Sheffield Wire logo
Sheffield Wire logo
Live: Latest updates from Sheffield & Barnsley Local Elections 2023
Sheffield man reaches £100,000 charity milestone after completing 300-mile coast-to-coast cycle trip in memory of his brother

Sheffield man reaches £100,000 charity milestone after completing 300-mile coast-to-coast cycle trip in memory of his brother

1:43pm

Emergency Services workers, Tom Walker and Dan Rawson, have cycled 300 miles from Bridlington to Morecambe and then onto Whitby in the space of just two days to raise money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The pair have raised funds in memory of 16-year-old Nick Walker, who passed away in 2009 after a tragic accident on his way to school. Speaking before the cycle ride, Tom said: “It will be a huge challenge, far surpassing the furthest we have both cycled in one day and then doing it all again on the second day!” The amount of £100,000 represents the total fundraised since Nick’s death as a schoolboy.

Nick Walker

Tom added: “£100,000 is a lovely milestone to reach, and while we are all proud of the good work over the years, it has never really been about the amount we have raised.” Over the years, the fundraising efforts have contributed towards several appeals including the Kids Scanner Appeal as well as sponsoring bedrooms in the new Cancer and Leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. A spokesperson from Sheffield Children’s Hospital said: “The money raised from the latest challenge will support our appeal to build a new Helipad on the roof of the Emergency Department at the hospital. “Currently, they can only land in daylight hours in the park opposite the hospital and then have to be stretchered across the busy A57 by police escort, which causes delays at a crucial time.” On the impact of the fundraiser Tom said: “Nick never received treatment himself at Sheffield Children’s, but our fundraising efforts have always been in support of the hospital as they perform incredible life-changing work every day. "The efforts of people coming together for Nick help us keep his memory alive so we will just keep ticking along and see where it takes us.” The fundraising group, known as the Nick Walker Memorial Team, have raised over £1,000 in this latest coast-to-coast cycle event. Their contributions have been commemorated at the Children’s Hospital with the recent erection of donor recognition plaques. Donations to the fundraiser go directly to The Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The link to donate is here.

Disability pay gap nearly doubled in Yorkshire and the Humber

Disability pay gap nearly doubled in Yorkshire and the Humber

1:38pm

The disability pay gap in Yorkshire and the Humber nearly doubled from 2020 to 2021, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics. The gap widened from 6.2% in 2020 to 10.7% in 2021, as people who reported having disabilities were paid on average £1.37 less per hour. Sheffield-based recruitment company Tribepad conducted a survey and found 22.9% of people from Sheffield thought their disability would affect their chances of getting a new job or promotion. People whose daily activities were limited a lot by a long-term physical or mental health condition were also, on average, paid less than those who were limited slightly. The widest pay gap was found for people who listed autism as their main impairment.  

The overall disparity shrank from 12.6% in 2019 to 6.2% in 2020, but this effect has now been reversed.
Controlling for occupation reduces the size of the pay gap but does not get rid of it entirely.
This means disabled people would still be paid less for doing the same job as someone with no long-lasting health conditions.
The pay gap was also at its widest among those in senior and management positions, while it was lowest in caring, leisure and service occupations.
Trade Union Congress (TUC) General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: “Disabled people deserve better.
"We need mandatory disability pay gap reporting to shine a light on poor workplace practices that fuel inequality at work.
“Without this, millions of disabled workers will be consigned to years of lower pay and in-work poverty.”

“The road layout puts a lot of people off”: over 400 cyclists bike through Sheffield in a bid for safer streets

“The road layout puts a lot of people off”: over 400 cyclists bike through Sheffield in a bid for safer streets

1:19pm

Last Saturday, cyclists of all ages gathered to ride through Sheffield to encourage the council to improve road safety.

Over 400 people took part in the event

Over 400 people turned up to the event organised by CycleSheffield, who campaign for easy, accessible cycling in the city. The ‘Big Ride’ began at 11:30 on April 23 at Devonshire Green and lasted for around an hour. There were marshals with the riders and at key junctions, and families rode at the front so that the children didn’t get left behind. Sheffield's Green Party members also showed up to support the event. Ione MacGregor took part in the ride: “I am conscious that in a city like Sheffield the road layout puts a lot of people off, so I think we need to get a lot of people cycling, and to do that they need to be confident to get on the roads. “We need to make sure the town is designed in a way that everybody feels safe. Not only for themselves, but to encourage children, which I think is the most important thing going forward.” When asked about the current state of cycling infrastructure, she said: “I think there have been some interesting things that have happened. There has been the Greater Green section down by Kelham Island, but I also noticed that they put markets and things on that. It is almost like they give you a space then it’s not really your space.

Some cyclists brought their children along in attached prams

“It’s like ‘Well you can have it until we want the space back then we’re going to do something else with it.’ “There is so much more that can be done.” She also thinks improving Ecclesall Road is “crucial” to make it more safe for cyclists of all experience levels.

The ride lasted for about an hour

Comparing the cycling to London, she said: “A lot of people say that is terrifying but actually the provisions down there are better. People are more used to seeing cyclists around which changes car drivers’ behaviour, so I think once we start to get more cyclists on the roads everybody adapts.” Nicole Erlen, 68, and her husband were also at the event: “What exists at the moment is not good and there are some areas where I don’t feel safe on my bike. “We just think it is a fabulous event. I think it is a good opportunity for cyclists to get together, for children to gain confidence on the roads, and people to gain confidence by being in big numbers because the cars have to give way to this big number of cyclists, and I think it demonstrates what happens if people feel more able to ride their bikes on Sheffield streets.” She uses her bike as a form of transport to try and stop the spread of pollution, reduce the expense of running a car but predominantly to improve air quality in the city. Although the riders were there to raise awareness of the problematic road layouts, the event itself was received well.

Weekend football round-up

Weekend football round-up

1:08pm

This weekend was busy for football in South Yorkshire as end of the season games drew to a close. Read below for more information on Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield FC, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield United and Sheffield FC Ladies. 1)Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 1 Wycombe The Owls played well in Adams park stadium on Saturday with Chey Dunkley and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing getting in some near misses. However they lost the game after Wycombe’s Daryl Horgan scored the winning shot in the 62nd minute. Wycombe leap frogged over the team to sixth position in the first team league table leaving our South Yorkshire team in 7th place. Manager Darren Moore is hopeful that the team will regain their position again during their game against Fleetwood Town.  2) Sheffield FC 2– 1 Pontefract Colleries. The world’s oldest football club did well in their game on Saturday by one-upping their opponents in a tight game. In the head-to-head match FC’s Josh Burns scored first which sent crowds cheering. Shortly after half-time, Rob Guilfoyle from Pontefract Colleries smashed a goal into the back of the Club’s net. All hope was lost until Rory Coleman took aim in the 70th minute, breaking the tie. The Colleries failed to score a goal before the end of the match and Sheffield FC won the match and retained their 17th place position. 3) Doncaster 2 – 0 Burton Burton Albion finished their away fixtures for the League One season with an unfortunate 2-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers. Burton dominated the first-half, with Gassan Ahadme smashing a header into the net. However, a header by Joe Dodoo which slotted into the far post 37 minutes into the game and allowed Rovers to take the lead. This advantage was doubled in 75 minutes when Josh Martin rounded the goalkeeper and sank the ball into an empty net. Doncaster have now extended their stay in League One until the final week of the season. 4) Rotherham 2 – 1 Oxford united Rotherham turned around losing to Oxford United in the second half. Oxford seized the lead 10 minutes in when Sam Long sprinted down the right and crossed to Dan Barlaser, who then scored, leaving Rotherham determined to score. Three minutes were added to the end match and   to the Rotherham equalised in the third minute of added time after Rarmani Edmonds-Green headed in a cross from Ben Wiles. Barlaser then converted another opportunity on 66 minutes in order to take the lead. Rotherham’s manager Paul Warne said that their opponents played well and said the atmosphere was lively. Rotherham is still second place in the league one table. 5) Sheffield United 1 – Cardiff The Blades won in a well-fought for game on Saturday against Cardiff at Bramall Lane. The first-half was slow but in the second-half, Midfielder Iliman Ndiaye, headed a goal in the net. Cardiff tried to gain a score, but they did not manage, despite efforts made by made from Cardiff’s centre-back McGuiness. However, Cardiff did not catch up despite three minutes of added time and Sheffield United won. The club is in 6th position in the Sky Bet championship. 6) Sheffield FC Ladies 1 – 1 Middlesborough Sheffield FC Ladies drew against Middlesborough on Sunday’s match at home. The game remained even until the 76th minute when an over-the-top ball fooled Boro’s defence and Brooke Marsden slotted the ball into the back of the net. However, in the 93rd minute, for Boro came through completely against the run of play, resulting in a draw. Sheffield Wire reached out to Sheffield FC Ladies for comment and has not yet heard back.    

Protest to call for protection of transgender people from conversion therapy in Sheffield this weekend

Protest to call for protection of transgender people from conversion therapy in Sheffield this weekend

11:58am

A protest against conversion therapy is taking place in Sheffield this weekend. Despite outlining the ban on all types of conversion therapy the government announced early this month that the ban would not cover gender identity, meaning transgender individuals are not covered. According to NHS England, conversion therapy tries to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. A recent survey by YouGov found despite the governments disgraceful U-turns on outlawing conversion therapy then excluding trans people from the ban, 62% of people are still in support of the ban for all types of LGBTQ+ people. Chrissy Meleady MBE, CEO of equalities and human rights UK said: "It is archaic and abusive practice that has no place in our 21st century Britain. "The conversion ban ignores the trans community and their experiences of being of being the subjects of exorcisms, corrective rapes, being forcibly taken from the country and being forced into 'spiritual interventions'".

Photo of Christine Meleady MBE

Christine Meleady MBE, equalities and human rights UK

The weekend's protest aims to draw attention to any issues in Sheffield with conversion therapy but also to demonstrate to the government the issues with not outlining this ban for everyone. The event will feature a speech from Olivia Blake, the current labour MP for Sheffield Hallam, an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights who wants the protest to influence the governments decision to implement a full ban on conversion therapy. Chrissy Meleady said: "Equalities and human rights UK supports victims and survivors of conversion therapy and we have made formal requests to Sheffield city council to designate Sheffield a conversion therapy free city." The protest against conversion therapy will take place Saturday 30 April outside Sheffield town hall at 11AM. Video and updates from the event to follow.

Rotherham United win 2-1 against Oxford United

Rotherham United win 2-1 against Oxford United

11:44am

After an early own goal, Rotherham fought their way to win the match, 2:1 to Oxford. Before the game there was a one minutes silence and clap for the late Harold Wilcockson, who was a player for Rotherham United. 10 minutes in, Oxford took the lead when Dan Barlaser attempted to block the cross, but the ball ended up in his own net. Rotherham managed to achieve an equaliser in the third minute of added time with Rarmanin Edmonds-Green. Rotherham manager Paul Warne said: “The equalising goal was crucial. It changed our team talk at half time and we were able to go full positive with them.” Rotherham started the second half quickly and with purpose. After 66 minutes, Rotherham took the lead with a penalty goal from Barlaser. Warne said: “The atmosphere today was really good and I’m thankful to the fans, they stuck with the team today and helped us to the result. There were four minutes extra time at the end of the game, but the score remained the same. With this win, there was a jubilant reaction from the home crowd as Rotherham are second in league one with a good chance for a promotion.  

A ‘Reyt Queer Extravaganza’ will make its Sheffield debut this summer

A ‘Reyt Queer Extravaganza’ will make its Sheffield debut this summer

11:25am

A South Yorkshire based queer arts organisation will bring a series of inclusive events and workshops to Sheffield to celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Andro and Eve, founded in 2016 with the aim to provide inclusive and accessible spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in Sheffield, is bringing a series of live events to South Yorkshire this summer.  The ‘Reyt Queer Extravaganza’, hosted by writer, director and actor, Rikki Beadle Blair, will showcase some of South Yorkshire’s most exciting queer performance talent, professional dancers, and drag artists from across the North of England.  The event is due to take place in Sheffield’s iconic performance venue, The Leadmill, this July, and is partly funded by Arts Council England.

A Reyt Queer Extravaganza will make its Sheffield debut this July. Image: Ndrika Anyika

For this programme of work, Andro and Eve will be partnering with The Civic, Barnsley, and will be collaborating closely with Manchester’s Ghetto Fabulous.  David Sinclair, Head of Visual Arts and Engagement at The Civic said: “The Civic is really excited to be partnering with Andro and Eve and Ghetto Fabulous on this landmark queer event for South Yorkshire. “Part of our organisation’s core values is to amplify the voices of those typically marginalised in the arts. Therefore, we are delighted to be able to provide these events and workshops to offer an amazing platform for our home grown queer talent.”

“Part of our organisation’s core values is to amplify the voices of those typically marginalised in the arts." Image: Ndrika Anyika

In the run-up to the extravaganza, Andro and Eve and Ghetto Fabulous will be hosting a series of ‘Feeling Fabulous’ workshops in Barnsley and Sheffield.  These workshops aim to help participants feel more confident, gain dance and performance skills, and develop a short performance to be showcased at the Reyt Queer Extravaganza.  Finn Warman, Artistic Director for Andro and Eve, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be back producing accessible events to celebrate queer culture where everyone is welcome.  “We’ve been in talks for a long time with Ghetto Fabulous to bring to Sheffield the sort of events you’d see in Manchester, and are just so chuffed to have secured the funding that will allow us to do this and make this work accessible. “We’re also really excited to be able to provide larger platforms for South Yorkshire queer artists and space for the LGBTQ+ community to come together and celebrate their resilience and joy.”  Tickets for A Reyt Queer Extravaganza will go on sale at the end of April. Featured image: Fotocad1

Sheffield duo raise thousands for Weston Park in charity bed push

Sheffield duo raise thousands for Weston Park in charity bed push

11:19am

Debbie Cundy, Life Coach and avid fundraiser for Weston Park Cancer Hospital, and her friend Richard Hepworth, owner of Air Environmental Ltd., pushed a hospital bed from the city centre to Endcliffe Park on Saturday afternoon. The bed push took just over two hours, starting at Sheffield Town Hall, travelling along St Mary’s Place and Ecclesall Road, finishing at Endcliffe Park at 2:30pm. Along their route, friends, family, and supporters of the Sheffield cancer charity joined them, holding collection boxes to collect donations from people on the streets. On route, travelling cars and buses pulled over to donate to the good cause. At present, the bed push has raised £4,285.07 for Weston Park. A final fundraising total will be released next week. There were two hospital beds at the fundraiser – a small and a large one. The large bed represented the adults being treated at Weston Park and the smaller bed with the teddy bear, symbolised children who have been diagnosed with cancer at the hospital.  “Weston Park is a fantastic charity and hospital. Unfortunately, we will all know someone affected by cancer. 50% of the population will be affected by cancer in our lifetime”, said Debbie.

Weston Park hospital beds ready for the bed push at Sheffield Town Hall

The children’s hospital bed pushed by Debbie and Richard was covered in personal messages from people who had donated to the fundraiser through the online donation page. The bedsheets and the teddy bear’s outfit were created by Julie Cann, a volunteer for the Weston Park Cancer Charity. The larger hospital bed was decorated with 50 Weston Park flags to represent 50 years of the hospital. This bed was voluntarily transported to Endcliffe Park to join the bed push fundraisers at the finish line by Vocon Traffic Management, who wanted to show their support for the cancer charity. Sharon Sleight, a proud wife, whose husband Mark Sleight had died from terminal cancer on Christmas Day 2021, joined the charity bed push. “Weston Park were just phenomenal. My husband was with them for his Chemotherapy. “The two things he said he was always frightened of was leaving me, because we had been married 32 years. The other was being in pain. Not once was he in pain and that was down to the doctors and nurses at Weston Park. “They were there for me as well as him and I can’t thank them enough.”

Sharon Sleight, who joined the bed push

Debbie had decided to run the fundraiser back in 2020 to celebrate Weston Park Cancer Hospital’s 50th birthday, but the pandemic put their plans on hold. This year, after talking to her friend Richard, they decided to go ahead with the event. “Weston Park is close to my heart. A very close friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer when he was 58. I watched him go from being six foot five and 20 stone to basically nothing. It was shocking to see him like this”, said Richard. “Places like Weston Park and the work they do is so important and we need to support them.” Richard sorted the logistics of the event, making sure the beds were equipped for the long journey. Debbie promoted the event through word of mouth and across social media. “I couldn’t have organised the event without Richard’s help. There were also many people behind the scenes, like Julie Cann, that helped to ensure the bed push ran smoothly”, Debbie said.

Debbie Cundy and Richard Hepworth at Sheffield Town Hall ready for the bed push

When the bed push event was finalised this year, Richard and Debbie reached out to Sheffield businesses for their support. Richard Smith, owner of The Eagle and Graze Inn on Ecclesall Road, put Weston Park collection boxes in his restaurant and pub ahead of the event. “I can only be inspired by the charitable commitment shown by Debbie Cundy. Her efforts for an amazing cause are truly notable. Cancer affects us all and Weston Park needs all our support and love.” said Richard. Debbie was thankful for the people of Sheffield’s support. “The generosity and support from the local people and businesses, whether that has been financially or supporting us with flyers or just their time, has been fabulous”, said Debbie.  “We’re in very challenging times at the moment and it’s fantastic that the people of South Yorkshire and the wider region dig deep they need to."

Pushing the children's hospital bed along Ecclesall Road to Endcliffe Park

Since Weston Park Cancer Hospital opened in the 70s, they have supported thousands patients and their families . Money raised through the bed push fundraiser will help the charity continue its research and clinical trials as well as support the patients diagnosed with cancer. Charlotte Swinhoe, The Fundraising Manager at Weston Park, said: “Debbie is such a valued supporter of Weston Park Cancer Charity, and her efforts have seen her take on many fundraising challenges from skydiving to hosting sunflower competitions. Her passion for the charity shines through, and we can't thank her enough for all that she continues to do. “Thanks to fundraisers like Debbie we can keep our promise that we will be there, together at every step, for anyone affected by cancer by providing vital services, advice, therapies, and support.  “Our help is free, and we’re here for you, together at every step - but only thanks to fundraisers like Debbie.”

Pushing the children's hospital bed along Ecclesall Road to Endcliffe Park

Debbie has been a fundraiser for Weston Park for 27 years. Her journey with Weston Park started when her work colleague’s son was diagnosed with cancer many years ago. Her office started raising funds for the charity through collection boxes, raffles, and cake sales.  Over the years, Debbie has taken part in charity cycle rides from London to Paris, across Welsh national parks, and cycled across Scotland. Before the pandemic, she took part in a skydiving fundraiser. In 27 years, Debbie has raised more than £30,000 for the cancer charity and in 2019 was awarded the Barbara Wragg Award, in the Sheffield Star’s Women of Sheffield Award, for her charity work.

Debbie Cundy, her son Jonathan and his partner Lucy Winkle outside Endcliffe Park

Debbie, said: “In my time of fundraising for Weston Park, I have lost family, close friends, and work colleagues to cancer. Everyone knows someone who has been diagnosed with cancer – that is my strong connection to the charity. “People say to me that the charity work I do is inspiring, but I think of the incredible people I have met over my years of fundraising and their stories. The patients are inspirational, but so are the fellow fundraisers, the cleaners and the catering staff and everyone else that works at the hospital. “Everyone plays a vital part in the hospital. They are all inspirational.” You can donate to the Weston Park fundraiser here.

Actor Greg Sestero to visit Sheffield for 19th Anniversary Screening of cult classic ‘The Room’

Actor Greg Sestero to visit Sheffield for 19th Anniversary Screening of cult classic ‘The Room’

11:05am

Actor and New York Times best-selling author Greg Sestero is coming to Sheffield for a 19th-anniversary screening and Q&A session on the cult classic 'The Room', alongside a screening of his new film, 'Miracle Valley'. It is being hosted by Film Unit, a student-led independent cinema located in the University of Sheffield's Students' Union. Loved for its quirky and offbeat dialogue, various unresolved plotlines and bizarre themes, 'The Room' was initially received very poorly by critics but has since become increasingly popular. On the topic of visiting Sheffield, Sestero said: "I have a lot of friends there, it's always absolutely beautiful. "I went up to Castleton last time and it's still some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen, so I'm very very stoked to be coming back. "Sheffield's always brought good memories over the years, it's a very excitable crowd and big support so I'm very excited." Often called the 'worst movie ever made', Sestero stars as Mark in 'The Room', the best friend of director and actor Tommy Wiseau's character, Johnny. But when Mark has an affair with Johnny's fiancée Lisa, 'nothing is the same'. Taking place in The University of Sheffield's Student Union Nelson Mandela Auditorium, the event will start at 7:00pm with a screening of Sestero's new horror film 'Miracle Valley', which follows an obsessive photographer and his girlfriend who are invited to a desert getaway in search of an ultra-rare bird. Sestero has written, starred and directed in his new film, which premiered back in October 2021 and has so far received positive reviews, with an overall IMDB rating of 6.8/10. When asked if he had been inspired by watching Tommy Wiseau direct, Sestero said: "The Room is something that's obviously been on for 20 years, which is amazing, and I've learnt the biggest thing is collaboration. "I think you've got to have a vision but then you also need to be able to articulate that to a team so everyone on set is involved and having fun." The screening will be one of Film Unit's first big events post-covid and the team are planning on making the screening fully interactive with all the typical The Room-screening traditions of spoon throwing, yelling in unison 'but he's my best friend!' and shouting "Sesterone!" whenever Sestero does something manly. Film Unit's Committee Chair, Gwynnie Naylor, 22, said of Sestero's visit: "We're really excited about this. We have some other big things going on, but nothing as high profile as this. "It's going to be very fun." At 8:30pm the live Q&A will then take place and Sestero will answer audience questions. This will then be followed by a 20 minute intermission, with the screening of 'The Room' starting at 9:05pm. The event will take place on Wednesday 6 May and tickets can be booked here.

Morning Briefing: Police action against protesters and parents anger at lack of school places

Morning Briefing: Police action against protesters and parents anger at lack of school places

10:55am

Good morning and welcome to today's coverage of Sheffield and South Yorkshire. Here's a quick look at some of the stories coming up today. There was police action against protesters yesterday in Sheffield City centre - who were demonstrating against Turkey's recent attacks on Kurdish positions in Northern Iraq. Parents on the Waverley estate in Rotherham have expressed their anger after their children were refused admission to Waverley Academy. The school was built to accommodate for children on the estate - but has a shortage of spaces. A protest is taking place this Saturday, outside City Hall, demanding a full ban of so-called 'conversion therapy' that protects transgender people, as a new law currently only covers those who are gay and bisexual. In sport, Barnsley Football Club sacked their manager Poya Asbaghi yesterday after the team was relegated from the Championship. And much more. Stay with us today as we bring you live coverage from across the region.            

Billy Sharp in focus: Sheffield United’s record-breaking captain

Billy Sharp in focus: Sheffield United’s record-breaking captain

10:11am

Ask any Sheffield United supporter what the name Billy Sharp means to them, and you’ll be met with a similar revering response. “He’s a Blade like us, and every goal he scores means as much to him as it does to us. There’s no player in my lifetime that compares with Billy,” is how diehard Sheffield United fan Hal puts it. Smashing new goal records with staggering regularity, Sharp can now be fully acknowledged as one of the most prolific goalscorers English football has seen in recent times. With the Blades captain currently locked in contract negotiations with Sheffield United bosses as the club vies to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, it seems as good a time as ever to delve deeper into his achievements in the red-and-white and what he truly means to United's supporters. The fan on the pitch A Sheffield lad born and bred, Billy Sharp is the quintessential local sporting hero. An academy graduate at Sheffield United, the 36-year-old has represented his boyhood club on three separate occasions in a career which has seen him score goals in each of the top four divisions in English football. Billy Sharp is currently ranked 9th in Sheffield United’s all-time leading goalscorer standings on 115 goals, just two behind former Blades striker Jimmy Hagan.

Hal, co-host of the multi-award-winning podcast and YouTube channel Sheff United Way, says Sharp has played out every Blades supporter’s dream. “He’s like me in that he’s a Sheffield United fan, and like me he dreamed of playing for Sheffield United. Unlike me, he had the ability,” Hal outlines.
A player who seems to thrive off the energy of the crowd, both adulatory and hostile, Sharp’s humility may be best observed from his Twitter bio which reads as – “I’m just that fat lad from Sheffield.” For Jason Holyhead, freelance writer and author of Sheffield United book Ain’t Got a Barrel of Money, there is something extra special about celebrating Billy Sharp goals at Bramall Lane. Jason says: “I think the atmosphere when he scores is better than for anyone else. When everybody’s singing ‘we’ve got Billy Sharp’ and he’s getting abuse off the away fans and things like this. “He plays up to all that. He’s a good character is our Billy,” he adds.  
Billy the bagsman “You know, on paper, if you were just to write down what Billy is good at, you might not sign him,” Hal quips. Standing at 5ft 9in tall and not blessed with blistering pace, it is in the mind where Billy Sharp has found an advantage over his opponents over the years. A terrific striker of the ball with both feet, Sharp has the golden knack of being in the right place at the right time and pouncing on any loose ball in or around the box. He is not just a ‘fox in the box’ as is widely perceived, however. With seven Championship assists to his name so far this season, the Blades’ number 10 is also adept at linking the play and creating chances for his teammates. Hal goes on to describe Billy Sharp as the master of simplicity. He says: “Billy doesn’t score world-class free kicks, he doesn’t do these sorts of ridiculous Rabona moves and stuff like that. What he does do is the simple things exceptionally well, and then there’s occasional moments of sheer brilliance.”  
Becoming the Championship’s all-time leading goalscorer in January of this year, notching his 122nd goal in English football’s second tier at London Road against Peterborough, the Blades skipper’s reputation as one of the country’s sharpest shooters was further crystallised. For James Ray, writer for the72.co.uk and Football League expert, it is Sharp’s longevity which sets him apart from other distinguished Championship hitmen of the past. “There’s being able to do it for a couple of seasons and then there’s being able to do it your entire career and into your mid-30s,” James underlines.
It appears as though Sharp’s lack of natural physical advantages has allowed him to cast an almost evergreen football figure, having now scored professional goals across three decades. “Billy’s the same speed now as he was when he was 18. So it shouldn’t make any difference as he’s never been about knocking the ball past the defender and running around him. That’s never been his game,” Hal remarks.
What next? Describing Sharp as a “future manager in waiting”, Hal believes Sharp will eventually become the latest Blades supporter to find a place in the Bramall Lane managerial hotseat, after the likes of Micky Adams, Neil Warnock and Chris Wilder before him. With regards to his legacy at the club, Jason believes the local lad’s influence will remain felt long after he decides to hang up his boots. Jason says: “I think his legacy will be that he is 100% Blade. I don’t like to use the word legend but he will be if he’s not already. If you did a survey on whether or not there should be a statute of him in [Bramall Lane] car park most fans would say yes.” With Sharp’s contract situation still as of yet unresolved, and the division in which the Blades will compete in next season undetermined, his future at Sheffield United appears uncertain. One thing is for sure, Sheffield United supporters are best served to cherish their local hero’s goalscoring exploits whilst they still can. Who knows what the future holds, but a statue with the tagline “I’m just that fat lad from Sheffield” outside Bramall Lane, immortalising his achievements at the club, would be more than deserved for Billy Sharp.

Sheffield Council’s removal of library fines for late books causes concern

Sheffield Council’s removal of library fines for late books causes concern

4:27pm

The public have responded with concern towards Sheffield libraries becoming fully "fine free" arguing that the "incentive" of a fine is important in ensuring the safe return of books and other library materials. Fines were initially suspended until March 31st in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but now, following Sheffield Council's announcement last week, they will be permanently waived. Any books taken out or returned will no longer incur fines and historic fees will also be removed. The move aims to encourage more people to join and use one of Sheffield's 15 libraries, make them more accessible and help communities recover from the pandemic, by allowing those who may have a book from before the pandemic to return their books and use the library again without the worry of having to pay the fine. Sheffield resident Calvin Payne said of the removal of the fines: "I never take my library book back late, I think its one of the most unsociable things to do, considering how easy it is to join and how much you can get for free and how much service they provide." "I really think there should be fines for it, because I think those fines end up contributing to the income for the library- I'm not quite sure why there'd be a reason for not having fines as an incentive and I don't think it will make an awful lot of difference anyway to people who use the library regularly- you do occasionally see the person running up a 10 pound fine or something because they haven't returned it for ages-  but I really can't see the upside of it. "I just love the library, it's the one place you're completely trusted to look after the things you borrow, nowhere else would let you do that. Some of the things you can borrow I imagine with DVDs and audio books could rack up quite a big cost if they're taken." With ID, adults can borrow up to 15 books including audio books, 5 items of recorded music and 5 DVDs. In contrast, Jack Wyatt, student from Sheffield Hallam University felt the removal of fines was a positive development, and said: "I think that's encouraging, I know a lot of people especially younger people who would feel anxious about handing in something late." "Obviously there's a lot of uni students and they get a lot of deadlines and stuff so I think encouraging people by saying like oh it's okay if you want to hand that in later or still take the mick doing it- we don't need corporal punishment for these things, its a book at the end of the day." Sheffield Libraries still encourage library materials to be brought back on time or renewed but if items are not returned within 60 days after their due date, they are considered lost and a replacement fee is still charged.