January is often a time to recover from the Christmas period (or countdown to next December!) and that is the case in our communities who worked none stop to being Christmas cheer and support through the festive season.
Here is a bit of a news report on some of the amazing things that happened across Doncaster by fantastic, dedicated groups and people:
Edlington
There has been tones of fun and generous events happening in Edlington thought out December! Aspiring2, ECO, Edlington Hilltop and the Town Council all worked to make Edlington a magical time during the festive period from holding decoration workshops, to Christmas carols, to a lunches!
Aspiring2, ECO and Hilltop have all been a part of the reverse advent calendar! They invited community members to drop in small gifts to share to those less fortunate during this time of year. The reverse calendar demonstrated how generous members of the Edlington community are!
ECO held a range of lunches with Tea with Santa for families as well as Christmas dinner for 50+ who may otherwise may have not had a Christmas lunch with anyone, combating social isolation. They also held their annual Christmas Market with a special visit from Santa!
Things were getting crafty at Edlington hilltop where they held a range of sessions such as the Crafty Christmas Club, Wreath Making Workshop, and Christmas pottery painting and also held a Festive photo shoot for children Craft Owl Christmas. These showed community members savvy ways to make their own festive decor at a small cost!
As well as continuing with their regular sessions and hard work, Aspiring2 had card and gift boxes making with Rotherham Social Days Ltd as well as making handmade candles with Craft Owl Christmas at Edlington hilltop.
Edlington Town council held the spectacular ‘Carols in the Park’ which was supported by Armthorpe Elmfield Brass Band and had performances by pupils attending from both Hilltop and Victoria Academies.
Throughout December, there were tones of festive and community spirit buzzing around Edlington!
Denaby
Conisbrough and Denaby Family Hub once again went above and beyond with their Winter Wonderland! They had a visit from Santa, Mrs Claus and his reindeers, and an igloo! As well as all of this, they held a fantastic Christmas Carol Concert at All saints Church!
The Family Hub had a first friend’s festive photo shoot! They also had a huge donation of gifts from Thorpe Hensley School to give to children in the community who may not have otherwise been waking up to any gifts. They also had a first friend’s festive photo shoot!
The generosity didn’t stop there! Following the recent floods impacting the community, b:Friend Denaby Social Club decided they wanted to help. They donated children’s Christmas gifts to the Family Hub to support victims! b:Friend also invited people across the borough to come and have Christmas lunch on Christmas day who otherwise would be spending the day by themselves, in partnership with AgeUK.
The community library have been making sure that every child wish comes true by sending letters to Santa! They have pit a festive twist on to their stitch and chat and Knit and Natter session as well as having a stall at the Craft Christmas Market!
The Christmas markets didn’t stop there as Harrogate Court held theirs to kick off the festive period
Bentley
Kicking off the festive season on the 13th November, North Doncaster Development Trust hosted their annual Christmas Fayre at Bullcroft Memorial Hall. The event was well attended with over 200 people enjoying browsing the 19 stalls and delicious refreshments at Bev Ridge Café. Following this on the 17th December, 50 families had a fantastic day at Bullcroft’s annual ‘Tea with Santa’ event. Everyone got the chance to meet Santa, take part in fun festive activities and tucked in to lots of yummy treats from Bev Ridge Café.
Organised by Toll Bar TARA, Toll Bar’s annual Christmas Light Switch On took place on 4th December. Inside Toll Bar Villa Gardens Communal Hall members of the TARA entertained people with a tombola, refreshments and ID Identity Dance Crew before children from Toll Bar Primary School sung carols and switched on the Christmas Tree lights.
On the 6th December the first ever Bentley Community Christmas at Bentley Park, organised by Ward members, local businesses and residents, was hugely successful. Entertainment inside the Pavilion included meeting Santa, a performance from MJ School of Dance and festive refreshments at The Pit Stop Café. Outside there was snow, Donkeys from Wonkey Donkey Visitors Centre, a raffle and the highlight of the night, the Christmas Tree light switch on followed by a performance from Bentley Community Choir. It is hoped this will now become an annual tradition for Bentley and join the Bentley Bonanza and Firework Spectacular as a regular event in Bentley’s community calendar.