Youngsters invited to explore the environment at Abbeydale Family Sunday
June 2010
Environmentally friendly families are invited to the first Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet Family Sunday of the season this weekend.
Families visiting the hamlet on Abbeydale Road South, Sheffield, on Sunday 13 June will be able to see how the Sheffield Industrial Museum’s Trust uses renewable energy to power its visitor attractions.
Representatives from the Schools and Homes Energy Education project ‘Solar Active’ will demonstrate how miniature waterwheels are powered by solar panels and kids can bring science to life by creating their own solar-powered vehicle.
Bumford Solar, part of Yorkshire-based company Bumford Heating Ltd, will also demonstrate how solar panels are utilised to cut CO2 emissions and power the Kelham Island steam boiler – which in turn powers the 12,000 horse-power River Don engine.
Children can also get their hands dirty searching for creepy-crawlies during a bug hunt around the hamlet’s grounds before taking their catch to the environment room to study their beautiful wings, spidery legs and bulbous eyes under a microscope. The insects will then be gently released back into their habitat.
Youngsters can then recreate their favourite beautiful butterflies or scary spiders by taking part in art and craft workshops.
Living history character Mr Bee will also host fishing taster sessions for families keen to discover what lurks in the River Sheaf.
Niki Connolly, events and marketing officer for Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, said:
“Looking for butterflies and other bugs and then recreating them during our craft activities I’m sure will be great fun for children attending out first Abbeydale Family Sunday of the season.
“But there will also be an educational element to the day as families can learn about how renewable energy sources are used by the trust, for example, the waterwheels that power Abbeydale and the solar panels used at Kelham Island to help heat the boiler which in turn runs the River Don engine.
“We hope our first Sunday event will inspire families to explore their back gardens, woodland and parks more often but also to consider how renewable energy can be utilized at home or school. ‘Energy’ and ‘environment’ will be the buzz-words of the day.”
The Abbeydale Family Sunday will run from 11am to 4.45pm and entry is free of charge.
The Milestone adds its own flavour to the Sheffield Food Festival
June 2010
The Sheffield Food Festival 2010 closed in style on Sunday 6 June with an open-air street party dedicated to the traditional British Sunday roast.
Hosted by the award-winning Sheffield gastro pub The Milestone, the grand event tempted the taste buds of 140 food lovers with a traditional Yorkshire roast.
Traffic on Ball Street, in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield, was replaced by tables full of delicious food and wine, plus colourful banners and music. Diners enjoyed slow roasted pork with apple sauce and onion stuffing, baked polenta and barley with truffled spinach, vegetables and local rhubarb and vanilla crumble with home-made custard.
The Milestone’s owners, Matt Bigland and Marc Sheldon, who organised the event were delighted with the numbers of people that attended.
Marc said:
“The giant-sized Sunday Feast was a fantastic opportunity for food lovers to come together and enjoy a delicious top-class Sunday lunch. The day was very much focused on the local community with residents and local businesses coming together to enjoy the friendly and sociable atmosphere we have here at Kelham Island.
“It was a brilliant atmosphere and guests were very complimentary about the food we served. The rhubarb and vanilla crumble, made with home-grown Yorkshire rhubarb, went down particularly well.”
Phil Jones, organiser of the Sheffield Food Festival 2010, said:
“It’s great to see local communities embrace the Food Festival concept and create events like this to bring people together, and most of all enjoy some delicious local food.”
Sheffield welcomes Japanese volleyball team to try out city facilities
June 2010
The Japanese Women’s National Volleyball Team has been welcomed to Sheffield for a week long training camp at the beginning of June. Currently ranked fifth in the world, the team spent seven days in the city training at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, alongside the GB Volleyball Team.
The visit was a chance for the team to assess the potential of the city and its facilities as a training base in the weeks leading up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
During their stay the team received a warm welcome to the city from supporters hoping to make the team feel at home. Sheffield based Japanese automotive components manufacturer Toyoda Gosei, hosted a function in honour of the team and staff were invited to watch them take on GB Women’s Volleyball team for a competitive training game on Wednesday 2nd June.
The team also enjoyed a taste of some of the cultural highlights Sheffield and the surrounding region has to offer. As part of the trip they visited Chatsworth House and were invited to a reception in the Lord Mayor’s parlour in Sheffield’s Town Hall.
The visit also generated interest from Japanese students and lecturers at The University of Sheffield, excited by the visit of these sporting stars they volunteered to act as guides and ensuring the team had a pleasant visit to Sheffield.
Audrey Cooper, GB Women’s Volleyball Head Coach, based at the English Institute of Sport was pivotal in attracting this high ranking team to the city. During her career as a professional volleyball player, Audrey played beach volleyball in Japan and has continued to maintain links with the international team. This led to the opportunity to invite them to Sheffield to experience the city’s world class facilities whilst also helping develop the GB women’s team.
Kenny Barton, GB Volleyball Performance Programme Manager, said:
“The visit from the Japanese Women’s team has been a great opportunity for the GB Women’s Volleyball squad to train with some of the quickest players in the world. In order to continue to develop our squad it is crucial we get the opportunity to train and play against high ranking teams and we are continually working with Sheffield City Council to help attract them to visit the city.
“Serbia will be the next high ranking team to visit Ponds Forge to play GB Women in a televised European League match on Saturday 3rd July at 6pm.”
With the GB Volleyball Men’s and Women’s squads permanently based in Sheffield since 2007, the city has attracted a number of international teams and hosted major volleyball tournaments.
Commenting on the visit, Councillor Roger Davison Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said:
"London 2012 presents a great opportunity for Sheffield to build strong relationships with international sports teams.
“We have been working closely with GB Volleyball to help attract international teams to the city as the training camps bring with them a significant boost to the local economy. The teams use local hotels, restaurants and transport and also enable Sheffield to showcase its offer to international visitors.”
For more information visit www.sheffield-lightingtheflame.com
When the lights go out, the fun begins at Kelham Island Museum
June 2010
Visiting one of the city’s most well known museums could be a night to remember for Sheffield’s night owls.
Kelham Island Museum is hosting ‘A Night at the Museum’ on Saturday 19 June 2010 for families to take part in a sleep-over, followed by a breakfast feast in the Furnace Cafe in the morning.
The following day, when families have packed up their duvets and pyjamas, visitors can enjoy a free open day at Kelham Island Museum on Father’s Day, Sunday 20 June 2010.
The Museum is opening its doors after dark for the very first time in conjunction with the Sheffield Children’s Festival 2010, which takes place from 12 June to 3 July 2010.
Niki Connolly, Events and Marketing Officer for Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, said:
“If you have ever wondered what goes on in a museum after dark, this is the perfect opportunity to find out. We are keen to host events that encourage families to do things together, so ‘A Night at the Museum’ will be family fun at its best – and a little bit spooky too.
“This is a great way for Kelham Island Museum to be involved in the Sheffield Children’s Festival 2010 and it will be the first time we have opened our doors overnight. If the sleepover is successful we hope to make it a regular addition to our events calendar.
“The following day is Fathers Day and admission will be free for the entire day at Kelham Island Museum..”
The museum will be brought to life during the evening by living history characters, including Bad Bill who will tell stories about Kelham Island’s industrial history.
Families will be encouraged to look the part by dressing in period costume and taking part in activities and trails around the museum to help them rediscover the past. The Melting Shop, an interactive play area for young children will be open, where children can clock in and be melted, rolled and hammered like steel.
At midnight the 12,000 horse-power River Don engine will roar to life as night-time snacks of hot chocolate and cookies are served.
The sleep-over will take place between 8pm and 8am followed by a breakfast brunch available to all visitors from 10am at the Furnace Cafe.
For more information about the event visit www.simt.co.uk and to book your family a place, email ask@simt.co.uk or call 0114 2722106.
Hidden gems celebrated with new Sheffield guidebook
June 2010
Sheffield’s best kept secrets are set to be revealed by a leading city design consultancy.
Eleven, a graphic design consultancy based in Kelham Island, are launching a guidebook to Sheffield’s best independent cafés, restaurants, bars, shops, galleries and parks. Championing creativity ‘Our Favourite Places’ is a celebration of their home city and its hidden gems.
Director of Eleven, Claire Hill, one of the team behind the book, said:
“Our Favourite Places focuses on venues that are independently owned and have immense charm. No one has paid to be in the book, instead they were chosen for their character and because they are run with love and care by people trying to do things a bit differently.”
“They are not necessarily the obvious places associated with the city, but places that visitors to Sheffield might not otherwise find, and that locals may not yet have stumbled across.”
Eleven decided to put together a book based on their love for the city and its many unusual and unique places that can be found ‘off the beaten track’.
Claire said: “We want people to experience the warmth and character that Sheffield has to offer. Our Favourite Places has the potential to make a trip here truly memorable. We hope that it will encourage people to scratch the surface of our wonderful city and really get a taste of what Sheffield has to offer.”
The guidebook is inspired by the many independent and authentic venues across Sheffield. Featuring a handpicked selection of over 50 places, it reveals tiny Victorian theatres, tucked-away vintage shops, lovely city walks and the best cafés and delis.
Our Favourite Places can be purchased for £4 from www.ourfaveplaces.co.uk. The book is also available from selected venues across the city, stockists can be found on the Our Favourite Places website.
Unlock your potential with Women in Business
June 2010
A motivating and inspiring businessman will speak to his female peers from across South Yorkshire at the next Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber Women in Business networking lunch.
On Wednesday 23 June 2010, Michael Roby, director of Sheffield company Developing Impact, will talk to women from businesses across the region about his own struggles in life and how he successfully overcame them.
Michael hopes his presentation, called ‘Maximising Personal Effectiveness,’ will motivate and unleash the potential of South Yorkshire’s businesswomen.
He said: “Developing Impact is recognised for its creative approach to learning and for developing people’s potential. I hope that by sharing my story about a difficult time in my life I can show the members of Women in Business that any problem can be overcome if you control your state of mind. I hope that women who attend the meeting will focus on the positive aspects of my experiences as it could improve their personal effectiveness too.”
Chair of the Women in Business group, Jessica Zeun from Approach IT, said Michael’s presentation will improve women’s confidence to tackle the big issues and difficult times.
“Michael is just one of the inspiring speakers Women in Business work alongside. I’m sure that women from all business sectors and backgrounds will find his presentation engaging because he is such a great mentor.
“We are urging people to come along and listen to his inspiring talk. We have a number of events and networking lunches throughout the year where you can meet new business contacts and develop existing relationships in a relaxed environment. It is a great environment for women to receive encouragement and ideas to help their personal development and their businesses grow.”
The seminar will take place at the Blue Bell Inn, Dodworth, Barnsley, from 11.15am to 2pm. Current and new members are welcome to attend. Tickets for members cost £20 and £27 for non-members. Lunch will be provided.
Exhibition places are also available for £50, the cost of which includes an event ticket.
For more information, or to book your ticket, email info@brchamberwib.co.uk or call 01709 386200.
For more information about Women in Business visit www.brchamberwib.co.uk.
Youngsters explored the environment at the first Abbeydale Family Sunday
June 2010
Environmentally-friendly families were invited to the first Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet Family Sunday of the season last weekend.
More than 250 people visited the hamlet on Abbeydale Road South, Sheffield, on Sunday 13 June to see how Sheffield Industrial Museum’s Trust uses renewable energy to power its visitor attractions.
Bumford Solar, part of Yorkshire-based company Bumford Heating Ltd, demonstrated how solar panels are utilised to cut CO2 emissions and power the Kelham Island Museum steam boiler – which in turn powers the 12,000 horse-power River Don engine.
Children got the opportunity to search for creepy-crawlies during a bug hunt around the hamlet’s grounds before taking their catch to the environment room to study their beautiful wings, spidery legs and bulbous eyes under a microscope. The creatures were then gently released back into their habitat. They also examined what creatures lurk in the River Sheaf.
Youngsters recreated their favourite bugs during art and craft workshops. They also participated in ‘Solar Active’ activities run by the Solar Active Schools and Homes Energy Education Project, who demonstrated the science behind solar power with solar cell cars and waterwheels.
Families took home a bit of greenery thanks to the Friends of Botanical Gardens, who held a plant sale. Representatives from the Heeley Festival also showed visitors how to create badges for this weekend’s festival at Heeley City Farm.
Niki Connolly, Events and Marketing Officer for Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, said:
“The damp day ensured it was a fantastic day for uncovering lots if creepy crawlies, which the children loved. Sheffield City Council Crayfish Conservation Officer, Suzannah Dangerfield, joined Abbeydale’s Education Through Angling team to help youngsters examine the fascinating inhabitants of our local rivers under the microscope.
“It was also good for us to share some of the ways the trust utilises renewable energy sources, such as the waterwheels that power Abbeydale and the solar panels used at Kelham Island to heat the boiler which in turn runs the River Don engine.
“The buzz words of the day were ‘energy’ and ‘environment’ and we hope that we have helped inspire families to explore their back gardens, woodland and parks more often.”
The next Abbeydale Family Sunday will take place on Sunday 4 July when local craftspeople will share their skills.
For more information log onto www.simt.co.uk, call 0114 2722106 or email ask@simt.co.uk.
Shuck it and see at The Milestone
June 2010
Whelks, winkles, cockles and oysters are coming fresh from the British seaside to Sheffield gastro bar The Milestone, in July.
The tastes and smells of some of the finest seafood in Britain will be available in the vibrant Kelham Island venue when ‘Fish Week’ arrives for the second year running from Monday 5 July 2010.
To mark the occasion The Milestone will open a shell fish bar filled with British wild rock oysters caught from the creeks around Mersea Island, reputed to be amongst the best in Britain.
Guests can tempt their taste buds with fish dishes such as smoked haddock chowder with lemon balm pesto, Cornish mackerel, mussels with Aspalls cider, turbot for two, sesame crusted Pollock and cod cheek in fish and chip shop batter.
Marc Sheldon, owner of the Milestone, said: “Last year Fish Week generated an extremely positive response, which was fantastic.
“The Fish Week gastro menu has been a labour of love for our chefs so we hope guests eating during Fish Week will enjoy a memorable and tasty experience.
“The Oyster Bar was a highlight of last year’s Fish Week so we hope that people will once again visit us to try something a little unusual or indulge in a rare treat.
“Our recommendation is to try the oysters or shell fish with a Dirty Martini, made using the brine from an oyster, or Guinness, which is a traditional accompaniment.”
Fish Week is part of an ongoing series of ‘nose to tail’ events where The Milestone use every part of the animal in both the restaurant and gastro-pub menus. Ingredients for the Fish Week menu will also derive from sustainable fish stocks from British waters.
The full Fish Week menu can be found on The Milestone’s website. Visit www.the-milestone.co.uk for more information.
London 2012: the goal for local volunteers
June 2010
A group of South Yorkshire youngsters are set for a key role at the 2012 London Paralympic Games thanks to world-class sporting event being hosted in Sheffield.
Goalball, a sport developed for the blind or partially sighted, is bringing its ninth World Championships to Sheffield in June and young people volunteering at the event will be on the fast track to London 2012. The event is being supported by Sheffield City Council’s Major Sports Events Unit and UK Sport.
Twenty 16-18 year olds from Barnsley College, Wickersley School and Sports College, and the London 2012 Inspire Marked project Sheffield Academy of Young Leaders in Sport (SAYLS), are being trained as goal judges by Clive Spencer IBSA Goalball European Representative. Various training sessions have been run in the lead up to the World Championships to ensure the volunteers are in top form.
The young people will have the chance to develop their skills and experience, as well as make contacts with the officials who will be running the London 2012 Games’s Goalball competition. This gives them a better opportunity than most when it comes to volunteers and staff being recruited to work on the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
John Timms, Event Director for the Goalball World Championships, said: “The tournament is in the UK because of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
“It is the last World Championships before the Games so it is a great chance to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sheffield is directly benefitting from events such as these because of our first class venues and vast knowledge of how to run a tournament.
“For those taking part on the non-playing side it will provide valuable experience and skills that may lead to involvement in London during the Goalball competition.”
The SAYLS Programme is part of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises projects and events inspired by London 2012.
The volunteer recruitment has been supported by Sheffield City Council’s Disability Development Officer, Matthew Elkington, and South Yorkshire’s Federation of Disability Sport Organisations, Michelle Dent.
Michelle Dent, from the Federation of Disability Sport Organisations, said: “Opportunities to take part in a World Championship are few and far between, never mind a Paralympic Games.
“The World Goalball Championship is a huge event in itself. But to be able to learn skills at such a prestigious tournament which could then lead to volunteering in 2012 is priceless.”
Sheffield City Council in partnership with organisations from across the city region are working together as part of the Sheffield – Lighting the Flame Partnership to ensure that South Yorkshire benefits from London hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. Encouraging local people to take part in volunteering is a key strand of the work.
Cllr Roger Davison Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism said: “As part of Sheffield’s plans to make the most of London 2012, we want to create lots of opportunities for local people to get involved. Attracting sporting events such as the World Goalball Championships to the city is directly linked to London hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
“The Goalball event has enabled us to create lots volunteering opportunities for the people of Sheffield, which in turn ensures they have the training and experience needed to apply to be volunteers at the London 2012 Games.”
The World Goalball Championship tournament will take place at the SIV managed English Institute of Sport Sheffield between June 20-25 and for more information visit www.worldgoalball2010.com
For more information visit www.sheffield-lightingtheflame.co.uk
Midnight fun at Kelham Island Museum
June 2010
As the lights went out the fun began at Kelham Island Museum’s first family sleepover.
Sheffield’s night owls wore their pyjamas, nightgowns and slippers to experience what goes on after dark during ‘A Night at the Museum’ on Saturday 19 June 2010.
Children were encouraged to set the scene by dressing in period costume and took part in history trails around the museum to help them rediscover the past. Living history characters, such as Bad Bill, brought the museum to life with fascinating late-night stories.
Youngsters were also melted, rolled and hammered like steel in the Museums Melting Shop play area.
The highlight of the evening was at the stroke of midnight when the 12,000 horse-power River Don engine roared to life as night-time snacks of hot chocolate and cookies were served.
Niki Connolly, Events and Marketing Officer for Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, said: “This event was the perfect opportunity for families to find out what goes on at a museum after dark.
“It was a great way for Kelham Island Museum to be involved in the Sheffield Children’s Festival 2010, which we thoroughly enjoyed. There was a fantastic atmosphere all evening and it was a little bit spooky too, especially during the midnight story-telling.
“We are keen to host activities that encourage families to do things together, so this was family fun at its best. Waking up in a museum on Father’s Day morning added a bit of extra magic to the unique event.”
The Sheffield Children’s Festival will run until Saturday 3 July. For more information about events planned in your area visit www.sheffieldchildrensfestival.org.