Aroundtown Magazine Nov/Dec 2025 edition

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025

www.aroundtownmagazine.co.uk

Est. 2004

BARNSLEY | ROTHERHAM

South Yorkshire’s Premier FREE Lifestyle Magazine

Deck the

Halls

Season of

Goodwill

Festive

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Christmas

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We Meet >

Tin Pot Theatre

We Remember >

The Dundas Brothers

What’s On >

Christmas Events

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

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Welcome

to the November/December edition of

Aroundtown Magazine.

As the magic of the

pantomime season is upon

us, we thought it would be

nice to let a non-profit theatre take

centre stage.

Christmas wouldn’t be the same in Wath if it wasn’t

for the volunteers at the Tin Pot Theatre who put on a

professional and affordable show loved by all ages.

This year, there is plenty of festive fun to be had

for all the family, whether visiting Santa at the theme

park, seeking out the snow queen in a stately home,

or lighting up the Tarn with the annual Bright Nights art

trail.

For all the boys and girls out there, we are pleased

to say that Santa will be making an appearance this

year, check out the sleigh dates we have featured in

some areas.

The season of goodwill is almost upon us, and

once again it’s our pleasure to help raise awareness

for many local charities. Whether it’s donating toys for

children or putting food on the tables of vulnerable

people, there are lots of ways to make someone’s

Christmas a little brighter.

We hope you take some seasonal inspiration and

support your local independent businesses. There

really is so much to discover on your doorstep in a

much more relaxing environment.

Throughout the year we have been contacted by

people wanting to share their very personal stories with

our readers. In this edition, we spoke to a remarkable

lady from Penistone who has changed a family court

law after the devastating loss of her two sons.

On a final note, thank you to both our readers and

advertisers for being part of our journey and making

Aroundtown a much-loved publication we are proud to

produce.

Cheryl, Amber and the team x


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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

Administration & Accounts Karen White

Designer Leanne Keetley - Sheaf Design Works

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 Tin Pot Theatre

??

Health & Beauty

07 World COPD Day

08 Digestive Heath at Christmas

Fashion

14 Wild Wine

Homes & Gardens

62 Deck the Halls like its 1995

74 Glad Tidings of Compost and Joy

Food & Entertainment

76 Festive Baking

80 Maison Brotte Wines

Features

16 Feeling Festive

36 Elsecar and Wentworth

46 Penistone Church Appeal

47 Art at the Altar

48 The Season of Goodwill

50 Claire Pens Book for her Boys

54 Making Space for Dementia Support

60 The Dundas Brothers

aroundtownmagazine.co.uk 3

MEETS

meets

Tin Pot

Theatre

Once upon a time - not in a deep, dark forest,

but in the heart of the Dearne Valley - a band

of spirited storytellers set out to stir up some

theatrical magic.

Jamie, Suzy and Kevin

Way, way back in 2012, a

drama teacher from Barnsley, a

social worker from Mexborough,

and an illustrator from Rawmarsh

put their creative heads together to

bring the magic of panto to Wath.

Collectively, they set the stage

for something wonderful, creating

Tin Pot Theatre, a non-profit theatre

company that has become a

cornerstone of festive celebrations

in their community.

Jamie Utley, Suzy Peterson,

and Kevin Roper voluntarily give

their time, energy, and endless

enthusiasm to make Wath’s

pantomime happen each year,

fuelled mostly by magic beans,

community spirit and a love of

bringing people together.

Every December, their cast

trades glass slippers for giggles

and tiaras for tinsel as they bring

a riotous panto to the stage at the

Montgomery Hall Theatre.

And this year, they’re cooking

up something just right.

With lumpy porridge, bears with

boundary issues, and a girl who

clearly missed the “don’t break into

stranger’s homes” talk, Goldilocks

and the Three Bears is getting the

full Tin Pot treatment for 2025 -

complete with a generous sprinkle

of glitter and enough slapstick to

make your sides ache.

When the Montgomery Hall

curtain rises and the laughter

begins to ripple through the

audience, few will realise just how

much hard work has gone into

bringing this pantomime to life.

Jamie, Suzy and Kev are the

heart and hilarious soul of Tin Pot

Theatre, steering the ship with

steadfastness, professionalism,

and just enough panic to keep

things interesting.

Having grown up around

musical theatre and dancing, the

trio first met at a local theatre group

where they spotted something

missing in amateur dramatics - a

space where everyone in the

community, regardless of ability,

could shine.

So, like any good heroes in a

panto tale, they set off on a new

adventure of their own. With a

shared vision and an iron-clad

friendship, they launched Tin Pot

Theatre to create a more inclusive,

affordable, and joyful experience

for audiences and performers alike.

Their very first production was

Aladdin, filled with plenty of umph

and spirit – and a whole new team

of willing recruits.

Like the directors, all cast

members are volunteers spanning

a breadth of ages from kids to

those reaching retirement age,

with some who have learning

disabilities.

Together, this ensemble proves

that when it comes to theatre,

4 aroundtownmagazine.co.uk

MEETS

it’s not about having West End

budgets or Broadway egos, it’s

a shared love of making people

smile.

“We’re not just about performing

arts, being all-singing all-dancing,

or becoming famous. Being a

Tin Potter is about wanting to do

something different, build your

confidence, and get more out of

life. It’s about belonging, pure

enjoyment, and feeling part of

something bigger,” says Suzy.

There’s a joy in seeing someone

step on stage who never thought

they’d have the chance. But Tin

Pot Theatre also know they have

a responsibility to put on a good

show every year for their audience’s

sake.

“We called ourselves Tin Pot

because we were thinking of

something to do with mining and

coal was too obvious. But tin pot

also means a bit rubbish, so people

might have low expectations,” says

Suzy.

“We’re actually really big on

quality and have high standards.

We can’t expect an audience to pay

for something that’s subpar. Often

the feedback we get is that it’s such

a good value night out and not

what people expect at all.”

With just eleven performances

on the calendar in the week leading

up to Christmas, most nights

are a sell-out because families

know they’ll get 90-minutes full

of laughter, music, and panto

mischief, all at a price that’s

affordable for everyone.

“It’s the closest we’ll ever be to

Rolling Stones selling out Madison

Square Gardens,” says Suzy. “I

remember our first year we sold 18

tickets for one night and I thought

it was amazing that 18 people we

didn’t know had paid to watch us.

Now we get over 300 people a

show and I still can’t believe people

pay to watch us be friends on

stage. What an amazing way to live

your life.”

In the early days, they did less

well-known shows like Robinson

Crusoe and Babes in the Wood.

Taking inspiration from panto’s

16th century origins of Commedia

dell’arte, they’ve always done

traditional fairytales rather than

Disney-fied performances.

“Our strength is in the acting

and storytelling side. You will never

find a romantic love scene in a Tin

Pot show – mainly because we

haven’t got the singers for it. But

unless you’ve got Celine Dion in

your cast then you shouldn’t be

stopping the action to do a power

ballad,” says Suzy.

However, their landmark

moment came in 2015 when they

decided to do the much-loved Jack

and the Beanstalk.

“It really exploded for us after

that because it’s such a popular

panto, and the audience loved

it,” says Jamie. “It’s mine and

Suzy’s favourite and for our tenth

anniversary we did it again, this

time with a proper special effects

giant rather than just a booming

voice off-stage. We’re thinking it

will now be one we do every five

years.”

It was after that first Jack and the

Beanstalk show that they started

receiving messages from families

to say the Wath panto had become

their Christmas tradition.

One of their favourite stories

involves a family who sent a tin

of treacle backstage for the cast.

They’d made a return visit after

watching a previous show and were

bemused by a running joke about

treacle.

“We won’t go into it in case it

spoils the surprise, but that to us

was amazing,” says Suzy.

As much as the audience has

their traditions, for Jamie, Suzy and

Kev, pantomime and Christmas

have become inseparable.

From September onwards,

they spend every spare hour either

together rehearsing and directing,

or at home working on their own

areas of expertise.

Jamie can usually be found

managing the box office or sorting

the accounts, talented illustrator

Kev hand-draws the programme

cover and ropes his family in to sew

costumes, and Suzy likes to be left

in solitary confinement to write the

script and design the lighting and

sound.

There’s no backstage crew to

help so the trusty trio manage every

aspect – as well as any off-stage

calamities that happen.

One year, there was a lastminute

hitch with the costumes for

Cinderella’s ugly stepsisters that

Jamie and Kevin were playing.

Before the clock struck opening

night, they managed to source a

second-hand designer silver gown

by Suzanne Neville that fit Kev like

a glove – and then raided the prop

store to throw something together

for Jamie.

“By hook or by crook we get

there every year and we’ve never

cancelled a show, except for

the Covid year. There was one

year where I was in hospital and

discharged myself before the

show,” says Jamie.

“It’s a big responsibility but it’s

made us resilient. It works well as a

trio as there’s always one of us we

can lean on when issues crop up,”

says Suzy.

They’re also part of the cast

each year, each having become


MEETS

usually the dame, Kev plays the

baddie, and Suzy is the principal

girl or boy.

“Kev is an amazing baddie

because he’s so funny and has

such a distinctive look. One year we

did Snow White and Jamie played

the silly boy character, but it just

didn’t feel right. People love him as

the dame. I prefer to be the girl but

I’m really aware that I’m getting on

a bit now, but we do play on that.

“This year, my character

Goldilocks and the silly boy

character are meant to be twins

celebrating their 18th birthday but

Dave, who’s playing my brother, is

in his 50s. We never take ourselves

seriously which is what I think the

audience like, and we play on how

they react to the gags.”

Audiences respond with warmth

and loyalty, appreciating the

inclusivity and interaction they get

with a Tin Pot show.

Whether it’s catching a flying

Yorkshire pudding, looking out

for a random yeti that makes an

appearance every other year, or

taking part in Jamie’s famous 12

days of Christmas interval song,

you can guarantee that no two

shows are ever the same.

Aside from the slapstick and

storytelling, there’s social value

in everything they do at Tin Pot

Theatre.

Social worker Suzy has

a master’s degree in arts

regeneration of communities, and

Jamie teaches drama at a large

secondary school in Barnsley. They

both also run their own low-cost

theatre groups for children and

young people in the Dearne Valley.

So, their brains are always

thinking about how they can leave a

positive impact on the community.

They do a charity collection

each year and have raised tens of

thousands of pounds over the last

12 years.

Their panto is also by far the

most affordable in the area, with a

family ticket costing just over £40.

It’s been challenging in recent

years due to rising costs, but

they’ve managed to keep ticket

prices low due to the nature of how

they work.

None of the cast members or

directors get paid and all money

generated from ticket sales goes

back into the following year’s show

to pay for set designs or hiring

costumes from the likes of York

Theatre Royal.

Beyond the stage, the company

has become a hub of connection

that has opened doors for so many

people.

Last year’s Sleeping Beauty,

Mary, has landed a paid role in

a professional pantomime after

being encouraged to step into the

limelight last Christmas. Mary was

originally part of the dance chorus

but the trio saw how talented she

was and offered her the lead role,

giving her the experience to apply

for a professional show.

Silly boy character Dave is one

of the original cast members who’s

been involved from the beginning,

often sharing the stage with his own

kids who’ve been inspired by their

dad.

Their principal boy Emily made

her Tin Pot debut as a year nine

student and is now a 27-year-old

teacher but still comes back to do

panto every year.

Gemma, who has learning

disabilities, has been involved

for many years and now has a

speaking role after building up her

confidence on stage.

And even Jamie’s wife is now a

cast member – well, he’d probably

never see her before Christmas if

not!

“We love having such an

inclusive cast and think it’s a real

privilege that people want to be

involved,” says Suzy. “Most of the

adult cast all work other jobs so it’s

an intense week in the build-up to

Christmas but we treat them like

stars.

“It’s become a family. At Jamie’s

wedding a few years ago, I was

talking to his mum and she said,

‘we’re all Tin Potters aren’t we?’ I

lost my mum a few years ago and

I had people from the audience

coming up to me to offer their

condolences.”

So, what keeps them going after

more than a decade?

“It’s the community,” says Jamie

simply. “The cast, the volunteers,

the audience – it’s so important

to what we’ve built up here and

we feel a responsibility to provide

it. It’s not about money, it’s about

investing time in each other. This

is Christmas for us and we’re in it

together.”

Looking to the future, all three

directors hope to continue growing,

inspiring, and creating. Their

relationship with the venue has

never been better and Montgomery

Theatre factor them in as one of

their big events to finish off the year.

“We’ve been asked by other

places if we can do a panto run at

their venue but for now we’re here

and it’s the Wath panto. Maybe

when our mortgages are paid off

and we’re thinking about retiring

then it could be something we do a

bit more of,” says Jamie.

Suzy shares the same

sentiment. “That’s why we need

to do the hard work now to create

a legacy where, if we can’t do it

anymore, someone else can take

the reins and run with it. I would

hate to think it stops when we do.”

Because Tin Pot is more than

theatre. It’s a gift to the community,

a celebration of talent in all its

forms, and a shining reminder of

what Christmas is truly about.

Goldilocks and

the Three Bears is

running at Wath’s

Montgomery Hall

Theatre from Tuesday

16th until Wednesday

24th December

with limited tickets

available.

Tickets are £12.50 for

adults, £11.50 for children

or £42 for a family ticket and

can be purchased online at

www.ticketsource.co.uk/

tinpottheatre or by calling

the theatre on 01709 513160


HEALTH & BEAUTY

World COPD Day event

at BreathingSpace

Do you often get that

uncomfortable feeling

that you are running

out of air or are not

able to breathe deeply

enough?

If so, have you considered you

could have COPD?

COPD – or chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease – is a group

of lung conditions including

emphysema and chronic bronchitis

that cause breathing difficulties.

The breathing problems can get

gradually worse over time and limit

your normal activities, although

treatment can help keep the

condition under control.

It mainly affects middle-aged or

older adults who smoke, but many

people do not realise they have it.

A diagnosis of COPD should

be considered in any patient who

has shortness of breath, a chronic

chesty cough, frequent chest

infections, or persistent wheezing.

It’s more likely to be COPD if you’re

a current or past smoker or have

been exposed to risk factors like

cooking fuels or occupational

hazards like dust, fumes and

chemicals.

On Wednesday 19th November,

BreathingSpace in Rotherham is

hosting a public health event for

World COPD Day for anyone who

wants to understand more about

lung conditions or how to improve

their quality of life or that of a loved

one.

There will be information stands

about inhaler techniques, stop

smoking support, and pulmonary

rehabilitation, along with other

healthcare professionals from the

lung nursing, talking therapies,

dietician and social prescribing

teams.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

will also be at the event, along with

community and networking stalls.

Refreshments will be available

throughout the day.

For more information,

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Or just drop in on the day

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

You&your

health

With Andrew Watson of Good Measure Pharmacy

Digestive health at Christmas

Diarrhoea

Whether it’s too much rich food, a dodgy

prawn cocktail, or your gut simply rebelling,

diarrhoea can crash the Christmas party.

Let’s face it - at Christmas, the

turkey isn’t the only thing that

ends up stuffed.

Between the mince pies, mulled wine, and

that third helping of roast potatoes (because it

is Christmas), our digestive systems can start to

feel more bah humbug than ho-ho-ho.

Most households have a seasonal spike

in tummy troubles that come gift-wrapped in

bloating, indigestion, heartburn, and more.

But you don’t have to give up the

cheeseboard or decline dessert to stay

comfortable. With a few small tweaks to your diet,

you can eat, drink, and feel merry all season long.

Festive digestive grumbles

(and how to tame them)

Indigestion & Heartburn

That heavy, burning sensation after a

big meal? It’s not just festive spirit. It’s often

indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux, especially

when you’ve eaten a bit too much, a bit too fast,

or both.

Rich, fatty foods and alcohol (particularly wine

and spirits) can also relax the muscle at the top

of your stomach, allowing acid to escape into the

oesophagus, causing heartburn.


How to help yourself:

• Eat a good breakfast on Christmas Day so that

you’re not famished by the time lunch is served.

• Go easy on portion sizes (seconds are fine -

maybe just wait a bit!).

• Try to eat slowly and chew your food well.

Christmas dinner isn’t a race.

• Avoid lying flat right after eating. Think festive

stroll not couch nap after the King’s Speech.

• Antacids or acid reducers can work wonders.

Bloating & Wind

Feeling as round as a Christmas pudding?

That uncomfortable feeling of fullness in the

stomach is a normal response to overeating.

However, fizzy drinks, rich food, and those good

old sprouts can also lead to bloating and excess

gas.

Simple tips:

• Sip peppermint or ginger tea post-meal to help

things settle.

• Chew slowly and avoid gulping air while eating

(that includes talking with your mouth full - your

gran was right).

• A short walk does wonders for digestion, plus it

might help you make room for dessert.

Constipation

Your toilet routine goes out the window at

Christmas. Less fibre, more alcohol, and fewer

vegetables (unless they’re covered in butter or

cheese sauce) can all slow things down.

Ease the squeeze:

• Drink plenty of water, especially if you’re having

alcohol.

• Add some fibre back into your meals – balance

the pigs in blankets and chocolates with veg,

fruit, and wholegrains.

• Keep moving. Even a gentle activity like a

game of Twister or Just Dance can get things

going again.

• A short-term laxative may be helpful if needed

but ask your pharmacists for advice before using

one.

Handle with care:

• Stay hydrated. Rehydration sachets are handy

if things persist.

• Stick to bland foods for a bit and skip the

booze until you’re back on track.

• Keep raw and cooked foods separately when

transporting and storing.

• Be careful with leftovers - store them properly

and reheat thoroughly.

• Don’t overload the fridge as you may miss

use-by dates, and keep it at 5 degrees Celsius or

lower to reduce the risk of microbes growing in

food.

When it’s more than just

overindulgence

While most festive digestive issues clear up

by themselves, there are times when you should

trust your gut – literally – and seek medical help:

• Severe or persistent stomach pain

• Vomiting that doesn’t stop

• Blood in your poo or vomit

• Unintentional weight loss

• Symptoms that just aren’t going away

• Diarrhoea that doesn’t improve after a few

days, especially if accompanied by fever or

dehydration

If anything feels not quite right, have a chat

with your pharmacist or GP.

Celebrate, don’t sacrifice

Celebrations like Christmas are a time for

connection, joy, and being together – and the

social aspect of that often centres around food

and drink. The goal isn’t to skip the stuffing or

turn down the trifle, but to enjoy it all without the

bellyache.

So have the mince pie, just maybe not five in

one sitting. Listen to your body, stay hydrated,

and if things get a bit rumbly in the tummy, visit

your local pharmacy for help.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and welldigested

Christmas!

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Walking

memories

When Wendy Parker’s

husband Jonathon was

diagnosed with early-onset

dementia at just 59, her

world changed forever.

The couple, from Bramley in

Rotherham, have been together since

school, married for 42 years and should

be looking forward to enjoying their

retirement together.

But 60-year-old Wendy, a clinical

The Dementia

“

Appeal is aiming

to raise £250,000 to

make Rotherham

Hospital’s wards more

dementia friendly

”

support worker from RDASH’s virtual

ward team, is learning to care for her

husband in new, heartbreaking ways.

Before his diagnosis of Lewy Bodies

dementia in 2023, Jonathon had worked

on the railway for 25 years and was still

very active. However, his family started

noticing subtle personality changes and

him forgetting simple things, such as

how to drive, around two years before his

diagnosis.

“I remember the last day he worked,”

says Wendy. “His boss had asked him to

drive to Leeds to pick something up, but

when he got there he didn’t know what

he was there for or why he’d been asked

to go.”

It was on that day his employer

recommended Jonathon took some time

off, and he never returned.

Two years on, Jonathon’s dementia

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•Comes with our unique Waxclear guarantee,

so if it takesmore than one appointment to

clearyour ears you only payonce

Day Street, Latest Barnsley, micro suction S70 treatment 1NW.

Tel: 01226 899005

WE OFFER A FULL RANGE OF

PRIVATEHEARING SERVICES

INCLUDING:

•Premiumhearing tests.

•Latestadvancedhearing aidsolutions.

•Hearing aidtrials.

•Fullrange of bespokehearing protection

products.

Paul is one of the UK’s most renowned private

Audiologists with over 22 years’ experience and a

registered member of the Health and Care

Professions Council.

You can either book online or call one of our clinics:

www.hearingexcellenceclinic.com

Hear it from our clients, see over 200 five-star Google reviews

Remedy House, 24 Wilkinson

Street,Sheffield, S102GB

Tel01144701213

DayStreet, Barnsley,S70 1NW

Tel01226 899005

Edwards&Walker Opticians.16

Priory Place, Doncaster, DN1 1BZ

Tel01302 963873


HEALTH & BEAUTY

has progressed. He now needs

help with everyday tasks like

holding cutlery and getting dressed

but still enjoys walking and

spending time with the family dog,

Bud.

“When someone has dementia,

it’s like they lose their voice – it’s

like the lights are on but no one is

home. I am my husband’s voice.

He spent his entire life providing for

us and I just want to give him the

best life that he has left, in any way

I can.”

The family’s heartbreak

deepened this summer when

Jonathon’s mum, Hazel, passed

away after her own five-year battle

with dementia.

However, despite her grief,

Wendy is determined to make

a difference for others facing

similar challenges by supporting

Rotherham Hospital and

Community Charity’s dementia

appeal.

In October, Wendy, Jonathon and

their children and grandchildren

joined other local families at the

charity’s autumn memory walk

at Manvers Lake. The Parkers

raised £650.00 and Wendy is also

planning a tombola and bake sale

to continue supporting the cause.

Treat your skin

to a glow up

this festive

season with our

skin booster

special offers!

f

See our Facebook Page - there's so many to choose o from

Further Glow ups include our famous

Miso Glass Facial, Derma Bio Chemical Peel

and Premium Infusion Micro Needling

• Black Friday gift voucher sale

The Dementia Appeal is

aiming to raise £250,000 to make

Rotherham Hospital’s wards more

dementia friendly.

“I know if Jonathon is ever

admitted to hospital, he will

find it extremely frightening and

confusing. Anything that can be

done to improve services for people

like my husband will be really

beneficial.”

This festive season, you can

support the dementia appeal by

something as simple as buying

a £1 raffle ticket. The charity is

running their winter raffle with three

incredible prizes including an

electric hybrid bike, a luxury festive

hamper, and £1,000 in cash.

You can enter online or buy

tickets in person from the charity’s

hub located in the entrance of

Rotherham Hospital (open Monday

to Friday 10.30am-2.30pm).

If, like Wendy, you’d like to

fundraise to support dementia

care in Rotherham, get in

touch with the charity today.

Email trft.rhcc@nhs.net phone

01709 426821 or visit www.

therotherhamft.nhs.uk/

charity

• Free gift from under the tree for all appointments

during December (no spend limit, no visit limit)

• Open a door on the advent calendar

and keep goods worth up to £300

Make an appointment: 07856 242016

www.southyorkshireaesthetics.co.uk

280 Bawtry Road, Rotherham, S661JY (near the library, next to W Italian)

‘Tis the

season to

be jolly,

and what better way

to spread cheer than

by taking care of your

feet during this magical

time of the year!

Deck the Halls

with Healthy Toenails

Lacuna Fungal

Nail Procedure

We create tiny holes in the nail plate to

allow antifungal medication to reach the

infected nail bed. This treatment is safe with

virtually no pain and has an excellent success rate

New Year’s Resolution:

Healthier Happy Feet!

5 STAR REVIEWS

For appointments, call

01709 286 298 or book online at

www.wickersleyfootclinic.co.uk

Jingle All the Way

to Pain-Free Feet

Corns, Calluses and

Cracked Heels

Dry and thickened skin around the heel can

cause the skin to crack and become painful.

Our clinicians are trained to remove and

maintain callus areas of the foot

Relieving Holiday Stress

on Your Feet

Orthotic insoles by

•Align and supportthe the feet

•Improve balance, comfort, and biomechanics.

•Alleviate foot, ankle, and lower limb pain

“I have Multiple Sclerosis and have problems walking.

Since booking regularly visits, you have helped keep my

feet a little more pain free. Thank you,

Vickie, for the excellent care you give.”

See our other excellent reviews online

Vickie Perrie DipCFHP MPSPract

Osteopathy clinic also on-site

Spread the joy

with a gift voucher

Open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm

York House, Bawtry Road, Wickersley S66 2BL

Parking to the rear

Wheelchair access and disabled toilet facilities


HEALTH & BEAUTY

Sleigh

your hair game

with Chris Moody of Moodyhair

I love Christmas time, but the

ensuing stress of getting there

can become a little much.

This year, I’m determined to be more

organised. Here are three top tips to get your hair

care organised in plenty of time.

Book In Before the Baubles!

Early appointments are the gift that keep on

giving. The best salons get booked up fast, and

most salons would rather have you booked in

well ahead of time. Getting clients to arrange

advanced appointments really helps the salon

stay organised, and it means you have that one

appointment secured and locked in.

If you’re new to a salon, or your salon gets

exceptionally busy, you may be asked to pay

a deposit. Salons can be hit very hard by late

cancellations leading up to Christmas, so

deposits to secure appointments are becoming

much more common.

No Drastic Changes This

December!

Christmas isn’t the time for hair regrets. When

it comes to your hairstyle, stay with what makes

you comfortable. Heading into the busy holiday

season is not the best time for dramatic changes.

Go with what works… for now. Save the big

change for the start of the New Year.

Treat Your-elf!

Give yourself the gift of great hair with a new

styling tool to get your hair party ready.

Curls, waves, and texture are hot on the trend

list right now, and all-in-one hot air stylers are

a fantastic investment to help keep your hair

looking salon-worthy.

The market leader is still the Dyson Airwrap

– it’s a very high-quality tool, but at £400 it’s

quite pricey. A slightly cheaper and very worthy

alternative is the Shark Flex, which can be found

for just a whisker under £300.

Two budget-friendly considerations that still

do a great job are the Aero Flux Styler Pro V2 (on

offer around £70) and the Revlon One Step Multi

Air Styler (approx. £49.99 from Boots).

Our current styling tool favourites - and the

ones we use in the salon all the time at Moodyhair

- are the Babyliss Pro Ionic Hot Air Styler (RRP

£28), a super-easy tool for creating gorgeous

red-carpet volume; the GHD Curve Classic Tong

(RRP £129), an investment for effortless curls and

waves; and finally, the original GHD 24mm Styler

(yes, it’s a classic!).

Wrap Up Some Hair TLC

Finally, take advantage of festive hair and

beauty gift sets - the perfect treat for your tresses

(or someone else’s!). Most salons are now

stocking up on branded gift sets. They’re usually

full-size products, and the packaged deals often

contain added extras or even a free product,

which means you can get your usual hair care

regime at a bargain price.

At Moodyhair, in addition to the branded gift

boxes, we also have our own bespoke range of

products from which you can make your own gift

set - bespoke to you - and save over 35 percent

on RRP.

Whatever you decide, remember to take some

time for you. Treat yourself to some special hair

time, and from everyone at Moodyhair, we wish

you all a wonderful and stylish season.

High Quality Cutting,

Finishing and

Creative Colour

moodynews

Bespoke

professional products

& gift sets available

in salon

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


Tis the season to

be beautiful

at

hair & beauty

All eyes on you!

An alternative to

eyelash extensions

No need for mascara

Patch test required

before lash treatments

Special

Offer

£30

Offer until

Jan 2026

We specialise in

hair extensions

Take your hair to a new length

for the festive season

Make a statement

3D Nail Designs

Enhanced nails with vibrant, iridescent patterns that are raised.

The reflective shimmer and dimensional detailing make them look

especially bold and eye catching

Beauty Room

to Rent

Located in our busy salon,

suitable for any business

We are a long established salon

with an excellent client base

Come and join our friendly team

For further details contact

Justine on 07837 805268

We offer a choice of hair extensions

to suit all budgets and individual needs

Also Nano Bonds, Micro beads and Weft application

We offer regular maintenance appointments to

ensure your extensions stay looking good and feeling great

Intimate waxing covers all treatments

from having a bikini shape to

complete hair removal

Great technique, products

and a good old giggle

will put you at ease

Free Consultations

Hot waxing for

intimate areas

Maintaining your waxing in

the winter will keep your

skin silky smooth

VEGAN

NATURAL

UK MADE

stockist

Give the gift of beauty with one of our

FESTIVE VOUCHERS

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

The Clothes

Shop,

Todwick

Wild

wine

As Christmas party season

starts to glow, this year’s

festive fashion isn’t about

sparkle overload - it’s about

richness, texture, and

personality.

Our independent boutiques are dressing

the season in shades of celebration - deep

burgundy, wine-toned claret, rich oxblood -

the perfect antidote to grey winter days.

These tones exude effortless luxury, pairing

beautifully with gold jewellery or soft neutral

coats to turn every entrance into an event.

And of course, animal print refuses to

hibernate. Leopard and snakeskin patterns

continue to make a statement and when

mixed with wine tones, the look feels both

fierce and feminine.

The Accessories

Shop,

Todwick

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

For a limited

period

Reductions

on selected

stock

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

An Outfit For Every Occasion

Elegant Mother of the bride, groom and

special guests, possibly the largest selection

in South Yorkshire in sizes 8-24

,

New Image,

Sheffield

Stylish

women’s

fashions

with something

to suit everyone

Make a purchase in November and you

will be entered into our Golden ticket draw

Festive Late Night Shopping

Tuesday 25th & Thursday 27th November 10.00 - 7.00pm

With 15% discount on all purchases

Add a little glamour to your festive season

Sizes 8 to plus size

Labels include

Suzy D London

and Goose Island

Also home to

The Accessories Shop

• Lunar footwear including boots, ots,

trainers and slippers

• Bags and purses

• Jewellery and accessories

Greenscene Garden Centre, Side Farm,

Sheffield Road, Todwick, Sheffield S26 IDJ

Open Monday-Sunday 11am-4pm

07401 080 695 theclothesshoptodwick

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


FEELING FESTIVE

Shop local

and support your

independents

This year, make Christmas

extra special with a visit to our

independent businesses here in

South Yorkshire.

Whether you’re out shopping, drinking and

dining, or making festive memories, choosing

to spend your money at these small, family-run

businesses helps the local economy stay afloat.

They say you can’t buy happiness but

shopping local means you are supporting

families to reach their goals and dreams; to

pay bills or save for house deposits, weddings

and retirements.

Sometimes a small business has just one sole

trader running it, other times they employ local

people – all who rely on our cash to keep going.

They also give a lot back to the community.

Many small businesses make time for their

customers, keeping community values and

togetherness at their core. They treat customers

like friends and employees like family, and the

service you receive is usually better as they know

their longevity relies on it.

At Aroundtown Magazine, we wouldn’t be where

we are today without the support of our fantastic

local businesses who continue to advertise with

us. It’s been a difficult year for many, but we

hope we have brought our advertisers many a

new customer.

Remember, if you visit after seeing them

featured in the magazine, let them know.

Visit Santa’s

Grotto

21st Nov

24th Dec -

A

magical

visit

with Santa

awaits

Late Night Shopping

Open until 7pm

Fri 21 & Sat 22 Nov

Thurs 4, 11, 18 Dec

Mon 22 &

Tue 23 Dec

alhambracentre.co.uk


Alhambra_Grotto 2025_Around Town Ad_190mmw x 137mmd.indd 1 17/10/2025 10:52

Festive Décor

See our extensive range of baubles, decorations, lights and lit displays

Perfect Gifts for all the Family

Baby’s first Christmas, festive hampers, food and drink, homeware

accessories... and so much more

Wreaths and Table Decorations

We are now taking individual customer orders and our Ready to Go

items will be available from the 3rd week in November.

Christmas Trees

Cut & Pot Rooted

From 18th November

Pre-order larger trees

Christmas Wreath

Workshop

Tuesday 2nd December

6.30-9.00pm

Includes everything

you need

Also tea/coffee & cake

Renowned for our fresh delicious food and friendly

service it’s the perfect place to gather with family and friends

for a cosy coffee, glass of wine or a full festive meal

Breakfast served from 8.30am-11.45am (9.00am on Sundays)

Lunch served from 12.00pm-4.40pm

Sunday Lunch from 12.00pm-4.30pm

Afternoon Tea

Delicious finger sandwiches, freshly baked quiche of the day,

sausage roll, salad garnish and slaw

A trio of cakes, plus home made scones served

with strawberries, cream and jam

Tea, coffee or a soft drink

£18.95 per person 24hrs notice required

Steak Night

Friday 21st November & 30th January

2 x 10oz juicy steaks+ a bottle of wine only £49.00 Live singer

Christmas Quiz Night

Thursday 4th December 8pm

Open the box cash prizes. Don’t forget to wear your festive jumper

Food served til 7pm

Breakfast with Santa

6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th & 21st December

8.45-10.45am or 10.30am-12pm

£19.95 per child includes breakfast and a gift from Santa

Adults can order from the breakfast menu

Afternoon Tea with Santa

Monday 22nd December 2.30-4.30pm

Includes a gift for every child

Child £17.95 Adults £18.95 Deposit required

Event Hire at The Bistro and The Studio

We have the perfect space for

weddings, baby showers, private

parties, celebration of life and

corporate events

The Studio also boasts an

impressive garden

A variety of catering

options are available

For more details email

eventsgreenbean@outlook.com

Greenscene Garden Centre Open 7 days 01909 770756

Side Farm, Sheffield Road, Todwick, Sheffield S26 1DJ

(on the A57 – only 5 mins from Jct 31 M1)

www.greensceneltd.co.uk

M1

M1 Jct 31

M1 Jct 31

A57

Kiveton Ln

Todwick Rd

Red

Lion

Pub

WE

ARE

HERE

WE

ARE

HERE

FEELING FESTIVE

Festive magic

at Lakeside Village Outlet Shopping

This festive season, Lakeside

Village Outlet Shopping is set to

transform into a winter wonderland,

welcoming families from across

South Yorkshire and beyond to

celebrate Christmas in style.

With twinkling lights, festive music and a

host of seasonal activities, the Doncaster outlet

shopping centre promises a magical experience

for all ages.

The heart of the festivities will be Santa’s

enchanting fairytale-themed grotto on the Village

Green. Santa will be in residence on selected

dates throughout December, including weekends

and special late-night Thursdays, ensuring every

child has the chance to experience the magic.

Santa might have his own toy workshop in

the North Pole, but there’s also a brand-new toy

shop at Lakeside Village this year. Toytown is a

treasure trove of toys for all ages, from LEGO to

Littlest Pet Shop, Paw Patrol to Pokémon and

Barbie to Batman.

If you’re looking for unique crafts and

handmade gifts for Christmas, the centre’s muchloved

Festive Artisan and Craft Fayre returns on

Saturdays 6th and 13th December. Shoppers

can browse stalls brimming with festive delights,

perfect for finding that special something for

loved ones.

And entertainment is set to be at the heart

of the Christmas celebrations, with the sound

of seasonal music, choirs and bands filling the

air, creating a joyful atmosphere throughout the

centre.

There is a performance from the Conisbrough

Castle Cavaliers on Saturday 6th December,

the Lahdidahs will be there on Saturday 13th

December, the Salvation Army Band are playing

on Saturday 20th December, and Ballam

Brass Band will be performing on Sunday 21st

December.

Abby Chandler, deputy centre manager at

Lakeside Village, said: “We’re so excited to be

bringing such a magical festive experience to

Lakeside Village this year.

“From Santa’s enchanting grotto to our popular

artisan fayres, there’s something special for

everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to help our

shoppers create lasting Christmas memories

together.”

For more information and festive updates,

visit www.lakeside-village.co.uk.

Artisan

& Craft

FAYRE

A festive showcase for small

independent and home-based

makers, bakers and creators.

• 6 December

• 13 December

Pictures shown are for illustration purposes only, please check the relevant date for stall listing.

LAKESIDE-VILLAGE.CO.UK

Lakeside Village, White Rose Way, Doncaster DN4 5PH

In conjunction with

SPG Events NW

Scan here

for latest

information

on stalls


WA7173 LV ArtisanCraft25-Xmas-AroundTown-190x137.indd 1 21/10/2025 16:42

A Christmas

gift that they

will cherish

Levi Charlesworth

Mexborough Branch Manager

Kath Bedford

Barnsley Branch Manager

MEXBOROUGH BRANCH

18 High Street, Mexborough S64 9AS

Tel: 01709 242 011

BARNSLEY BRANCH

2 Peel Street, Barnsley S70 2QX

Tel: 01226 284 458

www.brownsfamilyjewellers.co.uk

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

AROUNDTOWN

FEELING FESTIVE

Stitched into

the community

Whether you’re a start-up needing custom merch, a sports team

looking wanting to stand out on the field, or you’re looking for personalised

Christmas gifts, Rotherham Embroidery has you covered.

For over four decades, this familyrun

gem has been more than just a

printing and embroidery shop.

They’ve threaded themselves

into the fabric of the community,

becoming the trusted partner behind

thousands of corporate uniforms,

sports kits, school leavers’ hoodies,

charity tees, and unforgettable gifts.

What began in the 1980s as

a small market stall run by Terry

Krause has grown into one of

the area’s most trusted names in

custom printing and embroidery, still

run with the same care, precision,

and pride as day one.

Today, with Terry’s son Anthony

at the helm, Rotherham Embroidery

operates from its own fully-equipped

shop, blending state-of-the-art

machinery with decades of handson

expertise to ensure every stitch,

every print, and every detail is spot

on.

The shop’s seasoned team knows

how to bring your ideas to life -

whether it’s navigating fabric types,

choosing the right print technique, or

finessing that tricky logo.

Recently, Rotherham Embroidery

has added a professional in-house

alterations service, another way to

make clothing work for you.

They have also expanded their

range of casual clothing, stocking

a wide selection of branded men’s

and children’s wear to update the

wardrobe this winter.

As Christmas comes around,

why not pop in store to see what

gift ideas they have, from bags

and balls for sports-mad teens to a

cute range of cuddlies that can be

personalised with a child’s name or

sentiment. They even have a range

of Christmas bunting and flags.

So whether you’re a local team

chasing promotion, a business

building your brand, or just

someone who needs trousers taken

up before the weekend, Rotherham

Embroidery is ready to help.

Discount Sports

YOU NAME IT, WE PRINT IT

• Custom designs • Quick turnaround • Expert service

Vinyl printing or premium embroidery

Branded Casual Clothing

and Sportswear

A new range of of men’s and children’s

clothing from top brands like

Nike, Adidas, North Face

and Under Armour

Accessories including

hats, gloves, belts

and socks

Gift Ideas

Find us at at 18 Howard Street, Rotherham S60 1QU | Open Monday to to Saturday 8.30am-5pm

01709 366 313 | Or order online www.rotherhamembroidery.com


Workwear and Corporate Clothing

Uniforms that work as hard as you do

Huge range of of Snickers workwear,

Can be

Regatta fleeces, and hi-vis jackets

branded with

Safety toe cap footwear and

your logos,

company name

Hi-Tec walking boots

and colours

Scrubs, tunics, aprons and tabards

Smart shirts and polo shirts

T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies

We can even

Kits K

for Sports Teams

print a name,

Unite your team with custom kits,

team or sponsor

Perfect present ideas for

club logos, and player names.

on a football!

Christmas including bags,

Supplier of of Stanno and Joma football

footballs, and hats

kits and training gear

Mug printing from £8

Shin pads, socks, goalie gloves and

Personalised soft toys suitable

captain armbands

from birth – embroidered with

Polo or or t-shirts for golf, darts, and pool teams

We would like to

a name or or message

Kit bags and holdalls

thank our customers

old & new for their

support and wish

NEW Alteration Station We can now alter or repair your clothing

them a very merry

-- even if if you didn’t buy it it from us! Experienced seamstress with quick turnaround time

Christmas and a

happy new year

for 2026

Made with love

Handmade by Yorkshire crafters and makers

Christmas

for Christmas

A Yorkshire Christmas

starts at the

Makers Emporium

Discover unique and affordable gift ideas

made by local crafters and makers

Yorkshire

Original artwork

from £10

Decorations

from £2

Keyrings £4

2026 Calendars

£12

Ey up homeware

from £5

Hats £12

Candles from

£6.99

footie fans

Chocolates

from £1

Christmas cards

from £2.50

No.26Find us on

@makersemporium


‘TIS THE SEASON

TO SHOP LOCAL

There’s so much to discover at

Rotherham Market this Christmas

Rotherham Market is home to many independent family-owned businesses,

with a wide range of goods available including gifts, clothing,

shoes, food essentials, books, homeware and lots more…

See the Poppy Cascade in the Market Hall throughout November

Saturday 8th November

Christmas Crafters Market, Effingham Street, 10am – 3pm

Handmade and unique festive goodies from local makers, artists, crafters and bakers


Christmas Gift Market, Effingham Street, 10am – 6:30pm

Browse a wide selection of gifts and stocking fillers that will make your Christmas

extra special, plus there will be a children’s fun fair to keep the kids entertained

and the Christmas Lights Switch On takes place from 3pm – 6pm

The indoor market will also open late until 6.30pm

Saturday 13th December

Christmas Crafters Market, Effingham Street, 10am – 3pm

Handmade and unique festive goodies from local makers,

artists, crafters and bakers


Traditional Christmas Gift Market, Effingham Street, 10am – 3pm

Enjoy the festive atmosphere with a chance to buy those last minute gifts

Opening hours over the festive period

The market will be open as normal throughout the festive period 8:30am – 4pm

Christmas Eve - Wednesday 24th December, from 8am – 12pm

Closed 25th, 26th December & 1st January 2025

ROTHERHAM

MARKET

open 6 days

a week

FREE SATURDAY PARKING IN ALL COUNCIL-OWNED OFF-STREET CAR PARKS

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

FEELING FESTIVE

Children’s outfit

Ivan Stores

Perfume set

Lees of Leeds

Apple iPads

Mobile Vision

Wrap up

Ladies pyjamas

Top to Bottom

Samsung smart phones

Hash’s Mobile Phones

and Accessories

Dragon cuddly toy

Forget Me

Not Cards

the perfect

gifts

with Rotherham Market’s

Christmas picks

2026 Calendar

Karson’s Cards

Gothic candleholder

Moonhare Emporium

Personalised items

Noonie’s Crafts

Seasonal gift sets

Melts & Memories

Children’s boots

and trainers

Pair Footwear

Tote bag

P&P Cobbler & Keys

Ladies jacket

Rainbow Fashions

Fresh flower bouquets

Mick & Jane’s Flowers

Men’s knitwear

Dress Flair

Giant sweets

Cadman’s Candy

New fiction releases

Mike’s Famous Books


BARNSLEY | ROTHERHAM

Merry Christmas

Compliments of the season to all our valued customers and readers

It’s been another busy and successful year for us and we hope you

have enjoyed reading Aroundtown Magazine in 2025.

We always love to share ideas and inspiration for your Christmas lists, so this year we gave the

Aroundtown team one final assignment: to tell Santa what they really want for Christmas.

Dear Santa,

The greatest pleasure I have is seeing

presents under our tree but really, I

don’t mind if there’s nothing for me.

The older I get the less I need, and

health is by far the most important

thing for me and my family. More

poignant this year as my husband

had knee surgery complications

and sepsis that have caused much

suffering and put our lives on hold.

However, if you insist on a little

gift, then a spa day would be perfect

treat and gives me chance to escape

from my busy life.

Love Cheryl, Mrs Aroundtown Claus

Dear Father Christmas,

This Christmas I will have all that

I need as last year our young were

scattered to all corners of the globe

and we missed them BUT this year

they will all be home for Christmas!

However, if you have time, as I’ve

been attacking some overgrown

borders around my house, provided

they wouldn’t make too much

mess in your sack, I would love a

Potentilla and a Cotoneaster.

Best wishes,

From Sally Cunis, our holly jolly

gardening guru


As you know I’m a bit of a coffee

fiend. I love a fresh coffee and I’d love

to share my love of the bean with my

friends and clients at the salon.

If you could see it in your way to

drop off a shiny new Ninja Luxe

Cafe Express machine I’d be most

grateful. We could even a arrange

a quick beard trim for you and a

lovely hair care box set for

Mrs Claus.

In the meantime, I’ll put the

kettle on.

From Chris Moody, official North Pole hair

consultant


I was going to ask for something

extravagant this Christmas, but truth

be told you’ve already part-delivered

my gift. My partner and I have a

little boy due just after Christmas

and a happy and healthy mother and

baby is all the gift I need.

We may be a little bit busy when you

come down the chimney, so I’ll leave

you a bottle of Favaios Tawny Port

for you to wet your whistle with.

Also, I guess if you are passing and

have a spare Bose Bluetooth speaker,

I’ll have it.

From James Ward, our merry wine writer

Dear Santa,

I’m hoping I’m on your nice list

this year after writing, editing and

proofing my way through another six

Aroundtown Magazines.

Although I must admit I’m not your

biggest fan. First you forgot my

Barbie dreamhouse in 1998 and now

you take all the credit for the festive

magic I try and make for my sevenyear-old

daughter!

She remains the best gift of all so to

see her happy is all I want. And I know

you can’t perform miracles, but could

you maybe sort Sheffield Wednesday

out for her dad so we can greet 2026

with cheer instead of a groan.

Best wishes, Amber - the Scroogey editor

who’s ready for a rest


This year, all I’m asking for is

continued good health, a generous

sprinkling of holidays throughout

the year, and plenty of time to spend

with the people who make life richer.

If you can throw in a bit of sunshine

and maybe a first-class upgrade, I

promise to keep my spreadsheets neat

all year long.

Lots of love, Karen – the ad sales and

accounts elf

Check out our website where you can find out a little more about us and read our stories online


Phone Cheryl on 01709 331020 / 07940 842408 or email cheryl@aroundtownpublications.co.uk

C hristmas at

The home of healthy plants

We have one of the

area’s largest choice

of plants, shrubs,

trees and topiary.

Visit our indoor plant

room to see our

extensive choice.

Real Christmas Trees

We stock over 900 trees

from 3ft to 12ft

Including the traditional Norway Spruce,

Fraser Fir and more commonly known

Nordmann Fir

We also stock pot-grown and potted trees

including the beautiful Blue Spruce

Handmade wreaths,

posies and table decorations

With over 40 years’ experience in wreath making,

each of our holly wreaths are handmade.

We have hundreds ready made for you to

choose from in store. Or get in touch and arrange for one to

be made to suit your personal preference. This service is also

available on our handmade table decorations and posies.

Visit our Christmas Shop

Filled with baubles and decorations in various themes

• NEW Indoor and outdoor lights

• Selection of gifts, scented candles,room sprays, cards and much more

• Locally grown poinsettias

• Gift vouchers available

OPEN 7 DAYS Guilthwaite Hill, Whiston, Rotherham, S60 4NE

Find us less than 5 mins from junction 33 of the M1. Take the hill out of Whiston towards Swallownest on the A618 we are less than a mile

Tel 01709 829011

Find us on Facebook

Moorgate

Wickersley

M1

Swallownest

Guilthwaite

Nurseries

FEELING FESTIVE

Magical

Christmas

moments

As the countdown to Christmas

begins, there’s no better place to

embrace the festive spirit than at

The Glass Works in the heart of

Barnsley.

This year, Barnsley’s vibrant shopping and

leisure destination is pulling out all the stops to

make your Christmas experience unforgettable.

With its joyful events, lively markets, and

unbeatable mix of shopping, dining and

entertainment, The Glass Works is the perfect

place to create memories, find that perfect gift,

and soak up the magic of Christmas in Barnsley.

Christmas shopping doesn’t need to be a chore

- not when you have everything in one place.

The Glass Works is home to a mix of high

street brands like FLANNELS, Next and TK Maxx

plus independent boutiques like Hidden Pretty

Gifts, Made & Found Yorkshire, and Marshmallow

Blends. So whether you’re after fashion, tech, toys

or beauty, there’s something for everyone on your

nice list.

With convenient parking, plenty of cosy cafés

to refuel, plus selected late-night shopping dates,

it’s the perfect destination for stress-free Christmas

shopping.

The Glass Works is also home to the historic

Barnsley Market, where old traditions meet new

favourites. With over 70 traders over two floors,

you can find everything from gifts, fashion and

decorations to fresh meat and veg for your

Christmas feast.

All that shopping is bound to work up an

appetite. And luckily, The Glass Works boasts a

wide selection of cafés, bars, and restaurants to

tempt your taste buds.

From hearty winter warmers to festive specials

and sweet treats, there’s no better place to

pause, relax and enjoy some Christmas cheer.

Try the famous hanging kebabs at The Botanist,

grab some tapas at Falco Lounge, swing by for

a cheeky Nandos, and don’t forget to stop off at

Dolly’s Desserts!

And don’t miss the Market Kitchen food hall with

a range of options from around the world including

Italian pizzas, Indian curries, Latin street food,

Chinese dishes and Turkish cuisine plus the True

North Bar serving a wide selection of beers and

MAGICAL

MOMENTS

Sharing the joy

of the season,

where Christmas

memories

are made.

theglassworksbarnsley.com

SHOP_DINE_PLAY

Created by

BARNSLEY


TGW_Christmas 2025_Main_Around Town Ad_190mmw x 137mmd.indd 1 17/10/2025 10:58

FEELING FESTIVE

indulgent festive treats.

On between Saturday 29th November and

Sunday 21st December, there will also be a festive

bar and international cuisine. Whether you’re on

the hunt for unique stocking fillers or simply want

to sip hot chocolate or Glühwein under fairy lights,

this year’s market is a must-visit.

The Glass Works is open seven days and

getting there is easy. It’s within walking distance of

the interchange and train station, or there is ample

car parking with reasonable charges – and it’s free

every day after 5pm.

So wrap up warm, gather your loved ones, and

make your way to The Glass Works - because

the most wonderful time of the year deserves a

destination just as special.

cocktails.

If you’re planning to raise a glass to the season

with family, friends or colleagues, there are plenty

of bars within walking distance of each other.

Make it a merry Christmas with a bottomless

brunch at Salt House or enjoy cask and craft ales,

continental beers and much more at Nailmaker

Tap 1.

Looking for something to do with the kids

this winter? The Glass Works offers fantastic

entertainment options that the whole family will

love.

Grab the popcorn and settle down to watch

the latest blockbusters like Wicked: For Good

or Zootropolis 2 at Cineworld which has 4DX

and IMAX screens for the ultimate immersive

experience. Or spare a few hours at Superbowl

UK with 12 bowling lanes, a soft play area and

SEGA arcade, plus some cracking Christmas party

packages for children and adults.

Throughout the year, The Glass Works Square

has hosted an amazing range of free events

including food festivals and family fun. And the

festivities carry on this winter.

This year’s two-day festive lights extravaganza,

Bright Nights, is back on Friday 21st and Saturday

22nd November. With an illuminted arts trail

throughout the town centre it’s the perfect way to

start the season.

New for this year is Barnsley’s biggest-ever

Christmas Market, set against the backdrop of

the Glass Works Square. Visitors can browse 30

traditional wooden chalets brimming with artisan

gifts, handcrafted decorations, local produce, and

For more information about all

the stores, bars, restaurants and

events, visit their website

www.theglassworksbarnsley.com

Barnsley

Christmas

Market

29 Nov - 21 Dec

visitbarnsley.co.uk/

christmasmarket2025


BMBC_Christmas Markets_Around Town_190w x 137d mm.indd 1 17/10/2025 10:55

FEELING FESTIVE

Things to

see and do

at Barnsley Bright Nights

Barnsley Bright Nights

returns for its eighth

year this November

to light up the darker

evenings with a light

trail throughout the

town centre.

There’s something for everyone

over the two-day festival, which

takes place on Friday 21st and

Saturday 22nd November. Discover

twelve interactive art installations

and live performances at venues

across the town centre.

Here’s a look at what’s

happening where.

The Glass Works Square

Supernova

Prepare to be starstruck as the

cosmos lands in Barnsley. Be

among the first in the UK to witness

the full constellation of this giant

eight-metre-high illuminated

sculpture and three smaller Novas,

with swirling smoke effects and a

NASA space soundtrack.

Alhambra

MAPP

Step into the light and see your

outline projected in vibrant colours

on the Alhambra’s exterior.

Barnsley Civic

Voyage of the Story Shell

An illuminating tall tale of how The

Story Shell arrived in Barnsley,

featuring music, projections and

animations.

Neon Garden

Step into a world where nature

glows in this playful and vibrant

blooming installation created by

young people and adults with

learning disabilities or autism.

Barnsley College

The Dancing Fountain

Take an immersive musical

journey as water, light, and music

blend in a live liquid ballet, with

DJs curating shows that make

every performance unique and

unforgettable.

Base 71 Youth Zone

Molecular Clouds

An interactive projection uses

mesmerising imagery to explore

themes of climate change.

FREE EVENT

Fri 21 & Sat 22

November 2025

5–8.30pm

Various locations around

Barnsley town centre

Photo: Destination NSW

Join us for a spectacular light

art festival over two nights

visitbarnsley.co.uk/brightnights


BMBC Bright Nights 2025_Around Town Magazine 190x137mm.indd 1 21/10/2025 10:02

FEELING FESTIVE

Boxing Day Service

Cooper Gallery

The Collectors

Shadow artworks and illuminated

sculptures explore the idea of plant

collecting from around the world.

Mandela Gardens

And… Breathe

A sound and light installation

mixing science, play, and art to

create a space for reflection and

togetherness.

Wild Lights Lanterns

Marvel as wildlife sculptures and

puppets made by RSPB Old Moor

volunteers light up the gardens.

St Mary’s Church

Eternal Ensemble

Experience the connection between

cellist and listener in this powerful,

audio-immersive light projection.

Tommy Taylor Memorial

Bridge

Ignite

Barnsley-based collective Limit

Zero collaborate with parkour

dancers from Nova Arts for

an immersive outdoor show.

Performances at 6pm, 7pm and

8pm.

Across the town centre

Live Illuminated Performances

Marvel at celestial stilt walkers,

arctic fox puppets, and vibrant

drummers and dancers.

ARtQuest

Use your phone to discover six AR

characters and unlock stories from

Barnsley’s six principal towns on

this interactive trail by Barnsley’s

own Patrick Murphy and Ian

McMillan.

Matlock Raft Event

Park & Ride Service

Service arrives in time for the

start of the race

Return Fares:

Adult/Senior: £10

Unaccompanied Children: £10

Happy New Year 2026

Start 2026 with a nostalgic journey

aboard a beautiful steam train.

Enjoy a laid back and relaxed day,

a perfect way to welcome

the new year.

Trains depart on Thursday 1st January

from Rowsley South at 11.00, 13.00 & 15.00

Matlock at 11.40, 13.40 & 15.40.

Mince Pie Specials

Departs from Rowsley south at:

11.00, 13.00 & 15.00

Day Rover Fares:

Adult: £15 Senior: £13

Children: Free

Unaccompanied Children: £10

Every Traveller Will Receive A Free Mince Pie

Book online www.peakrail.co.uk

THE CENTRE – BRINSWORTH

Serving the community

Are you looking for

the perfect vue?

We cater for all functions:

Weddings • Birthdays • Baby showers

• Funeral receptions • Corporate events

• In-house catering to suit your budget

• Fully licensed bar

• Meeting & conferences (two modern rooms)

We can work with you to

make your event memorable

Brinsworth German

Christmas Market

Saturday 29th November 1pm-7pm

Over 50 stalls full of amazing gifts.

Fun fair, food and drink

Enjoy Bratwurst sausages with a German beer.

The Centre and outdoor bars will be serving

winter warmer drinks

Christmas light switch on 5.30pm

Family disco from 6pm til late

Free Entry

Everyone welcome

Hdmade

Wre Workshops

Come and create a stunning wreath

All materials provided

Hot drink and a sweet treat included

Sunday 7th December 12-3pm & 4pm-7pm

Tickets £35pp

Café at THE CENTRE

Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.00pm

A bright modern café where you can enjoy

great value food in a friendly and welcoming

environment

enquiries@thecentrebrinsworth.co.uk www.thecentrebrinsworth.co.uk

Brinsworth Lane, Brinsworth, Rotherham, S60 5BU 01709 916890 option 2 Reception open Mon-Fri 9am-2pm


FEELING FESTIVE

A magical

family Christmas

Santa is bringing his sleigh

to Gulliver’s Valley during the

festive season, with a glittering

array of treats lined up to

entertain all the family.

The theme park resort in the Rother Valley

will be transformed into a winter wonderland,

with a dazzling variety of special Christmas

packages to choose from on select dates from

Sunday 16th November through to Tuesday

23rd December.

And making a return this year is Santa’s

Enchanted Elevator, an immersive experience

to enter Santa’s Grotto. After entering the

‘elevator’, families will get a magical view

through its windows of the North Pole and,

when the doors open, they are right outside

Santa’s Grotto to meet the man himself!

Festive packages start at £27 per person

with the ‘Smasher’, which includes selected

Christmas rides, entry to the Dragon’s Lair, the

chance to explore Santa’s house and meet him

in his grotto, and the opportunity to choose your

own gift from the Elf Workshop.

You can enjoy a festive breakfast package

for £33 per person, which includes everything

in the ‘Smasher’ package, plus entry to Gully’s

Christmas Show and, of course, breakfast.

There is also the ‘Cracker’ package, at £34

per person, which comes with a light meal.

Craig Seedhouse, resort director at Gulliver’s

Valley, said: “This year marks our fifth birthday

and what a wonderful way to bring the curtain

down on our celebrations by bringing families

together for a magical day out at Gulliver’s. We

have kept our prices as low as possible again

this year, because we appreciate that Christmas

is an expensive time. We can’t wait for everyone

to visit the Enchanted Elevator, meet Santa and

his hard-working elves – and go home with a

present!”

You can make your festive visit to Gulliver’s

Valley even more special with a Santa Sleepover

in the superb range of accommodation on

offer, including Pirate Lodges, Captain’s Dens,

Lost World Lodges and the mighty Megalodon

Lodge.

What’s more, Gulliver’s Valley has a special

Christmas 2025 sale, offering a saving of 25

percent on all Christmas packages on 22nd,

23rd, 29th and 30th November and 22nd

December. And there are also discounted

festive sleepovers on selected dates too

between 15th November and 14th December.

To get the online discount code, just visit

www.gulliversvalleyresort.co.uk/

christmas-at-gullivers

NEW!

16 TH NOVEMBER -

24 TH DECEMBER 2025

SANTA’S ENCHANTED ELEVATOR

BOOK YOUR FESTIVE FAMILY DAY OUT ONLINE AT:

GULLIVERSVALLEYRESORT.CO.UK

Valley


3 hours

GIVE THE GIFT OF

£6

Looking for the perfect Christmas

gift for the movie lover in your life?

The Arc Cinema's gift cards

– a ticket to endless entertainment

and unforgettable experiences

£2.95

Every Saturday, Sunday and everyday during school holidays

A familiar name

providing tours and

excursions for over

65 years

Day trips from Barnsley

Day trips from Rotherham

Rotherham pick-up points Rotherham Interchange,

Stag Roundabout, Brecks, Wickersley, Bramley and Maltby

**Rotherham Interchange only

NOVEMBER Destination

Adult

Sat 15th Whitby Christmas Market £19.00

Sun 16th Bakewell Christmas Market £19.00

Fri 21st Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show** £36.00*

Senior £34.00*Child £25.00*

Fri 21st Harrogate £17.00

Sat 22nd Blackpool Illuminations £21.00

Sat 22nd NEC Motorcycle Show** £21.00

Sun 23rd Halifax Piece Hall Christmas Market £19.00

Mon 24th Lincoln Pre Christmas Shopper** £17.00

Tues 25th Blenheim Palace at Christmas & Oxford** £59.00*

Wed 26th Bury Market £17.00

Thurs 27th Manchester Christmas Market £19.00

Sat 29th Chester Christmas Market £19.00

Sat 29th Scarborough Christmas Sparkle £19.00

Sun 30th Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Markets £25.00

DECEMBER

Tues 2nd Nottingham Christmas Market £20.00

Thurs 4th Chatsworth at Christmas** £54.00*

Thurs 4th Newcastle Christmas Market** £20.00

Fri 5th Harrogate Christmas Festival £19.00

Sat 6th Knaresborough Christmas Market ** £19.00

Sat 6th Llandudno Christmas Parade** £19.00

Sat 6th Strafford Upon Avon Christmas Market** £25.00

Sat 6th

West Midlands Safari Park

& Santa’s Grotto** £40.00*

Sun 7th Skipton Christmas Market £19.00

Thurs 11th Castle Howard at Christmas** £46.00*

Thurs 11th Manchester Christmas Market £19.00

Sat 13th Birmingham Christmas Market** £21.00

Sat 13th Yorkshire Wildlife Park & Illuminations** £44.00*

Sun 14th Beverley Festival of Christmas £19.00

Tues 16th Liverpool Christmas Market £19.00

Thurs 18th York St Nicholas Fair £19.00


Sat 20th Beamish Museum or Durham £20.00

Sun 21st Chester Christmas Market £15.00

Sun 21st Liverpool Christmas Market £15.00

Mon 22nd Manchester Christmas Market £15.00

*Admission included

£1 off Senior/Child

Barnsley pick-up-points Wath-upon-Dearne, Brampton,

Wombwell, Platts Common, Hoyland, Hoyland Common, Birdwell,

Worsbrough and Barnsley Interchange **Barnsley Interchange only

NOVEMBER Destination

Adult

Sat 15th Whitby Christmas Market £19.00

Sat 15th Bakewell Christmas Market £19.00

Sun 16th Bakewell Christmas Market £19.00

Mon 17th Manchester Christmas Market £19.00

Wed 19th Bury Market £17.00

Thurs 20th York St. Nicholas Fair £19.00

Fri 21st Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show** £36.00*

Senior £34.00*Child £25.00*

Fri 21st Harrogate** £17.00

Sat 22nd NEC Motorcycle Show** £21.00

Sat 22nd Blackpool Illuminations £21.00

Sun 23rd Halifax Piece Hall Christmas Market £19.00

Mon 24th Lincoln Pre Christmas Shopper £17.00

Tues 25th Blenheim Palace at Christmas & Oxford £59.00*

Wed 26th Manchester Christmas Market £19.00


Sat 29th Scarborough Christmas Sparkle £17.00

Sun 30th Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Markets** £25.00

DECEMBER

Mon 1st Manchester Christmas Market £19.00

Tues 2nd Nottingham Christmas Market** £20.00

Thurs 4th Newcastle Christmas Market** £20.00

Fri 5th Harrogate Christmas Festival £19.00

Sat 6th Knaresborough Christmas Market** £19.00

Sat 6th Llandudno Christmas Parade** £19.00

Sat 6th Stratford Upon Avon Christmas Market £25.00

Sat 6th

West Midlands Safari Park/Santa’s Grotto**£40.00*

Sun 7th Durham Christmas Market £19.00


Thurs 11th Castle Howard at Christmas** £46.00*



Sat 13th Yorkshire Wildlife Park & Illuminations** £44.00*

Sun 14th Beverley Festival of Christmas £19.00


Tues 16th Liverpool Christmas Market £19.00

Thurs 18th York St Nicholas Fair £19.00

Fri 19th Bury Market £17.00


Sat 20th Liverpool Christmas Market £15.00

Sun 21st Manchester Christmas Market £15.00

Sun 21st York St Nicholas Fair £15.00

Mon 22nd Chester Christmas Market £15.00

*Admission included

£1 off Senior/Child

Holidays and Short Breaks 2026

JANUARY Destination Days Price

5th-9th Oxfordshire 5 £449.00

11th-12th London 2 £119.00

12th-16th North Wales 5 £399.00

19th-23rd Torquay 5 £239.00

23rd-25th Warwickshire 3 £149.00

30th-2nd Feb Scarborough 4 £219.00

31st-1st Feb St Annes 2 £119.00

FEBRUARY Destination Days Price

1st-2nd Buxton 2 £99.00

8th-9th Bridlington 2 £79.00

13th-15th Whitby 3 £189.00

20th-22nd Blackpool 3 £139.00

23rd-27th Bournemouth 5 £289.00

27th-2nd Mar Llandudno 4 £199.00

Full

brochure is

available in

our shops

Lines open Mon-Fri 10am-3pm & Sat 10am-2pm 4 Effingham Square, Rotherham S65 1AP Tel 01709 249900

Barnsley Travel Centre, 60 Eldon Street, Barnsley S70 2JL Tel 01226 299900

Book online at www.dayoutbycoach.co.uk | Email: sales@globeholidays.co.uk

To request a 2026 short break brochure, visit www.globeholidays.co.uk /globecoaches /globehols

Dive into fun

at Adventure Reef

This winter, your kids can

explore a magical underwater

world without getting wet at the

brand-new Adventure Reef play

area at Barnsley Metrodome.

The former bowling alley has been transformed

into an interactive, ocean-themed indoor play

paradise that promises waves of excitement and

memories that will sparkle long after the tides roll

out.

One of the most exciting things about Adventure

Reef is that children of all ages can dive into a

sea of adventure - from tiny tots to teens who are

(almost) too cool to play.

For babies there is a jellyfish inspired play mat

where they can stretch, roll, and explore textures

safely.

Little explorers under five will love the toddler

area where they can crawl through the soft play

and mini slides.

Adventure awaits for over fives in the star

attraction: an action-packed climbing zone. Kids

can scramble up nets, swoop down slides, and

peek through portholes.

Around the corner, the interactive sports court

lets them shoot digital hoops, play motion-sensor

football, or take part in fun, fast-paced challenges

projected onto the walls.

There’s also a games room for older explorers

with retro arcade games, electronic darts, table

football and a pool table.

Beyond the fun, Adventure Reef has a strong

focus on creativity, inclusivity, and sensory play.

The sensory room offers a calm and enchanting

experience for children of all abilities, with bubble

tubes, soft projections, and tactile surfaces that

shimmer and move like rippling water.

Grown-ups haven’t been forgotten either. The

Shark Shack cafe serves up tasty treats, while

spacious seating areas ensure everyone can keep

an eye on their little explorers.

Adventure Reef is open daily from 9am until

6pm, with a SEN session on Sunday mornings

from 8.30am.

Entry is £8 for over 4s, £6 for children aged 1-3,

£3 for under 1s and free for adults and babies

under 6 months.

VISIT BARNSLEY’S

NEW INDOOR

ADVENTURE

PLAY AREA!

Suitable for all ages.

Multi-Level Wooden Play Frame.

Dedicated 0-5s Zone & Epic 5+ Play Structure.

Interactive Sports Court & Chill Out Zone.

Calming Sensory Room.

Delicious Food & Drink Available.

Book Your

Adventure Today!


ELSECAR & WENTWORTH

A winter

wander

in Wentworth and Elsecar

The sparkle and frost of

wintertime always seems to lift

the picture postcard villages of

Wentworth and Elsecar.

With their historic buildings, welcoming people,

and array of independent businesses, together

they unite as a spectacular reminder of the

industrial legacy that once forged the area under

the Earl Fitzwilliam empire.

At Elsecar, you can tick things off your

Christmas gift list at the Earl’s former ironworks

that is now one of the north’s most unique open-air

shopping experiences abuzz with independent

retailers selling everything from craft materials and

traditional sweets to unusual gifts and jewellery.

There are also some quaint shops with unique

gift ideas in Wentworth, with a new vinyl records

store, the busy garden centre, and the popular

antiques centre at the Old Building Yard which is a

treasure trove of inspiration.

On the connecting road between the villages

is Longacre at the sawmill which has a new gift

range plus a coffee shop for you to grab a hot

drink and rest your legs.

For something substantial to eat, you’ll be spoilt

for choice at breakfast, lunch or dinnertime. The

Pantry at Elsecar is your go-to for autumn winter

favourites and seasonal bakes. While the George

and Dragon in Wentworth has recently opened a

new extended dining area, the perfect excuse to

book a table and sample their much-loved pies.

If you’re looking for somewhere to get out and

brush away the cobwebs this winter, Wentworth

and Elsecar offer some stunning scenic walks that

connect both villages.

There’s the award-winning green flag park

at Elsecar where you can feed the ducks at the

reservoir and walk along the 1790s Georgian

canal.

For an easy, accessible stroll in Wentworth,

there’s the path that runs down to the old and new

churches. Or why not head down to Wentworth

Woodhouse to see the jewel in Wentworth’s crown,

where you can carry on and walk all the way to

Greasbrough or Scholes.

SHOP SMALL, SHOP LOCAL, SHOP INDEPENDENT AT

ARTS | CRAFTS | ANTIQUES

EST.

25

YEARS

WE ARE HOME TO

OVER 50 DEALERS

There’s so much to explore

Antiques, collectables & bespoke furniture

Unique and handmade gifts for all

Handcrafted wooden gifts and keepsakes

Yorkshire themed plaques, coasters, and prints

Handmade bags and purses

Wax melts and burners

Designer fabric cushions and soft furnishings

Christmas cards, gift wrap and decorations

New and pre-loved jewellery and watches

COFFEE SHOP

Serving homemade food with love

Breakfast 10-11.30am Lunch 12-3.30pm

Selection of roasts, light bites,

teas, coffees and cakes

FREE WIFI

Over 60s Special

Tues-Sun 12-3.30pm - 2 courses £10.55

Open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm | Open Bank Holiday Mondays • Onsite Parking • Wheelchair Access

The Old Builders Yard, Cortworth Lane, Wentworth, Rotherham S62 7SB

Tel: 01226 744333 Email: wentworthantiques@hotmail.com wentworthantiques


FIND US JUST

UP FROM THE

WENTWORTH

WOODHOUSE

ENTRANCE

WE ARE HERE

E

CORTWORTH LANE

Wentworth

Woodhouse

ELSECAR & WENTWORTH

Winter’s chill is about to

cast its most glittering

spell over Rotherham.

This festive season, the grand

and graceful Wentworth Woodhouse

will become a frostbitten fantasy

as The Snow Queen sweeps in to

transform the stately home into an

icy kingdom of wonder.

From Tuesday 2nd December

to Sunday 4th January, visitors will

step inside a living storybook with a

lavish reimagining of Hans Christian

Andersen’s beloved 1844 tale of

love, courage, and the thawing

power of friendship.

It’s an ambitious leap into

full-scale festive wonder for the

A Snow Queen’s

spell descends

on Wentworth Woodhouse

Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation

Trust. This year, they have partnered

with northern creative powerhouse

Culture Creative, the team behind

Blenheim Palace’s legendary

Christmas spectacles. With a

BAFTA-winning designer in tow,

expect drama, dazzle, and plenty

of heart.

Across 13 spellbinding rooms,

guests will follow the fearless Gerda

as she journeys through icy forests,

princely chambers, and a robber’s

den in search of her lost friend, Kai.

The mansion’s historic spaces

will shimmer with snow and story:

expect polar bears in the Pillared

Hall, reindeer in the Marble Saloon,

a glittering throne in the State Dining

Room, and the Snow Queen’s

frozen palace.

With the 2024 winter weather

having disrupted last year’s outdoor

light trail, this year’s magic will be

safely indoors. Yet the magic won’t

end at the mansion doors; in the

gardens, families can follow an

enchanted trail inspired by animals

who may be found in the Snow

Queen’s garden.

“This year’s experience will be

incredibly atmospheric with family

selfie moments at every turn,” says

Victoria Ryves, the Trust’s Head of

Culture and Engagement.

“Over the last two years our

charming, home-spun Christmas

blockbusters have brought

thousands of local families to visit,

but we’re extremely excited to be

The Kingdom of the Snow Queen,

photo by Rikard Osterlund

courtesy Culture Creative

partnering with Culture Creative

to stage our most magical festive

event ever.

“The Christmas experience is

always our biggest fundraising

event of the year, and the Trust

relies on every penny as it

regenerates this magnificent house

for the community and to boost the

local economy.”

With tickets from £14 for children

£20 for adults, or £55 for a family

ticket, this frosted fairy tale promises

to crown Rotherham’s year as the

world’s first Children’s Capital of

Culture - and remind us all that

even in the coldest winter, love and

friendship can melt the hardest

heart.

STEP

INTO THE

THIS CHRISTMAS AT

WENTWORTH

WOODHOUSE

Book YOUR PLACE NOW AT:

wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk

Search: wentworth woodhouse snow queen


ELSECAR & WENTWORTH

Make it a crafty Christmas

We have a large range of crafting materials

for card making and scrapbooking

Plus, wool, haberdashery etc

CARD CLASSES

Tuesday & Thursday 10.30am

Lots of gift ideas

perfect for Christmas

Paint by numbers, craft kits

and much more…

Tel 01226 350532

Open 6 days 10am-4.30pm

Elsecar Heritage Centre, Wath Rd, Elsecar S74 8HJ

GEORGE&

DRAGON

wentworth’s traditional family pub

Introducing

Mrs Walkers

– our brand-new extended

dining space with a roaring

log burner and its own bar

85 main street, wentworth, rotherham s62 7tn

tel. 01226 899026

Perfect for a pint, a chat,

and a well-earned warm-up

after a country walk

This winter, indulge in our seasonal drinks menu

Luxury hot chocolate, mulled wine and hot spiced cider

Plus everyone’s favourite Bradfield Belgian Blue

Stopping for dinner?

Check out our new autumn/winter menu

Dog Friendly

www.georgeanddragonwentworth.com

One track to

another

Whether you’re a

vinyl veteran or just

discovering the joy

of analogue sound,

Daruvan Sounds in

Wentworth offers a

warm welcome and

music that never goes

out of style.

Founded by lifelong collector Chris

Leek, ably assisted by his wife Jill

and children Staci-Lea, Benji and

Jayy, this cosy shop behind the

George and Dragon pub is home

to hundreds of vinyl records pulled

straight from the family’s personal

collection they’ve curated over four

decades.

Chris bought his very first record

– It Must Be Love by Madness – as

a teen in 1981, taking a solo bus ride

into town to buy it from Woolworths.

His childhood memories are of

stacking up records and watching

them drop on his parent’s old-style

LP record player.

With dreams of being a mobile DJ,

a lack of confidence put the brakes

on in his plans and Chris changed

tracks for a career on the railway.

However, after retiring three years

ago, wife Jill encouraged him to

finally do something for himself.

So, he swapped train timetables for

turntables - and Daruvan Sounds

was born, opening their vinyl treasure

trove in May .

From soul-soaked 70s grooves

to rare jazz pressings, heavy rock

anthems, and forgotten B-sides,

every record in stock has a story, and

Chris is always ready to share it.

Daruvan Sounds is all about

connection - to the music, the past,

and the people who lived it. Chris

wanted the experience to be more

than feeling obliged to buy. He

wants visitors to come in, spend time

looking through the collection and

have a chat about what music means

to you.

If there’s a particular genre or

musician you like, he can also try and

source it – no matter how obscure.

They were recently asked for records

by a 1960s French ye-ye singer

called Francoise Hardy for a 16-yearold

music fan – with Chris pulling out

all the stops to find them.

Because some sounds deserve

more than streaming - they deserve

to be remembered.

Hundreds

of vintage

vinyls, rare

finds, and

timeless

classics

7-inch, EPs and LPs from a mix of

genres – from folk and country to new

wave and alt-rock

Come dig through the decades and

discover your next favourite spin.

Collection of CDs, concert programmes and

band merchandise. We also buy records.

All records graded in house

Open Thursday to Sunday 12pm-6pm

85 Main Street, Wentworth S62 7TN

07943 664 186

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok


ELSECAR & WENTWORTH

Wychwood Picture Framing

Visit our gallery - Established 40 Years

Quality framing

service available with

excellent choice of

frames, mouldings

and picture mounts

1, Wentworth Road, Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham S61 2RL

1 Mile from Wentworth Garden Centre

Tel: 0114 257 7758 or 07814 109892 www.wychwoodframing.co.uk

Waits

welcome

yule to

Wentworth

Church

Almost every Christmas

for 25 years, early

music band The York

Waits have been

bringing their sackbuts,

shawms, curtals,

recorders and hurdy

gurdies to the mightily

impressive Holy Trinity

Church in Wentworth.

The long-established six-person

group - which specialises in medieval

and Tudor music – is back again for

2025, performing their festive concert

on Sunday 7th December at 3.30pm.

Titled “Welcome Yule” from the

earliest known English Christmas

carol in the 1400s, the Waits will also

perform ancient carols and seasonal

music from the subsequent three

centuries.

Lead singer, Deborah Catterall,

is accompanied by a variety of

instruments from early forms of harp,

guitar and recorders to bagpipes

and tabors.

“We have been playing at Holy

Trinity since the year 2000 and

always enjoy returning, because of

the special quality of the building -

and the people,” said band member

William Marshall.

“Christmas is a season when early

music really strikes a chord with

audiences, because of the way it

evokes both the festive merrymaking

of the past and the more mysterious,

devotional side of the season.”

Tickets are £15 and £10 for

concessions, and are available from

Wentworth Post Office and online

from Ticketsource.

Longacre Garden & Leisure

Use your garden all year round

with a garden room or log cabin

Fully customisable with option

of full insulation and electrics

Designed, manufactured and installed by us

Heavy duty sheds

Quality deluxe and premium sheds made to

order in any size. Installation included

Garden structures and furniture

Gates, arbours, benches, pergolas, and arches

Decking, fencing and timber

Wooden or composite - all cut to size

Visit our newly extended

home and giftware shop

Fudge’s Coffee Stop

Open 7 days

Monday to Saturday 8.30am-4pm

Sunday 10am-4pm

The perfect pit stop

after a winter walk

Boots and paws welcome

Serving tea, coffee and cake

Lots of ideas for Christmas from decorations

and wreaths to gifts for all the family

Sustainably made ranges

Join us over

the festive period

We are only closed

Christmas Day and

New Year’s Day

Open 7 days Mon-Fri 8am-4.30pm Sat 8am-5pm Sun 10am-4pm

Barrowfield Lane, Wentworth, Rotherham S62 7TP 0800 088 5834 • www.l-gl.co.uk


Experience the

magic of Christmas

New Autumn /

Winter Menu

Start the day the

perfect way

Breakfast served 7 days

Full English until 12pm

With other breakfast options

served all day

Eggs Benedict and smashed

avocado on toast

American pancakes with

tempting toppings

Breakfast sandwiches

Lunch Menu

Served 12-3pm

It might be cold outside but warm

up with our homemade soup,

jacket potatoes, freshly baked

steak pie and peas or one of our

seasonal pasties

Available throughout December

Turkey dinner sandwiches with all

the trimmings! And if that wasn’t

enough it comes with a side of pigs

in blankets & gravy.

Walk in the wardrobe…

Enter the enchanting world of

Narnia in our festive pod

Available every day from

1 st December 10am-3pm

£30pp includes a three-tier brunch

with sandwiches, festive treats

and a hot drink

Bookings only can be made via our

Facebook or Instagram

Kids festive lunch boxes

Includes a letter for your child to

write their wish list for Santa

and post in our box

Gorgeous festive

homemade sweet treats

Why not take some home?

Festive Hot Drinks

Gingerbread latte, orange

hot chocolate or winter spiced

hot toddy with whipped cream

and marshmallows

Perfect gift for Christmas

Yorkshire sauces, jams and

chutneys and gorgeous crockery

Coffee available

in beans or ground.

Open 7 days Monday to Friday 9.30am-3.00pm Saturday and Sunday 10am-4.00pm

Find us at

ELSECAR HERITAGE CENTRE

Book on Facebook

We’ve been

nominated

FEELING FESTIVE

Santa Claus

is coming to town

The magic of Christmas is

set to roll through South

Yorkshire once again as three

charitable organisations

prepare to bring Santa and

his sleigh to neighbourhoods

across the region.

With twinkling lights, festive music, and a

healthy dose of holiday cheer, Maltby Lions

and Penistone and Rotherham Round

Table groups’ annual Santa Sleigh Runs

have become a much-loved tradition for

families eager to catch a glimpse of Father

Christmas before the big day.

As well as spreading smiles, the Santa

Sleigh Runs also raise vital funds for local

charities. The elves will have their buckets

at the ready for cash donations, but you

can also donate online.

Maltby and Rother

Valley Lions

Schedule

North Side

Start time 6pm unless otherwise stated

Tues 9th Dec Thurcroft

Weds 10th Dec Thurcroft

Thurs 11th Dec Highfield Park

Fri 12th Dec Manor area

Sun 14th Dec Brooklands & Hellaby (5pm)

Mon 15th Dec Model Village & Birks Holt

Tues 16th Dec Laughton, Brookhouse

& Hooton Levitt

Weds 17th Dec White City

Thurs 18th Dec Sheppey & Little London

Fri 19th Dec Cliff Hills

Sun 21st Dec Braithwell (5pm)

Mon 22nd Dec Dale Hill 1 Lilly Hall Rd

& Colombus Estate (5pm)

Tues 23rd Dec Dale Hill 2 Upperfield Rd

& lower part of estate (5pm)

Xmas Eve Dale Hill 3 Scott Walk

& Amory’s Halt (5pm)

South Side

Start time 5.30pm unless otherwise stated

Tues 9th Dec Old North Anston & Mill Lane

Weds 10th Dec Aughton

Thurs 11th Dec Aston Lodge Ln

& Redmile estate

Fri 12th Dec Aston The Chase & Rosegarth

Sun 14th Dec Swallownest

Mon 15th Dec Laughton Common

Tues 16th Dec Throapham

Weds 17th Dec Woodsetts

Thurs 18th Dec Dinnington High Nook

Fri 19th Dec Harthill

Sun 21st Dec North Anston Lakeland Drive

Mon 22nd Dec Dinnington Church Lane

Tues 23rd Dec South Anston

Xmas Eve North Anston Wimpey Estate

(4.45pm)

Static Sleighs

(10am-2pm)

Sat 6th Dec Morrisons Halfway

Sat 6th & 13th Dec Morrisons Catcliffe

Sat 13th Dec Morrisons Bramley

Sat 20th Dec Tesco Maltby

Sat 20th Dec Tesco Dinnington


FEELING FESTIVE

Christmas

crafts

With Dawn Topliss

MAKE YOUR OWN

Vintage Christmas Book

Penistone Round Table

(1094) Schedule

Sat 29th Nov Penistone Lights Switch-on 5pm

Sat 29th Nov Hoylandswaine 5.40pm

Fri 5th Dec Silkstone Common 5pm

Sat 6th Dec Silkstone 4.30pm

Sun 7th Dec Thurgoland & Green Moor 4pm

Fri 12th Dec Oxspring 5pm

Sat 13th Dec Springvale 3.30pm

Sun 14th Dec Penistone Central 3.30pm

Thurs 18th Dec Wellhouse Lane, New Estate

& Ingbirchworth 5pm

Fri 19th Dec Wentworth Rd & Windermere Rd 5pm

Sat 20th Dec Millhouse & Thurlstone 3.30pm

Sun 21st Dec Cubley 4pm

Rotherham Round Table

(24) Schedule

Start time 5.20pm unless otherwise stated.

Sun 14th Dec Canklow & Whiston (3.20pm-4.30pm)

Mon 15th Dec Stag

Tues 16th Dec Brecks

Weds 17th Dec Waverley

Thurs 18th Dec Wickersley

Sat 20th & Sun 21st Dec Brinsworth (3.45pm)

Mon 22nd Dec Bramley

Tues 23rd Dec Grange

Xmas Eve Moorgate

Static Sleighs

Thurs 20th Nov Mexborough Lights Switch-on

Sat 22nd Nov Wickersley Lights Switch-on

Sat 29th Nov Whiston Lights Switch-on (3pm-6pm)

Sat 6th Dec Grange Park Golf Club (2pm-4pm)

Add some vintage vibes to your

Christmas décor with this easy

craft project to upcycle an old

book into a beautifully traditional

display

YOU WILL NEED

An old hard back book

Tissues

Serviette or printed Christmas

images

Ribbon

Red berries or embellishments

Silicone or foam pads, PVA glue &

glue stick

Paints to match your background

Gold paint

Scissors, pencil, spare card

METHOD

1. First find the middle of your

book and, leaving about ten pages

either side, start to remove some

pages from underneath to thin out

each side.

2. Use a glue stick to glue around

each page to stick together.

3. Use a pencil to roll the corners.

4. Separate your tissues and using

just one ply scrunch then glue onto

the top pages to create texture. Set

aside to dry.

5. Cut out your Christmas images

and using silicone or foam pads

stick on to each side. If using a

serviette, you will need to glue

onto card first.

6. Matching your background,

paint around your image and

blend onto the page. Use brown

paint or ink to give a vintage look.

Paint the page edges in gold.

7. Make a Santa’s list on a piece

of card. Age with paint and glue in

place.

8. Tie several bows and place on

top of each other. Glue in place.

9. Add red berries or other

embellishments and add a Happy

Christmas sentiment.

Your Vintage Christmas Book is

now complete and ready for you

to display.

Happy Crafting!


FEELING FESTIVE

What’s on this

festive season

Here’s the sparkle, shows, and seasonal cheer that’s

taking place across South Yorkshire this Christmas.

3 Charities

Christmas Fayre

Saturday 15th November 10.30am-3pm

Herringthorpe United Reform Church, S60 4JN

Free entry

Craft stalls, kids stalls, glass fusing artist, cake

stall, bottle stall, Christmas raffle

All in aid of three charities: Rotherham Hospice,

RNLI (Rotherham Guild) and Rotherham

Hospital and Community Charity

Friends in Harmony

Concerts

Saturday 22nd November 7pm

St Bartholomew’s Church, Maltby S66 8JB

Saturday 29th November 7pm at Wickersley

Methodist Church, Bawtry Road S66 1JJ

Tickets £7

The Bramley-based Friends in Harmony Choir

will be performing two concerts with a wide

selection of music for all tastes including some

seasonal pieces.

Call 07969755984 for Matlby concert or

07850 687192 for Wickersley. Or just pay on

the door

Harley Village

Christmas Fair

Saturday 29th November 10am-3pm

Harley Mission Rooms, Harley Road,

Rotherham S62 7UD

Free entry

Lots of stalls including Christmas gifts,

personalised items, glassware, home fragrance,

books, bags and scarves.

Refreshments available

Variety Party Night

in aid of Rotherham

Hospice

Saturday 29th November 6.45pm-12am

Dinnington Resource Centre, 131 Laughton Rd,

Dinnington S25 2PP

Tickets £29.50 includes 2 course carvery dinner

Dinnington’s annual cabaret-style event for

Rotherham Hospice is back for 2025 with a

stellar line-up of performers including Matthew

Walker, Leah Keys, Jess Kennedy, Steve Trotter

and Janet Mitchell School of Dance.

Also starring Rotherham Hospice Choir,

Maltby Musical Theatre Group, and

Maltby Miners Welfare Band.

For tickets, call 01909 518555

Rotherham u3a Choir

Christmas Concert

Friday 5th December 2pm

St James’ Church Hall, Cambridge Street,

Clifton/East Dene, Rotherham S65 2SX

Join Ru3a’s choir, Alive and Singing, at their

annual Christmas performance of seasonal

songs and carols. Refreshments available

including mince pies and Christmas cake.

St James’ Church

Christmas Fair

Saturday 6th December 10.30am-1pm

St James’ Church, Cambridge Street,

Rotherham S65 2SX

A Christmas fair with the usual trimmings.

Tombola, huge Bric-A-Brac sale, chocolate and

cake stalls, refreshments.

Entertainment from local schools, Musicality

choir, and a brass group.

Nine Lessons and

Carols

Friday 19th December 6pm

St James’ Church, Cambridge Street,

Rotherham S65 2SX

Musicality choir lead their version of the nine

lessons and carols service (like King’s College

Cambridge) with nine Yorkshire carols and nine

lessons in the Yorkshire Dialect!

Such carols as Stannington, Malin Bridge, Birley

Edge.

For further details contact church warden

Graham Cowley on 07947847672 or email

gdcthemusician@gmail.com


FEELING FESTIVE

Christmas light

switch on events

Mexborough Christmas

Light Switch-On

Thursday 20th November 4pm-7pm

Market Place and High Street

Free Santa’s grotto, face painting, live entertainment,

children’s rides, food and drink stalls

Wickersley Christmas

Light Switch-On

Saturday 22nd November

Wickersley Community Centre & Library

Christmas market from 4pm

Live music in the car park 5.30pm-7pm

Stalls, food and drink, Santa’s sleigh

Light switched on at 6pm

Whiston Christmas Festival

& Lights Switch-on

Saturday 29th November 3pm-6.30pm

Parish Hall, village green and Manorial Barn

Santa’s grotto, children’s rides, Christmas market, brass

band, live music, hot food and mulled wine

Lights switched on at 5.30pm.

Penistone Christmas

Lights Switch On


From 4.40pm – lights switched on approx. 5.05pm

Market Square and Penistone Church

Music by Penistone FM and Thurlstone Brass Band

Visit from Penistone Theatre Group’s panto cast, Mayor

of Penistone Cllr Hannah Kitching, and Santa himself on

his sleigh.

Followed by the annual tractor run to and from Penistone

Showground. After watching the route, come and see

over 120 decorated tractors from all eras in the Market

Barn, where the Tractor Lads will be raising money for

charity.

Feoffees

Christmas

Concert

Thursday 4th

December 7pm-9pm

(doors open 6.15pm)

Rotherham Minster,

Church St, Rotherham

S60 1PD

Tickets £10, £5 for children,

under 5s free

Following the success of

last year’s inaugural Christmas

concert, Rotherham’s oldest

charity, the Feoffees of the

Common Lands of Rotherham, is

bringing seasonal magic to the

Minster once again.

This year, the line-up will be

headlined by Rotherham’s very

own dreamcoat, Rob McVeigh.

The former builder, who was

a finalist on BBC’s Any Dream

Will Do, is hosting the event and

performing Christmas classics

alongside songs from the West

End.

Professional singer Nicola

Cutts, with her show-stopping

voice, is performing again for

2025, and the superstar pupils

from Bramley Sunnyside junior

school choir are also returning

this year.

The Feoffees are also excited

to welcome some new performers

to the Minster stage, thanks to

a new partnership with college

lecturer and theatre group owner,

Rebecca Noble, who is organising

this year’s concert programme.

Musical theatre students from

Rotherham College and junior

members of Triple Threat Theatre

Academy will each be doing a

show piece.

There will also be an

atmospheric performance by

award-winning musician, Sarah

Anne Bush, who will be bringing

the sounds of piano and violin to

the Minster.

Tickets are also on sale for

their festive prize draw which

will be drawn on the night, with

prizes such as an overnight stay

at Lumley Castle, memory foam

pillows from Healthbeds, and

a Christmas turkey from Lawns

Farm.

Last year’s concert raised over

£6,500 for the charity. Together

with money raised from other

events and bequests, the Feoffees

were able to give out £22,000 to

Rotherham people.

Each year they give bursaries

to two A-Level students and

six apprentices who show

exceptional academic or

vocational attainment. They also

have a scholarship for a newly

qualified teacher who graduates

from Sheffield Hallam University,

plus a new STEM champion

award with The University of

Sheffield at AMRC.

Each Christmas, they give

money to 100 people from

Rotherham who are elderly, in

need or are unpaid carers. And

this year they also donated to

Shiloh, Rush House, and YWCA

Fleming Gardens to promote

independent living. This money

helped fund new home starter

packs for homeless youths and

young mothers, and health

cooking sessions for Shiloh’s

guests.

For concert tickets, call or text

07730 802620.


FEELING FESTIVE

Hark! The roof repair

angels sing

Photos with thanks to Richard Galliford

For almost a thousand years, St John the Baptist

Church in Penistone has stood at the centre of

village life, weathering storms, witnessing history,

and providing a gathering place for generations.

The building continues to serve not

only as a place of reflection, but as

a hub for community life: concerts,

coffee mornings and countless

celebrations have all found a home

beneath its rafters.

Now, the roof that has sheltered

so many is in urgent need of repair.

Lead was stolen from the roof in 2007

and the felt membrane that was used

in the emergency repairs has started

to leak water.

To safeguard this historic landmark

and its ancient roof for the future,

volunteers at Penistone Church are

calling on South Yorkshire residents

to help them raise £75,000 - an

investment in preserving not just

stone and timber, but a living piece of

our shared heritage.

A church in Penistone has stood

in the current location since Saxon

times. Stones from around 900AD

can be found in the ministry office,

along with a Saxon cross and

fragments of herringbone masonry.

However, after this early church

was destroyed by William the

Conqueror in 1069, much of the

present building, including the

chancel, was erected in the 1200s.

Throughout the church there are

various elements of historical interest,

including over 30 bosses and

carvings in the nave roof dating from

1375. The baptismal font, which now

stands in the modern community

space, is as old as the building.

The Lady Chapel, at the south end


of the church, started life as a chantry

school established in 1392. It was

one of the oldest in the country, a

predecessor of Penistone Grammar

School.

The church’s 80-foot-tall tower

was built in the 1500s. During the

English Civil War, it was garrisoned

by the royalist Sir Francis Stuart

Wortley before he was captured and

imprisoned in the Tower of London

in 1644.

Clerestory windows were added

above the pillars and arches in the

14th century to let in more light.

These were later commemorated

to Godfrey de Bosville and his wife

Beatrice. Godfrey, a JP and Sherrif

of Yorkshire, was instrumental in

obtaining royal charter for Penistone

Market in 1699.

There are various references to his

family at Penistone Church, including

two monuments bearing the Bosville

crest.

The Bosvilles were a prominent

family in Penistone from the Norman

times. Their patriarch, Martin de

Bosville, was treasurer to William

the Conqueror and became lord

of the manor of Gunthwaite near

Ingbirchworth.

In 1559, Ralph Bosville acquired

the advowson of the church from

the queen, Elizabeth I. This allowed

him to appoint a priest to the

vacant church and remained the

responsibility of the Bosvilles until

1913.

Over the centuries, St John’s has

been tied to many historical figures.

Gilbert Talbot 7th Earl of

Shrewsbury, the stepson and sonin-law

of Bess of Hardwick, bought

the rectory at Penistone in the mid-

1500s as part of his endowment to

Shrewsbury Hospital in Sheffield.

The ancestors of poet William

Wordsworth were part of the

Penistone congregation; one served

as vicar in the 15th century and

over 350 realtives were christened,

married or buried at Penistone

Church between 1644 and 1805.

The family, who owned Cloth Hall

opposite the church, donated a

decorative chest which still sits in the

church today.

In the 1800s, vicar Samuel

Sunderland introduced football to

local schoolboys, during his tenure

as Penistone Grammar School

headmaster, bringing a link to the

cradle of football.

And Nicholas Saunderson, the

blind mathematician who invented

the Bayes’ Theorem, is said to have

taught himself to read by tracing the

gravestones in the churchyard. A

sensory garden in his memory was

constructed in 2006.

Today, the church is as active

as ever. Through its Open Doors

programme, it runs food banks,

toddler groups, “Messy Church,” and

warm spaces for those affected by

fuel poverty.

Every pound raised from

the roof appeal will go directly

towards securing the roof for future

generations, ensuring the building

remains safe, warm, and welcoming.

To help raise the £75,000, there

have been various fundraising

events including a beer festival,

soul and Motown night, classical

music performances and a talk by

Barnsley’s Egyptologist Professor

Joann Fletcher.

Revd David Hopkin, oversight

minister at St John’s, said: “St John’s

has stood as a beacon of hope and

unity in Penistone for many years.

The support we have received so

far has been incredible and I am

confident that, together, we can

overcome this challenge.

“This roof is not just about

preserving a building; it’s about

safeguarding a place where our

community comes together in times

of joy and sorrow. I urge everyone to

contribute in any way they can to help

us reach our goal.”

If you would like to support the

appeal, you can donate cash in

person at the church between

Tuesday and Friday 10am-1pm,

or by calling 01226 370006 for

bank details.

There is also an online

crowdfunding appeal www.

crowdfunder.co.uk/p/penistonest-johns-church-roof-appeal

FEELING FESTIVE

Art at the Altar

returns for Hens Teeth’s 20th year

Two decades ago, someone

quipped that artists in this

corner of the world were “as

rare as hens’ teeth.”

That impertinent tongue-in-cheek remark

provoked something brilliant in the late Gillian Tyler,

an award-winning illustrator from Penistone.

Together with ceramist Sarah Jones-Morris,

Gillian set up Hens Teeth, a collective of local

creatives determined to prove that creative talent

can grow in unexpected places.

Since 2005, they have organised the annual

Art at the Altar festive fair at St John’s Church

in Penistone, curating a rare event that’s part

exhibition, part market, part festive gathering.

Every November, the atmospheric church

is transformed into a celebration of creativity,

craftsmanship, and community spirit. Think

twinkling lights, handmade bunting, and tables

filled with one-of-a-kind treasures from talented

makers, designers, and artists.

What started as a homespun and hand-knitted

event has been refined over the last 20 years to

become a much-anticipated tradition on the festive

calendar for people from across South Yorkshire

and beyond.

Sadly, Gillian passed away last year after a short

battle with the rare degenerative brain condition,

CJD. However, her presence is still felt in every

corner, and this milestone 20th anniversary is as

much a celebration of her legacy as it is of the

community she helped nurture.

The event is now managed by a small team

of volunteers including former designer Lynda

Jennings, glass artist Tina Green, and retired

accountant Samantha Hardman who Gill brought

on board to help balance the books.

Running from Thursday 20th until Sunday 23rd

November, this year you’ll find ceramics that tell

stories, textiles spun with love, hand-printed cards,

glinting jewellery, woodwork, metalwork, paintings,

prints, and so much more.

Every item on sale is crafted by skilled hands,

and every stall reflects the spirit of its maker, many

of whom return year after year, drawn by Art at the

Altar’s unique atmosphere and loyal following.

Hens Teeth have around 60 regular contributors

on their books, some of whom are hobby crafters

while others run their own businesses and hold

their own art exhibitions. Members range in age

from young creatives in their 20s right up to a

fabulous lady in her mid-80s who knits nativity

scenes each year.

But Art at the Altar isn’t just about beautiful

things. Each year, ten percent of all sales is

donated to a chosen charity, making every

purchase a gift that gives twice. They’ve raised

almost £84,000 over the years, donating to a

variety of causes including Barnsley Foodbank,

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Yorkshire

Air Ambulance.

This year, donations will go to support Penistone

Church’s roof appeal as a thank you for being

great hosts over the last 20 years. Reverend David

Hopkin has championed Hens Teeth from the

beginning and has given them free rein to curate

an event that sings off the same hymn sheet of

providing a space where all are welcome.

Whether you’re looking for unique presents,

festive inspiration, or simply a dose of Christmas

spirit, there’s never been a better time to stop by,

support local makers, and be part of something

truly special.

Art at the Altar is free to

attend and will be open as

follows:

Preview evening: Wednesday 19th November

7.30pm-9.30pm

Thursday 20th and Friday 21st November

10am-8pm

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November

10am-5pm

Penistone St John the Baptist Church, 1

Shrewsbury Rd, Penistone S36 6DY

Find out more about Hens Teeth by

following them on Facebook or Instagram.


FEELING FESTIVE

The season of

Goodwill

Christmas is a time for giving,

and here in South Yorkshire

we have so many amazing

people who give their time to

helping others.

Whether it’s donating toys for children,

putting food on the tables of vulnerable

people, or giving up your time to

volunteer, here are some ways you can

make somebody else’s Christmas a little

bit brighter.

Donate new toys

to the Rotherham Toy Appeal

Every child deserves to feel

the magic of Christmas. You

can make sure no child in

Rotherham wakes up without a

gift on Christmas morning by

donating to the Rotherham Toy

Appeal.

The annual toy appeal has been providing gifts

to Rotherham’s most vulnerable children and

young people for over 30 years. It is run by the

small charity, Rotherham Families First, with the

support of Parkgate Shopping.

Donating is simple: choose a tag from one of

the giving trees at Parkgate with the age of the

child you want to buy for, purchase your gift,

then drop it off unwrapped at any of the stores at

Parkgate.

There are also other collection points across

the borough, from local businesses and schools

to libraries and community health centres, so look

out for the Rotherham Toy Appeal signage when

you’re out and about.

From dolls and action figures to games,

puzzles, art supplies, and teen treats, whether

it’s one toy or ten, your generosity will help bring

smiles, hope, and a sense of magic to families

who are struggling this Christmas.

The Christmas Toy Appeal receives requests

from professionals working closely with families

so they can identify those most in need. Each

child tells ‘Santa’ what they would like for

Christmas and the Rotherham Families First elves

then ‘go shopping’ from the donations to choose

a toy or gift based on their wishlist.

None of the children know their gifts have

come from the appeal; the charity asks for items

to be unwrapped so that the families can wrap

them for their children, helping retain their dignity

and self-worth.

Last year, the generosity of the public meant

Rotherham Families First could give out gifts

to over 2,000 children aged 0 to 18. For many,

these gifts were the only ones under the tree.

So this festive season, consider picking up an

extra gift while you’re out Christmas shopping.

Or find out how your school, business, or

organisation can get involved on their website

www.rotherhamfamiliesfirst.org.uk


FEELING FESTIVE

Join in the Elf Run

for Barnsley Hospice

Dust off your jingle

bells, pull on those

pointy eared hats, and

lace up your curlytoed

shoes - it’s time

for Barnsley Hospice’s

annual Elf Run!

This festive family-friendly event

is more than just a dash through

tinsel-lined streets; it’s a magical way

to support your local hospice and

spread joy where it’s needed most.

Whether you’re a speedy sprite or

a strolling Santa’s helper, everyone

is welcome to join in the fun. You can

run, jog, walk, or prance your way

around a course of your choice –

whether that’s laps around a school

playground, a walk through a local

park or a route starting and ending at

your workplace.

You can also choose the date

and distance, and it doesn’t have

to be done quickly or even on your

Buy a Christmas card

to support the

Rotherham Toy

Appeal

Making other children and

families happy at Christmas

has inspired a teenage girl

from Rotherham to design

her own range of Christmas

cards.

This will be the fifth Christmas that

14-year-old Charlotte Oram, from

Kimberworth, has raised money to buy gifts

for the Rotherham Toy Appeal.

She started drawing, making and selling

cards in 2021 when she was just ten, using

the £20 she raised from sales to buy two

presents for other children less fortunate

than her.

Over the last few years, as word has

gotten out about her fundraising efforts,

Charlotte has raised over £1,300 for the toy

appeal – gratefully boosted by £600 of sales

last year.

feet! You could complete your route

by swimming or cycling, or even on

a static machine like a treadmill or

exercise bike.

Every step you take helps raise

vital funds for the compassionate

care provided by Barnsley Hospice,

ensuring that families facing lifelimiting

illness receive comfort,

dignity, and hope when they need it

most.

Last year, over 10,000 elves from

businesses, schools and groups

took part, raising over £37,000. And

there are already over 6,000 elves

signed up for 2025’s Elf Run. Santa’s

workshop will be a bit low on staff

this year!

To join in the fun, email the team at

fundraising@barnsley-hospice.org or

sign up online www.barnsleyhospice.

org/event/elf-run.

Once you’ve signed up, you

can download and print a sponsor

form or create a JustGiving page

to start collecting sponsorship and

donations for your efforts.

That money bought a stack of presents

which Charlotte and her parents, Claire

and David, dropped off to the elves at

Rotherham Families First, the charity behind

the annual toy appeal.

This year, Charlotte wants to raise £800

for the appeal to buy even more gifts for the

children and young people of Rotherham. A

pack of three cards is £2.50 and the money

wallets are two for £1.50.

Charlotte has three designs for 2025:

Mistletoad, Fa la la llama, and her best

seller, the Grinch.

Her cards will be stocked in Boulton’s

Family Butchers on St John’s Green,

Kimberworth Park, Salon 31 on Wellgate,

Studio 62 at Parkgate, Something Brew

Inn at Rawmarsh, and Polished Beauty at

Thorogate.

Charlotte is also having a stall at the

Hellaby Hall Christmas market on Sunday

30th November 11am-3pm.

Give Barnsley’s care

leavers

a memorable

Christmas dinner

Waking up in matching pyjamas,

a festive walk in your Christmas

jumpers, and squabbling over

board games are all typical

components of a family

Christmas.

But what does December 25th look like for

young care leavers?

Turkey, tinsel and traditions are often replaced

with loneliness, financial hardship and negative

memories of Christmases past.

But a group of volunteers in Barnsley are

changing their own family traditions to make sure

care leavers in the town have a special day to

remember.

The Barnsley Care Leavers Christmas Dinner

is an initiative that was set up in 2018 by care

experienced woman, Beth Goodliffe, who wanted

to create a community in her hometown for

young people like herself.

Following months of planning and prep

work, Beth and a group volunteers host a big

Christmas dinner for around 25 young people

mainly aged 18 to early 20s.

Beth tries to make it like a proper family

Christmas for these young people, showing

them what a supportive, safe, healthy Christmas

should look like.

She hosts a special celebration at a surprise

venue each year, decorates the room in full

festive splendour, and arranges transport for all

the guests. She also buys each young person

a meaningful gift, pyjamas and stocking fillers,

and creates hampers filled with food staples and

luxury items.

Each year, Beth is supported by a small

team of volunteers who prepare and cook the

Christmas meal, set up and clear up the room,

transport the guests, and wrap the presents.

They’re hoping that the generous people

of South Yorkshire will once again donate

money to help them put on such a special day.

Find out more about how to donate at www.

christmasdinnerbarnsley.org.uk


FAMILY

Claire pens book

for her boys

Ten Christmases have passed

since Claire Throssell last

wrapped presents for her

children.

In October 2014, her two sons, Jack and Paul,

were killed by their father. They were 12 and nine.

Just a few days before he died, the older boy,

Jack, told his mum how he was looking forward

to Christmas for the first time in his young life, for

it would be the first one they didn’t have to spend

with their dad.

His parents had recently divorced and he was

excited by the thought of having a nice family

Christmas for a change without the weight of

his father’s abusive behaviour looming over the

festivities.

Jack never got to have his happy family

Christmas.

He and younger brother Paul died at the hands

of their father who set 14 fires in the family home

in Penistone and barricaded the three of them in

the loft.

It was an act of unimaginable suffering, the

final fatal blow in a 16-year campaign of domestic

abuse - one that ended two young lives and

changed Claire’s forever.

As the season of togetherness unfolds, Claire

The book also acts as a

“

brutally honest account

of life as a domestic

abuse survivor and the

unbreakable bond between a

mother and her children.

”

will feel the ache of absence more deeply than

most. There will be no stockings on the mantel,

no long lists or stack of presents under the tree.

“Christmas is hard for me because it’s all about

family. But I’ve learnt that the perfect day doesn’t

exist materially. It doesn’t matter how many

presents you have, how good you make the tree

look, or how much you stress over cooking the

dinner. If you share the day with the people you

love then that’s the perfect Christmas,” she says.

Claire has spent too many Christmases without

the two people she loves the most, but her love

didn’t die with her children. This year, she has

given them an invaluable gift: a voice.

She has written a book – For My Boys - that

stands as a testament to their lives, a loving,

lasting legacy in ink and memory.

It’s a tribute to the joy they brought before that

terrible day and the memories they left behind –

of school runs, bedtime stories, sibling bickering,

and muddy boots by the door.

The book also acts as a brutally honest

account of life as a domestic abuse survivor and

the unbreakable bond between a mother and her

children.

“I always say that there are no books that teach

you how to live without your children. There are

plenty of books about weaning, potty training or

getting them into a bedtime routine.

“I shouldn’t have had to write this book, but it

has been a real privilege to do it when there are

some amazing authors out there that never get a

break.”

The idea to write a book came to fruition last

year for the tenth anniversary of Jack and Paul’s

deaths. Claire wrote it head to hand, filling two

notebooks with 88,000 words, aided by endless

boxes of tissues and a fair few bottles of wine.

“It was a mix of emotions writing it,” she says.

“Anger, pain, but also good memories that made

me smile. I’d write the darkest points in the

darkest hours and it nearly broke me. But it was

really important that they were my words so that

the truth will remain long after I’m gone.”

This is a story she has told many times before.

But For My Boys is the loudest she’s ever told it.

Claire has worked with her friend and journalist,

Michelle Rawlins, to fine tune her writing and turn

it into a memoir that has been published by Mirror

Books.

Michelle, who lives locally to Claire, has

covered this harrowing story from the beginning

and set up the Care for Claire campaign to

help rebuild the house: Claire’s ex purposefully

cancelled the home insurance before setting the

house ablaze.

Claire remembers every detail of that day in

2014. The pit of dread she felt when she returned

home to see her son’s phone left on the coffee

table. The knock at the door, the flashing blue

lights, the instant realisation that her worst

nightmare had come true.

She had warned social services and the family

courts that her ex would kill the boys. Jack and


FAMILY

Paul told professionals they didn’t want to see

their dad, but their feelings were ignored.

Her ex was granted access through the family

courts despite years of controlling behaviour. No

one asked the right questions. No one listened.

Nobody has ever been held accountable.

“There’s a deafening silence around children’s

rights. Every child deserves a childhood and

deserves to live. Even when he was dying, Jack

made sure he told everyone that his dad did it

and that he did it on purpose. He died thinking

he’d saved his little brother’s life because I

never told him any different. He was there for his

brother when nobody else was.”

Beyond the deeply personal nature of the

book, Claire hopes it will open up conversations

about domestic abuse, especially the unseen,

manipulative forms that often go unspoken until

it’s too late.

One in four women and one in seven men

have experienced domestic abuse since the age

of 16. It’s a largely hidden crime because it often

occurs in the family home and very few victims

report it to the police.

“If this book helps even one person realise

their life is heading that way and that they need

to leave then it’s worth the pain of writing it.”

For 16 years, Claire lived under constant

abuse and coercive control. He controlled where

she went, who she saw, and even what she

wore, slowly and deliberately stripping away her

freedom, confidence, and self-worth.

“People can be quick to ask why I didn’t just

leave. But it wasn’t that simple. I was trapped. At

the lowest point, he was urinating on me. It was

degrading, but when you’re that far gone you

start to accept it.

“I could never understand how he hated me

so much but couched it in words of love. He used

love as a weapon. He’d ring me 40 times a day to

check where I was and who I was with, but then

say he only rang because he loved me.”

Claire did eventually leave, taking the boys to

her mum’s house after her ex pushed her down

the stairs in front of the boys. She didn’t want

her sons to grow up thinking that behaviour and

treatment of women was normal.

However, the abuse only heightened after their

separation; Jack and Paul were killed just two

weeks after their parents’ divorce was granted.

“I get asked how I’m able to talk about it, but

while ever domestic abuse remains a taboo

subject, perpetrators have control. Once we don’t

tolerate it, they’ve no place to hide.

“Nobody should have to live in fear and

oppression like I did for so long. People might

judge me when they read the book, but I also

hope they judge me for where I was in the book

to where I am today.”

For My Boys is a testament to Claire’s strength

and her capacity to keep going, even when

everything is broken.

For the last eleven years, she has campaigned

tirelessly to make sure her boys, and other

children killed by their parents, will never be

forgotten.

She’s been an ambassador for Women’s Aid

since 2016, helping them drive their Child First:

Safe Child Contact Saves Lives campaign.

They’ve lobbied the government to end the

‘presumption of contact’ in family courts, a legal

principle that prioritises parental contact even

when abuse has been alleged or reported.

A recent report has found that 67 children have

been killed by a parent in the last 30 years while

under the family courts system. Jack and Paul

were numbers 18 and 19.

“Contact with a parent should never come

at the expense of a child’s safety. I know what

happens when it does. Because family courts are

closed courts, the press don’t know about any

of this so it’s only the government that has the

power to change it.”

In a poignant moment, the Ministry of Justice

officially announced on 22nd October – the

eleventh anniversary of that horrendous day in

Penistone – that the law will be changed.

After a decade-long campaign, Claire has

ensured that Jack and Paul, and other children

like them, are no longer invisible. They were here.

They mattered. And they always will.

For My Boys is priced at £9.99 and

is available from The Book Vault

in Barnsley, selected Asda stores,

Waterstones and Amazon.

If something doesn’t feel

right in your relationship,

don’t suffer in silence

Help is available from various

charities and organisations

Rotherham:

Hopian (formerly Rotherham Rise)

0330 202 0571

Apna Haq (for BME women)

07824 767 170

Barnsley:

Barnsley IDAS 03000 110 110

Resolute Support 07761 232 742

Support for men:

Respect Men’s Advice Line

0808 801 0327

National helplines:

Refuge 0808 2000 247

Childline 0800 1111


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

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

or email contactus@ctbutterfield.com

for a copy of our current brochure

A Heavenly Christmas Journey

with Visiting Angels

An Angel to share the carols, candles,

and Christmas spirit with you.

Visiting Angels South Yorkshire can help with

Companionship Visits | Holiday & Seasonal Activities |

Community Outings | Keeping Connected with technology |

Wellbeing & Social Support | Personal & Complex Care

Stay festive at home!

Call 0114 4333 000

sheffield@visiting-angels.co.uk

FAMILY

Making space

for dementia support

If you spend your days

caring for someone

with memory problems,

confusion, or dementia,

you know how much

love, patience, and

strength it takes.

But you also know how easy it is

to forget about yourself, especially

at this time of year when everything

feels busier and the world seems to

be celebrating around you.

This winter, why not take an

afternoon away from your caring

responsibilities with a visit to

Rotherham Dementia Carers

Support’s free dementia cafés.

Funded by the charity, Making

Space, these welcoming monthly

meetups are a place to relax, chat,

and feel supported by others who

truly understand what you’re going

through.

They’re open to unpaid carers

and their loved ones, and there

doesn’t need to be an official

dementia diagnosis. It could be that

you care for your parents, partner

or grandparents who are becoming

more forgetful or confused.

The dementia cafes are held in

six community venues across the

Rotherham borough, including

Brampton Bierlow, Brinsworth,

Dalton, Maltby, Thurcroft and

Whiston.

Each venues runs a monthly

café with free refreshments, craft

activities, and live entertainment.

So whether you want to sit and do

some seasonal crafts or get up for

a dance and sing-song, you’ll be

greeted with warmth, kindness, and

a good cup of tea.

Volunteers and support staff will

be on hand if you’d like advice, a

listening ear, or information about

other local services that can help

lighten your load.

Many of the team have lived

experience of dementia and have

used the service personally. Some

volunteers used to come with their

partners before they passed away,

while staff member Diane brought

her mum to the dementia cafes.

“My dad used to bring Mum

This Christmas, make a child’s future brighter

Christmas is a time for joy, togetherness, and creating special memories.

For children who can’t be in a home with their own families, foster

carers make all the difference- offering comfort, stability and a sense of

belonging when it’s needed most.

Fostering means making a lasting difference in a child’s

life – helping them feel safe, supported, and valued every day of the year.

The greatest gift you can give is love – Open your home

– Open their future.

This Christmas,

give the gift

of a family

Help us

change the

lives of local

children

CALL US 01709 357370

We’ll guide you through each step, making sure you feel ready

and supported throughout your fostering journey.

We provide:

Full training and ongoing professional development

A dedicated supervising social worker to support you every step of the way

Competitive allowances to recognise your time, care and commitment

You provide:

A caring heart, a safe space and a willingness to listen and guide.

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

foster a local child?

To find out more visit www.fosteringrotherham.com

or call us today on 01709 357370 for a chat.

www.fosteringrotherham.com

@FosteringRotherham

@FosterRotherham


FAMILY

before he passed away in 2020 and

it was the highlight of her week. She

had mixed dementia – vascular and

Alzheimer’s – but she was still such

a social butterfly.

“My sister and I wanted to help

her keep socialising and we saw

from there how important this free

service was to both those living with

dementia and the family members

caring for them.”

As well as the warm and

welcoming dementia cafés, the

Rotherham Dementia Carers

Support team also organises

outings and social events.

This year they have been to

Cleethorpes, had an autumn

walk around Clifton Park, and a

Halloween party. Over Christmas,

they are hosting a festive party and

also taking members to see the

panto at Rotherham Civic.

& EQUINE

Anyone interested in visiting

can just turn up on the day.

Or for more information, call

the team on 01709 910 889

or email RotherhamCarers@

makingspace.co.uk

Dementia

café venues:

All dates run from

1.30pm-3.30pm

Brampton Bierlow: Parish Hall

S73 0UA – Fridays 14th

November, 12th December and

9th January

Brinsworth: Parish Pavilion S60

5DG – Wednesday 19th

November, 17th December and

21st January

Dalton: Parish Hall S65 3EW -

Thursday 20th November, 18th

December and 15th January

Maltby: Wesley Centre S66 8JD

– Monday 24th November, 22nd

December and 26th January

Thurcroft: Gordon Bennett

Memorial Hall S66 9DD –

Tuesdays 2nd December and

6th January

Whiston: Parish Hall S60 4HX –

Wednesdays 3rd December and

7th January.

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

Over 200 years creating opportunities

for people to meet up and make friends,

supporting members in times of need

We host regular inexpensive social events

as well as one-off special activities

A NON-PROFIT, MUTUAL SOCIETY,

RUN BY MEMBERS FOR MEMBERS

Barnsley Brunch Bunch

at Victorian Tea Rooms

Tuesday 11th November 11am

Renowned for its delicious food

and drinks and always a popular

choice for our members.

Pay direct to Victorian Tea Rooms,

12 The Arcade, Barnsley S70 2QN

Brunch Bunch

at Grimm & Co

Tuesday 25th November 11am

Enjoy a delicious breakfast

and brunch

Pay direct to Grimm & Co, Vetro

Lounge, Forge Island,

Rotherham S60 1QJ

Brunch Bunch at Noshys

Wednesday 10th December 11am

Catch up with friends for brunch

at this popular local café

Pay direct to Noshys, 8 Upper

Millgate, Rotherham S60 1PF

Bookings essential for all events

Tel 01709 838673

Everyone welcome

Rotherham Social Afternoon

– Amusing Poetry

Wednesday 12th November 12 noon

Join us with our member, Amanda

Samm, who will give her warm and

funny poetry readings.

Free event

Oddfellows House, 40 Westgate

Rotherham S60 1AS

Barnsley Social Afternoon

Thursday 27th November 2pm

Bob Massey joins us to talk about

‘Friendly Societies’

Members free, Guests £3.00

Boatman’s Rest, Edmunds Road,

Worsbrough, Barnsley S70 4TD

Bookings essential for both events

Everyone welcome

Christmas Shopping at

Boundary Mills, Rotherham

Friday 5th December 11am

Join us for some Christmas

shopping at Boundary Mills and then

afterwards we’ll have lunch at

Whitby’s fish and chips.

Bookings essential

Everyone welcome

Meet at Boundary Mills, Catcliffe,

Rotherham S60 5BD

Sleeping Beauty Pantomine

at Barnsley Civic

Tuesday 9th December 3pm

This is a popular event so please pay

and book early to secure your seats.

Bookings essential

Everyone welcome

£10.00 per person

Meet in the foyer at Barnsley Civic,

Eldon Street, Barnsley S70 2JL

Lunch at Thai River Kwai

Thursday 18th December 12.30pm

Join us for lunch at this authentic

Thai restaurant.

Bookings essential

Everyone welcome

Pay direct to Thia River Kwai,

Red Lion Yard, Rotherham S60 1PN

Give the Gift

of Friendship

for Christmas

Treat someone to a

membership from just

£25 a year

Call us on 01709 838673

or email lesley.walton@oddfellows.co.uk

www.oddfellows.co.uk

40 Westgate, Rotherham, S60 1AS

Like our page and we will keep you posted on what’s coming up


FAMILY

A fresh start for body,

soul and business

For South Yorkshire

mother-and-daughter

duo Leigh and Annie

Davies, food isn’t just

fuel: it’s medicine,

community, and joy.

Together they founded The Joy of

Nutrition in 2020, at the height of the

pandemic, to help people reclaim

their health through raw food, natural

healing, and holistic living.

What began as a personal

journey into better understanding

the body’s natural healing ability

soon blossomed into a communityfocused

business.

On starting the business, Annie

said: “During the pandemic, there

was a global focus on health, so my

mum and I took action to look after

ourselves better. We researched

healthy eating and sustainable health

alternatives that didn’t burden the

NHS.

“We then wanted to help our local

communities take more responsibility

for their health through better food

and non-invasive practices. That’s

how it began, making organic

produce and our services available

locally.”

Operating across South Yorkshire,

Annie and Leigh run immersive

wellness retreats, sell plant-based

food products online and at local

markets, and provide hands-on

education in naturopathy, iridology,

and raw nutrition.

With a strong emphasis on

sustainability and natural living, their

approach is as much about restoring

balance to the mind and spirit as it is

about nourishing the body.

Their retreats have quickly become

the centrepiece of their work where

guests step away from the noise of

daily life and rediscover how food,

rest, and nature can restore vitality.

Alongside this, they sell organic

and plant-based products from

handmade chocolates to protein

and cake bars, all made from raw,

unprocessed foods that are packed

with natural enzymes, vitamins, and

minerals.

The qualified raw food nutritionists

promote the benefits of eating foods

closer to their natural state for lighter

digestion, higher energy, clearer skin,

and a stronger immune system.

They have also trained in iridology,

a holistic technique that studies the

patterns, colours, and structures of

the iris to reveal underlying health

tendencies or areas of stress and

imbalance. From this, they can tailor

nutrition and lifestyle guidance to

each individual.

“We offer an all-round lifestyle

transformation, not just ‘eat this and

feel better,’” says Annie. “We work

on a soul level, addressing trauma,

mental health, and relationships. It’s

a full package.”

The business is also deeply rooted

in community values. They work with

local farmers to redistribute excess

produce, support not-for-profit

organisations, and volunteer with

initiatives in Derbyshire.

Looking ahead, Annie and Leigh

hope to expand their retreats across

the UK, open a café in Rotherham,

and keep building a movement of

conscious living.

Support from Rotherham

Investment and Development Office

(RiDO) has played a key role in their

growth. Through RiDO’s Launchpad

programme, Annie and Leigh

accessed business workshops,

mentoring, and a small grant that

helped them invest in essential

equipment.

“RIDO gave us so much

confidence. We increased our

social media engagement, bought

machinery we couldn’t afford

ourselves, and learned how to scale

our business. The focus it gave us

was invaluable,” said Annie.

For more information or

to connect with The Joy of

Nutrition, visit their website at

www.joyofnutrition.co.uk

or visit their Facebook page.

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FAMILY

A-Z of Rotherham

This winter, take an A-Z tour of

Rotherham from the comfort of

your home thanks to a new book

by local author, James Barker.

In A–Z of Rotherham, James reveals the history

behind the borough, its streets and buildings,

industries and the people connected with it.

From All Saint’s Church to zig-zagging around

the town, follies, French connections and freedom

of the borough, discover some fascinating facts

about Rotherham’s past - and present.

The book also highlights the town’s unusual

characters, tucked-away places and lesser-known

events, from Dead Man’s Cave in Anston and the

Trysting tree in Todwick to the Battle of Brunanburh

in 937AD and how

Dinnington once had a

Formula 1 racing team.

Illustrated with photography and historical

images, the A-Z tour touches on aspects of

Medieval Rotherham with its theological college,

the industrial heritage of flour making, glassmaking,

coal mining and iron and steel manufacturing,

and its wealth and importance shown by the

construction of Wentworth Woodhouse mansion

and Boston Castle.

Example of an intact pottery kiln

known as the Waterloo Kiln

Clifton Park’s famous bandstand

has been a fixture since 1928

The Cross Keys pub stained glass

The hands that guide you

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And it wouldn’t be an A-Z of

Rotherham without our most famous

brothers: The Chuckles.

James Barker is a postgraduate

support officer at the

University of Sheffield. He lives

locally to Rotherham and has

been researching the history of his

local town for many years. A-Z of

Rotherham is his second published

Wales High School

title following the 2023 release of

Rotherham: A Potted History.

A-Z of Rotherham is priced at

£15.99 and will be published

on 15th November by Amberley

Publishing. To order your copy,

visit www.amberley-books.com.

It is also available on Amazon

and Waterstones.

For many of us,

Christmas feels joyful and

celebratory, filled with

parties, Christmas jumper

days and ‘Secret Santa’

trade-offs.

But for people experiencing

homelessness, it can be a lonely,

difficult time of year.

Rotherham-based homeless

charity, Shiloh, has launched its

festive fundraising appeal called ‘All

I Want For Christmas…’ to remind

people that Christmas can mean

something much more humble for

those experiencing homelessness.

Sarah Smart, Shiloh’s Chief

Executive, said: “Our guests

have told us that all they want for

Christmas is a stable home, a more

secure life or to know what family

feels like. Their simple aspirations

influenced our appeal this year. The

reality is that any one of us could

find ourselves in a similar situation if

our circumstances changed.

“For our guests, Christmas isn’t

about lavish gifts and celebrations;

FAMILY

Support Shiloh’s

Christmas appeal

it’s about survival. For some, the

only Christmas dinner and gift

they’ll receive will be from us.”

Shiloh provides food, clothing,

showers and laundry facilities,

access to technology and intensive

one-to-one support for adults

who are homeless or facing

homelessness.

By supporting their Christmas

appeal, which has a target of

£5,000, you can help them

give someone experiencing

homelessness hope for the future.

For more information about

how to donate, get in touch with

fundraiser Suzanne Rutter via

contact@shilohrotherham.org.

uk or visit www.shilohrotherham.

org.uk

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For further details please visit www.connistoncare.co.uk / www.carehomewoodlands.com

Or call Simone Wells on 07846 710379 or 01909 566226


FAMILY

Barnsley brothers’

battle for Britain

In the summer of 1940, as Britain braced for

invasion, two brothers from Barnsley climbed

into their Spitfires, bound not just by blood but by

the desperate fight for their country’s survival.

Among the hundreds of young

men who held the Luftwaffe at bay

during the Battle of Britain were

John and Hugh Dundas from

Cawthorne.

In aerial duels above the English

Channel and Europe, the brothers

fought with their respective

squadrons in a militant manner,

each sortie carrying the weight of

uncertainty.

Day after day, they rose into

skies darkened by enemy bombers,

knowing the odds were stacked

against them. Each mission could

have been their last, yet together

they carved out reputations as

fearless fighter pilots in one of

history’s most decisive air battles.

In November 1940, tragedy

ultimately struck: the elder brother,

John, was lost in action, one of so

many young pilots whose lives were

cut short. John shot down Major

Helmut Wick, Germany’s number

one air ace but, an eye for an eye,

was quickly taken out by Wick’s

wingman, Rudolf Pflanz. His body

was never recovered.

The younger Dundas brother,

Hugh, scarcely more than a boy

himself, pressed on with defending

the nation and rose to become one

of the youngest group captains in

the RAF.

On the 85th anniversary of Battle

of Britain Day on 15th September,

the village they grew up in

honoured them with a blue plaque

outside their childhood home. The

project was organised by residents

Sharon Pitt and Derek Housley,

with support from Penistone Ward

Alliance and Cawthorne Parish

Council.

Hundreds of people gathered

in Cawthorne, including their

descendants and current members

of their RAF squadrons, to pay

tribute to the courage, sacrifice,

and the bond between brothers

who helped defend Britain at its

darkest hour.

Long before they became aces

in the Royal Air Force, John and

Hugh were just boys chasing model

planes across fields in Cawthorne –

or riding noisy motorbikes through

the village, much to the chagrin of

other residents.

John, the eldest of five Dundas

children, was born in 1915. Five

years and three sisters later came

Hugh, born in 1920.

Hailing from Barnburgh in

Doncaster, their family moved to

Cawthorne in 1924 to Dale House

on Tivy Dale.

Their parents were Frederick

and Silvia Dundas. Frederick

was a colliery director who had

shares in pits across Yorkshire and

Nottinghamshire, including Cadeby,

Denaby Main, and Roundwood.

Frederick was a descendant of

Scottish nobility; his mother, Alice,

was the daughter of Charles Wood,

1st Viscount Halifax and Lady Mary

Grey, daughter of former prime

minister, Earl Grey. Charles Wood

was landed gentry who owned

Monk Bretton and Alice grew up at

Hickleton Hall in Doncaster.

Alice married the nephew of

Lawrence Dundas, 1st Marquess

of Zetland; Lawrence’s daughter,

Maud, married Billy, the 7th

Earl Fitzwilliam of Wentworth

Woodhouse.

Frederick sent his boys to

boarding school at Stowe. John,

a highly academic and intelligent

young man, gained a scholarship to

Stowe aged 12, then went to Christ

Church, Oxford at 17 on another

scholarship, graduating in 1936

with a first in modern history. His

studies then took him to Sorbonne

in Paris and Germany’s Heidelberg

University, two of Europe’s most

prestigious institutions – again, on

scholarships.

On completing his education,

John returned to England where he

became a foreign affairs journalist at

the Yorkshire Post. His first cousin

once removed was Lord Halifax,

foreign secretary in 1938, who was

said to have helped him land the

role.

John covered pivotal events,

including the Munich crisis in

Czechoslovakia, then the Rome

meeting between Lord Halifax and

British and Italian prime ministers,

Neville Chamberlain and Benito


FAMILY

Mussolini.

Having grown tired of journalism,

John looked for a welcome

distraction. Aged 23, he self-funded

his pilot license and volunteered

his weekends as a pilot officer with

the 609 (West Riding) Squadron

of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

The commanding officer was his

godfather, Harald Peake, a colliery

director who worked with his father.

By this time, Hugh had left Stowe.

He’d been articled to a solicitor but,

spirited and slightly rebellious, Hugh

joined the Auxiliary Air Force like

his older brother. Despite failing the

medical exam three times, he was

assigned to 616 (South Yorkshire)

Squadron. The day after his 19th

birthday, in July 1939, Hugh was

commissioned an acting pilot

officer.

As Mussolini’s fascism seeped

through Europe, and Churchill’s

prophecies about the dangers

of Nazi Germany were seen to

be coming true, the 21 auxiliary

squadrons and their volunteer

reservists became a vital part of the

RAF’s forces.

The two Dundas brothers were

called up to the war efforts with

their respective squadrons; John

was based at Middle Wallop in

Hampshire, while Hugh, who had

garnered the nickname ‘Cocky’, was

over in Leconfield near Beverley.

They were never too far from

home, evidenced by one village

folklore tale of how one of them –

though it’s never been proven which

one – reportedly landed a Spitfire

in the middle of the A635 near the

junction of Tivy Dale. While they

popped home for a coffee with their

parents, a group of villagers turned

the plane around ready for them to

set back off.

John and Hugh both embodied

the unyielding spirit of the RAF.

With their respective squadrons,

they both took part in the Dunkirk

evacuation in May 1940, during

which John destroyed three German

aircraft.

With France defeated, Germany

turned to its next objective: forcing

Britain out of the war. Hitler’s plan

for invasion was Operation Sea

Lion, which required air superiority

over the English Channel and

southern England. This led directly

to the Luftwaffe launching the Battle

of Britain in July 1940.

Again, the Dundas brothers and

their auxiliary air force comrades

were deployed throughout the threemonth

battle that involved 1,500

aircraft.

Hugh found himself flying

alongside the legendary Douglas

Bader and was very much in awe of

this ace who continued to fly despite

having had both legs amputated.

Letters home spoke little of the

danger, but in the mess halls and

on the airfields, they lived with the

constant reality that a single mistake

- or a moment of bad luck - could

separate them forever.

In August 1940, Hugh wrote

home that he’d been shot down

over Dover, having bailed when his

aircraft exploded at 12,000 feet in

the air. He told his mother not to

worry as he’d had an ‘enjoyable

parachute descent’ and, with just

a dislocated shoulder and lots of

splinters in his leg, he was relatively

unscathed and was only out of

action for a few weeks.

Meanwhile, John had quickly

risen to ‘ace’ status himself; by

August 1940 he had nine confirmed

kills. Racking up enemy aircraft

at a rate of almost one a day, a

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

came in October that year.

However, his gallant efforts were

cut short when he was killed in

action on 28th November 1940,

mere moments after shooting down

Helmut Wick, the Luftwaffe’s highest

scoring ace. He was just 25.

At the time of his death, John

was credited with 12 confirmed kills,

four probables, two shared and five

damaged. He was posthumously

awarded the Bar to his DFC and his

name appears on the Runnymede

Memorial, as well as the war

memorial in Cawthorne. A Spitfire

he flew, R6915, is on display at the

Imperial War Museum in London.

John’s magnificent fighting spirit

inspired so many others to continue

the fight against the Nazis, including

his brother Hugh.

In spite of his grief, Hugh

remained in active service

throughout the war, rising through

the ranks to flight commander,

commanding officer and squadron

leader. He spent time in a training

unit, before joining the Firebirds,

one of the RAF’s oldest and most

successful squadrons. Hugh was

posted to the Mediterranean,

serving in Tunisia, Malta and Italy.

He was awarded his own

Distinguished Flying Cross in

August 1941 for ‘unflagging

courage in the face of the enemy’

followed by a Distinguished Service

Order in March 1944. Just three

months later he was promoted

to group captain aged 23, the

youngest in the RAF.

Hugh survived the war, with

four enemy aircraft destroyed,

six shared destroyed, two shared

probables, and three damaged. He

retired from the RAF but continued

with the auxiliary air force until

1949.

After his military career ended,

he again followed in his brother’s

footsteps, becoming an air

correspondent for the Daily Express.

He then moved into TV and radio

broadcast, joining Rediffusion in

1961 where he oversaw the boom

of colour TVs. Hugh also served

as chairman of Thames TV and

Macmillan Cancer Research, and

was a deputy lieutenant and high

sheriff of Surrey.

In 1977 he was presented with a

CBE before receiving a knighthood

ten years later. Sir Hugh died in

1995 aged 74, leaving behind his

wife Enid, three children and eight

grandchildren.

Two of his grandchildren travelled

up from London to Barnsley for

the plaque reveal, along with his

daughter-in-law Jenny and nephew

Sir Ian Muir.

Granddaughter Lucy, who was

only nine when her grandfather

died, shared fond memories of how

Hugh was always smiling and would

dole out ice lollies to his brood of

grandkids at bathtime.

The Deputy Lord Lieutenant

for South Yorkshire and vicar of

Cawthorne, Reverend Canon Keith

Farrow, was also in attendance.

In his speech, he said: “The

Dundas brothers’ story is one

of fraternal devotion amid

unimaginable odds. Together, they

represent the Battle of Britain’s

triumph, where 544 RAF pilots gave

their lives to repel the Luftwaffe.

“John and Hugh Dundas were

not just pilots; they were guardians

of liberty, sons of Yorkshire, and

eternal symbols of the RAF’s motto:

Per Ardua Ad Astra – Through

Adversity to the Stars. May their

spirits soar forever.”

As we head towards Armistice,

the village will continue to remember

the Dundas brothers, as well as the

other 29 names on Cawthorne’s war

memorial. Cawthorne Crafty Ladies

are doing a remembrance trail to

mark the 80th anniversary of the end

of WWII.


HOME & GARDEN

Deck the Halls

like it’s 1995

After years of pared-back

palettes and pristine minimalism

dominating Christmas décor, the

tide is turning.

Homes are getting their sparkle back as the

new (or rather, old) trend for 2025 seems to be a

retro revival.

From tinsel-draped trees and colourful

Christmas lights to hand-knitted stockings and

plaid everywhere, people are rediscovering the

joy of maximalist, memory-filled décor.

The clean, Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic

of snow-flocked trees, white ornaments and

monochrome ribbons that once ruled Pinterest

boards and Instagram is giving way to a warmer,

more sentimental approach that celebrates

imperfection, colour, and childhood nostalgia.

How to Bring the Retro Christmas

Look Home

Start With the Tree

Swap the sleek, neutral ornaments for a mix

of vintage-inspired baubles with patterns and

mismatched colours. Don’t shy away from tinsel

or garland; their shimmer adds a touch of whimsy

that’s impossible to replicate with minimalist

décor.

Layer Colour and Pattern

Retro Christmas is about bold reds, greens,

golds, and blues, and even a splash of pink or

orange if you’re feeling brave. Mix plaids with

polka dots, and metallics with matte finishes.

The key is a sense of joyful abundance, not strict

coordination.

Why We’re Craving Christmas

Past

In uncertain times, nostalgia offers comfort.

Many homeowners are reaching into their attics

- or their parents’ - to unearth the ornaments that

defined their childhood Christmases.

There’s something deeply reassuring about the

familiar gleam of old-school multicolour lights or

the kitschy charm of a ceramic Santa.

This ‘retro revival’ isn’t about perfectly

replicating the past. It’s a reminder that the

holidays are about connection, not curation. Your

home doesn’t have to look like a showroom, it

should feel like a memory you want to step back

into.

Adorn your mantel with ceramic reindeer or angel

figurines, use velvet ribbons on wreaths, and

wrap gifts in kraft paper with bright yarn bows.

Create a Festive Soundtrack

No retro Christmas is complete without the

soundtrack. Play Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole,

or The Ronettes while you decorate, because

nothing sets the mood like “Rockin’ Around the

Christmas Tree.”

Light It Up (The Old-Fashioned

Way)

Trade cool white LEDs for warm-toned or multicoloured

bulbs. If you’re worried about energy

efficiency, there are now LED options that mimic

the look of vintage lights.

Incorporate Family Heirlooms

Retro decorating is as much about

sentimentality as style. Display old photos, hang

handmade ornaments from your childhood, or

repurpose your grandmother’s cookie tins as

candle holders or centrepiece bases.


Think Beyond the Tree

Extend the vintage vibe through your home.

HOME & GARDEN

Find your style,

love your space

This season, transform your home into a haven

of style and warmth with help from Shackletons

Gallery, Sheffield’s newest interior destination.

Located at Fox Valley in

Stocksbridge, step inside this

independent gem to discover pieces

you’ll love coming home to.

Shackletons Gallery is a

brand-new concept store exclusively

showcasing a curated collection of

furniture, home décor and gifts by

Gallery Designs, one of the UK’s

most loved and respected home

living brands.

Whether you’re refreshing your

living room, updating the bedroom

or creating the perfect space to

host festive family dinners, you’ll

find something special at

Shackletons Gallery.

The two-storey showroom is a

space that feels like home – warm,

welcoming and full of inspiration.

The displays have been thoughtfully

designed so you can compare

finishes, check scale and mix

materials with confidence, with expert

styling ideas you can take home.

Every piece from Gallery Designs

has been handpicked by the

Shackletons team to bring elegance,

comfort and charm to your home –

from statement seating to sculptural

lighting and heirloom-worthy décor.

On the ground floor you’ll find

plush sofas and armchairs, a mix of

modern and timeless dining table

sets, and occasional furniture such

as sideboards and coffee tables.

Head up to the upper floor to

discover their bedroom collection

featuring hotel-worthy beds,

mattresses, wardrobes and

bedside units.

Alongside furniture, you’ll find

a wide range of home décor and

gift ideas from textured throws and

soft cushions to elegant vases and

eye-catching wall art.

With Christmas on the horizon,

there is also a range of warm winter

scents, seasonal cushions, and

timeless tableware ready to dazzle

your Christmas table.

Take a break from the festive

hustle with a stop at the in-store

Gallery Coffee House serving barista

coffee, indulgent hot chocolates, and

seasonal treats baked fresh daily.

Whether you’re after a light lunch

while you soak up the inspiration

or want to treat you and a friend to

a prosecco afternoon tea, it’s the

perfect place to unwind or mull over

your latest home styling ideas.

Family-owned and proudly

independent, Shackletons has been

helping customers create beautiful

homes for over 25 years.

The award-winning home and

furniture retailer, which is run by

brothers David and Paul Shackleton,

has expanded in recent years to

now include their original store in the

Ribble Valley, an outlet at Redbrick

Mill in Batley, and the UK-first

concept store here in Sheffield.

At Fox Valley, they’ve collaborated

with Gallery Designs who have been

designing and manufacturing quality,

on-trend furniture and homewares for

more than five decades.

Their pieces are both functional

and eye-catching, with thoughtful

details, durable construction and

a breadth of styles to suit

apartments, period homes and

everything in between.

They use only the finest materials

such as solid oak, mango wood,

marble, and premium fabrics to

ensure their furniture is built to last.

The Shackletons team knows

the Gallery collection inside out and

are always happy to help – whether

you need style advice, furniture

measurements or a second opinion.

So whether you’re buying,

browsing or grabbing a bite to

eat, feel right at home at

Shackletons Gallery.


MEET YOUR NEW FAVOURITE HOME STORE

A brand-new furniture and lifestyle concept store dedicated to

Gallery Designs, one of the UK’s most stylish home brands.

Explore beautifully styled living, dining and bedroom furniture, alongside elegant home

décor and thoughtful gifting – all carefully chosen to help you create a home you love.

Relax in our

ON-SITE CAFÉ

Serving toasted snacks, paninis,

jacket potatoes, quiche, soup and pizza

Plus an ever-changing range of

cakes and scones

All homemade fresh each day

Gallery Café’s Afternoon Tea

Selection of sandwiches, quiche,

cakes, macarons, and scone

with clotted cream and jam

£17.95 per person or £19.95 with prosecco

Bookings required 24 hours in advance

Fully licensed with a choice

of wines, prosecco and lagers

5-star hygiene rating

Selected lines delivered in time for Christmas | Gift vouchers available in store

ONE STORE. ENDLESS STYLE

Open 7 Days | Monday to Saturday 9am-5.30pm | Sunday 10am-4pm

Fox Valley Way, Stocksbridge, Sheffield S36 2AB

0114 303 7282 www.shackletonsgallery.co.uk

Late night

opening

for Christmas Light

Switch On

Friday 14th November

open until 7.30pm

Crafted by us.

Made for you.

From initial concepts to final touches, our

consistent yet personalised approach shines

through every project. We design, manufacture,

and install beautifully tailored kitchens,

bedrooms, bathrooms, and media walls.

All made in our own Rotherham workshop

and finished to your exact style.

Your home, your way.

Visit our showroom or book a free design appointment today!

01709 291050

www.idealhi.co.uk

Greasbrough Road, Rotherham S60 1RJ

Kitchens | Bedrooms | Bathrooms | Media Walls

HOME & GARDEN

Established 2006

We manufacture,

supply and install

a wide selection of

blinds made in

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•Roman•Wood•Aluminium Venetian Blinds

•Perfect Fit Blinds•Velux Blinds

FREE Quotation FREE fitting 12 Month Guarantee

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THE KITCHEN COMPANY

FROM DESIGN TO COMPLETION

• WE WILL BEAT ANY GENUINE QUOTE

• DOORS & WORKTOPS

UP TO 40% LESS THAN A NEW FITTED KITCHEN

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Park Road, Worsbrough Bridge,

Barnsley, S70 5LJ

SHOWROOM OPENING TIMES:

Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

Tel: 01226 297949

www.kitchencompanyltd.com

like us on

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thekitchencompanyltd


Manufacturers and installers of high quality

Windows, Doors, Conservatories and Orangeries

Established family run company trading for over 30 years

• Energy efficient windows and doors to A+ rating • BSI registered company

• 10 year insurance backed guarantee

• We provide plastering and electrics on all orangery installations • Fully qualified workmen

Visit Our Showroom Open 7 Days A Week

No appointment required Virtual showroom tour available on the website

Unit 13, Aldham Industrial Estate, Mitchell Road, Wombwell, Barnsley S73 8HA

Tel: 01226 341 234 Email: info@jssinstallations.co.uk

www.jssinstallations.co.uk

Approved

Installer

003

HOME & GARDEN

Visit our showroom

for inspiration

New range of PVC and

solid board waterproof panels

• Smooth, textured and tile effect

• No grouting or mould • Quick to install

Proud to be awarded Certificate of Distinction

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See our 100 reviews all 5

• Firestone rubber roofing suitable for all

flat roofs life expectancy up to 50 years

• Facias • Soffits • Guttering

• 34 Years Experience

• Complete replacement roofs with

building certificate and 10-year insurance

backed guarantee

Re-roof and

flat roof specialist

Over 160 genuine 5* reviews on Google and Which? Trusted Traders

For a free quotation call Craig on

01226 725632 or mobile 07775 956385

www.craigbridgesroofing.co.uk

Bathroom and en-suite renovation

“Wow! what a fantastic job from start to finish.

Mike gave us options and valuable advice on both our

rooms to be renovated but was never pushy. He helped

us choose all our furniture, fittings, walling and flooring

and understood our vision working with us to make our

new bathroom and en-suite become reality.

Ben and Frankie arrived promptly each day and

were professional, friendly, approachable, extremely

knowledgeable and took extreme care around our

home. They kept us informed of each step along the

way always leaving no mess. Completed the job

to a high standard within the time scales given”

DESIGN | SUPPLY | INSTALLATION

A family-run,

independent business

Unit 8 Parkgate Complex,

Rawmarsh Road,

Rotherham S60 1RZ

Tel. 01709 363700

www.soakbathroomsrotherham.co.uk


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

£24.95 for two

(Must be pre-booked)

Available for private parties,

birthdays, baby showers etc

Festive

Afternoon Tea

Available from 1st December

A selection of festive sandwiches,

seasonal treats and a hot drink

Three tier

2 for £29.95

(Must be pre-booked)

A perfect festive get together,

private parties, birthdays

and baby showers

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

HOME & GARDEN

HAIGHS CARPETS

A family business Est.1945 built on reputation

PROVIDING QUALITY FLOOR COVERINGS

FOR ALL BUDGETS

Carpets & Vinyls

Specialists in

4mtr & 5mtr

Luxury British

wool carpets by

• FREE FITTING when purchasing underlay (from £6.50sq.mtr)

• Large range of ROLL END STOCK

• FREE ESTIMATING SERVICE • Uplift & disposal service

Unit 13, Carwood Road, Grange Lane Industrial Estate,

Stairfoot, Barnsley S71 5AS • Free Parking

Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 4pm & Sun 10.30am - 4pm

Tel 01226 296498 Email haighscarpets@outlook.com

www.haighscarpets.com

See our excellent customer reviews on Google

Moo’s LAUNDRY SERVICES

A helping hand so you can enjoy a little me time!

We do ALL your washing,

drying and ironing

Collection and delivery FREE within 2-mile radius

• Quick turnaround available on request

• Dry cleaning service for suits and

other delicate clothing

• No job too big

• All work carried out is fully insured

Moo’s CLEANING

Domestic & Commercial Cleaning Services

Reliable, professional

and thorough

• All types of cleaning undertaken including deep cleans

• Weekly, fortnightly and monthly cleans

• Carpets, upholstery and ovens also cleaned

•We pride ourselves on a quality

service at the best price

• 100% recommended, see our Facebook reviews

• We cover all areas of Rotherham and Sheffield

Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm • Tel 07931 982336

4 Manvers Road, Swallownest, Sheffield S26 4UD

Call us or message us on Facebook for a quote

FLAT ROOFING SPECIALIST

Bringing you the best in

flat roofing technology

Our commitment to excellence

ensures that your flat roof not only

looks impeccable but also performs

exceptionally well

• GARAGES

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Genuine discounts for

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For a FREE no obligation survey: 01226 446748

www.endonroofing.com


Give the planet a

gift this Christmas

Say goodbye to rising electricity costs

and hello to a greener future powered

by clean, renewable energy.

• Solar PV Panels with bespoke design

to suit your property type and budget

• Battery storage units to reserve energy for a later time

• For domestic, commercial and industrial uses

Why choose solar?

• Environmentally friendly

• No greenhouse gases or CO2 emissions

• Save money on energy bills

• Low maintenance with one

professional check per year

• Lifespan of up to 50 years

We also install EV charging points

for homes and businesses

Supplier of the Tesla Powerwall

A compact and customisable home battery

to store your solar-generated energy for

use throughout the day and night.

For your peace of mind • Your reliable Rotherham-based company

• Renewable energy professionals with over 20 years’ experience • Genuine 5* reviews on Google

Team Renewables installed integrated solar panels in my roof quickly and smoothly.

The team were professional, friendly and flexible, working around my needs. I am very

impressed with how my solar panels look and glad I opted for the premium option.

They are modern, stylish and unintrusive. I have received many positive comments from

passers-by and have recommended Team Renewables to everyone who has commented.

Fully accredited by

Get in touch to discuss how we can help

you reduce your energy consumption:

0330 111 3099

info@teamrenewables.co.uk

www.teamrenewables.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN

ECO SOFAS

Don’t Buy New!

RE-UPHOLSTERY

is the answer!

SOFAS • CHAIRS • DINING CHAIRS

No job

too

small

PROFESSIONAL GARAGE

DOOR PAINTER Est 1981

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I Hand Paint all Garage Doors

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including galvanised

I can match your garage door

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Professional and prompt service

Call Chris on 07984 070 617

www.cmbakerltd.com

We

visit you

with our

fabric

samples

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

Waverley Green show home

open. Two and three-bedroom

homes close to Olive Lane

at Waverley.

Find out

more


HOME & GARDEN

Glad tidings

of compost and joy

With garden designer, Sally Cunis

The end of the year is

approaching with undue haste!

The long, dry summer has stretched out for

such an extended period that a fall in temperature,

rain (albeit most welcome) and gales have come

as a bit of a shock.

Berries and crab apples in bright hues glow on

trees and hedgerows, autumn leaves of scarlet

and orange on shrubs, climbers and trees have

set gardens on fire until the winds have whipped

them away to create vast puddles of colour on the

ground.

Autumn bulbs such as Cyclamen hederifolium

nestle under the beech trees whilst the lovely

slender petals of Nerine hug the shelter of an old

wall.

Bulbs planted this autumn, along with those

already in the garden, will be waiting patiently, as

will we, to emerge in all their glory next spring

Now is a good time to

tidy up the garden:

• Tie in climbers to prevent

wind damage

• Bag up fallen leaves to make leaf

mould adding a little mown grass and

piercing bags to allow for aeration

• Clean garden tools. Put spades

& forks in a bucket of sand to keep

blades/tines sharp

• Empty, clean and stack used flower

pots for next year

• Bring tender plants such as

Pelargoniums indoors

• Protect plants which can’t be moved

with fleece, lifting pots onto “frogs”

• Place a ball in small ponds to

prevent freezing

• Clean bird baths and bird feeders

and replenish

Handmade wreath

Carry on collecting seeds from both the

vegetable and ornamental garden, place in

brown paper bags, label and store in a dry place.

If possible, leave seedheads in the ornamental

garden; not only do they look decorative

especially with the frost on them but any seeds

not completed or scattered by the wind will be

appreciated by the finches and the seedheads

make cosy winter homes for bugs and ladybirds.

We do, however, cut the wildflower meadow,

allowing the seeds to fall back onto the land for

next year. The cuttings are removed and put on

the compost heap so that the meadow is not over

enriched.

Door step planter

Every year I enjoy making Christmas wreaths

with friends. It is a sociable activity and makes use

of foraged material such as evergreen foliage from

the garden, larch and fir cones from woodland

walks, dried oranges and a bit of creativity!

Wreaths can be made on a traditional wire base

purchased from your local garden centre onto

which a good base of florists’ moss is tied before

foliage is added. Alternatively, try making a base

from a circle of homegrown or foraged hazel,

willow or similar before adding the foliage. Fresh

berries look beautiful but they can wither so need

to be added, along with fresh flowers if desired,

nearer to the festive season.

If the weather is still warm, get on top of the

weeding and top dress beds with homemade

garden compost.

Birdbath

Hardy Cyclamen hederifolium

Bulbs in a terracotta pot


HOME & GARDEN

A sketch of seed heads

This year I have conditioned

some beech leaves in a solution

of two parts water to one part

Glycerine. This makes them flexible

and, hopefully, prevents the leaves

falling off. They can then be added

to the wreaths. Any spare snippets

of foliage will be used for table

Trug of gardening gifts

Allium seed head

decorations in little bottles or in a

centrepiece for the Christmas table.

Gardeners are always easy people

to buy for. There are always beautiful

new gardening books on the market,

practical tips books or coffee table

books. Good gardening gloves or

new secateurs are always popular

and you can never go wrong with

plants.

Choose a little doorstep planter of

spring bulbs and cyclamen, a rose

for the garden, a sweetly scented

bowl of hyacinth or Paper white

daffodils.

“I’m (already) dreaming of a

White Christmas”, extra special for

us as our family, some of whom

were abroad last year, will be back

together.

O’CONNIFERS

TREE SERVICES

All aspects

of tree work

undertaken

• TREE FELLING

• REMOVAL

• STUMP GRINDING

• TREE REDUCTION

• STORM DAMAGE

• HEDGE CUTTING

• CONNIFERS TOPPED

AND TRIMMED

Real

Xmas Trees

Homeflair Parkgate

and Thorpe Farm Shop

High Green

Every day

from 27th Nov

Trained in City & Guilds NPTC Level 3

in Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue

and also Aerial Cutting of Trees

with a Chainsaw

• Fully insured

• Everything we produce is 100% Recycled

Call Mick on 01709 559100

or 07957 196054

Find us on Facebook

Valeside

Tree Care

• Tree removal

• Crown reductions-lifting-thinning

• Deadwood removal

• Stump grinding

• Hedge cutting

• Garden maintenance

• Log sales

Free

Quotes

• WINTER SALE 10% OFF • WINTER SALE 10% OFF •

YORKSHIRE GARDEN

ANTIQUES LTD

City + Guilds qualified

Fully insured

No job too big or small

We are based in Ravenfield covering

all areas of South Yorkshire

OFFICE:

01709 533697

GED:

07775 644 983

JOE:

07717 530 590

EMAIL: enquiries@valesidetreecare.co.uk

www.valesidetreecare.co.uk

Rear of Cannon Hall Garden Centre

Bark House Lane, Cawthorne, Barnsley S75 4AT

Open Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun 10am-2pm

(closed Tues and Weds)

Contact Lee. 07984 774448

www.yorkshiregardenantiques.co.uk


FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

Festive

bakes

Tired of trifle? Why not try one of these Christmas themed

bakes to add some festive spirit to your celebrations.

Yule Log

Ingredients - Serves 10

For the Sponge

6 eggs, separated

150g caster sugar

50g cocoa powder

For the Filling

150ml double cream

2 tbsp icing sugar

2 tsp vanilla bean paste

For the Topping

125g unsalted butter

230g icing sugar

20g cocoa powder

50g dark chocolate

Icing sugar for dusting

Redcurrants or cranberries and holly

to decorate

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/160

fan and line a 32cm x 23cm swiss roll

tin with baking paper.

2. For the sponge, beat the eggs

whites to stiff peaks then whisk in 2

tbsp of caster sugar.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the

egg yolks until fluffy then sift in the

cocoa powder. Add a third of the

whipped egg whites till combined

then carefully fold in the remaining

egg whites. Pour the mixture into the

tin and bake.

4. Lightly dust a large sheet of

baking paper with icing sugar, then

turn out the sponge onto it, cover

with a clean tea towel and leave to

cool fully.

5. To make the filling, whisk

together the cream, sugar and

vanilla bean paste until thickened but

spreadable.

6. For the topping, beat the butter

until smooth then whisk in the icing

sugar and cocoa. Melt the chocolate,

cool slightly, then add to the

buttercream until smooth.

7. Spread the vanilla cream over

the sponge, leaving a 2cm border,

and roll into a tight log, using the

baking paper to help. Transfer to

a serving platter then cut a quarter

off and assemble to look like a tree

stump.

8. Smooth the buttercream over

the roulade using a palette knife, then

use a fork to create lines for a woodgrain

effect. Dust with icing sugar

and decorate. Keeps in the fridge for

up to three days.

Festive teas

Throughout December, 12pm – 3pm

Christmas

AT THE METRODOME

Kids Festive Breakfast

Every Saturday in December, 9am – 12pm

Christmas Party Events

Throughout December, 7pm – 11:30pm

Family New Year’s Eve

Wednesday 31 st December, 12pm – 6pm

New Year’s Eve Party

Wednesday 31 st December, 7pm – 1am

Visit: barnsleymetrodome.com/christmas

Email: bookings@bpl.org.uk Call: 01226 730060

SECURE

YOUR

TICKETS

NOW



Snowman

Cupcakes

Ingredients - Makes 12

250g unsalted butter, softened

250g caster sugar

4 eggs

250g self-raising flour

½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

12 tsp white chocolate spread

To decorate

340 g unsalted butter, softened

650 g icing sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp milk

12 marshmallows

Black icing pen

Funfetti sprinkles or sugar pearls to

decorate

Orange fondant or candied peel

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 160°C/140 fan

and line a cupcake/muffin tray with

12 cupcake liners.

2. In a bowl, beat the butter and

sugar together until light and fluffy.

3. Add the eggs, one at a time,

beating well after each addition. Then

sift in the flour, baking powder and

a pinch of salt. Fold through with a

large spoon until just combined, then

stir through the vanilla extract.

4. Divide half the mixture evenly

between the paper cases, add a

tsp of white chocolate spread to the

centre of each and cover with the

remaining cupcake mixture.

5. Bake for 16-18 mins until

golden. Allow to cool inside the tin for

5 mins, then transfer to a wire rack

to cool.

6. To make the buttercream, whip

the softened butter for 2 minutes until

it’s light and creamy. Mix in the icing

sugar gradually, then increase the

speed and whip for a further minute.

Add vanilla extract and milk and mix

again until combined.

7. Add a rounded dollop of

icing to each cupcake, and put a

marshmallow on top, slightly to one

side.

8. Draw faces and arms using the

black icing and make buttons with

the sprinkles. Use orange fondant to

sculpt a nose for each snowman or

cut a triangle of candied peel.

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Gavin and Kieran would like to extend a warm welcome

Homecooked food served Mon-Sat 12-9pm Sun 12-6pm

Exciting New Menu

Daily specials, grills and

homemade pie of the day

Light bite mains only £10, includes

beef chilli and rice, 4oz rump and scampi

Monday 4pm-9pm

Pie and a pint or soft drink £16

Sunday Roast with unlimited roast potatoes,

veg, Yorkshire pudding and gravy

Festive Menu 1st – 23rd December

3 courses plus a hot drink £35pp

Complimentary glass of fizz. Bookings only

New Years Eve £45pp

includes unlimited tapas from 7.30-9.30pm.

A saxophonist followed by a DJ. Complimentary glass of fizz at midnight

Hand pulled ales and cocktail menu

Coming Soon

A new outdoor 50-seater covered terrace

with heaters where you can enjoy

a drink or a bite to eat

Dogs welcome in the bar area

Scholes village, Rotherham S61 2RQ

Tel 0114 246 8085

*based on two people

sharing in a standard room

CHRISTMAS AT

FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA

1st to 23rd December 12 noon until 4pm

£22.00 per person or £28.00 per person with a glass

of prosecco or mulled wine

FESTIVE PARTY NIGHTS

Friday 5th & 12th December, Saturday 29th November

& Saturday 6th, 13th & 20th December

3 course meal followed by resident DJ

£43.00 per person or £180.00 for ticket plus overnight stay

& breakfast for two

BRASS BAND & FESTIVE CARVERY

Tuesday 2nd December

Carvery served 5pm until 6.30pm

Band performance starts at 7.30pm

Adult £28.00 child £16.00

BEAUTY & THE BEAST PANTO & CARVERY

Sunday 7th December 11am panto showing

A perfect treat for all the family to really get you in the festive spirit

Ticket only adults £16.00 or child £11.00

After the panto, enjoy a 2-course carvery

Ticket & carvery adults £33.00 child £20.00

CHOIR & CARVERY

Tuesday 9th December

2 course carvery served 5pm until 6.30pm

Bolsterstone Male Voice Choir 7.30pm

Adult £28.00 child £16.00

MASQUERADE BALL

Friday 19th December

Dress to impress and enjoy a glass of prosecco on arrival

3 course meal followed by DJ and disco.

£48.00 per person or £190.00 for ticket plus overnight stay

and full English breakfast for two

GRINCH'S FESTIVE CARVERY

Sunday 21st December tables from 12noon until 2pm

2-course carvery lunch and a special visit from the

grumpy Grinch. Will he spread some Christmas cheer

and surprise you all with a treat?

Adults £26.00 & Under 12’s £18.00 includes a present for each child

CHRISTMAS DAY AT WORTLEY HALL

Thursday 25th December

Pre-lunch drinks & canapés from 12.30pm

Traditional 4 course lunch at 1pm

Adults £155.00 Under 12s £55.00, Under 3s £15.00

For all enquiries & bookings, please contact:

Tel: 0114 2882100

Email: info@wortleyhall.org.uk

Wortley, Sheffield,

South Yorkshire S35 7DB

www.wortleyhall.org.uk



Dining with a

difference

at The Wharncliffe

As autumn turns to

winter and festive lights

begin to twinkle, The

Wharncliffe invites you

to enjoy a unique dining

experience that blends

professional quality

food with upskilling

tomorrow’s hospitality

stars.

The Wharncliffe is Rotherham

College’s training restaurant that

opens to the public three lunchtimes

and two evenings a week. It is run

by catering and hospitality students

under the guidance of experienced

lecturers and a dedicated restaurant

manager.

Each visit supports students on

their career journey, giving them

hands-on experience in a live,

professional setting, while diners

enjoy delicious, high-quality meals at

excellent value.

“Our restaurant is more than

just a place to eat, it’s a training

ground where students bring

their skills to life,” says restaurant

manager, John Deehan. “Guests

enjoy a professional experience,

while helping our students gain

confidence and industry-standard

practice.”

This November and December,

guests can enjoy innovative

seasonal menus celebrating local

produce, hearty autumnal favourites,

and festive flavours - all while

challenging students’ culinary skills.

Everything is made from scratch,

from rich stocks and sauces to

handmade pasta and patisserie.

Their lunchtime and evening

menus for November feature pleaseall

plates at excellent value for

money considering the exceptional

quality of food being served.

A three-course lunch will cost you

less than £15 and you could savour

dishes like pulled pork bon bons

with hot honey drizzle, pear purée

and crispy sage to start, followed

by chicken and leek pie with root

vegetable mash, sautéed kale and

Madeira cream sauce.

In the evening, the menu

becomes more refined. There are

dishes like pan fried pigeon breast

with pickled blackberries, garlic

toasted sourdough and a port

reduction, followed by herb crusted

cod with crushed new potatoes,

samphire, and a roasted tomato

and chorizo sauce. Again, you’ll be

blown away with the prices, with

three courses of this standard for

£22.50.

Throughout December, before

the college closes for the festive

break, The Wharncliffe will be

running its popular Christmas menu

– but you will need to be quick to

book as tables are filling faster than

Santa’s sack!

For groups and parties, the

Christmas evening menu is a perfect

choice, full of traditional dishes,

festive treats, and a warm seasonal

atmosphere, with four courses for

less than £30 a head.

As well as festive turkey with

all the trimmings, the Christmas

evening menu’s mains include panseared

pork loin steak with a streaky

bacon and mustard glaze, pan fried

salmon with Hollandaise sauce, or

roast butternut squash and tomato

cobbler with a Gruyére cheese

scone.

For those looking for something

different, themed evenings each

month bring global cuisines and

innovative pairings to the table.

These events, where guests enjoy a

five-course tasting menu, showcase

student creativity and are always

popular with returning guests.

The restaurant also offers pretheatre

dining, making it an ideal

stop before catching selected

shows at Rotherham Civic Theatre.

Designed for convenience without

compromising on flavour, these twocourse

menus served Wednesday

and Thursday evenings provide a

complete dining experience in time

for curtain up.

The Wharncliffe is fully licensed,

with a bar offering draught beers

such as Birra Moretti, Neck Oil, and

John Smith’s, as well as wines from

Le Bon Vin. Barista-made coffees

are available to round off your meal.

With space to seat up to 75

guests, the venue can be booked for

private events or large parties. John

and his team can design bespoke

menus to suit your group.

So, whether you’re booking

a Christmas party, planning a

theatre trip, or simply looking to

enjoy a delicious seasonal meal,

The Wharncliffe promises a dining

experience that is fresh, festive, and

unforgettable.

Behind every plate is a student

honing real-world skills. The

Wharncliffe is not just a restaurant -

it’s a classroom. Around 80 students

rotate through kitchen and front-ofhouse

roles as part of their course,

gaining valuable experience that

prepares them for employment.

The commercial aspect supports

the curriculum that is designed to

reflect the catering and hospitality

industry. All equipment is industry

standard, such as rationale

ovens, sous vide water baths, and

commercial grills so students don’t

feel like a fish out of water when they

move into paid employment.

Catering students learn about

everything from food safety and



hygiene to butchery and poultry

preparation. While the hospitality

cohort are taught about things like

cellar management, serving wines,

making barista coffees, menu

design and taking payments.

The curriculum is supported by

local companies such as Le Bon

Vin wines at Sheffield and Heavenly

Coffee at Dinnington who offer site

visits and masterclasses.

Students can progress from

level 1 right through to the level

3 professional chefs’ diploma

or hospitality supervision and

leadership, taking on more senior

responsibilities in the kitchen or

restaurant.

Transferrable skills are also a

big part of the course, such as

appearance, behaviour, teamwork

and communication.

They are also encouraged to

show off their skills at the World

Skills UK competitions. Last

academic year, two students

competed with one winning a silver

medal in the catering category.

To make a reservation or view

this season’s menus, visit

the website https://services.

rnngroup.co.uk/the-wharncliffe/

or call the restaurant direct on

01709 722767

Open Event

If you or someone you know

is interested in studying

catering or hospitality,

you can find out more about

the courses available at

the upcoming Rotherham

College open event on

Saturday 15th November.

Rotherham College’s training restaurant

Run by our talented catering and hospitality students,

supported by expert lecturers, every visit helps train the next

generation of chefs and front-of-house professionals.

Autumn Menu

Served throughout November

Lunch menu Wednesday to Friday, seating 12pm-12.45pm

Starters and desserts £4.50 | Main courses £6.95

Or 3 courses for £14.50

Evening menu Wednesday and Thursday, seating 5.30pm-6.30pm

Starters and desserts £6.50 | Main courses £11.95

Or 3 courses for £22.50

Christmas Dinner Menu

Celebrate the festive season with

family, friends or colleagues

Wednesday and Thursday evenings

from 3rd to 18th December, seating 6.30pm-7pm

Restaurant closes 9pm

4 courses £29.50

Limited availability on festive lunches

Monthly Themed Events

All events are from 6pm

5 course tasting menu from £35

November British Game and Fish

Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th

January Burns Night

Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd

February Taste of Germany

Thursday 12th

March Taste of South Asia


April Taste of France


Pre-Theatre Dining

Enjoy a great-value two course menu with hot drink

before selected shows at Rotherham Civic

from £17 per person

Gift Vouchers available

Open during term time only

For reservations,

please call 01709 722767

Conveniently located in Rotherham town centre,

just minutes from the Civic Theatre and bus station.

Percy Street, Rotherham, S65 1ED

Find

our full

menus

online



A festive introduction to

Maison Brotte

With James Ward of the Grape Kitchen

You may get sick of me

writing about all the

beautiful places I get to

go to. If that’s the case,

I do apologise.

Alternatively, you may find it

interesting and be inspired to try

some wine tourism. If that’s the

case, you’re welcome.

In October, I was lucky enough

to be invited on a trip to visit Maison

Brotte, a family-owned winery in

France’s famous Chateauneuf-du-

Pape in the Rhone Valley.

This amazing winery was founded

in 1931 and is now run by fifth

generation of Brotte winemakers,

brothers Thibault and Benoit.

What/Where is the

Rhone Valley?

The Rhone Valley is a wine region

in Southern France which gets its

name from the Rhone River that

runs through the region.

To get there, you fly into

Marseille and then either take an

hour’s drive to Avignon or get a

30-minute express train. Then you’re

surrounded by wonderful producing

villages and glorious vistas.

Brotte’s Vineyards

Brotte has three estates in the

southern part of the Rhone Valley,

in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cairanne,

and Laudun.

They grow Grenache, Syrah and

Mourvèdre vines which make a

stunning range of full-bodied yet

fresh white wines, silky and smooth

red wines, and the juiciest Tavel

Rosé I have ever tasted.

The climate gets really hot and

humid, but the vines benefit from

the Mistral wind which helps to keep

them dry and avoid diseases like



favourite wines from Maison Brotte

in them.

mildew. The famous Chateauneufdu-Pape

vines are also protected

by rolled pebbles which absorb

sunlight and heat and reflect it back

onto the vines at night, helping them

ripen properly.

Last September, their Chateau

de Bord estate in Laudun, which

dates back to the Roman period

and overlooks a medieval castle,

was promoted to cru level from

the Cotes du Rhone Villages

Appellation. This means the

vineyard is the highest tier in the

French appellation system.

Brotte for Christmas

We’ve just released our popular

festive boxes. Not only are they the

best price they’ve ever been, but

we’ve also included a couple of our

Uncork the

magic of

the season

Celebrate in style with our

curated festive wine cases, perfect for

gifting or sharing around the table

Luxury Festive Triple Pack

£45 with white wine or £50 with red

Luxury Festive Box

6 specially selected bottles for £90

Dinner Party Pack

6 bottles of white, red or

mixed wines for £65

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 £22.50 when placed before 2pm

32 Seater Fully

Licensed Family

Owned Restaurant

Just to give you a taste,

the Luxury Festive Box

includes:

• Maison Brotte ‘Esprit’ Cotes du

Rhone Blanc. RRP: £13.99

• Maison Brotte ‘Bouvencourt’

Vacqueyras. RRP: £19.99

• Louis de Grenelle Crement de

Loire. RRP: £16.99

• Favaios Muros Tawny Port. RRP:

£18.99

• Officina del Sole ‘Leie’ Passerina-

Sauvignon. RRP: £12.99

• Passi Neri Syrah. RRP: £12.99

This box won’t disappoint. It ticks

all the boxes, from Port to sparkling,

to full bodied reds, to crisp and

elegant whites. Better yet - bought

separately these six bottles would

set you back £95.94 but as part of

our festive box they are yours for

£90.

Order this and our other wine

cases online at www.grapekitchen.

co.uk with free delivery across South

Yorkshire on orders over £22.50.

Wishing you all a very Merry

Christmas and thank you, as always,

for reading. It’s such a pleasure to

write these articles and share my

adventures with you.

Christmas Fayre Fri Nov 28th - Sun 28th Dec

2 course £20.95, 3 course £25.95

Christmas Afternoon Tea

Sat 29th Nov and Sat 6th Dec £19.50

Christmas Brunch

Sat 20th Dec £16.50

Boxing Day

2 course £20.95 3 course £25.95

New Year's Eve

3 courses £27.95

All menus can be viewed on our Facebook & Google pages

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

V ILLAGE PUB & KITC HEN

Enjoy a cosy drink by the fire

and dine in stylish surroundings

FOOD SERVED Wed-Sat 12-9pm & Sun 12-7pm

SUNDAY LUNCH

1 course £17.95, 2 course £23.95 & 3 course £28.95

2 for £12 COCKTAILS every Thursday and Friday 4-9pm

QUIZ NIGHT every Tuesday. Pizza and loaded fries are served!

Festive food and entertainment

FESTIVE FAYRE

2 Courses £29.95, 3 Courses £34.95

Available Wed-Sun 23rd November - 21st December

CHRISTMAS DAY

3 courses £95.95 per adult, £40.95 per child

BOXING DAY

Brunch and afternoon hog roast

Live music 3pm & 5.30pm til late

LIVE MUSIC every Friday in December

Tuesday 9th December from 6pm

PENISTONE WIND BAND

A lively evening, filled with festive cheer and delicious food


FESTIVE BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH

Drinks for 90 minutes

Brilliant female vocalist

11 am-12.30pm or 12.30pm-2pm £39.95pp

Thursday 18th December

TRADITIONAL CAROLS in the bar from 8pm

Saturday 20th December 9-11.30am

Enjoy a FESTIVE BREAKFAST for the whole family

All children meet Santa and receive a little gift

Children £16.95

Wednesday 24th December

Christmas Eve with THURLSTONE BRASS BAND

Get in the spirit and enjoy hog roast sandwiches

See our full menu and book a table online

www.fountainpub.co.uk

Open: Tues 5-11 pm, Weds & Thur 12-11pm,

Fri & Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12-10pm

WELLTHORNE LANE, INGBIRCHWORTH,

PENISTONE S36 7GJ | 0114 3570851

Dog friendly


CLASSIFIED

Karen’s Classifieds

Yorkshire Garage Doors

All types of Garage Doors

Supplied • Installed • Repaired

For a free quote call 07792 655543

or email yorkshiregaragedoors@gmail.com

Trading

20 years

in South Yorkshire

We can make your manual garage door into remote control

To advertise in our classifieds,

please call Karen on

01709 331020

or email

karen@aroundtownpublications.co.uk

Miran Plumbing & Heating

Plumbing and heating work

at an affordable price

Bathroom installations, boiler services, repairs and replacement

Fully qualified with 5

reviews

Covering all South Yorkshire

www.miranplumbingheating.co.uk

Contact me on 07708 327433

Est 1985

Local Timber Supplier

• New Sleepers | Scaffold Boards | Decking | Joists

• Fencing Supplied & Fitted

- Composite or Timber/Concrete

DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE

Tel: 01226 740369 Mob: 07706 358559

Email: sbeechtimbers@yahoo.co.uk

Web: www.sbeechtimbers.co.uk

MINI DIGGER TO HIRE

We provide mini digger with driver hire

Save time and money on your project

Landscaping, small demolition,

trenches, driveways etc

Fully insured, reliable and competitively priced

TEL 07866 779760

FULL RANGE OF PRODUCTS AVAILABLE

Quotation, Consultation

& Measuring Service

• MDF & Real Wood Shutters - Blind screen approved Partner & Installer

• Pleated blinds • Day & Night / Duplex Blinds • Roller blinds

• Wooden, PVC & Metal Venetian • Roman Blinds • Vertical • Velux blinds

Price match Guarantee on like for like products EVEN ON SALE PRICES!

Contact 01709 432133 / 07725 906466 or message us on WhatsApp

Visit website www.chicblindsandcurtains.co.uk

Let us help you

to love your loft

From a simple Loft Ladder

to a Complete Luxury Storage Room

Garden Services & Maintenance

Waste & Rubbish Disposal

Property Clearance

www.ellisgardenmaintenance.co.uk

07572 693 950

enquiries@ellisgardenmaintenance.co.uk

ENGLAND GARAGE DOORS

Quality is our priority

Main supplier of Hormann

Installation • Servicing • Repairs

5-star customer reviews

Family run business covering all areas

For a free quote call Lee:

07951 605034 / 01226 341747

www.englandgaragedoors.co.uk

ellislawncuttingservices

Loft Ladders in a range of styles and materials

• Hatches, Flooring, Lining, Lighting & Sockets

• Plaster boarded & Skimmed

• Velux Windows & much more

• All work is fully insured and guaranteed

High Quality Work & Fixed Prices

Tel: 07517 437302 or 0800 0855 322

fleet glazing

misted or cracked glass?

Don’t Replace The Frame When It’s

The Glass To Blame

• Single & Double glazing replaced

• General window repairs • Hinges & handles

• Upvc locks changed.

we offer free quotes and enquiries

call steve: 07850 276395

email: enquiries@fleetglazing.co.uk

website: www.fleetglazing.co.uk

WWW.LOVEYOURLOFT.CO.UK

OVER 15

YEARS

EXPERIENCE

Find us on:


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s

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man with a

cherry picker van

you name it,

we access it

For all your working at height needs, save money with

our cost effective access system only £50 an hour

Cleaning of conservatory roofs and gutters

Exterior painting • Tree cutting access

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Installation of CCTV cameras and electrical access

Visit our website to see what we do

Fully qualified, certified and insured Flexible working hours

Contact Julian: 07917 877688

www.manwithacherrypickervan.com

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• Inspiring editorial content that connects our readers

• Packed with local information, events and

articles of interest

We are incredibly grateful to

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“They took great care to ensure the exceptional

4-page feature on Penistone Line Partnership was both

engaging and informative. A well-balanced and

insightful article that truly captures the essence of

who we are and what we do.

This generous and entirely free editorial platform

gives us a rare and valuable opportunity to showcase

the positive impact of our work within local

communities and to inspire others to learn more

about us - or even give the train a try.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to

everyone at Around Town Magazine for your

professionalism, dedication, and the evident care

that you put into producing this article.”

Sarah Wells Penistone Line Partnership

J.Parkinson

and

Cost effective access

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system for only

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Exterior painting services - we can even

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Cleaning services - conservatory roofs

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Chimney repairs, maintenance and

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T: 01709 382576

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1a Rosemary Road, Wickersley

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T: 01709 543997

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The gift of brilliance

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01709 931293 | 108 MAIN ST, BRAMLEY, ROTHERHAM S66 2SE

Aroundtown Magazine Nov/Dec 2025 edition

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