DISTRICT NEWS: Anston

ANSTON BELLRINGERS: Sundays 9.30-10am at St. James’ Parish Church; Practice Sessions are held on Thursdays 7.30-9pm and on the 2nd Saturday of each month 10am-noon Rounds, Call Changes and Plain Methods - beginners, returning Ringers and guests are most welcome, contact Tower Captain Trevor 01909 564852.

ANSTON LADIES CHOIR: Tuesday Practice sessions 7.30-9.30pm at St. James Church Hall, Ryton Road, North Anston - new members are always welcome and no audition is necessary. The Choir is available to sing for you at your function or for your charitable event, beautiful singing to match your special occasions, please telephone the Secretary 01909 568216. Friday, March 20 Village Concert at 7pm jointly with Anston Male Voice Choir.

ANSTON MALE VOICE CHOIR: Thursdays 7-9pm the Choir meets to practice at South Anston Methodist Church, Sheffield Road, South Anston. New members are always welcome especially tenors and no audition is necessary, please just turn up. Contact Mike 01909 281538, email [email protected] or see https://sites.google.com/view/amvcwebpage/events. Friday, March 20 Village Concert at 7pm jointly with Anston Ladies Choir.

ANSTON PARISH FRIENDSHIP CLUB: Thursdays 2-4pm in South Anston Methodist Church Hall includes tea or coffee and biscuits and Bingo. New members and returning members are always welcomed, contact 01777 702573.

ANSTON WI: Monday, February 24, 7.30pm Anston Parish Hall, everyone welcome, contact 01909 565134.

SK58 BIRDERS: Wednesday, February 26, 7.30pm talk on Birding in NW USA by Gary Hobson in ‘The Loyal Trooper’, Sheffield Road, South Anston, everyone welcome. Monday, March 9 walk around Langold Lake led by Geoff and Lyn Facer, meet at the Langold Café off the A60 at 10am, lunch is usually taken in the Café after the walk around 12.30pm. Wednesday, March 25, 7.30pm talk on British Butterflies by Ben Keywood in ‘The Loyal Trooper’ Sheffield Road, South Anston, everyone welcome, see the website www.sk58birders. com or contact 01909 563108. Sunday, March 29, Square Bash Field Trip round the SK58 Square looking for winter and spring migrants led by Andy Hirst, meet at 8am in ‘The Loyal Trooper’ car park.

FRIENDS OF ANSTON BURIAL GROUND: 1st Monday of each month 10.30am, meet in Anston Cemetery, contact 01909 567338 or 566133.

INDEPENDENT BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION SOCIETY (IBIS): Wednesdays, 12.30-3.30pm in Anston Parish Hall - for the past 12 years the Group has been recording native plants and related pollinators (butterflies) found in the Magnesian Limestone of Anston Stones Woodland, a SSSI. Their work can be seen on the Interpretation Boards throughout the Woodland, contact Susan Sayles on 01909 564891 for further details.

NORTH ANSTON METHODIST CHURCH: Mondays 6-8.30pm (term time only) Girls’ Brigade (4 years old and upwards) meet every at The Wells, North Anston and the Drop-In meets Tuesdays 10am-noon. ‘Messy Place’ is at 2pm-4pm on the 2nd Saturday of every month, ring 01909 564774 for details.

REFRESH CAFÉ: Thursdays, 10am-11.30am, St James Church Hall, Ryton Road, North Anston for hot drinks, teacakes, bacon rolls and a chat, contact Ron Cushing 07527 223882.

ST. JAMES’ PARISH CHURCH: Sunday Services at 10am, 1st Sunday of the month, Family Communion for all ages; 2nd - Morning Service with Baptisms; 3rd - Traditional Holy Communion (with prayer for Healing after the service); 4th - Liquid Worship, a modern informal service, also at 8.30am Book of Common Prayer (1662) HC;  5th – Holy Communion; Tea and Coffee served after ALL services in the meeting room. Evening Sunday Services at 6pm; 1st – Sacred Space, a creative time for personal reflection; 2nd – Holy Communion with Hymns/ Music; 3rd – Celtic Evening Prayer; 4th - Said Holy Communion, no hymns; 5th - no service. Weekly on Wednesdays at 9.15am a short Holy Communion service. 3rd Wednesday of each month at Noon Holy Communion followed by a light lunch; Every Monday ‘Just Sing’ Children’s Choirs 5-7pm 01909 569101.  Vicar’s Surgery in Church to book Baptisms, Thanksgivings and Weddings - 1st Thursday of every month 7.30-8.30pm, contact the Vicar Rev’d Jon Hidden 01909 519876 or see the website https://www. achurchnearyou.com and search for St James Anston. In the Church Hall, Ryton Road North Anston:- Thursdays 8.30am-Noon Buzz & Refresh Cafés contact 01909 564536, 9.30am-Noon Sewing & Craft Group, contact 01909 568982. ‘Messy Church’ 1st Thursday of the month in term time 3.30-5pm is a Celebration and Hospitality for All Ages (youngsters need to be accompanied) - Crafts, Meal and Bible Stories, www.facebook.com/pages/St-James-Church-Anston or contact 01909 773369.

SOUTH ANSTON METHODIST CHURCH: Sunday Service 9.45am. Mondays - Adult Exercise Classes (Vikki’s Older Active People) £3 per session 10-10.45am and 11-11.45am and also on Fridays 3-3.45pm - come along and enjoy the fun, ring 01909 565461. Mondays Beavers 6.15-7.30pm and Scouts 7.30-9pm, ring 01777 702573; Tuesdays – Womens Network (fortnightly) 2.30pm, Rainbows (Girls 5-7yo) 5pm, Brownies 6-7.30pm and Guides 7.30-9pm 01777 702573; Wednesdays - Coffee morning 9.30-11.15am, Firm Foundations (fortnightly) 7.30pm; Thursdays Anston Parish Friendship Club 2-4pm and Cubs 6.30-8pm; Fridays Sequence Dancing, £2 including refreshments, 7.30-9.30pm contact 01777 702573. Men's Breakfast Club 8.30-10am 2nd Saturday of each month £3, All men welcome regardless of age, background, faith or postcode, contact 01909 565398 or [email protected].

STITCH & SEW: Mondays, noon-3pm in Anston Parish Hall, everyone welcome, contact 01909 563462.

AGE UK ROTHERHAM COFFEE AFTERNOON: Fridays 2-4pm at Todwick Church Hall, Lindleys Croft. Enjoy an afternoon of chatting, reminiscing, laughter, games, quizzes, crafts, boccia, new age kurling and many other activities. £2.50 a session (refreshments available for a small donation). Contact Kathryn Wild on 01709 910699 or [email protected] website - www.ageuk.org.uk/rotherham. Advice Hotline 01709 835214

THE WELLS SINGERS: A group of approximately 20 who rehearse fortnightly on Friday evenings from 7pm to 9pm at North Anston Methodist Church singing popular music.  Available for concerts, charitable events and functions. Interested in joining the group?  Why not come along and listen at rehearsal nights. No audition necessary.  For further information contact Sue Boyles 01909 567159 or Jim Hardy 01909 563079.

COUNCILLOR CLIVE JEPSON’S SURGERIES: Anston Parish Hall 3rd Wednesday of the month 6.30-7.00pm, South Anston Methodist Church (The Oak Room) last Wednesday of the month 10.00-11.00am, Woodsetts Pavilion last Wednesday of the month 6.30-7.00 pm. No appointment is necessary as these are drop in sessions. If you are unable to attend a surgery or require a home visit please contact Cllr Jepson on 01909 564647 or e-mail [email protected]

COUNCILLOR JONATHAN IRELAND’S SURGERIES: South Anston Methodist Church, Oak Room, 1st Thursday of the month 2-3pm; North Anston St James Church Hall 2nd Thursday of the month 9.30-10.30am; Woodsetts St George’s Church 3rd Thursday of the month 9.30-10.30am. No appointment necessary, if you are unable to attend any surgeries please call Cllr Ireland on 01709 522862 or e-mail jonathan. [email protected]

COUNCILLOR KATHERINE WILSON’S SURGERIES: South Anston Methodist Church, Little Oak Room, 1st Saturday of the month 10.45-11.45am; Woodsetts Village Hall 2nd Friday of the month 3-4pm; Woodland Drive Community Centre North Anston 3rd Tuesday of the month 6-7pm. No appointment necessary, if you are unable to attend any surgeries please call Cllr Wilson on 01709 255929 or e-mail [email protected]