Five fire engines tackle blaze in Sheffield students flat
The shared kitchen in a students flat caught fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning, leaving students "worried and scared" for their safety.
The fire began in a shared kitchen in Sharman Court at 12.15am Tuesday, and was dealt with by 2.45am.
Peixu Du, 23 who lives in the flat, waited outside of the building for three hours, and he couldn’t fall asleep until after 4am because his room smelled of smoke.
He said: “I thought the fire alarm would only last a few minutes and then stop, but it just kept going off and on.
“I walked out and saw everyone downstairs looking up. There was very heavy white smoke coming out, and then it turned to black smoke.
“I was worried and scared. From the outside of the flat, you can see that the inside of the burning building was very dark,” Mr Du said.
Katherine Yao, 22, a student at the University of Sheffield who lives in another block said: “I was sleeping and had no idea what’s going on.
“I guessed it was something burning in my room, but after checking all the appliances and finding that everything was fine. I realised that the smell was from someone else’s room.
“I was a bit angry at first, when I was woken up by the fire alarm ringing, then I started to worry that the fire would spread to my room.
“The building reeked of smoke. It’s so pungent that I thought I was going to be poisoned.”
Greg Mattocks-Evans, from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “It was caused accidentally. Fortunately, no one was injured.
“The exact cause has been hard to determine but was most likely caused either by an extractor fan or airfryer."
He also added: “Always keep an eye on your cooking and never leave it unattended, turn appliances/cooker off when you’ve gone to bed and if you come home after a night out, get a takeaway rather than try and cook anything.”
Horsham FC: The non-league side Barnsley fans are rooting for
Barnsley FC made headlines on November 22 when they were expelled out of the FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player.
Their opponents, seventh-tier minnows Horsham FC, managed to hold the Tykes to a hard-fought 3-3 draw at Oakwell, before Barnsley won the replay 3-0.
However, the south Yorkshire side fielded a player in the replay who had not been registered for the initial fixture, a breach of FA Cup Rule 103.
This therefore allowed Horsham, who are based in Sussex, to reach the second round of the world’s oldest cup competition, where they will play Sutton United this Saturday, and they appear to have acquired some Barnsley fans in the process.
Speaking after the news was confirmed, Horsham chairman Kevin Borrett said: “We’re in the second round through circumstances this time but we want to try and capitalise on that and believe we have a strong level of support, even from Barnsley.
“I think we have a northern branch who will be rooting strongly for us on Saturday. We’ve already talked about future collaboration between the clubs in some way.”
A number of Barnsley fans have been vocally supportive on X (twitter).
Good luck tomorrow chaps! Barnsley fan rooting for you 👌👍
— Dave (@Superdaveyy) December 1, 2023
One fan tweeted: “Good luck tomorrow chaps! Barnsley fan rooting for you.”
Another wrote: “Good luck tomorrow @HorshamFC. Hope you get through and get a good tie in the next round.”
Horsham have never made it through to the third round of the tournament, but will be eying up the game against Sutton, who are sat in 24th in League Two, as a golden opportunity to make history.
Levelling Up on everyone’s lips as Question Time comes to Doncaster
Last night's Question Time was dominated by concerns over Levelling Up as the show returned to Doncaster.
People in the audience wanted to ask a question on the government policy more than any other topic, according to host Fiona Bruce.
Doncaster residents were eager to find out how the policy to invest in the north would impact their city.
Among the show’s panellists was Cabinet Office Minister, Esther McVey, and Shadow Environment Secretary, Steve Reed.
Ms McVey said: “Millions of pounds have come to Doncaster in the Levelling Up Fund and it’s really important that we do support our businesses.”
However, Mr Reed argued Doncaster has been worse off since the Conservatives took office in 2010.
The debate on levelling up in Doncaster came just over a week after the Autumn Statement.
In it, the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announced £25m of the Levelling Up Fund would be spent on development projects in Moorends and Mexborough.
Also on the panel was editor of The Spectator, Andrew Neil, who spoke of his frustrations with the implementation of the Levelling Up policy.
Speaking directly to the audience, he said: “From what I’ve just heard, you’re not happy and you have every right to be not happy.
“I think levelling up was a wonderful idea. It’s just a pity it was never implemented.”
The government say they are committed to investing £13bn in Levelling Up projects across the country.
At the Conservative Party Conference in October, the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, announced the northern leg of the HS2 rail project would be scrapped.
He promised to divert £36bn into improving transport in the north and midlands instead, according to the Guardian.
Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Layla Moran, another Question Time panellist, spoke of her dismay at HS2’s northern leg being scrapped.
She said: “I would’ve started [the project] in the north and gone south. You start the investment there; you don’t stop it.”
No Doncaster MP featured on the show, with Don Valley MP, Nick Fletcher, saying on Facebook he applied to be on the Question Time panel but was rejected.
Award-winning construction company appointed to build new university research facility
Construction firm Henry Boot Construction has been appointed to deliver the next development for the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
The development is a new open-access research facility, which will be home to Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS).
Project COMPASS is dedicated to developing and testing new technologies needed to meet future demand for lighter commercial aircraft and support the aviation industry’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050.
The first research programme to take place in the facility will be the Isothermic High-Rate Sustainable Structures (IHSS) project led by aerospace giant Boeing, in partnership with AMRC, Loop Technology and Spirit AeroSystems.
A planning application for the development was approved earlier this year, with Henry Boot Construction getting work underway earlier this month.
Tony Shaw, Managing Director from Henry Boot Construction, said: “We take great pride in being appointed as the lead contractor on the AMRC’s newest research facility.
“As a company with significant experience in the region, we are committed to working with local supply chain partners wherever possible and helping to grow the regional economy,”
Plans for the new facility were confirmed in July this year, and completion is expected by the end of 2024, contributing to South Yorkshire's prominence in the aerospace manufacturing sector.
This collaboration is expected to create around 50 jobs initially, with the possibility of generating 3,000 jobs by the mid-2030s and contributing approximately £2 billion annually to the UK economy in exports.
The building is jointly funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Sheffield City Council, the University of Sheffield and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
It will house a raft of state-of-the-art equipment secured through a £29.5m grant from the UK Government’s Aerospace Technology Institute Programme.
The Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, emphasised Boeing's confidence in the region's future, while Tom Hunt, leader of Sheffield City Council, hailed COMPASS as a significant step toward making the global aviation industry more sustainable and positioning Sheffield as a hub for research and development excellence.
Love Jam hosts its fifth session in Sheffield to celebrate sober music and art
Love Jam, a nationwide collective to celebrate sober music and art, held their fifth Sheffield-based meeting this Wednesday at Highfield Trinity church.
The event consisted of a primarily-music based open mic, followed by the first public performance from African drumming group Unbeatable Energy since 2020, an ‘open jam session’ and finally an ecstatic dance DJ Set.
The events DJ Rachael (known as DJ Caroub) described it as an “evening of music, connectivity and community” for people to get together to soberly share music, passions and meet new people.
Caroub also stressed that the organisation, which is not-for-profit and volunteer-based, is open to everyone with more volunteers needed.
Sheffield group co-organiser Nicky said she felt grateful to be part of the team that allows people to feel seen, safe and express themselves.
Nicky described the sessions as “changing and evolving” differently, with new performances each time.
She said: “It’s all about a free, creative, expressive space for people to feel safe and seen with zero judgement”.
Originating in London with creators Nathan Gallagher and partner Zena, Love Jam events are held nationwide.
Other nearby groups are located in Manchester and Leeds.
The collective also holds national events that they pride on being alcohol free, plant-based and family friendly, including campouts and festivals.
The group can be found on Facebook and Instagram as ‘Sheffield Love Jam’.
Did someone say ‘Jump’?: Girls Aloud are coming to Sheffield
Girls Aloud announced they are reuniting for the first time in ten years in memory of Sarah Harding who died of breast cancer in 2021.
Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle, and Nicola Roberts will be performing at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield in May 2024, as well as touring across the UK and Ireland.
Having made hints on BBC Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, they finally confirmed on 22 November tour tickets will be available from 1 December.
Back in July 2022 the band members took part in The Race For Life in Sarah’s honour and to raise awareness for breast cancer research.
Caitlin Kirkwood, 23, from Sheffield, was ready and waiting for the ticket release at 9am this morning. She later secured two tickets for her mum's Christmas present and said: “I don't know if I can keep a secret that big because me and my mum are obsessed with Girls Aloud!”.
Fans have said this will be a lovely opportunity to bring families and friends together and a great chance for Sheffield to host such a famous girl band.
Tabitha Wilson, 22, said: “‘Tangled Up’ was the first ever CD that I bought and I grew up with Girls Aloud music so I'm really excited to go and listen to all my favourite songs with my friends and family."
Helena Stocks, 53, expressed mixed emotions about the reunion tour.
She said: “It's so sad that Sarah won't be part of it but they are celebrating her life. Cheryl said they had discussed a reunion tour before she died but then got too ill, so now it felt it was the right time. It will be a fabulous concert I'm sure."
Locals brand Crookes community garden an “eyesore”
Residents have called for the restoration of a once beloved community garden that has fallen into ruin.
The land at the top of Cobden View Road is currently owned by a developer, who was given permission to build on the land in June 2022.
Despite this, the garden has been fenced off, graffitied on and used as a fly tipping site, leaving locals concerned for its worsening appearance.
The land also had an alleyway that locals would use as a shortcut between Cobden View Road, Crookes high street and towards Westways Primary School which is now inaccessible.
A shop owner on Crookes highstreet, who has been in the area for 16 years, says she remembers when the area was used for a community project where locals and volunteers would tend to the garden.
She said: “It was very pretty and tidy, it had grass, shrubs and flowers. It should be restored to what it was.
“People were very angry about it because it was a beautiful garden that has been destroyed.”
Joanne Cutts, 56, a gym owner has lived in Crookes since birth, she said: “It’s an eyesore, anything would look better, it looks horrendous.
"All they've done is stick a crappy fence up and it looks awful."
Ms Cutts hopes it will be made into a park with some benches as it once was.
Laura Oates, 37, a florist has been in the area for 12 years, she said: “There’s been a lot of talk about it - it would be nice if it was a garden for dog walkers.”
Locals continue to discuss the future of the garden and hope that the community space will be restored.
Mother left feeling ‘vulnerable’ after e-bike theft in Sheffield city centre
A midwife and mother-of-one has been left feeling ‘vulnerable and anxious’ after her e-bike was stolen from a cafe on Union Street.
Freya Priest, 45, was attending one of the intergenerational drumming group Five Rivers Rising’s weekly practices at the Coworking Cafe on the 16th of November, when four males wearing balaclavas entered the property and stole her bike, worth around £1,300.
They also stole another another member of the group’s bag, which contained their laptop and passport.
The incident was captured on camera by Theresa Nelson, a resident of nearby Berona House.
Ms Priest, who used her e-bike to get to work, said she felt grateful for Theresa’s help, stating the only reason her insurance company agreed to pay for the theft was because she had the recording.
This was the second time her bike has been stolen, and the third claim she’s had to make. She now feels that Sheffield is uninsurable for e-bikes.
Despite the negative impact of the crime, Ms Priest has felt supported by the community in Sheffield.
“It makes you feel vulnerable and anxious, but I feel utterly supported by the social networks I have in Sheffield.”
After the theft, she received a lift home from members of the band and found a new friend in Theresa, who comforted her and spoke with the police.
She also said that the band had fundraised to help the student whose bag was stolen, with the group bearing the ‘collective burden of loss’.
The police confirmed that they had attended the scene after reports of a burglary at 8.51pm. They conducted CCTV enquiries, but have not made any arrests.
In a statement, South Yorkshire Police said: “In terms of advice, we would signpost people to our website.
“We have a dedicated page on how to keep bikes safe: https://www.southyorkshire.police.uk/find-out/crime-prevention-advice/bike-safety-and-security/
“The advice includes which locks we recommend you use when securing your bike and what equipment you need.”
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call 101 and quote incident number 911.
Launch of the Gamemaker Project – South Yorkshire’s plea for more referees
South Yorkshire Referees have launched the Gamemaker Project with hopes to increase the amount of Rugby in South Yorkshire after struggling due to injuries and unavailability.
The Gamemaker Project hopes to encourage participation through offering free training, resources and kit to people who are interested in becoming a Gamemaker.
If Gamemakers enjoy the project and think referring is for them, they will have the opportunity to receive a free membership to South Yorkshire Referees.
South Yorkshire Referees hosted a sign-up session on Monday 27th of November at the University of Sheffield, where many budding people showed up to express their interest in becoming a Gamemaker.
Ben Nuttall, 24, from Rotherham, attended the session on Monday. He said: “I have no rugby officiating experience prior to this, but I have been a fan for as long as I can remember and have been a football referee for nine years.
I wanted to try something new. I’ve always admired the respect and the manner in which the game of rugby is played - so different to football. I’ve wanted to do it for a while but couldn’t find a course. When this course came available and as a bonus it was free, I jumped at the opportunity.”
26 candidates, representing over ten clubs, showed up to the session on Monday, with 11 people signing up to be a South Yorkshire Referee member. Ten women and four keen Young Match Officials were among the people who joined the session.
Mr Nuttall said: “It’s an opportunity for people to get involved with sport overall. It allows people to take up officiating when they may not have considered it before and it allows those that play to ensure they can have a game. As they say, no ref, no game. This looks to change that.
Just that I think it’s a fantastic idea and I hope that it gets the publicity it deserves and more people sign up to help the game continue to make lives better.”
After individual's attend their free introduction to refereeing course, they officially become a Gamemaker.
If South Yorkshire Referees cannot cover a club's rugby game, the Gamemaker of the club takes over so that the game can still go ahead.
In return, South Yorkshire Referees will prioritise the rugby club who lost out on a referee for their next home game.
South Yorkshire Referees tease another sign-up session in the new year, so keep your eyes peeled.
Who will be the next Rotherham manager?
Since Matt Taylor was sacked on November 13, a number of names have been thrown into the conversation, but who will be the next Rotherham United manager?
As the search drags on, the Millers sit mired in 23rd, seven points adrift of safety, despite caretaker boss Wayne Carlisle picking up a crucial point against Leeds on November 24.
The club have confirmed that Carlisle will remain in charge for Saturday’s game against Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham City, but he appears to be out of contention for the permanent job.
Speaking after the club’s crushing 4-1 defeat to high-flying Hull City, he said: “I think it will be someone else, I’ve got to be honest."
"The chairman and the club, I think they looked elsewhere in the last few days from what I can gather.”
The club have conceded 11 goals in their last three away games and have only got one of their 12 points away from home.
Former Southampton boss Nathan Jones has been heavily rumoured for the job, and remains the odds-on favourite at 2/1, according to William Hill.
However, BBC Sheffield journalist Rob Stanton recently gave an update on the situation, tweeting: “Been asked about Nathan Jones and Rotherham given bookies odds. My understanding is Jones won’t be the next #RUFC boss.”
Another name that has been circulating is former Wigan boss Leam Richardson, who has been without a job since departing the Latics just over a year ago.
Richardson guided Wigan to the League One title in the 2021/22 season, but was sacked after the club struggled to adjust to life in the Championship. His odds are set at 5/2 according to William Hill.
Former Millers boss and a man infamous in this part of the world, Steve Evans has also been linked with the job, after his Stevenage side have defied all expectations to sit fourth in League One.
The Scottish manager enjoyed a hugely successful spell during his three-year tenure at Rotherham between 2012 and 2015, winning back-to-back promotions to take them to the Championship.
Chris Wilder is the final name on the list, with the 56-year-old being without a job since leaving Watford in the summer.
Although best remembered for his time as Sheffield United boss, where Wilder led his boyhood club from League One to the Premier League, the former right-back made 158 appearances for Rotherham during his playing days, the most he made for any club.
Odds for Next Rotherham Manager (according to William Hill)
Nathan Jones - 2/1
Leam Richardson - 5/2
Chris Wilder - 5/1
Wayne Carlisle - 10/1
Steve Evans - 16/1
Neil Warnock - 28/1
“Black hole” wait times for trans healthcare may be as high as 22 years at Sheffield’s gender identity clinic
A Sheffield trans woman fears she will "more likely die first" than receive the treatment she desperately needs from Sheffield's gender clinic to fully transition to female.
Newly-released information has revealed that fewer than 1% of people on the trans healthcare waiting list for Sheffield’s Porterbrook Gender Identity Clinic were seen last month.
Amber, 45, made a freedom of information request that showed only eight of the 2,302 trans people on the clinic's waiting list got appointments between 22 October and 22 November this year.
At that rate of care, Amber says it would take more than 22 years for everyone on the list to be seen.
Amber said: “If I’m not going to get seen by Porterbrook in two decades, that’s a quarter of my life before I can even start living normally. Living as me. It makes life very, very pointless. I get repeated suicidal thoughts because what’s the point?”
When approached for comment on its wait times, Porterbrook clinic replied: “We provide up to date information about our waiting times on our website.”
The website says: “We are currently booking appointments for people who were referred to the service in July 2018. The longest wait time is currently 62 months as of September 2023.”
According to Amber, however, those figures are deceptive. “62 months would only be a meaningful number if they were working through the waiting list at the same rate people were being added.”
The rate of patients joining the list currently far outpaces the rate of patients being seen. In November last year, there were already 1,865 people on it. Since then, there have been 437 new patients added. At Porterbrook's current rate of eight patients per month, it would take more than four years to just get through those newly-added patients.
Amber said the mental health toll of waiting has been severe. When she first sought trans care from Porterbrook in autumn 2021, she was suicidal. “I knew that I either needed to do something about transitioning, or I may as well kill myself,” she said.
Amber has been forced to go private for her hormone replacement therapy, the medicine she needs to lower her testosterone and increase her estrogen levels. She has been unable to receive care for the other treatments she needs, including counselling, top and bottom surgery, hair removal, and voice training to feminise her speech.
Research has found that trans people facing high wait times for gender clinic care are at greater risk of harming themselves, having suicidal thoughts, and experiencing depression.
Heather Paterson, co-chair of Sheffield LGBTQ+ Multi-Agency Network and CEO of SAYiT Sheffield, said: “We are seeing more young people presenting with increasingly severe mental health difficulties. People feel like they don't matter, facing the black hole of never-ending waiting lists that they don't think they will ever see the front of.”
Ms Paterson explained that many trans people feel forced to “DIY transition,” either resorting to unregulated treatments without proper supervision, or paying exorbitantly expensive private health care costs.
At Harley Street Gender Clinic, a private clinic in London, the initial consultation for trans care alone costs £575. Some trans people have felt forced to turn to online fundraising websites such as Go Fund Me to access trans healthcare.
Ms Paterson said: “Currently the conversations about trans healthcare in the UK are being dominated by people who aren't using the services with trans voices being erased. We need to run a health service informed by the best available health information and international best practice, not a political agenda."
Breaking: Sheffield Parkway closed following multi-vehicle collision
Sheffield Parkway has been closed between Derek Dooley Way and Prince of Wales Road after a multi-vehicle collision. Emergency services are at the scene and South Yorkshire Police have urged people to stay clear of the area. Eyewitnesses have reported seeing an air ambulance present at the scene.
More to follow.