Rotherham United win 2-1 against Oxford United
After an early own goal, Rotherham fought their way to win the match, 2:1 to Oxford. Before the game there was a one minutes silence and clap for the late Harold Wilcockson, who was a player for Rotherham United. 10 minutes in, Oxford took the lead when Dan Barlaser attempted to block the cross, but the ball ended up in his own net. Rotherham managed to achieve an equaliser in the third minute of added time with Rarmanin Edmonds-Green. Rotherham manager Paul Warne said: “The equalising goal was crucial. It changed our team talk at half time and we were able to go full positive with them.” Rotherham started the second half quickly and with purpose. After 66 minutes, Rotherham took the lead with a penalty goal from Barlaser. Warne said: “The atmosphere today was really good and I’m thankful to the fans, they stuck with the team today and helped us to the result. There were four minutes extra time at the end of the game, but the score remained the same. With this win, there was a jubilant reaction from the home crowd as Rotherham are second in league one with a good chance for a promotion.
A ‘Reyt Queer Extravaganza’ will make its Sheffield debut this summer
A South Yorkshire based queer arts organisation will bring a series of inclusive events and workshops to Sheffield to celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Andro and Eve, founded in 2016 with the aim to provide inclusive and accessible spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in Sheffield, is bringing a series of live events to South Yorkshire this summer. The ‘Reyt Queer Extravaganza’, hosted by writer, director and actor, Rikki Beadle Blair, will showcase some of South Yorkshire’s most exciting queer performance talent, professional dancers, and drag artists from across the North of England. The event is due to take place in Sheffield’s iconic performance venue, The Leadmill, this July, and is partly funded by Arts Council England.
A Reyt Queer Extravaganza will make its Sheffield debut this July. Image: Ndrika Anyika
“Part of our organisation’s core values is to amplify the voices of those typically marginalised in the arts." Image: Ndrika Anyika
Sheffield duo raise thousands for Weston Park in charity bed push
Debbie Cundy, Life Coach and avid fundraiser for Weston Park Cancer Hospital, and her friend Richard Hepworth, owner of Air Environmental Ltd., pushed a hospital bed from the city centre to Endcliffe Park on Saturday afternoon. The bed push took just over two hours, starting at Sheffield Town Hall, travelling along St Mary’s Place and Ecclesall Road, finishing at Endcliffe Park at 2:30pm. Along their route, friends, family, and supporters of the Sheffield cancer charity joined them, holding collection boxes to collect donations from people on the streets. On route, travelling cars and buses pulled over to donate to the good cause. At present, the bed push has raised £4,285.07 for Weston Park. A final fundraising total will be released next week. There were two hospital beds at the fundraiser – a small and a large one. The large bed represented the adults being treated at Weston Park and the smaller bed with the teddy bear, symbolised children who have been diagnosed with cancer at the hospital. “Weston Park is a fantastic charity and hospital. Unfortunately, we will all know someone affected by cancer. 50% of the population will be affected by cancer in our lifetime”, said Debbie.
Weston Park hospital beds ready for the bed push at Sheffield Town Hall
Sharon Sleight, who joined the bed push
Debbie Cundy and Richard Hepworth at Sheffield Town Hall ready for the bed push
Pushing the children's hospital bed along Ecclesall Road to Endcliffe Park
Pushing the children's hospital bed along Ecclesall Road to Endcliffe Park
Debbie Cundy, her son Jonathan and his partner Lucy Winkle outside Endcliffe Park
Actor Greg Sestero to visit Sheffield for 19th Anniversary Screening of cult classic ‘The Room’
Actor and New York Times best-selling author Greg Sestero is coming to Sheffield for a 19th-anniversary screening and Q&A session on the cult classic 'The Room', alongside a screening of his new film, 'Miracle Valley'.
It is being hosted by Film Unit, a student-led independent cinema located in the University of Sheffield's Students' Union.
Loved for its quirky and offbeat dialogue, various unresolved plotlines and bizarre themes, 'The Room' was initially received very poorly by critics but has since become increasingly popular.
On the topic of visiting Sheffield, Sestero said: "I have a lot of friends there, it's always absolutely beautiful.
"I went up to Castleton last time and it's still some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen, so I'm very very stoked to be coming back.
"Sheffield's always brought good memories over the years, it's a very excitable crowd and big support so I'm very excited."
Often called the 'worst movie ever made', Sestero stars as Mark in 'The Room', the best friend of director and actor Tommy Wiseau's character, Johnny. But when Mark has an affair with Johnny's fiancée Lisa, 'nothing is the same'.
Taking place in The University of Sheffield's Student Union Nelson Mandela Auditorium, the event will start at 7:00pm with a screening of Sestero's new horror film 'Miracle Valley', which follows an obsessive photographer and his girlfriend who are invited to a desert getaway in search of an ultra-rare bird.
Sestero has written, starred and directed in his new film, which premiered back in October 2021 and has so far received positive reviews, with an overall IMDB rating of 6.8/10.
When asked if he had been inspired by watching Tommy Wiseau direct, Sestero said: "The Room is something that's obviously been on for 20 years, which is amazing, and I've learnt the biggest thing is collaboration.
"I think you've got to have a vision but then you also need to be able to articulate that to a team so everyone on set is involved and having fun."
The screening will be one of Film Unit's first big events post-covid and the team are planning on making the screening fully interactive with all the typical The Room-screening traditions of spoon throwing, yelling in unison 'but he's my best friend!' and shouting "Sesterone!" whenever Sestero does something manly.
Film Unit's Committee Chair, Gwynnie Naylor, 22, said of Sestero's visit: "We're really excited about this. We have some other big things going on, but nothing as high profile as this.
"It's going to be very fun."
At 8:30pm the live Q&A will then take place and Sestero will answer audience questions. This will then be followed by a 20 minute intermission, with the screening of 'The Room' starting at 9:05pm.
The event will take place on Wednesday 6 May and tickets can be booked here.
Morning Briefing: Police action against protesters and parents anger at lack of school places
Good morning and welcome to today's coverage of Sheffield and South Yorkshire. Here's a quick look at some of the stories coming up today. There was police action against protesters yesterday in Sheffield City centre - who were demonstrating against Turkey's recent attacks on Kurdish positions in Northern Iraq. Parents on the Waverley estate in Rotherham have expressed their anger after their children were refused admission to Waverley Academy. The school was built to accommodate for children on the estate - but has a shortage of spaces. A protest is taking place this Saturday, outside City Hall, demanding a full ban of so-called 'conversion therapy' that protects transgender people, as a new law currently only covers those who are gay and bisexual. In sport, Barnsley Football Club sacked their manager Poya Asbaghi yesterday after the team was relegated from the Championship. And much more. Stay with us today as we bring you live coverage from across the region.
Billy Sharp in focus: Sheffield United’s record-breaking captain
Ask any Sheffield United supporter what the name Billy Sharp means to them, and you’ll be met with a similar revering response. “He’s a Blade like us, and every goal he scores means as much to him as it does to us. There’s no player in my lifetime that compares with Billy,” is how diehard Sheffield United fan Hal puts it. Smashing new goal records with staggering regularity, Sharp can now be fully acknowledged as one of the most prolific goalscorers English football has seen in recent times. With the Blades captain currently locked in contract negotiations with Sheffield United bosses as the club vies to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, it seems as good a time as ever to delve deeper into his achievements in the red-and-white and what he truly means to United's supporters. The fan on the pitch A Sheffield lad born and bred, Billy Sharp is the quintessential local sporting hero. An academy graduate at Sheffield United, the 36-year-old has represented his boyhood club on three separate occasions in a career which has seen him score goals in each of the top four divisions in English football. Billy Sharp is currently ranked 9th in Sheffield United’s all-time leading goalscorer standings on 115 goals, just two behind former Blades striker Jimmy Hagan.
Hal, co-host of the multi-award-winning podcast and YouTube channel Sheff United Way, says Sharp has played out every Blades supporter’s dream. “He’s like me in that he’s a Sheffield United fan, and like me he dreamed of playing for Sheffield United. Unlike me, he had the ability,” Hal outlines. A player who seems to thrive off the energy of the crowd, both adulatory and hostile, Sharp’s humility may be best observed from his Twitter bio which reads as – “I’m just that fat lad from Sheffield.” For Jason Holyhead, freelance writer and author of Sheffield United book Ain’t Got a Barrel of Money, there is something extra special about celebrating Billy Sharp goals at Bramall Lane. Jason says: “I think the atmosphere when he scores is better than for anyone else. When everybody’s singing ‘we’ve got Billy Sharp’ and he’s getting abuse off the away fans and things like this. “He plays up to all that. He’s a good character is our Billy,” he adds. Billy the bagsman “You know, on paper, if you were just to write down what Billy is good at, you might not sign him,” Hal quips. Standing at 5ft 9in tall and not blessed with blistering pace, it is in the mind where Billy Sharp has found an advantage over his opponents over the years. A terrific striker of the ball with both feet, Sharp has the golden knack of being in the right place at the right time and pouncing on any loose ball in or around the box. He is not just a ‘fox in the box’ as is widely perceived, however. With seven Championship assists to his name so far this season, the Blades’ number 10 is also adept at linking the play and creating chances for his teammates. Hal goes on to describe Billy Sharp as the master of simplicity. He says: “Billy doesn’t score world-class free kicks, he doesn’t do these sorts of ridiculous Rabona moves and stuff like that. What he does do is the simple things exceptionally well, and then there’s occasional moments of sheer brilliance.”“Two more (behind Jimmy Hagan.) would mean a lot to me to beat that as he was my grandad’s hero.”
Billy Sharp on being on the all time top Sheffield United league scorer list. 👏 pic.twitter.com/Dlc6mZbHNH — Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) March 14, 2022
Sheffield Council’s removal of library fines for late books causes concern
The public have responded with concern towards Sheffield libraries becoming fully "fine free" arguing that the "incentive" of a fine is important in ensuring the safe return of books and other library materials.
Fines were initially suspended until March 31st in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but now, following Sheffield Council's announcement last week, they will be permanently waived.
Any books taken out or returned will no longer incur fines and historic fees will also be removed.
The move aims to encourage more people to join and use one of Sheffield's 15 libraries, make them more accessible and help communities recover from the pandemic, by allowing those who may have a book from before the pandemic to return their books and use the library again without the worry of having to pay the fine.
Sheffield resident Calvin Payne said of the removal of the fines: "I never take my library book back late, I think its one of the most unsociable things to do, considering how easy it is to join and how much you can get for free and how much service they provide."
"I really think there should be fines for it, because I think those fines end up contributing to the income for the library- I'm not quite sure why there'd be a reason for not having fines as an incentive and I don't think it will make an awful lot of difference anyway to people who use the library regularly- you do occasionally see the person running up a 10 pound fine or something because they haven't returned it for ages- but I really can't see the upside of it.
"I just love the library, it's the one place you're completely trusted to look after the things you borrow, nowhere else would let you do that. Some of the things you can borrow I imagine with DVDs and audio books could rack up quite a big cost if they're taken."
With ID, adults can borrow up to 15 books including audio books, 5 items of recorded music and 5 DVDs.
In contrast, Jack Wyatt, student from Sheffield Hallam University felt the removal of fines was a positive development, and said: "I think that's encouraging, I know a lot of people especially younger people who would feel anxious about handing in something late."
"Obviously there's a lot of uni students and they get a lot of deadlines and stuff so I think encouraging people by saying like oh it's okay if you want to hand that in later or still take the mick doing it- we don't need corporal punishment for these things, its a book at the end of the day."
Sheffield Libraries still encourage library materials to be brought back on time or renewed but if items are not returned within 60 days after their due date, they are considered lost and a replacement fee is still charged.
Increasing numbers of children across South Yorkshire fear rising living costs
Over a quarter of children in Yorkshire and the Humber are worried about their families having enough money to live according to a new report from Action For Children. The report surveyed three generations of families from across the UK in order to better understand how the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis is impacting children. 28% of children in South Yorkshire are worried about their family having enough money to live comfortably and nationally, 47% of children from low income backgrounds have the same worry. The study comes as the Humber of children living in poverty across the county is rising, with 33% of children in the region found to be living in poverty in 2020.
Jackie Sawdon, Project Manager of The Exodus Project which is a charity that works with young people around in Barnsley and Wakefield including young people from disadvantaged backgrounds said: “I just think we’re just typical of most other areas, families are struggling financially and that has an impact on children and young people.” The Exodus Project has been providing food parcels for families in need in the area since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic but has seen the number of families in need of support double over the last two years. Ms Sawdon said: “It’s things that are expensive like sanitary wares that tend to get pushed back when money is a priority. So we'll give them a pack of their basic needs but it's doubled the number of families that we're taking boxes to.”
Children were asked by the survey what they think is preventing them from fulfilling their potential, with children in Yorkshire and the Humber region identifying the impacts of school pressure, the Covid-19 pandemic and mental health as their biggest concerns.
Across the nation the report found that mental health is now a bigger worry for children than it was before the Covid-19 pandemic with 42% of children saying they are worried about their own mental health.
Fears of childhood getting worse were also recorded by the study with over half (59%) of parents in Yorkshire and Humber parents stating childhood is getting worse and over a third (35%) of children agreeing with them.
The report also highlighted concerns over children masking their worries with 63% of children admitting to hiding a worry from their parents and 70% believing their children keep worries from them.
Jackie Sawdon said: “The world situation at the moment is coming down and worrying the kids. That's something we've been talking to them about.
“Kids seem to be under more pressure at schools, with different exams and tests all the time which is something we didn’t have as much when we were kids. I don't think there is a quick fix answer to be honest.”
Human trials for new male contraceptive pill early as July
The daily non-hormonal tablet is 99% effective at preventing pregnancies in animal testing on mice. The new development has shown zero side effects which has sparked confidence across the male population throughout Sheffield. Nick Duffy, 23, Civil engineer said: “I still need some more information but from what I know already, I would be happy to take it. I would not necessarily be worried about it as long as there was thorough research. “It is still in early stages and it has not been tested on a wide scale in the public. Generally I have a positive attitude towards it." Robert Downer, 20, History student said: “I would be willing to take it but not as part of the first round of people to test it. I want to see how it would affect people in the long term first or if people have any difficulties with it. I am not opposed to it at all." This development has sparked great enthusiasm from the female population too as many believe it will help relieve the pressure on women for having protected sex. Lindsay Dower, 53, Air Traffic controller said: “It is a very good idea, the onus has been on women for far too long really and I think it should be equalled out as long as there are no longer term side effects then I think this is a really great thing.” During the trials 200 mice were tested. This resulted in two test subjects falling pregnant. The pill drastically reduced the mice’s sperm count making them infertile but once the mice stopped taking the drug their sperm count was back to normal within four - six weeks. https://youtu.be/41lG526vDRk Md Abdullah al Noman said: “The pill is non hormonal because unfortunately, men are less willing to take a birth control pill that has a side effect because they don't bear the consequence of pregnancy. “We cannot tell whether it will definitely go to human trials, no, because we have to file for a year and FDA will review all that data, and then they will give it the green light. “So far, everything looks really promising. Even when we went to even 100 times higher dose than the effective dose, the compound didn’t show any toxicity. But, you know, we cannot say much without a clinical trial. This is not a drug, this is just a drug candidate.” According to the researcher the mice played and had sex which indicates their libido was not affected and they did not suffer depression or low mood. Despite no previous treatments for effective and safe male contraceptives the researcher assured that once the drug has been approved after human trials it will be completely safe. He will even take it himself. But not everyone shares his confidence. Genetics researcher, Connor Ward said: “It is a brilliant idea and hopefully a great step in the right direction towards contraception. “I can’t say I am not worried about the potential human side effects but only the research will tell.” Abdullah is part of a large team at the University of Minnesota who has been working on this drug for over ten years and have spent multi millions in funding. Noman and his team have now licensed their drug to a private company, YourChoice Therapeutics. They are aiming to start human trials as early as July this year in the US. He hopes to see the drug available to the public by the end of the decade. So far no treatment for male contraception has passed human trials.
“To see everyone chatting, laughing and being together is amazing”: The return of Woodhouse Market
Woodhouse craft market made a long awaited return at the weekend with organisers looking to help bring back the community spirit to the village. Woodhouse was one of the recipients of Sheffield City Council’s Economic Recovery Fund, receiving a share of £500,000 alongside ten other areas of Sheffield. Some of the money was used to help set up the market. Organiser, Sarah Hobson said: “The people of Woodhouse told us time after time that they missed the old community spirit and we hope to bring that back. “To see everyone chatting, laughing and being together is amazing.” Richard Botham and Ms Hobson set up their shop, Changing Hands, during the pandemic to help people who were suffering from isolation. They helped organise the market alongside the Memory Lane Tea Room. Together, the businesses have formed the Woodhouse Traders Association. Mr Botham, 51, said: “The main aim is to create a local atmosphere and get people shopping locally again. “I think if we can even do this just once a month, which we're planning, it's going to get people out and bring the community spirit back.
Sarah Hobson and Richard Botham outside their shop Changing Hands.
There was also a stand to help raise money for 3-year-old Jude Mellon-Jameson’s recovery from Neuroblastoma.
With the council funding the Woodhouse Traders Association plan to run more events starting with a St George’s day parade next month. They also plan to continue running the market on a monthly basis.
Mr Botham said: “We've got a waiting list of about 40 stallholders, we're going to try and rotate and give everyone a chance to show their stuff.”
New series based on The Full Monty to be filmed in Sheffield with original cast
This morning Disney+ announced a brand new series, The Full Monty, from the makers of the original hit comedy film. The new series will be premiered on Disney+ globally, almost 25 years after the original film was released. It will follow the story of the original brothers as they navigate the city of Sheffield. Simon Beaufoy, Creator, Writer, Executive Producer said: “We’re chuffed to bits to get all the Monty Men back together again – now with a chaotic entourage of children, grandchildren, pets and assorted hangers-on – to see what life in Sheffield is like twenty-five years on.” The new series will be comprised of many of the original cast members, including Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Lesley Sharp, Steve Huison, Paul Barber, Tom Wilkinson and Hugo Speer. Lee Mason, Director of Scripted Content said: “Twenty-five years ago Simon introduced us to a group of funny, fearless and resilient unemployed working-class men from Sheffield and the world fell in love with them. We’re delighted to reunite the original cast for this brand-new series on Disney+ to catch up with these iconic characters and what they’ve been up to since we last saw them on stage in all their glory, and we can’t wait to introduce a host of exciting new faces and characters.” Sheffield Wire spoke to people around the city centre for their response to the news. There was a mixture of responses, some having heard of the new series, some not. One Sheffield resident said: "I was in Sheffield when it was being filmed, I was actually in Los Angeles when it was the Oscars, it was actually up for an Oscar. And of course the rival film was Titanic that year. It was quite amusing a film from Sheffield being up against a blockbuster. I worked out where most of these scenes were filmed, I thought it would be an interesting challenge to have a run around all of them".
Doncaster Rovers 0 – 0 Charlton Athletic: Desperate Donny edge closer to the drop
Doncaster Rovers' survival hopes took another hit on Saturday after a 1-0 defeat to a dominant Charlton. Donny did well to keep the Addicks at bay for most of the game, but Jayden Stockley's strike proved the difference. Jonathan Mitchell impressed in goal for Rovers with a number of first-half stops including a Conor Washington penalty. Johnnie Jackson's side dominated the majority of the game and could have been ahead in the 14th minute when Kyle Knoyle brought down Corey Blackett-Taylor in the box, only for Mitchell to save well. Mitchell was called into action again before the break, denying both Stockley and Washington. Rovers found openings hard to come by, with a Matt Smith strike and a blocked volley from Ben Jackson their only efforts of note. Charlton finally made their dominance pay in the 66th minute, as Blackett-Taylor cut the ball back for Stockley to find the far corner. Tommy Rowe almost snatched an undeserved equaliser at the death, but his drilled effort was saved by Craig MacGillivray. Doncaster remain in 23rd, four points from safety having played two games more than Fleetwood in 20th. Donny manager Gary McSheffrey admitted survival will be an uphill battle but that Rovers will keep fighting. He said: “Ultimately it’s not mathematically done so we have to keep positive and try to believe we can win the next game. “I can’t sit here and be negative. We won’t accept it until the proof is in the pudding. “We will keep fighting until it does.” Up next for Rovers is a trip to London to face play-off hopefuls Wycombe Wanderers.