Write to us at Abbeyfield Park House, Abbeyfield Rd, S4 7AT email: burngreavem@hotmail.com by September 14th. We may need to edit them for space, but we try to use any letters we recieve.

Dear Messenger,
I was involved in New Deal Road Shows. Government guidelines insisted on community consultation and I proposed using some of our money and person power to create Residents' Associations where none exist. This way all residents could have personable access through people they know and live with. The powers that be could then genuinely consult all local people. We would then have a network of communication covering Burngreave.

I have read documents referring to "Burngreave Communities", but by accepting our identity as multiple and dealing with the partisan groups and organisations we continue to exclude and neglect the majority of residents and perpetuate the divisions of ethnicity, religion and class. If we are not seen as one community we do not have the power of unity to stand for our rights. If we accept this definition of community we will continue to feel powerless against the institutions that have caused our problems.

The real problems are not being addressed and the real people are not being respected. New Deal may have listened but it hasn't heeded. If local people are going to be genuinely consulted, the best way of involving them in the process is by empowering them in their everyday lives and bringing them together in the streets where they live. This way the structure will serve to provide true representation from the bottom up.
Yours Sincerely,
Drew Dallen

Dear Sir/Madam ,
We have only received the Messenger for the last 2 issues. However, I was very glad to have a vehicle in which to complain about the litter in various places. My complaint about litter in entrances and hedges on Burngreave Road seems to have been heard. The only problem areas are around bus stops, and there is still a dire need for more litter bins.

I still have a real gripe regarding the litter from Clun Street up by Ellesmere Park - again no bins!

Dark Alleys

The council have assured me that there are plans to remove the large bushes beside the alley leading from Maxwell St, along the side of the school, and down to Ellesmere Road. As things stand, the only way down to the shops after dark is either through the park, or down that alley, and neither route appeals to me.

It would be wonderful if the hedges were removed and litter disposed of. I do believe that we have a right to access to public transport and shops when the weather changes, without fear of being mugged. After all, most evening classes begin in the autumn!
Yours faithfully,
J. Burke.

P.S. The Furnival is a real problem venue for those of us with mobility problems.

Dear Burngreave Messenger
Last month one of our bowling ladies had her bag snatched at Abbeyfield Park while she was watching a bowling match. The man, who was white, ran off at top speed. While another bowler gave chase there was no chance of catching him. He did, however, drop the lady's bowling woods but escaped with her purse. Needless to say, the lady bowler, who is an OAP was extremely distressed. Fortunately, a man was later apprehended by the police and the lady's purse and money returned. This is how bad it as at Abbeyfield Park for our bowlers. There are vandals digging up the green, winos who don't make the scenery very pleasant and thieves who are mainly drug addicts. The footballers have already taken over the bottom green which is now just fit for cows to graze on.

Fence to Protect Green

The Council say there is no money, but talk about self management. This would be a good idea, but we desperately need a fence to protect the green, which is our match green. Abbeyfield Park should also have fully paid permanent security officers to patrol day and night.

There are about 30 members of the Abbeyfield bowling club, which was one of the founder members of the league. Some of the most determined members are the 12 or so ladies. If nothing is done to protect us and the green we may not have a bowling team next year.
Yours sincerely
David Camplin
Abbeyfield Bowling Club

I have just received this month's messenger and read the letter from Derrick Harrop. Does this person actually know what we responsible dog-walkers do for the "jewel of Northern Sheffield"?

The majority of us clear up after our pets, we report vandalism, joy riders, dumped rubbish and burnt out cars. When we can we try to educate other dog walkers and local youths on how to use the cemetery properly. One dog walker even collects the discarded needles from drug users who use the cemetery for their activities. If it wasn't for people like us this 'jewel' would soon become a very tarnished one!!!
Richard Hamilton

Dog walkers do not use the cemetery to joyride and set fire to cars; to buy and sell drugs; to access houses for burglary; to overturn and set fire to rubbish bins or to push greavestones over and break branches off the beautiful trees.

The Council initiative to provide dog bins at both gates should work well, but there will always be people who refuse to comply, even if dogs were banned. One benefit none theless is that at least these people are not walking their dogs in parks where children play.
Guy Richardson