darwin house – Crosspool News

Residents, staff and families joined together to take advantage of the many activities and festivities of a garden party organised by staff and volunteers of Darwin House.

Visitors who flocked to the grounds of the home on Darwin Lane last Saturday 18 June were determined not to let a day of typical British weather – hot sunshine, wind and a downpour of rain – dampen their enthusiasm and spirit to enjoy the event.

The Garden Party had everything: a tombola, guess the name of the fluffy dog, bric-a-brac, jewellery and craft stalls, an art exhibition, kiddies’ corner, cakes and refreshments.

In addition, a stunning marquee housed auctions, raffles, a flower show and afternoon of entertainment and fun, provided by Tapton School and the Carousel Theatre Group.

The group’s production of ‘Best of British’, a collection of jokes, sketches and old favourite songs to sing along to, gave a reminder of the glory days of post-war Britain.

The audience relived the pleasure of radio shows such as variety band box (Arthur Askey) and The Goons, the celebration of the festival of Britain, the coronation, the birth of muffin the mule and the joy of the hits from the 40s and 50s, all brought to life by a cast of two professional actors.

Everyone had a wonderful day raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.

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Matters arising & Chairman’s report

More scrap dealers cruising the area – Pc Louise Atha to be informed.
Crookes/Whitham Rd junction traffic problems? The severe pollution caused at this junction is a serious issue that wants immediate attention. Cllr Holmes is awaiting a response from Pam Horner (PTES) and the newly-re-organized Planning Board decision.
Crosspool is entering ‘Sheffield in Bloom’ again – look out for the tubs & baskets! The Forum will need to acquire funding next year if it is to pay for a 2012 display – for the Diamond Jubilee!
Internet computer course – this started on Fri 6^th (St Columbas; 9.30-2pm.) Some places are still available.
Car Boot Sale (profits to Weston Park Hospital) – 11^th June. (the ‘Tavern’ car park as usual).
Darwin House Open Day – 18^th June
Motorworld site planning permission (Turner Investments) – this has been refused by the Planning Inspectorate.
Crosspool Centenary Walk – starting at the Tavern 12 noon on 30^th July. Please cheer the 3 walkers on (or join them!)in their huge walk for Weston Park.
Mayfield Valley lorries – a resident there is starting a campaign to prevent satnavs allowing inappropriately huge vehicles from trying to squeeze down the lanes.

Police issues

As Pc Atha was on leave there was no report, but residents made the following points to be passed on to her – as well as point 1 above.

Drug dealers using the ginnel at the top of Delph House Rd – this is to stopped.
‘20s plenty’ local speed campaign progress? After the local elections this is waiting until the Planning Boards have been re-organized.
Wooden verge bollards – are more needed at the top of Stephen Hill? There is still some verge parking on that very dangerous road.
Stephen Hill/Manchester Rd/Benty Lane junction – survey conclusions? This junction must be sorted out.

Councillors’ Report (Brian Holmes and Geoff Smith)

New Cllr Geoff Cox was welcomed, & said he was still in a ‘listening mode’, but hopes to get his contact details out to the public ASAP .

Residents being able to choose for themselves what to use their recycling bin BLUE BINS & BLUE BOXES for may start on 23rd May – watch this space!

The proposed hessian bag GREEN GARDEN WASTE SCHEME is not now happening – green bags are available once more from eg the libraries for green waste. At the moment the ‘winter’ scheme of residents ‘phoning to arrange collection is still in force – this may take 21 days. Cllrs agreed that re-opening the Botanical Gardens cafe was a high priority.

Treasurer’s Report

There is sufficient in the ‘kitty’ to cover this year’s flowers, but (see above) grants will be needed for future projects

Crosspool Festival

Rev Frances Eccleston reported that the Festival will open with Crosspool Open Gardens on Sat 2^nd July, a Street Market on Sun 3^rd, and 0 after a range of day & evening events – end with the Summer Fayre on Sat 9th & Picnic in the Park (Lydgate Green) on Sun 10^th. More volunteers still warmly welcomed!

Digital Switchover report

Carrie McKenzie (Voluntary Action Sheffield) said that all old TVs & aerials should work fine with the new digital signal. People receiving TV through SKY dishes or by cable will not be affected at all when the analogue signal is switched off, but if TV comes via an aerial some form of ‘digibox’ for the new freeview 15 channels will be needed. If residents get their TV signals from the Crookes transmitter then BBC2 will disappear on 10^th Aug (& the other channels two weeks later) – if from Emley Moor BBC2 will go on 7^th Sep (& the others on 21^st) and if from Belmont (not very likely in this area) 3^rd August (& 17^th). Residents over 75 will have received a letter already asking them whether they need an installer to call & tune their sets in – if they biined this by accidents further letters will be sent! Video recorders will still work to play old videos, but not record any longer..

AOB

Cold callers – (Pat of Neighbourhood Watch) said the digital switchover might mean scams with callers pretending new aerials are needed. The real switchover installers will have contacted households ahead & made an appointment.
Guests for next Open Meeting – Ian Hague will try to get a Magistrate to attend (having been at a very interesting meeting re sentencing etc).
Old ‘Threshers’ shop? No-one had any information on this site.
Local King Edwards schoolgirl Alicia Cannon has been named as winner of the Big Challenge for her fund-raising work for Weston Park.
Crosspool litter pick (2^nd April) – thank you to everyone who attended, and helped pick up 9 bags of rubbish! A special thank you to a Tapton girl & her Essex friend for their assistance!
School involvement in the Open Meetings? The Forum would like to hear from anyone in Tapton or King Edwards who would like to speak at the Meetings – to give their points of view on their community.

Next Open Meeting will be on Thursday 28 July 2011, at St Columba’s, 7pm.