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Natalie Bennett on Green Councillors Arrest

Natalie Bennett, former Green Party leader, has condemned the use of a “repressive” law to arrest her colleague Alison Teal and six others during a protest against tree felling. Alison Teal, who is the councillor for Netheredge and Sharrow, was arrested along with three other women and three men on suspicion of preventing lawful work under section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1992 during a protest against the removal of a horse chestnut tree on Chippinghouse Road. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Natalie Bennett.

Councillor arrested at Nether Edge tree protest

Green Party Councillor Alison Teale was one of seven protestors arrested today at a peaceful demonstration against the felling of trees on Chippinghouse Road. The arrests came after Sheffield Council contractors, Amey, put a cordon around one of six trees scheduled to be felled as part of the city-wide Streets Ahead programme. Residents and campaigners occupied the protection zone ahead of the planned felling of the horse chestnut tree, delaying the operation and leading to the arrests. Sheffield Live! reporter Sham Powell captured the events and spoke to local residents and tree campaigners.

Sheffield schoolboy braves the shave for charity

Jorge Silva-Bland, twelve years old, has decided to cut off his flowing locks and donate his hair to the Little Princess Trust who make free wigs for children undergoing cancer treatment. Jorge took up the charity challenge seventeen months ago when he was just ten years old. He was further motivated when his uncle was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Not happy with achieving the minimum seven inches required for real hair donation, Jorge continued until he had twelve inch tresses. Now he has decided to ‘brave the shave’ to raise funds for the Macmillan Cancer Support charity and to complete his hair donation pledge for children facing hair loss. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Third rally against Trump held at City Hall

Sheffielders came out in force for a third time this weekend to protest against decisions of new US President, Donald Trump, and his planned State visit to the UK. The City Hall demonstration was one of many events organised around the World at which millions have protested against Trump’s ban on entry to the US for nationals of seven mainly muslim countries. The rally was organised by Sheffield Stand Up to Racism. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield City Region receives £7.5m cycling boost

Sheffield and its South Yorkshire neighbours have received a £7.5 million boost to improve cycling and walking facilities across the area. Sheffield City Region successfully bid for the slice of a £64 million government funding package to get more people saddling up or travelling by foot. The money will be distributed between Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham, with the exact split yet to be decided. In Sheffield, the Council have said the cash would support more than 20 cycle projects over the next three years, including schemes to provide cycling training, bike hire and secure parking for cyclists. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Council confirms closure of Hurlfield View dementia centre

Sheffield Council has confirmed the controversial closure plan for Hurlfield View dementia centre in Gleadless despite a public campaign to retain the facility. The centre is scheduled to be closed at the end of March after which overnight respite care is to be referred to other care homes across the city and day centre support will be offered through other providers. The Council is in the final stages of procuring new contracts with providers and has promised to release further details later this month. Sheffield Council Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Councillor Cate McDonald the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care.

Letwell residents express concerns over fracking plans

Residents from the village of Letwell, Rotherham have expressed their concern about possible plans for fracking on local land. Landowners in the conservation village have been approached by agents working for INEOS company, seeking permission to put seismic testing equipment on private land, a precursor to fracking. Letwell Parish Council have said they were not given prior notice that these approaches were to be made. Some residents have said that they felt threatened and intimidated by these visits, with one resident described the experience as “bullying”. Residents provided Sheffield Live! with footage where they expressed their concerns to former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett. They have asked that their names not to be included in this footage.

Town Hall protest to save dementia care centre

Families and carers were among dozens of protesters appealing to Sheffield Council to reverse their decision to close down Hurlfield View dementia centre. Over 8,000 people have signed a petition calling on the council to halt the closure of the centre which provides specialised residential respite care for users with dementia, include support for carers. Sue Harding is presenting the petition to Sheffield Council and spoke with Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake.