Stagecoach extends bus strikes for another week
South Yorkshire Stagecoach have announced further strike action after their demands for an increased pay rise were not met. The original strikes were planned to last for one week from 28 November until 3 December. New plans have revealed that drivers will go back to work for one week, and then strike again from Saturday 11 December until 17 December. Phil Brown, regional officer for the Unite trade union in the North East, said: "My drivers don't want to be on strike, they want to be at work." He said he is very optimistic about trying to resolve the problem, but the only way this can happen is if there is a substantial salary increase. To his knowledge, members of the public have been supportive of the industrial action and agree that the bus drivers deserve a pay rise. Bus services that are still running as normal can be found on the Stagecoach website.
Covid-19: Sheffield responds positively to mask restrictions
The Government has once again told people in England to wear face coverings in shops and on public transport in the wake of the Omicron variant. The new requirement, which came into motion on Tuesday, seems to have gone down well in Sheffield, as our reporter asked people in the city what they think about the new rules. https://soundcloud.com/user-596407045/what-do-you-think-about-the-new-mask-rules?si=9b03896115d442b0bedc687f0bc4369f These rules are a precautionary measure, in place while more information about the new variant is gathered and examined, for example the effectiveness of vaccines against it and the transmissibility rate. However, masks aren't required in:
- Pubs
- Cafes
- Restaurants
“I cried for three days”: fraudsters left Chinese students traumatised
By Jessica Lionnel Chinese students are being targeted by scammers who are attempting to swindle them out of thousands of pounds. Last week South Yorkshire Police issued a stark warning about the increase in fraudulent calls, many of which have a sinister undertone. The con artists pretend to be from official Chinese organisations demanding money to be transferred or face being extradited. For some students, the warning came a little too late. One victim was told she was responsible for the death of two elderly women and was ordered to transfer £1,700. Alice and Jake*, two Chinese students studying at The University of Sheffield, tell Sheffield Wire their stories.
When I heard that two women had died because of me, I was really shocked - AliceAlice, 24, was woken by a call in February this year from someone claiming to be from The Chinese Embassy. He told her he had obtained her contact details after finding her bank card on an airport floor. She explained: “He said I was involved in a money washing case and as a result two elderly women had died. He was adamant the women paid for my investment, but they did not get their money back and they had committed suicide because of me.” The fraudster then told Alice there was a warrant out for her arrest and stressed it would only be cleared if she paid 10,000 Chinese Yuan (equivalent to £1,178) for bail. If she did not cooperate with them and pay, they threatened she would be extradited back to China. They also told her not to communicate this with friends and family and to buy a new phone and sim card to contact them only. “I felt really scared because it has never happened to me before. I didn’t do anything but I got involved in such a big case. When I heard that two women had died because of me, I was really shocked," Alice recalls. Three days after the call, Alice asked her parents for the money. Her father agreed to transfer it immediately. She called the number which had rang her back, but the number was not recognised. It was then she realised it was a scam, but the psychological damage had already been done. Alice revealed: “I didn’t go to class for three days. I didn’t talk to my friends for three days. I didn’t talk to my parents for three days. I cried for three days” Alice said she still receives calls from the number, but now ignores them.
I think the liars, the criminals, are smart because they didn’t give me the time to consider whether it was fraud - JakeOn October 18, Jake was about to go to his university class when he received a phone call saying he had a parcel in the Chinese Embassy. The convincing caller explained it was an important document and if he wanted further details, to speak to an officer in the embassy. After making the call, Jake was told he was a victim of a credit card theft but the police had caught the man who had stolen it. He said Jake was required to go back to China to assist in the investigation at his own cost. “It was then I realised this was a scam,” said Jake “Gradually I lost my patience so I hung up and blocked the number. “I think the liars, the criminals, are smart because they didn’t give me the time to consider whether it was fraud and they didn’t allow me to call the police to check. “It was scary but could have been potentially worse.” Fortunately, Jake and Alice didn’t have their money stolen. However, the psychological trauma of the phone calls has stayed with them.
When fraudsters target them in this way, it can leave them really distressed - PoliceIn an official statement, South Yorkshire Police identified fraudsters are pretending to work for one of four organisations: The Chinese Embassy, Immigration or Customs Services, The Chinese Police, or The Royal Mail. Con artists threaten Chinese students who have just moved to the UK into giving them large sums of money and that they might have access to the students’ personal information, making their ability to deceive students into thinking they are from an official organization easier. A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police, said: “For the Chinese community in particular something like this can be really frightening for them. They have potentially come to a foreign country for the first time and they are away from home for the first time at university. “When fraudsters target them in this way, it can leave them really distressed and other times they’ve been really shocked and upset about what’s happened to them. The impact that their (the fraudsters) crimes have on these victims is literally leaving people in a really frightened and terrified state." When queried as to why Chinese students were being targeted, police explained they are not used to the level of scam calls that British residents are used to. The spokesperson added: “They may be more susceptible to taking that at first instance and unfortunately falling victim to this horrendous type of crime.”
A national problem?The problem is not just isolated to Sheffield: universities across the UK have alerted their Chinese students of the crime too. This should not come as a surprise, as Chinese undergraduates and postgraduates make up for the majority of international students in the UK. Approximately 140,000 were enrolled in 2019/2020. Warwick and Liverpool University have advised the students to not give out their personal information or money. The University of Sheffield said they were concerned about the emerging scam and added they were working with South Yorkshire Police to prevent it from happening again. Police have urged victims of the scam to contact Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk. But for victims Alice and Jake the emotional damage has already been done. *Their names have been changed to protect their identities.
Food stalls divide opinion among traders as Christmas Market makes pandemic return
The number of food stalls at Sheffield's Christmas market has divided opinion among traders, with some becoming frustrated at their dominance over more traditional offerings. Some traders told Sheffield Wire that they gave local people an opportunity to dive into diverse cultures through different types of food, but other owners thought the food stalls were getting far more attention than other shops at the market. One of the stall owners said: ''I definitely think there are too many food stalls at the market and it doesn't quite go with the Christmas theme. I think it takes a lot of people's attention.''
Fargate Christmas Market, Sheffield
Sheffield Children’s Hospital opens newly refurbished cancer ward
After a community fundraising effort, Sheffield Children’s Hospital has opened a newly refurbished £2.75m cancer and leukaemia ward. Ward 6 officially opened yesterday and was funded by community sources ranging from individual benefactors to the Bears of Sheffield trail. A spokesperson for the hospital said: “The new ward is bigger and brighter, with improved spaces for parents to stay with their children and a dedicated playroom at the heart of the ward for everyone to enjoy.” The new bedrooms have a view of Weston Park, brand new televisions and new furniture to help patients feel more at home.
Maya, a two-year-old leukaemia patient, has settled in well to her new surroundings on Ward 6. Her parents said: “The rooms are great; we love that they have en suite bathrooms and their own fridges which mean we don’t have to leave Maya. The TV is also a big hit – it helps Maya feel like she’s at home.” The new ward provides treatment for cancer and blood disorders from babies through to 19-year-olds across South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. It also sees patients from across the country for chemotherapy operations and bone marrow transplants. Emily, a nurse on ward 6, said the new setup makes her work a lot more efficient. She said: “The new ward is a better setting for the children and their parents, and is more functional for colleagues. For example, the nursing station is right next to the drug store and each room has a hatch so we can collect samples in a more discreet way.” Sheffield’s Children Hospital have thanked the Children’s Hospital Charity and the wider community for helping fund this development.We have some amazing news – we’ve now moved on to the new Ward 6!
Patients, families and staff at Sheffield Children’s have now officially moved into our newly refurbished cancer and leukaemia ward (Ward 6)! pic.twitter.com/g8FNPlRGl6 — Sheffield Children's (@SheffChildrens) December 2, 2021
Labour councillor speaks out about suspension of bus services
By Jonathan Tsui and Gwynn Gao
Residents in Crookes and Crosspool have faced an unexpected suspension of bus services due to last weekend's heavy snow.
Ward Labour candidate Minesh Parekh and ward councillor Ruth Milsom have written a letter to First South Yorkshire and Stagecoach Yorkshire to complain about the lack of contingency plans for extreme weather.
Milsom said she has been receiving an increasing number of complaints centred around bus services from residents in the area.
Last weekend, the 51 (First South Yorkshire), 52 (Stagecoach Yorkshire) and 52A (First South Yorkshire) were suspended because of the snow in Sheffield.
“A lot of people were reporting there was no notice beforehand and even on the websites”, said Parekh.
"If people checked times on the websites, it just said they were delayed, whereas you had to check on their Twitter account to find out they were cancelled", he continued.
In the letter, Parekh shared his concerns about the contingency plans for adverse weather from the two bus companies and how they will be adapted to ensure Crookes and Crosspool will not be left without service next time.
He said part of the problem is the disconnect between bus companies and the local council: “The bus companies don’t feel like they have to talk to the council and have to talk to local authorities. So there’s no joint approach to navigating a situation like this when we have adverse weather conditions.”
Milsom suggested that bus companies, the council and the highway department should work together since what happened last weekend was an instance of a “lack of communication”. She said: “I think we could have had the routes open a lot sooner. If there’s some coordination of services, not just gritting but ploughing the roads and getting the buses through as a priority.”
A spokesman for First South Yorkshire said the adverse weather of the weekend made driving of any vehicle challenging, especially on side roads as it worsened over the two days. He said company resumed services as soon as road surfaces improved.
First South Yorkshire have arranged a meeting with Parekh and Milsom next Tuesday. Stagecoach Yorkshire are yet to respond.
Moving forward, Milsom will also talk to the council and highway officers about what improvements can be made for future occasions.
The ward Councillor hopes to “get officers to see the priority that it is for people to be able to use these routes and to just make some improvements for next time.”
Sheffield photographer sets up christmas scene on her driveway
A photographer has arranged a Christmas scene on her driveway to raise money for Hallam FM Cash for Kids in Waverley, Rotherham. The photographer did the same last year, raising £3,500, and aims to be bigger and better this year. The scene features Christmas trees, a backdrop and a snow machine. The only concern for the photographer, Hayley Krik, is the unpromising weather forecast. Few could attend last Saturday because of the snow. Hayley said: “That is the only part that I can’t change, if it’s windy this week then we cannot do them.” Mrs Kirk normally works as a wedding photographer, and due to so many cancellations over the last year, she needed another outlet to express her passion for photography. The Christmas shoots will be running from 10am to 2pm for the snow photos and 2:30pm to 3:30pm on Saturday.
Delivery drivers to go on strike next week
Delivery drivers will go on strike from 6 December in response to proposed pay cuts. Couriers who work for the third-party company Stuart, and deliver for JustEat, held a protest last Saturday and now plan to escalate to a strike on Monday. Bahador Roshan, a driver for Stuart, said: "If I can’t pay my rent I have to move my family. "It is losing hope for the future, it is like a nightmare." Despite the snow, over 100 people attended last weekend's protest, including Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam. She said: "Stuart couriers have helped keep Sheffield going through the pandemic. For them to be rewarded with a pay cut like this is not acceptable." Stuart's new pay model will see deliveries under half a mile earn the rider a payment of £3.40, instead of the previous £4.50. Drivers will also be required to cover their own vehicle costs.
Photos by IGWB Union
Sheffield to host vigil as part of international campaign against gender-based violence
A vigil to raise awareness of gender-based violence is taking place in Sheffield city centre this Sunday.
The event, organised by the Sheffield Branch of the Women's Equality Party and Our Bodies Our Streets, will run from 6pm and 7pm on Devonshire Green.
It forms part of the international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, which started on 25 November and runs to 10 December.
Several groups and organisations are taking part in the city, including the University of Sheffield's Students' Union, the Sheffield Women's Equality Party and Vida Sheffield.
'Reclaim the Night' at Sheffield Cathedral was one of the 16 days of events
Join us for our second vigil highlighting the need to end violence against women and girls#16daysofaction#sheffieldissuper pic.twitter.com/taRdYWKJl9
— WEP Sheffield (@WEPSheffield) November 24, 2021
Charlotte Mead, the Sheffield branch leader, said: "It's not enough to just do a vigil when there’s a high profile case in the media.
"With someone like Sarah Everard there was a lot of coverage. There are a variety of reasons why hers was covered a lot and others aren't, partly because it was a police officer that was convicted.
"This happens to two women every week on average. Some get reported on, some don't, but it happens even if it doesn't get reported."
Mead mentioned that since Sarah Everard died, over 90 women have been killed where the main suspect has been a man. "It blows your mind to think about it like that. This is something we need to do all the time, not just when a case hits the headlines. "We need to remember these women and keep the pressure on. A vigil keeps the awareness up and keeps it in people's minds."
Marches and vigils are taking place all through Sheffield.
Hollie Venn, the Executive Officer of Sheffield Women's Aid, which focuses on domestic abuse, said: "We couldn't have a lot of new women coming into the services because of Covid, so even if women did want to leave abusive relationships, this was challenging because there was less spaces for people to go to over lockdown. "We want to highlight that we are still here. This is an issue and although we have a campaign for it every year, we're seeing more awareness which is good but this isn't eliminating the problem." https://youtu.be/IC4q3fM2bNo Venn added: "We hear a lot of 'why doesn't someone just leave?' But the question is 'why do perpetrators abuse?' Let's flip the narrative, let's not victim-blame. Why do people behave like this in the first place?" Violence against women happens at home, at work on the streets. It affects adults and children alike. Certain women are more likely to be subject to this violence. Disabled women, for example, are twice as likely to be sexually assaulted as non-disabled women, according to the National Office for Statistics. If you are a victim of domestic abuse, there are helplines available.
Students conflicted over UCU strikes
Both of Sheffield's students unions have officially supported this week's UCU strikes, however the students they represent are split on backing the action. University staff who are members of UCU have been striking since Wednesday in response to proposed pension cuts, high workloads, zero-hour contracts and gender and racial pay disparities. While strikes are due to finish today, action short of a strike will continue until UCU demands are met, causing disturbance to many students and their university experience. This follows a difficult year disrupted by COVID-19 and strikes in 2018, meaning students have not had a normal academic term for three years. Despite this, the student unions of Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam, have released statements in support of strike action. An official statement from Sheffield Hallam's Student Union said: "We at the Sheffield Hallam Students' Union stand in solidarity with members of Sheffield Hallam's University and College Union (UCU) who will be engaged in strike action." Meanwhile, University of Sheffield's Students Union said: "We know that the strikes will cause disruption to students' learning, while also acknowledging that academic staff's working conditions are our learning conditions and need to improve." Many students from across both universities are supporting these statements and the strikes. Zac Larkham, a member of Sheffield Solidarity Group and a second year Politics and Sociology student, said: "Some lecturers are having to make the choice between paying their rent or buying a new pair of shoes. "Lecturers and university staff are some of the only people at the university that actually do care about the students. All students are doing by saying they don’t support the strike is playing into the hands of those who don’t give a damn about us." However, some students feel like their Student Union has not represented their interests. A third year Mechanical Engineering student said: “The strikes last year were even worse, plus we had to deal with COVID resulting in online classes on top of that. "I know staff have also been treated unfairly but purely from our perspective we’re paying huge amounts of money for learning and don’t receive any compensation.” Some areas of the student community are disproportionately affected, including postgraduate and international students. A Politics MA student at the University of Sheffield said: "It takes away a lot of the teaching time, a lot of the content on my course really needs to be discussed in person. "Since I’m doing [a] masters course, I feel more impacted because I only get one year. So everyday lost counts really." Both Student Unions remain fully open during strike action, and have put measures in place to support students affected by strikes, including a winter wellbeing events programme at the University of Sheffield. They also both urge that students should contact the relevant support services at their university if they feel negatively impacted by the strike action.
EXCLUSIVE: Barnsley choir academy plans will put South Yorkshire “at the heart” of talent
Plans for the world famous Barnsley Youth Choir to have its own centre will put the region "at the heart" of vocal excellence, Dan Jarvis MP has told Sheffield Wire. The Northern Academy for Vocal Excellence will also become a hub for singing not just in South Yorkshire, but across the nation. Mr Jarvis, MP for Barnsley Central, said: "The Northern Academy of Vocal Excellence will put South Yorkshire right at the heart of delivering vocal excellence for generations to come. "I will be doing everything I can to support Mat Wright and all of the team at Barnsley Youth Choir to ensure that these exciting plans come to fruition."
Barnsley Youth Choir is ranked third in the World Rankings and has won eight first-prizes in some of the biggest vocal competitions. The choir's Artistic Director, Mat Wright MBE, said: "We’ll be working with some of the greatest international experts, and it’s going to be a space for people of all ages to learn and train from the very best in the world." Barnsley Council has agreed to lease its former computer centre building on St Mary's Place for the development of the Academy. The council have promised to provide significant funding to develop the building, which first opened in 1879. Funding is expected to be matched by other organisations in the future and the choir will bid for further cash to pay for the plans. Cllr Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: "Our borough is a place that fosters ambition. That’s why we’re supporting BYC in developing a permanent home to nurture the incredible talent of our young people." Full plans for the Northern Academy for Vocal Excellence can be viewed here.We are thrilled to share with you plans for a new Northern Academy of Vocal Excellence. This is a hugely exciting project and we hope that you will support us by completing a simple survey. https://t.co/uXhP1HpBqO pic.twitter.com/WzkcjHduCA
— Barnsley Youth Choir (@BarnsleyChoir) November 30, 2021
Sheffield Steelkings to play Winter Blast at IceSheffield tonight
Fans will be admitted for free to Sheffield Steelkings Para Ice Hockey Club for their Winter Blast game at IceSheffield this evening.
The club will play an inter-squad match with both teams featuring players from the Steelkings and their 'Bee team'.
Sheffield Steelkings Para Ice Hockey Club last held a Winter Blast in 2019 with pandemic restrictions putting the event on hold in 2020.
Andrew Mead, who joined the Steelkings a couple of years ago after losing both his legs below the knee in 2016, is looking forward to the event.
He said: “Expect absolute carnage and mayhem! Ice hockey is not like any other sport.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKt63UDLezU The Steelkings are made up of male and female members who are looking to play a fast and physical team sport. The club were rewarded for their work in getting people to play para ice-hockey with a National Lottery Award and are now preparing for the upcoming British Para Ice-Hockey League starting in May. They hope to utilise the size of their squad which features both a first team and a development ‘Bee’ side. Mr Mead assures everyone who attends the event tonight absolute quality of entertainment: “It’s played with love but it’s competitive love.” Mr Mead has also been a member of the GB Para Ice-hockey team for the last 18 months and wants to urge fellow disabled sports enthusiast to take up “the most amazing and inclusive sport in the world.” The event takes place at IceSheffield at 8.30pm tonight.