Do you think it’s time you learned how to use a computer?

Don’t put it off!
Computing for Beginners starts at Darnall Forum in January 2009.
If you are interested please call the office on 0114 249 0099

or attend the enrolment session

at 1.30pm on 13th January

This will be a 10 week introductory IT course for complete beginners and will lead to a qualification.

What we said about the proposed Waverley Township and office park in Rotherham

The trustees of Darnall Community Forum are concerned about educational provision, especially for Year 7s and above. While we understand that Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has spare capacity in some of its schools we are concerned that the main pressure for additional places will fall on those schools – both in Sheffield and in Rotherham – which are closest to the proposed development.

We wish to support the view of Darnall Ward councillors that the whole project should be dependent on the provision of a sustainable plan for traffic management and public transport provision, which we believe requires the implementation of a bus rapid transit system, a tram service or a rail link between Rotherham, Waverley and Sheffield.

What we said about the re-development of the Wellington Public House in Darnall

At the Darnall Forum AGM concerns were expressed about access to and from the car park for the doctors’ surgery which it is proposed should be located in the Wellington public house. If cars are going to access the car park from Main Road it was felt that this could create an additional hazard in an already very complicated set of road junctions.

We understand that the Practice is saying that the majority of users will access the site from Station Road, however, the intersection between Station Road and Main Road is already very busy and it might be necessary to reconsider the design of the whole junction between Station Road, Main Road and Staniforth Road.

Both of the existing public car parks on Main Road and Station Road, as well as the on-street parking spaces on Station Road, are often fully utilized. There is also some concern, therefore, as to whether the car park for the Practice will really be large enough to cater for all of the patients and staff. If not, the increased traffic is certain to cause inconvenience to local residents and business, although we have no doubt that – if these concerns can be addressed – traders will appreciate the influx of potential customers into the centre of Darnall. One particular concern, however, is that patients might be tempted to park their cars on any adjacent private land.

Darnall Children’s Centre Official Opening

Come along on Saturday 24th January 2009 from 10:00am to 1:00pm

to the new Children's Centre at

563 Staniforth Road
Sheffield
S9 4RA
Tel: 0114 2423510

An opportunity to find out about services and look around the Children’s Centre and Darnall Community Nursery
Light refreshments
Everyone welcome

The European Elections & The BNP

Abdool Gooljar from the Islamic Society of Great Britain and the Sheffield organiser of Unite Against Fascism have asked for our support in a new effort to encourage people to vote in the European elections next June. They are concerned that, if the turnout is very low, the BNP may manage to get at least one of their candidates elected, which would give them special privileges such as access to town halls. They want to carry out a publicity campaign in places like Darnall to encourage as many people as possible to vote, for whichever party they prefer. The higher the turnout, the more votes that the BNP will need to attract in order to get an MEP elected.

If you share their concern, you are invited to a meeting at our offices at 6pm on Monday 26 January.

Darnall Forum Takes its Employment Roadshow onto the roads around Sheffield

Darnall is blooming - even in the Autumn

Darnall in Bloom will be launched next week by community groups and local volunteers working with Darnall Forum, Darnall Green Spaces Regeneration Project, Darnall Community Forestry and Streetforce.

Outside Darnall Library between 11am and 1pm on Wednesday 12 November you can meet volunteers and workers involved in Darnall in Bloom, as well as picking up some FREE seed sticks to take home. Inside the library there will be a special collection of books on gardening, wildlife, and cookery for anyone who wants to get more involved. Darnall residents can also find out how to get their hands on FREE fruit trees to plant in their gardens.

From 1.30pm there will be a tree planting session in Darnall Cemetery. Two majestic pin-oaks will be planted at the entrance to the Cemetery. This pyramidal tree is one of the most graceful of oaks, with its slender branches gently drooping at their tips, and a stunning red autumnal colour. Please join us and get green-fingered! Learn how to plant a tree and provide benefits to local people and wildlife. All tools are provided but bring sturdy footwear and dress for the autumn weather.

Local children have also been doing their bit, drawing flowers to form part of a banner and getting their hands dirty by planting bulbs and trees. An example of their art work is attached.

Councillor Mary Lea said “This has been the culmination of a lot of hard work by local people. The local area panel, made up of councillors for Darnall Ward, decided that it was time the street scene in Darnall got a makeover and we hope that residents appreciate the changes that have already been made.” As a prelude to the official launch there have been barrier troughs and lamppost wraps of flowers funded by the council, Forward Investment and the Open Gate Trust.