A six-week cookery course for men is starting at St Columba’s from 19 April:
Cookery course for men at St Columba’s
Smiley Crosspool Big Issue in the North seller earns 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.”
Streets Ahead project in Crosspool: roadshow and schedule
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.
Bullet points from Crosspool Forum Open Meeting, 24 January 2013
Download a summary of bullet points from last Thursday’s meeting.
Bullet points from Crosspool Forum Open Meeting, 24 January 2013 (PDF, 57KB)
Your views wanted on the future of our Community Assemblies – deadline Monday
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.
Read more about the proposals and fill in the online feedback form.
You can also telephone 0114 273 5299 to give your opinion, or complete a questionnaire over the phone with a member of staff.
Beauty and the Beast, the 2013 Stephen Hill Youth pantomine
This year’s Stephen Hill Youth pantomime is Beauty and the Beast. It runs from Wednesday 20 February to Saturday 23 February. Tickets, at £4/3 are available from Bob Hodges on 0114 230 3207. More information is in the flyer below.
Hillside Harvest open days in February and March
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.
Lydgate reservoir ‘no longer available’ for housing
A confidential report leaked to The Star has revealed that Lydgate reservoir is no longer being considered by Yorkshire Water as a site for housing.
Although 900 new homes are planned for other locations, The Star report confirms:
Three proposed sites, two in Crookes and one in Tinsley, have been withdrawn, and three others are to have fewer homes than suggested.
Hadfield and Lydgate reservoirs in Crookes, where 60 homes were proposed, are no longer available – Yorkshire Water wants to keep them in use.
Read the full report on The Star website
Snow causes disruption in Crosspool
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.
Crosspool Forum Open Meeting on Thursday 24 January 2013
Crosspool Forum’s next Open Meeting will take place on Thursday 24 January at St Columba’s church. It starts at 7pm.
Come along and give your concerns on local issues to local councillors, the police and officials.
The guest speaker at this meeting is Mark Johnson from City Wide Care Alarms who will be talking about how you can remain safe, secure and independent in your home.
The church hall at St Columba’s has been redecorated and a new sound system installed.
View the Open Meeting provisional agenda (PDF, 66KB)
Crosspool News - crosspool.info 