DISTRICT NEWS: Mexborough and Swinton

VETERANS BREAKFAST BLUB: The Royal British Legion are promoting a ‘Veterans Breakfast Club’ that is being held at 10am on Thursday, February 27. If successful the Breakfast club will be held on the last Thursday of each month. The venue will be at Wetherspoons, ‘The Old Market Hall, Market Street, Mexborough. All veterans are welcome to attend. There are no fees or subs and the club is not affiliated to any charity although members of the Royal British Legion will be on hand to signpost veterans to any support they may need. Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs have 300 established clubs across the UK and  Europe. The clubs were initiated to provide a meeting venue for serving and retired service men and women where they can meet like minded people and share stories and in some case end the isolation they may feel. Should you wish more information please call Mick Reilly 07984 787 938 or visit the website https://www.afvbc.net/

SOCIAL SEQUENCE DANCING: Every Thursday and Saturday 7.45-10.15pm at Swinton Civic Hall £3. Contact Peter 01709528319. Easy sequence dances and new dances taught on Thursday.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION: Mexborough, Swinton and Kilnhurst branches meet for informal meeting inside Rowms Lane Social Club, Rowms Lane, Swinton 11am on 3rd Sunday of month. Veterans, serving members and supporters of The Royal British Legion invited. Also meet on 1st Saturday of month 11am at same venue, for coffee and informal gathering. Contact secretary Enis Dalton 07958239405.

COUNCILLORS’ SURGERY TIMES: Swinton ward councillors Victoria Cusworth, Stuart Sansome and Ken Wyatt hold weekly advice surgeries at Swinton Library and Customer Service Centre every Wednesday 4-5pm. Ward covers Swinton (up to and including St Margaret’s Church) and Kilnhurst (Highthorn Road up to St Thomas’s Church and the new houses off Wharf Road).

FREE FITNESS CLASSES: Classes at Swinton Civic Hall S64 8PZ. Every Thursday 9.30am. Participants can attend classes in various other locations around Rotherham. Fitness evaluation and coaching, complete body transformation, nutrition education. Contact Julia 07887 692616.

MEXBOROUGH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB: Meets every fortnight on alternate Tuesdays at Swinton House Club, 20 Fitzwilliam Street, Swinton. Meetings start 10.30am, visitors welcome. Contact 01709 545448.

WEDNESDAY CLUB: Social group for different age groups which meets 2nd Wednesday of month at Mexborough Parish Hall, Church Street 7pm.

SWINTON BOAT LOCKS: Based at Swinton Lock Activity Centre. Running taster days for people who may be interested in learning to steer a narrowboat or who want to see what is on offer in the way of trips along the canal and river. Taster days on Tuesdays. Taster days £10 for the day.  Crew training days on Thursdays for people who wish to progress to becoming competent at handling a narrow boat. Contact Bev or Phil 01709578778, [email protected].

SALVATION ARMY CHARITY SHOP: The Swinton shop is in need of donations – clothing, toys, shoes, books, anything saleable. Do not leave donations outside the shop if closed as these get stolen.

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU ADVICE SESSIONS: Once a fortnight in Swinton Library 9am-1pm. Free and confidential expert advice. An appointment must be made 03444111444.

MEXBOROUGH SPIRITUALIST CHURCH: Bank Street, Mexborough S64 9LL. Church is an SNU (Spiritualists National Union) affiliated Spiritualist church and is open for a variety of services. The church is registered to hold official services like weddings, namings and funerals etc. The church welcomes any questions regarding Spiritualism. Divine service Sunday 6.30-8pm. Open circles: Monday 1.30-2.30pm, Tuesday 7-8pm, Thursday 7-8pm. Spiritualist Philosophy, Meditation and Library Study Group: Tuesdays 1.30-3pm. Knit and Natter Group: Wednesdays 1-3pm. Healing available Monday noon-1pm and Thursday 5.30-6.30pm. Infinite Way Study and Mediation group takes place on Tuesdays 1.30-3.30pm, contact 07927170070. www.mexboroughspiritualist.church, Facebook page.

MEXBOROUGH AND DISTRICT ROTARY CLUB: Meet fortnightly at Manvers Arms, Adwick-on-Dearme. Visit the Facebook page and contact the club.

MEXBOROUGH MALE VOICE CHOIR: Every Thursday 7-9pm at Wath Rugby Club.

GRIEVING PARENTS ASSOCIATION: Meet last Friday of month 5pm at Mexborough Highwoods Community Base, Highwoods Road, Mexborough S64 9ES. Contact Jill 07814887818 or Margaret 07930278908.

AURORA BREAST CANCER CARE SUPPORT GROUP: Meet last Thursday of month 2.30pm. Aurora Buddies Coffee morning last Saturday in month 10.30am-noon. Contact 01709649122.

SUNDAY MORNNG CHRISTIAN WORSHIP FOR ALL THE FAMILY: 10.30am-noon at Mexborough Academy, Maple Road, Mexborough S64 9SD. During the morning children have their own age appropriate activities: Roots (aged 3-plus) and Generate Plus (age 11-plus).

MEXBOROUGH YOUTH CENTRE: New Oxford Road, Mexborough S64 0JL. Blue Chair Youth Café – Sunday and Monday drop-ins for young people aged 10-17yrs 6.30-8.30pm.

MEXBOROUGH – DONCASTER MIND: Social café and wellbeing activities at Mexborough Library every Thursday 10.30am-3pm and Friday 10.30am-2.30pm. Contact Anne 07835719828, www.doncastermind.org.

MEXBOROUGH PHOENIX FRIENDSHIP CLUB: Every Thursday 8pm at Mexborough Miners Welfare and Athletic Club, New Oxford Road, Mexborough. Contact 01709583241.

AVALUNCH COMMUNITY CAFÉ: Mexborough Baptist Church, Hollingworth Close, Mexborough. Open noon-1.40pm every Wednesday. Meal deliveries to housebound on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact 01709577688.

MEXBOROUGH LIONS CLUB: Meet at LNER Club on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of month 8pm. Contact 08458332815, mexboroughlions.org.uk.

24TH DONCASTER (1ST MEXBOROUGH) SCOUT GROUP: Meet at Mexborough Baptist Church and Community Centre, Hollingworth Close, Mexborough. Beaver scouts (boys and girls age 6-7yrs) meet Thursdays 5.45-7pm. Cub scouts (boys and girls age 8-10yrs) meet Mondays 6.30-8pm. Scouts (age 10-14yrs) meet Thursdays 7-9pm. New members welcome. Contact 01709582001.

NEW BEGINNINGS COMMUNITY CHURCH: Meets at The Base on Highwoods Road on Sundays 6-7pm.

BEL CANTO CHOIR: Particularly looking for 2nd soprano, tenor and bass. Regular performances. Rehearsals Sundays 6-8.30pm in Mexborough. Contact 01709 582026, www.belcantochoir.co.uk.

THE ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY: Provides dementia support workers, dementia cafés, carers education group and information. Contact Mexborough office 01709 580543.

ST JOHN’S METHODIST CHURCH: 1st Saturday in month big breakfast served free of charge.

SWINTON TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD: Meet 2nd Tuesday in month at Café Sport in Swinton.

THE BROOKFIELD CHILDREN’S CENTRE: Lime Grove, Swinton S64 8TQ. Weigh and Play – 1st and 3rd Tuesday of month 1-3pm: baby weighing, health advice and children’s activities, Breast Buddies available at this group to give breast feeding advice and support. Mini-Movers – Thursdays 10-11.30am (term-time only): a physical playgroup with movement and singing time for mobile babies and toddlers up to 2 years, £1 per family. Tots and Toddlers – Friday 10-11.30am (term-time only): a range of play experiences for children age 0-4 years, £1 per family. A range of parenting sessions, adult learning and school holiday activities are available. Contact the centre 01709334458.

MEXBOROUGH FIRST COUNCILLOR SURGERIES: Councillors hold a surgery on first 3 Saturdays of month 10-11am at Mexborough Library. On 1st week Cllr Bev Chapman in attendance, 2nd week Cllr Andy Pickering, 3rd week Cllr Sean Gibbons. No appointment necessary. www.mexboroughfirst.org.uk

DEMENTIA CAFÉ: At St John’s Methodist Church, Swinton. Caters for those living at home with dementia and their carers. Open to all in and around Mexborough and Swinton. Held every 1st Wednesday of month 10.30am-noon. A member of the Alzheimer’s Society will be present. No charge.

AGLOW INTERNATIONAL: Meet in Cosy Café inside Lane Emporium, Swinton every 1st Thursday of month 4-6pm. Contact Jean 07722443665 or Colleen 07528 137152.

DOLCLIFFE COMMUNITY GROUP: Groups in need of a venue can get in touch. Afternoons and evenings available. Contact Colin 01709589446/581645.

SWINTON LIBRARY EVENTS: Tuesdays – free IT support 10.30am-noon: attendees can receive basic IT support and gain new computer skills, use library computers free of charge or take own device to connect to free wi-fi. Wednesdays – 10-10.30am Rhyme Time event: an informal song and story session that includes singing, dancing and playing along to a mix of music; no need to book, ask about the Bookstart Bearclub. Thursdays – Knit and Natter session 1.30-2.30pm: a free event. Contact the library 01709 254615. Fortnightly on Thursdays 9am-1pm there is a Citizens Advice Bureau session: free and confidential expert advice and support; appointments only, contact Citizens Advice Bureau 03444111444.

MEXBOROUGH AND SWINTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY: Swinton Bottom Club, 4 Station Street, Swinton.

AURORA WELLBEING CENTRE: Situated to rear of Mexborough Montagu Hospital. Offering a range of 6 beauty or pamper treatments and 3 hair treatments from the cut and style range. All free to men and women with a cancer diagnosis. Centre also open to members of public on a fee-paying basis. The following are also available – Monday 1.30-2.30pm armchair yoga for all £5; last Thursday in month 1.30pm Breast Cancer support group; last Saturday in month 10.30am-noon coffee morning £1.50. Contact 01709649122.

ST MARGARET’S CHURCH SWINTON: Tots and Toddlers Group – open to all pre-school children, accompanied by an adult. Sessions informal. No fees for the sessions, but donations welcome. Sessions every Tuesday 9.30am. Acorns – During 1st half of 10am Sunday Parish Mass, there is an activity group for children in the Lady Chapel. Parents of pre-school age children can accompany their children. The children learn about the Christian faith through play, stories and craft activities. The Acorns class returns to the main body of the church to enable them to receive a blessing and their parents to receive Communion. At the back of the church there is an area which has books, colouring sheets, puzzles and toys to keep younger children occupied. At the end of the service the children share with the rest of the congregation what they have been doing and say a prayer they have written or sing a song etc. Friday Club – this activity group takes place in the church hall on 1st Friday of month 5.30-7pm. Children of all ages (pre-school to secondary) and their parents welcome. There are many activities, also visits. www.stmargaretswinton.uk

MEXBOROUGH LIFE CHURCH: Every Sunday 10.30am in main hall of Mexborough Academy on Maple Road (S64 9SD). Meetings informal. During meetings there are dedicated activities for children and young people three-16: children’s work (Sunday school) called Roots and older group Generate Plus.

VESPA OWNERS CLUB: Meet at The Gate Inn, Swinton 7-9pm every Wednesday. Lambrettas also welcome. Contact Jay 07947609967.

VOLUNTEER AT SWINTON LIBRARY: Volunteering roles will help people visiting the library and assist library staff in delivering family activities and schemes. Contact 01709823658.

FRIENDSHIP GROUP AT CO-OP FUNERAL-CARE: Will now hold a monthly friendship group. This group is open to anyone who would like to meet up, chat and make friends. It will be held 11am on the last Wednesday of every month. Contact 01709582892.

DEARNE VALLEY FITMUMS AND FRIENDS: Meeting at Mexborough Athletic Club. Club are  looking for new members (male or female) of all abilities. Also looking for anyone who has the leader in running fitness qualification who would like to be part of the run leader team. Meet 6.30pm every Tuesday.

PICCADILLY METHODIST CHURCH: Wentworth Road, Swinton. Services every Sunday 10.45am and 6.30pm. Craft Club meet Mondays 7-9pm, 50p.

AFTER SCHOOL STORY TIME: At Swinton Library. Go along to after school story time every Monday, 4pm to 5pm. Runs until March 2. Completely free, just book your place by ringing Swinton Library on 01709 254615.