Welcome to 2025.

Barrow Voice celebrates its 50th year of publication. We’ll be looking back at some past stories and events – in this issue and in all the 2025 issues.

But contemporary Barrow is very active.

We are a village of readers and have four book reviews (Poppy Halsall, Catherine Holmes, Elodi Pearson and Natasha Smith) to offer along with news of the latest book launch for Barrow author, Laura Pearson.

We are a village of travellers and have two stories of trekking and exploration – across the mountains of Nepal (Richard Hudson) and the heights of Kilimanjaro (Helen Jones) – as well as Guy Silk’s trek through Leicestershire Museums Store which sounds quite an adventure, though maybe not in the same way as Richard’s and Helen’s!

We are a village of entrepreneurs with Lisa Hibberd, mortgage and protection advisor; livery stables, Cotes Equestrian, run by Amie Gillingham; Aphelia Aesthetics and Beauty Clinic owned and managed by Lindsay ‘Lil’ McTaggart; and 1st prize winners in the Taste of England ‘Special Occasion Dining’ – the Blacksmith’s Arms.

In addition to this, we have active arts, writing and performing groups with Barrow Arts Theatre Group’s (part of BUSCA) Shrek the Musical under rehearsal ready for September performances; introducing Barrow’s first poetry and prose reading group; news about Barrow’s new Art Group; and a review of Charnwood Orchestra’s January concert.

There is so much happening for you to get involved with or just watch, read about and enjoy.

Karisa Krcmar (editor)

Front cover:
Barrow Footpath’s Group: volunteers from left to right Keith, Ian, Alison, Jayne, Bob, Steve, Anita

Trekking in Nepal – the Annapurna Circuit	The Blacksmith’s Arms wins a prestigious award