Your Community Hub

If you enjoy the outdoors then head out to explore the Barlow’s 3 acres of beautiful woodlands.

Originally known as Barlow Park, the area was laid out in the early 1900s for woodland walks and the opportunity to explore nature in all its glory complete with streams, waterfalls and even a boating lake.

Today, Barlow Woods, as it is now known, still provides woodland trails and, thanks to the efforts of a dedicated band of volunteers, there is much to be discovered. Over 1000 new trees have been planted, new picnic areas and seats have been provided, wildlife habitats are being created and activity areas for children include a Grotto, a Giant’s Seat and a Storyteller’s Area.

Walkers can combine the woodland paths with adjoining trails to create longer walks taking in the scenic countryside around Edgworth and the wider area.

The Barlow Estate started life as a recreation ground and sport is still very much at its heart today. 

The recreation ground, the home of Edgworth Cricket and Recreation Club, continues to thrive with both senior and junior teams.  

What better way to spend a summer afternoon than relaxing in the sun and taking in a game of cricket? The Club boasts excellent facilities, a modern clubhouse open to members and visitors, and puts on an extensive programme of events and activities. 

A floodlit Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) has been a welcome recent addition to the facilities and is available year round for both community use and private hire. 

Also, still popular and well used is the floodlit bowling green, the home of Edgworth Bowling Club – a friendly club, again with its own clubhouse, that welcomes members and visitors of all ages.

An important source of funding that has contributed to the above mentioned improvements is The Friends of the Barlow scheme.  By becoming a Friend you can contribute to a fund that is used for repairs and renovations to the structural fabric of the building and pathways etc, and to upgrade, refresh and improve facilities e.g. now that the building is once again weathertight there are plans being drawn up for the main hall can be deep-cleaned, re-decorated and refurbished and other water-damaged areas such as the main stairway & its beautiful large, stained glass window to also be restored to their former glory.

As a Friend of The Barlow, your regular donations provide a much appreciated, steady income stream that to date (summer 2022) has raised in the region of over £40,000, which has been mostly used contributing towards paying for the roof, windows and heating system.
We intend to soon publish the overall list of improvements/tasks and from that you will see that there is a significant amount of expenditure still needed to achieve all of the identified tasks and improvements. We would welcome donations/sponsorship for specific items that may be of particular interest to individuals or families or groups, but the regular donations by Friends of The Barlow are also crucial. Therefore, we welcome any and all new donors and are grateful for whatever amount you choose to donate.

We are of course also very grateful to all of our existing Friends of The Barlow and if you are able to increase your monthly donation by any amount, that would be hugely appreciated – you can either make the increase to your standing order directly with your bank or you can complete a new form and send it to your bank or give it to us to process.