A Guide to Community Groups and Contacts in Barrow upon Soar
barrow business forum
The Forum was set up in response to the Parish Plan (2005) with the aim of promoting Barrow as a place to do business, by ensuring that Barrow residents and other businesses know about the range of skills and services available within their village, and to give businesses a coordinated voice to express their views on village matters.
There are over 200 businesses which the forum is aware of operating in Barrow including all the local shops plus a wide range of other businesses providing such diverse services as sewing machine repairs, soft furnishing, accountancy, boating, web design, computer services, child care, gardening, electricians, plumbers etc.
Having a thriving business community is essential to the general well being of any village; it provides local jobs, shops - which make life easier for all residents and particularly for the more vulnerable who may not have ready access to transport, not to mention local tradesmen to carry out repairs and services on properties. Using local businesses is generally easier and friendlier than having to deal with someone many miles away.
For businesses, not only will the Forum be a cost effective way of promotion but the intention is to provide access to business advice and help and to explore the various grants and other assistance available from a variety of sources.
Any business in Barrow interested in joining the Forum should contact Barrie Atkinson.
Contact:
Barrie Atkinson, 01509 414498
barrie.joyatkinson@btopenworld.combarrow gambia link
This group of adults is dedicated to raising funds to support a school in the Gambia. A number of fund-raising activities have become annual village institutions, such as the Fun Day at the end of August.
We would welcome new members.
Contact:
Steve Maw: 01509 413397 or 07971 657785
barrow heritage group
Barrow Heritage Group has three strands of activity: Natural History, Streets History and Archaeology. The groups are engaged in a variety of projects for which meetings, talks and exhibitions are arranged.
If you are interested to get involved, contact any of the following:
Judith Rodgers (general enquiries) 01509 412063
rodgers_david@hotmail.com
Bob Mudge (Natural History Heritage Warden) 01509 620966
bobmudge@btinternet.com
Kathryn Timmons (Local History Heritage Warden) 01509 416168
kathryn_timmons@hotmail.com
Terri Davies (Archaeology Warden) 01509 416206
daviest18@yahoo.co.uk
bishop beveridge club
The Bishop Beveridge Club building is situated on South
Street. The Club organises various social events:-
Monday: 2.30 p.m. - 4.30 p.m. Slide Shows (last Monday in the month, during winter months).
Tuesday: 2.30 p.m. - 4.30 p.m. Social gatherings with demonstrations and speakers when ever possible (Bingo first Tuesday in the month).
Wednesday: 2.30 p.m. - 4.30 p.m. Social gatherings with demonstrations and speakers when ever possible.
Thursday: 10.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. Coffee Morning. All Welcome. 2.30 p.m. - 4.30 p.m. Whist Drive. All Welcome.
Friday: 12.30 p.m. Luncheon Club (every third Friday in the month and some other Fridays) – not 2nd Friday.
The Club also has various coach and theatre outings during the year.
Generally the Bishop Beveridge Club tries to look after its own members. The Comforts Committee visits sick and house bound members, taking gifts and cards, especially at Easter and Christmas. Villagers over 75 years of age, not necessarily members, are visited in turn but we cannot, of course, cover everyone in this way. Volunteer visitors would be welcome.
We need more helpers to make the teas on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, also cooks for the Luncheon Club. We have a wheel chair which we loan out. Our committee members will help other organisations if called upon to do so if a request is within our capabilities.
Place: The Bishop Beveridge Club
Contact:
Chairperson Sylvia Steane
sylviasteane@tiscali.co.uksylviasteane@tiscali.co.uk
Secretary Mike Neale
mgneale@btopenworld.com
Booking Secretary Joyce Noon - 01509 414519
BUSCA (Barrow upon Soar Community Association)
As a Registered Charity the Association has two main
objectives:-
- To play an effective role in promoting the social and educational activities of the village, for example by filling needs not met by other organisations.
- To assist in the maintenance and management of the Community Centre for its use by village organisations.
The Trustees of the Association form the Council, which meets four times a year. Council meetings are open to all members of the village – dates from the Village Diary and from Barrow Voice. A number of sub-committees are responsible for particular activities and most of these have their own entry in this guide.
Services offered by the Community Association include community magazine (Barrow Voice), bar, social events, village web site (www.barrowuponsoar.org.uk), management of Fossil Trail, Panto Group, Youth Theatre Group, Barrow Heritage Group, Village Hall Action Group and acting as an umbrella organisation to help coordinate and promote certain Action Groups created in response to the Village Plan.
If you are interested in starting a new activity in the village, the Association is a good first contact. Any of the Officers of the Association will be pleased to talk to you.
The Community Association has an events committee which organises a variety of functions each year, details of which are published in the press and via posters in the village.
Contact:
CHAIR: Judith Rodgers,155 Nottingham Road, Barrow.
01509 412063,
rodgers_david@hotmail.com
VICE CHAIR: Sue Rodgers, 32 Holbourne Close,
charnwood cab (citizens advice bureau)
Telephone 0870 1264096 for free, independent, impartial and confidential advice at John Storer House, Wards End, Loughborough LE11 3HA. No appointments needed:
Mon and Tues: 9.30 - 4.00;
Wed: 9.30 - 12.30;
Thurs: 9.30 - 6.00.
Also telephone advice:
Mon and Tues: 9.30 - 2.00;
Wed: 9.30 - 12.30; Thurs: 9.30 - 2.00
Leicestershire Money Advice: 01509 266475
Contact:
humphrey perkins community centre
Humphrey Perkins High School and Community Centre campus is available for use by members of the community. Facilities include:- Community Lounge, Halls, Swimming Pool, Classrooms (Playing Fields, hard surface playing area etc), IT Suite and Sporting Facilities.
Over fifty organisations affiliate to the Community Centre each year and use our Community Centre facilities on either an occasional or regular basis. These cover a wide range of activities. If you have an interest you would like to pursue, why not telephone us and ask if this interest is available. If it is, we can put you in touch with the appropriate secretary. If not, and there is sufficient interest shown in a particular activity, perhaps we may be able to organise something ourselves
You can hire the facilities for private functions – Wedding Receptions, Birthday Parties, meetings, exhibitions etc. The charges for these depend on the length of time and facilities required. We will gladly supply quotations on request. The main hall has a stage and stage lighting. In addition you are able to hire our sporting facilities which include : swimming pool, gym, hall, football pitches, cricket strip and an all weather surface.
The Governors of Humphrey Perkins also offer an Evening Class Programme, day courses, Family Learning days, a summer playscheme (BOSCAPS), swimming and sports activities, support to affiliated organisations and facilities for lettings for private organisations and individuals.
For more information: 01509 412385 and ask Carol for a User Handbook.
Contact:
Warden, David Edwards.
Community Admin Manager: Carol Westbury
01509 412385
Neighbourhood watch
The Barrow upon Soar Neighbourhood Watch Scheme has been established for over 16 years and is unusual in that there is one scheme covering the whole village. We have a committee of volunteers who help deliver a monthly sheet telling residents about recent criminal activity. A message from our ‘beat bobby’ emphasises crime prevention, informs residents of criminal trends and offers relevant guidance.
We meet monthly, usually the second Tuesday of the month, at 7:30pm in the Conservative Club skittle alley. This is an open meeting for residents to attend, with an agenda based on reducing the level of criminal activity within the village. Compared to other villages we are pleased to state that there is normally a low number of offences.
We welcome new members to the NHW committee.
Meet: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Conservative Club skittle alley
Contact:
Andy Norris 26, Buttermere Way, Barrow, LE12 8PG
01509 416622 or 07785372142.
New horizons
This group of volunteers offer a listening service and counselling for all those who have been bereaved. It works with the national organisation CRUISE.
Meet: First Monday of the month
Time: 2.00 – 3.30 p.m.
Place: Methodist Church Hall
Contact:
Jane Carter: 01509 812302
Barbara Mitchell: 01509 412534
Pauline Ranson: 01509 416928
pensioners' lunches
The chef at Humphrey Perkins and his staff offer a two course lunch on Thursdays during term time, in the Community Lounge. Pensioners must book in advance by phoning Tom Edwards. The lunch is served between 12.00 & 1.00 and currently costs £3.00.
Meet: Thursday
Cost: £3.00
Time: 12.00pm - 1.00pm
Place: Humprhey Perkins Community Lounge
Contact:
Tom Edwards: 01509 410828
traffic action group
The Parish Plan of 2005/6 highlighted the strong feeling amongst local residents that traffic is causing a problem in the village. A group has formed in response, to campaign to achieve improvements. Meetings are every third Tuesday in the month at the Bishop Beveridge Club, at 7.30 p.m.
The group is open to any resident who would like to see the village traffic problems improve. Everyone is welcome.
Please note that if you wish to report a traffic problem or make a complaint, the Traffic Action Group is probably not the correct route. Instead, phone any of the following numbers: Parish Council Office on 01509 416016, the Roadline Freephone number 0800 626203 or the Police on 0116 2222222.
Meet: Third Tuesday of the month
Time: 7.30pm
Place: Bishop Beveridge Club
Contact:
Secretary: Wendy Woodhouse
Parish Office: 01509 416016
Victim Support
Local branch of Victim Support offers support to victims of crime.
Contact:
01509 268545
village hall action group
Set up in response to the view shared in the 2005 Parish Plan that Barrow does not have adequate community facilities, this group is currently exploring possible sites and funding for a multi-use community building. New members would be very welcome.
Contact:
Sue Rodgers: 01509 416533
sue.rodgers@hotmail.com
vista charnwood gardening group
This group is open to people who are visually impaired. Monthly meetings have speakers and demonstrations on garden related themes and occasional outings.
Meetings are held at the Bishop Beveridge Club on the 4th Wednesday of each month between 10.30 and 1.00pm
Meet: Fourth Wednesday of the month
Time: 10.30am - 1.00pm
Place: Bishop Beveridge Club
Contact:
Phil Ferris: Vista Resources Centre, Gedding Road, Leicester
0116 2498855
vista social group (partially sighted persons group)
The Barrow-upon-Soar Vista Group meets monthly, normally on the third or fourth Tuesday of the month at 2.00 p.m. at the Methodist Church in North Street for two hours or so. We also have one or two outings during the year. If anyone is interested in joining with us, please contact us as stated below.
Time: 2.00pm
Place: Methodist Church
Contact:
Phil Ferris: Vista Resources Centre, Gedding Road, Leicester.
0116 2498855.
volunteer centre
Loughborough Volunteer Centre helps to find volunteers for local voluntary, community and statutory organisations. People wishing to volunteer call in on the Centre, which is based at John Storer House, or they respond to recruitment publicity and events. The Centre aims to match volunteers with your requirements. They also provide support and training.
Time: Mon - Thurs 9.00 - 4.00, Fri 9.00 - 1.00.
Contact:
John Storer House, Wards End, Loughborough LE11 3HA.
01509 631770
volunteer@voluntaryactioncharnwood.org.uk
women's institute
Barrow-upon-Soar W.I. meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 7.30 p.m. in the Bishop Beveridge Club, on South Street. At the meetings, members hear a wide variety of speakers, watch demonstrations, learn new skills and join in social activities.
W.I. is not only involved with local issues but through County and National Federations is able to influence national and world social, economic and environmental concerns. We welcome new members and visitors to any of our meetings.
Meet: Second Monday of the month
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Place: Bishop Beveridge Club
Contact:
Rosemary Sholl: 01509 412610
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Barrow Community Association would like to thank the following for their sponsorship.
