April 2013 Issue 105

Unity was the word at the launch of Sheffield Somali Forum on 3rd March. Hundreds of Somali residents gathered at the Burngreave Vestry Hall to launch an umbrella organisation which will bring together Somali organisations from across the city.

Budget cuts are hitting children in Burngreave the hardest, and local people have been campaigning hard to change the Council’s mind on cuts to childcare, Study Support, Pitsmoor Adventure Playground and Verdon Recreation Centre.

New powers to regulate private landlords could be introduced in Page Hall and Fir Vale in the next 12 months.

Many changes in the costs of running a home will take place in April, affecting many people in Burngreave.

Cuts in Sheffield City Council’s budget are being felt the hardest here in Burngreave. Worse than this, it is children in our area who are being affected the most.

Activities for young people over the Easter holiday – full listing.

Every year the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire holds an awards ceremony to honour individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to their communities. The High Sheriff is the Queen's representative in the County and holds office for one year.

The Outreach Improvement Project held its third Annual Conference in February in the Town Hall, to celebrate the achievements of Somali residents, particularly young people.

Burngreave’s four study support groups face an uncertain future after the Council failed to find any resources to help them from April.

On 27th February the Council decided to go ahead with proposals to cut funding from 20 early years providers – mainly community nurseries operating in some of the most deprived areas in the city.

A letter to Sheffield City Council about the future of the Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, from Angela Kuster.

A letter to Sheffield City Council about the decisions made over the future of Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, from Mr & Mrs Lawson.

Local residents and children have been campaigning against Council proposals to cut staff at Pitsmoor Adventure Playground and Verdon Recreation Centre.

Final plans are being made for the improvements to Ellesmere Green which have been under consideration for some time now.

The Streets Ahead road improvement programme is moving into what is termed the ‘Grimesthorpe Zone’ – which actually means main roads in Burngreave, Grimesthorpe, Page Hall and Wincobank.

Trees on our streets are to be removed as part of the Streets Ahead scheme of road repairs.

Three artworks have been commissioned in the Spital Hill area from the sculptor, Michael Johnson, who has made many works in Sheffield and across the country.

March 8th is International Women’s Day and in Burngreave women came together to celebrate at Verdon Recreation Centre.

Muslim Women’s Voices held their second AGM in February, following a year of successful work and projects.

There is a huge amount of research and evidence that proves being physically active is essential if you want to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Will Spring ever come? SAGE Greenfingers are the first to know about it when leaves start to bud, crocuses spring up and the battle with weeds starts all over again! Like everything in life gardening has its highs and lows, but getting active in the garden and watching the turning seasons can be wonderfully therapeutic.

The Health walk, has proved to be very popular over the years, with some original members still attending, and other walkers becoming health walk leaders themselves.

This Sheffield Mind and Body Course is for those who are experiencing anxiety, low levels of confidence or mild to moderate low mood. Topics include: understanding emotional wellbeing, relaxation, stress and anxiety, food and mood, self-esteem and assertiveness.

Arsalan Othman is hoping to inspire young people, after winning gold at the British Universities Boxing Championships in February.

First Buses have announced an increase in fares from April 1st. Single fares will increase by 10p, whilst day tickets are set to increase by 20p and weekly tickets by 50p.

Jobs, training and employability support for residents. All welcome!

MAAN (the Somali mental health project) hosted an Employability Skills Event at Verdon Recreation Centre on Thursday 14th March.

The expansion of local primary schools continues with a £3.8m extension at Owler Brook Nursery, Infant and Junior School, opened by Lord Mayor John Campbell on Monday 11th March. Owler Brook will now be able to take pupils up to Year 6, offering an extra 150 primary school places to local children.

At Pye Bank CofE Primary, the children dressed up based on a book their class chose. In Foundation, the story was ‘Space Ant.’ The story is about Space Ant who travelled to different coloured planets. All the staff dressed up as the planets and the children as aliens.

George & Brian Spring Collection

Students at Fir Vale School were encouraged to sign up to join our wonderful public libraries on 7th March.

On Thursday 7th March, lots of schools around the country dressed up as storybook characters for World Book Day.

The air of joy and charity, construed through splashes of red, was present at Whiteways Primary School on Red Nose Day, 15th March 2013. Children, staff and parents alike dressed in red attire and bold noses, ready to indulge in the many Red Nose themed events.

This season is turning out to be the most successful in the history of Earl Marshall Juniors Football Club, with all three junior teams in strong contention for a top three finish in their respective leagues.

During the Autumn Term, the Y6 children at Byron Wood Primary School were busy learning about the 1960s, which included a visit to the ‘Beatles Story’ in Liverpool, not to mention preparing for our Strictly Come Singing competition.

A group of Fir Vale Y9 students were given the chance to express their creativity by producing a film trailer based on Gothic literature.

I was intrigued to read the article on the discovery of stainless steel, as my late grandfather, John William Lindley, was a member of the small team that assisted Harry Brearley in the project.

David Blunkett MP, Shaun Wright – the new South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, local police officials and councillors heard residents' concerns at the monthly Police And Communities Together (PACT) meeting hosted by the Pakistan Advice and Community Association on 7th March.

It was 1st April 1943 when the 205th St Catherine’s Scout Group was formally affiliated into the Scout movement. 70 years later, Patrick Duggan continues with reminiscences of the group.

The council have removed the wooden head carved out of a rowan tree stump which appeared on Ellesmere Road North last year, saying it was not authorised and was a safety risk for road users.

Burngreave Tenants and Residents Association has been very active around the Bressingham area in the last few months.

Burngreave Tenants and Residents Association has been awarded the Paul Key ‘TARA of the Year’ award

Residents near Roe Woods and Firs Hill TARA have raised concerns with Sheaf Training about the management of land around the Centre.

A group of local residents have received grants to make improvements to a piece of land at the top of Wensley Street.

Carwood TARA will be restarting its craft club after Easter

The ESOL English Level 1 women’s class at Firs Hill Community Primary School has 14 students most of have progressed through all the levels.

On Monday, 4th March, St Catherine’s School held an Inter-School Chess Tournament for Burngreave and Shirecliffe.

Nomads Chess Club’s first and second teams played a match at Abbeyfield House.

A Fir Vale year 8 student won a road safety competition between schools in Sheffield.

Parkwood Academy received a letter of praise for the excellent performance of Parkwood students in 2012 GCSE results.

Burngreave Foodbank Trolley Push

Elodie All Sainte, a new African support group, is setting up in the Verdon Recreation Centre.

In Fairtrade Fortnight, on Saturday 9th March, local volunteers ran a stall offering residents a wealth of information on Fairtrade products and the movement.

All children aged 3 or 4 are entitled to 15 hours a week at nursery free of charge. Now this is being extended to 2-year-olds from low-income families. Places for two-year-olds are available to families on benefits or incomes below £16,100 a year. Places for 3 or 4 year olds are available to all.

I was greatly saddened to hear of the break in at Rainbows End. It happened in the early hours of the morning of the 15th of February. A large piece of concrete was thrown through the door and a TV and digital photo frame was stolen.

We enter through the wrought iron gate, always open to the outside. I let Maisie off her lead and she pads off into the leaves, as I stride beneath the magnificent canopy, offering dappled protection, bowing to greet us.

Two Temporary Posts – Term Time Only

• Early Years Practitioner

• Closing date 5th April 2013

Local people with memory problems, carers, and others who believe that living with Dementia can and should include joy in life and a sense of community.

28th- 30th March 2013

All activities are in the chapel near the Melrose Road entrance to the cemetery.

After the Easter Holidays, starting Monday 15th April, BASSSP will be running English, Maths and Science revision sessions for Y10 and Y11 pupils taking GCSEs.

Do you want to:

Improve your childs grades?

Get them ready for exams next term?

Welcome Centre- Christ Church Pitsmoor