Ravenfield Parish Council

Ravenfield Rubbish Rascals held a community litter pick on Saturday 30 March. We collected 31 bags of rubbish dropped around the village.

Thrybergh Lane is becoming a regular dumping ground. If you feel you could help by collecting litter on the lane, please contact Jill Jesson on 01709 851585, or just take a carrier bag any time you go for a walk there and see what you can remove. Thank you 

On Saturday 6 April a new group of volunteers set about tidying up the area around Ravenfield Crossroads. They weeded the gutters, cleared the car-parks at the Cavalier and the surgery, tidied up the area in front of the shops and dug over as much of the main flowerbed as they could manage in two hours. Many thanks to John with his trailer who collected all the debris, and to H Jones & Son, of Lidget Lane for enabling  him to recycle it safely on their land. 

One of Ravenfield’s more elderly residents, Mrs. Betty Mountford, was born in Thrybergh, but has lived in Ravenfield since 1951 with her husband Bill. Together they spent much of their time walking or riding a tandem bike, camping, staying in bed & breakfasts  or touring in their campervan all over the British Isles. They enjoyed adventures in Europe as well, all planned and executed without mobile phones, satellite navigation or online booking facilities!

Sadly, Bill passed away three years ago but Betty was determined to make the best of it and with the help of good friends and plenty of personal courage she has become actively involved with a number of local groups including the Ravenfield Events Group, the Indoor Bowls Club and the Bramley Townswomen’s Guild.

In 2017 Betty reached 90 years old and, decided she would like to celebrate by walking up Pen-y-ghent, one of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks. This trip was organised by another Betty, the landlady of the Cavalier. It was decided to ask people to sponsor Betty Mountford to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

 

Twelve of Betty’s friends accompanied her on the ascent.

The climb to Pen-y-ghent, started and finished in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, a walk of six and a half miles with a vertical rise of 555 yards. The weather was superb and Betty showed steely determination with goat-like climbing ability in scrambling up and over the rock escarpments. Others were more nervous of the obstacles, but all finally succeeded. Betty arrived to much applause and cheers before being lifted up and plonked on top of the trig point for photos and absolute proof of her achievement! Well done that lady! Her efforts raised £850 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

                                                         Michael Higgs

In May The Events Group was entertained by singer Paul Anthony in the ‘Rat Pack’ style which all present enjoyed. We received an apologetic and grateful letter from the organisation. 

Here are some of the Events group members enjoying a dance.

The Events Group enjoyed a trip to Llandudno. 

The views were amazing.

We all enoyjed our trip to the sea-side

 

The Events Group enjoyed their cream tea in the parish hall.

The Community Speed Watch was launched on Thursday 4th August. Our Police Community Support Officer, Steve Inglis showed volunteers how to use a police speed gun to record excessive speeding at several locations in the village. A number of offenders were recorded and received letters from the police to help make them aware of their actions. The project is on-going and may involve work with children from the Primary Academy. New anti-speeding signs have been painted on the road in Old Ravenfield

The conservation work in the parks has included clearing and widening paths, making the steps safer and building stone sides to the bridge at the end of the reservoirs at the north end of the park,. A small wild-life pond and new habitats have been created on the western side of the ponds at Sweet Spring. The park now has its own pair of volunteer litter-pickers. Please help them by taking your rubbish home and even picking up any litter that you see. 

Wild-flowers, indiginous to the area, will be re-introduced. More seats will be added for those who wish to sit and admire the new vista created. 

2016 saw the formation of a new branch of the WI in Ravenfield.  Tasting French cheeses and wines; making sweets, jams and chutneys for Ravenfield Gala; decorating Easter eggs and tote bags; jazzing up jam jars; designing badges and logos; visiting Renishaw Hall and Rotherham Town Hall, learning about self-defence, aromatherapy and photography are a few things that the newly formed WI has done this year as well as socialising.

Ladies have competed in decorating cakes; creating something chocolaty; creating book marks; arranging flowers in egg cups; designing edible necklaces; taking photographs; making Christmas decorations.

Our WI crafters group meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the Parish Hall – 7.00-9.00pm – crocheting; knitting; sewing; and card making are some of the crafts that take place. Non WI members are welcome – the cost is £2 to cover costs. As Ravenfield WI grows, more groups will be formed and more events taking place.

We have 80 WI members, not just from Ravenfield, and many new friendships have been made. We meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Parish Hall. You could come as a guest @ £5.00 to see if it suits you - and you will be made very welcome. Membership is up for renewal in January (£39 a year). Although we have a small waiting list, there may be vacancies. For more information about our WI or to add your name to our waiting list please contact Sue Finch (secretary) at ravenfieldwi@outlook.com