WHAT'S ON: Thurcroft

KIVETON PARK INDEPENDENT ADVICE CENTRE: A drop-in session, with no appointment necessary, will be held on Thursday 2-4pm at the Welfare Hall in Thurcroft. To contact (office hours) 01909 773966.

BIG LOCAL MEETING: At the meeting on March 7 at St Simon and St Jude’s Parish Church, matters arising included the BL training being successful. The grant applications are now available online and in the Big Local Shop. Carnival: Vicky Hilton from Open Minds Theatre spoke of the work and activities there. She is based at the Old Market Gallery in Rotherham and does work with schools and organised groups. There will be a large parade in Rotherham on September 24, going through the town centre to Clifton Park. Vicky would like to see other mini parades in Thurcroft, Dinnington, Maltby etc prior to the big event. It was suggested that a mini parade in Thurcroft could tie in with the gala and 100 years of the club and the young people in Thurcroft could be involved with this, and will be running workshops prior to the parade. Pavilion: it was agreed that the pavilion project would be the main agenda at March’s meeting. Money has been applied for from the Local Trust and a tender has gone out for builders. An assessor from the Local Trust will need to visit the LTO to ensure that they are capable of managing the money as well as the project itself. Commissioning and Monitoring: there will be three training sessions, the next being on February 15. Youth Work Works and One Stop Advice Services are both commissioned long-term projects that are making a difference to the community. The group might want to commission someone else to do other projects. Complaints that Colin Salt is not in the shop when he should be and it reflects badly on Big Local. It was agreed that Colin needs to be in the shop when he says he is, and if he is needed in court to support someone he should provide someone who can take messages etc. It was suggested he keep a record of who he sees and where they live, postcode only would be fine. Also suggested that he attend the partnership meetings every two or three months to report back on progress. Events and other Updates: Easter Event on March 28 noon-3pm in the Bottom Club, and will include an Easter bonnet and fancy dress competition. Queen’s 90th Birthday – a tea dance will be held on April 21 4-8pm at the Bottom Club, and will include a male singer, food, bingo and a raffle. An event may also be organised in June for the children. Gala 2016: will be held on July 30 and a sports fun day with a barbecue to finish will take place on July 31. These events will tie in with a 100 years opening of the club and hopefully the opening of the new pavilion. Play Scheme – there will be no summer playscheme again this year due to the proposed building works. A couple of bus trips may be organised instead. It was suggested having a play scheme for a couple of days in May instead. Litter picks – the first litter pick of 2016 is to take place on February 27 10am. Future litter picks will be held on the last Saturday of every month. Skips – skips will be organised for every three months. The date of the first one is yet to be agreed. Tiny Explorers – it was asked if Tiny Explorers could go on March’s meeting agenda. It was agreed that information would be sent to those who wished to be at the meeting, and be discussed. The next Big Local meeting is on March 14 in church. Local family Easter event on March 28 noon-3pm in the Bottom Club with a children’s disco.

LITTLE SAINTS: Moira, Irene and Marie assisted the little ones as they played with Happyland Church, construction, café and cottage, and finished putting a photo and flowers on their Mothering Sunday cards.

FRIDAY CLUB: Moira, Irene, Liam and mums assisted the young ones as they played with wooden doll dressing shapes, the pirate barrel, Connect Four, magnetic darts, Lego, animal dominoes, snooker and Frustration.

THURCROFT WELFARE COMMUNITY HALL BOWLING CLUB: The club is looking for new members. The club has qualified bowling coaches and provides all equipment along with free training sessions on Saturdays from May through to the end of August 10.30am-noon. The club has 12 teams and 12 club trophies to play for over the season, usually on a Sunday. Once people have registered with the British Crown Green Association and the South Yorkshire Grown Green Bowling Association (£32.10) for the first year, they only pay club fees which are currently £45 for adults and £5 for under 16s. Members can bowl from 10.30am until dark (competitive matches allowing). Contact club secretary Alan Bucknall 01709 542050.

CRAFT GROUP: 49 members attended: five were sewing, three knitting, two crocheting, two embroidering, three making jewellery, six die cutting, four quilling, three working on parchment, eight on decoupage, eight putting general cards together, three working on parchment and five on kits.

ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA MEMORY CAFÉ: Meet on first Tuesday of each month at Gordon Bennett Memorial Hall, Green Arbour Road 1.30-3.30pm.

ROTHER VALE COMMUNITY BAND: Set up to provide an opportunity for anyone who wishes to play or learn a brass instrument. The band practices every Saturday at Thurcroft Parish Church 9.30-11am. The band will provide new members with a brass instrument and expert tuition for a weekly subscription of £2. Contact Pam 07759 496810. To book the band to play at an event, contact Pam 07759 496810. www.rothervalecommunityband.com or follow on Facebook Rother Vale Community Band.

THURCROFT LIBRARY: Chatterbooks Monday 3.30-4.30pm, School Road.

THURCROFT COLLIERY AND VILLAGE WEBSITE: Photographs and newspaper cuttings are wanted. Contact Fred Gething 01709 542461, [email protected], thurcroftcolliery.weebly.com. All material sent in will be returned.

THURCROFT WALK AND TALK: Next walk on March 23 is approximately six miles from Anston Stones Wood to Woodsetts, leader Ken and Sue Tupholme, meet North Anston Parish Hall car park S25 4DL 10.30am.

ST SIMON AND ST JUDE’S PARISH CHURCH: Thursday – Maundy Service 6.30pm in church; Good Friday service 2pm. The Lent Group is held on Wednesday 11am after the service and will run for the next three weeks. The car boot/table top sales begin April 2 9am-noon, then every six weeks.

THURCROFT WELFARE BAND: Attended the Yorkshire Brass Band Championships in Bradford on March 5 and 6. The band practices each Tuesday and Thursday 7.15pm.