“Whatever happens, we will persevere”: Sheffield’s Mojisola Kareem on Crucible debut
A grassroots theatre production of Death and the King's Horseman is due to grace the Crucible's stage in early February, becoming the first ever performance of the West African play at the iconic Sheffield venue.
Utopia Theatre - a local organisation that seeks to pioneer African and Caribbean performance art and nurture young artists from the city - has also signed up non-professional actors from across South Yorkshire.
The vast majority of them have never been on stage before.
Mojisola Kareem, CEO of Utopia Theatre and an award-winning multidisciplinary artist who is directing the production, talks about working with the community ensemble for the past three months, which included learning songs in Yoruba - a language indigenous to parts of Nigeria, with around 47 million speakers.
Death and the King's Horseman was written by the 1986 Nobel Laureate in Literature, Wole Soyinka, who was also the first person from sub-Saharan Africa to win the prize and is by Ms Kareem's own admission, one of her favourite playwrights.
She said: "[The play] speaks a lot to where we are in the world now. It speaks to that kind of divide, but it also speaks to some of the legacies of the past".
Directly referring to the summer's riots as influencing her decision to put on certain plays, Ms Kareem feels that "one of the reasons why this type of event, this type of thinking happens is because people are not taught their history."
"The politics of art, and art, cannot be separated".
According to the director, it is also about a sense of duty. She said: "this is one of the biggest lessons about this play."
"There are so many leaders all over the world now where it's just about them, they don't have a sense of duty to their community or their people".
The cast themselves are practicing in the Creative Hub, located in The Moor Quarter of Sheffield, and it also includes major names in African theatre such as Wale Ojo who starred in the 2023 film Breath of Life and Grange Hill, and Blood Sisters' Kehinde Bankole.
The vibrant and open space has been in operation for just over a year. It also plays host to the theatre company's Youth Academy which Mojisola Kareem highlights as having started with only one member and two facilitators.
"We could have said 'ah, this is not going to work, people are not going to come'. People were telling us then that 'oh, Sheffield hasn't had this kind of offer in such a long time'. That is kind of the history of the city where things are given to our community, but very quickly, it doesn't work out and it's withdrawn from them. So, they've learnt to limit their expectations and not feel that anything is going to work."
"I said whatever happens, we will persevere"
- Mojisola Kareem, Utopia Theatre's CEO and director of the upcoming performance of Death and the King's Horseman
The Youth Academy now has 25 regular attendees.
Looking to the near future, Utopia Theatre intend to take Death and the King's Horseman on an international tour after its showing at the Crucible.
There are also plans in the work to build on current collaborations. Ms Kareem smiled and said "so, we are continuing in exactly the same kind of trajectory".
Walking back through the Hub, past sand-yellow walls dashed with proverbs like "tomorrow belongs to people who prepare for it today", meticulous artwork and posters cataloguing the company's portfolio of work, there is a sense that Utopia Theatre is ready to take 2025 by the reins.
Formula One driver with Sheffield connection completes his farewell race
A Formula One driver who trained in Sheffield as a youngster has spoken about the highs and lows of his racing career after competing in his final race.
Zhou Guanyu was in the driving seat at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last weekend (December 8).
The Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber is having a shake up for next season replacing both Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas. They will be swapped for rookie Gabriel Bortoleto and long-standing racing driver Nico Hülkenberg.
Zhou Guanyu, 25, said: “I hope that my racing continues to inspire others who are following my story.
"I would like to thank the team for this opportunity and all of the fans for their continued support. They have been fantastic and continue to inspire me.”
Zhou made his debut in 2022 for the Alfa Romeo team, which became Stake Kick Sauber this year.
He is also the only driver in Formula One history to represent China and was able to race in the Chinese Grand Prix this year, 20 years after being a fan in the crowd.
“I am immensely proud to represent my country as the first ever Chinese Formula 1 driver," said Zhou.
His F1 journey hasn’t always been easy, but the Chinese driver has much to celebrate.
He said: “I am happy to have already achieved many things under difficult conditions in Formula 1, including scoring points in my first race, fastest lap, and some memorable battles throughout the grid."
Zhou moved to Sheffield in 2012, to compete with his karting team Strawberry Racing UK, who are based in Handsworth.
He attended Westbourne School in Broomhill and came back to the city for a visit in 2023.
It has been a tough season for Kick Sauber after they finished last in the constructors' championship, 13 points behind 9th place constructors Williams.
Zhou scored their only four points in the penultimate race of the season in Qatar, which saw him go from starting 12th on the grid but ending eighth.
The race earned him the Driver of the Day award but Zhou has not secured a seat for the 2025 season, meaning his future in the world of racing is still undetermined but he remains positive.
He said: “Sadly, the last two seasons have been challenging for all, but I want to look forward. I am positive about the future, and I am now totally focused on making sure that I can truly show what I am capable of.”
Star-studded support for Sheffield Modern Slavery campaign
A charity worker has received celebrity endorsement for his awareness campaign to tackle the misconceptions of modern slavery.
Leading the celebrity-line up is Coronation Street actress, Julie Hesmondhalgh, TV chef, Andrea Oliver, and Olympic boxer, Cindy Ngamba.
Causeway’s Stand with Survivors campaign was launched by Edwin Buckley, to educate the public and redefine the common misunderstandings of illegal exploitation.
He said: “It’s to raise awareness in a general sense but to really try and shine a light on the reality of modern slavery in the UK today.
“It’s commonly misunderstood and we are trying to grow that allyship and care.”
Recent reports revealed that from June 2023 and July 2024, Yorkshire and the North East ranked fifth in the demand for modern slavery support, making up 8% of all referrals.
“Those voices can really help get messages across, build advocacy and reach people who might not ordinarily be able to speak to.”
- EDWIN BUCKLEY
The charity has produced a film to support the campaign with all 17 celebrities who have endorsed their work.
Causeway, has worked with over 70 celebrities in the past 18 months, and used their platforms to support their ongoing campaigns.
The charity was founded in Sheffield in 2005 and provides long and short term support to recovering victims of exploitation.
Modern Slavery explained
Despite public perception that women are most likely to fall victim to modern slavery, it is men who are the most vulnerable group to be victims of criminal and labour exploitation.
As revealed in The Salvation Army Modern Slavery Report 2024 men are manipulated into committing illegal acts or coerced into allowing their homes as bases for gang activity.
The Standing With Survivors campaign hopes to bring an end to the common belief that modern slavery only affects people from other countries, as British nationals are the second-largest demographic among victims.
Mr Buckley, 34, added: “British young men are now one of the most at risk groups of modern slavery because of criminal exploitation.”
The campaign draws attention to cases of the increase of labour exploitation in care homes.
Established care providers sponsor visas then house and feed foreign workers who become trapped in forced labour for little or no pay.
Through education and advocacy, Mr Buckley and Causeway aim to break down stereotypes and educate the public on the harsh realities of modern slavery in the UK today.
New rules set to target anti-social behaviour in Sheffield city centre
Begging, loitering and drinking in Sheffield city centre will soon become punishable by a fine of up to £1000 after the council voted to introduce a public spaces protection order (PSPO), despite concerns from councillors and charities.
The PSPO is designed to address anti-social behaviours, which also include drug taking or publicly urinating.
If someone breaches the order, police could then issue an on-the-spot fine of £100 which could increase to £1000 if taken to court.
Offenders could also be asked to leave the city centre for 24 hours.
The Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee debated the proposal on Monday, hearing several public questions from charities concerned that the PSPO will disproportionately target homeless and vulnerable people.
Alex Lumsden, the outreach manager for Ben's Centre, a charity which works with people involved in alcohol and substance misuse, said that many of their service users are victims and perpetrators of anti-social behaviour in the city centre.
He said: "It seems clear that the proposed PSPO is designed to target this cohort."
He said that there are a small group of Sheffield residents who beg on the high streets, sleep rough an don't have reliable access to toilet facilities.
"Within this group, it is not an exaggeration to say that the vast majority have a mental and/or physical disability", he added.
As part of the consultation process for the PSPO, the council has been in contact with over 1200 individuals and 77 organisations.
Tom Smith, director of customer experience and communities, told the committee that the PSPO is actually supportive in some respects as it will allow police and the council to better identify vulnerable people in the city centre, who they can then refer for further help.
Superintendent Paul Ferguson represented South Yorkshire Police at the meeting.
He assured councillors that the new measures were intended to protect Sheffield residents and that 90% of the police authorities in the country currently have at least one PSPO in place.
He said: “Behaviours of the few are having a huge impact on the majority and that's where we want additional means to target that behaviour.
"The whole point of a PSPO is that our options currently are almost to ignore, or arrest.”
Councillor Marieanne Elliot was the only committee member to vote against the proposal.
She echoed the concerns raised by public questions that the equalities and diversity assessment for the PSPO wasn't thorough enough.
Councillor Elliot said: “If we can't consider the impact on people with those protected characteristics, then we can’t discharge our duty."
The PSPO will come into effect in April 2025.
Yorkshire’s Harry Brook dethrones Joe Root as best Test batter in world
Joe Root's reign as the No.1 Test batter in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings has come to an end in the lead-up to the third and final Test against New Zealand.
In the changing of the guard at the top of the Test batter rankings this week, Harry Brook dethroned Root by gaining a narrow one-point advantage over his Yorkshire teammate.
Joining legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar with the equal 34th highest rating of all time, Brook has amassed 898 rating points which is just one more than former England skipper Root in the ICC rankings.
Root held the esteemed position after surpassing former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson in July this year. The Sheffield batter has bagged the top spot in the ICC Test batting rankings on nine occasions over his glittering career.
Talking about the rise of Brook, the Yorkshire cricketer registered scores of 123 and 55 in England's thumping 323-run triumph over the Black Caps at Basin Reserve. Root was dismissed for three before the ex-England captain bounced back with a brilliant 106 in the same Test against New Zealand.
Reflecting on England's win over the hosts, Root admitted that his teammate Brook is the best player in the world. The Root and Brook batting show also thwarted New Zealand's bid to enter the final of the ICC World Test Championships.
After propelling England to a massive series win, Brook was named Player of the Match in Wellington. The 25-year-old has accumulated 2,280 runs from 38 innings in 23 Test appearances for the Three Lions. Averaging 61.62 in the longest format, Brook has eight centuries, including a career-best 317 against Pakistan.
The Yorkshire batter made his Test debut against South Africa at Kennington Oval in 2022. Ben Stokes-led England side will meet New Zealand in the 3rd Test at Hamilton on Saturday.
Sheffield Wednesday feeling “confident” ahead of this weekend’s fixture against Oxford United
Sheffield Wednesday winger Anthony Musaba has spoken about the team's form this season ahead of their match away to Oxford United tomorrow.
The Owls currently sit 12th in the league, six points off the playoff spots that they are fighting for.
Opposition Oxford United will be desperate for a win, having lost four of their last five games, and placing just one point shy of the relegation zone.
Speaking about tomorrow's fixture, Anthony Musaba said: "We are confident. With away games we are strong at the moment.
"When playing away, you need to try and find the moment to score, and then their fans will be quiet and you can start to manage your game as if you are playing at home. I think we are doing this well at the moment."
The Owls can expect to come against former Wednesday midfielder, Will Vaulks, who won Sheffield Wednesday's Player of the Year award last season before moving to Oxford United.
Speaking about Vaulks, Musaba said: "He was a really good guy in the dressing room. He was always active and brought positivity."
With double the points tally they had after the same number of games last season, the team has reason to be feeling positive.
Musaba said: "I am happy with where we are at the moment, it shows an improvement in our team and that's the most important thing at the end of the day.
"Obviously we want to fight for the playoffs. But it doesn't need to be a pressure thing, we need to manage each game by game, focus on getting three points, and then we will see how we are standing in the table."
Historically, Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford United have faced each other 34 times, with the Owls winning nine of those.
Both teams lost their mid-week fixtures as Blackburn Rovers managed a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, and Oxford lost 2-0 to QPR.
Speaking on the Blackburn result, Musaba said: "It was a game based on one moment. I think all game we were good in our shape but it was the one chance they got that they scored."
Fire Safety Dance by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has viewers dancing to their beats while raising money for charity
Local artist Big Shaun has teamed up with firefighters attempting to top the charts for Christmas number one this year.
The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue completed 50 years of service this year, and they decided to celebrate with a catchy tune and groovy moves. The ‘Fire Safety Dance’ music video was released on Monday and has brought over 200,000 views across social media, making their way to the top charts for Christmas number one.
The upbeat music, with drummy beats and choreography by INK dance create the perfect hook step to have viewers dancing to the tunes. The music video shows firefighters all geared up grooving to the beats of the song, along with Big Shaun, and the teddy bear mascot has been the cherry-on-top.
The lyrics, while catchy, also deliver an important message of awareness about the mental health of firefighters. Big Shaun and the Steel People in collaboration with the Fire and Rescue service have aimed to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity, and support the firefighters’ mental health.
The department has also encouraged teenagers under 16 to recreate the fire safety dance with their unique moves as a part of their campaign.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Andy Strelczenie said that societal taboos around mental health still exist in the fire department. The song is just another medium to help residents and other firefighters offer a safe space to start a conversation around mental health.
He said: “New support like this is extremely valuable and this is why we want to raise as much as we can to help continue developing new ways for fire service personnel to get support.
“If we get to number one", he continued, "we will celebrate with South Yorkshire and all those that have helped us get to number one! No matter where we place, the money raised for the Fire Fighters Charity will mean we are all winners anyway.”
Big Shaun, who believes that he was “born to be a performer,” has struggled with mental health issues, and believes that “if you’ve got a talent, then you should use it to get a message across, and entertain people.”
He said: “If we can get any kind of chart position and raise some money, then I’ll be more than pleased with that.”
The Fire Safety Dance has brought festive cheers, while supporting an important cause. The song is officially released today, and the Christmas No.1 will be announced next Friday.
Featured image (Source - South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue).
Stream the song here
Ecclesfield Parish Council hold cost of living events in run up to Christmas
Residents of Ecclesfield got the chance to find out how best to keep warm and keep the cost of living down, with event organisers saying it was their “best turn out of the year.”
The events were held on 30 November and 4 December at Café Hug in High Green and Ecclesfield Library, and featured advice on benefits, pensions, and cost of living, as well as giving out free warm packs which had scarves and hot water bottles in them.
Organiser Mark Hible, who is a Community Development and Cost of Living worker, over 30 people in the north of Sheffield this year received warm packs.
Mr Hible said that the events have been especially important this year following the cuts in winter fuel payments in Labour’s first budget, and that they had a “great” turnout with around 50 people attending the High Green event, and around 20 in Ecclesfield.
Mr Hible, alongside organising the events and offering advice, also works on training library staff or volunteers to be able to give advice on benefits and pensions so that as many residents as possible can be helped.
The events can also give company to those who are lonelier in the winter month, with Mr Hible saying that some come for “a cup of tea or a chit chat."
The next cost of living events will be in mid February, and will be posted here.
Sheffield goes Dutch with accessible West Bar roundabout
After a series of unexpected delays, a famed Dutch-style roundabout on West Bar opened earlier this week.
The roundabout was due to open in late October, but after facing a number of delays, was pushed back to Monday.
It contains additional cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings to give them priority, but motorists believe it will cause confusion and more accidents.
Rebecca Hammond, a cycling instructor and pharmacist, uses the roundabout frequently.
She said she felt it filled a gap in the infrastructure. She said: “The old roundabout had poor sight lines that made it difficult for drivers entering the roundabout from some directions. The new design helps with that, and will also improve safety for cyclists too.”
Ben McGarry, Chair of the Kelham Island and Neepsend Community Alliance (KINCA), said: “I think it’s going to be a big success … it’s great to go across if you’re a pedestrian, because it’s all zebra crossings, and you don’t have to wait for grumpy drivers."
The roundabout is meant to make it easier for people to cycle and walk from the city center across to Tenter Street and Kelham/Neepsend.
This brand new Dutch-style roundabout has opened, here's how it works... pic.twitter.com/0RoD3zNEdK
— BBC Sheffield (@BBCSheffield) December 9, 2024
Many cyclists feel that cycling infrastructure in Sheffield needs a big upgrade, especially due to the hills and upward climbs.
Isaac Hammond, who lives in the western end of Sheffield but uses the roundabout quite frequently, thinks that the roundabout is a step in the right direction to encourage more “active travel” in the city.
He said: “Because the roundabout allows a completely separate, more accessible route for cyclists and pedestrians, I think it will take a bit of getting used to, especially for drivers. As long as it encourages more people to travel actively, then it’s only a good thing."
The roundabout is part of Sheffield's initiative to become a cleaner, greener city - which hopes to achieve net zero emissions in the city by 2030.
Sheffield to Sheffield: Charity campaign challenges locals to walk 4,200 miles
This Christmas, Mind Sheffield is calling on locals to come together to collectively walk the 4,200 mile distance from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, to Sheffield, Alabama, without leaving the country.
The mental health charity are aiming to raise £4,200, matching the miles they would like supporters to cover by Christmas Eve as part of their "A Walk Across the Pond" fundraiser.
Lindsay Doyle-Price, 52, Business Development Manager at Sheffield Mind, said: "We wanted to create a festive fundraiser that would capitalize on the city’s love of walking, while also setting locals a real challenge."
Over a third of the UK's greenest city lies within the Peak District National Park, making it a hotspot for climbers and ramblers alike.
Those who have signed up for the event have been getting creative with their fundraising efforts.
Lindsay said: “I took advantage of a weekend away in Norwich with my old uni friends to go to a Martin Kemp 80s DJ extravaganza. Bopping away all night, I managed to accrue a lot of steps and miles.”
Other fundraisers have been walking to work, taking lunch break strolls, and, in one instance, somebody who fell asleep on the bus ended up walking an extra three miles home, which they added to their tracker.
Mind’s Operations Manager, Edyta Bancer, joined the Mental Elf 5K fun run with her husband and their dog, Denver.
Denver the dog, getting in the fundraising spirit at the Mental Elf 5k run
She said: “It helped having Denver along with me, he gave me the motivation to carry on through the wind and the rain.
"I will be adding daily doggy walk miles to the total throughout the month - Denver has never been so fit!”
So far, fundraisers have covered 1,801 miles, placing them virtually in the middle of the North Atlantic.
All funds raised will be invested in the delivery of services, such as therapy sessions and the charity’s 'Here 4 You' telephone support service, which offers a free helpline for those who feel isolated and lonely.
Lindsay said: “It’s amazing how quickly miles add up, even if you’re just walking to the shops or skipping a mode of transport once a week. Get yomping.”
Campaign promotes bus consultation to address “deadly” air pollution in Burngreave
An air pollution campaigner from Burngreave said carbon emissions are “destroying our world” and has encouraged residents to participate in the South Yorkshire Mayor’s bus consultation.
Graham Jones of the Burngreave Clean Air Campaign conducts his own tests of the air quality around Burngreave, and the latest readings from January-August 2024 found the majority of levels were above the legal maximum.
Mr Jones blamed the pollution problem on the high level of cars that travel down Spital Hill and Burngreave Road, due to its proximity to Northern General Hospital and the closing of alternate routes.
He said: “Improving our buses is not only a social imperative, it is necessary to reduce car use and thereby reduce carbon emissions that are destroying our world before our eyes and also the deadly fumes which are destroying our health worldwide, not least in Burngreave.”
He has encouraged all Sheffield residents to participate in the consultation which was launched by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority as part of the statutory process to bring the buses back under public control.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said on the launch of the consultation: “Today, we’re taking a big step towards fixing public transport in South Yorkshire as we consider going back to the future.”
South Yorkshire Buses were under public control until the 1980s when the Transport Act 1985 introduced privatised and deregulated bus services across Great Britain.
Maria Neira, Director of the Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health Department at the World Health Organisation, told the International Association of Public Transport in 2023: “Pollution is killing us. A suitable transport system is a critical part of public health. It reduces air pollution, it reduces road traffic deaths, it reduces non-communicable diseases.”
The Burngreave Clean Air Campaign has drawn attention to the health risks associated with high pollution levels.
Air pollution has been linked to up to 500 premature deaths in Sheffield per year, and statistics show that life expectancy in Burngreave is lower than other areas, at 75 for men and 77.8 for women, compared to 83.8 for men and 89.2 for women in Ecclesall.
A University of Sheffield study from December 2024 also found that people living in areas with higher levels of air pollution were more likely to suffer from multiple long-term conditions.
The bus consultation will finish on 15 January 2025.
Wilder confident despite injury woes
Ahead of the Plymouth Argyle game, Sheffield United have been plagued with a growing list of injured players but Chris Wilder is confident the team will continue their winning streak.
Striker Keiffer Moore will not be back until late December and Tyrese Campbell’s injury, while ‘not serious’, means he isn’t expected to play for a few days.
Anel Ahmedhodzic has also recently ‘rolled his ankle’, leaving Sheffield United limited in terms of depth and tactical options.
Midfielder Vinicius Souza has been sidelined until January with a hamstring injury, but we may see Tom Davies take his position this weekend after recovering from an ongoing leg injury since September.
It is expected Michael Cooper, who will be in goal this week, hasn’t conceded any goals at Bramall Lane with 12 clean sheets, which could mean a promising defence.
Referring to Cooper, after the recent Millwall and West Bromwich away games, Wilder said: “When he has to come up with a big save he comes up with it, but I’m not sure he’s had to in the last two games."
Wilder who was voted Manager of the Month feels it should be "team of the month", acknowledging the team effort required for their success in the championship.
Plymouth, who are currently in the relegation zone, potentially have a tough game ahead of them but Wilder has predicted a lull tomorrow.
He wants United fans to help motivate the dwindled team, and not to be "arrogant" about their position on the table.
While Sheffield United are top of the league, Wilder reminds fans that they were in League One for six years, and while his message to the team is avoid "arrogance and complacency", the same goes to the fans.
He has also said that the impending US club takeover "has nothing to do with the player" as they are only required to play to the best of their ability.