Events
Some of the most exciting stuff happening in Sheffield isn't on the high street.
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Poverty and Inequality in Sheffield and the UK
On now, until Fri 12 Feb 2010
A display on poverty and equality by Church Action on Poverty (CAP) on show at the Anglican Cathedral, covering the evidence in recent book 'The Spirit Level', as well as actions both locally and nationally.
Stop Closure of Abbeydale Grange School
Mon 8 Feb, 6.30pm at Sharrow Old Junior School, South View Road, S7 1DB
The contemptuous way in which the closure of Abbeydale Grange School is being organised must serve as a warning. A precedent is being set by which even the most basic and limited redress that exists for those wishing to challenge cuts and proposed school closures can be brushed aside.
The various teaching trade unions at Abbeydale Grange have done nothing to prevent the school closure and have allowed the proposed redundancies to proceed without protest. Staff have been left in a position where none of their jobs are guaranteed elsewhere. This is in line with the unions' consistent collaboration with the myriad measures imposed by the Labour government aimed at destroying what remains of the comprehensive education system.
Appeals to the various pro-business parties making up Sheffield City Council have proved to be a dead end. The school and its governing body have appealed to an independent adjudicator, but all the mechanisms for closure are in place. Parents have been given until the end of January to choose a new school for their children, and some have already left; Abbeydale Grange is no longer on the list for parents to register as a choice next year.
The most important appeal that can be made at this eleventh hour by staff, parents and students must be to the working class in Sheffield to defend public education in the city.
All those who want to discuss these issues further should attend the meeting being organised by the Socialist Equality Party on the closure of Abbeydale Grange School and the policies needed to defend a decent education for all.
- More information about the campaign in this SEP leaflet
- Further reading: Oppose the closure of Abbeydale Grange! and Abbeydale Grange School’s closure agreed by Sheffield Council from the World Socialist Web Site
Go Green Week
8-12 Feb 2010
A national week of action on climate change in schools, colleges and universities, with People & Planet, the largest student network in Britain campaigning on world poverty, human rights and the environment. Banish the Copenhagen blues and show the politicians hows it's done. The website offers a Go Green Week pack to help planning, promoting and publicising events during Go Green Week.
Go Green Week website
Workers' Climate Action (WCA) meeting
Mon 8 Feb 2010, 7.30pm Upstairs at The Bohemian Cafe, 53 Chesterfield Road, Sheffield S8 0RL
Meeting to discuss how bus workers’ struggles against privatisation and pay cuts can be linked to our collective struggle against climate change. Luke Evans of Liverpool WCA will talk on potentials for alternative fuels, and local labour movement and environmental movement activists will discuss possibilities for building practical solidarity with bus workers’ struggles.
Workers' Climate Action website
World Development Movement (WDM) meeting
Mon 8 Feb 2010, 8-10pm, Bath Hotel, Victoria Street, Sheffield.
Very welcoming pub meetings held on the 2nd Monday of every month. A chance to debate issues and generate creative ideas about how to change things. WDM is not just talk and charity, but action with real understanding.
www.wdm.org.uk/sheffield
Sheffield Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers meeting (CDAS)
Mon 8 Feb 2010, 7pm at Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James Street, S1 2EW (near Anglican Cathedral)
Sheffield CDAS is a campaigning organisation opposed to the Government's scapegoating of asylum seekers. They support groups campaigning for individual and families of asylum seekers who are unjustly threatened with deportation.
www.cdas-sheffield.org.uk
Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial
Mon 8 Feb 2010, 6:30pm at Lescar Hotel, 303 Sharrow Vale Road, Sheffield, S11 8ZF
A talk by Simon Singh for 'Skeptics in the Pub', which is about getting people together to have a relaxed and enjoyable evening while listening to talks on a wide range of topics, usually by a notable scientist or skeptic. It doesn't matter what your prior beliefs are, or even if you're unsure what they are yourself. Everyone and everyone's viewpoint welcome.
Greenpeace meeting
Tue 9 Feb 2010, 8pm Red Lion, Charles St (Hub end) Sheffield S1 9ND
Monthly meeting of Greenpeace South Yorkshire group, held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. For details of meetings, and current activities in the Active Supporters newsletter, see Greenpeace South Yorkshire website
Sheffield Campaign against Climate Change meeting (SCACC)
Tue 9 Feb 2010, 7.30-9.30pm at Highfield Library, London Road, Sheffield S2 4NF
SCACC is very active in organising days of action and demonstrations, petitions to Sheffield Council, supporting related national and local campaigns and even running film shows and talks for local groups. The regular meeting is open to newcomers.
SCACC website
Earth Centre Development Planning Open Day
Tue 9 Feb 2010, 11am–3pm, CONISBROUGH, nr. Doncaster
This is an open invitation to all organisations and individuals willing to contribute expertise to restore the site of the former Earth Centre as a national resource for researching, understanding and practising sustainability. Outdoor wear recommended.
11am–1pm: Site assessment. Guided tour of land and facilities of the former Earth Centre, Senior manager of Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council available to answer questions.
Buffet Lunch
1.30–3pm: Discussion (Optional) Opportunity to identify areas of potential collaboration and site/operations development.
The RTTG (Rapid Technology Transfer Group) proposals will be discussed. It seems this is a consortium of companies, some with 'green' credentials, but they haven't at the moment got a website(!) just an email mike@therttg.org
For an alternative, community-led proposal see We Love the Earth Centre blog
Socialist Party - Sheffield branch meeting
Tue 9 Feb 2010, 7.30pm, upstairs at the Old Queen's Head pub, by Sheffield Interchange (bus station)
Everyone welcome (not just members). Regular educational talk and activities held almost every Tuesday, to check call 07706 710041
Animal Rights and Vegan Info Stall
Wed 10 Feb 2010, 10am-3pm, Refresher’s fayre at Sheffield University
Come and say hi and find out all the issues and how to get stuck in! Get in touch if you’d like to help or turn up on the day.
Sheffield Animal Friends website
Sheffield Amnesty International meeting
Wed 10 Feb 2010, 7.30pm at The Quaker Meeting House on St James St. (near Sheffield Cathedral)
Sheffield Amnesty International meets monthly. Actions on human rights and updates from various campaigns. Meetings are usually on the 2nd Wed of each month
Sheffield Amnesty International website
Sheffield Green Party members meeting
Wed 10 Feb 2010, 7.45pm at St Mary's Church conference centre, Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4QZ
Sheffield Green Party meets on the second Wednesday of the month. Meetings are 7.45pm for 8pm, finishing at 10pm with a drink in a nearby pub afterwards.
Full details of how to join, policies and activities on website www.sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk
Why are inequalities in health greater now than at any time since the 1920s?
Wed 10 Feb 2010, THIS EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED
A lecture by Professor Danny Dorling. He has uncovered evidence that the government would perhaps prefer stays buried: that Labour has presided over an era of unprecedented inequality widening and declining social mobility.
SORRY, THIS EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED ACCORDING TO www.yhtphn.co.uk/dannydorling
Human Rights, Sovereignty and Military Intervention
Thur 11 Feb 2010, 5.30pm Lecture Theatre 2, Medical School, Hallamshire Hospital
Talk by Michael Doyle, Professor of International Relations and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Tickets from Sheffield University Students Union Exchange
Sheffield Equality Group meeting
Thur 11 Feb 2010, 7-9pm at Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James Street, S1 2EW (near Anglican cathedral)
A quick intro to the ideas of recent book 'The Spirit Level', workshop on publicity ideas for forthcoming big public meeting, discussion of the national equality pledge and website. Other ideas welcome from the realistic to the wildly optimistic on how to make Sheffield a better and more equal place!
There will be refreshments, including biscuits, provided at the break.
Sheffield Equality Trust website
CycleSheffield Meeting
Thur 11 Feb 7.30–10pm at 340 Glossop Rd, S10 2HB
CycleSheffield supports cycling of all kinds in the Sheffield area. It's really active. And it has meetings, this is one of them, all welcome.
www.cyclesheffield.org.uk
Sheffield Animal Friends Social
Fri 12 Feb 2010, 6.30pm at Blue Moon Café 2 St James Street, S1 2EW (near the Anglican cathedral)
Come along to socialize with other vegan/vegetarian folk with a yummy meal and cake, followed by a trip to the Brown Bear pub for vegan beer.
Sheffield Animal Friends website
Boycott Israeli Goods Workshop, by Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Sat 13 Feb 2010, 10am-1.30pm at St Mary's Community Centre, Bramall Lane, S2 4QZ
A workshop to give PSC supporters time together to get a bit more informed, space to discuss experiences in boycott activities, issues and ideas, and to plan strategy for 2010. Focusing on the consumer boycott (and, if time and interest permit, the Veolia campaign).
- Yasmin Khan (War on Want) - introduction
- Outline of the Consumer Boycott Activities in Sheffield over the last year
- Local solicitor and Liberty member - questions about the legal aspects
- Group discussion, feedback and a final session on action plan for 2010.
Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign website
CDAS Workshop (Sheffield Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers)
Sat 13 Feb 2010, 1.30-4pm at Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James Street, S1 2EW (near Anglican Cathedral)
Sheffield CDAS is a campaigning organisation opposed to the Government's scapegoating of asylum seekers. They support groups campaigning for individual and families of asylum seekers who are unjustly threatened with deportation. Contact for details of the workshop via the website:
www.cdas-sheffield.org.uk
Bike jumble sale!
Sat 13 Feb 2010, 9am-12.30, Heeley Institute, Gleadless Road, S2 3AE
ReCycleBikes' first Sheffield bike jumble sale (or 2nd, or 3rd but it should be good). Open for stallholders from 7.30am. Entry £1 (£5 before 9am!). Refreshments available. Stalls cost £6 inside and £3 outside, (outside stall holders bring your own table, max size 4' wide).
Tel Sheff 2507717 or email info@recyclebikes.co.uk to book a stall.
Recycle Bikes website
CND at Aldermaston Blockade
Mon 15 Feb 2010
Sheffield CND is organising a coach to Aldermaston on the day of the blockade, please sign up to let them know if you are interested. The coach will set off from Pond Street at 8.30am, tickets £20.
Not sure what this is all about? Full explanations of everything at Trident Ploughshares web page
sheffieldcnd@hotmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it, or phone Kath on Sheff 2967596
Friends of the Earth General Meeting
Mon 15 Feb 2010, 8pm at the Red Deer pub, 18 Pitt Street, Sheffield, off West Street (upstairs meeting room)
Friends of the Earth Sheffield Group are people from all walks of life who share a common concern for the state of the planet and a desire to do something about it. Membership of Sheffield FOE is free if you subscribe to the electronic newsletter.
Sheffield FOE website
RASC (Residents Against Station Closure) meeting
Mon 15 Feb 2010, 7pm Victoria Methodist Church, Stafford Road
Continued action against the proposed closure of the right of way over Sheffield railway station, to the tram and estates behind. East Midlands Trains have again randomly closed the footbridge during February. Nobody was allowed through without a ticket. RASC will discuss further action.
Meanwhile please feel free to complain to getintouch@eastmidlandstrains.co.uk or call them on 08457 125678 (6am-10pm). For people with hearing difficulties, TextDirect: 18001 followed by 08457 125678
RASC website
Sheffield Green Drinks
Tue 16 Feb 2010, see website for details, shortly ...
A monthly social networking event for anyone in the Sheffield & South Yorkshire area interested in green issues and the environment.
www.sheffieldgreendrinks.org.uk
Discussion: The rise of the far right and anti-fascism
Tue 16 Feb 2010, 7pm at The Rutland Arms, 86 Brown Street, Sheffield S1 2BS
The Commune and Anarchist Federation in Sheffield host a discussion on the rise of the far right in Britain today, the character of fascism, and how we should organise against this threat.
Email uncaptiveminds@gmail.com to express your interest or ask for more info.
Full details at Yorkshire Anarchist Federation website
'Wild Food'
Tue 16 Feb 2010, 7pm-9pm at the Library in the Old Junior School, South View Rd, Sharrow
One of a series of events about food and sustainable food production forming a course on organic horticulture and permaculture, events can also be treated as individual sessions in their own right. Sessions include information handoutsand slideshow presentations, followed by a practical session on that specific subject. The practical sessions form a week intensive on allotments, in the Easter holidays.
£10 for each individual session, £80 for the whole course.
Further details from Stephen Watts on 07960 774732 or email maxsalad@googlemail.com
Socialist Party - Sheffield branch meeting
Tue 16 Feb 2010, 7.30pm, upstairs at the Old Queen's Head pub, by Sheffield Interchange (bus station)
Everyone welcome (not just members). Regular educational talk and activities held almost every Tuesday, to check call 07706 710041
CND meeting (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament)
Wed 17 Feb 2010, 7.15pm at The Quaker Meeting House, St James Street, Sheffield S1 2EW (near the Anglican cathedral)
All welcome to CND's meeting on the third Wednesday of each month, to discuss the latest developments in a world with nuclear weapons.
This month includes outcomes of a recent meeting with local pressure groups about government plans to concentrate nuclear power research & manufacturing facilities in South Yorkshire. Also report-back on the Feb 15th Aldermaston Blockade.
www.sheffieldcnd.org.uk
Sheffield Social Centre 'Mash the System' Fund Raiser
Fri 19 Feb 2010, 10pm till 3am, at the Casbah, 1 Wellington Street, Sheffield
Fund raiser to support Sheffield Social Centre, a non-hierarchical, anti-capitalist space for mutual aid and community solidarity.
Drum and Bass, Reggae, Jungle, Ragga, Dub and Breakcore. Come rave your face off!
Hoonboy
Mertcor
Plus DJs and lighting from Sequoia Sound System
Distorted Panda and other DJs from Tinnitus
Visuals and VJs from 4:25 AV
£3 before 11pm, £4 after (Donations welcome!)
More details at http://sheffieldsocialcentre.org.uk
Transport strategy consultation event for Voluntary, Community & Faith sector
Fri 19 Feb 1.45-4pm at the Circle, Rockingham Lane, Sheffield S1 4FW
South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) is consulting with a range of stakeholders to gather their views on a long-term Transport Strategy. Recognising the Voluntary, Community & Faith sector's wealth of knowledge and close connections with communities, SYPTE wants views on questions like future transport systems, specific concerns and what role you or your organisation might be able to play.
Free to attend with lunch provided from 1pm
For more information, or to book a place at this event, email hayley.mahone@sypte.co.uk tel Sheff 2211481
Deadline for bookings is Friday 12 February.
Women's Bike Ride
Sun 21 Feb 2010, 9.30-2pm
CycleSheffield ride starting at Barkers Pool in the city centre. Circular route through various quiet roads and paths, parks and woodlands. Route is less than 12 miles. If people want to join, or leave, at other points along the way that's fine, text for details 07813 615309
More details at www.cyclesheffield.org.uk
Cycling Film Night
Mon 22 Feb 2010, 8-10.30pm at Showroom Cinema, Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2BX
Cycling films at the Showroom. The rarely screened, 1979, Oscar-winning 'Breaking Away' a coming-of-age and cycling full feature movie, rated in the top 10 sporting movies of all time. Also short films including Japanese film 'Fixed in the City'.
Discounts for CTC and CycleSheffield members.
CycleSheffield website
Showroom Cinema website
Sheffield Initiative for Fairtrade (SHIFT) FT14 launch event
22 Feb-1 Mar 2010. Launch Mon 22 Feb, 10.30am, Winter Gardens, Sheffield city centre
Fun and serious change with Fairtrade in Sheffield. Expect to find vicars serving Fairtrade drinks to high profile council reps, children from Fairtrade schools and Fairtrade drinks at discount prices. Display also on the landing in the Central Library for the fortnight.
Sheffield Initiative for Fairtrade (SHIFT) website
"Organic horticulture"
Tue 23 Feb 2010, 7pm-9pm at the Library in the Old Junior School, South View Rd, Sharrow
One of a series of events about food and sustainable food production forming a course on organic horticulture and permaculture, events can also be treated as individual sessions in their own right. Sessions include information handouts and slideshow presentations, followed by a practical session on that specific subject. The practical sessions form a week intensive on allotments, in the Easter holidays.
£10 for each individual session, £80 for the whole course.
Further details from Stephen Watts on 07960 774732 or email maxsalad@googlemail.com
Socialist Party - Sheffield branch meeting
Tue 23 Feb 2010, 7.30pm, upstairs at the Old Queen's Head pub, by Sheffield Interchange (bus station)
Everyone welcome (not just members). Regular educational talk and activities held almost every Tuesday, to check call 07706 710041
NO2ID meeting
Wed 24 Feb 2010, 7.30pm at The Harlequin pub, 108 Nursery St. Sheffield S3 8GG (close to city centre)
NO2ID campaigns on the threat to liberty and privacy posed by the rapid growth of the database state, of which "ID cards" are the most visible part. The Sheffield group meets monthly. Everybody is welcome. The meeting room is upstairs, congregate in the bar before the meeting or ask the bar staff for directions.
Meeting date not confirmed at time of writing, check in advance: sheffield@no2id.net
Website: http://yorkshireno2id.net/
A socialist programme to defend education
Wed 24 Feb, 7pm at The Rutland Arms, 86 Brown Street, S1 2BS
The International Students for Social Equality is holding a series of meetings in the UK to advance a socialist programme in opposition to the cuts in higher and further education announced by the Labour government of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The government has announced education cuts totalling £900 million. This is only the tip of an iceberg. The Institute for Fiscal Studies says the cuts may reach £2.5 billion. Leaders of the Russell Group of 20 leading universities have stated that at least 30 universities could disappear and the rest faced possible meltdown. The cuts would send at least 14,000 academics to the dole queue.
A record 477,277 students took up a university place this autumn, a 5.6 percent rise on last year. But an additional 139,520 students failed to win a place. Savage cuts are already being implemented at universities and colleges throughout the UK. The government has initiated a review that is expected to recommend that annual tuition fees be allowed to increase to between £5,000 and £7,000 a year from the current level of £3,225.
Education cuts are part of a wider, systematic assault on all the social programmes and gains won by the working class over decades designed to make them pay for the raging economic crisis and the multibillion bailouts handed over to the bankers and the super-rich.
They can only be opposed through a mass political mobilisation of students in alliance with broader sections of working people. Students wishing to discuss this should attend ISSE meetings on your campus.
Region of Sanctuary Conference
Thur 25 Feb 2010, 9.30-3.30 in Bradford.
A free one day regional conference to promote Yorkshire and the Humber as a region of safety and sanctuary. Venue: Kala Sangam, St Peter’s House, Forster Square, Bradford BD1 4TY.
This free conference aims to effect real change by inspiring people working with refugees to develop new ideas, coalitions and partnerships across the region. It will also help develop the idea of a Region of Sanctuary, which is beginning to gain a groundswell of support throughout the migration and refugee sectors in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Refreshments and lunch (Halal and Vegetarian) is included. Travel expenses are available for people seeking sanctuary. If you are interested in attending, please tel Sheff 2412780, or email bookings@nrcentre.org.uk.
More details at Region of Sanctuary webpage
Critical Mass Sheffield
Fri 26 Feb 2010, meet 6pm outside the Town Hall
A monthly cycle ride in celebration of the bicycle as the most efficient, peaceful and perfect mode of transport. What's it all about? Click Wikipedia page for explanations.
Sheffield Critical Mass on Facebook
Sheffield Campaigning Workshop
Fri 26 Feb 2010, 9.30 to 4.30 at The Showroom & Workstation, Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2BX
Do you want to make your voice heard by people in power? Do you want to influence decisions made by the council, UK government, the health service or other bodies that affect your community?
Have you started to campaign for change and want advice on how to get to the next level? If so, the Sheila McKechnie Foundation campaign workshop is for you.
- Insight into the successful features of a campaign – what are the keys to success?
- The key steps in planning and evaluating a campaign
- An opportunity to consult experts such as experienced campaigners, MPs and journalists on how to put your theories into practice and what tactics have the most impact
For details visit: Yorkshire and Humber Empowerment Partnership website
Sheffield Vegetarian Group
Sat 27 Feb 2010, 10.45am-12.45pm at Blue Moon Cafe, St James Row near Sheffield Anglican Cathedral
The Sheffield Vegetarian Group meets on the last Saturday of each month, and welcomes new members. Phone to confirm: Jenni 07929 831866.
Sheffield Animal Friends meeting
Mon 1 Mar 2010, 6.30-8/8.30pm upstairs at the Fat Cat pub, 23 Alma Street, Sheffield, S3 8SA
Animal rights group meeting on the first Monday of every month. Come and meet group members and help plan for the next month. Vegan food is always available.
Sheffield Animal Friends website
South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group (SYMAAG) meeting
Tue 2 Mar 2010, 7pm at Scotia Works, Leadmill Road, Sheffield S1 4SE
South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group is a campaigning group which aims to improve the treatment of people who come to South Yorkshire, whether because of threats to their personal safety in their home country or for economic reasons. A partnership between various groups. The meetings are open to all who share SYMAAG's aims.
Contact email dignitynotdetention@yahoo.co.uk
Socialist Party - Sheffield branch meeting
Tue 2 Mar 2010, 7.30pm, upstairs at the Old Queen's Head pub, by Sheffield Interchange (bus station)
Everyone welcome (not just members). Regular educational talk and activities held almost every Tuesday, to check call 07706 710041
Is Clean Coal An Act Of Faith?
Wed 3 Mar 2010, 7.30pm for 8pm start, University Arms, at 197 Brook Hill, near University of Sheffield
Talk by Terry Fox and Jenny Patient about the promised new technology to save the world from climate chaos. Organised by Sheffield Humanist Society, all welcome.
Sheffield Humanist Society
Sheffield Humanist Society meeting
Wed 3 Mar 2010, 7.30pm for 8.00pm start, University Arms, 197 Brook Hill, near the University of Sheffield
Humanists care about social and moral issues from a freethinking, non-religious (atheist/agnostic) perspective, believing that humanity must find its own solutions to the problems of life. Sheffield Humanist Society meets on the first Wednesday of each month apart from January, and newcomers are always welcome.
Sheffield Humanists website
Sheffield Friday Night Ride: The Women’s Movement
Fri 5 Mar 2010, 6.30 pm
Sheffield Friday Night Ride offers a bit of fun, a monthly evening bike ride for anyone to join in. Their motto? "We have nothing to lose but our chains!" (But bring locks and lights, just in case).
This time the ride is on the theme of The Women’s Movement in Sheffield, to celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8) by cycling to locations in Sheffield associated with the struggle for women's emancipation.
Full details on SheffieldFridayNightRide.org.uk
Parliament and You 2010 workshop
Mon 8 Mar 2010, Registration from 9.30, start 10-2pm, St Mary’s Centre, Bramall Lane, Sheffield
Find out how your organisation can engage in the work of Parliament, with a series of free workshops. Parliamentary processes and how to engage with them, how your organisation can be helped by Parliamentary Outreach, whatever that is. All workshops are free and include refreshments and networking opportunities, but places are limited, on a first come, first served basis. To book, email yh-outreach@parliament.uk or call 07917 488839
More on the political class trying to re-connect with the grassroots at www.parliament.uk
Greenpeace meeting
Tue 9 Mar 2010, 8pm Red Lion, Charles St (Hub end) Sheffield S1 9ND
Monthly meeting of Greenpeace South Yorkshire group, held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. For details of meetings, and current activities in the Active Supporters newsletter, see Greenpeace South Yorkshire website
