A pop-up exhibition is on display at Sheffield’s Millenium Gallery to showcase stories from the pandemic, part of a city wide project led by Opus Independents, in partnership with Compassionate Sheffield and Sheffield City Council. The 10 day mixed media exhibition aims to highlight the impact of Covid-19 on individuals and communities and will feed into the city’s wider memorial activity. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Ruth Nutter, a community worker at Compassionate Sheffield.

With Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) coming into force this week, dozens of angry protesters marched through the city centre at the weekend to oppose the scheme. More than 200 people including campaigners against the charges, taxi drivers and small businesses marched from the Town Hall to Sheffield train station to protest what they describe as a plan to make money out of local residents. CAZ comes into force from Monday, 27th of February and some of the most polluting vehicles such as taxis, buses, coaches, vans, LGVs and HGVs will be charged £10 per day for entering the city centre and the inner ring road. Steve Vaughan, a van owner and has worked in Sheffield city centre for over 20 years and spoke to Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh.

Planning proposals have been submitted to transform the old Castle Market, demolished over five years ago, into a public space, including an events venue, new public art and opening up of the River Sheaf. The application focuses on the public space proposals, turning the currently empty plot into what the local authority described as a “vibrant and inviting area in the city centre” for residents and visitors to “socialise and enjoy events”. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to councillor Mazher Igbal.

Sheffield City Council leader Terry Fox, speaking to Sheffield Live! said the Fargate shipping container project “was not our finest hour”. Engineers have begun uninstalling the eight units following a report which recommended the complex be dismantled and stored for future use in communities or parks. The failed project, which cost over £0.5 million, had been due to open in October 2022 but faced many delays before it eventually opened for a few weeks. Baillor Jalloh reports.

The Alzheimer’s Society charity is encouraging people in South Yorkshire affected by dementia to share their experience of diagnosis of the condition. The charity says dementia diagnosis rates have fallen significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic and long waiting list. More than 30,000 additional people across the UK are currently on a waiting list for a diagnosis. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke Michael White, area manager for Alzheimer’s Society.

Sheffield residents’ groups with the support of their Local Area Committee will be able to designate grass verges and green pockets for wildflower planting. Councillor Barbara Masters, who has championed the scheme, told Sheffield Live! residents would be able to get advice from council officers and the wildlife trusts on suitable wildflower species for creating naturalised verges that would not rewuire mowing more than once a year. Bailor Jalloh reports.

Climate activists held a vigil outside the Town Hall on Monday to mark four years since Sheffield Council declared a climate emergency and to raise awareness about the dangers of climate change. Sheffield has committed to becoming a zero carbon city by 2030. A petition with more than 200 signatures urging the Council to act faster was delivered during the full council meeting. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Joan Miller and Peter Gilbert.

Campaign group End Fuel Poverty Coalition are calling on the government to increase taxes on energy firms and support vulnerable customers following reports of windfall profits. British Gas owner Centrica made over £3bn profits in 2022 after oil and gas prices soared, more than triple the £948m it made in 2021. The figures come just weeks after British Gas was criticised over its use of debt agents to force-fit prepayment meters in the homes of vulnerable customers. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Simon Francis, co-ordinator for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.

A new play emulating the life of Emma Clarke, Britain’s first black female footballer, is set to take place at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre this weekend. Emma Clarke is known as a 19th century pioneer for women’s football in this country. Sheffield Live! reporter Tchiyiwe Chihana spoke to Sara Sanderson who performs the role of Emma Clarke in the new production.

A Sheffield based anti-smoking charity is calling on the government to introduce an excise tax on single use vapes to be implemented in the budget next month. The recommendations from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) come following an increase in youth vaping and growing concerns from parents and teachers. The charity believes an excise tax on disposable vapes would deter many young people from vaping as the increased price would be a deterrent. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke Hazel Cheeseman, deputy chief executive of ASH.