Issue one

WELCOME | Marching for Justice | New Push For Civil Rights | National Civil Rights Movement | New jobs for Burngreave | Iqbal Interview | Meet Your Local Councilor | Somali Education Breakthrough Project | Green City Action | Urban Sustainability Center | Abbeyfield Park Multicultural Festival | Local Cricket talent | Mashruuca Waxbarashada Sommaalida | New Traffic Lights Demanded!

Marching for Justice
200 march on Police HQ to demonstrate support for Anthony Green.

As he rode home a car followed him knocked him down causing him serious injuries. A shocking incident - but even more shocking when you learn that the two men in the car are plain clothes police men. Anthony Green is black. Disturbingly, the police classified it as a road traffic accident.

On Saturday 5th June, starting from Bressingham Close, 200 local people marched to police headquarters as part of the Anthony Green Campaign. The event was organized by a steering group supported by the National Civil Rights Movement (NCRM) formed in the wake of the Stephen Lawrence Affair.

Led by Anthony Green himself, still on crutches after two months, the demonstrators filed beneath the Wicker Arches chanting for justice. The march ended in the courtyard beneath Police HQ. Mike Mc Clogan, Burngreave resident and solicitor for Anthony Green, focused on the police definition of the incident as a road traffic accident and suggested that attempted murder be more appropriate.

Residents agreed it was inspiring to see the issue of justice uniting local people. Following sniggering and pointing from uninformed officers on the roof of the HQ, and sightings of them spitting on the crowd, another marcher added,'I can't believe the police would do that, but they did. They continue to demonstrate the need for a change in their attitude. There are too many recent incidents of unprofessional behavior for respect. We hope they will listen to us and adjust their behavior and attitude to one befitting those who uphold justice. '

When presented with the petition the police refused to come and collect it.

Drew Dallen

WELCOME

Welcome to our first edition of the new community newspaper for Burngreave. We hope you enjoy it! And that it will be the first of many. Lots of different people have contributed their time and we would like to thank them all - particularly the Furnival, Sheaf training, BCAF and the Community Team.

Everyone involved in the Burngreave Messenger is determined that it should both be the property of local people and reflect theirs views.

The paper is run entirely on voluntary effort and any extra help would be more than welcome - We need contributions from people on Burngreave: Letters, articles, What's on, events, suggestions for features and comments on the issue. Please send articles.

New Push For Civil Rights

After being knocked off his bike by two unknown men, Anthony tried to run away. The ran straight over him, shattering his right thigh and hospitalising him for six days.

The incident is not an isolated one, but a stark example of the day to day racism dished out by the police in the area of Sheffield. We hope local people will show support for Anthony and his family against racism and for justice. For more information, contact Support for Anthony Green via e-mail:justiceag@aol.com

Levi Ferguson

National Civil Rights Movement

NCRM is a nationwide network of individual people of all walks of life. Our aim and objective is to challenge the discriminatory criminal justice system and institutional racism of all forms. Various meetings have been held in the wake of Anthony's accident, through Ruggie Johnson, and the NRCM.

Members of the public who wish to get more information on the NCRM or the Justice for Anthony Green can contact them via the Burngreave Messenger.

New jobs for Burngreave

Burngreave Community Action Forum, along with Darnall and Tinsley, are to take part in a new scheme to create 50 lobs in the Intermediate Labour Market. This "ILM" is a form of work placement for a year, on a living wage (average £160 per week, depending on circumstances). It will be available for people in the 3 wards who are 25 and over and who have not worked for at least a year. Half of the places will be available to people eligible for the "New Deal" and half will be for anybody, whether claimant or not. The money will come form Burngreave, Darnall and Tinsley Forum's involvement in the "single regeneration budget" (Government money for improving areas such as ours).

Muhammad Iqbal, Chair of Burngreave Community Action Forum, said "It will be open for people who are returnees to the jobs market, refugees and others who need to get work experience with local community and voluntary groups, active in the community. I think it will give hope for people in out area who have found major barriers to gaining work. It is a real opportunity for groups doing valuable work in the environment, childcare, health and other local activity."

Meet Your Local Councilor

Whatever way that you voted in the local elections your local Councilors are here to serve you. If you have any problems with them come along and see them Saturday Morning between 11am and noon at Burngreave library, Spital hill.

Somali Education Breakthrough Project

This is new project which will support and work with The Somali parents and their children. Therefore, if you are a parent or a guardian and need help or want to know more about the following things get in touch with us:

  • British Education System and the different legislation's
  • Problems with the school age children and support
  • The new home school agreement
  • How to contact schools
  • How to get interpretation and translation services
  • any physcological problem
    Contact the project coordinator Ismail Yussuf 0114 276 6818.

 

Iqbal Interview

The Messenger sent bout it's intrepid reporter Mike Bentley, to interview Mr Iqbal, Chair of the Burngreave Community Action Forum, to find out more about what the Forum's been up to and what Mr Iqbal's hopes and plans for the future are.

The forum was set up in 1997, it's for the people of Burngreave- they are the members. The need was to set up a body to get people together to do something about the area.

The first General meeting was held at the Verdon street recreation center, the Lord Mayor was invited to launch the Forum. The very first thing I remember was opening the conference and my closing comments were that we are as equally knowledgeable and nice people as other residents in Sheffield so why should we be classed as second class citizens in Burngreave?

The Forum should be set up as one voice, the unified voice of Burngreave.

We have over 400 members from every section of the community. The original momentum I think was wonderful. This is the second year and much of the work has been left to the Co-cordinating Committee. Every quarter we have a public meeting, the last meeting was attended by over 60 people.

The regeneration group has been responsibility of coming up with the strategy on very big tasks. We set up 5 teams of 10 people to interview groups and explain to them about the process and listen to what they want to see happen themselves.

We want to embrace all groups in Burngreave. We have groups who work for the Forum and other groups who are affiliated, they have a degree of independence on decision making, but we still draw on their skills.

I am personally committed to this organization which enables people to put things back into the community and fell they're making a positive contribution and have the confidence to follow things through. The whole community of Burngreave is made up of many different people I've lived here for over 20 years. I think a lot of young people live here. I have met people who are negative about the area, but personally I feel people are pleasant and want to contribute.

Green City Action

A vibrant, exciting community organisation offering many benefits to local people.

We live in an area where resources can be difficult to get hold of, due mainly to a lack of money. We have found that it is possible to share equipment around the whole community. So as our resources are open to everyone - regardless of income - it's FREE to join Green City Action.

At present we offer our members FREE loan of household tools such as electric drills, sanders, jigsaws and spirit levels. FREE loan of decorating tools: wallpaper strippers, heat gun and step ladders. FREE loan of gardening tools: lawn mowers, hedge trimmers and spades. Free loan of books foe leisure and education and some sports equipment. And FREE loan of of toys.

If you would like to donate any of these, in good condition, we would be pleased to take them. Our share and exchange scheme helps reduce waste and enables people to use tools that they might not otherwise afford.

Our toy library in Abbeyfield House with a membership of over 72 families using the large stock of educational and fun toys and games. There is a safe and welcome meeting place for parents and children.

Our commitment to gardening to encourage exercise and healthy eating extends to offering FREE vegetable and flower seeds. New members and volunteers are always welcome.

Finally, Green City Action has just launched a book called, RESOURCES GO ROUND, if you are interested in any of these services, Lee Furness can be found at Abbeyfield Park House, Abbeyfield Park, Sheffield, S4 7AT.

Local Cricket talent
To the Editor, "Burngreave Messenger" Sports Section....

I am a well known local cricketer and coach. Cricket has long been a past-time for young men from the Afro-Caribbean community in Sheffield.

Since 1973, the Sheffield Caribbean cricket club has been competing in the local leagues and beyond. Traveling all over the country we have played competions such as the Clive Lloyd Trophy and the Jamaican Cup. The local leagues we have played include Norton and district league, the Sheffield league and the Mid week alliance. We have applied to get in the ridings league every year and have been refused on petty grounds, such as the grass not been cut short enough and so on.

The Caribbean cricket club has also cared for and nurtured young talent in the local area by forming a partnership with local schools to bring youngsters into the game. Youngsters form the area have played in Sheffield Junior League at under 13, under 15 and under 17 level for the last 10 years with good support from Fir Vale School. Over the past years we have done exceedingly well, winning the league and representing South Yorkshire in the County play offs.

Two of our young players, Bjorn Taylor and Ifticar Afzal, set a new record for the Sheffield Junior league by sharing an unbroken 237- run partnership. Taylor 137 not out, Afzal 100 not out both have played for Yorkshire School boys.

The boys have also traveled to Headingley indoor cricket school during the winter to play in Yorkshire Schools Club indoor competition, and have reached the quarter finals. There is a wealth of talent locally. Some good young players would like to succeed and go no to play for their county and country. The system knows they are there but bypasses them. We never see the sports development officers from the recreation department or the county cricket development officer.

Our local boys are the best throughout the city, of that I have no doubt. We have played against the bigger clubs like Sheffield United CC and Sheffield Collegiate CC and have been triumphant on several occasions. Sheffield Collegiate has never beaten Caribbean Juniors in the Parkhead cricket week. Caribbean play every Saturday at the Ecclesfield common. Supporters are always welcome.

My dream and aspiration is to see one of these talented youngsters playing for county and country.

Steve Taylor - Cricket coach, Fir Vale School

New Traffic Lights Demanded!

After many accidents on the junction of Barnsley road, Scott road and Firshill avenue, local people and Councilor Jackie Field are petitioning the council to improve this junction by providing traffic lights linked to pedestrian crossings.

Local resident, Linda Jones says, "After seeing many 'near misses' and accidents on this spot almost every day something needs to be done now before someone gets killed".

The scheme was included in a list of traffic safety requests presented to Mr Kevin Platt, Council Road Safety Officer. Councilor Field is collecting signatures on a petition to the council. If you would like to sign the petition, please ring Jackie on 0114 243 5388.

Urban Sustainability Center

The Center has evolved from several years of experience in the back streets of Burngreave. Brambles Resource Center has been part of a housing cooperative and active community. It promotes the ideas of alternative living and technologies, organic farming and most activities associated with ecology and "sustainable living". They are part of an informal alternative community network which includes, Local Enterprise and Trading scheme (L.E.T.S.), Mutual Aid, Credit Union and other co-ops. However, this development is to increase public access and build on their city wide reputation by moving the resource out of their living space and into the center of our community.

Brambles Resources Center are developing this Urban Sustainability Center primarily for the people of Burngreave but it will be of use to the wider city. They believe it will develop as a center of information. Knowledge and experience that will contribute to the regeneration and bring visitors. Their ideas support Alternative/Complementary Therapies; Healthy Gardening; Healthy Eating; and Healthy Environment; Education for Health, and Resource center. It is being proposed as part of the Spital Hill development plans.

Brambles want to involve as many people in order to create a sustainable future for us all. They wish to discuss their ideas with any other providers of "Healthy Living Services" in order to coordinate the development of Burngreave regeneration, but above all they want to involve more local people and hear your ideas. For further details contact the Peasants Collective, c/o Brambles.

Abbeyfield Park Multicultural Festival

...Promises to be the event of the year for the family. Sunday July 11th 1999, 2pm - 10pm...

Yes!!!!!!!! It is happening. The Multicultural Festival has been organised by Green City Action and enthusiastic members of the local community many who are involved in such organisations as the Sikh Temple and SADACA. There is so much enthusiasm among local people and it is also attracting attention from people form outside our community. It will be a great time for us all to get together and celebrate the rich diversity of our community. It will also be time for us all to feel really good about the area where we live as others from outside of the area can enjoy the spectrum of our life here in Burngreave.

The festival is FREE entry to everyone and will have FREE mobility access scooters for people with physical disabilities. There will be stalls selling foods originating from around the globe such as Chilean empenadas, African and Caribbean foods such as Juroku chicken and fried dumplings, Chinese spring rolls, Yemeni bread, Asian foods such as samosas and bhajis plus a vegan stall and a range of tasty cakes. Whilst sampling the delights of all the foods you may like to wander around the craft stalls, selling locally made goods such as glass painted items, handmade textile goods, plus stalls selling Arabic, Chinese and Malaysian crafts. If you fancy a time to relax you can be henna painted or face painted and enjoy the experience of Indian neck and head message.

Children will love the festival with plenty to get involved with such as paper 'Yurt' making with the 'Scrap' store with loads of materials and paints to make whatever you dream to do. The park rangers will also be there to make kites and bird boxes. Circus performers will be on walkabout to enliven the crowds and amaze and delight the children. Professional DJ's will keep the whole show moving with music from around the globe to tap our foot to and let your hair down to. Local performers will be there to entertain you with the music from local bands, Irish dancing, plus singing from the 'Imotep (Saturday) School' and poetry form the 'Black Butterflies'.

The winner of the competition to design a poster for the festival is Hafsa Ahmed, aged 10 from Pye Bank Junior School. We look forward to seeing you there.

For more information contact Panni Loh at Green City Action Sheffield 0114 244 0353.

Mashruuca Waxbarashada Sommaalida

Waxaa dadweynaha Soomaaliyeed la socodsiinayaa in uu jiro mashruuc lagu caawinayo caruuta dugsiyada dhigata iyo waalidiintooda. Haddaba haddii aad tahay waalid ama qof mas'uul caruur ka ah, oo aad jeceshahay inaad wax ka ogaatid waxyaabahan hoos ku qoran ama qaar ka mid ah nala soo xidhiidh:

  • Nidaamka waxbarasho ee dalkan igiriiska soo baxa ee ku saabsan heshiiska dhex mari doona waalidiinta iyo dugsiyada
  • Dhibaatada haysata caruuta Soomaaliyeed ee dugsiyasda dhigata iyo siyaabaha loo caawin karo
  • Waxyaabaha loo qaban karo caruurta dugsiyada laga eryo iyo sharciyada la xidhiidha
  • Sidii aad u heli lahayd cid kaaga turjunta daugsiga kuuna akhrida waraaqaha dugsisa laga soo diro
  • Sidii caruurta looga caawin lahaa imtixaannda iyo shaqada guriga loogu soo diro.

Waxyaabahn kor ku qoran iyo qaar kale tiro badanba waan kaa caawinyaa ee nala soo xidhiidh. Isuduwaha mashruuca waxbarashada Ismaaciil Ducaale Yuusuf 0114 276 6818.
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