22nd October 2021
Welcome to the Rotherham Round-up, your regular email update with news, video and events from Rotherham Council.
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October half-term is here!
 Supermarket vouchers are being provided to the 11,000 children entitled to free school meals in Rotherham
Holiday food voucher scheme continues for second year
A supermarket voucher scheme to support families with children entitled to free school meals with food costs during school holidays is continuing into a second year.
The vouchers, worth £15 per child, are being distributed to families with children entitled to free school meals by their school.
The number of children in the borough entitled to free school meals has increased by more than a quarter since the start of the pandemic, up from 8,557 (January 2020) to over 11,000.
Rotherham Council is providing the funding for the scheme from its share of a one-off £2.5m Government grant to offer temporary respite for families most severely impacted by the £20 per week reduction in Universal Credit, which came into force at the end of September.
The Council's Cabinet is to consider further support for people affected by the cut to Universal Credit in due course.
More details are available from the Council website.
Testing times for us all
With Covid infection rates in Rotherham reaching their highest level since the pandemic began, Public Health leaders are urging children and parents to carry on taking regular Covid tests over half-term.
Since September, children and young people at secondary school have been doing a fantastic job in helping to keep COVID out of the classroom by taking regular Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests at home or by getting a PCR test if they are in contact with someone who has tested positive.
But as case numbers increase, it is important that they continue this great work during the holidays to help protect family and friends, especially as they take holidays and meet up over the break.
Parents and grandparents of children attending school are also being advised to get regular tests and ensure they get their COVID-19 vaccines to help prevent getting seriously ill with COVID-19.
The tests can be ordered free of charge online or picked up from local venues, including libraries and leisure centres.
If you have Covid symptoms, or come into close contact with someone who has tested positive, you should arrange to take a free PCR test.
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Experience the drama of the draw at NYS this Thursday
 https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/news/article/439/experience-the-drama-of-the-draw-for-women-s-euros-at-new-york-stadium
Join fellow fans at draw watch-a-long event
Football's coming home - and you can experience the drama of the draw for the tournament at the New York Stadium on Thursday 28 October when we discover which teams will be playing here in Rotherham.
The Women’s European Championships is being held in England from 6 - 31 July 2022. The best female players in Europe will join football fans from across the globe in Rotherham for three group games (10 July, 14 July and 18 July), as well as a quarter-final tie on 23 July.
To celebrate the live draw, we’re inviting the football family - players, coaches, referees and fans - to the New York Stadium to watch the live draw together - and you could be there. The event is FREE but hurry, just a limited number of tickets remain - click here for details.
The event will run from 4pm – 7.30pm, with talks from local football legends, a football quiz, information on how to get involved - whether that be playing football, refereeing or maybe volunteering at the tournament itself - plus there will be some light refreshments with the bar open to purchase drinks.
If you can't make it to the live draw event, you can follow the action live on BBC1 from 7pm.
When the draw has been made, the ballot for tickets to the tournament will open and you can get in on the action. To find out more, go to the UEFA Women's Euros website.
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 Poppy Appeal is also launched on 28 October
The spectacular Rotherham Poppy Cascade - made up of more than 20,000 poppies hand-knitted by volunteers across Rotherham and South Yorkshire - makes a welcome return to the Centenary Market Hall this year.
The Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Jenny Andrews will unveil the impressive display, which includes a Wall Fallen Heroes as it's centre-piece, at 11am on Thursday 28 October.
This will also coincide with the launch of the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
This will be a big year for the Poppy Appeal after fundraising efforts were affected by the pandemic in 2020, so please give generously and wear your poppy with pride.
Visit the Council website for further details about the Poppy Cascade and plans for this year's Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
Work begins on new Town Centre flood defences
Canal barrier scheme underway
Construction of a multi-million pound canal barrier at Forge island to protect the town centre from flooding is now underway.
The barrier (see image, left) forms a central part of the Rotherham to Kilnhurst Flood Alleviation Scheme the Council and its partners are already delivering along a 5km stretch of the River Don.
Crucially, the scheme will provide protection for homes, businesses and the town's central railway station which has been forced to close several times in recent years due to flooding.
Work is due to be completed next summer. Until then the canal-side footpath and cycle route will be closed until August 2022 and a signed diversion is in place. Part of the Trans Pennine Trail will also operate with a diversion. The Statutes car park will remain open.
Further information is available on the Council's website.
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 Grants and commissions available now - apply by 1st November
The Council has launched new funding support for Rotherham's cultural and creative industries to get restarted.
RELOAD is a new package of grants and commissions for event organisers, artists, performers and musicians.
New micro grants of up to £1,000 to support community events are available to apply for now. And artists, performers, musicians and creatives have the opportunity, with 21 new commissions up for grabs.
Email events@rotherham.gov.uk for details.
Panto will be returning to their stage this Christmas with Aladdin, the show that makes everyone’s wishes come true!
Aladdin will star Britain’s Got Talent finalist Paul Burling (pictured) as the hilarious Wishee Washee. Paul was a huge success on the television talent show in series 4 with his wide range of impressions of everyone from Harry Hill to cartoon characters and an unforgettable rendition of The Proclaimers ‘500 miles’.
Tickets are available now, including some great offers for local schools and groups.
What's coming up at Rotherham Civic Theatre:
To book tickets:
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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.
Current consultations include new cycle routes at Wellgate, Broom Road and Broom Valley Road and Manvers to Wath.
All our live consultations are available to view on our website, which is regularly updated.
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