Sheffield News

Festival of creativity to celebrate people and cultures

Sheffield’s Festival of Arts and Humanities 2017, a celebration of people and cultures, has been launched at a showcase event at the Millennium Gallery. The main festival, which is organised by Sheffield University, is to run at various venues for a three week period from the beginning of May. It will feature world renowned writers, poets and historians, film screenings, music, medieval cabaret and a Roman feast with the aim of stimulating imagination, creativity and “thinking about thinking”. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

High heels at work? No thanks

With workplace dress codes under the parliamentary spotlight, Sheffield Live! asked women in Sheffield for their views on footwear and company rules. In the House of Commons debate last week, Gill Furniss, MP for Hillsborough and Brightside, described how her daughter suffered a metatarsal fracture, more commonly affiliated with sports injuries, after being made to wear heels in a retail job. The debate followed a petition signed by more than 150,000 people, launched by receptionist Nicola Thorp after she was sent home from work for refusing to wear high heels. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

https://vimeo.com/208166393

New president elected to Sheffield Hallam Union

Luke Renwick will be the new Sheffield Hallam University Students’ Union President after winning the largest share of votes in elections this week. Alongside the election for president, candidates have been canvassing for votes to represent fellow students in a variety of officer roles including sports, welfare and education officer. Renwick, who previously served as education officer, will take up the presidency in June. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

https://vimeo.com/208165818

SheFest fringe festival celebrates women and girls

The SheFest fringe festival was in full swing on the streets of Sheffield at the weekend with music, dance, fashion and workshops across the city. Inspired by International Women’s Day the city-wide festival ran throughout the week and culminated in a weekend of celebration of women and girls. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Church leaders defend Bishop of Sheffield nomination

The Revd Canon Ian Smith has defended the nomination by church leaders of Bishop Philip North to the position of Bishop of Sheffield. The Rt Revd Philip North, current Bishop of Burnley, turned down the offer of the new role as the diocesan bishop after public criticism of his view that women should not become ordained priests. The campaign group Sheffield Action on Ministry Equality have been vocal in their criticism and staged a demonstration outside the Women of Steel statue in Barker’s Pool on International Women’s Day. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to the Revd Canon Ian Smith.

https://vimeo.com/208163970

Sheffield celebrates International Women’s Day 2017

Verdon Street Community Centre, Burngreave hosted one of many events in Sheffield and worldwide to mark International Women’s Day 2017. With stalls, music and speeches by local women from a diversity of backgrounds the gathering brought together over 100 participants to celebrate women’s economic, political and social achievements. International Women’s Day is rooted in the struggle for women’s suffrage and equal rights and has been celebrated worldwide since 1911. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Tree charity suspends work in Sheffield

Tree planting charity, Trees for Cities, has said it is suspending all funding, support, and activity in Sheffield due to concerns with the council’s tree felling programme. The UK charity works internationally to promote greener cities and has planted more than 25,000 trees in Sheffield over the last ten years. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

https://vimeo.com/207343309

Theatre Delicatessen invites public to talk about sex

The ‘Let’s Talk about Sex’ festival features musical, film screenings, discussions and cabaret, with the public invited to join the conversation. Theatre Delicatessen promises a fun and safe environment in which embarrassment can be put to one side and everyone will be talking about sex. Highlights include ‘Buzz the Musical’, a history of the vibrator, and a new version of The Vagina Monologues, presented by Shefest. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Snooker academy helping children with physical and learning disabilities

A groundbreaking Sheffield social enterprise is providing snooker coaching and competitions for young people with physical and learning disabilities. The Stephen Harrison Snooker Academy was set up by founder Stephen Harrison, in memory of his father Ray Harrison who was the 1985 Paraplegic World Snooker Champion, winning a gold medal. The Academy has shown that snooker can help children with numeracy and literacy including using specialised snooker balls with numbers and letters printed on them as a new interactive method of learning.  Ut can also help with concentration, dexterity and hand/eye coordination. The Academy will be staging the National Junior Disability Snooker Championship on 23 April 2017 at the Green Room Snooker Centre, High Green. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Academy founder Stephen Harrison and some of the players.

Sheffield campaigners join Save Our NHS march

NHS workers, campaigners and union representatives travelled to London to join a protest march against austerity measures in the health service. Organisers said that “at least 250,000” people took part in the Save Our NHS march, which began in Tavistock Square and ended in Westminster. Protesters sought to draw attention to plans which could see cut see cut backs in nearly two thirds of hospital services in England. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!