The Sheffield Drop 💧 Friday, June 27
In today's edition: The council gets a surprise, a horrifying attack on a Sheffield mosque, and the latest update on the long-running Veolia strike.
My name is Andrew. I am a journalist based in Sheffield, and I’ll be providing you with all the latest developments in the Steel City. Let’s get into it.
📰 The News
🏛 Sheffield City Council is seeking an “urgent conversation” with the government after it announced “surprise” legislation that would force a leader and cabinet model.
👉 The people of Sheffield voted in favour of a committee model in the 2021 referendum. — Julia Armstrong, Sheffield Star
🚲 A 16-year-old cyclist is in critical condition after colliding with a Volkswagen Golf and a lorry on Ecclesall Road yesterday morning — Alex Moss, BBC News
⛏ Northumbria Police’s disposal of documents relating to the Battle of Orgreave is “deeply worrying”, Commons Leader Lucy Powell said — Rhiannon James, The Standard
👉 Labour has promised the truth will come to light through an investigation or inquiry.
👉 Northumbria Police said it destroyed the documents for data protection reasons.
🚮 Strikes running for nearly a year at Veolia will continue following a new ballot on industrial action. A source told The Sheffield Drop 95% of voting members voted in favour of strike action — Unite The Union
🐀 Sheffield Grand Mosque is “heartbroken” after a man released three rats outside its premises. The man was arrested. — Samuel Port, YorkshireLive
🏙 Neither Sheffield City Council nor MP Louise Haigh bid for the trailblazer neighbourhood funding awarded to Batemoor and Jordanthorpe. Ms Haigh said the funding was unexpected but “long overdue and very welcome” — Lucy Ashton, BBC News
👨💻 Sheffield has been named the “startup capital of Britain” as 617 startups were formed in 2023, up annually by a fifth. — Ian Leech, Business Insider
📉 A new report says Sheffield City Council will tackle poverty head-on. The report boldly proclaims: “In Sheffield, we will not accept things as they are – it's time to act.” — Sheffield City Council
🦉 Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri says he is “willing to sell” the club after rejecting two offers from an American consortium. — Joe Crann, Sheffield Star
👙 Swimmers are causing havoc at Agden Reservoir, Smallfield Lane resident Jane Louise claims. Jane’s complaints include leaving “tonnes of rubbish”, going to the toilet in the woods, and nudity — Lyra Auld, YorkshireLive
👩🍳 A Sikh-inspired community kitchen called Shaanti Town will open in Sharrow Vale next month. Owner Bally Kohal says the ethos is “an ethical community food hall” — Ash Birch, Exposed Magazine
⚔ One for your diaries: next season’s Steel City derbies will take place on November 22nd and February 21st, with Hillsborough hosting first — Joe Crann, Sheffield Star
⚰ Celebrity funeral director Michael Fogg announced his retirement this week. His Facebook page has nearly 50,000 followers — Michael Fogg
🗞 Get in touch here — Next Monday, we will have reached the first month of The Sheffield Drop! It would really help me if you provided some feedback as to what you have enjoyed, what topics are particularly interesting (or not), and what you’d like to see included.
📌 Community Noticeboard
I will have a community noticeboard for each edition, which will include tidbits, events, and news provided by you, our wonderful readers!
✉ If you have anything you’d like me to include in the noticeboard, please do get in touch.
👉 Oughtibridge Gala takes place on Saturday afternoon in Coronation Park and the surrounding area. There will be a range of stalls and family activities available from 1pm to 5pm. More information here.
👉 Frecheville Carnival also takes place on Saturday, running from 11am to 5.30pm at Frecheville Community Centre. There will be a bar, brass band, food tents and performances throughout the day. More information here.
👉 One more Saturday event for you — A pop-up barbershop highlighting black men’s mental health. In The Cut offers free haircuts and vibrant conversation at Nomad Mansion from 1pm to 3pm. More information here.
👉 Mosborough Hall Hotel hosts the Mosborough Hall Community Summer Fayre on Sunday, between 12pm and 4pm. There will be a bouncy castle, crazy golf and a range of market stalls. More information here.
What’s on this weekend
🎶 The brilliant Honey Bee Blues Club celebrates its 11th birthday tonight at Yellow Arch Studios. Tickets are £12, and it will be a brilliant celebration of blues music — Honey Bee Blues Club
🌍 The Welcoming Cultures Celebration comes to The Millennium Gallery between 11am and 4pm on Saturday. It will celebrate Sheffield’s incredible cultural diversity with live music, handmade crafts, performances and presentations. There is a suggested donation of £3 — Sheffield Museums
📌 Migration Matters Festival Closing Party takes place at SADACCA on Saturday night, starting at 7pm. Expect SADACCA catering, DJs, live music and dancing into the wee hours — Migration Matters
🐛 Interested in all things bugs? Then Bug Fest is for you. At the Dorothy Fox Centre in Sheffield Botanical Gardens from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, there’ll be live insect displays, games and crafts, and a bug safari — Sheffield Parks
🎲 Patriot Games hosts CATAN - Connect The World to celebrate the board game’s 30th anniversary from 10am to 5.30pm on Saturday. The entry fee is £10, and players can compete with players across the globe — Patriot Games
🎺 Leopold Square has live music on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, with Julian Jones and Svarc Hanley Longhawn performing between 2pm and 4.30pm on each day — Leopold Square
🔗 Top three links from the last edition
The Friends of Graves Park has accused Sheffield City Council of “quite shocking” secrecy — Julia Armstrong, Sheffield Star
Four Sheffield companies must repay more than £50,000 to workers for failing to pay the minimum wage — Department for Business and Trade via Sheffield Tribune
Five of Sheffield’s six MPs have supported a backbench rebellion against the government’s controversial welfare reforms — Andrew Dowdeswell, YorkshireLive
🗞 Thanks for reading edition number 12 🗞