Sheffield hosts annual half marathon

Sheffield City centre fell to a standstill on 26th April as thousands competed in the annual Half Marathon, raising an estimated £75,000 for charity.

The event started at 9.30am and caused a number of road closures and diversions across the city, so that the 5,500 participants could complete the 13 mile circuit.

The route for the race started and finished at Don Valley Stadium, stretching across Sheffield within a 3 hour time limit and was won by Jason Ward of Altrincham in 1 hour and 8 minutes.

There was also a 3 kilometre Fun Run taking place alongside the marathon which saw members of the public dress up in costumes and run for charity.

The event is part of the ‘Take to the streets’ campaign which aims to get 2 million people a year active and engaged in sport for the run up to the 2012 Olympics.

Tori Wheatman, 21 is a Health student at Sheffield Hallam University, she completed the half marathon in 1 hour 39 minutes, she said: “It was a fantastic event for a good cause, it was very tiring but there was a good crowd to spur us all on”.

There are a total of 10 charities that will benefit from the event, which includes RSPCA and the Macmillan Cancer fund. The first Half Marathon in Sheffield took place in 1982 and Don Valley Stadium has been the venue since 1991.

By Sean O'Malley

Sheffield marks 20th anniversary of Hillsborough Disaster

Sheffield paid tribute to the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster by allowing public access to the leppings lane end of the stadium, in respect of the 96 people who lost their life in the tragedy.

The stand was filled with hundreds of messages, flowers, scarves and football shirts which were laid out before a two minute silence was observed at 3.06pm, the same time that the semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was stopped on the 15th April 1989.

A brief service was also carried out at the stadium which was attended by hundreds of locals in front of the Leppings lane stand. A memorial plaque was implemented as a permanent reminder of the disaster that took place at the stadium, the plaque reads: ‘In memory of the 96 men, women and children who tragically died and the countless people whose lives were changed forever’.

Brian Watson, 56 is a local resident of Sheffield and was present with his family at the emotional Hillsborough service, he said: “It was important for me to come along to the memorial today as it puts life into perspective, this tragedy unites football supporters across the country and I’m delighted that people in Sheffield have the chance to pay their respects.”

The Hillsborough service for family members who lost loved ones in the disaster took place at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium today and every football club across the country will mark a minute’s silence in this Saturday’s football fixtures.

BY Sean O'Malley

Sheffield cleans up its act

Sheffield is currently undergoing a ‘Big Spring Clean’, an initiative put forward by local councillors who aim to show the positive impact of keeping the city clean.


The event which started on 23rd March is ongoing until the 19th April, encouraging everybody to get out on the street and clean up the rubbish they find around them. The initiative has gained a successful response from local businesses, schools and community centres, who have pulled together to get their hands dirty and ensure that Sheffield keeps its reputation of being the greenest city in England.


There have been organised litter pickups around the city, with the council providing plastic sacks and lending cleaning equipment to entice people to get involved. Local citizen Caroline Yates, 37 took part in an organised cleanup at Darnall Community centre, she said: "I think this is a great idea, there was a great response up at the community centre. If more people get involved across Sheffield then the place will look alot cleaner on April 19th ready for the summer”.


Similar 'Big spring clean' events are taking place up and down the country to try and make England a cleaner place. Nottingham City Council’s clean up commenced on the 20th March.


By Sean O'Malley

Wicker Bus Gate

Councillors have agreed to consider relaxing the law on a 24 hour bus lane which penalises drivers with fines of up to £60.

The Wicker bus lane which picked up £100,000 in car fines within the first 7 weeks of implementation, was discussed at the City centre, south and east planning and area board meeting. A total of 2047 people have signed a petition to support a change in the current 24 hour operation.

Local business people and residents were present at the meeting, to discuss the current bus lane enforcement. Mrs. Bennett from Wicker Pharmacy spoke on behalf of businesses based in Wicker, she said: "Businesses around the area are struggling, the bus lane is putting customers off coming to wicker, and we see a restructure of the bus gate times as a lifeline for our businesses as well as a way of improving road safety."

The Bus gate has been in place since Monday 12th January 2008 and has caused controversy among local citizens, Highways Officer John Lashmar disagrees with a change in operating times by suggesting that changing bus lane rules would 'encourage more traffic and congestion whilst being a hindrance to public safety.'

The 2047 people who initially signed the petition brought the discussion to the council on 16th February 2009, but it was a petition of 88 signatures requesting an urgent decision which brought this topic up for further discussion.

The planning and highway board indicated that it would look into relaxing the 24 hour law by setting a list of criteria which officers need to monitor and submit for further discussion. The criteria will look into vehicle movement and traffic accidents within the area since the camera has been in use, as well as evaluating other factors relating to the bus lane. A final decision is due to be made once all the criteria has been presented to the planning board.


BY Sean O'Malley

Gordon Ramsey Cook and Review

‘Roast Lamb with Paprika and Oranges’

1 Leg of Lamb (part boned) 1-2 kg

2 tea spoons of Paprika (sweet and smoked paprika mixed)

1 tea spoon of ground ginger

Pinch of salt and pepper

1 table spoon of olive oil

2-4 cloves of garlic

2 sliced oranges

(Recommended serving with potatoes and salad)

Serves 4-6

In current times many people have been affected by the global credit crunch and are looking to spend small amounts of money on meals, but if you have a few pounds to spare or fancy treating someone special then this offering from Gordon Ramsey is definitely for you.

To give a bit of background on Gordon Ramsey, he is a world renowned chef who is ranked third best in the world in terms of Michelin stars awarded, with an impressive total of 16. He is one of only three British chefs who have held 3 michelin stars at one time and known as a ‘TV celebrity chef’. Gordon Ramsey has also featured in a number of successful TV programs including ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ and ‘Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares’.

With all this in mind, I decided I would cook and review one of his recipes.

'Roast Lamb with Paprika and Oranges' is taken from his ‘Healthy Appetite’ cook book which was released in 2008 and the ingredients for this dish can be bought for around £15.

To begin, you trim any excess fat from the leg of lamb before creating a criss cross pattern on top of the thin layer of surface fat, this is instructed so that the spices and flavours can soak into the meat. You then mix the recommended amounts of paprika, ginger with salt and pepper in a bowl before spreading them all over the outside of the leg and the boned cavity. This is followed by stuffing the boned cavity with the garlic cloves and half the orange slices.

Then put the lamb on a rack and baste with olive oil, with a splash of water on the bottom of the rack before heating the oven to Gas Mark 7-220c and roast for 20 minutes. After this put another splash of water at the bottom of the rack and roast for further 20 minutes per 500g, half an hour before the lamb is done cover with the remaining oranges.

When cooked rest the lamb on a platter for 10 minutes before carving and serving. This dish is recommended to be served with potatoes and salad, I opted for mashed potatoes with herbs and a salad, the oranges can be added with the serving as well. After this eat and enjoy.

Overall I feel that this dish is full of flavour and very filling, the only down point would be that people may want to add more paprika to suit their taste as the recommended amount may not suit everybodys taste. Apart from that it was an easy recipe to follow with every stage explained in detail and the oranges added a surprise element to the meat which worked very well.

Gordon Ramsey has been hitting the headlines recently for events in his personal life, but this recipe is another of example of why he is such a popular chef and it is hard to criticise what he creates in the kitchen. I would personally recommend this to everyone who enjoys lamb but due to cost it is worth saving for a special occasion.

BY Sean O’Malley

Sheffield Tigers reach EDF Semi Finals

Sheffield Tigers 21-13 Newport(Salop)

Sheffield Tigers roared to victory against Newport (Salop) in the Quarter finals of the RFU EDF Energy Intermediate Cup in a convincing display at Dore Moor.

The match ended in a 21-13 score line with Centre Charlie Spon-Smith capping an excellent 80 minutes with four conversions to help the Tigers book a place in the Semi-finals of the competition.

Newport started the stronger of the two sides and within the first five minutes they pushed the Tigers back into their own 22. Possession then changed and Tigers were on the attack, Spon-Smith found fellow centre Tom Bray who sprinted 40 metres to the corner before being illegally high tackled. A penalty try was then awarded which Spon-smith swiftly converted to give Tigers a 7-0 lead.

On 15 minutes Spon-Smith struck again for the Tigers as he converted a penalty to stretch the lead to 10-0, with Newport being penalised for entering the ruck from the side.

Newport began to get back into the game and played some high tempo rugby which was rewarded when Matthew Curvengen brought the ball over the try line whilst holding off three players. This was followed by Jamie Simpson’s Conversion to make the score 10-7.

Newport drew even after 30 minutes of play when Tigers were penalised for infringement, causing another Conversion to be slotted away for Newport by James Curgenven from 40 metres out. In a match full of penalties another was awarded 10 minutes later for Newport at the stroke of half-time, this was converted by Jamie Simpson ensuring a 13-10 lead.

Sheffield Tigers came out after half time full of confidence and dominated from the start with slow, powerful rugby which lead to a number of penalties being given in their favour. Spon-Smith levelled the scores from a penalty and he also converted another penalty on 53 minutes, allowing the Tigers to regain the lead at 16-13.

Newport kept pressing the Tigers in the hope of getting back into the game but on the 67th minute Tigers Captain Richard Joel sealed the match with a try from a metre out to ensure Tigers a 21-13 victory and a place in the Semi-Finals.

Sheffield Tigers will travel to Clifton in the semi-finals on the 21st March, with a place in the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup Final at stake.

By Sean O'Malley

Blades tame Tigers in FA Cup Tie

Sheffield United 1-1 Hull City

Sheffield United held Hull City to a 1-1 draw in their fifth round FA Cup tie at Bramall Lane.

Premier League side Hull city were looking to reach the FA Cup quarter finals for the first time since 1971, whilst this fixture marked the first anniversary of Blades boss Kevin Blackwell’s arrival at Sheffield United.

Hull City were forced to rest their influential midfielder Jimmy Bullard, as he was suffering with a knee injury. Sheffield United’s absentees were strikers Darius Henderson and Arturo Lupoli.

The Blades took an early lead after 6 minutes when Greg Halford latched onto a David Cotterill cross to head home a powerful header past Hull keeper Boaz Myhill.

The Tigers began to pile on the pressure with Richard Garcia heading an Andy Dawson corner over the bar; Hull City began to dominate the game and were rewarded for their persistence on the 34th minute when Dawson turned provider again with Kamil Zayatte rising on to a curling free kick to head a glancing header past Paddy Kenny to make it 1-1.

Sheffield United attempting to take the lead again at the stroke of half time when Cotterill swerved in another dangerous cross which Billy Sharp headed wide.

Both teams were searching for the winner in the second half with Hull City appealing for a penalty after striker Celeb Folan was taken down early on by Halford, referee Andre Marriner waved away the Tigers protests.

Hull City came closest to finding a winner when Bernard Mendy darted through United’s defence, but unable to pick out Manucho inside the opponents area.

The match ended in a stalemate; with both teams failing to find a second goal and a place in the quarter final will have to be decided by a replay which will take place at Hull City’s KC Stadium on Thursday 26th February.

BY Sean O'Malley