Welcome
From all of us at The Bishop Beveridge Club in Barrow-upon-Soar, welcome. To newcomers thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about the club and to our existing members and supporters welcome to this your club website. As you explore our website, we hope that you will gain a broader insight into what the Club does and what we are all about. Basically it’s about the older members of our society – people probably just like you – who want to make use of the great facilities and activities that are available to you based at our club in the wonderful village of Barrow-upon-Soar in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside.
So whether you are new to the site or an old hand you are most welcome and we look forward to seeing you at any of the club events and activities which are described in detail on the various pages of this website.
We look forward to meeting you soon.
About us at the Bishop Beveridge Club
The Bishop Beveridge Club was first established in Barrow in 1952 when a Derby and Joan Club was set up for those over 70 in the village; it met in an old squash court which it rented from the existing Adult School. In 1962 the trustees of the school decided to sell the building and the Bishop Beveridge Club seized the opportunity purchase the building so that it had its own premises.
When the club was set up a constitution was drawn up and although it has been slightly modified by updating it from time to time it remains essentially as it was originally. The constitution (click here to see a copy) states that:
- The object of ‘the Club’ shall be to promote the welfare of the aged in any manner which is now or hereafter may be deemed by law to be charitable, within the parish of Barrow upon Soar
- Membership of ‘the Club’ is open to all those aged 60 years and over resident within the parish of Barrow upon Soar and also those who reside within a three mile radius provided that the parish of residence does not itself make provision for senior citizens through a similar club.
The club is not affiliated to any national organisations and is non-denominational and non-political being welcoming to all; the only proviso is that membership is only open to those over 60 although younger persons are welcome to participate and help organizing events and activities.
Today the club retains ownership of the building at 22 South Street, Barrow-upon-Soar and is run as a registered UK Charity by a committee of management trustees elected annually. Membership is thriving with currently nearly 200 active members who pay an annual subscription of just £5. Members meet for various regular activities and events which include club meetings, coffee mornings, trips & outings, film shows, quizzes, board games, bingo and various forms of entertainment. The club is run by the club for the club so if members wish to arrange new activities they are free to do so if there is sufficient support. Click here for details of regular club activities and events. Very often the club organises special events such as a May Fayre, Harvest produce auction, annual Carol concert, strawberry teas .. this list is not exhaustive .
The current chairman of the executive management committee is Ginnie Willcocks; the committee consists of officers and members and it meets once a month usually on a Monday afternoon (find out all about them by clicking here).
Several organisations not affiliated to the club also use the facilities on a regular basis and the premises are also available for hire by groups, individuals or commercial use when the premises are not in use – click here for room hire details.
Please contact us or come along to one of our activities/events…we would love to meet you.