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Latest news from the Sheffield Live! teams

Marathon man raises £30k for Rotherham school

Marathon runner Ray Matthews has presented a cheque to Newman School, Rotherham, for just under thirty thousand pounds, raised through his 75 marathons campaign. When Matthews turned 75 he decided to embark on a challenge, to run 75 marathons in 75 days. His motivation was to raise money for a Rotherham special school whose pupils and staff had hugely impressed him. Newman School offers a specialist range of provision to support children and young people with physical disabilities, medical needs and complex learning needs. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Young Sheffield artists showcase their work

The Rotary Club of Abbeydale are holding their annual A Level Exhibition at Sheffield Town Hall where a selection of the best pictures produced by Sheffield A level students is displayed. It includes work submitted to the annual National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) / Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) competition. In the past four years, three of the pictures have featured in exhibition at The Mall Galleries, London. The A Level exhibition is a working exhibition and, with the help of the Sheffield branch of NADFAS, it also features artists in residence. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to exhibition organiser Ken Marshall.

City residents group oppose new West Street off-licence

The Sheffield City Centre Residents Action Group have submitted an objection to an application to the Sheffield Licensing Council for a sixth off-licence on Sheffield’s West Street. The group argues the high number of off-licences on West Street has a direct link to reports of anti-social behaviour. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Gill Furniss MP opposes Yorkshire mayor proposal

Brightside and Hillsborough MP Gill Furniss has issued a joint statement with other South Yorkshire MPs criticising the idea of an elected mayor for Yorkshire and The Humber. The statement was in response to a call by fellow Labour MP Jon Trickett at a Wakefield conference who has proposed a directly-elected mayor to run a single devolved region taking in the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber. Trickett’s proposal comes after a mayoral election for the Sheffield City Region was pushed back to 2018. The delay followed a High Court ruling about a flawed consultation process. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Gill Furniss.

Sheffield Council may cut short Veolia waste contract

Sheffield Council leaders are considering proposals to end the authority’s waste contract with provider Veolia. Veolia is responsible for collection and disposal of household waste, running waste recycling centres and managing and operating the Energy Recovery Facility at Bernard Road. The contract was signed in 2001 and is set to expire in 2036. At Sheffield City Council’s cabinet meeting next week, members will consider alternative solutions to provide waste services in the city. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Councillor Bryan Lodge, cabinet member for the environment.

Cathy comes to Sheffield

Award-winning theatre company Cardboard Citizens are to bring their production of Cathy to Sheffield’s Studio Theatre. The production was inspired by the Ken Loach film Cathy Come Home. This year marks the marks the 50th anniversary of Loach’s film and the 25th anniversary of the theatre company who make theatre with and for homeless people. First broadcast in 1966 on BBC TV, Cathy Come Home depicts a young family’s slide into homelessness. Cardboard Citizens continue their exploration of the state of housing and homelessness with Cathy, a powerful new forum theatre show by playwright Ali Taylor. Sheffield Live! reporter, Azz Mohamed, spoke to Adrian Jackson, director of the new production and artistic director for Cardboard Citizens.

Drama groups seek clarity on future of Library Theatre

Sheffield and District Amateur Dramatic Society has raised concerns over the future of Sheffield’s Library Theatre as the Council consults on redevelopment of the Central Library. Three public meetings have been held by Sheffield Council to consult on the future of the Central Library with a proposal under consideration for conversion of the Grade II listed building into a five star hotel. The building is in need of costly repairs and the Council has promised that a new library will be built in the city centre if the commercial development goes ahead. Assurances have also been given about keeping the Graves Art Gallery but little has been said about the future of the Library Theatre. The theatre is part of the library building, managed by Sheffield City Council, and is used by many amateur dramatic societies, schools and art groups as a home, including for some edgier productions that might not otherwise be performed. Sheffield Live! reporter, Simon Thake, spoke to Phil Gascoyne, chair of Sheffield and District Amateur Dramatic Society.

Unwanted artwork sale opens at Cupola Gallery

More than 300 artists working across a range of media have offered their under-the-bed artworks for sale to the public as part of an annual exhibition at Cupola Gallery. The gallery, established in 1991, is one of the most respected spaces for the exhibition and sale of contemporary fine art and craft in the North of England. Baillor Jalloh spoke to Graham Shapley, general manager at Cupola Gallery.