Sheffield News

Taster sessions could unearth talented athletes

Youngsters will be given the chance to try out gymnastics and trampolining for free this Sunday with a trio of taster sessions being held at Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre.

The sessions, which are open to anyone aged 5-18, will take place at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm and feature displays from Senior British Champion Bryony Page, as well as trampoline stars from the gymnastics club.

Paul Greaves, head coach for trampolining at Sheffield International Venues (SIV), said: “I’m passionate about expanding the sport across Sheffield and I hope that the free taster sessions get many youngsters hooked.

“Anyone that is identified as talented will be given the chance to continue their development, placed into our elite squads, and become closely monitored by me and our other trampolining coaches.

“This creates an avenue to the elite tier of the sport for all, even if they have never tried the sport before. I would encourage all youngsters to just give it a go, you never know where it may lead you.

“Sheffield could even produce another Olympic gold medallist.”

Paul has recently been appointed as head coach for trampolining at SIV, and he has aided in the development of some of the country’s finest competitors including Bryony Page, who was crowned Senior British Champion last month at the Birmingham National Indoor Arena.

  • To book a place, or for more information on the free taster sessions, call Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre on 01142839900.
  • For more information about trampolining at SIV visit www.sivltd.com/trampolining.

Lucy Creamer, one of UK’s most accomplished climbers, interviewed on Sheffield Live

Lucy Creamer

Lucy Creamer

Sheffield-based Lucy Creamer is one of the UK’s most accomplished climbers.

In rock climbing terms she’s climbed routes on the local gritstone and the sea-cliffs of Pembroke at a tremendously difficult level; as well as sport climbing, climbing adventurous routes, ice climbing and bouldering at the top of the sport. And Lucy has been the British Climbing Champion eight times.

Lucy was interviewed live on air today by Jamie Veitch for Sheffield Live!’s climbing and mountain biking show, Steel Fingers, Steel Wheels.

The hour long show featured 4 pieces of music chosen by Lucy, and she discussed in depth her passion for climbing, training, climbing as a sport and adventure climbing, motivation, recovery from injury, yoga, and making a living as a professional climber – as well as taking us through the 4 pieces of music.

The show also featured short pre-recorded interviews with Alan James of UKClimbing and Dave Douglas of Awesome Walls Sheffield.

You can listen to the hour-long show in full by streaming or downloading the podcast, here.

And you can enter the fabulous competition to win a family climbing pass at new Awesome Wall here.

Chamber’s Richard Wright on education

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Max Munday interviewing Richard Wright

Richard Wright – chief executive of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry – joined Sheffield Live’s Max Munday on yesterday morning’s Mouthpiece show to discuss education, training, apprenticeships – and Pink Floyd.

James Oliver of Longley College also joined Max for an interview. The programme covered the value and purpose of education – and considered how schools, apprenticeships and vocational learning prepare young people for careers and for further study. It examined these questions from the perspectives of businesses, of colleges and of young people.

Listen to the podcast of the show here.

Sour Cherry offer a sweet taste of local music to Sheffield Food Festival

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Local band Sour Cherry will be performing for food enthusiasts attending this year’s Sheffield Food Festival, during the weekend of 20th-22nd September. The festival will be covering a variety of locations within Sheffield City Centre, including Fargate, Town Hall Square, Sheffield Hallam University, the Winter Garden and the Peace Gardens.

Sheffield Food Festival is an exciting urban food festival which showcases the very best of the city’s local food producers. Last year more than 184,000 people visited the city centre during the Sheffield Food Festival weekend.

The event is free to attend and suitable for all the family. Come along to the Peace Gardens to see local bands and artists performing throughout the weekend, and maybe even take part in sports club activities which will also be showcased on the music stage. Take part in cooking workshops, watch local chefs at work and try something new at various stalls and locations throughout the city centre.

Sour Cherry, a four-piece pop act from Sheffield, say they are delighted to be performing at Sheffield Food Festival.

Lead singer Kortni said “We can’t wait to perform at such an exciting event, I attended last year and the atmosphere was great.”

The band have performed at many prestigious establishments such as the O2 Academy in Sheffield, Don Valley Bowl, Sheffield City Hall and most recently at Tramlines Festival. Sour Cherry will be performing on Sunday 22nd September on the music stage situated at the Peace Gardens at 6:30pm.

Other acts performing include local band Littlecrazy who will be doing an unplugged set, Broken Saints, Splinters Theatre Group, Ruby Macintosh, Soul Love Inc , Chloe-Jade Simmons and many more.

Some ‘this week’ music picks from Sheffield Live presenters

Sheffield Live’s schedule features current affairs, comedy, sport, film reviews – and of course all sorts of music. What have our presenters and volunteers been listening to this week? A few picks:

Chris Welch of Sounds Like This (Sundays, 5 – 7pm): Sophie – ‘Bipp’ – “Big ‘n’ brashy and stays on the right side of cheese,” and Pipes – ‘Crooked Love’ – “Crunchy soulful house from a Sheffield legend.” Sounds Like This podcasts.

Laurence Peacock of the Communities Live (weekdays 12 – 1) team: “I’ve been enjoying Gillian Welch‘s album The Harrow and The Harvest, which I discovered via Max Munday’s “Introducing” interview with Pete David on Americana. Current fave track is Dark Turn of Mind: equal parts soulful and mellow.”

Alex Bassett of the LGBT Hour (every Wednesday, 2 – 3pm): Make it Stop (September’s Children) by Rise Against. “From album Endgame, it is about LGBT people committing suicide and how the band want it to stop because they are getting bullied for being who they are and they say it’s wrong because there is nothing wrong about it. The track is based on real teens who took their own lives in the month of September a few years ago.”

Lee Price of Vancouver Manouver (Saturdays, 1pm-3pm) has three picks for us:

“1. Kid Acne‘s ‘South Yorks’ – Sheffield’s multi-talented Kid Acne released this a few years back on his ‘Romance Ain’t Dead’ album.  It’s a great local take on Boogie Down Productions’ seminal ‘South Bronx’… It’s all the sounds you love from the 80’s BDP joint brought bang into this time and place.  This came from a discussion about rappers using local dialect and accents in their music.

“2. Hot For Astronomy’s ‘East Van’ – Hot chicks from East Van recount seedy misadventures on the seedy side of town over seedy electronic sounds.  Their current EP ‘Drugs Rock, Sex Roll‘ (free download) is bangin.  Literally.

“3. Moxy Fruvous ‘Gulf War Song’ – A song from the first Gulf War era with a message that stands up today, sadly.  These guys were a really entertaining Canadian pop accapella group in the early 90’s.  Really cheesy stuff, like – however this is a serious one and I let it fly last week.  Jian Ghomeshi from the group looms large nowadays as a media figure in Canada, being a journalist and presenter for the CBC and other media.”

The Hot for Astronomy and Moxy Fruvous tracks featured on the 7th September edition of Vancouver Manouver and Kid Acne’s ‘South Yorks’ was on the 31 August show. Podcasts are here.

Jamie Veitch (presenter of Steel Fingers, Steel Wheels on Saturday at 10am): “Today’s show featured a track from Adam and the Ants’ first (and completely different to the rest) studio album, Dirk Wears White Sox. The track was Digital Tenderness. Also played Nick Drake, The Payroll Union, and La Roux on the show.” Podcast is here.

Graham Marshall of Spirit of the Wapentake (wednesdays, 5 – 7pm): “This week both Sinead and I indulged ourselves. Sinead’s favourite track was ‘There She Goes’ by The La’s. It takes her back to when she was young(!) My track of the week was the very last on this week’s show, the live version of Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin.  I remember hearing it for the first time when I was a door to door breadman. One of my customers was playing it at full volume in his house with the windows open. It sounded amazing; don’t think his neighbours were as enthusiastic for some reason.” Listen to both on the podcast of this week’s show.

Andy Cooper of the Communities Live team: “This week Rednex‘s biggest hit ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ has been going around my head. Ex Rednex singer Julie Anne (AKA Scarlet) is now a solo-artist, writer and producer, and was a guest presenter with Charlotte and myself on Communities Live’s 12 September show. Also Emily Heath’s Cliffdiving has proven very catchy – and Emily was a fabulous interviewee on the show on Thursday.” Listen to Communities Live, 12 September, including guest presenter Scarlet and interview with Emily.

Dale Le Fevre of the Max Chance Show (Tuesdays, 5pm) and (sometimes) the Mix Tape Show – 6pm on Tuesdays: “Last Tuesday I played ‘Autobahn’ by Kraftwerk on the Mix Tape Show, first track. It’s a 23 minute track and I like it because it brings back memories of when I first moved to San Francisco. A guy I met there liked the track a lot. I’m not crazy over it, but I do like it and find it interesting. I came across it again while I was in Germany at my friend Wolfgang’s. He played it and his wife, Marianne, gave him a scolding – she was trying to do something on the internet and it made her unable to concentrate. Wolfie had gone to a concert of Kraftwerk’s at a museum. He said the audience was over 80% male. Hmmn.” Listen to the Podcast.

Dave Eyre of Thank Goodness It’s Folk (Fridays, 10am – noon) The Spooky Men’s Chorale – ‘The Fiddle and the Drum’ – this week’s show also featured an interview with Nancy Kerr. Here’s the full playlist and link to the podcasts.

A few picks here from some of our presenters. Remember, if you miss your favourite programmes on Sheffield Live you can download the podcasts afterwards. And why not discover some new music by tuning into a few more shows?

All about cycling in Sheffield – and beyond

Today’s episode of new show, Steel Fingers, Steel Wheels, covered cycling in Sheffield – for transport and for fun. Listen to and/or download the podcast of the show here.

Cycling has doubled in Sheffield since 2001 – and this rise has been accompanied by a reduction in the likelihood of an individual cyclist having a road collision. It offers significant wellbeing benefits to individuals, saves money, and benefits employers if staff cycle to work.

There’s now alot of support available to individuals and to businesses, and today’s show included interviews with:

  • Bob, Mark, Colin, Paul, Pete and Melissa from Symmetry Medical with CycleBoost's David Bocking

    Bob, Mark, Colin, Paul, Pete and Melissa from Symmetry Medical with David Bocking

    six workers from Hillsborough-based Symmetry Medical who are enjoying many benefits of cycling to work thanks to the company’s involvement with Sheffield CycleBoost.

  • David Bocking of CycleBoost talking about the scheme, a three-part support service for residents and employees in Sheffield. Services include bike-loan programmes, bike doctor sessions, maintenance classes and cycle skills training.
  • Pauline, Jan, Betty-Ann, and Shirley, all enjoying cycling throughout Sheffield, the Peak District and further afield thanks to attending courses run by Pedal Ready.
  • John Horscroft with Betty-Ann, Jan, Pauline and Shirley in the Sheffield Live studio

    John Horscroft with Betty-Ann, Jan, Pauline and Shirley in the Sheffield Live studio

    Nick Brelsford of Pedal Ready on cycling training.

  • John Horscroft of Ride Sheffield, an advocacy group which helps mountain bikers and other organisations such as the wildlife trusts work together for the benefit of all. John joined presenter Jamie Veitch in the studio for the programme and discussed positive working relationships between mountain bikers and other organisations, new trails at Greno and elsewhere, and the value of cycling and outdoor pursuits to the Sheffield economy.
  • Bicycle mechanic Russell of Russell’s Bicycle Shed, offering a bike repair service at the station and at Parkwood Springs, on common repairs he undertakes – and about maintenance classes offered by Recycle Bikes.
  • Russell doing some bicycle maintenance in the station

    Russell doing some bicycle maintenance in the station

    Plus two competitions: listeners can win a bike, courtesy of show sponsor the Edinburgh bicycle Cooperative, or a family climbing day and month pass courtesy of sponsor Awesome Walls Sheffield.

  • Listen to and/or download the podcast of the show here.

Interview with the Payroll Union’s Pete David

Pete David in the Sheffield Live studio with Max Munday

Max Munday – presenter of Mouthpiece on Sheffield Live each Wednesday from 9am to 11 – welcomed Pete David of acclaimed Sheffield alt-country-folk-rock-Americana band The Payroll Union onto his show today.

The interview marked the start of a new series on Max’s show, Introducing…(covering different musical styles or genres each week).

Pete discussed Americana music, explored its defining features and themes; his influences, several favourite songs and recommendations for further listening.

A must-listen for the growing fan-base of this superb Sheffield group (pick up their compelling album The Mule and The Elephant from The Old Sweet Shop and other good music shops!), the 30-minute interview came at the start of hour-two of today’s Mouthpiece.

If you’ve never heard of Tex-Mex or Desert Noir music, Pete will educate you – as well as tell you about the structure, meaning and message of a good old murder ballad – and much more.

The show also covered the 40th anniversary of Pinochet’s coup in Chile and included an interview with Pedro Fuentes, chair of Sheffield Chilean Community Association who was imprisoned by Pinochet.

What next?

Trampolining springs into action in Sheffield

A new programme designed for young trampoline gymnasts and potential Olympic athletes has been launched in Sheffield.

A group of budding gymnasts who have taken part in SIV’s new trampolining programme

A group of budding gymnasts who have taken part in SIV’s new trampolining programme

Sheffield International Venues (SIV) has introduced a new trampolining programme to attract hundreds of youngsters to the sport with discounted ‘try to’ sessions and expert coaching.

The ‘try to’ sessions will take place at Concord Sports Centre and Springs Leisure Centre. People of all abilities are encouraged to give trampolining a go at just £2 per session.

Paul Greaves, head coach for trampolining at SIV, said: “We are looking to expand the sport across Sheffield, and I hope that the ‘try to’ sessions get many youngsters hooked on the sport.”

Following on from the discounted sessions, SIV will launch a proficiency scheme which will be dedicated to children’s sporting development.

Paul added: “Anyone that is identified as talented will be placed into our elite squads, and this new scheme will ensure that children’s development is monitored closely by me and our other trampolining coaches.

“This creates an avenue to the elite tier of the sport for all, even if they have never tried the sport before. I would encourage all youngsters to just give it a go, you never know where it may lead you.

“Sheffield could even produce another Olympic gold medallist.”

Paul has recently been appointed as head coach for trampolining at SIV, and he has aided in the development of some of the country’s finest competitors including Bryony Page, who was crowned 2013 Senior British Champion last month at the Birmingham National Indoor Arena.

Trampolining is currently offered across a number of SIV venues, including Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Hillsborough Leisure Centre and Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre.

Existing facilities at Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre are due to be fully revamped within the next two years.

What next?

  • For more information about trampolining at SIV visit www.sivltd.com/trampolining

Light Night – today, 4pm to 9.30pm

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“Imagine entering buildings and spaces you didn’t know existed, finding performers, art installations and activities around every corner and experiencing Sheffield in a completely different way.

“The city centre will be animated, lit up and celebrated through our city’s artists and performers for one night only to invite you to see Sheffield in a different light.”

As part of Summer Saturdays Art in the Park are running Light Night on Saturday 7th September 2013 in Sheffield City centre from 4pm- 9.30pm.

Light Night will be a city wide takeover opening up spaces, inviting professional and emerging artists to showcase the spaces through various artforms; an open programme of activities, showcases, workshops, exhibitions and performances for people to explore the city in a way they haven’t before.

“We want to unlock the doors of spaces we don’t ordinarily get to see, animate places in a completely new way and celebrate what Sheffield has to offer for all ages. Maybe it’s a film screening in a high street chain, a comedy sketch in the market, dancing in a hotel lobby….we want to challenge our perceptions and engage with new people in new spaces providing an alternative way to spend your Saturday Night!”

What next?

Climber Andy Kirkpatrick interviewed

Accomplished climber, author and public speaker Andy Kirkpatrick featured in new show Steel Fingers, Steel Wheels this morning.

Sheffield-based Andy has made some astonishing ascents on Alpine faces, in Patagonia, and on the soaring granite rock faces of Yosemite in the USA.

Not only that, he’s twice won the Boardman Tasker Award for mountain literature for his books Psychovertical and Cold Wars.

But it’s Andy’s journey from remedial student to successful climber, writer and author that often fascinates his audience the most. Brought up from the age of 6 on a council estate in one of Britain’s flattest cities, Hull, Andy suffered from severe dyslexia which was undiagnosed until he was 19.

Andy spoke openly in the interview about his climbing, danger, suffering, reconciling personal life with ambitions and obsessions, and the process of writing. And he chose a few tracks of music that have accompanied him on his travels. During the course of the hour-long show Andy revealed many fascinating and thoughtful insights into his own motivations.

Download and listen to the podcast of the show here.

More about the Steel Fingers, Steel Wheels series here including details of how to enter two exciting competitions.