RAISING THE BARTrackside with South Yorkshire’sgolden girl Jessica Ennis

‘Reverend’ JON McCLUREgives chapter and verse

ISSUE 6 • wIntEr 2009/10 • FREE COPY

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING • TOLL BAR HERO • LEE STRAffORd

£1000s wORTH Of PRIzES

pAGE 30

winter 2009/10 3

Find out more at the new eastmidlandstrains.co.uk

MORE TRAINS TO LONDONWe’re now running 2 trains every hour between Sheffi eld and London*

*Between 0500 – 1900 Monday to Saturday

Contact us:If you’d like to find out more about Go! Magazine or register your interest in receiving future issues, please email go@travelsouthyorkshire.com or write to us at the following address:Go! Magazine FREEPOST NEA3487 Sheffield S2 5ZQ

The Go! TeamEDITOR Paul Wells DESIgN William Winder COPywRITERS Juliet Shaw Rebecca Sheppard PhOTOgRAPhy Jack Eames

while the days are at their shortest and the nights are long and cold, uplifting tales of bravery and determination can go a long way to warm hearts and give us the kind of glow that will see us through the winter months.

Our cover star Jessica ennis, hotly tipped as Britain’s biggest hope in the 2012 Olympics, gives us an insight into how determination and a positive attitude can reap rewards – and gold medals (see profile, on page 10).

next up, Jon McClure, of South Yorkshire chart-toppers reverend and the Makers, proves that not all celebrities are about rockstar excess. in our exclusive feature, preaching to the converted (page 14), the reverend tells us why he is happy to be the voice of a generation and stir the youth of today into action.

Sheffield wednesday chairman Lee Strafford is more proof that hard work pays dividends. the former chief executive of internet giant Plusnet, which he built from scratch, has plans to turn Sheffield into South Yorkshire’s own Silicon Valley by encouraging a new generation of technology entrepreneurs. read all about it in Net asset on page 22.

And then there’s our Last stop, Doncaster’s very own community hero, Pat Hagan. A council neighbourhood officer, Pat went above and beyond the call of duty during the summer floods of 2007, often working 18-hour days to ensure those affected had at least a semblance of normality, in a situation that has sadly become all too familiar with people around the UK once more this winter. in Hero of the hour (page 33), he explains to Go! why his work will always be so much more than just nine-to-five.

Add to that a round-up of all the region’s events in our what’s on section (page 8), plus our Grand day out... guide to the very best of shopping in South Yorkshire (page 20), which covers everything from markets to megastores, and you have a bumper issue that will keep you busy right through to spring.

As always, make sure you take your chance to win yourself some extra Christmas presents on page 30!

Happy reading!

the Go! Team

partners:South Yorkshire Passenger Transport ExecutiveCouncils: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Sheffield City CouncilOperators: First South Yorkshire Stagecoach Yorkshire Supertram Northern Rail Arriva Yorkshire B Line Dennys Isle Coaches Powells Sheffield Community Transport South Yorkshire Motors T M Travel Tates Veolia Wilfreda

welcome

winter 2009/10 3

wELCOME winter 2009/10

4 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 5

this issue...FEATURES

14 preaching to the converted reverend and the Makers’ frontman Jon McClure gives Go! a piece of his mind!

20 Grand day out... Get your shopping shoes on – Go! takes a tour round South Yorkshire’s retail hotspots, just in time for Christmas!

22 Net asset Celebrated Owls’ chairman Lee Strafford tells us an inspiring tale of local boy come good, and how he wants to make South Yorkshire the tech capital of the UK.

26 In safe hands Go! finds out why travelling on South Yorkshire’s public transport is one of the safest ways to get around.

33 Last stop we visit toll Bar, two years on from the devastating floods, and catch up with hero, Pat Hagan, on what life is like now in the community.

Look out for our expert travel tips for the best way to get around by Bus , Train or Tram . For further travel tips call Traveline on 01709 51 51 51 or visit travelsouthyorkshire.com

REGULARS

5 News top transport stories from around the region.

8 what’s on where to go and what to do in South Yorkshire this winter.

10 profile we (try to) catch up with Sheffield treasure and Olympics hopeful, Jessica Ennis.

29 A day in the life of... Go! takes a break to find out about a day in the life of FreeBee!

30 Competition win £1000s worth of prizes!

31 Letters Give us a shout – and you could win free travel for a month!

32 Reader survey tell us what you think and you’re in with a chance to win a year’s free travel on South Yorkshire’s public transport (worth £850!)

CONTENTS winter 2009/10

10

33

29

£1000s wORTH Of PRIzES

pAGE 30

East Midlands trains, working in partnership with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) and Yorkshire Forward, has confirmed plans to introduce two trains an hour between Sheffield and London from Monday 14 December. This marks a significant improvement from the current hourly service.

The introduction of these new services means that passengers travelling between Sheffield and London will have the benefit of an additional 24 trains throughout the day, providing greater choice and helping to improve the economic competitiveness of the Sheffield City Region. With more trains available, and more seats than ever before, passengers will have much greater flexibility on when to make their trip. The substantially improved service will also benefit people travelling from Chesterfield too.

Tim Shoveller, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, explains: “We know that good connections to our Capital are a key priority for any major city, and we have been determined to improve Sheffield’s train service to London. In our last major timetable change in December

2008, we launched significantly improved journey times between Sheffield and London. And now one year on, we are proud that through genuine partnership working with SYPTE and Yorkshire Forward, we are collectively able to deliver this further major improvement for passengers.”

David Young, SYPTE’s Director of Customer Experience, said: “I am excited to welcome these new train services, which follow a number of years’ lobbying and prioritising funds to support this route as passenger numbers have increased. Despite being the country’s fourth largest city, Sheffield has lagged behind other major urban centres in having good links to London - this has held back economic growth. It is therefore vital for us to have secured an improved train service to London which will be a significant boost to the region’s economy. Sincere thanks go to Yorkshire Forward and East Midlands Trains for their help and support”.

Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward, said: “I am delighted that Yorkshire Forward funding has contributed to such a key milestone in the economic

development of Sheffield. A twice-hourly service to London, and vice-versa, means that Sheffield will now be able to compete on a level playing field with other cities in the UK.

“Until now Sheffield has been the only major English city with just an hourly service to London, so investments like this one will provide a major shot in the arm for the city, creating jobs and boosting the economy.

“As well as the obvious financial benefit of twice as many Sheffield to London passengers using Sheffield Station, we also expect to see an additional £2million to £3million pounds being generated annually in the local economy in jobs and investment.”

Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said: “I’m delighted that passengers will benefit from a more frequent service, with twice the number of trains running between Sheffield and London.

“This initiative is an excellent example of local agencies working with the train operator to improve services to meet local need.”

From Monday 14 December, East Midlands Trains will be running two trains an hour between

Sheffield and London, many also calling at Chesterfield. This means that instead of the current hourly service, an additional 11 services will run from Sheffield to St. Pancras and 13 additional services from St. Pancras to Sheffield on weekdays and Saturdays. East Midlands Trains offers some great value tickets, with prices starting at just £10 for a single ticket between Sheffield and St. Pancras.

Today’s announcement will also bring a host of other benefits for travellers from Sheffield City Region, including Chesterfield. Services between Sheffield and Leicester will increase from the existing one train an hour, to two an hour from 14 December, and services between Sheffield and Derby will increase to four per hour from the current three, making it much easier for passengers to travel to work or enjoy a trip to one of these two cities, and to help attract even more visitors to Sheffield’s many attractions.

For further information about East Midlands Trains or to book train tickets, visit eastmidlandstrains.co.uk.

newsTwo trains an hour from Sheffield to London

4 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 5

...in brief Awards success for DoncasterSouth Yorkshire Passenger transport

Executive (SYPtE) has been recognised in a prestigious national awards ceremony for its work on Doncaster’s public transport system.

SYPtE’s investment in the Frenchgate Interchange and A638 Quality Bus Corridor

has been highly commended in this year’s UK Bus Awards, which recognise success and innovation.

Despite a recording breaking number of entries, judges described the scheme as a significant investment during an economic downturn.

Travelling around Rotherham town centre just got even easier – FreeBee, the new free town centre bus, launched this autumn.

To celebrate the new service, Travel South Yorkshire teamed up with Rother FM and descended on All Saints Square to give the first rush of passengers an opportunity to win some great prizes, just in time for Christmas, including chart CDs, iPods, Nintendo games consoles, and an LCD TV.

The service runs every 12 minutes from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, and buses run around the town centre from Rotherham Interchange via Rotherham Central Rail Station, the police station, Westgate, Canklow Road, the Town Hall, Wellgate, Clifton Park and the town centre markets, then return to the Interchange before heading to Parkgate past St Ann’s Leisure Complex, and back to the Interchange.

The new FreeBee bus service is operated by Powells, and introduces the first fleet of environmentally-friendly Euro V buses to Rotherham. The launch in Rotherham follows the announcement that the hugely popular Sheffield FreeBee has recently carried its millionth passenger after launching just two years ago.

David Young, Director of Customer Experience at South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) – part of the Travel South Yorkshire partnership – said: “This is great news for Rotherham as it will give a wide range of people the chance to travel easily and for free around the town centre. FreeBee will transform the town centre offering, improving accessibility and connections for all transport users.”

Check out our feature, a day in the life of... FreeBee, on page 29!

FreeBee comes to Rotherham

6 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 7

Festive treat for Sheffield travellers Sheffield City Council and SYPtE are bringing

the people of Sheffield bus services on both Boxing Day and new Year’s Day after the success of last year’s services.

On Boxing Day buses will operate between 10am and 6pm and this year there will be 34

buses compared with 23 last year. travellers can enjoy an extended service with Meadowhall, nether Edge, Stocksbridge and wybourn being added to the areas served.

Councillor Ian Auckland, Cabinet Member for transport at Sheffield City Council said: “Last year we broke fifteen years without public

transport over the Christmas holiday period and it was a resounding success. this year we are extending that service even further to make sure the people of Sheffield can get around the city over Christmas and new Year.”

A maximum adult single fare of £1 will be charged on both days.

New buses on route 66A special celebration to launch a fleet of brand new, top-of-the-range buses costing £1.5 million for one of the area’s busiest routes has been staged in Barnsley town centre.

The Mayor of Barnsley, Councillor John Parkinson, was special guest at the Stagecoach Yorkshire event, which marked the introduction of eight new vehicles on the popular 66 route corridor.

The British built Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 low-floor double decker buses, which meet tough Euro V emissions standards, are designed to be fully accessible to elderly passengers, people with disabilities and families with young children.

The event saw one of the new buses parked in Peel Square on Wednesday, October 21, where shoppers gathered to enjoy a children’s entertainer and brass band.

The 66 route links the town centre with Worsborough,

Birdwell, Hoyland and Elsecar. Around 1.4 million passenger journeys a year are made on the route and buses run every eight minutes at peak hours and every ten at other times during the day. Each new bus is fitted with 80 seats, which will provide much needed additional capacity throughout the day.

Councillor John Parkinson said: “I am delighted to launch Stagecoach Yorkshire’s brand new fleet of buses because it is a tremendous boost for public transport in Barnsley. The company has increased the number of passengers that travel by bus throughout the borough of Barnsley and it is an incredibly efficient service.

“Now that plans to develop the town centre are underway, accessibility is vital and with this new fleet of buses, Stagecoach has provided a commitment to ensuring this is possible.”

Changing tracks with travel advicePeople and organisations across South Yorkshire are reaping the benefits of tailored advice on how to get the best out of the region’s public transport network.

Travel Advisors from South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), part of the Travel South Yorkshire partnership, have helped many individuals, community groups and organisations across the county make the most of public transport, and have even changed some long-established habits along the way.

One such success story is Freeman College in Sheffield, run by Ruskin Mill Educational Trust, which caters for students aged 16-24 with specific learning difficulties and educational needs.

Alix Hughes, Senior College Administrator at the college, said: “A number of our students have previously travelled by taxi as they were unable to travel independently. However, having a bus pass, together with a personalised travel plan, has proved invaluable, making it easier for them to go out with tutors and support workers during sessions which involve activities that support independent living skills as well as the travel itself. As a

result, some students have actually become independent travellers over the last academic year – which is a considerable achievement.”

Jamie Hartle, from Rotherham, is one of the students at the college. He said: “Before I was being ferried about by car with my parents. Now that I can travel around by myself, I feel I have much more confidence and I can go places I’ve never been before.

“Now I feel like I’m more mature - more able to do things without having to rely on others. It sounds such a simple thing, but just having a bus pass has enabled me to see my friends in Sheffield much easier, and there is no worry about not being able to find the bus fare.”

SYPTE’s Travel Manager Debbie Owen, who heads up the Travel Advice team, said: “We’re delighted for Jamie, and all the other students at Freeman College who we have helped – it just goes to show that with the right approach, and personalised advice, public transport can really unlock barriers.“For more information on travel advice call the Travel Advice team on 0114 221 1221 or visit travelsouthyorkshire.com/traveladvice

Adwick and Swinton stations have been recognised as amongst the safest in Britain in a prestigious national scheme.

Assessed on design, management, crime prevention and feedback, the stations scored highly in the Secure Stations Scheme.

The Government-backed initiative covers all rail and underground networks policed by the British Transport Police (BTP), and acknowledges stations that have worked to implement various security measures for passenger and staff reassurance.

SOUtH YOrKSHire rAiL StAtiOnS reCeiVe AwArD

6 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 7

NEwS winter 2009/10

Dec ‘09-Feb ‘10

Partying at Magna the festive season is the perfect excuse for adults to act like big kids, and at Magna Science and Adventure Centre’s ‘Eat, Bump and Groove’ party nights you can do just that. with a five course meal, dodgem fun and then dancing to a live DJ until the early hours, what more could you want throughout the month of December? 3-22 December. Visit visitmagna.co.uk or call 01709 723 118 for more information.

Bus service 69 & A1 every 20mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every hour evenings and Sundays.

Circus for Everyone at Greentop Circus Every child loves going to the circus, but why not get the family together and have a go for yourself at Greentop Circus. From juggling to stilt walking and tight wire to simply clowning around - get involved in Circus for Everyone. 12 December. Tickets are £3 for adults and £1 for kids. Call 0114 244 8828.

Bus services 45 & 46 every 15mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every 30mins evenings and Sundays.

The X Factor Live at Sheffield Arena now The X Factor has finished screening on tV, just how will you get your fix? By popping down to Barnsley town centre of course, to see them perform their favourite songs for free. 16 December. Email takepartinart@barnsley.gov.uk with any enquiries.

Bus service 69 runs every 20mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every hour evenings and Sundays.Tram yellow route runs every 10min until 6pm, then every 20mins.

He’s behind you…Over the festive season and beyond there are

pantos a plenty across South Yorkshire.

If you don’t get enough of the Ugly Sisters

in rotherham, then make your way to

Doncaster Civic Centre where Duncan

‘chase me’ norvelle is trying to keep the

gruesome twosome under control. the

show runs from 9 December to 3 January.

Tickets cost £6.50. Visit doncastercivic.

co.uk for more details.

Kicking it off from 1 December through

to January is Rotherham Civic Centre’s

Cinderella, complete with Coronation

Street’s tom Hudson. Call the box office on 01709 823 621or

01709 823 640 to book your seat.

Or how about Peter Pan? tinkerbell, Hook

and the Lost Boys will be waiting for you

at the Dearne Playhouse on Friday 18

December. Tickets cost £8 for adults

and £6 for children. Call 01709 894 128.

But if glass slippers and pumpkins aren’t

your scene, the Montgomery Theatre

may have the show for you with the wales

Methodist Panto Players’ production of Jack

and Jill. Showing on 8, 9, 15 and 16 January.

winter 2009/10 98 winter 2009/10

HiDDEn GEM #15

Perfectly Presented PresentsPerfectly Presented Presents provides a unique gift service: selling gorgeous gifts, beautifully wrapped and decorated in your choice of paper. Choose from their massive range of gifts, starting at under £10, and leave the magic to them. Moorend Lane, Silkstone Common, Barnsley; 01226 378426; perfectlypresentedpresents.co.ukBus services 21 & 24 up to 3 buses per hour Mon-Sat until 6pm; hourly evenings and Sundays.Train all services to Silkstone Common Rail Station hourly Mon-Sat; every 2hrs Sunday.

The Hairy Bikers at Sheffield City Hall the Hairy Bikers, BBC2’s culinary twosome, have travelled all over the world cooking up a storm as they went. now they are coming to Sheffield City Hall for an evening of cooking chaos outside the kitchen, with fun and laughter galore. 18 February. Visit sheffieldcityhall.co.uk to book tickets for £19.50 to see them slice, stir and serve their delicious food.

Bus all services to Sheffield city centre (Church Street/High Street).

Tram all routes (City Hall).

Edwina the Dinosaur: Doncaster Museum Edwina the Dinosaur has a problem and she needs you to solve it. this afternoon at Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery, take part in ‘Edwina and the case of the missing egg!’ by following the trail and seeing what you find. then see the ‘Fabulous Fossils’ exhibition before making your very own baby dinosaur with the educational team. 23 January. Call 01302 734 293 for more details.

Bus service 55, 55B & 57 up to every 10mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every 30mins evenings and Sundays.

Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour: Sheffield Arena If watching The X Factor finalists in December didn’t quite fulfil your reality television needs then head down to Sheffield Arena for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2010. Be dazzled by the dresses and dancing from past and present celebrity performers and make your vote. 29-31 January. Tickets from £35. Call 0114 256 5656 now to get the best seats!

Bus service 69 runs every 20mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every hour evenings and Sundays.Tram yellow route runs every 10min until 6pm, then every 20mins.

Half term fun at Herringthorpe Valley Park It’s half term and the kids are bored, how can you keep them entertained? Visit Herringthorpe Valley Park on 15 February for kite flying and circus skills, take them to Half term Happiness at thrybergh Country Park, 16-18 February for fun and games, arts and crafts and build your own rockets at Greenlands Park on 17 February. All that fresh air is bound to wear them out! 15-18 February. Visit the events page at rotherham.gov.uk for more information.

Bus service 14 runs every 20mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every hour evenings and Sundays.

Dizzee Rascal at Doncaster Dome He’s just a rascal, a Dizzee rascal, and you can see him perform at the Dome for just £20, as part of The Dirtee Stank Tour 2009. with number ones Bonkers, Holiday and Dance Wiv Me, you better ‘fix up, look sharp’. 27 February. Call 01302 370777 or visit the-dome.co.uk to get your tickets.

For further travel tips call Traveline on

01709 51 51 51 or visit travelsouthyorkshire.com

Bus services 25, 55, 57, 58, 91 & 99 run every 8mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, then every 30 mins.

winter 2009/10 9

wHAT’S ON

JESSiCA ENNiSShe made history in Berlin this year when she became the first British heptathlete

to take gold at a world Championship. now she is touted as the athlete of the 2012 Olympics,and is tipped (at time of press) to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year 2009.

Jessica ennis takes a break from the track to talk to Go! about the disappointmentof injury ruling her out of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and how it feels

to bounce back to become Britain’s hottest medal hope...

10 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 11

Where in South Yorkshire are you from?I grew up just off Abbeydale Road in Sheffield, where my mum and dad still live, but now I live in Woodseats.Were you a sporty family?We were very active – though not so much sports. My parents both did a bit of athletics and we were always going out on walks or to the park, things like that. South Yorkshire’s great for getting out in the outdoors. When did you first get into athletics?I went along to a summer camp at Don Valley Stadium when I was about nine or ten years old – and I realised straight away that I really enjoyed it. I started taking it more seriously after that and when I want to senior school, but until then I don’t think it ever occurred to me I would go on to have a career in athletics. It was probably when I got to about 15 and started competing properly, and did my first heptathlon international competition, that I began to feel differently about athletics and wanted to take it further. And is it something that your parents encouraged you to do? Yeah, very much so – they’ve always been incredibly supportive and involved in my athletics right from the beginning, whether taking me to training when I was younger, or ferrying me to and from competitions. Why the heptathlon?Just really fell into place really. When I first got going, I started off doing a bit of sprinting – then I met my coach [Toni Minichello]. He opened my eyes to all the different events – he advised me to keep all my options open and not specialise in one event too soon. And then it just so happened that I enjoyed most of the events so decided to focus on the heptathlon. You’ve been with Toni since you first started competing. is that relationship integral to your success?Absolutely – he’s coached me since I was 13 and obviously he’s done a really good job! He’s taken me from the child that came down to the track just to mess around and have a bit of fun, to becoming world champion – so he’s a massive part of why I’ve done so well, and hopefully why I’ll continue to do well. You did psychology at university, which is a obviously a huge commitment on its own. How difficult was it to combine your training with your degree?It was difficult, particularly in my third year as I was also competing in the Commonwealth Games. It was a juggling act trying to fit in uni work with my training, which was pretty much full time. But I’m really proud that I did it, it was important to me to complete my education because you never know what will happen with injuries.

in South Yorkshire, we’re fortunate enough to have the English institute of Sport on our doorstep. How important was it to have such facilities so close to hand?So important – I feel really lucky to be honest. When I was younger, Don Valley was the main facility and then a few years later we got the English Institute of Sport. Some athletes have to travel a fair bit to get to their main track but it’s only 35 minutes by bus and tram for me, and I get do my sessions in a world class facility. Sheffield is so well placed for sport, and incredibly supportive too - even when I was injured last year, everyone was still behind me. About your injury – how did it feel to be ruled out of the Beijing Olympics after you’d trained so hard and for so long?It was a massive disappointment. Every athlete trains so hard for the Olympics, it only comes round every four years, so to have that focus for so long and then get injured just a couple of months before is a huge blow. At first, I found it very hard to deal with, but thankfully I have a fantastic team of people around me who gave me great medical support, great physio and I have a great coach who put a programme together for me. They got me back into great shape and ready to do well this year.

And then you went on to become the first British world champion heptathlete!That was really surreal, to be honest! At the World Championships, everyone is a hundred per cent focused on performing at their peak, but I think missing the Olympics just gave me that extra bit of determination to go out there and win. But then when it was all over, and I’d done so well and got the gold medal, I had the opportunity to relax and enjoy supporting all my teammates – it was a really great feeling. Do you think that missing the Olympics might have been a blessing in disguise?I suppose it was, although I think at the time I wouldn’t have said that! Every athlete goes through injuries and it’s something you have to learn to deal with. It has helped me re-focus myself and take some positives from it. How did it feel to go from someone who is working hard, surrounded by family, to suddenly being recognised in the street and on holiday?It was strange – when I came back from Berlin it all changed. For all the people that had come up to me in the past to say, ‘well done on your performance’, it went up a level and everyone was very keen to get behind me. It’s kind of weird, lots of opportunities are opened up in terms of press interviews and appearances and suddenly your time is being taken up with all sorts of things you weren’t doing before. It’s been different, but it’s been really good fun.You’ve been tipped to be the ‘face of London 2012’. Did you ever imagine that you’d become such a household name?No! From last year, when I was injured, it’s all changed so much. To be praised so much is something that everyone wants in their career. It’s a really nice position to be in, so I just want to make the most of it, train hard and take advantage of all the support.And you’ve been shortlised for the Sports Personality of the Year, was that a surprise to you?Yes! It has just been such a brilliant year, and then finishing the season with a gold medal in Berlin, and to be in the running for something like that is so amazing.And how do your family feel about it?Everyone’s really excited – they’re trying to encourage everyone to vote for me! Just to be nominated was brilliant, and it’s fantastic that it is based in Sheffield this year. It’ll just be lovely to go to the Arena and be a part of the whole thing.Following your success this year, marketing experts have predicted you’ll be a millionaire by 2012. What do you make of that?I don’t read any of it to be honest. I just

there are days when i don’t want to go out and do hill sessions when it’s raining, but i know that if i don’t

put that work in i won’t improve and i won’t

win medals.

10 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 11

PROfILE JeSSiCA enniS

3 MONTHS’ GYM MEMBERSHIp AT EIS - SHEffIELd

pAGE 30

have to train hard and perform on the track and if I do that I’ll get the rewards. But if I don’t it could all be gone in a flash, so I just don’t get wrapped up in that side of it.So what would you say is your ultimate ambition?I think in the short term it’s just about staying injury free and making major championships up until 2012. Then it’s all about gearing up for the Olympics and making sure I’m at the peak of my career

and, hopefully, go on to win a gold medal in London. After that, depending on what I’ve achieved until then and in London, I can make a decision on whether I want to go for another Olympics or world championships, or whether I just want to call it a day. It’s one of those things that you can’t possibly know until you get there.When you see all your friends going out to clubs every weekend do you ever think that you’re missing out?Sometimes. Everyone has those mornings where you don’t want to get up and run or do your session, but I’ve got great friends and they know what I do and that I have to train a lot and make little sacrifices. They appreciate it, and they don’t pile on the pressure for me to go out every night. So what is it that gets you up every morning and through your gruelling training sessions?I think it’s just the thrill of competing. I know that if I put the work in and train really hard then I’ll be ready for the summer season and be able to perform well and win medals. That’s my major drive. There are days when I don’t want to go out and do hill sessions when it’s raining, but I know that if I don’t put that work in I won’t improve and I won’t win medals.

What advice would you give to young people who perhaps don’t enjoy sports at school, or maybe their parents have booked them onto an athletics camp and they’re a bit apprehensive?I’d say try all the events and if you don’t like one try another. It’s all about trying everything and seeing what you’re good at, there is loads of help available, and there are clubs all over South Yorkshire. The English Institute of Sport runs holiday camps every half term like the one that I went to all those years ago, and there are plenty of academies, now more than ever with London coming up. Get down to your track and get involved!

Go! is giving away 3 months’ membership to the Health & Fitness Centre at Jessica’s training base, The English Institute of Sport - Sheffield, as well as two kids’ places at May’s fun-packed School Holiday Club. Turn to page 30 for your chance to win!

For more information about EIS - Sheffield, visit eis-sheffield.co.uk or call 0114 223 5600.

English Institute of Sport - SheffieldBus service 69 runs every 20mins Mon-Sat until 6pm;

every hour evenings and weekends.Tram yellow route runs every 10mins unitl 6pm, then

every 20mins.

every athlete trains so hard for the Olympics – so to have that focus

for so long and then get injured is a huge blow.

thankfully i have a fantastic team around

me who got me into great shape to do well

this year.

12 winter 2009/10

PROfILE JeSSiCA enniS

12 winter 2009/10

travelsouthyorkshire.com/go10Traveline 01709 51 51 51 quoting A2B

ith lyrics like “I don’t wanna die in the same hole I was born”, a line from Reverend and the Makers’ last single No Soap in a Dirty War, it’d be

easy to jump to the conclusion that Jon McClure is eschewing his native Sheffield and fleeing for the bright lights of London or New York and a life of celebrity.

Not so. A life of celebrity maybe, but not in the Z-List, falling-out-of-clubs sense. In an age when bands and artists spout carefully managed PR-speak rather than real opinions for fear of alienating fans (and their wallets), Jon’s outbursts on everything from politics to the press are a welcome relief. But what makes Jon truly different to the identikit rent-a-mob band members who court publicity through controversy is the fact that the Reverend practices what he preaches.

Last year, Jon was the driving force behind Love Music Hate Racism’s hugely successful 4500-capacity gig at Magna in Rotherham, where Kaiser Chiefs and Courteeners joined Reverend and the Makers and South Yorkshire bands such as Alvarez Kings and The Big Bang to show a combined opposition to racism in all its forms.

And in the summer of 2009, Jon curated the Sheffield Tramlines festival (sponsored by Travel South Yorkshire) with ex-Libertine Carl Barat, where he used his appearance to urge warring

football fans to keep their rivalry on the pitch, telling them, “I don’t care if you’re a Blade or an Owl, it’s all Sheffield”. Jon aims to build on the success of Tramlines in 2010, with ambitious plans to bring the world’s biggest artists to South Yorkshire.

“I’ve got a lot of love for Sheffield,” he says fondly. “And credit where credit’s due, Paul Scriven (the leader of Sheffield Council) is a breath of fresh air. The council have come onboard with Tramlines and there’s more of a culture now where the council want to help. We want to get world class acts to South Yorkshire – just everyone all together and put us on the world stage. It’s a time for the whole region to show a united front and a united face and celebrate, because we’ve got something that could be very special.”

With a reputation in the national media for being opinionated (The Sun referred to him as ‘gobby’) Jon has never been one to shy away from controversy. His opinions on everything from celebrity (criticising the amount of coverage given to reality TV stars during times of global conflict), the British music press (“all-white, middle-class bullies”) and British politics (his outbursts have resulted in threats against him and his family) have gained negative tabloid headlines, but Jon refuses to conform to the carefully managed stable of celebrity which he blames for a lack of cultural revolution over the last decade.

“The lyric from No Soap in a Dirty War isn’t a geographical reference,” explains the six-foot-four 28 year old. “It’s more like a mental thing, a situation. You see people you went to school with and they’re in the same place, doing the same thing, with their life all mapped out for them.”

And Jon believes that this complacency spills over from the over-managed, ultra-groomed culture of celebrity which kills creativity. He is so determined not to be a part of it, he’s recently sacked his PR agency.

“The music industry’s just full of people who are constrained, which is why it’s been so boring for the last ten years,” he says. “My PR wouldn’t let me say anything. I just tell the truth and call it how it is. They [other celebrities] just say

14 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 15

pREAChiNG To ThE

CoNvERTEdwith over 300,000 record sales under his belt, 15 european tours and a circle of rock royalty friends

including noel Gallagher, Damon Albarn and the Arctic Monkeys, it would be easy forreverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure to sit back and

enjoy the trappings of fame and wealth. But, as Go! finds out, he’s only just begun.we head backstage to meet the reverend himself and find out what makes him tick...

i’d love to get on Look North and have

a live debate with politicians and show the rest of the world what people from

South Yorkshire are really like.

14 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 15

fEATURE tALentfEATURE JOn McCLUre

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16 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 17

what they are told to say and it’s all part of the big machine – it’s hideous, completely hideous. That’s why there’s been nothing culturally that’s been that significant in Britain over the last few years. The internet’s the only thing, and that’s a bit of technology. There’s nothing that’s come from the street because everything is too managed.”

Jon isn’t naive enough to think that, if he makes a stand, that culture will disappear overnight. But he does firmly believe that music has a massive role to play in the political arena.

“Music’s an art form, art should reflect life and a massive part of life is politics,” he declares. “Throughout the ages, from painters to writers and whatever, politics has always featured in art. But there aren’t many people who are willing to make records with political comment in them anymore.

“It’s commonly agreed that the best artists of the past are political: Lennon, Marley, Strummer, Chuck D, Bob Dylan. How much more political do you want to get?! And everyone goes, ‘Oh weren’t they brilliant?! Oh I love Bob Marley’. But

what about now, what’s going on now? People say about Nelson Mandela, ‘Oh you were dead right standing up against all that apartheid’. Well at the time would you have chained yourself to a gate for him? No. See what I mean? That’s the difference.”

Born and raised in Upperthorpe, Jon cites his Sheffield upbringing as keeping him firmly grounded. “My music career could be over in a year, it could be over in ten or it could be over in 20,” he shrugs. “But eventually I’m gonna have to walk down the street and walk past that guy that I could have been a right creep to.”

He admits to being a trouble causer at school, but credits his high school history teacher at with turning his life around.

“I was trouble until I was about sixteen,” he admits. “I never concentrated – all I was bothered about was how to impress girls and how to get out of fights. But then I had a teacher called Sean O’Connor [then head of history at Notre Dame School in Sheffield] and he’s one of the best human beings I’ve ever met. He was amazing, and he just sat me down and said you can either

be like me or you can be on the dole. I wanted to become a teacher just to try to be like him. There’s nothing better than a good teacher, you know. Teachers put you on that path.”

Straight A grades at A-level led to offers from Oxford and Cambridge, which were turned down in favour of reading history at Sheffield Hallam University – “it had the best history department” – where he graduated with first class honours. And although he loved to write poetry, his ambition was to become a teacher.

“They sent me to Bradford to this school, and they were wild, these kids,” he says. “I knew then that I had to find another way of getting stuff across to people because you’re just too limited as a teacher. I admire teachers so much, and if you get a good teacher they can change your life. But it wasn’t for me.”

Although a career in the formal environs of a classroom wasn’t to be, Jon found a much more appropriate channel of communication in music and the social media revolution.

Our interview is conducted at Manchester Academy, where he plays to a sold-out crowd of 5000 screaming fans. Another 3500 are signed up to his Twitter feed. And through his gigs and his Twitter page, fans see the real Jon McClure, unedited by PR agencies, and are witness to some very public spats.

“Twitter’s great for me, man – nearly 4000 people reading it and I can just say what I want without hiding behind anyone or anything. Bang, I’ve said it, there you go.”

And although the instant nature of the medium could give cause for regret, it’s not an area that gives Jon concern.

“As soon as you think, ‘maybe I shouldn’t have said that,’ you start to think like a politician and you’re editing it,” he says. “I’ll be quite frank with

you, nobody tells the truth anymore. People will say, ‘Oh, I’ve always been really into [the bands] Gang of Four and ESG.’ No you weren’t, we were listening to Shed 7 last week. Be honest and stop lying. The music industry is just full of lying fakes.”

Jon reserves particular derision for a well known weekly music magazine, with which he had a very public spat on Twitter and that has resulted in him launching his own online publication, Ark.

“The thing with the music press is they’re all white Caucasian men who work for some media corporation,” he says. “I honestly don’t find their work valuable – they’re not talking to me. They’re all upper middle class and therefore the music they are into is not what we listen to, it’s not what we’re about. It’s got nowt to do with us, they don’t understand any of the cultural references or anything.”

Jon is particularly dismissive about the magazine’s scorn for his ‘peace and love’

REVVinG UP: From left: Jon McClure in typical evangelistic form; in fighting spirit backstage; and in concert with the Makers.

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16 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 17

fEATURE JOn McCLUre

4 VIp TICKETS TO SEE REVERENd &

THE MAKERS

pAGE 30

persona. “Call me what you want, but don’t say peace and love’s cringeworthy, man,” he declares angrily. “There are two wars going on right now that we’re directly involved in, and that’s just two out of loads more around the world.”

And, typically, rather than berate the state of the music press and then walk away, Jon has turned the sector on its head by launching Ark, a web-based magazine that will allow readers to upload their own content, “just bigging up good stuff by people who actually have experience of the subject matter rather than the failed musician bitterness found in the music press at present.”

Author Howard Marks, comedian Jason Manford, Arctic Monkeys bassist Andy Nicholson and Sheffield DJ Toddla T have been signed up to write regular columns, and Ark will also feature politics, comedy and film as well as music. “Write about what you and your friends are into, political things that you feel passionate about,” urges Jon. “Generally just do everything that the rest of the music press should be doing but isn’t as it attempts to make money by putting Kings of Leon on the cover every second week.”

Jon says his determination to challenge the cultural and political giants comes from his multi-cultural upbringing in Upperthorpe, which also shaped his passionate activism against racism in all its forms. His prolific work with Love Music Hate Racism and Unite Against Fascism has led to Jon and his family enduring a worrying backlash.

“It’s scary,” he admits. “There was this one girl ringing my mum and dad’s house all the time, threatening them, and I’ve had people with knuckle dusters turn up to a gig saying, ‘We’re gonna kill your lead singer’. But I know the majority of my fans are working class people, and they’re the ones, if you can get to them and just turn them a little bit, suddenly they think about things differently. If I’m given a platform and the opportunity to influence people, then don’t be influenced by my hair or my clothes, be influenced by my attitude.

“I’m into Bob Marley and I’m into John Lennon and I like their music but I like what they were about and the stance that they had on things, so I’m just representing those things. And there’s

much more a need for them now than there was then – the world’s more messed up than it was then and people are just chatting about it. People can say I’m controversial, or I’m gobby, but all I’m doing is pointing out the obvious. I say stuff because I’m not afraid to say it. But it gets you in so much trouble, you’re not allowed to say stuff in this day and age. In 1969, no bother. It’s 2009 and I’m out of time.”

In order to encourage more people to speak up, Jon has launched ‘Instigate Debate’ with ex-Libertine Carl Barat, musician Keiran Leanord and political writer Mark Donne. The web-based project encourages members of the public to ask serious questions (there are suggestions on the site, instigatedebate.com) of public figures and film the responses on their mobile phones, then post them on YouTube. There are more than 100 debates on YouTube, featuring celebrities from Alexa Chung to George Galloway, and Jon is currently in talks to transfer the concept to television.

“It’s coming on. People think it’s a good concept and hopefully we can get it on TV,” says Jon. “I’ve got Carl and the other guys helping me, and it’s going well. But I’m just one man, you know?” he says, in a rare moment of weariness.

That weariness became all-consuming last year when the strain of being a one-man crusade against the system became too much, and Jon announced his retirement from music. But it wasn’t to last long. Following a brief hiatus from the public eye, Jon McClure has come back bigger and louder than ever, and this time he’s not going away. Not content with touring to promote the Makers’ second album, the critically acclaimed A French Kiss in the Chaos, Jon is taking on the British political system.

“There’s an issue with the white working class that’s not being addressed by the main political parties,” he says. “Someone has got to talk to the working class and get on their page, and I think there’s an opportunity for a new political party, a new bunch of people. Did you see how much publicity Joanna Lumley got for that Gurka thing she did? That was a tiny issue compared to

everything else that’s going on, but it was front pages ‘cos she’s Joanna Lumley. If you had a bunch of people all like that, and I’m not saying celebrities, but if you had the right balance of clever thinkers and people who can articulate, then I do believe they could do something.”

So, does Jon see himself making it official and going down the politics road?

“Could you see me wearing a suit, shouting it out in Parliament?” he asks. But although he may feel he doesn’t fit in with the formality of British politics, Jon is more than happy to back his words with actions.

“I’d love to get on Look North and have a live debate with politicians and show the rest of the world what people from South Yorkshire are really like.”

Politics and top ten albums aside, Jon has somehow managed to find time to make eight short films with Sheffield producer Sean Brack, tour India, and busk from Shanghai to Sheffield making music with the people he meets along the way. “The record company isn’t too chuffed about that – they think I should be out promoting the album,” he shrugs.

With so much in the pipeline, Jon must be looking forward to kicking back and taking it easy on his return. So, what’s in store for next year?

“I want to cause a revolution,” he smiles. “And I’m gonna start it right here in South Yorkshire!”

Go! is offering one lucky reader four VIP tickets to a Reverend and the Makers gig of their choice, with backstage access to meet the band, plus a signed bonus edition of their latest album, A French Kiss in the Chaos, recorded live at Sheffield’s O2 Academy! Turn to page 30 for your chance to win!

18 winter 2009/10

fEATURE JOn McCLUre

throughout the ages, from painters

to writers, politics has always featured in art. But there aren’t many

people who are willing to make records with political comment in them anymore.

HiDDEn GEM #16

Hellas, SheffieldWith its authentic, freshly made cuisine, hearty portions and friendly staff, this fabulous Greek café, a haunt of Reverend and the Makers’ Jon McClure, provides a good choice of quality fare, made to order. Café by day and bistro by night, Hellas offers a free bottle of house wine to any evening booking for four or more people, right up until the end of January 2010. Denby Street, Sheffield; 0114 273 9163Bus services 20, 20A, 25, 25A, 75, 76, 97, 98 & 218 up to every 6mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every 15mins evenings and Sundays.

18 winter 2009/10travelsouthyorkshire.com/freebee

Next time you’re in Rotherham... Get on board the FreeBee! The Rotherham FreeBee runs every 12 minutes from 0800 to 1800 Monday to Saturday. It’s the quick, easy and free way to get around Rotherham.

FreeBeeFree Town Centre Bus

HiDDEn GEM #16

Hellas, SheffieldWith its authentic, freshly made cuisine, hearty portions and friendly staff, this fabulous Greek café, a haunt of Reverend and the Makers’ Jon McClure, provides a good choice of quality fare, made to order. Café by day and bistro by night, Hellas offers a free bottle of house wine to any evening booking for four or more people, right up until the end of January 2010. Denby Street, Sheffield; 0114 273 9163

Shopping in...

20 winter 2009/10

GRANd dAY OUT...

BarnSlEy IntErchangEBus service 265 (from Sheffield) runs every hour, 7 days a week.Bus service X12 (from Rotherham) runs every hour until 6pm, Mon-Sat.Bus service 229 (from Rotherham) runs every 30mins, 7 days a week.Bus services 219 & 222 (from Doncaster) run every 30mins until 6pm, Mon-Sat.Bus service X19 (from Doncaster) runs every hour, Mon-Sat only.Train (up to 4 trains per hour)

Barnsleythe renowned Barnsley Markets , located in the

heart of Barnsley town centre, feature over 300 stalls,

offering shoppers a wide variety of goods and fresh

produce in both indoor and open spaces. If you like to

know where your goods come from, look no further

than Penistone Market . On the second Saturday

of every month local producers of food and crafts bring

the very best local produce to the public, making it the

best place to find anything and everything.

For those of you looking to treat yourself and

splurge, the town centre is also the platform to high

class fashion emporiums that will satisfy all serious

shopaholics. If the typical South Yorkshire weather

strikes, shoppers don’t need to venture far for indoor

shopping, as Barnsley town centre is also home to

the impressive Alhambra shopping Mall , which

houses independent retailers and larger stores alike,

right in the heart of the community.

Doncasterwhether it be fashion, sports, beauty, electrical goods or homeware, whatever your shopping dilemmas, you’ll find the solution buried right in the heart of Doncaster – Frenchgate shopping centre . Spanning over an incredible 800,000 sq ft, Frenchgate houses famous high street names as well as independent stores. what’s more, this gem is made all the more unique by the integrated public transport interchange it boasts, saving you from the stresses and strains of parking.For a completely different shopping experience pop along to the brilliant Lakeside Village . Situated amongst beautiful lakes and landscaped greenery, this prestigious retail, leisure and residential complex combines the best of both worlds – an abundance of great shops in picturesque surroundings.no shopping trip to Donny would be complete without

a visit to the biggest and best traditional market in the north. with 400 shops, stalls and stands to choose from, these truly impressive and charismatic markets have been the jewel in Doncaster’s crown for hundreds of years.

SheffieldLike Marmite, winter and The X Factor’s Jedward –

Meadowhall is one of those things people either

love or hate. But no one can deny that it plays host to an

awesome collection of 280 stores, all nestled under its

distinctive green domes; perfect for an all-out shop-till-

you-drop experience.

Meadowhall is not the only retail haven in the steel

city though! Sheffield is lucky to have a second major

shopping centre, Crystal Peaks . Providing value as

well as choice, Crystal Peaks is perfect for anyone who

wants the convenience of a shopping centre but on a

smaller scale.

More of an outdoorsy type? Sheffield city centre also

has a lot to offer! the Devonshire Quarter has

become synonymous with unique, trendy stores, whilst

Fargate offers big high street names to suit every

mood. Or, if you’re shopping on a budget, why not hop

on the FreeBee and take a trip to the Moor to hunt

down a cheap and cheerful bargain.

rothErham IntErchangE

Bus services X78 & 69 (from Sheffield)

run every 10mins Mon-Sat; every

15-20mins evenings and Sundays

Bus service X12 (from Barnsley) runs

every hour until 6pm Mon-Sat

Bus service 229 (from Barnsley) runs

every 30-60mins Mon-Sat; hourly

evenings and Sundays

Bus FreeBee every 12mins, Mon-Sat until 6pm.

rothErham cEntral StatIon

Train (up to 3 trains per hour)

ParkgatE

Bus services 43A, 108, 109, 218, 220,

221, 229, 396, FreeBee up to every

5mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every

20mins evenings and Sundays.

FrEnchgatE IntErchangE

Bus service X78 (from Sheffield, Rotherham &

Meadowhall) up to every 10mins, Mon-Sat.

Bus services 219,222 & X19 (from Barnsley) up to 5

buses per hour, Mon-Sat; 2 buses per hour on Sunday.

Train (up to 5 trains per hour from Sheffield & Meadowhall)

Train (up to 2 trains per hour from Rotherham)

lakESIdE VIllagE

Bus services 72, 75, 75A & 909 4 buses per hour

Mon-Sat until 6pm; hourly evenings and Sundays.

whether you’re after a little black dress or blue suede shoes, South Yorkshire is certainly not short of shopping opportunities. with unique boutiques, market stalls and shopping centres aplenty, there’s something to suit all budgets! So go on, unleash the shopaholic in you…

© Crown Copyright. All rights reserved (100030252). 2009

winter 2009/10 21

Barnsleythe renowned Barnsley Markets , located in the

heart of Barnsley town centre, feature over 300 stalls,

offering shoppers a wide variety of goods and fresh

produce in both indoor and open spaces. If you like to

know where your goods come from, look no further

than Penistone Market . On the second Saturday

of every month local producers of food and crafts bring

the very best local produce to the public, making it the

best place to find anything and everything.

For those of you looking to treat yourself and

splurge, the town centre is also the platform to high

class fashion emporiums that will satisfy all serious

shopaholics. If the typical South Yorkshire weather

strikes, shoppers don’t need to venture far for indoor

shopping, as Barnsley town centre is also home to

the impressive Alhambra shopping Mall , which

houses independent retailers and larger stores alike,

right in the heart of the community.

SheffieldLike Marmite, winter and The X Factor’s Jedward –

Meadowhall is one of those things people either

love or hate. But no one can deny that it plays host to an

awesome collection of 280 stores, all nestled under its

distinctive green domes; perfect for an all-out shop-till-

you-drop experience.

Meadowhall is not the only retail haven in the steel

city though! Sheffield is lucky to have a second major

shopping centre, Crystal Peaks . Providing value as

well as choice, Crystal Peaks is perfect for anyone who

wants the convenience of a shopping centre but on a

smaller scale.

More of an outdoorsy type? Sheffield city centre also

has a lot to offer! the Devonshire Quarter has

become synonymous with unique, trendy stores, whilst

Fargate offers big high street names to suit every

mood. Or, if you’re shopping on a budget, why not hop

on the FreeBee and take a trip to the Moor to hunt

down a cheap and cheerful bargain.

rothErham IntErchangE

Bus services X78 & 69 (from Sheffield)

run every 10mins Mon-Sat; every

15-20mins evenings and Sundays

Bus service X12 (from Barnsley) runs

every hour until 6pm Mon-Sat

Bus service 229 (from Barnsley) runs

every 30-60mins Mon-Sat; hourly

evenings and Sundays

Bus FreeBee every 12mins, Mon-Sat until 6pm.

rothErham cEntral StatIon

Train (up to 3 trains per hour)

ParkgatE

Bus services 43A, 108, 109, 218, 220,

221, 229, 396, FreeBee up to every

5mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every

20mins evenings and Sundays.

rotherhamFollowing the launch of the rotherham FreeBee, there’s now even more reason to visit the town for all your shopping needs! with a completely free bus running every 12 minutes between rotherham town centre and Parkgate, you can get all your shopping in one easy visit. Parkgate is home to 34 big-name stores, such as Marks & Spencer, Boots, HMV, next, Argos and BHS, as well as a huge Morrisons supermarket. Shopping has never been so convenient!For something a bit more original and unique, hop back on the FreeBee into rotherham town centre and visit the town’s wonderful markets . Indoor and outdoor markets are open every Monday, Friday and Saturday, where you can pick up all sorts of things from one of the 115 stall trading. If you prefer shopping mid-week to avoid the weekend rush, look no further than rotherham’s town centre street market. Held along Effingham Street every tuesday, this market is quickly becoming the talk of the town, and is sure to satisfy even the most difficult shoppers.

ShEFFIEld StatIon/IntErchangEBus all services to Sheffield Interchange.Train all services to Sheffield Station.Tram Blue/Purple routes (Sheffield Station/Hallam University) every 10mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, then every 20mins.mEadowhall Bus all services to Meadowhall Interchange.Train all services to Meadowhall Interchange.Tram yellow route (Meadowhall Interchange Park & Ride) every 10mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, then every 20mins.cryStal PEakS

Bus all services to Crystal Peaks Bus Station.Tram Blue route (Crystal Peaks) every 10mins Mon-Sat until 6pm, then every 20mins.

FrEnchgatE IntErchangE

Bus service X78 (from Sheffield, Rotherham &

Meadowhall) up to every 10mins, Mon-Sat.

Bus services 219,222 & X19 (from Barnsley) up to 5

buses per hour, Mon-Sat; 2 buses per hour on Sunday.

Train (up to 5 trains per hour from Sheffield & Meadowhall)

Train (up to 2 trains per hour from Rotherham)

lakESIdE VIllagE

Bus services 72, 75, 75A & 909 4 buses per hour

Mon-Sat until 6pm; hourly evenings and Sundays.

22 winter 2009/10

orn at Northern General Hospital, Lee Strafford spent his first nine years travelling the globe with his family, thanks to his father’s army career. He credits this nomadic early life with

giving him the ability to be open to new ideas that eventually saw him become one of South Yorkshire’s most successful businessmen.

When his father left the army, the family settled back into Parson Cross in Sheffield, and the young Lee found it difficult to adjust to a more stable existence.

“I’d experienced so many different cultures and then, suddenly, I was with people who had grown up with a very narrow focus,” he remembers. “Back then, if you were brought up in the poorer parts of Sheffield you were told that was your lot – you’d be working class all your life, and forget any dreams you may have. I was actually told by my careers officer to get ready for a life on the dole.

“It made me so angry that the people who should have been encouraging me and my classmates had just given up on us before we’d had a chance to make anything of our lives,” he says. So, rather than admit defeat, Lee left school and went to work in London with his father, who had started a telecoms engineering business.

His timing was perfect, the internet was poised to explode on an unsuspecting public and mobile phones about to become an everyday accessory rather than the preserve of the city slicker.

“Although the telecoms industry was exploding, it was in very bad shape,” says Lee. “I could see that products were high-cost and the businesses being grown were not efficient. The result was a lot of massive, but badly run, companies, and that was a trigger for the dot com bubble imploding.”

Having done his research thoroughly and predicting the bust, Lee knew that the future was in the internet. Unfortunately, Mr Strafford senior’s business was an early casualty of that implosion, so Lee found work as a jobbing telecoms engineer, installing telecoms systems in schools, colleges and cinemas. A chance meeting with a client who had the marketing knowledge to complement Lee’s technical expertise resulted in the birth of PlusNet.

Initially operating from the premises of his partner’s PC business in Worksop, PlusNet quickly became a profit-making business and the company was relocated to Victoria Quays in Sheffield. But such quick success brought its own problems, and as PlusNet was entering previously unchartered territory.

“It was phenomenally difficult – we were inventing new business practices all the time. There was no precedent, there wasn’t a situation where I could ask other people how they’d done things. Any new technology is usually tested for three or four years before it goes live – we were sticking stuff into our network a month or two

NET ASSET

when Lee Strafford endured a very public sacking from Plusnet, the telecoms company he built from nothing to a £67million business, the

health problems he’d been storing up for years were compounded and he was forced to step down, or face the consequences.

now, after taking a couple of years out, he’s lost 14 stone, become chairman of Sheffield wednesday, and is working with Sheffield City

Council to help turn the city into South Yorkshire’s Silicon Valley. Go! stops by Hillsborough Stadium to find out more...

4 TICKETS TO SEE THE OwLS

pAGE 30

winter 2009/10 23

fEATURE Lee StrAFFOrD

after it had been developed.”Yet despite the problems, the rewards were

huge. The business grew at a rate of one hundred per cent each quarter, and was instrumental in developing channels of communication that are seen as standard today.

“We were an internet company, so it made sense for us to speak to our customers on the internet. We were totally transparent, and we spoke to our customers on forums, got real research and development conversations going and really turned around the culture of keeping mistakes secret.”

But the amount of pressure Lee was putting

himself under was not sustainable, he dealt with it by overeating and came close to burn out. By the time he turned 30, the stress and poor diet were causing significant health problems which, says Lee, forced his business hand. Less able to put the hours in, the business started to struggle and got to the point where he had no option but to sell up.

He signed a deal with BT and was financially free to walk away from the business. Having built up the company from nothing, however, he was keen to make sure that the staff he had worked with for years got a fair deal.

“On the day I was fired I was attending a meeting to negotiate a compensation package for most of the key people at PlusNet which was to ultimately be extended to all staff. This was to replace share options that all staff had access to when we were a public company. But while all the senior managers were able to pay off their mortgages, the rest of the staff got nothing, and the management tried to lay the blame at my door. I was accused of plotting to destroy the company and set up a rival firm! It was my baby and my entire personal wealth was tied up in PlusNet. Why would I destroy it?!”

Personally stung by the accusations, Lee sent an email – which he stresses was private – to all PlusNet staff to reassure them that he’d acted in their interests. But the email was leaked to the press, and Lee became an object of ridicule within the telecoms industry. And as well as having to deal with his reputation being destroyed, his health was deteriorating significantly.

“The first six months following my sacking was a nightmare,” he says. “My initial reaction was to walk away – leave Sheffield, leave the country, take my family and start a new life abroad.”

But when finding a specialist school place for his autistic son proved difficult, Lee decided to stay put and tackle his problems head on.

“I had three priorities,” he says. “First and foremost, I had to deal with my health issues. Secondly, I was sick of watching the systematic destruction of my football club, Sheffield Wednesday. And thirdly, I wanted to raise the technology bar in the city and really help the region’s economy going forwards.”

For a man with significant health problems who had just walked away from a very public fight with a corporate giant, setting himself three seemingly impossible targets appeared to be madness. But, never one to shy away from a challenge, Lee decided to tackle all three issues head on, with fantastic results.

Following a gastric band operation, Lee has lost a staggering 14 stones which has in turn brought down his blood pressure and eliminated many of the health risks that were associated with his obesity. He’s recently undergone surgery to remove the loose skin that was a result of his weight loss, and as a result has been forced to curtail his working day to just three hours. But that hasn’t stopped him throwing himself into the other two projects he committed himself to.

Since becoming chairman of Sheffield Wednesday in January 2009, Lee has made sweeping changes. Taking the vast experience he accrued during his PlusNet days, he’s installed a new web-based project management system that gives all staff members access to information about the club. “You need to get rid of the mistrust, that feeling the people don’t know what’s going on,” he says. “I want that transparency within the club, put the spotlight on it so everyone knows what’s going on.”

Lee has extended this culture of transparency to the fans, regularly joining in web-chats on forums, and even turning up at fans’ houses to address issues they’ve raised.

“We’ve gone from being the club fans love to hate to one that that’s now being accused of being too transparent” he laughs. “Wednesday fans have gone through too much pain in the last 20 years. I want to look fans in the eye and tell them what’s happening, explain why we’re doing things, get their feedback and get them onside.”

Lee insists the club’s success hinges on getting the whole community involved. “We got greedy and broke that relationship with the

fans,” he says. “We need to engage fans and the community, get schools involved, work with teenagers. It goes back to my careers advisor at school – tell people they’ve got no hope, crime goes up. Inspire them, support them, help them develop and watch it happen. I’m proof of that.”

As well as plans to develop an outreach centre with learning facilities for children and young people, Lee is planning to upgrade Hillsborough and “turn the stadium into the biggest and best in the country, with 100,000 people coming through those gates every week instead of 20,000.”

Not content with turning around the Owls’ fortunes, Lee is also working with Sheffield Council and the universities to develop an infrastructure that will support the emergence of new technology companies.

“PlusNet was a breakthrough business from a business model perspective, and I get depressed when I look at the technology landscape in the region now. If you look at what’s going on elsewhere in the UK, there’s much more support – we’re in real danger of being left behind.

“We can create a whole new bunch of ‘PlusNets’ in Sheffield, but there has to be a cultural change in the city to stimulate a world-class technology business.”

With his ambitious plans for Sheffield Wednesday, Lee was recently referred to as the club’s own Barack Obama. Does he think that’s a fair comparison?

“Not at all. I’m just a lucky hardworking lad who’s had a few life lessons that can benefit his footy club and his home city.”

Yes he can.

i want to raise the technology bar in

Sheffield and really help the region’s economy

going forwards – we can create a

whole new bunch of ‘Plusnets’, but there has to be a cultural

change to stimulate a world-class tecnology

business.

Go! has teamed up with Sheffield Wednesday to offer one reader four match tickets to see the Owls at home in the spring of 2010. Turn to page 30 for your chance to win!

hillsborough StadiumBus services 53 (Ecclesfield), 77 & 78 every 10mins

Mon-Sat; every 30mins evenings and Sundays.Tram Blue/yellow routes (Hillsborough or Leppings Lane)

every 5mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; then every 20mins.

24 winter 2009/10

fEATURE Lee StrAFFOrD

24 winter 2009/10

travelsouthyorkshire.com/go8

By textGet bus times on your mobile using YourNextBusJust text your stop number to 64422Each text costs up to 12p plus your standard network rate 0609_0788

iN SAFE hANdS

with buses accounting for less than three per cent of all reported road traffic accidents in 2008, compared to three quarters involving cars*, travelling by bus and tram has never been safer.

the Go! Team learns that South Yorkshire Passenger transport executive (SYPte) is continuing to work to stamp out anti-social behaviour on trams, buses and throughout

the network, making public transport by far the most pleasant and safe way to travel…

26 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 27

ore than 50 million journeys are made on public transport in South Yorkshire every year, and of the thousands of journeys on buses and trams

throughout the county on a daily basis, the overriding majority – 99.9992% – are incident free.

Daryll Broadhead is the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy Delivery Manager at SYPTE, and is responsible for ensuring that travel by public transport in South Yorkshire remains a pleasant and safe way to travel. “It’s a very small minority of people that cause disruption, and because of the work that we’ve been doing to stamp out these isolated incidents, they can see that it just isn’t acceptable and won’t be tolerated,” he says.

And it’s not just SYPTE that’s working hard to ensure stress-free journeys for all. “We work closely with South Yorkshire Police, transport operators and local education authorities, and have a dedicated transport liaison police officer who works around South Yorkshire,” says Daryll. “Using this joint approach, we can make sure we tackle the specific problems that passengers bring to our attention, as well as those we identify through our regular checks and patrols.”

“All trams in Sheffield are covered by CCTV,” he continues. “Bus operators have the majority of vehicles fitted with high quality CCTV

equipment, which face both inside the vehicle and onto the street. All interchanges across South Yorkshire have extensive CCTV coverage, and Rotherham interchange has a direct link to the South Yorkshire Police control room so we can make sure officers are sent out quickly should the need arise.”

Of the few incidents reported to SYPTE, the majority are minor, such as reports of young people gathering in interchanges but, says

Daryll, SYPTE and the bus operators who work with it work hard to ensure that everyone who uses public transport feels safe and secure.

“Interchanges provide a bright, warm facility with seating, toilets and vending machines provided for our customers, but these facilities can be misused by people who aren’t using our networks but want a warm place to meet friends. These are typically young people just looking for somewhere to meet up, and we work

to encourage them to make better use of their time by promoting out-of-school activities across South Yorkshire. When we talk to young people, they soon realise their behaviour can be uncomfortable for others, affects other people and puts people off using public transport. This approach really works, because a lot of the time they don’t realise that they are causing a nuisance – as far as they’re concerned, they’re just seeing friends and hanging out.”

As well as working in partnership with local authorities and service operators, SYPTE is encouraging its own staff to volunteer for the Employer Supported Policing Scheme, a new initiative being operated by South Yorkshire Police. With the support of their employers, employees can apply to become a special constable with a generous paid time off allowance during training given by SYPTE. Once qualified, staff can take a fixed amount of time off with full pay to undertake uniformed police patrols in and around transport networks.

“Our staff members are already familiar with the issues around travel by public transport so they’re ideally placed to take up the role,” says Daryll. “And we’re hoping that our operators will encourage their staff to take part as well – it’s a big commitment, but we’re determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and deal with these issues on the ground, as they happen.”

One concern to passengers is shelter damage, and SYPTE is investing a lot of resources into educating the potential perpetrators. “Damage to shelters is often carried out by school children, so as well as investing in anti-vandal mesh shelters and CCTV, we work in over 400 schools to educate children” says Daryll. “What some don’t realise is they can get a criminal

when we talk to young people, they soon realise their

behaviour can put people off using public transport.

this approach really works – a lot of the

time they don’t realise they’re causing a

nuisance.

fEATURE

26 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 27

record by damaging shelters as well as a bill for the damage, so we go and talk to them about the effects their behaviour has on the community and the consequences of having a criminal

record when they leave school.”SYPTE does a huge amount to keep its

networks trouble free, but it welcomes passengers, the community and the Neighbourhood Watch reporting anti social behaviour and damage around shelters across South Yorkshire so it can work with the police to tackle the issues. As a result, reports of damage are decreasing, but anyone with concerns or information can call the Shelterwatch on 01709 515151 between 7am and 10pm, or report damage online at the Travel South Yorkshire website. Alternatively, if you know the offenders you can ring anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Overall, the efforts of SYPTE, South Yorkshire Police and service operators have resulted in a safe and secure public transport network for South Yorkshire. “Any reported trouble is nipped in the bud as soon as we’re made aware of it,” says Daryll. “And with our own initiatives and the police resources available to us we’re determined to make sure that South Yorkshire remains one of the safest places in the UK to travel by public transport.”

*Reported road casualties of Great Britain 2008, annual report from the Department for Transport.

All South Yorkshire interchanges

have extensive CCtV coverage – rotherham has a direct link to the

police control room so officers can be sent out quickly

should the need arise.

You can report damage to shelters by calling Shelterwatch on 01709 515151 between 7am and 10pm, or by visiting travelsouthyorkshire.com

If you have information about the offenders, you can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

28 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 29

travelsouthyorkshire.com

Any damaged bus shelter in South Yorkshire can be repaired within four hours of the damage being reported.

If anyone sees a shelter out of shape please ring Traveline on 01709 515151 and we’ll get it fixed for you.

Travel South Yorkshire - top of the league for safer travel

fEATURE

HiDDEn GEM #17

Vasco, Wickersely

Vasco’s highly experienced team of chefs carefully prepare

exquisite modern British cuisine that even the most avid

foodie will love. Its gorgeous menu can be enjoyed in luxury

surroundings, spread over two floors. Dining at Vasco is an

unforgettable experience so make your reservation today.

Bawtry Road, Wickersley; 01709 531999;

vascobarandrestaurant.com

Bus services 1, 2, 3, 10, 10A, 19, 19A, 19B & 87

every 8mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every 30mins

evenings and Sundays.

FreeBeeA new bee-con of light is shining on rotherham following the

launch of FreeBee, the new free town centre bus...

ollowing the success of its sister service in Sheffield, which carried its millionth passenger in October, FreeBee has been buzzing around Rotherham town centre from 8am

to 6pm, Monday-Saturday. And best of all, it’s completely free!

FreeBee’s day begins at Rotherham Interchange, from which it departs every 12 minutes.

The brand new buses run around the town centre, calling at Rotherham Central Rail Station, the police station, Westgate, Canklow Road, the Town Hall, Wellgate, Clifton Park and the town centre markets.

Following a brief return to the Interchange, FreeBee then heads to Parkgate, past St Ann’s Leisure Complex, and then back to the Interchange.

The new service offers visitors to

Rotherham quick, accessible and free connections around the town.

And Christmas shoppers are now provided the opportunity to visit a range of large national brands at Parkgate and are able to enjoy more individual town centre shops and cafes in one seamless (and free) visit.

So if you’re out and about in Rotherham this winter, get on board the FreeBee!

For more information on Rotherham’s new FreeBee service, visit travelsouthyorkshire.com/freebee

28 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 29

A dAY IN THE LIfE Of...

HiDDEn GEM #17

Vasco, Wickersely

Vasco’s highly experienced team of chefs carefully prepare

exquisite modern British cuisine that even the most avid

foodie will love. Its gorgeous menu can be enjoyed in luxury

surroundings, spread over two floors. Dining at Vasco is an

unforgettable experience so make your reservation today.

Bawtry Road, Wickersley; 01709 531999;

vascobarandrestaurant.com

Bus services 1, 2, 3, 10, 10A, 19, 19A, 19B & 87

every 8mins Mon-Sat until 6pm; every 30mins

evenings and Sundays.

1. Where in Sheffield did Reverend and the Makers singer Jon McClure grow up?

2. How frequently does the the new FreeBee service depart from Rotherham interchange?

3. Owls chairman Lee Strafford has recently been compared to which American politician?

4. How many journeys are made on public transport per year in South Yorkshire?

5. What did world champion heptathlete Jessica Ennis study at university?

the answers to these questions are in the magazine somewhere - get them right and you could win the following prize bundle:

• 3 months’ free travel on South Yorkshire’s buses, trains and trams• 3 months’ membership to the Health & Fitness Centre at EIS - Sheffield• Two kids’ places at May’s School Holiday Club at EIS - Sheffield• A signed special bonus edition of Reverend and the Makers’ new album,

A French Kiss in the Chaos, recorded live at Sheffield’s O2 Academy

COMpETITION ENTRYto enter, fill in your answers and contact details below, cut out and send to: Go! Magazine, FREEPOST nEA3487, Sheffield S2 5ZQ. Or email your answers to go@travelsouthyorkshire.com

Your answers: Your details:

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

We would like to keep your contact details to send you information on public transport, travel cards/ticketing and promotions. If you would prefer NOT to be sent such information, please tick this box. Please note we will not use your contact information for any other purposes or pass your information on to any third parties.

Page no.

SUdOkU

QUIz

TICKET HUNT

A B C D

Briefly describe where the ticket appears:

name

Address

Postcode

Tel

Email

Date of birth

wIN £1000s worth of prizes

SUdOkU QUIz

2 7

3 8 2 6 1 5

7 A 9 B

3 7 2

6 9 C 2 3

5 8 4

1 9

4 1 3 9 2 7D 6 8

Crack the puzzle to reveal the digits in the yellow squares. Four lucky winners will receive a limited-edition Go! mug and 1 month’s free travel on South Yorkshire’s buses, trains and trams.

TICKET HUNTSomewhere hidden in this issue of Go! Magazine is a very special ticket (pictured here)…

Find it and you could be the lucky winner of:

3 months’ free travel•

on South Yorkshire’s buses, trains and trams• Four tickets to see a Sheffield wednesday home match

• Four VIP tickets to see a reverend and the Makers gig of your choice

This competition is not open to employees of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive or their family members. All entries must be received by 28 February 2010. Winners will be drawn before 15 March 2010 and notified before 27 March 2010. By entering this competition you agree to the publication of your name in subsequent editions of this publication should you be a prize winner. The decision of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive shall be final. No cash alternative will be given.

30 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 31

COMpETITION

Have your saydoing it for the kids

How wonderful to see such a large section of your magazine given to celebrating the achievements of young people (Bright young things, Autumn 2009). All too often, the only publicity teenagers and young people get is negative, yet the trouble-causers are such a small minority. if more space was given to positive stories such as yours, perhaps young people would feel inspired instead of vilified. Keep up the good work! D Welch

we’ve had a great response to last issue’s Bright Young Things article, and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to highlight some of the wealth of talent throughout South Yorkshire. we know that there are so many more of you out there with amazing stories to tell, and we’d love to hear about them so we can continue to celebrate your achievements. Drop us an email at go@travelsouthyorkshire.com if you, or someone you know, has a story you think we should shout about!

Timely advice

On behalf of all at Dearne Valley College, i’d like to offer sincere thanks to SYPTE’s Travel Advice team for their continuous help, support and advice during the recent bus strikes. The Stagecoach strikes had the potential to cause serious disruption to our students with their lessons.

Stagecoach are a main public transport provider that our students use to get to and from college. While the strike did go ahead as planned on the first Monday, only minimal disruption was caused thanks to the key information supplied to us from the Travel Advisors. This information provided our students sufficient travel options to get to and from college on that day.

The Travel Advisors are a great team who provide useful and timely support, for which we are extremely grateful. B Owen, DVC Customer Service Manager

thank you for your feedback. SYPtE’s team of travel Advisors work hard to offer support to the public by offering up-to-date help and advice, particularly during difficult times such as the recent strikes. we are natuarally delighted to hear you are so pleased with the service you received and we will endeavour to maintain this high standard.

If anyone would like help from a travel Advisor please call traveline on 01709 515151.

write to us:if you write us a letter and we print it, you’ll receive one month’s free travel on South Yorkshire’s buses, trains and trams.Email go@travelsouthyorkshire.com or post your letter to Go! Magazine, FREEPOST nEA3487, Sheffield S2 5ZQ.

30 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 31

LETTERS

REAdER SURVEYwe want your feedback!

turn over the page and tell us what you think about Go! and what you’d like to see more of in

future issues, and you will be entered into a prize draw to win free travel on South Yorkshire’s public

transport for a whole year, worth £850!*

Please return your completed survey by 28 february 2010 to Go! Magazine, fREEPOST

NEA3487, Sheffield S2 5zQ.

32 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 33

REAdER SURVEY

1. How often do you usually use the following kinds of transport?

2. As a result of reading Go! Magazine, do you feel that you are now more aware of the name Travel South Yorkshire?

3. do you feel that you are now better informed about public transport in South Yorkshire?

why? (please give reasons for your answer)

4. do you think Go! Magazine has encouraged you to consider using public transport more often?

why? (please give reasons for your answer)

5. Thinking about the content of this magazine, which of the following features did you…

6. Are there any particular features that you’d like to see in future editions of Go! Magazine?

7. In what ways do you think the magazine could be improved?

8. Are you…

9. How old are you?

10. what is your home postcode?

11. How many cars or vans are available to members of your household, including yourself?

5 or more days a week

3-4 days week

1-2 days a week

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never

CycleCar (driver)

tramtrainBus Car (passenger)

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We would like to keep your contact details to send you information on public transport, travel cards/ticketing and promotions. If you would prefer NOT to be sent such information, please tick this box. Please note we will not use your contact information for any other purposes or pass your information on to any third parties. Winners will be drawn before 15 March 2010 and notified before 27 March 2010. *If you wish to enter the prize draw without completing this survey, please send your name, address and contact telephone number on a postcard to the address on the previous page by 28 February 2010.

news

what’s on

Profile Jessica Ennis

Preaching to the converted

Grand day out... Shopping

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In safe hands

A day in the life of... FreeBee

Last stop Hero of the hour

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hERo oF ThE hoUR

when flash floods hit South Yorkshire in the summer of 2007, toll Bar in Doncaster was one of the worst hit areas in the region. More than 150 homes were submerged in

up to five feet of water and hundreds of people made were made homeless.

But one man made it his personal mission to serve his community and grafted day and night to get the residents of toll Bar back on their feet again.

two years on, Go! catches up with local hero Pat Hagan...

oday, there is little sign of the chaos that faced the residents of Toll Bar in 2007. The temporary caravan park that was home to so many for so long has been removed, and homes

have been redecorated, all signs of water damage cleaned away.

But behind the scenes there is one man that still works tirelessly to make sure the community stays settled and happy. Pat Hagan, a neighbourhood manager with Doncaster Council, proved himself to be the lynchpin in the clean-up operation following the floods and went way beyond the call of duty. Working 18-hour days, seven days a week for months on end, his commitment and

dedication were recognised with an MBE and an award from the council. Yet although the chaos has returned to calm, and Pat’s role has taken him away from Toll Bar and to Adwick where he works with a team of six, he is still on hand to provide help and support to those affected.

“I’ve gone back to my old job, things have been wound down on a day to day basis, but I still keep in touch with the people I was working with,” says Pat. “I was talking to one of the ladies from Toll Bar yesterday, I gave her a call to see how she was getting on.” And it’s this dedication, the support that goes way beyond the nine-to-five requirements of his day job, that saw Pat recognised in the

Queen’s honours list and earned him the respect of everyone he comes into contact with.

During his working day, Pat deals with a huge number of issues affecting the community – everything from ensuring rubbish is collected on time to dealing with anti-social behaviour. His work sees him liaise with a range of agencies including the police, social care providers, education authorities and community groups, and he and his team act as facilitators to ensure relevant action is taken. “A pet hate of mine is when you see someone and say you’ll get it sorted out and then see them six months later and they say it didn’t happen,” says Pat. “You have to follow

32 winter 2009/10 winter 2009/10 33

LAST STOp PAt HAGAn

it up – it’s about customer satisfaction.”“It’s not a nine-to-five job,” Pat admits.

“And I’m sure people think I’m joking, but I’ve got the best job in the council, there are no two days are the same. If I sit down and think hard about why I do the job I do, it’s because I like to help people.

“That sounds a bit like I want to look after children and create world peace and save animals,” he laughs. “But it’s about helping people but not doing it in an upfront way that says ‘look at me, being helpful,’ but just doing what’s necessary to get things done.”

It’s this modest, unassuming attitude that proved to be a lifeline for so many during the devastation of June 2007.

When a sustained bout of freak torrential rain caused the River Don to burst its banks, many parts of South Yorkshire were submerged in several feet of water and the local authorities found themselves dealing with an emergency of biblical proportions.

In Toll Bar, Pat was asked to head up a team to deal with the immediate problems of getting people into temporary accommodation, and then tackling the immense clean-up operation.

“It’s part of my remit to respond to any type of neighbourhood emergency and we immediately put together a plan to deal with the clean up and get people into temporary accommodation ,” says Pat simply. But his dedication to the cause went way beyond his remit, and the line between official duty and selfless support was completely erased.

“It’s hard to draw a distinction between my official role and what happened during that time,” he admits. “But what was very clear to me was there was a job to be done and I had to use all my skills and experience to get it done. It was a massive team effort, a wonderful effect of synergy, and everything seemed to come together. It brought out the best in people and I never experienced any negative behaviour.”

Although Pat and his team knew there was a difficult task ahead, it became much

more than they anticipated. Working from 6am until midnight, Pat was dealing with the understandable anger of those affected as well as the practical issues facing them.

“It was a very highly pressured environment to work in,” admits Pat. “People were looking for someone to blame, that’s natural, and I think at first people probably felt very angry towards the council thinking that maybe they’d caused it. They perhaps didn’t want us there, but knew that they needed us, and then eventually they said actually we don’t want to see you go.”

The initially clean-up was a real military operation. As well as clearing away flood damage, there were the practicalities of helping people to deal with insurance companies, provide temporary accommodation, find furniture and provide basic necessities such as food and washing facilities.

“The council arranged for fifty static caravans to be brought to Toll Bar, and we set up an on-site support centre,” remembers Pat.

“We only had one rule – and that was to never turn anyone away. Whatever came through the door, we dealt with there and then and didn’t let them leave until it was sorted. Whether they needed a plumber, help with insurance or temporary accommodation, it was dealt with.

“We were lucky to have support of a fantastic network of people and organisations, and the donations were staggering. Local businesses, the Salvation Army, schools, supermarkets and individual donations – it was all so positive, and the support made things so much easier to deal with.”

When the immediate problems of food, shelter and security had been dealt with, Pat and his team knew that there was still a huge amount of work to be done to make sure that the hundreds of people living in a caravan park were able to live as normal a life as possible.

“If you spend a week in a caravan during your summer holiday, by the end of it you’re feeling cramped,” says Pat. “These people were spending up to a year in them, and it would have been easy for them to go stir crazy.”

But the resilience of those affected couldn’t be underestimated, and Pat encountered nothing but positivity from the people he was working with.

“Initially there was an atmosphere of anger and tension and distress, but that quickly changed to being extremely positive,” says Pat “It was certainly the most rewarding part of my working life experiencing that shift in attitude.”

Yet that shift was in no small part due to Pat himself, who had arranged a wide range of activities to ensure that people didn’t feel

disconnected from the wider community. “After the clean-up, we wanted to make

sure that the community support didn’t just die away and that there was something in place to keep people working towards a positive outcome,” he explains.

“We set up groups to help people get into training or employment, and then we quickly saw that people began organising their own groups and taking things much further, writing their own newsletters, setting up publishing groups. The outcomes were so unexpected.”

Now, almost three years on, the caravans have been removed, “and they were as good as new when we got them back, which just shows how hard people worked to keep things normal,” the homes have been redecorated and the visible impact of the devastating floods has all but disappeared.

But what hasn’t changed is the work that Pat and his team are doing behind the scenes, tirelessly working around the clock for the good of the Doncaster community.

“We work hard and we work long hours – this isn’t the job for you if you want to start at eight and go home at five!” laughs Pat. But, he says with typical modesty, “I’m blessed with a very dedicated team of six with a broad range of skills that are very good at reinventing themselves. So whatever issues arise, they can tackle it – I’m very well supported.”

And even Pat must switch off some times – who is at home to make sure he gets the much needed rest and relaxation?

“I have a very supportive wife,” he says. “She’s a real anchor for me, and tells me when I need to stop and take stock. She really keeps my feet on the ground.”

So, after such a hectic working life, is retirement on the cards any time soon?

“No way!” he insists.“I know it’ll have to happen one day, but my

race isn’t run yet!”

we only had one rule – to never turn anyone away.

whether they needed a plumber, help with insurance or temporary

accommodation, it was dealt with.

DEVASTATiOn: Toll Bar back in 2007.

34 winter 2009/10

LAST STOp PAt HAGAn

34 winter 2009/10

Hate driving?Love park & ride

travelsouthyorkshire.com/go2Traveline 01709 51 51 51

Buses every seven to ten minutes or better

Extra limited stop buses at peak times calling at Doncaster Racecourse, Doncaster Dome and town centre bus stops

Bus priority measures speeding up journey times into Doncaster

Brand new buses

Address

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Name Tel

Email

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We would like to keep your contact details to send you information on public transport, travel cards / ticketing and promotions. If you would prefer NOT to be sent such information, please tick this box. Please note we will not use your contact information for any other purposes or pass your information on to any third parties.

Terms and conditions: Only one voucher per person. May be exchanged for one week’s free parking and travel (individual or group ticket) from the York Road (Doncaster North) or Bawtry Road (Doncaster South) park & ride sites. Free travel only available to people parking a vehicle at the park & ride sites. O� er available on a � rst come, � rst served basis. Voucher valid until 31 May 2010. Photocopies not accepted. The Travel South Yorkshire partnership reserves the right to withdraw this o� er at any time.

Usual travel method

Car Bus Train Cycle Walk

One week’s FREE park & ride in Doncaster worth up to £12.50Fill in and take this voucher to the York Road (Doncaster North) or Bawtry Road (Doncaster South) park & ride sites to exchange for a free week’s individual or group park & ride ticket.

travelsouthyorkshire.com/go10Traveline 01709 51 51 51 quoting A2B