Sheffield Hallam announce fees are to be £8,500

By Jessica Hassall

Professor Philip Jones the Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University has announced the fees for applicants applying after 2012

The Governments' change in funding for higher education means universities will lose 80% of their teaching grant and capital funding for buildings and facilities. This is going to affect many undergraduate students to be as Sheffield Hallam is the fifth most popular university in the UK in terms of applications.

Under the current system previously enforced by the labour party students pay £3,375 per year of study towards the cost of their tuition. The Government then make up the rest of the cost through the use of the teaching grant. The new system created means the Government's contribution will be decreased by a large amount and consequently students will have to make up the total amount of the fee's themselves.

Both Sheffield Hallam and Sheffield University students have voiced their opinions on the fee rise through protests in the city centre of Sheffield. Back in November students marched through the centre with banners and posters expressing their unhappiness with the new system. Now the fees have officially been announced, current students at Hallam realise how lucky they are to escape such a financially crippling change. Bethany Schroder a second year student said, 'I can't believe how much this is going to change the way university had finally become, people from all backgrounds are able to come to university but that will all change. It's ridiculous how much debt you already get into from getting a degree, I can't imagine what people who have to pay £8,500 are going to do. I'm counting myself very lucky.'

The Vice Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam, Philip Jones said, 'the University has worked hard to determine not only what the current cost of delivering a degree course is, but also what we need to allow us to invest for the future.'

The changes to fees has made the decision about going to University a very serious one, which one? how far? which course? Are all dilemmas you'd face when making the decision about University but now the question maybe, can I? Some people will simply not be able to financially cope with the strains this new system has brought about.

Sheffield Hallam students are very against the change Suzanne O'hara an Environmental studies student said, 'Even though it doesn't affect me it still angers me because I know what University entails financially. Us current students know how tough it can be to handle loans and rent and learn to budget, 'students to be' are really going to have a tough time coping with that sort of debt, just seems totally unfair.'

Universities may not achieve a broad range of applicants from a variety of backgrounds if their decision to come to University is already made up for them because of financial problems. Hallam's fees have nearly tripled in amount what does the future hold for UK Universities?

Stocksbridge Floral Art Society bloom with success this spring

By Jessica Hassall

Stocksbridge Floral Art Society's arrangements shine at the Halifax flower festival, Mary Adam the Chairman of the club tells us what they get up to.

The society has been running for over 40 years, and what a lovely tradition it is. The group meet 10 times a year on the third thursday of every month at the christchurch hall in Stocksbridge. Aswell as all the practical activities, and flower festivals they have outings to open gardens or flower shows. Mary Adam tells us, 'we hold 2 practical evenings where we all learn to design and make arrangements, and these evenings are informative, friendly and fun. We have just been involved in a flower festival at Shibden Hall Halifax which went great!'

The group have both area and national demonstrators who come to the meetings to create 5 or 6 outstandingly beautiful arrangements. Mary said, 'Our booking secretary organises these demonstrations from all over the north east area of NAFAS (national association of flower arrangement societies) who have been chosen to help with the flowers for the upcoming royal wedding! It's great for ideas and new people are always welcome so everybody's always learning.'

The society has been running for a long time, Stocksbridge seems to be a great place for environmentally friendly activities. Gardening and walking clubs are amongst the many and it certainly gives a good name for the town who always thrive in the valley in bloom competitions. The enthusiastic Mary declares her love for the group, 'I love the Floral Art society and I look forward to all we do throughout the year, it's really fun and socialable and the work we do is something to be proud of.'

The group attend flower shows in Harrogate and Southport most years and they have been going strong for Stocksbridge for years! Let's hope they continue to bloom for many more.

Stocksbridge's Haunted Bypass

By Virginie Mousset

In the past few years, the bypass of Stocksbridge has been dubbed the ‘Killer road’, due to the many accidents that have been caused there.  Bad driving and speeding caused many deaths on that road.

However, these accidents aren’t what made this road famous. In 1989, the road was completed on the North side of the valley. It went through the centre of Stocksbridge, Deepcar and continued down through Wharncliffe Side and Oughtibridge.

The road, which opened on Friday the 13^th, gained its fame, when Michael Aspen did a show on its supposed haunting. Various satellite channels soon followed.

The creepy story about these haunting comes from the very early days of the road, in fact the road was been built when these sinister events started to happen.

A group of security guards observed a group of young children playing late at night below Pearoyd Bridge.  They noticed that the young children seemed to be wearing clothes from a different era; the clothes seemed to look old. After walking over to the spot where they had noticed the children playing, they saw that the mud had no footprints on it. In the morning, they asked some of the workers that lived in caravans and found that they also could hear children singing and playing late at night.

The following night, the two security guards went back to their round and saw a figure that looked like a monk. When they drove towards the spot where they saw him, the monk had vanished. This spooked the security guards so much they called the police, who didn’t believe them and told them they needed a priest instead of the police. They took the policeman’s word slightly too literally and ended up banging on the church’s door so loudly, and they were so uncontrollable that the vicar in turn called the police.

Due to these events, two policemen were sent to investigate the road. They parked their car so that they could see the bridge, where the security guards had seen the monk. At first they thought they had seen something move, but found that it was only a tarpaulin blowing. Then they felt it go cold all of a sudden. Then they both saw a body- torso only in the window. It then vanished. They tried to start the car but it didn’t start at first. They then drove up to the construction site, parked up and informed their station of their whereabouts. Then a loud crash was felt in the car, no-one was around. This caused the two policemen to drive off in a hurry.

The legend goes that the Monk became disappointed with the harsh way of life at a nearby monastery, and had left and found work as a gardener at Underbank Hall. There he had lived the rest of his natural life, but because he had left the monastery the monk was buried in unhallowed ground on a nearby hillside. A hillside that is now cut through by the A616 Stocksbridge Bypass. According to the legend, his spirit is at unrest due to his grave being disturbed. The children are said to have either fallen down a shaft or that they were buried alive during mining accidents, or killed when a cart carrying youngsters home from a day out overturned.

However, in recent years, the road has seen less and less accidents due to a slight redesign with better signage coupled with specs cameras (these measure your average speed over a set distance - no point braking just for them!) stopped the fatalities. These accidents have gone down by 82 %.

Either way, you won’t be finding me on that road anytime soon, so if you do go through that road be careful!

Youngest Snooker Referee

By Virginie Mousset

Sixteen year old Julian Roper from Stocksbridge, Sheffield is officially England’s youngest snooker referee.

Snooker obsessed Julian, passed his class three snooker exam on December 17, and got his first official engagement on the 23^rd of January. The Sheffield and District Snooker Association asked him to referee one of their junior ranking tournaments at Riley’s Club, on Birley Moor Road.

Julian’s love for snooked came from his grandfather, who has been taking him to the World Championships at the Crucible since he was six.

“Julian has been obsessed with snooker since he was very young. It was Julian’s wish to become a referee. None of the family were surprised he passed!”

Currently studying at Hillsborough College, Julian is hoping that he will one day accomplish his dream of becoming a Class One referee and oversee World Championship matches at the Crucible.

If you are a snooker fan yourself, Sheffield & District Snooker Association hold tournaments for the under 18s on a regular basis.

Rhinos coming to a city near you!

By Virginie Mousset

Last year, it was all about the elephants. This year it’s all about the rhinos.

Jess Heath, from Stocksbridge, is designing one of these rhinos. When asked why she was taking part in this event, she said:

“I think this is a great idea, I feel like I’m really taking part in something important and valuable. And I love art, so this is a real joy for me to take part in. I feel the two charities that are being involved in this event are amazing and completely different to one another. I may be making a small difference to someone’s life, animal or human. ”

Rhinos were chosen as the theme for this year’s event because the event wanted: “something large and robust that will make a real impact wherever it is placed.  Measuring 6ft long by 5 ft high, by 2ft wide and weigh 60kg they should certainly turn heads.  They also make a great blank canvas for any artist.  Schools get to work with a scaled down mini-rhino. Our Rhinos also enable us to make a great choice in terms of our chosen animal charity.  They are one of the endangered species supported by the Tusk Trust.  The Trust not only protects wildlife but also educates and supports local communities - something that is at the heart of this initiative.”

The rhinos will be placed all over the country and will be out in public for up to three months in spring 2012. Once the rhinos are taken off the streets, they will be treated to a bit of TLC, to fix any damages. After this, the monuments will be part of a gala auction in the summer of 2012. A few of the rhinos will be auctioned off, but most of these will be returned to the community organisations that created them.

The event Woa! Rhino is owned by Wild in Art and managed in partnership with About the Place Ltd. Woa! Rhino is not a charity, but they produce this event so that they can help charities. The charities that they have chosen to donate to are: ROSY and Tusk Trust. 65% of the net proceeds made from the gala auction will be donated to these charities.

Oliver O’Dell from About The Place Ltd spoke about the event saying:

“Very rarely do you come across a project that can bring together different parts of the local community through an activity that creates both entertainment and positive new relationships.  Wild in Art’s concept does just that.”

Woe for local band.

Increasingly popular Stocksbridge metal band, Bring me the horizon, have suffered an unlikely setback.
The bands drummer, Matt Nicholls, will miss the rest of the UK tour after breaking his arm in a friendly football match.

By Jake Finney.

Stocksbridge Steelworks: then and now

Upon entering Stocksbridge, you are greeted with the peak districts hills masked in a grey canvas.

That grey canvas is Stocksbridge Steelworks. Although it may not be picturesque, the Steelworks factory defines Stocksbridge. As significant as the steel industry has been to Stocksbridge, there has been a serious decline in demand for its services.

The Steelworks were first introduced to Stocksbridge in 1842 when a man called Samuel Fox took over a disused Corn Mill, and fascinatingly renovated it into the Stocksbridge Steelworks that stand before us today. Samuel Fox, reputedly on foot, from Bradwell in Derbyshire, sought out premises to rent for the wire-drawing business.

The business expanded at a rapid rate and started to produce a variety of items such as railway lines and springs by the 1860’s. Between 1872 and 1877 a railway line was built to link the works with the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway at Deepcar. This was the Stocksbridge Railway, which existed as a subsidiary company until 1992.

Throughout the businesses existence, there have been outstanding highs and demoralising lows. In 1967, the factory were assembling and testing springs for Rolls-Royce cars. However, as demand for steel declined in Britain, particularly in the 21^st century, so did Stocksbridge Steelworks productivity. The plant has seen numerous threats of closure and many of the workers have been laid off as most of the factories productivity had been shifted to Rotherham’s Aldwarke works.

With the future of the company looking bleak, and its very existence in doubt, news of new investment was more than welcome to the Stocksbridge plant. The plants current owners, Tata, have committed to investing £6.5m.  Tata Steel, formerly known as Corus, will install high specification equipment at its Stocksbridge plant to increase production of special steels for the aerospace industry by 30%.

Peter Hogg, general manager of Tata Steel Speciality, said: "As the demand for aerospace steel increases, it's vital we have the ability to increase our production of this highly technical and demanding product, which is used in aircraft landing gear, engines, wings and other safety-critical components."

                                         Above: Stocksbridge Steelworks in it's thriving early years.


By Jake Finney

Libyans protest in Sheffield

Sheffield’s Libyan community has been protesting throughout this week against the regime of Colonel Gaddafi.

Libyans have been making their voices heard outside Sheffield’s town hall. They have been waving the Libyan freedom flag and showing pictures of the victims of violent pro-Gaddafi forces. The demonstrations come just days after fellow Libyans, some friends and family of the protesters, were being shot at on the streets of Libya. Thousands are already dead.

One man, who wished not to be named, said: “We cannot get over what is happening in our home country. I am protesting but I feel so helpless. It is hard to contact people back home, so all we do is worry about our families. Words cannot describe Gaddafi and his mercenaries.”

                Left: The demonstrators are keen to show the repercussions of Colonel Gaddafi’s actions in their native Libya.

 Human rights agencies say thousands may have already been killed in continued demonstrations and resistance against Gaddafi's government, but Libyans in Sheffield show no signs of backing down. One woman, who also did not want to be named, said: “We will carry on protesting, we will not be scared of that murderer (Colonel Gaddafi)”

Amongst the protesters were students from Algeria as well as Libya, and small groups of other nationalities who were more than willing to join in the protest against Colonel Gaddafi’s un-democratic ruling of Libya. The demonstrators show no signs of backing down and protests could last a while longer.

By Jake Finney

Local Author Strikes Again

By Jessica Hassall

Motorcycle mad and Local author Wilf Couldwell has published another fantastic read, he's created a humorous and engaging collection of short stories about everyday life spent as a young boy brought up on a remote Yorkshire farm.

Wilf was born and bred on his parent's Yorkshire farm in the mid 1930's and later married in Stocksbridge with his wife Anne and had one son, Stephen ages 39, they have just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Motorbike fanatic Wilf spent his younger years combining schoolwork, farm work and his hobby of motorcycles. This thoroughly entertaining memoir captures this period colourfully, with many different snapshots of how life was in the 1940's. The collection is called, 'Living at the back of beyond' and flows on perfectly from his previous work, 'A Decade with Wilf Couldwell and His Bikes.'

Wilf told Look Local: "I have been writing for a long time, mainly for motorcycle magazines and similar... I have possibly left it a bit late to enter into a new venture such as this, but I hope that the book will appeal to some of the people who live in South Yorkshire who still remember me from when I lived and worked in the area."

Wilf no longer rides motorcycles, but had completed and published two books whilst in his 70's and now lives in Llantilio Crossenney, South Wales. However, he still has strong links with Stocksbridge and the South Yorkshire area.

The Venue's comedy nights continue to thrive

By Jessica Hassall

The Venue's 'Stox Box' comedy nights have continued to be a success and the month of May will be no exception.

The upcoming night for the comedy lovers is the 14th of May with 3 guest comedians, Gary Delaney, Mike Newall and Simon Gunnell, which is set to be another hit. Comedian Delaney's material was described as 'of the highest quality' and he as 'a amster of the deadpan one-liner' by The Guardian. Gunnell was the finalist in the English Comedian Of The Year competition 2009 and Newall a new, popular, 'laid back' comedian from Manchester.

The night in May is thought to be another success for the £2 million pound complex, money that is appearing to be well spent. Doug Patterson, Chair of The Venue's Board said: 'The Venue offers the people of Stocksbridge and the surrounding area new opportunities to enjoy quality entertainment without having to travel miles.' Which it certainly does as another comedy production to look forward to in May is, SWADS presents Kindly Keep it Covered, a comedy/farce written by Dave Freeman. The production runs for three evenings in May 12th, 13th and 14th.

Steel city comedy is definitley a hit for The Venue.

Noble Homes

Noble Homes, above, has planned the development of 41 1 & 2  bedroom 'luxury' apartments. The plots are to be built on Manchester Road, below.  For more information visit the website here. 

By Rachel Nash 

The Sun Shines For 'Doc Fest'

By Rachel Nash


Sheffield’s popular film festival ‘Doc Fest’ will move to June this summer to coincide with the good weather.

The annual festival which screens documentaries from around the globe typically takes part in November but beginning this year the event will run in the summer to allow other partnerships with Europe.

The Volunteer’s Co-ordinator Josh O’Brien said: “The festival is moving to June to become more in line with the international calendar and more competitive so hopefully it will be bigger and better once again!

Hopefully we will be able to keep on expanding and perhaps the weather will be a little bit dryer.”

The popular event which attracts volunteers from Scotland to Serbia and celebrities from Michael Palin to Joan Rivers, has been running since 1994.

O’Brien who has worked with ‘Doc Fest’ for four years said the move means the festival will ‘be able to attract more delegates’ and not have typical clashes of their films being programmed in other documentary festivals.

‘Doc Fest’ will run from the 8-12^th June and will be held in The Odeon, The Workstation and The Showroom amongst other venues. Visit the website here. 

The Venue

By Rachel Nash

The Venue, above, is the place to be, holding events such as 'Zumba' classes to cake decorating and in the evening a comedy club and singing competitions. For more information visit here.

The Dazzling Diamonds Hope For Victory




The Sheffield Hallam Diamonds

 By Rachel Nash


Cheerleaders from the Sheffield Hallam Diamond squad are hoping they will sparkle at a national cheerleading competition on Saturday.The 32-strong all-girl team will be pulling off an all girl cheer routine that will involve stunts, jumps, tumbles and dance plus a hip hop routine and an all girl cheer in a bid to win the University National Championships at Leeds University.

They will be competing against teams from universities from around the country as well as local rivals, The Sheffield Sabrecats from Sheffield University.

Coach Suzanne O’Hara, aged 20, is hoping they will shine - despite a key member of the squad having to pull out recently after she broke an ankle in training.

“We’ve trained really hard and just can’t wait to get out there and show all the other teams what we’re made of!

Since forming in 2003, our focus has switched from sideline cheers at football games to becoming a sport in our right.”

Suzanne who has been coaching the team for a year said the girls are ‘nervous but very excited’ for the competition.  To find out more about the Hallam Diamonds visit the Sheffield Hallam Union website here.


Credit For Photo: The Sheffield Hallam Diamonds

Ghost Town

By Jessica Hassall

The high street is like a ghost town as numerous shops are emptied and up for sale.

Walking down Manchester Road in Stocksbridge is a rather miserable sight, 'To Let' signs dominate either side of the road and the usual hustle and bustle does not seem to be present. Asking passers by if there was a linked reason for all these closures, seemed pointless. Nobody in the area knew of (if one) a reason behind all the empty shops, Andrea 23 a worker at the Palace Mall of Manchester Rd said, 'I don't know all the reasons behind all these different shops closing, I couldn't be certain if they are all linked, like something to do with financial problems. All I know is it's strange and maybe just a coincedence that it's all happened at once. Hopefully It's not serious or going to effect the street in the long run.'

On either side of the road there are empty windows, closing down signs and To Let signs, Sarah a worker at the areas local Co-operative store said, 'there has been a lot of 'To Let' signs going up, I just hope they get filled with something good or beneficial to the area, and soon. The road looks bare and it's a waste having all of them empty.'

Amongst the closures is a small electrical store 'E McHale Electrical Services' owned by a local couple they

announced its closure and have a last minute sale before the store closes for good. Paul Berry a loyal customer of the store said, 'It's always sad to see small long standing business's come to an end, and for me this one especially. It was a handy, more personal shop than all these big superstores it's a shame that there aren't more independent stores around anymore.'

The shop and it's owners appear popular in the area and the hand written thankyou note on the door of the shop reflected the lovely nature of this small handy store. The note read, 'Thankyou for all your loyal custom...' highlighting the more personal service these smaller shops offer. It's a shame it has to close.

The dismal, rainy weather of course does not help the appearance of the empty road. Hopefully the sun of this summer will shine down on a busy Stocksbridge high street with new, freshly opened shops and other outlets.

Too many of these signs occuring on Manchester Road

Chips for change

By Jacob Finney

Stocksbridge Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, in partnership with the Co-operative group, will soon be offering oven chips at a cut-price in a bid to bring house fires to a halt.

Both fire-service and shop staff will be handing out money-off vouchers to Stocksbridge shoppers in a chain of events marking national chip week. (February 21-27) Besides offering cheap chips, the fire service will be offering advice to shoppers and raising awareness of the dangers of using chip-pans.

Steve Makepeace, head of community safety, said: “We shall be informing our community of the dangers of using chip-pans. If we can help people use their ovens, instead of chip-pans, we are confident that the amount of fires, injuries and even fatalities could drop.”

Staff of the South Yorkshire fire service will also be visiting different location across the county. The fire service wants to raise awareness as much as possible and will be working with corresponding Co-operative stores in Mexborough, Hillsborough, Ecclesall and Woodhouse.

                                                         Above: The fire-service and Co-op
                                                         staff unite for the cause.

The fire service will be visiting on the morning of February 21^st and all day February 23^rd. For more information on kitchen fire safety visit www.syfire.co.uk.

Warning to high school students over the dangers of ‘sexting’.

By Virginie Mousset

Students at the local high school were some of the first, in the UK, to be shown an educational film over the dangers of ‘sexting’.

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) are promoting the ten minute long film. The film was designed for schoolchildren, and produced in consultation with leading charities and teachers.

 The film that was shown at Stocksbridge High School is aiming to give students the message to “think before you send”, this marked the EU Safer Internet day.

Young people often do not realise that by sending these pictures they could lose control, which could lead to them being victims of bullying. In more extreme cases CEOP has found these in the collection of child sex offenders and their networks.

Peter Davies, Chief Executive of the CEOP Centre said: "We know that young people are increasingly using technology not only to stay in touch, but to explore their sexuality and to push the boundaries in what they send and to whom they send it. It is now so easy to send pictures instantly via emails and texts that we are seeing instances of boys or girls sending sexual images of themselves to others without considering the consequences.”

The Return Of The Dragon

By Rachel Nash


The acclaimed Stocksbridge musical 'Here be Dragons' is back due to popular demand this February.

The Steel Valley Beacon Arts (SVBA) have announced the return of the musical which is based on real life events and those living in the time Samuel Fox discovered the steel industry, ending after WW2.

Starting in 1842, the musical follows Fox's life and the legacy he left behind. The SVBA have planned three performances and the theme of the dragons signifies the flaming furnace of the steelworks.

The SVBA said about the return of the musical: "Many people have indicated their regret at missing the first run in November and others have said they want to see it again!"

Suggestions for the production were discovered from workshops set up within the community where members began to write songs. A full script and song lyrics were soon completed and the cast of 50 ranges from young to old.

Natalie Davies, 48 who saw the musical during its first run said: "I had no idea what to expect when I saw 'Here be dragons' in November but it was fantastic and I will defiantly be getting my ticket to see it again this month."

'Here be Dragons' will run on the 29th January at Wortley Hall, 3rd February at The Venue and the final performance will will stage at The Hub in Kirkburton on 5th February.

Tickets cost between £5-£9.50, for more information visit the website here.

Stockbridge - Barrel of laughs

By Jessica Hassall

Local entertainment hotspot 'The Venue' is currently thriving as a result of the Stox Box comedy nights.

The Venue has a weekly programme of numerous activities including, crafts, Tai chi and night time quizzes. It is also a well facilitated outlet for performing arts with a main multipurpose auditorium accommodating up to 300 people.

 The comedy nights appear to be popular in the Stocksbridge area, Sam Greenhalgh, 22 said: 'The comedy nights at the venue are really funny, they have some good comedians there actually, I've been to a few now and me and my mates will definitely be going to the next one.' 

The upcoming night is Saturday April 16th; featuring, double act 'Brian Damage and Krysstal' a unique act that combine deadpan comedy and music and stand up acts, Sully O'Sullivan and Chris Brooker.

For more details

The Man Of Steel

By Rachel Nash

Samuel Fox

Samuel Fox was a man of many talents. Not only did he discover the Stocksbridge steel works, the 'Paragon' umbrella frame and crinoline wire for dresses but he had the honor of becoming one of the first people to produce cold rolled strip.

Born in 1815 in Bradwell, Derby to William Fox a weavers shuttle maker, Samuel discovered the steel works in 1842 when he moved to the town.

He hoped to set up his own wire drawing business but this eventually developed into the steelworks. He concentrated on building hackle and gill-pins used in wool combing operations. 

Joesph Sheldon, a worker of the Stocksbridge steelworks described in his diaries the man he worked for.

"He was mostly in a serious mood. He always tried and tested his men before he had confidence in them. He said 'Joe I trust thee' and after this I never knew when I [had] done enough for my master'."

Fox was always on the alert to seize any advantage that came his way and so in the same year the industrialist opened the steelworks he discovered 'Fox Umbrella Frames Ltd' an umbrella frame manufacturer.

This ambition began as the businessman became the first inventor of the ‘Paragon’ umbrella frame expressing the well known trademark- a fox. The frames traveled to Manchester to blossom unto umbrellas and his competitors were envious and the development of the product lasted until 1935.

The profits from the umbrella frames enabled Fox to focus on other products such as crinoline wire for dresses which relied on the frame and once these went out of fashion he simply turned his attention to other directions of bright steel rolling and making half inch rods for cables. His profit reached £80,000. 

Maria Fox

Privately, Fox married Maria Radcliffe is only son William Henry Fox was born in 1843. The couple resided in the cottage next to the steelworks and Samuel showed his dedication to his Maria by naming his best engine after her. 

In spite of how busy his company kept him, Fox frequently sent sums of money anonymously to benefit the poor. He also helped his native community by taking Bradwell men to Stocksbridge and finding them a better livelihood.

Fox died on 25^th February 1887 at North Cliffe but his legacy lives on. This year will mark the 124^th anniversary of his death and to honour Samuel, Stocksbridge library are collecting suggestions in a ballot box about a tribute.

Fiona Keale, a librarian said: "He was a great man. We have the old archives here and there is much information about him so everyone can learn about the history of Stocksbridge.

We've had some great suggestions so far and we're hoping to plan a tribute day this summer."

Jake

Hi, I'm Jake. I'm an avid season ticket holder of Manchester United and currently work at NEXT clothing.
I'm passionate about sport and would like to be a sports reporter in the future.

Jess

Hey, my names Jess and I'm a outgoing bubbly person who loves to socialise. I love music and films and reading books, newspapers and magazines. I'm interested in court reporting and would love to become a Police Officer in the future! :)

Virginie

Hi im Virginie, I love travelling, meeting new people and I can also speak fluent french. In the future I would love to write for a fashion magazine.

Rachel

My name's Rachel and I like reading newspapers, drinking tea and am passionate about Journalism. I completed some work experience at my local newspaper in 2006 and have wanted to write ever since.

Welcome

Welcome to our blog, we are Sheffield Hallam University students, studying Journalism.