AROUND TOWN MEETS


the Primary Care Trust to give each GP practice in Rotherham access to a mental health nurse, a psychology graduate worker and a counsellor which became the best thing to happen for the service in decades.


To help even more people in Rotherham, Steve also joined his local Round Table club as a young doctor and has been part of it for over 30 years. The Burns family have had three Round Table chairmen, with Steve’s two sons following in his footsteps.


Known as boy scouts with


brought me a bottle of whisky round as he said it was the happiest he’d seen Sarah and his wife in years.”


By keeping all money raised local, the fundraising efforts from the Round Table has gone to numerous worthy causes from the local foodbanks to Rotherham Cancer Care and the Talking Newspaper.


“The hardest part is deciding who to give the money to. For some charities, what we donate is a drop in the ocean for them, while for others it’s a lifeline. Services such as the foodbank can help a lot of people with our donation. We want to make a bigger difference to people we know will appreciate our help and we’re always looking for deserving causes for the future.”


And of course, we can’t talk about Steve Burns without mentioning the beer festival.


If you haven’t already gathered, Steve has always enjoyed beer in moderation and joined CAMRA 12 years ago after spotting a leaflet while out with friends in Sheffield.


Steve in his younger days addressing the National AGM of Round Table


“It said – ‘do you want to be a beer warrior?’ Damn straight I did.


beer, the Round Table don’t just sit there talking – they get out in the field to actually make a difference to local people. While part of the group, Steve has done everything from creating a garden at Newman School to decorating an old gentleman’s home in Herringthorpe.


For 33 years, he has joined the Round Table on their annual Santa sleigh visits around the local area and last Christmas they raised £7,000 through donations over the ten nights. He’s even played the Santa role.


“One year a little bird, her father, told me that a young girl called Sarah wanted a painter’s set for Christmas and he’d search across the county to finally get one. I spotted her in the crowd with her mum and told her I, or Santa, was bringing her a painter’s set.


“Her dad was so pleased, he


Members of Round Table at a Charter Dinner


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“Two weeks after I joined there was an AGM in Rotherham and, of course, I can’t go to things and not get involved so I volunteered with my friend Geoff Brown as joint fundraisers on the committee.”


One of the big events on the beer scene in Rotherham is the Real Ale and Music Festival which was then held at Oakwood School. Steve and Geoff ran the tombola and Janet took over the catering.


After 19 years at Oakwood, it


Steve and his sons, Stephen (left) inducting his brother Stuart (right) into Round Table


“One thing I’ve learnt after listening to


patients over the last 30 years is that people always regret the things they didn’t do.”


moved to Magna in 2011 which Jim Charters, the then lead organiser, said would be his last event. With a life motto of ‘I’ll do it’, Steve took over as organiser with the first night at Magna being his first night in charge, helped by joint organiser for the music, John Hyslop.


Since then, Steve and John have continued to help the beer festival grow by moving with the times and enticing a wider audience with things like Prosecco cocktails, craft beer and a variety of music genres.


Since the move to Magna, the beer festival has raised over £120,000 for various charities


including Rotherham Hospice, Bluebell Wood and Weston Park Cancer Charity.


“Whenever John and I put on events, whatever it may be, we always do it for three reasons. One - to have a good time; two - to raise the profile of the charity; and three - to raise money.”


Steve has since gone on to chair the local CAMRA branch, along with being a trustee at Maples Cancer Care Centre and secretary of Rotherham BMA.


With such a busy schedule, it’s surprising how he manages to fit it all in while also spending time with his two grandsons or going to St James’ Park to watch his beloved Magpies.


“One thing I’ve learnt after listening to patients over the last 30 years is that people always regret the things they didn’t do. We never know what will happen tomorrow and I want to enjoy myself and say yes to anything – within reason.”


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