have got their inspiration and tell their story.

A Very British Meteorite (01 Jun 2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:30:00 GMT

Martin Lunn MBE FRAS.

1881 a team of workmen on a railway line near Middlesbrough had a close encounter with an intruder from outer space when a meteorite crashed onto the track. That meteorite has now become known as one of the most important on earth. Join Martin for the curious and entertaining story of the Middlesbrough Meteorite.

Day Trip to Hawes (02 Jun 2026)

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Day Trip to Hawes on Market Day

Enjoy a day out in Hawes on Tuesday June 2nd, it is a magical little market town in Wensleydale famous for Wallace and Grommet and Cheese. There is plenty to do.

Tuesday is market day (8-4pm)

Cheese Experience. Two cheese demonstrations have been allocated to us at 12.00 and 13.00 at the Wensleydale Creamery, following the demonstration you can do the self guided tour where you will learn about the thousand-year history of artisan cheesemaking in the Dales If you wish to attend one of these please select your preferred time when you register. The cost is £5.95

Visit the Dales Countryside Museum - which tells the fascinating story of the Yorkshire Dales and the people who have lived and worked there and shaped the landscape for thousands of years. Concessionary admission £4.50 tickets can be bought on the day

You might like to visit the Red Squirrel Trail at Snaizeholme. https://littlewhitebus.co.uk/red-squirrels/ You will need to catch the Little White Bus outside the Dales Countryside Museum at 11.10. Please note seats are limited on the bus. The Little White Bus drops you at the end of the track and it is a 40 minute walk to the feeding station or you can do the circular walk of 2.5 miles. The route includes an initial steep descent down a series of steps, followed by an uneven footpath on the edge of the woodland. It passes over ground which can become muddy. The return route includes a steep climb up a track to the single-track road. Wearing appropriate footwear is essential. The Little White Bus will pick you up again at 13.30 to go back down to Hawes. The cost of the Bus is £7.35 If you wish to do this you will need to book a seat on the Little White Bus using the link above or buy your ticket on the bus on the day. ( Note the bus does not give refunds if you decide not to go on the day)

You could also visit Hardraw Force a 30 minute walk out of Hawes. The Force is Englands' highest single drop waterfall and it drops 30m into a deep pool below. There are 2 walks to the waterfall - the Yellow Walk is a lower level 10 minute walk and the Green walk is a steeper higher level 20 minute walk to the waterfall. Cost to visit the waterfall is £4.00 and tickets can be bought on the day from the Heritage Centre next to the Green Dragon Inn. Hardraw Force (Waterfall)

Cost of coach - £11.50

Pick up Points

Asda Car Park, Holt Park approximately 08.00

Opposite Queens Arms Pub, Horsforth 08.10

Opposite Fink Hill Car Park, Horsforth 08.20

If you have any queries or need help with booking please contact Barbara Stearn (Telephone number in Members Directory)

Please pay online or send a cheque made out to Cookridge and Horsforth U3A to Barbara Stearn or pay by card at one of the Monday meetings

Wildflower Walk (03 Jun 2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Wildflower Walk

Rodley Nature Reserve

Led by Lorraine Harding

Guided walk searching for and identifying wildflower plants. Walk will take 1.5 - 2 hours.

Refreshments available at the venue.

A handout will be available prior to the walk.

Booking opens 16th January

Chris Nickson - Finding the essence of Leeds (15 Jun 2026)

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:30:00 GMT

Trying to capture the character and flavour of Leeds at different times in it's history. As told by renowned author Chris Nickson.

Day Trip to Beverley and Races (23 Jun 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Day Trip to Beverley and the Races

Spend the day in Beverley visiting the town, shopping or take an optional tour of Beverley Minster at 1.30pm

Alternatively you might like to spend the afternoon at Beverley Racecourse.

Arriving in Beverley at 12 noon and leaving Beverley at 5.15pm and leaving the races after the last race at 5.45pm

Cost:

Coach £22 per person

Optional tour of Beverley Minster £8 per person

Grandstand and Paddock tickets £12 payable by racegoers on the day at the gates

Pick-up Points

Fink Hill Car Park, Horsforth 10.05am

Queens Arms, Horsforth 10.15am

Asda Car Park, Holt Park 10.35am

Spirit of the Forties at Bletchley Park (25 Sep 2026)

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Spirit of the Forties at Bletchley Park

Discover the spirit of the Forties at Bletchley Park, exploring wartime secrets, codebreaking history and the unique atmosphere of a remarkable era.

This trip is over 2 days and included in the cost is:

Admission to Bletchley Park on Friday and Saturday including the 1940's entertainment
Dinner, bed and breakfast at the Mercure Hotel in Milton Keynes
Return Coach travel with Hanson Exclusives

Cost is £199 per person (with an additional £45 Single Supplement)

There is the opportunity to have a guided group tour of the exhibitions buildings and site on Friday for an additional £12

Coach Pick Up

Asda Car Park, Holt Park approximately 08.00

Opposite Queens Arms, Horsforth 08.15

Opposite Fink Hill Car Park, Horsforth 08.20

Booking can be made online at Hanson Exclusives by following this link Spirit of the Forties at Bletchley Park and payment can be made by debit or credit card with an initial £100 deposit

Alternatively you can make a booking by phone to Hanson Exclusives on 0113 239 3031 and pay by credit/debit card or BACS OR complete a paper booking form which will be available at the Monday meetings and post to Hanson Exclusives .

Any queries or issues please contact Ray Hardwick or Barbara Stearn (Telephone numbers in Members Directory)