Gas safety week was launched today at The Moor Markets in Sheffield. The Road Show promotes gas and appliance safety awareness to the people of Sheffield.
Gas Safety Week is a national event which highlights the importance of checking gas appliances and making sure that people are safe in their homes.
Russell Kramer, CEO of Gas Safe Register, talks about why holding events like this are important.
Rachel Vine and David Richards report.
Sheffield’s Liberian community walked through town this weekend to raise awareness of Ebola. Akai Bazzie, who is the Senior Pastor of Christ Abiding Ministry for UK said they were marching for three things. To raise awareness of the disease itself, to raise funds for people who are affected and to ask for donations of materials such as gloves and hand sanitisers . The Ebola virus has killed about 1,000 people altogether in West Africa over the last few weeks. The Liberian people have been the worst hit by the outbreak so far.
Sangita Basudev filmed the events for Sheffield Live.
Sheffield has won its bid to host Special Olympics GB, the UK’s biggest disability sports event to be held in 2017.
Special Olympics 2017 will be the tenth Special Olympics GB, for children and adults with learning disabilities, and the second time the event has been held in Sheffield. It will take place from 7 August to 11 August 2017 in sports venues around Sheffield including Sheffield Hallam University City Athletics Stadium, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre and Hillsborough Leisure Centre
Councillor Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Sheffield has been selected to host the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in three years’ time.
“This is another opportunity for our communities to get involved in a wonderful celebration of all things sporting. We estimate the economic benefit hosting the games in Sheffield will be in the region of £1.5m.”
Karen Wallin, Special Olympics GB’s CEO, said: “We are thrilled to be heading back to Sheffield”.
Megan Hattersley who is hoping to compete in the swimming events in three years time said: “It’s a great sport and anybody can take part in it no matter what their background or where they come from”.
Sheffield Live! Joined thousands of people in Millhouses Park for the EID Festival in the Park.
The cross cultural event celebrates the end of the month long festival of Ramadan, when millions of Muslims around the world go on a month long fast in which they do not eat or drink during daylight hours. MC Nige compared the main stage, with other entertainment including fun fair rides and stalls.
Sheffield Live! had its own stall with presenter Jawwad Janjua headlining both days, providing entertainment for those at the event and interviewing people who were attending the festival, including the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Peter Rippon and Local MP Paul Bloomfield. Jawwad was joined by fellow Sheffield Live! presenters Jawaid Qazi, Shafaqat Mohammed and Wajdi Raweh.
School’s out for summer…and we have a great competition to start the holidays!
We have 2 sets of family tickets (4 tickets per set) to win, to attend a special screening of new film Earth to Echo,
Earth to Echo is out on general release from Friday 25 July.
But you can win tickets to see it at a special screening at Sheffield Cineworld on Tuesday 22nd July, 10:30am.
After receiving a bizarre series of encrypted messages, a group of kids embark on an adventure with an alien who needs their help!
An inspiring science-fiction adventure, Earth to Echo captures all the mystery, excitement and wonder of an extra-terrestrial occurrence in a small Nevada suburb. But at its heart, the movie is about friendship.
Watch the trailer here:
To enter the competition all you have to do is email the answer to the following question (and your name and a contact telephone number) to comp@sheffieldlive.org with the subject Earth to Echo competition – by 6pm on Monday 21 July. Winners will be notified on Monday evening.
Competition question: name one of the three young ‘heroes’ of Earth to Echo.
Entries are in line with our standard competition terms and conditions. Two prizewinners will be selected at random out of all correct entries.
Don’t forget – if you like films, listen to Slam Dunk Cinema on Saturdays, noon to 1pm on Sheffield Live!
By Alice Rose
Extra police patrols are working around Abbeydale Road today after a man was found carrying a firearm.
Members of the public alerted officers when they saw a man who was acting suspiciously in the area on Tuesday afternoon. A 30-year-old was arrested after a police chase, in which he was knocked off his bike. Superintendent Colin McFarlane said “Neighbourhood policing officers are carrying out extra patrols in the area to offer reassurance to the community following this incident” he continued “We are also working with our partner agencies to support residents in the local area and I would urge anyone with concerns to contact us”
Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat MP for Sheffield Hallam, has offered support in a bid to secure a new college in South Yorkshire.
The College would offer apprenticeships to young people and give them skills to help build the planned HS2 high speed rail line. The line would connect London Euston station to the Midlands, North West England and Yorkshire, almost halving commute times from Sheffield to London. The bid, from Doncaster, has been short-listed by the government as one of four possible locations for the HS2 college alongside Derby, Birmingham and Manchester.
If Doncaster bid was successful, the college would be equipped with cutting-edge technology and state of the art facilities. It would also provide training courses for the specific requirements of the rail project, which is expected to generate more than 2,000 apprenticeships.
As a Sheffield MP, Nick Clegg has written to the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills to outline his support for the bid. In his letter, Nick Clegg MP states that the region – in particular Doncaster – is the “spiritual home of British railways” with the Flying Scotsman, Sir Nigel Gresley and The Mallard all being built there in 1923, 1937 and 1938 respectively.
The high speed service would have trains running from London St Pancras twice a day with a commute time of 1 hour 09 minutes.
By Alice Rose
A fire service campaign which intends to make people aware of the danger of electrical chargers has won European backing.
The campaign was started up by South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue following a house fire in which five members of the same family sadly lost their lives.
It is thought that the fire was probably caused by a faulty charger.
Linda McAvan, MEP for Yorkshire and Humber, is backing the campaign to help stop fires, such as the one in Netheredge, from happening again.
“We are doing all that we can to reduce fires in the home at a European level. MEPS have legislated to standardise chargers for mobile devices to both reduce environmental waste and to save you money.”
The legislation was voted on by MEPS in March this year and was approved by ministers in April.
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Station Manager Darren Perrott, said:“Most people probably have several electrical chargers lying around at home at any given time, but all we’re asking for is a little bit of common sense when charging them.” Mr Perrot continued “What we’re particularly concerned about is unbranded chargers which can be bought cheaply over the internet. You should only buy chargers which are compatible with the device you are charging, and never leave things charging overnight.”
As Sheffield prepares to welcome the world’s largest sporting event into the City, organisers have advised spectators to plan ahead in order to get the most out of their day.
Hundreds of thousands of cycling enthusiasts are expected to descend on the City next week for the Tour de France which has gained a worldwide appeal since its formation in 1903.
Spectators will have the opportunity to savour the full race experience on 6th July at special designated Spectator Hubs along the route, with each hub equipped with a live coverage screen, refreshments, entertainment and facilities. Admission to the hubs is free as organisers set to make this the most inclusive Tour to date.
Councillor Isobel Bowler, the City Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure said: “we aim to provide a safe, enjoyable and well-managed experience for all spectators when the Tour arrives in Sheffield. The spectator hubs will be set up along the course as well as in the city centre and we have worked with local community groups to ensure as many people as possible are involved”
Two official hubs will be in place at Don Valley Grass Bowl and Oughtibridge, alongside 4 additional hubs at High Bradfield, Abbeyfield Park, Wincobank Common, and Meadowhall.
Activities on offer at the hubs include free entry to the first ever Bradfield Beer Festival at High Bradfield. The Greentop Circus performances at Abbeyfield Park. Drumming workshops from group Unbeatable Energy at Wincobank Common and a Fan Fest at Meadowhall.
Full details of the Tour route, road closures and other important information can be found at www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/tdf2014, while the interactive map at www.letouryorkshire.com/travel can be utilised to help spectators further plan their day. Further guidance can be found on Twitter @TdFYorksTravel
Great strides have been made in Sheffield to cut crime over the last 12 months, according to South Yorkshire Police District Commander Chief Superintendent David Hartley and highlighted in a recent BBC Two documentary.
The documentary “Police Under Pressure” – depicted the challenges being faced by South Yorkshire Police staff as they aim to reduce burglaries and vehicle crimes in the city amidst a number of budgeting cuts to the Force.
Since the programme was filmed in Autumn 2013, officers have managed to successfully drive both of these crimes down to a level where there were almost 3,000 fewer crimes reported at the end of 2013 compared to 2012, across all offences.
Chief Superintendent Hartley said: “There is not a shred of complacency from me or my colleagues at Sheffield when we look at some of the reductions achieved – we still have more to do”.
Commenting on the importance of public protection, Hartley continued: “Our job as the police is to stop as many people as possible from having to suffer the upset and trauma of being the victim of crime, and we do that by tackling those who prey on others. We may use targets and statistics, but this is all about striving to keep people safe”
Ongoing work to tackle burglaries in Sheffield includes “Operation Kingbird” which has seen covert cameras set up in “trap houses” to attempt to catch criminals in the act. This operation, running in partnership with Sheffield City Council, has been deployed to tackle burglaries in areas of Sheffield with above-average crime rates.
Mr Hartley concluded: “work such as operation Kingbird show that we constantly strive to find the best way to bring crime down”