Film festival celebrates 20th anniversary in ‘The Outdoor City’
Visitors from across the country flocked to Sheffield over the weekend to celebrate one of the UK's leading platforms for adventure, environment and outdoor storytelling.
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF) celebrated its 20th anniversary at Showroom Cinema on Paternoster Row across three jam-packed, adventure-filled days over the weekend.
Matt Heason, co-founder of the festival, spoke about founding the event and how it has developed and grown over the years.
He said: "It's a celebration of the outdoors in Sheffield."
Held annually in Sheffield, a city known for its access to wild landscapes and rich creative scene, the festival brings together world class climbing, running, biking, skiing, kayaking and environmental films from across the globe.
This year, 104 adventure films graced attendees, with topics ranging from running and climbing, to conservation and sustainability.
The films feature both elite athletes and grassroots voices, partnering with major outdoor brands like Rab.
Across two decades, the festival has built a strong reputation for thoughtful programming, a commitment to sustainability and a deep connection to community, sitting at the heart of Sheffield's cultural calendar.
Mr Heason emphasised the vast appeal of ShAFF, saying there has been enquiries from as far as Alaska to bring films to Sheffield, highlighting the impact of the event worldwide.
Winner of Best Film was Champions of the Golden Valley, directed by Ben Sturgulewski.
The film tells the story of how: "In the high peaks of Afghanistan, young villagers from rival ethnic groups build makeshift wooden skis and convene for a race."
The festival also featured many activities, including a temporary ski slope, installed by Revive Sheffield Ski Village, who are campaigning for funding around the reinstallation of facilities at a derelict site in Parkwood, since the Ski Village's closure in 2012.
Life of cherished Sheffield community leader celebrated through launch of her poetry collection
A community has gathered to celebrate the life of a "poetic pioneer", sharing the handwritten collection compiled by her daughters in her honour.
Mertell Walker, former chair of the Sheffield and District African Caribbean Community Association (SADACCA), passed in August 2024 aged 91, and was celebrated last Saturday through the launch of Hidden Pearls at the centre in Wicker, Sheffield.
Her daughter, Janet Walker, said her mother loved the movie Hidden Figures as it shared a piece of history that was nearly forgotten.
Janet hopes a movie could be adapted as a tribute to her mother, so her story is not hidden in the basement like the characters, but shown through her poems.
She said: “I couldn't see myself throwing this whole work away. I thought she was just going to disappear. That's where the book came out as Hidden Pearls.”
Carmen Franklin, Mrs Walker's former mentor, was also honoured throughout the night for how she motivated her late mentee to write and express herself.
Mrs Franklin is a former college English teacher who taught Mertell in the writing classes at the community centre.
She said: “Mertell was the chair of our ladies' group. She brought inspiration, not just by the way she did her poetry and her plays, but the way she handled the women in the group.
"Her encouragement, her smiles and laughter - she brought a lot to the group.”
Mrs Franklin hopes that more British Black women will be inspired to share their own stories.
The SADACCA centre opened in 1986, and has been a hub for the Caribbean community in Sheffield ever since.
Lyn Bent, a member of the SADACCA women’s group, said her fondest memory was being a part of the Washer Women play.
The play centred around six women washing clothes by the river, celebrating the women who support each other in their day-to-day lives.
Ms Bent said: "This talent has been hidden, so this is exposing it so that everybody can see this wonderful lady who is so blessed."
Guest speaker Carl Case, director of operations at Cultural Appropriate Resources, recalled his experience arriving in Sheffield in the 90s and being a part of the early days of SADACCA.
Mr Case compared the late Mertell to Louise Bennett, a renowned Jamaican poet, who wrote poetry in patois, recording her cultural heritage.
'Mr Case said: “A cultural queen, a poetic pioneer, and a voice of the people. Mrs Walker was instrumental in preserving and passing on Caribbean folk tales, traditional songs, and cultural narratives to the next generation.”
The Hidden Pearls book is available for purchase online at the Conscious Dreams Bookshop: https://consciousdreamsbookshop.com/products/hidden-pearls
Comedy night tackling mental health is a roaring success
Photo courtesy of Kathryn Simpson
A comedy night featuring a Britain's Got Talent finalist took place on Friday, 30 years after the organiser's brother took his own life, to address the stigmas around mental health and suicide.
Barnsley-based Community Interest Company (CIC), Suicide Sucks, hosted its second Stand Up To Suicide charity comedy night in Silkstone earlier this week, in an effort to “get people laughing”.
Mick Rowe, the founder of Suicide Sucks, lost her brother, James Tyrell, to suicide in 1996, 30 years to the day of the comedy night.
Mrs Rowe said: “It was quite a poignant moment.”
She has been campaigning and educating ever since, as she aims to improve people’s mental health wellbeing and get conversations started.
The event took place at Broad Close Farm campsite in Silkstone, the owner of which’s father also took his own life in 2024.
When asked about hosting it here, Mrs Rowe said the move “just felt right”.
“The guest speakers were just so open about sharing such deep stuff with strangers was just so powerful.”
Speaking at the event were Andy Wilson and Samii Soffe who shared their experiences with mental health and suicide and the pair both received standing ovations after they opened up to the crowd.
Mrs Rowe said: “This is what it is about, I’m getting emotional now, the fact that about 80 people in that room all understood, all connected and all were proud of that person stood on that stage could potentially give someone in that audience courage to get help.”
Comedians Julian Deane, Joe Zalias, Tommy North, and Britain's Got Talent finalist Daliso Chaponda also made appearances, bringing a comedic side to a very tough topic.
Mrs Rowe is working to get more people talking about any issues they are experiencing, and feels comedy is a great place to start as it gets people talking without feeling shame or guilt.
Knowing the effect comedy can have on people in distress, Mrs Rowe said: “Humour is so healing, you’re going to leave feeling lighter than when you came in.”
The CIC is also crowdfunding for an educational video designed to get difficult conversations going between friends when times are tough.
The fundraiser recently passed £5000, and with so many people supporting the project, Mrs Rowe said: “I can’t actually believe it, it’s just absolutely amazing.”
Today on Sheffield Wire
Hello and welcome to Sheffield Wire coverage for Monday 23 March 2026.
Our top stories today:
- Youth unemployment has reached a new high of 16%, according to new figures from the Office of National Statistics. Owen Roberts investigates how people in South Yorkshire are being affected.
- Sheffield Council are set to discuss a new £1m investment in Sheffield Hallam by Sport England. Duy Luong will be at the meeting to bring you live updates.
- The final ever Climbing Works International Festival took place in Sheffield this weekend, bringing an end to twenty years of celebrations at the local gym. Rose Mason and Lulu Johnston-Knight spoke to people there, including eventual winner Shauna Coxey.
Residents demand action as security crisis spirals out of control
Intruders, drug-taking and human waste are some of the issues tenants of a Sheffield apartment block have claimed are making them feel unsafe in their homes.
Since last November, some residents of Queen's House claim to have seen a constant cycle of homeless people unlawfully entering the building.
Initially, they would occupy the basement, where residents said they found human waste and drug paraphernalia.
However, since a new company, Watson, took over management of the property in December, some residents claim the situation has deteriorated further.
They said people began entering the main communal areas after an internal access keypad stopped working.
In subsequent weeks, some residents claim intruders were found in various shared areas of the building. In these places, residents again found discarded needles, as well as cigarette butts and even cups of urine.
Most recently, some residents have witnessed these individuals successfully managing to pry open the main door to gain access.
More recently, they claim to have witnessed individuals successfully managing to pry open the main door to gain access.
This has left some of them, especially women, saying they are fearful for their own safety.
One female resident has lived in the building for the past two years and said: "We cannot live like this. I'm really considering moving because it's not safe for me anymore.
The situation is out of control.”
She said she has felt so intimidated seeing homeless people taking drugs next to her flat, that several times she has walked out of the building to wait for police to remove them.
Katerina, 26, said she has been made to feel so threatened that she and her female flatmate have felt forced to temporarily leave their flat while still paying full rent.
Katerina said she has contacted the new management, but described the responses she received as "vague".
She said: "Instead of trying to do the best for the building, they don't even do the bare minimum.
"Do something, do the best that you can - that's what we deserve."
Since January 28, the building has also seen the fire brigade called out three times, with smoking indoors by the intruders being blamed.
On the final occasion, when the fire brigade entered the building, they reported that 11 of these individuals were found congregating on the fifth floor.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "That night, I felt anxious, upset, and frustrated - how could the conditions in this building have deteriorated so dramatically in just a few months?
"It is incredibly distressing to feel this way in the place that is supposed to be our sanctuary, yet I live with constant anxiety and the feeling that I cannot safely leave my own home.
"No one should have to live like this."
Watson Property Management said: "Watson took over the management of Queen’s House in December, and since then we have been working closely with the previous managing agent to obtain full and accurate handover information for the building.
"In parallel, we have been engaging with key stakeholders - including a residents’ group, the developer, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, the police, and the local council - to address the issues currently affecting the development.
"Our priority is to ensure that all residents feel safe in their homes and that the building is managed to the highest possible standard. We are committed to taking the necessary actions, in collaboration with our partners, to resolve the challenges on site and to deliver the best possible experience for residents.
"Protecting the safety, interests, and assets of residents, leaseholders, and our clients is - and will remain - central to Watson’s approach."
A night of culture celebrating Sheffield’s diversity at the International Cultural Evening
Sheffield hosted performances from cultures across the globe in their themed night 'The cosmos - time and space' at its student union.
This is the 53rd year the International Students Committee (ISC) has run the event.
Jia Cheng How, chair of the ISC, said: “the world is getting more international and it is important to know and understand where these people come from.”
He has attended the event in previous years and hoped the audience felt the inspiration he felt when he went.
There were 12 performances during the evening, an increase from previous years with around 700 people attending.
There were performances from both students and external dance groups, “bridging the reach across Sheffield” to share inspiring stories through music and dance.
The Nigerian society performed for the first time at the event.
Nick Oni, a third year student and the president, chose to perform afrobeats and wanted to bring some happiness during these difficult times.
Ore, a member of the Nigerian society, said: “These songs should remind us to love each other.”
While it was the Nigerian society that performed, they stated how they represented all African countries and cultures throughout the evening.
At the event, there were food stalls showcasing different cultural food.
Tendai Taruvinga ,35, founded Veafy, which provides African-inspired dishes. It included food such as Ghanaian-inspired jackfruit, akara skewers and a South African relish.
He said: “The food is all plant-based to make it inclusive and sustainable.”
The celebration highlighted the vibrancy of Sheffield’s diversity and how it strengthens the community.
University advises students amid meningitis outbreak
Following an outbreak of a rare invasive meningitis in Kent, the University of Sheffield reassures students there are currently no reported cases of meningitis on campus, and the risk of an outbreak remains very low.
In an email sent to all students, Vice-President for Education Mary Vincent encouraged students to familiarise themselves with the symptoms.
They should seek prompt medical advice if needed, as the disease spreads quickly.
The message follows reports of a serious outbreak at the University of Kent where 13 cases of invasive meningococcal disease, a combination of meningitis and septicaemia, have been detected.
The outbreak has resulted in two deaths, while 11 people are reported to be seriously ill.
In a statement, the University of Kent said: “We recognise that this is a very sad and worrying time for our community and we are doing everything we can to offer advice and support.”
Officials confirmed that known contacts of confirmed cases have been contacted and given guidance, while students considered at risk have been offered antibiotics as a precaution.
The University of Kent also announced that no in-person assessments or exams will take place this week, with students expected to receive further information about alternative arrangements.
Meanwhile, Sheffield students are being encouraged simply to stay informed about the symptoms of meningitis and seek medical advice promptly if they feel unwell.
Click here to learn more about meningitis:
https://sheffield.ac.uk/health-service/more-services/information-resources/meningitis
How is conflict in the Middle East affecting people in Sheffield?
The US war with Iran has caused fuel prices to spike, which is already having an impact on drivers in Sheffield.
Data from the RAC shows both petrol and diesel prices have risen steadily since the conflict began on 28 February, reaching an 18-month high.
The conflict has the potential to cause a bigger shock to energy prices than the Ukraine war, but at the moment the full impact remains unclear.
For now, the pence-per-litre remains well below the peak in July 2022 of over 190p for unleaded petrol and 199p for diesel.
Last week on Friday 13 March, the Government met with the fuel industry, after concerns they were profiteering from the crisis by hiking prices prematurely.
The Petrol Retailers Association denied the claims.
What is happening in the Middle East?
The US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on the 28 February, killing the supreme leader Ali Khamenei in the capital Tehran. The conflict has since spread to Lebanon.
Iran has responded by almost completely blocking ship movements through the vital global shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz.
Nicky Robinson is one of Sheffield's drivers with increasing fuel prices on her mind. She said: “When we've had crises before it's always the fuel prices that are affected first.
"I'm looking at changing my car at the moment, so we have been looking at electric options instead of fuel."
People who drive to work, or as part of their work, are at the sharp end of the surge.
Ms Robinson added: "My son travels an hour and a half to work every day so he's noticed it in his fuel bill because it's now costing him £150 a week just to get to work. It would cost £100 before, so its increased quite a lot."
Petros is a delivery driver for courier service Evri. He has to cover his own fuel costs as part of his role.
"I'm self employed so what I used to get as disposable income has been significantly reduced by close to 5%, which is very much looking at the people that depend on me.
“It's affecting almost every sector of the economy, even in the retail sector we find out that fuel prices are also increasing. It's having an impact in the lives of many of us, especially those of low income."
Petros is originally from Zimbabwe, and told Sheffield Wire: "It's actually affecting us not only here in the UK but also back home in Africa, its having a very huge impact."
Gary Smith, General Secretary of GMB Union, said: “The escalating conflict in the Middle East shows it’s absolutely vital that the UK has a secure domestic oil and gas supply.
"Years of mismanagement from the Conservatives have left the country terribly exposed.
"The Government must grasp the nettle and act to ensure our oil and gas policy helps protect the UK from global turbulence."
Another driver, David, told Sheffield Wire he'd heard petrol station staff had been getting "hassle".
"You feel like they've gone up really quickly, and does that reflect the market? I know petrol employees are getting a lot of abuse, so that isn't great either."
The Government have today announced a series of supports, including £53 million for low income families who heat their homes with oil.
However, concerns are rising around the wider impacts of a global energy crisis, that so far are yet to come.
Helen Barnard, Director of Policy and Research at food poverty charity Trussell said: "Too many people are being forced to skip meals so their children can eat, or survive on cups of tea because they don’t have any food left in the cupboards.
"The pandemic and cost of living crisis have left deep scars. Severe hardship still weighs heavily on daily lives, leaving people feeling overlooked and left behind.
"As we face uncertain times again, progress can be too easily undone. We need the UK government to continue to take meaningful and lasting action so all of us have what we need to get by."
Council to decide if KFC branch can stay open until 4am after public objections
IMAGE: N Chadwick
Two Green Party councillors are arguing Ecclesall Road's KFC should be refused extended opening hours amid public health and residential disturbance concerns.
Sheffield City Council (SCC)'s Licensing Sub-Committee will decide tomorrow whether the fast food chain's request for an extension from its current 11.30pm closing time to 4am should be approved.
SCC's Public Health department recommended refusing the fast food chain's request for extended hours, citing the area as a "high-risk area for crime and disorder" and sharing concerns about noise, traffic disturbance and littering.
Public Health also presented evidence that the combination of takeaway shops and establishments serving alcohol contributes to disturbance, disorder and antisocial behaviour in the area.
It pointed out that the branch sits in an area of deprivation higher than the national average, and that high numbers of fast-food outlets in areas of higher deprivation can be associated with the rise in obesity.
"Extending this premises closing time to 4am risks exacerbating existing health inequalities," the recommendation read.
Green Party Councillors for Broomhill and Sharrow Vale, Angela Argenzio and Brian Holmshaw, also argued against extending KFC's opening hours.
In similarly-worded emails, the councillors asked the Licensing Committee to reject the application: "The late opening of licenced premises already affects local people, with an increase in antisocial behaviour, noise, and taxis waiting with their engines running.
"Also, extra litter has been reported, and more importantly there has been an increase in crime against women (sexual harassment), especially in the area near the botanical gardens, which are opposite the location of this business."
Gethin Spencer, 23, a student who lives on Ecclesall Road, said he would prefer for the establishment to remain closed after midnight, despite it being his favourite KFC in Sheffield.
"I don't want anyone on a drunken night out flocking past my house, loud and rowdy, and I don't want KFC to be the benefactor of why I'm losing sleep," Mr Spencer said.
However, KFC's representative rebuked these claims, calling the councillors' concerns "broad" and "area-wide", without "premises-specific evidence".
KFC also said the application was not objected to by South Yorkshire Police.
"The absence of a police objection is the strongest indicator that our extended hours will not undermine the crime and disorder objective," said the response.
It suggested that noise disturbances would be limited because of the premises' door closing mechanism, and that staff will conduct litter patrols within the precinct every 30 minutes after midnight.
"There is no evidence of safety concerns arising from this site," the representative added.
Sheffield screening of “No One Rides Alone” platforms rare disease
A veteran with a rare disease was joined by his friends to cycle the 1955 Tour de France route, making a sports documentary to raise money and awareness for his disorder.
Clive Phillips has Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN), a rare disorder where his immune system attacks his motor nerves. This makes it hard for the nerves to send electrical signals that move the body.
One of his symptoms included having the hand strength of a healthy 90-year-old, prior to treatment.
Less than 1 in 100,000 people suffer from MMN and it is often misdiagnosed as Motor Neuron Disease (MND) or other similar conditions.
Flipping the acronym, Clive is also founder of Making the Most of Now (MMN), a healthcare and patient advocacy for people with rare diseases. He worked in partnership with Silvereye Films to make the film "No One Rides Alone".
The film sets out to prove that someone with MMN can take on such a colossal challenge.
Clive is joined on the cycle by fellow veterans, Jon Ager, Frank Culvervell, Steve Shirley and Dave Walker.
Along the journey they also had Paralympians Ben Watson and Ilaria Brugnoli cycle alongside the group.
The film is currently touring in the UK, to begin the fundraising for Inflammatory Neuropathies UK and GBS/ CDIP.
It showcased in Curzon Cinema, Sheffield on Thursday 12 March which fellow cyclist Mr Walker was able to attend.
Mr Phillips said that the best part of the tour so far has been creating a sense of community especially when 'having a rare disease can be so isolating'; one screening had three people with MMN present.
A major theme of the documentary was 'giving people the pleasure of being able to help you' this was something Mr Phillips clearly found difficult during the challenge and still after.
He said: "I don't want to be the first person going actually, I am struggling. Because naturally you don't want to slow everybody down, you don't want to be the weak link.
And I had to and that’s probably my biggest lesson, that I need to be really honest about where I am at.”
After the screenings, Q&A sessions were held giving the audience a chance to ask questions both about the rare disease and process of filming the documentary.
When asked about his initial reaction to Clive asking him to partake in the challenge, Mr Walker, said: "It sounds like an interesting adventure and what a great opportunity to support a mate.
Clive needed my help, so it wasn’t something I can say no to.”
The UK tour of "No One Rides Alone" comes to an end Wednesday 18 March, before the film begins screening in Australia and New Zealand and then the USA.
To watch a trailer of the film click here.
Starmer outlines key steps to protect Brits’ energy prices
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has offered reassurances to those most exposed to rising heating oil prices, by pledging £53m to "vulnerable families".
The PM outlined a five-point plan at a briefing this morning where he has promised greater government control of the oil market by capping and cutting energy bills and regulating the UK oil market.
The plan will fast track the government's clean energy plan of £90bn in investment for clean British energy, especially nuclear energy.
Sir Keir has also promised a swift resolution to the war in Iran and was damning of those who would follow the US into war with Iran.
"That is not leading, that is following," he said.
The conflict in Iran and the subsequent blocking of the Straits of Hormuz has meant the price of oil has sky rocketed, reaching highs of $120 (£90) a barrel last week which is a 66% increase from before the American bombing of Iran.
Consequently, the government has released emergency oil stocks at an unprecedented level, along with providing the £53m will helpfully curb these effects for those whose houses are primarily heated by oil.
The PM shared his own experiences of hardship growing up in a working class family in the 1970s, and said: "This government will always support working people."
In the long-term however, the governments plans to fast track green energy are crucial in combatting growing instability in the Middle East.
The PM was also keen to stress that the government were working with their allies to reopen the Straits of Hormuz and generally improve the stability of the region.
He said: "We cannot allow the war in the gulf to turn into a windfall for Putin."
Sir Keir has met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday morning, with plans in place to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the afternoon.
Sheffield charity provides safe space and support for young asylum seekers
A Sheffield charity group is supporting young refugees and asylum seekers to settle into the city and make friends through a youth project.
The Happy Group, run by Chilypep, provides a safe space where young people can socialise, take part in creative activities and access support to help them adjust to life in Sheffield.
Chilypep is labelled to be a young people's empowerment project, with locations in Sheffield, Barnsley, South Yorkshire and beyond, with the aim to raise the voices of young people and aid them in staying connected.
The Happy Group runs regular sessions for those who have recently arrived in the UK, including activities such as arts and crafts, cooking and social trips.
The aim of the Happy Group is to give young people a sense of belonging and help them integrate into the local community in Sheffield.
The group also works in collaboration on various campaigns to promote the rights of young migrant people in Sheffield and across the UK.
If you wish to support the charity through donation, you can do so through visiting Chilypep's website here.