Hoyland library renovated as part of a one million pound investment
Hoyland library is the first to benefit from Barnsley Council's million-pound scheme to improve local libraries across the borough.
The space re-opened its doors on Monday with the official launch planned for tomorrow.
Barnsley Council put aside one million pounds back in 2018 to make sure their fifteen community libraries have access to modern computers, books and resources.
Hoyland is the first Library to receive this funding with the relatively small renovation focusing on providing work and study spaces and improving resources for children.
Barnsley Council’s Transformational Officer, Jemma Conway says locals can expect to see a “lovely bright atmosphere. The redevelopment was focusing on our children’s library which has brought a modern feel to it and its more interactive and accessible. We have also added some smart working booths so you can call in their to work or to study."
The official launch takes place tomorrow from 9:30am until 2pm with a series of drop in family friendly events including science experiments, craft activities, story telling and an opening speech from the Mayor.
Councillor Caroline Makinson, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “We hope that residents in the area will come and see it for themselves and make use of this new space, whether that’s attending one of the activities or events or using the new drop-down space where they can work and study.”
The next to be renovated is Dodworth Library which is planned for the new year.
Donations needed for Doncaster man’s life-changing surgery
A young trans man has launched a crowdfunder in the hopes of affording his expensive top surgery.
Finley Blower, 19, of Conisbrough, first realised “something didn’t feel right” when he was given the role of Mary in his church’s nativity at the age of three.
Mr Blower said: “I was just in absolute tears about it, and I couldn’t wrap my head around why I was Mary and not Joseph.”
Throughout school, Mr Blower had labelled himself as "lesbian" due to his attraction to women and typically masculine short hair.
This never felt right to him, and it was on New Year's Eve in 2019 that Mr Blower told his girlfriend of four years that he was trans.
He came out to his parents the following year in October, when his provisional licence came through the post naming him as ‘Mr Finley Blower.’
Mr Blower said: “I remember the evening I told my parents. My dad called up the stairs: ‘Finley, do you want a cup of tea?’ I think I cried from how happy I was hearing my dad say my new name.”
The Go Fund Me page was set up to help raise the £4,500 deposit for Mr Blower’s surgery, which will cost him double the amount.
The teenager started his transition on testosterone in 2021, deciding to go private after facing years on the NHS waiting list.
According to the Sheffield Gender Identity Clinic, the longest waiting time as of October 2022 is 55 months.
Left "exhausted" having to work long hours alongside his studies to fund his transition, Mr Blower was confident it would pay off.
He said: "It feels like I’m finally living as my true self. It’s allowed me to become so much more confident and not feel like I’m living a lie."
Despite this, Mr Blower's ribs are left in "agony" every night from the binder he currently uses to flatten his chest, and previous time spent taping it down has left him with painful blisters and rashes.
He said: “I want to be able to do normal things like take a shower and not want to cry every time I see my chest.
“This surgery means everything to me. I just want my body to match how it should look in my head.”
To donate to Finley Blower’s Go Fund Me page, follow:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/wdwspz-help-finley-get-top-surgery?qid=802e2899dfb127bd708c6a94507a57eb
Students to host fundraising fashion show to tackle period poverty
A fashion show to raise money for period poverty in Sheffield and "showcase passion and talent" will be held this Sunday.
The show, in collaboration with the University of Sheffield's Fashion Society and Irise International, aims to reach a total of £500. A GoFundMe page has already raised £190.
It was the brainchild of a group of female undergraduate journalism students, whose campaign No Period Left Behind forms part of their Your Sheffield website.
Campaign manager Keren Ossou, 20, said the idea had come from personal experience.
“When I was in school there were no period products available in the bathroom, or really any effects to tackle period poverty.
“After doing research , we found that period poverty was quite a big issue in Sheffield especially since Covid and with the cost of living crisis that we are currently having. We wanted to do something to make a difference.”
She added that only half of Sheffield schools take part in the government’s scheme for free period products.
Eight members of the university’s Fashion Society will be modelling a selection of clothes, some of which are handmade.
Its president, Olivia Booth, also 20, said they were grateful for the opportunity to be involved.
“What interested us in joining the fundraiser was, of course, the charity aspect. Period poverty is obviously a huge issue.
“On top of that, we really wanted to be able to showcase everyone’s passions and talents. It allowed our members to create and model for a good cause.”
She hoped the idea of a fashion show will interest more people, specifically students, to donate.
Irise International is an award-winning charity based in Sheffield.
It has led and been involved in a number of initiatives to improve period poverty, specifically in Sheffield.
Emily Wilson, CEO of Irise International, said: "Period poverty and shame are holding people back around the world. We work with young people in the UK and East Africa to end the stigma and realise period equality for all."
Last month, Sheffield City Council discussed “Committing the Council to Tackling the Stigma of Menopause and Period Poverty” at a council meeting.
It agreed that “period poverty is a serious issue for women in the city.”
The fashion show and fundraising event will take place at the Nelson Mandela auditorium in the Students' Union, this Sunday at 3pm. Door open at 2.45pm.
Tickets to the fashion show are available here or you can donate via GoFundMe.
Sheffield businesses come out on top as Black Friday sales fall across the country
A new study shows Black Friday profits fell in the UK by three quarters of a million pounds this year compared to last.
But Sheffield shopkeepers defied the odds with many saying it was busier than expected.
An assistant from the Body Shop said "We improved on last year which we weren't expecting. No idea why that is because as far as I'm aware that's not following any trends".
With the cost of living crisis ongoing it was unclear whether Black Friday would appeal to shoppers this year.
After the lifting of Covid restrictions in person sales were up nationally by half a million pounds but there were fewer online purchases.
The popularity of Black Friday has decreased for some people in Sheffield who believe the sales to be a scam. We spoke to locals who said they think shops put the prices up and them reduce them to give the illusion of a bargain.
Some shoppers said they stayed home this year as they feel it is "too much hassle" with "people running about like headless chickens".
Businesses like Lush chose not to take part in Black Friday saying as a sustainable company they feel sales can undercut fair pay to suppliers.
As the UK enters a recession we may see more signs of people holding back on shopping.
Sexual Health Sheffield team up with City Council to raise awareness for HIV treatment
The clinic is attempting to improve levels of sex education in Sheffield after the city was ranked as the second worst in the UK for the quality of its service.
Two stalls were set up this morning, one in Burngreave and the other at Howden House in the city centre, with the aim to offer anonymous support, advice from experts, and contraception regarding HIV.
In a statement, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals urged people to use the clinic for preventative and post-exposure treatment.
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis is a tablet taken to stop an HIV infection with a 99.9% success rate.
Dr Becky Green, Senior Clinical Psychologist for the NHS Foundation Trust said: "HIV can affect anyone regardless of age, and the COVID pandemic means that we all have a lived experience of what it is like to fear a virus and how talking about it freely and sharing public health information can reduce stigma."
Last month, Superdrug conducted a study exploring factors behind STI stigma across the UK, placing Sheffield near the bottom of the list.
Eighty per cent of participants rated the quality of sex education in Sheffield as poor or basic, second only to Liverpool, 11% higher than the UK average of 72%.
Dan Bermingham-Shaw, a researcher for the study, said 8% were not bothered by schools failing to cover sexually transmitted infections, while 4% thought it was good that they didn't.
Sexual Health Sheffield is encouraging people to speak openly about viruses such as HIV in order to battle stigma that surrounds the virus. The average life expectancy of those infected is the same as those without.
Mr Bermingham-Shaw said: "One of the main findings of the study was that a lot of people who have an STI diagnosis won't want to talk about it. While most people said they were comfortable to talk about it with a doctor, they are a lot less likely to talk about it with their friends and family, even their partners. So, a lack of conversation around the topic reduces the amount of education people have on it''
You can read about the full study here: https://onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/simply-talk-about-it/
If you enjoyed this then head over to the Sheffield Wire Page or my Twitter @luke_reevey for more!
‘Ginger Fury’ determined to win his first professional International Lightweight Mixed Martial Arts title this weekend
Oscar Ownsworth is “ready for business” against his opponent Sergio Jesus for the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Professional International title at Caged Steel this Saturday.
Ownsworth, 28 (AKA Ginger Fury) is prepared to showcase his strikes and submissions at his first title shot on Saturday 3 December at Doncaster Dome.
Residing in Sheffield and fighting out of AVT MMA, Leeds, he has been training for 10 years, with the run-up to the fight consisting of intense Monday to Saturday sessions of wrestling, MMA, Jujutsu, kickboxing and boxing.
His experienced opponent, Sergio Jesus, 30, has a positive fight record with seven wins, ten draws and zero loses.
Despite Jesus taking on the fight nine days before, Ownsworth said: “I am not letting that bother me as I am the one that’s prepared."
Weighing in at the powerful upper-weight limit of 70.3kg pre-fight, he is determined to not be afraid by his opponent's “wild punches”.
The always smiling Ginger Fury may glow an aura of positivity outside the cage, but said: “As soon as that cage door locks, I’m ready for business."
He said: “It’s a rollercoaster of emotions and adrenaline, but I’m ready for whatever he’s going to throw at me.”
Hoping to continue his winning streak and increase his 96% total body strikes landed, he is positive about a first-round knock-out.
Nexus CEO ‘overwhelmed’ after firm hits fundraising target for Sheffield Children’s Trust
A company which helps provide children with school lessons in hospital has raised hundreds of pounds towards an appeal which aims to build a life-saving helipad at the site.
Nexus Multi-Academy Trust, based in Rotherham, is one of many donors to Sheffield Children's Hospital's Snowflake Appeal to 'build a better future' for the hospital.
Warren Carratt, the firm's CEO, said staff raised £600 in three working days to sponsor one of the illuminated snowflakes on the walls of the hospital.
Nexus provides children with education during their stay in the hospital through the Becton Centre which operates on the site, and the Becton School which caters for pupils with complex mental health problems.
Mr Carratt said: “We are deeply involved with the Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Becton’s relationship is deep-rooted. Becton wouldn’t exist as a hospital school without the Children’s Hospital.”
The educational support includes regular bedside or classroom teaching, arts and crafts activities and a route back to regular school.
Mr Carratt added: “I’m overwhelmed with the pace at which we raised the £600. We managed to raise the target in three working days which is fantastic.”
Jeff Perring, medical director at Sheffield Children's Hospital, praised the ongoing partnership between the Trust and Becton School.
He said: “We are delighted to partner with Becton School to provide vital education to our patients across the Trust and in the community.
"Their school provision to our Becton Centre and to our acute hospital is fantastic and provides young people who aren’t able to attend school with the opportunity to access crucial education while undergoing treatment."
Chloe Brunton-Dunn, corporate partnerships officer at Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity, said: "The money raised will help Sheffield Children’s where it is needed most, including by building a new on-site helipad at the hospital.
"We’re hoping to complete our fundraising for this life-saving new facility in the spring, and by this time next year it might even be ready to welcome a landing from Santa’s sleigh!”
If you'd like to contribute to Nexus' JustGiving appeal, the link is here: https://t.co/3EggNFbaJW and click on the following link for more information on the Snowflake Appeal.
Reform UK targets South Yorkshire seats at next election
Reform UK are targeting South Yorkshire in a bid to gain seats across the region in the next election.
The relatively new political group are aiming to capitalise on the unpopularity of the Conservative Party across the county.
They hope to entice voters who are concerned about the Tory leadership but who also refuse to vote for Keir Starmer's Labour.
The party, whose main objective is the successful implementation of the 2016 Brexit referendum, see the region as being one of the most likely areas that they will elect an MP.
Rother Valley Tory MP, Alexander Stafford, said: "With any new party, of any shape or colour, that comes along, there's always that risk of bleeding votes to them.
"Reform are the reformed version of the Brexit Party and for instance in Rother Valley last time, the Brexit Party got 12% of the vote, so a very high percentage of the vote."
The region is of significant importance to Reform UK as it voted overwhelmingly in favour of Brexit.
Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster all voted by over 67% for the UK to leave the European Union.
These areas are also traditionally part of the Labour Red Wall, which fell in 2019 to Boris Johnson's "stonking mandate".
They represent a key target therefore as victory in any seats would be both a win over Labour and proof that voters lack belief in the government to achieve their targets regarding Brexit.
There are hurdles however as the most recent polls show.
YouGov have said that Reform are now level with the Liberal Democrats, each on 9% nationally, but as of December 2nd, individual polling by constituency shows that Reform are losing voters in all South Yorkshire seats.
Barnsley East would be the worst result as it stands, with Reform dropping below the Conservatives to third, losing over 20% of the vote.
Whilst Reform may pose questions for both Labour and the Conservatives, its clear the political landscape is too tumultuous to predict who will control these seats after the next election.
Breaking: Police arrest second person after 12-year-old boy went missing
A 51-year-old Sheffield woman has been arrested and released on bail on suspicion of child abduction.
The boy, named only as "Mark", went missing on Wednesday but was found safe and well on Thursday night in the Longley area of Sheffield.
Police arrested a 46-year-old man in connection with the child's disappearance who was later bailed pending further enquiries.
Police are continuing their investigation and anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Bootleg Beatles mark 30 years of performances at Sheffield City Hall
The Bootleg Beatles will perform at Sheffield's City Hall tonight to mark three decades of performing at the iconic venue.
The group first performed in the city in the 1980's before taking to the stage at the Barker's Pool former dance hall in 1992.
The ‘world's premier Beatles cover band’ will take the audience through the Fab Four’s career. The show begins with Ed Sullivan-era Beatles in suits and mop-tops, before moving across the 1960's with outfits and songs to match.
Raj Patel, Company Manager of the group, said: “The Bootleg Beatles are honoured to have been part of Sheffield City Hall’s Christmas programme for 30 years. The Hall holds a very special place in their hearts, and they look forward to making more appearances over the coming years.”
The venue hosted The Beatles themselves several times during the 1960's. They went on to play a further four times at the City Hall, and after the legendary Liverpudlian group disbanded Paul McCartney and George Harrison came back to Sheffield to wow crowds.
Dom Stokes, Head of Live Events & Venues at Sheffield City Trust, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure for all of us at Sheffield City Hall to be a part of the Bootleg Beatles story.
"For Sheffield fans, to see the world’s greatest songs performed live by such great performers is and continues to be such a huge privilege. Long may it continue. Thank you to everyone involved in putting on such a great production for all these years.”
It will be a Beatles packed month for live music across the city, as the Sheffield Beatles Project will be playing at the Octagon Centre on 10 December.
Described by Exposed Magazine as ‘a phenomenon that seems to be becoming something of a Sheffield institution’, the Sheffield Beatle's Project brings together some of the cities’ best musicians with a live orchestra to recreate some of the most popular hits from the original band.
‘I don’t think it’s a beautiful game anymore’- the rise of domestic abuse during football tournaments
Women's Aid have launched a new campaign to combat the rise in domestic abuse during major football tournaments.
The 'He's Coming Home' initiative coincides with the World Cup which is being hosted in Qatar.
Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid said: “There is a role to play for everyone in helping to end domestic abuse, and raising awareness of the support available during major tournaments can help many women living with abusive partners.”
Jo Todd, Chief Executive of Respect, which works with perpetrators of domestic abuse, said: “We know that football doesn’t create new perpetrators, but in relationships where someone is already abusive, it can add a layer of risk and worry for survivors.”
Claire Throssell MBE, 50, an ambassador for Women’s Aid and campaigner, was left devastated after her two children were murdered by her abusive ex-husband.
Paul, 12, and Jack, 9, were murdered by Darry Sykes in October 2014 after he lured them to the attic of the family home and set the house on fire, during an unsupervised access visit.
Speaking about the Women’s Aid World Cup campaign, Ms Throssell said: “It makes people think there is another side to this so-called beautiful game because I don't think it is a beautiful game anymore.
“People don't see the hidden side. They don't see how their friends react when they go home to their partner. They don't see the abuse that happens around these times.”
The NSPCC has also warned of an increased risk of domestic abuse during the Qatar World Cup as new figures reveal a spike in contacts to its Helpline regarding child abuse.
According to the child protection charity during the previous football World Cup contacts to its helpline in relation to domestic abuse jumped increased by a third.
Sir Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the NSPCC, said: “The majority of fans across the country will enjoy the World Cup with friends and family but for many children living with domestic abuse it will bring nervousness, fear and even violence.
“Anyone who hears or sees something worrying regarding a child while watching the football can reach out to the NSPCC Helpline for confidential advice.”
The charity explained football does not cause domestic abuse, but heightened emotional stress, alcohol and betting on the games could act as potential triggers to incidents at home.
A parent of another child, whose name has been withheld, contacted the NSPCC’s Helpline during the last World Cup, said: “My daughter’s best friend told me her dad is hitting her and her mum. He drinks a lot at the pub and then gets abusive and violent when he’s back home.
“They feel they have no way out as they depend on him financially, and they fear he’d punish them if anyone finds out about his behaviour.”
After being the victim of abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, Ms Throssell fought for custody of her two sons, through the family court, who she says were also being bullied by their father.
She said: “It was a truly barbaric process to go through. You think you’ve fled the fear and oppression but it just continues in the courts.”
It was after this process Ms Throssell partnered with two other women to launch the Women’s Aid Child First campaign, which was designed to stop unsafe child contact between known perpetrators and their children.
Ms Throssell pushed for changes to the legislation in family courts, which have now been included in the Domestic Abuse Bill.
As a result children are now recognised as victims in their own right if they have experienced domestic abuse. There is also a ban on cross-questioning in family court and special measures in place to protect children.
If you are concerned about the behaviour of your partner, contact the Respect Phoneline on 0808 8024040.
E-scooter ban on Northern trains prompts debate over safety
One of Sheffield's biggest train operators banned e-scooters on its services yesterday.
Northern Trains said the scooters' batteries are a fire risk, but in terms of their general safety there were mixed views.
The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (SRSB) highlighted the risks e-scooters pose, because of how "quiet and fast" they are, to the city's blind people.
Joanne Arden, CEO of the SRSB, said: "We realise that people and organisations do not deliberately set out to cause problems for our clients.
"People would most likely be really upset to think that they might have caused a problem, but many of us who are lucky enough to have good sight or mobility may take it for granted and just don't think about the consequences for others."
At the station, one man agreed with SRSB's concerns over e-scooters' safety.
He said: "Where I drive, I've had a number of near misses where they've just shot straight out in front of me.
"If they've banned them on the trains, there's got to be a good reason for it. I don't like banning things, I'm against it, I'm so against it, but I do think that things need to be regulated."
Other people at the station were more positive about them, pointing out their benefits for users.
One woman said: "I went on one a couple of weeks ago and it was really good. It's definitely a good idea for people who don't want to use cars for short trips."
Another visitor at the station said: "I've never ridden one myself. But as long as people use them sensibly, I don't really have much of an issue, to me it's just like a bike."
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: "The safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority.
"As these devices have become more and more popular, so have the horror stories of lithium batteries overheating and catching fire."
More on Northern's policy on e-scooters can be found on its website.