the maltyby news issue 32

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Your Wentworth Valley Community Newspaper December 2010 The Big Freeze Page 3 Maltby Lights Switch On page 10 Maltby fell victim to the weather at the beginning of December, with freezing temperatures forecast to stay with us until Christmas. Residents found themselves cut off from surrounding areas as the roads became impassable, and public transport abandoned the town. Gritting stopped at Hellaby, and the irony of the positioning of a controversial ‘Salt Dome’ at Hellaby will not have been lost on inhabitants of Maltby! Schools were closed, and many shops were unable to open as staff could not reach work. The financial consequences for small traders have been dramatic in what is traditionally one of the busiest periods for traders. Even if intrepid workers were able to reach Maltby, there was no where to park their cars, as vehicles had been abandoned on the streets, and car parks were transformed into ice rinks. Despite this, Rotherham MBC were quick to give themselves a pat on the back. Leader of the Council, Councillor Roger Stone, said: “We’d like to thank all our staff that went the extra mile this snowy period and helped to keep life as normal as possible for the people of Rotherham. “At all times, we ensured as much as possible that the vulnerable members of our society were cared for and that what could have turned into a disaster was handled very carefully and calmly. “We’ve kept the main routes of the borough as clear as possible despite the worst weather in a century, but, most importantly, we’ve shown that snow can’t break Rotherham’s spirit. “Well done to everyone and thank you to Rotherham residents for your patience, and willingness to chip in during this difficult time.” This will come as news to most people in Maltby who believe that the Metropolitan Borough Council abandoned them. Businesses have also asked whether Maltby Town Council could have hired private contractors and billed RMBC. Cllr Stone is right in one respect, in that local people did turn out to help. The village of Stainton found itself cut off, but routes into the village were cleared by local farmers Ivor Watkins and his son Tom much to everyone’s relief. Meanwhile residents have received no post for over a week, as post men and women were confined to their office due to health and safety issues as pavements proved as treacherous as the roads, creating a real danger. KH The big freeze Photo by James Rodgers English Competition page 5

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The Local Free Community Newspaper for Maltby, Sunnyside, Bramley, Wickersley, Rotherham

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Your Wentworth Valley Community NewspaperDecember 2010

The Big Freeze Page 3Maltby Lights Switch Onpage 10

Maltby fell victim to the weather at the beginning of December, with freezing temperatures forecast to stay with us until Christmas. Residents found themselves cut off from surrounding areas as the roads became impassable, and public transport abandoned the town. Gritting stopped at Hellaby, and the irony of the positioning of a controversial ‘Salt Dome’ at Hellaby will not have been lost on inhabitants of Maltby! Schools were closed, and many shops were unable to open as staff could not reach work. The financial consequences for small traders have been dramatic in what is traditionally one of the busiest periods for traders. Even if intrepid workers were able to reach Maltby, there was no where to park their cars, as vehicles had been abandoned on the streets, and car parks were transformed into ice rinks. Despite this, Rotherham MBC were quick to give themselves a pat on the back. Leader of the Council, Councillor Roger Stone, said: “We’d like to thank all our staff that went the extra mile this snowy period and helped to keep life as normal as possible for the people of Rotherham. “At all times, we ensured as much as possible that the vulnerable members of our

society were cared for and that what could have turned into a disaster was handled very carefully and calmly. “We’ve kept the main routes of the borough as clear as possible despite the worst weather in a century, but, most importantly, we’ve shown that snow can’t break Rotherham’s spirit.“Well done to everyone and thank you to Rotherham residents for your patience, and willingness to chip in during this difficult time.” This will come as news to most people in Maltby who believe that the Metropolitan Borough Council abandoned them. Businesses have also asked whether Maltby Town Council could have hired private contractors and billed RMBC. Cllr Stone is right in one respect, in that local people did turn out to help. The village of Stainton found itself cut off, but routes into the village were cleared by local farmers Ivor Watkins and his son Tom much to everyone’s relief. Meanwhile residents have received no post for over a week, as post men and women were confined to their office due to health and safety issues as pavements proved as treacherous as the roads, creating a real danger. KH

The big freeze

Ph

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by J

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Ro

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English Competitionpage 5

Events Calendar

2 www.maltbynews.co.uk December 2010

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Maltby CragsWomen’s Group

Crags School Community Room 9:00 - 11:00.

Every Wednesday

Wickersley Writers Workshop

Wickersley Community CentreEvery other Tues, 13:00 - 15:00

01709 543991Tea, coffee & biscuits

Wickersley Operatics Society

Wickersley Community CentreTues 18:30 - 21:30

Thurs 19:30 - 21:30Open to all over 16yrs

PACT MEETING Wickersley Community Centre,

Bawtry, Wickersley 18:00 - 20:00

All Welcome

Edward Dunn Dance & Social Club

Edward Dunn Memorial Hall14:00-16:30. Every Friday,

Tea Dance £1.50 17

Supertots Carer& Toddler Group

St Marys Parish Room, Morell St9:00-11:00. Tuesdays (Term time

only) 07817 405255

Toddler Time

Wickersley Library, 10:00-11:00(every Mon incl. school holidays)

Fun & games for 2-5yr oldsNo need to book

An Evening of Carols& Christmas Music

Rotherham Arts Centre,17th & 18th December, 19:30

Maltby Miners Welfare Band,Tickets £6, Conc. £4

Mulled Wine & Music

St Bartholomews Church, Maltby10:00, Guided walk to Roche Abbey

Carol Service at Roche Abbey at 11:00

Painting & DrawingClasses

Full Life Church, High Street,Maltby, 13:30 - 15:30, 10 week

course starting 10th Jan,Call Gill: 01709 709208

jan

MALTBY MAIN Vs

DINNINGTON TOWN

Muglet Lane, Maltby

Folk and AcousticNight

The Three Tuns, Stainton20:00 Folks, Blues, 60s,

Anything acousticCall John: 01709 813530

Yoga for allThe Parish Rooms,

Mary Magdelene Church, Maltby9:30 - 11:30, 10 week course

starting 14th Jan,Call Gill: 01709 7092082011

Bartholomew & SonsFuneral Directors

est 1891

Serving Maltby and surounding areas for over 40 years.

For a caring, professional service 24 hours a day

812158 & 363706The Funeral Home, Coleridge Road, Maltby S66 7LT

Pre Payment Funeral plans available.

MERRY CHRISTMAS& A HAPPYNEW YEARFROM THE

MALTBYNEWS

The snow set in on Tuesday evening, 30th November, and by next morning between 12 and 18 inches had fallen in the Maltby area. Elderly residents are already comparing its severity with the legendary snowfalls of 1947. Maltby was reduced to chaos as vehicles became stuck and were abandoned. On Wednesday people struggled to get out of their houses but only the High Street got a smattering of salt. Thursday and Friday were bitterly cold and many local main roads were either impassable or dangerous. The weekend saw little improvement in many parts of the town.HARD QUESTIONS Why did the ploughs and gritters not reach Maltby in a timely manner? Why did so many Maltby roads become dangerously narrowed by abandoned and parked cars? Why is Maltby so short of grit bins? Why did schools and council services shut down and stay shut? Why, when buses could get from Rotherham to Hellaby, could they not get down to Maltby and why did it take until Friday lunchtime to get buses to run even to the Queens? How come the 18 bus managed to run to Dinnington on Friday, a day when it could not run to its Doncaster terminus?Why were Rotherham buses 1, 2 and 10 still off their normal routes on Sunday

Stoke-on-Trent lorry driver, Chris Taylor, managed a night-time crossing of the Pennines and a delivery in Barnsley before he got well and truly stuck in the snow at the bottom of Vicarage Hill in Maltby. Driving a long vehicle for a frozen food company, Chris left his depot in Alsager, Cheshire at 3 o’ clock on Tuesday 30th November and travelled via the M6, M60, M62 and M1. After dropping his load at Barnsley, Chris rejoined the M1 and continued via the M18, A631 and A634 towards his frozen vegetable pick-up in Blyth. Chris later told his story. ‘The M1 and M18 were down to one lane but I got through OK to Junction 1 and made it down the snow covered A631 into Maltby. Conditions were really awful and my brakes kept freezing on. At twenty past eight in the morning, I got onto Blyth Road but there was no way I was going to get up that hill! Stuck fast, I phoned the police. An hour later, a police vehicle drove by but officers only looked out and carried on. A bit later a council grit lorry came along (but not gritting) and said he would be back but he never returned. I’m stuck in Maltby but people have been so kind to me I want to live here! I could have drowned

in the cups of tea I have been offered!’ Later in the day Chris’s rig was joined by other HGVs and a few satnav-guided 4x4s who were trying to escape the motorway traffic chaos by driving cross country to the A1. A few ‘Chelsea Tractors’ struggled out via Millindale but the only route for the big lorries was to reverse on the wrong side of the bollards outside the Wesley Centre and to back all the way onto Rotherham Road. Later, a lorry heavily laden with prepacked sand and grit arrived on the scene and residents offloaded and broke open some of its cargo to put under its wheels. After several unsuccessful attempts, dangerous slip backs and a lot of digging out by them and an AA patrol man, the sand and grit lorry finally made it up Vicarage Hill. This opened up a route for others and Chris Taylor managed to get moving again in mid- afternoon. The residents who helped drivers were frankly appalled at the Borough Council’s failure to do anything useful, that day, on the roads in Maltby. True the High Street, got a bit of attention but the steeper A634 (Blyth Road) was, inexplicably, left to its own devices. by Alice Rodgers

www.maltbynews.co.uk 3December 2010

Community News

What went wrong in the big freeze?

Stuck in Maltby...one driver’s tale

morning with restoration of services to the north side of Maltby only beginning at 2.30 pm on that day? Whydidtraffic-calmingbollardsturnintostubbornandlongstandingtraffic-blocking obstacles? Why were people still recovering their vehicles on Saturday 3rd, Sunday 4th and Monday 5th?

Why was there an apparent lack of co-ordination between the activities of service providers in Maltby and did the closure of Maltby Leisure Centre impact on RMBC and partner services to our town?Had the salt dome at Hellaby been commissioned in time? (It was not observed to be operational until Sunday 5th December.)

Faced with service shut-downs, blocked roads, postponed funerals, isolated vulnerable citizens and with people unable to get out of Maltby to go to work, did Maltby Town Council succeed in invoking its Emergency Plan in order to alertRMBCtoourdifficulties? by Alice Rodgers

Chris Taylor enjoying Maltby

Community News

4 www.maltbynews.co.uk December 2010

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Brasilian blow dry is a revolutionary technique for frizzy or troublesome hair now available in Maltby. La-Brasiliana Keratin Treatment with Collagen is a process which transforms the hair. Keratin is the primary protein of the hair, skin and nails. This natural substance gives the hair the ability to return to its original healthy, shiny smooth state, while the collagen improves the elasticity of the hair. This treatment also replenishes the condition of the hair, without damage or change to its molecular structure. Management of the hair afterwards is effortless, and the amount of time taken to style the hair will decrease dramatically.

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Tanya Clarkson from Amory’s Holt Way Maltby has graduated as an RAF Medic, winning the Best Academic Award having received the highest overall marks throughout her training. Tanyafinishedan11weeks basic training at RAF Hatton earlier this

year and followed that by completing six months training at Keough Barracks in Aldershot. She has now begun her firstpostingatRAFBensonin Oxfordshire. Her twin Louise who also qualifiedrecentlyleavesusin January for a three year posting on Cyprus.

Maltby Miners Welfare Cricket Club held their awards presentation last month.The trophies were very kindly donated by the Maltby Lions and supplied by Russ Eagle of Majestic Sports and Trophies.Managers, coach’s and players from the U13’s, U15’s and U17’s squadsFrom left to right, rear to front:Keith Twiss, Garry Ellis, Liam Woodward, Phil Fletcher, Matt SimmoniteStephen Ashley, James Butler, Paul Rowbotham,Liam Green, Naomi Twiss, John PinkosJacob Cookson, Mikey Cannadine, James Snape, Luke Wilson, Matt Richardson, Josh Bacon, Ron Buck Tom SimmoniteU17’s Batting award Sam Forman Bowling award Mikey Cannadine Managers award Sam FormanU15’s Batting award Matt Richardson Bowling Award Callum Ellis Managers award Matt SimmoniteU13’s Batting award Liam Green Bowling award James Hardy Managers award Sam Pearce

Jump for charityJohn Trueman and Melanie Coffell of JR’s Altered Images, High Street Maltby raised £385 for the Joe Joffe Hospital Support Children’s Charitey with a Bungee Jump at the Mason’s Arms Wickersley last month.

www.maltbynews.co.uk 5December 2010

Community News

The winners of the Maltby Academy English Competition have been announced.Congratulations to Frankie Riley who won the short story category (see below) and Lili Crawshaw who won the poetry category They have each received a £15 Meadowhall voucher.

Old Oak TreeWind whistling around, leaves doing somersaults in the air, horse’s hooves shuffling on the rocky roads and squeaky carriage wheels following behind them.In one of the newly painted carriages was Lord A Towers returning back from his long, exhausting business trip. He was very impatient because he wanted to get home but the carriage made a sudden holt. Lord A Towers was outraged that the carriage had stopped, however, just before he was about to shout he heard a knock at the carriage window…..He slowly slid the slippy window and to his amazement, there in front of him was a spindly old beggar lady. She had stringy grey hair with a ripped up, scraggy blue cloth resting on her head, her back looked badly carved into a stretched C, but the worst thing of all was the stench that was coming from her. “Have you a spare copper for me?” she asked shakily. Lord A Towers did have a copper to spare but he was so appalled that he just ordered the driver to drive on. As he went past the old lady she murmured, “Every branch that falls from the old oak tree one person

from your family will mysteriously die.”It was autumn time so if you looked out your window that night you could see leaves frolicking around, shadows of horses as they gallop with the moonlight, Lord A Towers was relieved, there would be no branches falling down tonight! You could smell freshly cut grass mixed with the smell of a home cooked meal.Far away you could hear people having a dance and a cheer but close by you

can hear faint cries from new born babies that are being put to bed. Alton Towers is an up and coming quaint little village or is there something mysterious occurring…Next door to Lord A Towers lives Mrs Dabley, everyone loves her, on Halloween she throws a great party and whenever it’s a child’s birthday

she makes a cake of whatever flavour they like and she would design it with all their hobbies on, (if it was a boy she might have it as a chocolate sponge flavour, then design it with their favourite football team or put a racing car on). Meanwhile, Mr Dabley is a lazy, chubby, mean man who just sits in the house with his eyes glued to the television. He really hates what his wife does for the village but he can never hate her more than he loves her.

The following night, black clouds were gliding above, thunder rumbling like drums going forward and back; tiny lightning streaks were flashing in the background and later on gales started to blow, leaves flying like maniacs thumping on peoples windows, some open windows drifting open and shut, curtains being pulled by the wind.

Meanwhile, two hours later the storm was still going strong, however Lord A Towers had no clue. By the old oak tree things were even worse; every single lightning streak was just a centimetre away from a branch. All the leaves were creating a tornado around the tree as if trying to hide it or protect it. Still no branches had fallen off until one massive lightning bolt went straight through one of the biggest branches of all;CREAK! SNAP! BANG!It had fallen down to the ground and surprisingly, the only person that knew was the scrawny beggar lady.Late next morning Lord A Towers was awoken by people chattering outside. Lord A Towers was curious as to what was going on, so he slipped his silky, silver dressing gown on and his seal skin slippers, and then waddled outside to see what all the commotion was about. When he nudged himself through to the front he was amazed. He wondered how this could be? He was checking on the tree every hour, wasn’t he? A maid came running out all flustered. “Sir, sir!” she shrieked, “Your Great Aunt has just had an asthma attack!” Lord A Towers thought this wasa bit strange because she didn’t have asthma but he didn’t mind; she wasn’t very nice. Lord A Towers had hired some men to keep watch on the old oak tree so there would be no more deaths. A few days went by with (surprisingly) no major storms but Lord A Towers wasn’t going to take any risks. Meanwhile, the old beggar lady was watching very closely and decided to choose the next person that would

die.One foggy night, the men who Lord A Towers had hired to guard the tree hadn’t slept for at least four days so they were really shattered. They didn’t think it mattered if they just went to sleep for a little while. However they madea big mistake.Sunshine glared through Lord A Towers’ window, he was surprised that he had gone through another night without a branch falling.Later on he was skipping out of his house, happy as ever. All the village people stared at him. “Sir! You should be ashamed of yourself prancing around like that!” Mrs Dabley was so appalled.“Why wouldn’t I? Today is a happy day.”“We all knew you didn’t love your father massively but you Sir are a cruel man” mentioned the wood cutter. Lord ATowers didn’t have a clue what was going…..then…… he saw his Mother for the first time in 20 years.“Mother, what are you doing here?”“Well don’t you know?” however, as she asked him Lord A Towers noticed another branch was missing. He was trying to fit it altogether in his brain, then he realised… his Father was gone!Lord A Towers couldn’t live with this anymore, he’d lost his father! He packed his bags and left. Nobody knows where he went or how he survived. However, if you go to the old oak tree you will see the two killer branches lying on the floor; but don’t touch! They have the curse. By Frankie Riley

A chilling tale for a winters night this Christmas

Maltby residents turned out in numbers to mark Remembrance Day last month, and the town again contributed record sums to the Poppy Appeal. Last year the Maltby Branch of the British Legionraised£14,714.84p,whilstthisyearthe sum has already reached in excess

of£12,000.MeanwhileSouthandWestYorkshirebecamethefirstregiontoraise£1.5mthreeyearsinarow. A special event at the Brookland’s Club raised£205.TheeveningwasorganisedbyRoy and Eileen Cox, with prizes donated by local business and residents. Roy thanks everyone for their efforts. A special event was put on hold when Roy’s daughter Laura arranged her wedding to Chris Stevens around the event in order that she could attend a Service she has not missed since she was born. Chris and Laura (left) are pictured here on their Wedding Day, before leaving for their honeymoon in the Maldives. Anne Dickinson, President of the Rotherham Area of the British Legion, thanked the Branch Committee and Poppy Sellers for all their efforts, along with Adam Boyd who escorted the banner, Lord Scarbrough and the Rt Hon Kevin Barron MP, and Parade Marshall Jim Gunn.

6 www.maltbynews.co.uk December 2010

Community News

As the days grow short, our minds rightly turn to Flanders poppies and to remembrance for the fallen. How odd then that our community so rarely brings to mind the lives lost in the century-long battle to win the coal from beneath our feet. In November, it was Maltby Local History Society’s privilege to listen to an unforgettable talk about the Maltby Colliery Disaster. Our guest speaker was Jack Parker, a retired colliery manager and former accident investigator for the NUM. In a beautifully illustrated lecture, Mr Parker not only made sense of the Report into the Circumstances of the Disaster but also gave us a truly gripping account of the five months of epic struggle to combat the underground fires which preceded it. When, in February and March 1923, gob-fires began to occur in the Barnsley Seam in the Low East District of the colliery, they were tackled with appropriate measures to exclude the air on which their combustion depended. These ‘text-book’ procedures never proved wholly

successful and Mr Parker gave us a detailed account of each and every subsequent incident and outbreak. Time after time, risky and heroic efforts were made to create packings and stoppings to isolate affected areas. Matters eventually became so serious that coal getting had to be discontinued. The colliery agent and managers then worked with the pit’s Yorkshire Miners’ Association representatives to recruit volunteers prepared to work in unbelievably perilous conditions. Everybody understood the risks but their livelihoods were a stake. On 28th July 1923, it was 27 of the bravest and best who perished in an explosion of methane. Some time later, a stained glass window was put up in the Church of the Ascension

as a memorial to the victims. Based on Holman Hunt’s celebrated painting ‘The Light of the World’, Our Lord is depicted bearing a lantern, which is, here, seen as symbolic of a miners’ lamp. When Ascension Church was closed, in 2001, the memorial window and its companion were recognised as important and they were later taken out and given into the custody of Maltby Town Council. The widely expressed hope was that they might soon be found a new home. Sadly, after nine years, the Disaster Memorial lies unseen and in the sections into which it was divided to facilitate its removal. A short time ago, Maltby Town Council briefly removed both of the Ascension

stained glass windows from storage and I was among those invited to view and to photograph them. Their condition is very fragile and restoration is needed. The specialist skills required to conserve stained glass mean that repair will be expensive. When the current state of the memorial window was discussed at the Local History Society meeting, we were unanimous in our view that something should be done with regard both to restoration and to appropriate public re-display. This is unlikely to be a simple matter and proper consultation will be needed to identify the best way forward. Might it be fitting, for example, for a restored memorial window to be rededicated as a tribute to all who have died during the century of working at Maltby Colliery? Surely Maltby can unite to pay proper respect to our local heroes.

by Alice Rodgers

Maltby marks Remembrance Day and Laura makes it

Remembering Local Heroes

www.maltbynews.co.uk 7December 2010

Community News

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8 www.maltbynews.co.uk December 2010

• Sir I write in response to Cllr Jenny Andrews article “Private Rented Sector”, Maltby News November 2010. It appears that after seven and a half years as a Town Councillor she has now found out where the Model Village is and had a walk around. Her observations are that there are signs of neglect. As previous Secretary of the Model Village Community Association in the past I have written to the Town Council and attended Town Council meetings at the direction of the residents pointing out these factors, it is something we have been aware of for some time.

We have had regular walkabouts with RMBC officers, the Police and local Residents and discussed this at local community meetings and I also had a site meeting with the previous Clerk of the Town Council. If Cllr. Andrews wants to know about the Model Village I suggest she reads previous correspondence to the Council and minutes of previous meetings. She may also be interested in the fact that we have a thriving Community Association and have just implemented a neighbourhood agreement in partnership with the Area Assembly, Police, Safer Neighbourhoods, 2010 Rotherham and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. This agreement was a result of much planning and consultation with our partners, unfortunately even though the Town Council were invited to participate and have some input into the agreement with inclusion in the calendar and agreement which was circulated to all residents of the Model Village they appear to have not wanted to participate. We have regular walkabouts on this estate with our partners so perhaps on the next walkabout Cllr. Andrews can come along and see some of the positive things that are happening on the estate. The Community Association meets on

the first Tuesday of every month at the Ascension Centre on the Model Village at 6.30pm. Meetings are preceded by a Surgery at 6pm allowing residents to come and meet with our partners and raise any issues or concerns they may have. All residents (and Town Councillors) are welcome.

Ian Marson Assistant Secretary Model Village Community Association

Sir I would like to send a great big thankyou and a great big pat on the back to all the residents of Littlehey Close who turned out on Saturday 4 December to clear the driveways, paths and road. What a great few hours together, and a good community effort. Regards

San French

Sir

Jo Kirk is right to raise concerns about the Queens Hotel (Letter in November’s Maltby News). Rumours abound but this

week finds the ‘For Sale’ signs still firmly in place and contrary to popular belief, the Queens is not a ‘listed building’. As Maltby’s townscape is clearly marred by its present dereliction its demolition remains a possibility. What, I wonder,

Letters & Comment

There’s a new dance exercise craze that’s sweeping the country. It’s called Zumba. According to the Healthy Planet Magazine: “Zumba® classes are Latin-based dance routines led by fitness instructors. A participant can expect to burn on average between 500 and 800 calories per class depending on fitness level and class intensity.” Up to 800 calories isn’t bad. To compare, an hour of intense racquetball burns about a thousand calories. So this type of dancing must also be good cardio exercise as well. Zumba dancing has almost 200 million people doing it worldwide in some 30 countries. Watching a Zumba dance reminds you a lot of very fast-paced calisthenics. The dancers move side to side and twirl around while kicking up their feet with Latin music playing in the background. It certainly looks like it would burn up a lot of calories. Now classes are available in Maltby, Bramley and Brinsworth. (See ad this page)

The Maltby News13 Blyth Road, Maltby,Rotherham, S66 8HXtel: 01709 819566email: [email protected]: www.maltbynews.co.uk

Published by Joker Publications Ltd at theirregisteredoffice:Unit 6, Acorn Business Park, WoodseatsClose,SheffieldS80TB.Company No. 6504103.

www.maltbynews.co.uk 9

Community News

December 2010

would we like it to be? In response to the letter, members and friends, at Maltby Local History Society’s November meeting, contributed valuable information about the history of the Queens Hotel as well as suggestions as to who might have greater knowledge. John Adams, Allen Smith and Stuart Saunders advised that it was one of a chain of superior establishments, including ‘The Cecil’ at Warmsworth and ‘The Royal’ at Rossington, which (it is thought) were built by John Smith’s Brewery. We know, from old maps and photographs, that its site was previously undeveloped and located well away from the old village so construction clearly came in the context of New Maltby’s rapid expansion following the sinking and development of the colliery prior to the First War. Local tradition (which I recorded in the early 1980s) is that it was built for the use of Doncaster race-goers. As it does not appear to have stables, this suggests a post First War date of construction at the time when cars were beginning to make their mark. Nobody at our meeting could cast any light on the precise building date but Derek Drabble told us that, in September 1924, it had been the venue for his parents’ wedding reception. There were memories of events there and of the marble steps leading to the upstairs ballroom, on the Muglet Lane side of the building, where Derek’s father’s dance band used to perform. French windows opened from the ballroom onto a balcony. Downstairs, on the Tickhill Road side, was a neatly arranged dining room which was visible from the street. After the meeting Derek suggested that I get in touch with Joan Wilkinson, daughter of former landlord Mr O V Pike. Mrs Wilkinson tells me that her father and mother took over the Queens in October 1925 when she was a mere

Monday13th DecemberThurcroft Area 6pm Tuesday14th December Manor Area(Braithwell Road & Below) 6pm Wednesday15th December Highfield Park / Tickhill Road Area 6pmThursday16th December Sheppey & Little London Area 6pmFriday17th December Model Village / Birks Holt & White City 6pmSaturday18th December Braithwell & the Bottom of Ravenfield 6pmSunday19th December Laughton Area 6pmMonday20th December Cliff Hills Area 6pmTuesday21st December Hellaby & Ravenfield Area 6pmWednesday22nd December Lynx Dale Hill 1 5.45pmThursday23rd December Dale Hill 2 5.45pmFriday24th December Dale Hill 3 5.45pm Static SleighsFriday17th December Tesco Supermarket, Maltby 9.30am

Saturday18th December Morrisons Supermarket, Bramley 9.15amFriday24th December Queens Corner, Maltby 9am

Please note due to the weather times and dates may have to change All of the members and helpers of Maltby Rother Valley Lions Club we would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year If you require any further information please call Lion President JohnRathbone07793580790

six weeks old. Mr and Mrs Pike had followed a Mr and Mrs Farnsworth who ran the hotel from its opening in 1923. The Farnsworth’s short incumbency is almost certainly explained by the bad trading conditions which followed the Maltby Colliery Disaster of July1923. Mr Pike, however, continued as landlord for 21 years until his death in January 1947. Derek Drabble remembers the ‘faded’ building from RAF Association Meetings which he attended in the 1950s. ‘It all looked as if it needed a fresh coat of paint.’ Pat Place recalled that commercial travellers were prominent among its sparse clientele in the middle years of the century. When we moved here, in 1978, the place had begun to acquire a bit of reputation. It was said that ‘outside the Queens’ was the haunt of ladies of ill-repute although I never bothered to investigate! To us, as to many others, the Queens was and is an important bus stop and the key Maltby landmark when giving directions.

Yours faithfully,

Alice RodgersMaltby History Society

Sir

Found Rex Burmingham, his daughter still lives in Maltby, he is in Wales. He intends to be at our re union in March 2011. Thanks to you and the Maltby News. Kind Regards,

Tony Fellows138 &18 Squadrons (Valiants)Sevenoaks

The Editor writes: We are still hoping to locate “Slim” Gibson who was a Radar Fitter with 18 Squadron.

Maltby Rother Valley Lions Santa’sSleighDecember2010

AnotheroneofSanta’ssatisfiedcustomers!

10 www.maltbynews.co.uk December 2010

Maltby Town Council News Page

Maltby Town Council Surgeries

Every Friday at the Edward Dunn Memorial Hall

14:00 - 15:00. Everyone Welcome

Friday 5th NovemberMaltby Town Council Annual Bonfire and Fireworks Event

Tom Stubbs and Amy Rumbelow from the Maltby Lynx had the honour of lighting the bonfire and setting off the fireworks.

Guy Fawkes Competition1st Prize: A family ticket for Snow White at the Civic Theatre Rotherham and Switch on the Maltby Christmas LightsWinner: George Parkinson aged 72nd Prize: Two tickets for Aladdin at Doncaster Civic TheatreWinners: Oliver Ashton aged 9 and Xander Ashton aged 63rd Prize: Large box of chocolatesWinner: Nathan Shipman

AfamilyticketforthepantoSnowWhitewasraffled.Allp

roceeds

were donated equally between Clare Saddington from Safe at Last

and Graham Peet from the Weston Park Charity.

George Parkinson winner of the Guy Fawkes competition receiving his prize from Cllrs Keith Stringer and Cllr Jenny Andrews

Maltby Town Councillors

Mrs K E Usher - Chair01709 769430 [email protected] B Slade - Vice Chair 01709 814748 [email protected]

Mrs J M Andrews 07757287941 [email protected]

K F Stringer 01709 816582 [email protected]

M V Ainsworth 01709 816903 [email protected]

Mrs J Anderson 01709 816734

M J Bradford 01709 813409 [email protected]

Mrs J Bradford 01709 813409/07969 957871 [email protected]

D J Brennan 01709 790871 [email protected]

J Carratt 01709 815527 [email protected]

A D Foster 01709 790789 [email protected]

Mrs B Fuller-Ainsworth 01709 816903

J C Kirk 01709 816445 [email protected]

Mrs June Madden [email protected]

C McMahon 07824317415 [email protected]

Mrs A L Rushforth 01709 814894 [email protected]

P Scholey 01709 813630/07721 310174 [email protected]

Mrs C Stringer 01709 816582 [email protected]

Pin the nose on Rudolf

Christmas stalls

The Bounce Back Crew

Brownies and Rudolf

Silver Dollar Line Dancers

Phoenix Sword Dancers

Brownies meet Santa

www.maltbynews.co.uk 11December 2010

Maltby Town Council News Page

30 minutes for questions from members of the public at the Chairman’s discretion.

• Apologies for absence.• Declarations of personal or prejudicial interest. • To consider items for which a resolution may be passed to exclude the press and public. • To discuss any communications received by the Chairman. • To confirm minutes of the Maltby Town Council meeting held on Thursday 28th October 2010 • To agree the Symbols and Wording for the Crossley Memorial. • To discuss the Consultation on the Future Use of the Durham Street/Lincoln Street Workshops – Cllr C McMahon• To discuss Maltby Town Council Office Opening Hours for Councillors and Members of the Public – Cllr K F Stringer• To discuss Cameras and a Recording System to be Installed inside the Edward Dunn – Cllr C Stringer• To consider new Internal Doors into the Main Hall – Cllr C Stringer• To receive an Update on the Cleaning of the Cinder Path – Cllr J Andrews• To consider the Future Jobs Team undertaking the job of cleaning the snickets of Maltby – Cllr J Bradford• To discuss Maltby Town Council joining

a scheme with South Yorkshire Pensions Authority.• To receive an update from the Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer. • To discuss the general operation of the Edward Dunn Memorial Hall. • To exchange information • To consider items from the National and Local County Associations: Country Air – Autumn 2010 – issue 117 Clerks & Councils Direct November 2010 issue 72 Rural Matters – September 2010 DIS Issue No 746 – 29 October 2010 • To consider Planning Lists No’s: 42 and 43 • To discuss routine correspondence. • Maltby Woodlea Common and Crags Meadow Steering Group – Minutes of a meeting held 27th October 2010 • Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter • China Town Environmental Improvements Project Days 13th Nov & 4th December 2010 • Friends of Maltby Parks – next meeting is 9th November 2010 • To discuss routine RMBC matters. • Proposed Amendments to School • Keep Clear Traffic Regulations Order Next meeting is 13th January at 6.30pm at the Edward Dunn Memorial Hall.

30 minutes for financially related questions from members of the public at the Chairman’s discretion.

• Apologies for absence. • To receive any declarations of personal or prejudicial interest.

• To consider items for which a resolution may be passed to exclude the press and public. • To discuss any communications received by the Chairman • To confirm minutes and of the meeting held on Thursday 9 September 2010. • To confirm a payment schedule for September 2010. • To confirm a receipts schedule for September 2010 • To confirm an account/bank reconciliation September 2010 • To confirm a Budget and Management Account September 2010 • To consider grants applications received from: Supertots Carer and Toddlers

Maltby Crags Womens Group • To consider free rent for the NHS Falls Team • To discuss the Allotment Rents • To discuss room hire charges – Cllr J M Andrews • To consider the draft budget and Precept for the 2011/2012 • To agree to the Change of Bank from the Co-Operative Bank • To receive the report from the Internal Auditor and to agree a date for the Councillors to undertake an Internal Audit • To agree a date and budget for the Photographic Exhibition • To discuss the Cost of Cleansing Pathways • To consider entering into a Scheme with the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority • To receive a report from the Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer • To exchange information.

Town Council Finance Meeting on Thursday 28th October 2010 at the Edward Dunn Memorial Hall

Town Council MeetingThursday 11th November 2010 Edward Dunn Memorial Hall

Edward Dunn Memorial HallTickhill Road, Maltby, Rotherham, S66 7NQ

Every Monday(Starts Monday 10th January 2011)

1pm to 2pm£2 per session

This is a gentle exercise class carried out from a standing

position with a seated alternative being available upon request.

For a FREE session voucher or for more information please call

Sports Development on 01709 822443

Gentle Exercise

I suggest you check out Weldricks smoking cessation service. About six months ago I decided to stop smoking, due to high blood pressure. I was given support and advice from Weldricks Chemist, Addsion Road, during the 12 week programme. The service included free nicorette patches.

I have not smoked a cigarette for over six months, my blood pressure is now normal. I could not have achieved this without the support from the brilliant team at Weldricks. I have also saved about £750. So check it out, it could save your life.

Cllr Jenny Andrews

It was really nice for Father Christmas to agree to visit the Edward Dunn again at Maltby Town Council’s Christmas Illuminations ‘Switch On’ event. It was agreed that this year, Father Christmas would have his own little Blue Grotto built in the grounds of the Edward Dunn. Work on the ‘Grotto’ began in earnest in early November when the ‘Payback Team’ arrived to paint the inside. Then, a small number of councillors, staff members and volunteers set to work in decorating the ‘grotto’ and what a wonderful job they did of it. The trimmings, the lights and the sleigh really made it a ‘grotto’ to be proud of. In fact, Father Christmas told me before he left that it was one of the best ‘grotto’s’ he’d been in this year. He also said to thank everyone who had worked so hard on making such a wonderful job of the whole

event and that he looks forward to visiting Maltby Town Council again next year. Cllr. Keith Stringer.

REMEMBERANCE DAY

Once again, the residents of Maltby were invited to the Edward Dunn Memorial Hall, for refreshments, following the Remembrance Day Parade on Sunday the 14th of November. Thank you to Mrs Barbara Kirk who stepped in at the last minute to help with the refreshments, together with Lauren Astbury, Cllrs J. Andrews, J. Kirk and K. Stringer Many thanks to TESCO’S who provided the refreshments for the Remembrance Day event and for all the presents that Father Christmas gave away to the children at the Maltby Town Council Christmas Lights ‘Switch On’.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS, ARE YOU THINKING OF STOPPING SMOKING, THEN READ THIS Free Sports

Activities in your Community!

Virtual to Reality ProgrammeEdward Dunn Memorial Hall

Free use of Wii Console; games include Wii Sports, Wii Sports

Resort, Just Dance 2 and more!

Every Tuesday 5pm – 7pm Starting Tuesday 4th January 2011

All Activities are run by qualified Coaches

with CRB Disclosure, Child Protection and First Aid Certificates.

Well Active

MALTBY TOWN COUNCIL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

WINNING TICKET NUMBERS: 56-60WINNING NAME: MRS HUNT

PRIZE: FOUR TICKETS FOR SNOW WHITE AT THE CIVIC THEATRE, ROTHERHAM

To claim the tickets, winner to bring proof of identity to The Edward Dunn Memorial Hall.

The ‘raffle’ raised £54 which was shared equally by the charities ‘SAFE AT LAST’ and ‘WESTON PARK

HOSPITAL’. Many thanks to all who bought raffle tickets.

Maltby Town CouncilChristmas and New Year Opening Times

Closed from Monday 20th December 2010Open on Monday 4th January 2011

November Events