April 2011 Issue 93

The Council decided its budget on 4th March, cutting £84 million from its spending.

On 2nd February Burngreave residents took a petition of 1080 signatures, mainly from young people, against these cuts in educational maintenance allowance (EMA) and study support to the Council. The outcome achieved was certainly something to be proud of!

The Messenger is still here, but needs some help… The Burngreave Messenger is delivered free to 9,000 houses in Burngreave and Firvale, six times per year. We remain entirely independent of funders and the content of the Messenger is decided by local people.

From April BCAF will not have enough funding to employ a worker, however it will continue to work for the community through the network it has built up over recent years and with the support of volunteers.

One of our friends at New Roots Café is being threatened with deportation to Libya. His name is Ali Bashir and he is a dedicated volunteer and friend to all at New Roots. He has been seeking asylum in this country for 10 years, but in March, was once again turned down by the Home Office.

Local resident Reza Yosefi has been released from detention after a second reprieve from deportation.

Poem: Sylvia Reaney

The Messenger website is the place to go for local information.

A Burngreave resident died after being run down by a car in Darnall.

Local youth group – High Flyers – win a Heart of the Community Award.

Sports activities run by Activity Sheffield saved from cuts by local young peoples petition.

25 local school children visited Manchester City's football academy

People in citywide English classes take part in a national day of protest against huge fee increases.

Whiteways parents demand answers from the LEA after OFSTED inspectors visit

National no smoking day event at Sorby House

Chetna Patel talks to community groups about the Cancer Awareness Project.

Carwood has new plants in place, replacing shrubs planted when the estate was first built decades ago.

Firshill is getting ready for a Big Spring Clean. On 12th April Firshill Tenants and Residents Association (TARA)will get help from Streetforce, Sheaf Training, Sheffield Homes, the Safer Neighbourhood Team, Fire Service and St Catherine’s School to get the estate up to scratch.

Transport Executive in February to tell them how important the number 5 bus is to the estate.

The Welcome Resident’s group held a public meetingin March to review their community bus service and discuss funding for the area.

Being overweight or obese could soon overtake smoking as the major cause of preventable ill health. In 2010, almost a quarter of adults in England were obese.

On the 8th of March it was the 100th year of International Women’s Day. Verdon Recreation Centre was the venue for Burngreave’s annual celebration.

Priscilla Waring has recently opened her own hair salon at the former BCAF office on Spital Hill. Known as “Cassy's Salon”, it provides a comprehensive service for men, women and children of all cultures.

Discuss and understand the impact of the tax, benefit, pension and other economic changes affecting home and work.

This year is the 150th anniversary of the opening of Burngreave Cemetery.

Event to mark the 150th Anniversary of the cemetery on 17th April 2011

Byron Wood classes each performed an act in their talent show heats.

Byron Wood School performed heads, shoulders, knees and toes in a world record attempt.

Firvale Creative Art dept look for new talent in the school

St Patrick's day and Comic Relief celebration by the Firshill Community and St Catherine's School at the Crescent Community room cafe.

Whiteways primary school involves parents, carers and the community in school activities

Fancy dress, raffles and a cake stall for Watoto preschool red nose day.

Local resident, Tom Barnard, an archaeology student at Sheffield University lives next to Osgathorpe Park. Digging up pieces of worked bone in his garden led to a fivemonth archaeological dig that could put Osgathorpe Park on the map as an historical site. The Messenger went to meet him at the University Archaeology Department to find out more

Some days just feel like spring; on such a day the Friends of Parkwood Springs and Sheffield Rangers arranged a guided walk of the site.

In February, the Welcome Centre hosted a shared meal and short film show to launch a new project run by SAGE Greenfingers. From their base at Grimesthorpe Allotments, SAGE Greenfingers, an established local charity, offers creative therapeutic activities to a community of adults experiencing mental health problems (www.sagesheffield.org.uk).

Look out for the new trees that have been planted in our area this winter:

The census is a count of all the people and households in England and Wales which happens every 10 years. Every household will have received a questionnaire from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) which must filled in for 27th March 2011.

Events for the easter holidays

This years Festival will take place on Sunday 10th July 1-6pm. Volunteers for Abbeyfield Park Multicultural Festival are setting up a new, independent organisation for the festival.

year old girl from Burngreave, Pitsmoor, who went to Firshill Primary School and now King Ecgbert Sixth Form in Totley where she is doing her A-levels.

Young people, parents, staff and trustees from Ellesmere Youth Project headed out on a cold January morning for a sponsored abseil.

News from the The North East Community Assembly.

Pitsmoor Convenience Store donated 192 bottles of water to Firshill School in February.

On 14th March 2011, the children of Byron Wood Primary School were introduced to Mr Zingcroll, an alien ambassador from the alien Croot race, a race without legs.

As part of Citizenship Day at Firvale School on 24th March, and in an effort to build positive relationships in the community, eight students and several staff set out to build and fix a gate. The gate will prevent access to a private landlord’s property used by local young people as a ‘hang-out’ and smoking area.

St Peter's church Ellesmere hosted a performance of Two Sisters and a Funeral on March 12th.

The Yemeni Community Association receives the Investors in People and Investors in Diversity awards

The Pakistan Advice and Community Association (PACA) has won a police award.

Watoto Pre-School's multi sensory provision is a special place where children explore, develop their senses and skills in a relaxing and fun environment

Make a Den; African Drumming, Mould your own hands and feet; sing rhymres and songs; listen to stories; come and celebrate ‘Family Time’

Looking for a course in your area? All the information you need is on http://www.ne-adultlearning.org.uk.

Free confidential support and information to help you give up smoking.

One-to-one sessions at Yemeni community Association, Firvale Centre.

If you want your sons and daughters to get the safest possible start in their driving career then contact one of the Learn Safe Drive Safe instructors.

Saturday 14th May 2011 at Firs Hill Primary School.

Wednesday 4th May, 9.30am – 1.00pm. A FREE event where you will be able to find out about vacancies, training and careers advice.

Content and pictures unique to the April 2011 online edition.