Sunday 31 January 2021

Brexit Music

There are concerns that professional musicians in our area, who regularly perform abroad, are going to struggle to be able to make a living. It’s because the EU and Britain have not agreed to continue to have visa-free access for musicians to tour in the European Union following Brexit. It means artists have to have multiple visas or work permits if they’re performing in different EU countries which is bureaucratic and expensive.


You can learn more about the brilliant violinist Lizzie Ball on her website here.

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Wednesday 27 January 2021

Leeds House Fire

I filmed in terrible weather conditions, in very heavy rain, with a couple who had lost everything in a house fire. Thankfully their community in West Yorkshire is rallying round to help fundraise for them

Edyta Wlodek and partner Llowell Williams' house in Leeds where they live with their five year old daughter was ravaged by fire two weeks ago and they only just made it out in time.

I'm very pleased to say that since the story was on air they've had thousands pound more money donated to their GoFundMe page and have had offers from tradesman of voluntary help.


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Sunday 24 January 2021

Working Win

It was uplifting to film a positive story about a scheme to help people with mental and physical health problems in South Yorkshire get and stay in work. So far, one thousand five hundred people have been supported by the Working Win pilot project and it's been extended so more people can benefit.


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Wednesday 20 January 2021

Horse Riding Schools Struggling

I filmed at an an equestrian centre in Bradford and enjoyed learning a lot about what it's like to run a business where you teach people to horse ride. It rained heavily throughout which, along with social distancing because of covid, made filming a particular challenge.

The owners of the equestrian centre say they and their horses are really struggling in lockdown. Lessons are forbidden under government Covid rules which means the horses are not getting enough exercise. Cliff Hollins Riding School in Bradford is also struggling to pay for feed with no money coming in from classes.


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Sunday 17 January 2021

Snow Reporting

I reported on the heavy snow in Sheffield this week for BBC Look North and 5 Live. For the Look North lunch bulletin I walked to our local park to film a short report on my phone. I also filmed some footage of children enjoying sledging on their daily exercise.

Some of the audio I filmed on my phone was used by 5 Live Drive.

Then I headed to another park to meet cameraman Lee to record a longer, updated version for our main 6:30pm programme. A busy day!


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Wednesday 13 January 2021

Knife Bins

An anti-knife crime campaigner is installing knife bins in Sheffield to try to get blades off the street. Anthony Olaseinde used to carry knives himself and says there needs to be knife bins across the city. He's calling on the police and the council to support him in his efforts.


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Sunday 10 January 2021

Scammonden Steps

I revisited a story I first did two years ago about male mental health. Manuel Benages has raised more than £18,000 for the charity Get Fit 4 Mental Wellness he set up so that they can support many more people in crisis. He took on a Herculean challenge of walking up the 548 steps up the side of Scammonden reservoir in West Yorkshire 105 times! I filmed the story and then dashed back to Sheffield to edit it in one hour which is all the time I had before it was going on air - a good test of my skills.


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Sunday 3 January 2021

Page Hall Policing

I was given exclusive access to film with the new policing team in Page Hall in Sheffield. They've seized fifty cars in the area in the last three months to try to show the community they're serious about tackling crime. I also filmed with Sheffield Roma Network which is encouraging people to stick to the covid rules.


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