Proposal from ECRC

15 Feb, 2019

An important proposal for consideration:

 An Important proposal from ECRC

 As I previously mentioned in the recent Chair’s update Edgworth Cricket and Recreation Club have been offered funds by the charitable arm of ao.com, specifically to develop an artificial grass pitch at the back of the Barlow. This is an important venture. Although instigated by ECRC, it has implications for the village and also for the Charity as a whole.  If the proposal finds favour the donation will come to the Barlow Charity and the new pitch will be on charitable land.  Because of this the Barlow will be hosting a consultation process in partnership with the ECRC so that the village and interested parties can express their opinion before the trustees make any decision whether to accept the proposal.

The following fact sheet from ECRC gives a more detailed picture of what the club proposes.  The public have an opportunity to consult the plans and talk to the representatives of ECRC on Saturday 23rd February in the Barlow Main Hall from 10.00am – 1.00pm.  There will be opportunities to give written feedback on the day. You may also respond by post to:

ECRC Proposal Consultation, The Office, Barlow in Edgworth, BL7 0AP

Please note the deadline for submission of comments is noon on Friday 1st March 

Thank you

C Waring

Chair Barlow Trustees

Artificial 3G Grass Pitch Proposal by ECRC

In addition to the £18,000 grant obtained from Virador, as previously announced for cricket training nets, Edgworth Cricket & Recreation Club have also secured funding, thanks to John and Sally Roberts, of £200,000 from the AO Smile Foundation to provide an artificial grass pitch on the   This pitch would be ‘3G’ and be predominantly used for football, but also could possibly be used for rounders, netball and bowling.  Please note that this surface is not suitable for the playing of tennis and funding is only available for a 3G grass pitch.  The funders who have significant experience of similar projects, consider earlier technology that claims to be suitable for many other sports to be an inadequate surface.  The funding would cover the entire cost of the project with no financial input from The Barlow charity currently or in the future.

The proposal, as it stands, is to place an artificial grassed area, with fencing and floodlights, approximately 52m x 30m that would be positioned on the current site of the tennis courts and part of the existing grassed mini football pitch to the east of the area occupied by the courts.  This would sit alongside the new cricket nets.

The tennis courts are in a poor state of repair and are rarely used.  Money would need to be invested to get the courts fit for purpose and to maintain them.  With the financial challenges facing them, the Barlow Charity is unable to do this at present.  Applications for funding from the Lawn Tennis Association have to be for a minimum of three tennis courts. There are already several well established tennis clubs within the area (Hawkshaw, Bradshaw and Eagley) within 2-4 miles so demand for another club would be limited.

It is envisaged the new area would be used on weekdays as follows:

9am – 4pm – available for local schools, Summer Sports Camps etc

4pm – 5.30pm – Available for ‘free play’ where local residents can turn up with their friends and families and can use the facility free of charge.

5.30pm -7.30pm – Turton Tigers Junior FC

7.30pm – 10.00pm – Turton FC or Private Hire

On weekends, the area would be used by Turton Tigers from 9am – noon. The facility would not be hired out whilst cricket is taking place on a Saturday or Sunday due to parking availability.

A lease would be required for ECRC from the Barlow Charity as the proposed pitch will be on charitable land. ECRC would operate the facility, generating a source of income for themselves and the Barlow Charity.  Hire charges, heavily subsidised for local groups, would ensure that the facility is maintained in first class condition for the long term and in our view would allow the Charity to continue to meet its charitable objectives regarding sport and recreational activity, to a wider section of the local community.

The proposal has unanimous backing from members of the ECRC Committee together with Turton Tigers Junior FC, Turton FC Edgworth Primary School.  There is an opportunity for local residents to comment on the proposal by post to

ECRC Proposal Consultation, The Office, Barlow in Edgworth, BL7 0AP

Please note the deadline for submission of comments is noon on Friday 1st March

 Dave Enright

Chair ECRC

15.02.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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