Steelers respond to defeat in Belfast with victory against play-off rivals Cardiff Devils
Sheffield Steelers showed their resilience today as they bounced back from a heavy defeat against table-topping Belfast Giants with a 3-2 victory against Cardiff Devils at the Utilita Arena.
It was a real test of the Steelers play-off credentials with the Devils being level on points before the clash today.
Before the game the Steelers had played the Cardiff side four times this season, with the Steelers having won two and lost two against the Devils.
The Sheffield side were without Brandon McNaly and Sam Jones who were suspended following incidents against the Belfast Giants.
The Devils landed the first blow in the encounter in the second minute when Brodie Reid was first to the puck following Greenfield’s save to Marcus Crawford’s effort.
However, the Sheffield side quickly responded with chances before veteran forward Robert Dowd picked the puck up on the right wing and charged forwards before slotting past Ben Browns.
Cardiff were briefly reduced to four outfield players when Sam Jardine received a two-minute penalty for holding, but were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage and the first period finished one apiece.
The second period was a scrappier affair with both sides conceding power plays and it took an Alex Graham swipe to break the deadlock for the Steelers.
In Cardiff’s third powerplay of the period the Devils equalised with seconds remaining when a one timer from Cole Sandford flew past Greenfield.
In the third period, both sides were quickly reduced to four outfield players, when Sandford and Graham were penalised for hooking.
It was during the following powerplay that the Steelers were able to retake the lead when Connoly was alive to the rebound and made no mistake in slotting the puck into the Cardiff net.
The Steelers were able to resist a late bombardment from the Devils and held out to take the points.
Victory against the Devils sees the home side move two points clear of Cardiff Devils in fourth place.
After the game Sheffield Steelers' coach Aaron Fox said: "I think we're a little bit of a fragile group right now where you feel like everything that can go wrong will go wrong for us. We just talked about keeping our composure, don't change our game.
"I though the second period was our best period, we probably should have been up one or two goals up after the second period.
"[We said] Don't change our game plan, continue to dictate tempo and make them earn everything they get, so it was actually a really, really important hockey game for our group."
The coach heaped praise on Robert Dowd before the veteran forward celebrates his testimonial match on Tuesday.
Mr Fox said: "Rob has been outstanding since I got here and I know I'm getting him at the back end of his 10 years. He scored a huge goal tonight and I'm excited for Tuesday."
BREAKING: Police appeal for missing 15-year-old girl
South Yorkshire Police have issued an urgent plea to help find a missing Barnsley teenager.
Rihanna, 15, was last seen at around 6.40pm on Wednesday 22 March in the Worsbrough Common area of Barnsley.
Rihanna has not been seen or heard from since and there is growing concern for her welfare.
Police describe Rihanna as white, approximately 5ft 3ins tall, slim build with a Yorkshire accent with shoulder length, light brown hair that is highlighted.
It is not known what Rihanna may be wearing.
Police currently only have one photo of the teenager, in which she has blonde hair.
If you have any information please call 101 quoting incident number 882 of 22 March 2023.
How does the Gig Economy impact those who are navigating the Cost of Living crisis?
Popular takeaway company, Just Eat, has recently announced plans to cut more than 1700 jobs as it re-shapes its delivery model around the Gig Economy. Considered a controversial move by many, it impacts the rights of Just Eat delivery workers and affects the benefits and guarantees they can expect to receive. What is the Gig Economy and what impact is it having on modern ways of working?
What is the Gig Economy?
According to The University of Oxford, the Gig Economy employment is a form of work in which people receive payment based on the completion of tasks, instead of the hours they work. People usually access work through online platforms and complete a specific task or "gig". It covers a wide range of job-types such as delivery drivers, private tutors, freelancers, consultants, website creators and graphic designers, to name a few.
The rise of the Gig Economy
This form of work is becoming increasingly important in the UK, and the number of people taking on gig-style employment has risen substantially between 2016 and 2021.
Additionally, according to data released by Standout-CV in March 2023, the UK's Gig Economy is worth about £20bn and its workforce is about 7.25 million strong. Working in the Gig Economy alone is often not enough to cover the monthly bills, and nearly half of all gig workers have a separate full time job. The cost-of-living crisis is taking its toll, with nearly 90% of gig workers having taken up additional work to cope with increasing prices.
Anna's Story
Anna Lake is a freelance consultant and a chartered marketer. She formed a successful business using the Gig Economy and describes the realities of working within this business model.
"My work schedule can be very unpredictable," she says.
"I interview clients of businesses so there are lots of variables at play, such as my client inviting their client to speak with me and then the interviewees' availability.
"My workload often feels like it’s very ‘lumpy’!"
She reflects on the varying pace of her work: "If I go through quiet periods, I try to focus on activities which will build my profile and attract new business such as networking, regular posting on LinkedIn, PR and content writing – the things you struggle to find time for when you’re busy.
"I also don’t panic and I enjoy being able to go for long walks with my dog or catch up on shows on Netflix."
She also acknowledges government intervention could help make the Gig Economy work effectively for more people.
"I think the government needs to bring forward its childcare support to working parents to now," she reflects.
"My children are both at school now but being able to access free hours when they were one, the age of my youngest son when I set up my business, would have been a huge help."
Chris' Story
Chris works as a private tutor to supplement the income from his full time job as a Technical Consultant. He believes he has managed to balance his time between a Gig Economy job and full time work in a way that works for him.
"My work schedule is unpredictable but that’s how I like it," he says.
"I enjoy the freedom of being able to rearrange lessons at short notice if something else comes up.
"If I want that freedom then I have to accept that tutees will do the same, but it’s a trade-off I’m happy to make."
His salary can sometimes be unpredictable, however this does not concern him too much.
"Tutoring is my secondary source of income so income variations don't affect me too badly.
"By finding reliable students I can make sure my income is relatively consistent in the academic year though."
In terms of government help within the Gig Economy, Chris' request is simple. He says: "Self assessment tax returns could be a bit less confusing, but overall I don’t think I need much else."
The Future
The cost-of-living crisis is still taking its toll, and Jeremy Hunt's recent budget speech has many people questioning their long-term financial stability. The War in Ukraine is ongoing and key economy strength indicators (such as oil prices, interest rates, inflation levels and exchange rates) remain unpredictable. Despite continued government help with energy bills and additional promised help with childcare, people are still feeling financial pressure and struggling to make ends meet.
It seems likely that the well-established Gig Economy is here to stay in the UK. But it is unclear if any government controls or additional legislation will soon be enforced, which could make this increasingly-popular income method work more effectively, and more fairly, for more people.
“The children need you”: Ranmoor Scout Group will close unless volunteers are found
A shortage of volunteers means the 36th Sheffield Scout Group, which covers the Crosspool and Ranmoor area, will close if it doesn’t find any new recruits.
The Scout section (for ages 10 and above) is currently without a leader, while the Beaver and Cub groups (six to eight year-olds and eight to 10) are in desperate need of a helping hand.
Michael Holmes, the Group Scout Leader, said many adults don't think they have the right skills to become a Scout Leader, meaning they don't put themselves forward.
“Most parents have got the skills - even if they don’t think they have. Really, it’s a desire to help your young children become good citizens.”
The 36th Sheffield Scout Group is almost 100 years old and has been one of the largest groups of its kind for many years.
A Scout Leader is a managerial role who works closely with assistant leaders to deliver a fulfilling experience. All training, including a DBS check, is provided by the Scouts. The only real cost is their time.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic people’s jobs and ability to commit their time has changed, leading to a drop in volunteers, Mr Holmes said.
“The children need you,” he added. “Someone who can give one night a month would still be useful to us.”
There is currently a waiting list of children for the group. If they had the leaders then they would be able take all of the children on.
Jo Owens is the Beaver Leader but has had to give in her notice because of other commitments.
“It’s not just our group that’s struggling for leaders. It’s a similar situation across the region and the country,” she said.
Pre-Covid, there were 156,647 Scout volunteers across the UK. There are now only 139,461 - almost 20,000 less.
“It would be sad to lose such a long-running Scout group,” the Beaver Leader and mum said. “Where else can you find a group that does something different every week?”
“Lots of people were in the Scouts and then became leaders when they were adults. It’s sad we can’t offer the next generation the same," she added.
The Ranmoor / Crosspool Scout Group is looking for around six volunteers. Anyone interested should contact Michael Holmes directly at michaelfholmes1@gmail.com. More information about the Scouts can be found here.
Sheffield Wednesday legend hospitalised with suspected heart attack
Former Sheffield Wednesday and England international Carlton Palmer was taken to hospital yesterday after completing the Sheffield Half Marathon.
Palmer, 57, Tweeted that he had been kept in over night with a suspected small heart attack, and is currently undergoing tests.
In 2016, Palmer underwent life-saving five hour heat surgery.
Palmer played over 200 times for Wednesday and in the late 80s and early 90s, as well as achieving 18 England caps.
Former international team mate Alan Shearer was one of those to wish Palmer well.
Shearer tweeted "Hope you’re ok pal 🙏🏻".
Palmer replied: "Thanks pal ,they are still running tests to find out what caused it but I am fine 👌".
Nether Edge Farmers’ Market raised thousands on 25th anniversary
Nether Edge's quarter-yearly farmers' market is estimated to have raised around £2,600 for charity as it commemorates its 25 year anniversary on Glen Road.
The market held yesterday (26 March) celebrated the area's flurry of independent businesses who each paid a fee to sell their products on individual stalls.
The stall-fee goes to Nether Edge Neighbourhood Group (NENG), who donates the proceeds to two local charities.
The last market donated half of the proceeeds to Sheffield Young Carers, which supports young carers and young people affected by drug and alcohol issues in their family. The rest went to Ben's Centre, a shelter providing food and warmth for people who suffer from substance abuse.
"It's always people charities. It's always about the people," said Marion Gerson, a volunteer for NENG.
Ms Gerson, who oversees stall-holder applications, described the team as "part of the glue for the community".
"It's quite hard work but I do it because I enjoy it," she added.
This year, Sheffield businesses Beanies Wholefoods, Coocoo C'est Moi, Buttons Attic, JAM Artworks, and Autumn Harvest Mushrooms were among the many that made an appearance.
Ms Gerson said the day was really important for stall-holders, who usually perform well at the event as one of the best of its kind in the city.
Rebecca Wainwright, owner of Buttons Attic, also praised the market.
She said: "It's always such a great event, a busy bustling market with wonderful shoppers and fellow stalls, I love it when my little shoppers are wearing my makes too - it makes my weekend."
According to the Farmers’ Market Planning Group, the market began in March 2008 as a way of "putting Nether Edge on the map." They hoped it would become a place for people to "meet, greet, and eat" alongside upholding the ethos of "thinking globally, acting locally."
"It's just a feeling of belonging. It's actually one of the few things I find that has a sense of neighbourhood to it," Ms Gerson said.
The market has been scaled down since the pandemic, meaning stall-holders have more space and less competition and tend to do well as a result.
The market has raised over £90,000 over the years, with this year's final total yet be confirmed.
The next farmers' market will take place on 18 June.
Call for public bus ownership by protesters outside South Yorkshire Mayor’s office
By Ella Harget-Dash and Tobias Gavelle
Protesters held a rally outside South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority offices last week, calling for buses to be brought back under public control.
Last Tuesday's rally was the first of many planned by the Better Buses for South Yorkshire campaign, who are urging the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to take control of South Yorkshire's buses to improve reliability and frequency.
Matthew Topham, a campaigner for Better Buses for South Yorkshire, said: "One of the biggest issues we hear from passengers around the region is that buses just do not turn up when you need them, or when you want them."
Around 40 to 50 protesters attended the event, holding signs with slogans such as 'give us our buses back', 'Just let buses turn up on time' and 'work for us, not for profit'.
Green Party council candidate for Ecclesall ward, Peter Gilbert, spoke at the event, telling protesters we will never have a leading transport system until we regulate our buses.
Mr Gilbert said: "The big focus of the Better Buses for South Yorkshire campaign is to put pressure on the South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard, to carry on with the work he says he's been doing about getting the buses into public control."
Mayor Coppard was elected last year and has already capped bus and tram fares in South Yorkshire at £2 per single fare.
Mayor Coppard said: "I completely understand and agree with the protesters that the public transport system in South Yorkshire is fundamentally broken.
"Right now, private sector bus companies that largely run our network can decide where to run buses, when to run buses, and how much they charge for those buses. I don't think that's right"
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority are currently undergoing a franchise assessment process, which is the legal process that must be taken before buses can be taken into public control.
Northern lights seen over Sheffield last Friday
A local resident in Sheffield has uploaded a video showing the Northern Lights display seen last Friday, 24 March, with many other sightings being recorded across the UK.
Harry Lyons, 28, a recent Physics PhD graduate, had been surprised to find the Northern lights, known as Aurora Borealis, so far from their usual artic hangout when it appeared in North England last week.
He said: "Photographing the Aurora has always been on my bucket list but I always assumed I would need a trip to Iceland."
Mr Lyons described the event as taking place throughout most of the night, but peaking during the period from midnight to 2:00am on Friday morning.
The hobbyist astrophotographer thanked aurorawatchuk for tweeting a red alert warning for an aurora sighting being likely. On discovering this, Mr Lyons set up his camera in the hopes of catching the display.
However, he claimed he would not have been able to see the wonder without the help of his equipment.
Mr Lyons added: "With my eyes I could see a very faint glow in the green areas, but nowhere near what the camera could pick up.
"Being able to do it from home was very exciting. Seeing some of the colours and pillars of light show up on the camera was quite magical, for sure."
Other sightings of the northern lights have taken place across the UK, with shots taken on the Yorkshire coasts, for example. There have even been glimpses of the aurora as far south as Hampshire.
As for poor visibility, Mr Lyons claimed the light pollution in Sheffield left much still to be seen, as the steel city lights blocked out the night sky.
Mr Lyons said: "You would stand a much better chance at a dark sky sight in Scotland, Wales, Norfolk, or Northumbria, where your view to the North is as dark as possible and your eyes can really adjust to dim light.
"North England is unfortunately one of the most spread-out, light-polluted spots on the planet."
“Everyone deserves to see themselves as the hero”: Kid-lit author of non-binary children’s book coming to Sheffield
A bookstore in Sheffield is hosting a reading event with an author who has written a children’s book about being non-binary.
Juno books, a queer feminist bookstore in the city centre, will be hosting L D Lapinski to read from her new book on 16 April. She will also be signing copies on the day.
Lapinski is the author of JAMIE, a book which follows an 11-year-old non-binary child who finds out their secondary school is separated into one school for boys and another for girls.
She said: “Everyone deserves to see themselves as the hero, but everyone also deserves to see people who aren’t themselves being the hero as well."
Growing up, LD Lapinski said all of the heroes in the books she was reading were white, middle-class, cis-gender and heterosexual. They all lived in London or Oxford and there was little representation for people she could relate to.
She added: “But now we have such a wonderful variety of characters and settings and authors in Children’s literature. It really is a golden age of kid-lit. I think it’s wonderful that kids can see not only themselves but their friends taking centre stage.”
This comes amidst an ongoing discussion about the inclusion of LGBTQ+ issues in school sexual education programmes.
In Prime Minister’s Questions on 8 March, Miriam Cates, said: “Graphic lessons on oral sex, how to choke your partner safely and 72 genders—this is what passes for relationships and sex education in British schools.
“Children are being subjected to lessons that are age-inappropriate, extreme, sexualising and inaccurate. This is not a victory for equality; it is a catastrophe for childhood.”
The statement's link between gender identity, LGBTQ+ teaching and sexual behaviour has caused groups such as Humanists UK to worry that the upcoming urgent review of government sex education guidance may target LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
Humanists UK Education Policy Researcher Dr Ruth Wareham said: "We are seriously concerned that this review is designed to row back on LGBT-inclusive relationships and sex education rather than tackle very real problems like harmful and inaccurate faith-based teaching on sex and relationships."
Sheffield Hallam MP Olivia Blake sponsors motion to celebrate Dolly Parton song anniversary
A motion to celebrate the anniversary of a hit Dolly Parton song has been sponsored by the MP for Sheffield Hallam, Olivia Blake.
Parton's 'I will always love you' is celebrating its 50th anniversary at Dollywood, and MP Olivia Blake has sponsored an early day motion (EDM) to recognise the occasion.
Ms Blake, who was one of the first six signatures on the EDM, said: "Dolly Parton is an icon. I know her music holds a special place in a lot of people’s hearts but the impact she has had goes beyond music, funding lifesaving Covid vaccines and helping inspire a whole generation of young people to love reading.
"I am proud to join MPs in marking this special anniversary."
Dolly Parton has previously worked to make an impact in Yorkshire, as in 2007 she began to send books to 13,000 children in Rotherham as part of a wider reading initiative for children.
The Imagination Library was founded in 1995 to provide children with a book each month until their fifth birthday and has sent 604,963 books to UK children since its conception.
The project ended in Rotherham in 2019 due to the council withdrawing its financial support.
The early day motion was tabled by Jim Shannon, the Democratic Unionist Party MP for Strangford, who noted "the sentiment behind this song and what it means to so many."
The motion went on to state the MP for Strangford's wife was included in the many who it means something to.
The motion has since gained 38 MP's signatures.
While the motion has been well recieved by some, not everyone has taken it in a positive way stating there are bigger issues in the UK that need attention.
Sheffield man pleads not guilty to ‘acid murder’
A Sheffield man has pleaded not guilty to murder after a victim was found shot and drenched in acid in Wigan.
Michael Hillier, 39, of Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, appeared in Manchester Crown Court today (27 March) following the death of Liam Smith, 38, of Kilburn Drive, Wigan, in November last year.
Rachel Fulstow, 37, of Andrew Drive, York, also appeared in court charged with perverting the course of justice.
Mr Smith's body was found on his own driveway in Wigan on 24 November last year.
The family of Mr Smith, who has two children, aged 11 and 15, said: "Two young boys will now have to spend the rest of their lives without their adoring father, and the rest of our family will be forever haunted by this senseless act."
They added, he was a: "Dearly loved, Son, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Grandson and Friend."
Mr Hillier has been held in custody since his arrest.
The trial is set to begin on July 10 and is estimated to last three weeks.
Both Mr Hillier and Ms Fulstow will be appearing in court via a video link as the trial continues.
Sheffield’s Reverend and the Makers release new single at revived city centre pub
Popular Sheffield band Reverend and the Makers have released a new single, 'A Letter to my 21 Year Old Self', in an exhibition at the recently re-opened city centre pub Fagan's.
The exhibition, which took place last Thursday, saw the walls of the Irish pub adorned with letters from famous friends associated to lead singer John McClure, writing to their past selves. The exhibition saw letters from Jeremy Corbyn, Mel C and Steel City artist Pete McKee.
John McClure's own letter, which makes up the song's lyrics, saw him wrestle with what others think of him - 'Don't concern yourself with what anyone thinks, maybe be kinder to yourself and know your worth.'
Jeremy Corbyn's own letter states that his younger self should never allow 'hatred to spread unchallenged' with Mel C commenting on fame being a 'beast.'
'A Letter to my 21 Year Old Self' touches on themes of looking back at the past and reassuring a younger version of yourself that things will be ok, a subject matter that Mr McClure said left him 'crying' during the songwriting process.
He said: "Well, I've got a pal who I write all my songs with, called Danny. We go to football together, he's a Sheffield Wednesday lad.
"We're doing this tune together one day, he goes 'Why don't you do a tune where you're talking to yourself when you're 21?' Me, I'm a lyricist. I just need concepts, I was writing like mad. It's the first time I've ever written a song that I'm crying whilst writing it."
Reverend and the Makers broke onto the scene in 2007 with top 10 UK single 'Heavyweight Champion of the World', catapulting the Steel City band to stardom.
Now, 16 years on from their debut album release, the band are still tasting success - selling out Sheffield Academy earlier this year.
For McClure, who lived with Arctic Monkeys frontman and fellow Sheffielder Alex Turner during the band's early days, Sheffield continues to be a place of inspiration so late in his career, and a place where he feels comfortable despite his fame.
He added: "Well, I'm just me. I've only ever left Sheffield to live anywhere else twice.
"If I was too famous, I'd be an absolute monster. I've enjoyed being mid-table all my life! In Sheffield, I've got a vibe. People like Richard Hawley, they've lived in Sheffield all their lives and been successful here. As my Mum used to say, there's something in the water. I'm looking at them and thinking: 'Well, you can be here and be successful, be artistic. Why can't I?'"
Fans of the band flocked to Fagan's for this single release, with some even saying they had McClure round their house a few nights before for an impromptu acoustic performance.
One fan said: "He performed in our garden, had his guitar with him. To be fair, he forgot his microphone!
"I said: 'Don't worry John, I've got a karaoke machine upstairs!'"
This single release at the famous city centre pub coincides with the new Reverend and the Makers album release next month on 28 April. The album is titled 'Heatwave In The Cold North.'
The album will see Reverend and the Makers play Neighbourhood Weekender Festival in Warrington in May alongside a late summer date at Kendal Calling Festival in July.
With some artists losing their way towards the end of their career's in terms of creativity, John McClure is very much still in his stride, even with six albums under his belt.
He said: "I'm in a purple patch. I'm hungry, hungry like the wolf!
"Something's clicked in my life and let's hope it continues!"