Percy Pig is now online too!

THE ROUNDHOUSE PREPARES FOR A NEW SEASON

Last year we ran three programmes which appealed to a wide range of local people. We opened with a seven week run of our popular 'Arthouse III' which had Echo coverage and included local artists and craftspeople and exhibitions ranging from flower arrangements and ceramics to wooden puppets and handmade quilts. This was followed by a new series called 'Clubhouse' which featured displays by local groups including Brownies,Playgroup, the S.O.A.R. project and Beavers. Two particularly successful displays were the Barrow Pantomime group and Hall Orchard School when we extended opening times to an after-school slot which was very well attended.

In addition, Fourfold Pre-school included the Roundhouse as part of its 10 year celebrations and we saw the building full of children having their faces painted and doing craft activities at the table.

The next plan is to renovate the Village map and display cabinet over the next few weeks before the 2004 season begins. Having looked at the map we feel that the deterioration is minimal and a laminating process will preserve the map for many years to come. The squares which depict local clubs are clearly beyond repair and rather outdated now so they have been removed (to be saved in a folder for reference only). We plan to re-cover the panels in the cabinet and put the map back into the central area behind glass as a permanent display. The two panels either side of this will be left without a glass front and are to be used as additional display space for exhibitors.

The 2004 season should include new ideas for displays including 'Collectors House ' and old favourites like 'Arthouse'. More local groups are already interested in using this space to promote their clubs which we feel is very positive. It would be lovely to see Hall Orchard and Fourfold continue to extend extra curriculum activities into the Roundhouse and link opening times to summer events in the village.

Hayley Francesconi

SWIMMING POOL REFURBISHMENT

Re-opening: After Easter (Monday 19th April 2004)
The Humphrey Perkins ' swimming pool is currently closed for refurbishment. The work being carried out involves extensive repairs (tiling of pool area), improvements and decorating.
Although this has caused some inconvenience the work will eliminate all previous problems and it is hoped we will have a trouble free pool for the foreseeable future.

The pool is also available for private parties etc.

For further information contact: Mrs Anne Perry 01509 414963

MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO SOMEONE'S LIFE

If you are a parent/grandparent and can spare 2-4 hours a week, Home-Start needs you now!

Parents, do you remember what it was like sometimes when your children were little.. Sleepless nights, teething, tantrums, amusing children who are into everything, being at the end of your tether with no one around to listen.. When you just wanted someone around who understood?

Home-Start volunteers offer friendly support for a few hours a week to families in situations like this. We are recruiting volunteers to support families with young children in Charnwood who are experiencing such difficulties. We provide free training, contribute to childcare costs and pay expenses when you attend one of our preparation courses. Our next course starts in May 2004.

Summer Course, Wednesdays 6.30-9pm & Saturdays 9.30am-2.30pm at Home-Start Charnwood, Regent Wharf, 46 Derby Road, Loughborough, LE11 5BX

Please pick up the phone today and call Home- Start on 01509 239786 and make a difference to someone 's life.

PLOD OFF THE PUDDING WALK 2003

This year I decided that the Sunday after Christmas would be a better day than the traditional, day after Boxing Day, for the pudding plod event. My main reason for this was that I thought many of you would be at the post Christmas sales. However, whether you were or not, this theory did not result in overwhelming numbers attending.

The morning was bright and frosty and 15 of us left the old station car park at 9.45am and made our way to Mountsorrel via the tow path, the 'One Man' bridge and across the valley to arrive on the A6 opposite Stonehurst Farm. From here we had a fairly tough climb up Bond Lane to Rothley Common. We crossed the road at the top of the hill and walked down Kinchley Lane, heading towards Swithland Reservoir.

The air was clear so we had excellent views over the reservoir and Charnwood Forest. When we arrived at the dam we had a short refreshment stop for a well earned drink, a mince pie or a chocolate, or both! Several of the walkers had never done this walk before and were able to see clearly across the water but unfortunately there were no spectacular sightings of rare birds.

There was some excitement when we got to Rabbit's Bridge as a steam train was heading towards the bridge and some of us dared to stand directly in line above the train for the thrill of being shrouded in the smutty smoke. From the bridge we walked around the edge of the Victorian water works towards the brook to follow its meanderings until we arrived on Chaveney Road in Quorn.

This part of the walk was incredibly muddy despite the early morning frost which I had hoped would have left the ground a little more solid underfoot. The condition of the footpath here is not helped by the cattle grazing in this area. Some of the children needed assistance across the really soggy bits.

The walk back to Barrow was along Station Road and over 'The Slabs'. Thankfully they are still slabs! The younger children, by this stage, were beginning to 'flag' but I was amazed by their stamina. People went their separate ways when we reached the river bridge back in the village, either in pairs, family groups or on their own. Everyone remarked what an excellent walk it had been and I reminded those interested that they should look out for details of the village footpath walks which will start next summer in May/June.

I would just like to add that I was very impressed with all the children who came along especially Marcus, aged 4 1/2 and to Zachary who was 5 in January.

Summers evening footpath walks will be advertised on village notice boards, Barrow Voice and in the local press.

BARROW BABYSITTING SERVICE

Calling all parents in Barrow! Do you want to go out for the evening without your child/children?

Do you want to leave them in the care of a responsible adult?

Then come and join the babysitting circle!

We operate on a token basis - you sit for tokens and then use them to 'pay' your babysitter when you go out.

Use it as much or as little as you like - no obligation

For more information contact Laura Hegarty 01509 415315

DANCING AND OTHER C.A. EVENTS

Barrow-upon-Soar Community Association presents

Dancing and Other Events in Barrow-upon-Soar

At Humphrey Perkins Community Centre, Cotes Road

NOTICE OF TWO IMPORTANT MEETINGS

1. The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Tuesday April 20th at 7.00 in the Methodist Church Rooms. This is the main opportunity for Barrow residents to meet up with Parish Councillors, have their say, ask questions and generally communicate. The chairs of subgroups of the Parish Council also report on the year 's activities and issues. It would be really helpful to the smooth-running of the meeting if you could send questions or topics you want to explore, in advance, to Lesley Bell (Parish Clerk) on 01509 416016, or email the Parish Council or by post to 12 High Street, Barrow, LE12 8PY
2. The Community Association has its Annual General Meeting on Monday May 10th 2004 at 7.30pm in the Community Lounge at Humphrey Perkins Community Centre, Cotes Road. Every resident of Barrow and the surrounding area is a member of the Community Association. The CA produces this publication: Barrow Voice; it helps to manage the Community Centre at Humphrey Perkins; it manages the Village Website; it runs the Panto Group and the Barrow Youth Theatre; its Events Committee runs all sorts of activities from dances to professional theatre performances; it manages the Round House exhibition programme; in the past, it set up Barrow Playgroup and BOSCAPS.

If you would like to know more, give Judith Rodgers a ring on 412063. There's always plenty to do, plenty of opportunities to join in, make new friends, get new enterprises going. And we'd love to see you on May 10th.