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Latest news from the Sheffield Live! teams

Gambians in Sheffield fear the worst as post-election crisis unfolds

Lamin Ceesay, a Gambian resident in Sheffield, has spoken to Sheffield Live! about ex-pat fears for the country’s future as the post-election stand-off continues in the former British colony in West Africa. Adama Barrow, the man who won the election in The Gambia in December has been sworn in as the new president. He took the oath of office at his country’s embassy in neighbouring Senegal, ordering Gambian soldiers to remain in their barracks. Meanwhile, Gambian strongman Yahya Jammeh, President of the country since 1994, has refused to step down as his term in office expires. Troops are reported to be on stand-by to remove him by force. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Springboard cafés offer mental health support

Sean Munnelly, a Burngreave man who came close to suicide after suffering from depression and anxiety, has spoken of the value of the neighbourhood cafés project run by Sheffield Mind and community partners. Munnelly, who lost his house and job after a relationship breakdown but has since recovered, is encouraging people who are feeling low or isolated to visit one of the three Springboard cafés. The drop-in centres run at Manor Library, St Mary’s Community Centre and the Learning Zone in Parsons Cross, providing a place to meet and talk with others and offering confidential support to help on the road to recovery. There is also a women-only Springboard café in Burngreave. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Sean Munnelly about his experience.

Further information is available from:
http://www.sheffieldmind.co.uk/services/social-cafes
or by calling 0114 2584489

Sheffield playing field protected by Fields In Trust

Ochre Dike Playing Fields in Waterthorpe has been granted official recognition through the Fields in Trust scheme which protects designated open spaces against commercial development. Located near Crystal Peaks shopping complex, the playing fields are an important green space for those who live, work and study in the area and have been the focus of a campaign by local councillors and residents for the site to stay in public use. Fields in Trust status protects a diversity of open spaces across the UK from sports pitches to children’s playgrounds, bicycle trails to country parks. Ochre Dike Playing Field was formally accepted in 2015 and has now been presented with the official designation plaque at a special ceremony. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield cutler delighted with New Year’s Honour

Stan Shaw, awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours list, is one of Sheffield’s few remaining little mesters, the independent craftworkers responsible for the city’s global reputation for cutlery-making. Shaw, at 90 years old, still makes every part of his pocket knives by hand out of his Kelham Island workshop and has a four year waiting list for orders. He was once commissioned by Sheffield Assay Office to make a platinum pocket knife for the Queen and his work, each blade stamped with Stan Shaw, Sheffield, England, is sought after by collectors across the world. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Stan Shaw in his workshop.

Rural schools out of reach due to poor public transport

Three out of five young people in rural areas of England do not have adequate public transport to get to their secondary school, research from Rural England concludes. The State of Rural Services report says lack of public transport is harming opportunities in education. There are also concerns about gaps in access to broadband in rural areas. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Schools “risk cuts” under new funding formula

Government plans designed to address “unfair” and “inconsistent” funding in England’s education system risk cuts in most schools, say teachers’ unions. Campaigners say that 98 per cent of schools will be worse off because rising prices and cost pressures will cancel out any increase if ministers introduce the new National Funding Formula. Figures released by organisations representing school staff, teachers and leaders show that schools in Sheffield could lose up to £362 per pupil. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Toby Mallinson of the National Union of Teachers.

Free wi-fi plan for Sheffield city centre

Sheffield Council is considering plans to introduce free wi-fi in the city centre by the end of the year as part of an initiative led by Sheffield Business Improvement District. The authority is looking for a provider to offer wireless internet at no cost to those who use it. The project relies on a provider offering wi-fi service at no cost to the council and paying rent to use street assets, such as lampposts, to provide the signal. A decision on whether or not to go ahead with the wi-fi scheme will be made at a meeting of the cabinet next week. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Richard Eyre, head of city centre management at Sheffield Council.

E-cigarette chargers can be fire risk warns Fire Service

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have warned the general public about the risk of fire from E-cigarette chargers after investigations into a house fire in Rotherham. Firefighters were called to the blaze in a house on Roebuck Chase. An E-cigarette charger, found in the lounge, is thought to have been the cause of the fire. Nobody was hurt. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Spencer Rowland of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.

Sheffield MP slams government over Post Office closures

Sheffield MP Gill Furniss, the shadow minister for steel, postal services and consumer protection, has condemned government plans for the closure and franchising of a further 37 Crown Post Offices. The Labour MP for Hillsborough and Brightside has asked the government to look instead at how it can expand Post Office services and make them sustainable rather than managing a slow decline.The latest round of closures was announced while the government is still analysing feedback from tens of thousands of people responding to recent public consultation on the future of the Post Office network. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Gill Furniss.

Celebrating Sheffield sporting success with a cuppa

A new not-for-profit café has opened on Chapel Walk. Nothing unusual about that but this café focuses on celebrating the diverse range of Sheffield sports and sporting clubs and exploring their history and heritage. Sporting Sheffield stocks products from Goalsoul, a local company with a huge range of football-inspired art and apparel. There is also merchandise from Sheffield Football Club and Hallam Football Club, as well as other sports products and artefacts. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!