Simon Thake

At 74, former disability snooker champion Steven Smith has returned to playing after more than a decade away, despite rheumatoid arthritis and other health challenges. Staff at Moorgate Care Village helped arrange regular visits to Snooker4All Academy in Rotherham, where Smith now plays twice a month and encourages other residents to join him. The inclusive academy, founded by Lee Hague, aims to make snooker accessible to everyone, and Smith's return has revived both his enjoyment of the game and his competitive spirit.

Hasan Seedeeq has reopened N&D Salon in Sheffield 15 months after an arson attack at the Manor Park Centre destroyed the premises. He had operated the salon for only nine days before the May 2025 fire and was forced to rebuild while struggling to find work and cover household bills. South Yorkshire Police believe the blaze was deliberate, but no one has been charged. Two other affected businesses have not yet reopened, while Seedeeq credited local residents and his landlord for helping him return.

A Ward's brewery sign that once hung outside Sheffield's Hallamshire House pub has been returned after more than 25 years. Former regulars Peter and Ann Chamley recognised it on a neighbour's wall in Brooklyn while living in New York, later bought it and brought it back to the UK. The sign may have disappeared after Ward's Brewery closed around 1999. The Chamleys handed it to the pub's current owners, Thornbridge Brewery, requesting a donation to Sheffield Children's Hospital instead of payment. It is now displayed in the pub's back lounge.

Brunsmeer Athletic’s women’s team has folded after the FA refused its request to move from the North East Regional Women’s Football League to a closer division, leaving players unable to sustain long travel and costs. The club, which achieved two rapid promotions, cited exhaustion, financial strain and a lack of support from the FA. Players and staff expressed frustration at the impact on welfare and the breakup of the team, while the FA said it balances geography with maintaining league structures and remains in contact with the club following its unsuccessful appeal.

A Sheffield collector who has spent four decades acquiring memorabilia from England’s 1966 World Cup victory displays items including match tickets, signed shirts and personal gifts from squad members. Inspired by meeting Geoff Hurst in 1980, he built a large, well‑insured collection that he views as part of social history. His most prized pieces include an unused quarter‑final ticket and items gifted by Gerry Byrne. Though considering the future of the collection, he expects its growth to slow and sees himself as a caretaker for objects that will eventually pass to others.

A Dartmoor pony abandoned in a Sheffield industrial estate has been rehabilitated by Thornberry Animal Sanctuary and is now competing in the rescue category at the Great Yorkshire Show. Staff who found the horse, named Hadee, noted injuries and poor condition before he underwent quarantine and treatment. His significant recovery prompted his entry into the agricultural show, where his story is being used to raise awareness about rescue horses.

A mother campaigning against knife crime after her son’s fatal stabbing urged greater school engagement with anti-violence initiatives after many academies declined to participate in an upcoming awareness tour. Policing minister Sarah Jones pledged to work with the education minister to remove barriers preventing schools from collaborating with charities and affected families. The school involved in the killing had previously been issued a notice to improve after an independent review identified safeguarding failures, and campaigners aim to strengthen safety measures and expand education on the dangers of carrying knives.

Sheffield hosted a high-level chess match between local Grandmaster Gawain Jones and Polish champion Szymon Gumularz, alongside an international junior tournament drawing rising talents such as 12-year-old Supratit. Event organiser Jonathan Arnott highlighted its significance for the city and the growth of the Sheffield Chess Centre. Jones used the match as preparation for representing England at the upcoming Olympiad in Uzbekistan, expressing renewed focus despite balancing chess with family life. The junior competition showcased emerging players, reflecting the increasing popularity of chess among young people.

An Afghan couple living in Sheffield report being racially abused and assaulted by a group of teenagers on bikes in Hillsborough Park, part of a rise in anti‑social behaviour in the area. The pair describe being hit, threatened with a knife and told to “go back to your country,” prompting them to avoid the park. Local residents and business owners report escalating intimidation and vandalism, while police say they have made arrests and seized off‑road bikes. A local councillor links the issues to reduced youth services, and police outline measures including acceptable behaviour contracts to curb offending.

Former Sheffield United defender Jake Wright has begun a new career as head of Year 8 at Newfield School in Sheffield, applying leadership skills from his football career to pastoral work. Wright, who grew up in Bradford and became a parent at 19, emphasises the importance of male role models and believes his background helps him connect with students. Former teammates and manager Chris Wilder express surprise but support for his new direction. Wright enjoys the role’s daily variety and student openness, and plans to stay with the cohort through to Year 11 while keeping open the possibility of returning to football coaching in the future.

Residents in Parson Cross report persistent pollution in the Sheffield Lane Dike, describing foul-smelling water and large amounts of waste entering the stream. Yorkshire Water attributes the contamination to incorrect plumbing connections at nearby properties and says it is contacting affected households to resolve the issue. Volunteers say the pollution is harming wildlife and creating an ongoing nuisance, while the company notes a recent storm overflow discharge but maintains its screening equipment functioned properly. Teams continue monitoring and clearing the site during heavy rainfall.