WHAT'S ON: Wath and Manvers

PRO PLAYER ACADEMY: The academy is to have a permanent base at Dearne Valley College and is looking to bridge the gap between local football and professional academies for players between seven and 16 years of age. There is a trial evening on April 8 6-9pm. All coaches are UEFA and FA trained. www.proplayerfootball.com.

WATH AND MONTGOMERY HALL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP OPEN MEETING: Planned for April 20 6pm in Montgomery Hall. Already on the agenda are local police activities, a presentation by the crime reduction officer, the Community Food Bank and the launch of the 2016 annual town gala. There will also be Wath History Group, what’s on at Montgomery Hall and the town centre 2016 Christmas lights, as well as lots more. Anyone who would like to book a table for the gala on July 11 from 1pm can do this on the night. Contact secretary Joyce Maleham 07592033586, [email protected].

EASTER EGG COLLECTION: UK Assistance Accident Repair Centre, based in Manvers, recently held a collection of Easter eggs and collected 116 which will be split between the Rotherham Food Bank and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

WATH WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: Members meet on third Wednesday of month in St James’ Hall, Wath 7.30pm. At the March meeting, Alyson Hopkinson presented Making it for Easter. 

NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK: Apprentices are celebrating after winning prestigious awards from Dearne Valley College. Employers were asked to nominate their young recruits in the run up to National Apprenticeship Week, and five were chosen to take the titles. A winner was announced each day on the college’s social media channels and website. Joseph Shirtliffe, a business administration apprentice at Aspire PC Ltd, and motor vehicle apprentice at the Rotherham Jag Centre, Joshua Armstrong, were the first to be announced. Emma Birks of Rosehill Junior School was also amongst the winners, having achieved success during her business administration apprenticeship, whilst glass fabrication apprentice Matthew Clarke was nominated by his employers and is now being trained to become the company’s only quality control operative. The final winner of the week, Jack Hopkinson, who is a specialist support for teaching and learning in schools apprentice at Jump Primary School, was chosen as this year’s Apprentice of the Year and received a visit from Dearne Valley College principal Martin Harrison who selected this year’s winners. He delivered a surprise presentation for Jack during an assembly which included Jack’s family, colleagues and school pupils. Mr Harrison said: “It has been fantastic visiting our winning apprentices and hearing all of the extremely positive achievements they are making with their employers. I am certain that they all have a bright future as they are already demonstrating the significant value they bring to their employers whilst further developing their skills. Apprenticeships are increasingly becoming young people’s first choices on the journey towards a successful career within their chosen industries, and I would urge anyone who is considering an apprenticeship to contact the college’s apprenticeship team to find out more about their options and discover our live vacancies that we are currently taking applications for.”

FREE FRIDAY: Contact 01226 751593.

DAWN CHORUS AT RSPB: On May 1 3.45am, Old Moor Nature Reserve presents the dawn chorus. There are two walks: short walk of two-and-a-half hours or long walk around three hours. Each walk starts 4am. £10 for non-members, £8 for RSPB members. Booking essential, contact 01226 751593.

DEARNE VALLEY RAMBLERS: www.ramblers.org.uk/dearne-valley.