Women of Steel - Sheffield Star Walk

THE Star Walk is making a comeback and we want you to step out and take part in a bid to help raise £150,000 for a Women Of Steel statue.

The sculpture will stand in Sheffield city centre as a permanent memorial to the city’s inspiring women who worked the steel mills during two world wars.

The statue, featuring two of the women stading shoulder to shoulder, will be given pride of place outside Sheffield City Hall.

The unique sculpture has been designed by world renowned artist Martin Jennings, most famous for his John Betjeman statue at St Pancras Station in London.

And today we are bringing back The Star Walk to kick off a major fundraising campaign to raise the £150,000 needed to complete the statue.

We want to encourage as many Sheffielders as possible to take part in the event, which is being staged in Hillsborough Park on Sunday, April 28.

Kit Sollitt, aged 93, has been one of the leading forces behind our Women of Steel campaign – taking the appeal for official recognition to Downing Street and to the Ministry of Defence.

She said: “I’m so happy our efforts in the steel factories are finally being recognised.

“Seventy years later it is about time we were recognised, and this is for all the Women of Steel including the many thousands who are no longer with us.

“I’m so happy the statue is on its way and I’m looking forward to seeing the end product.”

Sheffield Council leader Julie Dore added: “We all owe it to these amazing women to make the statue a reality.

“I’m calling on everyone out there to do what they can to help us raise money, do The Star Walk, have a bake sale, sit in a bath of beans, or just donate.

“It doesn’t matter what you do, we just want to you to get behind these wonderful women.”

Other fundraising plans are also in the pipeline for later in the year including a major concert at Sheffield City Hall.

THE STAR WALK DETAILS AND ENTRY FORM

The Star Walk quickly became a city institution when racers first took their marks in 1922.

It attracted huge crowds and was one of the highlights of the Sheffield calendar.

It hasn’t taken place since 2000 - but now we are bringing a version of it back, to raise money for The Women of Steel statue.

And we want as many readers as possible to take part.

The Star Walk 2013 is just one mile long so that as many of the Women of Steel themselves, who are now in their late 80s and 90s, can join in.

It is open to all ages and will be a great day out for all the family.

The walk takes place in Hillsborough Park, starting and finishing at Hillsborough Arena, known locally as The Old Running Track.

The four women who have been leading the campaign - Kathleen Roberts, Kit Sollitt, Ruby Gascoigne and Dorothy Slingsby - are vowing to do all they can to take part.

And they are laying down the challenge that, if they can do the walk in their 90s, then anyone can do it.

Kathleen said: “This statue means such a lot to so many families in Sheffield and further afield that we are determined to do all we can to raise the money.”

Entry is £10 for adults and £5 for children, with all money raised going to the Women of Steel Statue Appeal.

DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM: We will be revealing more details about the event soon, but you can enter now by filling in the form, where you’ll also find full terms and conditions - CLICK HERE.

MAKE A DONATION: You can also donate to the Women of Steel Appeal at www.justgiving.com/womenofsteel.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/women-of-steel-star-walk-150k-statue-bid-entry-details-1-5398983

 

Book - Birthday book captures life of Sheffield institution

SHEFFIELD folk shared their memories of a city institution at the launch of a new book all about it.


Neil Anderson launched his book celebrating the 80th birthday of Sheffield City Hall at the popular venue this week.

The title shares some of the hall’s fascinating past and stories, including some ghostly goings on.

As well as being the home of ballroom dancing and concerts, the hall is thought to have had at least three resident ghosts during the decades.

Author Neil, who is also the founder of a PR firm in Dronfield, gave a talk and signed books for fans at the launch on Wednesday.

He said: “It was fabulous.

“It was great to meet a lot of people and it was said I had shown how important the hall has been to different people over 80 years.

“I was quite nervous about taking the project on because the hall does hold such an important place in the hearts and minds of decades of Sheffielders.

“It was really nice to get positive feedback from people who said I had captured it totally, that was great for me.”

The book celebrates all that has happened under the City Hall’s roof since it opened in September 1932.

From hosting megastars such as The Beatles, to surviving World War Two air attacks and promoting peace concerts, the hall’s history is laid bare.

The birthday book costs £12.95 and is available to pick up from the city hall, by calling 0114 2233740, at The Star bookshop and from book retailers.

Tell us your memories of the City Hall in Sheffield?

Email: nancy.fielder@thestar.co.uk

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/birthday-book-captures-life-of-sheffield-institution-1-5189822

Book - Re-live the history of Sheffield City Hall with the 80th birthday book

Carole Proctor, from Darnall has been part of the history of Sheffield City Hall for the last 50 years. It seemed only fitting that she was the first person to purchase a 80th Birthday Book.


The birthday book takes you through the history of the venue and its patrons with all its highs and lows, exclusively produced for the 80th Birthday in September 2012. Many of us have fond memories of the City Hall and it seems only right to put together a book of the stories, dramas and events since opening in 1932. Find out how the City Hall was built, how it survived the war, where the famous Lions from the Oval Hall stage went, how Sir John Barbirolli influenced classical music in Sheffield, where the Beatles had their after party, stories from the popular dances in the Ballroom, how Rock ‘n’ Roll took over the venue as well as the rise of comedy…..

As one of the country’s finest civic buildings, the City Hall has played a unique part in the day to day existence of the city and the country since the day it opened. Written by local author Neil Anderson, the birthday book celebrates this with extracts from local people, stories from the archives and interviews from previous customers and employees.

Carole Proctor has been on both sides of the walls, “I started to come to City Hall for Saturday night dances in the 60s and I fell in love with the place then. I came to work here 27 years ago, so now I’m part of the furniture and have been named the City Hall Oracle!”

“I enjoyed reading the customers and stewards’ memories. They didn’t think Bob Dylan would sell out as they hadn’t heard of him, I’m sure they do now. There has been such a change in ticket prices over the years; I’ve been busy converting shillings and pence into the coinage it would be today. ”

Sheffield City Hall will be remembered by many for staging some of the most iconic gigs. A few artists featured in the book include The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Led Zepplin who created the biggest queue for tickets. But the venue also helped shape the burgeoning careers of some of the city’s own legends: Joe Cocker (first performing as Vance Arnold & The Avengers), Dave Berry and Karen Young were amongst the local stars that started to appear. The book takes you through the stories with pictures, memorabilia and personal accounts of the events.

The Ballroom Dances are pivotal to many Sheffielders, one of which is the author whose parents were amongst the thousands that found romance on the busy ballroom dance floor in the 1950s. Read how many met their wives and husbands and how they used to go for a tipple beforehand at the nearby Albert Public House.

Discover how the celebrated conductor Sir John Barbirolli finally got his wish when the hall’s controversial lions were unceremoniously thrown into storage in 1962 how the building’s resident ghost still, we understand, resides where else but with the gods in the roof.

The City Hall promoted concerts for peace as the world teetered on the brink of Armageddon during the War and has never been without controversy as in 1934 15,000 protested against its staging of a convention by Nazi sympathiser, Sir Oswald Mosley and his black shirted-fascists. Read about the miners strike, how clubs took over the Ballroom unsettling the dances, how the City Hall moved its ticketing function in house, and how it required a much needed refurbishment by Sheffield International Venues who still manage the venue to this day.

The birthday book can be purchased from the City Hall Box Office in person, over the phone on 0114 223 3740 or online at Sheffield city Hall Birthday Book
From: http://www.thornegazette.co.uk/lifestyle/re-live-the-history-of-sheffield-city-hall-with-the-80th-birthday-book-1-4984811

Book/Events - City Hall gets set to celebrate 80th birthday (Sheffield)

This September, Sheffield City Hall celebrates its 80th Birthday with a special programme of events.


Built by the people of Sheffield with Darley Dale stone, Sheffield City Hall first opened its doors on September 22 1932, by Lord Mayor T H Watkins, and has since become one of the cities most iconic landmarks.

City Hall has an extensive legacy where entertainment, and in particular music, is concerned and it continues to be an exciting entertainment and arts venue. Many world famous artists have appeared at City Hall as well as providing a home for a diverse range of local and community events. To commemorate this momentous occasion, City Hall is set to host a series of events, which celebrate and reflect the hall’s illustrious history.

September starts with dancing in the Ballroom, which has kept countless generations entertained from the 1930s right up to the Tea Dances that still thrive to this day. Keith Roe’s Big Band Ballroom Dance on Saturday September 1 kicks everything off and is followed by a Ritz inspired early evening Tea at the Ritz for all those who want to embrace a little glamour on Saturday September 15.

One of the City Hall’s longest running night clubs in the 90’s, DROP returns for a special one off evening with alternative, indie & rock music taking over the Ballroom on Friday 14th September. Following this, Saturday 15 welcomes the return of Brighton Beach for a weekend that is set to take you back.

Classical Music has been performed at City Hall since the day it opened and the City Hall’s orchestra in residence, the Hallé and Sir Mark Elder perform a special birthday concert on Saturday September 29 where they will recreate original works from the opening concert in 1932. The Hallé will be joined by Lesley Garrett who will sing a selection of songs and arias.

Other special events include the City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra who perform exactly 80 years to the day, on Saturday 22nd September. They’ll be staging works by some of the most influential British composers of the 20th Century with proceeds going to the Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff Robbins.

Meanwhile on the same weekend, Toby Foster’s Last Laugh Comedy Club celebrates 20 years in the business and will be combining forces with the 80th birthday for a special weekend of comedy on September 21, 22.

It is also fitting that one Sheffield’s best loved musicians, Richard Hawley will play what is sure to be another legendary concert in the City Hall’s music history, on the same weekend of the actual Birthday celebrations.

As well as musicians and comedians taking to the stage, the City Hall welcomes MADE Festival, the country’s biggest and most inspiring festival of entrepreneurship. Having garnered an award winning reputation for hosting some of the most prestigious business events in the country City Hall supports local entrepreneurs and businesses into the venue during the festival.

With more to announce, the City Hall will also be celebrating its extensive history with a Birthday Book commissioned and written by local author Neil Anderson, which will launch in September.

In addition to the birthday events, the foyer will display past memorabilia, customers can explore behind the scenes with back stage tours, take part in the food festival competition for up and coming chefs and much more.

From: http://www.goolecourier.co.uk/lifestyle/city-hall-gets-set-to-celebrate-80th-birthday-1-4739135

Event - Heritage open day at the City Hall (Sheffield)

Sheffield City Hall is opening its doors to the general public on Sunday 11th September for the English Heritage Open Day programme.

The English Heritage holds the event to celebrate England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public.

Friends of City Hall will be welcomed into the venue and enjoy the unique building from 10am-5pm on Sunday 11th September.

The day will include guided tours giving the public access to all areas of the Hall, refreshments and an exhibition.

The Heritage day is a warm up for next year when Sheffield City Hall is set to celebrate its 80th anniversary since the building was opened.

The venue is planning on celebrating with a series of special events to be announced in 2012.

And over the next year, the venue is planning to collect stories about people’s experiences at Sheffield City Hall.

Whether you fell in love at a tea dance in the Ballroom, met your musical hero or even performed on the Oval Hall stage yourself, let Sheffield City Hall know what it means to you.

Memories can be submitted via a form on the Sheffield City Hall website or in person through the box office.

For more information call 0114 223 3700 or visit www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk/events/

From: http://www.dinningtontoday.co.uk/lifestyle/heritage_open_day_at_the_city_hall_1_3731434