Monthly Archives: November 2010

Christmas Market Gets off to a Quiet Start

Posted on by Bronagh Tumulty

Small crowd at Sheffield Christmas Market

The first weekend of the Christmas shopping is to begin tomorrow. The Sheffield Christmas market has been at the city centre for about a week now.

It is the first time that there are so many sellers from Germany along with traders from Sheffield. It is also the first time that the Christmas market is going to be held for forty days.

But the market doesn’t look very happening despite this. There are barely any shoppers. Although the sellers are better off on the weekends, the weekends are rather dull and quiet.

Some sellers think that this is because of the cold weathers. People prefer to stay warm indoors rather than battling with the freezing weather.

But some sellers like Dr. Godson Ogwudire from the UK Mama stall think that the sales are low because of the spending cuts. People have to really think twice now before spending on Christmas shopping.

But all the sellers are definitely looking forward to this weekend and hoping that it’ll be better as the Christmas spirit sets in.

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‘Cricket’ Cats for Adoption

Posted on by Bronagh Tumulty

Trott, Cook, Finn and Bell - the 'Cricket Cats'

A cat’s charity is looking for homes for four cats that are named after English cricketers.

They are currently with Cats Protection and need a new home. Bell and her kittens Trott, Finn and Cook are among the 7000 unwanted cats offered for adoption by the agency.

The agency’s spokeswomen Sylvia Hoult said “After they were born, we noticed all three kittens had slightly bowed legs. It doesn’t seem to affect them as they run around and play like any other cats but they probably wouldn’t be the world’s best fielders!”
She also said that the cats are very friendly and would be able to adjust in any friendly house but they are trying to find a new owner for them in the West Yorkshire area.

Cats Protection is a cat welfare charity and helps more than 215,000 unwanted cats each year through a national network of 256 volunteer-run branches and 30 adoption centres. For more information visit www.cats.org.uk.

Sheffields ‘My Planet’ Wins Green Apple Award

Posted on by jop10xy

The climate change campaign Sheffield is My Planet won a Green Apple Environment Award at the House of Commons last week.

Sheffield is My Planet has helped thousands of people in this city cut the carbon footprint, by walking or cycling more, composting their waste, being more energy efficient at home or growing their own fruit and vegetables. More than 470 tonnes of CO2 have been saved this year. Councillor Andrew Sangar believes that winning this award is a great news and  fantastic opportunity to use their experience to help others.

The Sheffield Is My Planet campaign is on track to represent the UK in the European Business Awards for the Environment but the council is mindfull of how to spend taxpayers money.

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St.Wilfrid’s is the Peoples Winner

Posted on by Bronagh Tumulty

Peoples Winner 2010

Sheffield charity St. Wilfrid’s Centre has been announced as the winner of  fifty thousand pounds from ITV’s People’s Millions.

The centre was up against a similar centre in Bradfield with votes running until midnight last night.

St.Winfrid’s has been supporting homeless people in Sheffield for almost twenty years. By providing them with a sense of belonging and helping them regain their self esteem the centre hopes to improve their quality of life.

Director of the centre, Kevin Bradley said that the money would be used to buy two new laser cutters to give vulnerable people “some sort of meaningful work to increase their self esteem and confidence and make them generally have a better quality of life.”

He told JUS News’s Caroline Nicque how pleased and grateful he was to everyone who helped them win.

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Clegg: more talk needed on tuition fees

Posted on by Hannah Walker

A small group of protesters waiting for Nick Clegg outside Sheffield steelworks Firth Rixson

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has refused to say how he will vote in the upcoming Commons debate on tuition fees.

The Coalition Government want to increase tuition fees to around £9,000 a year.  Students have accused the Liberal Democrat, who is also an MP for Sheffield Hallam, of backing down on his pledge to vote against any rise in fees.

Mr Clegg was in Sheffield today visiting steelmakers Firth Rixson.  There were a small group of students from the University of Sheffield protesting outside the building in the Don Valley.

In an broad ranging interview with Mr Clegg, JUS News reporter Hannah Walker asked him about the rise in fees and how his MPs would vote.

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Mr Clegg spoke to JUS News from the steelmakers where he was meeting young apprentices.   He told them how important he thought apprenticeships are, especially in Sheffield, the Steel City.

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Domestic Violence Demonstration for Victims

Posted on by Bronagh Tumulty

A demonstration against domestic violence is set to take place in Rotherham tomorrow. The campaign will be led by the Mayor Rose McNeely and will begin at 12:30, starting from outside the town hall.

Domestic Violence is still cause for Concern

Rotherham Women’s Refuge, the organizers of the event wish to highlight the increasing incidents of domestic violence and rape which have risen to 47,000 victims a year.

Organizers will release 112 balloons representing the 112 women, who are killed every year as a result of domestic violence, which is one woman every three days. TV presenter Wendy Turner and CEO of the Statutory Women’s Aid Chester James will be among those who will be speaking at the event.

Rotherham Women’s Refuge spokeswomen, Leslie Taylor, said that the incidents are on the rise and the problem is widespread. She also said that it’s not just women and that there are also male victims, and that everyone should come forward and seek help.

Dairy farmers protest outside Tesco

Posted on by jop10xy

A group of young farmers outside Tesco protest at the unfair price paid by supermarket

Dairy farmers protest outside Tesco claiming that  this supermarket giant is driving down the price for their milk unfairly. 

Farmers For Action have blockaded 3 distribution centers in Livingston, Chesterfield and Southhampton for 2 hours this morning. David Handley, the president of Farmers For Action (FFA), claims that  the point of the protests is not to push customers to pay a higher price for their milk, however,  enough money in the supply chain should allow the retailer to pay producers a resonable price.

The dairy industry has been under  increasing pressure for the last few years, but only in the last 12 months it has a severe decline. That is why Mr Handley feels it is necessary to take action now. Farmers fear that the decline in price will result in more job losses.

Mr Handley says that there would be more demonstrations  in the New Year.

(Picture taken from flickr)