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

ABOUT ROTHERHAM

Mrs Jill Rhodes - Tel 01709 210072 or email [email protected]

ROTHERHAM METRO RAMBLERS: Saturday November 7 - a moderate 8 mile walk from Brookhouse to Roche Abbey and Thurcroft led by Ken Whetter 07809312903, meet 10am in Travellers Rest CP, Main St, Brookhouse, S25 1ZG. Wednesday November 11 - a moderate 7.5 mile walk, Laughton circular led by Ivor Wilson 07743135028, meet 10am roadside parking on School Rd and Castle Green near Laughton Junior School S25 1YP. Saturday November 14 - a 7.5 mile walk led by Gill Burley 07979444046, meet 10am in the 2nd CP on right of Linacre Reservoirs off B6050, S42 7AU. See ramblers.org.uk/rotherham-metro.

DELIVERED LIBRARY SERVICES: A free service caters for residents who cannot get to a local branch library. A member of the team will assess you for eligibility and will take note of your interests and needs. The team will pick your items and deliver them to your door. The service can deliver up to 20 items per visit. Telephone 01709 823886 or email [email protected].

HAVE YOUR SAY: Rotherham residents, tenants and landlords are being asked to take a short survey on the council plans to improve standards in private rented homes. The survey is at https://tinyurl.com/56v4j83m.

FESTIVE SWITCH ON: Rotherham town centre’s annual Christmas Lights Switch-On will take place on Saturday November 14 3-6pm. Live music in All Saints’ Square, street entertainment, Christmas workshops in Rotherham Minster, performances from young musicians at Forge Island, and a magical Winter Wonderland in Snail Yard. The Lights Switch-On is at 6pm, led by the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Haroon Rashid.

BRAMLEY

CHATTY CAFE: Wednesdays 10am-noon at Bill Chafer YC.

ROOMS: Available for hire, mainly daytime, at Bill Chafer YC and Parish Hall on Cross St for clubs or parties etc. Contact 01709 544590.

YOUTH CLUB: Thursdays at Bill Chafer YC 5-7pm catering for 8-14 yrs old. Free entry.

BRAMLEY BRASS BAND: Playing Christmas songs at Bill Chafer YC 3.30-5.30pm on Sunday 22nd November.

MEXBOROUGH & SWINTON

Ruth Booth-Rodgers - Email [email protected]

GARDENING CLUB: Mexborough Library are thinking of starting a Gardening Club and would like to hear from anyone interested. Speak to a member of staff to register your interest or get information.

REMEMBRANCE: Sunday November 8 - an Act of Remembrance at Swinton Cenotaph on Church Street at 10.50am. Sunday November 8 - a Parade and Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, Castle Hill Park, Doncaster Road, Mexborough 11am. Wednesday November 11 - a parade and two minutes’ silence at York Square, High Street, Mexborough 11am.

ST. MARGARET'S PARISH CHURCH: The next Messy Church is on Saturday November 14 11am-12.45pm. Suitable for primary school aged children, free session. Every Tuesday 9.30-11am, a Tots and Toddlers group is held. The group is suitable for parents and carers with pre-school children.

YOUTH GROUP: Swinton Lock Activity Centre now runs one youth group each Thursday, during term time, for children in school years 7-11 4.30-6.30pm, free to attend.

CHRISTMAS BOAT TRIPS: Swinton Lock Activity Centre is running Christmas boat trips with Santa. The boat trips will be running each weekend through December; tickets £9 per person and include a one hour boat trip with Santa and his elves, plus a gift for each child. To book, visit www.swintonlock.org, select the menu tab, choose the tab that says 'What's On' and find the poster with the date on which you wish to book, select 'Book now' and the available time slots will show.

SWINTON COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUP: Members have been carrying out a litter pick around White Lee Road and the canal spur which resulted in 16 bags of rubbish. The group organised the Halloween Party at Swinton Civic Hall last Thursday.

OPEN ARMS FINANCIAL INCLUSION HUB: Drop-in sessions will take place on Tuesday November 10 and Tuesday November 24 9.30am-3.30pm at Swinton Library. The sessions are free.

MEXBOROUGH EVENTS COMMITTEE INCLUSIVE (MECI): The community group is looking for businesses who would like to be part of the forthcoming Mexborough Christmas Lights Switch-On event by providing sponsorship. The group has organised lots of free family entertainment but extra sponsorship would allow them to add more. Telephone 07887750175 or email [email protected].

MEXBOROUGH NEIGHBOURHOOD NETWORK: Volunteers have been out litter picking around Doncaster Road, Don View, Pastures Road, Pastures Court, Clayfield Road, and Kings Road, to name but a few. As well as clearing the community of litter, a damaged bin on Park Road park was reported to Doncaster Council.

GREASBROUGH

FRIENDS OF GREASBROUGH PARK: Next meeting at park pavilion on Wednesday November 25. See park notice board for information. Volunteer gardening group meets at pavilion every Tuesday 8.30am.

GREASBROUGH COMMUNITY BOWLING CLUB: Wednesday October 28 - 21up doubles, David Green and Brian Roberts, Les Bell and Rachel Lancaster; round robin heat, Dot Payne. Saturday October 31 - 21up doubles, Martyn Heap and John Byers, Peter Greenwood and Jenson Jones, Rachel Lancaster and Alan Bower. Sunday November 1st - 21up doubles, Mick LLoyd and Alan Bower, Dot Payne and John Byers. Green is now closed for winter maintenance but should be fit to resume play in 4 weeks’ time. Times for winter bowling are weekends 10.30am, Monday and Wednesday 12.30pm and alternate bowling with Barkers Park on Thursdays 11.30am. During maintenance break will be at Barkers Park on Thursdays. Contact John Byers 07715 067335 or Maureen Taylor 07904 517226.

WICKERSLEY

ST ALBAN’S CHURCH: The Beta Bible Study Group met on Monday to continue their study of Matthew’s Gospel. The Bishop of Doncaster, Bishop Leah, gave a talk on Wednesday in the Barn as part of the “An Evening With…” series of fundraising events for the church heating. The next Fundraising Coffee Morning is on Friday 6 November 10am-noon in the Barn Church Hall. Remembrance Weekend will be celebrated with events and services at St Alban’s. On Saturday 7 November there will be a Festival of Remembrance 7pm, when there will be a Commemoration of the Sacrifice of the Fallen. On Sunday 8 November there will be a special 10.30am service in church, followed by an outdoor service noon at Wickersley War Memorial on Morthen Road. Poppy Wreaths will be laid at the Memorial. The final service of the day is 6pm.

WICKERSLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD GROUP (WING): Meet Wednesday in term time in the Barn Church Hall, Church Lane, Wickersley, S66 1ES. Meetings 1.30-3.30pm. There was no Barn meeting on November 4 as a party of members visited Dobbies Garden Centre. Next meeting on Wednesday 11 November and this will be the AGM. Contact Anne Hudson 01709 542873.