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Are you no longer working full-time? Now is the perfect time to make the most of life. Barnsley u3a offers you the chance to develop your interests, make new friends, and enjoy yourself.

We are a friendly and vibrant community with over 1300 members from Barnsley and surrounding areas. With more than 100 activity and interest groups, including language, arts, music, science, technology, and wine appreciation, there's something for everyone. Experience member's meetings, monthly talks, leisure activities, fitness classes, outings, quizzes, and much more.

Our members are embracing life, continuing their creative, educational, or social interests in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere. Those with a lifetime of experience, expertise, or know-how in professions, occupations, or hobbies are encouraged to form activity groups and share their knowledge with fellow members.

Why not join us for the opportunity to develop your interests, make new friends, and have fun? A world of new experiences awaits you at Barnsley u3a, so what is stopping you?

                                            Learn, laugh, and live!

 

 

Wentworth Castle Gardens 

We are lucky in Barnsley to have Wentworth Castle Gardens at Stainborough. This National Trust property features some wonderful gardens and parkland. The house and estate were laid out in the early 1700s by Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, a diplomat with close links to the major events of his time, including the Act of Union in 1707. 

The Act of Union is commemorated in a dramatic feature of the gardens to the south of the house, an arrangement of enclosed triangular spaces in the form of the Union Flag. This garden was first planted in 1713 when geometric gardens were very popular and Thomas clearly shows his fashionable tastes as well as his political allegiance in celebrating the Act of Union in this way.  Laid out as a ‘formal wilderness’ garden, with high hedges and rich planting, the garden provided an interesting and secluded place for visitors to walk, chat and find inspiration in nature. 

Over the last few years, the National Trust have been renovating this space and have asked local groups to design and create gardens in the segments and work alongside the Trust in maintaining the space.  The Gardeners Group of Barnsley u3a have been allocated a triangle 22m*28m*35m with views of the house and beyond over the valley toward Barnsley.  The hedges, mixed evergreens, are now lower than the original design and create a more open aspect.

In our design, two wide grass paths take the visitor from either entrance to a central mulberry tree with a third path off to a pergola seating area where visitors can relax, chat or just entertain their own thoughts. The planting is in the three large triangles formed by the hedging and paths.  We have chosen what we hope is a bright and cheerful planting colour scheme of blues, yellows and whites, reflecting the u3a colours.  We have several yellow roses, yellow roses traditionally symbolise joy and happiness, two things we hope are part of Barnsley & district u3a.

That the garden is welcoming and accessible is very important of we have mainly soft informal planting, wide paths and good seating.

The Trust developed an authentic 18th Century plant list to work from also the support of a professional gardener throughout which was invaluable. 

On September 25th last the National Trust held an open day to celebrate the renovated gardens.  No garden is ever finished but a milestone has been reached as we move from creation to maintenance of the space. Barnsley and District u3a hope the garden will be enjoyed by members and friends for many years to come.

Further information on Wentworth Castle can be found at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/wentworth-castle-gardens/index

 

                     

                    
 

                                                                                      

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