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Sheffield Council defends decision to close dementia care centre

Councillor Cate McDonald has defended Sheffield Council’s decision to close the Hurlfield View dementia respite care facility. A petition to save Hurlfield View has reached over five thousand signatures. Petitioners argue that this is the only day services and respite care facility in Sheffield for severely challenging individuals with dementia, including the most complex cases. The cabinet member for health and social care said the decision was “not a cost cutting exercise”. Sheffield City Council is ending the Sheffield Health and Social Trust’s contract to provide dementia services a year earlier than planned. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Vigil held as Sheffield stands in solidarity with the people of Aleppo

Over a hundred people came out for a silent vigil outside Sheffield Town Hall, in solidarity for the fallen in Aleppo, Syria and those at risk as government forces retake rebel held areas. Many held up signs, some waved the Syrian flag, others lit candles but all had the same message. They called for an immediate ceasefire, peaceful evacuation for civilians and humanitarian aid by international organisations. Syrian activist Noor Barotchi lives in Sheffield and spoke to the crowd with updates from activists on the ground in Aleppo. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Orgreave justice campaigners in Home Office protest

Twelve months on from submitting a legal dossier to the Home Office, the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign have renewed their call for a full enquiry into the Battle of Orgreave. The campaign responded in December 2015 to a Home Office request for evidence concerning allegations of police brutality and wrongdoing against picketing miners at the Orgreave coking plant on 18 June 1984. The legal dossier included information relating to complaints of police fabrication of evidence, wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution and perjury. One year on members of the campaign made their way to London to protest current Home Secretary Amber Rudd’s decision not to hold a public inquiry into the events or Orgreave. The Home Office has said that it will additional files on the 1984 miners’ strike in early 2017, including information relating to Orgreave. Simon Thake reports for SheffieldLive!

Sheffield charity warns of generation of sweet-toothed children

Sheffield based charity The Children’s Food Trust, have published their first State of the Nation report, with sugar-related obesity presenting one of the most challenging health risks for children today. Earlier this year the Government released their long awaited obesity strategy which included a planned tax on sugary drinks and a programme to cut sugar in products popular with children. The charity’s report highlights the enormity of the task facing parents to get children eating healthily, with many saying they believe their child has too much sugar in their everyday diet. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Claire Rick of The Children’s Food Trust.

Sheffield Syrians warn of perilous Aleppo evacuation

The operation to evacuate a besieged rebel-held enclave in the Syrian city of Aleppo is now underway according to UN officials and Syria observers. The evacuation of civilians, rebels and wounded people had been due to take place on Wednesday but an earlier ceasefire deal collapsed. Government forces took nearly all remaining rebel-held parts of Aleppo this week after a four-year battle. Syrian state TV said that “4,000 rebels and their families would be evacuated from eastern districts on Thursday” but Syrian campaigners in Sheffield believe there remain serious concerns for the safety of those leaving Aleppo. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield pupil’s artwork unveiled as tribute to those who fell in Battle of the Somme

A fused glass art installation designed by Molly Meleady-Hanley has been unveiled at a war memorial by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire and the Lord Mayor of Sheffield. Molly, aged 13, a pupil at Mount St Mary’s College, created the artwork in memory of the pupils and school staff who fought and died in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The striking tribute was inspired by the centenary of the battle and the forthcoming 175th anniversary of the school. The piece was unveiled in a special ceremony in front of the whole school and invited guests, including the Bishop of Hallam, Ralph Heskett, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, John Holt and the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Denise Fox. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

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.