WHAT'S ON: Bawtry

TRIBUTE TO GEORGE: Matthew Brearley, chairman of town charity Bawtry Action for Recreation and Sport (BARS), has paid tribute to George Spencer who has retired as a councillor. Mr Brearley said: “I would like to pay tribute to the selfless work that has been done by George Spencer over many years despite his ever worsening health problems. George has a great knowledge of the workings of local parish and town councils gained from his training and experience as a parish clerk and experience as a councillor. Over the 25 years or so that I have known him he has always used his knowledge in what he believed to be the best interests of the residents of Bawtry without fear of favour. George has been a tireless servant to the town when lesser men would have crumbled under the health problems that he has had to deal with and overall I believe that his efforts have made Bawtry a better place in which to live and to work. George has been a great supporter and a good friend to BARS from its beginnings and I am very grateful for that support and for the work that he has put in as a councillor and town mayor and all accomplishments for this town.”

ICON IN TOWN: Townsfolk were treated to a glimpse of the 60103 Flying Scotsman as it sped along the main line through Bawtry on its historic passenger hauling run from King’s Cross to York following a decade-long £4.2m restoration. The engine in its original apple green livery, which was built in 1923 at Doncaster, reached speeds of 75mph as it steamed up the East Coast Line. The excited crowds in Bawtry watched the engine on its journey to York’s National Railway Museum.

COUNCILLOR RESIGNS: Jeff Hutt has retired as a member of Bawtry Town Council. He was elected onto the council for the first time last May. Independent candidate Mr Hutt was born in South Elmsall, West Yorkshire, and educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, and Reading University. He worked for 33 years in Her Majesty’s Overseas Civil Service with the Hong Kong government. He retired in 1991. Mr Hutt, who also served as a JP, came to live in Bawtry in 2006. He became governor at Misson Primary School and was treasurer of Bawtry Deanery Synod and St John the Baptist Church at Misson. Mr Hutt is one of the team of volunteers that runs Bawtry Community Library.

PARKING CONCERN: Concern has been expressed by residents unhappy with the parking of cars on Tickhill Road. Although parking is allowed on the particular stretch, the regular line of stationary vehicles narrows the road and can cause a hazard to pedestrians, pram pushers and invalid carriage users on the footpath. A few years ago DMBC moved the double yellow lines from the north side of the carriageway to the south side. At the time Bawtry Town Council lobbied the local authority to restrict parking completely along the roadside but this was rejected by DMBC as it was suggested that drivers would instead park their vehicles on roads in front of residences on the Green Park and Tree estates off Tickhill Road. The local authority also saw parked vehicles as a traffic calming measure. Bawtry Town Council, Bawtry Residents Group and DMBC Rossington and Bawtry ward councillors are keen to see the problem resolved.

SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY: Following the resignation of Cllr Jeff Hutt, townsfolk have an opportunity to serve their community by becoming a member of Bawtry Town Council. If at least ten registered electors do not demand that a poll be held the vacancy will be filled by co-option with councillors voting amongst themselves to agree on which member of the community that has expressed an interest in filling the casual vacancy is the most suitable. This is the third casual vacancy that now exists on BTC following the retirements of Cllrs Jean Cox and George Spencer. All three successful candidates will have the opportunity to serve until May 2021.

FASHION WEEK: Bawtry’s fourth annual Fashion Week runs until March 17. During the week a variety of Bawtry shops and businesses will be hosting their own special events to which residents and visitors are invited.

GRAND TALK: The Bawtry branch of the Mothers’ Union will learn about the history of Doncaster’s Grand Theatre at their meeting on March 16 in the New Hall, Station Road 7.15pm.

GREAT EXHIBITION: Members of Bawtry Art Club are displaying new examples of their work at their annual exhibition entitled All Things Yorkshire in Bawtry Community Library throughout March. Art lovers have a chance to purchase paintings and vote for their favourite work. Bawtry Art Group meets every Tuesday 9.45-11.45am in the New Hall, Station Road.