WHAT'S ON: Around Rotherham

KIVETON PARK INDEPENDENT ADVICE CENTRE: A drop-in session, with no appointment necessary, will be held on Thursday 9-11.30am at The Arnold Centre in Rotherham (telephone for details). To contact (office hours) 01909 773966. The advice centre believes there is a demand for appointments on a Saturday for clients who are unable to attend weekday appointments due to employment, child care or transport issues so there will be a number of case-work type appointments on a Saturday.

ROTHERHAM CITIZENS ADVICE: Rotherham CAB has employed more debt advisers. The CAB won extra funding from the Money Advice Service which it is using to improve its debt provision. The CAB has two more debt workers and more support staff at the Rain Building next to the indoor market on Eastwood Lane, Rotherham. If people can’t get there they can see an adviser at one of 14 debt outreaches across the community. People can see a debt adviser on Thursday 9am-7pm at a debt drop-in at the Rain Building. The advisers can see people face-to-face or give advice by telephone. Contact 03444 111 444 or visit the office in the Rain Building.

ROTHERHAM SOCIETY OF ARTISTS: Meet at Unity Centre, St Leonard’s Road on Fridays 7-9pm. Membership £30 per year, visitors £5 per session. Contact [email protected], www.rotherhamsocietyofartists.org.uk. April 1 – follow-up workshop on textures, D-V-D and practical. April 15 – life drawing (may be with tutor). April 29 – life drawing. May 13 – AGM plus art experience if time.

ROTHERHAM SAFE HAVEN: The Rotherham Safe Haven at Talbot Lane Methodist Church operates on Fridays from 10pm until, if necessary, about 4am on Saturday. A small team of volunteers provides this temporary refuge for vulnerable people in the town centre, working alongside Street Pastors. The team could benefit from more volunteers, especially women. Contact town centre chaplain Barrie Thomas 01709 532203.

FRIENDS IN HARMONY CHOIR: www.friendsinharmony.co.uk.

TEMPLEBOROUGH STEELWORKERS REUNION: This annual event will take place on March 25 at Rotherham Cricket Club on Broom Road 7.30pm. It is open to anyone who worked at Templeborough Steelworks. For tickets, contact Alan Kirk 01709 550510.

ROTHERHAM METRO RAMBLERS: March 23 – an eight mile Three Doomsday Villages circular walk taking in Kiveton, Todwick, South Anston and the Cuckoo Way, leaders Gill Burley and Val Rowley 0114 2875205, meet 10am Wales Comprehensive School, Chestnut Avenue. March 26 – choice of two walks: a 10 mile Conjure Alders Wood and Kings Road walk covering Bothamsall, Kirton, Walesby village along Rivers Maun and Meden, leaders Alan and Margaret Mettam 01709 370426, meet 10am B6387 road at Haughton near Bothamsall, parking area off the road on a double bend; a five mile Rother Valley and Lakes circular walk, leader Tehera Lokhandwala, meet 10am at Orchid building opposite Elmwood Farm pub, park on side street or off mini roundabout off A57. Contact www.ramblers.org.uk/rotherham-metro.

ROTHERHAM RAMBLING CLUB: Contact Sylvia Duncan 01709 374841, www.rotherhamramblingclub.co.uk.

TALBOT LANE CHURCH: The Thursday lunchtime service on March 3 was led by Mary Timmis. Talbot Lane played host to the Women’s World Day of Prayer service. The address was given by Rev Shan Rush of St Mark’s Church, Broomhill. On Mothering Sunday the service was taken by Rev Karen Beecham. Children distributed primula plants to the ladies of the congregation. The death was announced of church member Mrs Joyce Dolling. On March 14 a coffee morning was held to raise money for church funds. The Safe Haven Project continued last Friday evening helping young people in need.

ROTHERHAM FEDERATION OF COMMUNITIES (ROTHERFED): The group celebrates its ten year anniversary at AGM 2-4pm on March 30 at Springwell Gardens Community Centre. There will be a RotherFed cake, an auction, free prize quiz and familiar faces from the first AGM in 2006. There will be stalls and a free buffet. As well as the formal business, the afternoon will include a report of RotherFed’s social audit and the presentation of a special award to a RotherFed volunteer. Steve Ruffle, development manager of RotherFed, said: “The AGM will be a celebration of the work of a lot of people working together to make the Federation become what it is today, supporting and working in collaboration with tenants’ and residents’ associations and community associations all around the borough.” All AGM places must be booked 01709 368515 or [email protected].

ROTHERHAM STAMP AND POSTCARD CLUB: March 1 – at a meeting in Longfellow Drive Community Hall, Herringthorpe, Neville Angell presented philatelic material relating to the British Army and documentation relating to the Royal Marines. The second part of the presentation related to postcards of Rorkes Drift and photographs re-enacting the Battle of Waterloo. The society meets on the first Tuesday of each month 7.30pm.

ROTHERHAM FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY: The March meeting was held in the Liberty Church, Station Road, Masborough when Richard Wimpenny talked about the 1917 mutiny of French troops during World War One. The competition winner was Suzanne High. The next meeting, at the Liberty Church, will be the AGM and workshop on April 7 7pm.