Parish News

The Annual Parish meeting attracted 50 residents in early May and there were presentations from the Women’s Institution (Sarah Hartley), the Village Hall (Tom Cosway), the Chapel (Lorraine Goldsbrough) 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 management in Barley over the last two years to address congestion and inconsiderate parking (with associated hazards) including the introduction of a resident parking scheme introduced last May and options for parking restrictions on Cross Lane, above the Village Hall. The Council reported lobbying LCC to undertake the ongoing works on Barley Lane to improve the layby and repair carriageway edge deterioration.

We also discussed projects completed including the new playground, 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 toilet block improvement projects plus the plans to spend more on general maintenance, landscaping and waste bins, CCTV camera upgrades and Turning Area improvements.

The WI reported on various successful events held and a healthy membership and the Village Hall outlined future improvement projects and requested volunteers to join the committee, The Chapel reported that they now had sufficient membership to keep the chapel open, the support from the “Friends of Barley Chapel” and the building survey recently undertaken which revealed £100k was required to resolve all the problems, not just the urgent, within the building structure.

As many will know, the Pendle Inn hosted a fund-raising event for the chapel on 17 May which was well attended by residents who enjoyed a great night out. Over £4k was raised on the night and it was a great start to fund raising; many thanks to all who organised, attended and contributed through donations and auction bids etc to a successful night.

On 8th May many of us enjoyed a splendid, early evening, 80th VE Day celebration on the Village Green. The sun shone and we had a great attendance with drinks, cakes, sports and some great costumes from 80 years ago. Well done to the Chapel for organising it.

In early 2020 we saw a change in ownership of the Pendle Inn and the Parish Council welcomed Thwaites brewery to the village as the new proprietors and hoped the staff and the business would flourish in the future and build upon the pub’s good reputation.

There has been limited evidence of the pub flourishing and it was sold to the Dorbiere Pub group in May. The company was formed in 1979 and operates 42 pubs including community pubs and country inns spread around the North and Midlands. Existing staff have transferred to the new owners who have brought in a temporary manager, Mark, whilst a full-time manager is found. We will see new beers on the bar and they are initially planning opening until 2300Hrs Monday to Sunday.

Clearly, they intend to bring their own standards and style to this old pub and improvements can be anticipated. The Parish Council welcomes the new owners and hopes they can make the most of this community and country inn pub they own that we know has such potential.

The Best Kept Village Competition and judging starts in early June. Please do your bit and adopt the public areas near to your home, whether it’s just weeding and sweeping the roadside, litter picking, sweeping paths, putting up hanging baskets or by planting flowers etc. The village cannot win without your support.