August 2007 Issue 71

On 25th June 2007 the River Don engulfed Nursery Street pouring down into the Wicker and all surrounding streets.

• Businesses left reeling – Businesses around the Wicker are still cleaning up.

• Wicker Pharmacy stays open – Staff managed to keep the business going.

• SYAC Nursery – Within 15 minutes staff were wading through knee-high water.

• Station Foyer – Residents were ecacuated to a hostel.

• SADACCA: The Day Care Centre lost everything.

The Abbeyfield Park Multicultural Festival has now been postponed to Sunday 2nd September.

• Abbeyfield Festival details (press release)

• Festival performances (set list)

On 31st May the Council’s licensing board revoked the Gower Arms’ license and an appeal has been adjourned until September. Although the pub could be allowed to open during the appeal, the police have asked for it to remain closed because they believe there is risk of a ‘serious disorder incident’.

A host of special events took place in Refugee Week (16th – 22nd June 2007) at Fir Vale School as students aimed to raise awareness across the city of refugee issues, as well as promoting understanding about the reasons why people seek sanctuary.

The rain continued to fall in July forcing the postponement of the much anticipated Abbeyfield Festival. But it wasn’t the only wash-out…

Rain fell continuously on 15th June, overwhelming the drains and flooding cellars. As the electricity was switched off, over 100 residents were evacuated from water contaminated with sewage. For those who couldn’t get to family or friends, there was Fir Vale School and later Longley Day Centre for an overnight stay. The Pakistan Advice Centre (PAC) was amongst support services on hand to help.

The Council has received hundreds of comments for and against the planning proposal to demolish and rebuild a new Mosque on Barnsley Road. The Messenger visited the Mosque to find out more.

To cope with an increased number of children in the area, the Council is proposing the expansion of four schools in Burngreave and Fir Vale – St Catherine’s, Pye Bank, Owler Brookand Whiteways. Meetings took place throughout June to give parents the opportunity to have their say on the plans.

Governors at Pye Bank Church of England Primary School have announced in the last couple of weeks the appointment of a new Headteacher. Paul Hopkinson will take up the position in September.

Twenty-four months after moving to Scunthorpe, Billy Sharp has sealed his return to Sheffield United. I caught up with the free scoring forward to hear about his future plans and growing up in Burngreave.

For more than 10 years, Pitsmoor Credit Union’s volunteer directors have worked hard to build a local credit union for local people. It has been successful and new people have joined, but a recent funding bid to the Lottery has failed, and without this funding the Pitsmoor office will close.

Burngreave resident Jackie Drayton has just finish serving her term as Lord Mayor and is enjoying quality time with family. Jackie kindly showed the Messenger into her beautiful and magnificent garden, before telling us about her year as Sheffield’s Ambassador.

A 12-week quilting course, on the subject of ‘home’, created a large quilted wall hanging (article available as PDF download only).

The Burngreave Youth Council want to know what issues are affecting you, how we can help resolve them and how we can work together to bring the issue to the attention of those people who CAN make a difference.

‘Imagination is superior to knowledge’ – a statement by Einstein used on one exhibit at the Creative Show, which also aptly described the flourishing of ideas in this wonderful exhibition of students’ work at Longley Park Sixth Form College.

• This is a longer version of the article printed in the Messenger, exclusive to the website.

Summer events for young people in Burngreave which feature in the ‘What's Going On?’ booklet put together by Streetworx and Active Sheffield.

On Thursday the 21st of June, ‘Bombay Mix’ – a bright , colourful event – took place at the Crucible theatre. Many people took part in a performance of dance, music, art and drama created by children from different Sheffield schools.

Local artists and volunteers braved the rain on 2nd July to deliver bin art stickers to selected streets in Burngreave.

• A longer version of the article printed in the issue.

Ellesmere residents were delighted to see colourful beds of flowers in the shape of a yellow ‘fleur de lys’ and a blue and white number 100 appear on Carwood Road. 76th Sheffield Scouts planted the flower beds to celebrate 100 years of Scouting.

Sixty children from Firs Hill School took part in a Guinness Book World Record Breaking Walking Bus.

Free copies of the Burngreave Voices book are now available from Burngreave Library for all Burngreave residents.

Carwood TARA (Tenants and Residents Association) under went a revitalisation in Autumn 2006, when local residents Gwen Askham-Clark, Dave Fisher, Valerie Henry, and Wynn March decided to get together to tackle some of the problems on the estate. Since then more members have joined and things are starting to happen.

With the recent mild winters, rats are able breed for longer, and reports are up by 2000 per year compared to three years ago.

Concerns about the sale of land under Cookswood Road homes sparked a public meeting in June, organised by residents and the Messenger. It was attended by over 40 people from Cookswood Road, Shirecliffe Lane and Rutland Road.

Burngreave Domestic Abuse Project need a female who speaks Urdu/Punjabi, to work with Asian women and children affected by domestic abuse, offering advice, support and advocacy service.

• £23,187 pro rata for 17.5 hrs

• Closing date: Wednesday 22nd August 2007

Job: An Assistant Caretaker is required to manage the cleaning at St. Catherine’s Catholic Primary School.

• 27.5 hours per week

• £6.04 per hour, pay rise pending

• Closing date: 14th September 2007

Details and arrangements for Burgreave Ramblers' walks, July – September 2007.

• Green City Enterprises Starts Work

• Stewards Wanted

• Ella Road Mural

• Training Opportunities

News from Burngreave New Deal for Communities including:

• Community Representatives Elections – Latest News

• Personal statements from the nominees

• Details of the public meeting where you can meet the new Board Members

Latest news from the Area Co-ordinator for the Burngreave Area Panel, including:

• The priorities for this year

• How to contribute to the flood relief funds

• Councillors' Surgery Dates

• Next Area Panel meeting details

It is with sadness and regret that after a long illness Javed Akhtar passed away at the Northern General Hospital on Sunday 3rd June 2007 aged 45.

As a child of Africa raised in a European country, I can’t avoid reflecting about my ancestors’ reality and wonder how the most barbaric and bloody episode of black history came to an end.

Letters from our readers.

Gospel music, inspirational singing, health spot, special prayers and inspirational speaker at Burngreave Seventh Day Adventist Church, Andover Street, S3 9EF.

Lively worship, bible-based teaching, growth groups, childrens activities, youth group…

Job: Extension to deadline BWRC requires two enthusiastic and dynamic people to take up these full time posts in our busy nursery.

• Salary £13,000

• 37hrs per week

• Closing date: Wednesday 8th August 2007

Due to continued success, CLS is pleased to announce that our next Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) course will start in October 2007.

Do you sometimes have lots of thoughts going round in your head that you can’t sort out? Do you wish you could say how you really feel? Come along to the Pitsmoor Surgery Therapeutic Writing sessions.

The Travel and Try it group provides the opportunity to taste a range of the good things Sheffield has to offer.

R.U. 14-19? R.U. bored? R.U. looking 4 training? Taster workshops give U the chance to try out a career!

Shiloh United Church of Christ Holy Convocations.

Race Equality Council, normally based in the SYAC building damaged by flooding on the Wicker, have found a temporary base at the New Deal for Communities office.

The Star newspaper reports that the 30+ bar on Carlisle Street has been closed and revellers arrested following a police raid.

The Star reports that three men were due in court on the 17th July 2007 over the murder of cab driver Younis Khan.

The Wicker arch has been placed on the English Heritage's buildings at risk register. The Sheffield Star and BBC websites have more details.

A conference around men's health and well-being run by Sheffield African Caribbean Mental Health Association (SACMHA) and the Pakistan Muslim Centre (PMC)

Tribute to local resident Javed Akhtar, who sadly died in June 2007.

Come and learn English – Separate classes for men and women. Childcare available. Enrolment is on the 11th September 2007.

Black and Minority Ethnic pupils from schools in Sheffield worked to build bridges together at a special event held at the University of Sheffield on Wednesday 13 June, and got a taste of University life along the way.

Activity Sheffield are looking for:

• 2x Apprentice Sports and Physical Activity Area Workers (Burngreave Area)

• 1x Apprentice Play Worker (Pitsmoor Adventure Playground)

• 1x Apprentice Administration Worker (Verdon Recreation Centre)

Closing date: Friday 17th August 2007

BNDfC are looking for 4 new staff to work in the Vestry Hall:

• 2 Administrators (Part time)

• Support Technician (Full time)

• Caretaker (Part time)

Closing date: Tuesday 21 August 2007

As a direct result of the launch of the Spital Hill Partnership on 20 July 2007, the Shaw Trust has added its weight to this public/private sector initiative.

Public Consultation Evening, Thursday 30th August 2007. Please come and see the outline plans and tell us what you think.

Artist Chris Pickup presents an installation of sculpture depicting his journey into the early history of the Northern General Hospita. At the Clock Tower Gallery, Northern General Hospital, 27th August to 5th October 2007.

Training course geared towards people interested in working in the sport of football. Starts Saturday 25th August 2007.

Sheffield and District African Caribbean Community Association (SADACCA) is hosting a free event on 27th August 2007, offering people in Sheffield the opportunity to experience and celebrate the diversity of cultures in Sheffield.

…at the Pitsmoor Adventure Playground ‘End of Summer Party’, 1st September 2007. Teach today's generation the games you used to play!

The Reverend Jesse Jackson, the renowned civil rights leader who worked alongside Martin Luther King and was the first black US presidential candidate, is to visit Sheffield on Sunday.

The Burngreave UnLtd team will be holding a funding afternoon to give five young people between the ages of 11 and 25 a chance to win a £1000 cash award.

Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently have work placements available in health care, domestic services, portering/transport, laundry catering and some administrative roles.

• Closing date: Friday 7th September.

Listing of just the articles found in the printed (and PDF) edition of the Burngreave Messenger.

List of articles exclusive to the website in August 2007, not to be found in the print or PDF edition.

This year's event is to be held on Sunday 9th of September on the Fir vale School Grounds on Owler Lane in Fir Vale, Sheffield. The show starts at 1pm and ends at 5.30pm. Admission is free to all.