Local Election – Check Photo Identification

Government urges the public to check their photo identification ahead of polls

The Government is encouraging people to check that they have accepted photo identification ahead of local elections and apply for a free voter authority certificate if needed.

With two weeks until local elections take place, the Government is encouraging people to check that they have accepted photo identification ready and apply for a free voter authority certificate if needed.

Anyone voting in person in local elections taking place in England on Thursday 4th May 2023 will need an accepted form of photo identification to cast their vote.

This brings the rest of the UK in line with Northern Ireland, which has had photo identification to vote in elections since 2003 and will ensure that elections are better protected from the potential for voter fraud.

While the vast majority of voters already own an accepted form of identification, which includes driving licences, blue badges, NUS Totum cards and Freedom passes, voters who do not have accepted photo identification can apply for a free local Voter Authority Certificate by post or online 24 hours a day, up until Tuesday 25 April at 5pm.

The Government is working with the Electoral Commission, local authorities and stakeholders to ensure voters are aware of the changes. The Commission has been running a public awareness campaign since January, running widely across all major channels.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:
“It’s vital you check now if you have the photo identification needed to vote in English local elections taking place in May.”
“While the vast majority of voters already own an accepted form of identification, anyone who needs to can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate before 5 pm on Tuesday.”
“For more information please check your polling card and find more details online.”

Accepted forms of photo identification and further information are available on gov.uk and the Electoral Commission website.

Further information
Accepted forms of identification include:

  • Driving licence (including provisional licences)
  • Passport
  • PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme – this includes the NUS Totum card, the Post Office card, Young Scot card)
  • Blue Badge
  • Biometric residence permit
  • Defence Identity Card
  • National identity cards issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
  • Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
  • Voter Authority Certificate
  • Anonymous Elector’s Document
  • Older person’s bus pass
  • Disabled person’s bus pass
  • Oyster 60+ card
  • Freedom Pass
  • Scottish National Entitlement Card
  • 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass

Emergency Alerts GOV.UK

Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby.

This Sunday 23 April 2023 at 3pm your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe in an emergency.
The alert will say:
This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
This is a test. You do not need to take any action.

In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.

Crosspool Festival

( Crosspool Festival Week, Friday June 30th to Sunday 9th July 2023)

Art, Craft, Photography, Cake Baking and Decorating Exhibition and Competitions

This summer, Crosspool Festival is holding a two-day exhibition for the people of Crosspool to showcase their creativity in the areas of Art – Craft – Photography and Cake Making.
This is open to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Crosspool.
There is no theme to follow, just show us what you can create.
There will also be Demonstrations on Spinning Alpaca Fleece on Tuesday 4th and Lace Making on Wednesday 5th ; plus, an introduction to Philately, a fun and addictive hobby of stamp collecting.
The categories for entry are as follows: – Art – Craft – Cake & Photography:
(two age categories for each)

  • Under 16 years.
  • Everyone over 16 years.

In the Photography Exhibition you can enter up to two images and the print can be any size from A5 to  A3.
They can be print only or mounted and/or framed.
The photography entries will not be chosen by a judge. Rather, the visitors to the exhibition will be able to vote for their favourite image in both the under-16s and over-16s categories.
In the Art, Craft & Cake categories, there are no restrictions on the size and Judges will make the awards.
Details of when and where you can hand in your entries will be announced nearer the time.

Entries will be put on display for everyone to view and admire at
St Columba’s Church, Manchester Road on Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th July 2023. Refreshments will be available, courtesy of Crosspool WI.

After the exhibition, Cocker & Carr will display in their window some of the entries in the art, craft and photography categories.
For further information on all the categories, contact:- crosspoolfestivalphotos@gmail.com

Family Dog Missing

Charlie

Charlie, a really very timid one-year-old cockerpoo, who is chestnut in colour with a black nose, and wearing a turquoise collar (with a tag on it with the owner’s details), escaped from the owner’s garden.

If anyone has seen Charlie, please let us know.
 Email:- jwatkinson@lydgatejun.sheffield.sch.uk or
crosspoolforum@gmail.com

Traffic Chaos in Crosspool 

Wednesday morning, 5th April 2023, there is traffic chaos in Crosspool.

As a result of a major water leak outside the Indian restaurant in the Crosspool Precinct.
Traffic can’t now go up Sandygate Road beyond Benty Lane, and coming down has to divert down Selborne Road,

Ranmoor Scouts at Crosspool

Scout Hall, Benty Lane, Crosspool

One of Sheffield’s oldest scout groups, Ranmoor Scouts at Crosspool, is on the brink of closing just short of its 100th anniversary.

The 36th Ranmoor Scout Group, based at the Scout Hall on Benty Lane, Crosspool, has already had to stop one age group meeting, because of a lack of volunteer scout leaders, and there are concerns the youngest, the Beavers, could be next to be affected.

Michael Holmes, group scout leader, said the group was initially hit by closures related to the Covid pandemic, with some volunteers not returning after the country returned to normal. He has written an open letter appealing for help to save the scouts’ group.

He said: “Closure is looming ahead of the 36th Ranmoor Scout Group after almost 100 years. The group was first affiliated in March 1927 and has been one the largest groups for many years and at times having a membership of over 120 young people. But it is now struggling to keep open because of lack of adult help.”

He said before Covid, there were healthy numbers for the Beavers, aged six to eight, the cubs, aged eight to 10, the scouts, aged 10 to 15, and a large waiting list. But due to a lack of adult volunteers, the scouts were not now meeting, and the other groups were struggling.

He said no experience of scouting was needed for volunteers, just a willingness to help young people, adding it was a great shame that the scouts were currently unable to meet, and someone was needed to get it moving again.

The future of the Beaver group is uncertain, as the current leader is due to step down in July. There is a team of assistants, but there will be no leader after that point as things stand. They need someone who will be able to attend 95 percent of the time.

“If we can find a leader, we will have someone who can show them the ropes,” he added.

The group had invested heavily in its building in recent years, building an extension, and improving access. It has enabled them to open up the facility to a number of community groups, but they have still struggled for volunteers.

Anyone who can help can email michaelfholmes1@gmail.com or call 07802 860556.

  Sheffield Star

Celebrate 20 years of Dance

St Francis Dance Company
Celebrates 20yrs of Dance
Choreographed and directed by Sarah Bennet

  • Friday 21st April. 7.30pm
  • Saturday 22nd April. 7.30pm
  • Sunday 23rd April. 3.00pm
  • Adults £8 Children £4
  • Available from Grazyna Swales 0114 2308196

Stephen Hill Church Manchester Road Crosspool s10 5PL

All proceeds will go to the Children’s Hospital, Air Ambulance & Cafod’s Earthquake Appeal

SHEFFIELD HALF MARATHON 2023

Sheffield Half Marathon will bring traffic changes to this area this weekend

Thousands of runners will be taking part in Sheffield Half Marathon this Sunday 26 March. It is the biggest event of its kind in South Yorkshire and one of the major events in the UK’s running calendar.

Road closures will be in place across parts of the city, so please visit the Sheffield Half Marathon webpage for information on the race route and any traffic changes that might affect you.