Jill Theobald

Daniel Towriss, a 24-year-old guitarist, singer and songwriter from South Yorkshire, died at home on July 11. His family has thanked the Rotherham community for its tributes and for organizing memorial events. Towriss was remembered by Rotherham Music, local venues and his family as a skilled, kind-hearted performer who brought people together through music and supported Scouting and charities. His funeral is scheduled at Rotherham Crematorium, while Rotherham United plans a minute’s applause in his memory. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

Owners Charlotte and Charlie Schofield say a council report into alleged noise problems at Hooton Lodge Farm could threaten the venue’s ability to hold events, put jobs at risk and damage the business. They say they have waited six months to see the report and the evidence behind a claim that the site may be causing a statutory nuisance, despite making noise-control changes and offering to cooperate with residents. The owners argue that the venue supports local contractors, charities, tourism and social activities. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council declined to comment on the specific allegations because an investigation and regulatory process are ongoing, adding that a planning application for the site is also awaiting a decision.

CAOS Musical Theatre Society is recruiting new members for its April 2027 production of My Fair Lady at Rotherham Civic Theatre. The Sheffield-based group, established in 1924, welcomes performers of all experience levels and does not require auditions. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings at High Green Methodist Church, with a welcome meeting scheduled for September 2. Interested people can contact the society through Facebook, call secretary Andrea Woolston, or attend the meeting.

Rotherham town-centre businesses say ongoing regeneration roadworks have sharply reduced footfall and takings, disrupted deliveries, forced changes to opening hours and led to increased parking fines and cleaning costs. Traders and property owners criticise poor fencing, restricted access, limited council assistance and tight grant-application deadlines. Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber supports the regeneration but calls for closer collaboration and measures to protect businesses. Rotherham Council acknowledges the disruption, attributes delays partly to utility works, says most footway improvements should finish by the end of August and road resurfacing is planned for September, while pointing to parking alternatives and forthcoming shop-front grants.

Rother Valley Country Park has temporarily suspended cycle hire, water sports hire and private launches, including paddle boards, kayaks and canoes, after an incident involving an individual user. Staff are inspecting equipment and operating procedures, with facilities expected to reopen in phases over the coming days. The park remains open, including its cafés, play areas and outdoor spaces, while Sheffield Cable Waterski and Aqua Park continues to operate normally.

Resurfacing is underway on Fenton Road in Rotherham after a burst water main temporarily left several properties without water and caused significant damage to the highway. Yorkshire Water said supplies were restored within four hours, while a partial road closure remains in place until repairs are completed safely.

A field near homes off Grange Road in Rawmarsh, Rotherham, caught fire on July 17 in what South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue believes was a deliberate act. Firefighters from Rotherham extinguished the blaze using a hose reel and beaters, and an investigation has been launched. Witnesses with information are urged to contact Firestoppers.

Intruders broke into Rotherham Hospice’s Donation Centre on Rawmarsh Road overnight, causing significant damage and stealing a donation tin, cash and electrical items. The burglary left staff and volunteers shaken and will require repairs funded at the expense of the hospice’s free end-of-life and palliative-care services. The centre remains open, with donors asked to use the rear entrance while South Yorkshire Police investigate.

Eleven-year-old Freddie Newton spotted Debbie Taylor unresponsive beside a swimming pool in Menorca and alerted his father, off-duty Rotherham firefighter Matt Newton. Matt performed CPR for six minutes until a defibrillator restarted Taylor’s heart. After intensive care and further medical checks in the UK, doctors determined that a blood clot on her lung likely caused the cardiac arrest. Taylor made a full recovery and credited the father and son with saving her life; Freddie will be honored at his school.