News
The latest news from Todwick.
Todwick Neighbourhood Watch advice for Christmas 2024
Published: 28 November 2024
The Christmas buying season Is almost upon us.
Make sure you have a genuine bank note in your purse.
Make sure you don’t get a forgery passed on to you.
Be aware. Be careful.
Happy Christmas
Norman Anderson
Todwick Church Bells Project
Published: 14 November 2024
The bells at Todwick Church have not been rung on a regular basis for many years (since the retirement of the previous team of bell-ringers), but now a new team of bell-ringers is being formed.
There are currently 3 bells in the tower, with room for a frame to add 3 more bells, but the boiler and other items on the tower floor mean that a ringing platform will be needed to enable 6 bells to be rung. This project aims to:
- refurbish the existing bells, frame and mechanisms (they were hung in 1905 and little has been done to them since!);
- add a further frame and hang an additional 3 new/reclaimed bells;
- add a ringing platform to enable 6 bells to be rung.
Once completed, this will enable Todwick Church to have a peal of 6 bells to ring for Sunday services, marriages, funerals (muffled), national events, remembrance etc., and facilities to offer training in bell-ringing to the community.
This project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to increase the use and presence of the church within the community.
Donations can be made electronically to the project bank account:
Todwick Parochial Church Council, sort code 20-55-62, account 70217182
A gift aid form is available on request.
For further details contact Geoff Downs on 07549 295584 or email todwicknews@gmail.com
There is a thief about … watch out
Published: 6 November 2024
Usually, about this time of year, we start thinking about Christmas. It won’t be long before the supermarkets and shopping centre outlets start playing the Christmas hits of yesteryear “I wish it could be Christmas every day” by Wizzard from 1973 and “Santa Claus is comin’ to town” by Bruce Springsteen from 1985.
But we must also think about what presents we will be getting for friends & relations. Perhaps a trip to the big shopping centres to window shop – go in to browse through the things on sale and look for suitable Christmas presents & cards to send. The centre is full of people – like you and me – browsing – selecting – buying – paying – taking parcels & bags back to the car. You put the purchases in the boot of the car out of sight. Good idea. Press the key fob to lock the car and walk away to begin to browse again and possibly buy more.
BUT…
BUT, was anyone watching you in the car park? If so, they may have one of those gadgets that can read your car fob so they can enter your car without you knowing? They don’t have to make a noise of breaking glass. Best advice is to move your car to another parking slot in the centre’s car park. Use a steering lock to make it more difficult to steal your car … and its contents.
There is one other thing that you can do is to buy a Faraday pouch. When the fob is in the pouch, you nor anyone else can get into or lock your car. Used carefully it is a good anti-theft piece of kit. The cost is under £10 for 2 pouches – one you use for the car and the other for the spare fob at home. Thieves usually look for the easy prey. So to help protect yourself, as you lock the car just look around you to see if anyone is watching you.
Finally
Ladies, please keep your handbag closed and your hand on it as long as possible.
Gents, try not to put your wallet or bundle of cash in your back pocket, you are asking for trouble.
And finally, the hand-held mobile phone – when you are out and about. If you are using one, PLEASE look both ways before you start to cross a road.
Your conversation may be important to you, but your life is more important?
Let us have a Christmas not marred by an avoidable incident.
Norman Anderson, Chairman
Todwick Neighbourhood Watch
email todwick.nhw621@btinternet.com
Burglar Beware!! By Norman Anderson
Published: 18 October 2024
Autumn is certainly with us. Darker mornings and darker nights. Damp, very cool weather. But the unusual appearance of the ‘northern lights’ has given us a positive look at the season. The talents of some social media photographers have given us some beautiful pictures of the colours in the skies at night. But of course, darkness can also be used by people who have illegal motives, such as burglars and attempted burglars and car thieves.
Please don’t fall into the trap of saying that it will not happen to you because you have nothing worth stealing. More often than not the burglar will try his or her luck as an opportunist. If you are unfortunate enough to be burgled, the damage caused by them getting in and the added damage when they are in your home is expensive to repair and or replace. Any claim on the home insurance policy will (most often} result in a considerable hike in premiums for the policy for several years. As claims are recorded centrally a change of insurance provider will reveal the last claim. To add to the misery, it is not unknown for a burglar to strike twice when stolen property has been replaced and steal the replaced items. Any items of ‘sentimental value’ are normally irreplaceable.
There are several things you can do to help protect your property whilst it is unoccupied – even short term. A good, trusted neighbour is a great help to keep an eye open for you. Try to keep the number of people who know you are away to a minimum. Please don’t use social media to tell all and sundry for example that the weather is beautiful on the Costas or wherever you are or send ‘selfies’ taken at some beauty spot. Make sure your locks (especially on UPVC doors and windows} are to current specifications and locked when you leave your home. Don’t leave spare door, window or vehicle keys or key fobs lying around. Make sure any ladders and garden tools are put away. Most of those should cost you nothing financially.
Outside security lights are relatively inexpensive to buy and over the years the quality has improved with energy-saving light units. Burglar alarms and CCTV can add to the security measures to protect your home. Once fitted, these usually need only checking once a year. It is advisable to use qualified installers for electrical equipment. Just a few things you can do to help protect your property. I also have details of a new door handle that will fit most PVC and composite doors. The lock can be opened by a key card or even a fingerprint. For those who like technology, there is a facility using geo-location that unlocks the handle without you needing a key.
Please ask for details. Stay Safe.
Norman Anderson, chairman
Todwick Neighbourhood Watch
email todwick.nhw621@btinternet.com
Are you winter ready?
Published: 16 September 2024
Now that Autumn has arrived it is a good time to look around to make sure things are working properly. It’s the season when light bulbs tend to burn out. So why not check you have enough spares in case of need.
Northern PowerGrid has some excellent advice, especially for anyone who may need extra support if there is a power cut {outage}. You can register your details on the Priority Services Register {PSR} for anyone who may be vulnerable during a power cut. Anyone who needs electricity for medical reasons, refrigerated medicines, has a serious or chronic illness, disability, is living with dementia, has children under 5 years of age living with you, has mental health difficulties, and anyone of pensionable age. Register free of charge by telephoning 0800 169 2996 or go online at https://www.northernpowergrid.com/care
If there is a power cut it is also a good idea to have a torch in a handy place but make sure the batteries are fully charged. Keep some warm clothing or blankets on hand. Make sure your mobile phone is kept fully charged as anyone with a digital landline will find the phone won’t work until power is restored. Another good idea is to keep a battery-operated radio already tuned in to a local radio station. Another way you can help yourself is to leave a light switch on so you know when power is restored. Also, a good idea to unplug any electrical equipment that generates heat.
In an electricity emergency dial 105 on your mobile. Text messages from Northern PowerGrid can keep you up-to-date
If you smell gas or suspect Carbon Monoxide gas call 0800 111 999
If there is a water emergency call Yorkshire Water on 0800 573 553 and for Severn Trent Water call 0800 783 4444, depending on your supplier.
With it being the village Neighbourhood Watch, please try to help your neighbour if needed.
Finally for drivers, please check your lights and indicators and replace any faulty bulbs.
If anyone needs any help or further information before the emergency – please contact me by email at todwick.nhw621@btinternet.com or telephone 07885 441492
Stay Safe this winter
Norman Anderson chairman
Todwick Neighbourhood Watch
Todwick tallest sunflower winners
Published: 9 September 2024
The winners of the 2024 Todwick Tallest Sunflowers are as follows:
- Tony Rusling – grown from The African Giant variety of sunflower
- Richard Brundish – grown from The Titan variety of sunflower
- Audrey Cox – grown from The Titan variety of sunflower
- Lynda Shepherd – grown from The Titan variety of sunflower
Many congratulations to the winners.
And many thanks to the sponsors Brian Mullins and Brian Summerhayes for their generosity in awarding the prize money.
Todwickians: How tall is your sunflower?
Published: 17 August 2024
Todwick Residents Only
Please send in your sunflower heights TODAY, Saturday, 17 August 2024 to Sheila Pantry OBE, email sp@sheilapantry.com or phone 01909 771024.
Reminder: Todwick Sunflower Competition 2024
Published: 4 July 2024
Two Todwickians, Brian Mullins and Brian Summerhayes, have very kindly sponsored this fun Todwick residents only competition again. Anyone, any age can join in...
How to grow sunflowers
Planting sunflowers seeds is a fun activity for the whole family, and one of the easiest ways to provide food for birds in your garden.
You may have got your sunflowers growing already… Sow your sunflower seeds – You can soak your seeds in water to swell them overnight and then sow the seeds in a garden tray or into pots – put some cling film over each pot or tray. YOU CAN directly into the ground - but this will delay things now it is early July – better to do indoors or on a windowsill.
Fill a 7.5 cm pot (or slightly larger) with peat-free compost. Poke one seed per pot down into the compost. Cover with about 1 cm of compost, and then water.
Place in a warm position. Use a propagator lid if you have one. Or you can make your own mini cover to protect your plants by cutting the top off a plastic bottle.
Keep them on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse to keep them safe from slugs and snails until they are planted out.
Or you can fill rows of cardboard tubes, planted up with compost and young sunflower seedlings.
Sunflower seedlings – Plant them out when they’re around 30 cm tall. Plant out in a sheltered position once the risk of frost has passed.
Sunflowers like to grow in a rich soil.
Protect them as best you can from slug and snail damage by using copper bands, broken eggshells, or any other organic slug control methods. You might need to do an evening slug patrol to keep them from eating your new shoots.
Stake and water – As your sunflowers grow, you’ll need to tie them to canes or to the fence or balcony railings to stop them blowing over. Keep them moist through the summer as your little seedlings turn into giants.
Save the seeds – When the sunflower head starts to turn brown, cut it off and hang it somewhere dry and airy. When the seeds are dry, rub them together to loosen them. Birds can eat your seeds if you leave them in the garden. You could even put them in a bird feeder.
More information: https://www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/what-you-can-do/activities/how-to-grow-sunflowers
TODWICK RESIDENTS ONLY send in your sunflower heights by Saturday, 17 August 2024 to Sheila Pantry OBE, email sp@sheilapantry.com or phone 01909 771024
What’s happening in Todwick?
Published: 28 June 2024
Some exciting small projects! – an update as to what is happening from your Councillor Joshua Bacon.
Across the village we’re now seeing spades in the ground on various projects to spruce up or add to our village. Since my election in 2021 I’ve fought for Todwick and the Towns and Villages fund offered a unique opportunity for me to lobby for funding for our beautiful village. I’m proud to say I’ve successfully ensured this fund comes to our village. I’ve compiled a non-exhaustive list below of some of the projects happening around Todwick.
- Kiveton Lane / Red Lion Roundabout junction (1st picture)
Spades are in the ground excavating for a new seating area. I insisted that we have nice, natural colour, block paving here rather than tarmac (we all know about how bad that can look) for a new Kedleston timber bench (will retain plaque) to be installed on. This will be surrounded by planting on both sides. It’ll be a great spot to sit on during a walk around the village (which I know a lot of people do). The stone wall and stone Todwick sign will be professionally cleaned too. - Kiveton Lane – next to the path into Church (2nd picture)
A new Kedleston timber seat along with Tegula block paving (again I insisted no tarmac), in a natural colour. To compliment this bulb planting will take place to surround the seat. - The Pastures – central pavement area (3rd picture)
The rusted and tired metal bollards will be removed to make way for new planters and railing to improve pedestrian safety (a lot of people have wanted this for quite some time now). The drainage channel between the private land and pavement will be replaced (hooray!) and resurfacing will take place (I couldn’t insist on paving this time, perhaps it’d look out of place here? But I did insist on not using the micro-asphalt we’ve seen across Todwick, it needs to be a higher quality. I’ll keep an eye on this.). - A57 & Goosecarr Lane junction (4th picture)
This road leading into Todwick will be visually enhanced with flowering bulbs. Further down the road, getting closer into the village, will be a new Kedleston timber seat. Again, further from this, just outside of the village by the entrance to the allotments will be another new Kedleston timber seat. We will also see a replacement sign for Goosecarr Lane. Alongside the righthand side of Goosecarr Lane (as you’re entering the village) will be a programme of works to remove litter and debris, to make way for planting pits to achieve a visually appealing hedgerow. - Funding / Consultation
This won’t cost Todwick Parish council a penny. It’s coming straight from the Towns and Villages fund and can only be spent on projects like I’ve just outlined. I insisted it came to Todwick and that we get as much out of it as we can. Last year we did consultation outside the Tea Room and I’ve been speaking to as many people about it as possible, the consensus is that this is what Todwick could do with.
I won’t be stopping here, I’ll keep working to bring in more rejuvenation into our village. Including the usual road resurfacing, pavements, grass cutting etc.
If you have any questions please feel free to email me.
– Joshua Bacon, Borough Councillor for Aston & Todwick, joshua.bacon@rotherham.gov.uk
Todwick Orchids
Published: 2 June 2024
Here in Todwick, we are very fortunate to have floristically rich roadside verges which are home to colonies of wild orchids of several species. The underlying limestone creates soil conditions suitable for them – and other interesting wildflowers – to grow well and several colonies have been identified around the village. To date, four species have been discovered: Southern Marsh Orchid (which, as its name suggests, favours damper areas), Common Spotted Orchid, Pyramidal Orchid and the Bee Orchid. Keep your eyes open, there could well be more!
None of them have huge, showy flowers like the tropical orchid species but, when you get in close and have a good look, they really are spectacular plants that we should be proud to have on our doorsteps. Whilst not especially rare, these native orchids are found only sparingly across Rotherham so we are lucky to have so many of them here in Todwick.
In these more enlightened times, now that the critical importance of the natural environment and biodiversity to our own health and well-being has finally been recognised, the need to care for it is more important than ever. To help these botanically rich verges to flourish, Rotherham Council has relaxed its grounds maintenance operations to allow the orchids and other flora to flower and set seed before cutting towards the end of summer. This regime can lead to the verges looking a little less ‘neat and tidy’ than we’re accustomed to, and we ask that you:
- please resist the urge to cut the verges adjacent to your property yourself, and/or
- to apply any kind of herbicide treatment or fertilisers to them.
Continual mowing throughout the season is likely to lead to the complete loss of the colonies over time.
Remember, the verges in the village belong to us all and it is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that we look after them sensitively. With care and a little tolerance, we can improve our local environment and enrich our own lives knowing that we have contributed to making Todwick a more wildlife-friendly place to live.
For further information on native wild orchids and their management or on any aspect of Rotherham’s wildlife, please contact Rotherham Biological Records Centre, email: rotherhambrc@rotherham.gov.uk
A Few Notes
Todwick is a good area for Wild Orchids, we have four species.
Wild Orchids cannot be cultivated, so should not be dug up, nor the flowers picked.
Flowering is usually late May and June.
Wild Orchids can lay dormant and previous flowering may disappear.
RMBC will cut verges in the best way to support the Wild Orchids, allowing the Leaf Rosette to develop and flower
Todwick Art, Flowers and Music Festival held on Saturday, 18 May 2024 at Todwick Church and Todwick Church Hall
Published: 21 May 2024
The lovely sunshine brought the crowds to Todwick Art, Flowers and Music Festival on Saturday, 18 May 2024 held at Todwick Church and Todwick Church Hall. Vicky Camber, Todwick Vicar, introduced our local MP Alexander Stafford and his family to open the event.
The event aimed to raise funds to help with the maintenance of our beautiful old Todwick Church that was mentioned in the Doomsday Book dated 1086!
The magnificent 10-piece Dearne BIG Band entertained everyone – AND encouraged some dancers to take to the floor.
On show were magnificent displays of various types of art and photography from Wales High School students Y7 through to Y13 and also Todwick Primary School. Also displayed were beautiful pieces of artwork from Christine Ferris, Joyce Spurr and ARTWORK collected by Mabel Hextall.
Also some lovely flower displays and planters, very kindly donated by various Todwick friends including Audrey Radford, Greenscene, The Grey Matters group were on display in Todwick Church and Todwick Church Hall during the event. Many thanks to Rosemary and Brian Chambers who held a plant stall that raised £123.00.
Many plants and flowers were auctioned at 4 pm by Tony Rusling to help in the fundraising. Many bargains were quickly snapped up in the bidding process. And lots of fun was generated!
Over 82 visitors came from far and wide including many Wales High School students (including Todwick students) who also brought their families and friends to see their artwork and photography.
Many parents were seriously impressed and proud to see their students’ presentations!
The event that raised £414.40 for the Todwick Church maintenance funds.
Many thanks to all who helped during the event – Kenneth Hill, Sandra Barker, Annie Drury, Mary and Glenn Boyes, Anne and Tony Rusling, Mabel Hextall, Steve and Rita Attwood, Richard Brundish and colleagues and Sheila Pantry OBE who was the organiser of the event.
Todwick Neighbourhood Watch News
Published: 5 April 2024
Have you heard about immobilise.com? This free website is designed to help you recover lost or stolen items. It has close links with the Police and law-enforcing agencies who check the database to try to match recovered items with their owners. It must work because during the 20 years it has been in existence, 25 million people worldwide have registered over 35 million items of property. Whilst no system is perfect, if you register your items, you increase the chances of being reunited with them if they are recovered. As a second line of defence, immobilise.com is linked to checkmend.com. This is a database that can help detect stolen items and help protect them from being on-sold. The recycling industry uses these facilities to help protect themselves from accepting and handling stolen items.
Any item with a unique identifier can be registered on ‘immobilise’ for example – mobile phones, laptops, bikes, jewellery, expensive instruments, etc. If the item does not have a unique serial number, a UV marker pen or an asset label can be useful to individualise them.
It is also wise to keep a register of the items that are logged together with a note of the identification number. A photograph of the item is also a good idea but make sure that it is not just left on the camera in case that is stolen.
The immobilise property registration system is free of charge and is a powerful tool in the police fight against crime. It is also directly linked to the NMPR – the police National Mobile Property Register. Immobilise has no central funding but relies on the sale of marking products available on-line.
Next time you are on the internet, why not take a few minutes to have a look at the two websites:
Sinkhole on The Meadows
Published: 26 March 2024
For the many drivers and pedestrians who use The Meadows in Todwick, it cannot have escaped you that there is a road problem at the top of the road, just before the left-hand bend leading towards Kiveton Lane.
This is a collapsed sewer which happened in November 2023.
The issue has been reported several times to RMBC and Yorkshire Water. The latest information is that Yorkshire Water is attending to the repair. This work is in addition to the recent excavations and repairs carried out by Yorkshire Water adjacent to the sinkhole.
Despite the current appearance that it is “only a small hole”, a section of approximately 7 metres underground is affected. The excavation will involve digging to a depth of 2.5 metres. Quite clearly there will be a substantial disruption to through traffic on The Meadows. Later this week, we are expecting to be informed when work will commence and an estimate of how long the disruption will last. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR UPDATES.
That’s all we have at the moment.
As soon as anything else is available I will let you know. Josh Bacon has been a brilliant ambassador for us in this issue.
Sheila Pantry
Todwick bin collections and dates
Published: 22 March 2024
Information about bin collections
Black Bin
Items allowed in your black bin include:
- Plastic Bottles
- Plastic Pots, Tubs and Trays
- Glass Bottles and Jars
- Tins, Cans and Foil
- Metal Aerosols (empty)
- Tetra packs
Items not allowed in your black bin include:
- General Waste
- Plastic Bags and Film
- Window Glass, Drinking Glasses or Pyrex*
- Crockery*
- Lightbulbs*
- Paint Tins*
* These items can all be taken to a household waste recycling centre. Older style light bulbs can be placed in your pink-lid bin with household waste but energy saving lightbulbs and fluorescent tubes should be taken to a recycling centre.
Only empty dry paint tins will be accepted at the Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Green Bin
Items allowed in your green bin include:
- Paper and Cardboard
- Newspapers and Magazines
- Leaflets and Junk mail
- Catalogues
- Envelopes and Greetings Cards (no glitter)
- Shredded Paper (not bagged)
Items not allowed in your green bin include:
- Garden Waste
- Drinks Cartons and Tetra Pak
- Wallpaper
- Items contaminated with food
Cartons, such as Tetra Pak, can be recycled in the black bin for glass, cans and plastics.
Bin collection dates
Your next collections are:
Service |
Next collection date |
|---|---|
Black bin |
Thursday, 4 April 2024 |
Green bin |
Thursday, 18 April 2024 |
More information: https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling/goes-bin
Alexander Stafford MP welcomes PM Rishi Sunak to Maltby
Published: 11 March 2024
The Prime Minister visited Rother Valley this week when he conducted a Q&A session in the Queens Hotel in Maltby. It is the first time a local MP has brought a sitting Prime Minister to the seat.
More details and photos: https://mailchi.mp/227464ae6f10/pm-rishi-sunak-visits-maltby
International Women’s Day is 8 March 2024
Published: 8 March 2024
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.
Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to drive gender parity.
IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere. Inclusion means all IWD action is valid.
More information: https://www.internationalwomensday.com
Alexander Stafford MP’s Transport Plan for Rother Valley backed by the Prime Minister
Published: 21 February 2024
News from Alexander Stafford MP:
Alexander Stafford MP’s Transport Plan for Rother Valley backed by the Prime Minister – South Yorkshire Mayor must act to ensure direct buses to hospital for all Rother Valley villages.
Today, at Prime Minister’s Questions, the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, backed Alexander Stafford MP’s plan for better transport in Rother Valley and South Yorkshire. In particular, he agreed that every town and village across Rother Valley should have a direct bus route to a local hospital, and that the Mayor of South Yorkshire must act now to ensure this.
Since he was elected, Alexander has campaigned tirelessly to make sure that his constituents are always able to travel where and when they want to. This includes everything from ensuring the surface of roads, proper bus links, reliable train scheduling, and re-opening Doncaster-Sheffield Airport.
In particular, Alexander is aware that his constituents no longer have useful bus services between major towns, across the constituency, and into nearby Rotherham and Sheffield. Recently, Alexander has pleased to welcome the X5 bus back into service after years of campaigning. This bus will create a vital link between two of the biggest towns in Rother Valley, Dinnington and Maltby, and will be immensely useful to so many residents.
However, despite this improvement in service which Alexander spearheaded, many of his constituents are still unable to travel to local hospitals by bus. Therefore, Alexander has been calling on the South Yorkshire Mayor to use the funding available to him through the Government’s Network North programme to guarantee his constituents are able to get to hospital by bus.
Speaking on this topic, Alexander said:
“I will never stop calling for better busses in Rother Valley. While I am delighted that the X5 can now be used to get from Dinnington to Maltby, I am committed to continuing to push for better bus links across Rother Valley, especially for those of my constituents who need to get to hospital. The Prime Minister backs my plan, and I will be speaking to the Mayor of South Yorkshire directly about this as soon as possible.
“More widely, I want to make sure that my constituents have the infrastructure they need to travel where they need to, when they want to. This means rebuilding our bus services, running trains on time, and ensuring our roads are fit for use. This is all part of my plan for transport in Rother Valley, and I urge the South Yorkshire Mayor to use the funding that he has access to thanks to this Government to do this.”
Maltby to Dinnington bus restored
Published: 7 February 2024
News from Alexander Stafford MP:
Following my election to Parliament in December 2019, one of the first things I did was establish the Rother Valley Public Transport Taskforce. This brought together residents across the constituency who were concerned about our public transport network and acted as a forum to discuss ideas for its improvement.
It became apparent very quickly that a Maltby–Dinnington bus was much-needed and this was one of the first suggestions raised – it garnered much support.
I am pleased to announce that after YEARS of campaigning, from Sunday 7th April, Firstbus have stated that as part of their changes to the bus network they will be running a bus (once an hour) between Maltby and Dinnington.
More information: https://mailchi.mp/2466c08c52a7/breaking-huge-bus-win-for-rother-valley
Report of Todwick Public Meeting on Thursday, 18 January 2024
Published: 1 February 2024
Alexander Stafford MP writes:
Dear Resident,
Todwick Public Meeting – Thursday 18th January 2024
I am writing to provide you with an update after my recent public meeting I held for Todwick residents. Many thanks to all those who attended, it was great to hear your concerns and thoughts about the key issues Todwick is currently facing. If you were unable to join, please rest assured that I will be holding further meetings in the future - below is an outline of what was discussed, and the issues that ward councillors and I will continue to raise on your behalf.
There was lots of discussion around road safety; ward councillors and I continue to raise these issues. Since elected in 2019, I have raised concerns about the Todwick roundabout seventeen times with the Chief Executive of Rotherham Council, but their collision data does not support the need to do anything at this time. However, recently, the Leader of Rotherham Council has finally accepted that there is a need for officers to review the markings on the roundabout. Also, funding has been secured for a safety review into the A57 including the Red Lion roundabout right up to the M1 junction. We will continue to monitor the situation, but if you have any further concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
The poor-quality pavements were another big concern which we discussed, as the work is shocking and slapdash. The Parish Council have had a meeting with Rotherham Council prior to Christmas about these issues, however, I will continue to raise with Rotherham Council that the conditions of pavements in Todwick needs to be massively improved.
Residents also raised their concerns about speeding along Kiveton Lane, as well as parking by the school and parking along The Pastures, which is causing further apprehensions. I am also raising concerns with Rotherham Council about the application for double yellow lines at Staniforth Crescent, and I will continue to keep you updated with any progress.
There was a consensus that the land for sale around the village may be sold to become housing in the future, especially as some of the surrounding roads have recently had dropped curbs and have been resurfaced. This land is currently greenbelt, but there is a concern that Rotherham Council might change its designation to brownfield like they have done recently in other areas such as Kiveton and Whiston, which would make development easier. One main concern was the lack of infrastructure around the village - housing developments will cause further strain on local services, as well as road safety concerns from the potential influx of residents in the village. I will remain vigilant with these concerns, and if there is anything you would like to inform me of, please do let me or your ward councillors know.
Rother Valley needs better bus services connecting our towns and villages to each other. It is up to the South Yorkshire Mayor to provide the funding for reliable and frequent services, and to also apply pressure on the big bus companies. All of us have been told by the South Yorkshire Mayor that there is no money for local buses, however, in addition to his core £1.3 billion budget, since 2019, the Mayor has received:
- £570 million from City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funding from 2022-27 for local public transport network improvements
- £1.4 billion CRSTS funding from 2027-2032 for local public transport network improvements
- £166 million awarded in 2020 in Transforming Cities Funding to improve public transport and walking infrastructure in South Yorkshire
- £6.2 million in Bus Service Improvement Plan money for 2023 and 2024
- £7.82 million additional Bus Service Improvement Plan provided in October to be used to secure bus routes.
The South Yorkshire Mayor now needs to step up and understand that local people want reliable and frequent bus services, which allows them to travel freely.
I know that residents like yourself struggle to get to Dinnington and Worksop from Todwick – there needs to be more cohesion, and I can assure you that ward councillors and I are continuing to raise this issue with the South Yorkshire Mayor and the bus companies to ensure Todwick residents have a reliable service, which allows you to have the freedom to travel with ease.
Unfortunately, we have seen an uptick of car theft around Todwick – the main advice South Yorkshire Police have given me is that residents should have a steering wheel lock, as it is a relatively inexpensive solution which may deter criminals from stealing residents’ cars. Also, it is important to note that if you see a car which looks like it has been dumped for a number of days, please do not hesitate to contact South Yorkshire Police or myself, and we can get this reported as soon as possible.
It was great news that the Towns and Villages Fund will improve the area by the shops on The Pastures. The funding will improve the overall appearance for residents, businesses, and visitors. For more information, please see this link: Towns and Villages Fund: Aston and Todwick Ward – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
I am collaborating closely with the local councillors to ensure these issues are raised, and dealt with as soon as possible, however, if you have any updates or any other concerns which you would like to raise with me, please do let me know.
Unfortunately, there is no immediate fix to these issues. The first step is to ensure that those who have responsibility for action are aware of the issues, and then both councillors and I can continue to fight to get the correct measures in place.
If there is anything I can ever assist with, please do get in touch at any time.
Best wishes,
Alexander