Town is getting 'red-dy' for Rotherham Day celebrations
GOLF, guided tours and garden parties – schools, businesses, sports clubs and charities are getting ‘red-dy’ for Rotherham Day.
Momentum is building with plans taking shape for the September 18 celebration of the town, with benefits including free summer holiday leisure centre access for children.
Organisers want the whole community to share all that is positive about the borough, bringing people together and raising money for good causes – and dogs at a recent show in Wath even got in early on the branding by sporting red to stick with the theme for the day.
Schools will take part in a range of activities, including a baton relay in which participants will wear red.
St Ann’s Leisure Centre will stage a Rotherham Festival, special wristbands will enable free summer access for children to the four Places for People Leisure centres in Maltby, Aston, Wath and Rotherham, there will be a golf event at Rotherham Golf Club, and a five-a-side football competition and bowls day are planned.
Individuals and groups can fundraise however they want and for whichever charity they choose.
Organiser Scott Thorpe, chief executive of TMG Mortgage Network said: “It is really coming together now and we just need to push on to September 18, make this a great day and encourage as many people as we possibly can to get on board for next year, which will be even bigger and better.
“The benefits to people are really coming through, with an incredible agreement with the four Places for People Leisure centres that means children can spend their summer holidays engaging in healthy activities without any cost to their families.
“This is a real example of a business backing the event and doing something positive for the people of Rotherham, and that is what Rotherham Day is all about.”
Events are planned at the Dragons Tap pub, Rotherham Opportunities College, Paws to Hooves, Staniforths, Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity Trust, Rotherham Hospice and Rotherham Hockey Club, among others, with Rotherham Minster and Wath Hall lit up in red.
Grimm and Co will stage a poetry competition, Rush House will hold a litter pick and garden party, and Titans Community Foundation Hub will host a Red Day in which staff and residents at Laureate Court care home will enjoy a fun day including games, quizzes and a sing-song.
Other events include:
Rotherham District Civic Society Tours: A year 10/11 guided tour in the town centre from 9.30am, plus an adult tour meeting at the Roman ruins in Clifton Park from 1pm-3, and a talk and virtual tour given to students at Rotherham College.
Barnardo’s Parkgate: Kids’ lucky dip, tombola, books for all and a homemade cake stall, with red displays, staff dressed up and discounts for customers wearing red.
Winthrop Gardens: Vintage afternoon tea with a talk by ‘I Killed Lucy’ author Lisa Hartford and entertainment from Rotherham Hospice Choir (Saturday 19).
Parkrun (Clifton Park and Waverley): Encouraging as many people to run, walk and volunteer while dressed in red.
Find out more at the Rotherham Day website at www.rotherhamday.co.uk and follow on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.