Tag Archives: ceremony

Special Olympics 2017 – Day 1

Rain could do nothing to dampen the spirits for the opening ceremony at Bramall Lane of the Special Olympics 2017 GB National Games. Delegations from the nations and regions poured into the stadium for the lighting of the flame, accompanied by dancers, gymnasts, music and celebrity guests. “We’ll stop at nothing” the official song of the Games, sung by James Toseland, was a fitting statement of intent as the games got underway in venues across the city. With over 10,000 visitors to Sheffield, including 2,600 athletes plus their families, supporters, trainers and event volunteers, the Special Olympics 2017 GB National Games in Sheffield are off to a flying start. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed introduces the first of our daily Special Olympics 2017 highlights.

Sheffield veterans receive France’s highest military honour

Four Second World War veterans from Sheffield have been presented with the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest military distinction, in a ceremony at Sheffield Town Hall. The four veterans, in their early 90s and all still living in Sheffield, are Roy Stout, Graham Bell, Donald Walker and George Young .The medal ceremony follows a number of similar events that have taken place around the UK since the 70th anniversary of D-Day in June 2014, when French President François Hollande pledged to honour British veterans who had served in France during the war. France has so far decorated more than 4,300 D-Day veterans across the UK. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield war hero honoured in ceremony

Sheffield’s most decorated war hero Major William Barnsley Allen has been honoured with a ceremony and a commemorative plaque at the Cenotaph war memorial in Barker’s Pool. Major Allen, who was born in Sheffield in 1892 and died in 1933, was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty after saving many lives at the battle of the Somme as part of the Royal Army Medical Corps. A plaque was unveiled and officers placed wreaths at the foot of the city centre war memorial. Members of Major Allen’s family were in attendance along with the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Denise Fox. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!