Police claim a ‘slowing down’ in the number of reported hate crimes
The increase in locally reported hate crimes is "slowing down" according to South Yorkshire Police (SYP), which is relaunching its strategy to tackle hate crimes. The strategy states that last financial year’s data also shows a significant decrease in non-crime hate incidents. However, national data shows an 8% increase in hate crimes in the UK, with 105,090 incidents recorded by the police in England and Wales in 2020 compared to 97,446 offences the previous year. During the first quarter of the pandemic, there was a huge rise in racial attacks and violent hate crime against people of Chinese ethnicity and other East Asian groups, which is still continuing. Police data shows a 300% increase in reported hate crimes towards British Chinese, East and South East Asians in 2020 compared to previous years. According to SYP, crimes and incidents with a racially aggravating factor continue to be the most common across the force, representing over 70% of all hate crimes. However, efforts to raise awareness among other under-represented groups has resulted in large increases in reported hate crime from these groups.
The SYP Strategy focuses on four main points: 1. Working with partners and communities to prevent hate crime. This will include SYP participating in events, and working with community groups, to raise awareness. work with schools, as well as local and national working. The aim is to raise awareness and look at innovative ways to challenge attitudes. 2. Listening to communities and partners, to build trust and confidence in order to increase reporting of hate crime. Police will listen and act on feedback from victims and communities. They will continue to promote a variety of reporting mechanisms, such as True Vision and online reporting. Victims will be signposted to local and national support groups. 3. Robustly and effectively responding to and investigating hate crimes, supporting victims and seeking appropriate outcomes for offenders. Staff will be provided with regular training on hate crime/incidents. They will also work with CPS to improve outcomes and ensure sentence uplifts are maximised. 4. Ensuring that there are effective internal and partnership governance structures in place to continually seek improvements in our response to hate crime. SYP will analyse data to identify and better understand trends to improve their response.Hate crime is defined as any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic. To report Hate, call 101 or in an emergency call 999. You can also report online here.
Jamie Vardy’s attitude stopped clubs from making a move
Jamie Vardy's attitude was the main reason top clubs did not make a move for the former Stocksbridge Park Steels player, according to staff who worked with him. Vardy's career has been in the spotlight, ever since lifting the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2016. He was sold by Stocksbridge to Halifax for £20,000 in 2010, before completing a move to Fleetwood Town a year later. After this, he secured a dream switch to the Foxes for a then non-league record fee of £1 million. However, according to former manager, Mick Horne, 64, Vardy's attitude was the main reason clubs didn't take a risk at the time. "I belled a lot of people up including Mick Hennigan (coach at Preston North End), Sheffield United and Wednesday, yet nobody fancied him," he says. "People rejected him because they thought he brought a lot of baggage. When Nottingham Forest watched him, he got sent off. It was stuff like that". The former England International received accolades for showing determination in working his way up through the football pyramid. After breaking the record for scoring in consecutive Premier League games, Stocksbridge decided to celebrate the landmark by renaming their main terrace 'The Jamie Vardy Stand'.
The Jamie Vardy Stand, unveiled at Stocksbridge Park Steels (Credit: the92)
Sheffield Local Elections 2021: All you need to know about the Labour manifesto
Fiercely contested local elections are taking place across the UK this Thursday, with extra anticipation built up after a year-long delay due to the coronavirus pandemic. These elections have a huge impact locally, but are also an important opportunity for the electorate to send a message to parties nationally. To help break through the noise and help you focus on the core issues when considering your vote, Sheffield Wire has analysed the pledges and policies of Sheffield's three biggest political parties - Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and first up Labour. Labour are currently the largest party in the Town Hall, with 45 seats out of 84, and have had control of Sheffield City Council since 2011, winning it from the Lib Dems. However, a majority in the Town Hall is only 43 and with 15 Labour councillors up for re-election this week, the party's dominance is by no means guaranteed. Their focus is mostly on defending their record, particularly their response to the pandemic locally. However, they have also set out their plan for building back better as the UK recovers from one of the worst recessions in its history. In a statement alongside the manifesto, party and current council leader Bob Johnson (pictured) said: “The last 12 months have had a major impact on everyone in the city and the loss of life has been truly tragic.
“It is still too early to tell what the long-term economic impact will be, but we will always act to ensure that the greatest support goes to those most in need.
“Labour has an overall majority of councillors in Sheffield, meaning we can set Labour-led objectives and policies by which Sheffield City Council is governed. This means we have been able to lead locally when this Tory government has failed to deliver – providing free school meal vouchers to 22,000 children over school holidays, 6,000 laptops to children to access home schooling during lockdown, and additional support for residents struggling via unique Sheffield hardship schemes.
“Despite the difficulties this is also an opportunity to help build back a stronger Sheffield – with a city that is fairer, more prosperous, and cleaner, greener, and safer for everyone.
“We have huge ambition for the city, and if re-elected in May we will implement all the policies within this manifesto – to empower Sheffield and build a better future."
Local economy
Labour are pledging £2m towards boosting the high street and district centres, which have suffered due to the three lockdowns and the rise of online retail. The fund aims to help businesses reopen safely as lockdown rules ease and encourage people back to local businesses.Tackling the climate emergency
£161.5m has been pledged to green investments for 2021/22. These include building more charging stations for electric cars, providing cycle routes, electric bikes, retro-fitted buses and air quality monitors across the city and installing external wall insulation and electrical upgrades to 22,000 council properties. The party want to plant 100,000 over the next decade and protect Green Belt land from housing developments. They also seek to reduce the target for reaching net zero carbon emissions from 2050 to 2030.Housing
A Labour council would build 3,100 council homes in Sheffield by 2028. "Millions" of pounds worth of upgrades to existing council properties are also planned, although the manifesto does not specify how many. £2m is to be invested into council housing repairs. At the last council budget meeting, Labour promised £1.2m to an enforcement team for the private rented sector.Crime and safety
The party claim to back preventative methods of tackling crime, wanting to work with South Yorkshire Police (SYP), Voluntary, Community and Faith groups (VCF), and Health and Schools, although the manifesto is light on detail as to how. They have pledged £1m to provide Community Wardens and trial more CCTV, specifically aimed at tackling litter, graffiti and fly tipping. £4m will also be put towards road safety - building more crossings and introducing more 20mph zones.Accountability
Seeking to appear more accountable, Labour have backed reintroducing Local Area Committees, despite having scrapped them eight years ago. Decision making is due to be moved over to the committees within 18 months. The council would also only award contracts to companies who comply with their "ethical standards", which include paying taxes and respecting worker's rights and equal opportunities. Polls open at 7am and close at 10pm on 6 May 2021.
12-year-old-boy smashes donation goal after running 90 miles in April
A 12-year-old schoolboy has raised more than ten-times his goal amount for charity after running 90 miles in one month.
Riley Frost decided to raise money for the hospital charity because he was treated for bacterial meningitis at the hospital when he was 10 days old.
Riley opened the donation page saying: "I will be running 90 miles throughout April to raise money for a charity that is very close to my heart. I will be using a tracking app and lots of photographs to track my progress and posting regular updates. I’m really excited to start this and would mean the world to me to get as much support as possible."
The initial goal was to raise £150 for the Sheffield's Children's Hospital Charity and so far he has made £1,940.
Riley ran an average of three miles each day, and on some days running six miles after football training. With the help of his mum, Caroline, and dad, Dale, Riley documented the journey by posting a picture of himself and the route he took after each run.
Mrs Frost also kept the public updated with Riley's progress by posting status, photo, and video updates on Facebook and posted videos of Riley running on TikTok.
Riley had help and support from friends and family, and on 30 April crossed the home-made 'finish' line to receive a large celebration and a certificate, with the donation total at £1,658.
Riley posted on the fundraiser page after his final run and said: "A fantastic way to end my fundraiser, thank you all for coming to cheer me on and thank you for all the donations and support. My just giving link will be open for a further two weeks. 💙"
Freya Kingswood, Senior Events Fundraising Assistant at The Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Riley for his fantastic fundraiser over the course of April.
“Thanks to his hard work, he ran an incredible distance and raised an amazing amount for Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Every penny raised will support our charity appeal for a new Cancer and Leukaemia ward.”
Riley's fundraiser is open for another two weeks and can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/caroline05?fbclid=IwAR1p-PE9_clCVqObVA71PJewz5R1M-OrP1YLimYZsv-gucjetmiGRk4jC8I
‘Super-Granite’ Selby edges Murphy to win 4th World Championship Title
The four-time World Champion triumphed with an 18-15 victory at a packed Crucible It was a final befitting of the occasion as a capacity crowd returned for the first time in the UK since March 2020 to watch a magnificent contest between the 2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy, and World number two Mark Selby. https://twitter.com/janverhaas/status/1389192235128958977 As the finalists were welcomed to the table, the 980 fans lucky enough to be inside the Crucible let out a deafening roar to greet them, in what was a poignant moment both in snooker and wider terms as it represented a step towards normality. Going into the final session, Selby led by 14 frames to 11 and continued where he left off by taking the 26th frame with an improbable final red shot but for the next four frames it was a case of tit-for-tat as Murphy would shave off the Leicester man's four-frame advantage before the latter reinstated it. With Selby on the verge of an emphatic victory at 17-13, Shaun Murphy produced a stunning couple of centuries to claw back the deficit and whip up a lively crowd. Just as it seemed The Magician was on the verge of pulling a rabbit out of the hat after he edged towards an improbable comeback to replicate Peter Ebdon's 2002 18-17 win over Stephen Hendry, Murphy gifted Selby a golden opportunity to take the tie as he missed a well-placed red. Selby took full advantage of Murphy's glaring error as he potted the black to take the decisive frame with a scintillating 120 and seal his fourth World title, as well as his 20th major. Speaking to BBC Sport, Mark Selby said: "To win it once against Ronnie O'Sullivan for the first time was a dream come true - to win it four times is something I could only have dreamed of" Meanwhile, Shaun Murphy conceded on BBC Two: "Mark is super-granite, unfortunately for me." "I started well but he went into super-hard mode, he broke me last night with that three-frame lead which is a significant lead in a match like this." Its been a magical 17 days of snooker in Sheffield and it has arguably proven that the time is right to re-introduce the people that make sport so special: the fans.
Who are Sheffield Wire taking to Euro 2020?
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been a long wait for football fans to take in the brilliance of Euro 2020. With a week to go until Gareth Southgate reveals his three lions squad for this year's competition, Sheffield Wire's sports team give their picks for the tournament. Our reporters pounced on the chance to deliver their say on who deserves those all important seats on the plane, and as per usual, there are a few surprises in the mix. UEFA today confirmed each nation could take 26 players, which relieved a few painful selection headaches. However, there are still plenty of huge decisions to be made.
Adam Stanworth
Goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley), Dean Henderson (Manchester United)
Defenders – Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Michael Keane (Everton), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), John Stones (Manchester City), Ben Godfrey (Everton), Reece James (Chelsea), Luke Shaw (Manchester United).
Midfielders – Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton), James Maddison (Leicester), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund).
Forwards – Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Dominic Calvert Lewin (Everton), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Jesse Lingard (West Ham United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).
Adam says: “Phil Foden simply has to start. He is one of the most talented footballers in Europe at the moment and he has been a focal point of Manchester City’s success this season. He will provide explosive pace and positive play to England’s attack and can unlock defences.”
Phil Foden gliding past PSG's Ander Herrera.
Amos Wynn
Goalkeepers - Goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Nick Pope (Burnley).
Defenders - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Reece James (Chelsea), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Michael Keane (Everton), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea).
Midfielders - Declan Rice (West Ham United), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jesse Lingard (West Ham United), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa).
Forwards - Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Ings (Southampton), Dominic Calvert Lewin (Everton) Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).
Amos says: (on Jordan Henderson) "If he can regain fitness before the end of the season, he should be a starter. Although Harry Kane will be wearing the arm band, Henderson will be the true leader of the team". (On Grealish) "For most people he'd be a certainty; for me he just creeps in ahead of James Maddison. There is no doubt he is a talented player but I'm not sure if he as at the same level as some of the players ahead of him."
Jack Grealish has linked up well with Ollie Watkins this term.
Michael Jones
Goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Nick Pope (Burnley).
Defenders – Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Michael Keane (Everton), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea).
Midfielders – Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Declan Rice (West Ham United), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).
Forwards – Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Dominic Calvert Lewin (Everton), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).
Michael says: (On the Right-Back position) “We have real depth here and this is definitely one of the benefits of having a 26-man squad, it provides a balance of offensive and defensive full backs and I think Walker deserves the starting role for the season he has had.”
Kyle Walker's versatility could prove useful for Gareth Southgate.
Omar Garrick
Goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley).
Defenders – Kyle Walker (Manchester City), John Stones (Manchester City), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United).
Midfielders – Phil Foden (Manchester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Jesse Lingard (West Ham United), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool).
Forwards – Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United).
Omar says: (On his selection of forwards) “All here have had a very good season. Ollie Watkins goes for me because if you give him more chances, he’ll score goals. He also offers something different to Harry Kane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Greenwood goes for me because he’s been on fire in recent weeks. It looks as though he has overcome some difficult periods and seems back to his best.”
19 year-old Mason Greenwood.
Sam Gilder
Goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley), Dean Henderson (Manchester United).
Defenders – Kyle Walker (Manchester City), John Stones (Manchester City), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Midfielders – Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jesse Lingard (West Ham United).
Forwards – Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Sam says: “I really like the look of this young England team, including Bellingham and Phillips. Both have been instrumental for their clubs this season and I am excited to see how they link up with our attack. Ollie Watkins has been great up top for Aston Villa this year and I think he deserves a spot.”
Ollie Watkins in action for Aston Villa.
Tom Hardwick
Goalkeepers – Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Nick Pope (Burnley), Jordan Pickford (Everton).
Defenders – John Stones (Manchester City), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Godfrey (Everton).
Midfielders – Declan Rice (West Ham United), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea).
Forwards – Harry Kane (Tottenham), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Danny Ings (Southampton).
Tom says: “There’s no place for Patrick Bamford or Ollie Watkins among the attacking options in this squad. Danny Ings has shown his class again this campaign, with a respectable return of 10 goals for a stuttering Southampton side. The high-pressure environment of international football calls for big-game players, and with Ings boasting more top-flight experience than both Watkins and Bamford combined, he deserves the final place among England’s forward players.”
Danny Ings has three England caps to his name.
Improvement needed for Sheffield Sharks ahead of playoff clash tonight
Sheffield Sharks will look to bounce back from defeat as they take on Newcastle Eagles in the BBL playoffs this evening (tip-off 5pm). The Yorkshire side finished the regular season with a 68-80 defeat to London Lions at Ponds Forge Arena on Friday. Both teams entered the game already knowing their league positions, and places in the final eight were confirmed, leaving the meeting as an opportunity to prepare for the knockout stages of the competition. Heading into the evening, London sat 12 points ahead of Sharks in the table, with that gap clear to see at points during the night, with the visitors in control of proceedings during the early stages. Sharks did show glimpses of promise, as they grew into the opening quarter. They would have gone into the first stoppage level, but for a London three-pointer on the buzzer to make it 23-26. Tempers were also high, with Sheffield head coach, Atiba Lyons, being warned for his conduct on the side lines. Frustrations continued to grow at the start of the second, as London came back out on court looking bright. A time-out was soon prompted, as the difference between the sides was extended to eight points. It wasn’t long before there was another stoppage in play, this time, because of issues with the stop clock. After that problem was resolved, play resumed, with Lions strengthening their advantage.
Sharks will be looking to bounce back this evening.
Sheffield will be hoping for an improved display in tonight’s quarter-final, after finishing the regular season with back-to-back defeat. Mistakes will have to be removed and some of the more positive moments from Friday will need to be replicated.Playoffs have arrived. It's GameDay, #SharkNation!!
🆚 @NewcastleEagle 🕧 5pm Tip-off 🇬🇧⠀ 🏀 BBL Playoff QF Round 1 💻 BBLPlayer & https://t.co/6cUxBkC4nH#MayMadness #FearTheFin #BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/5Rbwdk3gGv — The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (@SheffieldSharks) May 4, 2021
Tramlines 2021 line-up released with The Streets, Royal Blood, and Richard Ashcroft to headline
Tramlines have finally revealed the line-up for this year’s festival at Hillsborough Park. Sheffield’s most iconic festival will return on 23-25 July, after it was cancelled last summer due to coronavirus restrictions. The Streets will kick-off the headline performances on the Sarah Nulty Main Stage on the Friday night.
The Streets' Mike Skinner has performed exclusive DJ sets for Tramlines in the past but performs live for the first time as the Friday night headliner.
Tramlines will take place at Hillsborough Park from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th July.
Tramlines festival features five stages of music, comedy, performance, art, and handpicked food and craft ales.
Tramlines 2021 line-up
The Streets, Royal Blood, Richard Ashcroft
The Kooks, DMA's, Blossoms, Dizzee Rascal, Tom Walker, Pale Waves, The Pigeon Detectives, Little Simz, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Mahalia, Everything Everything, Jack Bugg, The Sherlocks, The Fratellis, Sundara Karma, Alfie Templemen, The Blinders, The Hara, The Lathums, Georgia, Lucy Spraggan, The Magic Gang, Vistas, Lauran Hibberd, Deco, Abbie Ozard, Everly Pregnant Brothers, The Big Moon, Holly Humberstone, The Snuts, Fickle Friends, The Reytons, Baby Queen, Biig Piig, Before Breakfast, Bloxx, Lottery Winners, Shelley Byron & The Poison Sheep.
“We were sold a lie”: Meet the student rent strikers occupying Sheffield’s Arts Tower
(Credit: Joe W.)
Dan
Joe
Charlie
“We understand this has been an incredibly difficult year for students and throughout the pandemic we have been working hard to support them in the best possible way.
"While the University cannot control the decisions of private landlords, we are continuing to work closely with the Students’ Union to ensure we are providing students with the most effective and appropriate support."
Anger over ‘insensitive’ forestry action at site of historical Prisoner of War Camp
Forestry thinning at Redmires Plantation has been brought into question over the weekend, as relics from Britain’s wartime past have been damaged in the process. Jessica Ghost, 39, was shocked to find her favourite heritage spot, the historical Redmires Prisoner of War (POW) camp located at Lodge Moor, had suffered as a result of the forestry action. https://twitter.com/_jessghost/status/1386351508707491844 The site was originally a training camp for soldiers in the Sheffield City Battalion during World War One. In World War Two, the site was used as the largest British POW camp and at its peak in 1944, it contained nearly 200 huts and homed up to 11,000 enemy soldiers. In 1958, the Redmires Camp Plantation was established, with forestry thinning operations occurring roughly every decade. Recently, those who hold sentiment for the site are concerned over recent forestry action, and how Sheffield City Council has left the area.
A birds eye view of the site during the Second World War
Revolutionary zinc oxide development could have a global environmental impact
Engineers have developed a sustainable way of making zinc oxide, a key ingredient in many products like sunscreen, batteries, tyres, and sensors.
The new technique, developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield and Imperial College London, is cost effective and much better for the environment as it requires 95% less energy than the current method.
The team was led by Dr Kyra Sedransk Campbell from the University’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. She and Jason Hallett, a professor in Sustainable Chemical Technology at Imperial College, co-supervised Ph.D student Francisco Malaret for this project.
Dr Campbell explained that her focus in her research is how to make the world a better place.
She said: “I can see how much of a global environmental impact we can make, which matters.
“If I spend my whole career on that, then I will feel that I have done something good, which is something that drives me to do scientific research.”
The new process of making zinc oxide uses a “one-pot” method, compared to the traditional method which uses a 900C furnace.
Dr Campbell explained: “You add in the ingredients and change the environment and conditions around it. We use a lower temperature, water-based process.
“It doesn't have the same energy input requirement, so it’s better for the environment.”
She said: “It’s not complicated or expensive either, meaning we can produce it in large quantities, which is a hugely important factor when it comes to costs.
“We have to make a better quality product at a lower price point, and that's where our technology shows to be significantly better than it’s competition.”
In personal care products, such as sunscreens, it is essential to make a cost effective ingredient for products. Zinc-based sunscreens are currently very expensive, and cheaper sunscreens contain chemicals that are harming marine life. The aim to make a higher quality zinc oxide crystal at a lower price point is beneficial, as most people are unable to afford high-end products.
The three scientists have now launched a spin-out company Nanomax to commercialise the technique. The company is currently patent-pending but has already had discussions with many reputable companies, such as Tata and Liberty.
Dr Campbell explained: “We want to work with companies to deliver this new method, but similarly we can work with them to help produce high quality products. We’ve started on this with sunscreen manufacturing; had some interest with new zinc-based batteries, and we are engaging with Dunlop for their tyres.”
She said: “We’re now part of the Imperial Venture Mentor Scheme. We have two mentors who are helping us navigate this next phase of the company, which is to scale-up in delivery and find partners.
“It’s all well and good developing a method but if you don’t take it to a commercial place then it won’t actually make a global impact.”
The company is focused on manufacturing the active zinc oxide ingredient, as well as reducing the impact manufacturing has on the environment by replacing outdated technologies.
She said: “We actually formed the company so we could do a Climate-KIC, which is a competition for clean energy companies. We came in second place in England.
Dr Campbell explained that her team of researchers are using the process on recycled zinc, meaning no significant environmental footprint. Nanomax will be working alongside companies like British Steel by separating the zinc out of their waste stream.
She said: “Any process requiring a new material has an impact on your entire environmental footprint. So, we’re trying to change it. We’re not mining anything new for our process.
“Everyone is talking about the manufacturing of new sunscreen, which is so important. But the bigger picture is that the process itself has the potential to deliver this circular economy, and the process can be used for other materials too.”
Rugby Sevens Olympic dream reignited by Lottery funding lifeline
After months of uncertainty, England Rugby Sevens have been handed a short-term lifeline thanks to National Lottery Funding, which will enable them to compete as part of the Great Britain squad at the Tokyo Olympics. The 2016 Rio Olympics provided plenty of highlights, but one of them could arguably be the debut of Rugby Sevens at the event. The fast-paced matches and end to end action was something that caught the eye and made for an excellent watch. With only seven players per team, and each game lasting 14 minutes, it is unique to any other format of rugby. England won the first ever seven-a-side tournament to feature national teams in 1973, as well as winning the inaugural World Cup twenty years later. The nation has also produced record holders in the sport, with Ben Gollings scoring the most points ever on the Sevens Series, whilst Dan Norton has scored the most tries. Even though the stars of the sport may not be household names, they have achieved success on the international stage. In the last five years, the men’s GB side have won an Olympic Silver medal in Rio, as well as a third-place finish for England at the 2018 Commonwealth games, whilst the women’s also brought home a bronze medal from the Gold Coast competition. They have also competed in the HSBC World Series since 1999, coming head-to-head with some of the best sides in the world. Despite this, the future of the sport was plunged into danger last year after the RFU decided to stop funding the program, following the Covid-19 pandemic and the postponement of the Olympics. In the months that followed, the lives of the players were turned upside down, both professionally and personally. Fortunately, with the help of National Lottery funding, a Great Britain team will compete at this summer’s Tokyo games.
Dan Bibby, who was part of the team that won silver at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, feels the team deserved more, after being told the program was being cut over video call. He said: “After playing for nine years and giving so much, it was weird to hear the news over Zoom. From the business side of things, I understand, but I feel we could’ve been treated a lot better. There’s always a place to be kind, and I think they failed with that." “It made me sad that it could’ve been over, and that’s how my career would’ve ended. For some of the lads, it is the end of their journey, and they won’t get another shot at the Olympics.”View this post on Instagram
Dan Bibby in training for Team GB.
During his time off from rugby, Bibby stepped up as a full time stay at home dad, which he jokes at times was tougher than pre-season training. “It has been good and bad,” he laughed. “It definitely tested my patience and mentally prepared me for this. My four-year-old is really into sword fighting, so I’ve got some scars on my fingers.” The extra time at home has prompted Bibby to think about his future beyond the Tokyo games. “I think it will be my last Olympics, travelling has taken its toll, I’ve been selfish for a long time. I have a young family, so I don’t want to be missing out and it’s hard to leave them." “The pandemic has taught me I need something after rugby, and to have that drive will make me a better parent. I can now be in the moment a lot more and enjoy this time to focus.” Whilst Bibby’s professional rugby career could come to a close at the end of the summer, the Olympics are only the start for another player who hopes to be competing in Tokyo. Women’s bronze medallist, Holly Aitchison says she is excited for the tournament and is prepared for anything that comes her way.Amazing to be a part of @TeamGB highest medal winning team! It's an experience I will never forget! #teamgb #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/zqeHG8kUtj
— Daniel Bibby (@dbibby15) August 22, 2016
Holly Aitchison in action for England (credit: England Rugby)
The 23-year-old is confident about Britain’s chances in this summer’s competition and delighted that the ‘family’ they have built has not been torn apart. “As England we were the top ranked team in 2019 so why shouldn’t we shoot for gold. I know it sounds cliched, but if you don’t aim for something, how can you hope to achieve it?" Whilst England have been successful on the world stage, coming together as a British squad will provide a new challenge. “One strength is, no one has ever seen this group play before, so won’t know what to expect. We have grown to be sisters, who were torn apart, but are now reunited. The Olympics will be the icing on the cake after a difficult but rewarding year.”View this post on Instagram
Aitchison has also set her sights on 15s rugby and competing at the Women’s Rugby Union World Cup, after a partial switch to union through her move to Saracens last year. “It’d be the pinnacle of any athletes career to go to an Olympics and a World Cup in the space of a year. Saracens have been really accommodating, and amazing when I need to go to training camps. It is the best move I could’ve made, I love it.” Rugby Sevens still remains part of her long-term plans, with the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth games also round the corner. “To be at a home games would be amazing. Whilst I’d be excited to go to a World Cup, there are other focusses on the horizon.” Aitchison believes it is “massively important” that women’s rugby sevens has been given this lifeline, due to the positive impact it can have on young girls and society as a whole. “It can highlight what future generations can do in rugby, because when I was 14 or 15 my teacher laughed at me for wanting to be a professional player." “One of my teammates says, ‘if you can’t see something then you can’t be it,’ so if rugby can echo what women's sport is achieving in football, then it would have a massive effect.”View this post on Instagram