WHAT'S ON: Around Rotherham

KIVETON PARK INDEPENDENT ADVICE CENTRE: A drop-in session, with no appointment necessary, will be held on Thursday 9-11.30am at The Arnold Centre in Rotherham (telephone for details). To contact (office hours) 01909 773966. The advice centre believes there is a demand for appointments on a Saturday for clients who are unable to attend weekday appointments due to employment, child care or transport issues so there will be a number of case-work type appointments on a Saturday.

ROTHERHAM CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU: Rotherham CAB has employed more debt advisers. The CAB won extra funding from the Money Advice Service which it is using to improve its debt provision. The CAB has two more debt workers and more support staff at the Rain Building next to the indoor market on Eastwood Lane, Rotherham. If people can’t get there they can see an adviser at one of 14 debt outreaches across the community. People can see a debt adviser on Saturday 10am-noon at a debt drop-in at the Rain Building. The advisers can see people face-to-face or give advice by telephone. Contact 03444 111 444 or visit the office in the Rain Building.

ROTHERHAM SOCIETY OF ARTISTS: Meet at Unity Centre, St Leonard’s Road on Fridays 7-9pm. Membership £30 per year, visitors £5 per session. Contact [email protected], www.rotherhamsocietyofartists.org.uk. March 18 – Terry Chipp will give a demonstration Textures with Acrylics. April 1 – follow-up workshop on textures, D-V-D and practical. April 15 – life drawing (may be with tutor). April 29 – life drawing. May 13 – AGM plus art experience if time.

ROTHERHAM SAFE HAVEN: The Rotherham Safe Haven at Talbot Lane Methodist Church operates on Fridays from 10pm until, if necessary, about 4am on Saturday. A small team of volunteers provides this temporary refuge for vulnerable people in the town centre, working alongside Street Pastors. The team could benefit from more volunteers, especially women. Contact town centre chaplain Barrie Thomas 01709 532203.

FRIENDS IN HARMONY CHOIR: The choir meets at Badsley Primary School under the direction of Graham Cowley on Tuesday 6.15-7.45pm. The choir is currently rehearsing a selection of new and current numbers for concerts later this year. www.friendsinharmony.co.uk.

ROTHERHAM VOLUNTEER CENTRE: Co-ordinates and facilitates a free bi-monthly Volunteer Coordinator Network which brings together volunteer managers whether in a paid or unpaid capacity to network, share good practice and troubleshoot. The next meeting is on March 22 9-11am at Voluntary Action Rotherham S60 2HX. For details or to confirm attendance, email [email protected] or telephone 01709 834462. RVC can also support groups to recruit new volunteers or make the most of existing volunteers.

ROTHERHAM METRO RAMBLERS: March 9 – a 10 mile circular walk covering Bolsterstone, Whitwell, Broomhead and Ewden, leaders Philip Ryder and Rosemary Boyle 01709 371266, meet 10am Bolsterstone Church, park on approach to village. March 12 – choice of two walks: a 10 mile moderate circular walk around Denby Dale and Clayton West via Skelmanthorpe, leader Pete Watson 07742042603, meet 9.30am Denby Dale Station or take 8.44am train from Meadowhall; a 5.5 mile Firbeck circular walk covering Langold and Letwell, leaders Dave and Loretta West 01709 816500, meet 10am Firbeck Village Hall, street parking. www.ramblers.org.uk/rotherham-metro.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ROTHERHAM: Wayne’s Walk – ex-soldier Wayne Hayhurst will be setting off on a walk from Rotherham to London on March 15 carrying a large pinewood cross all the way. He is scheduled to arrive at Preacher’s Corner in Hyde Park on Good Friday. He is seeking donations as well as other sponsorship. The donations will go principally to Christian Aid, but also to the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and the RSPCA. Contact 07745-576444. Wayne welcomes being accompanied for sections of the route by anyone wishing to join him. Remaining dates for Lent Lunches – March 9 St Thomas Church Hall, Kimberworth; March 16 St Mary’s RC; March 23 Kimberworth Salvation Army. Women’s World Day of Prayer (today) – there will be two services: 2pm at Talbot Lane Methodist Church, 7pm at St Mary’s RC Church in Herringthorpe Valley Road. Christian Aid – special session at Rotherham Minster tomorrow 10am with a visiting partner from Bangladesh. YMCA White Rose is organising a Joined-Up Conference in partnership with Sheffield Diocese, Sheffield Methodist District and CaSS (Christian and Sheffield Schools) on March 12 at St Mary’s Church, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, cost £10 per person, contact www.joinedupconference.com. Good Friday at Rotherham Minster – a two-hour devotional service 1pm (after the Walk of Witness) led by Rev Canon Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner. On Easter Day, the traditional Sunrise Service is scheduled to take place in Boston Park 6.15am, led by Erica Dunmow. The Rotherham Safe Haven at Talbot Lane Methodist Church operates currently on Fridays 10pm-4am, volunteers needed, contact town centre chaplain Barrie Thomas 01709 532203. The next planned quarterly meeting of Churches Together in Rotherham is on April 13 at the Rotherham Holiday Inn on West Bawtry Road 7pm, speaker Jim Foy on Interfaith Matters. As part of the 90th birthday celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II, St Paul’s Church in Masbrough will be holding a special thanksgiving service on April 23 6pm followed by a buffet supper, tickets £6, contact St Paul’s Church or David Selman 01709 518743, [email protected].

ROTHERHAM RAMBLING CLUB: Contact Sylvia Duncan on 01709 374841, www.rotherhamramblingclub.co.uk.

ROTHERHAM ROTARY CLUB: The club had a talk about planning from John Box.

TALBOT LANE CHURCH: The theme of the February 18 lunchtime service was Old Age and was delivered by a church member. The February 21 morning service was taken by Hugh Morgan.

SOUTH YORKSHIRE TRANSPORT MUSEUM: Waddington Way, Aldwarke. Volunteers required to help with various tasks within the museum and maintenance of its heritage fleet. Particular areas are staffing of reception/shop on Saturdays 10.30am-3.30pm and assisting with school visits. Call in any Saturday 9.30am-4pm and ask for Keith, www.sytm.co.uk.

TEMPLEBOROUGH STEELWORKERS REUNION: This annual event will take place on March 25 at Rotherham Cricket Club on Broom Road 7.30pm. It is open to anyone who worked at Templeborough Steelworks. For tickets, contact Alan Kirk 01709 550510.