WHAT'S ON: Tickhill

FLAMING CHALLENGE: The heat was on for residents on February 5 when they undertook a walk barefoot on hot coals during a charity event at The Oak pub. The evening raised money for the Little Heroes Cancer Trust/Kids With Cancer charity and saw many of the regulars rising to the flaming challenge. Among those seeing if their skin was thick enough on the night was landlady Michelle Needham and her husband Wes, president of Tickhill and District Lions Club Steve Radford and his club colleague Bryan Winslow along with a host of other well-known members of the community who were financially sponsored to undertake the potential blister-making conquer the coals walk.

LIVE AT HOME: Townsfolk over 60 are eligible to attend the Doncaster Communities Live at Home Scheme sessions every Wednesday in the Methodist Church. Previously known as Tickhill Pop-In Centre the service helps reduce isolation and promote independence and helps residents to socialise and interact with one another. The friendship group meets at the Northgate venue 10.30am-3.30pm and new members are welcome. Volunteer drivers and friendship assistants are needed. Information about Doncaster Live at Home Scheme can be obtained by telephoning 01302 769898 or emailing [email protected].

NEW PROGRAMME: Members of Tickhill and District Footpath Group have published their latest programme of walks through to September. The group continues to monitor the state of all of the footpaths throughout the parish of Tickhill to ensure they are maintained in good condition. It publicises their location and sees that they are correctly signposted and waymarked. The weekly walks of up to two-and-a-half hours take place on Sunday afternoon or Monday evening. Members have an opportunity to join in a number of social events and walking away coach trips throughout the year. The group holds it committee meetings on the first Thursday of every month in the Methodist Church 7.30pm. Contact chairman Brian Stevens 01302 745533.

BUSY ROOM: Janice Burkinshaw, secretary of the Parish Room, says that the historic Grade II-listed 13th century black and white fronted building with its new high technology and modern kitchen facilities is being well patronised. Slimmers, french speakers, keep-fit enthusiasts and yoga students, ukulele players, coffee and soup drinkers and quiz addicts are among the regular users of the Northgate facility. Contact Janice 07840 419763 to hire the building. www.tickhillparishroom.co.uk.

RINGING A BELL: The town’s handbell ringing team has commenced its new season practise sessions. The squad, under the leadership of St Mary’s Parish Church organist and choirmaster John Marsden, meet at his 27 Sunderland Street home 5.15pm after the Sunday Evensong Service that starts in church 4pm.

HISTORY UNEARTHED: Tickhill and District History Society has got together with The Portable Antiquities Scheme to publish its Occasional Paper number 20. The publication is entitled Finding Antiquities in Tickhill and describes historic artefacts, many of which have been unearthed by metal detector enthusiasts. The publication is available from the KSM/Card Gallery, Westgate £2.

INVISIBLE WOMAN: Town resident Hazel Horrigan talks to the Tickhill branch of the Mother’s Union at its meeting in St Luke’s Chapel at St Mary’s Parish Church on February 9. Her talk is entitled Invisible Women in Church?

ASH WEDNESDAY: Vicar of Tickhill Rev Chris Betson leads the annual Tickhill Churches Together Ash Wednesday service 7.30pm in St Mary’s Parish Church.

OLD TOWN: Malcolm Barnsdale is guest speaker at the meeting of Tickhill and Bawtry Probus Club on February 11 where he will talk about Old Doncaster. Meet in the upstairs conference room at the Millstone Hotel, Westgate 10am.

WRITERS SPEAK: Members of Tickhill Writers Group will be guests at Tickhill Methodist Ladies’ Fellowship’s meeting on February 11. The writers group will give a presentation of members’ poetry and prose in the Northgate chapel 7.30pm.

CHOIR IN CONCERT: The ladies of the Tickhill branch of the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association have invited Tickhill Male Voice Choir to their meeting on February 11 7.30pm in the Methodist Schoolroom, Northgate.

BISHOP TO VISIT: Bishop of Sheffield Rt Rev Steven Croft is visiting Tickhill on April 7 when he will lead the Deanery Confirmation Service at St Mary’s Parish Church. Anyone interested in being confirmed should speak to the vicar of Tickhill Rev Chris Betson.