DISTRICT NEWS: TICKHILL

What’s happening in and around your village...

MILL DAM REPAIRS: Workmen from Doncaster Council have made an exploratory examination of the area of wall at the south end of Tickhill Mill Dam from which water is seeping. The area is adjacent to the stone Water Mill dwelling on the corner of Lindrick Lane. It has been necessary for the workmen to partly drain the Mill Dam to carry out repairs to the seemingly faulty wall. During this process no single defect in the wall could found so as a result the source of the leak will require a substantial stripping of the existing waterproofing followed by reapplying the waterproof material. This will be an expensive process and DMBC will have to apply for additional funding before the work can proceed. In the meantime DMBC will talk to contractors about removing copingstones at the southern end of the dam and re-lining the area from which the water is seeping. This proposed work will be tied in with the replacement of the automatic mechanical sluice gate that controls the flow of water from the Mill Dam and that is not working properly. The entire scheme is estimated to take between 18 and 24 months to complete during which time the temporary repairs will solve the immediate water leak problem.

GOLDEN JUBILEE COMMEMORATION: The celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth 11 that were held across the community at the start of June this year brought the community together to celebrate the historic record breaking, never to be equalled, 70 years on the throne of Her Majesty. Two decades ago residents of the town held similar celebrations to mark Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee 50-year anniversary. As part of these celebrations back on June 26 in 2002 the impressive oval shaped bronze plaque was unveiled in the town centre. After a reception and buffet in the Parish Room the then Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire the late Lord and his wife Lady Scarbrough performed the official unveiling ceremony in front of a crowd of civic dignitaries, that included the then Mayor of Tickhill the late Gordon Armstrong, local residents and children from both Estfeld and St Mary’s Primary Schools. The bronze plaque is mounted on a substantial block of limestone from the quarries at Stainton and the Hilary Cartmel/Johnson Studio in the nearby village of Styrrup cast the plaque. Tickhill Town Council specially commissioned the major project. The then Curate at St Mary’s Parish Church the Reverend Sue Bond performed the dedication of the Diamond Jubilee plaque and cornet player town resident and former town councillor and past Mayor of Tickhill the late Roy Havenhand led the gathering in the singing of the National Anthem. The bronze plaque depicts various sites and scenes connected with the town’s history. These include: the Buttercross Monument, Parish Room/St Leonard’s Hospital, Scarbrough Arms Inn, Evangelical Church, Public Library, Tickhill Castle Gatehouse, St Mary’s Parish Church, Methodist Church, Mill Dam along with the major thoroughfares of Northgate, Sunderland Street, Castlegate and Westgate. A small rectangular bronze plaque located at the base of the stone reads: The residents of Tickhill commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen 11 – June 2002.  

ANNUAL POPPY FESTIVAL: For the first time last year volunteers created and made hundreds of red poppies that formed part of the town’s splendid inaugural Poppy Festival. Long time town resident and community advocate Paula Thomas coordinated the big event that remembered all those that served their country in wartime. Over 50 people made poppies as well as lots of children at our schools who produced their own school displays. Over 2,500 hand made poppies were put in to place around Tickhill. This magnificent community project resulted in schools, churches and businesses becoming involved alongside individual members of the community. Announcing this years 2022 poppy making project Paula said: “Last November Tickhill was decorated with fabulous poppy displays for Remembrance that were made by a team of local people. This year will be no different and there will be one or two ambitious plans for additional displays. For this to happen though we require more poppies and if you are interested in making some poppies, they can be knitted, crocheted, sewn, painted – in fact anything that you fancy making. To find out more about how to get involved you can join our Poppies for Tickhill Facebook group that currently has about 70 members.”

BLOOMING GOOD SHOW: The volunteers of the Tickhill in Bloom group are currently busy planting 1,600 geraniums in the beds, borders and baskets that bring colour to the town throughout the summer months. Tickhill in Bloom was established over 30 years ago and it created in its present form in 2003. During some of this time it was run by Tickhill Town Council and funded by the council. In 2003 a new group was formed that was a partnership between local residents, all of whom are volunteers, and town councillors. The group plants and maintains the various floral displays that can be seen around the community particularly at the entrances to the town from Doncaster, Maltby, Bawtry and Worksop. The group that is headed by chairperson Gillian Hill is very proud of the fact that it regularly receives recognition and awards from Doncaster in Bloom. Every year the group spends around £1,500 on plants and fertilisers and this money is raised by the group with donations from local businesses, residents and local organisations along with fund raising activities that will include a Cream Tea event in July, Saturday morning cash collection and a walking treasure hunt. Any businesses, organisations or individuals wishing to Sponsor Tickhill in Bloom, that continues to work hard to make the town a more pleasant and colourful place to live, visit and work can contact Gillian Hill on 01302 743317.   

GREEN BALLOON RACE: The organisers of the annual Scout and Guide Gala that takes place at the Tithes Lane recreation ground on Saturday, July 2 have for the second year in succession completed plans for a virtual balloon race. The race will start on Saturday, June 25 and will end at midday on Gala Day. Mick Jackson boss of Tickhill Trade Cars, Northgate is once again sponsoring the event. There is a first prize on £50, second receives £30 and third picks up £20. A virtual balloon race is 100 per cent eco-friendly and causes no harm to wildlife of farm animals, creates no litter like launching in to the air latex balloons does and is climate change positive. Balloon entries are now on sale priced at £3 each.

DRIVERS HAD THEIR CHIPS: Residents that live in the bungalows at Castle Close that is located off Castlegate have raised serious concerns about the thoughtless, anti-social and dangerous parking of motor vehicles in the area leading to their homes. A spokesperson for the elderly residents that live in the complex said: “Parking on double yellow lines and on the pavement around the bungalows and at road junctions is illegal and dangerous. Two of our residents have just had to put themselves at risk by going on to the road, as they could not get passed the vehicles with their walking frames and mobility scooter. The owners of the vehicles are sitting in the cars eating fish and chips that they have purchased from Tickhill Chippy on Castlegate. The cars are making Castle Close narrow so that emergency vehicles could not gain access to Castle Close. We are sick to death of the situation.”

UKRAINE APPEAL SUCCESS: The management and staff of the town’s branch of Lloyds Pharmacy are delighted with the success of their appeal to help the people of Ukraine that was held in the Market Place shop. A spokesperson said: “A massive thank you to each and every one of you that donated to this cause. A whopping £1317.60 was raised and sent to the British Red Cross Society that is supporting the Ukrainian people through the Humanitarian Appeal that is helping people that are fleeing their homes and the families that are being separated as a result of the Russian invasion.”   

PLANNING MATTERS: Tickhill Town Council (TTC) has received notification from DMBC of the latest planning applications that have been submitted by Tickhill residents. These include: 5, Pinfold Close – build single storey rear extension. Friary Close, Rotherham Road – build small extension on north elevation, repositioning of main entrance door, creation of double patio door to south elevation and internal alterations (being variation of condition 8 of planning application 21/01749/FUL).  

LIFE OF A JUDGE: Adam Skinner, secretary of Tickill and Bawtry Probus Club, and his fellow members welcome guest speaker Michael Heath to their meeting on Thursday, June 23. Michael will talk about his Life as a Circuit Judge when he addresses the gathering of retired business and professional gentlemen at 10.30am in the lounge at Tickhill Cricket Club, Alderson Drive where the doors open at 10am. New members welcome. Adam can be contacted for more information on 01302 745900.  

CHOIR SUNDAY: After rehearsing on Friday evenings throughout June under the leadership of choirmaster and organist John Marsden BEM members of the choir at St Mary’s Parish Church finish the month with a feast of music on Sunday, June 26 at the 10.30am and 6pm (Choral Evening) services. Among the music being sung will be the Coronation Anthem (Zadok the Priest). The all ticket pre-booked Choir Sunday Lunch is being served after the service at 12.45pm.   

THAT’S TORNE IT: Mick Green takes the lead on Monday, June 27 when he guides members of Tickhill and District Footpath Group on their weekly walk. After meeting at the Buttercross monument the party of friendly community strollers gather at 7pm then head for the Banks of the River Torne that flows through the countryside around the town. New walkers welcome – just turn up on the night.

ALICE SPEAKS: Methodist Minister for Tickhill, Bawtry and Harworth Alice Curry is the guest of Tickhill Methodist Ladies’ Fellowship (TMLF) on Tuesday, June 28. Alice tells the ladies about All Things Celtic at the meeting that starts at 2.30pm in the lounge at the Northgate chapel. TMLF secretary Marcia Lingard and her colleagues welcome all ladies.

PLAYING THEIR CARDS RIGHT: The ladies and gentlemen that play their cards right at the weekly meeting of Tickhill Whist Drive celebrate the 50th anniversary of the group on Tuesday, June 28. It was on June 26 back in 1972 that the late Bernard and his wife Lily Marsden first started a whist drive in the Parish Room in Tickhill. It proved to be a very popular event – so much so that it is still going to today in the Castle Close Community Centre. The anniversary will take the form of a bit of a do and starts at 6.30pm. Some games of whist will be played and anyone who is interested can go along and join in the fun and games.

LIONS RECEIVE TOP AWARD: Two members of Tickhill and District Lions Club (TDLC) have been presented with a top honour that marks their outstanding contribution to the organisation that continues to help local good causes. Tickhill men Phil Thomas and Stuart Allen both received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Humanitarian Award for their exemplary long service work with TDLC. The late Melvin Jones was the founder of Lions International.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK: The collection for Christian Aid week that took place at St Mary’s Parish Church from May 15 to May 21 was successful in raising £300.

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