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 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!
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.
Hallamshire MP and former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg spoke to Sheffield Live! following the House of Commons vote to leave the European Union. Azz Mohammed reports.
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.
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.
A Sheffield research team are testing a miniature imaging scanner to improve health diagnostics for new born babies. The neo-natal magnetic resonance scanner is one of only two in the world. It has been developed as part of a research project into the benefits of paediatric brain scans, led by University of Sheffield researchers Paul Griffiths, professor of radiology and Martyn Paley, professor of biomedical imaging. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
A Sheffield rally against Donald Trump’s US entry ban on nationals of seven majority Muslim countries was attended by more than 2000 people. The rapidly organised protest outside Sheffield Town Hall was one of many across the country including London, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow. Trump’s recent executive order puts a temporary ban on US entry for nationals of Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Iran and Libya. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The Archer Project is asking supporters to get involved in food parcel sorting and meals service alongside their annual sleep-out for the homeless. The number of rough sleepers in the UK is on the rise for the sixth successive year with official figures showing over 4000 people sleeping out in 2016, more than double the numbers of 2010. As part of their annual fundraising sleep-out, Sheffield charity the Cathedral Archer Project are inviting volunteers to help out with food parcels, breakfast and lunch for the homeless. Sheffield Live! reporter Sham Powell spoke to Tracy Vines, marketing and development manager.
A group of homeless people living in tents near Park Hill flats have been evicted by Sheffield Council after organisers were told to clear the site. The informal camping site for the homeless started in October last year and became known as Tent City. The site was closed down a few weeks later by organisers after the local authority stepped in to offer support for the homeless occupants. After tents reappeared in December the Council told organisers to clear the site or face a £2,000 fine. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Tent City organiser and homelessness campaigner Anthony Cunningham.