Denzil

I've been to Sheffield Hockey club training but found that almost all of the girls there were significantly younger than me and felt a bit like there was an assumption that I knew nothing just cos I was new to the club... Also, I can't train on Wednesdays as I go riding then and won't change that for anything... Any suggestions of other clubs... I'm competitive but winning's not the be all and end all for me - the taking part, getting a blast out on the field and having good socials (where I can talk to people that get where a 30 yr olds coming from) is what I'm looking for...

If it is a BHS approved riding school then they want to get the BHS to sort out their website because Parklands is definitely not in the online list of approved riding schools in South Yorkshire...

Snowdon Farm work on the basis that you need to know how to ride the horse and then it will do as asked and all their horses are capable of that, I believe. Also, you rise a full range of horses there and so that will improve your abilities as a rider rather than always riding the same horse or type of horse. Parklands doesn't appear to be on the BHS website, so I'd be interested how you get on there...

I didn't have a bad experience at all, in fact, I ride there every week now and love it. They just take it very seriously so you learn loads and can really ride properly. If all you want is a bit of a plod around then Snowdon Farm might not be for you however, if you are serious about learning how to ride and really doing something with it then Snowdon Farm is really excellent and they are definitely nice people. I've never ridden at Grenoside but got the impression they don't take it quite so seriously. Their details are on the BHS website (maybe listed as Barnes Green)...

I've contacted Sheffield Hockey Club a couple of times and had no response as yet! I really want to get playing for this season as I only started playing again last year in Hong Kong after 13 years off. Can someone also reassure me that these clubs are not just for students as the website seems geared towards them...

Of course you can have lessons at 16! I started riding at 8 and there are plenty that start a lot younger than that! I've justed started riding again and have been going to Snowdon Farm, Coal Aston. I'm loving it there but don't expect a warm fluffy feeling expect excellent tuition and great horses - perfect if you want to take it quite seriously! Lessons are £22 an hour for me. Otherwise I've heard that Grenoside is good too. I think lessons here are about £18 an hour.

Rod Hull and Emu... And Ben Surtees from Little Man Tate...

I've just returned from Hong Kong where picked up playing hockey again for the first time in 13 years and loved it... I want to find a team in the Sheffield area that caters for all standards, has an active social life and would/do look at tours abroad, etc... Wherever I end up will have an invite to tour to Hong Kong to play my old club Valley...

What other clubs are there in the Sheffield region that'll welcomes people of all standards?

If anyone's been affected I'd recommend that they get in touch with their insurance company before they start cleaning up as yo may affect your claim... At least take photos before you move anything.

I'm at work as is everyone else. No effects here in Nether Edge but we can't get out to clients today in Rotherham or Doncaster. We'll be back out there tomorrow though and carrying on as normal. No doubt, as we're a firm of accountants with many clients at Brightside, we'll be helping them out with their disaster recovery plans, etc in the months to come, including accouting for all this in the next years accounts! Things like this have consequences that you don't even think about initially...

My office is wanting to start a collection for those affected by the floods but can anyone tell me a number to call re: a coordinated relief effort so that we can tell our employees what items are required, etc? Thanks

I'm going to have to suss out the situation at work tomorrow and if I can get in I'm going to start a collection there for essentials. Also will be around at the weekend and will be happy to volunteer to do owt. May be able to do tea runs etc tomorrow night too. Will keep an eye on this thread to find out where to go..

Really glad he's ok Ditz. Wrap him in a blanket and give him a hug from the people of Sheffield.

I totally agree with that. I think my time would be better spent tomorrow finding blankets and food for the victims than sat in the car!