Dog training centre approved for High Hazels Park
Wagging tails and well behaved canines will become new fixtures at a Darnall park following the approval of plans for a dog training centre.
High Hazels Park will soon be home to the newest location of Yorkshire Dog Training. The company received approval of their lease by Sheffield City Council on Wednesday.
The park, which is run as a charity trust, currently houses a café, playground, and a sports facility.
Craig Rice, Managing Director of Yorkshire Dog Training, said: “Our Sheffield Training Centre has been in discussion with the Council for over a year now and we are very happy that the planning phase is coming to end and we can hopefully get started soon.”
The company already runs home services for pets in Sheffield and the new training centre will join a list of branches across Yorkshire in Leeds, Doncaster, Harrogate, and Wakefield.
The training centre will be built on the disused bowling green, breathing new life into the park.
The proposal for the lease highlighted that the location of the centre will “remove the feeling of neglect in this part of the park.”
Western Entrance of High Hazels Park. (Photo by Neil Theasby).
“Personally I am broadly in favour of the dog training centre,” said Paul Campbell, 72.
Mr Campbell, who is a member of Friends of High Hazels Park, added: “The reserve bowling green has not been used for many years, and that part of the park has become a bit of a backwater.”
Construction of the new centre is part of the five-year Better Parks initiative started by the City Council in 2018. The program aims to improve the city’s parks and green spaces while increasing commercial interest and revenue.
Mr Rice said: “We are very keen to help build a community of owners with well trained dogs around our Sheffield Centre, and once government restrictions allow, will be planning group activity which is both fun for dogs and their owners.”
An increased community presence in the park may also help to reduce the risk of antisocial behaviour. This concern comes following a rape in the park which made national headlines in December 2020.
High Hazels Park has also been identified for funding from Public Health to support further investment in youth recreational facilities. This will most likely lead to either a ball court or a skate park.
Tension over Page Hall police patrols
Exasperated residents of Page Hall have doubts over high visibility police patrols, and have said the solution to the area’s problems lies in getting children off the streets.
Community champion Yasser Mohammed, who runs the Facebook group ‘ONLY IN PAGEHALL’, praised South Yorkshire Police’s efforts over the years, but said the relationship had soured.
Mr Mohammed has worked with the local authorities in Page Hall for 10 years in an attempt to unite the community, and said they had done a “tremendous job” of keeping control of crime.
But he said a major issue could be solved by organised youth groups for children who currently spend their days roaming the streets.
Other residents reported they see children as young as eight on street corners with nothing to do, and this has worsened over the lockdowns of the past year.
Mr Mohammed said Page Hall’s young residents desperately need sports centres, youth clubs and better parks, and vandalism and other antisocial behaviour would reduce as a result.
He suggested boxing in particular could be the key to tackling boredom and keeping kids out of trouble.
He said: “The most important thing about boxing is discipline and self-protection. It’s a confidence booster too.
I’ve taken kids off the street, taken them to boxing with my son, paid for them out of my own pocket and tried to build a relationship with them.
“But there’s only so much you can do independently.”
Boxing at Sheffield Lane Top Boxing Club
He advocates an approach of tackling the problem at the source, instead of simply filling Page Hall with police, suggesting funding should be allocated to adding a boxing gym to the community centre.
“It’s the evenings when all the kids come out. If they had a class at 8pm they’d get tired out and go home because they want to sleep” he said.
When asked whether he thought opening gyms should be a governmental priority on the roadmap out of lockdown he said: “Absolutely. I think it should be top of the list.”
Another Page Hall resident, Mr Ali, felt the community’s faith in the police was dwindling, and agreed more good would come from arranging activities for the younger generation.
He said: “I think the young have been forgotten.
“With a lack of funding and leadership they don’t have aspirations to excel, and they have nowhere to go to relax and unwind.”
He warned that children are at risk of falling into drugs and gang culture if something is not done soon.
Councillor Paul Wood, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety at Sheffield City Council said the council are working with South Yorkshire Police, local community groups and residents to address problems in Page Hall.
He said: “By drilling down to the root causes, and joining up our approach, we hope to see a notable difference.
“For instance, addressing education issues and leisure opportunities should ultimately have a positive impact on antisocial behaviour.”
Boris Johnson is due to set out plans for sports and clubs to resume this afternoon.
Sheffield City Council set to increase tax over Covid-19 worries
An increase to council tax is being considered this morning in an attempt to raise funds for South Yorkshire Fire Service. South Yorkshire Fire Service has seen their funding has decreased in the past year by £750,000. Covid-19 has caused local council services to suffer due to the increase in people claiming benefits and mass business closure, which has resulted in a decrease in business tax revenue. The service cites the amount of business closures as a leading cause of the issue. The change will result in a small financial increase for taxpayers at 3p per week. If the increase in council tax is approved, the fire service will gain an extra £530,000 this year, which will allow the service to employ fifteen new firefighters. The decision is set to be made in a council meeting which will take place this morning. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Tragedy as Amazon driver, 21, dies in hospital days after crash while delivering parcels
An Amazon delivery driver who was critically injured in a collision with a car in Doncaster last week has tragically died in hospital. The 21-year-old man was delivering parcels in Barnby Dun Road, Clay Lane at around 2pm on 17 February when he was involved in a collision with an orange Nissan Note. He was left fighting for his life in hospital and sadly died yesterday evening. The driver of the Nissan stopped immediately and is assisting South Yorkshire Police (SYP) with their inquiries. SYP are now appealing for information and/or dash cam footage from anyone at the scene. A statement by SYP says: “We are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who saw either party prior to the incident, to get in touch. “Were you walking in Clay Lane or crossing the road at the time of the collision? Did you see what happened? “We are also keen to hear from anyone with dash cam footage.” Anyone with information should call 101 and quote the incident number 429 of 17 February. Footage should be emailed to enquiries@southyorks.pnn.police.uk with the incident number included in the subject line.
Sheffield Alumni love stories
The alumni couples who left with more than a degree from The University of Sheffield. Love it or hate it, love is in the air at this time of year and ex-students have shared their heart-warming stories of finding lasting love at university, reminding us all how love and learning really can go hand-in-hand.
Carolyn and Paul, who married in 1973.
Anna and Paul, who have been 'totally in love' since meeting in 2003.
John and Jiameng, who met in 2003 at the University's Chess Society in 2003.
Maria and Andrew, who met in 1982 through the University of Sheffield's History Society.
Ezza and Firdaus, who describe each other as the love of their lives'.
They said they have travelled to other countries together, but nothing beats their wonderful memories in Sheffield. They have now been married for almost five years and have ‘been blessed with a beautiful son’.
Jenny and Craig, who met in 2005 while living on West Street.
Joe and Helen, who met in 2005 and married in Valencia in 2019.
Monica and Bernardo, who married last year.
Hayley and Gavin, who met at a party outside Woodvale flats over 25 years ago.
Hayley and Gavin met almost instantly, on the second day of their first year at a party outside Woodvale Flats where Hayley was living.
Hayley said: “Many nights spent dancing at Stomp. Still going strong with nearly 25 years of love and friendship. Here’s to the next 25. Thanks Sheffield.”
Kriti and Sambit, who married in India in 2015.
Doncaster Rovers vs Accrington Stanley match preview: Rovers must improve defensively despite injury setback
The return of Southampton loanee Josh Sims is vital for Darren Moore's Doncaster Rovers' season (@drfc_official on Twitter) Wednesday evening's game against Accrington Stanley could be pivotal in restoring Doncaster's promotion challenge after two successive losses. A win on Wednesday could leapfrog the Rovers from fifth to second in the table if other results go their way, positioning them only two points behind league leaders Lincoln City with a game in hand. Manager, Darren Moore, will be hoping the recent losses away at Fleetwood and Sunderland are merely a minor blip in what has been an impressive season from the Rovers. So far, they have amassed ten points and are five positions higher than at the same point in the league last season. In the pre-match press conference, Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Moore said: “It’s important we maintain high standards that we’ve set, we have to get back [to] working properly again.” “It is a tough challenge for us on Wednesday against a highly experienced man (Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman), he knows the level and the division really well, [he] doesn’t get flustered by the bravado the league can present.” "We know how dangerous their man up top, (Dion) Charles, is and we'll set up to try and stop him" Despite the previous two results, Rovers fans can be buoyed by their imperious home form, winning nine of their thirteen games at the Keepmoat Stadium positioning them second in the home league table. Accrington's away form is of a league average, however their 2-2 draw away at Lincoln last weekend will provide them with the confidence that they can attack a Doncaster side that are suffering defensively due to the concussion suffered by skipper Tom Anderson ruling him out of this fixture. His presence was sorely missed on Saturday, conceding four headed goals to Charlie Wyke at Sunderland and Doncaster's lack of aerial prowess in the centre back position without Anderson will be tested against an Accrington side that excel in the air. Moore said of his captain: “Tom is a stalwart in defence, to miss someone of his ilk and aerial power, is massive but we felt we had ready made replacements. Lapses of concentration defeated us on Saturday and we need to switch on and engage.” Dion Charles' recent form for Accrington, which has seen him score seven goals in his last six games, including four man of the match performances and grabbing both goals in Saturday's draw against Lincoln, will no doubt be a cause for concern for Doncaster. The host's must successfully neutralise his threat alongside striking partner Colby Bishop, which will be vital if the Rovers are going to take all three points. Southampton loanee starlet, Josh Sims, will be an important tool for Doncaster's promotion push. Throughout the season his performances have been lauded and have earned him a position in the side for the remainder of the season after being brought back in last month. His six league assists rank him amongst the highest in the league and the most for his club, he will be hoping to build upon these impressive performances for the rest of the season. After playing his first minutes since coming back from a hamstring injury and re-signing on loan at the club, Sims is looking forward to carrying his stellar form into the remainder of the season saying: "Before the season started I set myself a target of five goals and five assists, I’m currently on three goals and six assists and I would like to go even further than that now." "I set myself goals but without the team I can’t achieve them. We all help each other meet our own personal goals and the goals we set as a club too.” Moore said of Sims: “We're all really pleased he’s back, in the first half campaign he showed us he suits the system and his skills marry up quite well with it." "Josh is pleased to be back and everyone looks forward to him getting back up to his maximum impact and ability again.” With games coming thick and fast amidst a tight league table, any side that can put together a positive run of form will be likely contenders for automatic promotion this season. It will be a timely boost that Tom Anderson is expected to return next weekend versus Hull City as Doncaster bid to return to the Championship since being relegated in the 2013/14 season. Match Information: Kick-Off: 19:00 Wednesday 17/02/2021 Keepmoat Stadium Available to watch via Doncaster Rovers' official website Referee: Dean Whitestone
Three Wildlife Organizations Thriving Through Lockdown
Sheffield is not only home to an abundance of green spaces and parks; it is also a hub for green groups and wildlife organisations, many of which have surged in popularity during lockdown.
Social isolation is at an all-time high, but many people across the region have taken the time to reconnect with nature. Turning to nature in difficult times can help relieve stress. NHS Forest advises: “Nature helps improve our overall mood and reduces stress and anxiety levels. It also provides long-term benefits, including reducing the risk of developing chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.” Several local organisations have seen encouraging upticks in support and engagement that show just how much we have come to need nature.
Fields along Porter Brook [Copyright: Taylor Ogle]
South Yorkshire and Rotherham Wildlife Trust
The Wildlife Trust has always been committed to connecting people to the natural world around them, and despite coronavirus restrictions shutting down in-person outdoor learning sessions, they have persevered.
The organisation sent out over 800 nature-inspired kits to children learning at home to promote wellbeing through engagement with nature. The packets include a range of activities from species spotting guides, boggart making kits, and nature based craft ideas. The kits, sent out to kids from preschool age to 16-years-old, were well-received by parents after hundreds signed up to take part in the program.
Amy Simcox, Head of Engagement, said: “Parents and caregivers are doing a fantastic job of home-schooling – it’s not easy, and we want to help you as much as possible by making our resources accessible to you all at home.”
Much of the funding that made these kits possible came from the People’s Postcode Lottery and the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
“Whether it inspires you to build a hedgehog shelter, start your own garden bird-watch or discover something new about wildlife with your children, we really hope you find something that sparks their interest and creativity and helps them connect with nature,” the Head of Engagement for the Trust said.
The Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust is also running a series of Nature Natters. These free informal coffee-chat style sessions are run once a week through 4 March by a member of staff to introduce the community a wide range of topics from barn owls to butterflies.
Friends of the Porter Valley
News of another national lockdown halted all volunteer sessions for Sheffield’s Friends of the Porter Valley, but that hasn’t stopped the group from hurtling towards their fundraising goal of £380,000, so far raising £337,392.
The group’s main project is the much-needed restoration of Forge Dam. The Forge Dam Heritage and Habitat Improvement Project began in 2010 after a petition made Sheffield City Council aware of the poor state of the area.
Forge Dam has been in desperate need of restoration [Copyright: Ian S]
The Friends of Porter Valley have been working with Sheffield City Council and raising funds through events like their annual Duck Race for years.
It has taken a massive amount of community support to maintain this momentum. Earlier this year, the group received an anonymous donation of £100,000 taking the group 88% of the way to their fundraising target.
Detailed talks with the City Council have continued, and now the final planning and work for the restoration of the dam will be able to go ahead in Autumn 2021. After nearly a decade of work, the project is set to be completed in Spring 2022.
The Peak District National Park
Daily walks have become a hallmark of the pandemic and with the Peak District at Sheffield’s backdoor, it’s no wonder people have flocked to its wide-open spaces and gorgeous landscape.
Gorgeous scenes from the Peak District National Park [Copyright: Samuel Timson]
Once the initial restrictions prohibiting walks further away from home were lifted, the national park was flooded with walkers aching for a bit of fresh air. Unfortunately, the park was also flooded with litter, but thanks to Hulme resident Lee Spensley it didn’t stay for long. Mr Spensley was inspired by a litter-pick early in 2020 and decided to continue his efforts throughout the entire pandemic.
As of this month, his hard work has resulted in an astonishing 250kg of rubbish collected. National Park Chief Executive applauded Mr Spensley’s efforts: “Whilst our beautiful Peak District has become a vital place of sanctuary in nature during these challenging last few months, we have also seen a disappointing increase in litter in many areas. My heartfelt thanks go to Lee and countless others who have shared with us their efforts to care for their little piece of the National Park and keep it clean and tidy for us all to enjoy.”
Infectious Love: Sex, Youth and a Pandemic
(Credit: Sara Kurfeß) Many young people are struggling under the weight of sweeping government restrictions which generally cater towards the nuclear family household. With their hopes of nourishing new relationships taken away, some have chosen to ignore the rules. According to author Gary Chapman, there are five love languages which help us understand how we express and experience love. For those unfortunate souls who utilise the love language of ‘physical touch’, the social distancing rule is the worst form of torture. It resembles the type of dystopian and backward world presented in Lauren Oliver's novel Delirium, which portrays love as a disease. In June 2020, when the government first introduced the ban on mixing households (barring those in a support bubble together), everyday shows of affection were thrown into disarray. The rules meant that, in England, sex between single people, or established couples who don’t cohabit, has in effect been either illegal or only allowed outdoors. According to the Office for National Statistics, nearly three-quarters of 16–29-year-olds are not living in a couple – meaning that most people in this age bracket are left wanting when it comes to creating or maintaining their sexual relationships with others. “Physical touch is my love language, so this has been very very difficult for me,” said Georgia*, a 24-year-old teacher who lives in Sheffield. Georgia and her partner became exclusive in August 2020 and have spent only half of their six-month relationship being physically and sexually intimate. They live separately from one another but meet in public spaces for socially distanced walks when they can.
Image taken by Libby Shaw. Legs by Georgia*
Sheffield to Manchester rail link threatened with cancellation
The future of the vital train link between Sheffield and Manchester could be in jeopardy due to a plan to reduce rail congestion around Manchester city centre. A new consultation run by the Manchester Recovery Task Force could result in the busy Sheffield to Manchester Airport train service being cancelled. Liberal Democrat councillor Shaffaq Mohammed has urged Sheffield residents to take part in the consultation and share their views as to how it would impact them as commuters and holidaymakers. The consultation proposes three options for reducing congestion and making train services in and out of Manchester more reliable. Two of these options suggest the cancellation of the service. To mitigate the lack of a service to Manchester, the number of trains from Cleethorpes and Nottingham which go via Sheffield to Liverpool will be increased. However this cuts off a direct link to the main airport that serves Sheffield internationally. Coun Mohammed said he was aware of the lack of publicity around the issue and wanted Sheffield residents to have a say in the future of the service. Since the news of the consultation was shared by Coun Mohammed on Facebook, users of the service have reacted in outrage. One Facebook user commented: "The Manchester line is one of the busiest routes. Are you trying to cut us off from the rest of the country? You're supposed to be making things better up here not worse." Another pointed out the environmental factors should be taken into account: "If people are going to fly we want them to at least use public transport to get to the airport." Coun Mohammed, a former MEP who used the train link in the past to get to Brussels, expressed his concern that people would use taxis and cars to get to the airport if the train was cancelled. The Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, said of the consultation: "I urge passengers to use this opportunity to comment on the future of your railway. Improving punctuality and reliability is one of my key priorities. As we continue to build back better from the pandemic, these proposals will ensure that the rail network is more dependable for those who use it every day." Any changes to services will be implemented in May 2022. The consultation is open until 10 March 2021 and more information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/timetable-options-to-improve-rail-performance-in-the-north-of-england
Sheffield Hatters looking for a sustainable solution going into anniversary year
Sheffield Hatters celebrating their 2019 WBBL cup win. The Sheffield Hatters women's basketball club are one of the most decorated sports clubs in the UK. This year they are celebrating their 60th anniversary, so we spoke to trustee Sarah McQueen, to find out how the club has managed to get through lockdown and what their plans are heading into this historic year. The Hatters are run by volunteers, who fundraise to keep the club going. Due to the first lockdown in March last year, fundraising efforts in public were out of the question. They thought an investor was available to help them, but, because of Covid-19, the financial help pulled out. This meant the Hatters had to withdraw from the Women's British Basketball League (WBBL) and enter division two.
Sarah McQueen, trustee of the Sheffield Hatters Women's Basketball Club.
The Battle for Owlthorpe Fields: The struggle for the future of Sheffield’s Green Spaces
(Snowy Owlthorpe Fields from @save_our_fields.)
The Battle
The Initial stages
It was October 2018 when Sheffield City Council announced that it was seeking planning applications for construction on Owlthorpe Fields in South-East Sheffield. Almost instantly, people began to fight for their local green spaces. So began the Battle of Owlthorpe Fields, one that is ongoing to this day. The Owlthorpe Fields Action Group was established soon after the decision was made. They began to campaign for local residents and their opposition to the construction project. They said: "Now, more than ever, residents value and cherish this wild space - we have no local park or other usable green open space. It provides a place for outdoor education, for birdwatching and to learn about flora and fauna. It provides a place to walk, to run, to spend time alone, or with family and friends, providing physical and mental health benefits, offering peace and tranquillity. It's a wonderful resource for the community, for our children to grow up in and enjoy for many years to come."The Application
The battle had begun. In 2019, a Planning Application for the construction of 74 homes was submitted by Avant Homes. Campaigners hit back stating that the re-wilding had taken place in the Fields. Construction would put endangered species that had recently moved back into the area at risk.
The timeline of the dispute over Owlthorpe Fields.
The Appeal
Avant Homes soon indicated their decision to appeal the determination by the councillors and the process began in January 2021. The opposition had the support of Sheffield South-East MP Clive Betts who stated his disappointment in the decision by the housing company to appeal the decision. "I am bitterly disappointed that Avant Homes do not wish to engage with the local Owlthorpe Community. This will be a huge mistake and I support Sheffield City Council in doing all they can to prevent this development going ahead." The appeal was held between the 12th January to the 21st January. The result will be released by the 12th March.The War
Developers vs People
This dispute is part of the larger war between people and developers over green space. One that is being fought across the UK. This fight has reached a new level of urgency as the COVID-19 pandemic has begun to highlight the necessity of green spaces for ordinary people. Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam said that access to green spaces is a class issue. In the UK only one out of every eight people have a garden and not everyone can afford access to nature. This is a particularly serious issue in large cities. She said: "Over the past year the COVID-19 pandemic has made clear just how important access to green space is for people, for recreation, health and wellbeing. Being able to access nature is a challenge for many who live in urban areas, and in Sheffield we are particularly blessed to... have much better access to nature and green spaces than many other cities in the UK and Europe." COVID-19 has made the issue stand out. Over the course of the many lockdowns the UK has experienced, many have turned to nature for an outlet. The Owlthorpe Fields Action Group said: "Many of us have only now realised, during these days of lockdown, the true value of Owlthorpe Fields. Where would we have walked and enjoyed being out in the fresh air, if not for this open green space?" Similar campaigns against construction on green spaces are taking place across Sheffield. The Friends of Loxley Valley and the Campaign to Protect Rural England will also be fighting to protect green land from housing construction.Housing vs Green Space?
Green spaces are vital to healthy communities, but so are houses. The growing divide between local communities and the construction of housing presents serious issues for the construction industry and for wider society. New homes need to be built. The question is where and how to build them. Ms Blake believes that the solution is based in willpower: "The solution to this is a Government that is willing to build the houses, rather than support the interests of developers." According to a 2019 Ipsos Mori poll, affordable social housing is popular in England. Over 60% of people support the construction of social housing in their local area. The divide is not as stark as it may seem. The Owlthorpe Fields Action Group have set up a GoFundme, you can donate here.
South Yorkshire teachers react to expected March 8 return date
All schoolchildren will return to the classroom on March 8 under plans to start lifting the lockdown, Boris Johnson is expected to announce next week. The plans come amid calls from public health experts to end school closures, with studies showing that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are experiencing up to 55 per cent learning loss when compared with those from more privileged backgrounds. It is reported that the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, favours a "big bang" approach to bringing schools back, which would involve schoolchildren of all ages returning at once. But that has left schoolteachers worried, with many saying that maintaining social distancing and reducing transmission will be impossible. Matthew Smith, who teaches at Oakhill Primary School in Barnsley, said: "We've currently been teaching children of key workers, in classes up to 15, where social distancing is just about possible. "But I'm going to be expected to teach in that same classroom and enforce social distancing with up to 35 children, that's just unrealistic." Rachel Burgin, who also teaches at the school, said: "I teach years three and four and they just do not socially distance. You might try and enforce it in the classroom but then they go out into the yard to play and they're all mixing." One suggestion has been to increase the vaccine priority for teachers, which would allow schools to return on a larger scale. But Mr Smith said: "The worry is not so much on our side of catching it. The worry is that a child is going to carry the virus back home to their families and we are going to see rates increase that way." Teacher's concerns come as Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT union, urged the Government to be led by "the scientific evidence and advice". Dr Roach has called for "evidence of a sustained drop" in the R rate at a national, regional and local level before plans are made for a large-scale return. Others, such as Steve Chalke, who runs the Oasis Academies Trust, have urged the government to move away from a set timetabled approach, instead calling for the government to be driven by "scientific data, not dates."