February 2013 Issue 104

Parents, childcare workers and children took to the streets on December 12th and January 19th, to let the Council know that cuts to Early Years funding is not acceptable.

More information about the proposed Primary Academy School in Fir Vale was revealed by the Council at community meetings in December.

Putting this issue together has been a grim task as we survey the impending cuts to services in Burngreave in the Council’s budget.

Local parents and study support organisations have been campaigning to prevent Burngreave's four study support projects from coming to an end.

The Council has begun releasing details of its budget cuts for April onwards. After two years of Government cuts, the coming financial year will see even bigger changes to services funded through the Council, which has £50 million less to spend this year.

Sheffield Council has been consulting on axing community assemblies to slash spending.

Forum House is being brought back into use – with a Council grant.

Benefits will be changing in April due to government cuts. This could affect the Housing Benefit you are entitled to and you may have to pay some Council Tax.

The Council is proposing that 14 of the city's 27 community libraries are to close.

Under Council budget proposals, Verdon Recreation Centre will lose all its staff from April.

Photo: Saleema Imam

Local bowling clubs will have to pay for the maintenance of their greens from April this year.

Story: Lisa Swift

The Council is proposing to close Pitsmoor Adventure Playground as part of its budget cuts from April.

Story: 76th Sheffield Scouts | Photo: Jim Gilbert

On the 3rd of January, 76th Scouts decided to help the community. Lots of Scouts attended a litter picking event as part of trying to earn their Community Challenge Badge where Scouts have to do community service and find out about some aspect of their local community.

Story: Lisa Swift | Photo: Mathew Rajan

Following concerns raised in the last issue of the Messenger about the high levels of litter and dumping in Burngreave and Fir Vale, residents contacted the Messenger to tell us about their experiences.

Parkwood Academy’s celebration of a year of achievement and success was the finest ever.

Brain helps George prepare for a Valentine's date. Could anything possibly go wrong?

Parkwood Academy picked up a Commendation in the Community Design category of the 2012 Sheffield Design Awards.

Half Term Activities

Celebrating equal rights for women and looking at achievements made by women

Vitamin D is important as it helps the body absorb calcium for building strong bones and teeth. The majority of this vitamin is made in our body from sunlight. However, due to the weather here in the north of England many of us are not able to get enough vitamin D in this way.

When to see your doctor If you are over 50 and you have any of the following symptoms most days for 3 weeks or more.

If you are working with a group of women in Burngreave or Fir Vale, sessions are available on how to improve emotional wellbeing at home, including advice on domestic abuse.

Promoting positive lifestyle change for physical and mental health

Lemuel Banton and Shirley Brown remember their mother Merline Brown, who died in November 2012

The story of Alia Akram, a former pupil of Firvale School, by her bruther G. Akram

Owler Brook Primary School want to add a bit more to the Wensley community starting with wensley open space.

Firs Hill Primary’s nativity play “Not such a Silent Night!” was performed by Reception, Y1 and Y2 children

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 lowincome families.

! Every class held auditions and one act from each class got through to the grand final that was held in the school hall

A new art project run by Sheffield City Council called ‘A Common Thread’ will be installed on the Savile Street hoardings next to Tesco.

This year is the 70th anniversary of the 205th St Catherine's Scout Group. It was affiliated into the Scout Movement on 1st April 1943, during the dark days of World War II.

With the help of Sheffield Interfaith Group the Parkwood Springs Forest Garden has gone from strength to strength.

2013 marks a century since Pitsmoor-born metallurgist, Harry Brearley, made his historic discovery of stainless steel.This article highlights his connections with our area.

the Yemeni Community Association (YCA) has been supporting refugees at Burngreave Vestry Hall in their quest to learn English.

Earlier in January, another fire broke out at Sheffield Ski Village, damaging hope of the Ski Centre ever reopening.

Negotiations between Viridor and the City Council continue about how Viridor will restore the Parkwood Springs landfill site when it closes at the end of 2018.

On Saturday 19th Jan, despite the poor weather, the DISORIENTATED EXPRESS murder mystery took place at Pitsmoor Methodist Church.

The Friends of Burngreave Cemetery and Chapel have a new project – ‘Digging Deep under the Cemetery.’

This month's news from our Community Assembly, including Councillor's surgery dates.

Despite January's freezing temperatures, the first tenants of the new Ellesmere Road housing scheme received a warm welcome into their highly insulated and energy-efficient homes. Developer, Arches Housing, are likely to complete the remaining properties by the end of February.

Sheffield Homes are planning to renew some of the signs around Bressingham because some are worn out and others are confusing.

If you want to learn how to use computers and the internet, then there’s help available in Burngreave with your Tenants and Residents Associations (TARA).

Despite the snow, a determined and lively bunch of crafters gathered on Monday 14th January 2013 at Carwood TARA for the launch of the new Craft Club.

Letters from our readers.

The new South Yorkshire Police Commissioner Shaun Wright, visited Burngreave Vestry Hall on Saturday 26th January, following an invitation from Al-Taqwa mosque.

The Cobweb footbridge over the River Don at the Wicker Arches reopened in December after Council repairs were made possible by a donation from the Five Weirs Walk Trust.

To support the School for Vegetables project by assisting with school site visits to a community allotment, horticultural sessions and general organic gardening

Invitation to Pitsmoor Citizens Advice AGM

Open to everyone Tuesdays & Thursdays at St. James’ Church.

Watoto pre-school is registered with Sheffield City Council to offer up to 15 hours per week free early learning to eligible 2 year olds.

Readers' photographs of Burngreave in the snow.

Collections of photographs and additional and longer versions of stories from the Messenger. Includes ‘Burngreave in the Snow’, a selections of residents' photos.