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.