Ukraine war anniversary: Sheffield’s Ukrainian community gathers for ‘precious’ commemoration
Over 100 people gathered in Sheffield Cathedral last night to commemorate the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
The event consisted of an evening eucharist with Ukrainian orthodox prayer and was followed by live traditional Ukrainian music. The cathedral is also hosting an exhibition of artworks created by wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
Organised by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, the music was performed by Ukrainian refugees and included songs played on the Bandura, an ancient Ukrainian instrument.
Event organiser Tanya Klymenko said: “It means a huge amount to the refugees because despite the warmest welcome we got from locals who opened their hearts and homes, it is still important for people to have a sense of belonging and to speak their own language.”
According to Sheffield City Council, more than 800 refugees have arrived in Sheffield during the past two years as part of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. Mrs Klymenko, however, estimates that there have been around 1,000 new arrivals, accounting for those with an extended family visa.
Anna Kovalenko, a Ukrainian refugee attending the event, said: “It is unfortunate that this is the second anniversary of the war but this was really precious for us. We try to keep together because it is really important for our people and for our children.”
Mrs Kovalenko came to the UK in 2022 with her two sons and had to leave her husband in Ukraine.
She added: “I think this is the best place for us to be in. I am really grateful to Sheffield and can say that our lives continue here.”
Many women refugees have had to leave their husbands behind and are counting the days until they are able to go back to Ukraine.
“I want to emphasise that the war in Europe is still raging and Ukraine needs your support as much as it did two years ago. Please don’t give up on Ukraine," said Mrs Kovalenko.
The event connected different communities, including the Ukrainian Society at the University of Sheffield.
Founder of the society Roksolana Rohozhynska said: “I loved it. I am so grateful that we now have a big Ukrainian society in Sheffield. It is great to see so much support from people from other countries uniting with us for one purpose.”
Just Stop Oil protesters charged with storming Wimbledon
Three protestors appeared in court after they stormed Wimbledon and covered tennis courts with confetti and puzzle pieces.
The protestors allegedly scaled a barrier and threw the items on the court during The Championships, the world’s oldest tennis tournament, City of London Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday.
Each defendant denies aggravated trespass for the protest that was said to have taken place on the third day of the two-week tournament.
All three defendants admitted that they entered the tennis courts but said it did not amount to the charge.
Outdoor sporting festival returns to Sheffield
A series of sporting events and activities will be coming to Sheffield next month to celebrate the city’s outdoor culture.
The Festival of the Outdoors will take place throughout the whole of March, with a diverse programme ranging from climbing competitions to marathon running.
Originating as a single weekend, the festival returns for its fifth iteration, with events set to take place across the city.
The lineup includes the Climbing Works International Festival, a skateboard jam, inclusive cycling, orienteering, guided nature and historical walks, and a half marathon.
Graeme Alderson, Co-owner of the Climbing Works and organiser of the CWIF said: “It’s another big year for climbing with attention ramping up ahead of Paris 2024, so all eyes will be on the international athletes coming to Sheffield to take part in the CWIF in March.
New Sheffield exhibition launched exploring race and the environment
A new exhibition, Skylarking, exploring the relationship between landscapes, music, and belonging was held at Soft Ground on the Moor, last Wednesday.
Sheffield-based creative Ashley Holmes presented the exhibition as a constellation of structures that encourage contemplation, rest and listening.
Everton’s 10-point deduction for breaching financial rules reduced to six
The point deduction made against Everton, for breaching the Premier League's financial rules, has been reduced from 10 points to six points.
Everton faced the point deduction after an independent commission found that the team had exceeded permitted losses under the league's profitability and sustainability rules, by £19.5 million.
Outdoor festival returns to Sheffield
A series of sporting events and activities will be coming to Sheffield next month to celebrate the city's outdoor culture.
The Festival of the Outdoors will take place throughout the whole of March, with a diverse programme ranging from climbing competitions to marathon running.
Originating as a single weekend, the festival returns for its fifth iteration, with events set to take place across the city.
The lineup includes the Climbing Works International Festival, a skateboard jam, inclusive cycling, orienteering, guided nature and historical walks, and a half marathon.
Graeme Alderson, Co-owner of the Climbing Works and organiser of the CWIF said: “It’s another big year for climbing with attention ramping up ahead of Paris 2024, so all eyes will be on the international athletes coming to Sheffield to take part in the CWIF in March.
Climbing Works International Festival. Credit: Marketing Sheffield
“Sheffield’s reputation is pretty well documented in the climbing community already, but being part of the Festival of the Outdoors gives us a great opportunity to increase awareness with those that don’t know climbing, The Climbing Works, or even Sheffield more generally, and really demonstrate the part we and this city play in this international sport.”
Cllr Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “As the Outdoor City, Sheffield is the UK's leading destination for outdoor adventure and city culture wrapped into one.
“Greenspace is a vital part of Sheffield’s culture, and influences much of life for people in Sheffield. The Festival of the Outdoors is a great opportunity for the people of Sheffield, and our many visitors, to enjoy the UK’s greenest city.”
For the less sporty, the city will also host the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, a pollen market, and a beer week.
To find out more about the upcoming festival, click here: Sheffield's Festival of the Outdoors (welcometosheffield.co.uk)
New exhibition explores race and the environment
An art exhibition that explores the relationship between landscapes, music and belonging held a launch event at Soft Ground on the Moor last Wednesday.
Skylarking is part of The Mouth, a collaboration with arts charity Arts Catalyst and Sheffield Museums. Creative Ashley Holmes presented the exhibition as a constellation of structures that encourage contemplation, rest and listening.
Mr Holmes, from Sheffield, is the host of Tough Matter, a monthly radio show on NTS Radio, and is also a resident on local station Mondo Radio.
The work amplifies the sounds of the architecture of caves, hills and public spaces in the city and makes reference to the influences of experimental studio techniques of popular Black music of the 21st century.
Mr Holmes said: “There’s a lot of musical references – the main one being the title of the exhibition, which is borrowed from the title of an album by an artist called Horace Andy that was released on Studio One records in the early 1970s.” He began working on the project in August last year and began making field visits in October.
He added that the research he’s doing surrounds race and the environment, and “where and how we can think about the connections between".
Talking about holding the exhibition in Sheffield, Mr Holmes said it’s a “really important part of the work and part of the project".
“I think bar one or two people, all of our collaborators are Sheffield-based as well. It's felt really lovely."
The launch event was attended by Lord Mayor Colin Ross, and featured work from collaborators Wemmy Ogunyankin, Bel Odawa, Seigfried Komidashi, Joseph June Bond and Akeem Balogun.
“Recording the story with Bel Odawa and Ashley in particular was enjoyable," said Mr Balogun.
“We also travelled to Speedwell Cavern, and there was a beautiful moment where Komidashi played the sax in the cave. It was special.”
Exhibition attendee Rob Hughes, 22, from Doncaster said: "It’s really interesting. I like the way that he’s taken the peak district and nature which is kind of like art itself and made more art out of art."
Skylarking runs from the 22 of February to 18 of May at Soft Ground, 37-41 The Moor, Sheffield. The Mouth also continues at the Millennium Gallery with Ways of Water.
MP Lee Anderson refuses to apologise for Sadiq Khan remarks
Mr Anderson has admitted that his choice of words was "clumsy" but believes apologising "would be a sign of weakness".
Whilst on GB News, Mr Anderson said: “Politics is divisive and I am just incredibly frustrated about the abject failures of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
“My words may have been clumsy but my words were borne out of sheer frustration at what is happening to our beautiful capital city.”
Community disheartened by council’s million-pound promise of regeneration
Hope for a promised £90 million investment into the local community has dwindled after seven years of little progress.
Sheffield City Council first discussed the Gleadless Valley Masterplan with the residents of Gleadless Valley in 2017 to improve the area.
£1.1 million of the budget has been spent on the plan over the last seven years, but questions have been raised as to what progressions has been made with that money. Residents are now losing hope in the council’s plans.
Rishi Sunak plans to “crack down on people-smuggling gangs”
Following 290 migrants traveling to the UK by boat on Sunday, Rishi Sunak has promised that he is not ignoring them.
He said: “We do need to make sure that we house people in appropriate accommodation and the best way to resolve this issue long term is to stop people coming in the first place.
“So anyone who cares about this should be backing us to get the Rwanda Bill through Parliament so we can get a deterrent up and running.
“I’m confident that we really will be able to stop the boats and that will mean that we won’t have this pressure in all our local areas to find places to house illegal migrants.”
Bomb squad called to River Don
Bomb disposal experts were called to the River Don after a shell was pulled from the river on Sunday afternoon.
The shell was taken away by the bomb squad, who confirmed the device was an empty shell.
In 2023, what was believed to be a canon was pulled from the river.
Mary Poppins rating raised from U to PG
The iconic 1964 film has had its rating raised from U to PG due to "discriminatory language".
The British Board of Film Classification said: “While Mary Poppins has a historical context, the use of discriminatory language is not condemned, and ultimately exceeds our guidelines for acceptable language at U.
“We therefore classified the film PG for discriminatory language.”