EXCLUSIVE: Students occupy University of Sheffield building in solidarity with UCU strikes
A group of students has occupied a University of Sheffield building to show support for the Industrial Action taking place this week. The 17 protesters, who study at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels, entered the Jessop West Building on campus yesterday at 5pm. The full length of their intended stay has not yet been disclosed. The occupiers say: "We want managers to come to the table and except the demands of the UCU. They're fair and reasonable" The University and College Union (UCU) has been striking since Wednesday to campaign for better working hours pay and pensions, after further cuts have been made post-pandemic. Members have been gathering outside different buildings on campus, saying not enough changes have been made since the previous round of strikes, which ended in February 2020. Those currently in Jessop West, emphasise the importance of solidarity, saying they want to support lecturers in the same way that they have been throughout their education. "This demonstrates that students are really in union with university lecturers and staff; like they've been behind us in the past" In particular, they’re looking to highlight perceived injustices put in place by the University Management, and want the Student Union to act on the motion passed this week which calls for more widespread support. The occupiers also highlight the alleged gender pay gap and other financial inequalities, saying that a university who claims to be inclusive should not be offering different wages for those occupying similar jobs. Today is the last day of UCU's three day strike, and picket lines can be found across the Uni of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam campuses. See video below: UCU strikes across Sheffield campuses - YouTube
Meersbrook Makers to hold first in-person market this Saturday
It began online during lockdown to help local businesses stay afloat.
In the height of Covid, local business owner Danielle Parker-Jessop started the Facebook group Meersbrook Makers to connect local businesses and lockdown shoppers. It has since grown to over a thousand members, each hoping for a spot at the in-person market at Meersbrook United Reformed Church this Saturday. Organiser and owner of Miroo Jewellery, Mrs Parker-Jessop, 37, said: “There was so much demand, we could have filled the space five times. “All the makers are amazing. We were completely blown away by the quality.”
Over 20 makers will be taking part in the event, selling everything from prints and jewellery to cakes and bringing together the local crafting community.
Jodie Frost, 39, owner of handmade hat business Fizzieducks, said: “It's about local small businesses so everyone coming to sell at the market knows the area and the people, and is invested in making it a great community event.”
The local community has always been at the centre of Meersbrook Makers, as the organiser said: “A good amount of my income comes from markets, so last year when we couldn’t do them it was a real hit.”
Hence, the Miroo jewellery owner made the Facebook group “to help people who were missing the money.”
“It was definitely a boost. It was great to know you were selling locally and definitely had a positive impact.”
Mrs Frost said: “Fizzieducks didn't even exist this time last year and that's a lot to do with the encouragement, support and love from the Meersbrook Makers group.”
The makers hope that the market will remain a platform for the Sheffield craft community to grow.
Shoppers can find this weekend's market at Meersbrook United Reformed Church from 11am to 4pm.
For more information, click here.
PREVIEW: Rotherham United vs Stockport County
League One leaders Rotherham United will take on non-league Stockport County at the AESSEAL New York Stadium tonight.
The Millers are looking to extend their club record unbeaten run against the Hatters in the second round FA cup tie and continue their 17 game unbeaten run.
Stockport County are eager to reach the third round for only the second time since 2007.
RUFC currently have only one fresh injury concern, with 6 goal striker Will Grigg being reported to have lower back swelling.
Manager Paul Warne told the media that Grigg: “struggled throughout the first half (on Tuesday). There is a chance that he won’t be available on Friday”.
Seven goal midfielder Ben Wiles should be included in the starting line up after missing Tuesday night’s fixture where the Millers put in a gritty display to overcome Port Vale on penalties to reach the last 16 in the Papa John’s Trophy.
After coming on as substitutes on Tuesday, the deadly striker duo of Michael Smith and Freddie Ladapo should also start, especially with Will Grigg’s potential absence.
Smith and Ladapo have been integral to Rotherham’s success this season, with 21 goals between them in all competitions this season.
The Millers may also stick to their defensive backline of captain Michael Ihiekwe, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Joe Mattock and Wes Harding.
Rotherham manager Paul Warne said on Thursday: “Sitting top of the league going into the two cup games is a great feeling and we want to embrace these games for what they are.”
“Hopefully it will be a great game on Friday night and we can enjoy the cup game for what it is.”
Warne knows the risk the Hatters pose however, the Conference side are currently on a seven game unbeaten run across all competitions and upset League One side Bolton to reach the second round of the competition.
Warne said: “I watched them against Bolton and I think they more than deserved their win and if they come here and play as well as they did that game, it wouldn’t shock a lot of people”
Seb Jones, who writes for football league publication The 72, gave his opinion on the fixture: “Stockport will be a test for Rotherham, however I see Rotherham winning this one fairly comfortably. They may put up a fight, but I see an easy Rotherham win in the end.”
https://youtu.be/U1sc9oAxvaM
Christmas food parcel appeal launched for elderly in Sheffield
A Sheffield charity has launched a Christmas food hamper appeal for vulnerable elderly people this week. Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) is asking the public to put one non-perishable food item into a parcel every day until 24 December, as part of a 'reverse advent calendar'. Ericka Hill, Communications and Marketing Officer, said: "Last year we were overwhelmed by the kindness of the public who donated many hampers and tins of food. In fact, we had enough food to support our services up until the summer."
"Fantastic support"The charity, which works with governing bodies around Sheffield, will give the parcels to people over the age of 65 in Sheffield, many of whom are isolated and struggle financially in times of need. Their Hospital to Home scheme supports over 3,600 older people throughout the year, picking people up from hospital in the charity's own vehicles and providing food hampers when they arrive home. On a recent referral, the Yorkshire Ambulance service praised the charity when staff member Julia Walker delivered a parcel to a man returning to an empty house. They said: "That's perfect, this gentlemen had nothing. Fantastic support." A Morrisons store in Hillsborough has also donated non-perishable food items for the reverse advent calendar campaign.
Ericka Hill said: "We love the idea of an advent calendar and how nice it is for each day of December to open a window and get something for yourself. "But Christmas is about giving, so it's a nice idea that you're not just receiving, you are giving too." You can see the full list of items required on SCCCC's website here. To donate a hamper, call 0114 2505293 to arrange a drop-off slot to the SCCCC office on Savile Street East, Sheffield.Huge thank you to our local @Morrisons #hillsborough for the kind donation of food for our #reverseadventcalendar campaign. Helping to support older people in #sheffield this winter. #community pic.twitter.com/khmZJy7vDm
— SCCCC (@sheffield4c) November 26, 2021
Over 140 knives deposited in Barnsley amnesty weapons bin in the last six months
STORY BY HENRY WILLIAMS A Barnsley business owner who has a knife amnesty bin outside his shop has collected over 140 knives in the last six months. Mitchell Cavill, the owner of Vape Store and Bargains Galore on Regent Street South, started the scheme four years ago. There are currently five bins in Sheffield and one in Barnsley, with the funds having just been secured for one in Rotherham and another for Sheffield. Mr Cavill said his aim is for there to be one in every village as "not everyone will be able to travel." Bins cost around £600 each. "If I can prevent one person from getting stabbed, that's fine by me," he said. Mr Cavill said that concerns about his children getting older and going out later led him to start the scheme. He says that he worries as his daughter is 12, coming up to 13, and for a lot of teenagers it's become a point of who has got the biggest knife. He adds that he knew something had to change when he witnessed knife crime first-hand himself. There have been three separate knife crime incidents in Barnsley over the last 18 months, whilst one occurred in Sheffield city centre only three months ago. The scheme is a no questions asked policy, "only time there's questions asked is if they're covered in blood." Mr Cavill said He added that he once had a man attempt to put a machete in the bin, who said that his son had brought it home. Once weapons go in the bin they are inaccessible, as the bins are locked and chained. Mr Cavill said that it's better for the weapons to be in the bin than just chucked in a hedge, "It could end up in the wrong hands." If you are concerned about anyone's safety, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Council’s emergency meeting failed as Stagecoach Yorkshire strikes are to go ahead
After the council’s emergency meeting this afternoon, Stagecoach Yorkshire have announced that they are taking industrial action. Strikes are set to take place from Sunday 28 November to Saturday 4 December in Sheffield. In Barnsley, Rotherham, Dearne Valley and West Yorkshire, industrial action will be from Saturday 27 November to Friday 3 December.
All Stagecoach bus services besides dedicated school buses will be cancelled, and Stagecoach advice that the public make alternative travel arrangements. Stagecoach said: “We have worked very hard to avoid this action and are extremely sorry for the disruption this will cause.”⚠️Industrial Action confirmed - South Yorkshire ⚠️
Full details can be found here including services run by depots not affected by the strikes:https://t.co/t7iU2WoJtF Supertram services are not affected by this action. — Stagecoach Yorkshire (@StagecoachYrks) November 26, 2021
The hidden crisis of furniture poverty
The social significance of furniture can be seen everywhere: adverts from Dfs and Ikea have been a near-permanent fixture on our tv screens for years, while many of us covet designer rugs and luxury leather chairs in interior design magazines. Tables, chairs, bookcases and beds serve more than their intended functions, allowing us to participate in wider society. But what about those of us who, through no fault of our own, suffer from a lack of furniture and cannot afford to buy any? Experts say that owning essential household items is important for people's dignity, self respect and happiness. Furniture poverty is defined by the End Furniture Poverty charity as “the inability to access, or afford to buy or maintain any household furniture or appliance item that is essential to achieve a socially acceptable standard of living.” It is seen as a sliding scale, with ‘furniture insecurity’ being when a household does not have the money needed to replace any essential item if it breaks. While ‘furniture destitution’ is when a household has none or very few of the basic items needed. Data from the Poverty and Exclusion project shows that in the past 30 years, the number of adults who are unable to afford household goods seen as necessities has risen dramatically. In 1990, 6.5 million people could not afford one or more essential items, but in 2012, 12 million were reported to have the same issue.
“It’s not just a table and chairs, it’s the time we spend together”.Shannon Gabbert, Centre Manager of St Vincent’s Sheffield, a furniture poverty charity, told the Sheffield Wire that media attention was focused on certain types of poverty. She said these were often those that were more visual, such as homelessness, and examples where the general public could relate their own experiences, such not being able to buy food. She said: “People have a better understanding of things like fuel poverty, where you can’t afford to heat your house, they also understand food poverty – everyone knows what being hungry feels like – furniture poverty is a bit different. “Most of us have grown up in a home where we have all the essentials we need, but there are some people who have nothing”, she said. “It means that someone can’t have a functional home, which has a massive impact on their day-to-day life”. Not only do those entering social housing suffer from furniture poverty -only two per cent of social housing is let as furnished, according to the End Furniture Poverty campaign – but research from the Poverty and Social exclusion project found that around 14 million people in the UK could not afford one or more essential household goods. These included basic items such as a washing machine, table and chairs, a phone and curtains.
Furniture poverty is a big problem in the UK. Credit Unsplash
Kickstart scheme helps Barnsley benefit crisis
Hope Works’ birthday: nine years of underground music and community building in Sheffield
Hope Works is set to celebrate its 9th birthday this weekend. To mark the occasion, the Kelham Island venue, which has long been considered a linchpin of underground electronic music, will welcome Palms Trax and Bradley Zero for a seven hour warehouse party. Saturday’s event will be a commemoration of nearly a decade of community building through music, despite 15 months of closure over the course of the Covid-19 outbreak.
No Bounds by Frankie Casillo
'Keeping history alive'
Hope Works first opened its doors in 2012, against a formidable musical backdrop. From the industrial sounds pushed by groups such as Clock DVA and Cabaret Voltaire in the late 1970s and 1980s to the emergence of baseline in the early 2000s, the scope of sounds hailing from Sheffield is vast and renowned. Central to these different scenes were warehouses, with empty lots providing the settings for many events and free parties across the years. This local history was formative for Hope Works, says O’Shea: “What I’m doing here is plugging into the spirit of the industrial heart of the city, but not just solely that. “It’s keeping that language alive, and keeping that history alive while doing so in a way that is relevant to contemporary culture and what the underground is here and now.” Setting up the venue was a way for O’Shea to tie together the many, yet disparate, strands of Sheffield’s musical heritage under one roof: “One thing I felt is that we didn't really pull things together and celebrate ourselves and our achievements quite as much as other cities,” he says. As such, the venue hosts DJs and promoters from across the electronic music spectrum, from drum ‘n bass to house and techno. However, it is O’Shea’s devotion to harsher sounds, through bookings such as Jeff Mills, Helena Hauff and Rebekah, which makes the space unique. As well as booking key players in electronic music, maintaining a special atmosphere has always felt crucial in running the club. “I always wanted to do something that was positive, hence: 'Hope Works’,” says O’Shea. The impact of Hope Works on both club and local culture was felt immediately, he says: “By 2012, we didn't want plus clubs, it wasn't about that. We'd been through that superclub era. Around this time, there was definitely a return back to a DIY approach and a wave of different sounds. So I think [Hope Works] was a staple from the start.” The reputation of the club is still strong, with its character earning the respect of those who have frequented the space in the years since, both on the dancefloor and behind the decks. Earlier this month, Hope Works was nominated for ‘Best Small Club’ in DJ Mag’s Best of British Awards 2021. Jack Smith, who has been visiting Hope Works since moving to Sheffield as a student in 2015, says: “I just love the atmosphere of it. I think it feels very free, it’s kind of like it’s own little world.” “Also, I like how friendly and nice the people who go are,” he added. “Everyone is on the same wavelength which is really cool.” The club’s community focus means that partygoers can see emerging Sheffield DJs share the bill with bigger acts. Resident DJ Gracie T made her Hope Works debut on New Year’s Eve 2019 alongside friend and collaborator Diessa. She had played at most other clubs in the city so landing a slot here felt like an important next step in her career. “It was just so much fun and that was probably the first huge club event that I played,” she recalls. “It was a really good opportunity.” While the effects of Covid still resonate, from staffing issues to lower footfall, the energy of Hope Works feels the same according to Smith, who attended the opening weekend back in June. “Everyone is so happy to be back. You can see how much it means to everyone,” he says. As the venue approaches another milestone, O’Shea is keen for Hope Works to keep interacting with the city, through more events and more collaboration with up-and-coming artists. He says: “We still want to be here with everyone, putting on really good shows with a high production value, great artistic content and a real community heart to it at its base.”
Stacked Sheffield card of women’s boxing as Tysie Gallagher faces Gemma Ruegg in headline bout
An exhilarating night of boxing awaits Doubletree Hilton in Sheffield tonight, with a stacked card of primarily female fighters putting it all on the line. With three women’s bouts and two male contests, it is the meeting of Luton’s finest Tysie Gallagher and Gemma Ruegg from Bournemouth that leads the billing for promotional newcomers ‘Unified Promotions’. Both undefeated fighters have motherhood in common, and much is expected of the pair in their fledgling boxing careers. Renowned boxing journalist and broadcaster Gareth A Davies will be a keen spectator at tonight’s sporting showpiece. He said: “I’m really looking forward to the main event. They’re both young in their career, undefeated and already headlining a card.”
Inspired by the likes of Katie Taylor, Claressa Shields and Natasha Jonas, 23-year-old Gallagher has had 30 amateur bouts and is a former junior ABA champion. Gemma Ruegg, 36, also boasts an impressive boxing pedigree. Having secured two regional titles as an amateur, Ruegg’s son Mace is also a promising boxer signed to MTK Global. Ex-world champion boxer Anthony Crolla is also excited to take in Unified Promotions’ first hosted event. Crolla said: “I cannot wait for the debut show. It promises to be a belter.”Tonight is the night 🔥
Watch Unified Promotions 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁: 𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 on Sporty Stuff TV 📺 Sky Channel 437 and Freesat 250 ⏰ Live from 10:00pm#boxing #fightnight pic.twitter.com/TMPQx18HKc — Unified Promotions (@Unified_Promo) November 26, 2021
Strike action by Stagecoach bus drivers in Sheffield on Sunday
Starting on Sunday, 28 November, Stagecoach bus drivers in Sheffield will take strike action for seven days after their talks with Stagecoach about a pay rise were unsuccessful.
Overall, more than 560 workers, across the Stagecoach depots in Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham, will go on strike this weekend after the company failed to make meet Unite the union’s demands for an adequate pay rise.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said: “Low pay is the scourge of the bus industry right across this country. Stagecoach made profits touching £60m last year and has £875m in the bank. Yet it cannot make a decent offer to its staff.
Unite is pledged to fight for the jobs pay and conditions of our members so we will be relentless in the campaign to ensure that our members at Stagecoach, in South Yorkshire, get a fair deal.”
Said fair deal could not be reached with Stagecoach Yorkshire yet, who have offered an increase to the hourly pay rate of 4.5%.
Phil Medlicott, Managing Director for Stagecoach Yorkshire, said: “We know that our employees deserve a good pay rise and we have left no stone unturned in our attempts to reach a settlement with Unite.”
Mr Medlicott emphasized that Stagecoach Yorkshire remains open to continuing discussion with the union.
The managing director also said: “We would urge them to call off this unnecessary action which will cause untold inconvenience to local communities and will hit the pockets of our employees and their families.”
Lewis Dagnall, Labour candidate for South Yorkshire mayor, deems the strike action necessary and publicly expressed his support on social media platform Twitter.
Furthermore, he said: “I absolutely think that bus drivers and the support staff have been heroic throughout the pandemic.
They have been keeping that essential public service going so that our key workers could carry on, working in the NHS, for the police and other public services.”
Unite’s regional officer, Phil Bown, said: “Bus workers were rightly hailed as heroes during successive lockdowns. However, warm words do not pay the bills and Stagecoach needs to reward its workers' dedication with a decent pay award.”
For local resident Alan Horner, strike action has been a long time coming.
He said: “It's the worst I’ve ever known the public transport in Sheffield and I’ve lived here over 80 years.”
Nevertheless, the strike action leaves many residents frustrated without public transport.
As Catherine Cosworth, 30, said: “It’s going to affect everybody and help no one. I don’t think it’s right, people are going to be stuck because of it.”
Ian Watson, 70, a retiree adds: “It’s going to force us to change our plans as we can’t really get round without the buses.”
As Lewis Dagnall puts it, the simplest solution to the problem posed by the strike action for residents is for Stagecoach to sit down with the union to come to an agreement.
The Labour candidate said: “I think most passengers will say that drivers having real times pay as their reward for having worked through a pandemic is not an unreasonable ask.
The least the bus companies can do is dip into the profits made over the last few years that they have taken out of this public service, and reward their workers.”
‘I’ve got no support back’: Woman paralysed by COVID-19 vaccine still not received compensation
Kerry Hurt is still waiting for financial support seven months after being left paralysed from a COVID-19 vaccine and said the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) "needs to be simplified". Mrs Hurt, from Rotherham, had her first dose of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine on 1 April 2021. After becoming increasingly unwell with headaches and watering eyes, Kerry was taken to Hallamshire Hospital for surgery on what was discovered to be a bleed on her brain. On 13 April 2021, Mrs Hurt suffered a major stroke, resulting in a further two life saving surgeries. She also had to have part of her skull removed. Her husband Patrick filled in forms for the vaccine payment scheme whilst Kerry was still in hospital, and doctors said they should be given the limit of £120000, but they are yet to hear anything back. Kerry is still partially paralysed on her left side. Following improvements, Kerry began to start walking again, but is paying for private physiotherapy alongside her NHS treatment. Kerry said she wants to see a change to the scheme, which hasn't been updated since 1979. Kerry said: "It's not about the money, it's about them reviewing it." Mrs Hurt's application has now been passed from the DWP to the NHS for investigation. Kerry wants the process to be simplified for other families who have been affected by illness from vaccines. She said: "I feel that I'm fortunate that I'm still here. "I know a lot of families that have lost loved ones, that have actually died from this, so how are they going to manage?" The couple said they put together a petition to have the scheme viewed in the House of Parliament, but the issue was never raised. The scheme requires proof that the person affected has suffered 60% injuries, but Kerry said this is difficult to pin down. Husband Pat said: "I'm hoping to go back to work in January. "Kerry can walk but it's baby steps. It's been quite a rollercoaster."