BARLOW WOODLANDS – TREE WORKS UPDATE

2 Sep, 2020

BARLOW WOODLANDS – TREE WORKS UPDATE

People may be aware that earlier this year the Barlow was successful in being awarded a grant from the Postcode Local Trust to fund restoration works to the 3-acre Barlow Woodlands.  People may also be aware that some footpath and vegetation clearance work had commenced utilising Community Payback teams.  Sadly, the corona virus outbreak has put a stop to the work of the Payback teams.

Also, an Open Day had been planned to take place in March to publicise the proposed works and invite comments but, unfortunately, this event was also an early casualty of the corona virus outbreak and had to be cancelled.

We are still not in a position to get the Community Payback teams back to work or to hold a public Open Day but we are glad to be able to report that we are in a position to make a start on improving the management of the woodlands.

Now that the bird nesting season is over, John Gaffney Tree Services have been engaged to work with the Barlow to cutback invasive and non-native vegetation, remove and chip dead and diseased trees and put in place a plan for the long term environmentally friendly management of the woodlands.

Other elements of our proposals still include the improvement and re-surfacing of the footpath network, improved wildlife habitats and wetland areas, new tree planting, the provision of benches and picnic tables, the development of activity areas for young people as part of plans to see the woodlands become an outdoor classroom, together with producing a walk trail leaflet and erecting new information boards.

As soon as we are able, we will be hoping to get further works underway and we would like to be able to organise volunteer working parties to support the work being carried out by our tree services providers and, hopefully, our Community Payback teams.

If you are interested in getting involved, we would like to hear from you – please leave your name and contact details with the Barlow Office and we will get back to you.

 

Tel.  01204 852216

Email  info@thebarlow.co.uk

Paul Allen – Barlow Trustee – Woodlands Project Co-ordinator

September 2020

FRIENDS OF THE BARLOW

Blackburn with Darwen Council handed over the running and upkeep of The Barlow to the community in 2013. Since then The Barlow Charity has relied upon the generosity of benefactors and income from users of the facilities, plus the efforts of volunteers to sustain this much valued community facility. Significant improvements have been carried out to help ensure a long-term future, including a new roof, replacement windows, new hygienic worktops in the coffee shop kitchen and a new hot water & heating system. Most recently (summer 2022) the renovation of the outdoor veranda has been completed and a new adjacent decking area has been installed. In addition the snooker room has been restored to its former splendour by a small group of volunteers.

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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.

Please also consider increasing the value of your donation at no extra cost to you by using Gift Aid – as an example, an £8 donation from you becomes £10 with the Gift Aid add-on!

If you wish to donate please click on the link below, complete the form and either send it to your bank with an email copy to our email address fotb@thebarlow.co.uk  or return the completed form to the Barlow’s office in a sealed envelope addressed to Friends of The Barlow.  Paper copies of the form are available from The Barlow.

For any further information please email fotb@thebarlow.co.uk or contact the office via info@thebarlow.co.uk or 01204 852216.

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