Parish News

The Annual Parish meeting attracted over 50 residents in early May and there were presentations from the Women’s Institute (Sarah Hartley), the Village Hall (Tom Cosway), the Chapel (Angie Hargreaves), the Barley Events Committee (Lee Hunt & Jayne Harthan) and myself on behalf of the Parish Council. All contributors were able to reflect on some of the key events over the last year and their plans for the coming year; it is always fascinating to hear of things you had no idea about.

The Council presented an update of parking restrictions introduced in to Barley over the last two years to address congestion and inconsiderate parking (with associated hazards) including the introduction of a resident parking scheme on 6th May, some nine years after the first application for a scheme was submitted. We also discussed projects completed including wall building on the village green, landscaping works and the new Xmas decorations on display last Christmas. The Council also gave a finance report, provided updates on planning issues and outlined future projects, including a playground update and toilet block improvement projects plus the plans to spend more on general maintenance, landscaping and Xmas decorations.

The WI reported on various successful events held and a growing membership and the Village Hall outlined future improvement projects and requested volunteers to join the committee. The Chapel reported some bad news, finding dry rot in the rear of the building and requested donations of men’s clothes and food to support the “Church on the Street” charity.

A “Chapel Outdoor Circuit Service” is being planned along with the unveiling of the Coronation plaque and a Dad’s v Lad’s football match on 15th June, all on the Village Green.

The Events Committee outlined their intentions to provide “memories” for the community and their plans for a village fete on 7 September – save the date.

The Parish Council and the Events Committee then did a joint presentation of a painting of Pendle Hill to Stuart Nichols who is leaving Barley for new pastures after 12 years of serving us at the Pendle Inn. He has been a major supporter of the Parish Council over the years helping us out on many occasions and always had an interest in what was going on. He was a founder member of the Events Committee offering advice based on his experiences and providing a venue for successful events. Our best wishes go with him as he moves to the Lake District to work in another Thwaites establishment.

The evening was once again a great social event with residents enjoying a buffet and drinks. Thank you to everyone who attended.

As reported last month, Parish Councillors have started to lead in our bid to win the Lancashire Best Kept Village Competition this year. We have had a handful of residents offer their time through the Residents Facebook page but we could do with more. If you cannot attend any arranged sessions you can contribute by keeping your area of the village tidy by picking up litter, weeding or washing any nearby street furniture such as signs and benches – judging starts in June.

Summer maintenance works are progressing well and you might have noticed that painting of the phone box, many benches and the toilet block. The Council are also continuing work with Pendle BC to improve the quality of the village green and it will be aerated again once the green is dry enough and selective weedkiller applied to areas infested with weeds. Further drainage works are also planned in and around the seating areas.

We will also be asking for some volunteers to help us out with some balsam bashing around the car park and village green embankment area soon.

Residents will have noticed that the new playground upgrade is now in progress. At the time of writing the equipment has been installed and the next stage is to fit the carpets. Once this is done there is likely to be a delay whilst we await further shaping of footways inside and outside the playground area and a new fence to be erected. We are planning to re-open some time in June and we will provide an update on the Residents Facebook page soon.

The Resident Parking scheme commenced on 6th May and residents living in the village centre tell us it has made a big difference in that they do not have to worry about finding a parking space near their property when they return home. A lot of lobbying by many and a long time in coming but it is here now.

Last comments, Derek Heap and Daniel Goldsbrough were elected as Chair and Deputy Chair of the PC for the next year, and a planning application to remove trees in Boothman Wood has been submitted and can be seen on the Pendle BC website (see below). Finally, a belated welcome to Paul, Rebecca and young Lily who have recently moved in to Ogden Hill Farm, up and just under Pendle Hill.