WHAT'S ON: Bawtry

NEW YORK NEW MAN: Luke Walker, former owner of Bawtry Health and Fitness Studio, now Bawtry Gym, is back working at Rotherham Utd’s New York stadium as a sports therapist. Maltby-born Luke, a former head boy at Maltby Comprehensive School, gained a degree in Sports Science at Teesside University and went on to be awarded a Diploma in Remedial Massage at the Northern Institute in Bury along with a Diploma in Sports Therapy from the Society of Sports Therapists in Glasgow. It was in 2003 that Luke took on the role of club masseur with Rotherham Utd. He left the club after the opportunity arose to manage his own business and took over at the Church Walk gym where he was in charge for a number of years. While managing the venue he become a supervisor and exercise therapist at Rotherham Institute for Obesity (RIO) based in The Health Village, Doncaster Gate. He is combining his work at RIO with his role at Rotherham Utd. His next big match supporting the club is tomorrow when The Millers take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

TOUR WELCOME: Residents had the opportunity to become involved in welcoming the Tour de Yorkshire to Bawtry when a public planning meeting was held recently in the Hogarth Suite at The Crown Hotel. Among the subjects discussed was the closure on the day of the Market Hill pay and display car park and the possible use of the New Hall from noon for recreational purposes. It was agreed that the owners of Hudson’s Yard, Doncaster Road be contacted regarding the possible use of their car park for the afternoon and that the town’s Memorial Sports Ground also be used to stage some sort of event. It is understood that DMBC will undertake a street cleaning exercise from under the Station Road railway bridge into Bawtry and that there will be no cost to Bawtry Town Council.

MORE RESIDENTS: Bawtry Residents Group has attracted new members that have taken on official roles and joined the committee. Officials now include chairman Doug Cartwright, vice chairman Edwin Marrison, group secretary Margaret Byrne, press secretary Valerie Williams, treasurer Gilbert Budgen along with committee members Joan Beck, Rachael Blake, Becky Brightmore, Patrick Carroll, John Linsley, David Kirkham and George Scott. At their latest meeting residents heard that it is understood Bawtry Motor Auctions, which has been based in the town for many years, could move to Rotherham later this year. This potential shift may mean that their existing site could be used for other purposes. In the past when the motor auctions were scheduled to be moving out of the town the location between Top Street and High Street was granted planning permission for the building of a supermarket.

FUN AND GAMES: The first of what could be a regular Games Night was held at Bawtry Community Library on March 1. The event was organised by library volunteers 6-8pm. Admission £1.

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN: Bawtry Residents Group (BRG) continues to work towards the production of a Neighbourhood Plan for Bawtry. The group held a public consultation meeting at which members of the community had the chance to have their say on the future of the town. BRG asked townsfolk to complete a questionnaire. Residents completed 120 forms and BRG will assess the answers.

FACTORY CHANGE: Both Bawtry Town Council (BTC) and Bawtry Residents Group (BRG) are aware of the potential plans to use the empty 1960s factory that was a bottling plant and agricultural grain store that lies adjacent to Tickhill Road as a car park. The factory was up for sale and eventually purchased by local businessman Jason Cooper, managing director of Bawtry Hall Property Ltd that owns Bawtry Hall and Firbeck Hall in Firbeck. The local estate agent that was selling the factory, which covers an area of 30,900 sq ft, described it as being a one acre development site with main road frontage that included a Grade II-listed barn set within the town’s conservation area that will be suitable for a variety of uses including potentially residential, retail, leisure of a mixed use scheme subject to planning and other consents. It is understood that BTC and BRG, along with individual residents, are concerned about the potential use as a car park for up to 150 vehicles and are urging DMBC to address the car parking problems that already exist in the area before giving change of use planning permission for the site.

COUNCIL MEETS: Mayor of Bawtry Cllr Alexander Young chairs the meeting of Bawtry Town Council on March 8 7pm in the New Hall, Station Road. Members of the public are invited to have their say in the 15-minute open session.