Sheffield shoppers underwhelmed by Black Friday sales
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to overshadow the UK, sales are expected to drop by at least 20% this year with people spending an average of £85 less than last year.
Recent economic uncertainties caused by increasing energy costs, inflation and post Covid-19 lockdown have left consumers with less disposable income.
One Sheffield shopper told Sheffield Wire: “Since the cost-of-living crisis, I don’t think I’ve bought anything new as the only thing I like buying is clothes, and I buy them from second hand shops."
Across the city, businesses are struggling to survive under the increased economic pressure with a total of 43 stores being closed and empty in Sheffield city centre since June 2021.
One outlet, Edward’s Greengrocers, who have been providing customers with their fruit and veg for over 40 years have been left with no choice but to shut its doors for the final time.
Despite the reductions that were on offer for Black Friday, shoppers in Sheffield weren't willing to participate in the discounted deals, with consumers claiming they saw “no real difference”, stating “it’s totally fake” or “it’s a con”.
From January to October, 2022 inflation has risen by a staggering 11.1% but, over the last decade, disposable income has only increased by 10.9%.
As the cost-of-living-crisis continues to make non-essential items a luxury, a report has revealed it is expected that on average shoppers will be spending £85 less per person.
The head of Barclaycard Payments, Marc Pettican, was more optimistic. He said: “Our data shows that Black Friday is off to a steady start this year despite the challenging economic backdrop.”
Ukrainian families struggling to find homes to rent
A Ukrainian father who moved in with a Sheffield family has called private renting a “really big problem”, after a new report revealed how hard it is for those escaping the war torn country to find accommodation.
According to figures released on Tuesday, 45 per cent of Ukranians face barriers when trying to find somewhere to live, as they struggle to secure a guarantor or provide references.
Dmytro Mogylni, 34, who is living in Sheffield after fleeing Ukraine earlier this year with his family, said: “It’s a really big problem because we don’t have credit history, we don’t have a last address in the UK and landlords usually don’t rent to people who have children.”
Mr Mogylni, his partner, Antonina Mohylna, 28, and their 10-month-old son, were offered a place to stay by Kevin Kennedy Ryan, in Walkley, Sheffield, under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Although their move to the city went relatively smoothly the family are worried finding a home of their own to rent will be difficult.
According to the data released from the UK Humanitarian Response Insight Survey, the number of Ukranians who pay for their own accommodation has increased from six per cent in June this year to 19 per cent over the last two months.
The majority of respondents had entered the UK as part of the government’s Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, known as Homes for Ukraine.
Mr Mogylni and his family drove 2700 kilometres across Europe from Brovary, a small city outside of Kyiv, to Sheffield.
They arrived at their host's house within eight days of receiving a call from the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Mr Ryan, 32, a graphic designer, who agreed to home a family with a child, said: “Some things we thought were going to be complicated have been really straightforward, but other things - which we thought might have been straightforward - have been a little bit more complicated.
“But the Ukraine team from the council has been absolutely brilliant with this; they have been absolutely invaluable.”
Under government guidelines Ukranians who come to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and Ukraine Family Scheme can apply to stay in the UK for up to three years.
Ukrainian nationals and their families can come to the UK if they have a sponsor who can accommodate them and those fleeing their home country are also allowed to join family members already residing in the UK.
The latest news follows unconfirmed reports that some councils are offering additional cash incentives to those hosting Ukrainians amid concerns of homelessness.
How one student navigated the myriad cost of stationery
Jack Trethewey
As I meander my way towards the end of term, the harrowing thought of January exams, and of course my old nemesis… revision is looming.
To prepare, I like to keep myself armed with an array of revision cards, notepads, highlighters, pens and pencils. In previous years, I’ve assigned the sum total of a tenner to this and have usually walked out of the stationery shop with enough change for at least one apple-sourz shot from the Student Union.
This year has been different.
In my usual pre-assessment panic, I rushed to my nearest WH Smith and picked out four simple necessities for any student; a reporter’s notepad, some flashcards, a highlighter and a pot of chewing gum – crucial items to see me through my upcoming exams. I expected this to cost me my usual tenner, but I did plan for slightly less change this time, as a nod to the financial stress arising from the insane events that defined 2022. Events including the Ukraine war, the departure of two disgraced UK prime ministers, the cost-of-living crisis and eye-watering inflation levels.
When I went to the checkout, the bill flashed up on the till and my mouth dropped. For a pot of gum, a pen and some glorified paper, WH Smith felt it appropriate to charge me £17. I would expect to fork out £17 on a gourmet steak meal, or a hungover Deliveroo kebab, or possibly half a week’s shopping. Perhaps there’s something I’m missing. Maybe I didn’t read the fine print. Are these flashcards lined with gold? Does the highlighter write my essays for me? Could it be I bought Willy Wonka’s three-course dinner gum by mistake?
Sheffield Wire conducted a Twitter poll, and 36 participants told us much they would be willing to pay for the four items I felt I had been robbed for.
As the graph shows, a vast majority of people are not willing to pay more than £10 for a highlighter, some flashcards, a pack of gum and a notepad demonstrating just how out-of-touch WH Smith is with people's expectations.
You’re probably now thinking: “Get a grip Jack. Stationery’s expensive now, like everything else. So what?” Usually, I would agree with you, take the financial hit on the chin and get on with my life. But there is one small problem that sticks in my mind, something that troubles me. Inflation, as of 25 November, is currently a smidge over 11%, the highest rate since October 1981. Any person with a basic aptitude for maths will realise this doesn’t match the eye-watering stationery prices of WH Smith compared with previous years and other competing stores. So, the question that remains is simply, what’s going on?
With such a disconnect between WH Smith's prices the public's expectations, students around the University of Sheffield's campus were asked where they actually bought their stationery from.
Despite WH Smith's prices, it would appear students are still willing to shop there, prioritising ease and efficiency over cost. Is it this distinction of priorities that has allowed WH Smith to charge significantly higher costs than its competitors? Perhaps students are perfectly aware of the large costs and have accepted the financial hit, choosing instead to focus on exam success.
I took a visit to competing stationery shops out of town to find out how much they would charge for the equivalent 4-piece bundle. A trip to Poundland found that a near-identical bundle could be bought for £7.50. If you were willing to part with £11.80 at The Range, you could bag yourself three notepads, a pack of four highlighters, equivalent revision cards and a 64-piece pack of gum. B&M did not have the four items for sale. However, to gain a sense of perspective, a 96-piece art set cost £25, 100 premium felt tip pens were just £6 and for a mere £1.99, shoppers could get a 30 pack of jumbo crayons.
Despite this desire for ease and efficiency, students are still feeling the squeeze from rising prices, whether it be food, transport or even housing bills. Budgeting to survive term time is harder than ever, with many students sacrificing their spare time by taking on part time jobs to cover costs. What hope can students have for exam success when outlets such as WH Smith are making getting hold of the simplest of items financially problematic? 2022 will mark the first year for me where I’ve had to think carefully about whether I can afford flashcards and pens.
For the price setters at WH Smith, my question to you is this: Can you honestly say you have changed your prices proportionality to match the pace of inflation, or are you attempting to profiteer from a dire situation?
A report published by Reuters in April 2022 showed that the retail giant had seen a 7% dip in share prices whilst also citing an increase in shipping costs leading to higher retail price tags. However, sales revenue in its travel hubs (where WH Smiths are often the sole stationery competitor) are at 114% of pre-pandemic levels. Is there evidence to suggest that WH Smith are taking advantage of limited competition? Do shoppers spend more at WH Smith purely because they have no other choice? Surely if the chain's high prices were mainly influenced by rising shipping costs, then other competitors would be affected, having to match WH Smith on their pricing.
The cost changes in stationery may not seem significant to most, but with prices rising left, right and centre, students can’t afford to worry about the fundamental necessities that are needed for education. Furthermore, no respectable student should have to choose between a nice pint or a new pencil, we all know which option will win.
We contacted WH Smith for a comment, but never heard back, before this piece was published.
All prices and inflation rates are correct as of 25 November 2022.
Burngreave Messenger sets £5,000 fundraising target to avoid closure and publish a winter issue
A lack of funding combined with the pandemic has threatened a community-led magazine with imminent closure if it does not raise more funds.
The goal is £5,000, which would allow the publication to print a winter issue and deliver it to the doors of over 9,400 residents in Burngreave.
It has nearly reached its first target of £1,000, which will help it to ‘keep the lights on’ and continue to post content online.
The news magazine was established in order to provide a local platform that would tell true and positive stories about Burngreave, a community which faces almost entirely negative media coverage.
“The community faces a lot of challenges. There are lots of issues with deprivation, with crime, with drugs, all sorts of things like that. But that’s just one side of the story,” said Colette Wymer, project manager.
A key element of the magazine is its advertising service - advertising local businesses and local services that people can access for cheap or for free.
Ms Wymer said the community itself was going to be massively affected by the cost of living crisis and that was even more of a reason for why the Messenger should continue.
“It’s a mechanism for reducing isolation of individuals in the community and also bringing people together to strengthen community cohesion,” Colette added.
The Burngreave Messenger relies at its core on engagement with the community and face to face engagement, which was drastically hit throughout Covid.
“If this period can be survived, our vision is very much to come back stronger, bolder and with way more opportunities than we’ve been able to offer through the pandemic, with volunteers offering people skills and mentoring for example.”
The Messenger began in 1999, and is the only charity newspaper in the UK. In the future, it plans to decrease a reliance on grant funding and increase revenue through taking subscriptions.
If they reach that point, subscriptions will not be mandatory, so that everyone is able to access the paper regardless of their means.
You can donate to the fundraiser through this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-burngreave-messenger
Gambling: The hidden cost
This week health bosses have warned the NHS are “picking up the tab” of the online betting industry.
The Times reported that doctors have urged gambling firms to “think hard about the human cost behind their profits”, as demand for NHS gambling clinics rose by 42 per cent in a year.
We spoke to former compulsive gamblers about the damaging impact their addiction has had on their lives.
Mike, 41, whose name has been changed, gambled for twenty years before he got help. For the last eight of those he was spending up to £3,000 a month on his addiction.
“Looking back it made no difference how much money I had. It is the act of gambling. It didn’t matter if I won or lost, I still got the same buzz," he said.
“It was only when you can’t continue that the low points kick in. When you’re in the mist of gambling there’s still hope. You’re still placing a bet.”
Mike explains how at one point all he had in his wallet was £75 from selling scrap metal, by that evening he had turned it into £7000. He made the money playing Three Card Poker and Blackjack. Just a few hours later he’d lost it all.
At the height of his addiction the businessman worked as a prison officer and bathroom fitter and the money he made fuelled his compulsion.
Initially he bet on football, but over time progressed into casino games and betting on sports he knew nothing about.
“Once you get on to the casinos your returns can be bigger and your fix can be shorter and gained quicker," Mike said.
“A football match is an hour and a half, but the spin of the roulette wheel or the turn of a card can be relentless.”
The most he lost in a casino was £5000 of his own money. Mike explained: “I’ve lost more than that but I may have won a percentage of it so the money wasn't originally mine.
“Basically, in a month I might lose £3000 but during that month I may have gambled £50,000.”
After twenty years of gambling Mike had exhausted all avenues to borrow money. He was £35,000 in debt and his credit score meant he had been unable to borrow money unless it was from payday loan companies with huge interest rates.
Mike's addiction took its toll on his health. He would get four or five hours of broken sleep each night, with gambling constantly on his mind.
“Going to bed after a win, you only think about what you're going to bet on next. When you've lost you only think about where you're going to get next lot of money from. You think of the stories you are going to tell about why you can’t pay money back,” Mike explained.
In his darkest moments, Mike's thoughts turned to suicide. He said: "I knew I needed to do something but it all seemed too much."
People suffering from compulsive gambling are 15 times more likely to take their lives, according to research from Sweden.
Eventually he turned to the Internet for help and found Gamblers Anonymous, an organisation of volunteers who have all been compulsive gamblers.
Different groups across the country meet weekly to discuss their problems and Mike found it invaluable.
Similar to many drug and alcohol recovery treatments, the group uses a twelve-step programme. To access the help offered, anyone struggling with gambling addiction simply has to turn up to a meeting.
The programme differs from the approach of NHS clinics.
Paul Evans, Operational and Development lead at West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic (WMGHC), said: “Ours is an evidence-based treatment programme, which from our perspective makes it more effective.”
The service gives specialist treatment and recovery to people struggling with problem gambling.
They offer a range of treatment, primarily focused on group therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), with sessions lasting 10 weeks.
The increased demand for these services has led to The NHS Long Term Plan pledging to open 15 gambling clinics by 2023/24, with seven gambling addiction clinics now open in London, Leeds, Sunderland, Manchester, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent and Telford.
But Mike disagreed. “I’ve tried CBT and for me it doesn’t work. You can’t just change your life and thought patterns with a bit of behavioural therapy.
“The most success in stopping gambling is when someone has had enough. There’s a lot of people who want to stop gambling, but they haven’t reached the depths.”
Compulsive gambling takes a toll not just on mental health, but on people’s relationships.
Mike’s wife was left with no choice but to give him 45-mile lifts to work before dropping their two children off at school because he had sold his car to fund his addiction.
“I was making excuses, lying, manipulating situations and friends and family," Mike said. "You have this persona, this ego that says everything is okay and you’re good for it. But everyone knew I had an issue.”
Another former addict, John, 67, whose name has also been changed, gambled for years on dog and horse racing. He would steal his wife’s credit card and max it out without telling her, covering his tracks with money he earned as a teacher.
“When I finally told her about the extent of my problem there was this emptiness and pain that was so silent but so damning. I’d hollowed her from the inside out," John said.
There are 1.4 million adults addicted to gambling in the UK and 86% of online betting profits come from only 5% of customers.
A range of help is available to those struggling with problem gambling, including the National Gambling Helpline, The National Centre for Behavioural Addictions and GAMSTOP, which prevents smartphone users from accessing betting applications.
Claire Murdoch, NHS Mental Health Director, said: “Thousands suffer gambling problems across the country, and it is important those suffering from addiction know that the NHS is here to help and they should not hesitate to come forward for support if needed.
Mike hasn’t gambled now for ten years. He now has his own painting and decorating business, and things are much better in his personal life.
“It was just the emotional side of things that destroyed me,” he said. “I’m a nice guy, a well-educated lad, I’ve always been successful in everything I’ve done.
“But I was throwing it all away.”
Manchester United FC have said they are looking for new ‘strategic alternatives’ What does it all mean?
What have the owners of Manchester United FC said and why?
In an almost 300-word statement, Manchester United Football Club co-chairmen and directors Joel and Avram Glazer announced they are exploring new "strategic alternatives" with the ultimate goal of "positioning the club to capitalise on opportunities both on the pitch and commercially".
Or, in simpler terms, they are looking for an investor to fund the team they can no longer afford to run sustainably.
The Glazers are the only Premier League owners to take dividends from their ownership, having taken £33.6 million from the club so far in 2022.
These payment were still taken despite Manchester United announcing losses of £115.15 million for the 2021-22 financial year, leading the disgruntled Manchester United Supporter's Trust to say "there should be no rewards for failure".
The Red Devils have lost their position as the 'world's richest team' and are now third in the list of football teams with highest yearly revenues behind Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Alongside their financial woes, the Glazers are not blind to the fact the club is desperate for fresh investment.
In his shocking interview with Piers Morgan, the (now former) Man Utd number seven said: “I was surprised, in a bad way, in that way. I saw everything was the same. The progress was zero."
Despite receiving widespread backlash about many of his comments, Ronaldo's views on the club's financial status are the hardest to question.
The Glazers did not spend £229 million of their own money on a summer shopping spree in the transfer market, as all signings were funded via the clubs self-generated revenue streams.
Off the field, Old Trafford Stadium is in desperate for a re-development that will cost up to £200 million, or, the alternative is a new ground will need to be built from scratch.
With interest rates skyrocketing, the Glazers cannot, and will not, borrow to invest in a project they no longer believe in.
Their favoured "strategic alternative" is to cash out, sooner rather than later.
Is there genuine excitement this may be the end of Glazer rule?
Before Manchester United fans can get themselves excited about a Glazer-less life, they must realise this may only be the beginning of an excruciatingly long end.
But according to Manchester Evening News Manchester United reporter Steven Railston, there is no doubt that there is genuine interest to buy the club from external investors.
He said: "There is genuine optimism about this opportunity to sell the club.
"There has been no shortage of interest this week, with investment from Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Dubai linked to Old Trafford, but most takeovers in the Premier League, like with Newcastle United last year, aren't public knowledge until the multi-billion-pound deals are completed."
United fans must however consider they are competing for new investors with England's second-largest club, Liverpool Football Club. It's unprecedented for England's biggest clubs to be for sale at the same time.
The real question is whether the Glazers are genuinely ready to sell or are more interested in attracting a more minority shareholder.
Indicating that this is a good time for a sale, Railston said: "it does seem like a logical time for the American family to cash out, as they would make a mouthwatering profit and cut ties with a club that needs significant investment.
The Red Devil's owners have also brought in the Raine Group, the US bank that aided Chelsea Football Club in finding an investor for their £4.25 billion takeover, which may be evidence to suggest they are serious about finding large investors.
How much would Manchester United cost, and who can afford to buy them?
The Glazers' takeover of Manchester United 17 years ago cost them just £270 million, with another £520 million being leveraged against club's assets.
If the Glazers were to sell today, it is rumoured that they are likely to walk away with what could be a fee close to ten billion dollars.
The aforementioned takeover of Chelsea by Todd Boehly's consortium forwill also be crucial in any Manchester United sale, as the club have a yardstick with which to compare themselves.
Despite their poor financial year, United still reported revenues of £123 million higher than Chelsea for the same period.
Elon Musk's tongue-in-cheek tweet that he would buy the club may been a joke, but the reality is an investor with the same level of capital at their disposal will be needed to complete the reported £3.7 billion takeover
The sum a purchase of United would command may also attract buyers from sovereign investment funds, similar to the £300 million purchase of Newcastle United in 2021, which may cause a moral dilemma for a large portion of the United fanbase.
Fan reaction to the news
It's fair to say, the instant reaction from Manchester United fans, when the statement was released, was nothing short of ecstasy, with millions taking to social media to express their excitement.
FC United of Manchester, a fan-created team that were birthed out of opposition to Glazer ownership in 2005, released a statement.
It said: 'Thousands of Reds fought against Malcolm Glazer’s hostile takeover in 2005 and his sons remain unwelcome today, so it’s good news they may finally be relinquishing their control of the club.
"We hope any potential new owners will treat Manchester United and the fans with the respect we all deserve."
Their statement did, however, mention fan concerns that the club may fall into the hands of an owner with "dubious morals and ethics".
Enes Ozmen, 20, expressed his worries about potential owners as a life-long season ticket holder.
He said: "Its not the case that I would take whoever could afford to buy the club. There needs to be a thorough process to make sure its the right people with the right intentions.
"We need to be careful what we wish for."
Despite these concerns, some United fans are so desperate to rid their club of the Glazers they do not about the character of new owners.
John Butler, who runs a Manchester United supporter's group in Greater Manchester, expressed that he would not care if someone with a bad humans rights record took over his club.
He said: "I couldn't care less, and I would welcome them with open arms.
"I'd be glad to do anything to see the back of them (Glazers) to be honest."
Sheffield United Women hoping for change of fortunes against Everton Women
Lewes FC Women 0 Sheff Utd Women 3 28 04 2019-708.jpg Courtesy of James Boyes | http://bit.ly/3AK4PFI
Sheffield United Women will play Everton Women this weekend in the FA Continental Cup.
Sheffield come into the game off the back of 6 straight games without a win, their last being an 8-0 win against Coventry United on the 18th of September.
They will hope to have a similar crowd to their last game against London City Lionesses where they broke both the club and league record for a crowd turnout as 11,137 fans turned out for the game.
Following the game, manager Neil Redfearn said: "We move on now. Whatever the result, we have to go and get a result in our next game, whether you're winning or not, so we'll look at Everton and we get ready for this weekend.”
Everton Women also enter the weekend in mixed form.
They lost to both Manchester City and Manchester United in their last two games, and last won against Aston Villa on the 22nd October.
The game is on Saturday 26th November at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe. Kick-off is at 5pm.
Sheffield Wednesday eye up potential Premier league clash if they beat Mansfield Town in the FA Cup on Saturday
Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to continue their excellent home form in an FA Cup second round clash against Mansfield Town in what Darren Moore predicts will be a "pulsating" occasion.
In the previous round the Owls comfortably beat fellow League One side Morecambe FC in a 2-0 victory with Josh Windass and Nottingham Forest loanee Alex Mighten getting the goals.
Darren Moore’s side made five changes for their clash in the previous round with Morecambe and it is likely that Wednesday will rotate their squad again for Saturday’s fixture.
The former West Brom manager said we will see some academy involvement.
Based on past results the game is unlikely to go to a replay, the last four times the two sides have faced there has been an outright winner.
The Wednesday boss said: "It will be a pulsating game with two teams that'll go head-to-head and go after each other, and the message is out to all Wednesday fans to come down tomorrow and get behind the team."
In the competition last year Wednesday were dumped out in a 3-0 defeat in a first-round replay away at Plymouth.
Mansfield Town will be hoping for a repeat of the cup run they enjoyed last year when the Stags knocked out league one giants Sunderland as well as Doncaster before taking Championship side Middlesbrough to penalties in the 3rd round.
Host of Mansfield Matters podcast, Craig Priest said: “I’m optimistic, in the FA Cup Mansfield have got a good history especially under Nigel Clough playing against League One sides over the last couple of seasons."
The Stags manager Nigel Clough is no stranger to Sheffield. The 56-year-old is a former Sheffield United manager and made one league appearance on loan as a player for the Owls.
The son of legendary Brian Clough has an excellent cup record.
As Sheffield United manager he took the Blades to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and at Burton Albion Clough took the Brewers to the semi-finals of the League cup beating the likes of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest on the way.
Darren Moore was quick to compliment Nigel Clough and said: "It doesn't surprise me to see Mansfield in the higher echelons of League Two."
Mansfield Town are also expected to bring a following of near 4000 which would be the biggest away attendance at Hillsborough this season.
On the injuries front Darren Moore confirmed that Josh Windass is set to miss out after picking up a minor groin injury in the game against Shrewsbury.
He added that George Byers and Akin Famewo are nearly back to full fitness.
The game will take place at 3pm Saturday at Hillsborough Stadium.
‘Traditionally men don’t talk about their feelings’ – 12-week Football Mental Health Programme launches in Sheffield
A 12-week football mental health programme launched in Sheffield this week.
The programme, run by Head In the Game and currently based in Dore, aims to use sport as a way to get men aged between 18 to 55 to talk about their mental health. The first session took place on Monday, with the bad weather proving no obstacle for the participants.
Founder of Head in the Game, Mark Pinkney, said that it was great to have the chance to expand into South Yorkshire and start delivering in Sheffield.
He said the programme can have a powerful impact: "Little bonds of trust start to start to form and it's been really, really powerful
"The guys have really benefited from the physical element of the sessions. Their mental well being has increased. And most importantly, they've had an environment that they feel safe and confident to open up and talk because traditionally men don't talk. It's very, very difficult to get men to talk about their feelings to talk about how they're really feeling."
Football and community schemes such as this can help mental health in many ways. Sheffield Mind say that "there are lots of ways in which football and mental health issues connect".
These schemes are even more important given the long waiting times for mental health issues at the moment, and for Mark Pinkney schemes like this can act as a preventative measure.
He said: "We are the earliest form of early intervention. We actually work with a lot of men who probably don't realise that they have the beginnings of a mental health condition. So it's really, really important.
"One of our aims and objectives as an organisation is to give people the chance to come to us first and come and get involved in sessions. But most importantly, we want to prevent people from actually needing NHS support, whether it be through your local GP or whether it's your community mental health team."
The programme is funded by South Yorkshire's Community Foundation, who support community groups that help people facing hardship and disadvantage.
Chief Executive Ruth Willis said: “In this instance, it shows the impact Community Grants can have in providing a space for men, aged between 18 and 55, to openly talk about their mental health and receive support from their peers. Being able to partake in physical activity is always beneficial and the commitment by everyone involved was on display battling against the strong weather conditions."
Funding has been provided by SYCF for the whole of 2023, which means that the programme can run until at least November next year.
Head in the Game aims to run two more 12-week sessions across Sheffield, and are also talking to professional football clubs about potential partnerships.
Mark Pinkney said: "We're just scratching the surface of what we're hoping to do for the rest of the year."
You can register interest in the 12-week programme here.
Barnsley’s Christmas Lights switch-on marks start of three-day festival
Despite the odd technical hitch, Barnsley Bright Nights got underway yesterday, with events running until tomorrow and thousands of visitors expected.
The rain stopped just in time for people to gather outside the Glass Works where the entertainment and tree lighting was taking place.
There was also a crowd sing-a-long led by The Lips from Puppets with Guts, a giant disco ball, and even Father Christmas himself made an appearance.
Other attractions include a nine-metre long giant snail, an illuminated parade, glass blowing and lantern-making workshops.
Cllr Robert Frost, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture at Barnsley Council, said: “Barnsley Bright Nights is always a spectacular occasion, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors over the three days. This creative, free festival offers entertainment for all ages and interests.”
The lights were turned on by the Mayor of Barnsley Sarah-Jane Tattersall, but a slight technical issue meant the lights on the main tree took a little longer to light up.
Poor pay and conditions force Royal Mail employees to cancel Christmas
Low salaries and later starting times were two of the reasons postal workers took to the picket lines in Sheffield today.
The Officer for the South Yorkshire branch of the CWU Rohan Kon said pay has become so insufficient that she and her partner "have had to ring our families this week to ask them can you not to buy us any Christmas presents because we can't afford to buy you any back."
Members of Royal Mail's Communication Workers Union (CWU) have entered a second consecutive day of national industrial action asking for a pay rise in line with inflation and to protect their current working conditions.
Union members are angry about proposed changes to dilute sick pay and plans to instigate flexible hours alongside Sunday shifts. There is also a proposal to introduce later starting times.
Ms Kon said: "This would mean we would be working in the hottest part of the day in the summer and in the dark in the winter. It means people who have kids wouldn't be able to pick them up from school. These are just changes we can't accept."
Ms Kon said postmen and women made almost one billion pounds for Royal Mail throughout the pandemic, but this money was not being invested back into workforce.
Royal Mail’s CEO Simon Thompson said: "Talks have lasted for seven months and we have made numerous improvements and two pay offers, which would now see up to a 9% pay increase over 18 months alongside a host of other enhancements. This is our best and final offer."
He has accused the UWU of "holding Christmas to ransom for our customers, businesses and families across the country, and is putting their own members’ jobs at risk.”
Hayden James Sally, from the Sheffield City Centre Callers Office, said he was disappointed that profits made in the pandemic were not being spent on staff. He said: "Mr Thompson and his executives decided to dish out all the dividends to all the big-time shareholders and then told us we've got no money for anything else."
Strike dates have been announced for Wednesday 30th November, Thursday 1st December, Friday 9th December and Sunday 11th December 2022. Further dates may be announced in the New Year if Royal Mail and the CWU cannot reach an agreement.
Prospective Labour councillor blasts suspended Green Party candidate for “hate” towards Eddie Izzard
A Sheffield election hopeful has called the suspension of a current councillor "absolutely the right decision" after complaints were made about her controversial stance on trans and gender issues
Laura Moynahan, who is standing for the role in Manor Castle, made the comments after Alison Teal received a no fault suspension on Wednesday.
Ms Teal had quoted writer Jean Hatchet, who condemned Eddie Izzard using the women's toilets at a Labour Party fundraising event last month.
“Powerful piece by @JeanHatchet “The loss of women’s rights starts with looking the other way for an Eddie Izzard and ends with a society that doesn’t flinch at placing a male sex offender in jail with women.” Serious issues we must discuss. @SheffieldGreens”
via @alisonclareteal on Twitter
Ms Moynahan said there were "clearly differences in the Green Party" that they must sort out. Six of the 14 Green Party councillors in Sheffield say they will not campaign for her as a result, instead Tweeting their support for the community.
It was only last year, in July 2021, that the party's co-leader Sian Berry stepped down, blaming her resignation on inconsistencies in the party regarding trans issues.
Ms Moynahan said: "I think it was absolutely the right decision. I mean it's hate; transphobia is the same as racism and sexism, it is hate towards another group of people, which I find totally unacceptable. There's no denying what she's actually said and put on social media. What I've read, it's out of order."
Ms Teal, who was praised for her heroics during the 2017 Sheffield tree-felling protests, said: "Using the disciplinary process to manage differences of opinion rather than engage in discussion is troubling and disappointing."
Eddie Izzard, who is transgender herself, is running for Sheffield Central's Labour candidate, a role that has been assumed by MP Paul Blomfield for 12 years.
The comedian has long been an advocate for the rights of trans-people and would become second trans MP elected to parliament in Britain (after the Conservative's Jamie Wallis) and the first in the Labour Party's history.
It is unknown who is set to replace Ms Teal as the candidate elect for Sheffield Central.
The Green Party have yet to comment.
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