Community

Sheffield pub gets Christmas boost as officials recommend rejecting supermarket bid

Campaigners fighting to save a Sheffield pub received an early Christmas present this week when council officers said plans to turn it into a shop should be rejected. Sainsbury’s revealed its plan to convert The Plough at Sandygate in August, confirming the fears of many living nearby. A community campaign was launched to save the pub and it was successfully listed as an asset of community value, meaning planning permission would be required for any change of use and the community would have six months to bid for it if it went up for sale. Planning officers have now recommended that the Council should reject Sainsbury’s plans. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Peter Duff, Chair of the Save the Plough group.

New recovery centre offers addicts a fighting chance

The new Sheffield Recovery Community drop-in centre is giving people with drug and alcohol problems a fighting chance to stay clean and sober. The centre at De Hood, Manor Top opened its doors earlier this month. As well as counselling and peer support, the centre offers free boxing training and fitness classes to help people become more healthy and motivated to stay on the road to recovery. The centre is run by professional boxer Reagan Denton who works with young and old in the community. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Mick Hartley, a former Sheffield nightclub owner who has been in recovery from addiction and and is the project manager for the drop-in centre.

Award for community cinema that puts audience in the picture

Handmade Cinema was awarded Most Innovative Organisation at the Voluntary Action Sheffield Make a Difference Awards for transforming the way young people watch films. The community cinema, founded in 2012, engages with it’s audience by creating a real life feel around the chosen film, allowing children and parents to take part in craft, film-making and other activities based on the film’s theme and ideas. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Ellie Ragdale, creative director at Handmade Cinema.

Sheffield caroling traditions celebrated at Winter Gardens

Sheffield Carol Day, an event to celebrate local Sheffield carols was held in the Winter Gardens on Saturday to mark the countdown to Christmas. The event organised by local folk collective, Soundpost, included local groups performing their favourite carols and encouraged to join the singing and celebration. Sheffield Live! reporter Shamaan Freeman-Powell spoke to local singer, Gina Walter, about the history of Sheffield carols and caroling.

Protest pensioner speaks out on Rustlings Road tree fellings

Freda Bradshaw, the 71 year old pensioner arrested last week after protesting the felling of trees on Rustlings Road has spoken to Sheffield Live! of her frustration over the incident. Bradshaw was one of three protestors arrested and later released without charge after being held in a police cell while Amey contractors took chainsaws to the century old trees. Residents were awoken to police knocking on their doors as early as 5am to remove their vehicles from the road so work could commence. Many residents and tree campaigners have been left furious over the action by Sheffield City Council. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Community group in bid to buy Gardeners Rest pub

The Gardeners Rest in Neepsend could become Sheffield first community-owned pub following a successful crowdfunding campaign by the newly formed Gardeners Rest Community Society. When the owners of the Gardeners Rest pub, Eddie Munnelly and Pat Wilson, announced their intention to sell up for a quieter life on a narrow boat, pub regulars grouped together to try to raise the necessary funds to take the pub into community ownership. The Gardeners Rest Community Society intend to maintain the pub and to develop it as a community hub supporting local businesses, artists and community groups. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Walkley Library celebrates two years as a community-run library

Walkley Library, which was saved from closure in 2014 after a community campaign, is celebrating two years of running independently as a community library with the support of local volunteers. At an open event to celebrate the achievement members of the public were invited to take part in activities aimed at showing the range of services on offer and to contribute to a survey on further improvements. Shamaan Freeman Powell reports for Sheffield Live!

Sharrow Autumn Carnival offers alternative celebration

Community workers in Sharrow have been determined to offer creative opportunities for local teens after anti-social bonfire night scenes in recent years. Last year local youths in Sharrow threw rocks and fireworks at passing cars and eleven arrests were made. The Autumn Carnival at Highfield Adventure Playground featured local music, food and crafts. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Jane Tomlinson Appeal hands Sheffield charities a funding boost

The Jane Tomlinson Appeal has awarded two Sheffield charities significant grants to support their healthcare work. Weston Park Hospital will be assisted to provide essential support to older cancer patients, while Paces Sheffield will receive a grant for a fieldworker to support children with complex health needs. Azz Mohammed spoke to Helen Gentle of Weston Park Hospital.

Darnall post office threatened with closure

A post office in Darnall run by Darnall Forum could close after the charity’s budget was cut by Sheffield City Council. Six years ago Darnall Forum took the lead in re-opening Darnall’s only post office after it had been closed for eight months. Now, faced with budget cuts, the community forum can no longer afford to run the business and is calling for local and community investors to help save the post office and take it into community ownership. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Neil Bishop of Darnall Forum.