All posts by Alastair Walton

Record number of classic cars head to Barnaby’s

In glorious spring sunshine, well over 60 classic cars headed to Barnaby’s this Saturday, many for the first time.  Pictures are now available on our Facebook page.

The event was supported by Barnaby’s popup shop. Coffee, tea and yummy homemade cakes were served by Sharon and Berty, and all the money collected will be given to the Meon Valley Food Bank.

The next event will be on Saturday 24th June, and the full summer schedule can be found here.

It’s Christian Aid Week

It’s Christian Aid Week.  This week, we, like Christian Aid, will be supporting families in Malawi who are suffering from the impact of Cyclone Freddy. Floods have washed away crops, over 500,000 people have been displaced and hundreds have lost their lives.

Christian Aid Week is at its most powerful when a disaster happens. Through you, we will be there long after the flood waters recede, helping families build back. Your donations this May will continue to support the pigeon pea project and other vital work around the world. All this week, Barnaby’s will be accepting donations for Christian Aid, to which half our takings on Saturday will be added. Please give what you can. Thank you.

Coronation Day

After a survey of our volunteers and others, the BBT have decided that Barnaby’s will be closed on Saturday 6th May in order that we can all enjoy the events in the village and elsewhere. We hope you have fun!

Barnaby’s will return to normal hours on Tuesday 9th May.

Meet the horses from Helping Hooves

One our favourite local causes is Helping Hooves.  Based here in Swanmore, Helping Hooves assist people experiencing change caused by illness, injury, recovery or other trauma. We’re looking to seeing “Mouse” and “Hamish” here on Saturday 29th April, to be brushed and loved by Barnaby’s customers . Please come and say “hello”, and bring a carrot or two.

As is customary on our Charity Awareness Days,  we’ll be giving half of our takings on the day, plus anything you are able to donate through our ‘Tap n’Go’ service.

Classic Cars @ Barnaby’s 2023 dates

In partnership with Pete Yeoman of yeomansyearbook.org.uk and the Swanmore Parish Council, we are pleased to confirm 7 dates for the Classic Cars @ Barnaby’s events in 2023.

  • Saturday 22nd April
  • Saturday 27th May
  • Saturday 24th June
  • Saturday 22nd July
  • Saturday 26th August
  • Saturday 23rd September
  • Saturday 28th October

CARS OVER 30 YEARS OLD WELCOME
NO NEED TO REGISTER – JUST TURN UP
DOORS OPEN 1000 to 1230

With something like 50 cars expected at each event, we’ll be in the main car park opposite Barnaby’s. If you are planing to display a car or two, you may arrive any time from 0945, when a marshal will show you to a space.

The event will be supported by Barnaby’s “popup” coffee shop, serving coffee, tea and yummy homemade cakes made by our friends at Bishops Waltham Country Market. Barnaby’s will nominate  a charity on the day, and all our proceeds will go to that charity. Fingers crossed for the weather!

Easter hours

In Easter Week, our hours will be a little different in order to give our volunteers the chance to  enjoy a little break.

Tuesday 4th 2pm to 4pm
Wednesday 5th 2pm to 4pm
Thursday 6th 10am to 12pm 2pm to 4pm
Good Friday Closed
Saturday 8th Closed

Barnaby’s will reopen at 10am on Saturday 15th April

Meet the volunteer. This month – Rosy Easton

In the fifth of our MEET THE VOLUNTEER series, we caught up with the lovely lady you often see at the till during the week – Rosy Easton. We asked Rosy what volunteering means to her:

So what drew you to volunteer at Barnaby’s?
I retired just before Covid came along, so as the world started to return to normal, I was keen to do something with my new-found freedom! When my kids were younger, we supported the Primary School through committees and the like. I rather enjoyed all of that, so now that I have grandchildren too (Ed – you don’t look anywhere near old enough for that!), volunteering here allows me to continue my support of the community, but just in a different way.

What does volunteering at Barnaby’s do for you?
I love the fact that it allows me to stay connected with the people I have met over 37 years of living in the village. I often look out over the till to see groups of people sitting together, chatting between themselves over coffee and cake. I’m rather chuffed to be a part of a team that creates that safe space for them to get together. And I’ve learned some new skills too!

So, what have you learned so far?
Well, I’ve started using the coffee machine to make my own coffee. Deb and Julie have been very helpful on that front, and although I have not perfected my skills yet, I’m getting there and I love the fun of it.

What helps bring you back each time Rosy?
Apart from the things we talked about above, it’s rather lovely to see all the big cheques on the screen that have been given to the charities Barnaby’s supports. The events outside are rather fun too. I loved the horses, and the ambulance that was here, and the occasional music group. More of that please!

Meet the First Responders here on Saturday

Our 2023 Charity Awareness Scheme will return on Saturday, with the arrival of the South Central Ambulance Charity (SCAC). Please come along and meet a First Responder, climb in to their ambulance, find out what they do, and see the equipment they carry. We’ll be supporting the SCAC by donating half of our takings on the day, in addition to any funds collected. Head to scascharity.org.uk/about-us/ to find out more about the SCAC.

The Irish are coming…

St.Patricks Day is on Friday 17th March. It is an event that commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and the heritage of the Irish in general. Celebrations first began in the 17th Century, and today they generally involve public parades, festivals, cèilidhs and the wearing of shamrocks.

To mark the occasion, we’ve got a rather awesome Guinness cake coming, made by one of our fabulous volunteer bakers. When it’s gone, it’s gone!