A COMMUNITY group who meet at a pub in Kingstone have been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award to recognise the work they do in the area.

‘Heaven and Ale in the Community’ is a group that works to try and make Kingstone a better place - while also giving volunteers a chance to meet new people.

They meet in the Heaven and Ale pub on Agnes Road which has allowed Kingstone residents - like group member Jeff Biggin - to make new friends.

He said: ”The group started in September last year.

“I’d lived here 36 years before it was set up and had met very few people.

“The pub became a big melting pot for the society so it felt like the logical step to make a group.

“We now have around 30 to 40 people who join in with activities or meetings.

“It’s been great to occasionally meet people at the group just to realise you actually live on the same street as them.”

The group have recently worked to restore and tidy up street planters in Kingstone - with almost a third of them having been replanted with new plants.

Coun Stephen Bullcock, who nominated the group for the award, said: “In a short space of time they have achieved much with the planters.

“They’re now looking much more presentable with desirable shrubs, flowers and bulbs planted.

“They literally ‘love where they live’ and the group is run on enthusiasm and community spirit.”

The group have also done work to make the local park look more attractive - and are raising money for a defibrillator in the Heaven and Ale pub.

Jeff has said that it would be great for the group to win an award - but the group doesn’t necessarily do things for the praise.

He added: “It would be great for the group to get recognised for the work we do, it would feel as if we had really made a difference in Kingstone.

“We don’t do it for the recognition though, we want to give back to the community and also find connections with others in the group.”