Retired Members information about meetings, and group activities will be displayed here and updated regularly for you to keep active in UNISON, even after you put the day-to-day work routine behind you.
The retired members group meet every third Wednesday morning at 11am
Meeting Venue:
Dartmouth Central Club, Devonshire Drive, West Bromwich, B71 4AA (by Dartmouth Park front entrance)
Future meetings NOTE NEW TIME 11AM
We are a friendly, social group and have worked for Sandwell in a variety of locations during our working life. The group decides on activities/ social events throughout the year.
Are you coming up to retirement? For a one off fee of £15.00 you can become a retired member of UNISON. This entitles you to the same benefits you currently have as a member.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The retired members group meet every third Wednesday in the month at 11am, at: Dartmouth
Central Club, Devonshire Drive, West Bromwich, B71 4AA (by Dartmouth Park front entrance)
We are a friendly, social group and have worked for Sandwell in a variety of locations during our
working life. The group decides on activities/ social events throughout the year.
Central Club, Devonshire Drive, West Bromwich, B71 4AA (by Dartmouth Park front entrance)
We are a friendly, social group and have worked for Sandwell in a variety of locations during our
working life. The group decides on activities/ social events throughout the year.
QUIZ NIGHT
Friday 20th February 2026, 7.00pm.
Dartmouth Central Club, Devonshire Drive, West Bromwich, B71
4AA. Teams up to 6, £2 a Player. All retired members are welcome.
We hold a quiz night every month, 2026 dates are: 20th February, 20th March, 17th April and monthly
thereafter. Please contact Ken Bradley on 07811 974216 for more information and to register a
team.
Friday 20th February 2026, 7.00pm.
Dartmouth Central Club, Devonshire Drive, West Bromwich, B71
4AA. Teams up to 6, £2 a Player. All retired members are welcome.
We hold a quiz night every month, 2026 dates are: 20th February, 20th March, 17th April and monthly
thereafter. Please contact Ken Bradley on 07811 974216 for more information and to register a
team.
WALKS
Tuesday 7th April 2026, 11.00am.
Saltwells Nature Reserve Bluebell Walk. Meet at the Nature
Reserve car park, followed by lunch at the Saltwells Inn. All retired members are welcome.
Tuesday 16th June 2026, 11.00am.
Kinver Canal Walk. Meet at the Community Centre car park,
Kinver, followed by lunch at the Vine pub. All retired members are welcome.
Tuesday 7th July 2026, 11.00am.
Walsall Arboretum Walk. Meet at the Grange Car Park, followed by
lunch at the Toby Carvery Walsall Broadway pub. All retired members are welcome.
Tuesday 15th September 2026, 11.00am.
Himley Hall Park Walk. Meet at the main car park, followed
by tea and cake at the cafe. All retired members are welcome, bring your dog!
These are easy walks, followed by a pub lunch. If you don’t want to do the walk, feel free to join us in
the pub, we aim to arrive by 12.30. Please contact Pete Holtham on 07914 705216 for more
information, to let him know if you want to join the walking group or suggest future walks.
Tuesday 7th April 2026, 11.00am.
Saltwells Nature Reserve Bluebell Walk. Meet at the Nature
Reserve car park, followed by lunch at the Saltwells Inn. All retired members are welcome.
Tuesday 16th June 2026, 11.00am.
Kinver Canal Walk. Meet at the Community Centre car park,
Kinver, followed by lunch at the Vine pub. All retired members are welcome.
Tuesday 7th July 2026, 11.00am.
Walsall Arboretum Walk. Meet at the Grange Car Park, followed by
lunch at the Toby Carvery Walsall Broadway pub. All retired members are welcome.
Tuesday 15th September 2026, 11.00am.
Himley Hall Park Walk. Meet at the main car park, followed
by tea and cake at the cafe. All retired members are welcome, bring your dog!
These are easy walks, followed by a pub lunch. If you don’t want to do the walk, feel free to join us in
the pub, we aim to arrive by 12.30. Please contact Pete Holtham on 07914 705216 for more
information, to let him know if you want to join the walking group or suggest future walks.
LUNCH
Tuesday 12th May 2026, 12.15 for 12.30pm.
The Britannia, 124 Halesowen Street, Rowley Regis, B65
0ES. All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 if you would like
to come.
Tuesday 20th October 2026, 12.15 for 12.30pm.
The Bell, Birmingham Rd, Walsall, WS5 3JP. All
retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 if you would like to
come.
Tuesday 12th May 2026, 12.15 for 12.30pm.
The Britannia, 124 Halesowen Street, Rowley Regis, B65
0ES. All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 if you would like
to come.
Tuesday 20th October 2026, 12.15 for 12.30pm.
The Bell, Birmingham Rd, Walsall, WS5 3JP. All
retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 if you would like to
come.
Christmas Dinner, December 2026, tbc
. This is always a very popular event. More details to follow.
All retired members are welcome.
. This is always a very popular event. More details to follow.
All retired members are welcome.
TRIPS AND DAYS OUT
Shrewsbury, Friday 6th March 2026, for the Farmer’s Market.
We are going by train. Meet on the platform at New Street Station to catch the 10.22 train, 10.30 at
Sandwell and Dudley or 10.41 at Wolverhampton. Meet at the Shrewsbury Hotel, Bridge St,
Shrewsbury, SY1 1PU – 12.15 for 12.30pm for lunch. If you have a West Midlands bus pass you can
travel free as far as far as Wolverhampton, so buy a ticket in advance for Wolverhampton to
Shrewsbury (£13.50 return, 33% off if you have a railcard). Keep proof of purchase, and you will be
able to claim the cost from Unison branch, making this a free day out.
All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley on
07811 974216 if you would like to come.
Shrewsbury, Friday 6th March 2026, for the Farmer’s Market.
We are going by train. Meet on the platform at New Street Station to catch the 10.22 train, 10.30 at
Sandwell and Dudley or 10.41 at Wolverhampton. Meet at the Shrewsbury Hotel, Bridge St,
Shrewsbury, SY1 1PU – 12.15 for 12.30pm for lunch. If you have a West Midlands bus pass you can
travel free as far as far as Wolverhampton, so buy a ticket in advance for Wolverhampton to
Shrewsbury (£13.50 return, 33% off if you have a railcard). Keep proof of purchase, and you will be
able to claim the cost from Unison branch, making this a free day out.
All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley on
07811 974216 if you would like to come.
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wednesday 6th May, for Saturday Night Fever.
You can get here by bus, train or tram. Meet at the Sunbeam, 10 Victoria Square, Wolverhampton,
WV1 1LD at 12.15 – 12.30pm for lunch. We will go to the matinee, starting at 2.30pm, cost £31.50.
All retired members are welcome. Please contact Ken Bradley on 07811 974216 if you would like
more information.
Contact the branch office to reserve place – sandwellunison@btconnect.com
must reserve a seat and pay by 17th April.
If you don’t want to see the show, just join us at the Sunbeam for lunch.
07736 923559.
You can get here by bus, train or tram. Meet at the Sunbeam, 10 Victoria Square, Wolverhampton,
WV1 1LD at 12.15 – 12.30pm for lunch. We will go to the matinee, starting at 2.30pm, cost £31.50.
All retired members are welcome. Please contact Ken Bradley on 07811 974216 if you would like
more information.
Contact the branch office to reserve place – sandwellunison@btconnect.com
must reserve a seat and pay by 17th April.
If you don’t want to see the show, just join us at the Sunbeam for lunch.
07736 923559.
The River King, Severn Way, Stourport-on-Severn, Sunday 17th May, for Motown Cruise.
Spend a spring afternoon cruising along a beautiful stretch of the River Severn enjoying the classics
from soul’s golden era. The Princes of Motown will be performing live throughout the cruise singing
classics from Marvin Gaye, The Temptations & many more. Cost £25.63. Doors open – 2:00pm,
Cruise starts – 2:30pm, Boat returns – 5:45pm, Finish – 6pm.
NO FOOD IS AVAILABLE – We ask guests to eat beforehand and not to bring food on board.
*PLEASE BE AWARE – We do not allow guests to bring their own drinks, there is a fully stocked bar on
board which operates as CASH ONLY, please ensure all of your guest know card payments are not
accepted due to poor signal for the card machines.
All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley on
07811 974216 for more information.
Contact the branch office to reserve place – sandwellunison@btconnect.com
07736 923559. You must reserve a seat and pay by 17th April.
Make your own way to Stourport or we will arrange transport from West Bromwich at 10.30pm, cost
to be determined.
Spend a spring afternoon cruising along a beautiful stretch of the River Severn enjoying the classics
from soul’s golden era. The Princes of Motown will be performing live throughout the cruise singing
classics from Marvin Gaye, The Temptations & many more. Cost £25.63. Doors open – 2:00pm,
Cruise starts – 2:30pm, Boat returns – 5:45pm, Finish – 6pm.
NO FOOD IS AVAILABLE – We ask guests to eat beforehand and not to bring food on board.
*PLEASE BE AWARE – We do not allow guests to bring their own drinks, there is a fully stocked bar on
board which operates as CASH ONLY, please ensure all of your guest know card payments are not
accepted due to poor signal for the card machines.
All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley on
07811 974216 for more information.
Contact the branch office to reserve place – sandwellunison@btconnect.com
07736 923559. You must reserve a seat and pay by 17th April.
Make your own way to Stourport or we will arrange transport from West Bromwich at 10.30pm, cost
to be determined.
Meet at the Port House, Riverside House, 9 Bridge St, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 8UY at 12.15 for
1230pm for lunch.
1230pm for lunch.
Coach Trip to Llandudno, Saturday 11th July 2026, 8.00 from Jack Judge House, Oldbury and 8.10
from Town Hall, West Bromwich
Join us on a day trip to Llandudno. Once we get to Llandudno, for those who want, the driver will
take us on a tour of the town. You can visit the beach and have a paddle, stroll along the prom, visit
the pier, take the tram or cable car to the Great Orme, visit the Great Orme mines, enjoy lunch in
one of the many pubs, restaurants and cafes. Return at 6.30.
Cost: £10 for UNISON members, £20 for non-members.
Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley on 07811 974216 for more information.
Contact the branch office to reserve place – sandwellunison@btconnect.com
07736 923559.
from Town Hall, West Bromwich
Join us on a day trip to Llandudno. Once we get to Llandudno, for those who want, the driver will
take us on a tour of the town. You can visit the beach and have a paddle, stroll along the prom, visit
the pier, take the tram or cable car to the Great Orme, visit the Great Orme mines, enjoy lunch in
one of the many pubs, restaurants and cafes. Return at 6.30.
Cost: £10 for UNISON members, £20 for non-members.
Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley on 07811 974216 for more information.
Contact the branch office to reserve place – sandwellunison@btconnect.com
07736 923559.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Wednesday 30th September, for the Staffordshire Hoard
Gallery (and others if time).
You can get here by bus, train or tram. If you have mobility issues get the tram to Town Hall, the
Museum is a short walk away. Meet downstairs in the entrance hall at 11.00am. After we shall go for
lunch at the Shakespeare Inn, 31 Summer Row, Birmingham, B3 1JJ. We plan to get to the pub for
12.30pm, so join us there if you don’t want to go to the museum.
All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley on
07811 974216 if you would like to come.
If you don’t want to visit the Museum and Art Gallery, just join us at the Shakespeare Inn for lunch.
Gallery (and others if time).
You can get here by bus, train or tram. If you have mobility issues get the tram to Town Hall, the
Museum is a short walk away. Meet downstairs in the entrance hall at 11.00am. After we shall go for
lunch at the Shakespeare Inn, 31 Summer Row, Birmingham, B3 1JJ. We plan to get to the pub for
12.30pm, so join us there if you don’t want to go to the museum.
All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley on
07811 974216 if you would like to come.
If you don’t want to visit the Museum and Art Gallery, just join us at the Shakespeare Inn for lunch.
Holden’s Brewery, George Street, Woodsetton, Dudley, DY1 4LW, Saturday 7th November, for
Brewey Tour
Our guide will meet you in The Park Inn and take you through the secret door and into the heart of
our historic Brewery. You will be taken on a behind the scenes tour of the Brewery showing you the
full production process from the preparation and origin of the raw ingredients, mash tun, copper,
fermenting tanks, and an insight into our black country history and heritage. The tour includes beers
to sample, nibbles and a commemorative glass. You will also receive a free bottle of beer of your
choice. NB No children under the age of 16 years old. Cost £19. Starts at 10.30am.
All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley on
07811 974216 for more information.
Contact the branch office to reserve place – sandwellunison@btconnect.com
07736 923559. You must reserve a place and pay by 15th July.
Make your own way to Holden’s Brewery in Woodsetton (large car park) or we will arrange transport
from Oldbury or West Bromwich at 9.00am, cost to be determined.
We will adjourn to the Park Inn after the tour at 12.15 for 1230pm for lunch. If you don’t want to do
the tour, just join us at the Park Inn for lunch.
Brewey Tour
Our guide will meet you in The Park Inn and take you through the secret door and into the heart of
our historic Brewery. You will be taken on a behind the scenes tour of the Brewery showing you the
full production process from the preparation and origin of the raw ingredients, mash tun, copper,
fermenting tanks, and an insight into our black country history and heritage. The tour includes beers
to sample, nibbles and a commemorative glass. You will also receive a free bottle of beer of your
choice. NB No children under the age of 16 years old. Cost £19. Starts at 10.30am.
All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley on
07811 974216 for more information.
Contact the branch office to reserve place – sandwellunison@btconnect.com
07736 923559. You must reserve a place and pay by 15th July.
Make your own way to Holden’s Brewery in Woodsetton (large car park) or we will arrange transport
from Oldbury or West Bromwich at 9.00am, cost to be determined.
We will adjourn to the Park Inn after the tour at 12.15 for 1230pm for lunch. If you don’t want to do
the tour, just join us at the Park Inn for lunch.
Worcester Christmas Market, Thursday 3rd December 2026.
We will travel by train to Worcester Foregate Street – more details to follow, but get the date in your
diary. Meet at the Crown pub, Crown Passage, Worcester, WR1 3LL – 12.15pm for 12.30pm for
lunch. If you have a West Midlands bus pass you can travel free as far as far as Stourbridge, so buy a
ticket in advance for Stourbridge to Worcester Foregate Street (33% off if you have a railcard). Keep
proof of purchase, and you will be able to claim the cost from Unison branch, making this a free day
out. All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley
on 07811 974216 if you would like to come.
We will travel by train to Worcester Foregate Street – more details to follow, but get the date in your
diary. Meet at the Crown pub, Crown Passage, Worcester, WR1 3LL – 12.15pm for 12.30pm for
lunch. If you have a West Midlands bus pass you can travel free as far as far as Stourbridge, so buy a
ticket in advance for Stourbridge to Worcester Foregate Street (33% off if you have a railcard). Keep
proof of purchase, and you will be able to claim the cost from Unison branch, making this a free day
out. All retired members are welcome. Please contact Barry Clark on 07786 198100 or Ken Bradley
on 07811 974216 if you would like to come.
If you’re not yet retired but would like to join us on any of these activities, you are more than
welcome!
Join UNISON Retired Members
UNISON offers a dedicated section for retired members, allowing them to remain active in the union
and retain access to various benefits for a one-off fee.
Membership & Eligibility
Cost: A one-off payment of £15 provides retired membership for life.
Eligibility: You must have been a UNISON member continuously for at least two years on the day of
your retirement.
Conditions: You must be receiving a pension and not be in other paid employment. If you return to
paid work, you must notify your branch to update your membership status.
Branch Choice: You can choose to stay in your current branch or transfer to one closer to where you
live.
Benefits of Membership
Retired members continue to receive many of the same benefits as working members, including:
Legal Advice: Access to free initial legal advice for non-work-related matters.
Welfare Support: Access to the There for You welfare fund for financial assistance in times of need.
Discounts: Exclusive deals on insurance (e.g., LV=, UIA), travel, and shopping through UNISON Living.
Health Plan: Access to the UNISON Health Plan which covers everyday healthcare costs like dental
and optical.
Participation & Democracy
UNISON is unique in having a structured retired members’ organisation that mirrors its working
structure:
Voting Rights: Retired members can vote on matters within the retired members’ organisation but
cannot vote on the pay and conditions of working members.
Conferences: A National Retired Members’ Conference is held annually to debate issues such as
pensions and public services.
Branch Roles: Many branches have a Retired Members’ Secretary who organises local social events,
outings, and campaigns.
How to Join
Contact the branch office sandwellunison@btconnect.com
07736 923559.
Fill in the Retired Members Application Form and return it to your local branch with your one-off
fee.
welcome!
Join UNISON Retired Members
UNISON offers a dedicated section for retired members, allowing them to remain active in the union
and retain access to various benefits for a one-off fee.
Membership & Eligibility
Cost: A one-off payment of £15 provides retired membership for life.
Eligibility: You must have been a UNISON member continuously for at least two years on the day of
your retirement.
Conditions: You must be receiving a pension and not be in other paid employment. If you return to
paid work, you must notify your branch to update your membership status.
Branch Choice: You can choose to stay in your current branch or transfer to one closer to where you
live.
Benefits of Membership
Retired members continue to receive many of the same benefits as working members, including:
Legal Advice: Access to free initial legal advice for non-work-related matters.
Welfare Support: Access to the There for You welfare fund for financial assistance in times of need.
Discounts: Exclusive deals on insurance (e.g., LV=, UIA), travel, and shopping through UNISON Living.
Health Plan: Access to the UNISON Health Plan which covers everyday healthcare costs like dental
and optical.
Participation & Democracy
UNISON is unique in having a structured retired members’ organisation that mirrors its working
structure:
Voting Rights: Retired members can vote on matters within the retired members’ organisation but
cannot vote on the pay and conditions of working members.
Conferences: A National Retired Members’ Conference is held annually to debate issues such as
pensions and public services.
Branch Roles: Many branches have a Retired Members’ Secretary who organises local social events,
outings, and campaigns.
How to Join
Contact the branch office sandwellunison@btconnect.com
07736 923559.
Fill in the Retired Members Application Form and return it to your local branch with your one-off
fee.