Sprotbrough Arrow

Welcome to the January issue of the Sprotbrough Arrow

I hope yours is a warm welcome into 2023, it s great to see so many of our local churches and community centres offering warm spaces through the winter and we have some of the places advertised in this months issue.

If you are cold and unsure how to find support, please contact DMBC for help. They have programs set up and should be able to point you in the right direction. I m sure your neighbour would want to help if they knew you were suffering, please reach out to them if you need help, no one should be cold this winter.

This month s Arrow is full of lots of festive events which took place throughout December in our villages and schools. Thanks to everyone involved in making this season special for us all. I am sure you will agree, it s an illuminated delight to drive through Sprotbrough. I would like to thank all of the Arrows contributors and readers for their support and wish you all the very best of health and happiness in 2023.

The February issue deadline is Wednesday 18th January. The Arrow will be delivered before 1st February.

Happy New Year

Michelle Sidebottom

Tel: 07795 387937 michelle@arrowpublications.co.uk arrowpublications.co.uk

Community News

Orchids Care Ltd

“A unique approach to personal care tailored to each individual needs” We are a domiciliary registered company since 2004 and work throughout the borough of Doncaster to provide care for individuals whilst still in their own home. All staff are DBS checked and have full training, which enables them to provide top quality care for each individual service user.

Orchids Care offer a range of services which include daily calls, personal care, medication prompts, shopping packages, cleaning services, companionship, escorting to medical appointments, meal preparation and day care services.

The care package is tailored to each individuals needs and we offer calls from 15 – 60 minutes, and operate 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. We provide care services to the elderly, individuals with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and neurological conditions.

Sprotbrough Cricket Club

Welcome to the first edition of Sprotbrough Cricket Club’s Arrow column for 2023, bringing you all the news and goings-on of a club at the heart of the community. We hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating the festive period with your loved ones. That’s why we’d like to start this article by thanking everyone who visited our Christmas Market at the beginning of December. We hope everyone who attended had a wonderful day meeting Father Christmas and supporting local small businesses. We counted 769 people came through the gates over the course of the day! Thank you as well to all of our vendors who turned up and sold their wonderful products, along with everyone who helped set up, coordinate and clean up the market. We can’t wait to welcome you back to our events on the Ivanhoe field this year!

In the last few weeks, many of Sprotbrough’s own were triumphant at various presentation evenings celebrating the season just gone. Firstly, congratulations to Nicky Graves who completely cleaned up at the Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League presentation evening. His 57 league wickets at an average of just 12.19 across 21 games for all three teams in 2022 was certainly cause for celebration! Nicky took home both the Junior and Senior Bowling Awards, along with the Bernard Wragg Award for Best Junior Bowler in the League! We’re not saying Nicky is a serious bowling talent, but we can’t recall James Anderson or Stuart Broad ever winning these awards. We’d also like to congratulate Tom Pepper and Dan Wright for winning the Barnsley League Division 1 Batting and Fielding awards respectively.

However, our biggest congratulations go to a man who has effectively become ‘Mr Sprotbrough CC’; Lindsay Graves. Lindsay received the George Reah Unsung Hero of the Year Award at the Yorkshire Cricket Board’s annual Grassroots Awards night at Headingley Stadium in Leeds. There is arguably no one in our 136-year-history who has done more for this club. He’s taken over 200 wickets as a player, has had multiple successes as our under-17s manager and has held many positions at the top of the club, including club secretary and treasurer. He also umpires on a Saturday and always takes a lead role in our fundraisers. Quite simply, the club would not be where it is today without this incredible individual. Lindsay, you will always be a local legend to us. Thank you for everything you’ve done so far and we’re sure your invaluable service to Sprotbrough CC will continue for many years to come.

On that note, we’re sure Lindsay and the other players mentioned previously can’t wait to pick up a bat and ball again this year. But the question is; are you? Do you or someone you know fancy themselves as the next Joe Root, Adil Rashid or Katherine Brunt? Would you like to become part of an award-winning local club at the heart of your community? Well, we’re excited to announce that our annual winter nets training will begin very soon!

Winter nets are a great chance for players old and new to re-acclimatise themselves with their cricketing ability before the time comes to take to the pitch again. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to discover new talents, meet new people and become part of the Sprotbrough CC fraternity! If this is something which could interest you or someone you know, senior nets (anyone wanting to play senior-level cricket next year, regardless of age) will recommence at Sheffield Hallam University on Tuesday 7th February between 8pm and 9.30pm for 10 weeks. Likewise, junior nets (anyone aged under 18) will recommence at St Pius X School in Wath on Monday 23rd January between 6pm and 9pm also for 10 weeks. We hope to see you there!

We also have some great sponsorship opportunities available for the upcoming year. A unique opportunity could be available to sponsor a new streaming service in 2023 for £2000 per year. We also have banners available to advertise your business around the Ivanhoe field. These are available for £650 for the first year and then £500 per year thereafter. Why not advertise your business in a way that helps support local grassroots sport?

More information on winter nets and sponsorship will be available on our social media channels in due course. You can find them by following our Facebook (Sprotbrough Cricket Club) and Twitter (@CcSprotbrough) pages, which will also provide the latest news from around the club as the new season etches ever closer. Thank you as always for reading! Look out for the next edition of this column in February 2023!

We were delighted to share the report from our recent Ofsted Inspection with parents. We are incredibly proud of the outcome of this inspection given the rigour of the more recent Ofsted frameworks. We are delighted that the report highlights many strengths across each of the areas inspected by Ofsted including Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management and Early Years Provision. We are also thrilled that the report reflects the vision and values we have for our school. There is much to celebrate!

As part of our Personal Development Programme, it was fabulous to see the children in school raising funds for ‘Children in Need’ on Friday 18th November. As well as finding out about the challenges some children face, our children enjoyed wearing non-uniform for the day and playing ‘Pudsey’ or ‘spot’ themed games. It was lovely to see such great sportsmanship and resilience during the games. Thank you for helping us raise £314 for this very worthwhile charity.

It has been wonderful to see so many of our parents in school looking at their children’s work in the past few weeks. The children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have loved talking about their learning and have proudly demonstrated how much progress they have made this term when sharing their work.

As children in Nursery enjoy a more practical curriculum, Nursery parents were invited to join their child at a Christmas Craft session in the Nursery setting. This was the first time we had offered an opportunity like this and feedback from parents was extremely positive. Thank you to all the parents that gave up their time to come into school - both the children and staff appreciated this.

During the first week in December, ‘Open the Book’ visited school and presented a dramatized version of ‘The Christmas Story’ in assembly. As usual, the children asked thoughtful questions afterwards including why did the angels have to visit the shepherds and why did God choose the shepherds to tell about the baby?

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have also walked to St Mary’s Church to listen to Reverend Amanda tell the story and to see the Christmas Nativity Tableau. These experiences have greatly supported children in their story writing activities.

Research shows that having a purpose and an audience has huge benefits when encouraging children to write. It is also well known that children’s writing can enhanced by enabling children to speak in full sentences and by surrounding them with a rich vocabulary. With this in mind, our Year 1 children regularly use Talk 4 Writing opportunities to stimulate and structure their writing activities. This half term, children in Year 1 have used their knowledge of The Gruffalo to create a year group story with a twist on the original version. A story map and actions are used as props to help children remember and retell the events in chronological order. Children are currently practising telling the story ready to share as part of their Christmas concert before the end of term.

Sprotbrough Christmas Lights were officially switched on at the end of November and as usual there was a great turn out. We were thrilled to be asked once again to participate in the Tree Festival inside St Mary’s Church. All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 made a decoration so in total there were 163 baubles on our school tree next to the altar in church. We hope you managed to call into St Mary’s Church to see the Orchard Tree. Following the festival, it was carefully brought back to school so we could celebrate the success of achieving ‘Favourite Tree of 2022’. We were thrilled to receive this title and would like to pass on our thanks to everyone who supported this community initiative and of course, everyone who voted for our tree! All the children and staff at Orchard would like to wish everyone happiness during the festive season and a very Happy New Year.

DONCASTER PATHFINDERS WALKING CLUB

Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the meal. Looking forward to the next one!

We walk once a month, on a Sunday. If you have made a New Year's resolution to get more exercise why not try walking in the fresh air with our friendly group. The next walk is on 15th January when we are going into the Peak District. If you can't make it in January, we are going to Golden Acre Park, near Leeds on 12th February. Look for us on Facebook or search for our website Doncaster Pathfinders.org.uk.

Our walking club was out in-force in December to celebrate Christmas in our usual style. A lovely 7 mile walk in the morning around Market Rasen and then onto Scrooby for a carvery.

Doncaster Rambler’s Sandall Beat Wood

On a very wet morning seven Ramblers plus the leader arrived at Sandall Beat Wood Nature Reserve car park. After leaving we took a good track leading towards the children’s playground where some offices are located. A bridge over a railway line was negotiated next. Here particular care was required as wet leaves on wet wooden steps cause a slippage hazard. Wet leaves and sizeable puddles were everywhere but did not cause any problems. Next came a long broad tree lined track looking very autumnal. This narrowed after a while and in due course we arrived at Cantley. We took a break by the shops under a long canopy which at last gave some respite from the rain. After a short break we set off again along residential roads, before emerging on Cantley Lane. Turning left here and left at the next roundabout allowed us to proceed to Old Cantley. By now thankfully it had stopped raining. Another footpath took us away from Old Cantley back into Sandall Beat Wood. A steady walk through the woods brought us to the location where we were earlier in the walk. Rather than going back by the same route, we took a path on the right to reach the landscaped area where Markham Main Colliery used to be. After a short distance we made a descent to where the footbridge was earlier in the walk and made our way back to the car, although the heavy rain returned for the final stretch. David Horne

Please visit our website https://www.doncasterramblers.org.uk/ for latest information, including future activity. Also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/doncasterramblers/ for details of past Rambler outings. Remember while out observe the Countryside Code and give way to other walkers.

Doncaster Rambler’s

Jan – May 2023 Walks Planner

Tuesday, 3rd January, New Year Clumber, 10mi / 16.1km, Leader Charlie Pratt Thursday, 5th January, Misterton local history walk, 5mi / 8.1km, Leader Robert Elvidge Saturday, 7th January, Epworth & Church Town, 9mi / 14.5km, Leader David Horne Tuesday, 10th January, Woods, 2 Castles (and cake), 10mi / 16.1km, Leader Norman Lewis Thursday, 12th January, Hooton Roberts Ramble, 6mi / 9.7km, Leader David Gadd Tuesday, 7th February, Dam I Forgot My Flask, 11mi / 17.7km, Leader Stephen Tomlinson Saturday, 11th February, Wharncliffe Side Walkabout, 11mi / 17.7km, Leader George James Saturday, 25th February, North Elmsall Exerciser, 10mi / 16.1km, Leader George James Saturday, 18th March, A Chesterfield Waltz, 10mi / 16.1km, Leader George James Tuesday, 4th April, The Robin Hood Way and Southwell Trail, 12mi / 19.3km, Leader Robert Elvidge Tuesday, 18th April, Alport Castles Tower Circular, 10mi / 16.1km, Leader Jeannette Walters Saturday, 13th May, Get set for Second Langsett, 11mi / 17.7km, Leader George James

For more information about each walk please visit our website https://www.doncasterramblers.org.uk/ Also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/doncasterramblers/ for details of past Rambler outings. Remember while out observe the Countryside Code and give way to other walkers.

NEWS FROM RICHMOND HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL

Christmas at Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill was launched into festivities on the 1st of December with the light switch on. We are sure you have all seen the magical sparkling lights of the school. All our children were met with Christmas characters and the cheeky elves made a return to the school.

It’s been a real Christmas spectacular here at Richmond Hill with 8 Christmas performances from every year group in school. Nursery to Year 6 took to the stage providing the magical sparkle of Christmas - enjoyed by all our visitors. Such amazing singing, acting, dancing and poetry on display along with Makaton and sign language Christmas songs.

Our Year 3 and Year 4 children have been working with Mr Chandler from the Hearing Impaired Team Doncaster learning ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ using British Sign Language. They then went on to teach the whole school! It was amazing to see Reception to Y6 singing and signing, what a festive treat!

Sporting Glory!

Our Year 3/4 football team took part in the first Rose Learning Trust football event with 8 schools taking part. They won in the final in a gripping penalty shoot out against the hosts Hatchell Wood. We are so proud of their achievement and also their fantastic attitudes that were on display.

Our basketball team took to the court at Campsmount Academy to take part in the Leger Trust sports competition and were crowned winners at the tournament. Well done, we are so proud of you all and your team work.

Our Year 5/6 athletics team took part in the School Games Doncaster competition placing third and narrowly missing a place in the regional finals - well done team, what a great effort.

Budding Poets

We are immensely proud of Sophie, Max and Noah who have been shortlisted nationally in the lost words poetry competition. What a wonderful achievement inspired by the work of the writer Rob G Macfarlane - well done!

Music Society in Crisis

Tickhill Music Society has been presenting top quality concerts in the town for 45 years. The concerts have ranged from classical to folk to jazz, and have been available to all members of the public as well as members of the Society. However, a combination of Covid and old age has reduced the size of the audiences to the point where the Society will be forced to close if fresh support cannot be found. If this were to happen it would impoverish the quality of life in Tickhill.

The Society is therefore appealing to local people to come forward and to give their support in whatever way they can. This could range from music lovers becoming members of the Society or donations from local businesses or from patrons.

For further information please contact Adrian Hattrell on 07776 022713.

Day

Activity

What’s On In Sprotbrough?

Meeting Place Time

Mon Guides Sprotbrough Library 7.00—8.30pm

Mon Nelly Stagles School of Dance Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 4.30pm—5.00pm

Mon Scottish Dancing Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 7.30pm—9.45pm

Mon Pilates Sprotbrough Methodist Church 9.30am-10.30am

Mon Little Thinkers Sprotbrough Methodist Church 1.00pm—3pm

Mon Brownies Sprotbrough Methodist Church 6.15-7.45pm

Mon Transformation 12 fitness St Mary’s Church Hall 7.15-8.15pm

Mon Beavers (6-7yrs) Scout Hall, Anchorage Lane, Sprotbrough 6.00-7.30pm

Tue Nelly Stagles School of Dance Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 4.30pm—8pm

Tue Coffee Morning (Term time only) Sprotbrough Methodist Church 10.30-11.30am

Tue Relax Kids for pre-school children St Mary’s Church Hall 9.30—11.30am

Tue Coffee, Cake & Chat The Stable, Main Street 9.45—11.30am

Tue Painting Class Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 2.00-4.00pm

Tue Cubs (8-10yrs) Scout Hall, Anchorage Lane, Sprotbrough 6.30-8.00pm

Tue 67th Sprotbrough Scouts—Cubs Sprotbrough Methodist Church Hall 6pm-7.30pm

Tue Sequence Dancing Royal British Legion Club 7.30—10.30pm

Tue 67th Sprotbrough Scouts Sprotbrough Methodist Church Hall 7.30pm—9.30pm

Wed Sprotbrough Park Playtime (term time) Sprotbrough Methodist Church 9.30-11am

Wed Yoga St Mary’s Church Hall, Sprotbrough 10—11.30am

Wed Story Time & Activities Alternate weeks Sprotbrough Library 1pm—2pm

Wed B’Fit with Cheryl St Mary’s Church Hall, Sprotbrough 6.15-8.30pm

Wed 67th Scouts—Beavers Sprotbrough Methodist Church Hall 5.30pm—6.45pm

Wed Little Movers Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 10.15am—11.15am

Wed Scouts (11-14) Scout Hall, Anchorage Lane, Sprotbrough 7.00-9pm

Wed Community Church Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 2pm—3pm

Wed Slimming World Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 4.30pm—8pm

Thurs LT Fitness St Mary’s Church Hall, Sprotbrough 11-12.15pm

Thurs Little tykes (childminders drop in) Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 9.15—11.00am

Thurs Playtime Sprotbrough Methodist Church 9.30am– 11am

Thurs Thursday Club Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 1.30-4.00pm

Thurs Playtime Sprotbrough Methodist Church 1.30pm-2.30pm

Thurs Rainbows Sprotbrough Methodist Church 4.45-5.45pm

Thurs Male Voice Choir Royal British legion Club 7pm—9pm

Thurs Ridgeway School of Dance Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 4.45-8pm

Thurs Brownies Sprotbrough Methodist Church 6.00-7.30pm

Thurs Yoga Class St Marys Church Hall 7—8.30pm

Thurs Explorer Scouts (14-18yrs) Scout Hall, Anchorage Lane, Sprotbrough 7.30-9.30pm

Fri Frog Phonics Sprotbrough Methodist Church 9.30—11.30am

Fri NCT Play Group Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 9am—12.30pm

Fri Sequence Dance—Ian Sadler Royal British Legion Club 1.00-3.30pm

Sat Sequence Dancing Royal British Legion Club 7.30—10.30pm

Sat Transformation 12 fitness St Mary’s Church Hall 9.30-10.30am

Sat Ridgeway School of Dance Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 9am—2.45pm

Sun Sunday Club Sprotbrough Methodist Church 10am—11am

Sun Community Church Goldsmith Centre, Sprotbrough 10am—12noon

Sun t-Time, Crafts, bible stories and more St Marys Church Hall 4—5pm—check hall for dates

Monday

Tuesday

Tuesday Rainbows

Tuesday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Warmsworth Community Centre 6pm-7pm

Thursday Warmsworth Pre School Warmsworth Community Centre (Front Hall) 9.05am-3.05pm

Thursday Dancing Class Warmsworth Community Centre (Front Hall) 4pm-9pm

Thursday Watercolours Warmsworth Community Centre (New Hall) 10am-12 noon

Friday Warmsworth Pre School Warmsworth Community Centre (Front Hall) 9.05am-3.05pm

3rd Monday St Mary’s Mothers Union The Stable, Main Street, Sp’boro 7.30pm- 9.30pm

1st

1st

2nd

2nd Monday Ladies Club Committee

Warmsworth Community Centre (New Hall) 7pm-9pm

2nd Monday Parish Council meeting Warmsworth Community Centre (New Hall) 7pm-9pm

1st Thursday Warmsworth WI Warmsworth Community Centre 7—9pm

2nd Monday Ward Councillors Surgery Warmsworth Community Centre (New Hall) 6—7pm

1st Tuesday Warmsworth & Edlington Lions Club The Holiday Inn, Warmsworth, DN4 NUX 7pm

Last Friday of the month Sprotbrough Village History Group St Mary’s Church Hall, Main Street, Sprotbrough. 2pm—4pm

3rd Wednesday Warmsworth Neighbourhood Watch Cricket Club 7pm