In the ward

Woodhouse West End Club Refurb

We have just had confirmation that work to replace the carpet at Woodhouse West End Bowls Club will start on 26 January.

It will be good to get the only all-weather bowls club in South Yorkshire running again. We also got a written agreement that when a site in another ward that includes a former bowling green is redeveloped for housing, we can get a repayment of most of our local contribution to use for other projects in Woodhouse and Handsworth.

Your Councillors at Community Events

Volunteers and staff from Woodhouse Community Hub and Woodhouse Forum put on two excellent family friendly events, the October half-term Pumpkin Patch and the Christmas Market. We were delighted to come, and to help out where we could. Our candidate for next year, Danny Allesbrook, did some magic shows – hope you were able to come! 

These events also supported “Putting the Heart Back in Woodhouse” – getting more people’s views, signing up volunteers and signposting people to useful support. This is a partnership between the Local Area Committee, the Forum and Councillors.

Danny also went to the Christmas Fair at St. Mary’s, and met members of the Sapphire McCarthy Campaign fundraising for future work to save S13 greenbelt. Contact them via Facebook if you would like one of their beautiful calendars.

Victoria Road Allotments

Plot holders and the allotment team have worked hard to identify priorities and get plots cleared and back in use. Locking the gate so that only disabled plot holders can get a vehicle on site has helped to stop fly tipping. The next step is to get the track repaired, and Mick has negotiated with Amey to supply spare material to fill the pot-holes.

Youth Clubs

After a slow start in the summer, the new youth club at Handsworth is now running well. It’s on every Monday 6-8pm at Handsworth Methodist Church, for young people from school years 7 to 12.

Tithe Barn Gym

We haven’t been able to help the gym get a new base, so we were really happy when we contacted them again to find out that the Methodist Church is supporting the gym to stay in the hall, saving another local asset.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB)

There are some areas affected by an increase in ASB. Your Councillors are working with housing officers and the Police to resolve it. Part of this is repeat damage of communal doors, which is frightening for residents and wastes money. The trial of initially more expensive but more secure communal doors continues to go well. We are hoping these doors can be fitted in other areas and will let you know progress.

Please contact us if there is a problem with nuisance or frightening behaviour in your area, we can pass on details for you if you are worried about being identified. You can also report without giving your details through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you are happy to share contact details you can use South Yorkshire Police’s updated website:

Report | South Yorkshire Police

https://www.southyorkshire.police.uk/ro/report/

Ward Pot

We were pleased to be invited to a celebration of Woodhouse Boxing Club’s renovations, after contributing to the cost of new equipment. Volunteers have helped paint, replace flooring and tile the toilet. The club is looking great and is very well used, supporting young people to box, coach, get fit, have fun and make friends. And the food was excellent!

Other support:

• Woodhouse Prize Band – new storage
• Badger Fun Day – with funds left for another fun day in the Spring
• The Scouts – to improve the garden at the back of their hall
• The Hub – books for a competition
• Woodhouse Community Playgroup – small garden tools and seeds
• Christmas Lights for Woodhouse village center

In the Town Hall

Over 1,200 people shared ideas on how the council should update the way it offers council homes for rent. We will let you know the main changes as these are worked out.

I (Cllr Alison) sit on the Housing Committee. I was delighted that we got cross-party agreement for pilots to put solar panels on different types of council home, funded in different ways. I’ve spoken to residents in Severnside, who are saying the new external wall insulation means they can keep their homes properly warm with the heating on three or four hours instead of all day. Solar panels will mean more improvements to people’s homes.

These trials will tell us what works best to cut bills, cut carbon and improve people’s health, and the best value ways to do the work needed. This will mean the council can make a good business case to work with private firms to do more homes, as they have done in Greater Manchester. It will also mean we can put in new applications for larger grants. Work starts in January, we will keep you updated.

Have a happy and peaceful Christmas and the very best for 2026!

If Christmas isn’t a festival you keep, then we wish you a restful holiday with family and friends.

Best wishes, Alison and Mick

This site is not monitored regularly. If you have any urgent requests or anything to report around Woodhouse and Handsworth, please contact your councillors via email below, or leave a voicemail. Thank you!

mick.rooney@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk Tel: 0114 2392698

Alison.norris@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk Tel: 07584 596399