I'm writing a story on the many delays, failings and eventual (disappearance) of the combined authority-funded ‘HS2 Academies’ at 2 Lister Street, Birmingham and at Carolina Way, Doncaster. The institution seems to have been known as an HS2 academy by locals - but has been called both a National College of Highspeed Rail and then the National College for Advanced Transport and Infrastructure.

It just seems to have closed very quietly with very little scrutiny as to why and how - there have been reports that it was taken under the aegis of the University of Birmingham - and then nothing since. Have the site's functions been transferred to the Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) Skills Academy - or just been ditched completely?

If you were a student or teacher at the academy please do get in contact with me at sam@birminghamdispatch.co.uk, thanks

I am planning on moving back to the UK once I am 18 and I'm wondering if Doncaster is a good place to stay, I've heard Doncaster is one of the main points for transport along all of England and I'm genuinely curious if it's good if I think about starting a family.

Keep an eye out for painted rocks, hidden around Doncaster. 7th Doncaster Boys Brigade and Girls Association have painted and hidden 80 rocks around Doncaster to celebrate 80 years of their group, if you find one, take a photo and hide it again! They have all been painted by children from 7th Doncaster, and they would love to see how many of these get found and shared.

I'm not actually part of the group. But my wife is captain and my eldest is a part of it too.

Hey Doncaster, I'm meeting a mate at the train station later today, as a handy halfway point between us.

Where's good to go for a couple of pints within walking distance of there?

Thanks

Likely moving soon to Wheatley area, near the Aldi, anyone got any advice? (Apart from "don't", it's not optional) Is it safe for women to go out alone, is it particularly bad for crime or racial issues etc, we're a family of 3 white brits for context, 1m 2f.

2ndly if you were young and gay, are there any good places to go to meet others? Preferably not pubs etc, not looking for hookups etc, just a nice community, I think Doncaster is known for being pretty LGBTQ friendly, just not an easy thing to discover for an introvert.

Cheers

And I know, not gonna trust anyone that says "meet me at this place I'll take you to a good gay hangout" I may be posting on reddit but, I'm not a complete imbecile...

I'm looking to become a delivery driver and just wondering what some of the better companies are to work for around Doncaster? There seems to be a lot of places hiring and would be good to hear some opinions from people who have a bit of experience. Cheers.

I’ve been trying to get in touch with them for the last couple of weeks over email / Facebook but there’s no response.

I rang them and the number is actually DCLT’s.

I thought I’d go see them in person but they’ve moved from Balby to Branton and they were shut.

This is so frustrating because they’re active on social media 🤦🏻‍♀️

More specifically, I’m looking for a track/flat area that to run some sprints/intervals. I’ve looked into the athletic club but I can’t justify the price to access the running track. Thanks in advance!

Wondering if there’s anyone out there currently commuting Doncaster to Leeds Centre for work and how they find it?

Don’t want to put a tonne of miles on my car and was considering driving to the station and then getting the train

Where is the best bonfire in Doncaster please? I’ve been to Bessacar and Scawsby but wanting to go to a better one. Thank you

Hello, I’m looking for a French teacher or French lessons as I’m keen to learn the language.

I'm interested in taking an etiquette class but can't travel outside of Doncaster so was wondering if there were any or anything like that

Hi, me and my partner are currently looking at buying our first home and just after some advice on areas we should completely avoid.

I was born in Wheatley (DN1) and have lived here all my life, area is rough but it’s what I’m used to at this point so I’m looking for somewhere quieter, less crime but I’m not expecting it to be perfect. I have family in both Edlo and Intake so know those areas already. We have an 8 year old so a good primary school and relatively close to a decent secondary school would be ideal, and good transport links into the town centre as that where I currently work.

We’ve been looking for a while already and most of the houses in our price range are within areas that have been flagged in here as areas to avoid, and the areas that are supposedly good are just out of our price range so I’m just looking for some more insight really into where people suggest :)

Can anyone sincerely tell me what it will be like living in Staniforth especially for a young black couple. Are there people of colour living in stainforth I saw an house for rent that we are interested in but thought to find out what the community is like especially around ASDA Thanks

Ohhhh my goodness, thanks everyone. I didn't expect this to get as much response as this. I really appreciate everyone who has taken out time to respond to this question

We did hear from work colleagues not to move to stainforth same as you all have said and we are now looking at somewhere around Bentley and Wheatley because of work proximity to DRI

Thanks everyone

Anyone else grow up in Donny in the 90s? Was thinking about it earlier and honestly what a time

Remember when the only place to be on a Saturday was the Arndale? Used to spend hours in Our Price flicking through CDs pretending I was gonna buy something. Then off to Tammy Girl or Mark One to waste your pocket money on some dodgy clothes your mum said made you look like a right pillock

The best bit was the market though - proper old school back then. Could get anything from those stalls - dodgy DVDs, football shirts that fell apart after one wash, and those weird plastic footballs that looked like they were made from old lucozade bottles. Always had to get a bag of peas and a pattie from the fish shop on the corner

If you were proper flush you'd end up in Wetheralls cafe with a milkshake thinking you were dead posh. Though most of the time it was hanging round McDonalds trying to make one chips between 5 of us last 2 hours

Then there was the Dome - anyone remember the death slide? Swear that thing got faster every year. Lost half the skin off my arms on that but kept going back. The wave machine was mental too - pretty sure half the water in there was about 80% chlorine but we didn't care

Nights out were class - starting in Yates's (because they'd serve anyone who could see over the bar), then onto Karisma or Top Rank if you were feeling brave. Everybody knew somebody who "definitely" got into Ritzy once but no one could ever prove it

Can't forget the mess when they were building the interchange - felt like it took about 20 years. Remember my dad going "this'll sort Donny out" every time we drove past. Think he's still waiting

Saw they've done the whole place up now but honestly I'd have them grotty old days back in a heartbeat. Anyone else got any decent memories? Still can't believe they got rid of the subway by the Arndale - that thing was an institution (even if it did smell like a tramps armpit)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Anybody else have good memories of Donny in the 90s?

Hello, I've just moved from Bradford to Woodlands and whilst I'm enjoying the peace I am missing the vast range of different foods, I've looked around on Google Maps but can't seem to find anything. Are there any shops that carry Asian/African/Polish etc food and could anyone recommend any takeaways that don't taste like Iceland airfryer specials 😭 Thank you :)

Have 50+ I plan on selling for instant cash can collect anywhere in Doncaster dm if interested

Hello, (this accounts new so i could post this), I am looking to form a band in the doncaster area with people in the same age range as me.

I myself am 17 and have been playing guitar for over a year and a half now and im looking to start/meet/find/join some form of band or meet people in general the same age as me who are interested in music., i own both an electric and acoustic guitar and can sing.

I have many influences, name an alternative/guitar driven band and im probably a fan of them, but to narrow it down to the key ones that show off different musical avenues that i like/im a fan of, it would be something along the lines of:
Nirvana, Blur, Radiohead, Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies, Pink Floyd, Beatles, Linkin Park, MGMT, 100 gecs, AIC etc etc

If your at all interested and in or around the Doncaster area (in the UK) in the same sort of age range as me, dont fret to get in contact either on here or.

Email me at:

43ideasignup@gmail.com

Hope to hear from anyone soon

I'm looking for a decent barber in Donny, or the surrounding area who isn't gonna butcher my beard. Has anyone got any recommendations? Cheers.

I just moved to Doncaster not to long ago, just wanted to ask is there any basketball groups around. When I say basketball group I mean a group that plays just for fun open to anyone, no complaints.

I was speaking to a lady called Stacey who had a son and worked in a florist. I mistakenly stopped speaking to her but I miss her so much can you message me

Hey, I’m a 25 year old female and recently moved to Hatfield, Doncaster. I’ve moved 2 hours away from my hometown so looking to meet people nearby or anyone in a similar situation!

So since Friday last week I may have dropped some nintendo switch games in a little games case holder somewhere around frenchgate or near cex it had games like persona 5 royal naruto and dead cells in it. Although I believe they're legit up and gone and someone's probably got them somewhere I thought I'd try reddit as a last resort before I unfortunately have to repurchase them all again

Hi everyone,

I need to get my 2yo's hair cut for the first time. Does anyone have suggestions of good places to get it done?

Edit for anyone with a similar question: We used Raffles on Young Street and they were lovely. Only costs £3 to get the little one's hair trimmed and they did a good job.

Haven't seen Carl, or as some people call him "Skippy" around town for a long while now, just wondering if anyone knows if he is okay because I heard that he ran into traffic and stuff so got a general worry about him, is the man okay? Does anyone know what happened to him?

I open a door for any length of time and i have to get the raid out. Can't have half a dozen flies doing fuck knows what in the kitchen.

Edit. I don't live here. Only here a few weeks for my job.

Everyday I go past Tickhill Road Hospital there to get to town via the bus and when we go past that bike lane what the council has spent millions on I think could have that money gone to other things around Doncaster? Because I never seen anyone use it and when I do see someone use their bikes down there ( like every month) they don’t even use the Bike lane.

Hi,

I am moving into Doncaster in a few days and trying to apply for a few studio flats. But I am unable to book any viewings because I don't know anyone who is a homeowner to be my guarantor. Are there any landlords who can reply to this? My rental budget is £450 to £600 I can probably manage up £800 but prefer a place cheaper. I can pay 6 months' rent in advance too if it helps.

Please reply or privately message me if you can help me. My train leaves on Saturday so after that I am free to meet up for viewings and further discussion.

Thank you, -Sadia

Looking for a spot with a nice view and minimal people around for a picnic with my girlfriend. No need for restaurants around or anything but should be under 20 ish mins walkable from a place i can drive. Anywhere around donny or surrounding is fine. Maybe 40 mins drive from bessecarr max. Any help is greatly appreciated.

If you dont want to spoil a special spot you can dm me and i wont tell a soul 🙂