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Letwell residents express concerns over fracking plans

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.

Town Hall protest to save dementia care centre

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.

Researchers test new mini neo-natal scanner at Royal Hallamshire

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!

Thousands join anti-Trump protest at Sheffield Town Hall

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!

Charity offers trio of opportunities to support the homeless

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.

Council moves to evict last of Tent City residents

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.

Sheffield celebrates the Chinese New Year

Sheffield celebrated the Chinese New Year with a traditional procession outside the Town Hall. Sheffield has nearly 7500 Chinese residents or 1.3% of the population, according to the 2011 Census. The Chinese population of the city has more than doubled since 2001, including over 3000 Chinese international students. It is estimated that international students make a net contribution of £120 million to Sheffield’s economy, around ten per cent of our inward investment. In 2016 Sheffield announced a 60 year partnership deal with Sichuan Guodong Construction Group, the largest agreement of its kind outside of London. The first tranche of funding of around £220 million will fund city centre projects over the next three years.The Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year and is represented by one of twelve animals. 2017 is the Year of the Rooster. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

New exhibition highlights Sheffield’s lost architectural icons

An exhibition opening in Sheffield, titled Blink… and it’s gone, features a series of posters highlighting the demolition of Sheffield buildings which were once at the forefront of urban regeneration. The screen-printed limited editions feature sites such as the Grosvenor House Hotel, the ‘egg box’ Town Hall extension and Hallam Towers Hotel. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Rupert Wood, founder and owner of APG Works where the exhibition is being held.

Veteran Bafta winning actor Sir John Hurt has died

Tributes have poured in for the Chesterfield born actor, known for his roles in Alien and The Elephant Man, who has died at the age of seventy-seven. Hurt, who had been undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer since 2015, was describe by US director Mel Brooks as “cinematic immortality”. He recently starred as Father Richard McSorley in Jackie, the biopic of the wife of President John F Kennedy’s. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Martin Carter, lecturer in stage and screen at Sheffield Hallam University and presenter of the Film Show on Sheffield Live! about the loss to the film community.

Street food festival planned for Chinese New Year

Street City, Sheffield’s Street Food Night Festival are organising a weekend of activities on Ecclesall Road to celebrate the Chinese New Year, including food, drinks, music and entertainment. The Chinese New Year, marks the lunar new year and is a major festival in Chinese communities around the world. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Street City organisers, Niall Gordon and Cherise Hatfield.