Chinese New Year celebrations take over Sheffield at the weekend
The largest Chinese New Year celebration in Yorkshire returned to Sheffield this weekend as thousands of people gathered to celebrate the year of the fire horse.
The city centre was decorated with red lanterns and gold bunting, as world champion lion dancers took the stage who came all the way from China to perform.
Over two exciting days, there was a packed programme totalling 187 performers including martial arts demonstrations, arts and crafts and traditional dancing.
The annual event was started in 2004 by Jerry Cheung, drawing thousands of people in every year.
Mr Cheung said: "This weekend is the heartbeat of the festival. It is about bringing the whole city together and sharing culture in the open air.
"To see it grow into the largest Lunar New Year celebration in Yorkshire is something Sheffield can be proud of."
Virginia Chu, a volunteer from Sheffield Chinese Christian Church shared Mr Cheung's sense of pride. She said: "It's really good to have the chance to tell people more about our customs and show them our happiness".
The festival has been bringing Chinese customs to Sheffield for over two decades.
"The celebration is much bigger than last year. I really appreciate the international cultural integration, not only did Sheffield celebrate Christmas markets but now they are celebrating Chinese New Year," said Chris Yung, an attendee of the event.
The celebration rooted in Chinese and broader East Asian traditions, showcases the diversity and the community spirit of Sheffield.
Everybody’s STILL Talking About Jamie: Sheffield musical celebrates its 10th anniversary with UK tour
Multi-award-winning musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, will celebrate its 10th birthday in 2027.
Sheffield is home to several musicals which have gone on to have successful West End runs, including the Full Monty, Standing at The Sky's Edge and 'Jamie', which first took to the Crucible stage in 2017.
Jamie, which tells the true story of a young boy who wants to attend his prom in drag, gained a huge following and has since achieved sell-out performances all over the world. In 2021, it was made into a movie starring Sarah Lancashire, Richard E. Grant and rising star, Max Harwood.
Millie Scott, a performer from Sheffield who played a student at Jamie's school in the film, spoke about her love for Sheffield's theatres, which make up the largest regional theatre complex outside London.
She said: "We’ve had a few musicals now set in Sheffield that have been impactful and I think they all bring such a community feel to the city.
"I think it’s very special to have had an original stage musical workshopped here at the Crucible and then to be so successful to the point the film was made. It's a huge testament to Sheffield Theatres."
Jamie is a coming-of-age story with themes of friendship, self-love and gender expression. Many young members of the LGBTQ+ community have found comfort in the characters and messaging.
Gillian Ford, who played Miss Hedge in both the West End and LA runs of the show, said: “There was a genuine sense that we were telling a story that mattered, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community.
“I’ll never forget meeting mums and sons at the stage door who would tell us how much the show meant to them – those conversations really stayed with me.”
Thomas Walton, who played Mickey in the 2024 tour, said the show is very personal to him. He said: "I first saw the production when I was training and it instantly transported me back home to working class Yorkshire. The story and characters filled me with nostalgia and I immediately set my heart on being part of this amazing show."
Thomas is the Founding Director of Theatre North, a community interest company aiming to support and celebrate theatre in the North of England, as well as making theatre more accessible for those from low-income households.
He said: "I was so lucky to be in the 23/24 UK Tour production and felt honoured to tell this story, particularly to audiences across the North. It was on this production that I really reflected on the importance of theatre in the North and shortly after, I founded Theatre North."
Everybody's Talking About Jamie will tour the UK with shows starting in Leeds in January before coming home to Sheffield in March.
“We did ourselves proud”: Fans react after Wednesday’s relegation sealed in derby loss
Sheffield Wednesday suffered a 2-1 loss to local rivals Sheffield United which officially relegated the Owls to League One.
Sunday's derby summed up Wednesday's season, a battling performance full of heart just lacking quality, with the scenes after the final whistle of fans staying to applaud the players show how they have stuck by their team in difficult times.
One Wednesday fan said immediately after the game: "I'm happy with that. We did ourselves proud today."
When the half-time whistle blew, Wednesday fans may have been fearing the worst after Harrison Burrows hit the Blades' second, after Patrick Bamford had opened the scoring inside three-minutes.
But a rash Kalvin Philips red card early in the second half changed the game and Wednesday capitalised through Charlie McNeil to set up a captivating finish.
The Blades would hold on to officially relegate their arch rivals and make the Owls the first EFL team to ever be relegated in February.
Oliver Beveridge, a Wednesday fan said: "It's obviously disappointing for any club to go do down but it's not a shock to the system really."
Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen echoed this optimism in difficult circumstances.
He said: "We were not relegated today. It is a big case as everyone knows but the boys who are left did everything they could and how they brought everything on the pitch today to do the best they can for the club. This is respectful.
"But of course it is painful to be relegated."
The Owls have had a total of 18 points deducted so far this season for various financial issues off the pitch and currently sit with -7 points, firmly routed to the bottom of the table.
Pedersen went on to say: "It's been a tough tough season. And what we can control is getting the best possible out of the situation where we are.
"How the players are working and how the staff are working, how the coaches are working and how the employees in our club in general are working in this situation is amazing."
Despite match boycotts and fan protests, Wednesday fans have consistently supported their club and players throughout the season.
One fan, who has been following Wednesday for 64-years, said: "We will be there for the next 64-years as well as the next matches, if God gives me that kind of longevity."
When asked about the former Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri they said: "You wouldn't be able to publish it because it'd be too rude."
"We are not rude people, we promise."
It is clear to see who the fans hold to account for the clubs current position.
Looking forward to next season their is clearly some optimism amongst fans, but they are under no illusion of the size of the task for the new owners coming in.
Mr Beveridge said: "They are still waiting for a new owner to step in, once that happens that might help a little bit because the funding is obviously not there.
"I reckon next season they focus on just staying in and around the play-offs and staying competitive in a rebuild season hopefully."
Sheffield navigates the Lunar versus Chinese New Year debate
Sheffield city centre was recently decked out with colourful lanterns and door couplets to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse. Thousands flooded in front of the Fargate and the Peace Garden to experience the one-of-a-kind atmosphere brought by Sheffield Lunar Chinese New Year Festival 2026.
The beautiful displays of traditional artistry, costumes and dragon dance attracted not only those who celebrate but also locals and passers-by, uniting different cultures and religions.
Yet, there have been recent online debates about whether it should be called Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year. Sheffield's high density of East Asian international students and permanent dwellers makes it a microcosm of this global debate.
With Vietnam and Korea also honouring the passing of the lunisolar calendar, many argue that Lunar New Year is a more respectful term as it recognises and appreciates the diversity.
Trang Vu, president of the Vietnamese Society in Sheffield, said: "I understand the argument. Lunar New Year is more inclusive because the festival is celebrated in several countries that follow the lunar calendar, not just China, but also Vietnam, Korea, and others."
However, Chinese New Year is still the prominent term among local Sheffield residents who attended the New Year Festival, with many not acknowledging Lunar New Year as a synonymous term.
When asked what they would "naturally" call this event, a stall vendor at the festival said: "Chinese New Year, definitely. Until I did the show, I didn't know Lunar was part of it."
It is hard to blame the locals as the city is home to around 7300 Chinese and British Chinese people, making it the fifth largest ethnic group, according to the Census 2021. Chinese culture has been integral to Sheffield's community, with many shops and restaurants within the centre having Chinese translation.
Dr Jamie Coates, Senior Lecturer in East Asian Studies at the University of Sheffield, explained: As Chinatowns became popular symbols of multiculturalism in the 1980s, investment went into those areas to make them 'look' more Chinese. Prime examples include, San Francisco, London, Sydney, New York and Yokohama, which although based on historical East Asian communities were 'rebranded' around the 70s-80s.
"As part of this, public celebrations of the lunar calendar New Year were popularised and publicly funded in those locations. This means that a lot of investment from Chinese business owners has gone into celebrating 'Chinese' New Year and I assume that is what has influenced most local Sheffielders."
Ms Vu feels this disagreement defeats the cultural purposes of the New Year celebration: "I’d say it feels much more like an online debate than something tense or divided on the ground.
"In real life, the atmosphere around Lunar New Year here is generally positive and community-focused. Events organised by local groups and the University are about celebration, food, performances, cultural showcases, not about terminology."
When asked about locals' inclination to refer to the celebration as Chinese New Year, she believes it might just be a habitual thing.
She said: "Offline, in Sheffield at least, I don’t experience strong conflict about it.
"People are usually open to explanation. If someone says Chinese New Year, it often reflects habit rather than exclusion. And for me, the name is personal preference too like we will call it Tet Holiday or Tet."
Historical diary found in primary school reveals details of Sheffield Blitz
A historical discovery has been made in a Sheffield primary school when a caretaker located something at the back of a cupboard.
A diary was found at Hunter's Bar Infant School with entries dating back to the 1920s, most of which track teacher absences and notable visitors, but many hold great historical significance.
One entry details how the school dealt with the aftermath of the Sheffield Blitz in 1940. It reads:
"During the night of Dec 12 - 13 (Thurs-Fri) Sheffield was subjected to a terrible bombardment from the air by the German foe. The teachers all reported at school both am and pm but only a handful of children attended."
The entry explains that from the weekend following the attack, the educational staff were considered to be part of the city's Civil Defence organisation and were tasked with caring for families who were now homeless.
Mary Brookes, 88, has lived in Sheffield her whole life and attended Hunter's Bar from 1945 to 1950. She said: "I recognised quite a few of the names in the book. It was nostalgic to remember the people."
Mrs Brookes spoke fondly about the school and shared funny stories of eating trifle at Christmas parties, cutting pictures of movie stars out of magazines and putting on school plays.
She said: "Miss James made everybody sing and put us in order of best to worst. I was dreading it."
"I don't remember who was the very worst, but I was standing next to them."
Members of staff at Hunter's Bar were excited to look through the book, especially those who attended the school as children. Keeley Glossop, Jill Ellis and Laura Martin, educational staff at the Infant School, chatted about their time there. Ms Martin had even found a picture of herself among the pages.
She said: "I remember the school being like it is now, a nice community, really friendly and safe."
Ms Glossop described a May Day celebration where pupils would dance with ribbons in the playground - an annual event which is mentioned numerous times in the diary. She said: "It was really sweet, everybody wore a little red ribbon around their neck and danced around the maypole."
The diary is being kept at the school and will be passed on to the history subject leader, who will share the book with the students to help them learn about local history.
University of Sheffield company fighting against animal testing turns two
A university spinout company researching alternatives to animal testing is turning two.
Sansanima was first created in 2024, with the aim to find an alternative to animal testing and encourage other companies to adopt this practice. They are currently using their research to test tetanus and botulinum vaccines.
If these diseases are contracted, they can cause paralysis an eventually death if left untreated. The tetanus shot is one of the first vaccines that babies receive soon after their birth.
These vaccines are usually tested on guinea pigs to make sure the strand of tetanus or botulinum are fully deactivated before it is administered to future patients. While testing vaccines is an essential part of their development, these types of tests are categorised as causing the highest level of suffering in animals and even their death.
Andrew Peden is a University of Sheffield professor of translational cell biology as well as co funder and director of Sansanima. He has been working at the university since 2012.
He explained the company is partnered with the university and both are committed to moving away from practicing animal testing. Sansanima in particular has developed a cell model, known as an assay, which replicates the 'biology of the tetanus or botulinum toxins' without needing to test on an animal.
The company is sending out this technology to a number of clients to encourage them to adopt it in their research. The technique is not only saving animals from being tested on, but allows medicines to be tested faster.
Professor Andrew Peden said: 'The aim of Sansanima is to develop cutting edge technology to replace the use of animals in the production of medicines.
'If we make medicines cheaper, faster and safe it’s a good application of our technology.’
Yet the University of Sheffield still conducts tests on animals, as explained on their 'research, partnership and innovation' page, but only when 'no other alternatives are available' and not to test medicines on them, but to either observe breeding habits or to 'develop a deeper understanding of health and disease.'
The university always tries to use species with the lowest neurophysiological sensitivity when possible such as zebrafish.
'It's a balance, you don't want animals to be suffering for no reason.' Said Professor Peden. 'But I think in the future we are going to see a massive reduce.'
Another association that is working on alternatives to animal testing is the The Humane Research Trust. The charity has recently funded several pioneering projects that look at cancer treatments and infections like meningitis.
Sophie Erasmus, a marketing and communications manager at the charity, said: 'the future of medical research is human-focused, not animal-based, and that shift is already happening in laboratories like those at Sheffield.'
Sansanima's name also reflects their mission. A mix of French and Latin, the company 's name translated to 'without souls'.
Professor Peden said: 'you could say we are doing research without souls.'
Barnsley sports club offering free tennis session
A sports club is offering the chance for people to come and learn a new skill, as they aim to "get more people playing tennis."
Barnsley Lawn Tennis Club have announced the return of their twice yearly event, in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) Barclays Big Tennis Weekend, set to take place on 22 March.
One of the committee members Gary Maskrey said there is an aim : "to attract new members to the club."
The number of people playing tennis increases every year, according to a 2024 study by LTA around 10% of the adult population are playing tennis, with Britain sitting at top spot in the global rankings for percentage of population playing tennis.
The club from Barnsley have been capitalising on this surge, Mr Maskrey said: "If you have ever fancied playing tennis or taking it up as a hobby, then these days are a great opportunity to try your hand, as well as health benefits there is also the social side of the club to get involved in."
The event will have tailored coaching sessions depending on ability levels, as well as a tour of the facilities and a chance to meet current members of the club.
There is a wide range of ages within the club, with over 300 members, they have men's, ladies' & mixed teams playing in the Sheffield and district leagues.
The club have had many of these events over the years, as they continue to get more people into the sport.
According to Mr Maskrey the events have been very popular in the past, he said: "People have commented that they have enjoyed the afternoon getting the chance to play tennis and enjoyed the atmosphere around the club."
Fundraiser set up after Sheffield teenagers’ tragic death
Donations are flooding in after the deaths of a teenage couple discovered in a Holiday park, raising nearly £18,000 in one day.
Ethan Slater, 17, and Cherish Bean, 15, from Sheffield, died at Little Eden Holiday Park, near Bridlington, on Wednesday.
The fundraiser reads: "Our son Ethan tragically and unexpectedly passed away at just 17 years old, alongside his beautiful girlfriend. No parent should ever have to write these words. No family should ever have to face this pain."
"The generosity, messages, and support from everyone have brought us comfort during the darkest time of our lives."
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Ben Robinson, who is leading the investigation confirmed a third man, 27, has been arrested in what he called a “highly complex and detailed investigation”.
This is following the arrest of two men aged 33 and 42 on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
Both have been released on conditional bail.
Humberside Police said their deaths were thought to be connected to carbon monoxide poisoning.
In a statement issued through police, Cherish's mum said: "My perfect girl, my angel, has left this world and we are broken as a family. I am broken as a mother, and I will never ever be the same again."
Ethan's mum said: "Ethan was the most beautiful young man to walk the earth. He was generous, loving, charming and kind."
His dad added: "I am a broken man without you, son. I will love you eternally my boy. You were taken way too soon from me. Love you always."
Chief Superintendent Matt Peach said: "Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of both teenagers.
"This remains a very complex investigation with numerous lines of inquiry being followed up."
Click here to see the fundraiser
Council to decide on major funding for SEND provision across the city
Support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) could be transformed by a major decision by Sheffield City Council later today.
The council will decide whether to accept more than £10m in funding for SEND provision at a Strategy and Resources meeting held at Town Hall at 2pm.
It is hoped that high quality, specialist support will prevent children needing to leave mainstream education, and help those who have already left to return. In total, 220 new special education places could be created.
Plans have already been scrapped for two specialist free schools and, according to a council press release the £10.34m funding will "instead invest directly in Sheffield’s neighbourhoods, meeting needs earlier and closer to home."
It also reflects Sheffield's strategic focus on belonging, which aims to enable more children to access the right support in their own community, strengthen earlier identification and intervention, and ensure families see benefits much sooner than the free school route.
Cllr Dawn Dale, Chair of the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee, said: "By developing flexible, localised provision we can meet needs earlier, reduce barriers to inclusion, and make sure every child has the opportunity to thrive and feel like they belong."
Meanwhile, Cllr Tom Hunt, Chair of the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee, said: "This is a decision driven by what Sheffield's children need. That is high-quality support, delivered locally, and rooted in a sense of belonging."
The meeting comes on the back of a government announcement made in December for more than £3 billion in national high needs funding over the next four years.
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, has promised to "cut the disadvantage gap in half" at a press conference held this morning.
She said: "We can be spending money better within this system, that is why we are going to act to reduce the big expansion of independent specialist provision."
The Education Secretary said private-equity backed schools often led to students being sent hours away in taxis, undermining local community provision.
She acknowledged that parental confidence is low in the system, and said "taking our time to get this right is essential."
The decision made today must be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) by Friday 27 February, with the first injection of money expected this summer, if the Council agrees to accept the funding.
Slavic flavours in Sheffield: a growing culinary presence
In the multicultural region of South Yorkshire, Sheffield, two independent businesses are using coffee and cuisine to invite a diverse city to discover new flavours and explore what it might mean for a cafe or restaurant to represent culture.
As of 2022, Sheffield’s Slavic population is fewer than five thousand people, which is significantly smaller than other major cities across the UK, despite Sheffield being the fifth largest city.
Nomads Cup and DE Yummy both have ties to Slavic culture and are using food and drinks to introduce customers to new flavours, exploring how international influences can bring communities together.
At Nomad’s Cup, located on Newbould lane, Mateusz Bielawski, 34, sees coffee as more than just a drink.
Mr Bielawski said: “Nomad’s cup is a space for everyone, we want a place where people can enjoy their coffee and want to come back for more.”
The cafe, which opened its doors to customers last summer, was built on the idea that coffee can create connections and shared experiences.
Despite offering numerous Slavic items on their menu, Mr Bielawski notes that only a handful of regular customers are Slavic.
Instead, the cafe’s identity is rooted in variety, with a number of coffees sourced from different parts of the world, encouraging customers to experience global flavours.
After working in various cafe roles, Mr Bielawski decided to open his own space in Sheffield, aiming to create an inclusive environment: “Coffee is about community and experience,” he said.
A similar ethos can be found at DE Yummy, a Ukrainian cafe in the Moor, where Angelina has been introducing Sheffield’s residents to Ukrainian and broader Slavic cuisine.
She said: “We want everyone to come and taste Ukrainian food and enjoy it, even if they have never tried Slavic food before.”
Angelina emphasised the importance of making customers feel comfortable and welcome, regardless of their background or familiarity with Slavic cuisine.
Slavic and Eastern European restaurants and businesses remain relatively rare in Sheffield compared to other cities, leading Angelina to believe that more could succeed here in introducing residents to new cultural foods.
Together, Nomad’s Cup and DE Yummy reflect a broader trend in Sheffield’s independent food scene by representing their distinctive cultures.
Whether they are through globally sourced coffee or traditional Ukrainian dishes, both venues aim to create spaces where cultural exchange happens over a cup of coffee or a shared tasty meal.
Today on Sheffield Wire
Hello and welcome to the Sheffield Wire coverage on 23 February 2026.
Our top stories today:
Sheffield City Council set to decide whether to accept more than £10m to boost SEND provision across the city. Charlie King will report from today's council meeting.
We have footage of this weekend's Chinese New Year celebrations. Duy Luong and Jess Hughes have spoken to event organisers and reported on the celebrations.
Finally coverage of Sunday's derby, with Sheffield Wednesday relegated to rivals Sheffield United. Owen Roberts reports on Pedersen's press conference and Harper Mills speaks to fans for their reaction.
Kelly Walsh to celebrate 300th game with Sheffield Shadows
This Sunday, Kelly Walsh will be playing her 300th game for the Sheffield Shadows.
Ms Walsh, 44, got into the sport when a friend from school played for the shadows in 1997, starting in the house leagues working her way to be invited to train with the Shadows after an ice hockey camp in Sheffield.
Reminiscing on her first match at 16, she said: "I can imagine how excited I must have been to put on my team jersey for the first time, especially since I hadn't played a team sport before."
She's been playing with Sheffield Shadows since 2001.
A highlight of her career was the 2009 World Championships in Torre Pellice, Italy, where the teamed earned a promotion to Division II the previous season. They exceeded everyone's expectations by taking the bronze medal.
"Over the years, I've become much more laid-back and developed a real sense of gratitude for having the opportunity to play," she said. "I now truly appreciate each moment on the ice and try not to take any of it for granted."
The Shadows have had their ups and downs over the last 30 years, with both promotions and relegations.
In recent years, after the Covid19 pandemic, she said the Shadows have "struggled to find our feet and regain the momentum we once had."
Ms Walsh is optimistic for the future. She feels that, with a lot of younger members, there is room for developing cohesion and experience.
"The biggest growth has been in resilience and perspective: staying present, keeping a positive influence in the room and on the bench, and enjoying the game," she said.
Her 300th match will be against the Nottingham Vipers on Sunday.
Image: Sheffield Shadows