BCA NEWS

New Spring Market, Saturday 10 May

Following the success of our Christmas Market, we’re delighted to announce a new series of markets, in collaboration with Barnes Collectables Market, at Holy Trinity Church, 162 Castelnau, Barnes SW13 9ET.

Join us for our spring market taking place this Saturday, 10am-3pm. Browse through a mix of antiques, vintage items, bric a brac and handmade goods. Refreshments will be available in the church courtyard.

Join us for a Community Morning on Saturday 17 May

We’re hosting a relaxed Community Morning at Rose House next Saturday 17 May, 10am-1pm—and we’d love for you to drop by. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the area, it’s a chance to come and have a chat, hear more about what the BCA does, and tell us what matters to you.

BCA staff and trustees will be on the Rose House front patio, ready with a glass of Buck’s fizz and happy to talk about BCA membership and volunteering—how to get involved, and what your support helps make possible in the community. No need to book—just pop by and say hello!

Help us celebrate 50 years of BCA Barnes Fair!

This year marks the 50th Barnes Fair—a wonderful milestone for one of our most-loved community events. To celebrate, we’re putting together a special display of memories from Fairs gone by, which will be showcased in the BCA tent on Fair day, Saturday 12 July.

We’re looking for old photographs, newspaper clippings, programmes, or personal stories from past Barnes Fairs. Whether it's a snapshot of a stall, a picture of your children in the parade, or a yellowing news article tucked away in a scrapbook—we’d love to see it!

If you have anything you'd be happy to share, we can scan or copy it and return the original to you safely. Please get in touch at fairs@barnes-ca.org or pop into Rose House (weekday mornings only).

BCA & OSO Outdoor Stage, Friday 6 and Saturday 7 June

BCA and OSO’s Outdoor Stage festival takes place on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 June, and the Saturday evening show featuring the fabulous FABBAGIRLS is selling fast—don’t miss your chance to sing along to all your ABBA favourites under the stars!

The weekend kicks off on Friday night with Maybe Oasis, a high-energy tribute to one of the UK’s most iconic bands, followed by Cat’s Country Band bringing feel-good Americana vibes on Saturday afternoon.

Buy Tickets

A day of nature, art and discovery at Rose House with Kew Gardens

BCA was thrilled to host a special event in April at Rose House for our members in partnership with Kew Gardens. The sessions were inspired by the pioneering methods of Sir John Herschel, and members explored nature using sunlight, natural materials, and early photographic techniques to create stunning works of art.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Lily and Christie from Kew Gardens, whose passion, knowledge, and warmth made the experience memorable and we look forward to future events which strengthen our love of nature.

If you missed this event, you might like to attend the Community Open Week taking place at Kew Gardens, 14-18 May which this year focusses on trees with an art exhibition entitled ‘The Power of Trees’.

(All artworks featured created by our members)

Meet BCA at the Richmond Volunteer Fair – 21 May

Thinking about volunteering in the community? Come and meet us at the Richmond Volunteer Fair on Wednesday 21 May, 2pm - 6pm at RHACC, Parkshot, Richmond, TW9 2RE.

BCA trustees will be there to chat about current volunteer opportunities—including helping out at Barnes Fair this summer—and how your skills can make a real difference locally.

Can't make it on the day? You can email us or register your interest online and we’ll be in touch: barnes-ca.org/volunteer-registration.

WHAT’S ON AT ROSE HOUSE

Bumble Jumble Sale - Saturday 24 May

BCA is pleased to support the fifth annual Bumble Jumble Sale, taking place at Rose House on Saturday 24 May, 10am - 4pm. All proceeds will go to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, a charity that supports the dwindling population of UK bumblebees. Contributions of good quality clothes, books, jewellery, bric a brac and toys can be dropped off at Rose House on Friday 23 May, 11am - 4pm.

OTHER NEWS

Stag Brewery redevelopment approved

The planning application for the redevelopment of the former Stag Brewery site in Mortlake has been approved. The scheme includes 1,075 new homes (65 of which will be affordable), a new secondary school with sixth form, commercial space, and public realm improvements.

A Barnes veteran's story

As the country marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, BCA was happy to see many street parties held across Barnes, bringing neighbours together in celebration and reflection.

Among those commemorating the anniversary was Barnes resident Mr Frederick Aldred, who at 101 years old will be attending three special VE Day events.

A familiar face to many, Fred has been an active member of our local community for decades. Not only was he well known at St. Mary’s Church for running its Christmas Tombola stall, Fred also volunteered for many years at Barnes Fair where he ran BCA’s own tombola almost single-handedly!

A proud veteran, Fred served in World War II after working in a cigarette factory as a young man. Though he rarely speaks of his experiences, he quietly honours the memory of those who didn’t return—especially around his daughter Karen’s birthday on November 11 – Remembrance Day.

After the war, he married his wife Irene in 1952 and went on to become a local councillor in Shoreditch and later in Hackney. He moved to West London in the early 1980s, eventually settling in Barnes, and worked for over 40 years with London Transport. Even after retirement, he remained active in community life.

He now lives with his daughter, her husband Richard, and is supported by his grandson Nick, who lives nearby. At 101, Fred remains engaged and is looking forward to marking this important milestone.

As we celebrate this anniversary, we also take a moment to recognise and thank all veterans living in our community—for their service, their stories, and their continued presence in our community.

Nesting season in Barnes

Spring brings new life to Barnes’ green spaces—but also greater pressure on local wildlife. Many areas like Barnes Pond, Leg o’ Mutton, and parts of Barnes Common are vital nesting sites, and dogs off lead can disturb or even destroy nests. Please keep dogs on leads in sensitive areas, especially during nesting season, and give swans and other wildlife space. These small actions make a big difference to the survival of local species.

Learn more about protecting local nature.

Gift your children a lifelong love of nature

Did you know there is an army of volunteers that garden and tend to the commons as well as clean up the litter by the riverside in Barnes, every week? Volunteering outdoors is a powerful way to support your local community and boost your wellbeing. It’s also a wonderful way to introduce children to the natural world.

Local Barnes resident and BCA volunteer Natalie Cooper explores the benefits of getting out in nature in her book ‘Forest Whispers – retreat in nature’ and she has also written an article on our website. Natalie says, “We can all become custodians of the green spaces we enjoy in Barnes instilling in children a sense of wonder and awe in the simple acts of planting seeds, seeing flowers bloom and vegetables grow”.

Crispin O’Brien and Susie Pugh who run Barnes Community Gardeners also encourage young people to connect with the outside. Crispin reflects: “I’ve been around gardens all my life and have seen the physical and mental benefits of working together outside.”

Read the full article by Natalie: www.barnes-ca.org/getting-involved-green-volunteers

To get more involved:
Work with the BCA’s green keeper, Russell Greaves Adult Volunteers on Barnes Green and at the pond: www.barnes-ca.org/volunteer-registration

Barnes Common Ltd for work on the common, with the community gardeners and growers: www. barnescommon.org.uk/support-us/volunteer-with-us/

Barnes Fragrance Fair, Saturday 17 May

Barnes Fragrance Fair returns to Barnes Green Centre next Saturday 17 May, celebrating the art of scent with over 24 of the UK’s best independent fragrance brands. Entry to the fair is free and you can buy tickets now for talks and workshops at Barnes Methodist Church and The Olympic.

Book tickets

Barnes Artists Talk - Monday 19 May

Don’t miss a special talk by internationally renowned sculptor Bushra Fakhoury, a long-time Barnes resident known for her bold and imaginative bronze works. Drawing on global travels, political themes, and personal experiences, Bushra’s sculptures—such as Dunamis (pictured)—blend humour, mythology, and dynamic form.  Barnes Artists will host this event on Monday 19 May at The Bull’s Head - reserve your place by emailing barnesartists@gmail.com.

Barnes Children's Literature Festival, 21 and 22 June

BCA is proud to be a Community Partner for the UK’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival which returns to Barnes on 21 and 22 June. Tickets are selling fast for this year’s Barnes Children's Literature Festival which sees over 100 family-friendly events taking place locally.

Headliners include David Walliams, Cressida Cowell, MC Grammar, Adam Kay, and CBeebies star Andy Day, alongside festival favourites like Axel Scheffler and Stephen and Anita Mangan. Families can enjoy live theatre, music, creative workshops, and free activities all weekend.

Book Tickets

Wetlands play area gets an upgrade

We’re delighted to hear that the much-loved play area at the Wetlands Centre is being upgraded in time for summer – more detail here. The upgrades include a brand-new water play zone featuring tunnels, fountains and interactive puddles — while the ever-popular rain shower will remain in place. There will also be new surfacing, a Multi-Play Climber and Trail Course made from recycled materials, and an updated water filtration system designed to conserve water and energy.

Bridges of London – art exhibition at Hayles

Local artist Alexandra Fraser brings the beauty of the Thames to life in her new exhibition Bridges of London, hosted at Hayles (60 Church Road, SW13 0DQ) from 6–19 June. The collection features drawings, paintings, and etchings inspired by Alexandra’s walks along the river from Hampton Court to Tower Bridge.

A preview evening will take place on Thursday 5 June, 6–8pm, and all are welcome. Entry is free, but please register via Eventbrite:
Book your free ticket

Shekhu Pillai crowned Barnes Young Musician of the Year 2025

Congratulations to pianist and violinist Shekhu Pillai who has been named Barnes Young Musician of the Year 2025, impressing judges and audiences alike with his performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 3. The competition, held at OSO Arts Centre, featured nine exceptional young performers. A student at the Junior Guildhall and St Paul’s School, Shekhu is a multi-award-winning musician with a passion for Russian composers. He will return to perform in Barnes this autumn at a Barnes Music Society event.