Christmas Shopping!- Merry Markets

It’s that time of year again. Christmas has crept up on us and its time to pull out that shrunken Christmas jumper that Auntie Bettie got you three years ago. More importantly however, its time to start Christmas shopping; and Where better to get that Christmas buzz then the streets of Sheffield.

Sheffield has always been famous for its amazingly diverse markets. At one time Sheffield had 7.

This year the Christmas market is being held in the city centre from the 18^th of November to the 23^rd of December. The market features over 70 stalls. Including quaint log cabin style stalls in the peace gardens around a picturesque open air ice rink. Wether you’re after some hearty Christmas nosh, or a presents for those hard to buy for relatives – this is the place to be.

Also Worth a mention is the Botanical Gardens Christmas market just out of the city centre held this year between December 9 – 11. This event is held in the evenings due to the magical illuminated gardens. The event includes an enchanted fairy land and traditional rides along side craft and refreshment stalls.

Whatever you’re doing this year; make sure you drop by at the merry markets of Sheffield this Christmas. 

Rude Shipyard Review

My favorite places in Sheff...

Reviews- 

Once Discovered; The Rude Shipyard on Abbeydale Road is sure to be one of your favourite places in Sheffield. A fifteen minute walk or short bus ride out of the city centre; The Rude Shipyard is a hidden gem. Always full of friendly artsy people- it’s a great place to escape to from the busy city streets for a relaxing cuppa and some food.


The little independent cafe on Abbeydale road has such a friendly warm atmosphere that it’s almost like walking into someone’s living room. Everything in the cafe is mix match, from the furniture to the pretty china the gorgeous home-made cakes, food and drinks are served on. 

The food and drink is top notch with something to suit everyone, from tasty bagels and smoothies to cooked English breakfasts and even Mexican inspired dishes. There’s even a wide range of veggie food- and at reasonable prices too so you won’t need to break the student budget- a far cry from a generic overpriced Starbucks.

The best and most interesting thing about the Rude Shipyard however, is that fact that it’s not just your average cafe. It’s packed wall to wall with books, which are for sale and loan. There are also has well attended book groups and writers meets to get involved in. And they even sell the occasional bit of music too- often promoting local musicians. There's always the odd musical instrument lying around in the cafe. They describe themselves to have “A trove of instruments waiting to be played.” There is almost always someone tinkering on a guitar or the piano, which only adds to the welcoming atmosphere.

The Rude Shipyard is a very diverse cafe also hosting regular bistro style nights. Occasionally, upstairs of the cafe is transformed into an art gallery. With live music nights at least once month, the rude shipyard is becoming a happening music venue too, with all kinds of world music events happening on a regular basis. Even Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival used the venue heavily for live music throughout the duration of the festival-hosting DJ sets and bands alike.

The Rude Shipyard welcomes everyone. The little cafe, (which is so much more than just a cafe) is well worth a visit, and it might even pleasantly surprise you.
Don’t miss the ‘Heartbreak Hoedown’ live music & DJ night on Friday 10 February. 



Jessica Wilson

Park Hill Marmite?

Park Hill flats of Sheffield. An iconic landmark known by everyone who has spent time in Sheffield. 

" This amazing concrete landmark, the most ambitious inner- city development of its time was opened in 1961 to replace slum terraces. It was hugely popular place to live, with its 'streets in the sky' and innovative external decks for access"













For the last few years park hill has been an empty and daunting concrete shell. The largest listed building in Europe.
Around two years ago I went round the back of the flats to take photos of the Kid Acne Graffiti, and was amazed by the sheer scale of the place. I was used to seeing the streets in the sky everyday of my life, but from a distance. It  loomed over me with a great atmosphere of sadness and neglect. I couldn't help but imagine the life that the place must have once had.

As a native Sheffielder , who has pride in my city. I find myself drawn to the concrete maze on the horizon of my city. A few weeks ago I looked out my window of the flat I currently live in - at the bottom of London road towards the familiar view of Park Hill in the distance , to see a bright rainbow which appeared to be coming out of the streets in the sky. - call me cheesy but I thought it was a really poignant moment which to me represented the coming of something new to the flats. something  which represented new hope in the old building.

The images of the new renovation that I have seen look amazing - Park Hill is really shaking off its bad reputation due to the fresh ideas and character that has been put into the place . i read a quote somewhere that park hill was an old lady who needed to wash her face and put on a new dress, and she would be ready to hit the town. - This is exactly what the new renovation has done. The brightly coloured panels , shiny
corkscrew stair case and large windows have really made such a huge difference. Even the famous graffiti on one of the bridges which holds the phrase " I love you will u marry me" has been immortalised in neon lights. - And also by Alex Turner who wore the phrase on a T shirt to a gig in LA.

The renovation - which once seemed like a colossal risk , seems to have been accomplished really well by its designers Urban Splash. It's now a new colourfull place full of potential, creativity and hope. Life has been given back to Park Hill, and I really hope that it can be pulled off to the end properly.

Today I found myself on the website , subscribing to their news letter,  following them on twitter - and maybe even dreaming of a future in a brand new flat there. Something i never thought i would do.

So Park Hill -like Marmite- love it or hate it?  Think I'll go with love it.

Kid Acne - Kill Your Darlings

Kill Your Darlings is Kid Acne’s First Solo exhibition hosted at the Millennium Gallery.

One of Sheffield Hallam’s own, Kid Acne Graduated in 2000 with a degree in fine art. He quickly became recognised as one of the biggest and most important graffiti artists in Sheffield. His simple yet dynamic tongue in cheek style is sure to have caught your eye on the streets of our Steel City. Perhaps most memorable are the large scale poetic and inspirational sayings and phrases graffitied on to walls and buildings. Such as “you couldn’t make it up tha knows” around the back of Park Hill flats. Even the ex university arts building on Psalter lane, poignantly hosted the phrase “you’ll miss me when in gone” graffitied on the main entrance by kid acne before its closure.

Kill Your Darlings contains much of Kid Acne’s unmistakable graffiti style work which can be seen all across Sheffield. Kid Acnes talents are multiple however; the exhibition contains variety of mediums trough which his art is expressed from toys and comics to sculpture and even illustrated doors hanging from the ceiling which stretch the full length of the gallery.

Perhaps most interesting however, are his many sketch books and sheets which show the progression of his artistic style as it has developed from fanzine cartoons to large scale street graffiti.

Kid Acne has described graffiti to be like modern day folklore; “artists work under adopted names and stories are circulated by word of mouth, giving the main practitioners an almost mythical status.” Kid Acne’s new installation of work reflects mythical themes which kid acne has developed over the past few years. Blood and sand for example, is an imaginary world and belief system which Kid Acne created for his spiky female characters. These characters can be seen throughout kid acnes work. And were created in a response to the overblown teenage fantasies of graffitied women he had seen on the streets. The result is empowered women warriors with personality.  

 A legend on the Sheffield graffiti scene, Kid Acne’s art has inspired many, and will continue do so for some time to come.

Jessica Wilson