The award-winning Furness Youth Theatres is bringing The 39 Steps to Barrow Town Hall later this month Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre The show is packed with over 150 characters Follow in the stumbling footsteps of hapless hero Richard Hannay as he becomes entangled in the web of the mysterious Annabella Schmidt and does battle with the dastardly Professor Jordan After a series of award-winning hit productions – The Turn of the Screw and Other Tales of Unease The Wolves of Willoughby Chase – Furness Youth Theatre’s latest offering continues the company’s commitment to showcasing many of the area’s best young actors Opal’s previous roles with FYT include Mole in The Wind in the Willows for which she won the Association of Community Theatre award for Most Accomplished Character Actress Maddy’s previous roles with FYT include Mary Shelley in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein for which for which she won the Association of Community Theatre award for Most Accomplished Character Actress; Beauty in Beauty and the Beast and Bonnie in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase for both of which she was nominated for the Association of Community Theatre award for Most Accomplished Actress Joseph’s previous roles with FYT include the Monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein for which he was nominated for the Association of Community Theatre award for Most Accomplished Actor Director Chris Loveless trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School His productions have played in London’s West End with several named critics’ choice by Time Out and the Evening Standard and he has been nominated for the Off West End Award for Best Director Chris has directed many productions for Furness Youth Theatre and its predecessor ACT Youth Theatre The 39 Steps will be on stage at Barrow Town Hall on May 12 and May 13. Tickets are available from www.theforumbarrow.co.uk Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox *We hate spam as much as you do. Privacy Statement Phone: 01768 862313Email: admin@cumbriacrack.com Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited No: 12475190VAT registration number: 343486488 © 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme Some cookies are essential to make our website work we'd like to set other cookies to show us how our website is being used Barrow is the place to be this spring and summer with a wide-ranging programme of creative cultural and family events organised over the coming months From live music in beautiful Barrow Park to getting up close and personal with dinosaurs in the town centre or witnessing the spectacle of thousands of motorbikes roaring through the streets with the return of Dave Day Brilliant Barrow is supporting the promotion of the spring and summer programme and has funded a leaflet advertising all the events and activities.  Barrow Town Hall hosts a Shakespeare for younger audiences RSC production of The Tempest on Saturday 3 May hosted by BarrowFull and supported by Barrow Town council Barrowfull is also supporting a Theatre by the Lake production of the compelling drama Steel by Lee Mattinson on 28 May Click here to buy tickets for Steel. The town hall's extraordinary Banqueting Hall is also hosting The Forum on Tour productions including traditional seafaring shanties and maritime music from The Old Time Sailors on 9 May Lady Nade singing Nina Simone on 6 June and Kerry Ellis singing songs from an illustrious career ranging from Les Miserables to We Will Rock You  on Saturday 11 October.  Click here to find out more about The Forum on Tour and buy tickets. Events in the town include Dino Day on Saturday May 17 pop-up crazy golf in the town centre thanks to Barrow BID in Saturday June 14 Dave Day on June 21 and 22 and the Festival of Transport on Saturday July 19 as well as the Brilliant Barrow weekend on August 16 and 17 featuring the soapbox derby and Push the Boat Out heritage event in the town hall on the Saturday and Dockside Festival on the Sunday Autumn Fest takes place on Saturday 25 October organised by Barrow BID and giving everybody a chance to celebrate autumn with a pop-up pumpkin patch mobile caving experience and lots of family entertainment Click here to find out more about the Festival of Transport. Click here to find out more about Barrow BID. Barrow Library will be the venue for a wide range of events including hotly-tipped Luvcat playing an intimate Get it Loud in Libraries show on Sunday 22 June There will also be a launch event for the Summer Reading Challenge on July 5 a fun evening with Jonathan Whitelaw – author of the Bingo Club Murders books – on Friday July 11 Click here for more information about Luvcat and buy tickets. Click here to find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge. Barrow Market hosts choirs from Sacred Heart School from 10.30-11am on Friday 16 May St Columba School on Wednesday 21 May and Ormsgill School on Friday 23 May as well as special pop-up monthly markets on 2 May Click here to find out more about Barrow Market. fun drop-in workshops – on Saturday 24 May children can make a marbled image or flag with ink and water and on Thursday 29 May they can use maths in a new and fun way to solve a series of problems  And from 20 June to 5 October the museum will host an exhibition entitles "Dave a Barrow lad" about Dave Myers and his life in Barrow and beyond Click here to find our more about the Dock Museum. there will be Furness Wildlife Watch events from 9.30am to 11am on 20 July 28 September and 30 November featuring nature activities for children such as crafts Click here to find out more about Furness WIldlife Watch. On Sunday 17 August there will be a Voices in the Community event at the bandstand with choirs and singers while local country group Sugarfoot will play from 12pm on 24 August.Barrow BID have also organised Pooch Fest in the town centre from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 13 September And Barrowfull have organised free Playcations featuring games craft and lots of fun in Barrow Island Community Centre on Wednesday 6 August Ormsgill Community Centre on 9 and 10 August and Barrow Park on 12 and 13 August – all from 10.30 to 4pm Click here to find out more about Barrowfull. the Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council and Deputy Chair of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Board said: "The Place Development project has already helped deliver some great events in Barrow We are delighted to support many other organisations and groups who are working tirelessly to ensure the people of Barrow and Furness and visitors alike benefit from a wide and varied programme of events and activities showcasing what a special place this is and playing a crucial part in making sure Barrow thrives." The Brilliant Barrow initiative is a series of innovative projects funded by £25 million from the Government's Towns Fund designed to help the town and its communities to thrive into the future Brilliant Barrow’s Place Development project aims to help promote the area as an inspirational place to live work and visit – helping attract residents and visitors to the town centre increasing footfall and boosting the local economy.  Subscribe today and we'll email you the latest newsletter updates about your new council Choose from a range of topics so that you only receive emails about the areas and services which interest you the most Subscribe to news updates New Help improve this site by giving feedback Only use this form to give us feedback about how the website is working - If you want to tell us about an issue or problem with our services, or you need a response to an issue, please contact us beacons lit and parties and gatherings organised as communities in Westmorland and Furness come together to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day The Government has announced four days of nationwide celebrations across the country leading up to VE Day 80 on Thursday with many activities focused on Bank Holiday Monday churches and parish and town councils across Westmorland and Furness are all joining in to help celebrate this historic occasion with events ranging from tea dances and family picnics to wreath layings exhibitions and special church services all being arranged Westmorland and Furness Council is planning its own activities to mark the anniversary.Veterans from across the area are invited to attend a VE Day anniversary ‘get together’ hosted by the council’s Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer and Armed Forces Lead Officer 7 May in the Town Council Chamber at Kendal Town Hall The get together has been planned to complement the official commemorations in Kendal the following day Forces veterans can join the get together on 7 May for tea, coffee and cake between 12.15pm and 1.15pm and any veterans wishing to attend should contact Cat.Brumwell@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or call 01539 793 441 Flags will be flown from council buildings in Barrow Kendal and Penrith between 8-12 May to mark the occasion and town halls in Kendal and Barrow will be illuminated in the colours of the Union Flag The council-operated Dock Museum in Barrow is staging a volunteer-curated VE Day anniversary exhibition and the council’s libraries and archives service have an extensive programme of VE Day-themed events and activities planned These include a new exhibition at Barrow Archives telling the story of three local Prisoners of War and VE Day anniversary afternoon tea parties at libraries in Barrow (8 May) interactive VR headset with immersive films and the launch of a new VE Day reminiscence project to capture locals’ wartime memories Westmorland and Furness Council is also supporting some of the activities as part of official commemorations in Barrow and Penrith on 8 May, being co-ordinated by the town councils.Community event organisers can upload details of their planned activities to the official 80th anniversary at: https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/ and people should check social media newsletters and local media for further details about events in their area Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities at Westmorland and Furness Council said: “The 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War offers many opportunities to give thanks and to honour everyone who showed such courage and resilience as a result of the conflict “We remember with gratitude everyone in active service; those who gave or lost their life and their families; as well as everyone who stepped into essential roles on the Home Front We think of the many children who were evacuated to the safety of rural communities such as our own and particularly remember the ‘Windermere Children’ who found sanctuary and a warm welcome in the Lake District many events taking place in communities right across Westmorland and Furness to mark this special occasion Everyone pulled together in those years so we can still have strong caring communities today Although very few are still with us to thank them directly we can honour their memories by living up to the values they fought for.’’ The timeline announced by the Government leading up to #VE80 includes: the National Memorial Arboretum will host a service to mark 80 years since the end of the war in the Far East.  where the high street is bare but for barbers and vape shops is set to be transformed by a £200million facelift Once a bustling port town, Barrow-in-Furness has fallen into the gutter after the steel industry dried up Locals complain the Cumbrian town's streets are "plagued by boarded-up shops and broken windows" When a popular YouTuber who explores Britain's roughest places visited Barrow he branded it "England's saddest town" And stats show the town is racked with poverty, with the Office for National Statistics officially classifying it as one of England's most deprived But Barrow's woes will soon be reversed after a major £200million regeneration project was announced to get the town in shape for an influx of workers and a a high-tech training centre has already popped up The regeneration project can't come soon enough for fed-up locals Trevor Vincent, a local charity shop worker, said: "Everything is closing down - all we've got left are barbers, takeaways and vape shops." Spearheaded by Simon Case, a former Cabinet secretary, the project - dubbed Team Barrow - hopes to restore the spot on the doorstep of the Lake District to its former glory. At one end of Barrow sits the enormous BAE Systems factory which builds the UK's key military submarines - including the Trident nuclear programme It already employs more than 14,500 people but a surge in orders means the factory must expand its workforce Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS submarine programmes means BAE need to ramp up production the Barrow's population is expected to swell from 60,000 to 90,000 as workers and their families settle in Some of them will be housed in the new 800-home waterfront development called Marine Village And the University of Cumbria has built a new campus offering a range of courses from engineering to nursing and computer science Anticipating Barrow's bustling future, Case even likened the town to Bournville - the village near Birmingham built to house workers at the Cadbury's factory He said: “With the pressure that we've got on getting the Astute boats finished we started to focus on this two years ago for almost Bournville-like reasons.” "The town is a strategic national asset although it hasn’t always been viewed that way we realised we needed Team Barrow to create an environment that would deliver that happy skilled workforce we need to support the defence nuclear enterprise "Thanks to Mr Putin and Mr Xi, the business case makes itself!” the local council and BAE Systems have joined forces to deliver the plan said: “Visiting Barrow last year I saw the huge impact Team Barrow is having in revitalising strengthening and supporting the community "Establishing a new independent board is a vital step in ensuring every penny of the government’s £200 million funding is well spent and I urge the community to get involved in having their say in shaping Barrow." Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ A missing 17-year-old from Barrow has been found The team responsible for overseeing the transformation of Barrow has set out its high-level strategic plan for the town.  Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems revitalising Barrow and Furness as a place where people choose to live Barrow is critical to the UK’s national security so in recognition of the town’s vital role in designing and building Royal Navy submarines Team Barrow will receive more than £200 million of Government investment which already employs more than 14,500 people needs to grow its workforce to enable delivery of the Astute Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS submarine programmes The Plan for Barrow describes how it will support this as well as diversify and strengthen the town’s economy and increase productivity by delivering improvements to housing and the town centre Local Growth Minister Alex Norris said: “Visiting Barrow last year I saw the huge impact Team Barrow is having in revitalising Establishing a new independent board is a vital step in ensuring every penny of the government’s £200 million funding is well spent and I urge the community to get involved in having their say in shaping Barrow “All local leaders have a part to play in our Plan for Change and Barrow plays a crucial role in our national security I look forward to working with the Board to make sure the people of Barrow benefit from this investment and renewed partnership.” Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham is a member of the board responsible for managing and overseeing the £200m fund along with the leader and chief executive of Westmorland and Furness Council and Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines She said: “It is great to see these plans moving forward at pace and to see projects already getting under way This is a massive opportunity for our whole area with the aim of delivering growth for our town and making it an even better place to live These plans will help us build vibrant local communities through improvements to transport infrastructure and I have always said that means involving local people in the process at every stage I am really pleased that has been understood and that engagement and conversations with local people are at the centre of this plan and being made a priority from the very start.” said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the town with projects such as the Marina Village and new university campus providing solid foundations for us to build upon “It’s a really exciting time for our town and our community and we want to work side-by-side with them to understand what matters most to ensure their views influence our decision-making and inform the design and delivery of our work.” The Plan for Barrow can be read on a new website This will help tell the story of the town’s transformation journey and will include news and updates on the progress of Team Barrow and its partners bringing them together under one shared vision Click here to go to the new Barrow Rising website. has announced Royal Charter status for the Port of Barrow This marks a historic moment for Barrow’s shipbuilding history The Port of Barrow is Cumbria’s gateway to growth facilitating maritime trade and hosting world-class shipbuilding Royal Charter status means national recognition for the town’s unique and critical contribution to national security HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria and the King’s official representative for the county “This marks a historic milestone for the Port of Barrow as it is granted the prestigious honour of Royal Charter status This recognition celebrates the port’s enduring contribution to trade Since the establishment of the Barrow Shipbuilding Company this has been a centre of national excellence; generations of skilled shipbuilders have dedicated their energy and talent to the creation of some of the nation’s most prominent ships and submarines I hope and believe it will continue to thrive as a cornerstone of industry and maritime excellence Congratulations to Barrow and everyone who has made this remarkable milestone possible." Mayor of Barrow welcomed the announcement today saying: It is official recognition of the important role that the Port and our ship building history makes not only to Barrow but nationally and internationally this is probably one of the biggest announcements for the Port since its official opening in 1867.” “This is fantastic news and fully deserved given Barrow’s continued importance to national defence There’s nowhere else in the UK with the skills and infrastructure needed to design and build world class submarines so this prestigious honour recognises not just the role of Barrow’s port but the commitment and dedication of the community and its workforce "We are rightly proud of Barrow and the role it has played in helping to build and protect our nation The town and its people share a long heritage of production and innovation in particular shipbuilding which has seen Barrow become a world centre of excellence in marine engineering and playing a leading role in the defence of the realm for more than 100 years – a role which continues to the present day and is set to continue for decades to come To have Royal status confirmed for the Port is a huge accolade from the highest levels and we are delighted to receive this great honour.” The announcement was made during a keel laying ceremony at which the PM laid the keel to the first boat of the next generation of nuclear armed submarines known as the Dreadnought Class “Each and every person living and working in Barrow is contributing to our nations defence whether that is building our world class submarine programme or supporting the workforce though vital public services or proud family businesses.”  The vision for a vibrant new community of hundreds of new homes in the heart of Barrow has taken a step closer to reality Westmorland and Furness Cabinet members approved the award of the construction contract for the remediation of the Phase 2 Marina Village site The 26-hectare site between Cavendish Dock and Salthouse Road will provide 808 new homes a nature conservation area and new public open spaces – a vital part of Barrow’s wider regeneration agenda creating a vibrant community and providing new housing in the heart of the town near to centres of education major employers and local shops and businesses and changing perceptions of Barrow as a place to live The development will strengthen the council's work with government and BAE Systems as the Team Barrow partnership to ensure that interventions needed to support employment opportunities at BAE are transformational Cabinet member for Housing and Community Safety said: "These are massively exciting times for Barrow with huge opportunities to improve the town for everybody who lives and works there This will also have benefits for the whole of Westmorland and Furness and beyond.” Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance said: "This transformative investment builds on the success of phase one "Working in collaboration with partners is enabling Westmorland and Furness Council to create this fantastic site ready for developers to start building making a critical contribution to the number of new homes needed to support Barrow's planned growth."    Specialist firm Redstart Northwest Ltd was appointed last year to complete a two-stage design and build contract for the remediation work Cabinet awarded Redstart stage two (the construction contract) said: "Redstart is thrilled with the decision to move to contract on the £16.5 million which includes both the demolition of existing properties and the construction of a new Works have already been substantially completed on the initial design order and a new planning application for phase three has been submitted “Advanced works have been completed over the Christmas period to de-risk the site from re-habitation of reptiles and birds We are committed to delivering a high-quality sustainable solution that meets the needs of the community and we look forward to working closely with all parties involved to ensure the success of this significant endeavour over the next 14 months."   Homes England has pledged £24.8 million to fund delivery of phase two of the site Funding through Brilliant Barrow – regeneration funding from the Government’s Towns Fund – has also supported the scheme Significant progress has been made in the past three years assembling the land and funding package required to unlock the site's potential for a large housing development on the site Phase one of the development – the remediation of six hectares of land funded by £5.5 million secured from the Government’s Getting Building Fund administered by Cumbria LEP – was completed in November 2023 The construction phase of phase two is planned to start in February and includes remediation the installation of associated enabling infrastructure to assist future housing suppliers to develop the site and the diversion or protection of key utilities The project also aims to relocate the council’s Salthouse Road waste depot with a feasibility and outline design study under way relating to a temporary location strategic intent of being a university in Barrow and for Barrow We continue to break down barriers and create new opportunities to address the skills need of county and region and align to the significant role Barrow-in-Furness has in the UK’s infrastructure our new University of Cumbria Barrow campus is being developed  This is in partnership with BAE Systems Furness College and others including local businesses The campus signifies the benefits and value of higher education for learners Symbolic of the birth of Barrow as a university town our campus is at the heart of the new Barrow Learning Quarter Barrow Learning Quarter will transform the educational landscape It will offer new opportunities for local people and learners who want to progress through further and higher education Offering a university campus and a new skills hub for sixth form students the Barrow Learning Quarter will help upskill and reskill the workforce now and in the future The Learning Quarter is part of a Barrow-wide programme of seven innovative projects funded by UK Government under the #BrilliantBarrow Town Deal they will transform the Barrow area and ensure it thrives as a great place to live Our campus will support Barrow’s economic expanding people’s understanding of the town’s vital role in the UK’s future plans for growth our University of Cumbria Barrow campus is expected to welcome its first students on site in September 2025 Discover our courses here The construction of our University of Cumbria Barrow campus is a symbol of the growth plans that many are working on With its famed submarine and maritime skills and expertise Barrow is one of the UK’s most significant advanced manufacturing centre and one of the country’s key industrial locations.  We and our partners - including those within Brilliant Barrow and Team Barrow - have shared ambitions to grow and develop to meet the needs of the region and those who live work and study in it and ensure that Barrow has the infrastructure in place so that the town can meet the future skills needs of employers.  our University of Cumbria Barrow campus will allow for a joined-up approach from secondary education into employment The Barrow Learning Quarter will improve prospects for those helping to increase the numbers entering higher education and seeking careers.  It will transform educational outcomes and help retain young Cumbrian talent and graduates with much-needed high-level skills for our region.  Our academics are working with partners in the area to identify and co-create a range of university-level and degree programmes for learners that are inclusive and accessible for all The first programmes focus on undergraduate opportunities to study Mechanical Engineering and Adult Nursing Together with our growing innovative research offering Barrow will also benefit from our expertise and programmes in postgraduate and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Inspired by its location and links to Barrow’s history the campus design incorporates a two-storey building with curved roof line reminiscent of the surface of a submarine.  With its waterside position overlooking Buccleuch Dock the design incorporates glazing to maximise natural light into the building; social space and green infrastructure; and adaptable and specialist teaching spaces.  We look forward to adding to the vibrancy and vitality of Barrow and wider region.  we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to harness major investments for our town.  Visit Website University of Cumbria Sponsors the 20th Love Barrow Awards as it prepares to open its doors to students in September Read article Community leaders help university shape growth plans for Barrow Read article Team Barrow leader visits new University of Cumbria campus Read article Planning permission granted for extension to the new University of Cumbria Barrow campus Read article The ever-popular monthly markets return to Barrow this week.  After the success of last year's events at the fantastic temporary Barrow Market in the Mall and former Meat Hall the first monthly market of 2025 will take place on Friday 7 March from 10am until 4pm.  Guest traders joining the 14 fabulous independent businesses trading in the market will be Kick Ass Cheese Age UK and the National Autistic Society.  Barrow Market traders are fully established in their new specially-designed home while work continues on the multi-million-pound rejuvenation of the Market Hall Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities said: "It is great to see the Barrow Market going from strength to strength in its temporary location go to take advantage of the excellent choice value for money and great customer service the regular traders offer “As well as checking out the monthly markets which are back for 2025 – featuring lots of guest traders who provide excellent produce or support."   The work is part of a £17.5 million government-funded scheme to reinvigorate the Market Hall and the public realm that surrounds it to attract more people into the town centre bringing the community together and boosting the local economy plans are also being developed to create a Town Centre Community Hub which showcases local culture The creation of a pocket park/outdoor events space off Dalton Road where three buildings were demolished will enable the delivery of a programme of events to encourage community participation and increase the number of visitors to the town Home / Press releases / Invest in peace: CND to protest Britain’s nuclear weapons at BAE shipyard The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and activists from across the country will protest outside the BAE Shipyard calling on the government to invest in peace instead of Britain’s failing nuclear weapons programme The demonstration takes place ahead of next week’s Spring Budget where it’s expected the government will add billions of pounds to the military budget while making brutal cuts to overseas aid and services helping some of the country’s most vulnerable people The Labour government argues that increasing the military budget will help revitalise “left behind” industrial towns and the wider economy. But military spending has one of the lowest employment multipliers of all sectors Towns like Barrow need sustainable and varied forms of employment that put its people and the planet first Britain’s nuclear weapons accounts for at least 14% of the MoD’s military expenditure but the most recent annual report by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) found that key parts of its nuclear weapons programme are either failing or have major issues CND is calling on the government to scrap Britain’s nuclear programme once and for all and develop an industrial strategy that generates sustainable economic growth that benefits everyone Palestine Solidarity Campaign National Secretary; Dr Stuart Parkinson Scientists for Global Responsibility Executive Director; Philip Gilligan South Lakeland and Lancaster District CND Coordinator; Helen Tucker NEU Cumbria and International Solidarity Officer for NEU Northern Region; Marianne Birkby Paper Not Planes – Stop Croppers F35 “The government claims that these immoral nuclear weapons are necessary for national security but possessing them will do nothing to make people safer They are a huge drain on public finances that will only make the population poorer and see essential services cut even further to the bone Instead they encourage proliferation and contribute to rising global tensions that make conflict and nuclear use more likely Towns like Barrow could be at the forefront of a dynamic green economy.” Palestine Solidarity Campaign National Secretary Ben Soffa said: “Weapons and components manufactured in Britain – including by BAE Systems – are being used to murder Palestinian men Despite it being acknowledged that components made in North West England were part of the Israeli F-35 plane that killed 90 Palestinians in a single attack on the so-called ‘safe zone’ of Al-Mawasi Now is the time for a thorough reassessment of whether exports from the UK’s weapons producers are in reality contributing to growing global instability and breaches of international law Scientists for Global Responsibility Executive Director Dr Stuart Parkinson said: “The two greatest threats to the world are nuclear war and climate change We could tackle both by disarming nuclear weapons and diverting the engineering jobs to green energy This is where Britain and the world need to focus their efforts Britain’s green economy now employs about 900,000 people – far more than the arms industry – and it is expanding Barrow could and should be part of this just transition.” Coordinator of South Lakeland and Lancaster District CND Philip Gilligan said: “Like many residents of Westmorland and Furness I am delighted that CND will be in Barrow on Saturday calling for a future which is not dependent on investment in weapons which would kill millions of people and threaten all our futures Spokesperson from the campaign Paper not planes: stop Croppers F35 James Aigh said:  “Paper Not Planes: stop Croppers F35 aims to stop the Burneside-based business dozens of which are currently being used by Israel in their war on Gaza No one wants a job supplying arms to a genocidal army We can meet the needs of people in Barrow and Burneside through a redistribution of wealth.” Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Team Barrow is delighted to confirm the appointment of Dr Simon Case the former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service Dr Case helped establish the Team Barrow partnership Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems and is backed by more than £200 million of investment Having chaired the first two meetings of the delivery board on an interim basis Dr Case’s appointment was confirmed today by Alex Norris Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament Dr Case said: “I’m delighted to be appointed Chair and take on this important role Barrow is critical to our national security; there’s nowhere else in the country with the unique set of skills and supporting infrastructure required to deliver complex nuclear submarines so it’s vital we invest now to sustain this capability “Barrow is a fantastic town and the Government’s long-term commitment to the UK’s submarine programme means it has an exciting future turn ambition into reality and help transform Barrow into a place where people choose to live Minister Norris said: “Barrow lies at the heart of our defence industry and the nuclear submarines produced there play a crucial role in keeping Britain safe We are committed to building on Barrow’s incredible strengths and making sure local people benefit from the town’s development “Simon Case is ideally placed to chair the Delivery Board and oversee the delivery of £200m of funding to tackle local priorities He will ensure Barrow’s place in our national Plan for Change - because what’s best for Barrow is best for the country.” which already employs more than 14,500 people across its Submarines business Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS submarine programmes.Team Barrow will support this as well as help diversify and strengthen the town’s economy and increase productivity which was published last month on barrowrising.uk Click here to go to the Barrow Rising website. Team Barrow has announced a package of support worth at least £5m to help boost education in the town’s primary and secondary schools follows the launch of the £5m Social Impact Fund earlier this year meaning Team Barrow has now committed a total of £10m to support vital services in the town The money will be used to strengthen learning and increase attainment and headteachers from Barrow’s schools will be invited to help shape the fund It comes on the same day that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced His Majesty the King will confer the ‘Royal’ title to the Port of Barrow while also describing the town as a blueprint for how defence spending can boost communities up and down the country  Improving education and skills is a priority for Team Barrow as is support to the community and this week it also awarded £650,000 from its Social Impact Fund to several local charities and community groups the former Cabinet Secretary and now Chair of Team Barrow said: “It’s critically important for children to receive a good quality education so we’re delighted to launch the Brilliant Futures Fund and work in partnership with schools in Barrow to help pupils thrive and achieve their ambitions “Today’s school children are our future workforce and we must work together and collaborate to give them the best possible start in life to ensure they have the skills and aspirations needed to enjoy a rewarding career The town will undergo significant growth and regeneration over the coming years and last year the Government committed to invest more than £200million to support this in recognition of Barrow’s importance to national defence and security are funded by this investment and this week nine charities were allocated grants worth £650,000 Team Barrow will work with Cumbria Community Foundation to develop a separate fund worth £85,000 which will provide community groups and organisations access to smaller grants Dr Case added: “The town’s community and charitable sector work tirelessly to provide a range of vital services often to those most vulnerable and in most need “We want to make sure as many residents as possible can take advantage of the employment opportunities here in Barrow ably supported by a team of dedicated charity workers and volunteers “These initial grants will help to stabilise the sector and provide much needed funds to ensure they can continue delivering these valuable services.” One of the recipients is Barrow-based SAFA (Self-harm Awareness for All)  Chair Ian Burns said: "Team Barrow represents a fantastic opportunity for our amazing community to strengthen and grow The team have made a fabulous start in catalysing the local charitable sector to work together to deliver more than the sum of our parts “We are very grateful for this grant and commit to ensuring every penny delivers a positive benefit to those in our community who need our support.” comprised of parents and carers of young people with Autism and related conditions one of which is for young adults with disabilities where we engage with them to find their strengths and use this insight to teach new skills so they can grow in confidence and be valued members of the community or ultimately move into the workplace  Without funding these individuals would be left behind and unable to reach their potential.” Team Barrow is a partnership between central Government It has been established to help regenerate the town Its Plan for Barrow, which describes how it will approach the transformation of the town, can be read on its website at https://www.barrowrising.uk The only global magazine for rebranding and brand development advanced manufacturing and energy innovation industries but it failed to have a single identity to represent its significance as a town businesses and those in a position to develop infrastructure with the creation of a new place brand It’s a movement built to reshape Barrow’s future our role has been to develop Barrow Rising as a transformational idea Its new website has already launched, marking the first phase of the project. It demonstrates to stakeholders the opportunities available to them as well as the plans of major projects already underway The next phase of the Barrow Rising will aim to drive further interest and bring project to life that will truly change the town “Barrow Rising is about unlocking Barrow’s full potential and it’s vital that we build on this momentum The strategic vision and identity that Forepoint created have given us a powerful platform for change We’re excited to continue working together developing and delivering the next phases of Barrow Rising to ensure lasting benefits for the town Yoloh rebrand promises to ‘dejumble’ insurance Outward repositioned as the 'anti-hype' venture capital firm Rebranded LGBTQIA+ non-profit Le Refuge evokes joy and pride Raise the Roof reveals fresh brand identity Wrapped in love: Vellie unveils inaugural brand identity Transform Awards ANZ 2025 open for entries SomeOne adds modern humour in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard campaign French homeless charity rebrand distances itself from founder Brand Lounge creates new category in La Vallée des Couleurs rebrand New aviation brand Acron challenges industry norms A bee sculpture built from guns and knives has gone on display in Barrow to highlight the dangers of violent crime The Manchester Bee Monument is being hosted by Drop Zone Youth Projects a charity supporting young people across Furness together with Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumbria Police The hard-hitting artwork is touring the UK to help open up conversations about the risks of carrying and using firearms and knives as well as providing a focal point for families who have lost loved ones to violent crime Constructed from weapons handed over to Greater Manchester Police as part of their Forever Amnesty the bee is now on display 24 hours a day in Barrow Town Square The monument was made at the British Ironwork Centre in Shropshire to highlight Manchester’s stance against violence The design was inspired by the city’s worker bee symbol Its display in the square between Barrow Town Hall and The Forum follows the 2022 visit of the Knife Angel statue which was constructed from thousands of knives collected in amnesties across the UK Drop Zone Youth Projects will be delivering anti-violence and anti-knife crime awareness sessions to young people in Barrow Town Hall on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 November to coincide with the bee monument’s display in Barrow said: “This is a hard-hitting reminder about the dangers of violent crime and the use of weapons “The arrival of the sculpture will complement the anti-violence awareness sessions being run for young people in Barrow and our work in partnership with Operation Sceptre a national campaign which supports the work Cumbria Police carry out all year round to keep residents safe from knife crime.’’ To find out more about Drop Zone’s events including how to book Pupils at Sacred Heart Catholic school in Barrow-in-Furness are in temporary classrooms and education is suffering But the decorations are not from this Christmas A whiteboard marks the date when pupils and staff were evacuated in a hurry from Sacred Heart Catholic primary school nearly two years ago It was 16 January 2023 when a routine inspection found that the floor of the 95-year-old school building was rotten and could collapse any moment Children would have plunged into the rat-infested cellar below “He said: ‘Get out now. There’s a danger to life,’” recalls Simone Beach, the headteacher of the school in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria which serves some of the most deprived pupils in the UK in sight of the high-security BAE Systems docks where multibillion-pound nuclear submarines are made The evacuation was supposed to be only short-term but two years later the children have not returned seven years after they were forced to leave because the rotting building has now been condemned as unsafe Headteacher Simone Beach in a temporary classroom at St Bernard’s Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The GuardianEach weekday morning at 8am about 200 young children meet outside their old school braving Cumbria’s freezing winters and regular rain as they pile on to three coaches for the two-mile journey to St Bernard’s Catholic high school A journey that should take no longer than 15 minutes takes much longer as staff corral and cajole dozens of little bodies on and off vehicles It is 9.30am by the time they sit down in class Each pupil is losing about 10 hours of teaching time a week according to the headteacher – 130 hours in a typical primary school term The headteacher says the children are wired Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The GuardianTeachers say this year’s results were affected by having a higher number of children with special educational needs on a day when temperatures hovered above freezing groups of five- and six-year-olds huddled against the cold in a queue for the temporary outdoor toilets they use instead of the main facilities If one child in a group needs the toilet mid-lesson the whole group has to stand outside the Portakabin and wait for them When there is only one staff member in a class all the pupils have to stand outside to wait for one child to use the toilet Temporary classrooms have been set up in a finance office, an HR room and a storage facility with tattered carpets and blown windows. None of the rooms have sinks, so there is no painting or messy artwork, which Ofsted says should “command an important place in every school” Nor can they do the minimum two hours of PE a week “This is an area where things like obesity “Many of our children don’t access community sport The majority aren’t going to private horse riding lessons so the sport they get is the sport we give.” similar to the average deposit for a house in the rest of north-west England “These children are some of the most disadvantaged children in the town and this situation is just compounding that,” Beach said Pupils may not be able to return to the school until 2029 Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The GuardianWhen they were evacuated from the old Sacred Heart school building staff found equipment covered in rodent droppings and children’s books infested with damp spores Books that were destined for landfill have since been donated to the school by a local library the primary school pupils are sequestered away from the older children in a tennis court The outdoor space for the reception class – those aged four and five – is a muddy patch of grass with two tyres next to the car park which has been out of bounds for weeks because the temporary metal fencing keeps blowing over Beach has pleaded with the Department for Education (DfE) and other agencies for money and expertise but is disappointed with the response of senior leaders The outdoor area for key stage 1 is unusable in windy weather Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The GuardianNo DfE official visited the school until October 2023 and the local authority did not visit until December – almost a year after it was forced to close The DfE has agreed to reimburse some of Sacred Heart’s extra staffing costs but refused to pay for the coaches The department initially declined to reimburse the cost of the school’s temporary outdoor toilets but reversed the decision this month after being made aware of this story Teachers accompany children to their temporary classrooms Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The GuardianBeach said the upheaval would leave her school hundreds of thousands of pounds in deficit: “That money is for the children It’s just come from our normal school budget that other schools use for catch-up reading programmes After initially being refused emergency funding in September 2023, the school was later accepted on to the schools rebuilding programme, announced by the previous government after the scandal over crumbling concrete. It is not unusual for ministerial motorcades to whizz past Sacred Heart’s rotting building and into BAE Systems, across the road, where tens of billions of pounds are being spent on Britain’s nuclear submarines. Read moreThe awkward juxtaposition is not lost on Beach: “If I live in a town where I can see them building submarines that cost billions of pounds from my school window how is it that no one can help me when our school’s broke?” “All that money and all that expertise on the nuclear submarines and yet our school has been homeless for two years I feel like it’s because of where we are and the community we serve I just don’t think this would happen to a school in a posh The Conservative party has been contacted for comment A DfE spokesperson said it had “inherited a school estate in dire need of repair” and it was “committed to turning it around for staff and pupils The DfE said Sacred Heart was on its school rebuilding programme and it was working with the school’s academy trust which took control of it just over two years before the inspection by “supporting the temporary provision so every child has a suitable education” Sign our campaign for a grant funding review Remediation has been carried out for the first Marina Village phase A partnership between Westmorland & Furness Council central government and BAE Systems has published its vision for the town’s revitalisation Recognising Barrow’s role in national security the partnership is seeded with £200m of government investment which already employs more than 14,500 people locally The firm is currently amid arranging a deal for 14,000 sq ft of training facilities in the town The Plan for Barrow masterplan outlines how BAE’s ambitions will be supported while the diversification of the local economy is also pushed forward Improvements are expected across the town centre and housing stock Local growth minister Alex Norris said: “Visiting Barrow last year I saw the huge impact Team Barrow is having in revitalising Establishing a new independent board is a vital step in ensuring every penny of the government’s £200m funding is well spent The roster of projects includes some already live Redstart Northwest was appointed last year to complete a two-stage design and build contract for the remediation work and has this year been awarded the stage two construction contract Homes England has committed £24.8m to this second phase with the Towns Fund ‘Brilliant Barrow’ stream also a contributor covered the remediation of 15 acres and was funded by £5.5m secured from the Government’s Getting Building Fund This includes improvements to Furness College and a new campus for the University of Cumbria The masterplan also includes the Heart of Barrow a town centre improvement plan centred around remodelling the market BAE has acquired three shop units as part of the overall plan In December, Place reported on the need to find more cash, as rising costs troubled the £17.5m Market Hall project “These plans will help us build vibrant local communities through improvements to transport infrastructure The Plan for Barrow can be read on a new website called Barrow Rising. which can be viewed here Five workstreams come under the Team Barrow umbrella: economy masterplanning and place; transport; education equity and wellbeing; and community and social impact Read our comments policy Main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey has rounded off the 818,000 sq ft Longtown storage shed for the Ministry of Defence and has handed over management to Defence Equipment & Support Westmorland and Furness Council has approved a supplementary planning document to guide development of the nearly 67-acre site Register for free North West property intelligence Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" A temporary library service has opened today (Wednesday) in place of the closed Roose Library in Barrow Roose Library had to be closed due to fire damage caused following a suspected arson attack Westmorland and Furness Council has been considering a number of options for a temporary library in place of the closed Roose Library while it engages with the community on a long-term The temporary library options have included looking at alternative sites and premises and holding discussions with operators of community facilities in Roose about sharing space in their buildings.  The discussions with community organisations are ongoing including talks around lease arrangements and any necessary compliance works and these opportunities with community organisations in Roose are still being explored In order to re-establish library services in this area of Barrow in the meantime Roose Temporary Library @ Barrow Park will be opening its doors at the ATP building next to Barrow Park Leisure Centre on Wednesday Using the ATP for the temporary facility means the library can be opened for the full 35 hours each week that the Roose Library building was open The building is close to other community facilities and amenities schools and shopping and is on a bus route and has ample parking warm and welcoming space with soft seating a range of book stock including a small children’s area and it will be able to offer a range of activities for all ages Library staff will be available to support with IT help and other enquiries and it is intended to continue building the range of activities according to customer feedback A council spokesperson said: “We have been working hard to ensure that any temporary library provision would work as well as possible for our communities and library users and we have been looking for solutions that can sit alongside and complement existing community facilities and amenities “We recognise the importance of providing accessible library services and we are continuing our discussions with other community providers about working with them to further extend the temporary replacement library services in Roose once the nearby ATP building became available late last year - after refurbishment work following the council taking over management of the site from the previous operator - it provided an option to re-establish some of the Roose Library services that had been lost following the fire “Roose Temporary Library @ Barrow Park is around a 10-15 minute level walk from the current Roose Library building and is on a bus route we’re hoping it will also be convenient to combine a visit to the library with other trips and activities “With regard to the insurance situation with the Roose library building the insurers have requested clarity around the long-term options and location of the service before being able to conclude the claim “We intend to work with the local community as we develop long-term permanent options and to ensure we understand what they want from their library service “We will be engaging with the community as we develop these permanent options over the coming weeks and months and once a long-term proposal has been established a final insurance settlement will be agreed but the opening of Roose Temporary Library @ Barrow Park is a positive step and we thank library users for their understanding and patience during this period.’’  Progress towards delivering on the vision for a vibrant new community of hundreds of new homes in the heart of Barrow has been showcased during a visit to mark a major milestone   Cabinet and ward members were joined on the Marina Village site by Brilliant Barrow and Team Barrow board members and representatives from Homes England.  The visit was organised to mark the start of phase two of the remediation of the 26-hectare site between Cavendish Dock and Salthouse Road.  the site will be ready to provide 800 new homes major employers and local shops and businesses and changing perceptions of Barrow as a place to live.     Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety said: "Barrow is a fantastic place already but it is wonderful to see sites like this being made available With all the positivity around Barrow and jobs being created at BAE Systems and other businesses As a council we are committed to ensuring these are good houses to be able to allow people to come and live many years to create housing on this fantastic waterfront site and this investment means we can soon be in a position to present an opportunity to a developer or developers to come in and get on with the job of building a minimum of 808 homes - helping to create safe and fulfilling futures for hundreds of people of all ages in this great place."  said: “This is a huge and wonderful opportunity to do good planning and make a fantastic place for people to live.   "Marina Village gives us the opportunity to develop a whole new neighbourhood somewhere which isn't just a load of spread-out houses but a well-designed place with a real heart bring up their families in safe warm houses that don’t cost a fortune to run and stay in their community as they grow older.  "It's a huge opportunity and I'm really looking forward to us doing everything we can so we get it right for the people of Barrow now and in the future."   Redstart was awarded stage two (the construction contract) managing director of Redstart Northwest Limited said: "After nine months designing the scheme including planning applications and remediation strategies and further investigations to understand what the constraints are start to see the vision be realised and be involved in leaving a legacy for the people of Barrow.  "Thanks to Westmorland and Furness Council for giving us the opportunity and putting the trust in us to deliver it."  Funding through Brilliant Barrow – regeneration funding from the Government’s Towns Fund – has also supported the scheme.     Homes England Regional Director for the North said: “As the government’s housing and regeneration agency our aim is to support public and private sector partners to unlock strategic housing sites where brownfield infrastructure or land projects face delivery challenges.  “The Marina Village site is a prime example of this and the agency has worked closely with Westmorland and Furness council to support the regeneration of Barrow Waterfront The development will provide over 800 new homes for the people of Barrow supporting our mission to build much needed new communities that people can be proud to call home This site is key to underpinning the ambitious economic growth ambitions for the town."  Significant progress has been made in the past three years assembling the land and funding package required to unlock the site's potential for a large housing development on the site.      Phase one of the development – the remediation of six hectares of land funded by £5.5 million secured from the Government’s Getting Building Fund – was completed in November 2023.     The construction phase of phase two includes remediation with a feasibility and outline design study under way relating to a temporary location.     Watch a video about the development here: https://youtu.be/UewcTi8wfRc Home / Events / Work for Peace: demonstration at Barrow CND is organising a protest in Barrow – where Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines are built – on March 22nd – make plans to come along Click here for print-ready leaflet to help us promote the demo For any queries please contact information@cnduk.org or phone the CND office on 020 7700 2393 The board responsible for overseeing the delivery of the £200m Barrow Transformation Fund has met for the first time the meeting follows a commitment by the Government to invest in the regeneration of Barrow in recognition of the town's critical role in the delivery of the UK's submarine programme and therefore the nation’s security who chaired the meeting on an interim basis pending the appointment of a permanent chair was joined by fellow Barrow Delivery Board members in the Town Hall the chief executive of Westmorland and Furness Council managing director of BAE Systems Submarines The Barrow Transformation Fund comes after the formation of Team Barrow last year which is a partnership between central government This has been established to help transform the town Last week the partners received confirmation from the Government that they will receive £20m a year said: "With the first Barrow Delivery Board programme set up and staffed and funding confirmed everything is in place for us all to hit the ground running and grasp this opportunity to drive meaningful change which will impact every single person in Barrow "A tremendous amount of work has been going on since the summer last year between ourselves BAE Systems and Government to get the Barrow Delivery Board established we are committed to working together through the Team Barrow partnership Together we have the shared goals of delivering the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and diversifying and strengthening Barrow's economy This funding will bring transformational and long-lasting change for Barrow and its people in important areas such as transport; education and much has been done in recent years to develop that We will continue to work with our local communities as plans are developed I am proud that Westmorland and Furness Council is playing a key role in this partnership and look forward to seeing the results for the benefit of our communities." which already employees more than 13,500 people Steve Timms said: "Barrow is at the heart of our national endeavour and the custodian of the UK's submarine design and build capability which is critical to both national security and the economic prosperity of our town "The Barrow Transformation Fund will support this and help transform and revitalise the town to ensure we can continue to deliver critical sovereign defence capability now and in the future." said: “This is huge for our area; the Government is investing massively in Barrow and Furness I’ve lived here my whole life – I know what an amazing place it is to live and raise a family – but we all know we have huge challenges as well "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make Furness a centre once again not just of the manufacturing industry in this country I’m delighted that the delivery board is starting its work and I look forward to working with them to bring lasting change to our communities."