Borrowing Ace: Meet the Meersbrook man lending out his dog
A man in Meersbrook has used the power of social media to help look after his fun-loving Border Collie and find a dog-friendly place to live. Piotr Obuchowski was struggling to balance the demands of raising a puppy and his job as a delivery driver on his own. Mr Obuchowski said: “The most important thing in [Ace’s] life is to play outside. “He always wants to say hello to everyone and he likes to watch how other dogs play." This made things difficult in the beginning of their time alone together as Mr Obuchowski had to figure out how to juggle a job as a delivery driver and life with a very social, fun-loving dog. “I started to take him to work with me”, said Mr Obuchowksi. “But I quickly realised it wasn't the way. It was actually a bad experience for both of us, but especially for Ace because he didn’t take well to travelling."
Mr Obuchowski and his eight-month-old Border Collie, Ace.
Ace didn't take well to travelling.
Ace enjoying time in the park.
“The most important thing in [Ace’s] life is to play outside.”
Sheffield primary school sends donations to Poland for Ukrainian refugees
Pupils, families, and teachers from a Sheffield primary school have been donating nappies, sanitary products, and prams for Ukrainian refugees this morning.
Meersbrook Bank Primary School in Sheffield filled three vans worth of essential goods which are now on their way to a warehouse on John Street, Sheffield, before being driven to the Poland-Ukraine border.
Lila Gray, aged nine, said she wanted to donate to families fleeing the Russian invasion to help them keep warm when they cross the border. She said: "I feel like I'm stuck in a school whilst they have to abandon their school because their houses are being bombed. It's awful."
Matthew Brown, Emma Gray, and David Hedley are driving vans to the warehouse this morning
Scarlett, aged eight, shows the ribbon she made for Meersbrook Bank Primary School's gate
Police release CCTV following criminal damage in Sheffield
South Yorkshire Police have released CCTV footage of man who they would like to speak in connection to a report of criminal damage. On 1 March at around 10pm, it is reported that the victim was in her car on Upper Allen Street, when an unknown man approached her car and smashed a window with a baseball bat. The victim fled the scene and alerted a nearby police officer of the incident. The investigation is ongoing, but police want to speak to the man in the CCTV image, as he may be able to assist them in their enquiries. If you recognise the man and are able to help, please call 101 quoting incident number 1044 of 1 March.
Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp in hamstring injury scare
Sheffield United have been left sweating over the fitness of captain and top scorer Billy Sharp after the striker pulled up with a hamstring injury during the second half of the Blades’ 2-0 win over Barnsley at Bramall Lane on Saturday. Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom confirmed Sharp will receive a scan later on this week to reveal the extent of the damage. He said: “The only plus I can take from it at the minute is Bill’s experienced enough to know his body, so he knew it was a muscle injury, and stopped straight away.” The Sheffield United manager will be praying the injury will not sideline his key man for the remaining eight games of the Championship season. “It’s got time to settle down. He’ll do nothing in the next 48 hours. He’ll be icing it and relaxing. We’ll get the scan later on in the week then take it from there”, Heckingbottom added. Sheffield United’s skipper has contributed with a total of 14 goals and seven assists in the league this season. He also became the Championships’s all-time leading goalscorer in January of this year, notching his 122nd goal in the second tier of English football at London Road against Peterborough to elevate himself above David Nugent into top spot. Sheffield United will return to Championship action after the international break away to Stoke City on Saturday 2nd April.
Construction begins on Fargate development of shops, cafes and a big screen
The council's £300,000 project to rejuvenate "Sheffield's dying city centre" begins, with plans for more shops, seating, cafes, a big screen and toilets. The 462 square metre venue in Fargate begins construction outside the town hall today and will be completed in a few weeks.
Aad Architects impression of the development.
The development will be built on the junction between Surrey Street and Leopold Street.
The development will include shops, bars and restaurants.
Sheffield Council launch school attendance charter
Sheffield Council have launched the first ever city-wide school attendance charter. The charter marks a commitment to improving school attendance across the city through a number of pledges promoting the benefits of school life. Sheffield City Council announced this initiative in cooperation with their partners Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield Children’s NHS Trust Foundation and Sheffield’s NHS CCG. Labour councillor Jayne Dunn, Executive Member for Education, Children and Families, praised the scheme and its benefits for young people. She said: "School days can be the best days of our children's lives, and every school day really does matter. "We know the last couple of years have been tough for families and we want to help children make the most of their school day." The pledges range across a number of areas, such as making sure the right support is available for parents and children to attend school, and championing the benefits of good school attendance. More information can be found on the Every School Day Matters website.
Sheffield United down South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley to boost play-offs hopes
Sheffield United have climbed back into the Championship play-offs places after Paul Heckingbottom’s men secured an all-important three points in a 2-0 victory against local foes Barnsley at Bramall Lane. Sander Berge and Morgan Gibbs-White were on the scoresheet as the Blades ended a five-match winless run in the league to conclude the day in 5th position in the Championship table and pile more misery on the relegation threatened Barnsley. In a goalless first half it was the 22nd placed visitors who first threatened to open the scoring, with midfielder Matty Wolfe forcing an outstanding low save from Wes Foderingham with a half-volley inside the area. The hosts’ best effort in the opening period came courtesy of defender Jack Robinson, whose left-foot drive outside the box sizzled just wide of Bradley Collins’ left-hand post. After a disappointing first half, the Blades re-emerged from the half-time break with clear added impetus, and it did not take long for them to get their noses in front. Oliver Norwood’s cleverly taken quick free kick set Conor Hourihane free down the left-hand side with the Irishman’s whipped cross bundled over the line by Sander Berge at the back post to give United the lead in the 54th minute. There was cause for concern for United on 65 minutes, however, as inspirational captain Billy Sharp was forced to be replaced through injury by academy graduate Daniel Jebbison. Despite this setback the Blades were able to maintain their composure, and doubled their lead in the 76th minute after substitute Oli McBurnie deftly scooped the ball over the Barnsley backline towards Morgan Gibbs-White who coolly rounded Collins in the Barnsley goal before sliding into the net to seal the points for his team.
Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom paid tribute to the collective spirit amongst his players and expressed his delight in signing off for the international break with a victory. He said: “They all need credit. We’ve had players playing out of position, players putting themselves forward who aren’t 100% fit. “I think it was only fitting that we signed off with a win today and now we get ready for the final eight games.”Sander & MGW on target. 😍
The goals that sealed the win against Barnsley this afternoon. 👇⚔️pic.twitter.com/CHLAtopJNM — Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) March 19, 2022
Sheffield United will resume their Championship campaign away at Stoke City on Saturday 2nd April after the international break."Delighted in the end. It has been a long slog."
Paul Heckingbottom reacts to the Blades 2-0 win at the Lane. 👊⚔️ — Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) March 19, 2022
Sheffield Wednesday stutter to draw at lowly Gillingham
For the second time in a week Sheffield Wednesday were held to a disappointing draw in League One, with lowly Gillingham proving a tough nut to crack in a goalless draw at Priestfield Stadium on Saturday. The away side had the lion’s share of the possession, but it was the Gills who had the better scoring opportunities across the match. The best chance of the first half fell to Gillingham striker Vadain Oliver, who failed to convert from close range after Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the Wednesday goal had spilled QPR loanee Charlie Kelman’s long distance effort. The Gills went close again in the second period after some indecision at the back from Wednesday’s Sam Hutchinson almost allowed Charlie Kenman to profit, with the Gills striker just unable to slide the ball past Peacock-Farrell from inside the area. Inspirational Owls captain Barry Bannan tried his best to make the breakthrough for his side, with a left-footed effort from outside the box almost squirming past Aaron Chapman in goal for Gillingham before firing another decent effort from range just over the bar. The 3,500 strong travelling Wednesday support must have thought their team had won it when Lee Gregory fired the ball past Chapman from close range in the 83rd minute, only for Jack Tucker to save the day for Gillingham with a heroic goal-line block with Saido Berahino lurking just behind him. The result leaves the Owls hanging on to their place in the play-offs by a thread, whilst Neil Harris’ Gillingham side were able to climb out of the relegation zone. The Owls still have their play-offs destiny firmly in their own hands with eight matches remaining, however, with Cheltenham Town up next at Hillsborough next Saturday. Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore was left frustrated with his side’s inability to find a way to goal. He said: “The onus was on us to come and try and win the game whilst not conceding something stupid by overcommitting too many bodies forward and them getting a breakaway goal. It didn’t materialise like that."
The Owls gaffer went on to salute the Wednesday faithful for their unrelenting away support. “It’s fabulous. I always ask the secretary the numbers we are bringing away from home and it’s great to see 3,500 come here today. I was just desperate to get the win today to send them back up north with the three points in the bag,” Moore said.🗣️ Post-match reaction from manager Darren Moore at Priestfield#GILSHW
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) March 19, 2022
Morning Briefing: varsity, van thefts, cute animals and fundraisers.
Good morning from sunny Sheffield. Here's a quick glance at what we will be covering today... A 13-year-old stole a Covid testing van and crashed it into another vehicle in the early hours of Sunday morning. A dog owner in Meersbrook is sharing Ace the Border Collie with the community who can borrow this doggie. Three Billy Goats Gruff: Heeley City Farm welcomes a rare female trio into the world. The foundations are being laid for a £40m Fargate revamp taking the form of a shipping container shopping complex. Meersbrook Bank Primary school are donating essential items for Ukrainian children- a Barnsley man with a van is taking supplies to the Polish border today. Will Sheffield be Black and Gold? The Sheffield Varsity kicks off today with cycling and trampolining!
Sheffield searches for talented blind footballers with new initiative
A new scheme for blind footballers of all abilities is hoping to produce future England players after it kicks off this Saturday. The Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme will help deliver the B1 programme which will include high quality training sessions from Sheffield Wednesday staff and aims to give new opportunities for blind and visually impaired people to try football. The scheme is hoped to produce future England disability players and one volunteer has already been scouted by coaches in the lead up to the initiative. Julie Callaghan, Disability and Inclusion Football Development Officer at Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA, said: “It’s about realisation of dreams, to be able to play at that level.” “We had a volunteer turn up and one of the England Blind coaches identified them as a blind footballer that could play for England within the next 12-months, with work. He could be a role model in Sheffield for future young players in Sheffield.”
The initiative is in partnership with Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA, Sheffield Royal Society for The Blind, and Yorkshire Sport Foundation and will feature a non-contact version of blind football. Ms Callaghan said: “There’s nothing in the South Yorkshire corridor for blind football so this is quite massive really, to fill a gap to give an opportunity for male and female players that want to play football.” The sessions will take place outside at Tapton Community Sport Centre, and kicks off this Saturday with a free turn up and play session from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Sessions will continue to run on a Saturday at the same time on the dates shown below costing £3 per session and £24 for all ten. Session Dates: March 19th – free turn up and play session. April 23rd May 7th, 14th and 21st June 11th, 18th and 25th July 2nd, 9th and 16thAhead of the launch of our new #BlindFootball initiative, Project B1. This Saturday our coaches were down giving it a go themselves 🦉⚽
Read more here: 👇https://t.co/56meXoVx5n@SHCFA @SheffCouncil #sheffield #community #swfc #wawa pic.twitter.com/UdMbS2mOpN — SWFC Community Programme (@SWFCCP) March 14, 2022
Valiant Knights defeat Cornish Pirates in fiery contest
The Doncaster Knights got a bonus-point win against the Cornish Pirates in a feisty final home game. The Knights won 22-15. They scored all four of their tries in the first half, and were then forced to defend their lead despite a comeback from their opposition.The first try was scored by George Edgson after a driving maul. Lock John Kelly scored the second. Thom Smith scored the third try after short repeated phases and Edgson took his second try before the closing of the first half. Fly-half Sam Olver had a tough day on the tee as he was only able to convert one of the Knight's tries. There was a humorous moment in the game after his first successful kick of the day, as Olver good-naturedly turned to the main stand and gave a laugh and a shrug, in acknowledgement of his misfortune in regards to conversions.
The Pirates received many penalties and two yellow cards in as many minutes. They scored two tries, the first came after they moved the ball quickly off their rolling maul to send Matt Bolwell over, with the score converted by Arwell Robson. Their second was scored in the second half. The Knights seemed to be expecting a rolling maul off the lineout, but the Pirates popped the ball out quickly to Josh Caulfield, allowing the forward to bound over. The try was not converted.𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙖𝙮! ⚔️
That feeling when you realise it's the last Knights home league game of the season. pic.twitter.com/ED8RylSh9o — Doncaster Knights 🏉 (@DoncasterKnight) March 12, 2022
Tempers flared and the two teams had to be separated from one another on a few occasions. Firstly, on the half-time marker before the knights scored their fourth try, and also in the second half after Knights player Maliq Holden received an ankle tap which knocked him to the ground, and resulted in him leaving the pitch. The confrontation and shoving, which came after Maliq's injury, resulted in the referee overturning a penalty which would have gone to Pirates. It was a tense affair at the end of the game as the Knights were forced to defend on their line in extra-time. However, penalties got the better of the Pirates, who were unable to capitalise on the opportunity presented to them. The Knights are still top of the league.𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙎𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙨 📸
Some of our favourite moments from yesterday's bonus point win in the spring sunshine at Castle Park. pic.twitter.com/MX2EPgSlvQ — Doncaster Knights 🏉 (@DoncasterKnight) March 13, 2022
https://youtu.be/UqY5YhjlOA4
Sheffield Steelers organise shirt-raffle to support player’s Ukrainian family
The Sheffield Steelers have organised a raffle to help Martin Latal's extended family survive war-torn Ukraine. Martin's wife, Iryna, is Ukrainian and her family had to flee from Ukraine due to the bombing. 11 of her family members fled to the Latals' family hometown of Mladá Boleslav. Martin decided to look after his wife’s family and rented an apartment, paid for clothes, heating, and food without asking for anything in return. The Steelers, upon being made aware of the situation, asked Martin if they could help by raising funds to look after the family's "immediate care and future requirements." The club is raffling off Martin’s white away shirt from the weekend’s games in Belfast. The funds raised from the raffle are being donated to Martin and his family. The winner of the raffle will also receive tickets to Sheffield Steeler's next home game against Manchester Storm on the 27th March where Martin will present the winner with his shirt after the game. The Steelers put out a statement in which they said: "Sheffield, the Latal family need the help of Hockey’s biggest family at this terrible time. We hope that once again we can ask for your support." The raffle will run until 9.00pm on Tuesday evening.