December 2010 Issue 91

A zebra crossing has been installed on Firshill Crescent, after a successful campaign by St Catherine's School and local residents.

The Lego Club at Firs Hill School was included as part of a vlunteering showcase for the Queen's visit to Sheffield on 19th November.

Local residents have continued to campaign to save Mildred Okpara and her young family fromk deportation.

On 5th November St Catherine's School Council had a visit from the MP David Blunkett. He came to speak to the School Council about the work they have been doing during the last half term.

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Dry Road is a once-monthly evening aimed at providing recovering alcoholics with the chance to maintain a social life, whilst also providing all the benefits of a pub without alcohol.

SOLID, a support group for parents and family members of prisoners, is to close by the end of the year due to a lack of resources.

In February we featured local resident Arwa Havard’s theraputic massage groups. Arwa trained with Vicky Gaughan, at the Sheffield Centre for Massage, qualified and is now practising near Abbeyfield Park

In September Burngreave New Deal made a public announcement that they would run out of money in December.

Back in July the Council agreed £6.5 million worth of cuts for the current financial year. Half of this was to be cut from Children and Young People’s Services.

Residents from Burngreave joined Cllr Jackie Drayton on a march and demonstration against the Government cuts.

About 25 concerned residents attended a meeting of 9th November about a planning application for White's Yard on the corner of Abbeyfield Road and Holtwood Road.

Carwood Estate is to get much needed improvements to its green spaces in the next 4 months

Alongside the Government cuts, Burngreave risks being badly hit by plans to reduce Council tenancies to just two years.

Thurs 16th December, 6-8pm. Earl Marshal Connexions Centre, Heathcote St

If you feel like you need to get fit, lose weight or you just need an energy boost, Verdon Recreation Centre is the place to go

Brunswick Road doesn't get a lot of attention and the area has had problems with litter, dumping and fly-tipping. This month Sheffield Homes organised a special event to talk to tenants and residents abnout tackling the problem.

At the end of January, Streetkick young people's activities began on the park at Wensley.

Nearly 200 children have been run over in the Burngreave ward over the past 10 years.

The Friday morning 50 plus craft group is moving from the St Catherine’s family learning room to Thursdays in the Crescent Community Space and expanding its provision to a full day, including a soup and sarni lunch for just £1.50!

Christmas is coming …and the Firshill and Pitsmoor History Group did some reminiscing (longer online version).

We know that levels of awareness of cancer and use of cancer screening programmes is lower among Burngreave residents than in some other parts of Sheffield. For many forms of cancer the earlier you seek treatment the better your chances of surviving

For Verdon Street, Nottingham Street, Brunswick, Andover Street, Rock Street, Woodside and neighbnouring streets.

14 affordable new homes for rent are under construction on land next to the former Stanley Tools factory on Rutland Road, after planners gave the go-ahead in March this year

Naheed Shafiq was 33 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January this year. She told the Messenger her story.

Develop the skills and confidence to make a positive difference in your community

The Beacons Festival was not only intended to re-breathe life into Parkwood Springs, but was also a way for children to confront their fears.

The Friends of Burngreave Cemetry celebrated national apple day on the first Sunday of One World Week, 17th October

Details of special events over Christmas

Following the devastating floods in Pakistan over the summer, Fir VAle school decided to raise funds for flood victims.

On the 16th October Firs Hill School held a car boot sale in aid of victims of the Pakistan floods

Owler Brook N & I School parents, carers and children were recently involved in fund raising to support victims of the recent devastating floods in Pakistan.

Local residents from Burngreave and students from the Sheffield Hallam University came together to help the flood victims of Pakistan.

Black History Month and Mental Health Week was the focus of SACMHA’s event at Andover street in October.

On Thursday the 4th November, the Vestry Hall hosted an event to advise and support men on how to improve their health. About 400 men from Yemeni, Somali and other backgrounds were eager to hear the announcements about living healthier lives.

Magid Mah, a Somalian resident from Burngreave who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last year (see Burngreave Messenger, December 2009) had another exciting and ground-breaking expedition over the summer, this time to Brazil and the Amazon.

Dave Hall, senior learning mentor at Byron Wood School, completed the Ironman triathlon in Switzerland in July. Dave tells his story…

She’s been a central figure in the community for decades as practice secretary; keeping patient referrals, records and helping Pitsmoor Surgery run smoothly.

We heard back in June that Martin Bennett, managing director of Associated Chemists (Wicker) Ltd had been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for “services to pharmacy”. We spoke to Martin about his award.

Winnie Bentley has been the custodian for many years of two books detailing the members and minutes of the Abbeyfield Bowling Club dating from 1913. They have now found a new home in the Local Studies Library where they will be available for future generations to read.

Long serving scout leader Jim Gilbert retires this month from the 76th Scout Group, who meet at the Cornerstone Ellesmere.

Rainbows End was a give a donation of just over £1300 from a Sale of Plants organised at All Saints Ladies Group in Ecclesall.

A lively and enjoyable family evening was held at St Peter's Ellesmere as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations. It took the form of a family “40’s Night”, attended by nearly 80 people of all ages between 1 and 96.

News from the North East Community

News from New Deal for Burngreave

With the funding confirmed to improve Burngreave Recreation Ground, I decided to have a look at the history of the area.

Green City Action has won Lottery funding for its “School for Vegetables” project.

Firshill School Winter Fayre will be taking place on Thursday 9th.

• Annual General Meeting 4th December

• Tool Bank open

• Job: Project Worker

Pathways is an exciting new project that brings our generation together and equips people with skills to increase chances of further studies, better skills for work and work based experience.

Saturday 11th December 11am-1pm. This will also be BCAF’s Annual General meeting. 10-11am

Annual General Meeting, Friday, 10th December – an opportunity to review the work of the bureau over the last year.

Extra photos and content exclusive to the online edition.

An introduction to the work of a community interpreter and of volunteering and progression opportunities. Saturday 11th December 2010.

The health check aims to help you lower your risk of developing four common but often preventable diseases: heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.