Barley Parish Council
Glamping, toilets refurbishment, Barley Lane...
The latest addition to the array of visitor accommodation is expected to open in March. Higher Grange Farm, at the northern edge of the village now has four stylish glamping pods available for hire. Each has a lounge with great views over pendle hill, a kitchen and shower room and a patio area along with modern amenities. There are still some minor finishing works and landscaping to complete but it should all come together soon.
What is Glamping? – it describes a style of camping with amenities and, in some cases, resort-style services not usually associated with “traditional” camping. It is derived from blending the words “glamorous” and “camping” and offers indoor amenities that traditional camping lacks such as beds, electricity and indoor plumbing, heating etc. Best wishes to Andrew and Jack with their new venture.
At the February meeting of the Parish Council, we discussed our projects for 2025. Refurbishment of the toilet block has long been on our to-do list but always came in behind the projects to improve the car park, the village green and the playground. This year it has a higher priority. Other projects are likely to be further drainage and grass care works on the village green, improvements to parking bays on the car park, removal of dead trees and landscaping of the car park woods and improvements to the Turning Area. There will also be regular maintenance and minor improvements supporting our Best Kept Village entry.
The Council are also lobbying the County Council regarding some highway improvements on Barley Lane and we have had a site meeting with them; this led to some urgent pothole repairs in mid-February but we are also asking for drainage and carriageway edge repairs.
It is with some sadness that I report the passing of Jeff Lowcock and John Hardacre in February.
Jeff Lowcock was known to many people in the village, he was born here on Beckside and lived all his life here. He was a joiner and had his workshop up where Rod and Sue now live. He married Pat and they moved on to Pendle Row in 1963. He served on the Parish Council for over twenty years. He was a big jolly chap who I got to know well and, like many others, I shared many a tale and joke with him at the Pendle Inn or over his garden gate. He will be missed by a lot of local people and our condolences are with Pat and the family. The funeral has been arranged for 1140Hrs on 7th March at Accrington Crematorium.
John lived in the centre of the village next door to the big white bungalow. He was originally from the Nelson area but moved to the Isle of Rassey off Scotland’s west coast with his wife June where they built their own home. They moved back to Whitehough many years ago and then to Barley four years ago. A quiet man who was a regular at Pendle Inn. Our condolences are with his family and friends.