Sheffield News

Council confirms closure of Hurlfield View dementia centre

Sheffield Council has confirmed the controversial closure plan for Hurlfield View dementia centre in Gleadless despite a public campaign to retain the facility. The centre is scheduled to be closed at the end of March after which overnight respite care is to be referred to other care homes across the city and day centre support will be offered through other providers. The Council is in the final stages of procuring new contracts with providers and has promised to release further details later this month. Sheffield Council Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Councillor Cate McDonald the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care.

Letwell residents express concerns over fracking plans

Residents from the village of Letwell, Rotherham have expressed their concern about possible plans for fracking on local land. Landowners in the conservation village have been approached by agents working for INEOS company, seeking permission to put seismic testing equipment on private land, a precursor to fracking. Letwell Parish Council have said they were not given prior notice that these approaches were to be made. Some residents have said that they felt threatened and intimidated by these visits, with one resident described the experience as “bullying”. Residents provided Sheffield Live! with footage where they expressed their concerns to former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett. They have asked that their names not to be included in this footage.

Town Hall protest to save dementia care centre

Families and carers were among dozens of protesters appealing to Sheffield Council to reverse their decision to close down Hurlfield View dementia centre. Over 8,000 people have signed a petition calling on the council to halt the closure of the centre which provides specialised residential respite care for users with dementia, include support for carers. Sue Harding is presenting the petition to Sheffield Council and spoke with Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake.

Researchers test new mini neo-natal scanner at Royal Hallamshire

A Sheffield research team are testing a miniature imaging scanner to improve health diagnostics for new born babies. The neo-natal magnetic resonance scanner is one of only two in the world. It has been developed as part of a research project into the benefits of paediatric brain scans, led by University of Sheffield researchers Paul Griffiths, professor of radiology and Martyn Paley, professor of biomedical imaging. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Thousands join anti-Trump protest at Sheffield Town Hall

A Sheffield rally against Donald Trump’s US entry ban on nationals of seven majority Muslim countries was attended by more than 2000 people. The rapidly organised protest outside Sheffield Town Hall was one of many across the country including London, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow. Trump’s recent executive order puts a temporary ban on US entry for nationals of Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Iran and Libya. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Charity offers trio of opportunities to support the homeless

The Archer Project is asking supporters to get involved in food parcel sorting and meals service alongside their annual sleep-out for the homeless. The number of rough sleepers in the UK is on the rise for the sixth successive year with official figures showing over 4000 people sleeping out in 2016, more than double the numbers of 2010. As part of their annual fundraising sleep-out, Sheffield charity the Cathedral Archer Project are inviting volunteers to help out with food parcels, breakfast and lunch for the homeless. Sheffield Live! reporter Sham Powell spoke to Tracy Vines, marketing and development manager.

Council moves to evict last of Tent City residents

A group of homeless people living in tents near Park Hill flats have been evicted by Sheffield Council after organisers were told to clear the site. The informal camping site for the homeless started in October last year and became known as Tent City. The site was closed down a few weeks later by organisers after the local authority stepped in to offer support for the homeless occupants. After tents reappeared in December the Council told organisers to clear the site or face a £2,000 fine. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Tent City organiser and homelessness campaigner Anthony Cunningham.

Sheffield celebrates the Chinese New Year

Sheffield celebrated the Chinese New Year with a traditional procession outside the Town Hall. Sheffield has nearly 7500 Chinese residents or 1.3% of the population, according to the 2011 Census. The Chinese population of the city has more than doubled since 2001, including over 3000 Chinese international students. It is estimated that international students make a net contribution of £120 million to Sheffield’s economy, around ten per cent of our inward investment. In 2016 Sheffield announced a 60 year partnership deal with Sichuan Guodong Construction Group, the largest agreement of its kind outside of London. The first tranche of funding of around £220 million will fund city centre projects over the next three years.The Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year and is represented by one of twelve animals. 2017 is the Year of the Rooster. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

New exhibition highlights Sheffield’s lost architectural icons

An exhibition opening in Sheffield, titled Blink… and it’s gone, features a series of posters highlighting the demolition of Sheffield buildings which were once at the forefront of urban regeneration. The screen-printed limited editions feature sites such as the Grosvenor House Hotel, the ‘egg box’ Town Hall extension and Hallam Towers Hotel. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Rupert Wood, founder and owner of APG Works where the exhibition is being held.