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Swinton Rockingham neighbourhood update

 November 2023

Train Station Artwork Unveiled

The Friends of Swinton Station community group celebrated their latest achievement of the wall painted mural with a visit from Rotherham's deputy Mayor, Councillor Sheila Cowan, who is seen cutting the ribbon to formally unveil the artwork.

The event was organised by the group, to show off the many other improvements at the station, including the local interest artwork produced by students from Swinton Academy which is mounted in the waiting room. It was pleasing that the course teacher and students involved in the project from the Academy were able to attend and see their contributions on display.

In addition passengers passing through the interchange and guests were able to see the freshly arrived bug hotel funded by the Swinton Rockingham Ward budget which is on site to help sustain some of the much needed variety of insects that live in our community.

The aim of the station group is to pass on a little cheer and make Swinton Station interchange a nice experience to pass through. There’s much more to be done, and hopefully visitors can appreciate the work in progress. 

The friends of Swinton Station community group have also arranged for an arrivals display to be installed at The Bank Bar / Bistro so travellers can call in an enjoy food and drink whilst waiting for their train.

Churchyard Volunteer Day Success

On Saturday 14 October, 50 volunteers came together to help tidy up St Margaret's Churchyard. One job volunteers helped with was moving 10 tonnes of top soil to make the churchyard safer to walk around removing trip hazards. The top soil was funded by the Swinton Rockingham Ward budget as part of its work towards the ward priority of environmental improvements.

Football Returns to Queen Street Park

Following the Swinton Rockingham ward budget funding, the installation of five-a-side goalposts for children to play football at Queen Street Park. Rotherham United were also funded to provide an afternoon of fun sporting activities during the October half term school holidays. These projects work towards the ward priority of enhancing facilities and activities for children and young people.

Hedgehog House Building Workshops

During the half term holidays the Council's Early Help Team worked with families to build hedgehog houses for their gardens. Its safe to say everyone who took part thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and were very proud of the hedgehog houses they had built. The hedgehog house kits were provided by Rotherham Social Enterprise Casting Innovations and were funded by the Swinton Rockingham Ward budget. A couple of the hedgehog houses will be placed in community locations where hedgehogs are known to live. This project works towards the ward priority of environmental improvements and its hoped will help the hedgehog population thrive in Swinton.

South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Appeal

In response to the flooding following Storm Babet in October, South Yorkshire Community Foundation has created a JustGiving page to raise money for those affected by the flooding.

This includes those affected in Catcliffe, Treeton, Kilnhurst, and Laughton Common.

So far it has raised over £20,000 for those impacted by the flooding. Donations are still being accepted so if you want to donate, you can do so through the South Yorkshire Community Foundation's JustGiving page.

Donate here today

Information on Highway Works from One.Network

If you would like information on road works, the Council logs information on One.Network which allows residents to view where roadworks are, who is working on them and how long for. 

You will be able to use this website to see what is going on in your communities and provide you with any information on diversions you may need to make. 

The website map shows information as the Council receives it from the permit holder (e.g utility companies) and will give a reason for the works.  For emergency works or complex builds, it may be updated several times so the information may change.

The website can be accessed here

DHSC Community Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Fund

Organisations and community groups across the country are being invited to bid for a share of £1 million of funding from the Government to buy life-saving defibrillators for community spaces like town halls, local parks or post offices.

The Department of Health and Social Care Community Automated External Defibrillator (CAED) Fund will support the installation of 2,000 AEDs across England during 2023-2024 and will support any organisations not eligible for the current Department of Education AED programme.

For further information, visit the GOV.UK website

PC John Kew Grave Blessing 

With the help of volunteers from the Victoria Cross Trust and Swinton Community Focus Group works have been undertaken to reinstate the overgrown area and wonky headstone at the grave of Police hero, PC John Kew, who was tragically shot and murdered on duty at Piccadilly in July 1900.  After the clean up, there was a short service of remembrance and blessing at the grave, overseen by Father Chris Barley.  The Community Group, community members and local dignitaries including the Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings, the Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham, Swinton Rockingham Ward Councillors Wyatt and Monk, and representatives of South Yorkshire Police attended the service and blessing.

Autumn Cleaning in Swinton 

Whilst working to restore PC Kews grave, members of the VC Trust and the Swinton Community Group spent a further day cleaning up the grave stone of Lieutenant Corporal Thomas Norman Jackson VC.

Tommy, a Swinton lad, was awarded his VC for outstanding gallantry in September 1918. He is buried in France, but a family headstone remembering him is in the churchyard. 

With a bit of additional spare time, the volunteers cleaned up Swinton Cross and the War Memorial, both of which were in need of a spruce up.

Our thanks to the Council's street lighting team who loaned their cherry picker to help get to the top of the War Memorial. We hope the cleaning lasts a good few years before they need another spruce up. 

Remembrance Sunday 

The Swinton Community Focus Group have done Swinton proud with the displays of poppies and banners at Swinton Train Station and Peace Gardens, as well as the wonderful crosses in the Swinton War Memorial grounds.

Honey Pot Cafe

Have you visited the Honey Pot Cafe in the Swinton Civic Hall?

The Honey Pot Cafe is a long standing social enterprise run by local people for local people.

Below is their menu to tempt you to visit if you haven't called in yet.

Litter Picking Dates

The Swinton Community Focus Group welcome local residents to join them in their mission to keep Swinton clean and clear from litter.

The last litter picks for 2023 are:

• Wednesday 22 November - 9.30am - 10.30am Queen Street/College Run
• Tuesday 5 December - 9.30am - 10.30am Highfield Court and Park
• Sunday 17 December - Top of Swinton/Golden Smithies
• Wednesday 20 December - 9.30 10.30 - Civic Centre and surrounding area

For further details and updates please do follow the Swinton Community Focus Group on Facebook.

Rotherham Reclaim the Night returns!

Reclaim the Night returns to Rotherham on Thursday 23 November 2023!

Residents from across Rotherham are being invited to walk through the town centre in a family-friendly event to celebrate the past, present and future of women’s empowerment. 

This year’s theme is ‘A Safe Night Out’ and begins with a short walk through Rotherham Town Centre culminating in warming refreshments and inspirational speakers back at Ministry Pavilion. Everyone is welcome to attend, the venue is under cover however it is recommended that you dress warmly.

Read the full story on our website

Santa Claus is coming to Swinton

Come along to meet Santa Claus at St Margaret's Church on Tuesday 19 December, 3:30pm to 5pm. 

Santa's visit has been arranged by SCFG and funded by Swinton Rockingham Ward Councillors.

Councillors for Swinton Rockingham ward

Councillor Gina Monk Email: gina.monk@rotherham.gov.uk Tel: 01709 807955 | view all details about Cllr Monk

Councillor Ken Wyatt Email: ken.wyatt@rotherham.gov.uk Tel: 01709 583073 / 07951 786561 | view all details about Cllr Wyatt

Contact your local Neighbourhoods Team

Lucy Reader

Neighbourhood Coordinator for Swinton Rockingham

Email: lucy.reader@rotherham.gov.uk

Tel: 01709 334604

Nicola Hacking

Senior Neighbourhood Coordinator for North Rotherham  

Email: nicola.hacking@rotherham.gov.uk

Tel: 01709 254376

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