Burngreave Messenger

Business For Burngreave!

John Barber, Chamber od Commerce, addresses the Burngreave Business Seminar The recent BCAF Employment and Training conference and the New Deal for Communities business seminar signal the addition of the business community to the growing local partnership being formed to plan for the ten year regeneration of Burngreave. The BCAF conference produced a vision of Burngreave with opportunities for all members of the community to participate in growing prosperity. The seminar developed ideas for Spital Hill to become a thriving, multi-cultural, trading area that would draw people to Burngreave.

Richard Caborn, Sheffield Central MP,emphasising the Goverments commitment to achieving responsive flexibility of budget in its support of local regeneration.

Workshops at the conference produced a vision of Burngreave where wide ranges of work opportunities are available to all local people. Improved support and information, from the earliest training and work experience, to childcare and mentoring are needed to release the potential of the communities vast range of diverse talents.

Local jobs for local people
'Keep punching at us' Richard Caborn MP described the growing confidence in Sheffield with new jobs and lower unemployment, but acknowledged that Burngreave faced unique challenges and opportunities if it is to benefit. While praising the achievements of projects like the Furnival he outlined a range of tools government was making available to help the 'bottom up' development of a virtuous economic circle. The partnership of community, government and business, utilising the diversity of skills and experience in Burngreave, could create local jobs for local people and a thriving community in which people lived, worked and played.

The success of these meetings looks likely to lead to the formation of a Business Forum, which will elect a member of the Partnership Board. To join the mailing list contact Chris Birks - 2728008. The partnership has the opportunity to bring large resources to the regeneration of Burngreave and faces huge challenges in providing a New Deal for all members of the Burngreave community. The engagement of the business community brings fresh ideas and perspectives, especially in the vital task of generating employment and prosperity.
Mark Lankshear

Craig for Prime Minister?
Did you make a telephone vote for Big Brother? Millions of people did. Did you vote in the last European election or Local Council election? Millions of people didn't.

As part of Burngreave New Deal for Communities the community needs to find a way of deciding who represents the community on the partnership board. The only fair and open way of doing this seems to be to have an election. But there is a problem here.

Many of us in our community have lost faith in elections. Fewer and fewer people in Burngreave vote in Council elections. Many people don't vote in any elections. Many people stopped registering to vote because of the Poll Tax. Some have said that the petrol blockade of the oil refineries came about because people no longer have faith in the democratic system.

If we want community representatives that truly represent the whole community, we need to build confidence in a system of voting. And it won't be easy. But if we fail then we can't complain if we end up with someone like Craig from Big Brother as Prime Minister.

Voting in the New Deal Area
From the start BCAF representatives on the New Deal Board have argued that the whole of Burngreave should be in the New Deal area. The Government and the City Council have said the area can only include around 4000 houses. Community reps. have managed to include a couple of hundred houses around Margate Drive and Pinfold Lane, but that is as far as they will go.

A community activist from Bristol asked us the other day what the Government would do if we said they could stuff their money if we couldn't include the whole of Burngreave. The truth is probably that after some embarrassment the Government would have chosen another area.

Making an electoral register
It has been proposed that anyone aged 15 or over will be allowed to vote. The Electoral reform society will oversee the putting together of an electoral register. This may use the Council electoral register but many people are not on this and will have to be added.

It will be up to you whether you want to be on the register, but names and addresses will not be used for any other purpose.

Neighbourhood Representatives
It is proposed that each of 5 neighbourhoods in the New Deal area will vote for a representative. To represent a neighbourhood you have to live in that neighbourhood.

New Deal representatives to be on BCAF Co-ordinating Committee
It is proposed that Community Reps. on the New Deal Partnership will automatically be on the Burngreave Community Action Forum Co-ordinating Committee. The idea of this is to give support to community reps on the partnership board and make sure that BCAF and the New Deal partnership are both working together for the people of Burngreave.

It will also ensure that people from estates like Woodside, Ellesmere and Carwood are represented in BCAF decisions and help BCAF to better represent people from the area.
Ian Clifford

Team leaders and a Home for New Deal

Appointments have been made for the top jobs in the New Deal for Burngreave and interviews are being held for the rest of the team. Plans are underway for them to be based at Spartan House on Carlisle Street.

Phase 2 Underway
Sparton House The New Deal for Communities Interim Partnership Board are building a team to run phase two of the New Deal for Burngreave, which lasts until March 2001. Under guidance from the partnership board the team will run a baseline study, hold elections and develop the ten year regeneration plan for phase three. If approved the phase three New Deal would bring Ł50 million pounds to Burngreave over it's lifetime and is due to start next summer.

Mr Iqbal, Diane Davies and Glen Williams Team leaders appointed
To lead the team they have appointed an Interim Co-ordinator, Diane Davies, who previously worked in Darnal's health and regeneration initiatives. Glen Williams from Sheffield Training and Enterprise Council has been chosen to organise the training and support for the new team, who will be appointed over the next month. The team will include seven community workers recruited using a groundbreaking "competency" assessment rather than relying on qualifications and previous work experience.

At a meeting with the partnership board's chairman, Mr Iqbal, Diane Davies and Glen Williams said they were excited to have the opportunity to work on the New Deal in Burngreave.

Messenger AGM
The people's messenger - getting the message accross - is holding its first Annual General Meeting on October the 11th at 6.30pm at Abbeyfield Park House.

It is here that we decide the way forward for the next six months. It is now that you too can get involved.

Whose paper is it?
The Messenger belongs to the people of Burngreave. We are suggesting that it becomes a not for profit community business. A management committee, elected from a membership open to anyone in Burngreave, would run it. If you would like to be a member, come to the AGM or send us your details.

How is it run?
The management committee meet once a month to run the Messenger. They make policy and choose groups to do things like producing the monthly Messenger. To make sure everyone gets a voice we hope other local groups will be able to find representatives who can attend these meeting, let us know if it could be you!

What's it doing?
The Messenger produces this monthly paper. The new website is up and running at www.burngreavemessenger.org.uk. We want these to develop into a source of information and communication open to all in Burngreave. The web page could develop to included notice boards, interactive events diary, and a way for people to find out about, and help form, the plans for Burngreave. If you have ideas or energy to contribute, get in touch.

Where next?
We plan to develop as a training and employment project, providing IT and media services to Burngreave. We want to provide a wide variety of support and opportunities for people to get experience of writing and IT, as well as helping everyone keep in touch.

What do you think?
There is lots to do, and lots of decisions to be made. Most importantly the Messenger needs to be owned by everyone in Burngreave, to develop and change to meet everyone's needs. Even if you can only come to a meeting once every six months come and join the membership at the AGM and help Burngreave get its voice heard.

Hit And Run Burngreave Street

" I told him to stop and he just drove away.." said the elderly lady.

According to another eyewitness the young local man had been hit and sent into the air before landing on the bonnet of the vehicle. When I arrived police were already attending the scene. It was a hit and run, I heard somebody informing an Asian lady who appeared and seemed about to erupt into screams of despair

" it was my brother..Where is he..What happened?.." An ambulance having already left the scene meant her brother was on his way to the local hospital. Word was he was okay, but that was far from the point. This was Burngreave Street junction with Burngreave Road and it could quite well have been a child. The driver of the vehicle is said to have local connection and for reasons known only to himself, refused to stop. Two hours after the incident a call was logged by a woman, claiming that prior to any hit and run the vehicle involved had been stolen?

Luckily for all the victim was a large man and he wasn't more seriously damaged.

Siyaya: From Zimbabwe To All Saints
During the last week in September staff at All Saints African-Caribbean, Education and Learning Centre Ellesmere, extended its hospitality towards our musically talented South African brethren from Zimbabwe, Yebo Yes!

It was a sad Wednesday morning and I was out just chasing another story, when I drove past a large colorful group of brethren. They had just dismounted a Mainline Bus and were jovially moving down Burngreave Road.

New drums, no batteries
The drums being carried told me they were musicians of some kind and they all seemed happy to see me. They were looking for All Saints and my first response was to point them in the right direction, before feeling compelled to ask if I could take a group photograph. Explaining who I represented they were happy to have their picture taken. Lining into a suitable pose at the mouth of Melrose Road I began to focus the camera, and that's when I realized the damn thing had no batteries. Of course there was no sense in pretending otherwise. The frozen posse stood in anticipation when my guilty smirk gave the game away.

"Hmm" Informing them tactfully of my error I offered to drive them to their destination.

Good food, mellow sounds
Arriving at All Saints, food was ready for the visitors and I left them to eat while I flustered around in search of the camera's Batteries.

As I darted off on this mission to retrieve, mellow sounds came from All Saints music studio, a catchy reggae strum being played by Leon.

I was very eager to get back and when I did the large group from Zimbabwe having consumed food, had already piled inside the studio space.

The harmony that now flowed was in preparation for their street performance in Fargate later that afternoon. I wanted to know more about this group. They called themselves Siyaya, So making the right sounds, I was introduced to Saimon Phiri, A dark skinned stern knowing man, whose mouth smiled although his intense eyes told a different story. A reminder for me that these brethren that lived life, in a continent less fortunate and much more deprived than our own.

Concious of Black Africa
Zimbabwe borders on South Africa and we're all aware of that nations plight as well as the injustice they have and still suffer from. Siyaya are and want to be recognized as a politically conscious street performance, coming out to tell the stories of that Black African struggle. Consisting of actors, drummers and singing musicians, this group has been together touring and performing since 1998, explained Saimon.

"We came here back in 98." he continued rather sadly. "It was the first time we'd performed in this city."

Saimon explained that on that first appearance they'd been laughed at. "You see Robert. It's different when people laugh with you, we all know the difference. They were laughing at us, and I stopped the performance. I felt his hurt and gritted my teeth as he continued to explain why he felt the first performance here , was received in such a hurtful and degrading way.

"In our country they still educate our children on Postman Pat. In this country they've never taught the truth about black history. How could we expect an audience to understand? And for many faces in that audience, we are part of their history. But they just laughed at us Robert."

Having completed a performance at Fargate in which I was unable to attend, I'd earlier arranged to meet Saimon that evening. Thankfully members of our African-Caribbean community leadership had accommodated having split into two groups all members of Siyaya. We sat in the kitchen of the house were Saimon was preparing food for himself and other group members.

" Since that day Robert. Since we went home, we've always wanted to return here and do something with our people, ya' know what I mean?"
" Err yeah I guess I do. So you'll be doing a show at All Saints?"

Coming events
" No, but what we hope to do is record in the studio before we go. Our next show is Manchester. Then we go to London, Bristol and Glastonbury. Our final show will be here on the 8th of October at the Lyceum Theater here in Sheffield. Then we go to Germany"

Respect to the sponsors
That was a lot of venues and my next question related to how Siyaya was financed and or sponsored to be here. Saimon paid respect to his sponsors who all helped in any way they could. His list included All Saints, SADACCA, Ace and the City Council who are all supporting their visit.

Realizing I was in the company of a man, although younger than me was much older in his experience of suffering and deprivation; I thanked Saimon for allowing me the time to interview him. For him talking so forthright, on some serious issues afflicting our nation in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

" Next times we come here Robert." Saimon added before I left, " our act may tell the story of a disease, that is wiping out our nation in its millions.

Burngreave Cemetery and Chapel

At a recent meeting it was suggested that the Chapel could be made into an arts centre with one side as an adaptable hall. Several local groups have expressed support for this. It is hoped development of the Chapel could run parallel to investment in the Pitsmoor Adventure Playground.

Other suggestions included; a centre for education about the cemetery, a soft play area for children and climbing wall, workshops in bicycle repair, and music tuition. There was a general consensus that people wanted the building in use so that it should be preserved and looked after.

The building is currently infested with pigeons and rats and there is some structural damage. It is a listed building and the council, as the owners, are obliged to maintain its structure. Ann Allen, the area co-ordinator, has offered to approach the council on these matters.

The next meeting will be at Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, on Monday 16th October at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome. If you are unable to attend or you don't like meetings you can write to me c/o the Messenger.
Lisa Swift

Burngreave Football
Attempting To Make A Mark In The City

People talk of the football talent many of our dispossessed youth posses and now someone is about to do something about it.

When I went to seek out the source of this fundamental project I found myself inside Verdon St Recreation Centre situated almost opposite the famous Furnival Cafe.

The man I'd come to speak to was 26-year-old Leroy Betts who began to enlighten me on this creative initiative him and members of Burngreave Sports Steering Group have taken on.

Winners of the multicultural tournament held as Hillsborough football club this summer At the rear of Verdon street recreation center is a large half-fenced-off football field that many years ago has been in need of repair due to neglect. Leroy Betts went on to to explain that the plan had been laid, along with the kids, to turn the playing field into a centre of football for boys and girls of all ages in the area.

Leroy explained that some international volunteers had come to Burngreave on a millennium initiative to knock down a building on Verdon Street. This plan was cancelled and left international volunteers with nothing to do. "So we initiated them to work with our kids on the playing field instead," said Leroy, " As well as that our team won the Multicultural tournament held at Hillsborough football club this summer, "

Leroy also went onto mention the links and interest in our talented youths that's been forged between Burngreave Sports Steering Group, Sheffield United and England football coaches.

All roads lead to Verdan Street recreation center, undoubtedly a call to all young talented footballers. B. S.S. G. about to put Burngreave football on the map.
This is Rob Smith reporting news not just views, for the paper that matters to the Burngreave, Woodside, Carwood, Pyebank, Firs Hill and Shirecliffe, communities.

FOSTERING: IT COULD BE FOR YOU!
Sheffield Family Placement Services are looking for enthusiastic families and individuals that have space, time and energy care for local children who for a variety of reasons cannot live with their own families.

The children come from all ethnic backgrounds and need carers that reflect their heritage. They can be any age but we have a growing number of children between the ages of 7-14 years that need long-term foster carers. Many of the young people have experienced traumatic childhoods, and therefore need a great deal of support, tolerance and understanding within the foster home.

All foster carers receive a maintenance allowance to care for these children, and some may receive additional payments when they offer more specialised care.

Foster carers come from all walks of life and there are no set rules about who can foster. All applicants must be fully assessed by Family Placement Services and health / police checks are routinely carried out. We do have to disqualify applicants who have any convictions against children for obvious reasons.

Fostering is a difficult task in many ways, but Sheffield has many foster carers who have cared for over ten years, some have been around much longer than that! They all agree that the rewards of seeing young people grow old and develop outweigh the problems that can occur. Helping a child to learn to play, to become confident and happy, to fit into everyday activities..... These are some of the positives that carers will quote. They also say you don't have to be crazy to foster, but it helps!

There is an ongoing shortage of carers in Sheffield, particularly from the black and Asian communities and we would very much like to address this issue. We are also keen to recruit long-term carers for sibling groups and older children.

If you would like to discuss fostering and all it entails please ring the recruitment team a Castle Market Buildings on 273 5075 between 8.45am and 5.15pm weekdays. Alternatively you can call into our offices on Floor 2 of Castle Markets to discuss the issues with our Duty worker.
Viv Howarth, Family Placement Services

New Deal Early Win Money for Community Groups and Projects
Under phase 2 of Burngreave New Deal for Communities the Government has provided around Ł200 000 to be spent by March 16th next year. The money needs to be spent on things which will make people feel New Deal for Communities will make a difference to their lives. The money needs to make a visible change to the quality of life of people in the area. If possible the money should be used for "capacity building" in the area. This means helping groups and the community to be in a position to benefit from the funding opportunities there will be in years to come.

Small Grants fund
Grants of Ł500 available to community groups. In some cases up to Ł1000 may be available. Does your group need some equipment, training or resources to help it run better.

Your group needs to have a bank account with 2 signatories and you will need to say what are the rules of your group.

For application from and further details, please write to:
Small grants, Burngreave New Deal for Communities, c/o Sheffield First, Old Town Hall, Sheffield, S1 2HH.

There is Ł25 000 available in the Small Grants fund. Applications must be submitted by 31st October 2000.

Capacity Building Fund
Grants of Ł5000 available to community Groups. In some cases up to Ł10 000 may be available.

The idea of this fund is to help groups develop so that they can contribute to New Deal for Communities in the future and take advantage of funding opportunities.

Does your group need a part time worker? Or some training for members? Or computer equipment? Your group needs to be properly constituted to handle this amount of money, but support may be given to support new groups to do this.

For application from and further details, please write to:
Capacity Building Grants, Burngreave New Deal for Communities, c/o Sheffield First, Old Town Hall, Sheffield, S1 2HH.

Visible Projects
The Burngreave New Deal Partnership has decided to commission a number of projects based on what people said they wanted at New Deal Roadshows. The idea of these projects is that they make a visible improvement to the quality of life of people in the area, including the many people who aren't involved in existing community groups. If possible, the project should help build the capacity of the community. This might be through refurbishing a meeting room. The process of getting people together to decide how to spend the money and apply for the grant will help build capacity in itself.

Projects will be commissioned under the following categories: