Ruthless Rotherham determined to maintain astonishing unbeaten record
Rotherham will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 20 matches in all competitions in Saturday’s fixture against Burton Albion. The Millers are aiming to secure promotion to the EFL Championship, and are in good standing so far, sitting in first position ahead of this weekend’s action. Despite a dominant 5-1 midweek victory over Gillingham, manager Ritchie Barker demanded more from his players, urging his squad to make improvements. He said during Thursday’s press conference: “It’s strange to think we won 5-1, and we still came away saying that we didn’t do some of the things we talked about.” The resilient character of the Rotherham side impressed Barker who added: “I don’t think we’ve conceded an early goal for a long time, the response was a credit to the character of the players.” Looking ahead to this weekend’s game at The New York Stadium, Rotherham welcome a Burton side managed by Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who lie 10th in the table. Barker, who spoke highly of the Burton manager, said: “Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank took over a struggling Burton and the team produced promotion form last season.” Hasselbaink was appointed as Burton manager in January, his second spell at the club, and last season managed to rescue the team from relegation by guiding them to a 16th place finish. A rapidly improving Burton Albion side are now six points from a play-off position and will be desperate to boost their chances of returning to the Championship for the first time since 2018. Meanwhile, high-flying Rotherham will be mindful of other promotion candidate’s results, as they push for a swift for a return to the second tier after finishing 23rd in the Championship last season. Tickets for tomorrow’s clash can be purchased online at: https://www.themillers.co.uk/tickets/
Fears raised that winter funding isn’t enough to fight Omicron in Sheffield
Sheffield locals raise fears over the government’s £112m NHS investment fund.Many are worrying it won’t be enough to get through the winter months. The North East and Yorkshire are set to receive this funding in an attempt to relieve the pressure caused by the pandemic. It will reduce waiting times, expand wards and upgrade equipment. Many criticise this and believe the NHS needs the money elsewhere. Andrew Smith, father of a northern NHS doctor, 59, said: “The work pressures my son has are not COVID related, his pressures are from people abusing the NHS system. “It is people doing student things, taking drugs, getting into fights, stabbings, so what his problem is people are being stupid. “If money was spent on the education of people to get them to understand the NHS is a limited resource and the staffing is limited, if we put money into it being respected then I would say money is well spent. “Once people respect the NHS, then serious cases like heart disease and cancer, they can concentrate on those people rather than those abusing the system. “
How communities helped towards thanking the NHS through lockdown. @Wikicommons
Sajid Javid
Prof Stephen Powis
60,000 Sheffield school kids take part in festive fitness day
A Santa Dash to get kids "happy, healthy and passionate" had pupils from more than 50 schools exercising in Sheffield today. The event, organised by School Games and The Arches School Sport Partnership, encourages children to get moving through festive fun, as well as raising money for charity. Adam Fuller, School Games Organiser, said: "Sport isn’t for everyone and there will be a percentage of kids who don’t want to engage in team sports. "What we want to do is make children understand the importance of being active and we can deliver that message whilst having fun.” The schools involved have organised Christmas based activities to get pupils moving such as 'snowball' fights, festive Just Dance and Santa Searches where kids must find Santas hidden around the school. David Millns, P.E. teacher at Westways Primary School, said: “You've got to touch every child’s imagination really. Spark some interest and enthusiasm. "If you create the next Olympian that's amazing but that's not really the aim. It's about getting kids happy, healthy and passionate about doing sport and activity." Exercise is proven to improve both physical and mental health in young children. Mr Millns added: “Active kids are healthier kids. They can concentrate better and work better in classrooms." Westways have also combined the event with fundraising for Sheffield Children's Hospital and are hoping to smash their target of £600. The school is just one of 50 in Sheffield taking part in the national event. Nick Wells, Head of PE at Beck Primary School, said: “It’s lovely that it's national. But for me I just like the idea of making activity and exercise fun. "For me and for our kids it's more important that we’re doing something with a funny and exciting twist. I think there will be more children engaged than ever.” 60,000 children across Sheffield will be taking part in the event, which is just one part of School Games' mission to encourage exercise amongst children. To learn more click here.
Covid causing ‘shocking’ mental health crisis among NHS staff
In 2020, during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, junior doctor Jeremy Telford was deployed to an end of life ward. After four months on the unit, he moved to another placement, but kept having PTSD flashbacks, feeling as though he was physically at the hospital even when at home.
Dr Telford later returned to the ward for an audit. "When I went back to that ward again, it hit me like a tonne of bricks, frankly. Flashbacks came back again at that point," he said.
He is not alone in experiencing post traumatic stress disorder. Official figures from the Royal College of Psychiatrists revealed 40% of intensive care staff reported symptoms of PTSD in the first wave of the pandemic, which began at the end of March last year.
The illness is an anxiety disorder that can be caused by any distressing life event. According to the NHS, symptoms include flashbacks, insomnia, and night terrors, with many sufferers turning to drink or drugs to cope with the impact.
Statistics also predicted 230,000 new referrals for PTSD as a result of the pandemic, either directly or indirectly.
Dr Jeremy Telford speaks about reports of parties in Downing Street last Christmas
Dr Telford said the figures were “not surprising at all”. He continued: "We need to be treated like people. Glorifying us as heroes does us absolutely no good."Last Christmas, Michael MacLennan set up the UK's first Covid support charity, Covid Aid, after seeing how the second wave was impacting the people around him mentally and physically. Mr MacLennan, a former trustee of international development charity Just a Drop, said: "I think, speaking now in December 2021, the need for mental support is even more pronounced." Covid Aid offers online bereavement counselling and support for those who were hospitalised with the virus. The charity also works with other organisations to signpost those in need of help to the right places. The charity has directly dealt with people traumatised by various incidents during the pandemic, ranging from loss to long Covid. On the new statistics, the charity boss said: "Sadly, the figures don't come as a surprise but they are shocking to see.""Drinking was the only way to cope"
Bethany Van Den Berg-Slowey is now a first year Nurse Associate at the University of Sheffield
The mental impact of the pandemic has had varying impacts on the lives of NHS workers. Bethany Van Den Berg-Slowey was a Healthcare Assistant in Sheffield throughout the first and second wave of the pandemic. She says she turned to alcohol to deal with the stress of work. "I would be buying a bottle of wine on the way home, it was the only way to cope. "It would be the only thing getting me through the day, thinking about having a glass of wine or two in the evening." Mrs Van Den Berg-Slowey would visit patients in care homes at the height of the pandemic as she was the least vulnerable of all her colleagues. She described how every day she would have clinics of 50 patients to see, leaving her with very little time to have a conversation with some of the most isolated people at that time. The 26-year-old said: "You'd go in and you'd have to rush to get out. Patients wanted to talk to you because they didn't see anybody, and I haven't got the heart not to talk to them. "Every day we had a teary patient come in just wanting to talk. And you can't do it because you're pushed for time." Even first-year medical students are already experiencing the impacts of the pandemic on their wellbeing.
Lucy Wade in intensive care in September last year (credit: Clare Wade)
Just five days after moving to Hull to begin studying medicine, Lucy Wade was diagnosed with Covid after waking up struggling to breathe. She spent eight days under the supervision of intensive care staff, calling the time "traumatic". Now, after a long recovery, Miss Wade, 19, has had to return to the same hospital where she almost lost her life in order to fulfil her training requirements. It brought back feelings of anxiety and has impacted her mental health. "I walked in and it literally felt like I had been punched in the gut, stepping foot in the hospital. "We also have placements on a respiratory ward where patients were gasping for breath. It would never have affected me that way before, but I am now a lot more anxious and definitely think a professional would say I suffer with PTSD."Lucy Wade talks about the impact on her family
Miss Wade was encouraged to attend counselling after leaving hospital, but turned down the offer, which she now regrets as she deals with Covid and healthcare every day. Doctors experiencing trauma in the NHS have been offered support in the way of short counselling sessions and wellbeing seminars, according to Dr Telford. But he believes this is not enough and that staff need time off to process the full effects of the pandemic on their own mental health. The concerns for healthcare staff come after a parliamentary report in May revealed 92% of NHS Providers were worried about staff wellbeing, stress, and burnout following the pandemic. Last year, NHS England and Improvement pledged to spend £30m on staff wellbeing services, with £15m being spent on specialist mental health services. They expect demand for similar levels of funding to be upheld for at least the next three years. The impact of Covid has been all too real for many millions around the country already, but the lasting effects are perhaps only now coming to light. Support for NHS staff is viewed by workers as vital. Dr Telford said that after all, “although we are strong, we are still in the shell of a human, and have to cope with every other emotion that you do". “Some of the experiences we’ve had during Covid in the NHS will stay with us for the rest of our lives." If you are struggling with your mental health, you can call the Samaritans helpline any time on 116 123.
New carvings on the side of Beauchief Hotel pay tribute to the building’s history
Five new carvings, created by a local award-winning stonemason, were installed yesterday on the side of the Beauchief Hotel in Sheffield.
The carvings pay tribute to the hotel’s railway history, as the hotel was once Abbeydale Station Hotel.
Stonemason Steve Roche was commissioned by the hotel for this project last year and worked on the carvings at his workshop, The Stone and Letter Workshop, on John Street, Eckington.
Mr Roche was inspired by his love for art deco posters. He said: “I quite like the ones that have a really sharp vanishing point where they look like they’re coming at the viewer.
“I decided on the shape of them to make the wall look like a train at a station, but also as though they are a little window out to the past, that’s a nod to the trains that have passed through.”
Four of the carvings are dedicated to the different engines that served the Master Cutler Service, which runs from Sheffield to London. The final carving is based off of the Mallard steam train.
They are all carved in woodkirk, a local monumental quality sandstone.
The whole development process took around a year to complete and the carvings were stored up at Willow Hall Farm over the last few months before their installation yesterday.
The carvings have received already received praise from members of the local community, with Mr Roche saying that the people on the Dore and Totley community Facebook page have been very kind.
Mr Roche started his training to be a stonemason in 2009. He has always wanted to train as a stone mason or a sculpture. “It’s an interesting way of earning a living”, he said.
Mr Roche’s other work has included a carving for the new Lidl in Malin Bridge, a project based around the Sheffield flood of 1864 which won him the Keith Hayman award for public art.
Huge Sheffield city centre car park approved as part of West Bar development
Plans for a nine-story car park in the Sheffield city centre have been approved by the council, despite backlash from Green Party councillors and environmentalists. The car park is the latest phase in the West Bar redevelopment project, and construction of the multi-storey is expected to begin next year. It will have 470 spaces and include disabled parking and electric vehicle charging points within the development, which will be located on the Inner Ring Road between Kelham Island and Sheffield’s Cathedral Quarter. However, Green Party councillors and green groups are concerned about the initial construction carbon footprint as well as how it might detract from more sustainable ways of transport, like cycling, electric vehicles and public transport. The car park was approved by the Sheffield City Council planning committee, with 10 votes for but two Green Party councillors voting against it. The Green Party Councillor for City Ward and Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, Douglas Johnson said: "I think this car park is a symptom of the legacy of the outline planning permission that was granted for the West Bar site in 2017. "However, that shows we have made progress in four years in that it would be considered unacceptable today. City centre developments must plan to be substantially free of cars if our future city centre is to be viable and a pleasant and healthy place to live and work in." Brian Holmshaw, the Broomhill & Sharrow Vale Sheffield Green Party councillor and Executive Adviser for Sustainable Neighbourhoods, Wellbeing, Parks and Leisure said the extra parking isn't needed and he voted against the plans.
Cllr Johnson said: "There is no loss of parking in the city centre this Christmas. I want to encourage people to come to the city centre on foot, on bikes, on the bus and on the tram. Bringing unnecessary private cars in to the city centre is bad for air pollution, bad for climate change, bad for congestion, bad for road safety and bad for buses." However, parking is a contentious issue, especially around Christmas. Read about issues surrounding free festive parking in Sheffield here. The £300 million West Bar redevelopment has seven acres of land and the West Bar website claims the overall project will provide over 10,000 jobs. The car park is only the latest stage in the project, with consent granted in August for a 100,000 square foot office building with retail space and 368 apartments as part of the first £150 million phase.Stats that I provided in the meeting came from a previous planning application, which was to build on a car park. They showed that there is more than enough car parking space in the city centre. So why build another? https://t.co/roR0zMzhXF
— Brian Holmshaw (@SheafVaHeritage) December 2, 2021
According to Urbo, the developer, funding has already been secured through Legal and General in the largest single private sector investment seen in Sheffield.
Ralph Jones, managing director at Peveril Securities, which is working with Urbo Regeneration, said: “West Bar, along with the commitment by Legal & General to invest £150 million for the first phase, is testament to the strength of Sheffield as a considerable powerhouse in the North and an attractive place to live and work.”
‘Dream wedding’ fundraiser launched for NHS nurse diagnosed with terminal cancer
A Sheffield Children's Hospital nurse who has been diagnosed with cancer three times has had a fundraiser set up so her 'dream wedding' can come true.
Mother-of-one Jodie Bale, 30, was first diagnosed with cancer in 2019 when her daughter Sophie was only four months old.
The intensive care nurse from Gleadless has beaten cancer twice already. But during the third wave of chemotherapy the doctors informed her that her cancer was terminal.
Jodie's fiancé, 34-year-old Dale Lancaster, said: "She's been through quite a lot throughout the years. She's spent a lot of time in the hospital, a lot of overnight stays, to which Sophie [their daughter] says 'oh mummy's in the hospital' and I say 'yes the doctors are making her better.'
"When she is video calling her mum in hospital and she's asking 'are you better now mummy? Are you coming home?' It's quite heart-breaking really."
Mr Lancaster also lost his mother to cancer eight years ago on Christmas Day.
Their close friend, Richard Billard, has set up a GoFundMe page to help his close friends have the wedding of their dreams.
The 34-year-old owner of The New Anglers pub in Handsworth set up the page as a surprise to the couple.
He said: "He's my best friend. He deserves it, so just being able to do it is just an achievement in itself and if I can get that money raised, it's even better.
"Times are very hard with Covid, people losing their jobs and not being able to have Christmas last year. But being able to donate £10, £5, whatever it is, it's just a big thank you to be honest."
Richard Billard (left) with Dale Lancaster (middle). Credit: Richard Billard.
Before the donation page was set up, the couple were having to trim the guest list to afford their special day. Now, more than £6,000 has been raised. Mr Lancaster said: "I feel absolutely gobsmacked, both of us do. When Richard told me about it on the Saturday and he told me he was hoping to raise quite a large amount, I never expected it to get to where it is now. It's absolutely incredible. "For us to have our dream wedding, it would mean the world. Especially for Jodie because she's always wanted to get married and to have a nice, magical wedding. She doesn't want anything extravagant, but she wants to be able to share this moment with all of her closest family and friends." There is a Christmas Fair on Sunday 12 November at the New Anglers pub in Handsworth to help raise money for the wedding. Mr Billard also plans to set up a football match fundraiser for February time, which will include raffle prizes and football memorabilia for sale. You can donate to Jodie and Dale's GoFundMe by clicking here. Cover image credits: Jodie Bale.
Driver dead and man arrested after car “left the road” in Sheffield city centre crash
South Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a man died in an accident where his car "left the road" in the city centre last night. The crash happened on Hanover Way, when a black Toyota MR2 came off the carriageway and careered into the underpass at the junction of Headford Street. A SYP spokesperson said: “Sadly the driver, a man, aged in his 30s, from Sheffield, was pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers at this time. “A 30-year-old man from Sheffield has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving who was driving in another vehicle but had left the scene. Enquiries are ongoing and he remains in police custody.” The Serious Collision Unit are appealing for anyone who saw the accident or has any dash cam footage of the moments before the car came off the road, to come forward. Kaltum Rivers, Green Party councillor for Broomhill and Sharrow Vale said: “We need more preventative measures, such as a speed camera and a barrier, this is the second time this has happened”. She added: “It’s very upsetting for the local residents and I’m sure it’s heart-breaking for the family”. Any witnesses are urged to contact the police on 101, quoting incident number 953 of the 9th December. Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Barnsley announce a new official LGBTQ+ supporters group Rainbow Reds
A new Barnsley supporters group want to create a ‘safe space’ for LGBTQ+ fans at Oakwell and tackle homophobia at football games. The Rainbow Reds was set up last month and were announced as a new official Barnsley supporters group during Rainbow Laces day. It follows the EFL’s recent league wide support of the Stonewall campaign. https://twitter.com/BarnsleyFC/status/1464598757018939400 A 2017 Stonewall survey showed that 43 percent of people within the LGBTQ+ felt sporting events were not welcoming for them. Rei Homer, one of the Rainbow Reds organisers, said: “We aim to create a safe space for Barnsley’s LGBTQ+ supporters. “We want to show that Barnsley is a welcoming place to come and watch the football and to be able to reach out to those who feel unincluded and help them come along to games.” Another 2020 Stonewall study suggested that 20 percent of match-going fans felt anti-LGBTQ+ chants were harmless if used as banter. This is one of the main things the Rainbow Reds are looking to tackle. “Our main aim is to educate people about certain words and phrases,” Rei, 18, said. “It’s about educating yourself and calling people out if they are using homophobic chants and phrases. If you see people doing this you should report them the same way you would report racist language. “We want to show how fans can be better allies and support LGBTQ+ people.” The group plans to run events within the Barnsley community and support LGBTQ+ charities. Those who want to hear more about the group can find them on twitter: @RedsRainbow.
Greenhill Park host public tree planting sessions to boost biodiversity
A series of public tree planting sessions is set to launch in Greenhill next week. The planting days have been organised by Friends of Greenhill Park and the Community Forestry Team to help extend a hedge at the side of the Sheffield park. Though there have been several tree planting projects over the years, the organisations hope the extension of the hedge will add an additional resource to improve the biodiversity of the area. Lindy Stone of community network Greener Greenhill said: "Greenhill Park is a hidden gem in a beautiful setting right on the very southern edge of Sheffield, bordering Derbyshire farmland. "We have lots of lovely green spaces locally already but we are looking to help plot and extend wildlife corridors in our part of Sheffield." She added: "The range of native species will provide a rich habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife as well as looking beautiful throughout the year." From Tuesday 14 December, Greenhill residents will gather to plant 2,000 bare root whips from a mixed variety of native hedge species including Hawthorn, Alder buckthorn and Hornbeam. All abilities of planters are encouraged to participate and members of the park’s Community Forestry team will be in attendance to offer guidance, answer questions and supply tools and protective gloves.
"I think every local effort we can make is important" - Councillor Simon Clement-JonesSimon Clement-Jones, Beauchief and Greenhill councillor, said: “I think every local effort we can make is important. “Involving the local community in this sort of thing is absolutely vital in getting to where we need to be.” The scheduled planting sessions will take place on Tuesdays from 11am to 2pm across December. Family-friendly Saturday sessions will follow in the new year. In order to keep the community safe, the organisers ask that planters remain a 2m distance from one another throughout the sessions. Masks are optional. To get involved, sign up here.
New University of Sheffield study shows city centres will lose £3 billion in 2022
A new study conducted by the University of Sheffield has discovered that the move towards working from home has moved businesses to more suburban areas, with city centres set to suffer financially in the upcoming year. It was identified that British workers will be continuing to work from home 20 percent more than they were before the pandemic started, as people will be working roughly one day a week more at home than since the 2020 lockdowns were announced. The study attributed the recent shift towards working from home as a result of the pandemic, which has dramatically impacted the way British people have administered their day to day work. The City of London has seen a 31.6 percent decrease in spending and a 32 percent decrease in employment. The places most greatly affected by this new change outside of London have been the city centres such as in Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle. However, many suburbs of Sheffield have greatly benefitted from people working from home, as more people had to stay put in their local areas. Neighbourhoods such as High Green & Burncross, Walkley and Mosborough & Halfway have seen an average increase of 15.6 percent in spending and 50.2 percent increase between the suburbs in employment change. Dr Jesse Matheson, author of the paper published by the University of Sheffield’s Department of Economics, said: “We estimate that about £3 billion in annual spending will leave city centres as a result of working from home. "This decrease will be concentrated in a few very dense centres. "Some of this spending will be realised in the residential areas where these workers live, but some may be lost altogether. As suburban neighbourhoods lack the density of city centres, many retail and hospitality businesses will find it is not profitable to relocate. “Workers in retail and hospitality may also find that demand has shifted to locations to which commuting is too difficult, which means that supply may not be able to keep up with demand.”
Open Up Sheffield Christmas art exhibition being held this week
The creative talent of 17 artists in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire is being showcased this week at a Christmas art exhibition. It is a free event at DINA, Sheffield and the work on display includes oil paintings, photography, printmaking, and digital media. The event has been organised by Open Up Sheffield, the open studio events group who provide a platform for artists to showcase their work and skills with the public. Miranda Trojanowska, Vice Chair for Open Up, said: "It's a beautiful exhibition. "It's in a beautiful place as well, and it really showcases the incredible artwork that we've got in Sheffield and surrounding areas."
Artwork on display at DINA, Sheffield
DINA, 12 Fitzalan Square, Sheffield
Artwork on display at DINA, Sheffield