WHAT'S ON: Tickhill

POPPY APPEAL SUCCESS: The new team of Mark Gore and his wife Debbie who organised for the first time the town’s annual Royal British Legion (RBL) Poppy Appeal raised £2078.72. The Tickhill couple distributed 40 boxes of poppies to shops and businesses around the community. Former soldier Mark joined the British Army in 1978 and served in the Royal Logistic Corps. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in November 2014. Tickhill resident Joan Green helped Mark and Debbie by delivering RBL wreaths to townsfolk. Contact Mark and Debbie, who are the Poppy Appeal organisers of the RBL Doncaster Central branch 01302 745238, [email protected].

CHURCH NEEDS YOU: Volunteers are needed at St Mary’s Parish Church to lend a helping hand with the activities of the church choir, church cleaning group, coffee rota team, church mice, Fairtrade, hand bell ringers, lesson readers, Mothers’ Union, Pathfinders, Rocks and Pebbles, sidespeople and tower bell ringing. Contact vicar of Tickhill Rev Chris Betson 01302 742224, churchwardens Judith Black 01302 744015, Eluned Foulds 01302 742963, Stuart Millard 01302 743842.

COLOURFUL COMPETITION: Amelia White (six) created the winning entry in the Christmas colouring competition that was organised by staff at the Spar supermarket in Market Place. Ella Leighton (four) and Daisy Jones (seven) were runners-up. The competition raised around £100 for the National Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) charity.

FESTIVAL RETURNING: Steve Madin and his team are already planning this year’s T-Fest music festival  event. Residents assumed that the festival would take place bi-annually as in the past but Steve and his colleagues have decided that in light of the popularity of the 2015 show that was staged at the Scarbrough Arms and Tickhill Cricket Club the town will once again host the event this year on September 17. www.t-fest.co.uk.

RETIRED GENTLEMEN: The Tickhill and Bawtry branch of the Probus Club held their AGM in the Millstone Hotel, Westgate. Club member Steve Payne presented the annual review after the appointment of officials and discussion of business took place.

FANCY FOOTWORK: The officials of Tickhill Juniors Football Club have organised a discothèque. Local band Vest and Pants provided the entertainment in the concert room at Tickhill Institute, Northgate.

TEA TIME: Meryl White, the author of Grandma Abson’s Traditional Baking, will introduce characters in history and explain the key elements and rules that have helped to make afternoon tea so popular at an event in Tickhill Library on January 21. Meryl entitles her all-ticket talk The History of Afternoon Tea 2-4pm. Tickets £4. Contact Tickhill Library 01302 742871.

OLD BONES: Adrian Ecclestone is guest speaker at the meeting of Tickhill and District Local History Society on January 21. He will talk about the Zsar’s Bones at the meeting that starts 7.30pm in the Methodist Church Schoolroom.

NEW YEAR FITNESS: Townsfolk who are keen on getting fit in the New Year are invited to attend the classes at the Millstone pub, Westgate. Tickhill’s Debra Molwuka is the tutor at the yoga session 5.15pm on Mondays and 5.45pm on Fridays. Debra’s Zumba class gets underway at 7pm on Mondays. www.moveandinspire.me.uk.

CHURCH FUNDING: Membership is open to the St Mary’s Parish Church 100 Club which raises money to help the place of worship meet its annual commitments. The top prize per month is £120 with other prizes of £80, £50 and £25 on offer. Membership £5 per month. Details available in St Mary’s Church, Tickhill Library or from club organiser Phil Thomas 01302 744946.