DISTRICT NEWS: THURCROFT

THURCROFT PARISH CHURCH: The church service is 10.45am each Sunday and all residents are welcome. The church will be open every Thursday morning at 10am to 12 noon as a drop in for tea and a chat session and also to make enquires regarding christenings, weddings or funerals. The cleaning group is the first Tuesday in the month, any help would be appreciated and also any help with the gardening. Volunteers helped to tidy the garden and cut the grass down ready for the jubilee event, the wardens who also took part would like to thank all those who turned up especially those from the youth club Leah-Mae Holt, Harvey Smith and Brad Hook as without the volunteers the grounds would not have been presentable for the residents at the outside afternoon tea. Pupils from The Willows school have been visiting the church on a Thursday morning this will end in two weeks then something will be planned for after the summer holidays. Warden Julie Bringloe says it has been pure joy to have members of the congregation with special skills like flower arranging and music skills to have come and worked with the pupils, they have produced some brilliant decorations and art work for the jubilee and they have had lots of happy smiling faces. Any queries regarding church matters please contact Claire Stancer on 07876823493 or Julie Bringloe on 07958317202.

WILLOWS SCHOOL FUNDAY EVENT: On Saturday, June 18, there will be a fun day for The Willows School to be held at St Simon and St Jude's Church from 11am until 3pm. There will be stalls, face painter, bouncy castle, raffle and much more and entrance is free. This is being organised by The Willows School and the church are offering their help and support by making the church available for this event. Please come along and show your support.

LITTLE SAINTS TODDLER GROUP: The toddler group is on Mondays at 1.15 to 2.45pm at St Simon's and St Jude's Church. The cost is £1.50 per child and any additional children an extra 50p, this includes a snack and a drink, Booking is not required but for more information you can contact Moira Leach on 07713403924, this is only in term time. The group is working together with the toddler group in the Gordon Bennett Hall and they have arranged a trip to Sundown Adventure Park on June 27. There are still 20 places left at a cost of £12 each but children under 90cm and babies are free but will need to be counted for the coach as they will still need a seat. Anyone who is interested please see Moira or Sam at either play group for full information or to book places.

BIG LOCAL: At the next meeting plans will be discussed to provide some skips in the village, any summer events and the possibility of having a memorial bench to mark the platinum jubilee. The trip to Whitley Bay on July 13 is now due for payment, the cost is £15 per ticket. The coach will leave the Hub at 8.30 and leave for the journey home at 5pm. Please contact Diane Oxley on 07983624459 for further information but there are only a few places available.

YOUTH CLUB: The youth club is open on a Tuesday, 6 to 8.30pm for the seniors aged 13 and above, the junior youth club is on a Friday for 9 to 13 year olds at the Hub 5.30 to 7.30pm. For further details contact Shaz on 07969977294. The admission fee is 50p but anyone who is struggling to pay this please contact Shaz. Two members of the senior youth club have been praised for their quick thinking and actions as when someone collapsed in the street they stepped in and organised help and were later told by ambulance staff that had they not acted as they did then this person would not have survived. Well done Matt Froggatt and Kai Holmes.

LUNCH CLUB: The lunch club is every Wednesday at the Hub and anyone wanting to join please call Diane Nelson as all meals need to be ordered and paid for by Monday of each week. This is very popular so it is imperative to book by contacting Diane Nelson on 07931411086. You get a hot drink on arrival, bingo and a 2 course hot lunch for £5.50. Raffle tickets are sold to raise funds for day trips out.

LITTER PICKING: The litter picking group is continuing each week with the regular volunteers but anyone wanting to join or be provided with a picker so they can keep their own street clear please contact Diane Oxley on 07983624459 where the necessary equipment will be supplied.

NEW WALKING GROUP: This is a new group that has formed and will meet every Thursday outside of the Hub at 7pm and is for all ages. This is a social group which is free and aims to get people out and about and forming new friendships whilst getting some gentle exercise.

ROAR TROLL FESTIVAL: Takes place on Saturday, June 25, behind the Gordon Bennett 12 until 4pm. There will be a carnival atmosphere with music, dancing and so much more. Craft and dance classes have been taking place over the past few months ready for the special event and costumes have been made so please come along and support your village.

CRAFT CLASSES: Monday afternoon in the Gordon Bennett 1 to 3.30 anyone wishing to join please call in and see the organisers, this is a well-established long running group and new members always welcome.

THURCROFT TODDLER GROUP: Meet in the Gordon Bennett on Wednesday, 1.15 to 2.45pm from birth to 5 years. 6 to 12 months £1, 12 months plus £2 then additional sibling 50p. For a snack or tea/coffee 50p. This is run by volunteers and all donations or help are gratefully received.

THURCROFT MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP: Practice every Wednesday 7.15 to 9.45pm, in the Gordon Bennett Hall. If you are interested in joining please call in and speak to members. A grant of £1000 has been received from Big Local towards replacing their sound system which is over 20 years old so to enable the shows to continue these must now be replaced.

ROTHERHAM DEMENTIA CARER AND SUPPORT: A dementia cafe is held on the first Tuesday of the month in the Gordon Bennett 1.30 to 3.30pm. Here they have arts and crafts, live music from Lost Chord and refreshments. Anyone who has any type of dementia can go along and meet with other families and enjoy these social events. Sandra Blockley MBE fund raises each week so these cafes can continue for many years to come. Sandra was recently asked to speak at the Sheffield Lodge Moor Towns Women's Guild about the work of Lost Chord. Sandra delivered a moving and inspirational personal testimony about her journey caring for her late husband, Charlie, who had dementia and how these session helped him and other people and families cope with this illness.

THURCROFT WELFARE BOWLING CLUB: Have welcomed several new members but are always looking for more people to join them. For any children who would like to try this sport free coaching lessons are available on Saturday mornings at 10am to 12 noon. All instructors are DBS checked. If you are interested please contact Martin (secretary) on 07749127633.

BOROUGH COUNCILLORS: Tom and Zach Collingham are keen for all residents to have contact details for their local neighbourhood PC and PCSO. Emergencies should still be 999 but if you have a persistent concern or intelligence that you would like to pass on to your local policing team then you should contact PC Ryan Everitt on [email protected] or PC [email protected]. If you don't report any incidents or concerns then nothing will ever get done within the village.

PARISH COUNCIL VACANCIES: An election is due to be held on Thursday, June 23, to fill the eight vacancies. There are 15 validly nominated candidates and they are, Diane Brown, Mena Cawkwell, Martin Cusworth, Martin Howis, Cath McCartan, Tommy Murphy, Phil Owen, Diane Oxley, Joseph Richardson, Richard Ryder, Antony Simmonds, Cath Walker, Yvonne Weakley, Ann West, Anne Winsborough. If you are wanting to have your say in how the parish council is run then don't waste your vote please turn up on the day to cast your vote or return your postal votes , it's time to try and make changes for the village. For any further information or queries please contact the Elections Office on 01709 823590.