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Youth project seeks to build bridges across Rotherham communities

The Building Bridges project of Rotherham United Community Sports Trust is set to benefit from Safer Rotherham Partnership support, to bring together young people from different faiths and backgrounds. The funding is part of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s assistance to promote safer communities. Using film and arts, the project will give insight into what it is like to be growing up in Rotherham in 2016, including issues of vulnerability, racism, pride and self-identity. Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings, was at Wingfield Academy to hear and speak to young children about community cohesion. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

 

Local minister backs calls to stop unfair lending

Reverend David Dean-Revill of St Christopher’s Church in Gleadless is supporting a campaign for a law to limit interest rates on consumer borrowing. Dean-Revill is concerned that every week many people on low-incomes turn to pay-day loans and other borrowing just to survive and can find themselves deeper in debt. Current legislation allows companies to charge up to 0.8% per day which amounts to 24% per month. A Stop Unfair Lending petition is gathering support and calls on the government to legislate to limit interest rates to a maximum 100% APR including fees. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Reverend David Dean-Revill.

For more information you can visit www.stopunfairlending.co.uk

Sheffield shines in use of heritage assets

Sheffield has risen above Leeds and Manchester in a list of the cities making best use of their heritage assets. Rising 23 places in the ‘core cities’ table of the Heritage Index, the city now ranks third among areas that are best at using heritage to create a distinctive identity and those which could do better. The table, put together by the RSA and the Heritage Lottery Fund, combines more than 120 factors, such as historic buildings and events and activities. First of the core cities this year was Bristol and second was Liverpool. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Jon Bradley, chair of Joined Up Sheffield.

Orgreave campaigners seek full disclosure of Home Office files

Justice campaigners have reacted cautiously to the government announcement of the planned release in 2017 of previously secret files on the miners’ strike including documents relating to the Battle of Orgreave. In a letter to the Home Affairs Select Committee, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said thirty files relating to the UK miners’ strike would be sent to the National Archives. The subject titles show at least one file relates directly to Orgreave. In October the Home Secretary ruled out an inquiry into the 1984 clashes between miners and police at the Yorkshire coking site. Campaigners have said officers led by South Yorkshire Police were heavy-handed and manufactured statements. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Orgreave campaigner Craig Mansell and Councillor Chris Peace.

Moor Market stall holders get into Christmas spirit

Stall holders at Sheffield Moor Market were in festive mood at the weekend as they put on fancy dress costumes to raise money for Mission Christmas the largest annual Christmas toy appeal in the UK. In 2015 the appeal generated upwards of £13 million pounds in gifts and donations which were distributed to more than 300,000 disadvantaged children across the UK. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield campaigners celebrate Human Rights Day

Human rights campaigners in Sheffield observed international Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Held annually on 10 December, this year’s Human Rights Day campaign calls on everyone to stand up for someone’s rights. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Musheir El- Fassa, chair of Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Group, and former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett.

 

Riding school could be demolished by HS2

Since the publication of plans for HS2, the high speed rail line, it has emerged that one of the options to connect Sheffield runs through the Parklands Riding School in the village of Aston. Sheffield commuters are still waiting for confirmation as to which Sheffield station will be chosen with many locals hoping that trains will come Sheffield Central station or to Meadowhall, but an alternative route to the east of the city is thought to be preferred by the HS2 team. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Richard Samson, director of Parklands Riding School.

 

 

Council seeks proposals to transform ‘ski village’ site

Sheffield City Council has confirmed it is seeking a developer to transform the derelict site at Parkwood Springs into a “nationally-significant attraction”. The artificial ski slope was closed after a fire in 2012 and the facilities destroyed by a plague of arson attacks. The council now owns the former ski village site land and is set to test the market by asking investors and developers to bring forward ideas for the wider area as an urban country park or activity centre. An initial study suggests the site is a “viable business opportunity” that can contribute to Sheffield’s reputation as The Outdoor City. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Neil Schofield,  chair of Friends of Parkwood Springs.