Soldier boy

We have family living out that way, it really is glorious. Even when the weather isn't so good, its a great place to be. The benefits seem to be that its so much quieter than other local rural areas, and much cheaper. Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield are very easily reached, in fact if you want to shop at Meadowhall () you can get there in 15 minutes or so. Penistone has a great market and the wonderful Paramount cinema building. Huddersfield is another good place nearby, around 30 minutes. There are loads of 'hidden gem' pubs. My family don't have, and have never bothered with, a 4wd. There are usually only a few days when the snow gets bad and snow tyres seem as much use. We only moved away due to advncing years but visit often and miss the birdsong and other things you don't get when its noisy and busy!

I have used Avante Removals many times in the past, last time to my retirement home on the south coast, and have always had great service. They were originally recommended to me by another removal company that was closing due to retirement about 10 years ago. Hope all goes well with your move.

My grand daughter just passed with Kath Hawes from Ringinglow. Her previous intructor had told us she was 'impossible' but with patience Kath got her through first time. She put us all at ease and was ready to chat on the phone about how we could help with my grand daughters stress levels! I would recommend her very highly to anyone! She is based in S11 but I think she covers most of south west Sheffield. I don't know the rates as my son paid and this isn't an advert anyway, it's my honest recommendation! Please give Kath a call if you have a nervous teen about to hit the road. 0114 230 1535

I've lived in many different places over the years for varying lengths of time but have always come back to Sheffield. Why? Because it's home! That said I agree with many saying how much things have changed. The bad areas have got worse, the better areas less attainable. I think when I do get round to moving again Ill be very unlikely to return except to go under the sod',:gag:

This is definitely an issue. Generally the cheaper rates will be for smaller vans that may have to make 3,4 or 5 trips. Not an option if you need to be out by 1pm as is usually the case. Ask if the company has a lorry and how many staff. Also, check the insurance situation and ask for proof. You can buy anything cheaply but it's often not the best option.

Hi there We have used the cafe in Towsure on Holme Lane. The girls in there are great, they have made a couple of cakes for me and they are fantastic. They have a huge portfolio of cakes they have made in the past and several on display. Best thing is you can have a coffee in the cafe while you choose, and you can park your car right outside (good for us old 'uns!). Don't know their number I'm afraid but I suppose it'll be in the book under Towsure. Hope this helps.

Hi, wonder if anyone on the Forum can give me a bit of advice. Last year (September) I was involved in a minor shunt in my car in Sheffield, one of the 'car swerves in front of me and suddenly slams on brakes' type of shunt, I'm sure we're all aware of the type of thing. Anyways, all sorted via the insurance companies, both vehicles sorted and back on the road ages ago. Today I receive a letter from Amey informing me that the incident involved either damage to Crown property (?) or action to facilitate safe passage of vehicles? Neither vehicle hit anything (other than each other) nor was any roadside furniture, fixtures or fittings involved in any way. There was no fuel spillage, just some water from my radiator, no injuries (except the obvious whiplash from the other driver) and both vehicles were driven off the road to a place of safety. Couple of things, what are Amey up to? and why would it take 8 months for them to inform me of this? The Police were there very quickly but left when they realised there was no real problems and no criminal activity.

We had a similar situation when we moved. In the end we rented a small self storage room and had our removal company put some items we didn't need straight away into self storage, they then brought the rest to our house, leaving some room for us to deal with the flooring (we were sanding boards down) then we got a van and man from 2men1van to bring the items from the storage a week later. All told it ended up adding about £75.00 to our overall removal costs and £30 for the storage at Big Yellow in Hillsborough. Good luck with your move.

Does anyone know whether on street parking charges are suspended for new years day. My daughter has to go into work in the town centre between 2 and 8pm and can't rely on buses or trams. Ta in anticipation

I had this problem on an old VW a few years ago. Garage told me 'new gearbox, £750 +!!' I went underneath and noticed the rubber gaitor underneath the gear lever (where it passes through the floor) had ripped. Took off the gearchage mechanism (4 bolts and 2 wires) stripped it down, cleaned and greased it, fitted new gaitor £11.50 + vat i think) put it back together and it was as good, perhaps better, than when I first got the car. Bearing in mind the garage had had it up on a ramp for 45 minutes, I'm sure they knew what the propblem really was.

Yes we've used Avante Removals a few times and they've consistantly been great.

Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them. Recently took out a car insurance policy with Swinton, I thought I would use them as they are local to my home and would appear to be a generally good firm. Having had many years driving experience and a full, 10 years + no claims history I go for the copmprehensive option. After purchasing this cover online, the document arrived through the post a few days later. A quick glance showed that the 'Driving other vehicles' extension that I have always had with every other policy I have ever had was not included on the Swinton policy. No explanation, just not included. I contacted my local branch regarding this and was told that there was nothing they could do. I could always cancel the policy and, even though it was less than 7 days since the commencement (distance selling regulations?) of the policy I would be charged £50.00!! So I suppose what I'm asking is; A. Can they do this? B. Do the terms of the distance selling regulations not apply to insurance products c. Has this happened to anyone else? I suppose I may have to put up with this annoyance for the next year but I will certaily avoid Swinton in future and maybe look at a compay that is happy to make these exclusions obvious! Rant over.

And don't forget that if you drive to the test station with a fault, even if the vehicle is booked in, you can still be reported for driving an un-roadworthy car and the insurance is possibly void. Of course that's much the same even if your car has a current m.o.t! Damned if you do etc etc..........

Cheap rents maybe, but when the council stick on the ridiculous rates charge any small business has to think long and hard. I rent a small unit for an internet business, well out of central sheffield, and the council charge me nearly £800 a year in rates which includes the small business discount! No wonder there are so many empty units and shops these days!

Is Don Alexanders still on Ecclesall Road? He used to do all things Sheffield. Theres also a printers on Shalesmoor that sold the 'Whers me mam' and Wheres me dad' books (think they spell Where differently in the title tho), I'll see if I can find the name, its next to the 'Ship Inn' pub