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Latest news from the Sheffield Live! teams

Sheffielders invited to become media owners of local TV channel

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SCM_CSO_Cover_2People who live, work or have interests in Sheffield have today been invited to become co-owners of an exciting new local media organisation set up to invest in Sheffield’s local digital TV channel and to build a new cross-platform media service for Sheffield.

Sheffield Community Media Ltd, an organisation set up for community benefit, has been established to support community media development in Sheffield, including the new local digital TV channel that will be launched on Freeview, cable and the internet in 2014.

And Sheffield media, music, communications and business figures and the city’s residents are already getting excited about the thrilling plans.

In May 2012, Ofcom, the communications regulator, advertised local digital TV licences for Sheffield and 20 other ‘pioneer locations’. Sheffield Local Television Ltd, wholly owned by Sheffield Community Media Ltd, was the winning applicant for the Sheffield local TV service.

Launching in 2014, the new television channel Sheffield Live TV will cover Sheffield news; events; music; sports and culture. It will reflect the interests of Sheffield people and communities – and provide a platform for local talent and opportunities for local businesses.

It will be Sheffield’s first digital local TV channel, broadcasting on Freeview channel 8, cable and the internet.

And it will be part of a new cross-platform media partnership – radio, TV, web and mobile – working with existing community radio station Sheffield Live 93.2 FM and a new web and mobile Sheffield news service.

Community Shares are a form of social investment to raise funds for projects of community benefit. Sheffield Community Media Ltd want Sheffielders to support this groundbreaking project – and today launched a “Pioneer and Community Share Offer” at www.sheffieldlive.org/shares
Notable figures from Sheffield’s business, media, music, communications and community sectors have already given their support to Sheffield Community Media’s plans.

Jill Davies, chief executive of Westfield Health, said “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity that we’re going to get our own local TV in Sheffield. It’ll enable us to keep our fingers on the pulse of all those local important issues.”

Ed Cosens of Sheffield band Reverend and the Makers commented “Sheffield Local Television is an amazing opportunity for the people of Sheffield to do what Sheffield does best – be creative and get inspired. Musically it’s going to be amazing, you’ve got loads of great music programmes on there so I’m excited about that.”

Heather MacDonald, chief executive of The Sheffield College, said “It’s brilliant for Sheffield College and it’s brilliant for Sheffield City.”

The Sheffield Community Media Ltd business plan, published today at www.sheffieldlive.org/shares sets out the organisation’s proposals for the development of a digital local television channel for Sheffield as part of a cross-platform community media offer.

Richard Motley, chair of Sheffield Community Media Ltd, said:

“Building on Sheffield’s history of culture, creativity and innovation, our goal is to establish a cross-platform community media service that serves the public interest in local news, information, education and entertainment and encourages local talent and creative expression.”

Steve Buckley, chair of Sheffield Local Television Ltd, said:

“We have a sustainable business model that will create jobs and nurture talent. But we need Sheffielders’ support to make Sheffield Live TV happen.

“The Sheffield Community Media shares prospectus – at www.sheffieldlive.org/shares – explains how to get involved in Sheffield Community Media Ltd and what, together, we can achieve. Please join this exciting new media project – the first of its kind.”

ENDS

Media enquiries: Jamie Veitch: 07904 272 200

Questions about the Pioneer and Community Share Issue: call 0114 281 4082 or email shares@sheffieldlive.org

Sheffield Community Media Ltd is a society for the benefit of the community incorporated under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965. Registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration No: 31727R. Registered address: 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX

Expressions of Interest invited: Commercial Production

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Expressions of interest invited – Television Commercial Production Services for Sheffield Live TV

Sheffield Local Television Ltd wish to appoint one or more experienced production companies to manage and produce television commercials for local advertising clients.

We will require the appointed companies to offer a range of fixed price production options to advertisers, and to be responsible for and manage full delivery (including shooting, editing, and compliance), on time and to budget, of television advertisements from Autumn onwards.

If you are interested in providing Television Commercial Production Services, please read the Selection Criteria below and supply a short (2 pages of A4 max) Expression of Interest outlining how your experience and capabilities meet the criteria.  The deadline for receipt of Expressions of Interest is 31 May 2014.

Selection Criteria

1.1 Production experience – The appointed production company (or companies) must demonstrate that they have effective processes in place for broadcast standard acquisition, post-production and delivery to channel, (potentially including Clearcast approval).

1.2 Operational Capacity – Production companies must demonstrate that they have effective processes in place for the production of the adverts.

1.3 Quality Systems – ensuring that all content meets UK broadcast standards is essential as is ensuring that the overall quality of the TV adverts are high.

1.4 Creativity – Pro-active production suggestions are sought to help produce effective ads that meet the expectations of the clients. We will provide companies with a copy of our brand guidelines for the output if required. Once appointed, the chosen production companies need to respond to SLTV’s requests in a pro-active fashion.

1.5 Costs – The chosen production companies need to offer a range of production options to advertising clients at different price-points. We are interested in your suggestions of a 3 or 4 point menu of options.

1.6 Experience – examples of TV commercials delivered on low budgets and the successful implementation of similar projects will score highly. As part of your response it is essential that you list examples of similar work produced, with links to your showreel or to view these online.

If you are interested in providing Television Commercial Production Services, please supply a short (2 pages of A4 max) Expression of Interest outlining how your experience and capabilities meet the criteria above to advertising@sheffieldlive.org  The deadline for receipt of Expressions of Interest is 31 May 2014.

Hawthorne Heights at Corporation – review

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Hawthorne Heights at Corporation. Photo: Jade Knox

Hawthorne Heights at Corporation. Photo: Jade Knox

It would be a considerable understatement to describe how I felt as ‘excited’, writes Sheffield Live! volunteer Jade Knox, when I heard that this band would be returning to the steel city and performing their astonishing album The Silence in Black and White to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its release.

This experience for me, and presumably most people in the room that night, was wonderfully nostalgic having fallen in love with their music at only thirteen years old.

Hawthorne Heights are a band that spoke to me (and many others) lyrically at a time in most of our lives when we are emotionally astray trying to figure out who it is we are. Many young teens at the time and still today find solace in the rolling chords and bleeding hearts of musicians whose lyrics just seem to ‘make sense’ and speak to you directly.

Naturally, since I had first fallen for this album just under ten years ago my music tastes have grown alongside me, however as soon as these guys started their set it felt as if no time had passed at all.

Lead singer JT Woodruff was the cheeky and charismatic character I had always imagined him to be, commenting that the girls looked good and complimenting the crowd.

It’s always a pleasure to watch a gig in the small room at Corporation for the reason that it is a much more intimate setting. The band also removed the barrier you can often feel when in the presence of somebody you know is (or has once been) a pretty big deal, the gig was so relaxed and this was emphasised further by Woodruff’s invitation to fans to ‘hang out’ with him after the show as he would be just around the back.

It was evident during the gig that Hawthorne Heights have – and still do – mean a great deal to the fans. The room was alive: everyone there was singing their heart out and could join in to each song word perfect.

There is always an element of risk with gigs like this in that there could be an amount of disillusionment when time passes since a band first arrived on the scene or performed their initial material, especially if at one point or another you had held them in such high regard.

Now at twenty-two years old, Hawthorne Heights still pulled on my heartstrings in the same way they had done when I spent hours in my bedroom surrounded by CDs writing down my favourite lyrics. Although slightly more mature aesthetically the band have retained their sound beautifully and I am elated to have seen them live at last.

What next?

Hillsborough remembered

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Red carnations for Hillsborough

Sheffield Live presenters, staff and volunteers wearing their red carnations to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster

Sheffield Live! 93.2 fm partnered with MagHull Community Radio in North Liverpool today to remember those who were affected by the Hillsborough Disaster.

David Hughes, one of the volunteers at Maghull community radio came up with the idea to wear a red carnation as way of paying tribute to those who lost their lives on that day, twenty-five years ago today.

“It’s a personal way of showing you remember. There are lots of big events and big organisations that do things,” said David, “but this is personal. It is your own way of showing you remember.”

Sheffield Live! 93.2 FM was contacted by David to see if staff would be willing to wear a red carnation on the day. Sangita Basudev, chief executive of Sheffield Live! 93.2 FM said “This is an important time to show our solidarity with the people of Liverpool. 96 people lost their lives, 766 were physically injured on the day and countless others were affected.” Sangita added “It is important that a community radio station in Liverpool and one in Sheffield will stand together today to remember.”

Sheffield Live! 93.2 FM held a minute’s silence at 15:06 today.

Bang Bang Romeo – ‘Carnival’ EP review

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Jade Knox

Jade Knox

In Sheffield and the surrounding area we are blessed to be vastly saturated in talent, extending through countless genres and every age bracket, and just recently I have stumbled across yet another astonishing act that have blown me away, writes Sheffield Live! volunteer Jade Knox.

After the incredible success of our home-grown Arctic Monkeys there have been innumerable new acts attempting a similar style of heavily accented vocals and I have been waiting patiently for this fad to pass.

Bang Bang Romeo are a Yorkshire based 4-piece who have brought something new and wonderful to the local music scene. Completely unlike anything I’ve heard of late I am ecstatic to have found something that sounds so emotive and real.  When I first listened to the EP I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, perhaps I had been cynical enough to first believe this could be just another bedroom indie band – and how wonderfully incorrect I was.

I played the first track from the EP ‘Carnival’ and set about doing some housework. It is tough to describe how intensely and immediately my attention was taken away from my intended errands. It felt as if my ears had done a double take, I had heard the music but then I couldn’t help but listen. I stopped what I was doing and sat captivated for the remaining tracks.

To put it bluntly; you could have no ears and still know that lead vocalist Anastasia Walker has phenomenal vocal talent. There is such an expressive element within her voice that her lyrics are no longer only words but characters, conjuring feelings of nostalgia with a somewhat haunting element. When I heard this powerhouse of a voice I was initially concerned that the rest of the band could be left sounding diluted and lacklustre and I was elated to learn that the reality was a million miles from this assumption.

Behind Anastasia are three wonderful musicians: Ross Cameron, Richard Gartland and Joel Phillips, whose riffs and rolls are powerful and meaningful and performed with technical grace. I have struggled to put into words how successfully the music can ‘fill a room’, it felt dense and almost heavy with soul and provoked much more of a reaction than simply “I like this.”

Bang Bang Romeo, I believe, will have no problems achieving success in what they do, they are perfectly formed and ready to go and will remain one of my favourite local groups.

“It’s me PG” interviews James Gillespie

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Paul Gregory was joined in the studio during his Saturday morning “It’s me PG” show today by James Gillespie, who is appearing at The Viper Rooms tonight (12th April) in Sheffield.

Paul and James discussed James’ musical background: busking, appearing in a wide range of bands and now touring as a solo artist. Listen to the podcast of the 2nd hour of Paul’s show, containing the interview with James.

Paul comments:

James is an acoustic singer/ songwriter based in London. James brings a lot to his music – story telling from Folk, pain and passion from blues, hooks from pop and all with an indie edge.

James’ live performance is engaging, honest and mesmerising. His personality is charismatic and contagious.

After completing a very successful 25 date UK tour in Feb-March 2014, James will be returning to five of the best venues in London, Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh, to blow the socks off his existing fans and new listeners once again.

He is already booked for 16 festivals, some along side Hudson Taylor and Toploader. He is warming up for Turin Brakes at an exclusive UK gig later this year.

James song ‘The Hills are Hers’ is being used as a soundtrack for a Redbull surf video for Jordy Smith. His new single is ‘Survive’ (both produced by Ken Nelson – Coldplay, Paulo Nutini, Gomez).

What next?

Nathan’s football roundup – 10 April

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Nathan Murray

Nathan Murray

Sheffield Live volunteer Nathan Murray with the latest football roundup.

8th April: Sheffield Wednesday earn a point in a six goal thriller (Nottingham Forest 3 – Sheffield Wednesday 3)

Sheffield Wednesday opened the account with a penalty form Chris Maguire in the 15th minute. In the 44th Minute Jamie Murphy Headed in the equaliser for Forest. Just before the break Lewis Buxton headed in a goal in the 45th to put Wednesday ahead again.

After the break Sheffield were at a two goal advantage through Joe Mattock’s long-range effort in the 57th minute. Forest were then back in the game through Marcus Tudgay’s header in the 77th minute. Danny Collins was sent off due to another yellow card offence.

Ten men Forest then equalised through a Jamie Paterson free kick which hit the top left corner in the 87th minute. Sheffield Wednesday are 15th with 49 points. Wednesday’s next game is at home against Blackburn on the 12th April at 15.00

Attendance: 20,185.

8th April: Derby day see’s Ben Davies last minute penalty to earn United the win! (Sheffield United 1 – Rotherham 0)

Nigel Clough made eight changes to a younger side, resting players before the FA cup semi-final against Hull on Sunday. Craig Morgan made contact in the box with United Harry Maguire to award United the penalty. Ben Davies scored the only goal of the game when he converted a penalty to seal all three points in the 90th minute.

This result ended Rotherham’s 16 game undefeated run.

However with this result United remain 11th in the league, being eight points off the mark of the play-off places, with fives games to go.

The best chances in the game from Rotherham who had James Tavernier and Tom Hitchcock being denied by keeper George Long. United take the the win with a F.A cup semi final game looming away against Hull on Sunday 13th April.

Attendance: 21,529.

5th April – Sheffield United settle for a draw against Leyton Orient.

In the 41st minute Dean Cox blast Leyton orient into the lead, after skillfully lifting the ball over a United Defender and placing the ball in the back of the net.

United then equalised through a run from a loose ball to then tap the ball in home in the 63rd minute.

The Blades then had a chance to claim all 3 points through Conor Coady and John Brayford close chances.

Attendance: 16,809.

4th April – Sheffield Wednesday lose 2-1 against high flyers Leicester City.

Leicester went ahead through a Riyad Mahraz goal which was driven driven across Chirs Kirkland form 18 yards, in the 10th minute.

Wednesday then equalised in the 37th minute through a blast form Michail Antonio to beat Kasper Schmeichel.

However this was over shadowed by Anthony Knockhaert’s winner which was a super 20- yard free -kick which claimed all three points in the 61st minute.

Attendance: 26,103.

What next?

Tune into our Talking Balls sports show, every Friday on Sheffield Live! at 6pm.

Lyceum lit by a ray of sunshine – “Morecambe” review

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What a treat it was to see Bob Golding’s portrayal of one half of the duo Morecambe and Wise who became the Nation’s favourite funnymen in a partnership lasting some 43 years, write Sheffield Live!’s Paul Gregory and Kevin Resley.

A one man show forged in the West End and brought to Sheffield for an all too brief visit, well suited to the Lyceum stage, it showed the development of Eric Morecambe from a “lanky-shire” lad to comedy genius.

Brilliantly written by Tim Withnall, Directed by Paul Hendy and produced by Gary Morecambe, the one-man show incorporated Ernie Wise “Little Ern” by way of clever use of a puppet. So well integrated as the diminutive straight man it was easy to accept and contributed much to the performance.

Touching on his mother’s guidance and support, it charts the beginning and end of the partnership through war, setbacks and the vagaries of showbiz to the heights of a career where over 28 million watched their Christmas special.

Touching, funny, engaging and totally believable as Eric, Bob Golding had the audience singing the pair’s theme tune “Bring me Sunshine.”

Fantastic and you couldn’t see the join. Pure sunshine from start to finish!

What next?

  • Morecambe is also on this evening (Weds 9 April) – details and tickets
  • Paul also reviewed Morecambe during today’s Communities Live show (every weekday, noon to 1pm)

Sounds Like This radio show – First Word Records takeover

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First Word Records

First Word Records

This Sunday Sheffield Live!’s Sounds Like This radio show are celebrating 10 years of the legendary record label that is First Word Records, writes Chris Arnold.

With well over 100 releases under its belt First Word has been the home of artists including The Haggis Horns, Tall Black Guy, kidkanevil, Riot Jazz Brass Band, Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra, Lotek, Yosi Horikawa, Homecut, Essa, The Simonsound, Souleance, Corinne Bailey Rae, Roots Manuva, Andrea Trianna, Jehst, Eliphino and many many more.

Danny and Chris will be interviewing the French duo Souleance and shall also be featuring a very special 90 minute mix from First Word Records founders Andy H and Gilla.

You can go and witness the mix happening first hand live in the Harley this Friday night where DJ Format, Souleance, Arnivore and Clipboard will also be performing.

What next?

  • More info on the night and the radio show can be found here.
  • The Sounds Like This radio show on Facebook.
  • Tune into Sounds Like This – every Sunday from 5pm – 7pm on Sheffield Live! 93.2FM or via our livestream.

Half-marathon fiasco “catastrophe for city”

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Calvin Payne after the Sheffield Half Marathon

Calvin Payne after the Sheffield Half Marathon

The chaos of yesterday’s Sheffield Half-Marathon is “a catastrophe for the city” according to the Robert Jackson, the Chairman of the Trustees of the event.

The near-5000 runners lined up to start the event were kept waiting for about 50 minutes after the official start time, with many complaining that tannoy announcements were inaudible.

Organisers then attempted to cancel the event – for the first time in its 33 year history – because of a problem with the supply of water.  But many runners did not hear the announcement and after the elite runners lined up at the front of the event decided to run on in the face of initial road-blocks and attempts to prevent them, many competitors carried on unaware of the official cancellation.

As news of the water shortage emerged, Sheffield people and businesses lined the route – and took it on themselves to hand out water to runners.  But other runners complained that they were stopped from running – and then had to watch while those who completed the “unofficial” run still received medals.

Robert Jackson, Chair of the Trustees of the Sheffield Half Marathon, speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield sports journalist Rob Staton, said:

“…5000 plus runners have just been failed utterly…the responsibility is with the organising committee and with the trustees…you’re quite right…it’s a catastrophe for the city…this is a complete failure of a company to deliver the water as ordered…but without water, you can’t have a half-marathon.”

Listen to Rob’s interview with Robert Jackson here.

Margaret Lilley, chairperson of the organising committee, said: “It is with huge disappointment and regret that we were forced to cancel the 2014 half marathon because of a problem with the delivery of water. We apologise to all the runners, their families and friends and anyone who has supported the event.”

An investigation is currently underway into the circumstances behind why the original water order was not delivered.

The requirements for an official race dictate that there is an appropriate amount of water available at every three mile interval.

Many runners have asked why communication at the start was so poor.

Sheffield Live! volunteer Calvin Payne was running the event and commented that communication was completely lacking, with most runners at the start unable to hear any announcements about the delay. And our volunteer Andy Cooper said:

“I was in the city centre and news that the event was cancelled did not reach the marshalls I spoke to, who seemed to have no way of communicating with the organisers. Marshalls looked confused and abandoned. Through the good nature of local residents and businesses runners did get some water along the route as the people of Sheffield erected makeshift drink stations outside their business premises.”

Hundreds of runners took to twitter, facebook, and commented on newspaper reports to express their frustration.

On facebook, Carly Pirie wrote “I ran today and like many others who have commented only found out it had been cancelled after I had completed it! There was no organisation to the morning, nobody providing updates as to the reason for the delay and then everyone set off so we presumed whatever had been holding the event up had been rectified. Will we be informed of our official race times?”

And Ru Maxwell said “I was at the sub 1hr 35 marker at the start and couldn’t hear a tannoy either, for those of you thinking it was just those nearer the back who had no idea what was going on! If it wasn’t for the elites deciding to go for it without permission, then there wouldn’t have been a half marathon for anyone. We thought they had been given the green light to go!”

On race day morning the official twitter account of the Half Marathon had tweeted “Spectators and runners! Tweet us your race day pictures using the hashtag #ilovesheffieldhalf and we’ll retweet as many as we can!”

4,100 runners completed the route of the event and “each were given a time so that those running for charities could collect their sponsorship money” according to organisers. But as of 10:30am today (Monday), many are complaining via social media that they’ve not received a time at all:

@adieward wrote: “@SheffieldHalf I wasn’t given a time either your website is incorrect. Where/when will these be available?”

@amandaswinney84 wrote “we haven’t had times yet. Can’t get the website to load since this post was published” and @CeriRodgers asked “@SheffieldHalf can u tell us when the results/times info will be avail. website states this info has been given to runners already? Not me?”

Organisers told BBC Radio Sheffield this morning that runners won’t receive a refund.

Sheffield Live! presenters Si Thake and Calvin Payne participated in the event. Si discussed it on this morning’s Monday Uprising show – podcast here – and Calvin will discuss it on our Communities Live show.