BARA

Christ Church in Barry Road, collects food to take to food bank.

Barry Area Residents' Association is holding a Valentine Tea Dance on 13th February 2016 3 - 6 pm. Christ Church Barry Road. SE22. The Fabulous Honeys will be providing the music. Cream Tea is included in the price. Admission is by ticket only (to be obtained in advance) ?3 per person, children 5 - 11 years ?1, but under 5s go free. please see attached poster for contact details or pm me.

attachment too large for last post SEE PREVIOUS POST So details are General Meeting and Social 9th August 6 -9 pm ED Com Centre Darrell Road. Formal Business Chair's welcome and Finance Report (10 mins Max) General Discussion 'ED is a vibrant community. How can BARA improve on this and attract more involvement from local tenants and residents? (20 mins max) Social. Poetry, Music and Memories - following popular demand we would like to present an ecletic mix of YOUR choices whether it be Dylan Thomas or Bob Dylan, Bollywood or Kipling, Sinatra or Shelley. Bring along your CDs, Poetry Books and Memories. To add to the atmosphee you are invited to bring along a dish that represents the international theme of the evening. This is a free family event - all we ask of you is that you contact us for catering purposes. [email protected] or leave a message for janet on 8693 5536

Some of the newer readers may not realise that ED had a number of Tenanta and Residents Associations (TARAs)in the late 1970s early 1980s who were very active within the community i.e. saving post offices and corner shops, liaising with councillors and Southwark Council from everything from traffic control to planning consents. The 3 main associations in ED were PARA (Pellatt Area) NARA (North Cross area) and BARA (Barry Area), Unfortunately as people moved ( for better schools - the younger folk) and the elderly and infirm died ( or went into care) PARA and NARA were dissolved due to lack of interest. However BARA rose like the Phoenix from the ashes, and is still around today. A small but dedicated committee try to keep the flag flying by our presence at the East Dulwich Community Centre (EDCC) holding general public meetings ( i.e. Needle Exchange) in conjuction with the EDCC, we attend the Dulwich Community Councils and are well known to all our elected councillors. We are a small group and seek to expand our members from all sections of our community who are interested in improving the environment in which we all live. if you are interested in joining us either as members or willing to sit on the committee, you are welcome. We would like a Council Tenant to represent BARA on the Housing Forum Meetings, we have a leaseholder, but a council tenant would be an added bonus. We have a social event coming up on 9th August from 6 - 9 pm (see attachment) please contact [email protected] for more information or to book a place at the social

We have an evening meeting from 8 pm for those who are not available during the day. I have deferred by retirement until I am 66 as have a job I enjoy with a great variety and I would miss going to work.

BARA ( Barry Area Residents' Association) theme for this year is ' A rough guide to retirement' We are seeking views and experiences from 1. Those under retirement age - 50 plus as to what information they wish to know for them to plan their retirement and 2. From those who are currently retired as how life has been for them- did retirement met their expectations, any unpleasant surprises etc?. On Tuesday 13th September from 10.30 - 3.30 pm at the East Dulwich Community Centre, 46-50 Darrell Road. SE22 9NL there will be an Open day with talks from the University of the Third Age and Workers Education Association. Opportunities for a taster class - exercises for ladies 50 plus. Creation Station - creativity for under 5s Plus Vauxhall City Farm will be bringing their animals for young and old to enjoy. This is an opportunity for everyone to find out what happens at the centre, and to seek ideas as to the activities/groups you would like to see provided. The centre has a wide range of activities for children and young people and those who are 'active' but very little for the 45 plus age group including those in retirement. BARA Committee Members will also be in attendance with a wide range of information aimed at the 50 plus group. In addition BARA has a General Meeting in the evening from 8 pm to discuss retirement issues. We are hoping to have a guest speaker on retirement issues.

On the same arguements about early selling of fireworks, should we ban ban Christmas card sales in October, easter eggs in February etc!!

As a Mum and Grandmother - it is aweful if your child decides to ignore you and play up in public places and everyone is looking at the screaming toddler and you. Very difficult to know what to do in these circumstances, the best way is trying to distract them - but that does not always work. I used to take my child to my worksplace nursey at County Hall - OK when she was little but when she was nearing two it drove me mental trying to keep her happy for the hour journey on a 12 bus in rush hour. Happily she is now almost 25.

Unfortunately one lady had dementia and not really aware that she could be taken advantage of

I am involved in the ED Society and can advise you that the youngest committee member is 38 years old and the majority of the others are 60 plus. Three members, Ken, Gil and Stan attend the various Health and Social Care/NHS/other meetings as these are predominantly held during the day or early evening which those of us who are full time workers cannot make. We had advertised extensively our Public Meeting for October 2009 on EDF and other platforms but had a very poor turnout of around 15 people. People do not seem to mind paying their ?3 pa membership fee but are reluctant to participate in meetings. The reason why we held a meeting at the East Dulwich Community Centre last year was to attract newcomers to the area and to the society to get people who would be committed to helping publicise the society using new technolgy. We would like those who take an active interest in the facilities in ED - regardless whether it is the closure of Dulwich Hospital, the fragmentation of the NHS, the closure of the Felix Post Unit and the Emergency Clinic at Maudsley, the redesigning of Kings A&E. All these campaigns see EDS members involved in some way or the other. Our esteemed Stan Hardy (Vice Chair) who received acolades from SLP/SNews and other media publications, is a well known community activist, who is respected by Tessa Jowell, Simon Hughes and Harriet Harman. He is well known to all councillors regardless of their politics views as a man who will fight for his local community. Whilst you may not hear about EDS and meetings, considerable work is being undertaken by a few committee members in most of the key decisions being taken by public figures. EDS members will expose unjust practices/policies etc. It was the former chair of EDS who took a great interest in the scandel of the Honor Oak Cementry illegal dumping, and followed up issues. Yes we would like to get into the 21st Century having web pages etc but most of us lack the knowledge and/or the time to undertake this committment. Various issues that EDS have been involved with have been posted on EDF but have attracted very little interest. This may be because the issues are not relevant to most people. With all the cutbacks due in the near future - there is a great opportunity for local people to have a collective voice via EDS but we do need active people willing to meet if not monthly, every few weeks to plan campaigns etc. AGM is at the John Paul Centre behind St. Thomas More Church Lordship Lane. 6.30 Refreshments and 7 pm Meeting. Friday 22nd October. Please indicate on this thread if you wish to attend so that we can plan the catering.

Thanks safesurfer I added an extra nought - should read 7 thousand pounds.

Thanks safesurfer I added an extra nought - should read 7 thousand pounds.

3 men over the last few weeks have targetted a neighbour who gets a little confused re trees cutting down, tiles coming off roof, guttering blocked etc.. Forked out over ?7000 to these guys in cash - only discovered when spouse looked at their joint bank statement. Police notified. Also heard of this week, vulnerable pensioners being targetted - elderly lady in Dunstans Road area lost a couple of hundred pounds in cash when helpful man offered to put a new light bulb in her room, then helped himself to her cash. Thought to be the same man who got her to sign a cheque and then added a few noughts. Luckilly bank realised it was a forgery and made contact. Please warn your elderly folk that there are many con men around at the moment

It may be in the Heber catchment area - it was many years ago when I lived there. It is not in the Goodrich school area.

One of our members had her handbag stolen in the St. Christoper's Hospice shop a few months back, had it in the bottom of her grandaughter's pushchair. The staff there said that they had a number of thefts from pushchairs/bags over the months. She had a load of keys, phone, wallet etc stolen. Cost about ?50 to replace the keys alone. She reported it to the police as had to claim off her insurance company