The new Dorothy Fox Education Centre has been officially opened at the Sheffield Botanical Gardens by Peregrine Cavendish, the Duke of Devonshire. The Duke is a patron of the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust. The new centre aims to transform the use of the gardens as an educational resource for people of all ages. Sheffield Live reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Jill Sinclair, chair of the Friends of the Botanical Gardens.
Over thirty charities took part with stands, exhibitions and advice stalls in the Sheffield Volunteer Fair 2017 held at The Circle, Division Street. The event highlighted some of the the volunteering vacancies available and how to get involved in making a difference in the community. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Rebecca Cropper and Nichola Harding of the City Hearts charity.
The new Sheffield Youth Cabinet have held their first meeting bringing together fourteen newly elected youth councillors together with other members representing diverse interest groups. The cabinet consists of 29 young people of different ages, background and abilities. It aims to give a voice to young people at city-wide level and to maintain links with local youth forums and the UK Youth Parliament. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield Council are consulting on new rules that would prevent the licensing of any new strip clubs or swingers clubs in the city. The proposals would set a limit of just two sex establishments. The news follows the withdrawal last year by Villa Mercedes of an application to open a sex venue in the city centre after a backlash from the public. One of the two licensed venues in Sheffield, Spearmint Rhino, also has its license up for renewal this month. The consultation, which runs until 31 March, includes a possible ban on sex cinemas and a limit on sex shops to just one per council ward. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to councillor Douglas Johnson.
Residents of Knowle Lane in south east Sheffield have complained to Sheffield council about the deterioration of road surfaces only eighteen months after resurfacing by private contractor Amey. The work has been part of the Streets Ahead programme to repair potholes, damaged pavements, and crumbling speed bumps. The programme also includes the controversial felling of Sheffield trees. Simon Thake reports from Knowle Lane for Sheffield Live!
Community groups from Sharrow and Nether Edge have won a Sheffield Police Award for their work to reduce anti social behaviour in the area. Over the last three years there has been an increase in incidents of anti-social behaviour along Abbeydale Road. The community partnership was formed in response. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Jonathan Roberts and Jim Steinke.
A new project has been launched in Stocksbridge to halt the decline of the willow tit, a resident bird which has fallen in numbers by 88 per cent over the last 30 years. This project is focused on Fox Glen, Pot House Wood and Newhall Wood where there has been a significant population of the birds. South Yorkshire Forest Enterprise Trust will oversee work to encourage recolonisation, including planting trees to provide suitable nesting sites, installing nest boxes, thinning trees to provide open habitat, and undertaking drainage work to provide the damp conditions that willow tits prefer. In cooperation with the Steel Valley Project, the scheme will train local people in countryside management and nature conservation work through volunteering opportunities. It is anticipated that the work will be complete by March 2018. Simon Thake reports from Fox Glen for Sheffield Live!
South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings has confirmed that trade union laws will no longer be used in the police response to tree protesters. The news comes two weeks after charges were dropped against nine protesters including Alison Teal, councillor for Nether Edge and Sharrow, who were arrested on suspicion of preventing Amey workers from felling a tree on Chippinghouse Road. Those arrested were charged with preventing lawful work under section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1992. The charges have since been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service due to lack of evidence. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Hundreds of Orgreave justice campaigners joined a ‘noisy protest’ outside the Home Office on Marsham Street, London. The demonstration was organised by the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign and brought together trade unionists, campaigners and former miners. It follows the Home Secretary’s decision last year, not to grant an independent public inquiry into police brutality against striking miners at the Orgreave coking plant in June 1984. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
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A Sheffield artist, has painted a mural portrait in memory of Aseel Al-Essaie close to where the 23 year old was gunned down on Daniel Hill, Upperthorpe. The memorial tribute was painted by Ben Gourvenec on wall of the Red Monkey Tattoo Studio. Gourvenec, a part-time artist, responded to a proposal that was circulated on social media. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!