Marchers gathered at Osgathorpe Park on 15th March, where Ibrahim Ilyas was shot in June 2006, to demonstrate against gun crime and for a better future for young people.

Free festival on Sunday 18 May 2008 at Verdon Street. Join in the fun and learn.

Roe Lane Community Centre is to be demolished as part of the expansion of St Catherine’s School. The expansion, including the issue of the community centre being demolished, will dominate the agenda at the next meeting of Firshill TARA on Monday April 7th.

Residents will be pleased to see the return of the post-box on Burngreave Road, near the junction with Melrose Road following a campaign over recent months by the Messenger.

Including:

• We ask questions about the transparency of decision-making at BNDfC following Sheffield Star allegations.

• Messenger gets extra funding!

When a change in landlord prompted the new owners to increase the rent, many feared the Companions Club on Barnsley Road faced closure. However after several rounds of talks, a compromise was reached, which enabled the club to remain open.

Over 1,000 people attended the Milaad-un-Nabi (birth of prophet Muhammad – Peace be upon him). These happen every year during the third islamic month of Rabbi-al-Awwal. As Christians celebrate Christmas to celebarate the birth of Christ (Jesus. Muslim celebrate Milaad-un-Nabi.

At last work is to start on the very first development in the Master Plan for the Page Hall area.

Liz Searle visits the Sunflower Room of the Byron Wood Nurture Unit to talk to the staff and children.

In St Catherine’s Primary school, people have realised that others in the world are not as fortunate as us, so we find it important to help them; the way that we do this is by buying Fairtrade products.

In early March Y5 and school council children went on a visit to Westminster to visit the houses of parliament and meet with Richard Caborn our local MP. A few weeks later Richard Caborn returned the visit and attended one of our school council meetings.

The full length versions of stories promoted in our issue, including:

• Buses better?

• Campaign for Aman Ali

• Sorby House

• Lloyds Pharmacy refurbished

• Forum House open day

• Longley Sixth Form Equality Week

The Council’s Cabinet met on 27th February 2008 and approved officers to submit a formal “Expression of Interest” to develop Parkwood into an Academy. In the end, it wasn’t debated by the full Council, although the Anti-Academies Alliance presented Councillors with a 300-signature petition.

On the 20th March, the Women’s Construction Centre (WCC) celebrated the opening of its new learning centre at Buckenham Street.

On Sunday 15th June 2008, Race 4 Life will be held at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield. This is a 5km jog or walk to support the work of Cancer Research and the special thing about this ‘race’ is that everyone entering is female.

Arriving to find a buzzing atmosphere at the Vestry Hall on Friday 7th March, we did a round of the stalls (and buffet), and gained insight into the wealth of educational and social activities for women in the area.

The HEET event held at Verdon Street on 1st March was aimed at young people, providing enlightment on health, education, employment and training.

In four years from now, when the Olympic Games come to these shores, the dream is to have a Great Briton on the podium. To have world class athletes, there needs to be opportunities for young people, Fir Vale Fusion Athletics is providing that for Burngreave Youngsters.

It’s been a tough year at Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, with delays to plans for a new building and rumours about cut backs. Thanks to staff and volunteers’ efforts it’s really bouncing back.

Early on the morning of 31st January, Greenfingers had their greenhouse blown up by vandals. A few weeks later, they are well on the way to recovery, thanks to the support of the community.

On the 21st March, the Kurdish Community Centre organised a Newroz (New Year) fesitval on Ellesmere Road.

Sheffield Theatres treated Burngreave to free performances of a Handful of Henna in February, funded by New Deal. So many people came to the first event at the Vestry Hall, that a second performance was arranged. The project was part of a community tour which included performances at Pye Bank and Firs Hill schools.

Six young residents have set up a new project which aims to make sure young people’s voices get heard.

Within Burngreave recently, a lot of focus has been on the issue of exclusion. We have challenged organisations as to what they intend to do. While they all have a role to play, should they be the first port of call? Have parents and teachers been made to feel so powerless that the answer must come from outside?

When funding for Burngreave Sports Network came to an end, Rafiq Saleh, Amin Saleh and Tariq Ahmed set up Burngreave FC. The team is currently for people aged 17 upwards and we aim to encourage young people into the team. We are always looking for a local business to sponsor the team.

With help from England test captain Michael Vaughan, the English Cricket Board and nPower launched the start of work on the ‘Urban Cricket’ initiative at Abbeyfield Park in Burngreave.

We invited Inspector Adrian McWalter to our office to talk about his new role managing the Burngreave, Shiregreen and Firth Park Safe Neighbourhood Area for South Yorkshire Police.

Burngreave is home to a wide variety of languages, but demand for one outstrips all others – English.

Crown green bowling is one of Britain’s oldest sports. It’s fun to play, easy to pick up but difficult to master, and offers a great source of gentle exercise.

After recent vandalism caused to allotments in and around Burngreave, Kevin Cooper of Fir Vale has moved heaven and earth to regenerate them.

Thanks to Sheffield Small Grants Panel, the Friends of Burngreave Chapel and Cemetery were able to plant 30 wild cherry trees in the form of an avenue along a popular path in the Cemetery.

Latest news from Green City Action: Nottingham Rec and Devon Gardens revamped

News from Burngreave New Deal for Communities including:

• Back in 2000: A look back at what’s been achieved in the last seven years.

• Setting the Record Straight: We respond to allegations made in the Sheffield Star.

• Ten years of Abbeyfield Festival: Green City Action want to celebrate past festivals and make sure the whole community is involved.

Latest news from the Area Co-ordinator for the Burngreave Area Panel.

Letters from our readers.

The sad death of Owen McDowell on 29th February has left behind many good friends and colleagues in Pitsmoor. Over 300 people attended his humanist funeral on 14th March. The following tributes have been received by the Messenger:

Brothers Grocers, on Scott Road sadly passed away on March 13th 2008 after battling leukaemia.

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?

Collection Points Tuesdays and Thursdays

BCAF is a local forum that has existed for the last ten years, and is made up of people who live and/or work in Burngreave.

The aim of the Community Warden Service is to improve the quality of life in your area.

Sheffield Homes are committed to working with tenants and residents to prevent anti-social behaviour. We believe people should be able to enjoy peace and quiet in their own home and feel safe and secure in the areas where they live.

Do you or your organisation have a new idea that would benefit local residents. Would a small grant help to make it happen?

Listing of just the articles found in the printed (and PDF) February 2008 edition of the Burngreave Messenger.

List of articles exclusive to the website in February 2008, not to be found in the print or PDF edition.

Course starts Tuesday 8th April 2008.

Course starts Wednesday 9th April 2008. Every Wednesday 9:30am – 11:30am.

The Pitsmoor Tuesday Health Walks group meets to walk locally for pleasure and exercise and has recently had an impact on their environment.

Index of extra photos appearing in the April 2008 online edition.

A five week course on taking and improving digital photographs and making the most of your digital camera.

A walk of Unity through Burngreave, Fir Vale and Firth Park.

Byron Wood Community Education Classes – April 2008.

This is a 6 WEEK course and it will be held at The Fir Vale Enterprise Centre, Fir Vale School, Owler Lane, Sheffield S4 8GB

This event will be taking place at the showroom cinema.

The friendly Knitting group meets Monday 1pm to 2pm (except Bank Holidays) at the New Roots Cafe on Spital Hill. It is for all levels and is very relaxed. All Welcome.

A new cafe is starting up at the Furnival on Verdon St, every Tuesday morning.

David and Ashley Cohen have been convicted for the murder of Younis Khan on 14th March 2007 as he innocently drove his taxi close to his home on Scott Rd.

‘Tea and Textiles’ is a new group for anyone interested in developing new skills and working with art and craft.

A series of seminars on radical education at home, at work, in the community and in other cultures, hosted by the Burngreave Ashram.

Ever wanted to try out crown green bowling but weren’t quite sure where to start? Many local people have often walked past the bowling green at Abbeyfield Park and thought to themselves, “I wouldn’t mind having a go at that.”

A collection of archive photographs, featuring many pictures of Burngreave, Grimesthorpe, Pitsmoor and Fir Vale, has been revamped and published on the internet by the son of the renown Sheffield photographer, Harry Ainscough.

The new cricket facility at Abbeyfield Park opens with England cricketer Ryan Sidebottom, and children from local primary schools.

A public meeting will take place on Monday 28th April 2008 to discuss the expansion of St Catherine’s School and the issues surrounding it.

Sheffield Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Foundation (SSCATF) is looking for a Project Manager.

• Salary: £25,000 pro rata

• 30 hours per week

• Closing date: Friday 23rd May 2008

Roshni Sheffield Asian Women’s Resource Centre is seeking to appoint a Centre Manager.

• Salary: £24,500 – £28,500

• 1 year maternity cover post – 37 hours

• Closing date: 12th May 2008 (10am)

Roshni Sheffield Asian Women’s Resource Centre is seeking to appoint a Youth Worker.

• 4 Sessions per week – (16 hours)

• £26.20-£35.34 per session

• Closing date: 12th May 2008 (10am)

The local elections are on Thursday 1st May 2008.

Family Fun Day at Byron Wood

Parents Matter! is a half day conference for parents living in Burngreave and aims to discuss how we can help our children to do their best at school.

The successful applicant will have an up to date knowledge of employment law, at least two years’ experience in giving employment advice including representation at tribunal and experience of supervision.

Closing date for applications: 12 noon Wednesday 4 June 2008

Following the great evenings we had at the Vestry Hall with the Crucible’s production of A Handful of Henna, we are really pleased to be able to welcome the Crucible back with their new production of Warrior Square.