‘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.
“Healing through connection”: Sheffield amateur football team to hold mental health training event
A Sheffield football club that supports disconnected young men battling through addiction is launching a mental health training course held by Helping Hands Training Specialists as part of their celebration of on-field success.
Futures FC are a mental health friendly amateur football team that support young men who feel disconnected with their community and may be experiencing mental health issues.
The team was founded by Phil Carr, who had suffered from substance abuse for 32 years. He believes the constant theme of his battle with addiction was that he was "disconnected from society".
Mr Carr, who has become a psychotherapist with his own practice in the last five years, labelled the main ethos of his team as "healing through connection".
He said: "In reconnecting through Futures FC, I started to reconnect with other people. I began to believe in myself more."
Alongside being a celebration of the team's achievements, both on and off the field, the event on December 10 will be a fundraiser with a free mental health awareness training course.
The course, provided by Sheffield's Helping Hands, will help members of the community to understand conditions such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with the ultimate goal of getting young men to speak more about their mental health.
Victoria Crook, an director for HHTS, told Sheffield Wire that speaking about mental health is still very much a taboo for young men in South Yorkshire.
She said: "Men are always told not to cry, not to be sensitive, you can't talk about your feelings.
"We're trying to break that stigma, we say it is okay to talk when you are struggling."
Alongside mental health training, the event will include a performance from local musician Harrison Rimmer and an exhibition from artist Euphoric Recall.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to further fund the work of Futures FC, who recently secured funding from the National Lottery via Sport England for their excellent work with mental health.
Further information about the event can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-futures-fc-and-mental-health-awareness-tickets-474592588207
Stars return for first sold-out showing of 80s Manor documentary
A Sheffield cinema played host to a raucous audience who enjoyed a documentary about life on a city estate, with its stars returning to see it 35 years after it was filmed.
On The Manor, which initially aired on Yorkshire Television in 1987, was brought to the big screen for the first time last night by Showroom Cinema and the Yorkshire and North East Film Archive in a sell-out event.
The showing was attended by current residents from the Manor area of the city, Manor Castle councillor Anne Murphy, and some of the relatives and stars who feature in the film.
Darrell Longden was one such person, as her mother Betty Holden features in the documentary.
She said: “It was brilliant to see her in the film. There were parts on there that I’ve never seen, so it was brilliant.”
On The Manor follows the lives of its residents during a period of high unemployment and poverty across Sheffield following the collapse of the steel industry.
Throughout the film laughter and cheers erupted from the audience as relatives, friends, and old locations like The Springwood pub appeared on screen.
Ryan Finnigan, programming assistant at Showroom Cinema, said: “It was everything we hoped for, lots of people who had lots of memories from the Manor and lots of emotion for people that have passed.
“It was very different to screenings as we normally have them - a lot more swearing and a lot more shouting out, but we really appreciate that people could share their memories and recognise things on screen.”
The loudest cheer of the night undoubtedly came when Terence ‘Troggy’ Ashton (pictured above), a local legend known around the Manor area for his personalised wheelbarrow, came to the front at the end of the screening.
Patrick Ismay, who can be seen in the film performing karaoke at The Springwood, said: “It was great seeing Troggy again!
“We knew he was going to get the best reception of the night, all those years, everyone knew Troggy.”
Mr Ismay said it was weird to see himself and his late father on the big screen.
He added: “It was nice to see myself with a bit of black hair and a black moustache.”
The cinema was packed full of not just those related to the film but regular cinema-goers as well.
Mrs Longden said: “I didn't expect so many people to come to be honest, but I think we should do more of these things.
“I’d love to come and see more of these sorts of films.”
Despite initially being scheduled as a one-night only screening, last night's success means On The Manor is now set to be shown again in January.
New cohousing community to start building work on Sheffield site
Building work is due to start on a housing project in Sheffield, where around 35 people will live on a shared patch of land.
Members of Five Rivers Cohousing will share a common house, the grounds and even cars on the site in Wisewood on the edge of the Loxley Valley.
But they'll have also have their own flat for a bit of privacy.
The soon-to-be neighbours plan to cook together a few times a week, and engage in community activities.
Five Rivers member Ben Bowman said the community feel is what drew him to the project, especially after how isolating he found the pandemic.
"Life is really hard in this country right now, and cohousing is about thinking how we can support each other," he said. It's about how we can be welcoming and sharing and supportive in hard times.
"I'm really excited about building that community."
Fellow member Jill Angood explained how the emphasis on sharing resources will help residents.
"We have a climate crisis, and we have a cost of living crisis. Sharing helps both of those things," she said.
"If we have a laundry, we don't all need separate washing machines. We can share that equipment, and that would save money.
"There's definitely an expectation that we will share cars. So that means that people can share the expense of having and insuring one.
"It's about not buying loads of stuff that duplicates what my neighbours have."
She said the project was a counterpoint to a "broken housing market where lots of people makes loads of money from housing, and then lots of people can't get housing."
"The private rental market is shockingly irregulated," she said. "There are good landlords, but there are an awful lot of situations where people are insecure.
"So part of what cohousing is about is being good landlords for each other, and for the property we own.
Cohousing projects have been around since the 1960s in Denmark, but are relatively rare in the UK.
Five Rivers will follow in the footsteps of a handful of such initiatives in Sheffield. These include On the Brink Cohousing in Brincliffe and Shirle Hill in Nether Edge.
The Artist Taxi Driver returns to Sheffield for his third art exhibition at Cole’s Corner
An innovative artist known for his YouTube media reviews and artwork on newspaper will be hosting an in-person version with Sheffield Hallam's MP this weekend.
The Artist Taxi Driver, aka Mark McGowan, will return to Cole's Corner on Abbeydale Road for an exhibition and newspaper review with Olivia Blake.
Nicole Jewitt, owner of Cole's Corner, 46, mentioned how her independent record shop and café built a relationship with Mark after one of his art pieces caught the eye of several customers.
She said: "It started with a print that somebody bought me when we first opened the shop, which was a small pigeon, that says, Still Hate Thatcher.
"We put it in our toilet when we first opened the bar and I'd say about 50 people asked me if they could buy it within the first few months of us being there and that's why I got in touch with Mark."
Mr McGowan's previous visits have seen him review the Sunday newspapers with the likes of Magid Magid, the former Lord Mayor and John McClure, also known as the "The Reverend" from the Reverend and the Makers.
Ms Jewitt alluded to how this year the Sunday newspaper review may have a special guest alongside Ms Blake.
Speaking of his art, especially in relation to using newspapers as his canvas, Mr McGowan said: "I love painting on newspaper, it’s an incredible canvas and I always see them as historical paintings.
"The watercolours are just from a feeling of wanting to make the world a better place to put something out there that brighten peoples day, art is amazing and extraordinary, I think it’s political but it’s also healing and nurturing."
The exhibition runs from 1pm on Saturday 3 December to 4pm on the Sunday, with an artist talk in the early evening of Saturday. The newspaper review will take place on Sunday.
Steelkings stars set to light up the world stage
Three players from Sheffield’s para ice hockey team have been selected to represent Great Britain at this years C-Pool World Championships.
Sheffield Steelkings Bryan Hackworth, Gary Farmer and AJ Mead have travelled to Thailand to compete for the gold medal and promotion to the B-Pool division.
The Steelkings sent a message of support to their players travelling with the rest of their international team mates.
They said: "We are very proud of Bryan, Gary and AJ for their Great Britain selection for the upcoming World Para Ice Hockey Pool-C World Championships.
“We work really hard to get the very best out of our players and I am confident in their ability to do well at this tournament."
The team are hopeful they can eventually become a A-Pool team and compete in the 2026 Winter Paralympics.
Net minder, Bryan Hackworth, 34, who has played the sport for 17 years, spoke of the camaraderie amongst the GB camp and how this will benefit them when gunning for gold.
He said: “We have trained more as a team so that we can just concentrate on this particular tournament.
“It’s a good bunch of lads that we’ve managed to get out there."
Para ice hockey is not funded at government level meaning all for travel and tournament fees has to be paid for by the players.
Hackworth's aunt, Linda Rowland, explained how her nephew created a GoFundMe page, to finance the expenses he will incur through the tournament, and has currently raised £1335.
She said: “He’s a little bit short of the actual amount needed at the moment. The gym he goes to are having a fundraising day and we are actually selling one of our cars to fill the gap.”
The Steelkings said: “It certainly adds extra pressure when you go to a tournament like this, having had to self-fund the trip, but hopefully they can finish first, gain promotion and shine a spotlight on this amazing sport.
The Sheffield Steelkings are one of two para ice-hockey teams in Sheffield. Along with the Steel Stings, they compete in the British Para Ice Hockey League against teams including the Cardiff Huskies and the Peterborough Phantoms.
Bangkok is hosting the tournament, which runs from from the 6 to 11 December.