A historic set of bells at Sheffield’s Millennium Gallery were rung as part of a heritage open day event to celebrate Sheffield history. The bells date back to the 1860s and are an example of many made by Naylor-Vickers. They were popular due to their low cost in comparison to bronze bells, but now very few exist. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Frances Punnett of Museums Sheffield.
A new plaque has been unveiled in Rotherham town centre by communities secretary Sajid Javid to mark a top national award for Rotherham High Street. Rotherham was crowned Britain’s Best Town Centre in the 2015 Great British High Streets awards. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
A new facility to support victims of rape and sexual assault in South Yorkshire has opened as part of the regional Sexual Assault Referral Centre. South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings and Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Denise Fox were present for the opening of the centre which offers a safe haven for victims and a range of services including medical examinations. According to the Crown Prosecution Service domestic abuse, rape and other sexual assault offences against women and girls increased by almost 10 per cent in England in 2015. Shamman Freeman-Powell reports for Sheffield Live!
After strong opposition, plans to create a new strip club in Leadmill Road have been withdrawn. Various Sheffield groups, including schools, colleges, charities, MPs and councillors, condemned the plans in objections submitted ahead of a licensing meeting held at Sheffield Town Hall this week. Rockwave Leisure have since decided to withdraw the proposal. Sheffield Live! reporter Shamaan Freeman Powell spoke to Councillor Douglas Johnson.
Sports reporter Dan Walker’s star studded Walker Cup celebrity golf match is returning to Sheffield for another year, helping to raise money for The Children’s Hospital Charity. The event raised around £30,000 last year, bringing the UK’s first fully digital 3T MRI scanner. This year Walker plans to raise at least £50,000 for the charity. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Dan Walker at the Hallamshire Golf Club.
On the eve of the Rio Paralympics 2016 opening ceremony, disabled people in Sheffield were at the town hall protesting against austerity and cuts to services. The gathering was part of a nationwide week of action organised by ‘Disabled People Against Cuts’. The group’s main aim is to fight the impact of austerity on people with disability, from cuts to financial support, and to services such as public transport, housing, the NHS, women’s support against domestic abuse, education and libraries. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Jennifer Jones of DPAC.
Charities, civic leaders and guests gathered at Sheffield’s Winter Garden to celebrate the arrival of the new Asda Foundation Sheffield 10K – a major new road race for the region. The event takes place on 30 October, on a new route starting in Arundel Gate and taking runners along Charter Row and Ecclesall Road, before skirting the edges of Endcliffe Park. With thousands of runners expected, it looks set to bring a boost to scores of local good causes. The latest addition to the Asda Foundation Series, the Sheffield 10K is staged in partnership with Sheffield City Council. Sheffield Live! reporter Ballor Jalloh spoke to Lucy Jones, Corporate Manager with Run for All.
Sheffield’s ‘Off the Shelf’ literature festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this autumn. Starting in October, this year’s festival programme is wide ranging, with over 200 events for all ages and described by organisers as “bursting with innovation, creativity, authenticity and life”. Sheffield Live! reporter Shamman Freeman-Powell met with Off the Shelf organisers and authors and heard of taste of what’s in store.
Sheffield’s most decorated war hero Major William Barnsley Allen has been honoured with a ceremony and a commemorative plaque at the Cenotaph war memorial in Barker’s Pool. Major Allen, who was born in Sheffield in 1892 and died in 1933, was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty after saving many lives at the battle of the Somme as part of the Royal Army Medical Corps. A plaque was unveiled and officers placed wreaths at the foot of the city centre war memorial. Members of Major Allen’s family were in attendance along with the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Denise Fox. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
A new £16m sports and health centre has opened in Sheffield on the site of the old Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre in Norton. The refurbished facility renamed Graves Health and Sports Centre includes swimming pools, tennis courts and fitness studios. The centre, run by Places for People Leisure, also houses one of three hubs of the UK’s National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, with sports physiotherapists and doctors based in its consultation and treatment rooms. A gymnastics and trampolining centre at the site remains under construction. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!