Sheffield News

What our presenters have been listening to this week

Sheffield Live’s schedule features a fabulous and eclectic mixture of music (and much more: current affairs, comedy, sport, film reviews).

What have our presenters and volunteers been listening to this week? A few picks:

Adam Ellis, co-presenter of the Talking Balls show about sport (Fridays at 6pm): “On a long drive down to Sussex last weekend I was enjoying the Stereophonics most recent album ‘Graffiti on the Train’ – I especially like ‘Indian Summer.’ I was also enjoying Survivor‘s ‘Burning Heart’ from the Rocky 4 soundtrack, one of the most underrated Rocky songs.”

Chris Gibirdi co-presents Talking Balls, and comments: “I’ve been listening to Calvin Harris’ new track ‘Thinking About You’ as it sounds like summer is staying around just a little longer. As a second track I’d go for ‘Summertime Sadness’ – Lana Del Rey vs Cedric Gervais – I’ve heard a few dance remixes of Lana Del Rey tracks and they sound great!”

Natz Beard, co-presenter of the Local Talent Show (every Friday, 4-5pm): “This week I’ve been making Ollie (co-presenter of the Local Talent Show) jealous by listening to Dom Major‘s new EP ‘Me and You’. I’m the only member of the Local Talent Show team who has a copy so far, and I’m quite enjoying hogging it all to myself. This however is soon to change, as we will be giving it a play on our show in the next week or two and hopefully getting the man himself in the studio again (come back Dom we miss you!)  I particularly love the song ‘Spin the World’ as it’s really upbeat and catchy.”

Dale Le Fevre of the Max Chance Show (Tuesdays, 5pm) has just returned from a quick trip to Germany: “At one stop, I listened to a lot of oldies, and will feature many on my next show. Songs I will be playing include Otis Redding (Try A Little Tenderness), The Boxtops (The Letter), Los Bravos (Black is Black). These songs are the soundtrack of my younger life, so hearing them brings back memories of what I was doing and what I was feeling during this time.”

Jamie Veitch (presenter of Steel Fingers, Steel Wheels starting on Saturday at 10am): “Tomorrow’s guest Andy Kirkpatrick sent in some choices of music that he’s played while scaling the kilometre-high rock faces in Yosemite, USA. You’ll have to listen to the show to find out all of Andy’s choices, but one was the funky ‘Night Call’ by Kavinsky & Lovefoxxx from the soundtrack of 2012 movie, Drive. And on a drive I made myself to and from Stoke-on-Trent one evening this week, the journey was enriched by the Low Duo‘s ‘Dive and Slide into the Blue’ EP – Leigh and Adam are two Sheffield brothers making astonishing, dramatic, indie-folk-minimalist-pop with poignant songwriting. My final pick was played in Lee Price‘s latest Vancouver Manouver show last Saturday – Maestro Fresh Wes‘ ‘Drop the Needle’ had me dancing around the kitchen to the embarrassment of my son.”

Graham Marshall and Sinead Rankin, co-presenters of Spirit of the Wapentake (Wednesdays, 5-7pm), really enjoyed The Who’s ‘Baba O’Riley’ which they played in their show this week. “An amazing one of a kind with a really strange ending for a rock track.”

Andy Cooper of the Communities Live team: “This week I have been mainly listening to ‘Angels Unite’ by Scarlet. This is the same Scarlet aka Julie Anne Tulley who used to be a part of 90’s pop group Rednex, whose biggest hit ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ is still a perennial favourite. Now a solo-artist, writer and producer, Scarlet will also be a guest presenter with Charlotte and myself on Communities Live next Thursday (12 September).”

Sdot Phillie presents the Saturday Soundclash, 5pm – 7pm (every Saturday!) packed with grime, UK Garage, hip-hop and house. He’s been enjoying DJ S.K.T.‘s ‘Kick It’ and Coco‘s version of ‘Hey Mambo’.

Dave Eyre of Thank Goodness It’s Folk (Fridays, 10am – noon) featured special guest, multi-talented musician and photographer Elly Lucas on his show today and loves her track ‘A Place Called Home’, which he played on today’s show – podcast including interview with Elly is here.

Barney and Paul presented today’s Peace in the Park show at 5pm: “Toots and the Maytals’ ‘Funky Kingston’ and Bola Johnson‘s ‘Lagos Sisi’ were just two stops on our global musical tour on the show today.” Listen to these and the whole show on their podcast.

Paul Sellers‘ show Eclectica, is every Sunday at noon. “I’ve being listening to The Clangers Soundtrack! What a beautiful thing, composed by Vernon Elliot! So good that I will share it with you all, this Sunday at 12 noon on Eclectica at Sheffield Live!”

Simon Thake of the Monday Uprising (7am – 9am on Monday mornings): “I love the Arctic Monkeys‘ single, ‘Do I Wanna Know’ and have been playing that to death on Monday mornings. Cracking lyrics and melody from Alex Turner. I also really like the Katy B track ‘What Love is Made Of’. Great dance track and a really good comeback for her. That will be played this Monday for sure. I’m also counting down the Sheffield A-Z  of great Sheffield bands and artists. We are up to letter  J so are actively looking for suggestions over the weekend.” Email Simon.

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?

Eco-accolade for Yorkshire bus operator

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Bus operator Stagecoach Yorkshire has been rewarded for its efforts to improve local air quality with a four-star rating in the Care4Air ECO Stars Fleet Recognition programme.

The scheme, which was the first of its kind in the UK, recognises fleet operators who are using lower polluting vehicles and effective fuel management.

Stagecoach has improved the fuel efficiency of its fleet of 315 vehicles and reduced carbon emissions.

Over the past 12 months, Stagecoach has invested almost £12 million in 40 electric hybrid buses which have 30 per cent lower carbon emission than standard buses. New buses also use stop-start technology which means there are zero emissions when the bus is stood still.

Paul Lynch, Stagecoach Yorkshire’s managing director, commented: “We’re delighted to be the first passenger transport operator in the region to achieve this standard, and we hope that we continue to set an example to local organisations and highlight to others the importance of investing in lower polluting vehicles.”

Listen to new show, win a bike and a climbing outing

Sheffield is a hub for climbers, cyclists and mountain bikers, with fantastic opportunities to enjoy these sports in the nearby Peak district and great facilities in the city. And we are home to some of Britain’s – and the world’s – leading climbers and cyclists.

A new series of four programmes on Sheffield Live, Steel Fingers Steel Wheels, are broadcasting every Saturday at 10am in September.

Featuring interviews with inspirational figures from cycling and climbing, as well as ‘how-to’ features demonstrating how you can get involved in these exciting and healthy activities (at low cost), the shows also include two fabulous competitions:

How do you win?  See below!

Guests on the series include:

  • ‘Big wall’ climber Andy Kirkpatrick. Irreverent and extremely funny, Andy has accomplished extraordinary feats on Alpine faces and the soaring granite walls of El Capitan in Yosemite. Not only that, he’s won the Boardman Tasker prize for mountain literature. But it’s his journey from remedial student to successful climber, writer and speaker that interests his audience most. Brought up on a council estate in one of Britain’s flattest cities, Hull, Andy suffered from severe dyslexia which went undiagnosed until he was 19. Andy was a guest on the show on Saturday 7th September.
  • Remarkable all-round professional climber Lucy Creamer. Lucy has excelled in all disciplines of climbing: bold adventurous ‘traditional’ climbs; gymnastic ‘sports’ climbing, short but intensely powerful ‘bouldering’; mountain routes and ice climbing. She also repeatedly won British climbing competitions and qualified for world-cup climbing finals. She’s a keen mountain biker too between time on the rock. Lucy will be on the show on the 21st September.
  • Down Hill Mountain biking world champion Steve Peat – Peaty – 2009 UCI DH World Champion; 3x World Cup Champ; 2x European Champ and 9x British Champ. Chapeltown-born Peaty also organises the Steel City Down Hill race and is known as one of the nicest guys in mountain biking – but he’s also got that Sheffield Steel that’s made him a winner! Steve will be on the show on the 28th of September.
  • We’ll also feature interviews with the strong climber Mina Leslie-Wujastyk, making impressive ascents of boulder problems across the world (and a competitor in the British Bouldering Team); professional cyclist Dean Downing of Rotherham, fresh from competing in the Tour of Britain for Madison Genesis with an impressive track record of results in his professional career (both also in the show on 28th September).
  • And we’ll have guests from organisations working with and representing climbing and cycling; advice on how to get involved
  • And two fabulous competitions:
  • Win a bike: Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative is giving away a Revolution bike to the value of £350 to one lucky winner of this competition. To enter, all you have to do is email comp@sheffieldlive.org with your name and address and the answer to the following question: how many cooperative members are there in the Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative as of the 1st of September? Remember, that’s not shops, it’s members. Take a look at the Our advertisers page on the Sheffield Live website if you need a clue!
  • Win a family climbing taster day and a month’s free climbing pass from Awesome Walls when their new climbing wall opens in Sheffield at the end of the month.  To enter, all you have to do is email comp@sheffieldlive.org with your name and address and the answer to the following question: in which other locations in the UK does Awesome Walls operate climbing walls? Clue – take a look at their website.
  • For both competitions, you need to send your answer by 5pm on Friday 27th September and by entering you accept Sheffield Live’s standard competition entry terms and conditions. So get your entry in now!
  • Make sure you listen in – every Saturday in September, 10am on Sheffield Live! 93.2FM and livestream from this website
  • The Steel Fingers, Steel Wheels shows are sponsored by Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative and Awesome Walls Sheffield. Find out more about them and listen to their Sheffield Live radio ads here

What we’ve been listening to this week

Every week Sheffield Live brings you a fantastic, diverse and eclectic mixture of music within our schedule.

Our DJs and presenters (of all shows – not only music, but current affairs, comedy, sport, film reviews and more) love their music – just like you do.

So what have our presenters and volunteers been listening to this week? Here are just a few picks:

Stevlor, presenter of Soul Casino (Thursdays, 5-6pm): Jerry Fuller – Double Life. “From 1966 and one of the finest blue-eyed soul boys.”

And, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs – Being Without You. “More famous for having the shortest song to ever get to number one – northern favourite ‘Stay’, but for my money this one ticks the box just as well.” [Listen to both tracks on the podcast of this week’s Soul Casino]

DJ Cardiac, presenter of Drop the Funk Drop the Bass (every Sunday, 1-3pm): Tomb Crew ft Rubi Dan & Serocee – The Sermon. “The track was definitely geared up towards carnival. The track delivers high energy with ragga influences seeping through from one of Toddla T’s sound boys Serocee and some quick tongue flow from Serocee, this is one to turn up loud and blow your whistles to.”

And: Preditah ft Zoe Kypri- Let’s take it back
“Preditah seems to be sitting on some very serious UK Garage Productions. This one has all the elements of an old skool garage track but pushing things forward with his super slick production along with the impressive vocals of up-and-coming vocalist Zoe Kypri.” Don’t miss DJ Cardiac this Sunday at 1pm! But if you can’t listen live, you can get the podcast here.

Graham Marshall, co-presenter of Spirit of the Wapentake (Wednesdays, 5-7pm): Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band – I’m Gonna Booglarize You. “From his ‘Spotlight Kid’ album, it’s a complete one-off.”

Sinead Rankin, co-presenter of Spirit of the Wapentake: The Foo Fighters – All My Life. [Listen to the Beefheart & Foo Fighters tracks on the podcast of this week’s Spirit of the Wapentake].

Laurence Peacock, presenter, each Wednesday, of Communities Live has been listening to a lot of Sam Carter, a folk musician who is playing at the Library Theatre next month.

Sam Hindley co-presents the Thank Goodness it’s Folk show on Fridays from 10am to noon. His pick: Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys‘ – Ragtime Cowboy Joe. “Lively, cheerful and a great start to a radio programme,” and this track was indeed the opener for today’s Thank Goodness it’s Folk show – missed it? Podcast is here.

Danni and Marshall Smith are part of the presenting team for Friday’s Communities Live show. Danni picked John Legend‘s Ordinary People: “a track that makes me cry” and Marshall chose Daft Punk‘s “funky, fresh and feelgood” Get Lucky.

Paul Gregory presents It’s me, PG, every Saturday morning from 8 until 10am. What’s Paul been listening to? Santana‘s Samba Pa Ti, “my favourite track of all time,” says Paul.

Natz Beard, co-presenter of the Local Talent Show (every Friday, 4-5pm): “Local artist Philippa Hanna has just done a collaboration with BCee, ‘Back to the Street’, I can’t stop listening to it! Totally different from her usual releases the track is drum & bass meets Philippa and her amazing vocals. With over 100,000 views on the YouTube video, it’s going down a storm. Philippa has also just released a video for her own song Hollywood which is well worth a watch.”

Dale Le Fevre‘s Max Chance Show (Tuesdays, 5pm) always features an eclectic playlist – Dale’s been playing and listening to a lot of David Wax Museum. Have a listen to the podcast of Dale’s show from this Tuesday.

Andy Cooper – whose Communities Live show on Thursday featured special guest Sarah Taylor – has been listening to Emily Heath, “with more than a passing musical resemblance to the fantastic Sandi Thom, the track Emily says she’s most proud of is Sugar and Sweeteners – Emily’s Soundcloud page is here.”

And Jamie Veitch (poster of this article and soon to present four shows about climbing and cycling in Sheffield) – Payroll Union’s Mary Lamson and, really the entire album, The Mule and The Elephant. “Pete David’s stunning fingerpicking and searing lyrics and the rollicking rhythms of the band combine to create a bittersweet album of americana, bluegrass and folk rock that, once I start, I have to listen to all the way through.”

Just a few picks here from 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 some different shows?

Girlfriends’ Sarah joins Communities Live team

Sarah Taylor [photo: Jamie Veitch]

Sarah Taylor

Sarah Taylor, star of ITV2’s Girlfriends, joined Communities Live presenter Andy Cooper today to guest present a special edition of our flagship magazine programme.

Sheffield lass Sarah was in the hit TV series last year in which three single ladies met 100 eligible bachelors, then whittled down their potential suitors to try to find Mr. Right.

Sarah and co-presenter Andy Cooper discussed fashion and dating; and Sarah gave Andy some behind-the-scenes gossip from the TV series.

Today’s Communities Live programme also featured an interview with Dave Douglas, MD of new climbing wall Awesome Walls which is opening this autumn in Sheffield.

And Grand Designs’ Naomi Cleaver was interviewed on the show, offering her tips for how to make the most of the space in our homes.

Sarah will be back to co-present Communities Live again soon.

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Girlfri3nds
Girlfri3nds

Scribble and Zero Budget Film Festival on Communities Live

Today’s Communities Live show – broadcasting live from noon until 1pm – has a great lineup of guests.

Presenters Laurence Peacock and Andy Cooper will be joined by:

Sheffield Writer (@SheffieldWrite on twitter), AKA Chris, who runs the Scribble open mic nights, showcasing Sheffield writers, poets, and singer / songwriters; and is organising the Sheffield Short Story competition.

Martin Currie from The Zero Budget Film festival, taking place in Burngreave on 14th September, will also join us.

What next?

A trail of musical moments – throughout city shops!

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More live music treats in store for Sheffield!

This Saturday, 10 August, a host of amazing home-grown talent and high-profile bands will be scattered around Sheffield’s city centre playing acoustic sets in unusual, pop-up buskers’ spots.

The free “City Centre Sessions” event starts at noon at Devonshire Street Market and takes place around a circuit of city centre shops, with bands appearing in sequence around the circuit, finishing back at Devonshire Market’s outdoor stage five hours later.

It features The Crookes, Nat Johnson, Laurel Canyons (Monkey Swallows The Universe), Stuart Faulkner (Pink Grease, The Barnacles) and the BeVox flash mob choir – with more bands coming on board too.

Venture into town and be surprised and amazed at what and who is lurking around each clothes rail and shoe rack. Stop off to browse and indulge yourself in many of the city’s best independent food makers and artisan retailers too.

City Centre Sessions is part of Sheffield’s Summer Saturday’s Programme.

Confirmed locations for City Centre Sessions this Saturday include Devonshire Markets’ outdoor stage on Devonshire Green, Orchard Square, John Lewis, Birds Yard, A New Shop and Costa.

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Blues legend Lil’ Jimmy Reed coming to Sheffield

Alabama blues legend Lil’ Jimmy Reed is coming to Sheffield – and he’ll be a special guest co-presenter on the Keynote Club later this month.

Lil Jimmy Reed. Image: http://www.livebluesworld.com

Every week on The Keynote Club, Bob Hall – one of Britain’s finest blues and boogie pianists – treats listeners to an hour of the best and the rarest in blues and rhythm ‘n’ blues, interspersed with quirky humour from his vast personal collection.

Lil’ Jimmy’s visit will be a treat for all blues fans. 75 year old Jimmy – AKA Leon Atkins – has had a lifelong love of music. He picked up his first guitar, made from an old cigar box, at the age of six.

Jimmy and Bob will be playing together at a gig at the Greystones on 31 August and Jimmy will join Bob to co-present the Keynote Club in an episode to broadcast on Wednesday, 28th August – don’t miss it!

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Jess: Make torch-lit walk a night to remember

Photo caption: (left to right): Karen Holmes (Centre Manager), Vicky Brady, Catherine Anthony, Pam Dutton and John Hattersley from Weston Park Cancer Information and Support Centre

Karen Holmes, Vicky Brady, Catherine Anthony, Pam Dutton and John Hattersley from Weston Park Cancer Information and Support Centre

A “magical” torch-lit charity walk through some of Sheffield’s ancient woodlands is taking place in September – backed by Sheffield athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill.

The spectacular, torch-lit ‘Light the Night’ walk raises vital funds for the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity. Top fundraisers will have the chance to be photographed with Jessica.

Two dedicated members of staff at a local cancer support centre have already committed themselves to stride out on the walk, to say ‘thank you’ to the charity that supports their work.

Catherine Anthony, 60, and Vicky Brady, 51, who both work at the Weston Park Cancer Information and Support Centre, are taking part in the walk.

It will take place on the evening of Saturday September 28th at 6.30pm and will be started by Sheffield superstar athlete and charity patron, Jessica Ennis-Hill. The walk gives entrants the chance to ramble through the ancient woodlands of Sheffield’s Ecclesall Woods, along a 4.5km route suitable for both adults and children.

Catherine, the cancer information coordinator at the centre, was treated at Weston Park Hospital 11 years ago, when she underwent a course of radiotherapy to treat breast cancer; at the time she was working at the hospital as a therapy radiographer herself.

She said: “I’m incredibly passionate about doing what I can to help such a fantastic cause. I have been involved with Weston Park Hospital since 1970, and I was treated there myself, so I know first-hand how much of an asset it is to Sheffield and the surrounding region.

“Anything we can do to raise funds for the charity and support the hospital is vital. I can’t run a marathon, but I can walk the Light the Night route! I’ll be taking my family and friends along again this year – it was such a magical experience last time.”

The centre, which is located on Northumberland Road, provides information and guidance on issues including how to cope with stress and anxiety following a cancer diagnosis, how to care for someone with cancer and understanding grief.

Every year, Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity has to raise over £200,000 to support the vital work undertaken by the Cancer Information and Support Centre.

Vicky, a nurse who works as a cancer support coordinator, also took part in last year’s walk and is passionate about doing her bit for the charity as well.

She said: “The Light the Night walk is such a brilliant event on so many levels, and I’m proud to be taking part again this year. It’s a perfect opportunity to highlight the serious messages, but in an informal and positive way.

“It’s a truly magical experience, when it turns dark and our torches light the way. The atmosphere last year was electric, with people of all ages enjoying themselves. There’s a real sense of solidarity – we are all doing the walk for the same reason.”

Jessica Ennis-Hill, the London 2012 Olympic heptathlon champion, said: “Let’s make this a night to remember! I’m proud to be part of such a fabulous event, so please sign up for Light the Night today; join in and we’ll all have a great night raising money for a great cause!”

The charity is offering an opportunity of a lifetime for the top ‘golden’ fundraisers, who raise the most sponsor money, to have a photo with Jessica on the night. For more details, visit www.wphcancercharity.org.uk/light.

Sarah Cross, fundraiser for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: “We are thrilled that Catherine and Vicky are taking part in the Light the Night walk once again. It is a fantastic event, and we look forward to welcoming hundreds of supporters to take part in our magical night walk.”

Workstation celebrates 20 years of creativity

Image: Workstation portrait by ‘We Live Here’ artist Jonathan Wilkinson

Image: Workstation portrait by ‘We Live Here’ artist Jonathan Wilkinson

Sheffield’s Workstation Creative Business Centre – home to Sheffield Live’s studio – is celebrating its 20 year anniversary.

Built as a stylish art deco car showroom in the 1930s, the Workstation opened in 1993 as Sheffield’s first managed workspace and centre for creative industries.

It now houses more than 60 enterprising creative companies with a vibrant community of over 400 designers, film makers, new media developers, architects, festival makers, marketers, publishers and social enterprise champions.

Over the years, many of the greats in Sheffield’s creative community have been associated with the Workstation, from Designers Republic to Warp Films to Sheffield Doc/Fest to Last Laugh Comedy Club.

And the Workstation has been the backdrop for some legendary local moments – Warp Films used the roof of the building to film scenes in Four Lions, The Human League used to rehearse in the basement, the Arctic Monkeys made a music video here, the auditions for Prisoners’ Wives took place on the third floor and Richard Hawley’s old band The Longpigs used to call office 103 home.

Now a new generation are making their mark, like young entrepreneur Lianne Mellor whose Mellor Ware beautifully handcrafted tea sets are in hot demand, or The Nutribox, a new start-up providing healthy snacks to hungry office workers.

The Workstation is planning a series of events to mark the anniversary, beginning with the We Are 20 Exhibition, which runs throughout the summer until the end of September. It is free for anyone to pop in and take a look, open 8.45am-7.45pm Monday to Friday.

This exhibition charts the development of the former Kennings car showroom on Paternoster Row from post-industrial husk, ear-marked for demolition in favour of a car park, into the thriving cultural and creative hub it is now. The exhibition features a specially commissioned piece by ‘We Live Here’ artist Jonathan Wilkinson, alongside photography by Graham Gaunt, Mark Harvey, Shaun Bloodworth, Hugo Glendinning and Matthew Conduit.

On Thursday 12 September there will be a special ’20 by 20×20’ Pecha Kucha event dedicated to celebrating the legacy of the Workstation in which notable tenants, past and present, will give snappy insightful presentations about their work using the Pecha Kucha format of 20 slides with 20 seconds per slide. Pecha Kucha events are fun, sociable networking events with a strictly no business cards policy and this event will be a showcase for some of the city’s most successful creative and digital entrepreneurs – a must for anyone wishing to follow in their footsteps and get inspired. The lineup of speakers will be announced shortly – tickets are on sale now at: http://pknsheff14.eventbrite.com/

At the end of September, the Workstation will host a great big anniversary party – a chance to reunite and reminisce for tenants and a thank you to all the Workstation’s friends, associates and supporters.

In addition to these events, the Workstation is working in partnership with Dr. Marta Herrero of the University of Sheffield who is conducting a research project to assess the economic and cultural impact of the Workstation as a means of launching a broader discussion about the value of culture. Further events linked to the research project will be announced soon.

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