Latest General Information
u3a Festival 2026 York 1st to 3rd July 2026
Book your place at u3a Festival 26
Join us for u3a Festival 26, taking place at the University of York between
1-3 July, for a three-day celebration of fun, learning and the community that makes u3a so special.
Explore an existing interest or take the leap and try something completely new in member-led workshops and sessions. Surrounded by other members, you will have opportunities to move your body, be creative and explore new ideas.
The University of York has a beautiful campus with green spaces and a lake, fantastic sports facilities, lecture halls, and workshop rooms – the perfect backdrop for three days of inspiration and learning. There’s on-site accommodation available too so you can go straight from breakfast to your first workshop.
Here’s a little bit of what you can expect at the Festival:
- Talks on a wide range of subjects
- Hands-on crafts and art workshops
- Fitness workshops
- Sports tournaments
- Live performances by u3a musical groups
- The opportunity to make music yourself
We can’t wait to welcome you. Tickets cost £18 a day, or £50 for a three-day ticket. The festival starts at 11am on Wednesday 1 July and ends at 3pm on Friday 3 July.
To open any of the links below – click on the link then CTRL+Click on the link in the pop up window
Book on-site accommodation at the University of York
If you’d like to be involved in volunteering at the Festival by leading a workshop or being a steward, please get in touch by emailing
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North west region summer school 2026
Applications are invited for the 2026 Residential Summer School
Dates: Tues 11th August – Friday 14th August
Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University, M15 6GX
The Metropolitan University is located in the centre of Manchester and less than 20 minutes’ walk from Oxford Road Railway Station. The campus has modern facilities, student en-suite rooms with Wi-Fi access.
There will be a quiz on the first evening and a “Gala Dinner” on the third and final evening. Speakers will also attend on the second and third evenings.
Full Board Residential Delegate; £430. (+£15 car parking charge if applicable;)
We include full board for 3 nights, including dinner on 11th August, breakfast, lunch and dinner on 12th August, breakfast, lunch and Gala Dinner on 13th August, and breakfast on 14th August.
Also, tea and coffee refreshments on each day.
Non-Residential Day Delegate: £215 (+£15 car parking charge if applicable)
This includes lunches, teas and coffees, excludes breakfast daily and dinner on Tuesday and Wednesday but does include the Gala Dinner on 13th August.
Accommodation is available nearby in the Manchester city centre.
An Application form (HERE when available) must be completed by post or email, Payment is either by bank transfer (North West Region of u3as, Lloyds Bank sort code 30-90-16, account 00197002 quoting name and post code) or by cheque (payable to North West Region of u3as)
£100 DEPOSIT (£50 non residents) PAYABLE UPON APPLICATION;
BALANCE BY 11 MAY 2026
Queries should be directed to Alan Hough or Neill Stewart at
By post to 8 Salwick Close, Wigan, Gtr Manchester. WN3 6RE
The 8 courses on offer are:-
Archaeology Explorers
Making sense of everyday Mathematics
An introduction to Geology
Photography – Beyond the Snapshot
Art challenges – the history of colour
The UK and USA Political Scenes
Operatunity – opera appreciation
Intermediary Ukulele
Full course synopses available separately (and on north west site).
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The Wellspring Works Wonders
For many years, Bramhall u3a members have been much valued supporters of the wonderful work done by The Wellspring in Stockport, who help so many disadvantaged and homeless people in so many ways.
In 2025 alone:
They have provided 1-1 support to over 350 individuals.
Over 80 new people have registered with them.
21 people they support have successfully moved into housing.
Their breakfast sessions have seen over 5,000 attendances.
Lunch provision has supported over 8,500 attendances.
Corporate volunteers from Nexperia, Natwest, Pets at Home and NHS Property services have all offered their time and effort.
The Wellspring operates as a result of a wonderful team of regular volunteers who dedicate time to cooking, cleaning, organising donations, supporting fundraising events and so much more.
We can also help with our continuing donations, both of money and items such as: sleeping bags, disposable razors, shaving foam, men’s and women’s new underwear, cleaning spray, jars of pasta sauce, instant coffee, chopped tomatoes, baked beans, corned beef, sugar, tinned potatoes.
Our loyal and long-term support of The Wellspring has made a genuine difference to many lives.
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Safeguarding Policy including Form
By law, Bramhall u3a must ensure that all individuals involved in Bramhall u3a, including the Committee, the Group Leaders and the Members, are aware of its Safeguarding Policy and the associated Form that needs to be completed if there is an incident. The Form is now Appendix C in the Leader’s Handbook and there is a link to the Safeguarding Policy document both in that Form and on the title page of the Leader’s Handbook. Please read the Safeguarding Policy, download the Form and file it where you can retrieve it, because for security reasons it must be completed manually if there is an incident.
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The Home Library Service
Copyright and Licences
This is a weighty tome, so if you are interested in only one particular area (Eg: photographs, photography, photographic) it is suggested that you follow the procedure below.
Open the document by clicking HERE
Press CTRL+A This will highlight the entire text
Press CTRL+F Type your word (Eg: photograph) into the “Find” text box
Tap ENTER
You should see each occurrence of the word highlighted within the text. Use the Find Box arrows to navigate your way to each one.
If you are in the habit of using information that is not your own, please check out this document.
