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Shetland ponies offer fun and therapy

A working livery school in Norton is home to six Shetland ponies being trained as therapy ponies to help children and vulnerable adults. Smile at Lightwood is an initiative of the Lightwood Livery at Mansion House Farm, Norton. Six miniature Shetland ponies came to live at the farm in late 2014 and have since been training for careers in pony parties and as therapy ponies helping young people, the elderly and vulnerable adults, at the farm and in the local community. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield cycling campaigners hit the streets

The Space for Cycling campaign bike ride took place at the weekend to promote cycle routes and cycle-friendly transport planning. Coordinated by Cycling UK, the family-oriented cycle event set off from Devonshire Green with hundreds of cyclists joining the Big Ride. Space for Cycling is a national campaign calling for investment in a network of cycle routes accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Local group Cycle Sheffield have called for Sheffield City Council to include cycling as a part of the transport infrastructure. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Music fans join queue for vinyl on Record Store Day

Record Collector music shop in Broomhill was among 200 independent record stores across the UK celebrating the tenth annual Record Store Day. Exclusive vinyl releases produced for the day included rare David Bowie and Smiths recordings and many participating shops and cities also hosted artist performances and events to mark the occasion. The celebration of independent record stores has become a global event in the music calendar. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Ding Junhui into World Snooker quarter final

Sheffield-based Ding Junhui, the most successful Asian player in world snooker, spoke to Sheffield Live! on handling the pressure of top flight snooker. Ding is world number six, last year’s beaten finalist and set to face Ronnie O’Sullivan in the quarter finals of the World Snooker Championship 2017 at The Crucible. He has been an inspiration to the new generation of Chinese snooker players and has been training at the World Snooker Academy since moving to Sheffield in 2006. Ding spoke to Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed about setting up home in Sheffield, which football team he secretly supports and how he copes with life in the spotlight.

New police chief pledges more bobbies on the beat

Newly appointed assistant chief constable for South Yorkshire Police, David Hartley, plans to cut gang crime and strengthen neighbourhood policing. In an interview with Sheffield Live! Hartley outlined a new strategy for neighbourhoods, with more officers on the beat, better use of technology and restructuring of the force. Simon Thake reports.

Student leaders urge young people to register to vote by 22 May deadline

The National Union of Students has launched a major drive to get students and young people registered to vote in the General Election. NUS executive councillor and former Hallam Union officer Hassun El-Zafar, speaking to Sheffield Live!, said the upcoming general election is hugely significant for young people. With young people more politically engaged than for a long time, El-Zafar urged them to register to vote before the deadline of 22 May. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Bird and bat boxes installed in Kelham Island

Sixteen bird and bat boxes have been installed at sites in Kelham Island to encourage wildlife to inhabit the area. The initiative is part of the Council’s Streets Ahead programme and has been developed in partnership with River Stewardship Company and Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

£25 million plan approved for new secondary school

Sheffield councillors have approved a plan to build a £25 million secondary school in the south-west of the city despite objections from local residents. Members of the planning committee voted in favour of the council’s own planning application for land off Carterknowle Road granting permission for the proposed Mercia School. The proposal received more than 80 objections from residents concerned by an increase in traffic and worries that the old landfill site is unsafe for development. The new school will be run by Mercia Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust that was founded by Sheffield’s King Ecgbert School. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Judd Trump reflects on snooker and Sheffield

Bookies favourite Judd Trump faced a surprise challenge from world number 54 Rory McLeod in the World Snooker Championship 2017. In an interview with Sheffield Live! on the eve of the tournament, Trump reflected on being the poster boy for the next generation, nights out in Sheffield, and the challenges of a big tournament. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!