Morning Briefing: Sheffield ‘Jump for Ukraine’, South Yorkshire to host UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and other news
Good Morning from Sheffield Wire, here's what stories are coming up today. Rotherham and Sheffield to host the largest women's football event in UEFA history. Sheffield trampoline park, Jump Inc, "Jump for Ukraine" in efforts to raise money for Ukrainian children. The Yorkshire 'Speak Their Name' project to create a quilt designed by local people who have been bereaved to suicide. A Sheffield student stranded in Spain after being beaten up and having his passport stolen. The Sheffield half marathon took place over the weekend. And much more to come.
‘Outrageous’ plans to build apartment block would ‘greatly decrease’ quality of life in Crookes, say residents
The Crookes community has launched efforts to oppose the plans, which would see 13 flats and three retail units built on Cobden View Road. This is the third time the local community has come together to object to planning applications on the site. The area used to be a community garden managed by nearby St Timothy's church but has been empty for two years, attracting anti-social behaviour and becoming an eye-sore for the local community. Councillor Ruth Milsom said: "It was heart-breaking to watch the destruction of what had been a much loved and valued community garden. "But the strength of feeling of the local community, and it's readiness to act, remain steadfast. A cynical tactic of the developer is to argue that rejecting their plans for tiny rabbit hutch apartments would rob the area of much needed new builds." When the first planning applications was submitted the community applied for the site to be a designated Village Green with the support of MP Olivia Blake and many local councillors. Such green spaces, says local resident Jane Monach, 77, are "little jewels" for the local community. John Vose, who lives directly opposite the proposed flats said: "The plans are outrageous. The monster building would greatly decrease my quality of life. "The people who lived next door already sold their house and moved away." Locals say the building would block light from reaching their homes, decrease their privacy, increase congestion, and make crossing the road unsafe. They also claim that parking, already an issue in the area, would be made increasingly difficult. Previous plans for 18 flats were denied after they failed to meet national space standards. The revised plans will provide 11 two bedroom and two one bedroom apartments with three retail units. These will not be used for food and drink outlets. Some have questioned the need for more outlets after the closure of two popular stores, Fulton's Foods and Priceless, due to rising rent prices. Hopeful local councillor Minesh Parekh, said: "There are many areas in Crookes which are vacant and can be redeveloped. "There are many other things that can be done to increase footfall for Crookes which will have better social impact for the area like subsidised public transport." To read more about the plans or to share comments and objections, click here.
Sheffield Varsity Trampolining Competition Returns in 2022
Sheffield's Varsity Trampolining competition made a triumphant return at the weekend, with Sheffield Hallam securing victory over the University of Sheffield by 24 points to 18. Ben Green, duty manager of Sheffield Sport, said students have been really excited to have Varsity back. He said: “It’s great to see all the competitions going ahead with Varsity, particularly after the time that our students and our athletes have had to wait for this opportunity. This is their first chance to compete for their university in the Varsity due to the pandemic that we've had for the past couple of years. “Everybody has impressed me, to be honest. The skills and the abilities that everybody's showing through here and Hallam is absolutely phenomenal.”
University of Sheffield supporters at the Goodwin Centre cheering on their Trampolining team. (Image by https://studiok.photography/
An athlete from SHU shows off their moves in the air. Image by My website is https://studiok.photography/
Sheffield’s ground-breaking solar solution to boost crops in East Africa
A successful trial, dubbed as ‘harvesting the sun twice’, found growing crops beneath solar panels resulted in larger plants and reduced water. The concept, known as agrivoltaics, enabled a farm in Kenya to grow cabbages 21% larger than usual. A researcher on the project from the University of Sheffield, Dr Richard Randle-Boggis, 33, said the long and short-term benefits of the new solution to crop growth were innumerable. He said one of the key pros was the system provided low carbon electricity. Dr Randle-Boggis continued: “Another long term benefit is potential for climate change and resilience because the solar panels reduce daytime air temperatures and UV damage and water loss. "As the climate is changing and rainfall becomes more unpredictable and temperature is increasing, then solar panels could help abate those more extreme conditions then in an open field system.” He said the project has been met with exceptionally good reviews across the board. However, it was not always received in such a way. When Dr Randle-Boggis first presented the project to farms in East Africa he was met with questions as to how it would be beneficial for them.
Photo of the farmers with Dr. Richard in Kenya. Photo credit: Chloride Exide ltd.
14 arrested in county lines drug raids
In a national 'week of action' South Yorkshire Police have arrested 13 men and one woman, targeting county lines drug gangs and child exploitation. County lines refers to the transportation of illegal drugs from one area to another, often urban to rural, and across police force boundaries. Detective Inspector Ben Wood, who led the operation, said: “National weeks of action like this are so important for us to shine a light on issues around child exploitation and county lines." In these criminal operations, drugs are frequently transported and sold by children, who gangs have coerced. Gangs sometimes take over vulnerable adults' homes as bases to deal drugs from, which is known as 'cuckooing'. Raids carried out across South Yorkshire led to police seizing over £1,000 worth of crack cocaine and £157,000 worth of cannabis. Across the week, police visited three properties believed to be cuckooed and put safeguarding in place for residents. Det Insp Wood continued: “We know how devastating this type of crime can be to families and communities across South Yorkshire. "Although this week was around disrupting county lines activity, we have also been raising awareness of child exploitation. Everybody has a role to play in spotting the signs a child might be exploited, through drug running, money laundering or sexually.” As well as action targeting criminal activity, SYP engaged with an adult and 12 children who had been identified as being at risk of being exploited. Officers also visited schools to help raise awareness of the risks of county lines. DI Wood added: "Although the week of action for county lines is now over, our work to disrupt this is far from over. We have dedicated teams that will continue every day to make South Yorkshire safer for everyone.” More information about county lines and how to spot exploitation can be found at County Lines - National Crime Agency
Rare female triplet goats born at Heeley City Farm
A golden Guernsey goat gave birth to an extremely rare set of all-female triplets on International Women's Day. Sarah Wild, the Animal Manager at Heeley City Farm said: "It is just unbelievable. We are really proud of this farm and what it has done." Heeley City Farm welcomed the trio into the world on the 14 March and are yet to name the whole clan.
Sarah Wild, Animal Manager at Heeley City Farm
Calum Brown earns victory for Sheffield Hallam in thrilling Cross-Country Cycling Varsity contest
It was Sheffield Hallam who came out on top in the Varsity Cross-Country Cycling on Sunday afternoon, with alumnus Calum Brown racing home first in stunning fashion. On a beautiful day at Parkwood Springs, Brown was able to edge out University of Sheffield rivals Kieran Savage and Ollie Maynard in second and third place respectively to secure 0.5 points for Hallam in the Varsity competition. Racing four laps of the course, Brown posted an impressive finish time of 34:00:63. Savage was next over the line at 34:21:22, with third placed Maynard hot on his heels with a time of 34:27:88.
The Varsity race was very hotly contested, with each rider giving their all for their university team.
Brown (centre) pictured alongside the other eight finishers in the Varsity race.
From Shanghai to Sheffield: Guanyu Zhou makes Formula 1 debut
After starting his racing career in Sheffield, Guanyu Zhou drove in his first Formula 1 world championship race yesterday. The 22-year-old racing driver, who has been signed with Alfa Romeo for his debut season, is originally from Shanghai but moved to Sheffield in 2012 to pursue competitive racing. He began his British career with Strawberry Racing UK, a Sheffield based racing company and team, where he won multiple titles before being scouted by the Ferrari Driver Academy. Guanyu Zhou said: “I dreamt from a young age of climbing as high as I can in a sport that I am passionate about and now the dream has come true. “It is a privilege for me to start my Formula 1 racing career with an iconic team, a team that has introduced so much young talent into Formula 1 in the past. Now the dream is reality.” While in Sheffield, he attended Westbourne school and Birkdale school, racing in his spare time.
Guanyu Zhou at Woodbourne school.
New petition demands tougher sentences for domestic abusers
A Sheffield woman has started a new petition to give tougher sentences to domestic abusers. Currently there is no specific criminal offence of 'domestic abuse' - although crimes committed in cases in cases of domestic abuse include harassment, sexual assault and false imprisonment. Victoria Miguel - the creator of the petition - said in her change.org post that: "Sentences [that] domestic abusers are given are too low". A new domestic violence law targeting 'coercive control' was began in 2015, which sought to target actions of 'serious harm or distress' that would otherwise go unpunished. However, the maximum sentence for this is five years in prison. In South Yorkshire, 65% of legal decisions resulted in a charge for domestic abuse related crimes in 2020 - according to a report from the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner. The average across England and Wales was 73%. Ms Miguel said: "Some [offenders are] receiving quite low sentences for horrific crimes - domestic abuse is rarely a one-off incident, it is likely to become more frequent and serious the longer it continues". 34,864 incidents related to domestic abuse were recorded in South Yorkshire by police in the same year - which is around 25 instances per 1000 people. The petition can be found at Petition · Tougher sentences for domestic abuses · Change.org
Sheffield Hatters legend dies leaving family superstars to carry on her legacy
Basketball legend Betty Codona has sadly died aged 83 after dedicating 60 years to inspiring thousands of basketball players across the world. The grandmother was titled the 'Queen of Basketball' by many after dedicating her life to women’s equality within sports. The Sheffield Hatters coach founded the first women’s basketball club in 1961 and was later awarded an OBE for her services in sport in 1998.
Betty receiving an award. Image credit: @hatters_bc Instagram
Betty and her team. Image credit: @hatters_bc Instagram
Betty and her family. Image credit: @hatters_bc Instagram
Betty winning an award. Image credit: @hatters_bc Instagram
Fleetwood 0 – 0 Doncaster: Rovers held to stalemate by fellow League One strugglers
Doncaster had to settle for a point at Fleetwood Town in a draw which does little for either side's chances of avoiding the drop.
A game of low quality typified both team's seasons as clear-cut opportunities were few and far between.
Rovers came into the game on the back of a five-game loss streak, while Fleetwood are the league's lowest scorers.
Neither keeper was fully tested all afternoon as Cian Hayes came closest for the home side, firing just over early on.
Rovers' best chance came just before the break as Jordy Hiwula's effort from outside the box was saved by Kieran O'Hara.
Fans took to Twitter to complain about the display and looming relegation.
South Yorkshire Police charge two with drug and weapon offences after Batemoor drugs raid
South Yorkshire Police have charged two people with drug and weapons offences after a drugs raid in the Batemoor area of Sheffield last week. Yasher Haji Ferhadi, 22, and Lauren Murphy, 26, both of Whinacre Place were arrested under suspicion of possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine and possession of an offensive weapon. The pair were charged with the offences on Thursday 17 March after Police discovered substantial quantities of class A drugs on the Batemoor street the previous day. Both appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court on Friday 18 March and have been remanded in custody until Tuesday 19 April when they will appear at Sheffield Crown Court. Detective Sergeant James Dyson, from the Operation Fortify team, said: “Drugs are not welcome in our communities and I am pleased that as a result of this activity, we have seized a large quantity of class A drugs that were otherwise destined for our streets. “If you have any information or concerns relating to drugs in your area, please report it.”