Go! Magazine - Summer 2010 by Travel South Yorkshire

ISSUE 8 • SUMMER 2010 • FREE COPY

FESTIVAL FEVER South Yorkshire’s very own ‘urban Glastonbury’ returns

SUBSCRIBER OFFER! Win an iPhone, holiday or Michael Bublé tickets - p22

£1000s worth of prizes page 30

LAURA WADE • SUMMER DAYS OUT • HELLABY HALL

SUBSCRIBE today and win prizes

Subscribe to Go! and you could win an iPhone, £1000 holiday or Michael Bublé tickets! Turn to page 22 now!

Welcome SUMMER 2010

Welcome Contact us: It seems it’s been forever coming, but summer’s finally here! And the main event is Sheffield’s Tramlines festival, which returns for its second year following its resounding success last July. Catch our special feature, Off the tracks, on page 14. Dubbed South Yorkshire’s ‘urban Glastonbury’, Tramlines 2010 promises to be even bigger and better with over 250 national and local acts descending on Sheffield, including the chart-topping Mystery Jets, the legendary Echo and the Bunnymen, and Radio 1 DJs Annie Mac and Sheffield’s own Toddla T. Another of our great local talents, award-winning playwright Laura Wade, will be making her homecoming appearance this summer with her adaptation of Alice in Wonderland at the Crucible Theatre. Don’t miss her Profile interview on page 10. With the warm summer months stretching ahead, we’ve rounded up our pick of the region’s days out in Grand day out... (page 20), and we drop by the kitchens at Hellaby Hall Hotel in Last stop (page 34) where head chef Chris Pick aims to put the Rotherham institution back on the culinary map. And finally, if all that wasn’t enough, this issue sees the launch of our brand new subscriber competition, giving you the chance to win an iPhone and Zeppelin docking station, a £1000 holiday or Michael Bublé tickets! Turn to page 22 now for your chance to win! With all that on offer, this summer looks set to be fun-packed and fabulous, whatever the weather! Happy reading!

COVER PHOTO: GARY WOLSTENHOLME

The Go! Team

SUBSCRIBE NOW TO ENTER OUR PRIZE DRAW! PAGE 22

If you’d like to get in touch with the Go! Team, drop us a line and we’ll get back to you. EMAIL: go@travelsouthyorkshire.com WEB: travelsouthyorkshire.com/go Go! Magazine FREEPOST NEA3487 Sheffield S2 5ZQ

Partners: South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive Councils: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Sheffield City Council Operators: Arriva Cross Country Trains East Coast Main Line East Midlands Trains Expressway of Rotherham  First Holloways  Huddersfield Bus Company  Hulleys of Baslow Isle Coaches  Kettlewell Coaches Northern Rail  Powells Bus  Red Line Buses  Selwyn Motors  Sheffield Community Transport  Stagecoach Tates Travel Group  TM Travel  Wilfreda Beehive Veolia Transport

The Go! Team EDITOR Design Copywriters Photography

Paul Wells William Winder Juliet Shaw Iain Aitch Rebecca Sheppard Victoria Murphy Jack Eames SUMMER 2010

contents SUMMER 2010

This issue... REGULARS

FEATURES

5 News

14 Off the tracks

Have your say on the new bus network proposals for South Rotherham and Sheffield.

8 What’s on

Our pick of this summer’s events across the region.

10 Profile

Go! catches up with local playwright Laura Wade at the Crucible.

20 Grand day out...

Our guide to the best summer days out in South Yorkshire.

30 Competition

Win £1000s worth of prizes!

31 Letters

Write to us and you could win 28 days’ free travel!

32 Reader survey

Give us your feedback and you’re in with a chance to win a year’s free travel on South Yorkshire’s public transport (worth £920!)

Tramlines, Sheffield’s first and only free music festival, is back bigger, brighter and louder than ever! With over 250 top acts and up to 75,000 revellers descending on the city centre this summer, Sheffield will be at the heart of something special. And with the chance to win a brand new Apple iPad in the offing (see Travel South Yorkshire’s special promotion on page 19) gig-goers have even more to get excited about!

20 £1000s worth of prizes page 30

25 Best of both worlds

This issue the Go! Team shine the spotlight on Park & Ride in South Yorkshire, and discovers the benefits of combining car travel and public transport on the daily commute.

33 Last stop

Go! takes a detour to Rotherham’s Hellaby Hall to see first hand how new head chef Chris Pick is turning the hotel restaurant’s fortunes around. Tuck in!

Look out for our expert travel tips for the best way to get around by Bus , Train or Tram . For further travel tips call Traveline on 01709 51 51 51 or visit travelsouthyorkshire.com 4

SUMMER 2010

News

Bus network overhaul proposed More than 80 per cent of South Yorkshire’s public transport journeys are by bus, or to put it another way, one in six of all journeys into town are made in this way. That is why maintaining a high standard for our bus services is so important to delivering a high-quality public transport network. But while buses remain the most popular form of public transport, the number of people using buses has only been growing slightly, mainly due to the free travel for the elderly, whereas the numbers of people travelling by car has been

increasing. This has led to more congestion, which slows journey times for everyone, as well as making the county’s economy less efficient. At South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) we believe that we can encourage even more people back onto the bus network by delivering significant improvements to its quality and reliability. That is why we have drawn up proposals for an overhaul of bus services in South Rotherham and Sheffield which we believe will offer these much sought-after changes.

Our plans propose better buses, a simplified fare structure and a more stable network, with fares and route changes happening no more than once a year. A completely new fleet of low-floor buses would feature greener, cleaner engines and CCTV on all buses. There would also be more real-time information at key bus stops. SYPTE has been working with its partners for some time to develop these plans and over the next few weeks we will be asking you for your views on these proposals. We are talking to the bus operators and considering legal options to explore how this vision can be made a reality. We believe it will build confidence in the bus network, improve passenger satisfaction levels and would encourage more people to use the bus. That would mean less congestion on our roads and contribute to a better quality of life for us all. A series of exhibitions is planned during July when we will be explaining our proposals to the public and taking feedback. We then aim to talk to bus operators, councils and other interested people about how we can deliver these improved services. SYPTE staff will be at a number of venues across the two districts throughout July to listen to your views on the proposals. For a full list of locations visit busvision.co.uk David Young, SYPTE Director of Customer Experience, said: “We believe these proposals are achievable and would make a real difference to the quality of bus services in South Rotherham and Sheffield. “But we want to know what the public think about our proposals, so that we can make them as responsive to people’s needs as possible. We hope people will take the time to take a look at what we are proposing and to give us their views about our plans.” Please come along to one of our consultation events if you want to know more. Take a look at the proposals by visiting busvision.co.uk where you can email your views or you can write to: South Rotherham and Sheffield Bus Vision, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Freepost NEA3487, Sheffield S2 5ZQ. No stamp is required.

SUMMER 2010

...in brief

SYPTE up for national awards

SYPTE has made the shortlist in four categories in this year’s National Transport Awards. The recent wholescale enhancement of the county’s rail infrastructure has been acknowledged in the Rail Station of the Year Award, as have SYPTE’s entries to the

Improvements to Bus Services and Passenger Transport Authority of the Year categories. SYPTE’s nomination for Frontline Employee of the Year of Customer Service Officer, Paul Broomhead, also made the list for his heroic efforts in preventing a theft at Hillsborough mini-Interchange last year.

TOP MARKS FOR SAFETY FIRST BUS STAFF in South Yorkshire have been praised by their bosses after the company scooped four important health and safety and environmental awards at this year’s Safety Conference in London. The company beat off competition from many other bus companies, as well as being highly commended for its environmental initiatives, which includes replacing standard battery torches with more environmentally friendly LED rechargeable lanterns. Bob Hamilton, Managing Director for First in South Yorkshire, said: “I am proud of all my staff who have contributed to make South Yorkshire buses the safest and most environmentally friendly in the area. Everyone who works at First has earned this award for the company.” First has carried out an intensive

health and safety programme with all its staff to ensure they treat safety issues as the number one priority. This includes investigating any incident, however small, and then learning lessons from it and then communicating information back to all staff, including rigorous training programmes. In Doncaster in particular, staff were motivated to succeed after finishing runner up at the awards in the previous year and has built on good local partnerships. Mr Hamilton continued: “This is a great result but the journey does not stop there. One injury on our buses is one to many and we will continue to strive for zero incidents. Projects such as DriveGreen, which allows our drivers to monitor their driving styles, will help lower incidents even further.”

Get to work with Wheels2Work A SCOOTER LOAN SERVICE in South Yorkshire provides low-cost scooter hire for people struggling to get to work or college through lack of transport. Wheels2Work, which covers the whole of South Yorkshire, will loan a scooter to anyone over the age of 16 with a firm job offer or a college place but experiencing difficulty with travel arrangements such as a very late start, very late finish or no direct bus route. Applicants must have a job offer in writing and a provisional driving

SUMMER 2010

licence, and if accepted onto the scheme must do compulsory basic training for the scooter unless they hold a full motorbike licence. For those accepted onto the scheme, Wheels2Work charges a £50 administration fee then just £40 per month for a fixed period of six months. Included in the fee are a jacket, helmet, gloves and a security lock, and the scooters are also taxed, fully insured and regularly serviced. For further information and

an application pack, call 0114 285 9937 if you live in Sheffield, Barnsley or Rotherham, or 01302 828364 for Doncaster. Full details can be found at syw2w.co.uk

# 1 2 m e g n e d Hid

ing Glitz, Skellow ing you award-winn ve one aim - provid nce ha en to , ces The staff at Glitz ha pri le ents, at affordab quality beauty treatm ost your confidence. They have a bo d an m ee est f sel your ality treatments ring outstanding qu ve beauty is within reputation for delive lie be ey paramount. Th ! where perfection is you and Rachel transform all of us, let Andrea 5 26 6 72 2 30 ; 01 Elm Road, Skellow A runs every 15mins

Bus service 50/50 until 6pm.

Mon-Sat

NEWS SUMMER 2010 Service with a smile at Stagecoach

A group of employees of leading bus operator Stagecoach have clocked up almost 1,000 years of service between them. The loyal staff were celebrated at a special presentation evening in Barnsley. Among the 27 employees presented with

awards were Frederick Wood, from Stagecoach’s Barnsley depot, and Brian Barnett, based in Chesterfield, who have each completed 45 years of service. Sue Hayes, Stagecoach Yorkshire operations director, said: “Stagecoach staff are the lifeblood of this company. For so many people

to have given so many years to the company is testament to the strong values and sense of comradeship amongst our team. “It was a privilege to be able to celebrate their hard work, dedication and skill and reward the employees for their wonderful contribution to the industry over many years.”

Youngsters engineer their way to success STUDENTS from 22 schools and colleges across Yorkshire are set to battle it out to create the ultimate 21st century train carriage in the ‘The Northern Rail Engineering Challenge’. Northern and the Young People’s Enterprise Forum (YPEF) have challenged the youngsters, aged between 14 and 19, to develop their engineering skills by designing and building detailed scale models of train carriages, meeting the most up-to-date customer service and engineering standards. The challenge – including students from Sheffield and Rotherham – will provide budding engineers with experience of working on a real-life business

project and aims to encourage more young people to enter the engineering industry. Stuart Draper, Engineering Director at Northern, said: “Engineering offers a career where people not only use their creativity, but can also shape the future, making a difference to the way that we live our lives. “We’re proud to be launching the ‘Engineering Challenge’ in Yorkshire and the Humber, which will give the youngsters involved a real opportunity to get first-hand business experience and help them understand how rewarding a career in engineering can be.” Following the submission of designs, a shortlist of schools

and colleges will be invited to present their ideas to a panel of judges at an awards ceremony in July, where the winning team will scoop a three month unlimited rail pass with Northern and gain the priceless experience of helping the engineering team at Northern shape the next programme of train improvements. Suzy Alderson, Executive Director of YPEF Services Ltd said: “Taking young people out of the classroom and into the world of work is an excellent way to inspire them by giving learning a real world context. The Northern Rail Engineering Challenge does just this, putting young people’s creativity and skills to the test to

solve a real business task. “Engineering is an important sector for the region’s economy and this project, funded by Yorkshire Forward, is an excellent way to encourage young people to consider a career in engineering.” As well as their creativity, students will be judged on a range of technical criteria and will be expected to be attractive to customers and use environmentally-friendly materials. The initiative is funded by Yorkshire Forward, supported by YPEF as part of the £2.64m Embedding Enterprise in Education programme and delivered by Rotherham Council.

SUMMER 2010

June-August ‘10 On ya bike!

Try this moderate 20 mile ride from Barker’s Pool to The Three Merry Lads pub at Lodge Moor. It’s a joint venture with Cycle Sheffield and Cyclists’ Touring Club. Don’t worry, there is an additional pick-up point at Bingham Park on Rustings Road. 23 June. £Free. Visit bikeweek.org.uk for more details and more bike rides. Bus all services to Sheffield city centre. Train all services to Sheffield Rail Station. Tram all routes (City Hall) then a short walk.

Jazz hands at the ready

LS Theatre Productions celebrates the life and works of the legendary choreographer Bob Fosse and features his award-winning Broadway routines including numbers from Chicago, Cabaret, Kiss Me Kate and more. Plus, Hollyoaks star Carly Stenson (a.k.a. Stephanie Dean) will join the cast of local and national performers. 26 June, The Academy Theatre, Birdwell, Barnsley. Tickets £12. For more information call 01226 744 442 or visit lstheatreproductions.co.uk

Bus

services 7/7A, 64/64A, 66, 67 and 265 every 10 mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, hourly evenings and Sundays.

Confederation Europeenne de Volleyball

Watch the GB men’s and women’s teams play in the fifth leg of the European League against top European teams. Former European Champions Spain battle with our boys and Serbia take on the GB girls. Enjoy two top class international games each day. 3-4 July, Ponds Forge. Adults £8 on the day, £4 concessions. For advance sales there is a 50% discount on all tickets. Call 0114 223 3400 or visit britishvolleyball.org for more details.

Bus all services to Sheffield city centre. Train all services to Sheffield Rail Station. Tram all routes (Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge).

Here’s a rare chance to see a private collection of Vivienne Westwood’s shoes. The grand dame of fashion’s innovative and sometimes provocative designs have wowed us since the 1970s. Take a glance at the black ‘spike’ SEX shoe, the ‘hammerhead’ trainer, the ‘pirate boot’, the limited edition collection with Nine West and the recent mass market collaboration with Brazilian company Melissa. 13 May -17 July, The Civic, Barnsley. £Free. Visit barnsleycivic.co.uk or call 01226 327 011 for details. Bus all services to Barnsley Interchange then short walk. Train all services to Barnsley Interchange up to four trains per hour Mon-Sat until 8pm, then two per hour. Hourly on Sundays.

SUMMER 2010

SIGNED CDs From top TRAMLINES acts page 30

John Mcintire

The Gallery@The Civic presents: a personal collection of Vivienne Westwood shoes

WHAT’s ON SUMMER 2010

23-25 July Tramlines: Sheffield’s free music fesival Check out our special feature on page 14

For further travel tips call Traveline on 01709 51 51 51 or visit travelsouthyorkshire.com

Tramlines 2010, sponsored by Travel South Yorkshire

Sheffield’s free ‘urban Glastonbury’ saw 35,000 people take to the city centre last year and in 2010 the organisers are expecting up to 75,000! With increased capacity at the main stage on Devonshire Green, an additional New Music Stage at Barker’s Pool and a Youth Music Festival, this year’s event is going to be bigger and better than ever! Don’t miss out - turn to page 14 now to read our special feature. 23-25 July. £Free. Visit travelsouthyorkshire.com/tramlines for more details and for your chance to win an Apple iPad. Bus all services to Sheffield city centre. Train all services to Sheffield Rail Station. Tram all routes (West Street or City Hall).

Wuthering Heights

See Emily Bronte’s masterpiece come to life at Rotherham’s Civic Theatre. Watch a modern adaptation of Catherine and Heathcliff’s doomed love unfold right before your eyes. 6 -10 July, Rotherham Civic Theatre. Tickets £7. Call 01709 823 640. Bus all services to Rotherham Interchange then a short walk. Train all services to Rotherham Central Rail Station.

Bouncy bouncy

For just £10 you could be in the Guinness Book of Records and raise money for charity! Held at Barker’s Pool, help beat Mexico City in smashing the world record for the number of people bouncing on a space hopper. Sheffield needs 2,000 people and the event will help raise much needed funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research, Weston Park Hospital and Cavendish Cancer Care. So hand over £10, don your t-shirt and go hopping mad! 25 July, Sheffield city centre. Entry £10. For more details visit bounceforsheffield.org.uk

Bus all services to Sheffield city centre. Train all services to Sheffield Rail Station.

Tram all routes (Sheffield City Hall).

Fireman Sam: Pontypandy Rocks at Doncaster Dome

Fireman Sam wants you to come to Pontypandy’s first ever Rock Festival! But naughty Norman is up to mischief again and he’s on a quest to find out who the secret rock star is! Join Sam and his friends on his best adventure yet! 14 August, Doncaster Dome. Kids £11, adults £13, or £44 for a family ticket. Call 01302 370 777 or visit firemansamonline.com for details. Bus

services 25, 55/55B, 57, 58/58A, 59, 91, 707 & X19 run up to every 5-10 mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every 30 minutes evenings and Sundays.

Medieval castle clash

Head to Conisbrough Castle and watch the Pagent of the Knights. The Escafeld re-enactors will engage in medieval persuits such as archery, dancing and arming of knights. Don’t miss the dramatic conclusion with the main Tournament of Knights! 21-22 August, Conisbrough Castle. Adults £5.50, children £3, family ticket £14. Tickets available to buy on the day. Call 01709 863 329 or visit english-heritage.org.uk Bus services X78, 220, 221 & 222 run every 10 mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every 30 mins evenings and Sundays. Train all trains to Conisbrough Rail Station then a short walk. Two trains per hour Saturday, hourly on Sundays.

SUMMER 2010

LAURA WADE

At just 32, award-winning playwright Laura Wade has already made her mark across the theatrical sphere with a string of runaway hits. Following a hugely successful stint down South, where her most recent production Posh sold out at the Royal Court Theatre, the former Ecclesall local returns to Sheffield’s Crucible theatre with Alice, her much-anticipated adaptation of the Lewis Carrol classic. Laura took time out from Wonderland to speak to Go! about her Sheffield homecoming, her surreal conversation with Sibelius and her new-found love for the Supertram...

Our Alice grows up in Broomhill and has a Yorkshire accent - I’m not sure what Lewis purists will say about that! But you have to be honest - it’s not going to work if you try and satisfy everyone.

SUMMER 2010

You grew up in Sheffield, which part of the city played host to a playwright? I moved to the Ecclesall area when I was less than a year old. My grandma died so my family moved back to Sheffield to be with my grandad. Then when I was 14 we moved to the Peak District, but my friends and my social life were in the city. When was your first trip to the theatre? I went to see the Railway Children at the Crucible when I was seven and remember thinking it was the most amazing thing, especially when the steam train chugged onto the stage - I thought it was real! From then on my mum took me to see musicals and my dad took me to see everything else including opera. I clearly remember the brochure coming through the door and I could choose a couple of productions to go and see. Have you always wanted to be a playwright? Ever since that first time I’ve always enjoyed going to the theatre and I knew I wanted to work in the industry. For a long time I wanted to be an actress but I’m not very good at it. I later realised my interest is in telling the story. I love actors and I think they’re brilliant at what they do, so I think I’ll leave it to them. I was about seventeen when I seriously considered becoming a playwright. What I enjoy about writing is trying to find a way around the obvious, to make characters more human.

Have you ever met anyone interesting that you’ve gone on to use as characters? Yes, all the time! You have to be careful what you say around playwrights because they’ll have it for the notebook! I once had a guy on a bus around here regaling me for an hour about how he was the reincarnation of the famous composer Sibelius! It’s very rare that one character is based on just one person - I usually take a bit from here, a bit from there and then amalgamate them together. I find people are endlessly fascinating. You’ve adapted the children’s classic Alice in Wonderland with a South Yorkshire twist. What should we expect from this new version? I was approached by the artistic director of the Crucible, Daniel Evans, who wanted a family show. I was a bit daunted at first because people really really love the book. You have to find something new when you’re adapting a muchloved novel. You have to find something theatrical and it has to happen at the right time. Luckily for us the Crucible had just been refurbished, so it seemed apt to stage a play about a girl discovering a new and strange world against the backdrop of a newly renovated theatre. The production is also based in Sheffield and our Alice grows up in Broomhill and has a Yorkshire accent. I’m not sure what Lewis purists would say about that! But you have to be honest about your adaptation - it’s not going to work if you try and satisfy everyone.

profile Laura wade

DINNER, SHOW AND BACKSTAGE TICKETS FOR 4 page 30

SUMMER 2010

profile Laura wade Alice is not your stereotypical little blonde haired girl. How have you changed her? I wanted this version to be different. I said, right from the start, “no blondes and no blue pinafores”. That’s why our Alice has dark hair and doesn’t look like your typical Disney classic. Plus, Alice is seven and a half in the book – she’s twelve in our play, right on the cusp between being a child and an adult. Ruby Bentall [who plays Alice] is just perfect, she’s imaginative and inventive and really truthful in terms of her acting. When we read Lewis Carroll’s classic we were frustrated by Alice – on the first page she’s down the rabbit hole and so you have little reason to care about her. We wanted to find out about her background and her circumstances. We wanted the audience to want to follow her. So, the opening of the play has Alice at her brother’s funeral, and Wonderland becomes the place where she can escape from reality. It’s more psychological - our production lets you figure out where these characters come from and why they’re there. This isn’t your first production at the Crucible, is it? No, when I was eighteen I ran a produiction called Limbo. That came about while I was at sixth form - I just phoned the theatre and asked if I could come and sit in on some rehearsals and they agreed. I eventually got to know the people in the company and met a playwright who could see my enthusiasm and encouraged me to have a go at

writing myself - I haven’t looked back. Following some invaluable practical experience stage managing with the Youth Theatre, Limbo was born and later staged at the Studio. It’s a dream come to true to write for the Crucible - I believe it’s one of the best theatres in the country. The arena-style setup means it’s exciting but also a bit daunting, especially when you’re on stage looking out - there are a lot of people looking back at you! You’ve won a Critics’ Circle award, the Pearson Most Promising Playwright award and are nominated for an Olivier award that’s quite a haul! It’s wonderful to have your work recognised by the industry and its commentators, but it is always balanced with a healthy dose of criticism. I think as long as you create something that you really believe in, and that you know your reasons for doing it, then you can live through the knocks because you know it’s a story that needs to be told. Criticism is part of the job but it hurts and people can be cruel, but the job also has its good points. For example, when you’re sitting in a theatre and a cast member tells a joke that I’ve written into the play and everyone laughs. It’s like telling a joke to lots of people at once and they all get it. I’m terrible at telling jokes – I always start with the punch line! But with writing a play you have weeks and months to perfect it.

So what does the bard of South Yorkshire like to do when she’s not writing hit plays? Ha ha! I wouldn’t go that far! Well, I’ve recently started running, so I take a whistle-stop tour of the city most days. I also enjoy reading. At the moment I’m reading the epic The Northern Clemency by Philip Hensher. It’s really very good. Any favourite spots to visit when you come home to see family and friends? I have loads of happy places in Sheffield. I love all the parks and green spaces we have here - I’ve been in love with the Botanical Gardens all my life and now there’s the Winter Gardens as well. I also like to visit Graves Art Gallery and Weston Park, and the fact that Sheffield is so close to the countryside is wonderful - Rivelin Valley is beautiful. I love this city - the Supertram was just being built when I was growing up and now it’s part and parcel of the town. I love that the tram is so personable, unlike the London Underground where everything’s automated. So what’s next - anything exciting in the pipeline? I have been pretty busy recently. I’m writing a film script this year. It’s really quite different characters move much more and there’s more scope for plot with less emphasis on the dialogue. But the challenge is still to tell a story. Theatrewise, I have another play I’d like to write soon but it’s a tiny idea at the moment... watch this space!

The Crucible It’s been a long two years without the Crucible but, after a £15million refurbishment, it’s back bigger and better than ever. With brand new seating, a revamped bar, new green room and redesigned signage, the shiny new Crucible cuts an strikingly modern figure in a recently relandscaped Tudor Square. But some things have stayed the same - its renowned sense of intimacy and incredible roster of leading edge productions.

Laura Wade’s Alice is showing at the Crucible from Thursday 17 June to Saturday 24 July. Also on in July is Polly Stenham’s That Face, directed by Richard Wilson, running 1-24 July. For ticket information call 0114 249 6000 or visit sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

The crucible theatre Bus all services to Sheffield Interchange. Train all services to Sheffield Station. Tram all routes (Castle Square) every 10mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, then every 20mins.

SUMMER 2010

Go! has joined forces with Sheffield Theatres to offer a fantastic theatre package for four! One lucky reader will receive four tickets to one of the theatres’ productions in the autumn season, including pre-show dinner at Crucible Corner and VIP backstage passes! Turn to page 30 now to enter our reader competition!

0175_0510

one ticket three ways

to travel ? r e t s a lM e v a r T y u b Why

TravelMaster is the only flexible ticket that allows unlimited travel by local bus, train and tram throughout South Yorkshire. There are loads of reasons to buy a TravelMaster:

Choose from 1 day, 7 days, 28 days or 52 week tickets and passes New credit card sized passes available for 28 day and 52 week tickets Tickets and passes to suit all ages, pockets and travel options. You can buy your TravelMaster from a Travel South Yorkshire Information Centre.

travelsouthyorkshire.com/go1 Traveline 01709 51 51 51

Off the tracks The success of the inaugural Tramlines music festival last July proves that you don’t have to don your wellies to enjoy a good summer festival, with the Sheffield-based music event providing South Yorkshire locals the opportunity to enjoy the Glastonbury-style atmosphere without having to dig the tent out of the loft. As over 250 acts prepare to make South Yorkshire their home for a weekend, Go! catches up with the folks behind the buzz...

ast your mind back a few months and picture yourself standing with the grass beneath your toes and the sun beaming down on your face, while you soak up the latest in musical refreshments... as well as a few cheeky others besides. You would be forgiven for thinking you were reminiscing a trip to Glastonbury or Leeds festival, but you actually only need to look a little closer to home. Last year over 35,000 revellers came along to the first ever city centre music festival in Sheffield, and this year’s Tramlines will be even more ambitious. Taking place from 23 to 25 July, the festival will boast an increased capacity of 8,000 at Devonshire Green and a whole host of other musical events at venues across Sheffield. Gig-goers won’t have to put their hands in their pockets either, as admission is completely free. Taking its name from Sheffield’s tram network, the festival mixes local talent with well-known names, providing a draw for all ages and musical tastes. Its ability to lure visitors from across the region and beyond is good news for the city and its cultural life, as well as local businesses. Headline acts at the festival include the legendary Echo and the Bunnymen, along with Craig David, Mystery Jets, Blood Red Shoes, Dum Dum Girls, The Hoosiers, Daisy Dares You, Rolo Tomassi and Darwin Deez. Sheffield’s own Toddla T, who now has his own show on Radio 1, will be 14

SUMMER 2010

SIGNED CDs from top Tramlines acts page 30

TRAMLINES IS BACK: The 2010 festival promises to be bigger and better, with up to 75,000 expected across the weekend.

FEATURE TRAMLINES

SUMMER 2010

STAR SETS: King Blues (above) and Mary Ann Hobbs (opposite) star in this year’s lineup.

whipping up a dance vibe, and fellow Radio 1 DJs Annie Mac and Mary Ann Hobbs will oversee the eclectic selection of music to keep the crowds in the party mood and decide which of the 250 acts on show that they should see next. Local businessman Dave Healy, who owns The Harley and The Wick at Both Ends pubs in Sheffield, is one of the co-founders of the festival and is hugely enthused about the success of Tramlines, which is now set to be an annual fixture in the city’s calendar. “I think the biggest success of last year is that people turned up, which was a relief!” he says with a wry smile. “The second thing was that crime fell. We had an extra 35,000 people in city and it was really friendly - there was a real buzz around Division Street and the venues. It didn’t feel like you were just going to a load of gigs in the city, it had that genuine festival feel. We think there will be up to 75,000 coming into the city centre this year, and have 50 venues for everyone to get involved in, including O2 Academy, the Leadmill, 16

SUMMER 2010

Corporation, Fusion Foundry and Octagon, amongst others. We’re also looking forward to the New Music Stage on Barker’s Pool in front of the City Hall.” Healy’s co-founder James O’Hara, who owns The Bowery on Sheffield’s Devonshire Street, says that the festival was founded to give the city’s bars and music venues a boost during what is traditionally a quiet month in the city. “Last year a lot of bars and clubs were struggling and this was an idea to inject something into the city for one week in the summer when all the students have gone, as well as giving local bands a platform,” he says. “Once we started talking about it to the council and other people it just grew. Creative people in the city were really behind it. There are a lot of doers amongst creative people and most of us do something every week anyway. It was almost a case of ‘why don’t we all coordinate it one weekend?’ It’s definitely a collaboration - it would be a nightmare for just one person to take on.” The success of last year’s festival surpassed its original aim of putting the spotlight on Sheffield’s music scene and providing a boost for its music venues. Bar owners reported takings up 300 per cent on the Tramlines weekend compared with the previous year, and saw talent spotters and band managers descend on the city for a chance to see a raft of new acts. And, thanks to the huge numbers flocking to the city, the local economy

saw a huge boost which organisers hope to build upon this year, with local businesses making up three quarters of the traders at festival venues. With a name like Tramlines, it is hard to ignore the fact that public transport is also something of a star of the festival, albeit a fairly unobtrusive one that is unlikely to make an appearance on the main stage. “When we came up with the name we thought it should be about all kinds of routes for you to go down and it is all about the city,” says Healy. “The different routes thing is all about not wanting one kind of sound or music to dominate. There really is something for everyone’s taste, with acts like Rolo Tomassi, a rock act, and Sheffield’s own Toddla T, who is all over Radio 1 at the moment. Then you have the local blues musicians who have all got together, which is a great way to highlight one of those thriving scenes in Sheffield that people may not know about.” The organisers are encouraging the use of public transport on the day, not least because the city centre will have thousands of extra visitors and a small number of street closures may make driving something of a headache. But public transport is also very much a part of keeping Tramlines a green event, a vital element in today’s environmentally-aware times. “We are working with local environmental partnership Sheffield Is My Planet to build the sustainability of the festival, and with Travel

PHOTOGRAPHY: shaun bloodworth

FEATURE TRAMLINES

SUMMER 2010

FEATURE TRAMLINES South Yorkshire on packages to encourage people not to drive in,” says Healy. “We’re looking at our recycling, and are currently sourcing biodegradable pint glasses instead of the usual plastic ones, as well as putting on a 250-capacity solar disco. So we are keen to get the message across to people as well as making sure our own house is in order.” Those who are too young to enjoy a pint should not worry that the festival will not cater for them, as this year sees a new youth music festival as part of the main Tramlines event. Co-ordinated by Alan Deadman of the Musical Works, and Mark Hobson of Corporation, the event takes part at Corporation on Milton Street on the Saturday of the festival, and draws on the talent of 11- to 18-year-old locals, be they musicians, dancers, filmmakers or singers. There is also a Children’s Zone in the Winter Gardens for younger children. “We recognised last year that we were probably a bit light on entertainment for the younger market,” says Healy. “This event is very participation-led and we have been going out into the community to persuade young people to come forward.” The day of events at Corporation starts at 11am and there is a gig for over-14s in the evening, which should serve to inspire those on stage and off. It may even turn up the next Toddla T, the local DJ and producer who is appearing at Tramlines as well as organising some of its acts.

It didn’t feel like you were just going to a load of gigs in the city, it had that genuine festival feel. We think there will be up to 75,000 coming into the city centre this year. “He is a really busy man with his own Radio 1 show but he is making time to come back,” says James O’Hara. “He is a really good example of someone from Sheffield doing well, and it shows people that you can become successful whilst remaining grounded.” Although Tramlines is all about celebrating Sheffield and its music scene, the organisers are hoping that music fans, families and tourists will travel in from across the region, taking advantage of the local transport links to enjoy the laid back atmosphere of the festival. “It is a chance to showcase the city to a wider audience,” says Healy. “We want to reach out beyond the city to places like Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster and Chesterfield and keep the city buzzing through the year, showing what a

good night out you can have in Sheffield.” With a whole weekend of free music and related events in the city, including the wonderfulsounding hip-hop barbecue from The Tuesday Club, festival goers will be spoilt for choice for things to do and see. Organisers and revellers alike are hoping for plenty of sun, but even if there are showers it’s guaranteed that a bar or club within an umbrella-less dash’s distance will have an act worth seeing. With the size of the festival and numbers of people in attendance, organisers have placed great emphasis on safety, and have been working in conjunction with Sheffield City Council’s health and safety team to ensure that the festival runs smoothly. “There’s been a substantial amount of planning to make sure we have a safe and friendly event,” says Healy. “We really want to keep that mood from last year, and we think that it was that festival spirit that made crime figures drop across the city during last year’s Tramlines.” He also has a final word for those who are still deciding whether or not the festival will be worth the trip into the city centre. “For anyone who is wavering, the most obvious point is that it is free and so you have nothing to lose by just turning up,” he says. “If you get a chance then wander around and pop in to places and just take in the atmosphere. That way you are bound to see an act you will not have seen otherwise and you may have some nice surprises.” And, as well as ensuring that the 75,000 revellers enjoy themselves, Dave and James will be making sure that they make time to catch their own personal favourites as well – and even admit to being a little star struck. “I’m really looking forward to Echo and the Bunnymen headlining on the Sunday,” says James. “I think Killing Moon by them is perhaps my favourite song of all time and they’re playing on the last day, so I can have a drink and let my hair down.” And that drink will be well and truly earned, as I’m sure 75,000 others will agree. Tramlines 2010 runs 23-28 July. For more information visit travelsouthyorkshire.com/tramlines Turn to page 30 to win a selection of signed CDs from top Tramlines acts! Getting you to the gigs... Travel South Yorkshire, Official Travel Partner of Tramlines 2010, is also offering festival-goers the chance to win a brand new Apple iPad! Visit travelsouthyorkshire.com/tramlines for your chance to win. Everyone who enters can download a discount voucher entitling them to unlimited travel from Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 July 2010 on Sheffield’s Supertram for just £5 (usual price £7)! Shake Aletti (main picture) and Mystery Jets (inset).

SUMMER 2010

To enter and claim your discount tram ticket, visit

travelsouthyorkshire.com/tramlines

GRAND DAY OUT...

Countryside Take a walk on the wild side If we told you lions live in Doncaster, you’d think we were barmy. But the Yorkshire Wildlife Park recently rescued a pride of big cats from Romania. Visit the 13 felines at Lion Country this summer, along with the endangered Painted Hunting dogs, Addax antelope and many more. Find a feathered friend or two at the Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife and Falconry Centre in North Anston. They hold spectacular bird of prey displays with owls, falcons and Harris hawks. Find out what’s on the menu at the centre this summer from 24 July to 29 August and follow the Grub’s Up Trail for the chance to win a half day Keeper Experience for two. You can’t get wilder than 180 hectares of magnificent heathland at Blacka Moor. It’s the Wildlife Trust’s largest site in Sheffield and Rotherham. The moor is home to upland birds such as the Pied Flycatcher and the Wood Warbler, as well as rare moths such as the Ruby

Tiger. The work Sheffield Wildlife Trust undertake is funded by Natural England’s Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action Fund and Viridor Credits Environmental Company through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Golden oldies South Yorkshire is the perfect region to soak up some history and culture this summer. Elsecar Heritage Centre lets you step back in time and view an early industrial village. Based in former ironworks and colliery workshops, the restored buildings include an antiques mall and individual craft workshops. Beautiful Brodsworth Hall near Doncaster is a stately home that’s evolved through the ages. Its interiors range from high Victoriana to retro additions from the 20th century. And you can stroll around the gardens which have been restored to their original 1860s splendour. Plus, for all the petrol-heads out there, visit the Yorkshire Thoroughbred Car Club on Sunday 4 July for a fantastic display of classic cars. Why not pop along to Conisbrough Castle? This impressive magnesium limestone castle is a great example of a medieval military architecture. Roche Abbey is one of our region’s hidden gems. It’s a ruin, so you’ll have to use your imagination and cast your

SUMMER 2010

mind back to medieval Britain; a time of kings, castles and crusades. The Cistercian monastery was founded in the 1100s and was later landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Turn to page 30 for your chance to win a set of family passes (two adults, three children) to Conisborough Castle, Brodsworth Hall and Roche Abbey!

FAMILY PASSES TO HERITAGE ATTRACTIONS page 30

Venture out into the unknown this summer and ramble around the rural. Take a walk on the wild side, visit spectacular stately homes and heritage centres or walk, climb and ride around the region. Whatever you decide to do this summer, South Yorkshire has plenty on offer...

Directory Yorkshire Wildlife Park 01302 535 057; yorkshirewildlifepark.com Bus service 91 runs every 20-30 mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, every hour evenings and Sundays, from Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster (stand A1) to Branton village. Get off the bus just before the post office, the pedestrian access to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park is up Brockholes Lane.

Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife and Falconry Centre 01909 569 416; butterflyhouse.co.uk Bus service 19A runs every hour daily, stopping outside the Centre on Woodsetts Road.

Blacka Moor 0114 263 4335; wildsheffield.com Bus service 97 runs every 15 - 30 minutes, from Sheffield’s Peace Gardens. Bus service 218 runs every hour from Sheffield Interchange to Totley. Get off at Cross Scythes, and walk down Hill Foot Road towards the Strawberry Lee Lane entrance.

Joanna Jeffer

If you live life on the edge then look no further than your own doorstep. Bradfield village’s excellent location on the northwest fringes of the Peak District has something special to offer walkers, whether visitors or local residents. It has something for everyone because of its close proximity to long-distance trails and a superb variety of shorter walks around local villages, reservoirs, ancient woodland, rivers and rocky crags. As a member of the Walkers are Welcome network, Bradfield wants visitors to find out for themselves the huge variety of scenery and local amenities on offer. Fancy scaling the walls in style? South Yorkshire’s countryside offers the perfect place to climb. The Edge International Climbing Centre teaches climbing techniques to novices and professionals alike. And there are plenty of walls to ascend – around 150 routes to try indoors before you venture out. They also offer a range of outdoor climbing in

ies

Extreme South Yorkshire the Peak District. These range from half day tasters to whole weekends and they’re designed for all ages and abilities. If you’ve got good balance and strong arms, and even if you haven’t, then try Sheffield Cable Waterski based at Rother Valley Country Park just outside Rotherham. It’s waterskiing without the boat! You’re catapulted around the large man-made lake by a cable, complete with buoys and the occasional wetland bird. You can start off on a kneeboard, or be brave and try a wakeboard or skis. Elsecar Heritage Centre 01226 740 203; elsecar-heritage-centre.co.uk Train all services to Elsecar Rail Station, running every hour from Leeds, Barnsley, Sheffield, Meadowhall and Wakefield, then 10 minutes walk: turn right at the top of the platform access ramp, take main road down the hill until you reach the Centre, next to Market Inn. Bus service 66 runs every 10 mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, every hour evenings and Sundays, from Barnsley. Bus service 227 runs every hour from Rotherham, seven days a week.

Brodsworth Hall 01302 722 598; english-heritage.org.uk Bus service 203 from Doncaster Frenchgate Interchange or Mexborough. Get off at Brodsworth Church, Brodsworth Road, then a quarter of a mile walk.

Conisbrough Castle 01709 863 329; english-heritage.org.uk Bus services X78, 220, 221 & 222 run every 10 mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, every 30 mins evenings and Sundays. Train all services to Conisbrough Rail Station, then short walk - two trains per hour on Mon-Sat, hourly on Sundays.

Roche Abbey 01709 812 739; english-heritage.org.uk Bus services 1, 2, 10 & 122 from Rotherham Interchange, then one a half mile walk. Bus service 18/18A runs every 30 mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, hourly evenings and Sundays from Doncaster Interchange. Bus service 87 runs every hour Mon-Sat only until 6pm from Meadowhall.

Bradfield bradfield-yorks-pc.gov.uk Bus service 61/62 runs hourly Mon-Sat until 6pm, every 90 mins evenings, every two hours Sundays, from Hillsborough Interchange

The Edge International Climbing Centre 0114 275 8899; sheffieldclimbing.com Bus services 33, 43, 44/44A & 252 run every 15 mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, hourly evenings and Sundays.

Sheffield Cable Waterski 0114 251 1717; sheffieldcablewaterski.com Bus service 30 runs every 20-30 mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, hourly evenings and Sundays.

SUMMER 2010

SUBSCRIBE today and win prizes

A £1000 holiday, iphone 3gs or michAel bublÉ tickets!

SUBSCRIBE NOW TO WIN Your choice of top prizes!

Visit travelsouthyorkshire.com/go/win

Win an iPhone and Zeppelin dock... We’ve got a brand new Apple iPhone 3GS to give away, complete with a state-of-the-art Zeppelin soundsystem from Bowers and Wilkins. This top-tech lifestyle gadget is a must-have for people at home or on the move.

*Up to the value of £1000.

ut ou ta

el y, c

lte rn a

t iv

Po st co d

tr a

Terms and conditions The information you provide will be held by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) and used for selected future promotions or research activities. We will not use your contact information for any other purposes or pass your information to any organisation outside of the Travel South Yorkshire partnership. The competition will run from 14 June 2010 and end on 12 September 2010. All entries must be received by 12 September 2010. Entries received after this date will not be included in the prize draw; however, we may still retain information submitted after this date. The draw will take place between 13-16 September 2010 and the winner will be notified by 17 September 2010. This competition is not open to employees of SYPTE or their family members.

os t

S2 A 3 r i t h i s 5Z 48 pti for Q 7, on m s, to

If you’d prefer a free holiday this year, we’ve teamed up with First Choice to offer new Go! subscribers the trip of their choice to one of a range of top worldwide resorts. The prize includes return flights from South Yorkshire’s Robin Hood Airport, with transfers and accommodation thrown in!*

See Michael Bublé at Sheffield Arena! Want to catch the hottest music star around? Michael Bublé is the biggest solo male artist in the world right now, and Go! Magazine has five pairs of tickets to give away when his global tour touches down in South Yorkshire this September.

ve ls subscribe ou th yo N rk OW sh O ir NLI e. NE G o! co A M ag T Freepost a m z in Sh e /g ef su fie b o/ ld NE s c

…or a holiday abroad

And for the runners-up?

Head out for the day with a South Yorkshire Daytripper

ONE ticket

= it h

5.80 ju st O N E

Use anytime at the weekend or a bank holiday, or after 0930 during the week on local train services. Daytripper not for you? Ask about other day tickets.

travelsouthyorkshire.com/go12

like ou

• a bus driver or tram conductor • your local rail station ticket office • a Travel South Yorkshire Information Centre

y times as y n a

Buy your ticket from

Ride as m

Unlimited travel for the whole day by local bus, train or tram

FEATURE

Best of both worlds For most of us, it just isn’t an option to leave the car at home when you’ve got the school run to do, prescriptions to collect and dry cleaning to drop off, and that’s all before you’ve even contemplated the commute. But those of us with busy lifestyles that demand short-cuts may be surprised to learn that compromising on the car can actually provide the convenience we need. In our special extended feature, the Go! Team explores the benefits of Park & Ride in South Yorkshire, which combines the best of the car with the value of public transport...

SUMMER 2010

outh Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive’s (SYPTE) Park & Ride facilities provide a safe, economical solution that gives people the alternative to the city centre congestion that starts and ends their days. It’s a compromise that lets busy people carry out the myriad tasks that seem to make up every day, but then ditch the car when it comes to the commute. After dashing around dropping off children first thing in the morning, spending ten minutes on a tram, bus or train after leaving the car in a secure car park gives that little bit of me-time to read a magazine or catch up on phone calls that allows you to arrive at work relaxed and ready for the day ahead. And with more than three quarters of Park & Ride users sticking with the service for a year or more, it shows that once people are aware of the benefits they make it their preferred method of travel, particularly for the daily commute. Peter Walker is SYPTE’s Asset Manager and is in charge of the Park & Ride facilities throughout South Yorkshire. “Park & Ride is a great alternative for people who rely on their cars to get everything done, but don’t want to face the final part of their journey stuck in traffic and getting stressed,” he says.

SUMMER 2010

Knowing that you’ll get a call if you’ve left the lights on or if there’s a flat tyre, instead of being stranded waiting for a car rescue service while you worry about being late to pick up the kids, is incredibly comforting. “Our Park & Ride sites are clean, safe and secure, and the car parks are either free or very low-cost, so people can be safe in the knowledge that the final part of their journey will be safe and stress-free.” Travelling into city and town centres by car during rush

FEATURE

hour can be uncertain and stressful. Sitting in stationary traffic or crawling along on congested roads with nothing to do other than sit and wait can send stress levels soaring before we’ve even started the working day. But with Park & Ride services every ten minutes, that uncertainty is eliminated, and thanks to priority bus lanes and car-free tram and train tracks, the total journey time can still be much less than if it’s done by car. At just twelve minutes into Doncaster Frenchgate from Doncaster Park & Ride North, the journey time is more than half than the same journey by car during peak hours. Doncaster North, along with Doncaster South, Sheffield Halfway, Sheffield Middlewood and Nunnery Square Park & Ride terminals, provides commuters fully-staffed, safe and convenient facilities to leave their cars. And as well as having CCTV, shelters, toilets, comprehensive service information and a clean, litter-free environment as standard, the Park & Ride Car Care Scheme will keep a close eye on passengers’ cars and let them know if there’s a problem. Whether it’s a flat tyre, an open window or lights left on, attendants will call the car owner and let them know, eliminating any nasty

Our Park & Ride sites are clean, safe and secure, and the car parks are either free or very low-cost - people can be safe in the knowledge that the final part of their journey will be safe and stress-free.

surprises at the end of the working day. With this extra level of care and security it’s little wonder that over three quarters of Park & Ride users are women. Peter says: “Our female passengers, in particular, know that using the facility is an extremely safe and reliable way to travel. As well as being able to rely on a regular and convenient service to get them into work, knowing that they’ll get a call if they’ve left the lights on or if there’s a flat tyre, instead of being stranded in the middle of town waiting for a car rescue service to arrive while they worry about being late to pick up the kids from school or nursery, is incredibly comforting. “SYPTE has invested a significant amount of money into Park & Ride facilities, because we really do think they’re an incredibly convenient way to travel for a huge amount of people,” he continues. “Commuters, shoppers, tourists leaving the car in a monitored car park instead of being stuck in traffic and fruitlessly

SUMMER 2010

Commuters, shoppers, tourists leaving the car in a monitored car park instead of being stuck in traffic fruitlessly searching for a parking space makes for a much more pleasant journey. searching for a parking space makes for a much more pleasant journey. And by using them, our passengers can be safe in the knowledge that they’re doing their bit to reduce congestion.” And for people juggling the costs of family life, Park & Ride offers an incredibly economical alternative to expensive city-centre car parking fees. The cost of a full week’s Park & Ride, including parking and travel fare, can cost less than a single day’s parking in city centre car parks. So with an alternative commute on offer that’s safe, convenient, time-saving and economical, can you really afford not to take it up?

Rebecca Skill, Doncaster Doncaster Park & Ride

I originally started using Doncaster Park & Ride to commute into the town centre where I work as a retail assistant a few days a week. Before it opened I was travelling to and from work in the car, which wasn’t exactly ideal on my part-time wage as most places charge at least £4 to park, and that’s after you’ve spent half the morning driving round looking for a space. Unfortunately, the train times did not coincide with my shifts at work either, so this was another option that wasn’t viable for me. Then I heard about the £2 return deal at the Park & Ride so thought I’d give it a go, and I was so pleasantly surprised. It’s absolutely perfect and has proved so reliable that I now often use it for social activities too. Whether it’s meeting friends for lunch, shopping, or even just treating myself to a coffee, the Park & Ride enables me to enjoy experiences I would otherwise have missed out on if I was facing the expense of car parking charges for each trip. I have very rarely had to wait more than a few minutes for a bus, and with the improved bus lanes it is sometimes an even quicker way to travel than the car when you compare it to being stuck in a queue of traffic. The staff at Doncaster North Park & Ride are always very friendly and helpful and, as a customer, you are really made to feel valued.

Ruth Matherson, Rotherham Nunnery Square Park & Ride

As a busy working mum it’s really important to me to have a transport service I can rely on in a morning. It’s a job in itself having to get the kids up and ready for school, but that’s just the start of my day. I then have to make it into Sheffield city centre where I work full-time as an accountant, and the battle for parking can be brutal. With this in mind, convenience is definitely a hugely important factor in my daily routine. I need to be able to get to and from work

SUMMER 2010

This is so important in terms of making you feel comfortable and assured, and also provides that daily interaction that you certainly don’t get from a parking meter! I honestly cannot recommend or praise the Park & Ride enough - the service is fantastic and it has saved me a lot of money, hassle and stress. I would encourage everyone to give it a go and I’m sure you will be surprised at just how much you manage to save in a month or even a week, it really does all add up. Get one week’s free Park & Ride in Doncaster, worth £12.50. Turn to p35 for your voucher. quickly, without spending a fortune in the process. I’ve tried numerous ways of battling the rush hour traffic before but I’ve always ended up arriving at work completely stressed out and irritated. Clearly, it’s not ideal to be starting your morning like this, and can really have an impact on your mood for the rest of the day. Nunnery Square Park & Ride is perfect as it gives you the best of both worlds. Having it available means I can do the school run in my car, and then head towards work without having to worry about where I’m going to park and how much it will cost. It’s right next to Sheffield city centre so I know that once I’ve parked up I’m just a short tram trip away from where I need to be. The tram stops in the city centre are also conveniently placed so I can even call for a morning coffee on my way if I want to. I also use the Meadowhall Park & Ride if I ever need to nip to the shops after work, or I’ve arranged to meet friends for a meal or a trip to the cinema. Having the choice is fantastic - I don’t know what I’d do without it. The trams are always punctual and clean, and really make for a pleasant journey. When you weigh up the time, money, and stress you save yourself by using the Park & Ride, it’s easy to see why they are so popular with working women like myself.

FEATURE Josie Dungworth, Sheffield Middlewood Park & Ride

I first started using Middlewood Park & Ride when I moved house a few years ago. I have worked in Sheffield for many years and thought it was a fantastic alternative to the stresses and costs of city centre parking, which can often be really expensive. I’ve been known to pay at least £6 or £7 a day so over a week that really adds up. However, it didn’t take me long to realise that there were more advantages to it than just the financial benefits. As the autumn approaches it’s comforting to be able to use such a well-lit area, with CCTV and plenty of other people around. It can be quite a long and lonely walk back to your car if you leave it in a car park in town, not to mention very intimidating as most of the time it’s pitch black. It’s a real advantage to not only feel that you are safe and secure, but that your vehicle is too. The Middlewood Park & Ride is surrounded by houses and shops, which also helps you constantly feel safe, even if you’re walking alone. Using the tram each day gives me some peace and quiet, and provides the opportunity for me to listen to my music and relax - I like to be able to leave home stresses behind so I can focus on the job I am travelling to and from. In all the time I’ve been using the Park & Ride I have never experienced any trouble of

any sort in this area and neither have any of the other users I know. Even when you’re on the trams in especially busy periods, the conductors are brilliant at keeping everything under control. The staff at the Park & Ride kiosks are also really friendly and everyone does a good job at providing customers with an enjoyable experience. I think the Park & Ride is great and consider it a real asset to the Middlewood area - and the general consensus at the tram stop is the same. There really is no need to use the car parks in town anymore.

Nunnery Square Park & Ride Type: tram Capacity: 390 Open: 6.30am-7.30pm, Mon-Sat Park & Ride: daily £4, weekly £16, monthly £53.50 Middlewood Park & Ride Type: bus and tram Capacity: 350 Open: 6.30am-7.30pm, Mon-Sat Park & Ride: daily £4, weekly £16, monthly £53.50 Halfway Park & Ride Type: tram Capacity: 200 Open: 6.30am-7.30pm, Mon-Sat Park & Ride: daily £4, weekly £16, monthly £53.50 Doncaster North Park & Ride Type: bus Capacity: 338 Open: 7am-7pm, Mon-Sat Park & Ride: daily £2, weekly £12.50, monthly £35 Doncaster South Park & Ride Type: bus Capacity: 389 Open: 7am-7pm, Mon-Sat Park & Ride: daily £2, weekly £12.50, monthly £35 For more information on Park & Ride in South Yorkshire, visit travelsouthyorkshire.com/go13 or call Traveline on 01709 51 51 51.

Park & Ride With stations and routes across South Yorkshire, take the stress out of travel. Park & Ride offers: • Direct links with public transport • Easy cost effective access into the city centre and surrounding areas

travelsouthyorkshire.com/go13

SUMMER 2010

COMPETITION This competition is not open to employees of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive or their family members. All entries must be received by 31 August 2010. Winners will be drawn before 30 September 2010 and notified before 15 October 2010. By entering this competition you agree to the publication of your name in subsequent editions of this publication should you be a prize winner. The decision of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive shall be final. No cash alternative will be given.

WIN worth £1000s of prizes

Sudoku 9

QUIZ A

5 7 3

4 5

2. At which Michelin star restaurant did Hellaby Hall’s Chris Pick previously work? 3. Where will the New Music Stage be at Tramlines 2010?

4 5

4. What was Laura Wade’s first production at the Crucible theatre? 5. We’re offering gig-going Go! readers the chance to win an Apple iPad what’s the web address you need to enter?

The answers to these questions are in the magazine somewhere - get them right and you could win the following prize bundle:

9 6

7 5

1. How many parking spaces are there at Doncaster South Park & Ride?

Crack the puzzle to reveal the digits in the white squares. Four lucky winners will receive a limited-edition Go! mug and 28 days’ free travel on South Yorkshire’s buses, trains and trams.

• 3 months’ free travel on South Yorkshire’s buses, trains and trams • A selection of signed CDs from top Tramlines acts • A three course meal for two at Hellaby Hall Hotel • A set of family tickets (two adults, three children) to Consibrough Castle, Brodsworth Hall and Roche Abbey

Competition entry To enter, fill in your answers and contact details below, cut out and send to: Go! Magazine,

Subscriber offer! win an iphone or A £1000 holiday turn to page 22

FREEPOST NEA3487, Sheffield S2 5ZQ. Or email your answers to go@travelsouthyorkshire.com

Your answers: Sudoku A

Your details: Name Address

QUIZ 1. 2.

Postcode

Tel

Date of birth

TICKET HUNT Briefly describe where the ticket appears: Page no.

SUMMER 2010

ticket hunt Somewhere hi dden in this iss ue of Go! Magazine is a very special ticket (pictured here)…

Find it and yo u could be the lu cky winner of: • 3 months’ fre e travel on So uth Yorkshire’s buses, trains an d trams

• Four tickets pl us VIP backstag e passes to an autumn show at Sheffield Thea tres, including a preshow meal for fo ur at Crucible Corner • A set of family tickets to Consib rough Castle, Brodswor th Hall and Roch e Abbey

LETTERS

Have your say Praise indeed

Food for thought

As a non-driver in South Yorkshire I rely totally on public transport, especially buses, to get out and about. This means that I regularly have to contact the Traveline operators for advice on bus times and plotting routes, and often need help planning several journeys at once. The Traveline operators are always professional, friendly and always answer calls promptly, even during the severely bad weather we recently experienced. They have greatly assisted me in making it to various appointments within rigid time frames and just doing a generally smashing job all round. I would like to say a huge thank you to every single one of the operators for their continued support. Denise Naylor, Sheffield

After reading your feature on South Yorkshire food heros (A time for heroes, Spring 2010), I wanted to let you know how refreshing it is to see so much support for local produce. In an era of hypermarkets and online deliveries, it is comforting to see that there are still some people dedicated to real, honest food. My local bus service runs straight to the market, so whenever I can I jump on and pay a visit for fruit, veg, meat and bread - it’s definitely worth the extra effort. The quality of the produce is by far superior to anything you’ll find in a supermarket’s BOGOF offer, and it great to be able to support local providers. I urge everyone to get out of the habit of bulk buying their groceries from a supermarket, and get down to your local market to find out what food should really taste like! Dale Wesley, Barnsley

Thanks for your letter Denise. We’re pleased you’re so happy with the service you’ve received. Traveline’s team of operators are dedicated to providing the best possible travel advice and support to the people of South Yorkshire, and are always on hand to answer any queries customers may have. We’ve passed on your thanks and the operators are delighted to have their hard work acknowledged by the people that matter most to them - the public.

We at Go! completely agree. South Yorkshire has so much to offer in terms of quality produce, and we only hope that, with more people now aware of exactly what they can get on their doorstep, they’ll start taking advantage of it. If any readers need to know how to get to their local market, just contact Traveline on 01709 51 51 51.

Hidden gem # 22

Wentworth Ca stle Gardens A real South Yorkshir e highlight. The cas tle (built in 1730 by Thomas Wentworth) an thanks to a £16 millio d gardens have recently had a facelift n cash boost. Rare for been rediscovered, mal gardens have natio Camellias and Magn nal collections of Rhododendrons, olias enhanced and over 100,000 bulbs planted to create a carpet of colour. Lowe Lane, Stainb orough; 01226 77 6 040; wentworthcastle.o rg Bus service 23 runs every two

hours, daily.

Write to us: If you write us a letter and we print it, you’ll receive 28 days’ free travel on South Yorkshire’s buses, trains and trams. Email go@travelsouthyorkshire.com or post your letter to Go! Magazine, FREEPOST NEA3487, Sheffield S2 5ZQ.

READER SURVEY ster TravelMa

We want your feedback! Turn over the page and tell us what you think about Go! and what you’d like to see more of in future issues, and you will be entered into a prize draw to win free travel on South Yorkshire’s public transport for a whole year, worth £920!*

nson Sarah Joh

011 31 MAR 2 TIL

VALID UN

Please return your completed survey to Go! Magazine, FREEPOST NEA3487, Sheffield S2 5ZQ.

1234 567

0 10 11:5

27/04/20

SUMMER 2010

reader survey 1. How often do you usually use the following kinds of transport? Bus

Train

Tram

5 or more days a week

Car

(driver) (passenger)

5. Thinking about the content of this magazine, which of the following features did you… Read

Cycle

Find most informative?

Enjoy the most?

Enjoy the least?

News What’s on

3-4 days a week

Profile Laura Wade

1-2 days a week

Off the tracks

Once a fortnight

Grand day out... Countryside

About once a month

Best of both worlds

Less than once a month

Last stop Pass master

Never 2. As a result of reading Go! Magazine, do you feel that you are now more aware of the name Travel South Yorkshire? Yes

3. Do you feel that you are now better informed about public transport in South Yorkshire? Yes

6. Are there any particular features that you’d like to see in future editions of Go! Magazine?

7. In what ways do you think the magazine could be improved?

Why? (please give reasons for your answer)

8. Are you… Male

4. Do you think Go! Magazine has encouraged you to consider using public transport more often? Yes No Why? (please give reasons for your answer)

Female

9. How old are you? Under 16 30-39

16-19 40-49 60 or over

20-29 50-59

10. What is your home postcode? 11. How many cars or vans are available to members of your household, including yourself? None Three

Your details:

Address

Date of birth

SUMMER 2010

Two

Tel

Name

Postcode

One Four or more

We would like to keep your contact details to send you information on public transport, travel cards/ticketing and promotions. If you would prefer not to be sent such information, please tick this box. Please note we will not use your contact information for any other purposes or pass your information on to any third parties. Winners will be drawn before 30 June 2011 and notified before 31 July 2011. *If you wish to enter the prize draw without completing this survey, please send your name, address and contact telephone number on a postcard to the address on the previous page by 31 May 2011.

LAST STOP hellaby hall

PASS MASTER Just like the plotline from a storybook, Hellaby Hall has experienced its fair share of twists and turns in recent years. But luckily, as Go! finds out, its Prince Charming, Chris Pick, has returned after a six-year gap to help reverse its fortunes...

ocal lad Chris Pick learned all about the catering trade when he trained at the wonderful 17th century Rotherham country house, Hellaby Hall Hotel. As career opportunities arose, Chris packed up his pans and moved on to work in other restaurants across the country. Now, after six years building a name for himself, he has returned to reignite the flame of the restaurant for which he still holds a torch, bringing with him his modern British menu and a desire to succeed. “I came back late last year and the food was quite dated,” says Chris. “We got rid of everything in the freezer and started to make everything

fresh on site rather than buying it in. We try to do all seasonal food and use seasonal local ingredients where we can. All my vegetables and salads are local and the eggs are organic and free range from just down the road.” For 32-year-old Chris, the return to Hellaby Hall really is something of a homecoming, as he was born in Rotherham, just a stone’s throw from the kitchens where he now heads up the team that is transforming the dining experience of the hotel and events venue. With 100 diners in the restaurant and up to 500 in the banqueting facilities there is certainly never anything approaching downtime once he is through the door, but it is this buzz that first attracted Chris

to a career in catering. “I had a job as a kitchen porter doing parttime work when I was sixteen,” he says. “From there I went on to Rotherham College of Arts and Technology and did two years there. It was just the atmosphere in the kitchen that interested me really. It was quite exciting for me as a young lad to see all that going on.” After some more experience in kitchens, Chris was taken on by Hellaby Hall in 2002, where he worked under other chefs, learning his trade as a hotel caterer. This meant long hours and arduous work, though the learning process was as much about maths and stock control as it was about making sauces and wowing customers. SUMMER 2010

LAST STOP hellaby hall I came back late last year and the food was quite dated - we got rid of everything in the freezer and started to make everything fresh on site. “I learnt about mass catering, doing the numbers and working with volume,” says Chris. “It was useful, but I was keen to learn about fine dining as well. It just wasn’t about that, not at that time. So I went off to Lower Slaughter Manor in Gloucestershire in 2004. It was far more clinical and there was much more attention to detail, so it takes you up another level really. It was a three AA rosette, one Michelin star restaurant. Everything was done to order and everything was fresh and seasonal. It is exciting to be a part of that and you have to learn fast.” The cuisine at Lower Slaughter Manor was French, but Chris soon developed a taste and aptitude for modern British cooking, which eventually set him on a new career trajectory. It also allowed him to make something of a name for himself in South Yorkshire. “My brother, who’s also a chef, and I bought a restaurant in Barnsley and put our knowledge together,” says Chris. “The restaurant was Armstrong’s and it was a 50-cover à la carte setup where everything was fresh, right down to the bread. It felt like the right time to go out and do my own thing. When someone came in and offered to buy it we felt we’d taken it as far as we

ET VOILÀ!: Chris makes the final touches to one of the dishes on Hellaby Hall’s brand new menu.

could and had no room to expand or add banqueting facilities so we sold up.” The sale of Armstrong’s went through in 2008 and within a year Chris was heading back to Hellaby Hall as its new head chef. There was a definite need to modernise the menus and Chris was just the man to see to it, with the knowledge picked up in his early years coming in very useful for all the banqueting he would be in charge of although he is a firm believer that mass catering should not mean staid or anything less than great food. To keep the menu fresh and regulars happy Chris changed Hellaby Hall’s menu to reflect his taste for allowing the seasons to shape the

A three course meal for two page 30

Go! has teamed up with Hellaby Hall Hotel to offer one lucky reader (plus one) the chance to sample Chris’s new menu. For your chance to win a three course meal for two, turn to page 30!

SUMMER 2010

Hellaby Hall Hotel, Hellaby, Rotherham. 01709 702 701; hellabyhallhotel.co.uk hellaby hall hotel Bus services 1, 2, 10/10A, 18/18A & 87 run up to 8mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, every 30mins evenings and Sundays.

dining experience, although he has no hesitation recommending a perfect three-course meal from some of his specialities and menu mainstays. “I think I would go with the fillet of beef with a braised shin Wellington,” he says. “Then my signature dish, which is braised pork cheek with ravioli, red wine sauce and vegetables. For dessert, an apple tarte tatin with a cinnamon panna cotta and apple puree. I use a lot of purees. It is all about textures for me.” With large numbers to cater for and long hours to work Chris doesn’t often get to sample the cooking of other chefs in the area, though he does profess a liking for the cuisine at Rafters in Sheffield, where he dines with his partner and their two sons. But he is keen to point out that he sees dining out as strictly a leisure activity rather than a chance to bone up on what other chefs are up to. “I like doing my own thing in the kitchen,” he says. “I do watch cookery programmes, but I’m no copycat. Sometimes on busy days we have done sixteen-hour days for five days a week and you may only get twenty minutes break in there. But I love being at the stove. I still cook at home and do Sunday roasts for the family.” Chris would eventually like to run his own restaurant again, but for now he is very happy showcasing his skills at Hellaby Hall and is keen to give something back to budding young chefs in the kitchen where he learned a good part of his trade. “I have grown and learned since I went away,” he says. “It has made me a better person, especially in man management. It is all about passing on your knowledge as best as you can. I would just like to get the restaurant a really good reputation and build the business up. We are moving steadily to where I would like us to be.”

Hate driving?

Love park & ride • Buses every seven to ten minutes or better

DN5 7UN

• Limited stop buses at peak times calling at Doncaster Racecourse, Doncaster Dome and town centre bus stops

DN11 0GT

• Bus priority measures speeding up journey times into Doncaster • Fleet of eco-friendly, fuel efficient, low-floor buses

travelsouthyorkshire.com/go2 Traveline 01709 51 51 51

One week’s FREE park & ride in Doncaster worth up to £12.50 Fill in and take this voucher to the York Road (Doncaster North) or Bawtry Road (Doncaster South) park & ride sites to exchange for a free week’s individual or group park & ride ticket. We would like to keep your contact details to send you information on public transport, travel cards / ticketing and promotions. If you would prefer NOT to be sent such information, please tick this box. Please note we will not use your contact information for any other purposes or pass your information on to any third parties.

Name

Tel

Address

Email Date of birth Usual travel method

Postcode

Car

Bus

Train

Cycle

Walk

Terms and conditions: Only one voucher per person. May be exchanged for one week’s free parking and travel (individual or group ticket) from the York Road (Doncaster North) or Bawtry Road (Doncaster South) park & ride sites. Free travel only available to people parking a vehicle at the park & ride sites. Offer available on a first come, first served basis. Voucher valid until 31 December 2010. Photocopies not accepted. The Travel South Yorkshire partnership reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.

d e g a u o y ? e r 8 A 6-1 1

Buy a SummerSaver for your chance to win 4 weeks

Your summer travel free travel is sorted with a SummerSaver TravelMaster Go online or ask a travel assistant for details

Have the freedom of South Yorkshire on any local bus, train or tram for a one off cost of ÂŁ21.95. Buy one from a Travel South Yorkshire Information Centre. All you need to bring is: yourself, your expired MegaTravel or 16-18 Student pass, a recent passport size photo and ÂŁ21.95. Remember your current pass expires on 31 July 2010. If you try to use it after this date it will be withdrawn. You must be able to hand in your expired pass to take advantage of this offer.

travelsouthyorkshire.com/go7