A group of 180 Sheffield students have set off on a 1600 mile charity hitchhike to the Latvian capital of Riga with the aim of getting there in nine days without paying for travel. Bummit is a student hitchhiking society set up to raise funds for charity as part of the University of Sheffield RAG. Riga is the most ambitious destination yet for the society since it was formed in 2003. Sheffield Live! reporter spoke to Bummit social secretary Chris Banks.
Holly Hagg farm in Crosspool has become the base for an unusual trekking experience with growing demand for walking tours with their small herd of alpacas. The South American domesticated animals have become a big hit as walking companions on a trekking route that takes in the Rivelin Valley and views over Stannington. Holly Hagg started offering alpaca walks for fun in 2016 but they are now a regular event with demand so high that bookings must be made in advance. Volunteers are on hand to ensure the experience is enjoyable both for the alpacas and the public. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield-based game developers, Sumo Digital, have released their first in-house computer game, called Snake Pass. The original production provides game enthusiasts an opportunity to see and move across the earth through the eyes of the snake. The company have previously worked on established game formats for Sony and Sega. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Members of The Well, one of Sheffield’s newest church groups, have contributed £350,000 to buy the former methodist church on Ecclesall Road. The 112 year old church was at risk of being transformed into flats by developers after its former owners struggled to pay for its upkeep. The Well Sheffield Baptist Church, led by the Revd. Nick and Marjorie Allan, has been renting the building since 2015 and has now completed a £785,000 purchase. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Gleadless Valley is to receive a government grant of £510,000 to improve local amenities and housing stock on the 1950s estate. The regeneration plan for the area is to be developed in consultation with local residents, community groups and other partners. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill has launched an appeal on behalf of the Weston Park Cancer Charity to raise half a million pounds for modern refurbishments to the Sheffield hospital. The campaign ‘Beyond the Treatment’ includes providing wifi for patients and comfortable armchairs for relatives to ensure a comfortable stay at the Weston Park Hospital. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live.
Two million workers are set to benefit from the rise of the National Living Wage which increases from £7.20 an hour to £7.50 on 1st April. The rise will benefit employees who are aged 25 and above and comes into place 12 months after the benchmark was first established. The National Minimum Wage, which began in 1999 and now covers workers aged 16 to 24 and apprentices, is also rising by 5p or 10p an hour depending on age. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Imam Qaiser Mahmood Malik of Sheffield’s Baitul Afiyat Mosque has called for preaching at mosques to be open to all. Speaking at a special sermon at the Sussex Street mosque Malik paid tribute to those that died in the Westminster terror attack and called on mosques to demonstrate an open door policy. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Trafalgar Warehouse hosts the travelling Rum Festival this weekend in Sheffield. The Caribbean and Cuban themed event features live music, dancing and street food as well as over 100 different varieties of rum to taste. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Kitchen Nightmares star and restaurateur Justin Rowntree reunited with his former nemesis Gordon Ramsay this week on ITV’s The Nightly Show. Rowntree was the boss of Sheffield’s Runaway Girl restaurant and jazz club when Ramsay visited in 2011 to give it the full Kitchen Nightmares treatment. Whilst Rowntree clashed with the celebrity chef he ultimately took on board his advice, relaunched the restaurant as Silversmiths, won a host of awards and has never looked back. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!