Sheffield Varsity 2024 kicks off this week
Sports teams from the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University will face off once again for this years’ annual Varsity matches.
Sheffield Varsity is a series of sports competitions between the two universities that take place in March and April, with the aim of celebrating and promoting sport in the city.
There will be 45 sports teams competing this year, with around 12,000 people expected to come and watch.
The first match this year will be the mixed ice hockey at Utilita Arena on Wednesday 20 March.
Ben Hodgkins, president of the Sheffield Sabres, Sheffield University’s American football team, says this is his third and final Varsity match.
He said: “For a lot of us, it’s the end of an era and the last chance to play with this team. We want to win. It’s been a long time since The Sheffield Sabres have won a varsity game so we want to do all we can to change that, and kick off the varsity period on a high.
“Every year, the Varsity game is billed as the biggest and this year is no exception. Me and the team just want to win, and break this streak that’s been plaguing us for the last decade.”
Sheffield’s first Varsity matches took place in 1997. The matches were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but returned in 2022 for the 25th anniversary.
Ben said: “Varsity is the accumulation of everyone’s hard work throughout the year. It’s the last opportunity for us to go out there, play with our mates and represent the University. And what better time to do it than against our city’s rivals.
“It’s also a time for people to learn and see first hand what sports this university offers and we may even catch the attention of some eager people next year.”
The Sheffield Sabres will compete against Sheffield Hallam University at 6pm on Friday 22 March at Sheffield Hallam Sports Park.
When asked what the crowds can do to support the team, Ben said: “Just get behind us! In this sport you feed off noise and any support we do get is always appreciated.
“Every big hit and every massive play should be celebrated. It helps us want to do it again. I know the lads on the sidelines will be on it, so just try to match their energy.”
Musical takeover of University Library shines a spotlight on arts and humanities degrees
A student-led musical showcase in Sheffield's University Library aimed to promote musical opportunity and clap back at declining investment in arts and humanities funding in education.
The Let Them Play event was created as a series of free performances organised by student officers within Western Bank library in association with Reimagine Education and Fund the Arts.
Vicky Grant, head librarian said: “Let Them Play is part of a broadened movement for Reimagine Education which we wanted the library to be part of. It’s part of the movement to be able to articulate quite clearly that there is a future for students that are doing arts and humanities degrees.
“We know that a lot of the emerging job opportunities in society relate to a lot of digital creativity so the more we can harness creativity in our university the more we can communicate that message boldly.”
Student ensembles included musical performances from the University of Sheffield’s Octagon record label musicians, a jazz fusion group, and a gospel choir.
Maria Jose Lourido Moreno, education officer for the Sheffield Students' Union, explained how people studying in the library stayed during the performances which was beyond their dreams of what they wanted to achieve.
She said: “Right now there has been a 50% cut in the entirety of England for all university courses based on the arts which means a lot of people who are doing a lot of artistic things like our performers will not be able to continue playing at the same extent as they used to be.”
Education is holistic, Miss Moreno explained, it cannot exclusively be essays and exams because opportunities to be in societies, listen to music and go to events are an essential part of it.
She said: “This event specifically is an embodiment of what the university could be in the future.
“One of the things I want people to do is imagine for a day that they live in a universe in which the arts are essential to everything we do.”
Anna Campbell, activity and event officer at the Students' Union, has a degree in music and wanted to create an event to rebel against ideas in the mainstream media that humanities and arts degrees are not important.
She said: “It’s so important to give the students this platform because it is a skill they love and are investing in and we should be supporting them to grow in that skill, but also I think it’s really important for students across the university because we all listen to music, we all go and watch shows.”
The co-organiser explained that student body’s need to stand up for their fellow students against policies that harm the arts.
She added: “I’ve got plans to try and take over some of the other university spaces to promote music in different spaces and give students a chance to listen to music they’ve never heard before and give our performers a chance to play.”
Seven men jailed after violence outside asylum seeker hotel
Seven men have been jailed following a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Thomas Mills, 47, Brian McPadden, 61, Paul Lafferty, 42, and Jonjo O’Donoghue, 21, were found guilty of violent disorder at Liverpool Crown Court in January after the demonstration outside the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside, on February 10 last year.
The four defendants had all admitted being present at the demonstration but denied being part of the violence which resulted in three police officers being injured and a police van being set alight.
A fifth defendant, Daniel Fulham, 39, who told the court he was in the area walking his Jack Russell dog, was found not guilty of violent disorder and of a lesser offence of abusive or threatening behaviour with intent to provoke violence.
The four defendants, all from Kirkby, Merseyside, apart from O’Donoghue, who is from Liverpool city centre, were part of a larger group who threw missiles and paving slabs at police and set fire to a police van during the incident, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Sheffield foodbank calling for healthy donations
As the number of people reliant on food banks in the UK reaches 3 million, a Sheffield food bank is appealing for 'healthy' donations as part of National Nutritional Month.
The focus for this year's campaign is centred around creating eating habits to support a healthy lifestyle.
Rachel Snow, who works at Burngreave food bank in Sheffield, says: "People shouldn't have to eat unhealthily just because they don't have access to food."
She is encouraging those who donate to read food labels and opt for the healthiest option available. "Sometimes the healthier option might be more expensive, but the nutritional value of this is worth every penny," Ms Snow says.
‘Hidden’ ingredients such as oil are often highly requested as they are a necessary, yet costly element when cooking a meal. If people can donate healthier, unsaturated oils, that can make a lasting difference to nutrition.
"Many of our clients are living through very stressful times financially, and receiving healthy food that is still familiar and comforting is so important".
Donna Vanzyl, a dietician at Kingston Hospital, says that the conversation about nutrition for those who are from lower income households is very nuanced as each individual's living arrangement can vary greatly.
Data has revealed more than 5 million people in the UK are living in appliance poverty, meaning they don’t have basic access to fridges, freezers, washing machines and cookers.
Ms Vanzyl was also keen to point out diversity in the UK means that on top of catering to nutrition, culture must also be taken into account.
Ms Snow agreed, highlighting religious dietary requirements must be considered a priority, on top of nutrition, especially during Ramadan which began on March 10 and runs until April 9. Ms Snow is encouraging those who can to donate suitable options. She says that often tinned meat is not halal so the food bank has to offer vegetarian options.
When choosing long life options Ms Vanzyl advises opting for higher fibre carbohydrates such as brown bread over white, tinned fatty fish, and as much colour from canned vegetables as possible. She says the more colour on the plate, the more micronutrients in the meal, which are essential for a balanced diet.
Ms Snow was keen to reiterate, though, people should not shy away from donating the odd treat too, to lift spirits of some of the hardest working in society.
According to Ms Snow the number of food parcels given out doubled in the last year, and that people often forget what a large proportion of the population are relying on foodbanks.
Though Bunrgreave food bank accepts fresh food donations where they can, they can only do so sparingly due to their lack of facilities, but if those who access the service are concerned about nutrition they can visit local pantries that have fresh food.
Sheffield’s Supertram comes back under public control on its 30th anniversary
On its 30th anniversary, Sheffield’s iconic Supertram will return to being under control of the local authority.
South Yorkshire Future Trams Limited will officially take over all tram services from Stagecoach on Thursday 21 March.
In the future, there are hopes of expanding services. In the short term, this handing over of power will have little effect on people’s journeys, but residents will see a few changes, including a new Supertram logo, a brand new app, and some fares being discounted by 10% for the first 100 days of operation.
Sheffield’s Supertram comes back under public control on its 30th anniversary
Doncaster MP rules out crossing the floor amid Anderson switch
A Doncaster MP has rebuffed calls for him to follow his “great friend” Lee Anderson and defect to Reform UK.
Speaking to GB News last week, Nick Fletcher, MP for Don Valley, said he would continue to stand by the Conservative Party.
When asked about his political future, Mr Fletcher said: “My constituents voted for a Conservative candidate and they will keep a Conservative candidate until the next election.”
“I have been very fortunate to have known Lee Anderson for four years,” Mr Fletcher said on X, “he is a great friend and not a racist.”
Sheffield grime artist The1Devotion collaborates with Naomi Cowen on new song
Dominic Heslop, aka The1Devotion, dropped a new track last week in collaboration with Naomi Cowen and Toddla T.
Dominic is also the founder of Slambarz, a community group consisting of young black artists in Sheffield. He spoke to the Sheffield Wire:
SW: What inspired the song and how did it come about?
DH: The song was produced by Toddla T and Naomi Cowen. She is a global renowned reggae artist from Jamaica who also just filmed Bob Marley: One Love. How this came about was when me and Toddla T were trying to work out who was going to be a part of All Stars Riddim for the MOBOS. I sent him a voice note saying gratitude is attitude and he just put that into a bit. It has become a mantra, he really brought it life. It happened quite organically.
SW: Is that your own personal mantra?
DH: Yes. Gratitude is Attitude was just best out of the appreciation of being a part of the MOBOS, being able to make the All Stars Riddim, there was this moment when we were like ‘gratitude is attitude’. It was nice to bring that to life.
SW: How do you feel about the collaboration?
DH: The collaboration is huge; I feel like its organic and Jamaican artists feel the vibrations of gratitude. Obviously, it’s got the sound of the trumpets, of Jamaica, and it is a really nice vibration. To have her there was massive, especially with her being a global artist. It gives it that weight so to speak.
SW: Do you have any other projects coming up?
DH: At the moment myself and Toddla’s team are finding a few things regarding different versions coming out of that song. Expect different artists to put their version of it. We might also do a podcast about gratitude and what that means to people. Just keep the vibration high.
SW: What does gratitude mean to you?
DH: Gratitude is a state of being, I think its very easy to be distracted with how many things we don’t have. Being in a state of gratitude is a state that feels natural.
Look Ahead: What the Easter fixtures mean for South Yorkshire’s teams
Sheffield Wire will be taking a four-week break for the Easter holidays - but while we’re away, the games go on.
With the season nearing its end, the coming weeks will be crucial for all our local teams to sustain themselves in their current leagues.
Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham are all at risk of relegation and will need to step up in order to dodge the danger zone.
But by the time we return, will they have done enough to keep their hopes alive?
Sheffield United: a foregone conclusion?
Current position: 20th in Premier League
Chance of staying up: Slim
It’s been a woeful season for the Blades.
The team sit bottom of the Premier League table, having lost 20 of their 28 fixtures and conceding over 50 goals.
That includes letting in at least five goals per match in their last three home fixtures - a record they won’t be keen on putting in the trophy cabinet.
In 2024, they have scored just four goals at Bramall Lane, meaning Brighton, Aston Villa and Arsenal have scored more than them at their home ground this year.
Before we return, the Blades will face Fulham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Brentford. There are points up for grabs, but it’s going to be an uphill struggle.
With Nottingham Forest having just been deducted four points for breaching financial rules, climbing out of the relegation zone is not impossible. They will need eight points and some poor results from their competition for that to happen.
But Chris Wilder has failed to improve his side since taking over from Paul Heckingbottom in December, and unfortunately it looks like a one-way ticket to the Championship is on the agenda.
Sheffield Wednesday: the comeback kings?
Current position: 23rd in the Championship
Chance of staying up: cautious optimism
What began as a Championship tragedy has evolved into a comeback campaign since Danny Rӧhl took the top job.
True, the push has been subdued by two bad fixtures against teams at the top of the league, most recently a 6-0 thrashing by Ipswich Town.
But the Owls are just one point away from safety in a league where not much separates 12th place from the relegation zone.
They have five fixtures before 15 April: Swansea, Middlesbrough, QPR, Norwich and Stoke. It’s a mixed bag, but the later games might just give them a route to safety.
Setbacks include losing both team captain Barry Bannan and key attacker Ian Poveda to injury on Saturday, both of which will have fans hoping will be quick recoveries.
If they pull it off, Wednesday will have achieved a stellar turnaround and Rӧhl will have rightfully deserved another season in the Championship.
Rotherham: the end is nigh
Current position: 24th in the Championship
Chance of staying up: improbable
It’s not impossible for the Millers to avoid relegation this season.
It’s also not impossible for pigs to fly, but you will need a fair wind and a lot of balloons.
Having gleaned just three wins this entire season, Rotherham will need to pull off at least another seven victories from their eight remaining games to stay up. And that’s assuming no one else picks up any points.
At the weekend, Rotherham picked up their first point in ten games with a goalless draw to a 10-man Huddersfield.
Over the next four weeks, they will face Preston, Millwall, Plymouth Argyle, West Brom and Swansea. Most of those are in the bottom half of the table, but that does not mean it will take anything less than a miracle for the Millers not to face the axe.
They came up from League One with Ipswich Town, who are now within touching distance of the top spot. While one is potentially about to return to the Premier League, the other is almost certainly returning to where they came from.
South Yorkshire: doomed for failure?
It’s clearly a rough time to be a fan of any South Yorkshire team, and the misery could be universal in a few weeks’ time.
On the plus side, it’s possible that this time next year we could see the return of the Sheffield derby if fixtures work in Wednesday’s favour and the Blades continue on their current trajectory.
It’s going to be an interesting four weeks that will determine the futures of all three clubs. By the time we see you next, fates could well be sealed.
Why are young people turning to communism?
Later this year, the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) will officially hold its founding congress. Amongst its members will be a throng of highly-educated university students, claiming to have been radicalised by life experiences, Tory austerity, or just a desire to "do something".
The RCP is a Marxist organisation aiming to overthrow capitalism, and has been emboldened after research conducted by the Fraser Institute revealed in 2022 that almost a third of UK young people see communism as the ideal economic system.
The party, previously known as the Socialist Appeal, decided to adopt a more direct approach following the survey, settling on "Are you a communist?" as it's slogan of choice, a slogan they hope will draw a further 300 people to the organisation by May, when the congress will be held.
Anais Austen Stanley, 22, a student at the University of Cambridge and part-time hospitality worker, said: "What radicalised me is just existing in this sh*thole of a world. Living through the crisis of capitalism is enough to radicalise anyone, and that is why so many young people are turning to communism.
"I grew up surrounded by a lot of poverty, a lot of struggle. I saw a lot of oppression and I spent a lot of my teens very depressed."
Anais joined the RCP's Cambridge branch around 18 months ago, after being exposed to communist ideology whilst attending the Marxist society at the university.
She said: "When I was younger I remember thinking, 'I'm not going to read the manifesto, I'm not going to read Lenin.' And then when I read it, I thought 'holy sh*t. This is gold.'"
The student made national news last year when they were accused of inciting violence during a debate at the Cambridge Student's Union.
They had proposed a motion calling for a mass working-class uprising across the Middle East in response to the conflict in Gaza, which was met with fierce backlash from a group of Jewish students and led to official complaints being launched against Anais and other members of the RCP.
They said: "I was asked a lot of questions, a lot of them in a very angry and rude manner. For example: 'Do you think the events of October 7 [Hamas attacks] were a mass uprising?'
"I said absolutely not. We are not pro-individual terrorism. But that was conveniently forgotten.
"We are not an Hamas fan club and we're not antisemitic in any shape or form. We got death threats."
RCP membership costs £30 a month for students to join, and £60 a month for workers. The organisation also raises money through the sale of its newspaper, The Communist, which costs either £2 or £5, depending on whether the individual wishes to donate to the party or not.
These donations and membership fees go towards a "fighting fund", which is used to build the organisation, cover any expenses over operational costs, and pay the RCP's full-time staff. The party are also hoping to raise £20,000 towards their 'Party Launch Fund.'
The fighting fund was recently used for legal advice and fees after a member of the party was arrested in London in January following a pro-Palestine protest.
Matthew Bridson, 21, a Music student at The University of Sheffield and member of the RCP, said: "We are not idealists, we do not exist outside of capitalism. Everything we need to build a functioning organisation costs money."
"We're fighting for a classless and stateless society without all the horrors of capitalism. Without money. But for the time being we have to exist within the system."
Matthew joined the party 18 months ago, and heralded last year's success of recruiting 300 new members: "That is the biggest growth that we have ever seen, so a radical transformation from years before."
The music student said his experiences of working part-time since the age of 15 led him to be pushed towards communist ideology, and is now hoping to recruit others to follow the same path.
"The revolution can only be successful if it involves the masses. We would see ourselves as head of this movement."
When asked about the reaction that he and other RCP members have had from friends and family, he said: "It can vary I suppose. I've heard lots of reports from other members of the organisation. Sometimes their family members can be disgusted, like: 'Oh my god why would you become a communist?'"
Data published by the Fraser Institute revealed that 29% of UK 18-34 year olds see communism as the ideal economic system, more than the US, Canada and Australia, who were also polled.
In a blog written for the Fraser Institute, Jason Clemens and Steven Globerman questioned this rise in far-left ideology, writing: "Of course, young people in the UK who support socialism (and even communism) have never lived in a world with widespread socialism and the misery it created."
For Lexie, a 20 year-old Applied Social Sciences Student at the University of Sheffield, it was the "Are you a communist?" campaign that led her to join the RCP.
She said: "I'd just failed a year at uni, I'd gone into my second year not quite sure where I was going but hoping to do something with my time.
"One of the comrades approached me and said: 'Are you a socialist?' I said 'I hope so.'"
On the reaction she faced from friends and family, Lexie said: They're pretty calm. I think they're hoping I'll grow out of it."
This does not deter the 20-year-old, who added: "The boomers who were born in a capitalist upswing were able to buy a house and have a job that puts food on the table, but since 2008 things are only getting worse."
The RCP is part of the International Marxist Tendency, a transnational political organisation with ties to Marxist groups across 54 countries. It will be renamed to the Revolutionary Communist Party and relaunched in June.
One of the key issues surrounding the party's aims of overthrowing capitalism is the possibility of violence, and whether they believe armed struggle is necessary.
Ruth Logan, 21, a University of Cambridge student and member of the RCP, said: "By no means are we pro-violence for violence's sake. We are not pro-terrorism or individual acts of violence.
"However, we are planning on overthrowing capitalism and it's super reasonable to say capitalists do not want this to happen, and they will be willing to use increased force. If it is is necessary, then it is."
Attempting to convince others to overthrow the current system is not without it's backlash, with many people not being receptive to the RCP's campaigning.
Ruth added: "While there might be the occasional person in the street who tells you to die because you are communist, you develop a thick skin and such an understanding, faith and belief in your ideas, and that is what people see and what enthuses them.
"Some people don't necessarily understand the need for a revolutionary party, but I've got stuff I can give them to read on that."
Barack Obama paid a “courtesy visit” to Downing Street to discuss the work of his foundation with Rishi Sunak, Number 10 said
Barack Obama left No 10 after around an hour following a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The former US president said “I’m tempted” when asked questions by the media as he re-emerged and got into a Range Rover car with Jane D Hartley, the US ambassador to the UK, just after 4pm.
No 10 said the visit to Downing Street was a courtesy call as Mr Obama was already in London.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “He was making an informal courtesy drop-in as part of his trip to London, where he is conducting work of the Obama Foundation.”
The two men met in the Number 10 study at 3pm on Monday.
The spokesman added: “I think President Obama’s team made contact and obviously the Prime Minister was very happy to meet with him and discuss the work of the Obama Foundation.”
Zac Goldsmith banned from driving for 12 months after speeding
Former environment minister Zac Goldsmith has been banned from driving for a year after he was caught speeding seven times last year.
The Conservative peer, 49, broke speed limits in his hybrid electric Volkswagen Golf on London roads in Paddington, Chelsea and Twickenham between April and November 2023.
He was also caught speeding on two motorways, most recently in December, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
As he disqualified the Tory environmentalist from driving, District Judge Daniel Sternberg warned that drivers who speed “emit more harmful emissions” even in hybrid and electric cars.
The court heard that in April last year, Lord Goldsmith was caught driving at 29mph in a 20 zone on Chelsea Embankment, and in July he drove at 28mph in a 20 zone near Kensington Gardens.
In May, August and November of the same year, he broke the 40mph limit on the A316 in Twickenham by twice driving at 46mph and once at 47mph.
He was also caught driving at 62mph in a 50 zone at the M25 intersection with the M3 in December, and at 73mph between junctions 20 and 19 of the M4 in September – breaking a 50mph temporary speed limit.
Lord Goldsmith had been banned from driving since January, when an interim disqualification was imposed.
The former MP for Richmond Park, who unsuccessfully ran to be London mayor in 2016 before serving as a minister in Boris Johnson’s cabinet, did not attend the hearing.
Benjamin Waidhofer, defending, said Lord Goldsmith had shown “remorse” for his offending and is “not someone who is manifestly defying the usual speed limits”.
Having pleaded guilty to all of the offences, the peer was fined £5,500, and ordered to pay a surcharge of £2,000 and costs of £700.
Doncaster MP rules out crossing the floor amid Anderson switch
A Doncaster MP has rebuffed calls for him to follow his “great friend” Lee Anderson and defect to Reform UK.
Speaking to GB News last week, Nick Fletcher, MP for Don Valley, said he would continue to stand by the Conservative Party.
This came as Mr Anderson, who previously served as the Conservatives’ Deputy Chair, became Reform UK’s first MP last week after losing the Conservative whip.
When asked about his political future, Mr Fletcher said: “My constituents voted for a Conservative candidate and they will keep a Conservative candidate until the next election.”
Both Mr Fletcher and Mr Anderson were elected as part of the ‘Red Wall’ at the 2019 General Election, the latter for the Nottinghamshire constituency of Ashfield.
They have worked closely together in the years since, with Mr Anderson speaking to the Don Valley Conservative Association back in February as a guest of Mr Fletcher.
The Don Valley MP also defended Mr Anderson, following his suspension from the Conservatives due to alleged Islamophobic comments he made towards the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
“I have been very fortunate to have known Lee Anderson for four years,” Mr Fletcher said on X, “he is a great friend and not a racist.”
According to the Doncaster Free Press, some of Mr Fletcher’s constituents have urged him to follow in Mr Anderson’s footsteps and join Reform UK.
The party, formerly known as the Brexit Party, rose to national attention when former UKIP leader, Nigel Farage, became leader in March 2019.
The party returned the largest number of British seats in the 2019 European Parliament elections before unilaterally deciding not to contest Conservative-held seats at the 2019 election.
This was seen as a huge contributing factor to the Conservatives winning an 80 seat majority.
Mr Fletcher said: “I wish Lee all the best. He’s a good friend and a very good MP, and I’m sorry he has gone but I won’t be following.”