Our village has been looking wonderful over the summer – all thanks to a large number of volunteers who litter pick, plant flowers and work hard on areas around the river and canal. Diane Sanders wrote to Barrow Voice asking us to pass on her thanks and we are happy to include her letter in Barrow Catch Up and our thanks too. Congratulations to the Barrow in Bloom team for their Green Flag award.

There’s a lot happening this autumn including another Murder Mystery and the Trinity Festival – and of course all the events happening in the library. Take a look at Dates for your Diary to make sure you don’t miss out.

This autumn issue Elliot Wilkes looks back at local athletes in previous Olympics and gives an ‘insiders’ view. Gaynor Barton moves slightly outside the village to find out more about thatching by catching up with the Free Trade Inn in Sileby but we haven’t forgotten our very own Soar Bridge Inn and Judith Rodgers tells us about the makeover it’s had. Sarolta Batki talks with Dave Barsby, fairground enthusiast, about his unusual pastime

We meet our new MP, Jeevun Sandher, as Gaynor Barton found out a little more about him.

We explore some of the support available to us in the village, or nearby: Barrow Baptist Church has its Harbour Wellbeing Café which meets every Thursday. Mairi Taylor offers a brave and personal account of discovering, and being treated for, cancer and offers advice and support for others going through diagnosis and treatment. While Marie Brown offers bereavement support with her book ‘The Infinity of Grief’. Barry Bogin introduces us to The Joy of Music Charity which helps support mental health with… the joy of music!

We hope you enjoy the wide range of articles in Barrow Voice this autumn.

Karisa Krcmar (editor)

Front cover: Barrow upon Soar scouts as they celebrate their anniversary. Photo: courtesy of the scouts

An Interview with Jeevun Sandher	The river Soar bridge