Free community event set to bring rich local history to life at Salford Lads Club
A free outdoor community history event exploring the past, present and future of Regent Road, Salford will take place on Friday 30 January at 6.30pm, hosted by Salford Lads Club on The Croft, Huddard Close.
Led by Salford historian Tony Flynn and Salford Lads Club culture and heritage manager Leslie Holmes, the event will delve into the origins of Regent Road, the stories behind its once-thriving shops and businesses, and Regent Road today.
Archival images and photographs will be projected onto the gable end of houses in Regent Square creating an immersive, shared experience in the heart of Ordsall. In the event of poor weather, the event will move indoors to the club’s historic Concert Hall.
The date holds particular significance: Friday 30th January 1904 marks the day that the Scouts founder, Robert Baden-Powell officially opened Salford Lads Club, making the event a fitting celebration of local heritage and community spirit. The location also carries its own history, with The Croft at the bottom of the street once home to the Salford Girls’ Institute, reinforcing the area’s long-standing role in supporting young people and community life.
Leslie Holmes, heritage manager at Salford Lads Club said: “It’s great to collaborate again with Tony Flynn after last year’s outdoor talk on The Lost Pubs of Ordsall.”
Adding: “The Regent Road Stories promises to be another fascinating evening — from the Triumphal Arch created for Queen Victoria’s 1894 visit to today’s campaign to protect local shops. These stories really show how Salford’s sense of community endures through time and we’re looking forward to sharing these stories about the region’s cultural history with anyone who will be joining us on the night."
This event builds on the success of previous talks hosted by Flynn and Holmes, including a well-attended session on the lost pubs of Ordsall and an earlier exploration of Regent Road’s past.
This event is free and open to residents, history enthusiasts and anyone with a connection to Regent Road to come together, share memories and reflect on how local heritage continues to shape the area today.
Event details:
Date: Friday 30 January
Time: 6.30pm
Location: The Croft, Huddard Close, M5 3RQ