Thank you Rotherham, the Advertiser and the Civic

I have only recently returned to my hometown after a period of 20 years, and this was my first visit to the Civic and I can assure you that it will not be my last having seen the programme of forthcoming events, and at such reasonable prices.

Rotherham has had a lot of bad publicity recently (quite rightly) but the town has so much to offer if only people would take off their blinkers and see what is available.

During the school holidays my friend visited me for a few days with her granddaughter and they saw things through the eyes of outsiders. Both were very impressed with what is available in the town. We had a wonderful afternoon picnic in Rosehill Park on a day when the model train was running, then an ice cream in the café followed by a game of crazy golf, all in a well maintained park.

A day in Clifton Park was enjoyed with the water splash, fairground and the many interactive displays of the museum all on offer.

On Tuesday we visited the town centre with its street market and my friend was impressed with the variety of goods on offer and the range of shops. Yes it doesn’t have the big name stores that the out of town shopping malls do, but what town centre does these days? After all it is not every day that one needs to shop in these large stores.

Another big plus for Rotherham is its local newspaper. I have moved around the country in the past 20 years and nowhere have I found a weekly newspaper to rival the Rotherham Advertiser, with its reports of all that is happening not just in Rotherham but also in the surrounding villages.

Reading the Scene section an outsider cannot fail to be impressed by the vast array of entertainment on offer at the clubs and hotels in the area, and the sports section gives an indication of all the different sporting activities that are available to people who are prepared to switch off their televisions and video games and get involved.

I cannot finish the letter without giving a pat on the back to those responsible for the growth of the outdoor market and the different activities that have been provided during the summer in order to give a kick in the pants to the out of town shopping areas and draw people back into their town centre.

Last but not least, a mention of the Jamie Oliver Ministry of Food enterprise where I have just spent a pleasant morning for the past eight weeks learning new cooking skills.

Yes, Rotherham has a lot more going for it than any area I have lived in if only people would look around then I am sure that they would agree.

Keith Pearce, Dale Street, Rawmarsh