Club Walk on Sunday 22^nd December – “An Urban Walk around Salford Quays” and Meal at Prezzo

Please be aware that United have a home game the same day as our walk so I have excluded a walk around the stadium.

WALK DETAILS:

This is a flat 5 miles urban walk around Salford Quays which will hopefully give you an insight to the places of interest around Salford Quays and will include the following places along our route:

Salford Quays is an area of Salford, Greater Manchester, England, near the end of the Manchester Ship Canal. Previously the site of Manchester Docks, it became one of the first and largest urban regeneration projects in the United Kingdom following the closure of the dockyards in 1982.

The docks finally closed in 1982 with the loss of around 3,000 jobs. The land was left derelict, and the surrounding waters polluted and useless. In 1984, Salford Council purchased the docks and re-branded it Salford Quays, which has now been extensively redeveloped.

The Lowry is a theatre and gallery complex which is named after the early 20^th-century painter L.S. Lowry, known for his paintings of industrial scenes in Northwest England. It opened in October 2000 and has a capacity of 1,730.

The Imperial War Museum North is one of 5 branches of the Imperial War Museum which explores the impact of modern conflicts on people and society. It is the first branch to be in the north of England in July 2002.

It is housed in an iconic aluminium clad building, representing a globe shattered by conflict. IWM North is the first museum in the UK to be designed by internationally acclaimed architect Daniel Libeskind. He created the building to enhance the museum’s subject matter – the sharp angles, sloping floors, leaning walls, and imposing interior are deliberately in place to unsettle and disorientate you, intensifying the collections and stories within.

Coronation Street Studios – The sets of the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street have undergone four major and several less significant changes since the first broadcast in December 1960. Originally entirely indoors, in 1968 the original wooden set was moved outside, and shortly afterwards reconstructed in brick.

The Blue Peter Garden was officially opened by the Princess Royal in February 2013 at the new northern base of the long running children’s television programme.

Huron and Erie Water Basins and the Detroit Bridge – The large expanse of water now known as Huron and Erie Basins was once part of Dock 9, the largest and most important of the Manchester (Salford) Docks. It opened in 1905 and was home to the passenger and shipping company, Manchester Liners. At over half a mile in length 9 Dock was big enough to hold 10 ocean liners or large container ships, enabling the Port to remain internationally competitive. Since then, the area surrounding 9 Dock has dramatically transformed from industrial landscape to luxurious waterside development.

The Detroit Bridge is something of a landmark within Salford Quays. The 80-metre-long former railway bridge was moved and converted to a footbridge during the redevelopment of Salford Docks as they were transformed into Salford Quays. The bridge now links the residential area around Ontario Basin with Harbour City and MediaCityUK.

The Old Dock Office – This Grade 11 listed building, designed by Harry Fairhurst and Son, was built in 1925. Beside the building is the former gateway, also by Fairhurst, that once provided access to the docks. The building at the entrance to the old docks was sold by Peel Holdings £2.6m in 2014 and now planning permission has been granted for proposals to change it from offices to 67 apartments.

Ordsall Park which opened in 1876, is now the second oldest park in Salford.

Ordsall Hall is a large former manor house and dates back more than 750 years, although the oldest surviving parts of the present hall were bult in the 15^th century.

Soapworks is a stunning transformation of the former Colgate Palmolive factory.

Pomona Island – During the industrial revolution, the island was home to botanical gardens and the Royal Pomona Palace – which was bigger than the Albert Hall. Since that time, the island has remained desolate for decades but now the island has seen a significant transformation with the development of thousands of new flats.

Irwell River Park – For many years, the River Irwell and Manchester Ship Canal led the resurgence of the waterfronts within the regional centre. Places such as Salford Quays, Chapel Wharf and Castlefield have been the focus of investment with award winning development.

Planning Guidance for an exciting £72 million urban river park – Irwell River Park was developed in partnership with Manchester City Council and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council and adopted in March 2008. The Irwell River Park project is now well underway, transforming an eight kilometre stretch of the Irwell corridor across the regional centre between MediaCityUK and Peel Park.

“Sky Hook” Chain Sculpture, Trafford Wharf – In front of the former Trafford Park Telephone Exchange building stands a giant hook on the end of a chain. Entitled “Skyhook” this sculpture was unveiled in 1995 as part of the regeneration of the Trafford Park Industrial Estate. “Skyhooks” was commissioned from Brian Fell who produced two 17-metres high hooks and chains. The second one is located on the other side of the old Telephone Exchange near Wharf End.

Manchester Ship Canal and Gnome Island – The Ship Canal opened in 1894, linked Manchester to the Irish Sea near Liverpool. After 6 years of work and construction, the 36-mile canal made Manchester’s docks the third largest in the country, despite the fact the city is 40 miles inland. The canal remained in industrial use for almost 100 years until 1984 when the docks closed, as container ships and other industrial vessels became too large for the canal.

Even 30 years after its closure, the concrete “islands” that held the structures along the canal remained. It was on one such island that in 2017, the outgrown canal welcomed a much smaller guest, a single gnome which has now become home to a collection of gnomes.

Please meet outside the Lowry Theatre at 10.30am for a prompt 10.45am start of the walk. There are toilets in various cafes in the vicinity if you arrive early. Walking shoes will suffice for this walk.

Please note that we will have a 15-minute break for coffee at Ordsall Hall, which I understand will be open for coffee and the use of their toilets.

TRAVEL AND PARKING:

Car Parking is very limited at Salford Quays, especially with United playing at home, so my recommendation for parking would be as follows:

• At the East Didsbury Park and Ride and use the Metro to get to the start.
• Trafford Centre: Another option is to park, which is free, on the far right of the car park on the RHS of John Lewis (follow Service signs) then walk across to the Barton Road tram stop which is directly in front of Primark. The trams are every 12 minutes. It is then 3 stops to the Imperial War Museum stop. Then just walk across the bridge to the Lowry. You should allow 20 minutes from getting on the tram to get to the Lowry.
• Although there is a multi-storey car park near the Lowry Theatre, I imagine it will be exceptionally busy during the Christmas time especially as there may be Xmas Markets around the Quays.

I hope a later start time will allow sufficient travelling time for those travelling by train from Marple or Stockport if you leave after 9.30am when the passes are valid.

MEAL AT PREZZO:

Due to the festive season, we will need to pre-order our main course and drink. If you wish to join us for the meal, could you please email the leader listed in the printed programme by close of play Friday 13^th December with your choice of main meal, drink and any dietary requirements from the attached menus?

Payment is by card only and they are happy for us to pay individually. Please bring some loose change as we will have a collection for the staff.

Any questions, then please ask.

 

6 miles, moderate