WHAT'S ON: Tickhill

COUNTRYSIDE MATTERS: Chairman Stuart Allen was the speaker at the latest meeting of Tickhill Countryside Group in the Chumlea home of member Margaret Marrison. Stuart spoke about the Birds of the Pyrenees. As part of its winter programme the group, with the assistance of farmer David Brookfield, worked at the tree nursery at his Stoney Brigg Farm, Worksop Road, to remove saplings. With the help of John Appleyard and his colleagues over three dozen of the trees were then planted in the grounds of Mr and Mrs Appleyard’s Vineyard Cottage home. A further planting session has been arranged at the same location using around 15-20 trees grown by Stuart Allen. Group member John Hoare informed members about the management of the area of uncultivated land near the A1(M) that has become self-generated woodland and that is likely to be transferred from DMBC to Tickhill Town Council ownership. There was discussion of what maintenance would be needed to improve the access and amenity value. With its small number of members the ability of Tickhill Countryside Group to take on additional maintenance is limited as it is currently committed to looking after Jubilee Wood. There was some discussion on the future of the group and it was commented that there are now a number of small organisations committed to conserving different parts of Tickhill’s amenities and some co-ordination or even amalgamation could be of benefit particularly bearing in mind the town’s Neighbourhood Plan and the move towards greater local accountability. The recent meeting on the replacement of the avenue of lime trees alongside Bawtry Road was discussed and the revised plan put forward by DMBC was broadly welcomed. It has been suggested that Tickhill Town Council should identify a small group of those locally interested in the future plans for Tickhill’s trees and to liaise with DMBC in order to improve awareness and the cohesion of the town’s input. The group felt that it could usefully contribute to this and nominated secretary Tony Sheridan to be its suggested representative.

ADVICE TIME: Members of Tickhill Town Council’s Advisory Committee met in the Tithes Lane Pavilion. They were informed that DMBC’s Neighbourhood Management Team is now called Stronger Communities. The planning of a skate park at the Tithes Lane recreation ground is proceeding. A willow tree at the side of Pinfold Lane is causing damage to an old limestone wall and to drains and it was suggested that consideration be given to removing the tree and replacing with a tree of a different species. The committee are aware that DMBC is keen to see roadside grass verges around the borough planted with wild flowers. The town’s 13th Doncaster Explorer Scouts are looking to provide another potentially life-saving defibrillator for use in the town and are to be potentially supported in the project by Tickhill and District Lions Club. Tickhill Town Council is to meet with DMBC to discuss the impasse that exists between a resident of Herril Ings who is unhappy about dog walkers taking their animals to walk on to the local authority-owned Tithes Lane recreation ground at the rear of his home.

TRANSPORTING FOOD: The collections of non-perishable foods and other items every month at St Mary’s Parish Church help the Doncaster Food Bank. Volunteers are needed who have a car and who would be willing to help transport the goods to the Trussell Trust-operated centre in Doncaster. Vicar of Tickhill Rev Chris Betson can provide information.

BIG SING: Churchgoers of all denominations will be gathering in the Methodist Church on Sunday for the town’s annual Big Sing 4pm at the Northgate chapel. Money raised will benefit Christian Aid.

COLOURFUL TALK: Sasha Gallagher is guest demonstrator at the meeting of Tickhill Flower Club on January 27. Sasha entitles her talk Winter Frost and it starts 7.30pm in the main hall at Estfeld Primary School, Common Lane.

GROWING SOCIETY: Members of Tickhill Horticultural Society gather in the Methodist Schoolroom on January 28 7.15pm for the AGM. Volunteers are needed to help run the society. Annual subscription £7.

RETIRED GENTLEMEN: Tickhill and Bawtry Probus Club welcome guest speaker Tracey Bull to their meeting on January 28 in the Millstone Hotel, Westgate 10am to talk about the work of the air ambulance.

HELPING CHILDREN: St Mary’s Parish Church members Judith Harrison and Ann Watkinson have revealed that the annual Christingle Service that they organised raised £225 for The Children’s Society.