Geographical Association

Manchester Canal Cruise

From Castlefield, 11:30-16:00, £25 including lunch

This cruise along the waterways of Manchester will give you the chance to see some classic urban regeneration case studies at first hand. We will embark at Castlefield and see developments in the canal basin before cruising along the Bridgewater Canal for a short distance. The new Pomona Lock will then give us access to the River Irwell, the Manchester Ship Canal and developments at Salford Quays. The cruise will include a one-hour stop at Salford Quays to enable us to explore this radically transformed area and see the Lowry Centre, shops in the Lowry outlet and have a glimpse of Media City. A hot lunch will be served from 12 noon and drinks are available from the onboard bar.
Organised by GA Manchester Branch

The Association at Work

Manchester Conference Centre, 12:00-15:00

Annual Meeting 

Manchester Conference Centre, 15:15-16:00

Public Lecture and Awards Presentations

Manchester Conference Centre, 17:00-18:30, free of charge

Novelist Marina Lewycka, author of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, Two Caravans, and We Are All Made of Glue, will present the free Public Lecture on 12 April. This will be followed by the Awards Presentations and a complimentary wine reception.

Photo of Marina Lewycka © Nicola Barranger

Conference Dinner

The Palace Hotel, 19:30, £37.00

The Conference Dinner will be held at the Palace Hotel on 12 April following the Public Lecture, Awards Presentations and wine reception. The price of £37.00 includes a three-course meal, coffee, and two bottles of wine plus juice and water on each table.

Menu

Goats cheese and sun-dried tomato roulade with black olive pesto and rocket

-----

Salt beef brisket

Served with dauphinoise potatoes, carrot and swede mash, broccoli and a red onion and horseradish jus

or

Pumpkin and pine nut risotto (v) served with sautéed baby spinach and a salsa verde

---

Strawberry and cream panna cotta served with peppered berries and red wine syrup

---

Freshly brewed coffee

Manchester Pub Walk

Central Manchester, 19:30, £15.00

An interactive pub walk led by registered tour guide Jonathan Schofield will take place on 12 April. The tour will underline how significant pubs have been in national and local history and will conclude with a brief quiz where you can win 'interesting' local prizes. The price of £15.00 includes a pre-walk pie and pea supper at the University. There will be plenty of opportunities to buy drinks during the tour!

Supporting geography teachers in Wales

University of Manchester, 12.45-13.15

The GA is exploring how best to support and encourage geography teachers in Wales. There is an opportunity to establish a Special Interest Group (SIG) for Wales which would aim to begin to provide such support.

A meeting will be taking place at Conference to discuss setting up a SIG, and in particular to identify how it and the GA could provide support and encouragement to teachers and pupils in Wales. Please come along if you're interested in getting involved.

Long-Standing Members', Past Presidents' and Officers' Reception

University of Manchester, 13:00-13:45

By invitation only.

International Rendezvous

University of Manchester, 15:45-16:30

A friendly occasion with wine and nibbles and an opportunity to make new friends. For all overseas visitors and guests.

Sponsored by GA International Special Interest Group and digital-earth.eu

Post-16 & HE Phase Committee AGM

University of Manchester, 15:50-16:20

Supporting undergraduate teaching in quantitative geography: making the connections between schools, universities and the workplace. Your knowledge and experience is requested for a project aiming to support teaching in quantitative geography in schools, universities and for the workplace. To find out more, please come along to the Post-16 & HE Phase Committee AGM.

Buffet and Barn Dance

University of Manchester, 19:45, £20.00

A locally-sourced buffet showcasing some of the best produce from around north-west England will take place at the University of Manchester on 13 April. Following the buffet entertainment will be provided by a live ceilidh band. Price £20.00.

Primary Reception

University of Manchester, 13:15-14:00

Join members of the Early Years and Primary Phase Committee and the GA for refreshments and a chat. We will be joined by PGQM winning schools. An opportunity to put names to faces, celebrate success, discuss issues and join the Committee. We look forward to meeting you.

Sponsored by GA Early Years and Primary Phase Committee

iGCSE Fringe Session

University of Manchester, 13:15-13:45

This session will allow teachers either already teaching iGCSE, or thinking of teaching iGCSE, to talk to examiners. It is an ideal opportunity to talk to experts, make links with others teaching iGCSE, and discuss strategies for fieldwork.