Local News
6th February 2020
Issue 1099
7
www.looklocal.org.uk
Call 0114 283 1100
Beat the winter blues by giving yourself a sporting chance SPORTING Chance Sheffield run a range of men’s activity and engagement sessions across north Sheffield. They are friendly and informal and a great way to make new friends, get fitter and get out of the house. Social isolation and loneliness can have a massive impact on our mental and physical wellbeing and this can be increased over the dark winter months. Mark Hible of Sporting Chance told Look Local: “I would strongly recommend that men come along and give our sessions a go.
STOCKSBRIDGE TRAIN HOPES BOOSTED BY ANNOUNCEMENT THE Department of Transport has committed £500m of national funding to kickstart the reopening of rail routes closed decades ago and it is hoped that Stocksbridge might be one of the routes to be reopened. In December, Rail Minister Chris Heaton Harris MP visited Stocksbridge and announced that the Stocksbridge to Sheffield line is one of the routes that the Government would like to see re-opened. The Transport Secretary has invited MPs, local authorities and community groups across England to come forward with proposals on how they could use funding to reinstate axed local services. £300,000 has been committed to an ‘Ideas Fund’ to kickstart the process to encourage innovative ideas that will then be considered for further funding in the future. The £500million fund will help develop these proposals, and accelerate the delivery of schemes that are already being considered for restoration, making possible the
rapid reopening of certain stations and lines. MP for Stocksbridge and Penistone, Miriam Cates, commented: “This offers us a real opportunity to improve transport connections for our community. “Last week I met with representatives from Sheffield City Region and the Don Valley Railway to look at possible sites for a passenger train station in Stocksbridge. At the moment, a freight train travels from Stocksbridge to Sheffield twice a day along what used to be a passenger line. “The Don Valley Railway group have been campaigning for over ten years to see this line re-instated as a passenger service and I am delighted that the Government is committed to funding projects like these. “The A6102 between Stocksbridge and Sheffield is a busy road, and frequent users will know that traffic congestion and air quality in Hillsborough are significant issues for those coming into the North of Sheffield.
“With more housing being built and planned for the Upper Don Valley, congestion will only increase. If we are going to connect our communities with jobs, training and services, and reduce our use of fossil fuels, we have to find viable alternatives to private cars. This a fantastic opportunity to do just that and I’m looking forward to working with the Department for Transport and Sheffield City Region to deliver it.” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Many communities still live with the scars that came from the closure of their local railway more than five decades ago. Today sees work begin to undo the damage of the Beeching cuts by restoring local railways and stations to their former glory. “Investing in transport links is essential to levelling up access to opportunities across the country, ensuring our regions are better connected, local economies flourish and more than half a century of isolation is undone.”
“We have had many men who were feeling lonely, suffering with depression or from poor health join in our sessions and continue to stay and thrive. It can be difficult making that first step to join a new group, but we always give people a warm welcome and a cuppa!” Although the groups are aimed at men only aged 50 and over, they also welcome companions or carers on initial visits to the sessions to help people settle in. Most sessions run for two hours and include free refreshments. Taster sessions are free, then there is a minimal charge ongoing.
The nearest one for Look Local readers is on Mondays from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Stocksbridge Leisure Centre, featuring badminton, table tennis, cards, dominoes and a quiz. Participants have a choice of doing all or some activities, depending on their ability and preferences. The group also runs day trips, competitions, events and occasional meals out. For further information please contact Mark Hible 07841 430171 or email mark.hible@ volunteeringmatters.org.uk
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