27th August 2021

Welcome to the Rotherham Round-up, your regular email update with news, video and events from Rotherham Council.

If you would like to comment on any articles included in this bulletin, or suggest what you'd like to see in future issues, please drop us a line at corporate.comms@rotherham.gov.uk 

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Click the image to see our video of the best bits from the last show in 2019

IT'S SHOWTIME!

Rotherham Show - Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th September

The biggest cultural event in Rotherham’s calendar – the Rotherham Show, is back at Clifton Park from 3rd to 5th September, with an extra day and extended show area to take in Rotherham Civic Theatre and Clifton Park Museum.

As well as outdoor music, dance, circus, art and firm favourites including the vintage vehicle rally, fun fair and dog show, this year’s Rotherham Show has lots of new attractions too - from acrobatics to art, bhangra to brass and stilt-walking giants to giant cabbages! Visit the website for the full line up - www.rotherham.gov.uk/rotherhamshow

Help us deliver a covid-safe show for all

Of course we're very mindful that Covid has not gone and we're putting measures in place to reduce the risk of infection. Please don't attend if you have covid symptoms and we'd advise taking a lateral flow test at home before attending and for a few days following the event, just to be on the safe side. Please wear a face covering indoors and in busy areas.

We're taking extra precautions, including:

• Adding an extra day - Friday 3rd September which we expect to be quieter, to cater for people who want to avoid larger crowds.
• Stalls spread across the showground rather than along the avenues, opening up the park and creating more spaces for people to relax and enjoy the entertainment.
• Marquees will be open-sided to provide additional ventilation.
• Sanitising stations will be available across the site particularly in high traffic areas such as the food court, stages and seating areas.

Your essential guide to a great weekend Our Rotherham Show website is packed with information about what's on, where and when at the 2021 Rotherham Show. We've broken down our What's on Guide into different themes to help you choose your favourite bits. Here's our essential guide: Welcome Back Area - including music, dance, circus, art, food and more! Main Stage - from Bhangara and brass, to dance, drummers and much more. Best of Rotherham - celebrating the talent, creativity and strength of our borough. Children and families - interactive and joyful play, perfect for kids of all ages! Vintage Area - a magical step back in time, come and revel in the nostalgia. Made in Rotherham Show - showcasing makers, bakers, growers and creators. Vintage vehicle rally - marvel at mechanical masterpieces from the 1930s to present day.

VIDEO: Click on the image to see the latest on major public realm improvements in the town centre

Re-imagining Rotherham town centre: public realm

We’re making major improvements to the public realm in Rotherham town centre - from paving and planters to lighting and seating, right across town.

Our aim is to create a modern and welcoming environment with new spaces for leisure, recreation, culture and living taking shape.

If you’ve been into the town centre recently you’ll hopefully have seen the improvements which are really taking shape and form part of the Town Centre Masterplan. We have a long-term vision about the use of the area for years to come and that includes the way we use spaces for leisure, culture and recreation.

Work to the open spaces on Bridgegate were completed in April and have transformed the area with new paving, upgraded lighting and contemporary planters giving a brighter, modern feel to the street.

Works on College Street are also well underway and due for completion in October and will include new paving, lighting and 11 additional pay & display parking spaces. Plans are now being considered for phase two of the works on Frederick Street, Effingham Street and Howard Street.

VIDEO: Find out more in our latest town centre video.

Theatre Manager, Jo Longworth, Cllr David Sheppard and Operations Manager, Damien Gwatkin

Nice to see you at new-look Rotherham Civic Theatre

Rotherham Civic Theatre cannot wait to welcome you back after 18 months without audiences. And when the curtain goes up for the first time on 3rd September, it will be in a venue that's undergone a major makeover! Over £350,000 has been invested in new facilities this summer, including a new coffee shop, a new relocated box office, refurbished reception area, new-look bar and the creation of smaller performance spaces for alternative shows, which will ensure the Theatre can host more events throughout the year. And they have a fantastic Autumn season lined-up to welcome you back. On re-opening night (3rd September) it’s fitting that it's a local performer - singer-songwriter, Lauren Housley - who will perform. Lauren will perform songs from her new album, Girl from the North – which was written and recorded just five minutes’ walk away from the Theatre. There will be an opportunity to see behind-the-scenes look and enjoy some free entertainment on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th September as part of the re-opening weekend, which coincides with the Rotherham Show. The opening week also sees Rotherham actor, writer, director Danny Mellor in his one man show, Undermined, and a celebration of Arthur Wharton’s rise to fame as the first black professional footballer. The Autumn season culminates with the annual pantomime, Aladdin, starring Britain's Got Talen finalist Paul Burling. Visit the Civic Theatre website for further information about the full Autumn programme. VIDEO: Watch our short film about the refurbishment and re-opening of the Theatre.

VIDEO: Click on the image for a look at one of the Healthy Holidays events held at Coleridge Primary School

Healthy Holidays activities a big hit in Rotherham!

Children from across the borough have been enjoying holiday activities and healthy food as part of a major programme across Rotherham this school summer holiday.

The Healthy Holidays programme, funded by the Department for Education, has provided more than 1,200 places every day, with 23 providers offering a huge range of activities, including sport, dance, pottery, gardening, bowling, arts and crafts and outdoor games.

Some schools came on board too, offering themed weeks such as circus week, fashion show week and festival week.

VIDEO: We went behind the scenes at one of the sessions at Coleridge Primary School, where the children put on a fantastic version of the Lion King for proud parents.

The Healthy Holidays programme has run alongside Rotherham Council's continued support for children entitled to free school meals through the summer holidays.

Inspired by Marcus Rashford's campaign to end food poverty, almost £1m worth of vouchers have been provided to ensure 10,000 Rotherham children eligible for free school meals in term time did not go hungry this summer.

Swinton War memorial centenary: we will remember them

The people of Swinton will gather to pay their respects to the town's dead from both World Wars on 12th September and mark the 100th anniversary of their war memorial . A series of events are planned throughout the day, starting with a short parade to the memorial at 11.45, followed by a rededication ceremony, followed by a community fair at Vicarage Field from 12.30. The community fair will include children's activities, music, a vintage car rally and displays from the Great War and Victoria Cross Societies. It will mark almost 100 years to the day since the memorial was first unveiled. The memorial carries the names of more than 250 Swinton residents who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars. The names of all the men listed are also included on Swinton's online Roll of Honour, together with details of their rank, regiment and when and where they fell, where known. Download a poster for more information about the event.

Our Rotherham, our borough: have your say

Rotherham Council is preparing a new Council Plan which will guide our priorities for the coming years to 2024. As part of this, we’re inviting people across the borough (including you!) to tell us what they think are the biggest questions facing our communities. 

The pandemic has created new challenges for people and new issues have developed while others may have altered over the last 16 months.  

The consultation period closes on Sunday 19 September. More information can be found online at www.rotherham.gov.uk/our-rotherham

Your opinion matters

Did you know the Council is regularly asking local residents and businesses for their views on a huge variety of topics?

From taxi licensing to cycling strategies and our annual budget to local plans, we would really like to hear your views on what's happening locally, what you support, what you're against - and why. Public opinion matters.

All our live consultations are available to view on our website, which is regularly updated.