Hallam FC confirmed their place in the Northern Counties East League Division 1 play offs following a 4-1 win last night over Dronfield Town, the Countrymen’s third win in a row.
The dates and times of the play off matches have yet to be confirmed.
New ride and surfacing for CDYST
The trustees of Crosspool & District Youth Sports Trust (CDYST) on Coldwell Lane have asked us to pass on that news the children’s playground is out of use for a few days.
This is because the old safety tiles are being replaced by modern wet-pour safety surfacing – plus there’ll be a new spring ride!
The improvements should be all completed by the end of next week.
Crosspool resident inspired to write children’s book
A Crosspool resident has written a book inspired by the children she fosters.
Martha, Ginger and the Mischievous Magpies is based on stories Anne Murphy has told to children in her care over the years.
“We keep chickens which the children love. I started telling the children stories and the ones about the chickens Martha and Ginger went so well I decided to write them down,” said Anne.
“The children were my inspiration and they are also my biggest critics – they liked the stories so that’s good enough for me.”
In the story the two chickens change places with a pair of mischievous magpies and unexpected adventures follow with other animals including a fox and a squirrel.
The book has colour illustrations by Anne’s partner Gavin Holliday and has been published privately.
Anne and Gavin have been respite foster carers for several years and care for children from birth to 18 years
“Becoming respite foster carers was a big decision but it was something we wanted to do. You want to create a home for the children and telling the stories about Martha and Ginger has become part of that,” added Anne.
Martha, Ginger and the Mischievous Magpies is for sale, price £5. If you are interested in a copy contact Anne Murphy at anne.murphy@sheffield.gov.uk.
Single decker buses to run on 51 route weekdays until 17 April
First Buses have advised that they will be unable to run buses from Blackbrook Road to Lodge Moor terminus from Thursday 7 April to Tuesday 17 April, 7am-7pm, on weekdays only.
Because they will be forced to use Crimicar Lane to turn buses, this will mean the use of single deckers during the period. Last time this diversion was in place, a double decker received damage due to a tree at kerbside, so it is considered unsafe.
First are advising residents that while they will do their best, there is a possible risk of demand exceeding seating capacity on the service at peak periods and around school times.
New manager launches new ale and menu in Crosspool pub
The Sportsman in Crosspool has teamed up with Yorkshire brewery Black Sheep to launch an exclusive new pale ale.
From Good Friday, 25 March, customers at the Crosspool pub will be able to enjoy a pint of Ember Inn Pale Ale, a 4% ABV beer with a crisp, bitter finish.
Easter also marks the launch of the new brunch menu – the latest addition by pub manager Samantha Chapman. Celebrating six months behind the bar, she has brought in a new team and relaunched the weekly quiz night.
Samantha said: “With 11 and a half years’ experience in the industry, The Sportsman posed an exciting new challenge for me to develop its reputation in the local community. I won an award for Manager of the Year in a previous role in 2014 as I helped make the pub a social hub for residents, groups and clubs in the local community – that’s something we are hoping to replicate here.”
“Introducing this exclusive ale will add to our already extensive cask ale range and is just the beginning of our plans for the pub. From our pub quizzes, to our new seasonal menus, I am hoping to build great relationships with our locals, evolving the pub to become a part of everyday life in the community.”
Crosspool Characters: children’s author Ann Twigg
Ann is one of four sisters and was born and brought up in Sheffield, England. She has three children, eight grand-children and two great-grand-children.
She started out as a Sunday school teacher in her early years, before progressing on to work with university-aged students and then in later years went on to work as a dinner lady in Crosspool.
How long did you work at Lydgate Lane Infant School and what are your memories of your time there?
I worked as a lunchtime supervisor for eight years at Lydgate Infant School and loved every minute until I retired last year.
I have some lovely memories of working with the little children and telling them my stories in the playground before they went in for their lunch. There was never a dull moment and I got so much enjoyment from seeing the look on their faces as they listened so intently to whichever story I was telling them.
Also I have great admiration for all the teachers and staff who all have so much patience with the children and do their very best to make this school such a lovely friendly and happy place for the children to be.
Do you live local to Crosspool? What do you like about it?
I was brought up in Crookes and lived there until 1982 when I moved to Crosspool. I have lived in Crosspool ever since.
I like Crosspool because it is on the edge of the countryside and we have some fabulous walks around us.
What is your inspiration for your stories?
My inspiration for some of the stories I wrote came from my grandchildren. I wrote the Red Man and Green Man stories when my little grandson who was about three years old, was waiting with me to cross the road and quite innocently asked me if Red Man and Green Man ever came out of the traffic lights to play.
Another story Tom on Robot Island was written for my other grandson Tom who was about seven years old, when he asked me to tell him a story about a robot.
Also the idea for the Grumpy Grandad stories was because I actually live with a Grumpy Grandad and the mole really did dig up our garden which he still grumbles about today.
I’m sure most of the local children will know the rock on the Bolehills that looks like a ship. I have lived locally all my life and have stood on that rock many times as a little girl pretending it was a ship that sailed away in the dead of night. Hence the idea for the story Alex and the little people.
All the other stories are ones I made up for my eight grandchildren and whose names are all in the stories.
Why did you decide to set up Playtime Books?
I hadn’t really thought about having the stories published as I just liked writing stories for my grandchildren. I had done such a lot though that my son came up with the idea that we ought to publish them on the internet under Playtime Books. He had CDs made and illustrations for the discs at first.
What formats do you publish your stories in and how can people get hold of them?
We have moved on quite a bit now and the stories are available on CD, book, Kindle, and ACX downloads from Amazon under Playtime Books or Ann Twigg.
If you would like to purchase any of the books in CD format then please email joannelouisegraham@outlook.com.
Also Grumpy Grandad can be followed on Facebook, YouTube, my website which is www.playtime-books.com and also @ann_twigg on Twitter.
Crosspool daughter dons cancer charity vest at Sheffield half in memory of dad
A determined daughter from Crosspool is striding out at this year’s Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon to remember her beloved dad who lost his battle with cancer in February.
Emma Sheehan (23) will take part in the 13-mile race through the streets of Sheffield on 10 April after losing her dad to cancer just under a month ago.
In a bid to raise funds for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, Emma signed up to the event back in 2015, unaware that by the time the day came around, her dad would no longer be with them.
After being diagnosed with bowel and peritoneal cancer in June 2015, Emma’s dad, Dave Sheehan (56) received radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment at Weston Park Hospital, the region’s only cancer hospital.
But after several infections and stays in hospital over the last few months, Emma’s family were given the devastating news that there was nothing more that could be done for Dave and he passed away at the end of February surrounded by his loving family.
“It’s been an incredibly difficult few months.” said Emma, “We are all still coming to terms with the loss of my dad and the huge void he has left, particularly for me, my mum and my elder sister, Aimee.
“Back in June 2015 when he was first diagnosed, I knew that I had to do something to raise money in support of this incredible hospital that had looked after us all so well. I signed up for the half marathon and vowed to raise money for the place which had extended dad’s life so that we were able to spend those precious final months with him.”
Weston Park Hospital is one of only a handful of specialist cancer hospitals in England and treats patients from all over South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire – a population of almost 1.8million people.
Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity is the only dedicated charity for the hospital and exists to support the world-class cancer research and to improve the treatment and care for people living with cancer.
Emma continued, “I know he’d have been so proud of me on the day when I reach the finish line and the more money I can raise beforehand will allow other families living with a cancer diagnosis to receive the support and care they so desperately need.
“I not only fully appreciate the research that helps treat so many patients, but the support for my dad by the nurses at Weston Park Hospital was priceless- sometimes no words can offer comfort like the gesture of a cuppa and biscuit!”
Emma will join thousands of people taking part in the first Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon – Sheffield, which starts and finishes in the city centre and follows a scenic route offering outstanding views of the Peak district.
The cancer charity is encouraging supporters to sign up for the event and join Team Weston Park with each runner raising vital sponsorship to support life-changing projects within Weston Park Hospital.
Charity Fundraising Manager, Sarah Cross said, “It’s incredibly brave of Emma to continue her fundraising efforts for us despite losing her Dad only a few weeks ago.”
“We would like to wish her the very best on the day and our Team Weston Park cheering squad will undoubtedly be cheering her on, loud and proud, from the sidelines.
“Emma has raised such a fantastic amount already which will help support other cancer patients and their families going through similar challenges now and in the future.”
Emma has now raised over £1,800 on her JustGiving site and has further donations to add to her total after a collection for the cancer charity was organised at Dave’s funeral.
Does your Crosspool group want to take part in this year’s scarecrow competition?
This year’s Crosspool Festival scarecrow competition has a new category which is open to all groups who work with children in Crosspool.
Do you run a scouting group, playgroup or sports club? Are you a pre-school worker, child minder or junior church leader?
Whatever the group we would love you to enter a scarecrow in our 2016 competition. This year the theme is Carnival and Olympics so there are lots of possibilities for crows.
The scarecrows need to be displayed in Crosspool throughout the festival week in a place visible from the roadside.
This is a great way for your group to be involved in the local community as well as being fantastic publicity for your group.
Entry is just £3 and there will be prizes! Please contact the competitionorganisers for more details on beckiegreenuk@yahoo.co.uk.
Fulwood Road (Gladstone Road to Manchester Road section) resurfacing from 21 March
Resurfacing of the Gladstone Road to Manchester Road section of Fulwood Road will begin on Monday 21 March and is expected to last about two weeks. The work will take place 7pm to 7am.
Next Open Meeting moved to Friday 6 May
The next Crosspool Forum Open Meeting will take place on Friday 6 May, starting 7pm at St Columba’s church.
The meeting was originally scheduled for Thursday 5 May but has been moved due to the local election taking place that day.
Crosspool News - crosspool.info 