WHAT'S ON: Tickhill

PARKING PROBLEM: Residents who attended the public meeting in the Tithes Lane Pavilion had the opportunity to discuss the town’s long-standing car parking problem. It is acknowledged that the Tickhill Town Council-owned St Mary’s Road free car park is now inadequate in size to cater for the ever-growing number of vehicles parked there by business people, shop workers, residents and shoppers. The fact that the majority of users have proved in surveys conducted recently to be long stay parkers compounds the situation. The object of the meeting was to try and establish what can be done to create more short-term parking spaces that will help people to shop locally by keeping vehicles moving more often. Many ideas, that are to considered by the town council, were put forward at the meeting that was hosted by chair of the Tickhill Together group of volunteers John Marsden. These included the potential availability of householders’ private driveways for use by business people during the day, the use of St Mary’s Primary School car park by parents, the communal use of local pub car parks along with those at the Tithes Lane Pavilion and Tickhill Cricket Club. The promotion of car sharing, a blue badge-style parking permit system for shoppers, the introduction of CCTV and the possible introduction of pay and display were also put forward as ways to possibly alleviate the problem.

PAID POSITION: The Oxfam charity shop in Buttercross Court off Northgate is looking to appoint its first paid manager. The part-time management vacancy has been created by the stepping down of Tickhill’s volunteer shop manager Christine Gell who has filled the role for ten years. The management of the Oxfam charity has advertised the vacancy for a manager who will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the shop, recruitment and supervising volunteer staff. The job that requires someone with an entrepreneurial attitude and people management skills also entails working with volunteers from the local community to raise money.

CLEAN SWEEP: Deputy Mayor of Tickhill Cllr Nigel Cannings, who is the town’s volunteer street sweeper, has organised a Community Litter Pick. The event is part of the Clean for the Queen nationwide campaign that will celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th birthday. The Tickhill tidy up will take place on March 5. Contact Nigel 079331 58629 or [email protected] address.

TOWN TWINNING: Plans are being considered to twin Tickhill with the French town of St-Jouan-des-Guerets in the Ille-et-Vilaine departement of Brittany not far from Saint Malo in the north west of the country. The subject is to be discussed at the town council's advisory committee meeting on March 8.

ADVICE AVAILABLE: Don Valley MP Caroline Flint will be meeting the electorate at her monthly advice surgery today. Appointments to talk to Ms Flint in Tickhill Library, Castlegate 11.45am-12.30pm must be made by contacting her Auckley office 01302 623330.

SAME AGAIN: Tickhill town councillors that attended their latest town council meeting agreed to a standstill precept for 2016/17. This means that residents will pay the same amount as part of their Council Tax as they did last year.

RESIDENTS INVITED: Tickhill Residents Association invites members of the community to attend the AGM of the group on February 17. The association, headed by chair Rosemary Chappell, secretary Nigel Cannings and transport and planning officer John Hoare, has for many years fostered the community spirit of the town organising the annual Pancake Day races, Yorkshire Day Treasure Hunt and various musical evenings. The Parish Room is the venue and the start time 7.30pm for the gathering.

ALLOTMENTS AVAILABLE: Members of Tickhill Institute have been notified that the green-fingered among them have the opportunity to take over three of the batch of allotments located at the rear of the Northgate club. The committee has asked for declarations of interest in taking over a plot to be submitted in writing so that the applications can be considered on their merit.

STAIN ON HISTORY: Guest speaker Janet Stain talks to members of Tickhill and District Local History Society at their meeting on February 18. Janet entitles her talk Knickers – A Brief History. She steps up to the lectern in the Methodist Schoolroom 7.30pm.

SKATES ON: The installation of a skate park for young people has moved a step closer after Tickhill Town Council agreed to make a contribution of £120. The money will go towards the establishment of the facility that could be located at the Tithes Lane recreation ground.