TODWICK VILLAGE

The Informer

The INFORMER

Todwick Parish Council
No. 70
November 2005

The A57 - INCREASED COST AND MORE DELAYS

You may already have seen press reports that the cost of improvements to the A57 has risen from the £6.3 million approved by the Deputy Prime Minister last January to £11.9 million - was the original a "guesstimate" rather than an estimate of cost? The reason given to RMBC's Cabinet was that it followed changes to the original plans, and that it is not unusual on major schemes for costs to increase at the detailed planning stage. Changing the design of the improvements cost an extra £1.3 million and drainage required by the Environment Agency £950,000. Suggestions made during the consultation (?) process, like the provision of a subway, account for another £3.4 million. It is only a few months ago that Todwick Parish Council received a letter refusing any further consultation on the subway as it was an agreed part of the scheme although residents on the A57 do not want it! Any further representations would have to await a Public Inquiry after the issue of Compulsory Purchase Orders.

The Department for Transport are refusing to finance the improvements unless RMBC are prepared to spend some of their own money, so the Council have been forced to contribute £2 million to safeguard the scheme. It is now hoped that the final go-ahead will be given by the Department for Transport in March 2006, and if this is the case work will commence in mid-2007 at the earliest. This will give some further respite to residents on Kiveton Lane but is otherwise frustrating.

CHANGES TO YOUR PARISH COUNCIL - Two vacancies have arisen, one due to Sharron Castledine leaving the area and the second resulting from the sudden death of John Mosley. Jack Cloke of Mill Close has been co-opted to fill one vacancy and it is hoped that by the time you read this a second interested resident will have been co-opted to fill the other one. Also Paul Langford has succeeded John Mosley as Vice-Chairman. Council membership is now:

The Clerk to the Council remains Rod Walker, 10 High Street, South Anston S25 5AY (566639). Dates of forthcoming meetings are 29 November & 20 December 2005, and 31 January & 28 February 2006 in the Village Hall commencing at 7.30 pm (Open Session at 8.30 pm).

NEW VILLAGE HANDYMAN - is Julian Marples who lives on The Pastures. He is supervised by Councillor Palmer to whom any queries, comments, etc. should be directed.

COUNCILLOR JOHN MOSLEY - At the September meeting members paid tribute to John Mosley and the contribution he had made to the work of the Council since he joined it in 1982. He was Vice-Chairman from 1983 to 1987, Chairman from 1989 to 1991, and finally Vice-Chairman from 1995 until his untimely death in August this year. He was always a very active member, both in the practical work he undertook and in expressing his forthright views in Council - always concerned that it should work for the benefit and well-being of Todwick residents. He organised the first village bonfire in 1983 and every year afterwards except the one which had to be cancelled, and will also be remembered for his organisation of the Millennium Fun Day - one of the most enjoyable and successful events ever held in Todwick. He will be greatly missed.

2005 FIREWORKS - No bonfire this year but a fireworks display organised by Tony Rusling as a tribute to John Mosley. The hour-long display was attended by in excess of 1000 people who spent an enjoyable and trouble-free evening, and the sum of £201.79 was raised for Sheffield Autistic Society - a charity dear to John's heart.

MEDICAL SERVICES IN TODWICK - The July meeting of the Parish Council was attended by representatives of Rotherham Primary Care Trust who were made fully aware of concerns at the lack of facilities in Todwick, including views expressed in the survey carried out for the Parish Plan. A letter has been received assuring us that they are working on the issues discussed, and making two suggestions as to action we might take in the meantime. We hope for a positive response with some practical results in due course. In line with their suggestions, Liz Hendry from Rotherham Community Transport has been invited to give a talk immediately prior to the November Council meeting, and Sue Paddick, Community Pharmacy Advisor, has been asked to provide information on these services.

KIVETON PARK INDEPENDENT ADVICE CENTRE - As a result of lack of custom at the experimental sessions held in the Village Hall in June and July the Centre have decided that they cannot justify regular sessions in the future. You are reminded that the Centre is open at Kiveton Community Library on Mondays from 7.30 - 8.30 pm (free legal advice available) and Wednesdays from 2.00 - 4-00 pm. For further information and advice telephone 01909 773966.

TODWICK PARISH RAMBLES GROUP - This is the new title for the monthly footpath walks. They continue to take place on the second Sunday of each month leaving at approximately 10.00 am, but always check the notice board outside the Village Hall for details as times sometimes vary. They are now organised by Jim Tompkin who can be contacted on 770700 for further information.

BROWNIES & GUIDES - Both are urgently in need of new Guiders to help run their very successful units. If this is something you would like to be involved with please contact Audrey Radford on 771931 for the Brownies, or Sandy Armstrong on 770751 for the Guides. They will both be overjoyed to hear from you!

DONATIONS - Only one request had been received when this was on the Agenda for the October meeting and the Council agreed to make a grant of £100 to the Over 60's Club.

YORKSHIRE WATER CARES - for Todwick Juniors Football Club. Recently 17 men from Yorkshire Water descended on the Recreation Ground to revamp the changing rooms and generally upgrade and transform the facilities for the Club as one of the Company's community projects. Children from Todwick, Thurcroft, Harthill and Maltby use the ground, and Todwick Juniors are always looking for girls and boys aged 6 to 9 to join their soccer school. Anyone interested should contact Glynn Wallhead on 01709 702651 or Mark Stafford on 01909 550851.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN YOUR VILLAGE HALL?

THE MOTHERS UNION, BROWNIES & GUIDES NOW MEET IN THE NEW CHURCH HALL, SO THERE ARE SOME VACANCIES FOR BOOKINGS FOR THIS HALL. IF YOU HAVE AN ACTIVITY YOU WOULD LIKE TO ARRANGE CONTACT ANN RUSLING ON 770081 (before 9.00 pm please), ALSO THE HALL CAN BE BOOKED FOR PRIVATE FUNCTIONS AT A VERY REASONABLE CHARGE. PLEASE TELEPHONE AS ABOVE.

THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - The Village Hall is managed by a Committee comprising the Rector, two members of the Parish Council, and a representative of each of the organisations which use the Hall, and normally meets in alternate months with an AGM in October. This year's officers are: Chairman - Revd. David Bliss (770283); Treasurer - Mrs Margaret Grayson (770646); Secretary - Mrs Jean Leah (771082). Election of a Vice-Chairman was deferred to a later meeting.

CHRISTMAS FAIR - This will be held in the Hall on Saturday 26 November and will be opened by Father Christmas at 2.00 pm who will then welcome children in his grotto. The various village organisations will all be running stalls, etc. Tickets for the Grand Raffle have been on sale for several weeks - if you haven't already bought yours make sure you get some on the day - there are as usual many very attractive prizes. Please support this event - it is the only fund raising activity of the year in aid of the Hall!

REFURBISHMENT - There have been many problems in finding sources of funding for this. One organisation refused even to leave an application form on the grounds that it would be a waste of time to complete one - Todwick is insufficiently deprived to stand a chance! However two applications for substantial grants to enable the necessary work to proceed have recently been submitted - a great deal of hard work has gone into their preparation and results are anxiously awaited!

THE ENVIRONMENT - BEFORE AND AFTER TEAG - As already announced TEAG will cease to exist at the end of this year. Winter 2005/Spring 2006 planting has been done by Sheila Pantry - wallflowers, pansies and primulas can be seen already, and in the Spring you will see even more bulbs around the village. Sheila wishes to thank all Todwick residents who have been most encouraging about her gardening work. Since 1989 TEAG have provided the planters at all 3 entrances to the village, 4 planters and seats and 3 beds on the verge near Carol Aston Carpets, the Millennium Garden and Gates at the Recreation Ground, and many flower beds and some trees around the village. Bulbs planted on the verges have made the spring scene in Todwick beautiful. If you have some spare this year why not put them in a verge near you - or give them to Sheila (at 85 The Meadows) and she will plant them for you.

As reported in July, the Council has decided to attempt the organisation of a new team of volunteers under the leadership of Councillor John Palmer and to allocate 2 hours of the Village Handyman's time each week to support them. It has also agreed to reimburse any volunteers for expenses incurred in the purchase of plants, etc. A number of people have already come forward and given their names to John Palmer. If you can help - and remember that gardening is a regular all-the-year-round job - please contact John on 771257! Sheila Pantry has agreed to act as consultant/advisor.

MODEL RAILWAYS - Are you interested in forming a Club or a Discussion Group in Todwick? If so contact local resident Norman Reay on 770679.

ROOM FOR ONE MORE! Todwick Care Lunch Club has at present a vacancy for one senior citizen on Tuesday each week. A traditional home-cooked meal (2 choices of lunch, a sweet and a pot of tea) served at 12 noon - just £2.00 per person. Further information from the Home on 770248.

STREETPRIDE - If you want to report any problems with unlit street lights, potholes in the road, graffiti, illegal fly tipping, etc. etc. the number to ring is 01709 336003.

POLICE CONTACT NUMBERS - Emergencies - 999. To report an incident/for prompt attention ring the Central Switchboard 0114 220 20 20. Crime stoppers number is 0800 555111. Our local Community Police Officers, Tina Jones and Howard Saul, can be contacted at Kiveton Police Station (01709 832681) but do not leave a message if your call is urgent - ring the Central Switchboard.

TODWICK WEBSITE - www.todwick.org.uk continues to provide a wide range of information about the village and its activities. If you have any items of news send them to Sheila Pantry at 85 The Meadows or sp@sheilapantry.com.

CHRISTMAS 2005 - CHRISTMAS LIGHTS around the Village Hall and elsewhere again this year. Could you put a few outside your home? More and more people seem to do this each year and it does add to the seasonal cheer. And CHRISTMAS CAROLS - Members of Todwick Church will be singing carols outside the Post Office from 10.00 to 11.30 am on Saturday 17 December. Coffee and mince pies (and possibly mulled wine) will be served. Proceeds divided between Christian Aid and the Children's Society. Come and join in - and as well as enjoying the singing and refreshments why not collect some HOLLY. Boxes of Todwick grown holly, greenery and ivy will be outside the Post Office from Saturday 17 to Saturday 24 December for anyone to take - but please make a donation to MacMillan Nurses (collection box inside the Newsagents/Post Office).

The Informer is published three times a year by Todwick Parish Council from 10 High Street, South Anston, Sheffield S25 5AY. The next issue will appear in March 2006.