Following the Turkish referendum granting sweeping new presidential powers, Sheffield Live! spoke to members of Sheffield’s Turkish community. The narrowly-won constitutional amendments replace the country’s parliamentary democracy with a presidential system and abolish the role of prime minister. International observers said the vote took place in a political environment where “fundamental freedoms essential to a genuinely democratic process were curtailed”. Simon Thake reports.
Aussie snooker star Neil Robertson was edged out of the World Championship in a closely fought battle with Marco Fu. Before the match Robertson spoke to Sheffield Live! about his Aussie temperament, the buzz of The Crucible and which players he believes pose the strongest challenge. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
A working livery school in Norton is home to six Shetland ponies being trained as therapy ponies to help children and vulnerable adults. Smile at Lightwood is an initiative of the Lightwood Livery at Mansion House Farm, Norton. Six miniature Shetland ponies came to live at the farm in late 2014 and have since been training for careers in pony parties and as therapy ponies helping young people, the elderly and vulnerable adults, at the farm and in the local community. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
The Space for Cycling campaign bike ride took place at the weekend to promote cycle routes and cycle-friendly transport planning. Coordinated by Cycling UK, the family-oriented cycle event set off from Devonshire Green with hundreds of cyclists joining the Big Ride. Space for Cycling is a national campaign calling for investment in a network of cycle routes accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Local group Cycle Sheffield have called for Sheffield City Council to include cycling as a part of the transport infrastructure. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
The Sheffield City Giants, War and Peace, were among the stars at a folk dance and music celebration outside Sheffield Town Hall. Traditional folk dance groups took to the streets to showcase their moves for the St George’s Day weekend display. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Record Collector music shop in Broomhill was among 200 independent record stores across the UK celebrating the tenth annual Record Store Day. Exclusive vinyl releases produced for the day included rare David Bowie and Smiths recordings and many participating shops and cities also hosted artist performances and events to mark the occasion. The celebration of independent record stores has become a global event in the music calendar. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield-based Ding Junhui, the most successful Asian player in world snooker, spoke to Sheffield Live! on handling the pressure of top flight snooker. Ding is world number six, last year’s beaten finalist and set to face Ronnie O’Sullivan in the quarter finals of the World Snooker Championship 2017 at The Crucible. He has been an inspiration to the new generation of Chinese snooker players and has been training at the World Snooker Academy since moving to Sheffield in 2006. Ding spoke to Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed about setting up home in Sheffield, which football team he secretly supports and how he copes with life in the spotlight.
Newly appointed assistant chief constable for South Yorkshire Police, David Hartley, plans to cut gang crime and strengthen neighbourhood policing. In an interview with Sheffield Live! Hartley outlined a new strategy for neighbourhoods, with more officers on the beat, better use of technology and restructuring of the force. Simon Thake reports.
The National Union of Students has launched a major drive to get students and young people registered to vote in the General Election. NUS executive councillor and former Hallam Union officer Hassun El-Zafar, speaking to Sheffield Live!, said the upcoming general election is hugely significant for young people. With young people more politically engaged than for a long time, El-Zafar urged them to register to vote before the deadline of 22 May. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Sixteen bird and bat boxes have been installed at sites in Kelham Island to encourage wildlife to inhabit the area. The initiative is part of the Council’s Streets Ahead programme and has been developed in partnership with River Stewardship Company and Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!