Village Life – October
When we first moved into Bolsterstone in 1990, we regularly took visiting family or friends into the Castle for a meal and a drink and it was on one such occasion that I first witnessed, quite accidentally, the Harvest Auction. We were astounded as half a dozen eggs went for a small fortune and wondered what sort of people would pay so much for something so commonly available. Now we know exactly what kind of people organise, donate goods from prints to partridges and, above all, are still bidding amazing amounts of money for them all! We are fortunate to number many of them among our friends and neighbours and this year, their enthusiastic bidding raised more than £1800, which will be divided amongst three local organisations including Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
As part of the larger community we have been following the progress of the new Community Assembly which has replaced our Northern Area Panel. Representatives of the Assembly held three events in June and July which covered the four Northern Wards and were attended by representatives of over 50 local groups. Here discussions took place on issues raised by the groups and a vote was taken on the future role of Voluntary, Community and Faith organisations in Community Assemblies. There was considerable overlap of issues raised which, in the Stocksbridge area of which we are part, were, “playgrounds, planning issues particularly greenbelt, relationship with SCC particularly parks and planning, transport and infrastructure, housing and community life”. The information from the three events has been collated and included in a Draft Community Plan. A Voluntary, Community and Faith Panel will formally represent the interests of the sector in the Northern Community Assembly area. The first draft of the plan was considered at a recent meeting and aspects of its implementation will be voted upon at the next Community Assembly which is open to the public. For more information about Community Assemblies and how they propose to work on our behalf contact anne.blantern@sheffield.gov.uk or ring 0114 2037152
If you are interested in conserving our heritage and helping to protect Conservation Areas
English Heritage has produced a booklet and CD called “Heritage at Risk – Conservation
Areas”. You can join their campaign and find out how to help your local conservation
area by going to www.english-
Thinking about Christmas before Bonfire Night goes against the grain but as some of us have been planning our Christmas Fayre since last February it seems a pity not to mention it here since it takes place on Saturday, 21 November, which is only just over a month away! All the stalls are booked and both Stocksbridge High School and Stocksbridge Junior have agreed to perform in the Church for us where Stocksbridge Art Society will be holding a display of their work. In the Village Hall will be Santa in his spruced up grotto and lots of stalls selling many good quality, locally made products and gifts. We’ve been out begging for bakers to bake cakes, buns and biscuits for the cake stall and mince pies for the refreshments. Please put the date in your diary and start your Christmas Shopping here.