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City Hall hosts traditional folk dance weekend

Dancing England 2017 brought together a host of traditional folk and dance groups to Sheffield City Hall at the weekend. The showcase concerts were originally held at the Derby Assembly Rooms from 1979 to 1987, curated by Phil Heaton and John Shaw, members of the Black Cap Sword Dancers and notable characters on the Nottingham and Derby folk scene. Heaton has now brought the event to the ballroom at Sheffield City Hall, in recognition of the city’s burgeoning folk scene. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Phil Heaton at the rehearsals.

Sheffield Blitz exhibition opens

A permanent exhibition has opened at the National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield to commemorate the World War Two bombing of the city.The German air raids took place over two nights in December 1940, killing and wounding more than 2,000 people. A recreation of life in the blitz, including recordings of the raids, has been unveiled at the National Emergency Services Museum.It was opened by 98-year-old Doug Lightning who worked as a firefighter during the bombing attacks. Simon Thake has this report for Sheffield Live!

Two or three prescribed drugs a day the norm in Yorkshire

Findings emerging from the Yorkshire Health Study show, on average, adults in Yorkshire are using two or three prescribed medications per day. The study, led by researchers at Sheffield University, employs a questionnaire survey to provide insight into the health of the people of Yorkshire and to improve services for those most in need. Since 2010 almost 30,000 adults have filled in the health questionnaire as part of the region-wide research. A further 800 people have also assisted through interviews or testing of new health treatments or services. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to project leader Dr Clare Relton.

Charity promotes physical activity in cancer recovery

Macmillan Cancer Support are urging people to get active after cancer treatment, with benefits including improved health, reduced isolation and fewer side effects. According to the charity, which has been holding mobile information sessions in Sheffield city centre, being active can improve strength, aerobic fitness and flexibility, all of which can aid recovery. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to cancer information specialist Caroline Kipling.

Town hall awards for active communities

Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Denise Fox, was present at the awards ceremony to recognise residents from Parsons Cross and Loxley involved in Activity Sheffield. The programme supports people and communities in the most deprived neighbourhoods to keep active and to access work. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Lee Smith, team leader for Activity Sheffield.

Regional bid to raise diabetes awareness

Diabetes poses one of the major health risks in the region according to Stephen Ryan, Head of North England for Diabetes UK. Diabetes can lead to very serious health situations including leg amputations and blindness yet many people are unaware of dangers or the distinction between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Arbourthorne pupils help plant new trees in Sheffield parks

Children from Arbourthorne Community Primary School left the classroom to learn on the job and help plant new trees in community parks across south east Sheffield. The tree planting session is part of a project to add new ‘urban woodlands’ with a total of 7,500 trees to be planted at Kenninghall Bank, Fox Lane Recreation Ground and Pipworth Recreation Ground. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Denise Fox, put on her wellies to help volunteers from Sheffield City Council’s Community Forestry Team. Trees being planted are a mix of native woodland species including English Oak, Hazel, Field Maple, Spindle, Hawthorn and Blackthorn. The trees will be young “bare root whips”, two to three years in age, so they can grow with the community around them. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffielders dance to break the chain of violence against women

Women, children and men gathered to dance in Sheffield Peace Gardens as part of the One Billion Rising global campaign to stop violence against women and girls. Since the campaign first launched in 2012, activists and supporters have performed the ‘Break the Chain’ dance to bring colour, movement and choreography to the One Billion Rising campaign. Participants, wearing black, red, pink and orange, joined thousands around the world participating in public dance events, interpreting words and music, by writers and musicians Tena Clerk and Tim Heintz, with the choreography of Debbie Allen. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!