Rivelin Valley-based Hillside Harvest have sent the following report and photos from last weekend’s open day. Their next open day is all about plot planning and is taking place on Saturday March 16 from 11am.
Hillside Harvest February open day
On a sunny, dry Saturday in February, we came together for our first Open Day in 2013.
Apart from our members, we had a very eager group of students from the University of Sheffield, and a good number of other visitors. The students made quite a difference to the various areas of the site, including bringing back to life a number of plots.
The visitors were treated to an in-depth training session, by a local expert, on composting, learning such things as the importance of getting the balance between the right amounts of nitrogen and carbon-based products!
In the middle of the day, we all gathered for a shared lunch of a vegetable stew and a number of cakes (though not together!). It was also a time of getting to know each other and to share our joys and failures in composting and other gardening activities.
Hillside Harvest February open dayHillside Harvest February open day
Two 51 buses have been painted in traditional livery to celebrate 100 years of motor buses in Sheffield.
Look out for the repainted 51s on the Crosspool route
The first motorbus began operation between Broomhill and Lodge Moor via Crosspool on 15 February 1913. As part of the centenary celebrations, two modern buses painted in 1913 and 1960 colours will be used on the 51 route.
And on Sunday 12 May a bus rally will take place at First’s Olive Grove depot where you can see a selection of old and new buses and take part in fun activities.
Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First UK Bus said: “It is very exciting that people and organisations in Sheffield are coming together to celebrate 100 years of motorbuses in Sheffield.
“Sheffield has grown tremendously in the past century and buses have been at the forefront of this development.
“It is only right and proper that we organise a series of events to commemorate this anniversary and the public should look out for these spectacular buses that represent the history of this great city.”
South Yorkshire Police have issued a statement regarding events in Crosspool last weekend.
They confirm that the body of a missing 63-year-old woman was found behind property in Crosspool at around midday on Saturday, 9 February. The woman was reported missing from her home on Cardoness Road at 5.45pm on Friday 8 February.
There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and police are not seeking anyone in connection with her death.
Crosspool Big Issue in the North seller Mohammad Iqbal picks up his award
The dedicated approach of Mohammed Iqbal, Crosspool’s vendor for The Big Issue in the North, has been recognised with a special award.
Mohammed sells the magazine outside Spar in the precinct. He was recently presented with the award by the magazine’s Sheffield office.
In the article below Mohammed explains a bit more about his background, why 2012 was a difficult year for him and his experiences of selling in Crosspool. The piece originally appeared in the Big Issue in the North and is reproduced here with permission.
Well done to Mohammed and thanks to Heather for spotting the article and letting us know about the news.
Smiley vendor earns award
One of Sheffield’s vendors, Mohammad Iqbal, has been rewarded for his tireless work over the past year, being given the Sheffield office’s Most Dedicated Vendor of 2012 award as part of its end of year celebrations.
Iqbal, 45, has been selling The Big Issue in the North for nine years in Yorkshire, between Scunthorpe, Barnsley and Sheffield, and is now reaping the rewards with an impressive sales record on his new pitch.
Iqbal said: “I have been selling at Crosspool since June, which has been really good as I now have a lot of regular customers there who have started calling me ‘Smiley’. The manager and staff are very friendly. They let me stand under their shelter and so I return the favour by helping the shop’s customers with their trolleys. I’ve even stopped a thief running away from the shop twice, which they thanked me for.”
Having a good relationship with his customers and the public means a lot to Iqbal. “I enjoy talking to people, and working each day helps keep me in good spirits and motivated to improve my situation. My family live in Pakistan, and being so far away makes it difficult, but selling the magazine helps keep me busy whilst making the money I need.
“2012 was a very difficult year for me, as I lost three very close members of my family; my son Akhtar, my daughter Sophia and my mother. But I have worked very hard every day selling the magazine so that I can support them as much as I can, to pay my own way for things, and to put some money in savings, which will help me in the future.
“My main aim is to try and get my family to move over to England this year, which would make me a very happy man. I’m very thankful to anyone who buys my magazines and helps me do this.”
The roads, pavements and streetlights of Sheffield are due to be upgraded as part of the Streets Ahead project over the next few years.
You can find out more about Streets Ahead in Crosspool, including what will change and timescales at a roadshow on 13 February at Wesley Hall in Crookes (S10 1UD) – details below.
Work around Crosspool is scheduled to begin in April starting in the Tapton Hill area.
This online map allows you to search by postcode to find an approximate date for when the work will take place on your street.
The council is consulting on the future of Community Assemblies. Four main proposals are on the table in response to cuts in government funding and a reduction in services.
Crosspool is part of South West Community Assembly. Community Assemblies currently help decide how services in Sheffield are delivered. The idea is that many decisions that were made in the town hall – including how to spend a Community Assembly budget – are now made within communities via assemblies.
The deadline for responding to the proposals with your comments is tomorrow, Monday 28 January 2013.
Budding and experienced gardeners will be interested in the Hillside Harvest Open Days in February and March:
16 February – Open Day with Composting workshops (introductory and for more experienced)
16 March – Open Day with Plot Planning workshops (introductory and for more experienced)
For more information, including times and the availability of free minibus lifts for 16 February and 16 March, check the Hillside Harvest website. Places are limited, so please let the organisers know soon if you intend to come.
To sign up for a lift/workshop email info@hillsideharvest.org.uk or phone Nick/Eleanor on 0114 2301 406 or Gareth on 07940 533 603.
Snow falling in Crosspool over the last 48 hours has caused problems on local roads and disruption to public transport and events.
Major roads were gritted in preparation for the snowfall, which was over 10cm deep in some areas.
On Friday night, 51 buses were terminating at Crosspool instead of Lodge Moor, and Gleadless Town End instead of Charnock going the other direction. As of 12pm Saturday, the service was reported to be running as normal. Latest updates to public transport are on the Travel South Yorkshire website.
The main roads through Crosspool were also clear of snow on Saturday morning. However, surface snow and ice on side roads were continuing to cause problems for cars and pedestrians.
If you fancy helping clear the pitch at Sandygate, Hallam FC are looking for volunteers. Soup and sandwiches will be provided for anyone who turns up to lend a hand!
An Open Day at Hillside Harvest has also fallen victim to the weather.
Do also check up on your neighbours who may feel isolated and vulnerable during the cold spell.
Wrapping up warm at the shopsClearing snow at SandygateGritting Cardoness RoadCairns RoadManchester Road snow sculpture. Photo: David RumseyA lorry stuck in the ice at the top of Darwin Lane
