WHAT'S ON: Around Rotherham

AROUND ROTHERHAM

KIVETON PARK INDEPENDENT ADVICE CENTRE: A drop-in session, with no appointment necessary, will be held on Thursday 9-11.30am at The Arnold Centre in Rotherham (telephone for details). To contact (office hours) 01909 773966. The advice centre believes there is a demand for appointments on a Saturday for clients who are unable to attend weekday appointments due to employment, child care or transport issues so there will be a number of case-work type appointments on a Saturday.

ROTHERHAM CITIZENS ADVICE: Rotherham CAB has employed more debt advisers. The CAB won extra funding from the Money Advice Service which it is using to improve its debt provision. The CAB has two more debt workers and more support staff at the Rain Building next to the indoor market on Eastwood Lane, Rotherham. If people can’t get there they can see an adviser at one of 14 debt outreaches across the community. People can see a debt adviser on Thursday 9am-7pm at a debt drop-in at the Rain Building. The advisers can see people face-to-face or give advice by telephone. Contact 03444 111 444 or visit the office in the Rain Building.

ROTHERHAM SOCIETY OF ARTISTS: Meet at Unity Centre, St Leonard’s Road on Fridays 7-9pm. Membership £30 per year, visitors £5 per session. Contact [email protected], www.rotherhamsocietyofartists.org.uk. March 18 – Terry Chipp will give a demonstration Textures with Acrylics. April 1 – follow-up workshop on textures, D-V-D and practical. April 15 – life drawing (may be with tutor). April 29 – life drawing. May 13 – AGM plus art experience if time.

ROTHERHAM SAFE HAVEN: The Rotherham Safe Haven at Talbot Lane Methodist Church operates on Fridays from 10pm until, if necessary, about 4am on Saturday. A small team of volunteers provides this temporary refuge for vulnerable people in the town centre, working alongside Street Pastors. The team could benefit from more volunteers, especially women. Contact town centre chaplain Barrie Thomas 01709 532203.

FRIENDS IN HARMONY CHOIR: The choir meets at Badsley Primary School under the direction of Graham Cowley on Tuesday 6.15-7.45pm. The choir is currently rehearsing a selection of new and current numbers for concerts later this year. www.friendsinharmony.co.uk.

ROTHERHAM VOLUNTEER CENTRE: Co-ordinates and facilitates a free bi-monthly Volunteer Coordinator Network which brings together volunteer managers whether in a paid or unpaid capacity to network, share good practice and troubleshoot. The next meeting is on March 22 9-11am at Voluntary Action Rotherham S60 2HX. For details or to confirm attendance, email [email protected] or telephone 01709 834462. RVC can also support groups to recruit new volunteers or make the most of existing volunteers.

TEMPLEBOROUGH STEELWORKERS REUNION: This annual event will take place on March 25 at Rotherham Cricket Club on Broom Road 7.30pm. It is open to anyone who worked at Templeborough Steelworks. For tickets, contact Alan Kirk 01709 550510.

ROTHERHAM BRANCH OF AGE UK: The branch recently held a fundraising Seablue Luncheon at the Marina Fish Restaurant, Rawmarsh. Members of the Rotherham Older Persons Forum and staff and volunteers from Age UK and the restaurant attended. The Seablue Luncheon was hosted by the Marina Fish and Chip Restaurant and raised £487.62 to support older people in Rotherham.

ROTHERHAM METRO RAMBLERS: March 16 – short walk in Thorpe Hesley area, leaders Tom and Rita Doncaster 0114 2463437, meet 9.30am inside Holy Trinity Church, Thorpe Hesley, parking at church or use 66 bus to Chapeltown from stand B6 at Rotherham bus station. March 19 – choice of two walks: a 9.3 mile linear railway walk from Chinley to Edale across Cracken Edge, Edale Cross, Woolpacks and Grindsbrook, leader John Wadsworth 01709 372442, meet 10am Chinley station, take 9.14am train from Sheffield or use Meadowhall or Dore park and ride; a six mile circular walk covering Calver, Curbar village, Baslow and Bubnell, leader Kate Bryan 07904149289, meet 10am Sough Lane, Calver, park near cricket ground where road wider. Contact www.ramblers.org.uk/rotherham-metro.

ROTHERHAM RAMBLING CLUB: Contact Sylvia Duncan 01709 374841, www.rotherhamramblingclub.co.uk.

TALBOT LANE CHURCH: The February 25 lunchtime service was taken by Rev Karen Beecham. The February 26 Time for God Bible Study hour was led by Barrie Thomas. The March 2 morning service was taken by Tim Hewson of St John’s Church, Swinton. On Tuesday evening the Ladies Group met in the parlour and were asked to bring along their favourite book. 

ROTHERHAM DEAF FUTURES GROUP: 35 deaf and hearing people attended the 2016 AGM of the group on March 4 at Springwell Gardens Community Centre. Flowers were presented to retiring chair Julie Parlett and retiring secretary Nazmeen Akhtar. Gary Byars was elected new chair and Pam Beck secretary. Kim Addy was elected treasurer. A new committee was elected. Reports were presented of the activity of the group during the last year and the accounts were presented. The group holds regular meetings and runs an advice club for deaf people every Friday. Janine Moorcroft from Rotherham Council spoke about the vision for adult social care and other deaf members spoke of their aspirations for the group.