New and exciting activities in Sheffield for snooker world championship.

Photo of Steve Davis snooker player in the winter gardens, with
the BBC studio in the background
.

The world snooker championship is back at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The tournament runs from Saturday the 16^th of April to Monday the 2^nd of May, with all the best players coming together to compete for the famous trophy and the top prize of £250,000.

The top snooker contenders of 2011 will include John Higgins, Stephen Hendry, Mark Selby and Ronnie O’ Sullivan, all battling it out for the goal of becoming world champion.

Sheffield is known as ‘home to snooker’, with the Crucible Theatre hosting the world championship game since 1977. Sheffield snooker chairman Paul Bannister, said: “The atmosphere at the Crucible really is one of the most magical anywhere in the world, and with the incredible standard of snooker the top guys are producing now, this is really an event not to be missed.

Photo of the cue zone, a member of the public playing on the
full sized table in the Winter Gardens.

“Our aim this year is to open up snooker to everyone across the city, so even if people have not got tickets for the matches, they can get involved in new and innovative snooker related activities in the city centre.”

There are lots of snooker related games and activities running throughout the tournament. Organisers of the Snooker World Championship want the public to have the opportunity to take part in the snooker for free.


Activities include, street snooker taking place daily, the cue zone exhibition in the Winter Gardens, of an authentic sized snooker table where people will have the chance to pot some balls and a big screen outside the crucible to watch the snooker action.

Photo of the street snooker in Tudor Square.

The free new activity street snooker is a target practice game that involves players kicking or throwing a ball against a green board resembling a snooker table, in order to pot balls of different colours, earning varying points. High scorers will win fantastic prizes, including tickets to the championship final, snooker cues signed by the professional players and much more.

Carrie Hampton, a part time worker who manages the street snooker game, said: “Over the bank holiday we were buzzing with lots of people interested and taking part. It is great to see how many different people of all ages have got involved. So far the highest score was by a young lad who managed to kick the ball scoring 178, however if someone can beat that score by the 2^nd of May they will win the ticket to the final."

“I believe this new and exciting activity, crossed between the traditional snooker and football game has drawn in lots of young people to follow snooker. It also has encouraged people to get more active, as well as having the opportunity to win snooker prizes.”

Photo of student playing street snooker.

Taking part in the street snooker was Ryan Allmark a student at Sheffield Hallam University, he said: “I am considering starting a snooker and pool society at university, as I am disappointed that there are no societies for cue sports, considering that Sheffield is supposed to be ‘snooker city’. However, this year I am impressed with all the new and different snooker activities people can get involved in, and for free which is a bonus.”

To follow all the latest snooker action, visit the Betfred.com World Snooker championship Blog and get the latest news and backstage insights from the Crucible http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/blogsarticle/0,,13165~2212649,00.html

Sheffield population will slide by 2020

Sheffield students protesting against fee changes in Nov 2010

A recent survey by The Star has announced Sheffield’s population may have halved by 2020 due to recent University fee changes.

Sheffield University confirmed last week that they would be raising their fees to the maximum charge of £9,000 and Sheffield Hallam will be announcing their fee proposal tomorrow.

The survey has found that Sheffield’s population could fall by up to 40 per cent in the next ten years as students decide to attend universities closer to home.

The poll of 1,000 students and parents predicts that the number of students living at home will double to 47 per cent over the next 10 years and climb to over 50 per cent by 2030.

In November 2010, 200 students marched through the streets of Sheffield in protest to rising tuition fees.

Vice chancellor Professor Keith Burnett believes a degree at Sheffield University would be worthwhile. "At a time when many sectors of society are feeling the impact of cuts and young people are increasingly concerned about employment and debt, we must effectively deliver and communicate the positive worth of university.

"We will not do this by underestimating what this investment will mean to graduates, but rather by championing an education which is worthy of that investment."

All universities charging over £6,000 have to devise a payment scheme for poorer students, a plan which is in place to ensure enrolment at university is open to all.

Richard Jackson, 17, a student at York College, was planning to attend University in 2011.”Ever since I heard about the rise in fees I have had to think twice about my future. I may have to live at home to subsidise the fees I will be paying.”

“I have to weigh up whether the debt I’ll be left in will be worth the degree I’ll be gaining. After all, with the current job market, will I even be guaranteed a job after university- degree or no degree?”

Tomorrow is the Government’s deadline for universities to set their tuition fees from 2012.

Spring has Sprung at Graves Park

Woodseats is home to Sheffield's biggest park, with plenty to do for everyone including: formal gardens; an animal farm; ancient woodland; playgrounds; sports fields; a cafe; bowling greens; tennis courts; small lakes; a golf course and a cricket oval.
A local mother of three, Elaine Goddard, has taken her children for a play in the spring sun. "Graves Park is great for families as it offers large open spaces for the kids to run and a lovely cafe which serves great cakes!"
Graves Park  is just a short walk from Woodseats town centre which includes a good range of shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Woodseats has a great community spirit which contributes to the town's growing popularity. With two schools, a youth club, a local football team, two churches, a theatre club and a local library it is no surprise that Woodseats is an attractive place to live.

Woodseats Community Support Officer on Social Networking Site

Community Support Officer, Ian Stubbs

South Yorkshire police have begun to use social networking sites to report crime rates to the local public.

Police Community Support Officer, Ian Stubbs, of Woodseats Safer Neighbourhood team has been using social networking sites Twitter and Facebook since October 2010.

Ian Stubbs, known as @KEInspector on Twitter, regularly updates the public on the crime statistics in the area over the last 24hours. Yesterday he tweeted: ‘Assisted Sheffield Homes to evict a tenant from Spring Close View yesterday. Hopefully peace will now return for the residents.’

Stubbs said that Twitter has become an important part of his job. “My role as Community Inspector is to reassure the public and I think tweeting helps this. I think fear often far exceeds the reality of what is actually happening and if we tell people the truth then that tends to address the concerns the public have.”

So far the community support officer has 350 followers on Twitter and 234 friends on Facebook who regularly reply to his posts with messages of appreciation.

Fiona Wainwright of Helmton Road, who has a daughter, aged 7, said: “I regularly look at the safer neighbourhood page as it is reassuring knowing the streets are being patrolled by a community support officer when my young child is walking to school. I appreciate knowing what crime has occurred in the area.”

As Twitter and Facebook obtain more and more followers daily, South Yorkshire police have currently trained 16 officers to use social network sites. However as technology becomes ever growing the figures are presumed to rise.

Tony Dobson of Fraser Road, Woodseats, was not aware of the Twitter and Facebook sites. “I think it’s a really great idea however evidently it needs publicising in our area more. The more local people who are made aware of crime the more that can be done to prevent it. I will be sure to join the sites and inform others of the good work Ian Stubbs is doing in Woodseats.”

You can follow Ian Stubbs on Facebook and @KEInspector on Twitter.

Verity MacGregor

What is the future of our libraries?

The peace and quiet associated with libraries, with rows and rows of shelves packed with the printed word, allows people to take a step back from the frantic, instant text and electronic world we live in today.

Most of us have fond memories of visiting public libraries as children. They are a vital and extremely cost effective way of providing recreation and education all in one go, supporters say: “If freedom of knowledge, information, self improvement and education is not high on the governments list of priorities, do not deny others the opportunity to have them.”

National save our libraries day on the 5^th of February took place across Yorkshire after proposals to cut Sheffield libraries budget by almost 30% over the next three years were put forward. This would mean a loss of £2.5m from the present library budget of £8.5m. There are concerns that this could have a devastating effect on the quality of library services.

There is much anger among readers, writers, parents and community groups at the announcement of cut-backs to our library system. With more than 400 libraries under threat of closure due to budget cuts, campaigners in Sheffield have taken to the streets for its mass 'shhh-in', organised by library workers for a brighter future.

Rosie Saunders who worked at Sheffield library and attended the protest, said: “I worked in the central library throughout the 80s and 90s, when the Tories cut the support grant to Sheffield. We brought no new books for three years and six local branches had to close. It took years for the library service to recover, I never want to see those days return and with cuts set to take place it looks as though they will.”

The protest in Sheffield Central library was aimed to encourage locals to come and borrow books and use the free facilities, as the more often libraries are used the stronger the argument will be to keep them open.

Libraries have so much to offer, as Jane Russell a worker in Sheffield Central library said: “Libraries are amazing places and are absolutely free to join. For families on a budget there are plenty of activities going on, which are as cheap as five pounds. This summer we were planning art workshops, reading challenges and clay modelling, which in other venues are far too expensive for some family’s to pay out for. With the lack of funds and possible closure, these free activities may no longer be available.  

“If the library closes then it may cut off the only access some people have to essential information and a local point of contact.”

Hundreds of protestors turned up with their fingers to their lips for the mass ‘shhh’. With queues trailing all over the library as people stacked up books to borrow, the library staff were the busiest they have been for a while, due to the large turnout that came to show their support.

The budget was passed by Sheffield Council and from the main report they are considering what kind of libraries are needed over the next ten years. Councillor Simon Clement Jones said: “We are asking what the purpose and role of local libraries will be in the future. Certainly a lot has changed, for example, many people just use libraries for internet access. We propose to cope with the reduced budgets by reducing the amount we spend on new books, introducing self service, use of volunteers and reduce opening hours of the library.”

Libraries are more than just buildings they are the trained staff, the service and resources. Promises to keep the buildings open at the expense of other factors, looses the cultural and enriching appeal.

Annie Stiller, a part time worker at the library believes: “We need locals to be involved in the library. I believe this protest is a great opportunity for people to influence the future of one of Sheffield’s most important buildings.

“As staff, we not only provide access to physical materials, but we are trained in finding exact sources, whether on the internet or using the archives. It is devastating that the proposal is to replace trained staff with volunteers and the management of the library building passed over to voluntary groups and private companies.”

The importance of libraries should not be underestimated, the world has changed and the way we read has changed. However, libraries can be adapted to new technology if funding is made available to them. They are a wonderful community resource and play a pivotal role in many elderly lives, as most do not have internet access at home.

With the fight back from protestors uniting to protect the much loved institutions, what seems certain is that the need for a central library in Sheffield will not disappear. Even in a century when much of the world’s knowledge can be accessed at home with a click of a mouse, people still believe libraries play a crucial role in society.   

Join Sheffield City Library here.
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries/using-the-library/joining

Motorists triumph as bus traffic lights are finally turned off

The controversial bus priority traffic lights on the A61 Chesterfield road at Meadowhead are finally facing closure after a long campaign by commuters and residents to Sheffield City Council, complaining that traffic congestion has increased.

The complex traffic light system on the A61, approaching Woodseats, has been scrapped after angry  residents  complained it has caused congestion, forcing drivers to make longer journeys to miss the huge traffic jams.

The lights were installed to hold traffic in a queue and allow buses to come through. However drivers find the lights are turning red all the time, even with no buses coming so cars still have to wait, causing frustration amongst drivers.

A local resident Moreen Barker, a regular public transport user, said: “The new bus lights were supposed to make travelling by bus through Woodseats quicker, instead I am stuck in traffic for an extra 20 minutes, I am fuming.”

“Also have the Council forgot their commitment to green and environmental issues? All these traffic jams are causing more pollution and toxins.”

After months of petitions and campaigns from local people, Sheffield council have finally acted on the huge number of comments they received and are going to turn off the lights.

The A61, Meadowhead road traffic.

It was the feelings of people like Peter Marsden that brought about the u-turn. Peter Marsden, a regular commuter on this road, said: “I dread driving home in rush hour after work, as I know I will be stuck in traffic for an hour. I am very angry and have made a complaint to the council.”

“It’s frustrating, and an annoyance which could have been avoided if they had not made the lights so complex.” 

The report considered at the cabinet highway committee has recommended the bus gate lights should be removed and the bus lane extended down the road. This should not affect bus operations as the bus lane will still have priority but motorists will not have to wait at the lights when no bus is coming, improving the residents and road user’s route.

Councillor Ian Auckland, the council’s cabinet member for Business, transport and skills, said: “It is a shame that another transport mistake has been left by Labour and hard earned taxpayer’s money has been wasted.”

“However the process involved has been recognised, from the ongoing concerns of locals on how this busy main road operates. Changes are proposed which will be more conventional and less restrictive for the travelling public.”

The council’s proposal is to create a continuous bus lane and switch the bus lights off. Other highway changes on the road to Woodseats include removing several pedestrian crossings which have caused heavy traffic. These changes will be part of the budget for next year.


To keep updated on any upcoming roadworks in and around Sheffield, visit the Sheffield City Council Highway website at:     http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/roads/travel/driving/roadworks/roadworks