Winter 2003

Bradway Action Group - Take a break

Bradway Action Group

Over 60 Bradway residents filled the Bradway Annexe for the inaugural General Meeting of the Bradway Action Group (or BAG) on Tuesday evening September 30th 2003. Councillor Keith Hill took the chair for the first part of the evening, and with the help of Mike Waters, steered the meeting through the necessary administrative task of ratifying the group’s constitution. This somewhat lengthy task then led on to the election of a chairman and officers for the new group.

Dorothy Astle of Ox Close Avenue, a long-time resident in Bradway, was duly elected as the first chairman having been involved in community matters since she came to Bradway over 30 years ago. She has worked with a variety of groups in the area, notably organising opposition to applications to build on the local green belt, the opening and clearing of ancient footpaths and rights of way, as well as working with women’s groups and church activities.

Other officers elected were :-

Deputy Chairman : Ruth Darrall

Secretary : John Pritchett

Treasurer : Graham King

Membership Secretary : Stephen George

Committee Members : Gill Wainman, Tony Smith, Fiona Vallely, Alan Kewley, Peter Stubbs and Alysoun Dungworth.

After the election Mrs Astle briefly reviewed some of the activities of the Bradway Action Group over the last two months:

• 12 people took part in a litter pick over the August Bank holiday weekend, covering the recreation field and the footpath between Bradway Drive and Kenwell Avenue.
• A new litter bin has been placed on the footpath at the Kenwell Drive end of the footpath.
• A new notice board has been placed on the wall between the Bank and the Chemist’s shop on Twentywell Lane. The board will be used by the Group and by Sheffield Council’s South West Area Panel.
• The Group has written to The Council expressing opposition to the plans to build a block of five storey flats on Twentywell Lane.

Future Plans for the group include:

• Bulb planting (1,500 Bulbs donated by The Council)
• More seats in the area
• Regular litter picks and the general tidiness and improvement of the area.
• Other suggestions included Tony Smith’s call for the redefining of footpaths and rights of way in the area, and the possible creation of a type of "village green" and seating area next to The Annexe.

It is envisaged that the Group will remain politically unaligned, and, rather than adopting a confrontational approach would aim to work co-operatively with The Council and its officials.

Under "Any Other Business" the meeting discussed Sheffield City Council’s Education Committee proposals for the redefinition of Meadowhead School’s catchment area. This could mean that some pupils from Bradway and Lowedges, at the age of 11 plus, would no longer attend Meadowhead, but Abbeydale Grange. The meeting decided to back the efforts of parents of Sir Harold Jackson School and write a letter of protest to the Education Committee, and by making a presentation to the Council of our objections to the proposal. Individuals were also encouraged to write letters of protest.

Since this inaugural meeting the committee have met, and future plans have been discussed. David Wrottesley was co-opted onto the committee. Individual committee members were assigned specific tasks. These included: -

Monitoring footpaths, traffic and transport issues, policing, liaison with schools and playgroups, and planning matters. Each person will report any developments back to the committee at the next meeting.

A bulb planting was held on the morning of Thursday 23rd October, with the children of the Sir Harold Jackson School assisting. Snowdrops and crocus were planted at the end of Bradway Drive. The following week the remaining bulbs were planted on the grass verges, on the main road near the fire station

The chairman and committee would like to thank all those who attended the inaugural meeting on September 30th. They would like as many Bradway residents as possible to become involved in the group. Any ideas or suggestions for improving the area or the community as a whole can be sent to :

Dorothy Astle : 236 6134 or

John Pritchett : 235 3319 or any committee member.

Please watch the notice board at Twentywell Lane for details of any new activities, and for the date of the next open meeting of Bradway Action Group (BAG), which will be held in January 2004.

Alysoun Dungworth

Bradway Action Group

Take a break

Having only visited France a couple of times, when a friend asked if I would like to spend a few days in Hon Fleur I jumped at the chance.

Fiona had purchased a spacious 2 bedroom apartment near the wonderful harbour in Hon Fleur the year before and this would be a fabulous opportunity for us to spend some quality time together relaxing with a couple of glasses of vin rouge to say the least!

We travelled by car to the Eurotunnel ready for our journey to Calais. From Calais it was a longer drive than I had anticipated, but once on our way the roads were easy and trouble free – with only the odd toll to worry about.

Although it seemed a mammoth drive, once we arrived I was pleasantly surprised by the quaint town and forgot all about the time it took us. With every amenity close by, the lovely harbour atmosphere and fabulous French way, I could see why Fiona had fallen in love with the place.

For the next few days we meandered around the avenues and alleyways taking in the lovely French architecture, sampling from many a market stall, dunking croissants in our café crème and generally relaxing as we watched the world go by – bliss!

At night the harbour came alight with the restaurants and cafes turning into be-jewelled sparkling grottos, with twinkling fairy lights to tempt you inside. The food was magnificent - I tried everything from spectacular seafood specialities to more-ish deserts to die for – with so much choice I would have to return.

As with many of my adventures, there is always a trauma – on this occasion our enfant terrible was to be the weather. With Hon Fleur lying so close to Britain it was inevitable that some of our damp and wet weather would join us – and with deep regret it did.

Not dampening our spirits and with umbrellas aloft we made the most of every opportunity, even venturing to nearby towns to try and flee the English temperament – alas, to no avail. This can only prove that I am the jinx and the villain of the piece every time – who would think France in July, would be wet??

Lindsay Allen, Coop Travel, Bradway

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