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April 2025

Welcome to the first edition of the monthly North East Area newsletter.

Each month we will be bringing you updates on what is happening in the area, including information on local services and up-and-coming events for the community. 

Meet the Team

Firstly, we'd like to introduce you to the North East Area Team:

• Rosie Adams - Area Council Manager 
• Joanne Smith - Community Development Officer for the Cudworth Ward
• Christie McFarlane - Community Development Officer for the Monk Bretton and Royston Wards.
• Jenny Yates - Community Development Officer for the North East Ward

You can find us on Facebook or for more information you can email northeastteam@barnsley.gov.uk.

We’re excited to relaunch Love Where You Live, investing £3.5 million into projects that will improve neighbourhoods and bring communities together. 

Our cabinet this week approved this funding, which will help keep streets clean and green, support local events and cultural activities, and create safer, more connected communities.

Click on the photo above to hear from deputy leader Cllr Caroline Makinson how this investment will bring people together, enhance public spaces, and make Barnsley a place we’re all proud to call home. 

Love Where You Live is about all of us working together, listening to each other and making a real difference. 

Look out for exciting projects starting from Monday 2 June.

March Meeting

At the March Ward Alliance Meeting, we were pleased to support several local voluntary groups with funding to benefit the Cudworth community.

• Cudworth Probus Group received £500 to contribute to the cost of guest speakers throughout the year. The group meets every two weeks at Cudworth Library and provides a great space for socialising and learning.
• Cudworth Crafters were awarded £200 to support their Easter event, where local agencies will attend and focus on health and wellbeing.
  The funding will also go towards materials for creating a new postbox topper,as these have become a much-loved feature in the community.
• Cudworth Crafters meet every Tuesday at Rose Tree Community Centre from 12pm to 2.30pm.
• The Friends Circle is a new group that is being set up by members of St John's Church. They were awarded £250 which will cover set-up fees, refreshments and craft materials to get the group off the ground. 

We're excited to see these initiatives bring people together and make a positive impact in Cudworth!

Volunteer Training

The Monk Bretton Ward Alliance is developing a training programme for local volunteers.

Do you volunteer as part of a community group or organisation within the Monk Bretton Ward? We want to hear from you!

Please complete our short online survey to help us identify the training needs of volunteers across the area and join the waiting list for future course dates.

Warm Space Meals

During February Half Term, the Great Houghton Youth Club ran two warm space meals - one in Great Houghton and one in Brierley, funded by the North East Ward Alliance. 

Youth club staff cooked a delicious meal of corned beef hash with Yorkshire puddings and lemon sponge with custard. 

Young people then served the meals to older residents, assisted by the elected members. 

The project was very well-received because of the wellbeing benefits, as not only did it provide a warm meal and a warm space to eat it in, but it got people together socialising with those of their own generation and also young people in the community. 

Some of the feedback received included:

• "Lovely meal! Can we have more of these?"
• "I’ve loved today; the meal was gorgeous. I’m from down South, I’ve never had corned beef hash before, I’m going to learn how to make it!"
• "It’s been wonderful to spend time talking to everyone, it’s been really good for socialising. Could we have one a month."
• "I’ve loved it! Thank you to the Ward Alliance!"
• "That was a real success people have been asking me if we could have more, thank you to everyone involved."
• "Beautiful food - compliments to the Chef!"
  
  

Easter Egg hunt in Royston Park

The Royston Ward Alliance has been busy planning a free Easter Egg Hunt for the children of Royston.

Royston Park
1pm
Tuesday 15 April

For more information or to book your child's place, please email christiemcfarlane@barnsley.gov.uk.

Cudworth Slipper Swap

Cudworth Ward Alliance are hosting a Slipper Swap for our over 60 residents aimed at reducing falls.

Research shows that 1 in 3 adults over 65 and half of those over 80 experience at least one fall per year, often due to preventable risk factors such as ill-fitting slippers.

Worn-out slippers, particularly those with flattened backs or poor grip, significantly increase the likelihood of falls.

Partner services will be attending and slippers will be fitted and supplied by Grafters.

Exodus Building in Cudworth
Wednesday 9 April
10am to 12pm

Eggciting Easter Events

Easter Event at Great Houghton Welfare Hall

Come along to this event for lots of Easter fun, including free arts and crafts and free photos with Mr and Mrs Easter Bunny, refreshments and a tombola and raffle.

Saturday 5 April
12pm to 2pm

Grassroots in the Park Easter Holiday Activities

Grassroots will be running four sessions over the Easter holidays funded by the North East Ward Alliance. 

Activities will include zorbing, soft archery, traditional sports, soft axe throwing and much more. 

Booking is required.  Please scan the QR code on the poster or use the link below.

Tuesday 8 April - Shafton Green - 3pm to 4.30pm

Thursday 10 April - Brierley Park - 3pm to 4.30pm

Tuesday 15 April - Pleasant Avenue Park, Great Houghton - 3pm to 4.30pm

Thursday 17 April - Red City Park, Grimethorpe - 3pm to 4.30pm

Spring Farmers' Market at Monk Bretton Priory

The Spring Farmers Market is set to return to Monk Bretton Priory.

Fun for all the family, come along to see the tractors and meet all the farm animals.

Monk Bretton Priory
Sunday 27 April
11am to 4pm
Free admission

Information, Advice and Guidance Services

The North East Area Council and the Ward Alliance of Cudworth, North East, Monk Bretton and Royston Wards have worked strategically to ensure that there is high quality information, advice and guidance services available in the local area.#

Age UK Barnsley and DIAL Barnsley both deliver services locally funded to deliver advice session in community venues across the villages.

There are dedicated and knowledgeable staff who are able to support with a range of issues.

Both organisations have assessed the circumstances of clients and offer support to maximise their income, including checking if people can access Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Payments.

Thanks to these sessions, an extra £220,000 in benefits was claimed between October and December 2024.

Home Energy Checks are also offered to help people understand how to keep warm and well.

Thank you to the Age UK and DIAL advisors for their dedication to supporting others.

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