Suffolk’s best kept secret is out of the bag – Barleyfest is back!
A vibrant celebration that brings a community together is back for the sixth time to raise money for summer house repairs.
Barleyfest, organised by team members at Lifeways’ Barleycombe service, takes place on Saturday 26 July from 1pm-5pm at the service in Sudbury Road, Long Melford, Suffolk.
The free event transforms the residential garden into an inclusive, family friendly, welcoming and vibrant festival of music, colour, food and celebration.
This year’s event features:
- Live music by local acts
- Bouncy castle for kids
- A bar, food stalls and hearty BBQ
- Ice cream van
- Face-painting and entertainment for all ages.
Founder Angela Dodds, the Registered Manager at Barleycombe, said: “It started off as a small event in the garden during Covid in 2019 and it has just grown.
“The guys at the service absolutely loved it so we carried on running it. We can see just how much joy they get out of it.
“People from the local community started getting involved and it’s now become an annual event on our calendar.”
Any money raised from the event will go towards revamping the service’s summer house which needs a few repairs.
“The summer house needs a few bits and pieces doing so any proceeds from Barleyfest will go towards repairs,” Angela added. “We use it for all kinds of things – a cinema room, a shop or just a place we can hang out in.”
Barleycombe is an 11-bedroom Residential service provided by Lifeways to support 10 men with learning disabilities; autism and acquired brain injuries to live more independently.
It was last rated “Good” by the Care Quality Commission in 2023.
If you’d like to get involved at the event or book a stall (at £7 a pitch) please contact 01787 880203.