Ciara Healy

Norma Chatterton, an 88-year-old volunteer, died after a two-vehicle crash outside St John's Church in Ranmoor, Sheffield, on July 26. Ranmoor Parish remembered her for years of dedicated service, kindness, warmth and willingness to help, as well as for the joy she shared with her husband Peter through church walks and quizzes. The parish expressed its condolences to Peter, their family and the wider church community.

Two pedestrians were struck by a Sheffield Supertram travelling at about 17mph at the Staniforth Road footpath crossing in Darnall on June 22, 2025. One suffered serious injuries and the other minor injuries. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch found that audible warnings, crossing design, signage and risk management by South Yorkshire Future Trams Ltd and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority were inadequate. It issued three recommendations covering the crossing, consistent use of tram warnings and a network-wide assessment of pedestrian risks.

Hundreds of friends and relatives gathered at Sheffield Cathedral to celebrate the life of Shanice Brookes, a 30-year-old mother fatally shot outside the One Four One bar in Sheffield in May. Mourners were asked to donate to Macmillan Cancer Support, a cause Brookes had supported. Jemele Rhone has been charged with her murder and related offences, while Deiryen Dyce faces charges including assisting an offender and drug and criminal-property offences. Three other men were arrested on suspicion of affray and released on bail. The investigation and criminal proceedings remain ongoing, with a provisional trial date set for January 2027 and warnings against online speculation that could prejudice the case.

Andy Arnold, a newly elected Reform UK councillor for Wombwell in Barnsley, appears in public photographs with a tattoo resembling a swastika. His wife and fellow Reform councillor, Theresa Arnold, says it was a Buddhist symbol acquired during his brief interest in Buddhism as a teenager and denies any connection to Nazism or extremist ideology. She says the tattoo was later covered because its meaning was repeatedly misunderstood. The controversy comes amid wider turmoil for Reform UK in South Yorkshire, including the suspension of Nathaniel Menday over far-right imagery and Mick Lee’s departure from the party.

Elemie Rose Wainwright’s family has launched Be More Elemie, a community interest company intended to support children’s mental health and preserve the kindness of the 11-year-old Sheffield girl, who died after being hit by a van in Mosborough in June 2025. More than £82,000 has been raised to restore Plumbley Park, which is to be renamed Elemie’s Park. Her father, Anthony, will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2026 with Jamie King and Simon Anderson to raise further funds, as part of a wider programme including a family fun day, football match, charity ball and school tournament. Mosborough School has also created a kindness award in her memory.

Hundreds of mourners gathered along Mosborough High Street in Sheffield for a pink-themed celebration of life honoring 11-year-old Elemie Wainwright, who died following a road collision the previous month. The event was organized by her family as a celebration of her life, with a video showing the funeral procession through the community.

Ciara Healy reviews a six-day stay at Sandals South Coast in Jamaica, focusing on the resort’s newly opened pickleball courts. After initially struggling with the sport, she becomes enthusiastic through coaching and a closing tournament. The review also praises the resort’s pools, extensive included water sports, excursions, restaurants, gym, spa and beachfront swim-up suites, while highlighting the friendliness of the staff. Packages were advertised from £1,849 per person for seven nights, with swim-up suite upgrades from £3,215, based on travel in September 2026.

A first-person review of Club Med Serre Chevalier following its £50 million renovation finds the resort highly successful as an all-inclusive ski destination. The renovated property combines Alpine design with sustainability measures, including reuse of the existing structure and a reported 32% reduction in energy consumption. The stay included comfortable accommodation, varied food, drinks, ski equipment, lift passes and lessons, with friendly staff and convenient ski-in, ski-out access. The resort also offers après-ski, entertainment, wellness facilities and extensive children’s programmes. Although the transfer from Lyon is lengthy and the on-site après-ski lacks the atmosphere of a traditional mountain bar, the reviewer considers the seven-night package—priced at £2,905 per adult including flights and transfers—good value and would return.

Elton John said he could not properly watch The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical at its London charity gala because a severe eye infection left him blind in his right eye with minimal sight in his left. He praised the cast's performance by listening to it and credited his husband with supporting him. The vision problems have also made it difficult for him to read lyrics, record new music or work in the studio, although he remains hopeful about recovering.