Stocksbridge Town Deal under backlash
A petition has been launched for the Stocksbridge Town Deal, accusing the Town Deal Board as a 'runaway Board'.
The petition is calling the Council to act quickly by using its powers to “instigate a thorough review of the decisions taken by this runaway board before it is too late.”
The Stocksbridge Town Deal is part of the wider Towns Fund, a funding scheme launched by the Government in September 2019 to help towns across the UK. Sheffield City Council is the accountable body for the fund, with officers in the City Council offering advice to the Board.
Councillor Ben Miskell, the chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee said: “We have a strict set of criteria about how we oversee the Stocksbridge Town Deal.
“That's something that we work with the Stocksbridge Town Deal Board on a monthly basis in order to make sure that we operate in a way that's in line with the guidance set by the central government.”
The Stocksbridge Town Deal was first announced in 2019 as one of the 101 UK towns invited to bid for a share of the £3.6 billion government fund. It had successfully secured £24.1 million by the Government in 2023.
Campaigners are asking people to sign the petition to “rescue Stocksbridge regeneration projects,” claiming that “apart from some improvements in Oxley Park and possibly a new Hopper bus route, all the rest of the programme is therefore unfunded and on indefinite hold.”
Amanda Holmes, the communication officer of the Stocksbridge Town Deal, said the Board agreed to deliver the projects in two phases to ensure certainty on the priority projects in the town centre.
“This was discussed as a sensible and prudent strategy given inflationary pressures and uncertainty over costs.
“I don’t think it is correct to say the petition is calling for 'rescuing Stocksbridge'.
“It is a petition from a group who are understandably disappointed that the Board has decided not to fund their particular project but rather to deliver the Trails Project in a more cost-effective way."
Yuri Matischen, Co-Chair of the Stocksbridge Town Deal Board suggested that all Board members agree that a regenerated Manchester Road should come first.
“We make no apology for putting regeneration, jobs creation and new opportunities for our town at the front and centre of our priorities for Stocksbridge,” Ms Matischen said.
Arbourthorne Youth Boxing Club under threat of closure by Inclusion Centre
An Arbourthorne boxing club helping youth stay out of crime is at risk of closure after the owner of the building demands property back.
The club, which has been running for 33 years, is at risk of closure after the Spring Lane Pupil Referral Unit, which houses the club, requested their facility back on the basis that many young people are being excluded.
Head Coach, Ronny Tucker, said the club was informed of this decision by the head teacher via email.
He said: "The sad part is she's not interested in our young people and she's not interested in the community, and that's quite evident from the way she's acted. She never sat us down and talked to us. It's all been by email."
Aspire Boxing Club is situated on Spring Lane in Arbourthorne, which ranked as the fourth most deprived ward in Sheffield during the 2017 consensus.
They offer free lessons to disadvantaged youths in the Arbourthorne community and help young people stay out of a life of crime.
The club, which has been described as a “safe space” for young people, provides a free facility run by volunteers and care leavers so cost is not a barrier to young people getting involved in sports.
He said: "We're a great resource for people and if we close, what do young people do? There's no provision for them."
Aspire Boxing Club collaborates with local schools, conducting presentations and conferences tackling various issues like violence against women, knife crime, poverty, and community cohesion.
Mr Tucker said, “Without sport and without volunteers like us, I think the country would be in a worse place than it is now.”
Parents reported children who attended the club have improved at school, solved behavioural issues, and become more disciplined.
He said the club's closure could result in reformed young people returning to a life of crime, adding that he is "saddened" privileged people are making decisions for the underprivileged.
Councillor Ben Miskell has been active in fighting the club’s closure. He said: “Having visited it last week and having talked to many of the young people, I know that it would be a travesty if it was to close down."
He added he does not see another place in Arbourthorne where the club could move and the best solution would be for both parties to get together to discuss.
“Closing down the club would hurt the Arbourthorne community since many of the young people I talked to are at risk of being involved in organised crime and exploitation.”
A former care leaver said: “Aspire Boxing is more than just a gym, it’s a community for young people who don’t have the same privileges as everyone else.
"Taking the gym away would do more than just take away the space, I would take away opportunities from those who need them the most.”
Mr Tucker called for support and requested signatures for their petition.
He said: “Without this gym here, where would all these young people be? They'd be on the street causing more problems.”
A council meeting will be held on the 21st of February joined by Councillor Miskell, to discuss the closure of the gym.
To sign the petition and stop Aspire Boxing Gym from closure, visit https://www.change.org/p/save-aspire-boxing-club-from-closure-in-arbourthorne-sheffield
Community book club: A shining literary light for Woodhouse
The free Monday book club in the Woodhouse Community Hub has a warm and inviting atmosphere for children and parents of the area access books and to socialise.
The book club, formed in August by Holly Burkinshaw, 36, of Kirkdale Crescent, was established to provide the local children of Woodhouse with a comfortable space to develop their reading and social skills in a community centre close to home.
Holly Burkinshaw has a background in early years education and a degree in education and disability studies.
She admitted while there are other centres and libraries in Sheffield that offer services encouraging young children to read, the Woodhouse Community Hub, which has stood since 2014, did not.
Mrs Burkinshaw said: "When I had my own children, I noticed that most libraries did amazing jobs at engaging children. They had book clubs and activities that fostered a love of reading. Woodhouse is our local library and I was frustrated that it didn't offer the same services as some of the other libraries. Some parents were taking their kids all over the place.
"It just made sense to me. With my experience and knowledge, I had to start this book club for my local library."
She also highlighted that with the recession, the free model of the book club helps to invite further parents to the community centre without the pressure of a donation or subscription.
Kirsty Saunders, 38, of Stradbroke Road, and her daughter have been attending the book club since September.
Mrs Saunders pointed to the social benefits that the weekly club provides for herself and her daughter, as well as the encouragement to make children read and the accessibility to books.
She said: "Emma loves the library. It's nice because she's an only child and she's quite a shy kid, really. We live just over the road, She'd be here all day every day if she could.
"It's been really nice having more of a local community actually. That's really hard to do outside the areas of the city realistically like Nether Edge, Hillsborough Wood Seats. Those are the areas where the parents who pay for the groups like this", said Mrs Saunders.
The Woodhouse Community Club and the book club could not function without the volunteers at the centre and the Hub Activities Co-ordinator, Elizabeth Turton, 57.
Mrs Turton underlined how she thinks books and social interactions are necessary for young children's educational and social development.
"Picking up a physical book is so important. It's essential that kids don't just sit down and mess with an iPad or watch the television all the time," Mrs Turton said.
"Learning how to get on with other children, sharing, playing and even being told off a times are some of the most important things a child can learn."
The Woodhouse Community book clubs runs weekly on Mondays 12-1pm.
Non-league Doncaster City splash the cash on trio of ex-pros ahead of season defining clash
Doncaster City, who play in the 11th tier of English football, surprised fans last week with the signing of three ex-international players - Wes Hoolahan, Charlie Mulgrew, and Ross McCormack.
The trio, who have over 100 international appearances between them and have been on the books of the likes of Celtic and Leeds United, have all retired from professional football but joined Doncaster City shortly before their game against undefeated league leaders Dearne & District on Saturday.
The exact length of the players' contracts was not made public, but the club's X (formerly Twitter) account stated that they were only joining "for a short period."
The club's announcement of their 3-1 victory over Dearne & District, which saw their new signings make their debuts, was met with anger and ridicule on social media.
Daniel Patterson, a midfielder for fellow non-league side Parkgate FC, defended the moves, however: "The amount of people this has rattled is mental. Will keep saying it every season but non league is full of people who concentrate on everyone else. Do your team, Do you. Then you might have a chance at being successful".
Doncaster City FC was founded in 2022 by agent Willie McKay, who in 2012 aided with a spree of similarly eyebrow-raising signings by fellow Doncaster side Doncaster Rovers, including former Premier League players El Hadji Diouf, Pascal Chimbonda, and Habib Beye.
McKay was investigated in 2007 over allegations of fraud in transfers, but no evidence of irregular payments was found.
Doncaster pub refuses to capitulate after latest comeback from flood refurbishment
The reopening of a picturesque Doncaster pub last week, following extensive flood damage, has left locals questioning what exactly is being done to invest into the area’s environmental defences.
The Boat Inn, in Sprotbrough, welcomed back customers after being forced to close last October due to damage caused by Storm Babet.
It is the second time licensee, Felicity Bell, has been left with no choice but to temporarily shut the 17th century pub. It was previously closed for 18 months after heavy rainfall in 2019 preceded the COVID-19 pandemic. On 8 November, recorders across the city confirmed the Don’s level at all-time highs.
“It was around half past one in the morning when the Environment Agency told us the flood alert for the area was upgraded to red,” she said. “Within 20 minutes, most of the lower pub was ankle-deep in water.”
Following the first lockdown, the pub was ready to re-open after carrying out dry runs with family and friends. Announcements of fresh lockdowns days later forced the pub to remain closed until April 2021.
At the end of 2022, a flood wall was repaired opposite the pub at an estimated cost of £8m. However, a problematic gap was left further along to allow riverside access to the Trans-Pennine Trail.
Miss Bell blames this for the damage caused by Storm Babet last year but said the parts of the wall that was refurbished worked.
The pub forms part of the Lower Sprotborough hamlet, spelt using the village’s historic name. Liz Reeve, founder of Sprotbrough Village History Group, has witnessed four severe floodings in the hamlet in 1947, 2007, 2019 and 2023.
When describing the July 2007 floods, Mrs Reeve said: “We were absolutely flabbergasted when as much water came in as it did.”
Residents of Doncaster suburb, Bentley, used canoes to navigate the deluged streets, while a car close to a nearby fast-food outlet was almost fully submerged.
Mrs Reeve added: “In 2019, we had to climb out of the bedroom window to get out!”
Doncaster made national headlines that year because of the level of rainfall which preceded the floods.
Fishlake, to the city’s north-east, suffered the most after 170 homes and business in the village were impacted. The damage was so catastrophic, it warranted visits from then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson – days after a General Election was called – and the future King.
Resident, Pam Webb, showed Mr Johnson around the submerged village and said 70 per cent of properties in the village had been impacted.
“The Prime Minister made a statement to me behind closed doors, and later on camera, that no victim of flooding would suffer financial loss,” she recalled in the book Flood, which documents stories of those affected in Fishlake. “From that point on, the dialogue could at least be opened to explore what could be offered.”
Following the devastation, £3m was channelled in relief efforts – and repairs were completed as the country re-emerged from lockdown in June 2021.
“The lockdown of early 2021 caused problems,” recalled Paul and Angela Causer in Flood. “We aimed to move back home in May, but not before paying thousands in storage and accommodation costs.”
Three significant floods in Doncaster in 17 years has raised questions on climate change’s impact on the hamlet. Miss Bell is adamant Storm Babet will not be the last time the pub will be affected by flooding.
She said: “It’s ultimately going to happen more regularly, and I think climate change will be a contributing factor.”
After the 2019 floods, Connected by Water – a joint action plan for flooding in South Yorkshire - was published in January 2022. A target named as the ‘Sprotbrough Ings project’ was listed to “create and restore habitats and raise flood awareness”.
The plan committed to completing the project, led by the Don Catchment Rivers Trust charity, by 2025. The group say the project is in its final stages of development and is part of the wider 'All Hands on the Don' project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
There was little knowledge of the project within the village and disgruntlement upon learning about it, but the charity claims this is due to being in the process of securing permissions and not wanting to raise expectations.
Despite this, one source, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “They should really stop employing dinosaurs who think the money comes out of their pocket and start getting people to take action.”
Mrs Reeve agreed, stating: “What’s the Council doing? If you want anything from them and you put your address in, they don’t know where it is.”
Mrs Reeve and her husband, Michael, are currently renting a village cottage while repairs continue in Lower Sprotborough. They say despite the council’s apathy, they have to pay two lots of council tax, one for each property.
Work around flood defence investment is being made. Bentley Ings Pumping Station, which aims to protect 1,699 homes against flooding, was upgraded in 2022. Pumping capacity was increased by 20 per cent at a cost of £14m. Friends of Clay Lane also claimed £1m had been earmarked to reinforce the estate’s defences at the end of last year.
In the meantime, The Boat Inn’s licensee, Miss Bell, is determined to keep going. She said: “We’ve got such a great local trade with regulars from the local community and are looking forward to welcoming them back, along with new guests as well.”
Residents who are concerned about flooding can sign up for free flood warnings at www.gov.uk/flood or by contacting Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
Sheffield face Birkbeck in tonight’s University Challenge
Sheffield University take on Birkbeck University of London this evening in the second leg of the University Challenge quarter finals.
The team have performed well in their previous three fixtures and will be looking to capitalise on Birkbeck’s weaker form.
A win will see them one step closer to their first final since 2008.
| Sheffield | Birkbeck | |
| Average points per match | 193.3 | 160 |
| % correct starter questions | 82.93% | 64.44% |
| % correct bonus questions | 51.02% | 53.09% |
| Total points | 580 | 480 |
The team is represented by captain Cameron Colclough, philosophy student Matthew Nail, history student Safiyyah Rujak, and history and Spanish student Joseph McGough.
Sheffield council proposes electric overhaul to “transform” city’s public transport
Sheffield City Council is planning an ambitious push to revamp the state of public transport in the city with 65 new electric buses.
Sheffield councillor, Ben Miskell, Chair of Transport, Regeneration and Climate, discussed plans to transform that state of transport in the city, which includes a £1,000,000 Clean Air Investment Plan.
Cllr Miskell said: “What we would like to do is change our entire fleet over to electric, zero emission buses.
"We have put in an ambitious bid to the government for 65 EV buses in the city, which will start to transform our buses."
He discussed how the current state of public transport is not up to the standard required and the new plans hope to tackle the issue of pollution across the city.
Cllr Miskell explained there are 2,400 buses currently operating in Sheffield and many of them are still using old diesel polluting technology.
This is a huge issue the council faces and they are hoping to invest a substantial amount of money to install the technology needed in bus depots.
There is also the economical issue when it comes to the price of owning an EV vehicle privately, which includes difficulties with the electronic structure needed to charge your car at home.
Cllr Miskell said: “One of the issues we're really mindful of is how you would charge your vehicle if you live on a terrace street, a street without a drive. In the city or many of the parts of the city, it is actually difficult to be able to charge a vehicle on a drive.
“We're putting in about 20 new EV charging points across the city to do that. We're also working with the private sector and fast charge providers to bring out more fast charging zones in the city too.”
When discussing the contentious topic of Clean Air Zones after nearly a year of their use within Sheffield, Miskell is wholehearted in his attitude it has been beneficial for the city.
He said within the data the council has analysed, the amount of people using the Clean Air Zones has increased and the new transport plans have encouraged the public to buy electric vehicles and invest in the new policies.
Sheffield firewoman gives Gladiators “a run for their money”
A Sheffield firefighter made it through to the semi-final of Gladiators with barely a second to spare on Saturday following a tense head-to-head.
Bronte Jones, 23, battled it out with Natasha Lawrence from Ipswich to cement her place in the semi-final of the popular TV game show.
Jones’ twin sister Brodie said the family are “buzzing” that she’s made it through, having grown up watching the show.
She told the Sheffield Wire: “That eliminator was a rollercoaster – from her falling off the cargo net, to then catching Tasha up to make it through the finish line.
"Watching it brought back all those amazing memories from the filming back in June. The atmosphere was electric!”
The Gladiators reboot has taken the nation by storm since it appeared on our screens back in January, with 8.7 million viewers tuning in to the first episode.
Viewers “were on the edge of their seats” on Saturday as Bronte regained her composure after a disappointing performance in the duel and went on to gather 10 points in the ring and gauntlet rounds.
“I couldn’t even eat my popcorn,” said 41-year-old Stacey Wolstenholme, who manages Firehouse Fitness, the Sheffield gym where Bronte trains.
“She's very hardworking. She's very focused. She's so bright and bubbly but once she's in the gym, she's in the zone,” she added.
Though the show’s final has already been filmed, Jones is staying tight-lipped about the outcome.
Her Gladiators success comes in the same week as a disappointing end for Doncaster contestant Finley Burkitt, who was forced to pull out of the quarter-finals following a “devastating” knee injury.
Burkitt has since had surgery and, according to his personal trainer Sam Long, is already back to “doing things you wouldn’t really expect someone who’s ruptured their ACL to be able to do”.
He said: “I think once he sets his mind to whatever he wants to do, he’s willing to give it a very good go or die trying in the process.”
Jones, a competitive weight lifter who has been named one of the strongest women in the country for her weight category, will now carry the Gladiators gauntlet for South Yorkshire alone.
Despite initially being “a bit worried that nobody would understand her strong Yorkshire accent”, Wolstenholme says the whole of Sheffield is behind her.
“She managed to give the gladiators a run for their money!” added Brodie.
Gladiators airs Saturdays at 7.10pm on BBC One
Doncaster-Sheffield airport faces divisive reopening
The council has announced £138 million will be invested in reopening the Sheffield-Doncaster airport, which closed in late 2022 after failing to make a profit.
The site is still owned by the Peel group, who still refuse to sell the property, after the council came to an agreement for a lease of £138 billion pounds by South Yorkshire.
However, Opinions are divided
Hanna, a Polish student at the University of Sheffield said of the airport: “It’s the most convenient, and going to Doncaster was like £3, and if really an Uber was needed it was around £20, but it was easy to find someone to split it with, whereas to go to the Manchester airport it’s a bit more complicated and more expensive.”
Marta, another Polish student at the University of Sheffield said: “Using the taxpayers' money is not the best way, but if the airport manages to get more routes to different places, it could become interesting for local people since it could benefit a lot of people.”
Mark Chadwick, a local garage owner in Doncaster: “After talking with some of the staff working there, it was obvious that the airport was run to a loss, internal bills that were way higher than they should.
“Doncaster council hired two aviation and business consultant, they arrived at the conclusion that if the airport would be run properly it could bring benefits”
Nevertheless, for a lot of people, the reopening of the Doncaster Airport raises concerns, since the council will be using public money.
A Twitter poll shows that more than half of the voters are not convinced for now.
The Peel group has yet to responded to comment.
Community in shock over deaths of three young children in Bristol
Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said: “We’ve been humbled by the community response to this tragedy. At a time of great sadness and disbelief, we’ve seen spontaneous acts of care and support. Within hours of the incident occurring, a local church was opened up for people to gather and mourn.
Three children – aged seven, three and 10 months, who have not been named by detectives – were found inside the property and pronounced dead at the scene just after 12.40pm on Sunday.
Ahmed Abdelaal, another family friend, said: “We are all shocked. We don’t know why this has happened or what has happened.
“She was an amazing mum, we don’t know what led to this incident.”
The community has been left in shock over the incident.
Fargate to become ‘cultural hub’ as council look to convert Sheffield city centre
Up to 20,000 new homes are set to be built in an effort to convert Sheffield city centre into a residential neighbourhood and a 'cultural hub'.
The City Council announced in a meeting last week (14 February) Fargate and the traditional shopping areas will home schools, GP surgeries and outdoor spaces.
The work set out by the City Centre Strategic Vision is set to begin in January 2025. The hub would then open in early 2026, two years later than initially planned.
Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “We are creating liveable neighbourhoods where we can completely rejuvenate and bring back to life our city centre.
“Repopulation in our city centre is part of a wider strategy to get more people into the city centre to reduce anti-social behaviour and to open up more bars and more coffee shops, and to make it a better space for everyone in the city.”
The development of the 20-26 Fargate plan was delayed due to cost pressure and construction constraint, forcing the project to begin in 2025 at the earliest. The area which is set to be renovated is now being reviewed by the design team.
Cllr Miskell said: “There are always going to be delays in big regeneration projects across the city. As a city, we have to be comfortable with that. Sometimes things do take longer than we would hope, but it still is a sign that will be generating the city centre.”
The council also claimed designed work on High Street and Castle Square are currently under review due to cost pressures.
“Our previous prime minister crashed the economy," said Cllr Miskell. "As a City Council, we are experiencing the exact same cost pressures, projects that we want plans to cost and a certain amount of money have now increased.
“We are left to pick up the pieces just like homeowners, like people across our city are struggling to pay the bills as well."
Moor Market Traders left “disheartened” as service charges increase for the first time since 2013
Traders at Sheffield's Moor market have been hit by a 26.5% service charge hike.
The Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee members announced the decision to increase service charges by 26.5 per cent in 2024/2025 for the first time since 2013.
Sheffield City Council said that the increase is to cover inflation and higher energy tariffs.
Firas Al Bermawi, owner of Moor Perfume, said Moor Gate used to be a “cosy place” for Sheffield residents and students.
However, he believes =the number of people visiting the market is dwindling due to inflation.
“We noticed a big difference. There aren’t as many shoppers and they are worried about prices.
"They used to buy in bigger quantities, now they check everything and this is understandable,” he added.
Craig Goodridge, owner of Goodridge Travels echoed Mr Fermawi’s thoughts.
Mr Goodridge has only been trading in Moor Market since June and said he had observed falling sales over the past few months.
He said: “It’s a little disheartening. Prices are going up already and I’ve only been here for a short amount of time. I hope it doesn’t go up year on year. “
Last month, shop owners received a summary letter from the Sheffield City Council informing them of rising rents. Traders who were unable to stay afloat were forced to shut their businesses.
Mark Holmes, who is a small business owner himself, called the price hikes a “struggle.”
“Something's got to give and nine times out of 10, it's usually my wage that gives," he said.
"I think if I equated the hours that I put into the business, I'd be [earning] way below minimum wage.”
He said small businesses struggle particularly because they have to keep prices low to compete with supermarkets and bigger chains.
Although the markets have been busier than it was during the pandemic when compared to the costs of products, the sales are insufficient.
Calling the price hike a “double-edged sword”, he added while the rise in minimum wage is positive, the subsequent rise in cost offsets the positive effects.