They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and that was certainly true when Glenda served Barry an extra serving of pudding in the cafeteria.
From behind the counter to down the aisle, Glenda and Barry have been together ever since. We recently caught up with Barry to find out more.
Tell us about how you met.
We first met in 1957 when it was then The Royal Technical College, and we were both in the 1st year of our courses.
Glenda was studying City and Guilds, Hotel and Catering, whose training facilities were in the main building. One aspect of her training was to serve in the student cafeteria. My HND Mechanical Engineering colleagues and I enjoyed being served by the young, good-looking catering students. Glenda and I struck up such a good relationship over the counter, and I managed to persuade her to give me an extra serving of pudding.
From there, we were a couple who eventually married in 1960 and subsequently had 3 children.
Tell us about your life together after university.
After Salford, Glenda was employed in the kitchens of two local factories, but shortly afterwards, following a recommendation from the college, she was invited to become Assistant Trainer at the LCC school meals training kitchens in Chadderton. This led to her becoming the youngest School meals Supervisor in LCC’s school kitchens at St Gregory’s, Farnworth. She worked there until 1962, when, after my MSC award, I was appointed Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Salford College of Technology (now Salford University). Then I moved on to be a Lecturer at Portsmouth University.
From there we spent 5 years in Columbus, Ohio, where I worked on research into new manufacturing processes for aerospace materials. From there, I joined Salford’s Industrial Centre for Design and Manufacturing in 1970.
We got married and started our family of five. Glenda then became a mother and housewife.
What is your advice for those looking for romance on campus?
Support your partner’s interests and career.
Thank you to Barry for sharing your love story with us!
‘How We Met’ celebrates the lifelong connections you made at Salford — whether that’s friendships, romance, or mentors who made a real difference.
Are you a student? Learn how to make connections and friends at uni on our Made in Salford blog.
Are you alumni? Share your story via our online form.
