South Yorkshire volunteers raise over £1,400 in community project to help renovate kids’ educational facility
A group of volunteers from South Yorkshire have raised over £1,400 to help transform an educational facility which supports children with additional learning difficulties. Sheffield’s Team 10 of the Prince's Trust Programme, featuring members of South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, have engaged in various fundraising activities in the last couple of weeks to raise money to support P.A.S.T. Ways. P.A.S.T. Ways are a non-profit charity based in Ecclesfield who support children aged 10-16 with learning difficulties associated with issues such as anxiety, autism and ADHD. James Wilson, a Fire Support Volunteer for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said the primary goal of the community project was to make the children at P.A.S.T. Ways feel valued and appreciated. He said: “These children might have different learning difficulties or disabilities and feel like they’re not having much done for them or not a lot of people care. “The aim of this project was to give them a safe space, to show that we do care and to provide that environment where they can look forward to learning and have fun.”
Volunteer James Wilson, 22, said his main goal is to become a firefighter or fire support officer in the future. (Image Credit: @jameswilsonsyfr)
The volunteers have helped install a number of changes at the P.A.S.T. Ways Centre in Ecclesfield, including improvements to the outdoor area and comfort room (Image Credits: @jameswilsonsyfr).
‘It insults the integrity of the vast majority of teachers’: South Yorkshire teachers criticise new government anti-bias guidance
Controversial debates have been sparked across schools following a classroom impartiality guide published last Thursday. The Secretary of State, Nadhim Zahawi has said the guidance aims to allow children to form their own opinions without influence from teachers, but many teachers argue this influence is rare. Wayne Chadburn, a Maths teacher at All Saints Catholic High School, Penistone, said: "It’s a sledgehammer to crack a nut. "The vast majority of teachers have strong opinions but when we are in the classroom we get splinters in our backsides constantly sitting on the fence. There are a tiny minority of teachers who wear their views like a big shiny label. "It’s this tiny minority this guidance is aimed at and it insults the integrity of the vast majority of teachers." The guidance comes after a Nottingham Primary School was blasted for encouraging children to criticise the Prime Minister. Bradfield School teacher and local councillor, Ben Miskell, said: "this impartiality is normally down to lack of training. "Our schools need to be safe places for the discussion of controversial issues and an antedate of toxic internet conspiracy theories."
Ben Miskell, Sheffield Councillor and Teacher.
Blades dominate a sorry-looking Swansea
Bramall Lane was electric on Saturday evening, after Sheffield United accomplished a clinical 4-0 win against Swansea City. Morgan Gibbs White, on loan from Wolves, scored the opener from the right-side of the box, with an assist from Oliver Norwood. The Blades kept up the pressure, with right-back George Baldock doubling the lead only three minutes later with a 12-yard volley – his first for the club in over two years. Star-striker Billy Sharp netted his 12th league goal this season, making it 3-0 before the break. The excellent Gibbs-White completed his brace in the second half, assisted by Sharp. The 22-year-old impressed both fans and pundits alike and was included in the Sky Bet Championship Team of the Week. Swansea failed to make an impact on United and their defence was picked apart in the first-half. Although they showed more fight in the second, the Jacks only achieved two shots on target despite having 62% possession. Head-coach Russel Martin said: “I feel sorry for the fans that have travelled in difficult circumstances and were incredible throughout the game, they deserve better from what we’ve given them away from home at the moment." He lamented: “There was a big difference in the physical profile and make-up [between the teams], and it really showed”. Blades manager Paul Heckingbottom said of the game: “I can’t fault any player who was on the pitch today – the boys who came on, the boys who started – in terms of executing what we wanted from them they were perfect.” The victory took club to sixth in the championship, unbeaten in their last eight games. Heckingbottom seemed to manage expectations, saying: “There’s 15 games – a third of the season – so a long, long way to go. Lots of things will happen, we’ve got so many teams to play”. The Jacks meanwhile, are left lingering in the bottom half of the division at 17th, without a win in their last six away games.
Sheffield City Council pledges to reduce deadly weedkiller in a bid to increase biodiversity
One of the greenest cities in Europe has vowed to reduce its use of glyphosate to help stop the destruction of wildlife in response to the national nature recovery strategy.
The Council’s Cooperative Executive committed to constantly reviewing and reducing its use in September 2021. The Council are trialling glyphosate free areas in certain parts of the city, with trials beginning this year.
Glyphosate is a weed killer which is used to destroy both broadleaf plants and grasses. It is used across agriculture and forestry; with people using it on their lawns and gardens. It is also currently used to tidy up the weeds on the highway and green spaces; including parks.
According to WedMD, some poeple who have intentionally ingested glyphosate have died, and some studies have even linked the weedkiller to cancer and liver and kidney damage.
Dr Ross Cameron, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Landscape Architecture said: “I think it [stopping the use of glyphosate] sends a signal that we need to be more relaxed about our relationship with nature and it’s not all about control. In our discipline of Landscape Architecture 200, 300 years ago was all about humans and dominating nature- that has changed. We want to work with nature. So I think it could be a step along that way but it’s a change of mindset, and that’s equally important.
“The biology will after itself, it’ll come back, if people can see that as a positive thing and welcome it, then that’s great. But you will get some resistance as it’s seen as a cost-cutting exercise and the council not doing their bit.”
Glyphosate is sprayed onto undesirable broadleaf species to kill them, in order to 'tidy up' an area.
Whilst the weed killer is approved for use in the UK until 2025, Sheffield City Council is investing its time and resources into looking into natural, non-chemical pesticides. Some examples include the use of ‘sweepers’ which remove debris and the use of mechanical ‘weed rippers’, a unique tool is designed to pull aquatic weeds by the roots so they cannot grow back as quickly.
Other methods, such as not treating weeds at all, have also been explored, as they would increase Sheffield’s biodiversity.
Cllr Alison Teal, Executive Member for Sustainable Neighbourhoods, Wellbeing, Parks and Leisure said: "Stopping the use of a herbicide which is also harmful to insects, birds and humans is an important part of our response to the biodiversity emergency. Sheffield will start to look different, there will be a greater abundance of long grass and hopefully, wildflowers, for example, which will, in turn, provide more nutrients for insects, which will support an increasing bird population, we hope.
“The decline of insect and bird life has serious consequences for us all, fewer pollinators mean smaller harvests. Sheffield is playing its part to reverse worrying trends and actively contributing to wider nature recovery strategies."
This news brings exciting new opportunity to Sheffield’s landscape and biodiversity.
South Yorkshire storms: latest travel updates
Major travel disruptions can be seen across the county due to yesterday's Storm Franklin. Tram, train and bus services are affected.
Trams
There is currently no service at Meadowhall Interchange, Rotherham or Parkgate. The yellow line is operating between Middlewood and Tinsley only.Trains
Train services across the North have been cancelled or delayed.- Services between Doncaster and Scarborough in both directions are being disrupted and trains between these stations will terminate at Hunmanby.
- There are currently no trains passing through Rotherham. All services have been suspended due to severe flooding. Bus replacement services have not been issued and the station is due to reopen by at least Tuesday.
- Services will be cancelled between Doncaster and Sheffield until the end of the day. Bus replacement services are available.
- Routes from Sheffield to London have also been disrupted.
- Lines are closed between Chesterfield and Sheffield.
- East Midlands railway have warned not to travel between Derby and Sheffield.
To read about the latest bus travel updates in Sheffield and Rotherham, click here.
To read about latest Storm Franklin updates in South Yorkshire, click here.
For further updates for travel, follow the thread by @Sheffield_Wire on Twitter.
Storm Franklin: the latest updates for Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham bus travel
Storm Franklin has disrupted bus services in South Yorkshire, after causing winds of up 70mph across the region and widespread flooding. Persistent rainfall between all three of the past week's storms have caused the River Don to overflow in several places. Most disruption to Sheffield and Rotherham's public transport is caused by flooding at Meadowhall, meaning many services are diverting travel away or stopping services earlier in the route. Information from Travel South Yorkshire explains the changes to today's bus services.
Doncaster
Flooding throughout Doncaster has caused problems for several bus services. Stagecoach Yorkshire: 218, 218a, 220, 221 These services will be diverted via Queen Street and Wath Road in both directions, between Swinton and Mexborough. The 220 service will also not stop at Cortonwood Shopping Park. First South Yorkshire: 84b This service will not travel to Sykehouse.Sheffield and Rotherham
Many services have been diverted to avoid flooding around Meadowhall. The following services are affected: First South Yorkshire: 137 This service will stop at Blackburn. First South Yorkshire: 208 This service will be diverted via Attercliffe Common Stagecoach Yorkshire: 218, 218a, 220, 221 These services will be diverted via Queen Street and Wath Road in both directions, between Swinton and Mexborough. Stagecoach Yorkshire: 220, 222 These services will not stop at Cortonwood Shopping Park. First South Yorkshire: 73 This service will not travel to Treeton First South Yorkshire: X10, X1 These services will be diverted from Attercliffe Common to TGI Fridays then left to Meadowhall Interchange. At Ickles roundabout left down Centenary Way then down Main Street into Rotherham Interchange and the same in reverse. First South Yorkshire, TM Travel: X54 This service will be diverted via Woodhouse Mill between Handsworth and Swallownest. First South Yorkshire, Hulleys of Baslow: 272 This service will not travel to Bradwell. First South Yorkshire: 52a This service will be diverted via Retford Road and will not go via Beaver Hill Road. First South Yorkshire, Stagecoach Yorkshire: 57, SL1, SL1A (Stagecoach only) These services will be diverted between Deepcar and Middlewood via Stocksbridge Bypass and Halifax Road in both directions. 57 will pick up the normal route at Dykes Hall Road bottom. There is currently no service into Oughtibridge, Wharncliffe Side or Worrall. First South Yorkshire: 9, 9a These services will be diverted via Greenland Road and Attercliffe Road in both directions. First South Yorkshire, TM Travel: X54 These services will be diverted via Woodhouse Mill between Handsworth and Swallownest. First South Yorkshire: X78 Due to flooding around Meadowhall, this service will be diverted in both directions between Meadowbank and Brightside via Tinsley Viaduct, Sheffield Road and Attercliffe Common. For further updates follow @SheffieldWire's thread on Storm Franklin hereFor further updates on the disruption caused by Storm Franklin across Sheffield, click hereTHREAD: #StormFranklin updates for #SouthYorkshire
🚨Storm Franklin brought in winds of up to 70mph across South Yorkshire last night and in the early hours of this morning. ⚠️ The Met Office issued a yellow warning... — Sheffield Wire (@Sheffield_Wire) February 21, 2022
Collaboration brings cancer treatment closer to home for Barnsley patients
Cancer patients in Barnsley can now be treated closer to home, after a collaboration between Weston Park Cancer Centre in Sheffield and Burleigh Medical Centre in Barnsley was set up. The scheme began as the full impact of Covid-19 came to light on NHS cancer treatment backlogs. The British Medical Association found that cancer patients treated within the target timescale of two months from urgent GP referral, has dropped by over 10% from May 2020 to December 2021. The initiative, named WestonPark@BurleighMedicalCentre, currently runs on Thursdays and Fridays, but is expected to expand soon. It allows Barnsley patients to have a more comfortable treatment experience. Dr Madhavi Guntamukkala, the Medical Director at NHS Barnsley CCG said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to improve people's experience and outcomes. Treatment for cancer can often be tiring and with this new option we can take some of that additional stress and exhaustion of travel out of it." The project is being funded by the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw ICS Cancer Alliance, and is part of a wider scheme to bring more cancer treatment closer to home in the area. Although the scheme was launched regionally by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, it came after Sajid Javid launched a call for evidence last week as a part of the government's ambitious 10-year plan to tackle cancer in the UK. Dr Lucy Walkington, Clinical Director for Specialist Cancer Services at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals said: “We are delighted to have been able to work with our colleagues at NHS Barnsley CCG and Burleigh Medical Centre to establish this service. “Where it is clinically appropriate, delivering treatment closer to home is better for patients, some of whom otherwise have to travel a considerable distance. This collaboration will enable patients to attend treatment more easily and stay closer to their local support networks." Burleigh Medical Centre will have a dedicated treatment suite, seven treatment chairs and will be nurse and pharmacy led by specialists from Weston Park. It is an extension of their day case unit and patients will receive systemic anti-cancer therapy. Although most Barnsley patients will be able to now access treatment close by, those in need of more complex and specialist treatment will continue to be treated at Weston Park Cancer Centre.
‘Where would you hide an elephant?’: Trail hits Barnsley town centre for half-term fun
Six huge sculptures have been hidden in the town centre ready to be discovered for the Barnsley's Elephant trail until February 28. It was launched last Friday. The idea for the trail came from a previous exhibition by artist David McKee in the Cooper Art Gallery, based on his famous patchwork character Elmer. Each sculpture is themed around one of six principle towns in the borough, and have been designed by artists with connections to each area. Gaby Lees, Barnsley Museums Community Sector Specialist, said: "It’s lovely when little kids spot an elephant because you can see their faces light up and they run towards it." The elephants have been brought into the town centre as part of the art and culture celebration Love Barnsley running throughout February. The council felt the trail as well as the Love Barnsley celebration was a great way to celebrate the recent developments in the centre and all that is good about the town. Mrs Lees encourages people to pay a visit to the exhibition and said the project was "like a big borough hug".
The timing of the project has also been good post-pandemic. Mrs Lees said: "We’ve been putting the elephants outside, so they’ve been accessible even when there’s been restrictions." Children visiting the elephants over the half-term can pick up a flyer and collect stickers during their trail. There is also a competition where children can design their own elephant and have a chance of winning an Elmer book. Marking the end of the elephants project, the sculptures will return to their principle towns permanently on the 1st of March.Where would you hide an elephant?https://t.co/0HybHhgy91@barnsleycentre @ace_thenorth@BarnsleyMHT#LoveBarnsley#BarnsleysElephants pic.twitter.com/KrDoAcrKOS
— Barnsley Museums (@BarnsleyMuseums) February 19, 2022
Sheffield Wednesday fixture postponed as Storm Eunice creates unsafe playing conditions
Sheffield Wednesday's vital League One clash against coastal club Fleetwood Town was postponed this morning due to a waterlogged pitch at the Highbury Stadium after Storm Eunice wreaked havoc across the country. Across the Football League, several fixtures have been postponed as heavy downpour from Storm Eunice ruthlessly flooded football pitches. Fleetwood's Saturday fixture against Lincoln City was also postponed. Despite the best efforts of staff at Fleetwood Town, the pitch has not been able to recover from the barrage of stormy weather. Located on the coast of Lancashire, Fleetwood has suffered from continually high winds and heavy rain since early Friday morning. For Sheffield Wednesday, this represents the second fixture within the space of a week. Last Wednesday's fixture against Accrington Stanley was also postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Hillsborough stadium. Wednesday's fixture against Fleetwood Town would have represented an excellent opportunity for the Owls to push into the League One play off spots, with the Sheffield club currently sitting at 8th in League One. To read about how Sheffield Wednesday faced an injury crisis, click here.
South Yorkshire storms: the latest updates
Storm Franklin brought in winds of up to 70mph across South Yorkshire last night and in the early hours of this morning. The Met Office issued a yellow warning. Reports of disruption have been noted across the county. - Severe floods across Ecclesfield, Millbank and Kelham Island Sheffield. - No train service for Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster. - No tram service beyond Meadowhall South. -Snake Pass is closed between Ladybower reservoir and the Royal Oak. - Meadowhall Road in Sheffield is closed.
Sheffield was greeted this morning with blustering winds and torrential rain from Strom Franklin after the city suffered devastating effects from Strom Eunice and Storm Dudley.⚠️ROTHERHAM FLOODING: Trains are unable to call at Rotherham for the rest of the day.
ℹ️ Bus replacements are sadly unable to be provided; customers are advised DO NOT TRAVEL.https://t.co/lZlsirpL6B#NorthernUpdates pic.twitter.com/trKIghIc4R — Northern 🚆 (@northernassist) February 21, 2022
THREAD: #StormFranklin updates for #SouthYorkshire
🚨Storm Franklin brought in winds of up to 70mph across South Yorkshire last night and in the early hours of this morning. ⚠️ The Met Office issued a yellow warning... — Sheffield Wire (@Sheffield_Wire) February 21, 2022
Big brands ‘at risk of using forced labour cotton’
Clothing brands including Primark, ASOS and Ralph Lauren are among 103 companies at risk of using cotton made by forced labour in China's Xinjiang region, by buying through intermediaries, a new report says.
Human rights groups say more than a million Uyghur Muslims have been detained in re-education camps in the Xinjiang region. It is also alleged they are being used as forced labour to produce goods such as cotton. China has consistently denied these allegations.
A report from Sheffield Hallam University has explored how this cotton makes it way into the international supply chain. The report says the cotton is bought by intermediate manufacturers in countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Philippines and Hong Kong, where clothes are finished for major western brands.
It says brands "may be unaware of the Chinese manufacturers their suppliers are sourcing from".
Professor Laura Murphy, the senior researcher of the report, said: “Companies need to be required to trace their entire supply chain, make them transparent to consumers, and to be responsible and accountable for human rights abuses they know exist
“Companies will not make the choice to make human rights due diligence on their own, they’re going to have to be compelled by government action”
Professor Laura Murphy
What’s happening in Xinjiang?
The Xinjiang region produces 85% of China's cotton, and 20% of all cotton used worldwide. According to Labour Behind the Label, a campaign that works to improve conditions for workers in the global garment industry, it’s likely that 1 in 5 of all cotton garments are made with products produced by Uyghur forced labour.
The Chinese government denies any violation of human rights in the Xinjiang region. It insists its policies towards Uyghurs only exist to tackle extremism, and say that its state-sponsored labour programmes are used to assist poverty alleviation.
However, testimonies included in the report suggest that those enrolled in labour programmes are either not paid, paid under minimum wage, or are even being forced to pay their employers for housing in excess of their wage, creating debt bondage.
How does the supply chain work?
The cotton picked and produced under these conditions is bought by intermediary manufacturers, and is then made in to garments which are possibly being sold by high-street brands, the report alleges.
Infographic from the Sheffield Hallam report showing how Xinjiang cotton gets in to global supply chains.
The report investigates five of these manufacturers sourcing cotton from the Xinjiang region, and then identifies the companies who obtain goods from there. The companies named range from high end brands such as Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, to high-street names such as ASOS, Nike and River Island.
Although none of these brands source directly from the Xinjiang region, and maintain their manufacturers do not use cotton produced in the region to make their products, the report says their complex supply chains makes it hard to know.
Campaigns director at Labour Behind the Label Meg Lewis said: “Sadly it’s not surprising, and the report shows the scale of the problem
“The fact that Uyghur produced cotton is moving through very complex supply chains with multiple different levels and intermediaries’ means that even the brands who have made a commitment not to produce Uyghur produced goods may still be purchasing goods that are tainted by Uyghur forced labour”
The report from Sheffield Hallam reached out to all 103 of the named companies, and included responses they received from 21 of these brands including ASOS and Primark.
Popular high street shops who are named in the report.
An Adidas representative said “We can confirm that none of the yarn or fabric used for Adidas products in these manufacturing units originate in China and we hold no sourcing relationship with the textile firms listed in your research.
“We have a nomination process in place for our materials and a materials traceability tool. Suppliers are only permitted to use authorised materials when making our products and none of the yarn manufacturers named in your case studies are a part of our supply chain.”
Brands that did not provide a comment include Calvin Klein, River Island, GAP, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.
Professor Laura Murphy, the senior researcher on the report said: “Companies are not doing enough. It surprises me that companies are willing to rely on such weak assurances from their supplier.”
What can you do as a consumer?
All of these brands are considered to be ‘fast fashion’ brands, which means they mass produce garments at a low cost for high profit. There has been lots of criticism surrounding the ethical repercussions of fast fashion from groups such as Oxfam and The Clean Clothes Campaign who highlight the environmental impact of the fast fashion industry and their record of poor working conditions.
Despite this, many people rely on fast fashion for clothing. Research commissioned by Oxfam estimated that more than two tonnes of new clothing are bought each minute in the UK alone.
Esme Cawley, a 22-year-old student from Sheffield said: “I try to avoid buying from fast fashion brands wherever I can, but if I have to use them it’s because I’ve left [buying an outfit] too late and they’re the only brands that can deliver to me on time”
Others feel as though buying from fast fashion brands are their only option due to their monopoly of the market and the cheaper price point of the items.
To help reduce the harmful impacts of fast fashion on exploited garment workers, Professor Murphy said: “Consumers need to make their dismay known to companies and say that they will not buy forced labour made goods
"In the meantime they can buy used clothing from the robust used clothing market in the U.K which is so much more sustainable.”
You can read the full report from the Helena Kennedy Centre at Sheffield Hallam here.
What is going to be in shortage around the Christmas dinner table?
After the pandemic had been taking control of normal people’s lives and also last year’s Christmas, people could not hide their expectations any longer for Christmas this year. Meanwhile, fuel shortages and global supply chain issues also warned people to prepare for Christmas earlier than normal circumstances in case of potential shortages. These kinds of problems also take place in Sheffield. “We didn’t really face any food shortage in the past years, but we are afraid that it might happen this Christmas, so we have already filled our stock in advance last week.” said King Yun To, waiter of Smitten Cafe on West Street. Things are a little different in different places. Owner of Devonshire Chippy told Sheffield Wire:“We are struggling to get some fish now, because as well the Christmas day coming, it becomes a little bit harder to find our stock... "Stuff we have to buy every day like chicken and fish, we need them fresh, so that’s the only thing we are sometimes struggling to find.” There is only two weeks until Christmas and is there anything going to go missing on people’s Christmas dinner table? Turkey Turkey suppliers warned in October that we could face a national shortage due to a lack of farm labourers: The UK is no longer free to hire as many workers as it desires, after free immigration ended with Brexit; and that visa changes to allow recruitment from abroad have come too late. According to The British Poultry Council, Christmas turkey production has dropped by 20% because of staff shortages. Richard Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Poultry Council, said: “It would be irresponsible to grow more birds than can be slaughtered and processed, which is incredibly frustrating when the demand is there for quality British products.” At the same time, Grocery chain Iceland said that sales of frozen turkey are up by 409% than last year and mince pie sales are up 10% due to people preparing Christmas earlier. The Traditional Farmfresh Turkey Association reported that throughout Autumn, Christmas turkey orders have been six weeks ahead of normal. Chairwoman Kate Martin has said: “November is usually when turkey farmers see Christmas orders coming in, but orders this year began as early as August and many of our members were nearly sold out by the end.” Pineapple juice Juice brand Robinsons has confirmed a shortage of pineapple juice. A spokeswoman for the brand’s owner Britvic told The Grocer this week of the issue, which was impacting production of Robinsons Orange & Pineapple squash. “Unfortunately, we are currently experiencing a shortage of pineapple juice, which has had a limited impact on the production of our Robinsons Orange & Pineapple squash,” she said. Stocks of Pineapple Juice Concentrate (PJC) diminished fast in every point of the supply chain in Europe and the US this november, according to Prime Products Industry Co., which provide the customers with pineapple products. This might be the cause of this shortage of pineapple juice. Crisps Walkers apologised recently for the continuing shortages of its crisps. Products from ready salted crisps to Quavers have been affected by a problem with an IT system upgrade. The shortage began since November and seems not going to end during Christmas. A Walkers spokesperson said: “We’re doing everything we can to increase production and get people’s favourites back on shelves. We’re very sorry for the inconvenience caused.” Wine and spirit The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said that rising costs and supply chain chaos had held up deliveries. It takes up to five times longer to finish the imports now than a year ago due to the shortage of HGV drivers. In November, a group of 48 wine and spirits companies told the transport secretary, Britain was facing a Christmas alcohol shortage unless the government did more to address the lack of HGV drivers. A government spokesperson said: "The UK has a strong food supply chain and we do not expect disruption to the supply of alcohol this Christmas."