February 1998

The proposed closure of our local fire station seems likely to go through. Following the upgrading of Dronfield fire station, coverage from here of N.E.Derbyshire is no longer needed, leading to closure of our local and the Ringinglow fire station and the proposed building of a new S.W. Sheffield station in the Archer Road area. What will eventually happen to the site is anyone's guess at this stage.
Modern farming methods are blamed in a recent Peak Park survey for the increasing disappearance of flower and herb-rich hay meadows, even in some conservation areas. Over 75% of meadows have deteriorated or been lost over the last ten years.
A video tracing the history of the cutlery industry on its 700th anniversary, has been produced by members of the Sheffield Cine and Video club. Significant events have been dramatised against appropriate local backdrops, including Abbeydale Hamlet. The club can be contacted on 236 1267.

The Post Office have installed new grey boxes throughout the area, with the intention of taking some of the weight of our (junk) mail, off of the feet of our hard worked postmen & women. Mail will be delivered to these by van in advance and then picked up in the middle of a round.

Seen at the end of January, a grey/green parakeet on rooftops at the top end of Twentywell Road.
A pioneering scheme in which visitors help fund footpath repairs has now arrived in the Peak District. Holiday makers staying in accommodation booked through Peak Cottages will be asked to donate £1 per booking, matched by 50p from the holiday firm, which will go towards the cost of a National Trust footpath worker.

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society offers advice about the care of hedgehogs and on helping them survive the winter. It also encourages children to value and respect wildlife, supplying information and giving lectures. To find out more about their work just send a SAE to them at Knowbury House, Shropshire, SY8 3LQ.

Enjoy writing? Then you might like to join the Abbeydale Writers, who meet at 7pm on Tuesdays at the United Reformed Church Hall on Totley Brook Road. They adopt a relaxed approach drawing on writings from within the group, whether embryo novels, poems or short stories, under the guidance of a professional tutor. More details from Peter Winnall on 236 7351.
Don't store valuable items such as mountain bicycles of fishing tackle in garden sheds or outhouses, as theft from these is increasing. Garden tools and ladders are also a handy aid to the burglar.

May 1998

The British Video Association, reckons we rented 162 million videos in 1997 and spent £1.3 billion on renting and buying them. Independence Day topped the sales list, no doubt to be chased this year by Sheffield's own Full Monty.
Quitline has received more than 34,000 calls from people seeking advice on giving up smoking since its launch in November 1995. Run by the charity QUIT and funded by the Health Education Authority, it can be reached on a freephone 0800 002200.

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