May 26 Update
- barlastoncommunity
- Jun 2
- 6 min read
Community HUB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/137946165267369
Website: www.barlastoncommunity.wixsite.com
WARM SPACE (Sue Tudor)
All are invited to the Warm Space at Barlaston Health Centre each Friday, 9.30 to 11.30am.
We have Wiltshire Farm Foods with us on Friday 12th June. They are bringing 6 Main Meals Desserts, and Snacks for us to try. I am told it is very entertaining. Also useful for those who live alone to know what is available out there.
On the 19th June the Warm Space Group are at the Upper House for their Summer Lunch hopefully on the Terrace.
The Health Centre has been approached about creating a Community Garden at their rear. There is a large grassed area at present and two large trees. Not much else. It would be good to feed back to the Health Centre if there was any real interest for a project of this kind.
Telephone 01782 354200
Book a Journey Contact: Joe/Heather Poultney Scheme Co-ordinators
Become a passenger if transport is difficult for you. · 48 hrs notice required. · Rates include 45 minutes waiting · Longer waits require 2 bookings. · Rates based on 55p per mile from 1/6/26:  (*) +1 mile for drivers attending/returning from home address to client. All rates are a guide as mileage depends on routes taken. |
FILM NIGHT
You may have noticed that the BARLASTON FILM NIGHT is under new management Film Nights are now being organised by the Barlaston Village Hall Events Committee and all funds raised will go towards the BVH refurbishment plans. The Choral was a great choice for their first showing - written by Alan Bennett it’s a British historical comedy/drama set in 1916 during World War I. The film follows a depleted Yorkshire town choir that recruits local teenagers and a controversial new choirmaster (Ralph Fiennes) to stage a poignant performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.
Perhaps the new BARLASTON COMMUNITY CHOIR will be inspired to put on a similar performance?? Let’s wait & see.
Huge thanks to the organisers & the appreciative audience, even in last Fridays’ heat around 50 people attended & the film (& chocolate ice lollies!) were very well received
STROLLERS & STRIDERS
The Strollers and Striders have had two Away-Walks this month, the first one taking routes along the canal, through woodland and parks on the Shugborough Estate. The Strollers missed June, our regular horticultural expert but Walk Leader Gill had been swotting up on previous visits and provided an excellent substitute!! Both groups met up at the Canalside Farm Cafe and enjoyed a catch-up over a cuppa & cake - a perfect morning.
The second walk was around Blithfield Reservoir followed by coffee & cake (& homemade pizza!) at the Cobwebs Cafe in Abbotts Bromley on the way back. The birdsong was wonderful & the views were great There were lots of positive comments about walking in a new area too, so we’ll be taking on that feedback. Huge thanks to Walk Leaders Val, Steve, Chris & Tony who had recced the walks & (mostly!) kept everyone on the right track
June walks will be on 3rd June and the 17th. Meet at the Plume of Feathers car park ready to set off at 10 o’clock prompt. We walk on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month and new members are always welcome. If you’d like to know more please contact Sandie (Group Leader) on 07496 088544.
SILVER SURFERS
A busy and successful month for the BARLASTON SILVER SURFERS, with the group continuing its mission to help local residents build confidence and skills in using digital technology.
The month's highlight was the “Stay Safe and Savvy Online” event held on 28th May at Barlaston Village Hall. Attendees heard informative talks from Phil of AbilityNet and Dr. Allison Gardner MP, covering topics such as online safety, avoiding scams, digital inclusion and accessing government services online. The event was well attended and received, with refreshments kindly provided by Kay and Andrew, helping to create a welcoming and sociable atmosphere.
Alongside this special event, the group continued its regular support sessions, offering free one-to-one help with mobile phones, tablets and other digital devices. Volunteers were on hand to assist with everything from using apps and messaging services to developing broader digital skills and confidence.
Overall, May demonstrated the group's valuable role in supporting digital inclusion within the community, helping residents stay connected, informed and safe online while providing a friendly environment for learning and support. 💻📱☕😊
The SILVER SURFERS team Steve, Tony & Andrew will be in the Ruth Dickson room (to the rear of the Village Hall) as usual, on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Call our Gurus to make an 30min appointment if you have any tech problems: Tony on 07783 009194.
RUBBISH NEWS:
The wonderful BARLASTON WOMBLERS can always be found out and about picking litter from the Barlaston lanes every week which is BRILLIANT but we would very much like to find someone who would be willing to co-ordinate some GROUP PICKS. There used to be regular events including the annual ‘Verge Purge’, the Cocknage Conquest & a number of ‘Alley Attacks’, when all the Womblers would come together to clean up a local Grot Spot for an hour, then compare findings & have a general chat over a cuppa. Since Michala swapped her Litter-picking duties for Grannie-duties down South, this has not been happening - Is this a role you might be interested in?? Even if Group Picks were only organised quarterly, it would make a big difference - to the rubbish collected and to the morale of the Womblers!! It’s always good to know you’re not alone and there are others who hate litter too - plus it really is a healthy hobby and good fun! Seriously, if you, or someone you know might be interested in getting involved, please ask them to email the barlastoncommunitygroup@gmail.com and we can have a chat. Please check out the Barlaston Womblers Facebook Group if you’d like to join the fight against litter and remember there is a regular supply of green bags at the Dougie Mac shop.
The BARLASTON IN BLOOM meeting on Monday 11th May went very well and everyone agreed that gardeners are a lovely bunch of people!! The group is mainly organised through WhatsApp and their own Facebook page, so if you want to know more please find them on Facebook or email us and we’ll put you in touch. There have already been a couple of open gardens in the village and a trip is currently being organised to ‘John’s Garden’ on the 11th July. John’s Garden’ at Ashwood Nurseries, Kingswinford is a wonderful eight acre private garden created by nursery owner and Chelsea Gold medallist John Massey. Informal borders, island beds, woodland dells and a wildlife garden are set against the beautiful backdrop of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.👩🌾🪴🌸
Facebook Photo Competition: The winner of this month’s Photo Competition was Katherina Tams - Congratulations The above image of a delicate yellow flower (a poppy?) was enhanced by the visit of a bee gathering nectar & voters loved it. It was the first time we’ve tried a colour theme & all the entries were stunning in their own right! Thank you to all our participants & voters, & please start thinking about next month’s theme ‘Community Spirit’ - maybe a bustling market, a cricket match or even a winning smile…. We look forward to seeing the different interpretations!!
A Joyful New Chapter for Barlaston – June 2026
June marks a truly special and memorable time for St John the Baptist Church, Barlaston—and indeed for our whole village community.
It is with great joy and gratitude that we prepare to welcome our new Vicar, the Rev. Helen Duckett. Helen will be moving into the Vicarage with her husband and family, and we look forward with excitement to the life and ministry we will share together.
We give heartfelt thanks to God for Helen’s appointment. At a time when many churches across this part of Staffordshire are facing real challenges in filling vacancies, we feel especially blessed and encouraged to have this new beginning.
This is a moment of renewal, hope, and opportunity for our church and village alike. We warmly invite everyone to join us in welcoming Helen and her family as they settle into their new home and become part of our community.
Do visit the church website https://stjohnsbarlaston.co.uk/
BARLASTON MARKETS
Did you know that there has been a fantastic market set in the heart of Barlaston for the last 10 years? The market is voluntarily organised and donates all profit to charity/local good causes.
The 2nd Wed of each month throughout the year) Barlaston Village Market's community coffee morning is held at Barlaston Methodist Church, Park Drive. You'll find a warm welcome, a selection of market stalls and complimentary refreshment. The event is open 10am - midday.
Have a JOYFUL JUNE folks and make the most of every day!
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