A Happy Christmas to the People of Darnall!

In the Gospels Jesus asks his followers, 'Who do people say that I am?' Various answers are given but Jesus isn't satisfied until Peter tells him, 'You are the Messiah, the son of the living God.' Christians still stand by that answer, but for Muslims only the first part of Peter's reply is true.

The Muslim understanding of Jesus is simple. He was a man, born of a virgin, (the account in the Qur'an's third chapter is very similar to the account in some of the Christian Gospels). He was given prophethood by God from birth and performed miracles during his life by God's leave. Muslims do not believe that Jesus died on the cross; in fact the majority orthodox belief is that he did not die at all and will one day return. But Christians might ask, 'How is it possible to accept the virgin birth of Jesus and yet deny that he is part of what it means to be God?'

Despite these differences of opinion about Jesus, perhaps the fact that he is so important in both faiths can make him a bridge between the two at Christmas. To find out more about this debate, visit the Christian Muslim Forum website at www.ChristianMuslimForum.org.

Happy Christmas!

Art in the Park presents Art Bytes!

www.artbytes.artinthepark.org.uk

Art in the Park is an organisation which offers free environmental arts activities in parks and green spaces around Sheffield. We aim to develop links within communities and allow more creative use of spaces. You will be able to explore your creativity and have fun while working with our artists and volunteers.

Arts Bytes is an opportunity for adults to learn new art techniques and meet people!

This winter why not come join our arts and crafts activities; these sessions:

Are FREE!!
Are open to all adults (Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult)
Include a FREE trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Give you the chance to create your own online blog and step by step art guides

You don’t have to sign up for every week
You don’t have to have any arts or IT experience or be from the area where the sessions take place

This is a real unique and exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to learn new art techniques and get involved in a city wide project

If you would like to attend either just turn up or contact Luisa on 01142686813 or luisa@artinthepark.org.uk

Below are the full dates of all the sessions in Darnall - the technique mentioned will be the focus for the first four weeks. An update for the last five weeks will be sent out before Christmas!

Drawing & painting with a creative mark making angle. Looking at miniatures - a traditional Asian art form

Pakistani Muslim Centre, Woodbourn Road Every Wednesday 10-12.30pm Nov 25th, Dec 2nd, 9th, 16th, Jan 6th, 13th

MEETING ABOUT HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF NEW HEALTH CENTRES

NHS Sheffield has put forward proposals for LIFT developments to deliver new health centres for Darnall, Foxhill and Norfolk Park. If you are registered with one of the three GP Practices, or you are a resident in one of these areas, you are invited to share your views on the potential health impacts of the proposals. The purpose of a Health Impact Assessment is to identify the potential impacts that the projects may have on health, and to make appropriate recommendations.

The PCT is keen to ensure that members of the community are able to express how the project will impact on them, to ensure that potential health impacts and community views are included in our assessment. As well as a general presentation, we plan to organise as much of the meeting as possible around small group discussion so everyone can have an input.

The date for the meeting in Darnall is:

Thursday 10th December 2009, 2:00 pm - 4.30 pm at Living Waters, 81 Main Road, Darnall

Eid Mubarak

Today is the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the Eid of al Adha (Eid of Sacrifice). For those on Hajj (pilgrimage) they will be coming to the end of their pilgrimage and Muslims throughout the world will be remembering the way of Abraham and celebrating Eid with family and friends. All of us at Darnall Forum would like to extend our sincere prayers or good wishes for a successful Hajj, and Eid Mubarak.

Eid al Adha is of particular relevance to the Christian and Muslim traditions, because the story of Abraham is shared by both faiths. Abraham's way is one that we are all encouraged to follow as Christians and Muslims. It is a story of trust, reliance and patience, shared by both faiths. Christians remember figures like Abraham as Advent approaches (this weekend) and they prepare for Christmas and its message of sacrifice and peace.

(Spiritual reflections courtesy of the Christian Muslim Forum)
www.christianmuslimforum.org

Darnall Library will be CLOSED for re-decoration

Darnall Library will be CLOSED for re-decoration from Friday 11 December and will reopen on Monday 4 January.
A mobile library van will visit the LIDL car park from 3 till 4.15pm on Wednesday 16 and Wednesday 23 December.
Borrowers can also take out up to 25 books over the holiday period.
The library service is sorry for any inconvenience caused and wishes everyone a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Faith & Families' Fun day

Thursday 3rd of December between 9.00am and 4.00pm at Darnall Children’s Centre and Greenland’s Nursery and Infants School
Enjoy a day of fun packed activities for you and your family.
Arts and Crafts
Henna
Islamic Calligraphy
Puppet and Card making
Story telling
Cracker making
Learning and Information Stalls
and refreshments
For further information contact
Nazia or Shabana at Darnall Forum on 0114 249 0099.
Everybody welcome!

Free Health Checks on 25 November, 2, 9 & 16 December

On Wednesday 25 November, the first of four free health check session will be launched at the PMC (Pakistan Muslim Centre), Woodbourn Road, Darnall.

The sessions are open to men and women over 40 and include blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, weight checks and lifestyle advice and will run from 10.00-4.00.

The sessions are free and easily accessible, local people can turn up on the day to make their own 30 minute appointment, or to book in advance call 0114 2436091

MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY CONSULTATION MEETING ON TUESDAY 27.09.09 AT LIVING WATERS CENTRE, MAIN ROAD DARNAL

In attendance:

Cllrs Harry Harpham, Mary Lea, Mazher Iqbal & Martin Lawton (Chair of the East Community Assembly), Andy Christian (officer, East Community Assembly Team), 4 officers of the PCT/LIFT Project and 10 members of the public.

Darnall Health Centre

Simon Kirk from the PCT introduced the LIFT Project. He introduced Neil Charlesworth from Community First, the company which is building the health centre and Lyn Brandon and Elaine Needham, colleagues from the PCT.

The Urban Design Review Panel has considered the application to build the health centre and has decided that it must be a significant presence when viewed from Darnall Centre. A stained-glass window from the existing GPs’ surgery at Darnall Community Health will be incorporated into the new building.

A pharmacy and community facilities will be included. Over time more services could be provided from the Centre and it could be expanded in future. This process will be driven by the GPs’ consortium. Darnall Well-Being will have offices on the first floor as well as a public desk in reception.

The timescale is to sign contracts in March 2010 followed by a 12 month build period.

There are 67 car park spaces. Cllr Harpham asked about the travel plan to encourage staff to use public transport. Cllr Iqbal said it would be possible to monitor the use of the carp park. Simon Kirk explained that many staff need to be mobile because they move in and out of different health centres. In answer to a further question, it was stated that undercroft car parking would be too expensive.

It was pointed out that there is restricted parking on the opposite side of the road and residents have been in the habit of parking their cars on the site which the health centre will occupy. Cllr Iqbal said that Highways Officers are already supposed to be considering the restricted parking on Main Road.

A question was asked about the planting of the site. Would it become a shelter for anti-social behaviour? It will be sensitively fenced.

A question was asked about traffic management when residents will be trying to turn out of Elmham Road while patients and staff are trying to turn into the health centre. This will increase congestion on Main Road. The 52 bus service will pass the Centre. Everyone should be encouraged not to use their cars. The Forum will pass this comment to the Planning Officers.

There was discussion about better use of the courtyard by glazing it to enable all-weather use. This would have heating and lighting consequences for the building, as well as affecting privacy in the consulting areas.

Dr Czauderna introduced himself as Chair of Darnall Well-being and a retired GP. He commented on the absence of a green roof. It is Sheffield City Council policy to require these on public buildings of this size. It was also a fantastic opportunity to create additional public space for more creative use of the area currently set aside for the courtyard. He was concerned about co-ordination of the way the building is managed. Darnall Well-being would be able to deliver this service and make the Centre a well-being centre rather than a health centre, where all the services are joined up. He gave ‘stop smoking’ services as an example of something which is the responsibility of more than one user of the building.

The management of the building is being considered. The courtyard will not be covered. The building design achieves an excellent environmental standard. A green roof will reduce the amount of run-off rainwater that can be recycled. It will also require more maintenance. The heat and power will be provided by recycled cooking oil, achieving a 100% reduction in carbon use compared to current facilities. Surplus heat can be sold back to the grid. Air circulating round the generators will be used to warm the building in winter and cool it in summer.

Neil Parry from East End Quality of Life observed that green rooves have been found to be compatible with rain water collection in other buildings in Sheffield and Rotherham. The name of the centre should reflect the fact that it is about public health rather than treatment. The two overlap anyway through services such as social prescribing.

Public consultation will continue after the planning process ends.

There will be no surgical suites in the Centre, but there will be elbow room for consultations, etc. A diabetic treatment centre could, for example, be located in the health centre. Chronic conditions should not have to be managed in hospitals. Cllr Lea encouraged the PCT and Community First to get on with the project.

One GP practice will not be moving into the new health centre. Local pharmacies will be invited to tender to move into the pharmacy space in the centre, but it will have to be leased to the highest bidder.

Funding for Green Issues

Grants of £500 to £50 000 are available. Application forms will be available from the Forum office.

Small Highways Fund

There is £100,000 available for the East Community Assembly Area. The Assembly will not consider individual requests but it will consider community proposals.

There are still problems with the junction between Mather Road and Prince of Wales Road, but it is not a small highways project. The ceiling for a small highways project is £10,000.

There are not enough yellow lines on Oliver’s Drive. An obstruction caused an accident.

Bring out your Rubbish

There will be a BOYR day on 7^th October in the Kettlebridge Area. The roads involved but they have already been leafleted.

Community Chest Fund

Application forms are available. A question was asked about the suggestion of having a ‘meet your neighbour’ day. This is an example of what the Councillors will fund. Neil Bishop said the Forum had some funding available for ‘meet your neighbour’ activities which bring people together from different faiths.

Public Questions

Problems with fly-tipping on Infield Lane. This could be a future agenda item. Neil Bishop pointed out there is a fly-tipping initiative.

Overloading of trams and use of the disabled/elderly persons’ seats by people who do not need them. Buses not stopping at bus stops. Cllr Iqbal said he was concerned abut overloading of trams.

Friends of Mather Community Park have no chair. There was an appeal for people to join a management committee so that they can apply for funding.

Neil Bishop 10/11/09

Annual General Meeting Tuesday 27 October

Darnall Forum’s AGM, will be held on
Tuesday 27th October 2009
6-7.30pm
Darnall Forum
245 Main Road , Darnall

The meeting will celebrate the achievements of the Forum during the past year and give you the chance to raise any issues about Darnall, or about our work, which concern you at the moment. It will also be your opportunity to elect officers and trustees for the coming year.

An Annual Report will be distributed on the evening and copies of the last minutes and agenda will also be provided at the meeting - please contact us if you would like one.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support you have shown the Forum during the past year, and hope this will continue into the next year.

20 Years of the PMC!

Wednesday 7th October 2009
Venue: PMC
Woodbourn Road, Darnall, Sheffield, S9 3LQ
Time: 6:30pm

The PMC would like to invite you to celebrate the festival of Eid and the signing of the Lease Ceremony marking 20 years of the PMC! Please encourage friends and family to attend.
The event will commence at 6:30pm.

Hot food will be served after the event!

Community Consultation Meeting on Wednesday 30 September at 6.30pm

The first community consultation meeting between you, the local residents of Darnall, and your local councillors will be held on Wednesday 30 September at the Living Waters Centre, 81 Main Road, (next-door to the former Industry public house). The meeting will start at 6.30pm and will cover issues such as health care in Darnall, the proposed redevelopment of Darnall Centre, the recent closure of the post office and other important concerns.

This meeting will pick up where the extremely popular Area Panel meetings left off when they came to an end in March. The LIFT (Local Initiative Finance Trust) plans for a new health centre will be top of the agenda for this meeting, which will also deal with:

• public questions
• the community chest fund
• funding for green issues
• small highways
• bring out your rubbish

If you can't come to the meeting, you can make your concerns known, about these or any other issues, by posting a message on this blog.

Councillors Fund Community Work

The East Area Assembly and our local councillors, Harry Harpham, Mazher Iqbal and Mary Lea, have provided an extra £34,000 for community work in Darnall until March next year. This will help to pay for:

• more work with young people, especially by volunteers
• more trees and flowers instead of derelict land, as part of Darnall in Bloom
• essential feasibility work for the refurbishment of the Staniforth Neighbourhood Centre
• more local consultation with the community by our councillors
• and the publication of the Darnall Herald

There will be three consultation meetings where you, the residents of Darnall, will be things that matter to you about this area.

PLANS FOR NEW HEALTH CENTRE IN DARNALL

Exciting plans for a state-of-the-art health centre on Main Road have been announced and, on 13 August, a three month consultation process began to get the project underway.

The plans can be viewed at Darnall Well-Being opposite Wilkinsons' and show the ambition of NHS Sheffield, Community 1st Sheffield and Darnall Community Health to offer a wider range of health services to local people in a landmark building.

Construction will commence in 2010.

If you would like further information, come to the Darnall Councillors' Community Consultation Meeting at Living Waters on Wednesday 30 September. The meeting begins at 6.30pm. Living Waters is next-door to the former Industry Public House at 81 Main Road. The meeting starts at 6.30pm.

Air Pollution Protest in Darnall

New Community Language Resources at the LIbrary

Discover the latest list of community language book collections. Books free to borrow in 25 languages,
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries/community-languages/books

Join the library using our new translated membership forms available in 25 languages,
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries/using-the-library/joining/translatedapplicationform

Prepare for the citizenship test using our free online course,
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries/refugees-and-asylum-seekers/lifeingb

Ramadan Mubarak

The Muslim holy month of fasting - Ramadan - began on 22 August. The Forum wishes our Muslim sisters and brothers a blessed Ramadan - Ramadan Mubarak - and God's peace.

Request from Jim Lambell

Jim was born and raised at number 17 Wilstrop Rd.Darnall 81 years ago. At the age of 39 Jim and his wife Dorothy, with their children Roy, Alan, Jim and Keith, emigrated to Australia.

Dorothy has since died and two-and-half years ago he remarried, to Joan. They would like to hear from any one at all who knows Jim from the old days, or who wishes for news from OZ.

To make contact with Jim, send an email to the Forum or give Neil a ring on 249 0099.

Darnall Post Office

Councillors Mary Lea and Mazher Iqbal are shown here consulting with some of the disgruntled local customers who have been inconvenienced by the temporary closure of the Main Road Post Office in Darnall. They are having their picture taken by a photographer from the Sheffield Star.

If you have been affected by the closure of the Post Office, please let us know how it is affecting you so that we can pass this information on.

DARNALL CARNIVAL & THE BAISHAKI MELA

This year's Darnall Carnival attracted around 5,000 visitors during the course of a very sunny Saturday afternoon. The event took place back-to-back with the annual Baishaki Mela, a regional event celebrating Bengali culture, which attracted about 10,000 visitors from across Yorkshire, the Humber and the East Midlands on the following day. The pictures show a little girl crossing High Hazels Park in front of some of the carnival attractions, and strollers in the summer sunshine enjoying the Carnival atmosphere.

Stop Smoking for Ramadan

Preparing for Ramadan?
Want support to stop smoking?

Planning for success
Relaxation strategies
Managing cravings
Nicotine Replacement Therapy – it’s your choice
Improving your health
Ongoing Support for you

Monday 10th August 1 – 3 Darnall Well Being
Wednesday 12th August 1 – 3 Darnall Well Being
Wednesday 19th August 10 – 12 Darnall Library
Confidential service 1 to 1 or group support

Make an appointment or drop in 0114 2496315

Road Safety in Darnall

Road traffic accidents are the largest cause of accidental death or serious injury for children. Darnall and Burngreave are areas of Sheffield which have a particularly high number of child casualties. 232 children were injured in these wards between 2004 and 2008, 18% of Sheffield’s child road casualties in this time period.

The road safety team work in schools, with parents and with other agencies to improve the way children cross roads and stay safe within a car. If you would like any further information, please contact the Road Safety team on 2736162.

Many schools have taken up the offer of working with published poets to produce road safety poetry. Children's road safety poems have been compiled into an anthology which is available for £2 from the team now.

Aisha A, aged 9, from Firshill Primary School wrote:

It was an accident ...

It was an accident ...
I didn't listen to the Road Safety Officer
It was an accident ...
I was texting Vicky
It was an accident ...
I was also listening to music.
It was an accident ...
I crossed at the red man
It was an accident ...
I didn't look both ways
It was an accident ...
I got run over
It was an accident ...
That I was nearly in a coma
It was an accident ...
I'm lying in hospital
It was an accident ...
I'm now paralysed
It was an accident ...
I may not get out alive
It is NOT an accident ...
I'm sorry
Sorry
Sorry.

East Community Assembly Meeting

Thursday 18 June 2009
6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Springs Academy
Hurlfield Road
S12 2SF

Agenda items to include:-
• What is a Community Assembly?
• Public questions
• Area Based Grant funding
• Community Involvement Action Plan
• Development of Community Assembly Plan

There is an opportunity for you to submit any public questions prior to the meeting. Please submit your questions to communityassemblyeast@sheffield.gov.uk or telephone Judith Coyle / Lisa Lyon, Joint Community Assembly Managers on 2736734.

If you require transport please ring our office number above.

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS DAY

Darnall Children's Centre
Friday 5 & 12 June
£10 per session for professionals
Free for parents

Speak to Val on 0114 244 8497

DARNALL CARNIVAL & THE BAISHAKI MELA

DARNALL CARNIVAL Saturday 13 June 12 - 5pm
@ High Hazels Park
Stilt Walker
Clowns
Funfair Rides
Fire Engine
Stalls
Silver Band
Kabaddi
Climbing Wall
Bouncy Castle
Football & Sports Activities
Hot & Cold Food & Drink
100 Years of Greenlands School
Information Marquees

For more information contact Darnall Forum

BAISHAKI MELA Sunday 14 June 11am - 6pm
@ High Hazels Park
Funfair Rides
Clothes & Food Stalls
Live Music
Family Fun

Publish Post

Information Stalls
Bouncy Castle

For more information contact Shahin on 07816 042133

MP to Speak at Community Meeting in Darnall Called to Stop a Right-wing Extremist Being Elected to the European Parliament in June

A community meeting will be held at the Darnall Forum Centre, at 245 Main Road, at 7pm on Wednesday 15 April, as part of the campaign across Yorkshire to stop an extreme right-wing candidate from being elected to the European Parliament.

Darnall Forum manager Neil Bishop said, 'A lot of people who have never lived in a neighbourhood like Darnall don't know how friendly, stimulating and vibrant a multi-faith and multi-cultural community can be. They can easily fall victim to messages of fear or hatred spread by right-wing extremists trying to win votes.'

There is a good chance, at the next European Election on 4th June, that a right-wing candidate will be elected to the European Parliament. This is because the election will be conducted by proportional representation, and any party which wins more than 10%, or one in every ten, of the votes cast is likely to get a candidate elected.

'To stop this from happening,' said Mr Bishop, 'People in places like Darnall, where different faiths and cultures get on well together, need to turn out in large numbers to vote for candidates who don't have a message of hatred or fear. It doesn't matter who you vote for, so long as you don't vote for an extremist candidate, but it is important that you do vote.'

This is what local people had to say:

• We all need to respect and appreciate each other more. (Saheed Siddique, Sheffield Health Centre)
• Darnall is a richly diverse community, let us look to enjoy the richness of that diversity rather than let others enjoy turning diversity into division. (Revd Pete Whittingham, Vicar of Darnall)
• We have worked very hard to bring residents together. Let's make sure we all use our votes to maintain this togetherness. (Sylvia Hamilton, Chair of Darnall Forum)
• Unless you register you have no vote . Unless you vote you have no say. Lets all vote and say we want a community united and working together. (Clive Betts MP)

Speakers at the meeting will include Clive Betts MP and representatives from Unite Against Fascism and The Islamic Society of Britain .

To register to vote or obtain a postal ballot form, residents of Sheffield should ring Sheffield Town Hall on 0114 273093 or log on to www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-council/elections/contact-us

NEW OPENING TIMES

Please note that, until further notice, our opening times will now be
10 - 4 Monday to Thursday
This change is because of a reduction in our Council funding

Potty in the Park

1 -3 pm Thursday 28 May
in High Hazels Park
Come and plant up hanging baskets to take home for
DARNALL in BLOOM

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

Don’t put it off!
Computer Courses start here at Darnall Forum in April 2009.
If you are interested please see the staff and give them your details
or attend the enrolment session 1.00 - 2.30pm on 21 April
These will be 10 week IT courses that will lead to a qualification.
This learning opportunity is provided by Sheffield City Council's Lifelong Learning and Skills' Service

From 1 April, the Council won't be funding our "community engagement" work

What this means for Darnall:

• Darnall Forum staff will be working on short-time until we get more funding and could lose their jobs in November
• The Forum offices will be closed on Fridays from April and will only open 10 till 4 Monday to Thursday
• The Darnall Carnival will be greatly scaled down compared to last year's event
• We will have to spend less time helping people who drop-in for advice in order to meet our other commitments, such as getting people into jobs and training
• We may have to leave our current offices at 245 Main Road and find somewhere smaller
• This may affect the number of lifelong learning classes we can run
• This month's edition will be the last Darnall Herald delivered to your door for the foreseeable future

If you're not happy, send an email or letter to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Paul Scriven (paul.scriven@sheffield.gov.uk) or the Deputy leader, Cllr David Baker (david.baker@sheffield.gov.uk).

A Sense of Belonging

Lifelong Learning and Skills and Darnall Forum
present a short course on
A Sense of Belonging
This programme of discussions explores the subject of individual identity in a troubled world
Who are we?
What is a Sheffielder?
How do we get to know each other?
Course details
Starts 18th March for 6 weeks – childcare available
To book a place please contact Darnall Forum
Venue: Darnall Forum
Darnall Learning Centre
245 Main road, Darnall, S9 4QD
Time Wed. 5.00pm-7.00pm
Contacts
Graham Burkin – Tel: 0114 258 6326

Nazia Fazil – Tel: 0114 249 0099

Shabaz Abbas – Tel: 0114 229 6158

An Open Letter from Darnall Health Centre

This is an open letter to the people of Darnall and surrounding areas.

The issue of the redevelopment of the Centre of Darnall is currently in the spotlight and as a result of interest from the Ward Brothers / Sheffield City Council, working in tandem, plans have been drawn up to essentially re-establish the Centre as a modern easily accessible environment. (See the plans available on the Sheffield City Council website).

Along with the new Centre for Darnall the Primary Care Trust has proposed to build a new Health Centre for the GPs of the area—this plan was first put forward in 2001 and the PCT have told us throughout that the build would start ‘soon’.The proposed build would be funded via the LIFT Scheme. Since this has the backing of Central Government, all could have gone as planned. However, the administration of the scheme has not gone forward and as a result the news from the organisations involved – that they are now ready, once more, to proceed – is difficult to accept, as its credibility is tainted by the history of this affair.

Set against this background is the fact that the current Health Centre on York Road has been targeted by repeated acts of vandalism and thefts, which have caused thousands of pounds of damage. As a result the police have given a special dispensation to have razor wire fitted around the roof and, with the fence which completes the scene, the Centre is now reminiscent of a prison area.

Plans for a 100 hour pharmacy were put forward to Sheffield City Council for the York Road site and these plans were rejected, due to the fact that the site was deemed ‘unsuitable’.

The case is therefore being made for a move from these unsuitable / unacceptable premises to a more central location in Darnall and to this end the former Wellington site has been retained with a view to a move, (pending suitable planning permission), in the latter part of the year (Plans are available on the Sheffield City Council website.)

Disasters Emergency Committtee Gaza Appeal

Will you help us to repair shattered lives?

Darnall Forum & Estikutum
ivite you to a FUNDRAISING DINNER
on Tuesday 24 March at 6.30pm
£15 per head (£8.50 goes to DEC for work in Gaza)
3 course halal set menu including soft drinks
vegetrian / special diets available on request
Tickets available from
Darnall Forum on 249 0099
or Estikutum on 244 9199

WANTED - Old Photos of Darnall

If you have any old photos of shops on Main Road in Darnall this resident would love to hear from you. To get in touch either put a post on the blog, or phone Anne at the office on 0114 249 0099.

My family had shops on Darnall Terminus from Victorian times to the 1980's,the last one to survive was the fish and chip shop at I think 150 Main Road,though it was there still with new owners on my last visit.That was run firstly by Fred Lomas and latterly by his son Jack.Fred also owned the wool shop at 156 Main Road which was run by his daughter Elsie.My Grandparents ran a tripe shop at 158 Main Road which sold hot pies and peas at night for folk going home from the cinema,dog track and pubs.My Grandmother Edith Lomas ran the pie and pea side of the business alone,which were all home made,until the late 1970's.I spent much of my childhood there in the 1950's and can still name every shop on that side of the terminus from Fisher Lane round to the Staniforth Road end of Irving Street.The home made pies were sold hot with mushy peas and gravy + hendersons relish,she would also open two lunchtimes and customers would often go on to Storey's bakery for one of their egg custard tarts for afters.I wonder if your readers could help me,I would dearly like a copy of a postcard or photograph of any of the family shops but especially the hot pie/tripe shop if anyone has this or could email me an attachment.The shop was at 158 Main Road and faced the top of Britannia Road.

The New Darnall Herald Asks: 'What is Darnall Forum All About?'

To read the rest of the articles in this month's Herald please go to our website, www.darnallforum.co.uk.

To find out what Darnall Forum is all about, please read on!

Darnall Forum brings together people who live and work in Darnall, Acres Hill and Attercliffe. Its vision statement is:

• To create a listening space for the community, and
• To work in partnership with other agencies and organisations to improve local services and help regenerate Darnall.

Anyone who lives or works in Darnall can become a member of the Forum simply by filling in one of our membership application forms.

The members of the Forum Board, who run the Forum, are all volunteers from the different faith and ethnic groups in the area. They are elected by the members of the Forum at its Annual General Meeting. The Forum Board has 14 members, nine male and five female. Ten are from Black Minority Ethnic backgrounds and four are White. The Forum also has six full-time staff who work with local people.

Darnall Forum used to be funded by the European Union and still receives some public funding from the City Council, including the local councillors who sit on the Darnall Area Panel. This is to help the Council deliver local services and consult local residents. However, a growing proportion of our income comes from ‘social enterprise’, which is work we do for other organisations in Sheffield and across the region. Any profit that we make is ploughed back into providing better services for people in Darnall.

Darnall Forum is a voluntary sector organisation. It is a not-for-profit company and a registered charity.

If you need this article in another language or format call 0114 249 0099

MEETING ABOUT NEW HEALTH CLINIC IN DARNALL FINDS COMMON GROUND

A public meeting organised by Darnall Community Forum on Tuesday 6 January has reassured members of the public about plans for a new health centre in the community.

The meeting addressed local concerns about the size of the new centre, and also one local general practice’s plans to relocate to a different building. Local MP Clive Betts said: “I have a pretty strong view about where Darnall's new community health centre should be built. It has to be easy for everyone to get to and ideally it should have room for all the local primary care services.

Simon Kirk, the Director of Strategy at NHS Sheffield, said: “ NHS Sheffield is not able to compel all local GP s to come together under one roof. Our priority is to create a new facility for the 21st Century, with a minor surgery suite, counselling rooms which could also be used by the community, an office base for the Darnall Well-Being organisation - a local charity - paid for by the Trust, and treatment rooms for services like podiatry and physiotherapy.

"We're not building a community centre, but we do want a great health centre that will be flexible and meet people’s needs. We have identified three sites where it would be possible to accommodate the centre - Staniforth Road , Station Road or Main Road . We are keen to gather the local community’s thoughts on these locations, including feedback from this meeting, as well as further community consultation, and then showing the community more detailed plans, before making a final decision.”

In response to a suggestion from Mrs Sylvia Hamilton , Chair of Darnall Forum, he said that he would consider asking the Forum to carry out soundings for the PCT with different community groups in Darnall. Mr Kirk went on to say that the new health centre should be open by the end of 2010.

Cllr Mary Lea said, "Darnall centre is where people come to shop, to visit the library and to drop into the forum, it’s also well served by buses, and we need to keep the centre of Darnall thriving – that’s why the Darnall councillors and Mr Betts would like the new health centre to be built in the centre. This isn't just a question that affects the health of the people in Darnall, it's vital to the health of Darnall as a community."

Speaking for the residents of the Littledale Estate, who would be the most adversely affected if the new Centre is built on Staniforth Road , Mr s Val Lancaster said: "We sometimes feel like the forgotten community." Residents of the estate pointed out that there was no direct bus service linking them to Staniforth Road .

Clive Betts added: "I think we may need a community gym on people's doorsteps to encourage them to adopt a more healthy lifestyle." He said that the government's 'Change of Life' initiative could help to fund a gym inside the new facilities.

Cllr Mazher Iqbal said that he believed Darnall Well-Being would be able to run a gym as a social enteprise. He said: "Darnall Forum could help them to set up a not-for-profit gym, and we, the councillors of Darnall, could work with the current administration to see if we can get things moving quickly so NHS Sheffield can take advantage of the recent drop in land values and construction costs."

Mr Kirk pledged to be creative in his thinking, "But I'm also trying to be entirely realistic," he said. "There's been a long history of people in Darnall discussing what they would like in a new health centre; now we've got to the point of deciding what we can actually afford, however, I will consider very seriously any proposals that are put to me."
ENDS

Taxi Drivers Needed as Health Champions!

• Are you a taxi driver from the South Asian Community (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka)?
• Do you know you are 50% more likely to develop heart disease compared to other ethnic groups?
• Do you have a family history of heart disease or diabetes?
• Would you like to be one of our Health Champions?
• If the answer is 'yes' then why not book a place on our Coronary Heart Disease Awareness training?
• Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th of February 2009
• 9.15am —3.30 pm
• The PMC (Pakistani Muslim Centre) on Woodbourn Road.
• Keynote Speaker: Dr Mahendra Patel
• (South Asian Heart Foundation & Bradford University)
• For further information and to book a place please contact:

Permjeet Dhoot on 0114 3051081 / Lyn Chafer on 0114 3051069

Resurfacing of Staniforth Road Postponed

The resurfacing of the Staniforth Road carriageway that was scheduled to be carried out between Tuesday 20th January and Friday 23rd January has now been postponed because some other work is being done first on the gas main.

Please contact the Council's Highway Programme team - Phil Cawthorne or Barry Goforth on 0114 2736562 for any further information.

Happy New Year!

As Christians come to the end of the important festival of Christmas, which is also a time for family reunions and the giving and receiving of presents for many other Darnall residents, we wish you all a happy new year!

Why not resolve to get more involved in what's happening in our community, starting with the meeting about community health facilities on Tuesday? (See the 22 December post for more details.) Or why not sign up for a course or become a community volunteer? Please get in touch to find out more!