Aroundtown Magazine Jan/Feb 2025 edition

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025

www.aroundtownmagazine.co.uk

Est. 2004

BARNSLEY | ROTHERHAM

South Yorkshire’s Premier FREE Lifestyle Magazine

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HISTORY | HEALTH & BEAUTY | HOMES & GARDENS | IN THE COMMUNITY | FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT & MUCH MORE...

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Welcome

to the January/February edition of

Aroundtown Magazine.

They say health is wealth

and a New Year makes us

all take stock of our health

and wellbeing.

16

contents

32

As well as our regular health topic, we have

expanded on this with ways to look after your physical

and mental health in 2025.

One thing we’ve become renowned for is sharing

things happening on your doorstep you might have not

known about. These are mostly free or just a nominal

cost. From walking clubs and hobby groups to festivals

for beer and books, turn the pages to find out more.

Something a bit different this winter is an out-of-this

world free event in Rotherham that stargazers of any

age will go galactic for.

Our popular history and sport articles are back

up and running for 2025 and, thanks to connections

in the community we’ve established, we have some

interesting topics planned throughout the year.

Wishing you all the best for 2025. This year marks a

significant milestone for us as we ‘come of age’ in our

21st year.

Over the last two decades, the print industry has

much declined, fuelled by the rise of online news

outlets and the fall in newspaper sales. But, thankfully

for us, people still love to pick up a physical copy of

our magazine – especially when it’s for free.

It’s free for you but not for us – but let us worry

about the enormous print bill! All we ask is that you

support our many loyal advertisers, as without them

we wouldn’t be able to keep producing such a

high-quality magazine.

And if you have a story to share, please get in touch

and we will work our magic.

Cheryl, Amber and the team x


Follow us on twitter

@AroundTown_Mag

Like us on Facebook

@aroundtownmag

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For all advertising and editorial

enquiries, please call

01709 331020 or 07940 842408

Director/Advertising Cheryl Collinson

cheryl@aroundtownpublications.co.uk

Editor Amber Stainrod

amber@aroundtownpublications.co.uk

Designer Leanne Keetley

Administration & Accounts Karen White

Contributors Andrew Watson, Sally Cunis,

Chris Moody, James Ward

Cheryl Collinson Consultancy Ltd trading as Aroundtown,

Unit 26 Moorgate Crofts Business Centre,

South Grove, Rotherham S60 2DH


This is a privately owned magazine not connected with any

other publishing, magazine or newspaper group. No part of

this publication may be reproduced in any way or stored in any

retrieval system without the consent of the publisher.

?? Aroundtown Meets

?? 04 Patrick Murphy

Fasion, Health & Beauty

06 Winter Illnesses

18 January Blues

Homes & Gardens

52 Interior Trends for 2025

64 Out in the Garden

Food & Entertainment

68 Wine and Food Pairing

70 Winter Warmer Recipes

Features

14 Rotherham u3a 30th Anniversary

20 Weddings

30 Barnsley Book Festival

44 Planets in the Park

50 Sheffield Gang Wars

72 Sheffield FA Grassroots Awards

aroundtownmagazine.co.uk 3

MEETS

Industrious Revolutions. Photo: Asadour Guzelian

meets

Patrick Murphy

Barnsley’s Patrick

Murphy isn’t an artist to

be pigeonholed.

He’s flown hundreds of brightly

coloured birds around the world,

immortalised Billy and Kes in steel, lit

up South Yorkshire with poetic neon

signs, fired a laser beam as the crow

flies across Barnsley, and colourbombed

the East Front façade at

Wentworth Woodhouse.

But the bigger picture is that he’s

done all of this and more without

flying his Darfield nest.

“You can leave Barnsley to try and

make it as an artist, but why should

you have to?” Patrick says.

“There’s an assumption that you’ve

got to be in London if you’re an artist.

You won’t make it anywhere else.

At one point, if I said I was based in

Barnsley I’d be given a certain look.

But I get a kick out of it now.”

International curators have flocked

to Patrick, commissioning largescale

bird-themed installations in

France, Belgium, Canada and China.

Closer to home, you’ll see his work

at Elsecar in the form of a giant steel

horse, the Kes sculpture in Hoyland

Common, and neon installations

on buildings around Barnsley

town centre.

Patrick is the epitome of a

4 aroundtownmagazine.co.uk

multimedia artist, exploring different

mediums so as not to clip his own

wings. His work has a universal

theme of issues that impact working

class people. Belonging. Inclusion.

The desire for happiness.

“The working class drove

a lot of culture but are totally

underrepresented these days.

There was funding in my time, and

I wouldn’t have gone to art college

without it.”

Growing up on a council estate in

Barnsley, Patrick was the only child

of ex-paratrooper John and his wife

Mabel, a nurse at Kendray Hospital.

John had moved back to Barnsley

in the late ‘60s after years in America.

He’d emigrated and joined the Big

Red One, America’s first infantry

division. John spent the 1960s in

America’s Deep South; he was there

when JFK was shot and MLK Jr

campaigned for civil rights. He then

moved to Brooklyn where he was a

night manager for restaurant chain,

Bickfords.

“He’d tell me stories of getting held

up at gunpoint or recommending

Welsh rarebit to the mafia boss Lucky

Luciano. Dad had been around the

world, but he still loved Barnsley the

most. Staying in Barnsley is probably

down to him.”

Patrick was raised on a diet of art

Neon River. Photo: Gavin Joynt

and culture, consuming the work of

Yorkshire artists David Hockney and

Henry Moore. The Murphys’ living

room was filled with books, including

a stack sent by Germaine Greer

after John wrote to her asking for

recommendations.

John and Mabel devoted their time

to Patrick and actively encouraged

his love of art from a young age. As

too did his teachers.

One of his earliest memories

is being tasked with drawing his

school, St Joseph’s in Kendray,

when he was around seven.

“I was always fascinated by

drawing and my teachers knew I was

good at it. One day I was given a

big board and some paper and sent

out onto the playing field to draw the

building. It was the weirdest thing

sat there looking back at my school.

But I remember thinking how good it

was to connect with people through

my drawings.

“I concentrated on drawing that

much that I lost interest in other

subjects like maths. I think the part

of the brain responsible for creativity

doesn’t usually excel at algebra.”

When he moved up to secondary

school, St Michael’s in Athersley,

teacher backing of his creativity

continued and Patrick was

encouraged to pursue being an artist

after leaving school.

MEETS

Fierce Love Neon

Photo: Tim Cleasby

He won a place at Barnsley Art

College, which was based in an

old Victorian house on Churchfield.

Patrick then went on to study art and

design at the newly formed Sheffield

College in the late 1980s.

Since then, Patrick has worked as

a professional artist. He works from

a studio in Barnsley town centre

behind Cooper Gallery, the place

which kick-started his career 25

years ago.

“The first big thing to happen in my

career was a solo exhibition at the

Cooper in 2000. It was a Herculean

project based on urban landscapes,

using old bus stop adshels. I

collected 15 of them from a bus

depot in London and had to shift

them all in the back of a van before

painting them.”

Various other large-scale

installations followed. For ‘Volume’

in 2010, he calculated how many

ballpit balls would be needed to fill

public spaces like a telephone box

at Elescar (1,600), a shop window

on Eldon Street (10,890) and Emley

Moor Mast (75,320).

He projected a larger-thanlife

whippet onto the façade of

Cannon Hall Museum for ‘Red Dog’

transformed the front of Barnsley

Council’s old headquarters with

brightly coloured windows for ‘Strata’

and explored a forgotten industry for

the ‘Barnsley Brick Project’.

But Patrick’s career really took flight

in 2012 when he was commissioned

to create a piece for Liverpool

Biennial, an international art festival,

after the curator had seen ‘Strata’.

Based on the festival’s theme

of ‘Unexpected Guests’, aimed at

raising awareness of homelessness,

Patrick created ‘Belonging’, making

200 life-sized pigeons that would

take over the city’s Walker Gallery.

The exposure from Liverpool

Biennial led to more and more work

across the globe. Patrick’s flock

of pigeons have travelled to Soho,

Belgium, British Colombia in Canada,

and most recently Shanghai for a big

Chinese art festival.

“I settled on pigeons because I love

them, but people also hate them.

Pigeons are a symbol of human

struggle in finding acceptance.

They search for a better sense of

circumstances to achieve happiness.

And birds have no language

barrier. Everyone can relate to the

natural world.

“The first piece is always your

favourite as its such a learning curve.

There’s nobody to teach you how

to install public art on buildings. But

I’ve put a great team together and

thankfully nothing has ever fallen

off. But we did have some pigeons

stolen from Soho Square.”

In 2021, Patrick was commissioned

to create a similar piece of art for Le

Havre’s iconic City Hall building, a

UNESCO world heritage site. With Le

Havre being a French fishing port,

Patrick opted for seagulls instead

of pigeons.

Patrick had to meticulously plan

where each of the 200 seagulls was

going to be placed to complement

the striking architecture of the

building, including the 72-metre-tall

clock tower.

Back home in Barnsley, the natural

world has continued to influence

Patrick’s work.

He worked with Anton Want to

create graphic land art, a book and

merchandise to celebrate the 50th

anniversary of Barry Hines’ book

A Kestrel and a Knave. And last

summer he unveiled his follow-up

project, Billy and Kes, in Hoyland

Common. The steel sculpture depicts

the moment when Billy releases his

beloved Kes.

“It’s across the road from Barry

Hines’ old home and is a symbol of

freedom and escape.”

Swapping feathered friends for

foals, Patrick created the Dearne

Valley Horse for a project with

Discover Dearne inspired by the

horses he saw at the end of his

street while out on walks with his wife

Tracey during the Covid pandemic.

Visitors to Wentworth Woodhouse

may have seen Patrick’s ‘Neon

Horse’, a modern interpretation

of George Stubbs’ famous

Whistlejacket painting.

And his most recent installation

is ‘Industrious Revolutions’ down

the road in Elsecar at the edge of

the canal basin. The giant horse,

fabricated in Corten steel, tells the

story of Elsecar’s heritage and that of

the Trans Pennine Trail.

Patrick’s design features a dog

walker, cyclist, canal boat and train

to represent the use of the TPT and

surrounding area. Look closely and

you’ll see a salmon, birds and a few

cogs and wheels to represent the

industrial revolution that fuelled the

Fitzwilliam family’s wealth and power.

“I get ideas while out walking, sat

in the bath, or when I wake up in the

morning. It starts with sketches of my

initial thought, then I’ll take it to the

next stage through research, which

accounts for around sixty percent

of a project. This helps me form a

connection to the surrounding area

by understanding its heritage.

“For this project, I chose a horse

for horsepower; a symbol of how

important horses were to the

Victorian times. The material was

chosen for its industrial look to make

sure it’s in-keeping with the heritage

of the site.”

For his upcoming project ‘A Walk

Around Town’, Patrick has delved

into the world of augmented reality

to bring a new dimension to his art.

Working with fellow Darfielder, Ian

McMillan, Patrick has created an

AR sculpture for each of Barnsley’s

six principal towns: Cudworth,

Goldthorpe, Hoyland, Penistone,

Royston and Wombwell.

Each high street will have a QR

code that you can scan and a

unique sculpture appears on your

phone. Patrick and Ian hosted free

workshops with the public to gather

stories from which they designed a

relevant sculpture for each town and

a series of art maps. There are birds,

lions and even a unicorn to find!

See more of Patrick’s work at

www.patrickmurphystudio.

co.uk

Photo: Mark McNulty

Photo: Arnaud Tinel


HEALTH & WELLBEING

You&your

health

Winter Illnesses

With Good Measure Pharmacy

From cold and flu to chest

infections and the winter

vomiting bug, your immune

system can take a battering in

the winter months.

But if you are over 65 or have an existing

health condition like asthma or arthritis, you might

be even more affected by the cold weather.

Why does the cold weather impact

our health?

Did your mother or your granny used to tell

you to wrap up warm or you’d catch a cold?

It might sound like an old wives’ tale, but

there are many reasons why you’re more likely to

become ill during winter:

• Some viruses survive more easily in cold

temperatures and lower humidity

• The cold weakens your immune system,

making it harder to fight off illnesses

• Illnesses spread more easily because we

spend more time with people indoors

• Cold air irritates and narrows the

airways, producing more mucus which

can worsen wheezing, coughing and

breathlessness

What illnesses are more

common during winter?

Flu

The flu, aka influenza, is a viral illness

that affects the respiratory system. It’s very

contagious and is spread through the air when

you cough or sneeze, or by touching surfaces

where the virus has landed. Flu is more prevalent

from October until March but you can still catch it

when the weather is mild.

For most people flu can cause unpleasant

symptoms like a dry, chesty cough, high

temperature, headache, and aches and pain. If

you are vulnerable, flu can cause severe illness,

which is why the flu vaccine is given to people


who are over 65, have certain health conditions,

or are pregnant.

Common cold

Colds are easily spread to other people,

especially in wintertime, but they’re usually

harmless. There are many different viruses

that can cause the common cold – however,

‘rhinoviruses’ cause most colds. Symptoms of

the common cold include things like a blocked

or runny nose, a sore throat and a headache and

can last up to ten days.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia occurs when the lungs become

inflamed, usually because of a bacterial or

viral infection. You can catch pneumonia from

someone who has it, or it can develop from

another infection such as flu or Covid.

Symptoms include a cough with yellow or

green mucus, shortness of breath and a high

temperature. Some people might also get chest

pain, an aching body, loss of appetite, wheezing,

and confusion.

It usually clears with a course of antibiotics but

you’re more at risk of becoming seriously ill and

needing hospital treatment if you’re over 65 or

have a heart or lung condition.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in

body temperature below 35°C. You can get

hypothermia if you don’t wear enough clothing in

cold weather, stay out in the cold for too long, fall

into cold water, have wet clothes and get cold, or

live in a cold house.

Symptoms include shivering, slurred speech

and slow breathing. It’s a medical emergency,

just like a stroke or a heart attack, so it must be

treated in hospital.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a common condition that’s

usually caused by a bacterial or viral stomach

bug. It causes diarrhoea and vomiting and, in

some cases, a mild fever.

In adults, gastroenteritis is often caused

by the norovirus, aka the winter vomiting bug,

which is very contagious at this time of year. You

might also get headaches, stomach cramps and

aching limbs, but lots of rest and fluid will help

ease symptoms.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

SAD is a type of depression that commonly

occurs during the winter months when there are

fewer hours of daylight and less exposure to

sunlight. This affects the hypothalamus, the part

of the brain that regulates things like melatonin

and serotonin production and your internal

body clock.

Symptoms include low mood, sleep

problems, lethargy, overeating, anxiety, difficulty

concentrating, and losing interest in things that

you usually enjoy. If you think you have SAD,

you should book an appointment with your

GP to check your mental health. They might

recommend things like talking therapies, light

therapy or medication.

When should I see a doctor?

Winter is the busiest time for the NHS, so

managing your health at home can reduce the

pressures felt within emergency care at this time

of year.

If you are usually fit and well, you don’t

generally need to see your GP for a minor

winter illness as your local pharmacy team can

offer advice and over-the-counter medicines to

relieve symptoms.

If your symptoms suggest it’s something more

serious, pharmacists can refer you to see a GP,

nurse or other healthcare professional.

Andrew Watson

If you have any specific health concerns,

please feel free to contact me at

Good Measure or email me at

andy@thewatsons.co.uk

HEALTH & WELLBEING

2025:

the year for you!

A new year, a blank

page yet to be written,

a chance to hit the

reset button on life.

While New Year resolutions

often get a bad rap for

encouraging unrealistic goals

or adding extra pressure on us,

they can also be a great starting

point to prioritise your health and

wellbeing on your own terms.

In 2025, embrace those

small, attainable goals that don’t

drastically overhaul your current

life but still make you feel better

about life.

That might be prioritising

your physical and mental health.

Whether you’d benefit from regular

exercise, keeping on top of your

eye or foot health, or scheduling in

a monthly beauty treatment, make

2025 the year you take better care

of your body.

Nourish your body and boost

your mood by eating better. Try

and cook something new each

week to prevent getting stuck in a

rut of falling back into unhealthy

eating habits and monotonous

mealtimes.

Maybe you want to start a

new hobby to add some joy and

fulfilment to life. That could be

joining a book club, an art group, a

dance class, taking up gardening,

or even just journalling.

Or perhaps it’s pledging to

make time for loved ones. Life

goes by and before you know it it’s

been weeks or months since you

last saw those close to you. But

this year, try to make a conscious

effort to check in regularly, whether

in-person or via video call.

Whatever 2025 has in store

for you, we hope you find

inspiration of new things to try

and new places to visit by reading

Aroundtown Magazine.

Free NHS prescription delivery service

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Postal orders also available across the UK

Skip GP wait times with our

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Quicker, convenient care from medically

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Video or phone consultations for 7 ailments including UTIs,

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Medication can be prescribed immediately if necessary

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Flu and Covid vaccinations

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Weight loss clinic with diet injections and ongoing support

Health check for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes

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Travel vaccine centre Stay protected during your travels,

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LOOK GOOD FEEL GOOD 2025

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A special thank you to all my lovely patients for

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Getting to the root

cause of hairloss

Is your once-thick hair becoming a

shadow of its former self?

You’ve likely tried every shampoo, serum,

and supplement—all to no avail. If hair thinning

feels like a mystery you can’t solve, Sheffield

Trichology Clinic is here to help untangle

the cause.

A widening part or receding hairline might

seem minor, but hair loss can hold deep

emotions. For many men and women, it’s not

just about appearance, it’s about confidence

and identity.

At Sheffield Trichology Clinic, expert

trichologist Sarah Sullivan can help you

uncover the reasons behind your hair loss and

provide a clear, effective action plan to restore

your confidence.

After nearly 30 years as a hair stylist and

educator, Sarah retrained as a trichologist in

2021 to support a growing number of clients

struggling with hair loss and scalp concerns.

She offers confidential consultations both

in-person at her Dinnington clinic and online,

addressing the root causes of your hair

concerns with care and expertise.

“

This luxurious steam and

aromatherapy treatment is

not only deeply relaxing but

also the perfect tonic this

winter, leaving your scalp

rejuvenated and your hair

glossy and lustrous

”

Hair loss can be genetic, but it can also be

due to autoimmune disorders, hormonal

changes, medications, stress, vitamin

deficiencies, poor diet or overuse of hair dye,

heat or styling products.

Following diagnostic tests, Sarah will create

a tailored treatment plan, whether it’s lifestyle

adjustments, trichology treatments, or nonsurgical

solutions such as custom hair toppers

and wigs, which she’s extensively trained in.

The clinic also offers the Japanese Head

Spa, a viral scalp detox treatment that aids hair

growth by removing impurities, product build-up,

and excess oil that can clog hair follicles. This

luxurious steam and aromatherapy treatment is

not only deeply relaxing but also the perfect tonic

this winter, leaving your scalp rejuvenated and

your hair glossy and lustrous.

Don’t let hair loss hold you back. Get expert

support and a personalised plan with Sheffield

Trichology Clinic. Your confidence - and your hair

- deserve it.

If you are suffering from hair loss due to cancer

treatment, Sarah runs a monthly wig bank at

Rotherham Cancer Care on the last Wednesday

of the month. Here, you choose a donated wig

which Sarah will fit, style and blend for a small

donation to the charity. To enable the service to

continue she welcomes people to donate good

quality new and used wigs.

The science of hair from experts who care

HAIR LOSS CLINIC & JAPENESE HEAD

SPA

Diagnostic tools available to

determine the reason behind:

• Thinning hair

• Hair shedding

• Alopecia and pattern hair loss

• Scalp conditions and infections

• Dry, frizzy or brittle hair

Tailored treatment plans including

theradome laser phototherapy and

non-surgical hair replacement systems

Suitable for both men and women

Promote healthy hair growth with

our new Japanese head spa

Treatments combines massage techniques,

deep cleansing, and nourishing hair

treatments to promote overall well-being.

Our skilled therapist use customised

techniques to address various

conditions, including:

• Hair Loss and Thinning Hair

• Insomnia and Sleep Disorders

• Dry and itchy scalp

• Stress and Anxiety

Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and alternate Saturdays By appointment only

The Arcade, 60a Laughton Road, Dinnington S25 2PS

www.sarahsullivan-trichology.co.uk @trichology_sheffield


HEALTH & WELLBEING

New Year New Hue

With Chris Moody of Moodyhair

A new year is the

perfect time to refresh

your hair look and the

easiest way is with a

change to your hair

colour.

Unlike a haircut that might leave

you worrying about length or growth

time, hair colour offers a flexible way

to experiment without a long-term

commitment.

We always recommend visiting a

professional stylist for colour. While

the convenience of a box dye may

be tempting, it’s worth investing in

a salon treatment to avoid uneven

colour or unexpected outcomes.

The first step to your

transformation is deciding whether

you’d like your hair colour to be

subtle, radiant or vibrant.

A subtle colour change

Subtle enhancements are ideal

for those who prefer a natural,

low-maintenance look. Consider

fine, woven strands of colour

through the top or fringe of your

hair for a sun-kissed effect. Your

stylist can gently lighten or tone

these strands to create warmth that

blends seamlessly with your natural

shade, leaving little to no noticeable

regrowth as it fades.

Another option is semi-permanent

gloss. This technique enhances your

natural colour while adding shine

and richness. Since semi-permanent

dyes don’t lighten hair and fade

gradually, they’re an excellent choice

for a no-commitment glow-up.

Step it up with a

radiant colour

Looking for something a bit

bolder? Opt for highlights or lowlights

that are two to four shades lighter or

darker than your base colour. Cool

blondes can bring a frosty sparkle

to your winter look, while vibrant

coppers and rich reds add cosy

warmth to your style.

For longer hair, explore balayage

and hand painted colour for a

‘lived in’ effect. These techniques

provide a gradient look with depth

and dimension.

Go all in with a

vibrant colour

Ready to make a statement?

Permanent hair colour opens a

world of possibilities, from vivid reds

and bright coppers to rich honey

and caramel blondes. To achieve

some very bold and vibrant looks,

pre-lightening may be required,

especially for lighter or brighter

tones. In these cases, it really

pays to visit and consult with your

salon stylist.

Keep in mind that these high

impact colours often require more

frequent maintenance, so be

prepared for regular root touchups

and upkeep. Your stylist can

guide you through the process and

recommend the right care routine to

keep your colour vibrant.

Salon tips for a safe and

fabulous colour experience:

• Always book a patch test at least

24 hours before applying new

colour to ensure you won’t have an

allergic reaction.

• By all means bring inspiration

photos, but remember that

many pictures are filtered and

photoshopped, so use them as

inspiration rather than a hard target.

• Trust your stylist’s expertise and

share your vision openly. They’ll

help you achieve your desired look

while keeping your hair healthy.

Cheers to a colourful 2025!

High Quality Cutting,

Finishing and

Creative Colour

moodynews

Upgrade your

colour service

with a deep

condition

colour save

treatment

for just £5 (rrp £15)

Offer ends

28th February 2025

24Hr online booking now available at www.moodyhair.com

Moodyhair, Garden Street, Darfield, Barnsley

Tel: 01226 752098 Email: info@moodyhair.com Web: www.moodyhair.com

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moodyhair

Follow us on Instagram @moodyhairsalon


HEALTH & WELLBEING

New year

New view

Let us help you achieve

your goals with clear vision

Independent opticians committed to providing a personal and

professional service with the best possible eye care around

Genuine

stockist of:

Open Mon, Tues, Weds & Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm Closed Thurs

41-43 Wellgate, Rotherham S60 2LT

Tel. 01709 376771 | www.obrienfey.co.uk

ONLINE JOINING

PROMO CODE:

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Holiday Inn Rotherham-Sheffield M1, Jct.33, West Bawtry Rd, Rotherham, S60 4NA

*Terms Apply


HEALTH & BEAUTY WELLBEING

30 years

of Rotherham u3a

Founder

members, June Robinson and

Penny Ralph, cutting the “birthday” cake

If you want to stay active, keep

learning and have fun in 2025,

now is the perfect time to join

Rotherham u3a.

The member-led organisation has recently

celebrated its 30th anniversary. Since launching

in August 1994, it has provided lifelong learning

opportunities to scores of people in Rotherham

after they’ve finished full-time work.

In its infancy, Rotherham u3a started with 60

members who had a choice of five activity groups.

Today, membership is up to 500 and there are

now 38 interest groups ranging from sport and

exercise to art and languages.

Whether you’re retired, unemployed or work

part-time, you can join Rotherham u3a to benefit

from their wide choice of activity groups – from

bridge to book club, folk dancing to a family

history group.

To stay active, you could join walking cricket,

football or netball groups, or take part in

yogalates, tai chi or flexercise.

If you’re an avid crafter, there are groups for

yarn addicts, embroidery and card making.

Be inspired with photography, playreading and

creative writing groups. Or the green-fingered

might prefer the gardening and grow your

own groups.

Always wanted to learn a language? You could

try French, Italian or Spanish, with groups for

absolute beginners to advanced.

Love music? Rotherham u3a has a choir, a

singing for fun group, a ukelele band, and an

opera society. There are also various dancing

groups for sequence, folk and line dancing.

Although originally called the University of

the Third Age, there’s no formal teaching at

Rotherham u3a. All activity groups are led by a

co-ordinator, a fellow member, but the groups all

chip in and learn from each other.

There’s also the notion that the u3a is for retired

people who naturally have more time on their

hands. But you can be any age, so long as you

don’t work full time. In recent years, Ru3a has

attracted younger members who have brought

with them new ideas, lots of energy and better

health, providing a boost for the organisation and

its committee.

People join the u3a for all sorts of reasons.

Maybe they’ve become lonely and isolated after

finishing full-time work. Some want to restart a

hobby or do something new for them. Others

might want to make new social connections.

One member said: “I have been a member of

Rotherham u3a for many years now. I had retired

from full-time work and wasn’t prepared for how

this would affect me. I felt isolated and lonely, until

a friend asked if I had heard about the u3a. I can

only say it has been a lifeline for me. I have met

some wonderful friends throughout the years and

look forward to my weekly groups.”

Most groups meet weekly, with daytime and

evening sessions at various venues across

Rotherham. There are also plenty of events

that take place each year, from Christmas

get-togethers to member socials and an

occasional Ceilidh.

The 30th year has been even busier, with

lots of celebratory events taking place since

September. There were regional matches for the

walking football, netball and cricket teams, an art

exhibition, performances by the ukelele group

in community venues like Winthrop Gardens,

and a Christmas concert to raise funds for the

Forget Me Not memory café. Members also

enjoyed an anniversary lunch at Sitwell Golf Club

in December.

There is now a Facebook group for Rotherham

u3a, sharing updates about the different groups,

along with a new-look website where you can

easily see the activity groups on offer, along with

the days, times and venues where they’re held.

Membership for the full year is £60 which gives

you access to as many groups as possible. From

January, this reduces pro-rata to £40, and £20

after Easter. Before signing up as a member, you

can try two sessions for free.

If you’re interested in joining Rotherham

u3a and would like to know more, they

are hosting an open event on Friday 21st

February between 2pm-3.30pm at Broom

Lane Methodist Church, 1 Stag Lane,

Rotherham S60 3NR

www.rotherham.u3asite.uk


HEALTH HEALTH & WELLBEING & BEAUTY

Silver Swans Adult Ballet Classes

• Whether you want to

pick up an old hobby or

simply have fun

•No previous dance

experience required

• Aimed at over 55’s but

anyone over 18 is welcome

Monday Wentworth 11.40-12.40 Tuesday Brecks 10.00-11.00

Thursday Wickersley 10.00-11.00 Jazz 11.15-12.15

www.dancewithlucie.co.uk 07340 404 830

The 1st choice for 1st place

• Sales of Sport Trophies • Cups • Medals

• Shields • Tankards • Crystal • Glass

• Corporate Awards • Giftware and more...

Professional Engraving Service

for Annuals, Jewellery, Cookware etc..

Crane Forge, Spout House Lane, Bromley, Sheffield, S35 7EY

TELEPHONE: 01226 743561 MOBILE: 07713 322 414

EMAIL: info@rockinghamtrophies.co.uk

Artboard 21.pdf 19 16/12/2024 11:49

www.rockinghamtrophies.co.uk

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

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Warm up this winter

with workouts that

won’t break the bank

Get your first month 50%

off with no joining fee!

Use code: WINTER50

yourspacetofeelgood.com


HEALTH & WELLBEING

Two new

Andy’s

Man Club

groups

open in South Yorkshire

More men across

South Yorkshire will

be able to access

free peer-led support

thanks to the launch of

two new Andy’s Man

Club groups.

A group at Kiveton Park’s Old

Colliery Offices starts on Monday

13th January and another will open

at Conisbrough Library two weeks

later on the 27th.

The men’s suicide prevention

charity will now have 15 groups

across South Yorkshire. Nationally,

there are around 230 groups, having

increased significantly in recent

years since the charity launched in

2016. Each week, over 5,800 men

attend nationwide.

In Rotherham, there are four other

established groups at The Centre

Brinsworth, Brooklands Club in

Maltby, Manvers Community Fire

Station, and Tesco Drummond

Street.

In Barnsley, there are three

groups: Honeywell Sports Centre,

Library @ The Lightbox in the town

centre, and Wombwell Library.

All clubs meet at 7pm each

Monday, except for bank holidays.

The weekly meetings are a chance

for men to talk about any storms

they’re currently going through or

ones they are brewing.

Whether you’re having a bad

day, bad week or bad month, or

you’ve been through it and want

to encourage others that things do

get better, Andy’s Man Club is there

for you.

It’s often said that men don’t talk

about their problems. But men will

talk if given a safe space to do so.

However, there’s no pressure to talk;

it’s just as okay to listen to others.

The five questions that are asked

each week are designed not only to

encourage men to talk, but to start

to focus on the positives and on

strategies to keep moving forward.

There’s no referral, no registration,

no charge, no judgement, no

counsellors. Just normal blokes with

normal lives meeting up for a brew

and a biscuit.

All the guys running the clubs

are volunteers who have used and

continue to use the groups for their

own needs. They know just how

hard it is to make that first step.

But they also know how important

it is to end the stigma surrounding

men’s mental health.

On average one man takes his

life every two hours in the UK. That’s

why Andy’s Man Club was started

in 2016 by Luke Ambler, whose

brother-in-law Andy died by suicide.

Andy’s family had no idea that

he was suffering or struggling to the

extent that he would take his own

life. As a result, they looked deeper

into male suicide and men’s mental

health, discovering that male suicide

is the biggest killer of men under 50

and a well-ingrained cultural stigma

of male mental health in the UK.

If you’re a man over 18 and want

to get stuff off your chest, have

some company, and even have a

laugh or two, all it takes is that first

step through the door.

And remember:

#ITSOKAYTOTALK

Find your nearest group at

www.andysmanclub.co.uk


hair & beauty

Let us help you

achieve beautiful skin

Microdermabrasion

The SkinBase facial is fast, safe and effective, and

you can achieve fresher, clearer skin in a few short

treatments

Get the glow with

The secret to youthful looking skin, as loved by the

celebrities. Look and feel refreshed and revived

CACI Quantum non-surgical facial toning

• Gentle on the skin so there is no interruption to your lifestyle

• Lifts and tones facial muscles

• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles

• Improves elasticity to tighten sagging skin

Microcurrent therapy delivers tiny electrical impulses that mirror

the body’s own natural bioelectrical field. Microcurrent stimulation

helps to re-educate the muscles and can lift, firm and tone

After a course of CACI treatments you will see real improvements

in how your skin looks and feels. Your facial contours will look

lifted and toned with a fresher, more youthful appearance.

BEFORE

AFTER

Begin your skin transformation now

A monthly top up treatment

is then recommended

to maintain results.

Voted ‘Best Advanced Treatment’, SkinBase

Microdermabrasion is an effective, intense exfoliating

treatment.

A non-surgical approach to skin rejuvenation

• Using fine crystals, the outer layer of the skin cells are

buffed away to reveal the fresh skin beneath

• The vacuum stimulates circulation and increases blood flow

• Perfect solution for fine lines and wrinkles, acne-prone skin,

stretch marks and much more….

Special

OFFER

£30

Saving £5

Valid until

28th February 2025

2 facials for

£70 OFFER

Saving £26

Must be taken within a month

£40 on your first visit

£30 on your second visit

Valid until

28th February 2025

hair & beauty

Open Tuesday to Saturday

107 Laughton Road, Dinnington, Sheffield S25 2PN

Tel: 01909 567733 Ample Free Parking

Find us on Facebook

at JUST Hair & Beauty Salon

FASHION

Pink Boutique, Birdwell

January

blues

Once the temperature

drops, those neutral

colours seem to come

out from the back of

the wardrobe.

Black, brown, beige, grey. But

one unexpected neutral, and

often the most timeless, is navy.

Navy is a great alternative to

black and makes those everyday

staples feel more elegant with

minimal effort. This winter, try

swapping out your trusty black

coat for a navy one.

Heading off to a winter

wedding? Navy is the perfect

colour for winter occasion wear.

It works well with any colour, from

bright pink and yellow to beige

and cream.

Another blue hue that’s

going viral this winter is cobalt.

TikTokkers are raving about the

Unexpected Blue Theory which

sees you add a pop of this

electric blue to a muted, tonal

outfit. It is supposed to make

your outfit look instantly pulled

together. The easiest way to test

it out is with your accessories,

such as a blue scarf, jewellery

or bag.

The Clothes Shop, Todwick

Pink Boutique

Birdwell

Mother of the bride

& groom, guest and

special occasion outfits

in sizes 10-30

Every lady is special to us,

so booking an appointment

is essential to help us give

you the service you deserve

WHY WAIT?

Many ladies are buying

their dream dress and

spreading the cost with

payment plans available

All budgets catered for

See our

new

designs

for 2025

Open Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm 228 Sheffield Road, Birdwell, Barnsley S70 5TF (less than a mile from jct 36 M1)

Tel: 01226 743063

Read our fabulous reviews

Pink Boutique Birdwell

Sandra Wenham


FASHION

New Image, Sheffield

An Outfit For Every Occasion

Elegant Mother of the bride, groom and special guests,

possibly the largest selection inSouth Yorkshire

The Accessories Shop,

Todwick

Exciting New Collections in sizes 8-24

Call to book your one-to-one appointment

Winter

wrapped up

with stylish

women’s

fashions

we have something

to suit everyone

Sizes 8 to plus size

Labels include

Suzy D London

and Goose Island

Also home to The Accessories Shop

• Bags and purses • Lunar footwear • Jewellery

• Gloves • Hats • Scarves • Umbrellas

Greenscene Garden Centre, Side Farm,

Sheffield Road, Todwick, Sheffield S26 IDJ

Open Monday-Sunday 10am-4pm

07401 080 695 theclothesshoptodwick

Let us help you find the perfect

outfit for your special day

Matching hats, fascinators, shoes and bags

Bespoke headpieces by Milliner Darcie Mae

A deposit will reserve your fabulous outfit

277 Middlewood Road,

Hillsborough, Sheffield S61TG

Car park atrear of store

Open Mon –Sat 10am-5pm, Late Night Tues till 7pm

Telephone 0114 2344880

Email info@new-image.co.uk

www.new-image.co.uk


WEDDINGS

Where service and

style go hand in hand

Every element of your wedding

is personalised to you. And your

rings can be too with a visit to

Infinity Jewellers in Bramley.

The round, infinite circle of a wedding ring

is one of the oldest symbols in the world,

representing an everlasting bond shared

between two people.

Traditionally, couples have worn similar

looking plain gold bands. But today there is more

choice than ever to be creative and express

your individuality.

Infinity Jewellers is a modern jeweller which

retains traditional values at heart. They specialise

in high-quality, bespoke wedding rings that are

made to order.

Say ‘I do’ to letting the team custom-make a

ring that you’ll fall in love with now and forever.

You can choose every element of the ring, from

the metal and finish to the depth and width to

ensure the most comfortable fit.

When it comes to styling rings with your

significant other, choose from co-ordinating

wedding band sets or pair complementary

designs that capture both of your individual

styles. You can even engrave your rings with

lyrics, vows, wedding date or fingerprint for a

truly one-of-a-kind piece.

Whether you opt for a clean and classic

band, a sparkling diamond set band, or a

shaped band to fit around an engagement ring,

you’ll be guaranteed satisfaction by choosing

Infinity Jewellers.

Do you have old or unworn jewellery that has

sentimental value? Did you know you could

incorporate it into your wedding ring with Infinity

Jewellers’ signature A Ring is Reborn service?

The team recently helped their customer Carrie

add a heartfelt touch to her wedding ring by

using inherited jewellery. She was so impressed

by the level of service, Infinity Jewellers has

become her new family jeweller of choice.

She says: “The team were so knowledgeable,

kind and explained the process from start to

finish. I used three items of jewellery left to me

by family members no longer with us. These

meant everything to me. The ring we designed is

more than I ever imagined. It’s a ring that has so

many memories.

“We had such a good experience that we

purchased a ring for my partner that he loves,

and I also had a necklace made by mounting

a stone from one of my old rings. I could not

recommend a company more. You won’t get the

craftsmanship anywhere else.”

All love stories are special but make yours unique

www.infinityjewellers.co.uk

Aeon Court, 108 Main Street, Bramley S66 2SE 01709 931293


WEDDINGS

Get crafty

With Dawn Topliss

Make your own

Valentine’s

Butterfly

Card

Melt your

Valentine

Send someone who

gives you butterflies

an artfelt token of your

love this Valentine’s

Day with this

handmade card.

You will need:

6 x 6 Card and envelope

Red card

Red and white patterned card

Black stamens

Embossing tool

Glue or double-sided tape

Foam pads or silicone

Heart dies or computer print-out

Peel-off sentiment

Method

1. Cut your heart shapes. I made

two 3.5cm, two 3cm, two 2cm, five

1.5cm and nine 1cm hearts in red

card. I then made two 3.5cm, two

3cm and two 2cm in pattered card.

2. Cut three strips of red card

12cm, 8cm and 5cm long by 1cm

wide. Glue these to the left and

place a 1.5cm heart at the base of

each.

3. Using a ruler and embossing

tool, open the card so the front is

face down and score two horizontal

lines across the top, side and

bottom. Make sure to stop at the

top where your red lines start.

4. Now starting with the largest

hearts, glue two side by side to

resemble butterfly wings. Place

three of the smallest hearts

between to form the body.

5. Gently curve the two largest

patterned paper hearts and place

on top.

6. Repeat steps four and five

with the next two size hearts.

7. Cut the stamens to size and

glue in front of each butterfly for

antennae.

8. Place a 1.5 cm hearts in the

right-hand corners of the card.

9. Add your sentiment.

Your Valentine card is now

complete and ready to send.

Happy Crafting!

We offer a range of over 200 engagement rings

Contemporary, traditional and vintage designs

Also over 500 wedding rings all bespoke to you

Platinum, white, rose or yellow gold, palladium or silver

Expert repairs

We have been established for over 40 years and

your perfect ring is at the heart of our business

K INGSTON

JEWELLERS

24 The Arcade, Barnsley, S70 2QN | Tel: 01226 770878

www.kingstonjewellersbarnsley.co.uk


Say yes

to pre-loved!

With beautiful

second-hand and

antique jewellery

Luxury rare, certified

diamonds and

coloured gemstones

Levi Lowton

Mexborough Branch Manager

MEXBOROUGH BRANCH

18 High Street, Mexborough S64 9AS

Tel: 01709 242 011

www.brownsfamilyjewellers.co.uk

Kath Bedford

Barnsley Branch Manager

BARNSLEY BRANCH

2 Peel Street, Barnsley S70 2QX

Tel: 01226 284 458

Barnsley • Mexborough • Sheffield • Crossgates • Harrogate • Halifax • Selby • Rochdale • Leeds

WEDDINGS

Say yes to

the dress at

Wedding Vows

Wedding Vows

Beyond Expectations

Are you planning a wedding after a Christmas

proposal? Say yes to the wedding dress of

your dreams at Wedding Vows.

Based at Hellaby, Wedding

Vows is one of Rotherham’s

longest running bridal boutiques,

established in 2013.

Whether it’s your first time trying

on dresses or you haven’t fallen

in love with one elsewhere, the

Wedding Vows team will help you

find the one for you from their range

of designer bridal gowns.

New for spring 2025 is the

Endless Love collection by Veni

Infantino for Ronald Joyce. This

collection incorporates a stunning

array of avant-garde designs,

dramatic details and fashionforward

styling that modern brides

will adore.

There are also some

breathtaking two-in-one styles with

detachable skirts, boned corsets

and lace sleeves, great for brides

who want a long gown for the

ceremony and a shorter dress at

the reception for maximum dancefloor

mileage.

For something quietly beautiful,

the Pure by Romantica collection

combines classic simplicity,

lightweight fabrics and delicate

lace, with flowing tulles and floral

accents.

There are wedding gowns

starting at just £250, for the budget

conscious bride who doesn’t want

to compromise on the boutique

experience and the perfect dress.

No matter your budget,

Wedding Vows can give you the

dress of your dreams and go

beyond expectations with their

customer service.

Whether you find the dress you

imagined in your head, or pick a

wildcard, make sure it fits you like a

glove with Wedding Vows’ alteration

service. Their seamstresses have

over 30 years’ experience and can

add in things like lace-up backs,

sleeves, bows or overskirts.

For the guys, suit hire starts

from £90 for a two-piece package.

Choose from modern lounge suits,

tweed suits, top hat and tails, and

Highland wear in a range of fabrics

and colours.

And for your bridal party,

there’s the new WOVN liquid satin

bridesmaid collection from Emma

Bridals priced from £140. Choose

from 12 colours and a range of

style designed to make everyone in

your bridal party feel amazing.

Veni Infantino for Ronald Joyce, Victoria Jane,

Pure By Romantica, Emma Bridals,

Peter Posh, Cameron Ross and Richard Designs

Bridal, Bridesmaids, Flower Girls, Suit Hire,

Veils, Hair Accessories and Jewellery

Alterations, garment steaming, dress

packing for destination weddings

Save 10% on menswear

when you order your bridal gown from us

Mon, Weds & Fri 10am - 5.30pm | Tues & Thurs Closed

Sat 10am - 5pm | Late nights available

Telephone: 01709 703040 / 07853 380488

390 Bawtry Road, Hellaby, Rotherham S66 8EX Just off Jct1 M18

Scan the QR code to visit our website

www.weddingvowsuk.co.uk

Find us on social media

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OUT & ABOUT

New Year,

New

Traders

at Rotherham Markets

Make it your New Year’s

Resolution to shop locally

in 2025 by supporting the

independent businesses at

Rotherham Markets.

With a long history dating back to the

13th century, the market in Rotherham

has played an important role in forging the

town’s identity and character.

As an exciting new chapter awaits

with the redevelopment works currently

taking place, it’s business as usual inside

the Centenary Market Hall. From fresh

produce to clothes and shoes, cards and

gifts to household items, there’s so much

to discover.

A range of new businesses have also

recently opened in the indoor market,

bringing more variety to the town centre.

Baby Celebrations

Are you expecting a baby in 2025? The

market’s newest arrival can help you plan

the perfect gender reveal or baby shower.

Baby Celebrations stocks a range of party

supplies including balloons, banners, table

decorations and favours. They also make baby

hampers and gift baskets for the mum-to-be.

Former pub landlady, Pat, opened the stall in

December to keep her busy in retirement.

ROTHERHAM INDOOR MARKET

Open as usual during the redevelopment works

Monday to Saturday 8.30am-5pm

• Meat, fish and deli produce

• Fruit and veg

• Baked goods

• Baby shower supplies

• Clothing for all the family

• Nightwear and underwear

• Footwear, bags and jewellery

• Makeup

• Hair and beauty

• Flowers

• Cards and books

• Gifts and personalised items

• Pet supplies

• Phone sales and repairs

• Electricals and hardware

• Watches and clocks

• Fabrics and haberdashery

• Carpets

• Cobblers and key cutting

• Clothing alterations

• Newsagent

• Vapes and tobacco

• Cafes and takeaway food

• Household appliances

FREE SATURDAY PARKING in all council-owned off-street car parks

Rotherham Markets markets@rotherham.gov.uk Tel: 01709 365021


OUT & ABOUT

Tikka Xpress

Bringing a new flavour to the market’s food

outlets, this takeaway stall is sure to get your

tastebuds tingling.

Tikka Xpress serves up freshly cooked

chicken tikka and seekh kebabs with a range of

accompaniments. Whether you’re in the mood for

a wrap, burger, panini or with salad and chips, it

will be love at first bite.

Mother and son, Shazia and Ahsan, make

everything to their authentic family recipes,

including onion bhajis, samosa and meat

marinades.

Elegance Jewellery

Add some sparkle to your life in

2025 with Elegance Jewellery.

Their range of diamante and

costume jewellery, including

bracelets, earrings and body

piercings, will leave you spoilt for

choice. They also stock a wide

selection of hair accessories

including on-trend claw clips in a

range of colours and shapes.

Stall holder Marina also makes

her own range of scrunchies and

hair bows.

Make Your Mark

Whether you’re a hobby crafter with items to sell

or have a penchant for buying unique, handmade

gifts, why not visit Rotherham Market’s monthly

Yorkshire Crafters and Makers Market.

You’ll find a whole host of items that have been

sewn, crafted, grown or baked by individuals and

small businesses from across the region. The stalls

along Effingham Street are always bursting with

one-of-a-kind items.

If you’re an avid crafter or have started a

business making your own products, then you may

be looking for places to sell them. The monthly

Yorkshire Crafters and Makers Market is the perfect

place to start as stalls are just £7 per pitch which

includes a table and gazebo for the day.

ROTHERHAM MARKETS

THE OUTDOOR COVERED

MARKET HAS MOVED

2025 YORKSHIRE CRAFTERS

AND MAKERS MARKET

BAKE IT – SEW IT - CRAFT IT – GROW IT

During the Rotherham Markets

and Central Library works,

the market can be found on

Effingham Street on the

following days:

STREET

MARKET

6 DAYS

A WEEK

Monday – General Market

Tuesday – Street Market

Wednesday – Antiques & Bric-A-Brac

Thursday – Rotherham Bazaar

Friday – General Market

Saturday – General Market

A fantastic opportunity for local makers, crafters, artists and

bakers to join Rotherham’s crafting community and showcase

their unique gifts and goodies in a busy town centre location.

Effingham Street, Rotherham Town Centre

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Saturday 11th January

• Saturday 8th February

• Saturday 8th March

• Saturday 12th April

• Saturday 10th May

• Saturday 14th June

• Saturday 12th July

• Saturday 9th August

SECOND

SATURDAY

OF THE

MONTH

10AM

TO

3PM

ONLY

£7

PER

STALL

To book your stall contact the Markets team

Tel 01709 365021 Email markets@rotherham.gov.uk

The indoor market will be open as usual

Monday to Saturday, from 8.30am to 5pm


OUT & ABOUT

Beer

my valentine?

This Valentine’s, beer lovers can

make it a hot date at Magna for

the Great British Beer Festival

Winter.

If you were sad to see last orders called on the

Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival, don’t

cry over spilt beer. The Campaign for Real Ale

(CAMRA) has relit the flame and are bringing their

annual winter festival to Rotherham this year.

The bumper four-day event takes place from

Wednesday 12th to Saturday 15th February at

Magna Science Adventure Centre. With three

full days and an evening session, there will be

40 hours of festivities, with a hearty selection of

beers and bands.

Whether you’re smitten by traditional cask or

key keg ales, stout and porter, or old ales and

barley wine, there’ll be plenty of tipples for you

to try.

CAMRA will be turning up the heat with a

huge range of real ales from breweries across

the UK. A selection of breweries will have their

own bars, including Rotherham’s Chantry,

Bakewell’s Thornbridge, Brew York, and Radio

City of Chelmsford. There will also be around 100

international beers on offer with an ‘around the

world’ bar.

Not a beer drinker? The Great British Beer

Festival Winter will have a range of real ciders and

perries, gins and spirits, and wines and prosecco.

There will also be some low- or no-alcohol beers

and a range of soft drinks for tee-totallers or

designated drivers.

This year, the bars will be accepting

contactless payments for your convenience, or

you can buy traditional beer tokens to spend

throughout the night.

With CAMRA at the helm, there will be the

chance for beer aficionados to delve beyond

the booze with exclusive tasting sessions held

by top brewers and sommeliers. You can book

a session to try some rare and limited-edition

beers, with insights into brewing techniques and

tasting notes.

The festival will also see the crowning of

CAMRA’s prestigious champion beer of Britain


award, with a dedicated bar for you to sample the

competition entries.

Inspired by the much-loved Rotherham Real

Ale and Music Festival, the festival has got a

banging soundtrack to keep the energy high

and winter chill at bay. CAMRA have lined up

some great South Yorkshire bands and artists,

some of whom you might recognise from past

RRAMF events.

To launch the event on the Wednesday night,

blues rock band Bone Broke Kings and the

electrifying Lightning Threads will warm up the

stage for country rockers The Fargo Railroad

Co. If you like the Black Keys, White Stripes, Led

Zepplin, Johnny Cash and Lynryd Skynyrd then

this will be right up your street.

Get ready to rock on Thursday night with

FloodHounds and their riff-heavy mix of indie,

garage-rock, punk and grunge. They’ll be joined

by Northern Citizens, a rock band who do covers

of everything from the Beatles to Bowie, ACDC

to ABBA.

Friday’s lineup brings the party feel with reggae

funk-rockers Kiziah and the Kings, eight-piece

Soul Battalion, and function band The Leptons.

In the daytime, there will also be acoustic covers

by Daniel Horsham and stunning vocals from

Eboney Jayne O’Brien.

Closing the festival on the Saturday, there’s

a real mix of genres to go out with a bang.

Jack T Harper of The G Men kicks things off

with his acoustic covers, followed by a special

performance by Maltby Miners Welfare Band. As

the evening arrives, indie rock and rollers Matilda

Shakes take to the stage, followed by a highenergy

performance from Republic. Before its

time to skedaddle, everyone’s favourite ska band

Handsome Dan and the Mavericks deliver that

rocksteady reggae beat.

Wednesday 12th February 5-11pm

Thursday 13th to Saturday

15th February 12pm-11pm

Advance tickets £10 or

£8 for CAMRA members, or £12 on

the door £10 for CAMRA members

This includes a non-refundable souvenir

glass, but there will be no free entry

with the glass this year.

Other ticket options include a group ticket for

five people at £40, or a season ticket for £30

which guarantees entry for all festival dates.

To book tickets or find out more

about the tasting sessions, visit

www.winter.gbbf.org.uk

Magna Science Adventure Centre,

Magna Way, Templeborough,

Rotherham S60 1FD

DEER PARK FARM

Tea Room

Fully licensed tea rooms each with

their own individual style

We don’t serve fast food,we serve fresh food

as fast as we can with waitress service

• Breakfast • Light Lunches • Seasonal mains and specials

• Cakes and scones

Seasonal hot drinks

Gingerbread lattes and festive hot chocolates

including After Eight, Baileys and choc orange

Yorkshire Deli Produce

Biscuits, cakes, chutney, jams and bottled beers

Don’t be disappointed book early for

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea

Deer Park Tap

Open 7 days 12pm - 9pm (last orders 8.15pm)

Dog friendly

• Rotating guest ales from Chantry, Thornbridge,

Little Critters and Wellbeck Abbey breweries

• Guinness, Estrella, Carlsberg and cider on draught

• Wines and spirits • Hot drinks

Private parties catered for

including birthdays, baby showers and wakes

Grazing boards

served Friday to Sunday

Cheese board and

Ploughman’s platter

Quiz Night Alternate Wednesdays

22nd January, 5th & 19th February and 5th & 19th March

Spin the wheel and play your cards right. Cash prizes

Thank you for your support and helping our family business continue to flourish

The Emporium

Explore independent businesses over two floors

• Winter fashions

• Ethical handbags, purses and accessories

• Jewellery • Antiques

Emma Ball

Yorkshire inspired homewares and gift ideas

Mugs, chopping boards, coasters and tea bag tidies from £4

Jigsaws, puzzles and much more

Also home to Floral Chic Creations and Deer Park Farm & Country Store

SITE OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY 10AM-5PM TAP MONDAY-SUNDAY 12NOON-9PM

DONCASTER ROAD, THRYBERGH, ROTHERHAM, S65 4BH

THE EMPORIUM 01709 854440 TEAROOMS 01709 850698 TAP 01709 850088

www.deerparkfarmrotherham.co.uk

Visit us on

Facebook

ONLY

PER PERSON

OUT & ABOUT

Rotherham’s

Dorothy Gale once said: “There’s

no place like home.”

But instead of going somewhere over the

rainbow to see life in technicolour, head on over

to the Arc Cinema which has brought film home to

Rotherham for the first time in over 30 years.

Based at Forge Island, Rotherham’s new

cinema opened in September and combines new

technology, great facilities, and exciting films to

transport you to a whole other world.

Make yourself at home with their comfortable

seating – something critics are raving about. All

eight screens have electric leather reclining seats,

with plenty of legroom and aisle space. And

there’s no VIP price to pay for the privilege.

In addition to high-definition screens and

advanced sound systems in every auditorium,

Arc Cinema also has two HYPERSENSE screens

with ticket prices just £2 more. These have

wall-to-wall 4K laser screens and Dolby Atmos®

sound for 3D audio. Whether it’s the subtle rustle

of leaves or the roar of an action-packed scene,

Dolby Atmos ensures you hear every detail with

incredible clarity.

But what to watch? Whether you’re a fan of big

blockbusters, independent gems, live theatre,

or family-friendly animations, there’s always

something to see at Arc Cinema.

This winter, catch new releases like gothic

horror Nosferatu and the Robbie Williams biopic

Better Man.

On February 14th, will it be Valentine’s or

Galentine’s? Make it a Marvel-lous date with

Captain America: Brave New World. Or grab the

girls (and the tissues) for Bridget Jones: Mad

About the Boy. Bridget and all your favourite cast

members are back after a nine-year hiatus, but

this time she’s a widow with two school-aged kids

and a toyboy (Leo Woodall, One Day and The

White Lotus).

As well as feature films, Arc Cinema also offer

special live event cinema with musicals, operas

and plays beamed via satellite from around

the world.

In February, you could see Les Miserable 40th

anniversary edition, Macbeth with David Tenant,

or the National Theatre’s Importance of Being

Earnest. In March, live events include Jesus

latest release

Christ Superstar and Billy Elliott the Musical 20th

anniversary edition.

Ticket prices are on par with other big cinema

chains, at £8.95 for adults, £7.95 for concessions,

and £6.50 for kids under 12. Arc Cinema also has

a range of inclusive family ticket options from one

adult and one child to two adults and two children,

with a reduced price of £6.50 per person.

But they also have so many wallet-friendly offers

on throughout the week, meaning you can save

your pennies for popcorn and pick ‘n mix.

Mondays are student days where those with

a valid student ID can watch any film, any time

for £5. Then in the evenings, it’s second-chance

cinema where you can watch a re-released film for

£5 before it makes its streaming debut.

Tuesdays are crazy at Arc Cinema. Any film

is just £6 if you have an online account or you

can pay an extra £2 for HYPERSENSE. They also

accept Meerkat Movies’ two-for-one tickets on

Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Over 60? You could see a film for £5 on

Thursdays with their silver screen offer which

includes a free hot drink and biscuits. Or schedule

a date night at the cinema on a Thursday with

tickets £14 per couple.

And every weekend before 11am is their kids

club where tickets are just £3.50 per person.

The Arc Cinema is easily accessible by public

transport and offers free parking at Forge Island

car park, meaning visitors can enjoy a fantastic

film without hassle.

And in the words of Terminator: “I’ll be back!”


OUT & ABOUT

Barnsley

Book

Festival

is back!

Celebrate all things reading

this February with the return of

Barnsley Book Festival.

Following last year’s inaugural event, the

sequel for 2025 promises a three-week

programme packed with workshops and

events for all the family.

Taking place between Saturday 15th February

and Saturday 8th March, the festival will celebrate

themes such as the natural world, new works, and

local authors.

Audiences will have the opportunity to meet

acclaimed poets and writers, including former

children’s laureate, Michael Rosen, who is coming

on a bear hunt to Barnsley.

Barnsley Book Festival is organised by Barnsley

Libraries, but many venues across Barnsley are

also taking part.

What’s on at Barnsley Book

Festival

Family activities

Library @ The Lightbox

Concerteenies Launch Event

Saturday 15th February 10.30am-12pm

Free entry but booking required

A musical performance based on Michael Rosen’s

book ‘The Big Dreaming’, followed by creative

activities for children aged three to eight.

Howling Wolves and Living Dinosaurs

Saturday 15th February 2pm-3pm


Children’s author Catherine Barr talks about

tracking wolves in Wyoming’s Yellowstone

National Park, world-famous dinosaur fossils,

and the story of Archaeopteryx, the missing link

between dinosaurs and birds.

Michael Rosen Event

Saturday 22nd February 2pm-4pm

Tickets £8 per person

Family performance followed by a book signing

at 3.30pm. Bring your own books to be signed or

purchase one on the day.

Books and Babies

Tuesday 4th March 10am-11.30am

Free drop in

Story and rhyme session for infants and toddlers.

World Book Day Costume Party

Thursday 6th March 3.45pm-4.45pm

Free drop in

An after-school party hosted by Boomchikkaboom

with lots of music and fun.

Barnsley Civic

Barnsley Zine Fair

Saturday 15th February

Free event

Find a plethora of writers, illustrators, print makers,

photographers and poets from around the region,

with artist led drop-in activities.

The Story Shell

Monday 17th February 11am-3pm

Free drop in

An immersive storytelling art space by

international artists Suzie Devey and Steve

Messom.

Book a special story time with storyteller Richard

O’Neill at 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm.

Half Term at Barnsley Libraries

All free events

Royston:

Howling Wolves and Living Dinosaurs

Saturday 15th February 10.30am-11.30am

Author Catherine Barr talks about endangered

species, extinctions, rewilding and conservation.

Dodworth:

Mixed Up Fairy Tale Fun

Tuesday 18th February 10.30am-11.30am

Be inspired to create your own mixed-up fairytale

stories with author Hilary Robinson.

Penistone:

Wednesday 19th February 9.30am-11.30am

Mapplewell:

Wednesday 19th February 2pm-4pm

Story Stay and Play

Octopants author Suzy Senior reads her

brand-new story.

Cudworth:

Thursday 20th February 10.30am-11.30am

Goldthorpe:

Thursday 20th February 2.30pm-3.30pm

A Winter’s Tail

A shadow puppet show featuring all your favourite

garden animals.


OUT & ABOUT

Ajay Tegala, BBC Springwatch Presenter

Worsbrough:

Thursday 20th February 10am-12pm

Hoyland:

Thursday 20th February 1pm-3pm

Story Makers

Creative writing sessions with historian

Meghan Tipping.

Thurnscoe:

Get Creative with Fabric Lenny

Friday 21st February 10.30am-12.30pm

Let your imagination run wild with this fun making

session.

Darfield:

Family Nature Adventure

Friday 21st February 10am-12pm

Join Whitcher Wildings on an outdoor adventure to

discover the wonders of the natural world.

Events and workshops

for adults

Library @ The Lightbox

Flash Fiction Writing Workshop

Monday 24th February 5pm-7pm


Explore the essence of concise storytelling through

hands-on activities with Barnsley Creative Writers.

LIVEWire Poetry Workshop

Monday 24th February 5.30pm-7.30pm


A poetry workshop for 18 to 25-year-olds with punk

poet Toria Garbutt.

Followed by an open mic night on Monday 3rd

March 5.30pm-7.30pm

Rosie Garland Event

Wednesday 26th February 6pm-7.20pm


One of the UK’s most compelling LGBT+ writers

introduces her new short story collection ‘Your

Sons and Your Daughters Are Beyond’.

The Barnsley Book Sale

Friday 28th February and Saturday 1st March

10am-3pm

Back for two days only! Bring a bag and bag a

bargain. Card payments only.

Leather Notebook Cover Workshop

Saturday 1st March 10am-1pm


Create your own A6 leather notebook cover with

the help of experienced boot and shoemaker,

Catherine Edwards.

Exploring Your Family’s Oral History

Monday 3rd March 1pm-3pm


A hands-on workshop with tips on how to record

and preserve your family’s stories.

Telling Stories

Monday 3rd March 2pm-3pm

Free drop in

Discover the fascinating stories told by people in

Barnsley from their own homes.

An evening with Ajay Tegala

Wednesday 5th March 6.30pm-8pm


BBC Springwatch presenter and nature writer

talks about his animal encounters illustrated

with images, video footage and wildlife sound

recordings.

Maria Ferguson Event

Saturday 8th March 11am-12.30pm


For International Women’s Day, the award-winning

writer reads from her second collection, Swell,

sharing her experience of becoming a mother.

Barnsley Libraries

Cudworth:

Needle Felted Bookmarks

Monday 17th February 5.30pm-7pm


A craft workshop with Flying Fish Studio.

Dodworth:

The Murder of PC Austwick

Tuesday 18th February 1.30pm-2.30pm


Author Hilary Robinson and historian Steven

Wyatt talk about the assassination of PC Alfred

Austwick who was shot outside the Travellers Inn

at Dodworth in July 1899.

Wombwell:

World Wide Wombwell

Writing Workshop

Monday 24th February 10am-12pm


Barnsley poet Ian McMillan hosts a workshop to

write poems that will be uploaded on social media.

Worsbrough:

John Ironmonger Event

Monday 3rd March 6pm-7.30pm


The acclaimed author discusses his latest climate

adventure novel ‘The Wager and the Bear’.

Roundhouse:

Becoming an Author

Tuesday 4th March 5.30pm-7pm


Local authors Chrissie Yates, Mike Padgett and

Ronnie Steele discuss their journey to becoming

published authors.

Barnsley Book Festival is supported using

public funding from the Arts Council England

as part of Barnsley Libraries’ National Portfolio

Organisation activity.

Find the full programme and where to book

tickets at https://visitbarnsley.co.uk/

barnsleybookfestival


OUT & ABOUT

Make it count

for RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

This January, join the world’s

largest garden wildlife survey

as the RSPB’s Big Garden

Birdwatch weekend returns for

another year.

The much-loved annual citizen science event

provides a snapshot of how garden birds are

faring in the UK. With even our familiar birds now

facing so many challenges due to the nature and

climate emergency, every count matters.

Since the Big Garden

“

Birdwatch began in 1979,

more than 195 million

birds have been counted

”

This year’s Big Garden Birdwatch takes place

between Friday 24th and Sunday 26th January.

Over that weekend, spend an hour watching,

enjoying, and connecting with the wildlife on your

doorstep. You can count the birds in your garden

or local park, or from your balcony, then send the

results to the RSPB.

Even if you don’t see any birds, the RSPB

wants to know. It all helps the UK’s largest nature

conservation charity to understand what is or isn’t

around where you live.

Last year, over 600,000 people took part,

counting more than 9.7 million birds. In Yorkshire,

over 44,000 nature-lovers joined in.

In South Yorkshire, the top five

birds spotted in last year’s Big

Garden Birdwatch were:

• House Sparrow

• Blue Tit

• Blackbird

• Woodpigeon

• Starling

Since the Big Garden Birdwatch began in 1979,

more than 195 million birds have been counted

and over 12.1 million hours spent watching and

counting garden birds.

However, in the past 50 years, Great Britain

has sadly lost more than 38 million birds. As of

2021, 70 of the UK’s 245 regularly occurring bird

species (one in four) are on the UK Red List of

birds of high conservation concern. In 1996 – 25

years earlier – there were 34.

Once-common species such as swift and

greenfinch are now becoming rare.

The house sparrow is on the UK Red List,

but has retained the top spot in the Big Garden

Birdwatch for the last twenty years. Over 1.4

million of these chirpy birds were spotted across

the January weekend last year, but sightings

have dropped 60 percent since the Big Garden

Birdwatch began over 45 years ago.

The starling, which is the third-most sighted bird

in the UK, has seen its numbers drop by more

than 80 percent.

The Big Garden Birdwatch has also highlighted

some more positive statistics from the bird

world. The blue tit and great tit have seen their

average numbers rise by 24 percent and 61

percent respectively.

How can you get involved?

From chirpy house sparrows to acrobatic blue

tits, the entertaining antics of our garden birds can

brighten even the dullest day and bring a welcome

dose of nature into our everyday lives.

To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2025,

watch the birds on your balcony, in your garden

or in your local green space for one hour at some

point over the three days.

Only count the birds that land, not those

flying over. Record the highest number of each

bird species you see at any one time – not the

total you see in the hour as this might be the

same bird.

There’s no need to prepare your garden

beforehand, but you could put up a bird feeder to

attract more birds to your garden, giving it a clean

after each refill. Look for good quality bird food

that doesn’t include ‘fillers’ such as dried peas

and beans that birds rarely eat. Put bird feeders

in a quiet, safe and sheltered spot, preferably

somewhere you can see when you’re indoors.

The RSPB also recommends that you don’t tidy

your garden up too much over winter, making sure

there are plenty of seeds and berries available

for wildlife to feed on during the cold months. It’s

also good to leave out fresh water, making sure to

keep it ice-free.

To receive a free Big Garden Birdwatch

guide, which includes a bird identification

chart, top tips for your Birdwatch, RSPB

shop voucher, plus advice on how to help

you attract wildlife to your garden, text BIRD

to 82727. Or download a free digital guide

by visiting

www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.


OUT & ABOUT

Winter pet safety

With darker nights and

colder days, find out how

to keep your pets safe

and warm this winter

with these tips from the

RSPCA.

Dogs: When out walking in the

dark, wear reflective clothing and

get a reflective collar or light for

your dog’s collar. Buy elderly or

poorly dogs a coat or jumper to

keep them warm. Keep dogs away

from icy ponds or lakes and watch

out for snow becoming compacted

under paws. Antifreeze and rock

salt can be poisonous to pets, so

wash paws thoroughly.

Cats: Keep your cat’s bed away

from cold draughts. In the coldest

months, your cat must have access

to a warm environment, such as

your home or another heated

indoor area.

Rabbits and guinea pigs:

Outdoor pets need extra bedding

& EQUINE

such as dust-free hay. Keep their

enclosure protected and insulated

from bad weather by using blankets

or covers, making sure they’re still

well-ventilated. Wet bedding will

freeze on cold nights and could

make them ill. As the temperature

drops, consider moving it into an

outhouse, shed or unused garage.

Birds in aviaries, coops or

runs: Add plenty of extra dry,

warm bedding, such as straw, and

cover their enclosures to keep the

wind and rain out. Birds eat more

to keep warm in cold conditions, so

give them plenty of food and fresh

water and make sure this doesn’t

freeze over.

Fishpond: Check it daily to

ensure the surface isn’t entirely

frozen over as poisonous gases

can build up under the ice. Don’t

break the ice or pour boiling water

onto the pond as this can harm

the fish. Instead, carefully place

a saucepan of hot water on the

surface to melt a hole in the ice.

Offering a bespoke, personal and caring service

to meet your needs at a time of loss

Dignity, compassion and care is always shown before,

during and after the process

Designed around the cremation of domestic pets and horses

Purpose built facilities next to our idyllic family farmhouse

Based between Rotherham and Sheffield serving

South Yorkshire and the wider area

We also offer a collection service from your home

or the veterinary practice, and can organise

home euthanasia where necessary

Fully transparent and highly professional service that leaves

all our clients with no doubts they made the right choice

Tel: 07971 255 346

Email: enquiries@oldflattsfarm.co.uk

www.oldflattsfarm.co.uk

See our wall of remembrance online

Old Flatts Farm, Flatts Lane, Treeton, S60 5QZ

See our

Facebook and Google reviews

for genuine customer feedback

One of the UK’s most highly recommended and

reviewed Pet & Equine Crematoriums

A purrfect

tribute to

Charlie

A woman with autism

from Rotherham has

published her debut

children’s book and

wants to inspire other

neurodivergent young

people to follow their

aspirations.

When Lisa Victoria, 32, wrote

Charlie the Cat in 2021, she did

so without publishing in mind. She

had initially written it as a Christmas

present for her mum, Denise,

following the death of their ragdoll

cat, Charlie.

Lisa says it took her a week to

write the short story, and she then

enlisted the help of her friend,

Valentina Rossato from Argentina,

to illustrate it. On Christmas

morning, Denise was totally

surprised to unwrap a beautiful

A4 hardback copy of her daughter’s

story.

“It was the best Christmas

present I’ve ever received – and

nothing else will ever beat it. I

couldn’t believe how well Valentina

had captured Charlie and parts

of our home in the illustrations,”

Denise says.

But as well as being a lovely

memento of a cat they had for 15

years, Denise could also see that

Lisa’s story could help her find

her purpose.

“I knew that it would also be

good to show what people with

autism can do. Lisa has struggled in

the past with not feeling worthy. By

having her book put into print she

becomes an author and it will help

improve her self-esteem and give

her a purpose.”

With the help of John Brailsford

Printers at Parkgate, Denise set

about self-publishing a limitededition

print run of Charlie the Cat.

A period of ill health and Lisa’s

wedding in 2023 put the project

on the back burner for a while, but

Charlie the Cat was finally published

in December 2024.

And Lisa is already planning

a sequel following Charlie’s

escapades alongside their other

cat, a Bengal called Angel.

The A4 children’s book is priced

at £7.50 and available to buy from

Denise’s shop, The Gift Box on

Laburnum Parade in Maltby.


OUT & ABOUT

A waterside

winter walk

With Barnsley and Penistone Ramblers

Blow off the cobwebs this winter

with this moderate eight-mile

circular walk around Langsett

and Midhope reservoirs.

Based between Stocksbridge and Penistone,

the reservoirs were built in 1895 to serve the towns

of Sheffield and Barnsley and are now owned by

Yorkshire Water.

The tranquil setting of these reservoirs has been

well-tread by both rookie and veteran walkers,

offering the best of both worlds with calming

water’s edge paths and stunning views from the

high moorlands.

It takes between three and four hours

depending on speed and the number of

breaks taken.

Start point: Langsett Flouch Car Park

(S36 9FD) S36 9FD

Note: this is the car park on the A616, not the

Langsett Barn car park.

For public transport, catch the train to Penistone

Station then get the number 23 bus to the stop

outside the Waggon and Horses Inn.

From the carpark, take the footpath to the main

road and pass through the public footpath gate

that leads onto the forest track.

Follow the track for approximately 580m. When

the track forks, keep to the left path which leads


downhill until you reach a bridge over the Little

Don River.

Across the bridge, follow the rocky path uphill

that leads to the moorlands. Keep on this path for

around 650-metres. You’ll have a panoramic view

of Langsett Reservoir from the top.

As you come to a pile of stones where the path

forks, take the left path that leads across and

slightly downhill for approx. 480m. Here you will

pass the ruins of North America farm. This was

vacated following the construction of the reservoir

in the early 1900s and was used as target practice

by tanks during WWII.

From the ruins, proceed on the path through

the gate and head downhill approx. 800m. Be

careful underfoot as the path is very uneven with

Rutes and Cobel stones.

The path then crosses a stone bridge over

Thickwood Brook. Once across the bridge, turn

left and go through the gate at the top of the path.

This is an ideal coffee break spot with a bench,

wall and good views across the reservoir.

Continue on the track to the right through the

woods for approx. 580m, until you reach a gate to

the public road.

Follow the public road into Upper Midhope for

approx.330m and continue through the village.

When the road takes a left-hand turn, take the

road straight forward. This continues downhill for

approx.730m to the base of Midhope Reservoir.

Continue along the road to the right until you

come to a stone stile on the right of the road.

Go over the stile and continue uphill for approx.

400m until the path turns to the left along the

ridge. Here you have a great view across Midhope

Reservoir and moorland beyond.

Continue along the ridge for approx. 480m

then bear right downhill for approx. 160m where it

meets a track to the left. Follow the track until you

reach a gate that leads onto the public road.

Turn left onto the road and continue to the brow

of the hill. On the left is a public footpath called

Stoney Croft Lane; follow this for approx. 700n

until it meets Midhope Hall Lane.

Take the road down to the right for approx.

150m where you will see St James’ Church

Midhopestones on the left. This is an ideal stop

for lunch with plenty of seats. The 1300s church is

well worth a visit and is always open.

On leaving the church, turn right and head back

up Midhope Hall Lane for approx.1,200m until

you arrive at the base of Midhope Reservoir you

passed earlier. The road bears left uphill but take

the footpath that goes straight on and proceed

past the farm. Look to your left to spot donkeys

and alpacas in the field.

Continue on the path for approx. 650m until you

reach a bridge over the river on the right. Take the

left path which rises uphill for approx. 120m. Take

extra care on this stretch as the ground falls away

steeply on the right.

At the top of the rise, the path splits. Take

the left path and go over the stile then up the

path through the field to another stile onto the

public road.

Turn right on the road and follow over the dam

wall. At the end of the dam wall there is a gate on

the left that leads to the public footpath back to

Langsett Barn car park.

Keeping the reservoir on your left, follow the

path for approx. 1.1 miles. The path comes to

a junction with the path you set out on at the

beginning of the walk. Take a right turn and follow

the path slightly uphill back to the main A616 road.

OUT & ABOUT

Join

Barnsley and

Penistone

Ramblers

Get more out of your

walks by joining your

local rambling group.

Barnsley and Penistone

Ramblers meet most Saturdays

for a moderate walk of between

eight and ten miles.

Upcoming walks:

• Saturday 18th January

Ingbirchworth Reservoir and

Hepworth (9.6 miles)

• Saturday 15th February

Thornton Le Dale and Dalby Forest

(9 miles)

• Saturday 22nd February

Skelmanthorpe and Lower

Cumberworth (9 miles)

They also have a fortnightly

Wellbeing4U walk on Wednesday

mornings which are easier and

shorter routes of around two miles.

These dates are:

• Wednesday 22nd January

Pot House Hamlet

• Wednesday 5th February

Pugneys Country Park

• Wednesday 19th February

Newmillerdam

• Wednesday 5th March

Anglers Country Park

Membership is £43 a year or

£58 for two people.

Find out how to join at

https://

barnsleypenistoneramblers

.org.uk

Explore the gardens at

Wentworth Woodhouse

Looking for ways to get

the whole family out of

the house this winter?

Wrap up warm and explore the

historic gardens at Wentworth

Woodhouse. Formerly the site of

open-cast mining, the gardens

are now well recovered and offer a

tranquil space for garden-lovers and

families to explore.

See the vast lawns which stretch

out from the house’s beautiful

baroque façade. Meander along

historic paths that head through

majestic veteran trees. And find the

peppering of follies and monuments

across the landscape.

In February, snowdrop season is

in bloom at Wentworth Woodhouse,

heralding the start of spring.

Younger visitors will have hours

of fun in the Forest of Bewilderment.

This outdoor natural play area has

hidden paths and sensory courses,

a music station and mud kitchen to

encourage young imaginations to

come to life.

The gardens at Wentworth

Woodhouse are fully accessible and

welcome well-behaved dogs on

leads. Adult tickets are £8.50 and

children under 16 go free.

You could also combine your visit

with general admission to the house

to explore the state rooms for an

extra £6 per adult.

The house and gardens are open

Tuesday to Sunday 10am-4pm.

Be the first to experience our brand new guided tours

Thanks to new research, hear fascinating and untold stories in these special tours

Photo: Lady Mabel College Archive

Top to Bottom Tour

Thursday to Saturday, 11.00am or 2.00pm

Only available January to March 2025

Our highly anticipated new tour which

includes exclusive access to the vaulted

cellars and attic rooms for the very first

time. Shares stories of parties in the cellars,

daily life on the upper floors and includes

special access to areas awaiting restoration.

Adult: £25.00 Child: £12.50

After Hours Tour

Two midweek dates Jan-March 2025

Follow in the footsteps of partygoers of

the past and enjoy the candlelit ambience

of the rooms after the public has left.

Uncover intriguing tales of Royal visits,

unforgettable celebrations and

gatherings in this historic home.

Price: £30.00

Women of Wentworth

Woodhouse

Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays

in March, 11.30am

In honour of Women’s History Month,

discover the stories of influential women who

played a vital role in shaping Wentworth

Woodhouse and the legacy they left behind.

Adult: £27.50 Child: £13.75

For more information or to book, scan the QR code, or call 01226 351 161

Wentworth Woodhouse, Rotherham S62 7TQ


Est. 2004

FAMILY

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BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE WITH THE UK’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT TRAVEL AGENT

Buy One Get One Half Price offer is available on new bookings made until 12th February 2025 inclusive. All offers are capacity controlled and subject to availability and may be withdrawn without notice at any time. Not applicable for single

passengers. Further terms and conditions may apply. Please ask for more details.

Spread the word about

your business in 2025


Proud to be celebrating our

21st Anniversary this year

• We are the only A4 free magazine covering

Barnsley and Rotherham and not affiliated

with any other publication

• We distribute 20,000 copies of Aroundtown

to well over 200 selected pick up points which

are constantly replenished to cope with

demand.

• First class design work and editorial content

• The Aroundtown is an expensive magazine to

produce so we ensure they land in

the hands of people who love what we do.

We don’t rely on door to door distribution as

it is unreliable


“

As a direct result of our

adverts in Aroundtown, we have increased

the footfall of our restaurant immensely.

We’ve welcomed new customers from all

over the County. The ease of changing

adverts and your expertise with help

with design makes working with you an

enjoyable experience. We always look

forward to the deliveries of copies, reading

the articles in the magazine and checking

out the other adverts. We look

forward to continuing our marketing

journey in 2025.

Ruth Vernon

Owner of the Alder Tree

“

Support us, support the

local businesses

Don’t forget to mention you spotted

them in the Aroundtown magazine

“

Aroundtown Magazine

has been an invaluable partner to us

The team helped us to establish

Artworks with an insightful article back

in 2017 and in 2024 have surpassed

their previous article. Aroundtown

continues to be the best free magazine

in the area, reaching a wide and

diverse audience. We are proud to be

supported by such a highly regarded

publication that is read by so

many in our community.

Kayleigh Cruickshank

Co-founder of

Artworks South Yorkshire

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024


Autumn in

the Garden

Pick Up

Your

FREE

Copy



Pumpkin

Recipes

“

Scandi

Interiors

Indulge

in

inspiration

We offer an excellent discount structure and all the help and support to grow your business

Call 01709 331020 or 07940 842408, email cheryl@aroundtownpublications.co.uk

Toby Foster

Out & About > We Meet >

Sport >

Heritage Open Days The Combat Academy

HISTORY | HEALTH & BEAUTY | HOMES & GARDENS | IN THE COMMUNITY | FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT & MUCH MORE .


Our family proudly serving your

family at your time of need for

From traditional religious

services to personalised

celebrations of life or

simple funerals

Private chapel of rest and

state of the art mortuary

Fleet of vehicles including our

100-year-old horse drawn carriage

Visit our unique Memorial Garden

The only one of its kind in the country

A peaceful setting to reflect and remember those no longer with us

New Letters to Heaven post-box

Ask us about memorial plaques, urn storage and ash scattering

Open 365 days

We also have an on-site function space for

funeral teas and services for up to 60 guests

Funeral plans available

Allowing you to plan the funeral you want

in advance. Our funeral director’s services

will be covered in your plan, which means

our fees will be fixed at todays prices and

protected against rising costs.

Create a lasting memorial

with our in-house masonry service

Timeless headstones, plaques and

kerb memorials in a range of finishes

Renovations of an

existing memorial

We carry out cleaning, repairs

and renovations

White marble and natural stone

can be brought back to a fresher

cleaner state.

Lettering can also be recut, and

older materials can be refaced and

lettering then added.

We also have a collection of

beautiful urns, memorial jewellery

and other keepsakes

On-site showroom and workshop

All work fully guaranteed and undertaken by

our experienced monumental stonemasons

Design your own memorial at

www.memorialsofelegance.co.uk

Welcoming you into our former family home

Wood Street, Swinton, Mexborough S64 8BA 01709 571 777

t 01709 555 534

See our full range of services online www.ctbutterfield.com

or email contactus@ctbutterfield.com

Also at Fellowsfield Way, Kimberworth, Rotherham S61 1NL

for a copy of our current brochure

FAMILY

Noble nod for

South Yorkshire charities

Two South Yorkshire charities

have been recognised by King

Charles III for their commitment

to their local community.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes and

Rotherham Families First both received the

prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

This is the highest award given to UK volunteer

groups and is equivalent to the MBE.

Motorcyclists at Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood

Bikes volunteer their time to provide an out of

hours urgent transportation service of blood

samples, controlled medicines, donated breast

milk and other vital supplies to hospitals and

hospices across Yorkshire.

The charity has been delivering this free,

life-saving service since 2008, with the Sheffield

branch operating since 2014. Whiteknights

Yorkshire Blook Bikes has a team of 60 volunteers

and there will always be three volunteers on duty

each day.

Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bike South Yorks

Manager, Roy Clark said: “We now respond to

over 3,000 call-outs every year and also participate

in national relays with other neighbouring Blood

Bike Groups. We believe our urgent delivery

service saves the NHS £100,000 each year in

transport costs.

“We are delighted to receive this prestigious

award – all our Whiteknights’ volunteer riders, past

and present, should be extremely proud of what

our small charity has achieved to benefit the care

of Yorkshire patients.”

Rotherham Families First provides secondhand

clothes, toys and basic household items

to some of the most vulnerable people across

Rotherham. Inside a unit at Parkgate, founder

Ann Levick and her small team of volunteers

meticulously sort through donated items. These

are distributed anonymously to families via partner

charities and social workers to respect their privacy

and dignity.

They also organise the annual Rotherham Toy

Appeal which has provided new toys to thousands

of disadvantaged children across the borough

each year since 1991.

The King’s Award comes just six months after

they became a registered charity, although they

have been operating since 2019.

Representatives from both charities will be

invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham

Palace this summer.

The hands that guide you

in your hour of need

A third-generation Funeral Director, Dip. FD, MBIFD

National President of the National Association of Funeral Directors (2023/24)

Let us help you every step of the way

• 24 hour personal and compassionate service

• Floral tributes

• Condolence stationery

• Monumental masonry

• Catering

Our private Chapel of Rest caters for

multi-faith and non-religious services

• Ritual washing and dressing facilities

• Weekend funerals

• In-house pre-funeral ceremonies

• Repatriation to or from UK

Pre-paid funeral plans available

Our doors are

always open

88-90 Worksop Road, Swallownest, Sheffield S26 4WH 0114 287 5852

55 Bridge Street, Killamarsh, Sheffield S21 1AL 0114 228 0082


FAMILY

Breastfeed in Barnsley

anytime, anywhere

Whether it’s your first or your fourth, having a

baby is a life-changing experience that brings with

it new emotions and new responsibilities.

In between sleepless nights,

changing nappies, and adjusting

to your new family dynamics,

you must also navigate the infant

feeding journey.

Breastfeeding has many benefits

for mum, baby and the environment.

Tailor-made for each child,

breastmilk is filled with nutrients and

antibodies that ensure the health

and wellbeing of an infant through

to adulthood. Breastfeeding can

reduce the risk of sudden infant

death syndrome (SIDS), diarrhoea,

vomiting, infections and obesity.

Health benefits extend to mums,

too, lowering the risk of breast

and ovarian cancers, obesity and

cardiovascular disease.

However, feeding remains a very

personal decision.

In Barnsley, breastfeeding rates

are lower than the UK average.

At birth, 60 percent of babies are

breastfed, but this falls to 33 percent

after the first eight weeks; the

national average is 49 percent.

Around 80 percent of Barnsley

mums who breastfed say they

stopped before they’d initially

planned to. This can be for

various reasons, such as a lack of

confidence to feed in public or fear of

being judged.

A public health initiative in

Barnsley is giving everyone a part to

play in changing the cultural norms

and creating a more supportive

community that advocates

breastfeeding.


Funding from the government’s

Start for Life programme has

enabled Barnsley Council’s Children

and Young People’s public health

team and Barnsley Hospital to

jointly set up a midwifery-led

tongue-tie clinic.

Within the 0-19 Public Health

Nursing Service, a new specialist

clinical lead for infant feeding

has been recruited and they

launched their Anytime. Anywhere

awareness campaign featuring real

Barnsley mums.

Businesses can also sign up to

the Barnsley Breastfeeding Welcome

scheme, signalling to parents that

they offer a safe and welcoming

space to feed their infants.

Under the Equality Act 2010,

you have a legal right to breastfeed

anywhere. But the Breastfeeding

Welcome Scheme gives extra

reassurance that venues are

supportive of breastfeeding, and

you won’t need to find a private

space elsewhere.

As part of their commitment to the

scheme, staff should be welcoming,

kind and helpful to breastfeeding

mothers and provide some privacy

by rearranging furniture or creating a

separate or private space.

Participating venues receive

a certificate and stickers for their

windows so families can easily

identify them as Breastfeeding

Welcome. There is also an online

directory to help parents find venues

near them, from libraries and leisure

centres to cafes, restaurants and

even dentists.

For mums, realising there’s

nothing embarrassing about

breastfeeding is the ultimate

confidence boost for feeding in

public. So, if you see someone

breastfeeding, a word of

encouragement may be appreciated.

Barnsley mum Loreta exclusively

breastfed baby Nora for six months.

She says: “The first time I breastfed

in public was in a coffee shop. I was

so nervous; I was sweating and my

hands were trembling. Once she

latched on, I was looking around to

see if anyone was looking at us. But

the world didn’t stop because I was

nursing in public. From that point

it was just plain sailing. I think it’s

amazing that I produce everything

that my baby needs; it’s incredible

that my body can do that.”

As well as providing all the

essential nutrition, breastfeeding is

also convenient, with no worrying

about sterilising bottles or finding hot

water to make up formula. But it’s a

new skill for both a mother and baby

to learn and can take some time and

practice to get the hang of it.

If you’re a breastfeeding mum and

are finding things a little difficult, take

things one feed at a time, one day

at a time. Remember the hard times

won’t last forever and you’re doing a

great job.

If you need help with the practical

or emotional side of infant feeding,

you can access various support

services in Barnsley.

There’s a breastfeeding group

that meets Wednesday mornings

between 10am and 11am at the

Library @ The Lightbox. Whether

you’re pregnant, a new parent, are

looking to transition to solid foods, or

planning to work while breastfeeding,

join other parents and the infant

feeding team to discuss all things

babies and feeding. There are plans

for a group in the Dearne area, too.

The Barnsley infant feeding team

has a Facebook page where they

share tips, information, and support

services available. There is also

the Barnsley Natter and Nurse

Facebook page.

On Thursday 30th January

between 11am and 2.30pm, the

Barnsley children and young

people’s public health team is

hosting a breastfeeding celebratory

event at the Metrodome. Lunch

is provided and there will be an

interactive sensory play session for

babies and toddlers.

Find out more at

www.barnsley.gov.uk/

InfantFeeding where you’ll

find further links to the newly

created virtual family hub

and how to join the Barnsley

Breastfeeding Welcome

scheme.

0-19 Public Health

Nursing Service

01226 774411 - Speak to a health

visitor or infant support worker.

Mon to Thurs 8.45am - 4.45pm

& Fri, 8.45am-4.15pm

Barnsley Hospital

Maternity Unit

01226 432242 - Speak to a

member of the maternity team.

24hr access in the first

weeks after birth

National Breastfeeding

Helpline

0300 100 0212 - Speak to a

trained breastfeeding supporter.

Multiple languages, hearing and

speech impairment services.

24hr phone helpline and

webchat 9am - 9pm

Invite an Angel into

your life!

Why leave your home for an assisted

living facility when you can have the

convenience of having our wonderful

Angels at your doorstep, just when you

need that extra help. Our Visiting Angels

are local to you and are available to

provide excellent and consistent care.

KEY SERVICES :

Companionship and social outings

Meal preparation and planning

Light housekeeping

Medication reminders

Assistance with mobility

Personal care

Join our Care Team and become an Angel !

Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives? At Visiting

Angels, we believe in putting caregivers first. As part of our team, you’ll

experience the deep satisfaction of supporting those in need while being

amazingly rewarded for your hard work.

WHY CHOOSE VISITING ANGELS?

Pay starting at £14 per Hour

Paid travel time and mileage

Flexible work schedule

Enhanced Rates of pay on Bank Holidays

Ongoing training and support

Loyalty bonus plus much more

Join our Care Team at Visiting Angels today!

Visiting Angels South Yorkshire

Call 0114 4333 000

sheffield@visiting-angels.co.uk

9.9

Oakwood Grange

carehome.co.uk

score*

Rated Dec 2022

*carehome.co.uk scores are based on independent reviews with

a maximum score of 10. Rating correct as at 19/12/2024

Very health and safety

conscious. Staff very

pleasant and helpful.

Oakwood Grange resident carehome.co.uk review quote

In a recent survey of all our care homes, when asked if

‘Staff treat them with kindness, dignity and respect’,

98.2% of family and friends agreed.

Who Cares? We do, and we always will.

Considering care? We’re only a friendly

call away 01226 818 059

or visit www.anchor.org.uk/OakwoodGrange

Oakwood Grange care home

Oakwood Road, Royston, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S71 4EZ

Our family caring for your family for over 130 years

FAMILY

Planets

in the park

This February, spend a stellar

evening at Clifton Park chasing

the Moon across the sky as

it passes a treasure trove of

planets and winter constellations.

As part of National Astronomy Week, the

Friends of Clifton Park have teamed up with

Mexborough and Swinton Astronomical Society to

offer a free family event for novice stargazers and

celestial enthusiasts.

Planets in the Park takes place on Saturday

8th February between 6.30pm and 9pm in the

garden house and courtyard in Clifton Park’s

walled garden.

Wrap up warm and bring a telescope or some

binoculars, if you have them, for a chance to look

at the Moon, with Jupiter, Mars and Orion.

But even without a telescope, you’ll be able to

spot planets, star clusters and the most beautiful

winter constellations. The Moon will be moving

past them in turn as it waxes from a slim crescent

phase to nearly full.

It’s a treasure-box of astronomical wonders –

the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the night

sky. The event is free, with no booking required,

and is suitable for all ages.

Members of Mexborough and Swinton

Astronomical Society will have presentations and

displays throughout the evening. They are also

more than happy to offer advice for anyone who

is new to astronomy or has a new telescope they

want to get the best out of.

The society was established in 1978 with five

members who were keen to improve the public’s

knowledge of astronomy, the solar system, and its

associated sciences.

In 1993, they opened their own observatory at

Hoober, between Wentworth and Upper Haugh. It

was built by members over a two-year period and

a domed roof was later added.

The society has recently updated its equipment

within the observatory to ensure members have

sophisticated telescopes that enable them to

observe the night sky.

They also open it up to the public once a month,

Are you looking to embark on a new and rewarding journey for 2025?

Think about fostering as your New Year’s resolution.

We urgently need foster carers in Rotherham to help the children

currently in care to remain in their communities. If you have had, even

fleetingly, thought about fostering, then we encourage you to get in

touch to see if fostering could be a path for you.

Find the type of fostering to suit you!

Short term / Task Centred

Short term placements of up to two years while assessments are made

for the long-term future of a child.

Aim is to return the child to their birth parents by retaining family links.

Think about

fostering as

your New Year’s

resolution

Help us

change the

lives of local

children

CALL US 01709 357370

Long Term Care

Providing a ‘forever family’ for children who can’t return to their birth

families • You’ll offer a safe, stable, and supportive environment.

Second Home Care

Second Home Care, also known as respite carers, provide a home away

from home for children to allow them some time away from their

foster carers in a place they’re familiar with. This can be for a one-night

sleepover or a whole week.

Have you got the love in your heart and the space in your home to

foster a local child?

To find out more, see www.fosteringrotherham.com

or call us today on 01709 357370 for a chat.

www.fosteringrotherham.com

@FosteringRotherham

@FosterRotherham


Images taken by members of Mexborough and Swinton Astronomical Society

FAMILY

Mexborough and Swinton Astronomical Society

is always keen to welcome new members. They

meet each Thursday at St John’s Church Hall in

Mexborough (S64 0ER). Their varied programme

includes lectures and talks by guest speakers

and members, as well as training from more

experienced members.

but these events quickly sell out. The upcoming

dates are Fridays 7th February and 7th March from

7.45pm until 10pm. Tickets are £5 for adults and

£2.50 for children, bookable on Eventbrite.

As a registered charity, all money raised from

ticket prices goes towards the upkeep of the

observatory.

National Astronomy Week 2025 runs from

1st until 9th February and is supported by

the Royal Astronomical Society, British

Astronomical Association, Federation of

Astronomical Societies, and Society for

Popular Astronomy. Find out more at

https://astronomyweek.org.uk

For more information about Mexborough

and Swinton Astronomical Society, visit their

website https://msas.org.uk

THOMAS ROTHERHAM COLLEGE

OPEN EVENING

TUESDAY 28TH JANUARY 2025

4.00PM – 7.00PM

TRC is a Sixth Form College offering an exciting and wide

range of Post-16 courses. Choose from over 30 A Levels,

vocational and technical courses, the college’s Level 2

programme and fantastic Sports Scholarships.

www.trc.ac.uk


FAMILY

The future of work

at RNN Group

Learning doesn’t always take

place sat behind a desk in a

classroom.

RNN Group is an education provider that is

committed to ensuring their students are ready for

the world of work and are highly employable.

Each year, their five campuses, which includes

Rotherham College, Dearne Valley College and

University Centre Rotherham, welcome thousands

of school leavers and adult learners through the

doors to benefit from an experiential curriculum.

There is lots of hands-on learning across the

departments, from construction and motor vehicle

studies to catering and healthcare.

Industry-leading employers from across South

Yorkshire are also playing their part in building

their future workforce by offering high quality

apprenticeships, T-Level placements, work

experience, and guest lectures to RNN students.

Collaboration between education and

industry is key to bridging those skills gaps

seen by employers. It has also proven to unlock

confidence and a wealth of opportunities for those

young people starting out on their career journeys.

In November, RNN Group held its inaugural

Employer Awards ceremony at the AESSEAL

New York Stadium to celebrate the hard work,

dedication and invaluable support of the hundreds

of local employers they work with.

These businesses vary in size and cover a

range of industries, from healthcare and aviation

to construction and manufacturing.

RNN’s CEO and principal, Jason Austin took to

the stage to present ten special awards, with each

winner awarded with a certificate and trophy.


T-Level provision was in the spotlight on the

night. This is a new two-year technical qualification

that includes a mandatory 45-day work

placement, something that couldn’t be achieved

without employers. Site based work really helps

cement students’ knowledge through mentoring.

Double award winner South Electrical

is an advocate for work placements and

apprenticeships. They have worked with RNN

Group for 25 years, developing an awardwinning

apprenticeship programme. A third

of their 100-strong workforce are employed

as apprentices.

Director Richard South said of their two

employer awards: “RNN Group work with

hundreds of employers so to be recognised at the

top is great and shows they appreciate how much

time we invest into this partnership.

“Apprentices are getting better all the time

and some of our best electricians are those

who came through the ranks. Our training

program is key to our success and brings loyalty,

conscientiousness, and continuity. This in turn

helps our customers benefit from safe, quality

installations delivered efficiently and effectively.”

As well as work placements and

apprenticeships, employers are also actively

shaping the futures of students and the economy

by signing up as employer academies at RNN

Group. This means that employers work with the

department leads to devise the curriculum based

on what skills they are seeking from employees.

Esh Construction also took home two employer

awards. The North-East based contractor has

worked with RNN Group for 18 months, helping

set up T Levels in construction and business and

becoming an employer academy to offer mock

interviews, transferrable skills, and innovative

projects for students.

Megan Roberts is the Social Values Manager at

Esh Construction. She said: “I didn’t anticipate two

awards, but we are really proud of the recognition

for all we’ve done within the last 18 months. We’ve

become an extended part of the RNN team.

Their drive for innovation and changing their way

of working to reflect the industrial landscape

is a breath of fresh air. Next year we hope this

partnership will be bigger and better.”

FAMILY

The categories, highly commended

and winners were as follows:

RNN Group’s Business of

the Year Supporting RNN

Apprenticeships

Highly Commended NHS

Winner

South Electrical

RNN Group’s Subcontractor of

the Year

Highly Commended Lifeskills

Winner Castleview

RNN Group’s Employer

Partner of the Year

Highly Commended CMD Ltd

Winner MTL

RNN Group’s Employer

Academy of the Year

Highly Commended

Wrights Renewables

Winner South Electrical

RNN Group’s New Business

Partner of the Year

Highly Commended Aira

Winner Esh Construction

RNN Group’s Small Business

of the Year

Highly Commended

House of Light

Winner Glacier Energy

RNN Group’s Large Business

of the Year

Highly Commended

Millgate Connect

Winner Equans

RNN Group’s ‘Skills for

Employment’ Business

of the Year

Highly Commended

Rotherham Titans

Winner Esh Construction

RNN Group’s Innovative

Business Partner of the Year

Highly Commended

South Electrical

Winner Quiet Tiger

RNN Group’s Community

Focused Business Partner

of the Year

Highly Commended Equans

Winner NHS

Award-winning students

Two RNN students put

their skills to the test in

November, competing in

the WorldSkills UK finals in

Manchester.

Catering student, Theo

Battersby, and media hair and

makeup student, Jaimee Medley,

were two of 500 college students

from across the UK who made

it through to the finals of 2024’s

WorldSkills UK competition.

The national finals are a

culmination of nine months of hard

work and training, assessing the

key attributes that employers are

looking for in candidates including

practical skills, ability to work under

pressure, critical thinking and

communication skills.

And it was silver success for

Theo who came second in the

foundation catering category.

All students at RNN Group can

put themselves forward for the

competition-based development

programme. Competing in skills

contests offers learner the chance

to showcase vocational talents

they’ve developed at college in

real-world tasks.

As well as building on their

technical skill set, competitors

become well-rounded individuals

by evolving their professional and

personal skills throughout the

process.

Discover your future

at our upcoming OPEN EVENTS

Meet staff, ask questions, and have a tour around campus

Saturday 25th January

10am-12pm

T Level and apprenticeship talk at 10.15am

Eastwood Lane, Rotherham S65 1EG

01709 362111 info@rotherham.ac.uk

Saturday 1st February

10am-12pm

T Level and apprenticeship talk at 10.15am

Manvers Park, Wath upon Dearne, Swinton S63 7EW

01709 513355 learn@dearne-coll.ac.uk

Wednesday 12th February

4.30pm-7.30pm

Find out more about higher education and degree courses

Doncaster Gate, Rotherham S65 1DA

01709 722806 ucr@rotherham.ac.uk

Can’t make those dates? Why not book a personal tour. Call us on 01709 722806 to arrange


BUSINESS

Making business

child’s play

Your business is your baby. And

just like it takes a village to raise

a child, nurturing a business

needs extra support.

When former childminder Rebecca Mughal

toyed with the idea of opening her own children’s

play café, she turned to Rotherham Launchpad

for help.

Having worked with young children for over 20

years, Rebecca knew that families in Rotherham

were crying out for a fun, safe and welcoming

environment in the town centre for their children to

play and learn.

A mum of three grown-up children, she’d

stopped childminding in 2022 and was looking

for a new venture. Rebecca’s idea was to open

something different from soft play; where children

learn through sensory-themed resources they

don’t always have at home.

And so Mini Wonders was born.

Rebecca opened the play café in September

and has already built a thriving community of

parents, childminders and families who visit

from across South Yorkshire. Adults can sit and

socialise or share advice over a hot drink and

piece of Rebecca’s homemade cakes, while the

children play close by.

There are lots of open-ended toys and

resources at Mini Wonders to engage little

imaginations, inspired by Rebecca’s days

of childminding and her family’s extensive

background in childcare – her parents and brother

are teachers and both sisters are childminders.

Along with dressing up outfits, giant building

blocks, dollhouses and wooden puzzles,

Rebecca also runs sensory and craft sessions

spontaneously throughout the week, including

a mini rave complete with music, bubbles

and glowsticks.

“Everything we do here is for sensory

development. We work with vibrant colours and

sounds in all our activities and use equipment

that helps develop the rest of the five senses. We

do everything from playing with sand, coloured

rice and shredded paper to making a mess with

shaving foam, gloop and jelly. It’s also a chance

for parents to avoid all the untidiness at home,

which I know they appreciate,” she says.

Accessibility was key for Rebecca when looking

for a venue. Mini Wonders is based in Rotherham

town centre across from the interchange,

with good public transport links for those who

don’t drive.

It was while searching for a venue that Rebecca

chanced upon Rotherham Launchpad who have

supported her with free workshops and writing

funding applications.

“I didn’t really know much about things like

marketing, branding and establishing an online

presence, so these courses have been invaluable.

I’m lucky that my childminding community gave

me lots of toys, but funding has enabled me to buy

new resources, such as fibre-optic lights for our

sensory sessions.”

Mini Wonders Play Café is open Mondays,

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays,

with a dedicated SEN session on Friday

afternoons. Entry is £5 for under-fives or £3

for under-ones, with no time limit on your stay.

Party hire is also available.

Find out more on Facebook,

Instagram or by visiting

www.miniwondersplaycafe.com

ROTHERHAM LAUNCHPAD

We’re offering free expert advice,

support and workshops to help turn

your idea into a business or get

your new business off the ground!

Turning ideas

into businesses

www.ridobusinesshubs.co.uk


BUSINESS

Grow your

business

At Mexborough Business

& Training Centre

If you are looking for ways to

grow your business in 2025,

make the smart choice with the

help of Mexborough Business

Centre.

With its fascinating academic history and an

assembly of high-quality offices and workspaces,

the answer is clear as to how Mexborough

Business Centre has become the area’s principal

community hub.

Since taking over ownership of the former

Mexborough Grammar School building more

than a decade ago, local businessman Peter

Newman and his team have continued to invest

in the regeneration of the site which is now used

by a diverse range of local businesses including

a dance school, an art gallery, and our local

radio stations.

Whatever the size of your business, from a sole

trader to a large workforce, there are a variety of

office sizes available that can be adapted to suit

your individual needs.

Their portfolio of fully serviced offices provides

the perfect location for your growing business.

There is 24-hour access, ample car parking,

dedicated meeting rooms, and an on-site café

where you can meet clients or a space for your

customers to relax.

When it comes to business support and

customer service, Mexborough Business Centre

understood the assignment.

The Mexborough Business Centre team ensure

that your serviced office setup is flexible, quick

and effective. They take care of all the things

you need such as furniture or IT and telephone

infrastructure.

They also offer a complete mail handling

facility, providing an internal safe and secure

postal service, and their receptionists will meet

and great your clients and answer your business

calls through a dedicated telephone number.

This means you can concentrate on what is

important – running your business.

Let your business become

part of this historic building

Office and workspace with flexible

options to suit your business

Competitive rates

Business support

Meeting rooms

24hr access

Ample onsite

car parking

We also have businesses

open to the public:

• Old College Coffee Shop

Open Mon-Sat 9am-2pm

• Fox Gallery

Open Tues-Fri 10am-2pm

• Beauty and Aesthetics Clinic

• Hairdresser

• Hypnotherapist

• Slimming World

• Dance School

Mexborough Business Centre www.mexborough.biz

College Road, Mexborough, Doncaster S64 9JP T. 01709 590005


HISTORY

1925: Sheffield’s most

turbulent year

Gangsters running

through Little Chicago

armed with cut-throat

razor blades.

Vicious beatings with rubber

truncheons and children’s scooters.

Extorting hard-working citizens for

their wages. Throwing coal in chip

shop fryers. Bitter turf wars over an

elaborate game of heads or tails.

Hiding from the hangman’s noose.

It might sound like something out

of an American gangster film or the

next series of Peaky Blinders. But

not too long ago, this was reality in

Sheffield.

During the early 1920s, Sheffield

was besieged in a gang war

between two of the most notorious

villains the city has ever produced:

George Mooney and Samuel

Garvin.

These gangland kingpins and

their cronies terrorised Sheffield for

over a decade.

People were terrified for the

livelihoods and their lives. It was

well-known that, should you catch

the eye of a Sheffield gangster,

you’d be wise to look away and walk

swiftly on by.

The dance halls, theatres and

cinemas might have been packed

with young people making the most

of the Roaring Twenties. But the

streets were the scene of anarchy

and misery.

The violence and chaos reached

a head in 1925. A gang war started

two years earlier culminated in a

tragic killing of a Sheffield man and

the execution of two brothers for

his murder.

To mark 100 years since that

fateful year, historian John Stocks

has published a second edition

of his book, Sheffield 1925: Gang

Wars and Wembley Glory.

The book, first released in 2022,

looks at life in Sheffield in 1925,

from poverty, hunger and social

tension to violence against women

and backstreet abortions. A slum

city with over 10,000 unsanitary

back-to-back houses, three families

to a house and four to a bed.

It also details Sheffield United’s

journey to winning the FA Cup.

But it is the Mooney and Garvin

gangs that feature heavily.

“At one point, everybody knew

about these gangs. They were part

of Sheffield folklore. It’s a hundred

years ago now, so those people

whose parents or grandparents told

them stories about the Mooneys

or the Garvins are sadly dying out.

But people are still so fascinated

by this part of Sheffield’s heritage,”

John says.

Criminal gangs had been a

familiar feature in Sheffield for

generations.

There were the Irish bludgeon

men in the Victorian era. The 1850s

saw the rise of the horse stealers,

house breakers and forgers. Kingy

Broadhead and his trade union

gangs ruled the Park area behind

the train station in the 1860s and

‘70s, while the Guttapercha Gang

patrolled the slums of the workers.

Over in the north of the city, The

Neepsend Gas Tank Gang thrived in

the dimly lit and unprotected streets

of Neepsend and Shalesmoor.

They were ousted by the Red

Silk and White Silk gangs, before

they decided to split and attack

each other.

In 1908, Sheffield even had

its own Fagin who groomed

impoverished children to commit

crimes on his behalf.

But these predecessors were

small fry compared to Mooney

and Garvin.

George Mooney was hailed as

the generalissimo of Sheffield crime.

He went from being a miscreant

teenager accused of stealing cigars

and cigarettes from a pub’s tap

room to biting people’s ears off

and knocking their teeth out with a

crowbar.

The force of his fist was gender

neutral. He had no qualms

with beating a woman and was

sentenced to two years of hard

Front cover of the book designed

by Diane Moxon

labour for an unprovoked attack

on a married woman, knocking

her down and kicking her while on

the floor.

Samuel Garvin, although ten

years older than Mooney, was his

second in command. The partners

in crime met in prison. Shock!

Garvin was a professional

criminal whose day job involved

violence and intimidation. He had

a string of convictions and prison

sentences for assault, con-tricks

and theft. In 1911, he was accused

of rolling out the barrel, quite

literally, when he was involved in

the theft of a cask of rum from the

Barrel Inn, what is now Fagan’s.


HISTORY

Most wanted mugshots are images of Sheffield’s most habitual criminals c1925. They were originally housed at

Attercliffe Police Station and were used for identification purposes. They are currently in the possession of

Mr Robert Dale, who sanctioned their use in the book.

Both Mooney and Garvin

managed to avoid national service

in the First World War by moving

around the country and living off

petty crime.

Back in Sheffield after the war,

Mooney, described as a broad man

with a head like a pig, ran an illicit

pitch and toss gambling site at Sky

Edge, what is now Park Hill flats.

Gambling was endemic in the

1920s. Britain was in a post-war

unemployment crisis. In Sheffield,

an industrial city whose steelworks

and munitions factories powered

the British Army, there were 25,197

unemployed men in 1925.

By comparison, only eight

years earlier there had been full

employment. With men away

fighting, women were drafted into

work at factories for the first time.

But as the war ended, working-class

men returned to find they’d lost

their jobs.

Gambling seemed to offer a

shred of hope for those in poverty.

It became as much an addiction

as drinking, with 90 percent of the

working-class population gambling

in 1923. But only gambling on the

horses was legal, and that was

expensive.

In the very poor East End and

Park areas of the city, ‘pitch and

toss’ thrived. It required just three

coins to play, placed at the end of

your fingers and tossed. With no

equipment to set up and dismantle,

it was cheap, quick and could easily

escape detection from the police.

Hundreds of people would gather

at Mooney’s Sky Edge patch to take

part. His gang took a twenty percent

toll of four shillings from every

pound bet.

But as the depression continued

to bite, Mooney’s criminal empire

suffered a fall in earnings. In a bid to

hold onto the lion’s share, Mooney

decided to break from some of the

gang in 1923.

In retaliation, they formed a rival

gang called the Park Brigade, led by

none other than Sam Garvin, and a

gang war ensued.

The two gangs were described as

Sheffield’s version of the Montagues

and Capulets.

But instead of Fair Verona, the

Sheffield battles took place in an

area colloquially dubbed Little

Chicago. This was in West Bar,

from Scotland Street to Corporation

Street with Shakespeare’s pub in

the middle.

The gangsters dressed in sharp

suits and drove flash cars while the

rest of the population slummed it.

Garvin was even given Sheffield’s

first council house in Walkley,

despite renting out a series of his

own properties.

The Sheffield gangs made some

of their money from protection

services. They’d threaten workers

on their way out the wages office

for a cut of their pay. Or they’d bully

shop owners into paying them a fee

to protect their shop or pub.

Better to be on their side than

against them.

Elders from each gang would

train young recruits in their

gruesome tactics.

These young boys were from

the generation who grew up feral

while their dads were away at war

and mums were drafted in to work.

They’d formed their own gangs as

pre-teens and got up to mischief, as

kids often do.

But petty crime like pickpocketing

and disabling the ‘ping’ of a cash

register soon morphed into brutality

and blackmail.

Guns were not so readily

available, except for the hardcore

criminals who got their hands on exarmy

pistols. So the gangs armed

themselves with cut throat razor

blades, truncheons, hammers, and

knuckledusters.

They went in mob handed,

never to kill, only to maim. Back

then, murderers were sentenced to

death by hanging. If anyone ever

was killed, their families wouldn’t

report it for fear of retribution from

the gangs.

Christmas Eve 1923 marked the

start of the real turmoil. Garvin and

his gang attacked Mooney’s house,

driving Mooney out of town for the

best part of 1924.

Garvin became the self-appointed

‘King’ of the criminal underworld.

He was superficially polite and

charming, but his moral compass

was beyond repair. Yet he seemed

to be immune from prosecution,

aided by the power and influence he

had to undermine the legal process.

This was proven in 1925 when he

somehow managed to be acquitted

for murder, despite being the

mastermind behind the operation.

On 27th April, William Plommer

was killed in a premeditated attack

by the Garvin gang. He wasn’t a

gangster; he was an ex-soldier and

worked at Bessemer Steelworks.

But he stuck up for another man

involved in a gang-related dispute

with two of Garvin’s followers.

Garvin saw this popular, good

looking street fighter as a threat.

Garvin, as ringleader, ordered

vengeance on Plommer. The gang

tracked him down and launched

a frenzied attack on him with

bottles and a children’s scooter, all

while his wife and 11-year-old son

Thomas, the eldest of four children,

watched on.

But in the middle of the fracas,

Plommer was fatally stabbed in

the stomach with a bayonet. The

murder shook the country and

made headline news. Tens of

thousands of people lined the

streets of Sheffield for his funeral at

Burngreave Cemetery.

Eleven Park mob members went

on trial for the murder of William

Plommer, including Sam Garvin

and his brother Robert. Around 70

witnesses were in court to testify

against the gang.

Two brothers, Wilfred and

Lawrence Fowler, both in their

early 20s, were found guilty of

murder and sentenced to death.

Three others were found guilty of

manslaughter and sentenced to

between seven and ten years of

penal servitude. The rest, including

Sam Garvin, walked free.

Garvin had conveniently gotten

himself an alibi by attacking another

man down at the Wicker shortly after

the attack on Plommer.

By 1930, with 41-year-old

Mooney now out of exile, and Garvin

at the ripe old age of 51, they both

decided that fighting was a young

man’s game.

But you can’t keep an old

dog down.

Garvin took on the persona of

George Mee and became a bookie

at racecourses up and down

the country, including York and

Doncaster. Mooney stayed closer

to home, adopting the alias of Big

George Barratt and taking odds at

Owlerton greyhound races.

John will be giving talks about

Little Chicago and the Sheffield

gangs as part of this year’s Sheffield

Beer Week.

There is a pub heritage talk

on Thursday 13th March at The

Harlequinn on Nursery Street (S3

8GG) from 8pm. Then on Sunday

16th at 11.30am, he will be leading

a 90-minute heritage walk around

the Little Chicago area, meeting

outside Sheffield Crown Court on

West Bar (S3 8BH).

There will be a chance to

purchase a book, at the reduced

price of £10, at each event. Tickets

for each event are £4.95 and can be

purchased via Eventbrite. Search for

Sheffield Beer Week 2025.

Sheffield 1925: Gang Wars

and Wembley Glory is on

sale now at outlets including

Waterstones in Orchard Square

and the Millenium Gallery.


HOME & GARDEN

Interior

trends

for 2025

Be inspired to update

your home this new

year with these interior

design trends.

Double Drenching

A new take on the classic colour

drenching technique, this takes it a

step further by using two or more

colours from the same palette to

add depth and personality.

It’s perfect for those who love

to experiment with bold pairings

or just can’t choose one favourite.

Drench your walls, skirting boards

and ceilings in one colour, adding

in soft textures through rugs

and accessories to pull the look

together.

70s Reimagined

70s inspired interiors are sticking

around for 2025, bringing nostalgia

and warmth into modern spaces.

Choose signature shades of the

January

Sale

All featured work completed by Interior Solutions

• Go handleless…

Sleek, minimalist cabinetry and clean lines

• Also bespoke bedrooms and creative bathrooms

• Free design and quotation

FREE

Bosch oven & hob

with every fully

fitted kitchen

Open Monday-Saturday Unit 2 Green Lane, Wickersley, Rotherham S66 2BS

01709 533351 07779 711 324 www.rotherhaminteriors.co.uk

To take a virtual tour of our showroom please follow links:

Kitchen https://goo.gl/maps/oCifxb8zdu92 Bathroom https://goo.gl/maps/MfF7BtUmw1G2

Interior Solutions Ltd


HOME & GARDEN

ECO SOFAS

Don’t Buy New!

RE-UPHOLSTERY

is the answer!

SOFAS • CHAIRS • DINING CHAIRS

We

visit you

with our

fabric

samples

No job

too

small

era like rust oranges, deep blues

and mushroom browns. Pattern is

a great way to bring retro vibes to

your scheme while layering and

building texture within a room.

Ahead of the Curve

Although sleek lines and stripes

have their place in interiors,

change it up by using soft and

delicate curves, waves and

scallops. Furniture is your go-to for

adding curves; from headboards

and seating to mirrors and

picture frames.

Mocha Mousse

Brown hues are on-trend in

2025 thanks to Mocha Mousse

being named Pantone’s Colour of

the Year. Ranging from delicate

taupe to a strong chocolate shade,

this hot new hue offers plenty of

versatility and is taking over from

blues, greens, and greys as the

go-to neutral.

SPRING REPAIRS • CUSHIONS • PLUS MUCH MORE

Or why not have your suite made like

new with a complete re-upholstery?

For more information and to arrange your

free estimate daytime or evening call

KEITH SIMPSON

0114 275 6390

0114 2468477

161 Rutland Road, Sheffield S3 9PP

www.keithsimpsonsofas.co.uk

over 40 displays

Create a stunning focal point for your home

We supply and install an extensive range of

wooden and marble surrounds

A wide range of stoves and contemporary electric

wall mounted fireplaces to suit all tastes

We also stock electric and gas fires

Coal and logs in stock

Let us create

a media wall

console for you

with a choice of

modern fires

LOWER YOUR

ENERGY BILLS

WITH A STOVE

They are cheaper to run

than traditional gas and

electric heating systems

Open

Unit 14, Hillside Court, Rotherham S61 4RP

01709 37843107828 178754

www.smfireplaces.co.uk

See our reviews and work on


at Homeflair

Unique riverside setting with outdoor

terrace overlooking the swans on the water

Fine Italian coffees

& teas

• Breakfast Served All Day

• Light Lunches

• Healthy Light Bites

• Cakes and Patisserie

Fully Licensed

Come and enjoy a drink on the terrace

Afternoon Tea for Two

Served with a selection of sandwiches

Fresh strawberries, mini cheesecake

and eclairs

Fresh cream and jam scone

Tea or coffee

£22.50 for two

(Must be pre-booked)

Available for private parties, birthdays, baby showers etc

An Evening

of Mediumship

with Gary Peters

Spiritual Medium

Thursday 13th March 7-9pm

Includes pie & pea supper

Tickets £20

Must be paid in full

and non-refundable

Over 18’s only

Homeflair Complex, Rawmarsh Road, Parkgate S60 1RZ Tel: 01709 252 420

Open Monday to Saturday 9am-3pm | Sunday 10am-3pm | Ample free parking

Manufacturers of

fine quality bedroom,

dining and

occasional furniture

Bespoke handmade

kitchens

• Made in Yorkshire

• No flat pack

• Made to measure on all items

“FURNITURE

FOR LIFE”

Alexandra Centre, Rail Mill Way, Parkgate, Rotherham S62 6JE (Behind DFS) Telephone: 01709 780 443

Our BIGGEST

ever

SALE

save £100s

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

Massive

rattan

clearance

Established

Since 1972

Homeflair

...It’s how you live

__

HOME & GARDEN

Legal

talk

With Elmhirst Parker Solicitors

Selling part of your

garden for development

Tax implications

Selling part of your property can result

in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the disposal

value depending on the extend of the land

and the purpose of the sale. If the property is

your main home and complies with several

other conditions, you will be eligible for Private

Residence Relief. The government has an online

checker to find out if you need to pay CGT and

how much relief you will get. Discuss with a tax

expert to ensure all necessary steps are taken to

mitigate the impact of CGT.

Consider the impact on the

residual value of your property

Although there will be a gain on the sale of

the part of your garden or property, you should

also consider the residual value of your property.

Will the sale of the garden devalue your property

or cause problems when you come to sell the

house? Weigh up the pros and cons before

deciding.

If you own property which has

surplus land or a large garden,

you might consider selling part

of it off to make some money

and save on maintenance.

But just like any transaction involving land,

there are many legal and financial implications to

consider.

Have your garden valued

To find out whether the sale of your garden is

worth it, have the area you intend to sell valued

by a surveyor. At the same time, it’s wise to

value the house and remaining land. It is also

important to consider the difference in value with

and without planning permission to make an

informed choice on the best strategy for sale.

Check the title deeds and

boundaries

It is critically important to identify the area of

land you wish to sell. You must make sure you

own it as part of your property by checking the

title deeds and boundaries. When you sell off the

land, you will split this off from your title. Have a

professional draw up the map or plan showing

the area of land you are selling, including access

routes and location of utilities etc.

What happens if you have a

mortgage?

If your property is mortgaged, the land you

wish to sell off will most likely be covered by

it too. Your lender will need to consent to the

sale and remove the piece of garden from

their charge. They will also be interested in

the residual value of your property to ensure

sufficient value remains in the event of a default

on the loan.

Rights of way

Will this area of land you are selling need a


right of way over the land you are retaining to

allow the new owner access to it? If so, you must

build in provisions for this. Similarly, if you need a

right of way over the land you are selling so you

can access the land you are retaining, you must

also build this in as a condition affecting the sale.

Planning Permission

If you are selling your garden for another

house to be built, consider whether you should

apply for planning permission yourself or leave

that to the buyer.

If you apply for planning permission, you

will have control over the entire process and,

if granted, can then market the land with the

benefit of planning permission. This usually

attracts a premium in terms of price. You can

also determine the style and extent of the house

to be built.

If you allow the buyer to apply for planning

permission, it is probable that the buyer will make

the grant of planning permission conditional

on the purchase. If unsuccessful in obtaining

planning permission, they could walk away from

the sale.

It also takes away your control of the process,

leaving the buyer to work to their own timescale,

design and size of property. You might regret

selling off your garden because of over

development or a house built much bigger than

you had envisaged.

Neighbour and community

considerations

Consider the impact on your neighbours and

how they might behave towards you if you sell off

part of your garden. You might make a financial

killing but become unpopular with neighbours.

Upset neighbours may do everything in their

power to prevent the sale or the planning

application being granted if they feel the sale has

an adverse impact on their enjoyment of their

own property.

Make sure the sales contract

and documentation are correct

It is essential you ensure that the sales

contract and supporting documents are

comprehensive and favourable to your sale. The

sale documentation will contain all necessary

conveyancing conditions and any other

conditions regarding the build quality, style and

location of any buildings to be erected on the

property you are selling.

Instruct a conveyancing solicitor and seek

their advice and guidance as to the best way of

proceeding. You might spend time and money

setting up the sale only to find it fail because the

buyer lacked the capability to complete the deal.

*This is not legal advice; it is intended to provide

information of general interest about current legal

issues.

• Civil litigation

• Residential conveyancing

• Family and matrimonial

• Probate and estates

• Wills • Lifetime planning

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HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

Out in the

garden

With garden designer, Sally Cunis

Our Christmas was very

different in 2024.

Our young were all away so we spent a

peaceful few days by the sea in Northumberland,

literally blowing away the cobwebs, recharging our

batteries and are now ready to tackle the garden,

subject to the weather, of course.

Not surprisingly, once the festivities are over,

family and friends have dispersed and the

decorations and fairy lights are packed away for

another year, the first few weeks of the New Year

can feel somewhat flat.

The best remedy is to wrap up warmly, walk

round the garden and inspect what is happening.

Whether it’s raining, frosty, snow has fallen,

or the sun is shining, the seasons carry on

regardless and magic is happening beneath our

feet and in the borders.

Slender blades of the early snowdrops are

pushing through leaf litter in great clumps

under the beech trees and along the snowdrop

walk, followed in due course by a great variety

of Narcissi.

Hellebores, with their beautiful, wide nodding

heads, are in flower; the white Helleborus niger

brightens up a dull corner and the freckled faces

of the Helleborus orientalis, which interbreed to

produce a range of colours from softest pinks to

deep purplish black, must be lifted up in order to

admire their exquisite beauty.

Variegated evergreens such as holly,

Euonymus, Elaeagnus and Pittosporum add a

good contrast in early spring to darker evergreens

and to a perennial border. Papery white stems

of silver birch and the coppery, peeling stems

Helleborus niger

of cherry and Acer Griseum glow in the gloom,

together with the fiery stems of groups of

dogwoods, red Cornus alba Sibirica and the

multi- coloured Cornus “Midwinter Fire”.

To attract the few beneficial insects and bees

around at this time of year, the tiny flowers of

Sarcococca humilis, Daphne odora and the

shrubby honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima,

fill the air with their heady perfume and are worth

planting close to a window, door or much used

path where their scent will lift the spirits.

Witch hazel, Hamamelis, is another glorious,

generally scented shrub with narrow straplike

flowers on naked stems well into spring;

depending on the variety of choice, the flowers

range from yellow, red and orange.

For early colour, the winter flowering Jasminum

nudiflorum with its simple bright yellow flowers on

Pittosporum tenuifolium “Silver Queen”

sprawling stems is a delight. I also love the eggyellow

flowers of the winter aconite which grows

under the beech trees and appears once the

hardy Cyclamen have finished.

Increasingly, there is a movement towards not

clearing the ornamental border in autumn, thus

leaving the stems and seed heads on perennials.

This not only protects the base of the plants from

poor weather but also offers shelter for beneficial

insects and food for birds.

The gold finches love the teasels left standing in

my borders and terrace - even if they do flop over

and attack the postman sometimes!

Seed heads look beautiful in the frost, as do

Hydrangea heads. Last year, the edging of Sage

to the rose border was stunning in the frost and

snow and is perfectly resilient to both.

Jasminum nudiflorum Ilex (Holly) aquifolium “Ferox Argentea” Helleborus orientalis


HOME & GARDEN

If the weather is fair there is much that can be done in the garden.

Here are some suggestions:

To do list

• Brush snow off shrubs to prevent

breakages

• Top dress/repot shrubs in

containers

• Check supports on trees,

climbers and shrubs

• Firm in any new planting if

lifted by the frost

• Sow sweet peas

• Plant deciduous hedging and

fruit trees

• Winter prune fruit trees

• Chit early potatoes

• If conditions allow, prepare raised

beds in the vegetable garden

• Keep ponds free of ice

• Remember our feathered friends,

put out fresh water, fat balls,

peanuts and seeds

If the weather is poor, do some armchair gardening, sort out the seeds

and decide what needs to be ordered for this next growing season.

Happy gardening!

Eranthus hyemalis (winter aconite)

Clean&Green

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HOME & GARDEN

Barking up the

right tree

Rest and refuel after a winter walk around

Wentworth at Longacre’s new coffee shop.

The family-run garden and leisure

site has spruced up an old furniture

showroom to create Fudge’s Coffee

Stop, a cosy and welcoming retreat

for walkers and shoppers.

The building, which was once

Wentworth Sawmill’s office and

blade sharpening workshop, has

been updated with new windows

and doors. Wood cladding on the

walls and suspended trellis ceiling

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Named after owners Joy and

Nigel’s beloved Shih Tzu, Fudge,

the coffee shop welcomes dogs

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There is also a range of

sustainably made gift and

homewares to browse, including

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ornaments, and vegan soy candles

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•

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FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

Perfectly paired

With James Ward of The Grape Kitchen

A new year is when people start to make different

lifestyle choices, and rightly so. Christmas is such

an indulgent time that to have a bit of a detox is no

bad thing.

James’

Carbonara

recipe

But when you’ve finished your

detox, we’ve got the perfect wine

and food pairing for you to reward

yourself with.

Carbonara and

Pinot Grigio

Carbonara is a simple yet

amazing dish. It’s easy to make but

has a world of complexity to it. And

it deserves the best wine pairing.

I’d pair it with a Trentino Pinot

Grigio. Pinot Grigio is one of the

most popular grape varieties in the

world. It can make very boring and

simple wine but it can also make

wonderful wines with a great depth

of flavour and body. Pinot Grigio

from Trentino, Alto Adige and the

Dolomite regions of Italy can be

superb and they pair perfectly with

Carbonara.

The reason being is that these

wines are packed full of acidity.

Carbonara is a rich dish with loads

of fat in the ingredients and will

overpower anything too light in

alcohol. Acidity and fat are perfect

pairing components, so a pinot

grigio from these regions will have

enough alcohol and viscosity in to

stand up to the richness.

Here at The Grape Kitchen, we’re

all for chopping and changing.

Some Carbonara enthusiasts may

dispute the authenticity of our

Carbonara, due to the ingredients

we used. However, we still consider

this dish Carbonara or at least

Carbonara-style.

Ingredients

5 nests of fresh Tagliatelle

(or Spaghetti if you want to be

completely traditional)

30 month aged Parmigiano-

Reggiano (Pecorino if you want to

be completely traditional)

1 x Pack diced Pancetta (Guanciale

if you want to be completely

traditional)

1 x Free range egg

Extra virgin olive oil

Black pepper

Method

1. Add water to saucepan, add

a few twists of salt to the water and

let it slowly to come to the boil

2. Put your frying pan on a lowmedium

heat. When hot, add olive

oil. Wait a minute or so, then add

ROBIN HOOD

CRAFTED IN AUGHTON, SHEFFIELD

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and vegetables

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E: info@robinhoodaughton.co.uk | www.robinhoodaughton.co.uk robinhoodinaughton



pancetta

3. When pancetta is starting to

brown and crisp, add the fresh

pasta to the simmering water for

two mins (If you’re using dried

pasta then you’ll want to allow 10-

12 mins, so put it in the water at the

same time as the pancetta)

4. While the pasta is in the water,

pour yourself a glass of Pinot Grigio

5. Drink some of the Pinot Grigio.

You need to make sure that it’s

going to make a good Carbonara

pairing after all.

6. After two minutes, combine

the pasta and pancetta/guanciale,

along with some of the pasta water

7. Stir together and grate a

generous amount of the cheese

into the mix, along with black

From the vineyard

to your doorstep

Independent online wine merchant bringing fine and unusual

wines from around the world straight to your door

Shop by country, style or food pairing

Necessity Box £42.50

A mixed case of 6 bottles of red and/or white wines

Order online at www.grapekitchen.co.uk

Or call James on 075081 15181

Free same working day delivery to any South Yorkshire postcode

*On orders over £20 when placed before 2pm

pepper to your taste

8. Stir all ingredients together

until the water has reduced and

cheese melted

9. TAKE OFF THE HEAT!

We can’t stress this enough.

We’re about to add the egg but

you need to let the food rest for at

least one minute to avoid getting

scrambled eggs

10. Add the egg and more

cheese, stir in so it coats the

whole dish.

11. Garnish with grated cheese -

optional, but since when has more

cheese been a bad thing?

Enjoy! See you all next time.

32 Seater Fully Licensed

Family Owned Restaurant

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SUNDAY LUNCH

Choice of 3 roasts, seasonal veg and

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Delicious homemade DESSERTS all £6.00

MONTHLY THEMED EVENINGS

Dishes from around the world and bespoke gourmet menus

Private parties welcome

For special events see our Facebook page

Open Thurs & Fri 12-3pm & 5-8pm, Sat 5-8pm and Sun 12-3pm • Tel 07721 134509

The Alder Tree 29 Broadway, Swinton, Rotherham S64 8HD

www.thealdertreerestaurant.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

BURNS’ NIGHT

Saturday 25th January from 7pm

5 course meal, traditional piper, toast the haggis

with a glass of whisky or wine

£49.50 per person or £175 for 2 people

with overnight stay and breakfast

VALENTINE’S DINNER


Treat your loved one to a sumptuous 5 course dinner

£45 per person or £180 for 2 people with overnight

stay and breakfast

ITALIAN DINNER

& WINE EXPERIENCE

Friday 21st February from 7pm

Enjoy a 4 course with each course accompanied

by a perfectly matched wine.

£64 per person or £200 for 2 people

with overnight stay and breakfast

INTERNATIONAL

WOMEN’S DAY

Friday 7th March

The theme of International Women’s Day 2025

is ‘Accelerate Action’ for gender equality.

Join us at our annual event to celebrate

women’s achievement, with food interesting

speakers and good company. For further

details please see our Facebook page

MOTHER’S DAY

Sunday 30th March

Reservations from 12-3pm

3 course carvery and a gift for all mums

Adults £35 Children £18 (12 and under)

ASIAN FUSION DINING

Friday 21st March

Arrive 7.00pm for 7.30pm meal

New for 2025, immerse yourself in our Asian fusion

menu, created and cooked up by our Head Chef.

Enjoy a delicious cocktail, followed by an exciting

tasting menu full of flavours from all over Asia

£50.00 per person or £180.00 for 2 people with

overnight stay and Full English Breakfast

Tel: 0114 2882100 Email: info@wortleyhall.org.uk

Wortley, Sheffield,

South Yorkshire S35 7DB

www.wortleyhall.org.uk



Winter

warmer

recipes

With The FullCrumb Kitchen

Start 2025 off on the right foot with these hearty

recipes packed full of goodness and using

seasonal vegetables.

Irish Potato

Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients

700g potatoes, peeled and cubed

Knob of unsalted butter

1 white onion, peeled and finely

sliced

2 celery stalks, washed and

chopped

1 garlic clove, peeled and sliced

1 veg stock cube

750ml boiling water

150ml milk

Salt and pepper

Optional toppings:

Smoked bacon, croutons, Irish

cheddar cheese, flat leaf parsley

Method

1. Melt the butter in a large

saucepan over a medium heat.

2. Add the onion and celery and

sweat down until translucent.

3. Add in the potatoes and stir.

Pour in the stock and season with

salt and pepper.

4. Bring to the boil, pop a lid on

and simmer for around 20 minutes

until the potatoes are soft.

5. Pour in the milk and bring back

to the boil.

6. Remove from the heat and

gently blend until your desired

consistency.

7. Add more seasoning if

required.

8. Serve in warm bowls with crusty

bread and any chosen toppings.

Slow Cooked Beef

and Ale Stew

Serves 4

Ingredients

1kg shin beef

2 carrots, washed and chopped

2 parsnips, washed and chopped

3 potatoes, washed and

chopped

200g mushrooms, quartered

1 tbsp mustard

2 tbsp plain flour

1 can Guinness or dark ale

1 beef stock cube

Bouquet garni (fresh parsley,

thyme and bay)

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper

Method

1.Heat the oil in a large pan

and brown off the meat.

2. Add in the carrots, parsnips,

and potatoes and cook for 5-10

minutes until slightly coloured.

3. Add the mushrooms and

mustard and cook for a few more

minutes. Then sprinkle over the

flour.

4. Gently pour over the ale

and stir. Add the stock cube

and enough water to cover

everything.

5. Carefully transfer to a slow

cooker, add the bouquet garni

and cook on high for two to three

hours until the meat is tender.

6. Remove the herbs, season

to taste, and serve with Yorkshire

puddings, crusty bread, or just

on its own.



WHAT’S ON AT

HOTEL & SPA

VALENTINE’S GALA BALL


Join us for a glamorous evening, whether

you’re with that special someone or

celebrating with friends. 3 course meal

with live singer Jessica Brett.

£55.00 per person

About

FullCrumb

The FullCrumb Kitchen is an

in-house training kitchen at food

distribution charity, FareShare

Yorkshire.

The kitchen is an initiative

launched in 2020 to support

individuals and community groups

get the best out of the surplus

food they have available at

FareShare Yorkshire.

It’s run by Chris Clyburn, a chef

for over 30 years, who previously

worked for Jamie’s Ministry of

Food and Zest. Chris uploads

regular content like recipes,

videos and cooking tips to their

YouTube channel and social

media accounts.

Find them at

https://linktr.ee/

fullcrumbkitch

GEORGE&

DRAGON

wentworth’s traditional family pub

MOTHER’S DAY

AFTERNOON TEA

Friday 28th-Monday 31st March

The perfect way to say thank you and

create cherished memories

Adults £20.00 Child £13.50

MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH

Sunday 30th March

Celebrate the special bond you share

by treating your mum to a sumptuous

3 course Sunday Lunch.

Adult £30.00 Child £17.00

MAMMA MIA!

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Saturday 22nd March

Join us for a tribute to your favourite film

featuring live music from Mamma Mia

performed by the talented Bethanie Houghton.

Enjoy a 2 course Greek-themed dinner followed

by dancing until late.

£35.00 per person

It’s cold outside, why not call in for a

luxury hot chocolate in front of the fire

Heartwarming food

served Mon-Sat 12-8pm and Sunday 12-6pm

Try our famous homemade steak and ale pie

with hand cut chips, mushy peas and rich gravy

Friday 14th February Valentine’s Day

Full menu and daily specials Bookings essential

85 main street, wentworth, rotherham s62 7tn

tel. 01226 899026

7 cask ales from local breweries

Dog Friendly

www.georgeanddragonwentworth.com

EASTER AFTERNOON TEA

Friday 18th & Monday 21st April

Celebrate the joy of spring with our

delightful Afternoon Tea.

Indulge in a selection of delicate

sandwiches, freshly baked scones and

an array of sweet treats.


EASTER SUNDAY LUNCH

Sunday 20th April

Enjoy a cracking Easter with our delicious

3 course lunch served in a warm and

inviting atmosphere – perfect for enjoying

quality time with family and friends.


A deposit is required for all events

Tel. 01709 702 701

Email: sales@hellabyhallhotel.co.uk

www.hellabyhallhotel.co.uk

old hellaby lane, rotherham s66 8ex


SPORT

Celebrating the beating heart of

grassroots football

There would be no

grassroots football without

the tremendous work that

volunteers do year in, year

out. They are the beating heart

of the footballing community

who give their time, effort and

energy to make a positive

impact on the game.

As a way of thanking them for

their dedication, the Sheffield and

Hallamshire County FA hosted

their annual Grassroots Football

Awards at Hillsborough Stadium in

November.

Hosted by BBC Radio Sheffield’s

Andy Giddings, there were also

guest talks by former Premier

League defender Vance Warner

and current Sheffield United

Women’s player Satara Murray.

The county FA received over

250 nominations in 2024, so

it was extremely tough for the

independent panel to judge.

There were thirteen winners

and five highly commended

nominees recognised. From

referees and coaches to leagues

and volunteers, everybody from

across the grassroots game was

celebrated.

League of The Year

Rotherham and District Sunday League

Formed in 1966, the league is our region’s largest open-age 11-a-side league with over 60 adult men’s teams

competing across five divisions.

Grounds Team of The Year

Neil Howden - Frickley

Athletic FC

Builder Neil volunteers his time week

in, week out to maintaining the pitch

in all weathers and is also known to

chip in by working behind the bar or

washing the kit.

Match Official of The Year

Steve Bradford

In 25 years as a referee, officiating

well over 6,000 games, Steve hasn’t

once taken a fee for his matchday

role. Instead, he’s donated every

penny back for team events, local

charities, and a young referee

pathway scheme at Greasbrough

Youth FC.

New Volunteer of The Year

Hannah Wright -

Crosspool FC

Since becoming a volunteer in

2023, Hannah has spearheaded

a clubhouse renovation project

to make the club’s matchday

experience more enjoyable and

increase revenue opportunities.

Club of The Year

Kirkburton Juniors FC

The Hudderfield-based club, which

has over 550 children playing across

32 teams, was commended for their

Young Football Leaders Programme,

which matches older players with

disabled players.


SPORT

Young Volunteer of The Year

Alana Habergham-Rice -

Kiveton Park Football Club

Sixteen-year-old Alana, who has

autism, was part of the team that

developed a disability provision at

the club. She also designed and

delivered neurodiversity awareness

training to the club’s coaches.

Bobby Moore Award

John Ward - Handsworth

JSC (collected on his behalf)

For over 35 years, John has worked

tirelessly as chair of the club to

bring football to all. Starting with one

boys’ team in 1986, there are now

32 teams offering male and female

football.

Return of the

Rules Derby

Coach of the Year Male

Pathway

Tom Townend - Dearne and

District JFC

Tom formed an under 8s team in

2023 and has created a thriving

learning environment, helping young

players enjoy the game while also

supporting their development.

The Lioness Award

Caroline Austwick -

Wathletico LFC

Part of the missed generation of

women who never had chance

to play football as kids, Caroline

founded a women’s recreational

football team in Wath that now has

two teams and over 30 players.

Coach of the Year Female

Pathway

Nicola Walters - Frickley

Athletic Ladies Rec Team

Nicola played a key role in the

development of the first-ever

women’s and girls’ teams at Frickley

Athletic in the club’s 115-year history

.

Keeping Football Positive

Award

Mental Health FC CIC

The Doncaster-based club are

breaking down the stigma of men’s

mental health through football. All

coaches are qualified mental health

first aiders who run six sessions for

over 120 people each week.

The original football

derby returns to

Sheffield this January,

164 years since it first

took place.

Sheffield might have the Steel

City Derby, contested by the

Blades and the Owls. But it also

lays claim to the world’s oldest

derby: the Rules Derby played by

the two oldest clubs, Sheffield FC

and Hallam FC.

The teams have drawn each

other in the quarter finals of

Sheffield FA’s Senior Cup. Ahead

of the county cup tie, on Saturday

14th January, we look at the legacy

of this iconic fixture.

The Rules Derby dates to Boxing

Day 1860 when the very first interclub

match took place.

Sheffield FC, the world’s

oldest club formed in 1857, beat

newcomers and neighbours Hallam

FC 2-0 that day. But little did either

club know just how much the

fixture would influence the future of

football.

It was named the Rules Derby

as the original match was played

using Sheffield rules. These were

written by members of Sheffield FC

in 1858 and were used until 1879.

You couldn’t pick the ball up and

run with it, but you could catch it if

it was in the air. There was also to

be no hacking, tripping, seriously

fouling or injuring other players.

Many aspects of modern football

started in Sheffield, such as

11-a-side teams, 90-minute games,

ball size, free kicks and corner

kicks, crossbar, heading and

passing, and referees.

Some things have changed

since 1860; there were 16 men on

each team in the first derby. But

as in that game, January’s fixture

will be played at the world’s oldest

football ground, Sandygate, the

historic home of Hallam FC.

While the friendly derby fixture

has taken place over 150 times,

it will be 12 years since the clubs

played each other professionally.

Both have been in different nonleague

divisions for many years.

Sheffield FC play in the NPL East

Division, while Hallam FC are in the

league below, the NCEL Premier

Division.

Whoever makes it through to the

semi-final will be up against strong

competition. Other clubs still in the

Senior Cup include Stockbridge

Park Steels, Barnsley FC Under

21s, and last year’s cup winners,

Worksop Town.

Coach of the Year Disability

Pathway

Richard Lavender - Sheffield

City Knights

Richard has supported many

disabled players to overcome

barriers they might face when

accessing football, creating a fun,

safe and inclusive environment for

all, both on-and off-pitch.

The Geldart Award

Ian Jowitt - Socrates Ladies

FC

Eighty-year-old Ian has spent more

than 25 years making sure no girl

gets left behind in football. He’s been

chair of Socrates Ladies since 2013.

Know a grassroots hero?

Nominate them for a 2025 award

at www.sheffieldfa.com


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Proud to be celebrating our 21st Anniversary in 2025

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