Swinton marks VE Day 80th anniversary in style
 What a day to remember! Swinton certainly received the memo, and answered it in style!
To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the incredible Swinton Community Focus Group brought our town to life with a vibrant, joyful celebration that spanned the precinct and Swinton Library. From start to finish, the day was packed with energy, creativity, and community spirit.
Children were treated to a host of brilliant activities, including themed crafts delivered by the team at Flux Rotherham, and the ever-popular Patsy’s Fun Show kept little ones smiling and laughing throughout the day. The precinct was filled with music and song as the Kilnhurst Ladies Choir lifted voices in harmony, the Thorpe Hesley Brass Band stirred emotions with powerful renditions, and the talented Wath Children's Morris Dancers enchanted the crowd with their traditional routines.
Stalls from local businesses filled the civic hall, sharing everything from handmade goods to local treats, while passionate speakers shared stories and local history talks that helped bring the meaning of VE Day to life for a new generation.
And let’s not forget the fantastic fancy dress! A huge well done to everyone who got into the spirit, your creativity and effort brought colour, nostalgia, and character to the event.
In terms of attendance, the turnout was nothing short of incredible: Swinton library alone welcomed 680 adults and 460 children, with 110 adults and 155 children taking part in the creative activities.
A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who made this event possible: the volunteers who gave their time and energy, the local businesses and performers who participated, and the local ward councillors for their ongoing support and funding. We also extend our gratitude to Children’s Capital of Culture for their generous grant that helped bring the day to life.
Swinton came together, remembered together, and celebrated together. It was a day filled with joy, unity, and pride, and one we won’t forget anytime soon.
HMS Kingston Jacinth Service
 A service of remembrance and unveiling of a ship's plaque took place at Swinton St Margaret's church on the 16 April 2025. The event was organised by local historian Ken Wyatt and Swinton Heritage society. The ship in question was HMS Kingston Jacinth, which had been a Hull fishing vessel before being commissioned in 1939 by the Admiralty as a war ship to support naval operations in WW2.
The link the ship has to the towns of Kilnhurst and Swinton is that as part of the war efforts, this particular vessel was proudly adopted by the townsfolk during warship week in 1941 and so it become for ever connected with our communities. (Warship week was a national fund raising opportunity for all sizes of cities and towns to adopt a ship). Very sadly on the 12 January 1942 the vessel struck a mine, thought to have been laid by a German U boat off the Portsmouth coast and was lost at sea. Tragically 20 of the crew were killed in this incident. Their names were read out during the service by Harry Panther, former RSM Royal Marines.
A ship's plaque was commissioned by Swinton and Kilnhurst community, but was not presented before the ship sank. This service was held to not only to remember the ship and the crew who died, but to unveil the plaque (which had been recently discovered in local archive vaults) within the Lady chapel at the church. The service and blessing was conducted by Father Chris Barley and attended by a number of representatives from the community. We are most grateful to the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Hull for attending the service, alongside the deputy Mayor of Rotherham and Councillor Harper. It was also fitting that a number of ex-servicemen attended to mark this special occasion. A light buffet was funded by Swinton Community Focus Group and our thanks to Butterfield’s funeral directors for funding the service booklets.
Swinton Library News
There's so much to see and do at Swinton library for all ages and interests.
Dive into the thrilling world of Warhammer in its table top format, where both novices and seasoned veterans unite in strategic battles and epic storytelling. These sessions are held every Saturday morning.
Every week we will be unleashing a new scavenger hunt in the library for children to dive into and have a blast. These will be held throughout June.
For more information on these and to find out what's on at your library, please speak with library staff or call 01709 254615.
Billie and Belinda take a stand!
 Lovely to see Belinda and her friend Billie freshly installed outside Swinton Fitzwilliam Primary School. Following a request for support from the school Parent and Teacher Association, Swinton Rockingham Ward Councillors Monk and Read were very pleased to assist and allocate funding from their ward budgets to help improve student safety.
Improving community safety is one of the ward’s key priorities. The brightly coloured bollards are a friendly but firm reminder for drivers to travel and park safely around the school.
Please walk, cycle or scoot if you can – let’s build healthy habits from an early age!
Something 'Rother amazing' joins the precinct!
 How exciting to welcome 'something Rother tasty' to Swinton Precinct. Dining out all whilst supporting such a wonderful cause what's not to love! The café brings a fabulous menu of beautifully presented breakfasts and lunches, which will be sure to appeal to both locals and those living further afield. The café will be open 9 am until 3 pm, Monday to Saturday, and is the perfect spot to enjoy great food in a welcoming setting.
The town centre offers so much, from places to socialise, great food, floral masterpieces, household essentials, gifts and cards, baked goods, family friendly activities, beauty and pampering, DIY must haves, tech help, groceries, pre loved bargains and more!
‘Something Rother Tasty’ is a fantastic addition to an already vibrant community hub. Don’t miss your chance to pay them a visit!
Join us for our next Community Forum meeting!
 Save the Date: Our next Community Forum meeting will be held from 6pm on Monday 21 July, 2025.
Whether you're eager to share ideas, get involved in upcoming initiatives, or simply want to stay informed, your presence will be greatly valued. Please come along and join us. Contact nicole.mighali@rotherham.gov.uk for more information.
Together we can build a stronger, more connected community. See you there!
Together through fibromyalgia!
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Support Group meets on the last Saturday of every month, 10.45am until 11.45am at Charles Street Community Centre, S64 8BG. For more information call 07716 328856 or email: victoria.cusworth@rotherham.gov.uk
Steps to a better Swinton
 A community walkabout took place on 29 April 2025, led by Ward Councillors Monk and Read, accompanied by representatives from Housing and South Yorkshire Police. The group walked Rookery Road and nearby streets, identifying, discussing and reporting local issues to action.
Why not join us for the next walkabout and help shape your neighbourhood? Contact nicole.mighali@rotherham.gov.uk for more details.
May the 4th be with you!
 Councillor Monk popped along to the fabulous Cake Station for their Star Wars Day. Lots of yummy themed treats, comics and gifts were on offer at the precinct. Well done to the wonderful Cake Station ladies who always bring the fun to Swinton. May the fourth be with you!
Creative classrooms, colourful celebrations!
Wow! When we invited our local schools to help decorate for our VE Day celebrations, they absolutely rose to the challenge, creating beautiful, creative masterpieces that brought colour, pride and meaning to the event.
A huge thank you to Brookfield Junior Academy Art Club, whose wonderful flags were lovingly transformed into a vibrant bunting by the ever-helpful Swinton Library team. The bunting was proudly displayed in the library for all to enjoy on 10 May 2025.
Swinton Queen Primary School students crafted striking large poppy collages and more beautiful bunting, which brought the Civic Hall to life with colour and creativity.
Meanwhile, the talented children at Swinton Fitzwilliam Primary School created countless individual flags, many of which were handed out to children at the event so they could wave them proudly during the celebrations.
We are so lucky to have such amazing young artists in our community. A special thank you also goes to the dedicated staff at each school for supporting and encouraging the students. We truly appreciate you.
A little Jazz for Spring at St Margarets Church
Councillor Cusworth had the pleasure of attending a brilliant evening at St Margaret's Church with Bel Canto and Hill House School for 'A Little Jazz for Spring' concert. Bel Canto sang a number of jazz hits and the young choir sang a number of songs about the historical figure Lady Godiva and the times she lived in. It was an educational experience too. The concert was brought to an end with 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Swinton Community Fair and Beer Festival
The annual community fair and beer festival is coming to Swinton, 11am until 6pm on Saturday 28 June, 2025, at the beautiful St Margaret's Church. The event will raise funds for the much anticipated new community hall set to be built in the grounds of St Margaret's. This will create more indoor space for the many community events and activities we know and love.
This will be three days of entertainment, food and drink. Please come along and support the event. Lots of fun for all the family on the Saturday with craft stalls, entertainment and children's rides.
Pottery Ponds Picnic, save the date!
Save the date! Friday 1 August 2025, 11am until 1pm. Families are invited to celebrate Yorkshire Day at the beautiful Pottery Ponds. Bring a blanket and some yummy foods and head down and join us for a lovely picnic.
Road resurfacing work has started in Swinton
 The latest road resurfacings have started this week on Foxland Avenue, Crown Street and Prince Street in Swinton. There may be some disruption while these improvements are made.
Community Pantry up your street?
The community mobile pantry will be on Alldred Crescent Swinton S64 8SF, at 11am every Wednesday. Bring a shopping bag and pay £4 to fill it with food.
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