This week’s District News from our correspondents across the Rotherham borough

KIMBERWORTH AND KIMBERWORTH PARK

Rotherham Borough Council and South Yorkshire Police representatives pictured outside Rotherham Town Hall, which has been lit up purple in support of Domestic Abuse Awareness Month | Iconic

placeholder image — Rotherham Borough Council and South Yorkshire Police representatives pictured outside Rotherham Town Hall, which has been lit up purple in support of Domestic Abuse Awareness Month | Iconic

Karen Wilkes - Tel 07930 438313 or email [email protected]

THE SALVATION ARMY: 158 High Street, Kimberworth S61 2BE. Telephone 01709 558435. Email [email protected]. Sundays - 10.30am relaxed and relevant church gathering. Tuesday - 9.30-10.30am coffee morning, 10.30-11.30am bible study group. Wednesday - 9-11am play group for preschoolers. Friday - 9-10am prayer space.

ST THOMAS’ CHURCH: Peter Street, Kimberworth. Holy Communion Services every second and fourth Sunday. Family Service on first Sunday of month and All-Age service with potential baptisms on third Sunday. All Services 10am. Coffee mornings in Community Hall on first Wednesday of month 10am-noon. Good Companions on first and third Thursday 1.30-3.30pm. For enquiries about baptisms or weddings, contact Rev Diane Etchell [email protected]. To hire the Community Centre, contact Rachel [email protected].

KIMBERWORTH LIBRARY: Church Street, Kimberworth. Tel 01709 558581. Opening times: - Monday and Tuesday 9.30am-1pm, Wednesday closed, Thursday 1.30-7pm, Friday 1.30-5.30pm, Saturday 9.30am-1pm, Sunday closed. Knit and Natter every Thursday 2.30-4.30pm, experienced and beginners welcome. Readers’ Group – on second Thursday of month 5.30-6.45pm. IT beginners’ course – learn basic IT and internet skills with Learnmyway.com 10-11am every Tuesday. Police Drop In – 1st Tuesday of month 9.30-11am. Free stories, songs and rhymes for under 5s every Monday 11.15-11.45am.

ST JOHN’S CHURCH: Sunday Services 10.30am. For enquiries, telephone (01709) 551652. On Sunday morning, there was a service of Holy Communion. The after-school clubs have been taking a half-term break. Today (Thursday), the Drop-In Café is open 11am-1pm. On Saturday 4-7pm there will be a Hallowe’en community event on the church patio. On Sunday 10.30am there will be a service of Morning Worship and at 2pm there will be a Memorial Service.

CLLRS’ SURGERIES AT ST JOHN’S CHURCH: Cllr Simon Currie - Third Monday of month 6-7pm. Cllr Gill Garnett – First Thursday of month 11.30am-12.30pm along with Council Housing and Local Policing Team.

ST JOHN’S GREEN STAKEHOLDER GROUP: Consists of residents, business owners, councillors, RMBC housing and estates staff, police, church members, community groups, children and young peoples’ services etc. Meets regularly at St John’s Church to discuss ideas and problems. Next meeting 20th January.

KIMBERWORTH PARK COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP: Membership open to residents of the estate and others who work there. Meetings held regularly to update members on developments and the plans for making a difference to the estate. Contact 01709 559805. Next meeting 23rd November 3.30pm.

ACTIVITIES AT THE CHISLETT CENTRE: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm Men in Sheds (woodwork/gardening/socialising). Mondays - Knit/Natter 9.30-11.30am, Quiet Group 11.30am-1.30pm, Sewing group 1.30-3.15pm. Tuesdays – 11.30am-1.30pm (Social group for over 50s). Wednesday – 9.15-11am Craft Group. Last Wednesday of month – noon-2pm Forget Me Not Memory Café (Social group for people with dementia). Mon/Tues/Wed 10am-noon and Thursday 1-3pm Community Gym. Thursday - 10-11am Gentle Exercise/Keep Fit, 11.30am Musicality. Friday - 10.30-11.30am Yoga (chair based or floor mat), noon-1pm Wellbeing/Mindfulness.

CHISLETT COMMUNITY GYM: Chislett Centre S61 3JT. Small friendly low-cost gym - £3 per session. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10am-noon. Instructor is GP referral and pre and post-natal trained. Individual support and free induction. Telephone Sam 07523889765 or email [email protected].

KIMBERWORTH PARK WALKING FOR PLEASURE: Meets at St. John’s Church on Wednesday 9.45 am. On 21st October, the group walked down to Winterhill School before crossing over the Winterhills and ascending Little Common Lane. We made our way over to Richmond Park Avenue, emerging onto Church Street and ascending at the side of St Thomas’s Church to Wortley Road. After crossing Wortley Road, we climbed the footpath and made our way back to St John’s Church. Contact Karen Wilkes [email protected]. Website at https://www.kimberworthwalking.net.

GRANGE PARK GOLF CLUB: Explore range of full, flexi, and corporate golf membership packages. Call 01709 919991.

KIMBERWORTH PARK TARA: Open Monday-Wednesday 9-11am. Donations welcome.

KIMBERWORTH PARK CLUB 50+: Fridays noon-3pm at St Thomas’s Community Hall, High Street, Kimberworth. Hosting a Christmas craft and gift market on 14th November noon-4pm. Free entry. Text 07947090607.

S61 LITTER ACTION GROUP: The S61 Litter Pickers continue their commitment to keep the area clean. For details of future litterpicks please see Facebook page S61 Litterpickers. To get involved, check Facebook page or contact Neil 07960 507582.

ROTHERHAM BMX CLUB: Little Common Lane, Kimberworth. To promote BMX / MTB Racing which is suitable for anyone aged 4-40+. The club has a number of bikes and safety equipment available, which can be hired. To book go to www.rotherhambmx.com/shop or contact [email protected].

BARKERS PARK BOWLING CLUB: Redscope Crescent S613LY. Looking to encourage anyone interested in Crown green bowling to come along and have a look. There is usually someone there (weather permitting) every Friday 10.30am-1pm and Tuesdays if not playing away. On some Tuesdays and Thursdays, may be there playing a league game. There will always be someone there to welcome visitors even on match days. Contact Dave Neale 07837460152.

Rotherham Town Hall lit up purple in support of Domestic Abuse Awareness Month | Iconic

WHISTON

Elaine Reynard - Tel 07825 558070 or email [email protected]

WHISTON’S ROMAN ARTEFACTS: Along with a large number of other hardy Whiston residents, I braved the elements last Sunday to attend York Archaeology’s Site Open Day where they have been conducting a archaeological dig on the field behind Lathe Road/Worrygoose Lane. Richard Jackson of York Archeology gave an interesting talk on what their dig had so far uncovered in terms of both history and artefacts. Artefacts on display included fragments of pottery, one with the ‘maker’s mark’ indicating that it was made at the Rossington Bridge Pottery, thought to have been operated by the potter Sarrius from the AD140s, and a lovely example of a bronze Roman brooch. Geophysical features identified in some areas across the site indicate the presence of enclosures and associated field systems which could date to the late Iron Age of the Romano-British period. In addition, various excavated areas relate to the site’s more recent mining history showing the location of a number of capped off mineshafts, in addition to those which were previously identified.

WHISTON PARISH COUNCIL: The October meeting took place on Monday October 19 and began with representations from a resident regarding the current state of Whiston Brook, the broken bridge across the Brook and speeding issues on High Street. Jordan Arno, Senior Youth Worker, gave a report on the activities of the Youth Club, and his request for financial support from Parish Council for the 2027 weekend residential visit was agreed, together with approval for the seeking of further funding and community links. Reports from the Responsible Financial Officer were approved. Reports from the Clerk included: a) Christmas Festival - an update meeting was held with the Event Foundry and the majority of arrangements are now in place; b) Whitestone Solar Farm - notification of forthcoming hearings had been received, with one taking place on November 10 at New York Stadium. Councillor Elliott will be attending the next meeting at Aston; c) Trees on High Street - title is currently being sought by our appointed solicitor; d) The response from Leader of RMBC, Chris Read, to the Parish Council’s concerns regarding the Whiston Flood Alleviation Scheme was discussed at length. It was agreed that a further letter would be sent on certain issues; e) Remembrance Sunday Lunch - arrangements are now in place, including catering, entertainment etc. In addition the commemorative poppies will once again decorate the Memorial Bench and the ‘Twinkly Pro’ tree will be illuminated red as a gesture of Remembrance; f) A tender specification has been drafted and will be sent out to events companies in relation to managing/coordinating future Summer and Christmas Events; g) Owing to delayed response from RMBC’s Tree Service, it is now unlikely that the proposed tree planting on Cowrakes Field will take place on November 30 and this will be deferred to March ‘27; h) the possibility of Parish Council acquiring The Green on a long lease was discussed at length; i) the Parish Council Emergency Plan is due for revision and a sub-group was formed this purpose; j) the patch repairs carried out alongside the Village Pound were felt to be sub-standard and RMBC Highways Dept will be lobbied for a more permanent solution; k) a request has been received from Whiston J and I School on ways in which they can support the local community and two Parish Councillors will be visiting the school to discuss this; l) the response from RMBC’s Licensing Dept regarding the music licensing conditions at the Sitwell Arms was discussed. Items reported by Ward Councillors included that a recent ‘walk-through’ of the Village had taken place with the Chief Executive of RMBC. Councillor Griffin reported that the watercolour paintings of the Manorial Barn donated to Parish Council have now been framed for display in the Parish Hall. The artist, 94-year-old Les Black, has kindly accepted the Council’s invitation to switch on this year’s Christmas lights. The number of blocked gulleys around the Parish was raised and it is hoped that, following the recent visit of the road sweeper, that these will be cleared. The possible future use of the toilet block in the village was discussed but no firm decision made in light of the amount of renovation work required.

CLOSURE OF WHISTON PUBLIC FOOTPATH: RMBC have posted a Public Notice stating that Public Footpath No.1 Whiston, starting from Worrygoose Lane (opposite its junction with Cowrakes Lane) and proceeding in a north easterly direction to Shrogswood Road, will be closed from Monday November 2 for six months. The reason for the closure is because of “the likelihood of danger to the public” because of “construction works”, the nature of which are unknown at the present time. The alternative route for pedestrians will be “via the footway adjacent to Worrygoose Lane, Lathe Road and Shrogswood Road”.

WHISTON HERITAGE SOCIETY: Next meeting on Tuesday November 3 at Whiston Parish Hall 7.30pm for 7.45pm start. This month’s talk is entitled ‘1700s-1800s Bawtry’ with David Kirkham and Mick Maguire. Admission £3 per person.

WHISTON PARISH CHURCH: Last Thursday evening the launch of Our Choir at Christmas was a success; anyone interested can join this new informal adult choir, suitable for all voice types, no long term commitment and it’s free. No audition needed. No experience required. Thursday 7.30pm. Contact Ray Gallagher 07737 984894 or [email protected]. Sunday, October 21 and 20th after Trinity - Rev Karen Skidmore presided at the Parish Communion 9.45am. On Sunday afternoon 2pm Rev Karen baptised three brothers Oliver, Jacob and Harry Wilson. On Wednesday Rev Caroline Wyman presided at the mid-week communion service 10.30am. Today (Thursday) the funeral of Judith Oliver will take place in church 2pm. Next Sunday the Parish Communion for All Saints Day is at 9.45am and Starfish Gang meet at the same time. At 4pm Refresh@4 will take place in church. YouthZone will follow the service and finish 6pm. On Remembrance Sunday there will be an All age Parade Service 9.45am followed by an Act of Remembrance at the Lychgate and at 6pm a Requiem Eucharist (Fauré). Christmas Tree Festival in church on Saturday December 5. To make arrangements for weddings or baptisms, ring 07799684543 or email [email protected]; whiston [email protected]. Contacts - Lucy Luckock (children and families’ activities) on 07707863901; Rev Karen Skidmore, Priest in charge 07356232600; Alan Teale, Churchwarden 07803021201. Email [email protected].

WHISTON METHODIST CHURCH: Last Sunday morning’s service was led by Peter Drabble. The craft and board games group met on Tuesday. Today (Thursday) is the Community Coffee Morning 10am, with proceeds for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. This will be followed by the Church Council meeting. Next Sunday there will be a joint service at Broom Methodist Church 10.30am. Sunday November 8 is Remembrance Sunday - there will be a service at the chapel 10am. This will be followed by the Whiston village service at the Lychgate.

BROOM METHODIST CHURCH: Our service on Sunday was led by Margaret Backhouse and Pat Latham. Service next Sunday will be led by Rev Andrew Fox and will be united service at Broom inviting Clifton, Wickersley and Whiston Methodist Churches to join. Baby and Toddler group running during term time, every Thursday 9-11am. Next Tuesday@Broom on Tuesday November 10 10am-noon.

LITTLE FISHES: Baby and Toddler Group meet every Monday during term time at Whiston Parish Hall 9.30-11am.

SUNBEAMS: Baby and Toddler Group meet every Tuesday during term time at Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Herringthorpe 9.30-11am.

ROTHERHAM PROBUS GROUP: Next meeting Tuesday November 10, when the talk by David Wadkin is ‘A History of Printing’. This will be followed on November 17 with a ‘Club Morning’, after which the group is on its winter break and resumes in January.