Dronfield Eye Issue 213 September 2023

dronfield EYE
I
T has been a year since the official launch of the Dronfield Woodhouse Community Support
Hub at Moray Place and an open day was held to mark the occasion.
Farida McGann set up the hub to help people connect after the pandemic and to provide a safe
meeting place for people to improve their mental health and well-being.
A single group has grown into several, with mental health support on Thursdays.
The latest news from the hub is that funding has been obtained from the Yorkshire Foundation and
National Lottery to provide trips to similar groups in other areas and to visit London.
Farida said: “Although it has been hard work, we have had support from a lot of people. We wanted to
have a celebration and to say thanks for that support.”
Calling in to congratulate the organisation on its successful first year, and to chat to local residents
who use the facility was Dronfield Town Mayor, Coun Susan Burkitt, and her consort, husband Keith
Burkitt.
The next step in the hub’s story is that it is set to become a Tenants’ and Residents’ Association.
Meanwhile, fund-raising efforts include the sale of paper flowers at Eckington Market.
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Dronfield Town Mayor, Coun Susan Burkitt, and her consort, husband Keith Burkitt, call
in on the celebrations at the Community Support Hub at Moray Place, off Pentland Road
Hub’s first birthday
Fund-raising bouquets
of paper flowers
Mona reaches 100
L
OCAL resident Mona Furness recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
Mona was raised at The Gables on Northern Common, Dronfield
Woodhouse, and worked in Sheffield’s steelworks during World War II, proudly
earning a Woman of Steel Award in 2016.
After marrying husband Len in 1949, Mona moved to Cheshire, running a
restaurant in Manchester which boasted well-known customers such as footballer
George Best.
Following retirement, the couple returned to Dronfield Woodhouse.
Mona and Len loved dancing and were regulars at tea dances at Sheffield City
Hall. In her later years, after Len sadly died in 2006, Mona socialised at The
Welcome Club, St Andrew’s Coffee and Cake sessions and the Luncheon Club, at
Cliffe Park.
She is still often seen having lunch at Ferndale Garden Centre, at Coal Aston,
where she is regularly congratulated on her elegant outfits and beautiful hats!
Mona celebrated her birthday at a lunch with friends and a tea party with singing
and dancing at the residential home in Woodseats where she now lives. One of
the highlights was receiving a card from the King
Mona is pictured proudly displaying her 100th birthday
greeting from King Charles III and Queen Camilla