Voice of the Burngreave Community Issue 106 June 2013 Free to everyone in Burngreave www.burngreavemessenger.org Story: Lisa Swift Sorby House will be filled with Council services by March 2014, including Burngreave Library, the Housing Office, Community Youth Teams and the Multi-Agency Support Team (MAST). Current tenants are being asked to move their offices onto one floor to make room for the Council, who will take up the remaining three floors. Reception will be changed to have more of a ‘Council feel’. 20 local community groups and small businesses currently use Sorby House, ranging from children and young people’s projects to employment support and accountants. Many are disappointed with the announcement and are angry that the Council has not consulted them. Tammy Piercey from Burngreave Works said, “The first we heard was when we read it in the Star. The Council should have consulted us as it will affect the running of all our organisations.” Nkululeko Sibanda from Ellesmere Youth Project explained, “They are calling it a ‘Community Hub’, but it won’t be that. We are very concerned about what it will mean to have all these services together. We have built up trust with young people and this could be affected if the building is seen as part of the Council.” Concern has also been expressed about the cost of the building, while cuts continue to affect local organisations severely. The Council said the building generates about £170,000 income but still costs the Council £360,000 per year. Councillor Bryan Lodge, Cabinet member for Finance and Resources, told the Messenger, “We need to reduce the number of buildings the Council runs. Moving services into Sorby House will ensure it is more sustainable and bring services together. We will be able to dispose of the Housing Office and the Library for rent or a capital receipt and allow regeneration.” Work on Sorby will begin in June, with most services moving in from March 2014. Library to move The Library move will cost £40,000, but no savings will be made in running costs and the space will be smaller. The Messenger asked Library users what they thought of the plans: “I don't like the area around Sorby House. I don't like the road; it’s very busy. It’s not safe for kids and I don't like the atmosphere.” Mrs Khan “I've never been in there, but I want the library to be massive.” Mrs Khan's daughter, Hafsa. “It's already in the right place. It's accessible from the houses behind the library and there is no traffic.” Abdi Abe “The Library gives young people a place to chill out. I've been using it all my life. It’s always been here. There are loads of men hanging about on Spital Hill. Here it’s closer to the houses.” Sofia Deria “A lot of what happens at the library is for children. At Sorby it’s more for adults. It’s not safe; there are cars parked both sides and it’s a busy bus route. We need more computers. If there's no more room, there's no point.” Mrs Hussain “I find it easier in here. I know where everything is. You'd be looking for things if it moved.” “If they move to Sorby House, it will take a long time to build the library back.” Mrs Hussain’s children “We are used to coming to this library. In my opinion it should stay. It’s not safe for children; there are many cars near Sorby House.” Fartum Nuuraani “It could be a positive thing if there are more computers, more books, plants and a cafe.” Lois Palframan What do you think? Contact us: 242 0564 [email protected]Council to fill Sorby House Festival photography by Liz Searle and Vivien Urwodhi
Transcript
Voice of the Burngreave Community
Issue 106 • June 2013 • Free to everyone in Burngreave www.burngreavemessenger.org
Story: Lisa Swift
Sorby House will be filled withCouncil services by March 2014,including Burngreave Library, theHousing Office, Community YouthTeams and the Multi-AgencySupport Team (MAST).
Current tenants are being asked to movetheir offices onto one floor to make roomfor the Council, who will take up theremaining three floors. Reception will bechanged to have more of a ‘Council feel’.
20 local community groups and smallbusinesses currently use Sorby House,ranging from children and young people’sprojects to employment support andaccountants. Many are disappointed withthe announcement and are angry that theCouncil has not consulted them.
Tammy Piercey from Burngreave Workssaid, “The first we heard was when weread it in the Star. The Council shouldhave consulted us as it will affect therunning of all our organisations.”
Nkululeko Sibanda from Ellesmere YouthProject explained, “They are calling it a‘Community Hub’, but it won’t be that.We are very concerned about what it willmean to have all these services together.We have built up trust with young peopleand this could be affected if the buildingis seen as part of the Council.”
Concern has also been expressed about
the cost of the building, while cutscontinue to affect local organisationsseverely. The Council said the buildinggenerates about £170,000 income butstill costs the Council £360,000 per year.
Councillor Bryan Lodge, Cabinet memberfor Finance and Resources, told theMessenger, “We need to reduce thenumber of buildings the Council runs.Moving services into Sorby House willensure it is more sustainable and bringservices together. We will be able todispose of the Housing Office and theLibrary for rent or a capital receipt andallow regeneration.”
Work on Sorby will begin in June, withmost services moving in from March 2014.
Library to moveThe Library move will cost £40,000, butno savings will be made in running costsand the space will be smaller. TheMessenger asked Library users what theythought of the plans:
“I don't like the area around SorbyHouse. I don't like the road; it’s verybusy. It’s not safe for kids and I don'tlike the atmosphere.” Mrs Khan
“I've never been in there, but I want thelibrary to be massive.” Mrs Khan'sdaughter, Hafsa.
“It's already in the right place. It'saccessible from the houses behind thelibrary and there is no traffic.” Abdi Abe
“The Library gives young people a placeto chill out. I've been using it all my life.It’s always been here. There are loads ofmen hanging about on Spital Hill. Hereit’s closer to the houses.” Sofia Deria
“A lot of what happens at the library isfor children. At Sorby it’s more foradults. It’s not safe; there are cars parkedboth sides and it’s a busy bus route. Weneed more computers. If there's no moreroom, there's no point.” Mrs Hussain
“I find it easier in here. I know whereeverything is. You'd be looking for thingsif it moved.” “If they move to SorbyHouse, it will take a long time to buildthe library back.” Mrs Hussain’s children
“We are used to coming to this library. Inmy opinion it should stay. It’s not safefor children; there are many cars nearSorby House.” Fartum Nuuraani
“It could be a positive thing if there aremore computers, more books, plants anda cafe.” Lois Palframan
The Burngreave Messenger is acommunity newspaper with editorialindependence, funded by the Big Lottery,the Tudor Trust, local residents and ouradvertisers. Registered Charity: 1130836
All content is copyright BurngreaveMessenger Ltd or its voluntarycontributors, not to be reproducedwithout permission.We aim to increaseand encourage communication inBurngreave. Each edition is put togetherby an editorial team who write articlesnot otherwise credited.
This issue’s team: Nicole Chalmers,Rohan Francis, Douglas Johnson,Jamie Marriott, John Mellor, Lisa SwiftProofing and editing: Fran Belbin,Richard Belbin,Annie Blindell,Gaynor Carr, Carrie Hedderwick,Saleema Imam, Liz Searle, Robert Shaw,Julia Shergold,Tim Neal, MuneebahWaheed.
Thank you to ourdistributors
The Messenger editorial team would liketo say a special thank you to our team ofdistributors who made sure you gotyour copy of the Messenger in February,despite having to brave the ice and snow.We could not produce the Messengerwithout their hard work and dedication.
Compassion in hard timesIn recent days, the country has beenthreatened with a rise in hatred andviolence in the wake of the Woolwichmurder.
Here in Burngreave, we know noteverything is perfect but we hope this isan area where at least we know theimportance of different communitiesliving side by side and getting on witheach other. Our biggest threat is the lossof compassion in a time of increasingpoverty and cuts. More than ever, it’simportant we all stick together.
Shooting on Rock StreetSouth Yorkshire Police report that a firearm was fired at a property onRock Street at around 11.15pm on Thursday 11th April.
A 34-year-old sustained gunshot wounds and underwent surgery in hospital. On Friday12th April, the police arrested six men in connection with the incident on suspicion ofattempted murder and they have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information should call101, quoting incident number 1242 of Thursday 11th April, or call Crimestoppersanonymously on 0800 555 111.
The police are also investigating an incident on Sunday 28th April when a man fromChesterfield was threatened with a knife by four men on Rock Street. They took his car, asilver Vauxhall Astra.
Road resurfacing
starts in JuneRepairs to the main streets inBurngreave will begin in June.
The schedule of road resurfacing is listedbelow. During these times, the wholeroad may be closed and traffic will bediverted. Most of the work will take placeat night, between 7pm and 6am, howeverroads will remain open during the day.
Letters to residents
For residents, there will be no on-streetparking and limited access to propertiesduring these hours. Residents willreceive individual letters about two weeksbefore the closure and temporary roadsigns will go up about 5 days before thework starts.
The work will include installing new LEDstreet lighting, drainage and new surfacesto pavements and roads.
Burngreave Road
Burngreave Road will be closed between24th and 31st July, with traffic divertedaround Scott Road and Ellesmere Road,which may cause significant delays.
The work schedule is heavily dependenton the weather and can be affected byunforeseen circumstances, so theschedule may change at short notice.Look out for temporary signs on theroads for updated information.
For a map of the works and furtherinfo can be found on the Council’swebsite:www.sheffield.gov.uk/roads or follow a link from the Messengerwebsite. Contact Streets Ahead on 273 4567
Resurfacing schedule
Owler Lane Tuesday 25 – Wednesday 26 June
Rushby Street & Owler LaneThursday 27 June – Wednesday 3 July
Carlisle Street EastThursday 4 July – Tuesday 9 July
Carlisle Street Wednesday 10 July – Thursday 11 July
Sutherland StreetFriday 12 July - Tuesday 16 July
Gower StreetWednesday 17 July – Sunday 21 July
Spital Hill Monday 22 July – Tuesday 23 July
Burngreave Road Wednesday 24 July –Wednesday 31 July
4 BURNGREAVE MESSENGER
Roma Slovak
teaching successStory & photos: Rohan Francis
A project which helps RomaSlovak children improve theirachievement at local primaryschools has taken on 5 traineeteaching assistants in order toexpand the service.
The project, which has been developedover the past 3 years by coordinatorZuzana Remperova and staff at OwlerBrook Primary School, placesmultilingual teaching assistants withchildren who have Roma or Slovakian astheir first language.
Specialist training
Recent recruits to the team at OwlerBrook started at the beginning of Marchthis year. They all received training inworking with children, safeguarding andspecialist language skills such as Phonics.
The training has allowed the team toassist teaching staff across a number oflocal schools, including Byron WoodSchool, Firshill School, GreenlandsJunior School in Darnall and MeynellPrimary School in Southey Green.
Local trainees
The Messenger spoke to the new teamabout their experience of working withthe children in local schools.
Frankie Dirda, aged 19, explained thatusing a combination of languages enableshim to help younger children who mayonly speak Roma or Slovakian at home.
This idea is shared by Nikola Lackova,aged 22 and Patrik Horvath, aged 19, whoboth speak Slovakian, Roma and English.They agreed that using familiar wordshelped children get a grasp of English.Patrik also explained that their languageskills helped children with maths, basicskills and science.
Simona Dirdova, aged 18, added thatchildren improve more quickly when theycan get an understanding of a subject intheir language. Simona, who also worksat Meynell Primary School, helps with theafter-school club and dance activities andwould like to become a teacher.
The team also helps with wider issues andhave become involved with assistingchildren’s families. Patrik explained,
“We help at parents’ evenings and homevisits. Parents sometimes need help withforms and letters from school.”
There are also opportunities for morecreative methods of teaching such asstory-telling, drawing, dance and music,which can help children with social skillsand to learn about health and fitness.
Zuzana’s team also includes MarioSandor, aged 24, who began working atthe school 2 years ago, and Marek Pacan,aged 19, who also works at FirshillPrimary. Mario speaks 6 languages andsays the team has helped boostachievement, improve language skills andattendance. He said:
“I can help children learn faster byhelping with the language. And we canmake children feel more comfortable inschool. We know a lot of people in thecommunity so we can talk to familiesabout what’s happening in school.”
Golden Zumba!
Marek was involved in advice work at thePakistan Advice and CommunityAssociation before becoming a teachingassistant last September and runs thehugely popular ‘Golden Zumba’ sessionlast thing on Fridays at Owler Brook. Heknows the value of the extra help heprovides to the children. He said,
“It’s really hard for some children, astheir parents don’t speak English athome. When I first arrived in the UK, Ididn’t have an assistant to help me withthe language. It was very hard for me butthe experience means I know exactlywhat children need in this situation.”
The benefits of the project are evident inthe vast improvement seen not just inRoma Slovak children’s academic workbut also in their increased attendance,behaviour and engagement with lessons.
Headteacher Sue Bridges told us, “Theproject has been greatly supported bySheffield Local Authority. Plans are beingproposed to develop the project withSheaf Training and other schools.”
The team has funding until August 2013and it is hoped the project will continuenext year. Zuzana told us why the projectwas so important:
“We put the effort into the projectbecause we wanted the Roma communityto get engaged in their education. SinceRoma workers arrived in the school,we’ve seen parents get more involved,from volunteering at lunch-time tohelping with playwork. Once one parentis involved, more will follow.”
The trainees get support from the team atOwler Brook as well as work experienceat other schools. Zuzana told us that mostof the new recruits had never workedbefore but their enthusiasm, connectionswith the local community and goodrelationships with young people, meanshe is convinced “they have a goodfuture”. Sue Bridges added:
“We are so pleased to have employedsuch positive role models. They aremaking a really positive contribution toour school.”
Top (left-right): Frankie, Nikola, Zuzana and Patrik.Above (left-right) Mario, Marek and Simona.
ISSUE 106 • JUNE 2013 5
Plans for Fir Vale PrimaryStory: Rohan Francis | Image: Bond Bryan Architects
Sheffield City Council have applied for planningpermission to build a two-storey primary schoolbuilding on land at Skinnerthorpe Road in Fir Vale.
The Council plans to build two new schools in the city to copewith a rise in numbers of children. The other school will occupythe former Watermead School site off Herries Road.
The school is designed to accommodate 420 pupils with 2 formsof 30 children per year group. The building design will allow forcommunity use of the library, multi-purpose hall and creativestudios outside of school hours. The existing access toSkinnerthorpe Road from Barnsley Road will be blocked off forvehicles and pedestrians. A new entrance to Skinnerthorpe Roadis planned, allowing pedestrians and vehicles to enter the sitefrom Owler Lane via Heathcote Street.
New nursery
A nursery for 26 children was added to the proposals during thedevelopment of the design. We asked the Council to comment onwhy they needed to make an amendment to the plans when thereare nursery places available at both Whiteways and Fir Vale Pre-School. Jayne Ludlam, the Council's Interim Executive Directorfor Children, Young People and Families told us:
“We want to ensure when building a new school that additionalcapacity for all children is incorporated into the design.”
The planning application 13/01483/FUL is on the Council's website:http://publicaccess.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/
The Council expects a decision on the plans by 30th July 2013,with remaining properties on Skinnerthorpe Road cleared andbuilding to begin in September. The school is expected to open inSeptember 2014.
School sponsor announced
Sheffield City Council have announced that Oasis CommunityLearning will run the new schools in Fir Vale and Shirecliffe.
Fir Vale Academy and Parkwood Academy applied to run theschools in their areas but neither was successful. Sevenorganisations expressed an interest in running the schools inJanuary. The Council made a recommendation to the Secretaryof State for Education, who then decided which one to accept.The Council said, “Oasis is a national organisation with a verystrong track record in improving outcomes for pupils, supportinglocal regeneration, and a commitment to working in partnership.”
Oasis Community Learning is part of the Oasis Trust, which is aChristian organisation with a turnover of £92 million. They run28 academy schools in England including in London, Bristol,Oldham and Scunthorpe, just under half are Christian schools.Oasis have taken on 14 primary schools in the last 9 months,adding to the 12 secondary and 2 primary schools it already runs.Most of its secondary schools have seen significant improvementsin their GCSE exam results in the last three years.
Councillor Jackie Drayton, Cabinet Member for Children, YoungPeople and Families said: “It is essential that all children haveaccess to a great school. I’m looking forward to working with theOasis Team to ensure they deliver this to the children andfamilies in our two new schools and that they develop strong linkswith the local communities they will serve.”
Pye Bank School
takes on Verdon Story: Lisa Swift
From June 1st Verdon RecreationCentre will be run by Pye BankSchool, following budget cutswhich resulted in Activity Sheffieldcutting all staff support at thecentre in April.
As part of the Council’s budget cutsVerdon Recreation Centre was to behanded over to the Council’s CommunityBuildings Team. Pye Bank School offeredto take on the building instead, providinga local contact point for bookings andsupport from the schools staff.
The school will be working with Friendsof Verdon Recreation Centre to make surethe centre is well used by the communityand that the rental income is reinvestedinto the centre.
Headteacher Paul Hopkinson said:
"The Verdon Centre continues to be anexcellent community resource and ithelps everyone if the school can manageto support its running and development.Come and talk to us if you think youmight use it."
Users of the centre were sorry to seeAislinn Adams, the dedicated worker,leave the centre after 7 years. Aislinn’spresence is already missed by many usersof the centre.
To book the centre or find out more aboutwhat is happening at Verdon Rec, contactPye Bank School on 276 0472. The schooloffice is open 8.15am - 15.45pm, at otherstimes you can leave a message.
Zumba for womenTuesdays 6.30 – 7.30pmShahina: 07909 598 018
Agewell over 50s groupWednesdays 1.30 – 3.30pm
Fitness training for menThursdays 6 – 7pm
Mothers of BurngreaveActivities for mothers and childrenThursdays 7.15 – 9pm, Fridays 8 – 9pm,Saturdays 5 – 7pm
Sudanese support group Saturdays 1-3pm (every 2 weeks)
6 BURNGREAVE MESSENGER
Residents lobby
local councillors
about cutsStory & photos: Julia Shergold
On Saturday 15th April around 20local residents lobbied CouncillorJackie Drayton’s surgery atBurngreave Library in protest atthe huge cuts to local services.
On Spital Hill passers-by signed petitionsagainst the cuts, while protesters heldplacards reading “£8m for Thatcher’sfuneral – nothing for our kids”, “Moneyfor banks but not for playgrounds” alongwith the newly re-painted “Save our
Adventure Playground”banner.
The petition called forlocal councillors tovote against the cutsand defend the servicesthat Burngreave needs.At the end of hersurgery, JackieDrayton came out toaddress the lobby. Shewas asked to sign thepetition, to support thegrowing nationalorganisation ofCouncillors AgainstThe Cuts and to pledgeto vote against cuts inthe Council’s budget.There was a heated discussion about theeffect of cuts on people’s lives.
Following the event Jackie Drayton, whois the cabinet member for Children andYoung People as well as a localCouncillor, told the Messenger:
“The government cuts are causingconsiderable damage to public services inSheffield which are affecting the poorestand most vulnerable in our city. As muchas we oppose the cuts, as a Council weare legally obliged to provide a balanced
budget. If we refused to set a budget thegovernment would send in non-electedcivil servants to do it for us, withouttaking into account local priorities orthem being accountable to local people.”
Burngreave Against the Cuts intends tocarry on fighting the cuts to local servicesand to campaign against the bedroom tax.
Find out more about BurngreaveAgainst the Cuts attwitter.com/S3S4AgainstCuts, orBurngreave Against the Cuts onFacebook.
Angry meeting
opposes Selective
LicensingStory:Ahmir Hussain
A meeting was held at PakistanAdvice and CommunityAssociation on the 15th May tovoice concerns about proposalsfor 'Selective Licensing', a landlordlicensing scheme in Fir Vale.
It was attended by over 60 members ofthe local community, many of themlandlords, and by local Councillors IbrarHussain, Talib Hussain, Jackie Draytonand Cabinet Member for Homes andRegeneration, Harry Harpham.
The purpose of the meeting was toprovide the Councillors with feedback onwhat the local community felt about thenew proposals to introduce SelectiveLicensing in the area. It was clearlyevident the majority, if not all, inattendance opposed this scheme, sayingthe community felt they were beingstigmatised and penalised by the Councilfor its own failings.
Councillor Harry Harpham discussed thereasoning behind the Council’s decisionto impose Selective Licensing and statedthat it was due to anti-social behaviour,littering and overcrowding of propertiesbelieved to be caused by landlords. Manymembers of the community argued that,even though Fir Vale has a problem withanti-social behaviour, numbers ofreported incidents are relatively low whencompared to neighbouring areas and theissue with litter was a result of the changeto fortnightly bin collections.
In relation to the overcrowding issue, onelandlord spoke about the lack of supporthe received from the Council when hewished to evict some tenants from hisproperty. He had let his home to onefamily and later discovered that they hadallowed other families to move in andshare the property. The landlord spoke
about how the Council supported thetenant and how he felt that the Councilshould be doing more to support privatelandlords.
A new action group consisting oflandlords, residents and tenants has beenset up to campaign against SelectiveLicensing and promote better strategiesto resolve issues in the area withoutpunishing the majority for the bad actionsof a few individuals. To find out moreabout the action group, contact AhsanAshraf at [email protected]
The Council informed the Messenger thatthey expected consultation to begin in thesummer months, Councillor Harphamtold us:
“Over the coming weeks the Council willbe undertaking a full consultationprocess with all the community aroundFir Vale regarding Selective Licensingand the possibility of its use, along withother measures we have at our disposal,as a means of tackling anti-socialbehaviour. Once that consultationprocess is completed, Council officerswill draw up a report outlining theoptions available to us.”
Consultation must run for a minimum of10 weeks.
ISSUE 106 • JUNE 2013 7
Concern about
allotment costsStory:Tim Neal
Burngreave allotment holdersattended a meeting at theQuaker Meeting House about theincrease in rents, which will tripleby 2014/5.
Councillor Jack Scott explained the planis to make allotments self-financing withno subsidy from the Council.
There are about 3000 separate allotmentson 76 sites in Sheffield. About 1000people are currently on waiting lists. Thebudgets allow £129,000 for staff, with£122,000 for premises (waterrepairs/fences/landscaping), supplies andservices and a further £60,000 forinfrastructure development.
However, many people commented theyhad little or no service at all from theAllotments Office. GrimesthorpeAllotments should have about £4,000 ofthe premises and services money. It wascommented frequently that water pipeswere not repaired, tracks not improved,hedges no longer cut.
Pensioners
Particularly loud complaints came frompensioners who are doubly hit by theincreases. Not only are rents due to tripleby next year but the concession given to
those over 60 will be reduced from 50%to 25%, meaning that a pensionerclaiming state pension would see theirplot rents rise four-fold.
Great concern was expressed about thosewho were being driven off their plots dueto rent increases. The Allotments Officehad a record of only 28 people who hadexplicitly given up tenancies due to costbut many people suggested the numberwas higher and many more were in thepipeline. The great loss of knowledge andexperience was to be regretted. Manypeople spoke of the emotional andphysical investment in their plots.
There remains little interest in self-management for allotment sites but it wasmade clear that allotment-holders wantgreater clarity from the Allotments Officeabout what services are provided inreturn for these new and more costlyrents. They also wanted moreconsideration of the concessions scheme.
District heating
in CarwoodStory: Lisa Swift
Carwood tenants met with theCouncil in April to complain aboutthe district heating system whichbroke down in the cold weatherand snow in March.
Residents rang the Council repeatedlyfrom Thursday 21st March but heatingwas only restored the following Tuesday.Mrs Abdulrazzaq, told the Messenger,
“It started on Wednesday. It stoppedworking, then came back on. ByThursday it had stopped completely. Wekept calling the Council and they saidsomeone would come and work on it. Irang many times, and my neighbours, butnothing happened.”
Carwood resident, Nagat Abdullah said,
“The Council gave us an electric heaterbut we were only allowed one. It cost alot of money to run and the rest of thehouse was very cold. Everyone washappy to pay for the district heatingwhen it was warm all the time. But afterthe new boilers were put in, it’s notworked properly and we don’t want topay for it; it’s very expensive.”
Carwood Tenants and ResidentsAssociation and the Messenger organiseda meeting for residents to express theirconcerns to the Council and localCouncillor Ibrar Hussain. More than 20residents attended.
A local mothercomplained, “I have a9 month old baby,and I have 6 children.One heater for a 3bedroom house andno hot water - whatare we supposed todo?” Methaq Ahaliasked, “Why did youignore us? Everyonewas calling but noone came to fix it fordays.” Anotherresident said, “It’snot just this time. Inthe last 3 years, it has been broken for afew days every 3 or 4 months. And it isalways very cold at night.”
Richard Hawson, Heating Manager forthe Housing Service, told the meeting,
“I can hear the depth of feeling on thisissue, and I would like to apologise forwhat has happened. We tried a number ofthings to resolve the problems before wediscovered it was a leaking pipe. Therepair was delayed because of a damagedelectrical cable near the leak.”
He went on to explain that the pipe workneeds replacing but it was a long termproject,
“We have asked for Carwood to beprioritised for new pipework. In themeantime, we will fit a valve near theboiler house during the summer so that, ifanother leak does occur, we can isolatethat part of the system.”
The Council also promised to investigatethe heating at night. The Council ‘setsback’ all heating systems in the city to
18ºC between 11pm and 6am. It ispossible that on Carwood the boiler hasbeen set too low. Residents who wereaffected by the heating breakdown willalso be given 2 free weeks on theirheating bill.
Michelle Cook, former Carwood TARAtreasurer who chaired the meeting, said,
“District heating is the top issue on ourestate and has been for some time. Thepractice of turning down heatingcentrally at night will only end oncemetering is introduced and people havefull control over their own heating.District heating costs around £18 perweek, regardless of usage, and is notcovered by housing benefit - quiteexpensive for a service which isn’tworking. We would like the major repairwork and the introduction of metering tobe brought forward to ensure tenantshave value for money.”
A further meeting is planned withresidents on 2nd July to update onprogress.
8 BURNGREAVE MESSENGER
Charity cycle rideStory: Lydia Flanagan | Photo: Lisa Swift
Giulia Gigliobianco and her Dad,Cosimo, are challengingthemselves to a Sheffield toLondon bike ride, in aid of themedical research charity, RAFT.
Starting off from Giulia’s Pitsmoor homeon 24th May, the 300km (186 miles)journey stops in Loughborough,Northampton and Hemel Hampstead,arriving in London on 27th May.
Cosimo was injured in a motorcyclingaccident last year, which left him withmetal plates in his knee and arm. Cosimoand his daughter enthusiastically decided
to celebrate his recovery with a greatchallenge that defies his injuries andraises money for a great cause. Giulia didher Master’s degree project with RAFT(Restoration of Appearance and FunctionTrust), who have developed a treatmentfor deep wounds without the need forskin grafting.
The pair have some previous cyclingexperience: both Giulia and Cosimo havedone 10-day bike rides in Europe. Cosimohas travelled from Milan to Padua, Milanto Assisi and to France on Catholicpilgrimages; Giulia has cycled fromStrasbourg to Cologne in Germany withher Scout Group when she was younger.In preparation, Giulia joined a gym. “I’vebeen doing some training,” she said, “butI can’t do steep hills! Hopefully when weget past Chesterfield it will be easier.”
Cosimo and Giulia’s blog is atsheffieldtolondon.wordpress.comYou can even see the steel in his X-rays.Together they have exceeded their targetof £500 through the charity donationsite, JustGiving. Further donations canbe made by going towww.justgiving.com/giuliagiglio
Trade Base
Allotment projectStory: Michelle Cook
I went along to Windmill Laneallotments to find out about theTrade Base Community Allotment.
Trade Base was set up in 1998 andlaunched in 1999 at the old Firth Park
Library, perhaps most well-known for thevery successful recycling project whichprovided furniture, household goods,clothes, books and toys at affordableprices. Once funding ran out, the grouplooked for a small project. In 2004 theysuccessfully secured funding to develop acommunity allotment project. Theproject now has no paid workers and isrun by volunteers.
An open day was held in May to celebratethe completion of the new shed, attendedby David Blunkett MP. The local GreggsBakery donated £1000. When I arrived,people were gathering in the new shedbut the first thing I noticed was theabundance of vegetables being produced.
The group has 4 large plots, whichcontain smaller plots. There are 2 polytunnels. Climate Change fundingprovided an ecological compost toilet onthe site. The project is key to providinggardening activities for people with
mental health problems and learningdisabilities. One plot is solely raised bedsfor those with mobility problems.
Volunteers are always needed to helpmake the plots ready for use. Local peopleare welcome to join the group. Allabilities are welcome, though some fitstrong people would be appreciated.
Trevor and Peter both have a plot andenjoy working together. Trevor said theywere currently growing broad beans, kaleand potatoes. I also spoke to Paul andMick, who said they enjoy gardening andalso the trips and events.
The group meets Monday and Thursday9.30am-12.30pm, Saturday 10am-1pm.There is a £1 charge to help pay the rent.All equipment and seeds are provided.
Anyone interested in joining,helping out or with funding cancontact Sheena on 0779 260 5138.
Let’s get talkingPhoto: PACA Digital Media Centre
Mental health problems arecommon - but nearly nine out often people who experience themsay they face discrimination.
Pakistan Advice and CommunityAssociation (PACA) and Sheffield Mindwere funded by Time to Change(England's biggest programme tochallenge mental health stigma anddiscrimination) to work with a film makerand create short films with volunteersabout mental health and the importanceof talking about it.
The films will inspire people by showingthat mental health problems are common
and people can recover from them. Theproject's aim is to get people talkingabout, and breaking down, the stigmaaround mental health.
Six volunteers can visit mosques,community groups or events to show thefilm and talk about mental health. Theproject will also need to recruit morevolunteers. Other workers and
organisations are welcome to join thesteering group and work withorganisations such as MAAN (SomaliMental Health project), Sheffield Health& Social Care Foundation TrustCommunity Development Team andSheffield Hallam University researchstudents.
Filming is now over and the material isbeing pulled together for editing. Thefilms will be ready for 6th July to show atSharrow Festival and Abbeyfield Festivalon 7th July.
For more information, visit:www.timetochange.co.uk or the Sheffieldmind website www.sheffieldmind.co.ukFor information about the project,contact Sheffield Mind on 258 4489 orPACA on 261 9130.
ISSUE 106 • JUNE 2013 9
10 BURNGREAVE MESSENGERSponsored by NHS Sheffield’s
Healthy Communities Programme
The right startIf your baby is approaching six monthsold you are probably starting to thinkabout weaning them onto solid food.Weaning is the process babies go throughwhen they move away from milk beingtheir only food and start to eat solid food.It is important to wait until six monthsbefore you try your baby with solid foodas your baby’s digestive system will notcope with solid food before then.
Signs that your baby is ready
for solid food are
• They have reached six months old.
• They can stay in a sitting position and
hold their head steady.
• They can co-ordinate their eyes,
hands and mouth so they can look at
food and pick it up by themselves.
• They can swallow food. Babies that
are not ready for solids will push the
food back out again!
Getting started: Top tips!
• Wait for a time when your baby is
happy and content. If they don’t seem
interested try again another time.
• Start small! Just offer small pieces or
teaspoons of food once a day.
• Let your baby touch and hold food,
and try putting it in their mouth.
• Make sure the food is not too hot.
• Don’t add salt, sugar or stock cubes.
• If you are using a spoon wait for the
baby to open their mouth, don’t try
and force the spoon in.
• Always stay with your baby to make
sure they don’t choke.
• SMILE! Make lots of eye contact and
smile, your baby will see you are
enjoying it and they will enjoy it too.
First foods to try
Homemade food is best for babies as itcan be made from simple ingredients withno added salt or sugar. Start with mashedor soft cooked vegetables like parsnip,yams, sweet potato, carrot and potato.You could try soft fruit like peach,strawberries, banana, melon and avocado.Baby cereals with breast milk or formulamilk added are good also. Next you cantry soft cooked meats like chicken andfish (check for bones!) as well as lentils,rice, pieces of chapatti, toast and pasta.Even though your baby is starting to eatsolids it’s still important they get milk.
For more information about weaningcontact Lucy Street, Health Trainer on07903 328 020.
Obesity andchildrenEvidence shows that obesity, infantmortality and poor health are stronglyconnected, and rates are higher in someblack and minority ethnic (BME) groups.Recent studies have shown that obesechildren are more likely to have raisedblood pressure, diabetes type 2, and highcholesterol and blood sugar levels. Andthe risk of children suffering from strokeand heart disease later in life is higher.
What can you do?
There are many ways we can tackleobesity, but the simplest way is to keepyour child active and encourage healthyeating in the family from a young age.
• Encourage your children to take part
in activities that they find fun.
• Play active games indoors and
outdoors like hide & seek, hopscotch
or games you all enjoy as a family.
• Encourage your children to walk
more to school and back or to the
park or playground.
• Praise and encourage your children
when they take part in an activity
and give them positive feedback.
• Try and be a good role model.
How much should children eat?
We often get confused about how muchwe should feed our children and what thesize of a portion is. Many of us arefeeding our children almost adultportions. We should aim to feed ourchildren 3 meals and 2 snacks a day.
Healthy snack?
• Fresh fruit - chunks of melon,
strawberries or grapes
• Dried fruit – pieces of mango,
banana, pineapple, cranberries or
raisins. Don’t forget, a small handful
is about the right amount for kids.
• A handful of dry reduced sugar cereal
with a few raisins or sultanas.
For more information on this articleplease contact Somshun Nessa, HealthDevelopment Worker: 07960 084 119.
Second-handsmoke putschildren at riskAnyone can be affected by breathing insecond hand smoke, but children aremore vulnerable to the toxic effects ofcigarette smoke as their lungs andimmune systems are not fully developed.This puts them at a higher risk ofdeveloping conditions includingbronchitis, pneumonia, meningitis, earinfections and asthma.
80% of second hand smoke is invisible.Opening a window or smoking in aseparate room will not stop the smokespreading around your home. The smokewill linger in the air long after thecigarette has been put out and will clingto everything in your home includingcarpets, curtains, bedding and furniture.
Smoking in cars is particularly dangerousas the chemicals from the smoke are evenmore concentrated due to the confinedspace and the passengers have no escapefrom the fumes!
Make your home and carsmoke free zones!
If you are a smoker but aren't ready tokick the habit, then why not think aboutmaking your home and car completelysmoke free. The benefits are:
• Your children will be healthier.
• Risk of health problems are reduced
for family, friends and pets.
• Your house is cleaner.
• You will reduce the risk of house fires.
• Asthmatics have better control of
their condition.
• Children who grow up in a smoke free
home are less likely to take up
smoking themselves.
• You will find it easier to stop smoking
and stay stopped.
You can pledge to make your home andcar smokefree atwww.sheffieldstopsmoking.org.uk or youcan contact Emma Msigiti - BurngreaveCommunity Stop Smoking Worker on07847 893 134
ISSUE 106 • JUNE 2013 11
Respect, not restraintStory: Lisa Swift
Local mental health campaign group, MAAT ProbeGroup, hosted an event at the Vestry Hall on 26thMarch, to share all they had learned from theirsuccessful work to change Control and Restrain inmental health care to a more humane techniquecalled RESPECT. The event was attended by serviceusers, and mental health professionals andorganisations.
Following the research and awareness raising done by user-ledMAAT Probe group, Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust havechanged they way they work with mental health patients. KimParker explained that all staff in the organisation have hadRESPECT training, which helps staff to work with patients withchallenging behaviour without using holds that that lead to painand injury. She said,
“This has been a huge change in our organisation. We have seena significant downward trend in the use of ‘seclusions’ (whenpatients are isolated due to aggressive behaviour). We arecontinuing the training with new and agency staff, so everymember of our staff is trained in RESPECT.”
The emphasis of RESPECT is on de-escalation. Staff have beentrained to have the skills to prevent a situation on the wardbecoming violent and aggressive by talking to patients in a waythat does not create a ‘them and us’ power relationship. There hasbeen a change in culture in Sheffield psychiatric wards byadopting the RESPECT values.
Chairing the meeting, Paul Grey, from Inspire to Influence, said“I believe in my lifetime we will see an end to restraint. And thisapproach will be disseminated to the whole country.”
One service user said, “I’ve been in mental health services since Iwas 8 years old. I was restrained when I was 15 years old; I don’twant anyone else to experience that. I want to encourageeveryone to keep progressing with this.”
Robin Cox from MAAT Probe Group, who are supported bySACMHA on Andover Street, said,
“We invited service users from Manchester, Nottingham, Leedsand Derby here today, they are the people who took part in thequestionnaire that started off our campaign. We are nowworking with Mind to set up groups like ours in other parts ofthe county, so they can get things to change too.”
Thinking of stopping smokingfor Ramadan?Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Servicecan help you
You may have considered quitting for Ramadan beforebut have not had the information or support to make aquit attempt. Let this be the year that you succeed!
It is a fact that stopping smoking is the best thing you can do notonly for your own body’s health, but because of the dangers ofsecond hand smoke, for the health of your family too.
Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service (South West YorkshirePartnership NHS Foundation Trust) is a FREE friendly andconfidential service, helping over three thousand Sheffieldsmokers to quit last year. We pride ourselves on being aninclusive service and welcome members of all communities.
The service has trained advisers providing free advice andinformation such as tips for beating cravings and support to helpyou stay quit for good. This includes information on whatmedications are available and our advisers are usually able to giveyou a voucher for Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) e.g.patches and gum, which means there is no need for a GPappointment. If you do not pay for your prescriptions your NRTis free.
There are advisers at various venues, including GP practices,Pharmacies, Dental Practices and Community Centres, andBurngreave has a Community Stop Smoking Adviser, EmmaMsigiti at The Furnival (see advert on page 2 for more details).
We also run a drop in service at the Quit Stop in the City Centre,opposite Sheffield City Council First Point at Howden House,with Urdu, Punjabi and Arabic speakers working there mostThursdays.
If you require an interpreter in any other language or cannot getinto the shop on Thursdays please contact us on our free-phonenumber 0800 068 4490.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service,39 Charles Street, Sheffield, S1 2HU.
Telephone FREE on 0800 068 4490
Visit www.sheffieldstopsmoking.org.uk
Follow us on Facebook:facebook.com/NHSSmokefreeSeffield
Members of the MAAT Probe Group, who hosted the event
12 BURNGREAVE MESSENGER
Adventure
Playground Family
Fun DayStory & photos: Erin Blythe
Pitsmoor Adventure Playgroundshowed its value to thecommunity when it held a FamilyFun Day on 20th April.
Up to 200 people visited during thecourse of the day, many regulars butsome who had never been before. Abouncy castle had been hired for the day,but all the regular equipment was in usetoo (except the big slide which is toodangerous) and MC Nige wasdemonstrating dance moves in theactivity room.
My friends Danica (DD Dog) and Lottie(Carlotta) helped me to interview lots ofkids and adults to see what they likedabout the playground. Carter told us: “Ilike the bouncy castle and the zip wire.”Anika and Saif liked the bouncy castletoo, and thought new equipment couldmake it even better. Abbas said that “thisis the best playground I like!” Asea hadbeen busy making pancakes in the mudkitchen, she told us “I feel bad that theplayground might close. I won't knowwhat to do. Playing in the street is boring,this is a much more fun place and it'ssafer.”
The day brought back fond memories forSam: “I remember my grandma doing asponsored walk to raise money for thisplayground years ago. I first came when Iwas about 10. I'm now in Stanningtonand it's the first time I've visited since Iwas a kid, but I've brought my 3 year oldson and he's loving it! I used to volunteerhere, I helped build the big slide with mydad. I'll be gutted if it closes.”
Laura Watkins chairs the playground'susers’ group who are in discussions withthe Council about the playground'sopening hours. Until recently theplayground was open for 25 hours eachweek, but now cuts to Activity Sheffieldstaffing mean it is only open for 9 hours.The users’ group are trying to persuadethe Council to provide more staff time,and work with others to put on additionalactivities.
Some of the equipment does need fixing,and the Council say it must be checkedevery day by a “competent person”, whichmakes it difficult for volunteers to keepthe playground open without Councilsupport. As Ruth said, “I don't think it'sfair to expect the community to run theplayground when the Council can find themoney to run services. This isn't very
expensive to run compared with a lot offacilities out there. There's not many freethings around here for people, especiallyplaces where children can take part inthis kind of risk-taking play, children willreally lose out.”
The fun day was awesome and I reallyhope the playground stays open. The kidswe spoke to wanted more play facilitiesnot less: Carter would like monkey bars,and Abbas really wants a ghost train! Wehad a great day, and everyone was verygood at being interviewed.
To find out about what's happening atthe playground you can join theFacebook group Pitsmoor AdventurePlayground Support, or email Users’Group: [email protected]
Pitsmoor Adventure Playground isopen Wednesdays and Fridays 3.30-6.30pm, Saturdays 12-3pm. In school holidays: Wednesdays,Fridays, Saturdays 12-3pm.
Come and be wild in the woods atthe Playground. Starting 5th June,every Wednesday, 3.30 -6.30pm. WithWoodlands and Sheffield Wildlife Trust
Play for Fun course with the Out ofSchool Network (OSN). For parents,carers, childminders or playworkers.Mondays 10am to 12.30pm, 10th, 17th,24th June and 1st July. Contact OSN on 0114 249 4941
ISSUE 106 • JUNE 2013 13
Yorkshire cricket heroTalented local schoolboy Inez Younis, fromHucklow Primary School, has been selectedto play for the Yorkshire under 11’s cricketteam.
Inez is a very talented all rounder who is also currentlyplaying for the Sheffield schools under 13’s, and theSouth Yorkshire west district under 12’s cricket teams.
Byron Wood pupilsat the Albert HallStory:Aksa Shahid & Robiann Brown
On 2nd April 2013 Robiann Brownand Aksa Shahid in Y6 at ByronWood Primary School, went toTudor Hall School in Oxfordshire,for they had won a place in theNational Youth Choir of GreatBritain.
They trained with an all girl choir, juniorand senior and sang 6/7 hours daily,learning some songs from the‘Monteverdi Vesper’ and from ‘SpringCarols’.
After five days of training, the girlsperformed at the Royal Albert Hall on 14April 2013. Aksa said, “I have never hadsuch an experience in my entire life!”
Robiann said, “I have never been soproud of myself and I just want to saythank you to Mrs Stroud (Byron Wood’sPerforming Arts Teacher) for helping meto come so far. She is the best and I willalways remember her in my mind for therest of my life”.
Aksa and Robiann are extremely proud oftheir achievements, as are all of the staffand children at Byron Wood, and theythank the people who have helped themsucceed.
Down in the woodsat Pye Bank SchoolIf you go down to the woods today...
In the wooded area, at the bottom of theplayground, interesting things arehappening. The Year 4 children arebuilding a working Roman oven and kiln.They are using clay and the oven looks a
bit like a brown igloo. When it is finishedthey plan to bake bread and fire somepottery they make themselves. Theproject is part of their Cornerstones Topiclearning on ‘Gods and Gladiators’.
Litter pick, come and join us!
On Saturday, 6th July Karen Stanley andZabeda Hussain at Pye Bank CE PrimarySchool are organising a community litterpicking day.
We hope you will come and help us as wetry to clear all the rubbish that hascollected in the streets around the school.We will have support from the Council,from the Amey Company and all bags andequipment will be provided. TheBurngreave Tenants and ResidentsAssociation are helping, along with theBurngreave Messenger and our friendsfrom Christ Church Pitsmoor.
Fabulous Firshill
Family Learning“Family Learning” happens at FirsHill School every Wednesdaymorning from 9.30-11.30am. Thereare courses running right throughthe year!
ALL parents are very welcome to comeand learn how to support their child. It isan opportunity for families to learntogether. Family Learning acrossSheffield is FREE to everyone.
Parents can benefit by:
• Improving their own skills includingliteracy, numeracy, speaking andlistening
• Participating in fun learning activitieswith their children
• Finding out more about how theirchildren learn and how best tosupport them.
15 women are justcoming to the end ofthe Family LearningScience course andhave really enjoyed it. Some came for thevery first time and last week theirchildren came in to join in their activities!
The next Fabulous Family Learningcourse starts on Wednesday 12thJune 9.30-11.30am, and is all aboutReading. Don’t miss it!
Parkwood Academy Summer FairSaturday 6th July 2013 11.30 - 3.30
Longley Avenue West, Shirecliffe
There will be table top sales, food, input from local serviceproviders, performances and free childrens’ rides. This year we
will also be co-hosting our very own "Walk for Life", with allproceeds going directly to Cancer Research.
For more information please contact Paul Howard orSue Powell at Parkwood Academy.Telephone: 0114 231 0221E-mail [email protected]
Kitchen Fun - Usingmaths in recipes tomake a deliciousyogurt crunch
Finishedcaterpillar garden
Learning howmagnets work
14 BURNGREAVE MESSENGER
Muheeb wins his
first professional
fights!Story: Nazrul Hussain
In the June 2012 issue we caughtup with young boxer MuheebFazeldin who had just turnedprofessional. Since then, he haswon two professional fights andsecured sponsorship from theBurngreave Building Company.
Now know as Muheeb ‘Flashly’ Fazeldin,because of his fast moves and quick feet,we met up with him to talk about howhis professional career is going.
“I fought Francis Groes at the OctagonCentre for my first fight, I won him onpoints we fought the full 6 rounds. Thetraining was the hardest part but thefight was easy.”
Muheeb explained that if he hadn’ttrained as hard as he did and hadn’t gotthe support he received he would nothave won that fight. He trains 7 days aweek and has sparred with championslike Kell Brook, Kid Galahad, RichardTowers and Manny More. He had to doa lot of dieting to prepare for his debutfight.
“To me my team is the best around.Brendan Ingle is the brains behind theoperation. I also get a lot of supportfrom John and Dominic Ingle inside thering. I also want to thank BurngreaveBuilding Company for sponsoring me.They helped me out a lot, they buy mygear including my gloves and boots andthey were there at the ringsidesupporting me. I also want to thankDom and Ian for all the help and timethey put in.”
Muheeb went on to tell us howsupportive his family is, and his dadElias Fazeldin also joined us for theinterview.
“He has been fighting for 5 years. Hisdebut fight was the first one I went toand I was excited. I was very proud tosee him win. He was really good - hewas even dancing about in the ring. Ialso appreciate how much Brendan andhis team have done for my son.”
Muheeb’s second victory against AnwarAlfadli was on 17 May at Ponds Forge,part of the Big City, Lights Out boxingevent.
“I felt good, the training is going perfectand my fitness is good. I could havefought him twice in the same night. Mygym is the best gym around - we call itthe ‘Champ Camp’ and as long as I havegot them no one is stopping me.”
We asked Muheeb what he has to say tothe kids and people in Burngreave.
“First of all I would like to thankeveryone in Burngreave who hassupported me by coming to my fights.Hopefully the kids will see what I’mdoing and can look at me and say ‘Iwant to be like him’. I want to be a rolemodel and the kids in Burngreave havepotential. I want to bring back a belt toBurngreave and make the people proud.”
Essa’s
achievements
recognisedStory: Nicole Chalmers
Rising athletics star, Essa Ahmed,has recently received recognitionfrom the Young People’s awardson the 25th February at SheffieldHallam University. Attending theceremony he received a specialachievement award for sport aswell as for the progress he hasmade in other areas.
This talented young man, who alsocompetes in boxing and football,completed the 800 meters in aspectacular 1.59 minutes, gaining a newpersonal best at the North of EnglandIndoor Championship and taking gold inthe final. No longer competing in theunder 15s but now in the under 17s, Essais still at the top of his game.
We last interviewed Essa in April 2012when he took gold at the Birminghamfinals. Since this last interview Essa hasincreased his passion for the sport. He isnow training two hours, four days a week,preparing for another competition in
Birmingham where he hopes to repeat hissuccess. As well as athletics Essa is goingto Portugal in June to play football withlocal team Tusaale United. It’s a greatachievement in the 3 years since Essa’sfamily moved to Sheffield.
“For the future my plans are to run, tomake money but also to make my familyhappy and proud of what I achieve.”
Mulki Galal, English LanguageDevelopment Teacher and mentor at FirVale School told us:
“He is a talented young man with a lotof energy; he is someone who welcomessupport and listens well, as well as beinga positive role model to his peers and theSomali community.”
Mulki shone with pride as she talkedabout Essa’s achievements. Fir ValeSchool wholeheartedly believes in himand his prospects for future success, andhas supported him with the costs ofathletics kit. Essa is also getting supportfrom local resident, Muktar Mohammed,who has himself been an athleticschampion and is a great role model.
ISSUE 106 • JUNE 2013 15
Spectacular
season for Earl
Marshall Juniors Story: Mick Ashman
Next year Earl Marshall Juniors willcelebrate its fifteenth anniversaryand, for the first time, it will havetwo teams competing in DivisionA, the top Division in the Sheffieldand District Junior League, afterthe both Under 12s and Under 11ssecured promotion.
The local Pitsmoor and Burngreave-basedfootball club celebrated a fantastic seasonof football success at their annualpresentation night on 18th May. Two dayslater, the teams, coaches and supportersattended the League’s prestigious awardsevent at Barnsley Metrodome to receivetheir medals and trophies.
A sequence of impressive performancesculminated in an emphatic 4-1 victory intheir final game against fellow promotionhopefuls Wisewood. It was enough to seethe Under 12s finish as Division Brunners-up. After the game, managerSaidi Msigiti was full of praise for hissquad, “They have shown a fantastic teamspirit and every player has made acontribution to this success. Most of the
boys have been with the Club since theywere Under 7s and I am so proud of whatthey have achieved.”
The Under 11s not only securedpromotion to Division A but also finishedas Division B Champions. They had aslow start to the season but, duringNovember and December, they picked up18 points out of a possible 21, ensuringthat, at the half-way stage, they werefirmly in contention for a top three finish.Manager Garfield Walters knew it wouldbe a tough season, “Our first game of2013 was a frustrating 2-1 defeat away toEcclesall Rangers,” he said. “We were thebetter side on the day and it was asetback to lose narrowly to another teamchasing promotion.”
Thankfully his team got back to theirwinning ways and another sequence ofvictories ensured they were top of thetable with just one match remaining. Intheir final game, a win would havesecured the title but it was a difficultgame played in very windy conditions andthey suffered a narrow defeat. The resultmeant that the Under11s fate was in thehands of other teams. As it turned out,the scores on the final day of the seasonwent in their favour and they held on totheir 2 point lead to claim the title.
Earl Marshall Under 10s are now in theirthird season together and have continuedto progress, enjoying an excellent season.
“The coaching team is immensely proudof what we have achieved,” said TonyHerrington. “The top two teams in ourdivision, Brampton Rovers andChesterfield Town, were finalists in theCup and so to finish fourth in what hasbeen a very competitive league is a creditto the boys.” Next season, as Under 11s,they will be playing 9 a side football on abigger pitch but Tony is in no doubt theyare ready for the challenge.
All three teams will be holding their trialsfor new players in early June, with thefirst of these taking place on the lowerpitches at Parkwood Springs (offShirecliffe Road ) at 11am on Sunday 2ndJune.
If you would like more information onEarl Marshall Juniors – a football clubthat is proud to reflect the diversity ofour local community – then pleasecontact Shane Bramhall 0781 855 1110(for Under 11s) or Mick Ashman on07843 731 430 (for Under 12s andUnder 13s).
Employment event
for young peoplePhoto: John Mellor
Ellesmere Youth Project and Burngreave Worksorganised an employment event at the Vestry Hall on22nd May, to support young people to think about theirfutures.
The event included information from The Source Meadowhall,Sheffield City Council apprenticeship service, Sheaf Trainingcentre at Norwood Drive, First Point for Business featuring theYoung Entrepreneurs Club and Burngreave Works.
Carl Kennedy from EYP told the Messenger, “The event was set
up to bring together young people from different parts of thearea to reduce barriers and also to celebrate what we’veachieved so far. And young people had asked us for moreinformation about employment, so we worked with BurngreaveWorks to make that happen. It was a good day.”
16 BURNGREAVE MESSENGER
ISSUE 106 • JUNE 2013 17
Last chance to
claim Disability
Living AllowanceStory: Chris Walker, Pitsmoor CAB
10th June will be the last day foradults to claim Disability LivingAllowance (DLA) before it isreplaced with PIP – PersonalIndependence Payment.
You can receive this benefit if you areunder 65 and:
• need help to look after yourself• need someone to keep an eye on you
or protect you from harm• cannot walk very far before you
feel pain• need guidance or support to go to
unfamiliar places
DLA is paid at different levels dependingon the person’s difficulties - from £20 to£134 a week.
Pitsmoor CAB is worried that the newbenefit is harder to get so it is better toclaim DLA before 10th June. The £20level for people who need help for aroundan hour a day or cannot manage to cook astandard meal is being scrapped and itwill be harder to get benefit if you needsomeone to keep an eye on you.
Attendance Allowance for people over 65and DLA for people under 16 will remainas they are.
If you think you might qualify for DLA,we advise you to claim before 10th June2013. You can ring 0800 88 22 00 for aform. Providing you send the form backby the date on the form, it will beaccepted. Or you can claim on line atwww.dwp.gov.uk/eservice
Pitsmoor CAB can help with completingthe forms or give information on the rulesto help you fully explain the problemswith walking or looking after yourself.
You can also ring Sheffield Adviceline on0114 205 5055 for help.
New community choirThe new Burngreave/Pitsmoor Community choir under theguidance of Janine Dyer meets in the Welcome Centre(Nottingham Street at the back of Christchurch) every Thursdayat 7 pm. New members are very welcome to sing contemporaryand gospel music. The choir is relaxed, fun and a great chance toimprove your singing! Why not pop along for just £1 per session.
The choir is getting ready to do its first performance in July sowatch out for adverts!
Knit and Natter Story:Val Ellis
The ‘Knit and Natter’ group, run bythe Primary Mental Health CareProject and held at the Ashram onSpital Hill, celebrated their 5thanniversary in May.
The group has flourished greatly infriendship and creativity over the years.Members like to share skills and tips with
each other. We also enjoy knitting forvarious charities which we have foundvery rewarding. Earlier this year thegroup knitted jumpers for babies ofMalawi, who are born is such povertythey are wrapped in newspaper to keepwarm. The group has also knitted ablanket for St Luke’s Hospice.
We would also like to say thank you tothe volunteers at the Ashram who makeus so welcome.
For more information contact ValEllis on 0114 276 2644
Food for
thoughtStory:Andrew Birtwhistle
Burngreave Foodbank went theextra mile when ‘Phil the trolley’visited Burngreave as part of thenationwide ‘Trolley Push’ on 22ndApril.
The Lord Mayor, John Campbell, joinedthe Foodbank trolley pushers at the startof their journey at the Sheffield TownHall. From there, the trolley was pushedto the Burngreave Foodbank, with trolley-pushers wearing wigs and onesies andcollecting from the public.
Andrew Birtwhistle, BurngreaveFoodbank Manager commented: ‘We hada fantastic day and the reaction from thepublic was amazing! The demand forfoodbanks is huge and still growing, butBurngreave residents were reallysupportive as always.’
The Foodbank provides three days of
nutritionally-balanced emergency food topeople in crisis. Many Foodbank clientsare working families who are struggling tomake ends meet in the current economicclimate.
All food given out is donated by localpeople. During the last 12 months,346,992 people nationally - and 600 inBurngreave - have received food fromTrussell Trust foodbanks, almost triplethe number helped in 2011-12.
For further details contact AndrewBirtwhistle at Burngreave Foodbank on07932 903 276 or email [email protected]
18 BURNGREAVE MESSENGER
Recognition
for quality Watoto Pre-School, the early yearseducation and childcare service,have been rewarded for the qualityof their work.
Following a comprehensive assessment,which included evaluating children’sprogression in learning, the environment,and partnerships with parents, staff andleadership team, they have been awardedthe ‘Sheffield Loves Learning Charter for
Quality Provision’. Sharon the managersaid:
“We are very proud that, in recognitionof all that we do at Watoto, we havereceived this quality assurance award.We are constantly working to improveour service at Watoto. I think that thisquote from the assessors’ report sums upour qualities:
“‘Watoto Pre-School embraces theimportance of provision of a highquality environment to supportchildren’s early learning, to allow themto flourish, to enjoy their learning andto achieve well’”.
70th anniversary
celebrations
Story: Patrick Duggan| Photos: Sharon Baker
In April, St Catherine’s 205th ScoutGroup celebrated its 70thanniversary at their HQ onHoltwood Road.
As April arrived, Earnest Garnet Gordon,our cub leader, set to work. New signswere put up at our HQ and invitationswere sent to as many “Old Boys” aspossible. The floor was buffed, Garnetand his friends cleared up around thebuilding and I cut the grass. Alan Whiffin,the current Group Scout Leader, wasresponsible for the food for the buffet,along with one or two of our lovely mums.Garnet trimmed up the HQ on a unionflag theme. When the work was done, theold place looked very spruce indeed.
The evening of the 27th came and most of100 invited guests turned up to reminisce
about days gone by. John Egan now livesin Wales, yet made the trip with his wifeand brought wild Welsh garlic for thebuffet and their mandolin and guitar toserenade us with. Tony Bryan came upfrom Berkhamsted; Brendan Hudson,now a doctor, came from Surrey andMartin Kenny and his wife came fromTyne and Wear. Paul Lipinski paid aflying visit. The Leaders and Scouts ofthe 76th St Peter’s Ellesmere group alsojoined us.
Our group was up bright and early and onparade for the Sunday 9.15am mass at StCatherine’s Church. After songs andprayers, some members - some now oldenough to be grandfathers - renewed theirScouts’ Promise. I would like to say a bigthank you to the parents who scrubbedand polished their children for theoccasion. They were a credit to everyone.Final thanks go to Club Leader GarnetGordon and the Group Leadership Team.Roll on the 80th anniversary!
Mother Tongue
Other TongueMother Tongue Other Tongue is amultilingual poetry competition,celebrating cultural diversity andthe many languages currentlyspoken and studied.
Local resident, Caroline Norman fromLanguages Sheffield, says, “Sheffield has arich diversity of languages and our youngpeople have amazing language skills,whether in a language spoken at home ora language learnt at school. Languagesare so important for work, study andtravel.”
School students aged 7 to 18 are invited tosubmit an original or ‘remembered’ poemor song in their mother tongue and ashort explanation in English. Or they canwrite a poem in a language they arelearning at school. Adults in an ESOLclass can also submit entries.
Student from Parkwood Academy werethe first to enter the competition(pictured above). Jodie Bamforth fromParkwood Academy says,
“The competition has provided studentswith a brilliant opportunity to exploreand discuss their cultural identities andtake pride in their multilingualism. It haspromoted a real sense of pride andachievement.”
Winners will be invited to the nationalcelebration in Manchester in November.The University of Sheffield will celebrateentries and winners at a special ceremonyon 26 September, the European Day ofLanguages. An anthology of the poemswill be available. A collection of thepoems entered will also be displayedduring the Off the Shelf Festival inOctober at venues across Sheffield. Prizeshave been provided by Sheffield HallamUniversity. The top prize for eachcategory will be a Kindle.
Permaculture Association UKcelebrated its 30th birthday in andaround Burngreave over theweekend of May 4th and 5th.
People who took part in the weekendwere treated to guided tours of variouspermaculture gardens and allotmentsacross the ward. Amongst these wereSAGE Green fingers and the School forVeg allotments as well as ParkwoodSprings Forest Garden. In BurngreaveCemetery Chapel speakers from severalother local groups entertained everyoneacross the two days, and the weekendwas rounded off with Patrick Amber'sshadow puppet workshop and athoroughly delicious chocolate birthdaycake.
Final Community
Assembly meetingStory: John Mellor
The final meeting of the North EastCommunity Assembly took placeon 2nd May at ShirecliffeCommunity Centre with just 12local residents present.
The purpose was to explain theconsultation being carried out to find outthe views of local residents about whatshould happen in this new situation.
Vince Roberts, Head of LocalityManagement for the City Council,explained:
“Due to reductions in funding, theCouncil has to save £50 million in thecurrent financial year. As part of thissaving, the Community Assemblies’budget of £2.6 million is being reduced to£580,000. The Council launched the firstpart of the consultation in January 2013,asking for the views of Sheffield residentson the impact of this change.”
He then went on to outline the proposals:
• New ward-based structures will be setup, with local councillors taking thelead in engaging their communities,setting out priorities and plans forwards.
• Funding will be allocated to eachward based on the Index of MultipleDeprivation (IMD). On this basis,Burngreave qualifies for just under£20,000 per annum, the third highestin the city.
• The former Community Assemblyboundaries will remain but will berenamed as 'Areas'. A Local ActionPartnership will be set up for eachArea, chaired by a Councillor and willinclude representatives from thepublic, private and voluntary sectors.A senior Council Officer will provideadvice and support to the work of theCouncillors and Local ActionPartnerships in agreeing andimplementing key priorities for eachward.
Those who attended the meeting tookpart in small group discussions andresidents were encouraged to make theirviews known to the Council before theend of the consultation period on 3rdJune.
bicyclingStory: Lisa Swift | Photo: Rashida Hassanali
With support of cycling groupsCTC and Pedal Ready, womenhave been learning to cycle at FirVale and Bryon Wood School forseveral years. From 7th June thesegroups will be moving toAbbeyfield Park.
The project provides bicycles to use andgives support for people to gainconfidence and to learn how to ride a bike.The tarmac paths in Abbeyfield Park willgive a realistic experience of riding onroads in a more secluded environmentwithin the walls of the park.
The sessions are suitable for lots ofdifferent abilities, and new members arewelcome every Wednesday and Fridaymorning, 9:30am -10:30am startingFriday 7th June.
Contact:Pedal Ready on 241 2775 or callRashida Hassanali on 07535 484 372
Plant sale at
GrimesthorpeStory: Tim Neal | Photos:Ann Creasey
The sun almost shone on Saturday the18th May for the annual plant sale andAGM of GrimesthorpeAllotment Society.
The event was wellattended and people werepleased to see the shopopening alongside the sale.
Food and drinks werewelcomed by all and Ann'sSpecialty Scones and Jamaccompanied the AGM.
Andy Healeyconsiders the plants.
Christopher Benjaminminds the plant sale.
20 BURNGREAVE MESSENGER
Brearley’s originsStory: Burngreave Local History Group
Harry Brearley, who discovered Stainless Steel in 1913,was born on 18th February 1871 in a back-to-back offSpital Street, Pitsmoor, in what was known as a House,Chamber and Garret.
When the Sheffield Telegraph reported on the death of HarryBrearley on July 15th 1948, it stated:
“In June 1939, when he was made a Freeman of the City, hepainted a drab picture of the little back room in a yard off Spital
Street - a room 10 foot square - where he, his eight brothers andsisters, and his father and mother lived. His mother, he said,took in washing to help in the struggle to bring up her largefamily. 'I feel that this Casket, signifying the Freedom of mynative city, belongs to her,' he said.”
The House where he was born has now been demolished.Burngreave Children’s Centre and Sheffield Medical Centre havebeen built on the site.
Harry’s schooldestroyed by fire
Harry went to Holy TrinitySchool and then WoodsideBoard School. In hisautobiographical notes, herecalls that he had only anaverage schooling when hewas young. Although he likedto read, there were no booksat home. Harry went to schoolin a smock made of finesacking and had a pair ofclogs on his feet. His motherpatched almost everything he wore until the original garment wasunrecognisable.
Holy Trinity School was recently destroyed by fire. The schoolwas adjacent to the Holy Trinity Church and Aizlewood’s Mill onNursery Street. It had been boarded up for many years after beingused as a factory. The Fire Service said the fire had been starteddeliberately. The building has since been demolished, but thelintel engraved with ‘Trinity Church Schools’ has been retained byKelham Island Museum.
Down the minesStory: John Mellor | Photo: Saleema Imam
A group of intrepid local historiansset off from Burngreave Cemeteryearly in May to visit the NationalCoal Mining Museum atWakefield.
For several of the group, it was their firstvisit to Caphouse Colliery and proved tobe an eye-opening experience into thehistory of the coal mining industry.
The museum has a well-stocked librarywhere members of the group were able todo research into drift mines, examples ofwhich were once found in Pitsmoor. Thevisit continued with a tour of thebuildings on the surface where there weretwo pit ponies in stables.
We saw the Winding Engine House,which operated the winding gear, and theFan House, which supplied a constantstream of fresh air to the undergroundworkings. The extensive Pithead Baths,with their large banks of 'clean' and 'dirty'lockers at either end, prompted somehumorous anecdotes from the guides, allex-miners with their own characteristicsense of humour.
But the most unforgettable, and indeedshocking, part of the tour was the hourand a half spent exploring theunderground roadways and coal facesafter a descent of 140 metres (450 feet) inthe 'cage', kitted out with miners’ helmetsand lamps. Shocking in the way thatlifelike figures were used to display theappalling conditions in the 19th Century,when women and young childrenlaboured for long hours in dark, dampand dangerous conditions.
The displays took us through periodswhen the only tools available were picks
and shovels and the coal had to bedragged on wooden sledges pulled bywomen and children on their hands andknees up long slopes or 'drifts'.
Later, pit ponies were used for thispurpose and were kept underground forlong periods of time without seeingdaylight or green grass. Canaries wereused to detect toxic gases such as carbonmonoxide: when the canary fell off itsperch, the miners knew it was time tobeat a hasty retreat out of the mine!
In more recent times, large, ingeniouscoal-cutting machines were installed.These reduced the amount of physicalwork considerably and speeded up theprocess of extracting the coal but alsoincreased the amount of coal dust andnoise. We asked our guide how theselarge machines got there. He told us thatthey had to be dismantled at the pithead,taken down the mine piece by piece andthen assembled by fitters and electriciansat the coal face.
Our six hours passed very quickly andthere was still much more to see –perhaps another visit? Our thanks aredue to Saleema who organised the day –oh yes, and everyone was counted back atthe pithead!
Map from 1954 showing back-to-backs and courts on Spital Street.Harry Brearley was born in the house behind number 23 Spital Street.
ISSUE 106 • JUNE 2013 21
Chileans commemorate
40th anniversary of the coupStory: Nazrul Hussain
Chile Sports, Culture and Development Association(SCDA) moved into Abbeyfield House last month afterfifteen years in nearby Norbury Resource Centre.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the bloody military coupled by General Pinochet in Chile, which overthrew thedemocratically elected government. Chile SCDA is planning arange of activities to commemorate the event.
The Messenger interviewed Pedro Fuentes, chair of Chile SCDA.Pedro is a Chilean refugee who came to the UK during AugustoPinochet’s terrifying reign of power. From September toDecember 1973, about 250,000 Chilean people were detained.3000 people were executed, ‘disappeared’ or lost their lives as aresult of torture and political violence during Pinochet’s leadership.Political parties in Chile were outlawed. Anyone with a beard,moustache or long hair was accused of being against Pinochet.
Pedro was those arrested and jailed for three years. While there,his family fought for him to get a visa to the UK.
“I was shocked and puzzled when I received the visa to the UK, Iwasn’t aware of it at all. Anyone seen approaching the embassywas arrested and put in jail so it was very difficult. They had tobe very careful not to get caught contacting the embassy. Whenwe first came over from Chile, all the refugees were in London.From there, people were sent to Manchester, Liverpool,Birmingham, Sheffield and all over the UK.”
Pedro went on to tell us about what he used to do before thecoup.
“I was working for the National Institute of Skills and Training,which was a government organisation, and I was also a memberof my union - which was normal in Chile. 85% to 90% percent ofpeople that worked in government institutes were jailed.”
Around 300 Chileans sought refuge in Sheffield and Rotherham,and there is now a second generation and an emerging thirdgeneration. Pedro explained the purpose of the organisation atfirst was to support Chilean refugees and help them adjust totheir new lives, as well as to help Chilean prisoners. The groupactively denounced the human rights violations of thedictatorship.
“Political involvement has always been the case. It’s whyeverything happened and why we are here. But it’s a new worldof politics in Chile. Any link with Chile now is if we help them,like during the earthquake. More recently, we wanted to be acommunity organisation rather than a political organisation.We are a self-support organisation - we help people witheducation, work and training.”
The Chilean group has remained involved in political activities inthe UK.
“We have been involved in the UK with protests: we have beenthere during poll tax and issues like that. We also supported theminers’ strike. That was a really interesting experience.
Chile SCDA has been active in Burngreave for over 15 years. Weasked what type of events the organisation have held in the past.
“We wanted the new generations of Chilean people tounderstand the sets of principles and values we brought with usfrom home because that is very important to us. So we would goaway for a week with 50 to 70 people and have children playingtogether and we collectively organized food, games and a bigrange of activities. It helped children and adults to betterunderstand what community and family is.”
As 2013 is the 40thanniversary of thecoup, Pedro’sorganisation isparticularly busy.
“We want tocommemorate peoplewho were killed or‘disappeared’ - thereare still people whowere never found.We have a range ofthings happening and a calendar with event information on ourwebsite www.chile40yearson.org.”
Exhibition of Chilean patchwork
Unique opportunity to see arpilleras - the art of a collectivenational memory - made by relatives of prisoners anddisappeared people.
18th to 22nd June (10am - 6pm) at Abbeyfield Park House.
relaunchedGreen City Action has recruitedSarah Emberson to co-ordinate thenewly-relaunched Toolbank atAbbeyfield House.
The official relaunch will be at 10am onSaturday 22nd June. There are also free
energy-efficient light bulbs and birdbox-making activity.
You can also meet the Friends ofAbbeyfield Park and find out the latestdevelopments about creating acommunity heritage hub.
The tool bank will be openThursdays 12-2pm and Saturdays10am-12pm, from 6th June. Call 244 0353.
22 BURNGREAVE MESSENGER
Write to: Abbeyfield Park House, Abbeyfield Road, Sheffield S4 7AT
Missing cat – can you help?
A Messenger reader who lives onWhiteways Road is looking for help tofind her missing cat. The cat is tenmonths old and is black, with a whitesmudge above her nose, white paws andfront. She has been missing since 12thApril. She had no collar or tags when lostand there is a small reward offered if sheis found.
Her owner, Almary, told us “We have hadher since she was eight weeks old, we loveher so much and miss her a lot. Pleasehelp us find our cat. If you know anythingabout her or if you have seen her in yourgardens or homes, please help.” Almaryhas already contacted the RSPCA and local animal charities and hasmade an appeal on Facebook. Any Messenger readers withinformation can contact Almary on 0773 444 7609.
Coffee Morning Thursday June 13th 10.30 am
Summer Garden Party Saturday June 22nd Time TBA.
Both at Pitsmoor Methodist Church,131 Burngreave Road, S3 9DG
We have two pianos to give away free to anyonewho wishes to own one.
The contact name for interested parties isJohn Eaton. Telephone 0114 243 5333.
Bedroom Tax demo
Linda Cawley shares her views about the Bedroom Tax (photoby Cariad Thomas):
From April 2013, the Government is introducing new rules torestrict the amount of benefit you can claim if you are rentingyour home.
If you have one 'spare' bedroom, your housing benefit will be cutby 14% of the rent you pay every week. If you have two or morespare bedrooms, you will lose 25%.
Thousands of people who have lived in their homes and built uptheir lives around their communities and families will either haveto pay the extra amount or move out. The local authority has theright to evict if this is not adhered to.
This is an awful outrageous attack, in my opinion, on thosepeople who already struggle to make ends meet and, as far as Ican see, Sheffield City Council is not doing anything about it.This is a Coalition decision and a policy that I thought unions andthe Labour Party were there to oppose. So far I have not seeneither of them do much about it.
There are pockets of resistance against the tax, and on Saturday18th May, I was one of a few hundred people to attend a rallyoutside the City Hall. There were speakers from Parson Cross andother areas in Sheffield where the bedroom tax will affect mostpeople. They were young, ordinary, working class people and Iwas inspired by their defiance and resolve to oppose this tax. Iwas also cheered to see so many faces from Burngreave there.
This dreadful tax will bring misery to thousands of families.Already one grandmother was so depressed about the fact thatshe might be thrown out of her home that she threw herself infront of a bus and died.
I have been a long-standing Labour supporter in Sheffield but allI see at the moment is the council here implementing Cameronand Clegg’s policies. We must resist this. So the next time we havea rally, please come along and show your support. Contact yourlocal councillors and MP and let them know how you feel about it.Remember we voted them in and we can vote them out.
Burngreave Against the Cutshttps://twitter.com/S3S4AgainstCuts
Contact details for the campaign against bedroom tax:Email: [email protected]: 07928 766 385
