BCA NEWS

An update on Barnes Pond

Many of you will have been saddened by the recent loss of birdlife on Barnes Pond. Avian botulism is cited by Richmond Council and the Swan Sanctuary as the most likely cause of the deaths, including those of our cob - male swan - and his cygnets. It has been devastating to lose so many of the birds that have made the pond their home.

In response, the BCA is bringing together a working group with representatives from Barnes Common and Richmond Council. This group is working to identify both immediate and longer-term measures to reduce the risk of future outbreaks and improve the health of the pond.

One of the key priorities is to increase oxygen levels in the water. Botulism toxin is released in low oxygen conditions so improving water oxygenation can help to reduce the likelihood of further outbreaks. The working group is currently exploring a number of options, including the installation of a pond aerator to actively introduce oxygen into the water as well as planting some oxygenating aquatic plants, such as pond weed and pond lilies.

While we cannot undo the losses we have experienced, the BCA is committed to improving the long-term health of the pond. We will continue to keep the community updated as this work progresses.

Another fantastic Barnes Fair!

What a wonderful day we had at this year's Barnes Fair with a record number of visitors enjoying the bustling stalls, live music, delicious food and glorious sunshine on Barnes Green.

This year’s Fair also helped support a cause close to many hearts in Barnes. Proceeds from our reusable cup scheme at the Pimm’s Stand will be donated to the Swan Sanctuary, who are caring for our surviving female swan and one of her cygnets. We are incredibly grateful for the vital work that they do.

As always, Barnes Fair simply wouldn't happen without the dedication of our amazing volunteers. From setting up in the early hours of the morning and managing traffic, to selling books and serving Pimm’s, to packing away and everything in between, thank you to everyone who gave their time and energy to make the day such a success.

We are also enormously grateful to our sponsors for their continued support of this event.

• Principal Sponsor: Attic Design & Build Specialists

• Bandstand Sponsor: Marsh & Parsons

• Event Stage Sponsor: Killik & Co

• Bookstall Sponsor: Chestertons

• St John Ambulance Sponsor: Barnes Private Practice

• Transport Sponsor: Alexanders Group

• Fair Sponsors: A2B Scaffolding, West Motor Group and GWR Kia

New Barnes Hub website launches

Another project to emerge from BCA’s Barnes Ponder 2 is now live. The Barnes Hub, which launched on 11 July, is a key part of the One Barnes Ponder team’s vision: bringing our community together so that wherever you live in Barnes you feel informed, connected, and able to take part in Barnes life.

Delivered by local volunteers, the Barnes Hub is designed to make it easier to discover everything Barnes has to offer. It brings together information about local groups, events, volunteering opportunities, activities and community projects in one place, helping residents and visitors find out what is happening locally and how to get involved.

Visit www.barneshub.co.uk to have a look!

Barnes bus changes from 15 August

From 15 August, TfL will introduce changes to several Barnes bus routes, bringing an end to the majority of temporary arrangements that have been in place since Hammersmith Bridge closed to motor traffic in 2019.

A key change is that the 533 will be withdrawn and replaced by a revised 209, running every 15-17 minutes between Hammersmith Bus Station and Barnes Pond via Lonsdale Road, Castelnau and Church Road. Read the full list of changes to bus routes in Barnes on our website.

The BCA has raised concerns with TfL through our Travel Barnes group about the 209 terminating and turning around at Barnes Pond. TfL has agreed to meet with us in October to review how the new service is operating and we would welcome your feedback specifically on this issue, by completing our poll.

In the meantime, we encourage everyone to check the TfL website or TfL Go app before you travel.

Driverless pods come to Barnes

Did you spot the brightly coloured OHMIO electric, driverless pods shuttling excited guests through Barnes in the days running up to the Fair? Hopefully you took the opportunity to see the pods on Barnes Fair day on Barnes Green or up by Hammersmith Bridge.

The new campaign group BHELT (Barnes Hammersmith Electric Light Transit), supported by the BCA, brought the pods to Barnes to demonstrate their potential which could include them being a possible solution for crossing Hammersmith Bridge - an exciting prospect!

The response to the pods has been overwhelming with Sarah Olney MP, Andy Slaughter MP (Hammersmith and Chiswick), Ruth Cadbury MP (Brentford and Isleworth) and also Chair of Transport Select Committee and Ben Coleman (Chelsea and Fulham) all coming to see the pods in action along with Council leaders and TfL representatives. The future looks bright and we are optimistic.

The BHELT team is asking residents to support a feasibility study for the pod.  Please take a minute to complete the survey and support the future of the pod. 

Support BCA doing something you love

For the second year running, local residents, pictured above, came together to run a BBQ stall at Barnes Fair, raising money for the BCA. We were delighted to welcome them back to the Fair. This year we also welcomed the family of a former Barnes resident, who generously sold artwork in support of the BCA. These wonderful contributions are a fantastic example of community collaboration in action and we are very grateful to them all for their support of the BCA.

If you’d like to support the BCA, a registered charity, by doing something you love, we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s running a marathon or charity run, hosting a bake sale, or coming up with your own fundraising idea, every bit of support helps us do more for the Barnes community.

An update from our Greenkeeper

We’re delighted to announce that Barnes Green has been awarded a Green Flag Award for the second year running. A huge thank you and congratulations to our wonderful Greenkeeper, Russell, and his dedicated team of volunteers. This recognition is a true reflection of their hard work, care, and commitment to protecting and enhancing our local environment.

It has been a busy summer on the Green. During the recent drought, Russell has been working hard to keep plants and newly planted areas watered.

The new bridge across Beverley Brook to the island is now open, and some areas have been fenced off to give young plants time to establish. Please help by avoiding the sloping banks of the brook, where wildflowers have been planted and are still becoming established.

Looking ahead, Russell, in collaboration with Barnes Common, is developing conservation plans for one of the Green’s mature veteran oak trees, ensuring it can continue to thrive for generations to come. Work on Beverley Brook will continue in the autumn, with further planting planned, along with the installation of a kingfisher perch.

Changes to 419 hail and ride section

Richmond Council is consulting right now on the proposed locations of new fixed bus stops on Lonsdale Road as the 419 replaces some of its hail and ride section.

The Travel Barnes Ponder Group has shared the views of residents with Richmond Council to help shape the proposals, including feedback on the suggested locations and calling for improved access for less mobile passengers to Hammersmith Bridge.

To view maps of the proposed bus stop locations and find out more about the consultation, visit our website.

If you’d like to share your views, email trafficandengineering@richmond.gov.uk by end of tomorrow, 24 July.

Watering street trees

Many of the saplings planted on streets throughout Barnes are at risk of dying through lack of water during periods of drought.
With young roots they aren’t yet able to source the water they need, so they rely heavily on local neighbours to keep them watered.

If you have a sapling in your road, please take a few moments to give it some water. It should have a channel to take water straight to the roots. Thank you for helping to keep Barnes green.

Christmas on Barnes Green

We're excited to share that we're planning something new for Christmas this year - a Scandinavian Christmas Market on Barnes Green.

We're looking forward to working with local groups and members of the community to bring a festive Scandinavian feel to Barnes.

We'd love to hear from anyone with connections to the Scandinavian community - whether you know of a business that might like to have a stall at the market, a company interested in sponsoring the event or local groups and organisations that could help us bring this idea to life. We're also looking for volunteers to help make the day a success. If you'd like to get involved, contact us at fairs@barnes-ca.org. 

Tuesday Local

The Barnes Tuesday Local continues through July and August, every Tuesday, 6pm-8pm at Bull’s Head. No booking required, just drop in and join us for a drink and a chat.

WHAT’S ON AT ROSE HOUSE

Connect More - Mobile phone courses

Connect More 2.0 is a series of practical smartphone workshops for people who are ready to build their digital skills - and offers separate courses for iPhone and Android users.

Across five standalone sessions, you'll learn everything from phone basics and accessibility to online safety, everyday apps, photos, and staying connected with family and friends. Choose the sessions that interest you.

Our upcoming sessions in September are for iPhone users only. Classes are £10, paid on arrival and take place at Rose House.

For details and booking, visit: www.barnes-ca.org/connect-more-2dot0, or email connectmore@barnes-ca.org with any questions.

OTHER NEWS

Planning application submitted for Vine Road Recreation Ground

Barnes Common has now submitted its planning application to Richmond Council for the transformation of Vine Road Recreation Ground. The BCA is enormously supportive of both the proposal and the years of work and consultation that have shaped this community-led vision, and we're especially pleased to see Barnes Ponder priorities, including the new skate park, reflected in the final plans. Mike Hildesley of Barnes Common also presented the proposals at our Spring Town Team meeting. We look forward to seeing this exciting project progress, creating a more welcoming, inclusive and sustainable space for the whole community.

Submit your feedback on the planning application

Barnes charity bike sale

The Barnes charity bike sale returns to St Mary's Church on Saturday 12 September, 9:30am-12pm. Donate a bike or let the team sell it on your behalf by completing the online donation form before bringing your bike to one of the collection sessions on:

22 August (10am-12pm)

29 August (10am-12pm)

3 September (5pm-7pm)

Learn more

Barnes Charity Fashion Show

The Barnes Charity Fashion Show supports local shops and is a guaranteed fun night out! It returns to St Mary’s Church on 14 & 15 October, and the BCA is proud to be one of the sponsors this year. Tickets are now on sale.

Barnes BookFest returns this September

Barnes BookFest returns for its sixth year from 25-27 September, bringing another outstanding programme of events with authors, historians, journalists and thinkers to local venues across Barnes.

This year's line up includes bestselling novelist William Boyd, broadcaster and writer Gyles Brandreth, historian Joanne Paul, former politicians Sajid Javid and Vince Cable, art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon and many more.

Tickets are on sale now online or in person at The Barnes Bookshop.

The Wetland Centre’s yarn project

The Wetland Centre’s Grey Faced Dartmoor and Hebridean sheep are giving back in a new way this summer, with their freshly shorn fleeces being transformed into locally produced yarn through the London City Farm Yarn Project, that supports sustainable textiles and celebrates London's green spaces.

There's even more to enjoy at the Wetland Centre this summer, with its Dragonfly Festival running until 31 August offering daily dragonfly safaris, pond dipping, chalk art and plenty of family friendly activities.

Find out more