Residents of Knowle Lane in south east Sheffield have complained to Sheffield council about the deterioration of road surfaces only eighteen months after resurfacing by private contractor Amey. The work has been part of the Streets Ahead programme to repair potholes, damaged pavements, and crumbling speed bumps. The programme also includes the controversial felling of Sheffield trees. Simon Thake reports from Knowle Lane for Sheffield Live!
Community groups from Sharrow and Nether Edge have won a Sheffield Police Award for their work to reduce anti social behaviour in the area. Over the last three years there has been an increase in incidents of anti-social behaviour along Abbeydale Road. The community partnership was formed in response. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Jonathan Roberts and Jim Steinke.
A new project has been launched in Stocksbridge to halt the decline of the willow tit, a resident bird which has fallen in numbers by 88 per cent over the last 30 years. This project is focused on Fox Glen, Pot House Wood and Newhall Wood where there has been a significant population of the birds. South Yorkshire Forest Enterprise Trust will oversee work to encourage recolonisation, including planting trees to provide suitable nesting sites, installing nest boxes, thinning trees to provide open habitat, and undertaking drainage work to provide the damp conditions that willow tits prefer. In cooperation with the Steel Valley Project, the scheme will train local people in countryside management and nature conservation work through volunteering opportunities. It is anticipated that the work will be complete by March 2018. Simon Thake reports from Fox Glen for Sheffield Live!
South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings has confirmed that trade union laws will no longer be used in the police response to tree protesters. The news comes two weeks after charges were dropped against nine protesters including Alison Teal, councillor for Nether Edge and Sharrow, who were arrested on suspicion of preventing Amey workers from felling a tree on Chippinghouse Road. Those arrested were charged with preventing lawful work under section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1992. The charges have since been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service due to lack of evidence. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Hundreds of Orgreave justice campaigners joined a ‘noisy protest’ outside the Home Office on Marsham Street, London. The demonstration was organised by the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign and brought together trade unionists, campaigners and former miners. It follows the Home Secretary’s decision last year, not to grant an independent public inquiry into police brutality against striking miners at the Orgreave coking plant in June 1984. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
https://vimeo.com/208374560
A Sheffield artist, has painted a mural portrait in memory of Aseel Al-Essaie close to where the 23 year old was gunned down on Daniel Hill, Upperthorpe. The memorial tribute was painted by Ben Gourvenec on wall of the Red Monkey Tattoo Studio. Gourvenec, a part-time artist, responded to a proposal that was circulated on social media. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield’s Festival of Arts and Humanities 2017, a celebration of people and cultures, has been launched at a showcase event at the Millennium Gallery. The main festival, which is organised by Sheffield University, is to run at various venues for a three week period from the beginning of May. It will feature world renowned writers, poets and historians, film screenings, music, medieval cabaret and a Roman feast with the aim of stimulating imagination, creativity and “thinking about thinking”. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
With workplace dress codes under the parliamentary spotlight, Sheffield Live! asked women in Sheffield for their views on footwear and company rules. In the House of Commons debate last week, Gill Furniss, MP for Hillsborough and Brightside, described how her daughter suffered a metatarsal fracture, more commonly affiliated with sports injuries, after being made to wear heels in a retail job. The debate followed a petition signed by more than 150,000 people, launched by receptionist Nicola Thorp after she was sent home from work for refusing to wear high heels. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
https://vimeo.com/208166393
Luke Renwick will be the new Sheffield Hallam University Students’ Union President after winning the largest share of votes in elections this week. Alongside the election for president, candidates have been canvassing for votes to represent fellow students in a variety of officer roles including sports, welfare and education officer. Renwick, who previously served as education officer, will take up the presidency in June. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
https://vimeo.com/208165818
The SheFest fringe festival was in full swing on the streets of Sheffield at the weekend with music, dance, fashion and workshops across the city. Inspired by International Women’s Day the city-wide festival ran throughout the week and culminated in a weekend of celebration of women and girls. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!