Get Set for Joining In! Week – Sept 22 to 27 – Great Things To Go To And Be Part Of

Published on: 14 Sep, 2014
Updated on: 16 Sep, 2014

The 2014 Joining In! week in Westborough and Park Barn is fast approaching and once again there are some great free events to go along to and to take part in.

Here’s a run down of what’s on offer…

Monday, September 22:

Last year’s clear up was well attended and enjoyed by all.

Community clear up behind Greville Close, off Southway.
Come and help clean up the wooded area near the footpath by the railway footbridge that leads to the Tesco store. Time 10am onwards. We will provide gloves, hi viz tabards and plastic sacks for the litter, and so on. Free refreshments. Guildford Borough Council’s cleansing department will take away the rubbish afterwards. Come along and do you bit to make the area a more pleasing space to walk through. Details from community warden Tracy James on 07767 475822. Email: Tracy. James@guildford.gov.uk

Barn Youth Project, Park Barn Community Centre
Joining In! will be at the youth cafe for its Monday session from 3pm to 8.30pm. If you are a young person, come along and join in the fun. Adults also welcome to see how it is run – meet the staff and volunteers.

Tuesday, September 23:

The group who went on the bat walk in May at Wood Street pond, pictured by Dan James using his remote-controlled drone.

Bat walk on Broadstreet Common
We are hosting of what promises to yet another popular and fascinating walk as it grows dark to discover the various species of bats and other nocturnal creatures that live on the common at the edge of Park Barn.
It will again be lead by naturalist Tasha Feddery (formerly of Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Greenspace Project).
We will meet at the entrance to the common at the end of Harts Hill, off Cabell Road, at 7pm. The circular walk around the common will last about an hour and a half. Special electronic bat detectors will be provided. Wear suitable clothing and bring a torch. No need to book.

Barn Youth Project, Park Barn Community Centre
Joining In! will inviting members of the youth cafe, its leaders and volunteer helpers to join the bat walk on the same evening.

Wednesday, September 24:

Talk: Staying Happy and Healthy
Come along to the regular meeting of the group Women On A Wednesday (WOW) to hear a presentation called Staying Happy and Healthy. It is being given by First Steps Surrey, an NHS group that offers information, advice and support on emotional wellbeing and mental health. Men are welcome to attend too!
Where: WOW meets at the Park Barn Community Centre in Cabell Road from 9.30am to 1.30pm. The talk will start at 10am. Free refreshments – cakes and sandwiches!
If you would like to attend call Joining In! co-ordinator David Rose on 07825 419408. Email: d.rose@vasws.org.uk . Or community warden Tracy James on 07767 475822. Email: Tracy. James@guildford.gov.uk 

Joining In! co-ordinator and local historian David Rose will be explaining some of the history of Broadstreet and Wood Street commons.

Gentle stroll and history guide
Joining In! co-ordinator David Rose, who is also a well known local historian, will be joining the Weekly Walks group – a friendly group of people who enjoy a bit of gentle exercise, a chat and some fresh air. 

For this walk, that will take in part of Wood Sreet and Broadstreet Commons, David will be pointing out some its is rich history. Did you know there was a Roman villa and farm on Broadstreet Common? Did you know that this area was once a royal deer park where kings and queens of England came to hunt? Learn about the farms that were once here in Park Barn, and discuss the natural history of the common and how much the landscape has changed over the past 40-odd years.
Where to meet: the groups meets in the cafe at the Park Barn Centre, off Park Barn Drive at 10.15am and sets off shortly afterwards. The walk will last about an hour and a half. We return to the Park Barn centre for refreshments in the cafe. These will be free on this day for those who come on the walk. No need to book, but for more details call David Rose on 07825 419408. Email: d.rose@vasws.org.uk

Play Rangers at the Reservoir site Westborough Woods
Joining In! will be in attendance with Guildford Borough Council’s Play Rangers at its weekly meet at the Reservoir site off Woodside Road, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
Play Rangers provide free drop-in fun and exciting outdoor play sessions for 8- to 12-year-olds (under 8s are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult). Just turn up wearing clothes suitable for messy play and all weather conditions. Adults invited to come along and see what all the fun is about.

Thursday, September 25

Introduction to volunteering – a free workshop, hosted by Voluntary Action South West Surrey, looking at the benefits of how it can support your move into work.
Volunteering can:
Increase your job prospects
Provide training opportunities and give vital experience for you skill
Teach new skills
Increase confidence
There will also be the opportunity to discuss how best to approach volunteering if you are claiming benefits and an opportunity to talk to advisers about available options. A light lunch will be provided.

This will be followed after lunch by a second free workshop – Are you thinking of setting up a group or charity?
Hear sound advice on what you need to do, if you need to register, how to apply for funding and how to raise funds, plus find out about the great support offered by Voluntary Action South West Surrey.

Where: at the community room at Kings College in Southway. Time: First workshop: 10.30am to 12.30pm. Second workshop 1.30pm to 3pm.
To book, call Voluntary Action South West Surrey on 01483 504626, quoting Joining In! week workshop.

Rhythm of Life community choir
Come along to the weekly rehearsal of this new community choir, that sings a range of popular songs old and new, and which is growing all the time!
You might like to sit and listen or even join in.
Where: Park Barn centre, off Park Barn Drive, 7pm to 8.30pm. Free refreshments.
Check out its Facebook page

The Barn Youth Project was given a grant by Travel SMART at the 2013 event.

Saturday, September 27

Free Community Fun day being held at Kings College from noon to 4pm
A joint day of activities hosted by Joining In!, the Park Barn & Westborough Community Association and Travel SMART.
Free things to do for children including a bouncy castle and other fun-filled activities, plus traditional games and face painting.

Guildford Bike Project giving tips on servicing your bicycles.

Stalls and stands from local groups and organisations, with plenty of details of what they do and how you can join in if you wish.

And also stands from those bidding for community funding from Surrey County Council’s Travel SMART scheme (see below for more details).

A sizzling barbecue and refreshments at extremely good value prices.

Live music from the Rhythm of Life choir and other musicians.

Hop on board a Safeguard bus and hear about your local bus and coach firm that is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.

Joining In! volunteer awards presentations. Anyone can nominate someone in the community who they think is deserving of recognition for what they freely do. (More details from David Rose on 07825 419408. Email: d.rose@vasws.org.uk . Tracy James on 07767 475822. Email: Tracy. James@guildford.gov.uk . Andy Coumbe on 07901 513650. Email: Andy.Coumbe.guildford.gov.uk

The afternoon will see the annual meeting of the Park Barn & Westborough Community Association. It won’t be a stuffy as you might think. Sit in on it and hear what your local community group is doing for the area.

The final event of the day will be the all-important public voting for the thousands of pounds worth of funds being made available by Travel SMART for community projects. Groups shortlisted for the grants will have stands explaining their projects and each will make a short presentation at the event. The voting, using special digital handsets, will then take place. And once all the votes are calculated the winners will be announced. If you live in the Westboorugh ward you can vote – come along and take part, it’s great fun.

If you would like to run a stall for your group or organisation, or can offer a free activity for people, or would like to help out on the day – we need people to run the barbecue, help set up and pack away, etc, call the chairman of the Park Barn & Westborough Community Association, Wayne McShane, on 07990 592133 or 01483 837736.

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