 Hello and welcome to the latest edition of City of Doncaster's dedicated
city centre newsletter.
This month we have some important news about how the police and council are working together to make the city centre safer with the new Safer City initiative.
You can also read about further improvements being made in the city centre and find out about some exciting events happening in the run up to Christmas.
Enjoy!
  We will remember them
The artwork above has carefully been painted by the council's street scene teams and can be found in many locations across the borough.
Today, we held a special ceremony at the Mansion House for Armistice Day. Across the City, many events have taken place to commemorate the servicemen and women who have sacrificed so much. We will never forget them.
 New investment to make Doncaster a Safer City
City of Doncaster Council has launched new measures to help make Doncaster city centre safer.
We’re working with South Yorkshire Police and other partners on a range of initiatives to ensure Doncaster is a safer place for everyone to enjoy.
Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones has pledged to spend £1m on recruitment, new safety measures including state-of-the-art CCTV and increased patrols in the city centre.
There are also a range of initiatives and support to help keep people safe.
For more information on these and the Safer City initiative visit: www.yourlifedoncaster.co.uk/safer-city
 Action against hate crime
As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week, City of Doncaster Council, South Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police joined forces to promote a week of action in Doncaster city centre.
An engagement stall at Doncaster railway station gave officers and staff from the three organisations the opportunity to raise awareness of hate crime and the different ways it can be reported.
The joint operation was a great success as teams engaged with many members of the public to spread even more awareness of the topic.
Click this link to find out more about how police are supporting the Safer City initiative:
  New equipment sweeps in to the City
Keeping the city centre clean is near the top of our list of priorities when it comes to making sure that everyone can enjoy our city centre. Recently the council has invested in new equipment to make cleaning the city more efficient.
Keep your eyes peeled for 'Sweep Caroline', 'Lightning McClean' and 'Sooty and Sweep.' The three new mechanical sweepers are in daily use across the city.
  City Centre Improvements
Recently the City of Doncaster Council removed an unsightly metal barrier and concrete blocks, which were situated at the entrance to St Sepulchre Gate near to the Miners Statue.
There was no longer a need for the barrier after rising bollards, which restrict access to St Sepulchre Gate, were brought back into use.
The removal has led to positive comments from local businesses who felt the barriers were linked to anti-social behaviour in the area and their removal has certainly improved the look and feel of the area and has opened up the view of the miner’s statue.
  Trying to put an end to rough sleeping and homelessness
On World Homelessness Day, we announced two new contracts have been signed with Changing Lives and Target Housing, for the next decade in a bid to try and end rough sleeping and address homelessness across the city. This latest investment supports the ongoing work happening in Doncaster.
Homelessness can be closer than many realise, affecting people from all walks of life each year. If you're worried that you or someone you know might face homelessness, don’t wait, find out about all your options. Visit St Leger Homes Doncaster who provide a digital advice service available 24/7, specifically designed to assist with housing and homelessness concerns. If you do want to speak to someone in person, the housing options team are available Monday-Friday at the One Stop Shop in the Civic Office (Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU)
 Elmer leads the charge
We welcome Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and his friends to the city on 13 November to mark World Kindness Day.
Elmer’s Christmas Art Parade, based on the books by David McKee will see a total of 12 elephants bringing oodles of kindness, colour and festive cheer as part of this year’s sculpture trail. The council is working with Wild in Art, creative producers of public art events and Andersen Press, publishers of the Elmer books, to bring the stunning sculptures to Doncaster. Six of the sculptures will feature brand new designs unveiled for the first time in the city. The sculptures will be with us until the end of January.
The Visit Doncaster website has an interactive Countdown to Christmas calendar with information and detail about all of the events taking place across Doncaster, not just in the city centre - www.visitdoncaster.com/countdown-to-christmas
Countdown on to City of Lights
Mark your calendars for Saturday 16 November and join the festive fun in the heart of the Market Place.
An exciting programme of events will take place in Doncaster over the Christmas period which will begin with a DN City of Lights spectacle.
Starting at 4pm, the event will showcase a range of wonderful family entertainment including street performers, a vintage carousel, children’s Christmas themed rides, a brass band and of course Father Christmas! One of the highlights of the evening will be switching on the city lights and the giant Christmas tree, complete with a specially choreographed firework display over the Market Square at 7.30pm.
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