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