Printed issue content

Issue 72, October 2007

Parents oppose school expansion

An area panel/education department meeting on 18th September provoked lively debate over the planned expansion of Saint Catherine’s Roman Catholic Primary. 45 parents met panel Chair Cllr Jackie Drayton and Cllr Ibrar Hussain. They were joined by Education Deputy Director, Paul Makin and John Wade from the Roman Catholic Diocese, to defend the proposals.

2007-09-28 22:58:16

Self-defence for women

"I've been here since the classes started. Kickboxing is an excellent way to keep fit.” Sarah, one of the attendees at Al-Nisa, hesitated, then continued, “Cheryl’s a very good teacher. She is very precise, making sure that we can execute each move properly, which is great for grading. If I got attacked now, I’d be able to defend myself straight away.”

2007-09-28 22:46:52

FREE fun programme for kids

The Burngreave Mend programme gets kids healthy and fit in only 10 weeks and helps them stay that way!

2007-09-28 18:45:19

Learn healthy eating

Middle-Eastern cuisine using fresh, affordable ingredients with Laila Wragg. Fun, easy to make tasty recipies.

• Drop-in Saturday taster workshops

• Classes

2007-09-28 18:38:57

Family Learning Day

A fun day for all the family at Firth Park Community Arts College, Saturday 13th October.

2007-09-28 18:31:31

Credit Union collection points

Times, dates and locations for local collection points for the Pitsmoor branch of the Sheffield Credit Union.

2007-09-28 18:24:49

Sheffield Homes: Decent Homes Event

Firshill, Pitsmoor, Burngreave and Darnall areas, Wednesday 7th November 2007 at Vestry Hall, Burngreave. Find out more about the council housing improvements in your area.

2007-09-28 18:17:48

Free classes at Swamp Circus Trust

Swamp Circus and The Open Performance Centre are offering FREE evening classes in Community Leadership and Circus Skills for the people of Burngreave.

2007-09-28 18:06:00

Opportunities at UTU

The Urban Theology Unit is a small independent charity providing higher education courses in Theology & Ministry.

• Course pllaces still available.

• Job: Cleaner wanted – 8 hours per week, £6.40 per hour. Deadline for applications: Monday 15th October.

• Newly refurbished rooms to rent.

2007-09-28 18:01:45

Immigration advice agencies

Contact details for agencies offering advice on immigration and other issues.

2007-09-28 16:40:33

Poetry... by Sylvia Reaney

A selection of poems written by Sylvia Reaney.

• Website exclusive: Two extra poems

2007-09-28 16:33:01

Messenger editorial

News and comment by the Messenger.

• Vestry Hall opens at last

• Special thanks to Camille Daughma

• Next Messenger meeting and dealines

• This month's contributors

2007-09-28 16:10:11

EYP perform

Ellesmere Youth Project performed their original song and dance routines at the Abbeyfield festival and other venues over the summer.

2007-09-28 15:03:51

Comments

The Messenger received several comments about the festival. Here are a couple from local residents.

2007-09-28 15:00:07

What’s oop George? Ah’ve broken me bat!

As the England Cricket team head off to Sri Lanka, we can remember Crabtree’s own George Ulyett. I bet the Australians do, even 130 years after he played in the first ever Test Match in Melbourne in 1876/77.

2007-09-27 10:42:02

Cricket arena at Abbeyfield

Abbeyfield Park were a hive of activity on 30th August as local people came to view plans for the new cricket facility and meet Yorkshire and England Cricketer, Craig White.

2007-09-27 10:29:41

Playground slide comes down

September marked the end of an era at Pitsmoor Adventure Playground as the ‘Big Slide’ was finally taken down after more than ten years of service

2007-09-27 10:27:04

Celebration of the Abolition of slavery

Second Step Caribbean Women’s Group Agewell has been in existence since

1. We are well known for

the many activities and events we have held over the years.

2007-09-27 10:20:38

Fir Vale Festival 2007

Fir Vale Festival took place on 9th of September at Fir Vale School. This event seemed well organised and the presence of people was good. I noticed lots of happy faces. A lot of those present were young people, and they created a wonderful atmosphere, especially the young people from Slovakia who were dancing spontaneously, and running and laughing as they enjoyed the event.

2007-09-27 10:09:24

A response to resident's concerns

In response to residents’ concerns, the plans for a new Mosque & Madressa on Barnsley Road have changed.

2007-09-26 19:34:08

"Those voicing concerns are not against having local mosque(s)"

A reader comments on our previous article ‘Debate over Mosque plans’ saying: “I and many other residents felt this article rather biased and not reflecting the full picture”.

2007-09-26 19:29:53

Memories of a similar debate...

A reader writes of how the recent debate over Umar Mosque/Madressa on Barnsley Road reminded him of a similar debate and complaints by local residents (including Muslims) against a Mosque during the Ramadan in 1997-98.

2007-09-26 19:15:32

"I’m also part of the community, but I was not consulted"

A reader voices his/her concerns about the building of a Mosque and Madressa at the top of Earl Marshall Road.

2007-09-26 19:04:27

Study Support

Burngreave Study Support Projects are enrolling students for the Autumn term. GCSE results from last year’s study support students show some excellent results.

2007-09-26 14:56:33

Pathfinders hit Burngreave

On the afternoon of Saturday 1st September Burngreave streets came to a standstill as 80 uniformed Pathfinder youngsters, 6-16 years of age, led by drummers, marched down to Ellesmere Green to display drilling and marching skills and present gospel music to the community.

2007-09-26 14:53:00

Get ready for Metz 'N' Trix

Metz ’N’ Trix, the famous Bhangra group, performed at the Fir Vale and Abbeyfield Park Festivals, where they drew great crowds and big expectations.

2007-09-26 14:46:08

Music taking over Burngreave

Singer and lyricist Sa,rinity Powell has become a familiar face at Burngreave music events this summer, from the Burngreave Talent Competition to the Abbeyfield and Fir Vale festivals and even Jesse Jackson’s exclusive visit to Ellesmere Green. Is she destined to become the new face of the Sheffield Rap Scene? I went and asked her myself accompanied by my colleague, Zanumb Bibi.

2007-09-26 14:35:44

Cuts in ESOL

Despite a hard fought campaign to save English teaching for speakers of other languages, two of Burngreave’s main providers face massive cuts this term.

2007-09-26 14:06:10

Changes affect residents

I spoke to Yemeni residents who had been affected by immigration changes. They did not wish to be named.

2007-09-26 14:01:57

Immigration fees

Those applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain have found they must pay twice as much to apply, following changes in April this year.

2007-09-26 13:55:47

Testing citizenship

From April 2nd 2007 immigration rules changed, but there are fears that some local residents may not be aware of how difficult it now is to apply for settlement, in many cases requiring months of tuition and planning.

2007-09-26 13:52:03

Abbeyfield Festival 2007

Deferred to autumn this year instead of high summer, high winds caused initial concern but the weather held for our annual multicultural festival which filled the park with punters from near and far.

2007-09-26 13:45:49

Vestry Hall opens

Ten years on, the regeneration of the Burngreave Vestry Hall is nearing its conclusion. A small group of local invitees gathered on the 11th of September to view the transformation.

2007-09-26 13:44:27

Great great granddad Frederick Currie, 1914-2007

Granddad Freddy breathed his last on this earthly plain at 10:15 pm at the Northern General Hospital with his grandson David and granddaughter in law, Merclyn by his side.

2007-09-26 13:38:45

Goodbye Mrs Keen

“Leaving is like having my hand chopped off”, Mrs Janet Keen started off, trying to hold back the tears with a smile. Janet has worked at Firs Hill school as a dinner lady for 27 years and is now taking her well-earned retirement.

2007-09-26 13:31:23

Woodside land offered cheap

The council’s plan to sell off housing land at Woodside for redevelopment was dealt a set back recently. The council has put out its offer to a panel of five different developers, but council workers told members of the Burngreave New Housing Group in September that only one developer had decided to bid. Even this was less than the minimum the council demanded.

2007-09-26 13:25:20

Black community stirred into action

I heard about this meeting late in the day as the word got round and, with some uncertainty, I headed up towards the Cactus Club on Spital Hill. Approaching the club, I was called upon to sign a petition about its recent closure.

2007-09-26 13:19:03

Jesse Jackson in Burngreave

The Reverend Jesse Jackson – America’s foremost black Civil Rights leader – stopped in Burngreave on 26th August 2007.

2007-09-26 12:54:36

Art on Ella Road

During a rare hot week in the summer holidays, Ellesmere Youth Project and Green City Action joined forces with young people of Ella Road and spray can artists Shaun and Casper to transform the new kick-about area.

2007-09-26 00:26:04

Burngreave Bowls Tournament Sunday 29th July

I opened the curtains with my fingers crossed, the sight of the sunshine made me smile. It looked like we’d chosen a good day for the Burngreave Bowls Tournament

2007-09-26 00:20:12

Dear Messenger...

Letters from our readers.

2007-09-25 20:46:56

Apprentices sign on with growing GCA team

The GCA team continues to grow and we are pleased that two local young men have signed on as apprentice stewards. Denzil Ramsey and Nathan Richardson have started work and will complete a comprehensive training package during the next 18 months.

2007-09-25 20:35:15

Apple press for hire

The weather may have caused many problems this year but it has also produced a glut of apples. We have a great apple press for hire for those who wish to make their own apple juice.

2007-09-25 20:32:11

Green City Action News

• Apple Press for hire

• Apprentices sign on

with growing GCA team

• Deliver it Green project progress

2007-09-25 20:30:20

Recycling Banks at last!

Local recycling banks that we've been asking for over the last five years have finally appeared on the Roe Lane Community Centre car park, (on Firshill Crescent).

2007-09-25 20:25:30

It’s the tree planting season again!

At this time of year trees are ready to take a rest, so now’s the time get out your spades and wellies, and get ready to get planting. Last year’s tree planting season was a great success, and we hope to see plenty of new faces throughout this year’s program of tree-related activity.

2007-09-25 20:20:37

Councillors' Surgery Dates

Your local councillors, Jackie Drayton, Ibrar Hussain and Steve Jones, share surgeries on a rota basis. Details here.

2007-09-25 20:07:26

Bring out your rubbish

That time of year again – throw out the unwanted rubbish that can’t be re-used or recycled. It’s still geared to those without access to their own transport to take stuff to the bring-it or recycling sites.

2007-09-25 19:57:27

Residents take on the traffic on Firs Hill Road

Two roads in Pitsmoor – Firshill and Passhouses – will be part of a major new national scheme called “DIY streets”. The aim is to “help residents to re-design their own streets affordably, putting people at their heart, and making them safer and more attractive places to live.”

2007-09-25 19:52:45

Burngreave Area Panel

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

• Residents take on the traffic on Firs Hill Road

• Bring out your rubbish

• Councillors’ Surgery Dates

• Next Area Panel Public Meeting

2007-09-25 19:46:46

Update...Burngreave Police Team

You may have seen a couple of new faces around Burngreave this September. PC Jonathan Simpson has left the area and has been replaced by PC Ian Talbot who started his new role in August 2007.

2007-09-25 19:36:28

Crimestoppers

If you have information about criminal activity in your neighbourhood and you don’t want to get involved or give your name you can call Crimestoppers.

2007-09-25 19:31:15

Burngreave's 4th Annual Bonfire Celebrations

Free bonfire celebration event on Saturday 3rd November 2007.

2007-09-25 19:27:39

Wanted!

Local residents of Burngreave are wanted, to be members of the Children and Young People’s Strategy Group.

2007-09-25 19:22:11

A Big Welcome to our two new Neighbourhood Enterprise Champions

Lisa Hughes and Farid Abdulla will be working in the wider Burngreave area to offer help and support to generate the growth of new businesses in the area.

2007-09-25 19:16:43

A final farewell from our Chair, Rose Ardron

For the past six years, I (and my longsuffering family and friends) have lived and breathed New Deal for Communities. Now I am standing down as Chair and from the Board. It has been a great opportunity for me to do useful work with others, building relationships and striving to improve our community. I have always wanted us to have nothing but the best and we deserve nothing less.

2007-09-25 19:10:41

A New Deal for Burngreave

News from Burngreave New Deal for Communities including:

• A final farewell from Rose Ardron

• Welcome to our two new Neighbourhood Enterprise Champions

• Residents wanted to become members of the Children and Young People's strategy group

• Burngreave's 4th Annual Bonfire celebrations

• Crimestoppers

• Update on Burngreave Police team

2007-09-25 19:05:08