STEELWORKS SAVED?
is set to take over Stocksbridge Steelworks
The future of steelmaking in Stocksbridge has taken a major step forward after a preferred bidder emerged to take on the former Liberty Steel sites.
The company understood to be leading the bid is Blastr Green Steel, a Norwegian-backed start-up focused on producing low-carbon steel using new technology.
The Government’s Official Receiver has entered a five-week period of exclusive talks over the sale of Speciality Steel UK (SSUK), which includes the Stocksbridge works and the electric arc furnace in Rotherham.
A NEW KIND OF STEEL COMPANY
Blastr is not a traditional steel giant. Backed by renewable energy investor Vanir Green Industries, it is developing plans to produce “green steel” using hydrogen rather than coal, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
However, the company does not yet operate any active steel plants, meaning the Stocksbridge and Rotherham sites would be among its first major assets.
The business is led by experienced steel executive Mark Bula, and industry insiders say the South Yorkshire sites are seen as viable operations that were previously held back by a lack of investment under Liberty Steel.
Mark Bula (pictured) has a wealth of experience in the steel industry in the US and Europe and is described as a ‘Steelman’ through and through.
A spokesperson for Blastr Green Steel declined to comment on the rumours.
Continued on Page 2
THURSDAY
A 59-year-old proud father, former infantry soldier, and local councillor with six years’ experience. I’ve also served as a charity trustee. Born and raised in West Ecclesfield, six generations of my family have lived here. I care deeply about our community and I’m standing to fight for the issues that
STOCKSBRIDGE STEEL
...Continued from front page
What the deal could involve
While full details of the bid have not yet been made public, the takeover would likely include:
Restarting production at key sites
Securing new investment and financing
Potentially modernising operations with greener technology
The works employ around 1,300 people across South Yorkshire and the West Midlands, many of whom have faced uncertainty, furlough and reduced pay since the collapse of the previous owner.
What it means for Stocksbridge workers
For workers in Stocksbridge, the deal represents cautious optimism rather than certainty.
Union leaders have welcomed the move but stress that any agreement must guarantee long-term stability and jobs.
THE KEY QUESTIONS NOW ARE:
Will production fully restart?
How many jobs will be secured long-term?
How quickly can investment be delivered?
There are also concerns about funding, as Blastr is still a growing company and will likely need significant backing to complete the deal.
A crucial few weeks ahead
The five-week exclusivity period is expected to determine whether a full sale can be agreed.
If successful, it could secure the future of one of South Yorkshire’s most important industrial sites and protect hundreds of skilled jobs.
For Stocksbridge, a town built on steel, the outcome could shape its economic future for years to come.
BOY HEADBUTTED AT BUS STOP
South Yorkshire Police are investigating an incident which saw a boy suffer what officers described as minor injuries on Saturday night.
The youngster was ‘headbutted’ in the face in the attack, which was close to Middlewood Road North, Middlewood.
Police said: “On April 18 at 9.35pm we received a call to report a teenager had been assaulted while waiting for a bus on Stockarth Lane in Sheffield.
“It is alleged that the boy was approached by an unknown man and headbutted in his face. The boy suffered minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment.”
Officers said the suspect was described as being in his late teens, with dark blond hair and wearing a tracksuit.
They added enquiries were underway and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 1041 of April 18, 2026.
Council Elections 2026: Battle for Stocksbridge
Voters across Sheffield are preparing to head to the polls on Thursday, 7th May 2026, in a critical local election that will see 28 out of 84 seats on Sheffield City Council contested.
The results are vital for the balance of power, as a party needs 43 seats to achieve a majority. Currently, no party holds overall control: Labour leads with 35 seats, followed by the Liberal Democrats with 27, and The Green Party holding 14.
This week we take a look at the candidates in the Stocksbridge & Upper Don Ward
The candidates are :
John Hesketh (Reform UK), Born, raised and educated in Sheffield. I’m passionate about Sheffield’s ‘Golden Frame’ and have worked tirelessly for decades to protect the unspoilt countryside around the city, including the all-precious Green Belt which needs protecting for future generations. This is especially important in Stocksbridge, Wharncliffe Side, Deepcar and Oughtibridge.
Janet Hilary Ridler (Labour Party), Local councillor since 2022. I have lived in Sheffield all my life and I have extensive experience of working for our community. As a Director of the Gardeners Rest Community Society in Neepsend, I run a work experience programme offering opportunities to young people with learning difficulties, and as a trustee of Sheffield Civic Trust I coordinate
Sheffield’s Heritage Open Days festival. I also have 12 years’ experience as a magistrate in Sheffield’s criminal courts.
Stuart Andrew Shepherd (Liberal Democrats), I've been a local farrier (maker and fitter of horseshoes) since 1998, supporting local farmers and residents. I am currently a parish councillor where I was originally elected as an independent, but I joined the Lib Dems in 2023. Locally I saw our green belt under threat, poor bus services, and a rise in crime in our area, but local residents were being ignored by our Labour councillors.
David Willington (Green Party), I moved to Sheffield with my family in 2004 and live in Oughtibridge. It’s a city we love and in re-
MAYOR ‘EGG-CEEDINGLY’ IMPRESSED BY ‘LITTLE EINSTEINS’ CREATIVITY
There was plenty to smile about at Little Einsteins Nursery in Stocksbridge this Easter, as the town’s Mayor paid a special visit to judge the nursery’s annual Easter egg competition.
Taking time to chat with the children and admire each entry up close, the Mayor was clearly impressed by both the creativity on display and the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the setting. The competition entries — designed by the children with help from their families — were described as “egg-stra special”, making the final decision no easy task.
The children were thrilled to meet the Mayor, proudly showing off their creations and talking about how they had made them. Some of the nursery’s youngest children were so taken by the visit that they even asked for cuddles — a sure sign the Mayor made quite the impression!
During the visit, the team also shared the Little Einsteins journey so far, giving an insight into
cent years I’ve been involved in local and citywide issues including school governance and music education. I work in IT as a software developer.
Claire Suzanne Wraith (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition). This is what I think and policies I believe in: Starmer, Badenoch, Farage - WE CAN’T TRUST ANY OF THEM! Labour aren’t Labour anymore.
Owen Cooper (Conservative Party), no information available.
Polls will be open from 07:00 to 22:00, with one Councillor to be elected in each ward. Next week we will take a look at the candidates for West Ecclesfield.
New-look library is now open
the incredible experiences provided to children since opening. From engaging learning environments to meaningful interactions, the Mayor was able to see first-hand what makes the nursery such a special place for local families.
As Little Einsteins approaches its first anniversary this July, excitement is already building, with hopes of welcoming Stocksbridge’s new Mayor to continue the celebration.
The nursery would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Mayor for their time, enthusiasm, and continued commitment to supporting the local community — a visit that certainly left everyone at Little Einsteins smiling.
Find us at 46a Lee Avenue, Stocksbridge, S36 2QW, on our website www.littleeinsteinsnursery.co.uk or call us on 0114 3494972.
The modernised Penistone community hub has brought together the community library under one roof with a range of public services, including our Barnsley Council Penistone Area Team.
There's new shelving and seating throughout, as well as an enhanced children's area with a colourful mural of Penistone's railway viaduct.
The transformation is part of Barnsley Council's wider Libraries Refurbishment Programme.
John Hesketh (Reform UK)
Janet Hilary Ridler (Labour)
David Willington (Green Party)
Claire Suzanne Wraith (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition)
Stuart Andrew Shepherd (Liberal Democrats)
Owen Cooper (Conservative Party)
DEEPCAR
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Windows Doors
Patios • Ballastrades • Garage/Loft Conversions • Composite • Aluminium • uPVC • Bi-folds • High Security Locks • Any Size • Any Colour
Driveways
TRAILER-BLAZING FAMILY OPEN DAY
A STOCKSBRIDGE company is opening its doors to the general public when it hosts an open day on Saturday.
All are welcome to attend the fun- lled event at Trek-Trailers Yorkshire’s premises at Montgomery House, Sheephouse Wood from 10am to 3pm.
Visitors will be able to view and take advantage of exclusive discounts and nance deals on a wide range of commercial and automotive trailers and transporters.
Dressage rider and equestrian lifestyle in uencer Phoebe Scholtens will be in attendance to do a meet and greet, while Milk on the Hills will be serving their delicious wa es and Bar irteen will be o ering an array of drinks.
Younger visitors on the day will be able to enjoy pony rides and pet lambs. All visitors will be entered into a draw to win exciting prizes.
Bradfield Festival of Music
20 - 27 June 2026
Although people sometimes think of classical music as ‘elite’ and ‘not for them’, this is certainly not true of Brad eld Festival of Music with seven days of music for everyone, performed by artists who are keen to communicate in fresh and engaging ways.
is year’s artists are a mix of those wellknown locally and internationally and some emerging young professional ensembles. Lisa Friend (25 June), UK autist, is an international concert soloist, recording artist and masterclass teacher.
An Ambassador for the King’s Trust and Children and the Arts, Lisa is frequently broadcast on radio in the UK and the USA and her latest album ‘An American A air’ has received high critical acclaim.
When the Lisa Friend Trio came to Brad eld in 2024 she established an intimate relationship with her audience, making for a memorable, emotionally charged concert.
Lisa describes her rst musical experience and the invitation she extends to others to explore music further through her concert programme:
‘’When I was ve years old, my mother took me to a concert at Lincoln Center while we were living in New York, where my father
was the concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic. I was exposed to extraordinary music, and it was during this time that I rst heard the ute in the orchestra. Instantly, I knew that I wanted to play the ute.
“Presenting classical music in a fresh, engaging, and relatable way is essential to ensuring it feels vibrant and relevant to a new generation. By introducing music that resonates and re ects experiences, we can nurture a deeper connection and lasting interest.
“It’s important [that] a musical program appeals to a wide audience by incorporating a variety of genres and contrasts. is keeps listeners engaged and creates a dynamic experience. Above all, everyone appreciates a beautiful melody.
“We like to arrange original medleys, and we will be performing the James Horner Medley featuring themes from Legends of the Fall, Braveheart & Titanic.
“We loved performing at Brad eld and are delighted to return. e audience was both warm and engaging, and the atmosphere and surroundings are truly magical.’’
A selection of horseboxes and horse trailers will also be on display to purchase or hire, as well as all-terrain vehicles and motorhomes.
Residents unite to defend greenbelt amid mental health concerns
By James Fletcher
Residents across North Sheffield are mounting a growing campaign to protect local greenbelt land, warning that proposed development plans could have lasting consequences not only for the landscape, but for community wellbeing and mental health.
“Once it’s gone, it’s gone. You can’t get it back,” is a sentiment repeatedly echoed by campaigners who say open green spaces are essential to everyday life and emotional wellbeing. Concerns are now intensifying as Sheffield City Council’s emerging Local Plan proposes around 806 new homes on greenbelt sites across the north of the city.
Among the areas identified for potential development are the field opposite Ecclesfield Secondary School linking Chapeltown and Ecclesfield, the so-called “horse field” near Old School Croft in Wharncliffe Side, and land between Creswick Avenue and Yew Lane in Grenoside.
The proposals have triggered a wave of opposition, with residents forming Facebook groups, petitions and local action networks in an attempt to protect what they describe as vital community spaces.
One Wharncliffe Side resident, Julie Harris, 62, said the field is central to local life.
“We use the field as a community. We’ve sledged, walked and played there together. During Covid it was a great place to meet at a distance,” she said.
“I see people using it every day—walking dogs, going to the bus stop, or coming home from school. Schools use it for nature walks, and the Brownies come to see bats and owls. Lots of people will be upset if it goes.”
Mrs Harris also raised safety concerns about alternative walking routes to Glen Howe Park.
“We’re away from the road, it’s open and visible. Other routes involve crossing major roads with no crossings in places. I wouldn’t want children using those instead,” she added.
She noted that while a nearby lane exists, it is poorly lit, uneven and “very slippery in winter”, making it unsuitable as a replacement route.
Campaigners argue the value of these spaces extends far beyond recreation, highlighting their importance for mental health and wellbeing.
Research by Joanna Bettman Schaefer, MSW, PhD, of the University of Utah, suggests even short periods spent in nature can reduce anxiety, stress and symptoms of depression, with benefits increasing through longer exposure.
Local resident Franklin Evans, 12, who is neurodivergent, said the green space plays a key role in helping him manage his emotions.
“I like that it’s a quiet space to play in,” he said. “I like seeing the wildlife, especially the owls at night. With my autism it’s nice to have somewhere quiet so close to my house.”
He added a direct message to those campaigning against the development:
“To keep fighting, keep going and don’t give up. If you want to keep it, you need to fight for it.”
Another resident, Jo Tunstall, who moved to Chapeltown in 1997, said the area’s green spaces were a key reason she chose to live there.
She said that while previous development had focused on brownfield sites, the current proposals feel different in scale and impact.
“This plan does not serve our community,” she said. “It leaves us with two choices—fight or flight. I choose to fight. I cannot stand by and watch the heart of our community be ripped out, alongside our wildlife and local farmland.”
Community groups across Wharncliffe Side, Chapeltown, Grenoside and Ecclesfield have become increasingly active online and on the ground, sharing information and coordinating opposition to the plans.
Despite growing local resistance, campaigners say Sheffield City Council appears determined to progress the proposals as part of its wider housing strategy, leaving residents warning that the fight to protect North Sheffield’s greenbelt is far from over.
Local MP backs new plan to improve women’s healthcare
Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Marie Tidball has welcomed a new national strategy aimed at overhauling women’s healthcare across England.
The Government’s renewed Women’s Health Strategy sets out plans to tackle long-standing inequalities in the NHS, with a focus on improving diagnosis times, speeding up treatment and ensuring more compassionate care for women and girls.
Ministers have acknowledged persistent issues within the health service, including what has been described as a culture of “medical misogyny”, with the new strategy aiming to address concerns around
women’s experiences being dismissed or overlooked.
Key measures include the introduction of a single referral point for women, as well as efforts to cut lengthy waiting times for conditions such as endometriosis. The plan also promises a new standard of care to ensure appropriate pain relief is offered during procedures including contraceptive fittings and hysteroscopies.
The strategy will also place greater emphasis on patient feedback, with proposals to link women’s experiences directly to how services are assessed and improved.
The announcement follows a series of recent measures, including mak-
ing the morning-after pill available free of charge in pharmacies, reducing gynaecology waiting lists, and adding menopause-related questions to routine NHS health checks.
Speaking on the new plans, Dr Marie Tidball said: “The blunt reality is that the NHS is failing women and girls on even the most basic measures of healthcare.
“The blunt reality is that the NHS is failing women and girls on even the most basic measures of healthcare. I know from my own experience, particularly of maternity care, that being ignored, gaslit, humiliated and disrespected are all-too-common experiences
for far too many women.
“I’m incredibly proud that the renewed Women’s Health Strategy commits to ending this injustice. It’s brilliant to see that women’s voices will be at the heart of this new plan, ensuring that we are all treated with dignity and respect within the healthcare system.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the reforms are designed to ensure women receive “We inherited a broken NHS, which was particularly felt by women, who have for so long been let down by a healthcare system that too often gaslights women, treating their pain as an inconvenience and their symptoms as an overreaction.
“Whether it’s being passed from one appointment to another for conditions like endometriosis and fibroids, or a lack of proper pain relief during invasive procedures, through to having to navigate symptoms for years before receiving a diagnosis, it’s clear the system is failing women.
“Women’s voices must be central to delivering effective, respectful and empathetic care. We need to hit medical misogyny where it hurtsthe wallet. Today’s renewed strategy will tackle the issues women face everyday and ensure no woman is left fighting to be heard.”
Petition started over access to popular woods
Access from Middlewood Road North into Beeley Woods has been restricted since January 2026 following safety concerns over the condition of footpaths in the area.
Sheffield City Council has now confirmed that significant repair work is required to stabilise and rebuild a retaining wall alongside the steps leading into the woods. Officials say the scale of the work means it will be costly and, until it is completed, pedestrian access to the woodland will remain closed.
The closure has affected local walkers, runners and dog owners who regularly use the popular riverside paths for recreation.
A community campaign is now calling on residents to make their voices heard.
“Did you use to walk your dog on those paths? Did you use to go running along the river? Are you inconvenienced by the closure?” organisers ask.
Residents are being encouraged to sign a petition to demonstrate the impact the closure is having on the local community. Campaigners hope that a strong show of support will help communicate concerns to Sheffield City Council and encourage progress on restoration plans.
The petition is now open for signatures on www.change.org
It’s tea for two for William and Henry in Beauty and the Beast
latest cast members to its production of Disney classic Beauty and the Beast.
William Turnbull, who is 11 and lives in Hillsborough, and 10-year-old Henry White, of Millhouses, will share the role of Chip, the cute talking teacup, in the stage version of the Oscar-nominated hit movie.
And they will be joined by Woodseats regular Becky Jones as their mum, talking teapot Mrs Potts.
Henry has been performing since he was six and most recently appeared in the Ellesmere Musical Theatre Company production of School of Rock alongside Jacob Boulton who will be playing the Beast the new Woodseats show.
Henry also attends the Verve Academy of Performing Arts and has had appeared in Nativity: the Musical and played Tom Thumb in The Greatest Showman.
William made his stage debut at just four and was on stage at the Crucible Theatre in their recent acclaimed production of A Christmas Carol.
A student at Stagecoach Performing Arts Sheffield, he has appeared in major opera productions Carmen and Le Boheme at Sheffield City Hall.
Beauty and the Beast comes to Sheffield’s Montgomery Theatre from July 8 to 11.
It’s the classic story of the beautiful Belledreaming of life beyond a provincial French
town - and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress.
If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will be lifted and the couple might be able to live happily ever after - unless the handsome but heartless Gaston’s evil plans gets in the way.
Directed by Rowan Alfred, with choreography by Phoebe Phillips, its a show packed with show stopping hits, including Be Our Guest, Human Again and the much-loved title song.
“In our tenth anniversary year at the Montgomery Theatre we wanted to give our audience a truly memorable experience and Beauty and the Beast is the perfect choice,” said Woodseats chair Mary Newey.
“This is one of the great movie, Broadway and West End shows and, with a new production team at the helm, we are presenting a vibrant fresh production that will appeal to audiences of all ages, capturing all the magic of the original.”
Running on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7.15pm, there will also be special Saturday matinee performances at 12pm and 5pm.
For tickets visit ww.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/ events/beauty-and-the-beast-2.
For more on Woodseats Musical Theatre Company visit www.woodseatsmtc.co.uk
Picture: William and Henry with Becky Jones, who plays Mrs Potts
Appeal for volunteers to support popular lunch club
A well-used community hub in Stocksbridge is appealing for new volunteers to help keep one of its most valued services running.
The Christian Centre Stocksbridge, based on Cedar Road, is looking for extra hands to support its busy Lunch Club, which regularly brings local residents together.
Organisers say the club is “very well attended” but is now in urgent need of helpers to continue operating smoothly.
Deborah Cockayne-Travis, who contacted Look Local, said volunteers are needed on a fortnightly basis on Tuesdays, with roles including preparing food and serving meals.
The Lunch Club forms part of a wider programme of activities at the centre, which hosts a range of community events through-
APRIL
WEDNESDAY
22 BOLSTERSTONE ARCHAEOLOGY AND HERITAGE GROUP at 7.30pm. Our next talk is by archaeologist, Dr Tim Cockrell, ‘Rock Art And The Connections Between The Humber And Mersey Estuaries In Neolithic Times’ We meet in the hall at Christ Church on Manchester Road in Stocksbridge, and the talk is also available on Zoom (members only) - contact bahgmembership @gmail.com for the link.. There is a small entry charge: Members £2 Non-members £4. Annual membership £7 All welcome
SUNDAY
26 Cawthorne Brass BandConcert of popular music & live screening of Wallace & GromitA Grand Day Out. Bluebell Suite, Dodworth S75 4LS 3.00 pm
MAY
SATURDAY
2 Wadsley and Loxley Commoners - Insect Safari ... Bee edition. Here is our contribution to the first day of this year’s Sheffield Environment Weeks. A general insect safari with a slight emphasis on looking for bees. There are well over 30 bee species on the Common. They love the bilberry and dandelion flowers at this time of year, but so do many other insects. We will bring a few nets and jars and will release everything we find! FREE - meet in the Long Lane Car Park at 10am, finish around 12 noon. www.walc.epizy.com
out the week and is regarded by many as a key meeting point in the town.
Volunteers would play an important role in supporting local people, particularly those who may benefit from social interaction and a warm meal in a friendly environment.
No formal experience is required, and organisers say any time people can offer would make real difference.
Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to get in touch directly with Deborah Cockayne-Travis on 07426 145052 for more information.
Community groups across Stocksbridge often rely on volunteers to keep services running, and organisers hope local residents will step forward to support the Lunch Club and ensure it continues to thrive.
2 Christian Aid Coffee Morning at Stocksbridge Christian Centre on Saturday 2nd May from 10 - 12. All proceeds to Christian Aid.
MONDAY
11 Wadsley and Loxley Commoners – ‘Arabella Stuart’ a talk. Chris Griffiths will tell us the tragic story of Bess of Hardwick’s granddaughter. Air-brushed from history, could she have succeeded Elizabeth I ?. Wadsley Church, Worrall Road, 7.30pm. members - £3.50, non members - £4. Free homemade refreshments. www.walc.epizy.com
THURSDAY
14 Chapeltown WI will meet at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church when Catherine Taggart will speak about Yorkshires unsung Heroes and Heroines. The competition is for memorabilia from a Yorkshire town. New members and visitors will be made welcome.
SATURDAY
16 Wadsley and Loxley Commoners – Dawn Chorus Walk with John and Anne Robinson. It’s John Robinson’s legendary early morning bird walk. Their singing will greet a brand new day and we will welcome numerous migrant species to our neighbourhood. No dogs please, meet at 5am (a very early start) at Rural Lane Car Park, off Worrall Road. FREE. www. walc.epizy.com
SUNDAY
17 Wadsley and Loxley Commoners - ‘Commoners Muck-In’ - This is our regular 4-weekly
day of active conservation work. During the summer it is mostly bracken that keeps us occupied because it threatens to shade out the young shoots of heather and bilberry. We also have an area newly-cleared of brambles last winter which will continue to need attention, so it stays away. Check www.walc.epizy. com
17 Table Top Sale - Stocksbridge Community Leisure CentreSunday 17th May, Open To Buyers 10.00 am to 1.00 pm.
JUNE
SUNDAY
14 Wadsley and Loxley Commoners - This is our regular 4-weekly day of active conservation work. During the summer it is mostly bracken that keeps us occupied because it threatens to shade out the young shoots of heather and bilberry. We also have an area newly-cleared of brambles last winter which will continue to need attention, so it stays away. Check on www. walc.epizy.com
ONGOING
MONDAYS
Men’s Activity and Games Session Stocksbridge Community Leisure Centre Monday afternoons 1-30pm to 3-30pm Cost £1 (includes free refreshments) Activities will include a range from Badminton, Table Tennis, Indoor Curling, Dominoes, Card and Board Games, Quiz Contact Andy Walker 07723 506423 for further information.
It’s tea for two as Woodseats Musical Theatre Company welcomes the
On LISTINGS
Millhouse Green Male Voice
Choir practise on Monday evenings (7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.) at Millhouse Green Institute, Manchester Road, Millhouse Green. If you want to join us, come on Monday to meet us and see if you like us. Bass voices are needed so have a go at singing in the Bath first! Contact 01226 764642 for more information
Baby and Toddler group at the Christian Centre, Cedar Road S36 1AS. Mondays during termtime 9.30 - 11.30 am. Drop in anytime. Sponsored by T.A.R.A.
Every Monday Indoor Bowling 1.30 to 3.30 at At Aidans Church Hall Sheffield Road Oxspring No experience needed, equipment supplied. Everyone welcome. Gentle fun exercise.
MONDAY ART GROUP at STEPS, The VENUE, Manchester Rd, Stocksbridge.
Every Mon 10.00 - 12 noon. £8 per session. Excellent tutor - watercolour, acrylics, pastels etc. Beginners upwards. Just come along and try a free taster session!
TUESDAYS
CAMEO (Come And Meet Each Other) Tea, coffee, cakes, dominoes and other games, and friendship. Every Tuesday 2-4 pm at St Andrew’s Church, High Street, Penistone. (Next to the library).For more details: 07903 628820
Deepcar Drop-In every Tuesday from 10am - midday at St John’s Church, Deepcar. All are welcome for drinks, cake and
company.
From 14 April - Thorncliffe Bowling Club invites you to their Over 50s afternoons on their greens at the end of Mortomley Close, High Green,S35 3HZ at 1:45 pm. Coaching can be given if you have never played before. The cost is £3 with a cup of tea or coffee
Stocksbridge Bowling Club, on Linden Crescent, will be holding crown green bowling sessions for non members (followed by refreshments) twice weekly. Tuesdays starting at 1.30 pm and Thursdays starting at 5.30pm. Your first session will be free. All equipment and training will be provided. Please come along and enjoy.” This starts on 14th April.
WEDNESDAYS
Everyone is welcome at the Tea and Chat group - 1:00-3:00pm every Wednesday afternoon at St Leonards Church Wortley. Pop in for a drink and a chat. Contact Joan for more details: 0114 2887435
Thurgoland Community Choir, every Wednesday 7pm - 9:30pm Holy Trinity Church, Thurgoland. Enjoy Scrabble? Why not come along to our friendly Scrabble Club We meet between 12noon and 3pm on Wednesdays at the British Legion Club, Chapeltown £1 per session Everyone welcome
St. Marys Church, Bolsterstone - Wednesdays from 10am to 12.30pm. Please come along for a chat to our popular Wednesday
coffee morning for tea or coffee alongside our delicious homemade cakes in a warm friendly atmosphere. Do join us, it is open to all.
THURSDAYS
Open House Community Café
Everyone is welcome at Open House, our new community café - 1:30-3:30pm every Thursday at Holy Trinity Thurgoland Church. Pop in for coffee, cakes and a chat. Contact Hannah for more details: hannahosandoval@ gmail.com
The South Yorkshire Bonsai Society, meeting on the 4th Thursday of the month at Deepcar Village Hall 8 to 10 p.m.
High Green Fitness and Fun Aerobics and Activities Paces campus, High Green Thursday 10am-12:30pm £4 per person. Call Margaret for more info 0114 284 7190
Volunteer Thursdays at Greave House Farm Trust. Enjoy fresh air, gentle exercise, meeting new friends. Any time between 10am and 4pm. Bring a packed lunch. Also monthly work days on 2nd Saturday. For more info contact Barbara: 07724505911or email greavehouse@yahoo.co.uk
‘WARM WELCOME’ for everyone at The Christian Centre, Cedar Road every Thursday between 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. Meet & Chat - Enjoy a snack - games to play.
Deaths
SMART Barbara
(formerly Crawshaw, née Moxon)
After a short illness Barbara passed away on April 7th 2026, aged 76.
Dearly loved Wife of the late George, cherished Mum, Nanny, Great Nanny and beloved friend.
Funeral service to be held at Grenoside Crematorium, North Chapel 11am on May 6th and afterwards at The Station, S75 4RB
Margaret JESS
Peacefully passed away at Belmont Nursing Home on 31 March 2026.
Funeral to be held at Grenoside Crematorium, South Chapel on Tuesday 28 April at 1.30pm.
Julia Anne TOMLINSON
Passed away 27th March 2026.
Dearly loved Sister to David, Sister in Law to Marina and Auntie to Kerry.
Tour de France Femmes set to thrill North Sheffield in 2027
including Winnats Pass and Snake Pass, before reaching the city.
North She eld is set to welcome the world’s best cyclists when the Tour de France Femmes rolls through the area in 2027.
Stage two of the race, on 31 July, will see the peloton travel from Manchester to She eld through the Peak District, tackling a demanding route featuring nearly 3,000 metres of climbing.
From early indications of the route, the race is expected to mirror much of the iconic 2014 men’s Tour path as it enters She eld, passing through Brad eld, Worrall and Oughtibridge before taking on the feared climb of Jaw Bone Hill into Grenoside.
Riders will already have faced some of the country’s toughest ascents earlier in the stage,
e stage is due to nish on Attercli e Common – a location etched into cycling history a er Vincenzo Nibali powered to victory there during the 2014 Tour, albeit with the route approached in the opposite direction this time.
e announcement forms part of a historic UK Grand Départ, with the women’s race beginning in Leeds, passing through Manchester and She eld, before concluding in London. With challenging climbs, dramatic scenery and passionate roadside crowds expected, the return of elite cycling to She eld promises to bring back memories of 2014 –and inspire a new generation of riders across the region.
Hello, I’m Jane Ward-Drummond, your local Estate Planning Consultant of 13 years experience. I am an expert in helping people arrange their Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Pre-paid Funeral Plans.
Along with my colleague Haworth Ward-Drummond we specialise in helping all kinds of people gain peace of mind by providing professional advice, but with a personal touch. We offer a FREE consultation without obligation for anybody who would like to know more about any of the following:
• Making a basic Will
• Setting up Lasting Powers of Attorney
• Protecting your home for future generations
• Pre-paid Funeral Plans
Stocksbridge Developments
I really hope you will include my letter. I am so happy with what is happening in Stocksbridge with the shops. The new hub being built. But I haven’t seen anything of the Welfare Hall included. It has been in the past very important.
When I was in the 4th year at Stocksbridge Secondary school. We had Thursday and afternoon groups, myself and Ann Chapman were chosen to help there. We sorted clothes that were kindly given to help people who were struggling. They were allowed two garments for free.
In the afternoon, we went to the Inman Pavilion to help at the Pensioners Lunch club. We helped to give out the lunches and do the pots. After we sat and played games such as Dominoes and chatted.
Something else at the Welfare Hall, the large room was used for the Stocksbridge Starlights Majorettes to train. My daughter was part of that.
So I ask those involved to save the Welfare Hall.
Yours faithfully, Lyn Firth.
THE SOVEREIGN SKY
I viewed my reflection from distances vast, A ghost of a soul, by its shadows recast. I saw only weakness, the weight of the scars, A spirit eclipsed, hidden far from the stars. For eons I wandered in self-pity’s keep, With secrets too heavy and silence too deep.
The laughter had vanished, a ghost of a cry, With thorns in my spirit and rain in my eye. I moved through the world like a leaf in the gale, With a heart that was hollow, a face that was pale. But the Great Book was turning; the ink started thinning,
And I felt the sharp heat of a second beginning. The fire of belief, once a flicker of doubt, Became a cathedral that nothing put out. I leaned in much closer, to see who was there, And found a new stranger with light in their hair. Why did I wither? Why let the trust break? Why offer my heart for the vultures to take?
I forged from my struggle a shield and a blade, And left every sorrow to die in the shade. A sudden sun-streaming, a grace from above, Baptized my spirit in self-honored love. The fog and the haunting, the ghosts of the past? Mere echoes of stories not destined to last.
I reclaimed the reins that I’d offered to men, And wrote my own truth with a gold-dipped pen. I silenced the critics, the loud and the cold, For the quietest hearts are the ones made of gold. Where once there was ruin, new lamps started glowing, The seeds of my courage were finally showing. The chains at my ankles, the weight of the years— I broke them to pieces to swallow my fears. I rose from the dust and I took to the blue, To the heights where the air is expensive and new. No longer a servant to grievance or sigh, I mastered the currents and learned how to fly. In the loftiest reaches, I found my own grace, Where life met me there with a glowing embrace. Now I wear my own dignity, sovereign and high, Whole and unshaken, beneath the vast sky.
Hina Gondal
Laying hedges not hegemonising
A world to its end, but evolving creation
To deliver possibles for surmising
Sustainability for growth, delighting Building accreditation of a father growing, loving Heirs to the loom from their Mother of the Moon!
George Lazenby
What’s On Diary
Dear Editor,
The importance of your diary is well known and appreciated by all the groups in your area.
As one of these groups we have a particular urgent announcement that might pass some readers by unless specific mention is made. For the first time ever, the History Society is having to move their meeting to the first Thursday in the month, 7th May, because of the fantastic theatrical activities of Valley Beacon Arts and their performance s at Christ Church. We wish them luck.
At our meeting now on the 7th May, John Austin tells the story of the Heavy Spring production at Stocksbridge, from the point of view of both Company and workers.
For over a hundred years the Works supplied springs for railway vehicles, trams and road vehicles across the world.
The talk covers how and why Fox started Spring making, how it survived in a challenging environment, and the reasons for its ultimate demise
If there are any former Heavy Spring Shop employees or their families who have stories or reminiscences of the Heavy Spring Shop, John Austin would be more than pleased to meet and greet them. His recent book on Sheffield Heavy Springs would be available for John to sign after his talk.
This was an important phase of S Fox and Co production which became famous throughout the World’s railway production. For any Fox employee, this is a real winner.
Dennis Pindar
STABILITY TO SUSTAIN CHANGE
It may take a king’s ransom
To educate a king
Though it may not look handsome
For a tax to pay for such a thing
But to head on out after a studious gestation
To germinate then a Soul and a Nation
Words to the wise -
LETTERS
LOCAL HISTORY UNEARTHED
St George, Saviour by Name of Nature
St George’s Day once was celebrated on a par with Christmas, so who was George to be of such renown? What’s the tale of the dragon and the maiden about?
Doing the rounds of our local villages (as elsewhere) up to WW1 was the Annual Play of St George, featuring a curious cast of his adversaries, usually but not always including a dragon, with a doctor figure often bringing back to life the fallen. The play was a remnant of the Feast of St George holiday that was suppressed during the Reformation, revived after the Restoration, and dropped by the Church 250 years ago (to become a merely optional memorial).
In many towns (notably York) the day was marked by Riding the George, a procession of costumed participants or effigies representing George, a maiden, and sometimes a dragon; and there was the play.
What looks like a striking echo in a rustic pastiche was the form of public shaming called Riding the Stang, an instance of which in Ecclesfield in 1850 was reported in a newspaper. A pair of adulterers were paraded in effigy. It’s likely it was intended onlookers should recognise it as a comic pointed distortion of the hero George and the ‘damsel in distress’.
The big question concerning St George is that rescuing a girl by putting her captors to the sword is hardly saintly. So why and who was George to be canonised? Yet he was, in AD 494, by Pope Gelasius, who described George as one of those “whose names are justly revered among men but whose acts are known only to God”. That’s a polite way to say he was no more real than his dragon. A legend with no verifiable biography, he was a popular ‘pagan’ deity or demi-god made a saint because co-opting him helped attract or adhere people to Christianity.
He’s in good company. Robin Hood and King Arthur likewise were purely mythological. All three have a name Anglicised from Gaelic. George here
is from tiorcaiche, ‘deliverer, saviour’ (in pronunciation beginning “tj”, and a right mouthful that over time contracted). George simply embodies a saviour, ostensibly of a girl; but of course that’s code for something profound.
Of what he’s the saviour is rather given away by George’s day being April 23. Until the calendar change in 1752 when eleven days were lost, this would fall within the five-day major ‘Celtic’ festival of Beltane, from May 1, to mark the start of the ‘light’ half of the year. A hangover of this into Christian times is why Mayday has remained as evocative as it has.
In ‘Celtic’ mythology, this seasonal shift was represented as a struggle. The land was considered to be held in a state of hibernation by the pan-’Celtic’ goddess Brigid in her winter form of the hag, by keeping her maiden (spring) guise locked in a tower. Another way to look at it is her stopping the sun moving in the sky. To overcome this was thought to require human intervention, or that by a half-god figure, who had to meet challenges set by the hag. The main test was to slay the monster guarding the prisoner. In a variant of the mythology, the dragon is one and the same as the captor. In effect it’s the hag herself who has to be slain for the maiden to take on the task of driving forward the yearly cycle. George here amounts to the saviour of the sun.
It’s apposite his symbol is the cross, as it’s an ancient symbol in lots of cultures of the sun and division of the year. Originally the cross was inside or on top of a circle, cutting it into quadrants, that stand for the four seasons. The cross of Brigid pre-dates the Christian one. Also long before Christianity was the cross’ association with a serpent or dragon. While St George in England only latterly became attached to the dragon, really this was a revival of the older mythology actually it is. Today we think of St George as important as he’s the symbol of England, not knowing how important he was and why, that was the reason we adopted him, and accounts for his resonance still.
The pic is the frieze in the entrance to Sheffield Town Hall of George (More) slaying the dragon (of Wantley)
BLADERUNNERS GOING STRONG AS BASEBALL GAINS POPULARITY IN THE CITY
Baseball continues to grow in popularity, and one Sheffield club at the heart of that rise is the Sheffield Bladerunners.
Based in Stannington, the Bladerunners have a long and proud history dating back to 1985, when the club was founded by Steve Herbert. From early fixtures against northern rivals to a perfect 21-0 championshipwinning season in 2004, the club has developed into a well-established part of Sheffield’s sporting scene. Now boasting more than 60 players across three teams and representing a mix of nationalities, the Bladerunners continue to go from strength to strength.
Their 2026 campaign got underway with Sheffield Bladerunners II travelling to Merseyside to face the Halton Trojans in a double header.
It proved to be an actionpacked opening to the season. In game one, the Bladerunners were involved
Tennis Club Celebrates Double Success at Yorkshire Tennis Awards
An award-winning tennis club in Sheffield is celebrating a landmark moment after receiving major recognition at the Yorkshire Tennis Awards.
Thorncliffe Tennis & Pickleball Club was named Yorkshire LTA Club of the Year, recognising the club’s remarkable transformation and rapid growth over the past 12 months. In addition, Club Chair Karen Lyon was awarded Highly Commended in the Yorkshire Tennis President’s Award, highlighting her leadership and contribution to the club’s development.
The awards were presented at a ceremony held at Tankersley Manor, attended by representatives from clubs across the region.
Over the last two years, Thorncliffe Tennis Club has undergone a significant turnaround. Membership has nearly doubled, facilities have been improved, and new programmes have been introduced to increase participation across all ages and abilities.
The club has placed a strong focus on accessibility and community engagement, delivering initiatives such as disability tennis sessions, school partnerships with 13 local schools, and free weekly tennis sessions open to the public. The introduction of pickleball has also helped attract new players to the site.
Chair Karen Lyon said:
“This recognition means a huge amount to everyone involved in the club. What we’ve achieved in a short space of time has only been possible because of the support from our members, volunteers and partners. We’re building something really special here for the community.”
The club is continuing its development, with plans to reopen additional courts, expand coaching programmes, and further improve facilities to meet growing demand. With a large catchment area and increasing participation, Thorncliffe is positioning itself as a key hub for tennis and inclusive sport in North Sheffield.
in a high-scoring contest, battling back strongly after a slow start. Big hitting from Matthew Dobson and Jack Power helped spark a remarkable 17-run inning, but despite their efforts, Sheffield were narrowly edged out 28-27.
The second game saw a determined response. Carrying momentum from the opener, Sheffield matched Halton inning for inning in a tightly fought contest. Key contributions from Alan Bowers, Scott Lingrell and Will Harris kept the scoreboard ticking, before clutch hitting from Adam Walker and Ben Green in extra innings helped secure a hard-fought 15-12 victory.
With one win and one defeat to start the season, the Bladerunners have already shown their resilience and attacking firepower, laying down an early marker ahead of their next fixtures against the Manchester Cavaliers
MARATHON SUCCESS AND CHAMPIONSHIP RACING
At the adidas Manchester Marathon, the club produced a series of excellent performances in one of the UK’s largest races. Alan Nutton led the way with an impressive 2-5524, finishing 751st overall, while Will Hoyland also broke the three-hour barrier with a fine 2-57-15.
Chloe Worth led the Penistone women with 3-48-51, taking four minutes off her previous best in a superb run. There were a number of notable personal achievements across the field. Rory O’Sullivan completed his first marathon in 3-54-23, while Chris Baldwin recorded his fastest marathon to date.
Carl Matthewman produced his second quickest marathon performance with 4-50-46, and Heather Graham also enjoyed her fastest outing over the distance, finishing in 5-08-23. Gareth Irvine showed great determination to finish in 3-35-49, while Stefan Butler-Gillen also ran strongly with 3-52-55.
The Dronfield 10K, which also marked the opening race in the Penistone Footpath Runners road championship, saw an excellent turnout on a tough, hilly course. Flynn Rogers led the way with an outstanding run to finish fifth overall in 36-29, while also taking first place in the under18 category.
James Mumford continued his consistent form with 3814 to finish thirteenth, and Martin Ball was close behind in 39-13, placing highly in the over50 category. There was good depth throughout the field, with Alexander Melhuish running 41-40 and Shaun Swallow clocking 44-10 in the over50 category. Robin Clough (47-26) and Michael Walsh (47-44) were closely matched, while John Howsham recorded 48-34 in the over60 category. Ray Brown completed the course in 1-11-01 in the over70 category, while Bill Phillips and Keith Gordon also featured in the same age group.
Penistone’s women were also well represented, with Olivia Clough leading the group in 58-07. Barbara Haigh produced another strong run to place highly in the over70 category with 1-03-37, while Ruth Albaya Melhuish (104-19), Kim Rogers (1-04-21) and Amber Stenton (1-0442) all finished close together.
Penistone Footpath Runners were also well represented at the second race of the South Yorkshire Road League, held at Ingbirchworth in breezy conditions with occasional showers. Flynn Rogers again led the team home with a strong run to finish 27th in 29-34, followed closely by Sean Pitt in 29-44 and James Mumford in 30-19. Ash-
ley Firth (30-28) and George Parr (31-03) added further strength to the team performance.
Rob Lees (32-20) and Daniel Rushforth (32-54) were next to finish, while Suzanne McGill led the women’s team with an excellent 33-38 to take first place in the over45 category. Jade Crosby (34-45) and Josie Smith (34-56) also ran well, with Ian Neville (34-46) taking top spot in the over60 category.
Further strong performances came from Lee Storey (3358), Robin Clough (38-50), Nick Pepper (39-17), Shaun Swallow (40-33) and Paul Fryers (40-51), while Fay Nicholls (41-25) and Jill Scrivens (41-45) impressed in the women’s categories. Barbara Haigh claimed first place in the over75 category and Ray Brown topped the over85 category.
Further afield, Robert Davies represented Penistone Footpath Runners at the ABP Newport Marathon, producing an excellent run of 3-26-52 to finish 769th overall and eighth in the men’s over60 category, marking his third fastest marathon to date.
Saturday’s parkruns saw another excellent turnout from Penistone Footpath Runners, with 81 members taking part across 18 venues in warm and sunny conditions.
Jade Crosby was first female at Penistone in 20-45, while Richard Heppenstall stormed to overall victory at the same event in a personal best 17-52.
Sean Pitt and Ashley Firth also featured prominently near the front, while George Parr and Ryan Duckett both secured category wins.
James Fryers added another victory at Jesmond Dene in 18-11. Suzanne McGill finished second female at Penistone, while Richard Cottam took second place at Beacon Hill.
At Barnsley, Ian Neville (first over60) and Phil Hinchliffe (first over55) led the way, with Alan Knox (first over70), Sue Hall (first over65) and Danny Batty (first over80) all securing category wins. Milestones were also celebrated, with Jane Cockerton completing her 350th parkrun at Hillsborough, Matthew Coldwell reaching the same landmark at Sherwood Pines, and Martyn Cartwright recording his 200th parkrun at Penistone.
The highest age-graded performance of the weekend came from Julia Johnson with an outstanding 89.94%, followed by Richard Heppenstall (84.61%), Suzanne McGill (78.27%), Ian Neville (75.51%) and Rob Lees (75.02%).
TIGERS BEATEN IN CUP
Sheffield Tigers lost 49-41 at home to current holders Leicester Lions in the Premiership Knockout Cup.
Following a previous rout, the Tigers hoped to progress to the Final but must now beat the Lions away next Thursday (April 23, 7.30pm) after the Owlerton slip-up.
Leicester took an early 5-1 in Heat Two before Sheffield, led by Chris Holder and Josh Pickering, levelled the scores with two successive 4-2s. Dan Thompson then put the Tigers ahead with a 4-2 in Heat Five.
However, the Lions immediately struck back with a 4-2, highlight-
ed by a scintillating Jack Holder ride. Further 4-2s in Heats Seven and Nine restored Leicester’s four-point lead, despite Anders Rowe winning Heat Eight. Four straight 3-3s followed, which included another superb passing move from Jack Holder. Leicester sealed the win with a race to spare thanks to a 5-1 from former Tigers Kyle Howarth and Drew Kemp, ultimately leaving the gap at eight points after Jack Holder’s third win of the contest.
Tigers boss Simon Stead admitted they were beaten by the better team in only their second home meeting, acknowledging the team’s rustiness and excessive last places. He stressed the need for more track time to improve performances and promised the Tigers would “come out swinging” next week, having accepted they weren’t good enough against Leicester. PREMIERSHIP KO CUP (NORTH).
SHEFFIELD 41: Jack Holder 12+1, Chris Holder 10, Josh Pickering 9, Anders Rowe 5+1, Jye Etheridge 2+1, Leon Flint 2, Luke Killeen 1.
LEICESTER 49: Ryan Douglas 9, Kyle Howarth 8+2, Drew Kemp 8+1, Dan Thompson 8, Nick Morris 6+1, Joe Thompson 5+2, Sam Masters 5.
MARATHON MADNESS
Marathons and team-based madness for Stocksbridge Running Club this week, with the second iteration of the South Yorkshire Road league taking place on Wednesday in Ingbirchworth, and Manchester marathon happening on Sunday.
The Ingbirchworth group took on a route with some serious elevation in the first half, before being treated to a swooping downhill second portion of the race. James Oldham managed to set a new club record in the M60 for the 5 mile category - no small feat given the undulations on this testing run. Nick Boxall.powered over the line in 36:29, Nick Wright came in in an impressive
38:56, James Oldham swiftly followed in 40:43, and Nicola Spencer rounded things off beautifully in 48:36.
Sunday saw Rachel Vernon hit the pavements of Manchester in her continued journey from injury recovery, joining some 42000 other runners as they completed the popular 26.2 mile course. Coming in in an impressive 4:02:30, Rachel continues to go from strength to strength as she has ultra distances within her sight once more.
SRC continues to welcome new members on a Monday night for their club runs, where two groups tackle 10km and 8km routes local to the area.
Local Sport
Strideout smashes Marathon with PB
ere were plenty of local runners taking on the Manchester Marathon this year. Katherine Harris completed the iconic 26.2mile race in impressive style, securing a personal best on her marathon debut.
Club members have been quick to praise her achievement, rec-
ognising the physical and mental e ort required. Adding to the accomplishment, Katherine raised funds for Dea lind UK.
A spokesperson for Stocksbridge Strideout said the club is “super proud” of Katherine’s e orts.
TOP FOUR IN SIGHT
Pomona 3 - 0 Dronfield Town
Pomona FC strengthened their push for a topfour nish with an assured 3–0 victory over Dron eld Town at the Jubilee.
e home side controlled large periods of the contest, but despite their rst-half dominance, Pomona were repeatedly denied by a lack of precision.
Pomona continued to press and came close before the interval. Simon Yeadon delivered a cross into the box for Stephen Logan, whose e ort across goal missed the target.
e second half saw Pomona continue to apply pressure. eir well-organised defence, marshalled superbly by captain and man of the match Mark Tyler, ensured that Dron eld’s attacking e orts were quickly neutralised and frequently turned into counter-attacks.
e deadlock broke in the 64th minute when a ricochet fell to Yeadon, who drove into the area and nished con dently one-on-one. Pomona doubled their lead two minutes later, with Andy ompson both starting and nishing a well-worked move a er a goalmouth scramble. e victory was sealed ten minutes from time when Robert Gandy converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Pete Hoult, making it 3–0.
Pomona’s next match is in two weeks, hosting Oughtibridge War Memorial at the Jubilee on Saturday 2nd May.
HARRIERS HOST GLOBAL PARKRUN BATON
High Green Harriers gathered at Concord Park on Saturday for their usual weekly parkrun – but this time with an international twist.
Runners were joined by a travelling “boomerang”, a symbolic baton that began its journey in Australia and has since been making its way around the world, stopping o at parkruns along the way.
Concord was selected as the latest handover point, with the Harriers welcoming the unique visitor
before passing it on to Karl, who will now take it further south to continue its global journey.
e initiative has become a talking point across the parkrun community, linking runners from di erent countries through a shared love of the weekly event.
For High Green Harriers, it added an extra layer of occasion to their regular Saturday run, highlighting the strong sense of community that extends far beyond the local course.
LAST-GASP BURNS KICK SEALS RUNNERS-UP SPOT
HESSLE 28 - 29 STOCKSBRIDGE
Stocksbridge Rugby produced a dramatic late turnaround to clinch a runners-up nish in Counties 4 Yorkshire South with a thrilling 29-28 victory away at Hessle RUFC. Played in rare sunshine under the Humber Bridge, Head Coach Aaron Kaye named a strong side, with Jono Burns at full-back and a powerful bench ready to make an impact.
It was the hosts who made the brighter start, dominating possession and territory as Stocksbridge struggled to clear their lines. Early pressure told as Hessle opened up a two-score lead, while Stocksbridge were dealt a blow when Ricky ‘Rooney’ James was forced o with a shoulder injury, replaced by Mikey ‘Vegas’ Hartley.
e visitors eventually got on the board through a Scotty Bowskill penalty a er Josh
Kerr was tackled high, but Hessle continued to dictate the rst half, adding another try and a penalty to lead 20-3 at the break.
Stocksbridge responded immediately a er the restart. Harrison ‘ e Storm’ Norman sparked the comeback, latching onto a loose ball and racing 50 metres to score. Burns added the extras to cut the de cit and shi momentum.
Despite Hessle extending their lead once more, Stocksbridge refused to fold. Norman struck again with a moment of brilliance, chasing his own grubber kick to score under the posts, with Burns converting to keep the visitors within touching distance.
As belief grew, the Stocksbridge pack began to dominate. Jack ‘Unit’ James and Dodsworth led the charge, while skipper Andy
‘Clock Tower’ Beal powered over from close range following neat work by Frith to bring the game back to life.
With time running out, Stocksbridge pressed deep into Hessle territory. A crucial scrum provided the platform, and Sam ‘Slammin’ Sam’ Whitaker crashed over for a last-play try to leave just a single point between the sides.
Up stepped Burns, who held his nerve to slot the decisive conversion and complete a remarkable comeback, sealing both the victory and a bonus point.
e full-back was later named Victoria Motors Man of the Match for his all-round display and match-winning contribution from the tee.
Speaking a er the game, Head Coach Aaron Kaye said: “We knew we could win this game, even when we were three scores adri . It was about convincing the lads, and they responded brilliantly in the second half and played right to the nal whistle.”
e result con rms Stocksbridge as league runners-up following Withernsea’s withdrawal. ey will round o their campaign at home to champions Maltby RUFC at Coal Pit Lane, with a 3pm kick-o and free entry for supporters.
O the eld, the club’s end-of-season awards night is set for May 8 at the Manchester Road clubhouse, with tickets priced at £10. e annual AGM will follow on Sunday, May 10 at 2pm.
RELEGATION CONFIRMED
STOCKSBRIDGE PARK STEELS 0-0 ILKESTON TOWN
Steels Ladies edge title rivals
Stocksbridge Park Steels 1-0 Staveley Miners Welfare
the season nearing its climax, it was a
ley Miners Welfare Ladies in a crucial top-ofthe-table clash.
Staveley arrived boasting a near-perfect record, unbeaten with just a single draw, while the Steels had also impressed with only one draw and one defeat to their name.
It didn’t take long for the contest to spark into life. Just seven minutes in, the Steels made the breakthrough. Leah Kerr delivered a dangerous corner which found an unmarked Jenna McGee, who powered a header home to give the hosts a dream start.
Following the early goal, the game settled into a tense mid eld battle. Both sides showed discipline and organisation, limiting clearcut opportunities as strong defensive displays took centre stage. e Steels carried their 1-0 advantage into the break.
Staveley came out with intent in the second half and nearly levelled early on, breaking down the le before testing the Steels’ defence. However, goalkeeper Chelsea Perrett produced an excellent low save to her right to preserve the lead.
e remainder of the match followed a similar pattern to the rst half, with both teams competing ercely but struggling to create chances in the nal third.
A er ve minutes of added time, the referee brought proceedings to a close, con rming a hard-fought victory for the home side.
e result keeps the Steel Ladies at the top of the table with just three games remaining,
By Andrew McMath
A er a long hard fought season, Stocksbridge Park Steels took the ght for survival in the Northern Premier League to the penultimate match of the season.
Symbolic of the Steels’ stubborness in their ght against relegation back to Step 4, relegation was con rmed a er a goalless draw against Ilkeston Town.
Ilkeston Town boss Ian Deakin praised the Steels: “You’ve got to give them credit because regardless of the situation. ey are probably epitomised by their number two when Robbie’s gone through on goal.
“ eir player has shown the desire to get back and stop the shot and block the cross. Credit must go to them. [Bracken Moor] has always been a di cult place to come but it probably shows you in terms of the league how tough it is. Credit to them, they’re ghting for their ga er and he should be proud of them and it’s disappointing to see them go down.”
A er the match the Steels sit on 36 points, six behind Whitby Town and safety. Under Jordan Lemon and previous manager Ian Richards, the Steels have won eight league matches, drawn 12 and lost 19.
is record kept them in the ght in a very congested bottom end of the table. Prescot Cables and Morpeth Town, 19th and 20th respectfully are just three points above 21st placed Steels.
e main blemish on the Steels record is their goal di erence, the worst in the division. As a result of scoring the second least amount of goals (38) and conceding the most of any side in the division (63).
e Steels will be looking to end the season with pride. As they make the trip to Lancaster City on Saturday with the nal match of the season kicking o at 3pm.
VICTORY FOR STOCKSBRIDGE
Stocksbridge 1st XI 89 all out (Jack Mur n 23, James Tevendale 16) Barnsley Woolley Miners 3rd XI 44 all out (Josh Stevens 7-20, Jake Vickers 3-23)
Stocksbridge’s con dence soared as opening bowler Josh Stevens dismantled Barnsley WM’s innings, taking two wickets in the rst three deliveries. Wickets tumbled, leaving the visitors struggling at 29-4, all falling to Stevens.
Stevens completed a fantastic 5-wicket haul, removing danger man Shillito via a brilliant diving catch by Joe Hibbert at gully. Jake Vickers claimed his rst wicket, and Stevens returned to remarkably secure his 7th, again supported by a brilliant diving catch from Hibbert, leaving the score 42-8. Vickers completed the rout with two more wickets, bowling Barnsley WM out for just 44.
Stevens was the undisputed star with outstanding gures of 7-20 from 12 overs, securing the Green Army the points.
Stocksbridge 2nd XI - 252-4 (J Hague 71, L Grayson 57, D Sedgwick 54*) Wombwell Main 2nd XI - 74 all out (J Taylor 4-24, C Lowe 3-19)
Stocksbridge 2nd XI started their season with a dominant 178-run victory over Wombwell Main 2nd XI. Stocksbridge amassed 252-4 after Wombwell elected to eld.
Half-centuries from openers Hague (71) and Liam Grayson (57) set the foundation, before David Sedgwick blasted an unbeaten 54 o 24 balls. In response, Wombwell Main collapsed to 74 all out. Joe Taylor (4-24) and Chris Lowe (3-19) tore through the top order, reducing Wombwell to 13-7, securing a resounding win for Stocksbridge.
With
big night under the lights at Bracken Moor as Stocksbridge Park Steels Ladies hosted Stave-
PHOTO BY MYRA LITTLE
PHOTO BY PETE REVITT