South Yorkshire people should immediately stop using tumble dryers that are subject to product recall or safety notices, Fire Brigade bosses warn after a huge tower block blaze.
London Fire Brigade investigators say the inferno which ripped through the 18-storey high rise and took 120 firefighters to put out was believed to be caused by a faulty Indesit tumble dryer which was subject to 'corrective action' by the manufacturer and due to be attended by an engineer.
Now the brigade, which recently launched its Total Recalls campaign to improve white goods fire safety, want the dryer's parent company, Whirlpool, to change their current advice to consumers as a matter of urgency following the fire in Shepherds Bush, west London.
The advice states: "You may continue to use your tumble dryer whilst waiting for the modification, however, we require that you do not leave your dryer unattended during operation as an extra precaution (do not leave the house or leave the dryer on whilst asleep)."
London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: "If my kitchen had one of the recalled goods in it, I would unplug it straight away until it has been checked and repaired.
"The speed with which the fire took hold shows how dangerous a faulty tumble dryer can be that's why we are calling for Whirlpool to urgently change their advice to consumers.
"The flat's occupants had a terrifying ordeal. The kitchen quickly became smoke logged and thankfully they noticed the smoke and quickly left the flat and called the Brigade. This decision could have saved lives.
"If your appliance is subject to a safety or recall notice or you think there is something wrong with it our advice is simple. Unplug it immediately and contact the manufacturer or a qualified repair technician."
Friday's blaze started in the kitchen of a seventh-floor flat and the occupants were in at the time and using their tumble dryer.
They managed to escape unhurt. The residents of four other flats in the block have also had to be rehoused following the blaze.
The brigade, which attends an average of one fire a day involving white goods, believes while there is a fire risk people should not use their appliance until it has been checked and repaired.
Its five major concerns about the manufacturers' current safety advice are:
The safety notice was issued due to the danger of fire and any fire has the potential to endanger life and property.
It's impractical for most people to remain with an appliance for the duration of a drying cycle.
If the dryer does catch fire while it's attended this still presents a risk to the occupants.
If a the owner attempts to put out a fire in an appliance they could be putting their life at risk. The brigade's advice is to not risk tackling the fire, always raise the alarm, get out, stay out and call 999.
The time a fire may break out because of a fault is unpredictable. The ignition of fluff accumulated around a heating element may cause a smouldering fire which might not be discovered until the appliance has finished being used and the owner has gone to bed.
The brigade wrote to the Whirlpool Corporation in February expressing concern about its advice to customers, saying that while there is a risk people should not use the appliance until it has been checked and repaired.
Fire chiefs believe improving the recall system and making it easy for people to check if their appliances are subject to a safety or recall notice is a key way of ensuring dangerous appliances are removed from homes across the UK.
The safety notice issued by Whirlpool identified a potential concern with two types of tumble dryer manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015.
The affected brands are Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda, Proline and Swan.

Fire chiefs warn over faulty tumble dryers


South Yorkshire people should immediately stop using tumble dryers that are subject to product recall or safety notices, Fire Brigade bosses warn after a huge tower block blaze.


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Lane blocked on Doncaster stretch of motorway due to accident


One lane is currently blocked on a Doncaster stretch of motorway due to a road traffic collision.


An eventful game at Penistone Church produced 14 goals, four penalties and a sending off.
The hosts ran out 9-5 winners against Grimsby Borough.
Dale Kelly hit a hat-trick as Church battled back from from conceding an early goal to lead 7-2.
Grimsby fought back before Penistone struck twice inside the last two minutes. Lewis Dickinson (2pens), Dan Joynes, Tom Cadzow, Ashley Ellis and Scott Whittington were Church’s other scorers.
Handsworth Parramore suffered their first defeat of the season losing out 4-3 at home against Bridlington Town after twice leading.
Tom Dugdale curled in a fine 20-yard effort for Ambers’ first and they made it 2-0 as Dugdale turned provider crossing for Kieran Well to finish well at the near post.
But Bridlington hit back on the stroke of half-time a safter a quick breakaway Chris Adams curled in a fine effort.
Within in four minutes of the restart it was all square as Joel Sutton’s 20-yarder found the far corner.
Handsworth were back in front when Dugdale was sent tumbling in the area and Jon Froggatt tucked away the penalty.
But six minutes later Connor Smyth conceded a penalty leaving Sutton to level from the spot.
With 15 minutes remaining Bridlington hit the winner, Sutton completig his hat-trick.
Staveley MW picked up their first win with a fine 2-0 victory at Harrogate Railway Athletic with an excellent second half showing with both goals coming from Kieran Watson.
Parkgate are still searching for their first point after Pickering Town sent the Steelmen down to a third league defeat on the spin at Green Lane.
Mohammed Hamid gave Parkgate a 14th minute lead but Pickering won with two second half goals.
Athersley Recreation striker Kai Hancock kept up his scoring form with the only goal in a 1-0 home win over Armthorpe Welfare.
Armthorpe though should have come away with at least a point after squandering two penalties.
Maltby Main made it three without defeat after defeating promoted AFC Mansfield 3-1 at home with Steve Hopwell scoring all three.
Retford United were thumped 7-0 at home by Barton Town OB and have conceded 18 goals in three league outings.
Dronfield Town made it back-to-back victories as Blake Owen and Callum Mawbey gave them a 2-0 win at league new boys Ollerton Town.
Worsbrough Bridge Athletic were beaten 4-1 at Shirebrook Town despite a Lee Garside goal.
* Tuesday- Premier Div: Harrogate RA v Handsworth Parramore. Div One: Hallam v Rossington.
Wednesday Premier Div: Athersley v Retford, Maltby v Liversedge, Worksop v Garforth.

Kelly cracks hat-trick as Penistone Church hit nine in 14-goal thriller


An eventful game at Penistone Church produced 14 goals, four penalties and a sending off.


Dougie Flockhart is one of the key figures at Castle Park both on and off the pitch.
The goal-kicking wing/full-back has proved to be one of Doncaster Knights most consistent performers in recent years as well as doing a top job as fitness and conditioning coach.
The popular Scot but will be looking to impress on his return to action in the club’s final warm-up game against Darlington Mowden Park on Saturday.
Flockhart says he is happy with the squad’s level of fitness with the start of the season less than ten days away.
“It’s been a bit different this year because we finished last season so late,” he said.
“We had just five and a half weeks off whereas it’s normally seven.
“We brought in the new signings and those who missed the end of last season due to injuries, in ten days earlier.
“That worked well and they got to know each other before the other players came in.
“We are blessed compared to some of the other teams and some of the players who join us from other clubs say they were here, there and everywhere going to the gym and other places. whereas we’ve got a gym and such on site.”
Flockhart admits there is a fine line to be drawn when it comes to the intensity of fitness training.
He said: “I try and condition the boys so that they can be 90 per cent of their potential, which might seem strange, but we do that so that they can last the season out.
“When you are pushing it to the limits every day in training there is the risk of burn-out.
“We’ve gone away from the days when you were just trying to make people powerful and the main focus now is to try and keep them on the pitch.
“We do a lot of training compared with some other teams so the boys have got to be conditioned in terms of hamstrings and calves and so on.
“I split the squad into three groups so that I can cater for the specific needs of the players within each of the groups.”
Looking ahead to the new season, Flockhart said: “We’ll probably have to raise our game but I think we’ve got the players to do it. We’ve certainly got more strength in depth this season.”

Doncaster Knights: Dougie Flockhart believes bar will be raised again this season


Dougie Flockhart is one of the key figures at Castle Park both on and off the pitch.


Doncaster Rovers Belles are still searching for their first FA Women’s Super League 1 points of the season after a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool.
And though defender Rhiannon Roberts was impressed by her side’s resilience under heavy pressure from Liverpool, she admitted they need to be more clinical.
“Sometimes it just felt like wave after wave of attacks but I thought we dealt with it well so in that respect we were pretty pleased to go in at half-time 0-0 and we were still in the game until the end,” Roberts said.
Belles did look like scoring through but home goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain forced into making the save of the game when she dived down low to her right to keep out Katrin Omarsdottir’s shot.
“I was already celebrating when Katrin hit that shot but it was a great save and unfortunately you’ve got to take your chances in this league,” said Roberts.
“Every game we go into we believe we can get points and we are not bothered about who it is we are playing. We showed today that we can go out and put in a performance.
“It was just hard to take as I thought we could have got something from the game.
“We want to compete and stay in this league and I think we are showing week by week that we are getting better. Eventually it will come.”
Thursday’s visit of Sunderland to the Keepmoat Stadium (7.45pm) is a must- win game in Belles’ bid to retain their League 1 status.
This is one most of the games from which they can more realistically expect to gain reward.
Sunderland have six points, as do Reading (whom Belles have still to play twice) and Belles have games in hand on both.
The fixture will beSunderland’s first competitive action for a month.
* To buy tickets to an FA Women’s Super League match near you click here: http://www.ticketstores.co.uk/fawsl/

Doncaster Rovers Belles must be more clinical, says defender Roberts


Doncaster Rovers Belles are still searching for their first FA Women’s Super League 1 points of the season after a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool.


Doncaster Knights ended their pre-season campaign on a high at home to Darlington Mowden Park.
In addition to running in ten tries and impressing at the various set-pieces, the Championship out kept the visitors scoreless as they posted an emphatic 64-0 win
Director of rugby Clive Griffithsis well aware that the opening league game away to relegated London Irish this weekend will represent a significant step up.
But Knights will go into the game as well prepared as they could have been, given the injury to skipper Michael Hills, and ready to show that last season’s success wasn’t a one-off.
The game marked the debut of high-profile signing Beau Robinson, who joined the club late last week, and the back-rower will have hoped to have done enough to secure his place in the squad to face Irish.
Full-back Paul Jarvis and Tyson Lewis look certain to feature with the former helping to set up the first of the wing’s first half brace in addition to racing over himself.
Hooker Harry Allen also touched down from a driving maul to secure Knights a 26-0 interval lead which could have been more.
Although Park never stopped trying they continued to be second best after the break.
Knights posted another six tries including a long-range move finished off by Simon Humberstone and an 80 metre effort by half-back Sam Edgerley from a lineout against the throw which made it 50-0.
Centre Mat Clark scored the penultimate try and featured in the last along with Lloyd Hayes in the build-up to full-back Sean Scanlon’s last minute touchdown.
Knights: Jarvis, Flockhart, Hayes, A Tuilagi, Lewis, Cusack, Heaney, Hislop, Allen, John, Young Nolan, Falkingham, Owen, Shaw, List, Sprotson, Newton, Hunter, Williams, Challoner, Makaafi, Robinson, Edgerley, Humberstone.

Doncaster Knights 64 Mowden Park 0: Knights complete build-up with 10-try win


Doncaster Knights ended their pre-season campaign on a high at home to Darlington Mowden Park.


Portrait of Britain art exhibition, focusing on public face on an unprecedented scale, is scheduled to arrive tomorrow at Sheffield rail station.
This week sees installation of the UK-wide exhibition that puts the citizens centre stage, taking over digital screens in shopping malls and high streets as well as track-side platforms.
Martinex Family of Belize / Scotland
Underlining the "enduring power of the portrait," the British Journal of Photography event in partnership with JCDecaux showcases 100 images "confronting the public with a reflection of themselves as they go about their daily business".
To coincide and celebrate recent World Photo Day http://www.thestar.co.uk/whats-on/out-and-about/world-photo-day-snap-happy-call-for-all-your-inspired-images-1-8078497 share all your family and friends portriats by emailing star.readerpics@jpress.co.uk address.
Envisaged as an exhibition "by the people, of the people, for the people," it was initiated as an open call for photographs celebrating the country’s unique heritage and diversity.
Selected from almost 4,000 entries, the winning shots capture young and old, reflecting not just the multi-formity of British people, but also myriad of styles and approaches to contemporary photographic portraiture.
Grime artist Stormzy
“Public art works well when it engages with its surroundings and local population,” said Simon Bainbridge, editorial director of the British Journal of Photography. “That’s what we wanted to do with Portrait of Britain.
"We wanted to show diversity in terms of who is being photographed, but we also wanted to see different ways of photographing. These are pictures that we all take in everyday life, but raised to a higher level by selecting, editing and presenting them in such a wide-ranging public exhibition.”
JCDecaux creative director Russell Gower added: “We are delighted to be working with the British Journal of Photography to bring this powerful exhibition to a national audience, celebrating the power of the photographic portrait across our portrait network. The project will turn our digital channel into a national portrait gallery throughout September, reaching people when they are out and about, commuting, shopping and socialising.”
Most subjects are everyday people, given noble status on the screens usually reserved for models and celebrities. However, there are some familiar names among the images such as Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussein, Faithless singer Maxi Jazz, Grime artist Stormzy, and photographer Don McCullin.
Images represent varying styles of photography - some formally posed, others randomly captured, many showing humanity at play. ‘Home’ is a common theme running throughout many, as are stories of migration and integration, picking up the mood of our post-Brexit times.
Winning images from this ground-breaking September 1 to 30 exhibition can be seen at portraitofbritain.uk with many available to buy as art prints from gallery.portraitofbritain.uk site.

First class photo show set for Sheffield station


Portrait of Britain art exhibition, focusing on public face on an unprecedented scale, is scheduled to arrive tomorrow at Sheffield rail station.


This is the moment a dramatic collision between a car and a bus carrying children was captured on camera on the streets of Sheffield.
The video, which shows the aftermath of the collision in High Green, has already been seen more than 11,000 times on video sharing website YouTube.
The 63-second clip shows a silver vehicle scattering debris across the carriageway before seeming to come to a sudden halt further down the road.
Children can be heard shouting while a female voice can be heard reassuring the youngsters "alright everybody?" A voice can also be heard exclaiming "Oh my God" during the clip.
It is not clear exactly where and when in High Green the footage was filmed but it was uploaded to the site yesterday.
The video, entitled "Caught on Dash Cam Idiot Driver Speeding Crashes Into The Back of bus Carrying Children Sheffield UK" is one of dozens on a website called IdiotUKDriversExposed.
The clip begins with film shot from the dashboard of the bus as it travels along a suburban road. A vehicle can be seen coming in the opposite direction before a loud bang is here and then a silver vehicle is seen passing on the driver's side in a haze of dust and shattered car parts.
The vehicle appears to narrowly miss a dark coloured van and then can be seen coming to a stop further down the road.
People can then be seen walking in front of the bus windscreen with other cars also arriving in the aftermath of the collision.
Commenting on the video on YouTube, user Katie Holmes said: "This happened outside my home and my little girls and all her friends were on that coach. returning from a singing concert.
"When I got to the coach my daughter was mid asthma attack scary as hell. Teachers were amazing though."

VIDEO: Shocking dashcam footage captures moment car and bus carrying children collide in Sheffield


This is the moment a dramatic collision between a car and a bus carrying children was captured on camera on the streets of Sheffield.


A 24-year-old man has been left with serious head and facial injuries, after he was allegedly assaulted with a glass outside a Doncaster hotel.
The incident occurred at around 6pm on Saturday, July 30 outside the Grand St Leger Hotel.
Police have released an appeal for witnesses and more information this afternoon.
Detective Constable Roxanne Morris, the investigating officer, said: “The victim had been out with a group of friends when he was allegedly assaulted with a glass, causing injuries to his face.
“He then fell to the floor, which resulted in a serious head injury. He was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been discharged.
“Following extensive enquiries, including CCTV analysis, I’d like to ask anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident to contact us.
“The alleged assault occurred at about 6pm and it was a busy evening with plenty of people about following the races earlier that day. Were you there? Did you see what happened?
“If you have any information that could assist with our enquiries, please call 101 quoting incident 938 of July 2016.”
Information can also be emailed to enquiries@southyorks.pnn.police.uk or given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Glass attack leaves Doncaster man with facial and head injuries


A 24-year-old man has been left with serious head and facial injuries, after he was allegedly assaulted with a glass outside a Doncaster hotel.


Planning permission for a rail engineering development has been refused after residents said it would “destroy” a Doncaster village.
Planning permission for the industrial development on land at Clay Lane West, Long Sandall was refused following a site visit by councillors.
Speaking at Doncaster Council’s Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday resident Michael Hurst said the site was not suitable for a development of this kind.
He added: “There is plenty of other land available for this kind of industrial development.
“If this goes ahead it will destroy the village of Long Sandall and cause irreparable damage.
“Long Sandall does not need further industrial development.”
The development had been planned for KRM Kingfisher Rail - a construction company operating predominantly in the rail sector.
But Mr Hurst told the meeting promises of employment opportunities as a result of the development came just weeks before the firm made staff redundant and closed the Doncaster depot.
Councillors concluded the development - planned just 65m away from four listed cottages - was unsuitable for that area and would be detrimental to the nearby properties.
The report discussed at the meeting said 13 formal objections were raised from nine households.
The main concerns included excessive noise pollution, the spoiling of the archaeological setting and fears over further development of the site.
Increased traffic in the area and harm to wildlife were also flagged up as major concerns.
The report stated: “Many of the objectors have raised concerns that they believe the land would be better utilised for residential uses. “
Members of the Planning Committee went against the recommendation to approve the plans and refused the development at Tuesday’s meeting at the Doncaster Council’s Civic Office.
KRM Kingfisher Rail were unavailable for comment.

Rail scheme plans refused in Doncaster village


Planning permission for a rail engineering development has been refused after residents said it would “destroy” a Doncaster village.


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HAVE YOUR SAY: Who was your man of match from Doncaster Rovers’ clash with Yeovil Town?


Doncaster Rovers picked up their third consecutive victory as they eased past Yeovil Town.


Steel City's small and medium sized businesses have seen impressive turnover up 11 per cent.
The positive trend features in Barclays Prosperity Map that studied the year to April, ranking 12 UK areas based on factors such as house prices, charitable giving, working hours and gross domestic product.
But, while prosperity in the UK is on the up with spending, earnings and wealth increasing nationwide, Yorkshire and Humberside only ranks ninth among the dozen regions.
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The North East was ranked lowest overall, but still recorded a 6 per cent rise in annual average earnings, reaching £24,748.
London tops the list but other areas are emerging. Scotland saw a 13 per cent growth in household wealth, as opposed to the 12 per cent in the UK capital.
The study also found that charitable giving is not necessarily linked to wealth. Despite being placed sixth in the prosperity table, Northern Ireland is the country’s most charitable region, with 45 per cent of households giving to good causes - well ahead of the national average of 29 per cent. The South West, South East and East of England are also notable in their donating.
The number of millionaires in the UK has also increased, by 41 per cent in past five years. Rising from 508,000 in 2010 to 715,000 this year, London and the South East account for over half (52 per cent) of the total new millionaires.
Original research https://wealth.barclays.com/en_gb/home/research/research-centre/uk-wealth-prosperity-map/prosperity-map.html

Sheffield companies' turnover just the business


A total of six people have been injured in a two vehicle collision that occurred on a busy Doncaster road.
The crash which took place in Great North Road, Woodlands just after 6pm last night involed a Citreon C3 and a Ford Focus.
A South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "There were six known casualties, two from one car - the Citreon C3.
"We had to remove the roof of the car to free them.
"They were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening."
The fire service arrived on the scene at around 6.05pm and left at 7.10pm.
The incident was then left with South Yorkshire Police.
More to follow.

Six injured in two-vehicle smash on Doncaster road


A total of six people have been injured in a two vehicle collision that occurred on a busy Doncaster road.


Blaming formations and systems for poor results is the easy way out according to Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Ferguson.
Much has been made of the regular switch Ferguson has made between 3-5-2 and a 4-4-2 diamond since his arrival at the club last October.
But the Rovers boss believes the manner in which players implement a system is much more important than the system itself.
“I think people look at systems too much,” Ferguson told The Star ahead of today’s clash with Yeovil Town at the Keepmoat.
“It’s the easy thing to do to say if it’s not going well, it’s the system.
“I don’t believe that. I believe that whatever system you play, it’s about whether the players know it and can carry it out.
“My players know the systems we use and we work well on it.
“It’s about implementing your system against whatever system the opposition are playing and doing it in the right way.
“Certainly, for the first game and a half this season, we didn’t do that and it caused us problems.
“It always will cause you problems if that’s the case.”
Rovers began the season with a 3-5-2 system, losing to Accrington Stanley and drawing with Crawley Town.
Ferguson has deployed a 4-4-2 diamond in Rovers last two games, which have brought 1-0 wins over both Cambridge United and Cheltenham Town.
He insists the switch was made due to the loss of Niall Mason to injury, rather than a belief Rovers were not performing in a 3-5-2.
“After Mason’s injury, there was no questions I was going to go to a back four,” Ferguson said. “Predominantly for us it’s been a three at the back or a diamond midfield.
“As long as they know both, how to defend and attack in both, that’s really what I’m looking for.
“I think against Accrington, we were too attack-minded in the three at the back and against Crawley we were too defensively minded. We ended up too lopsided which I didn’t want.
“It’s just getting the balance right and we always have a change we can make within games.
“The back four that starts on Saturday could easily become a back three without making any substitutions.
“We’ve worked on that a lot.”

Doncaster Rovers: Players determine whether a system works insists Darren Ferguson


Blaming formations and systems for poor results is the easy way out according to Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Ferguson.


Doncaster rail passengers are advised to expect disruption to train services until 6pm tonight after a freight train caught fire.
A statement from National Rail said: “A fire on a freight train between Retford and Doncaster means trains cannot run between these stations.
“The line from Doncaster towards Retford has reopened and trains in this direction are returning to normal, however delays of up to 60 minutes may still occur.
“Virgin Trains East Coast and Grand Central passengers may use each others services on reasonable routes.
Virgin Trains East Coast passengers may use CrossCountry on northbound services from Doncaster, East Midlands Trains to and from London St Pancras International and Northern between Leeds and Wakefield and Retford and Sheffield.”
Passengers are also advised to get updates on the incident by following #Doncaster on Twitter.

Delays for Doncaster travellers after freight train fire


Doncaster rail passengers are advised to expect disruption to train services until 6pm tonight after a freight train caught fire.


Doncaster baker Val Stones is a 7-1 shot to win this year's Great British Bake Off as she prepares for her second cookery showdown tonight.
The 66-year-old former primary school headteacher survived last week's opening of the BBC1 show, despite a series of baking blunders and mishaps.
But that only seems to have endeared her to the public and bookmaking giants William Hill have given her odds of 7-1 of winning this year's smash hit programme.
Kate has been named the series favourite at 4-1.
Tonight's episode, which will be screened on BBC1 at 8pm, sees the contestants tackling biscuit making under the watchful eye of judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.
More than 10 million people tuned in to see the opening episode - a record opener for the show.
Val, who now lives in Yeovil, is among 12 contestants hoping to triumph in this year's series, the seventh in the show's run.

Doncaster baker Val 7-1 to win Great British Bake Off as second show airs tonight


Doncaster baker Val Stones is a 7-1 shot to win this year


It’s been a while since Jody Hanson and Helen Voyse saw one another.
It’s clear they have plenty to catch up on and the pair chat animatedly as Jody’s eight-month-old son plays happily between them.
Jody Hanson chatting with Helen Voyse who works as a Doula Jody used a 'Doula' during her pregnancy
It’s a comfortable picture, which is hardly surprising given that, for three months earlier this year, Helen was a huge part of the mum and baby’s life - as their personal Doula.
“I met Helen when I was 34 weeks pregnant with my son,” explains Jody, aged 27, who lives with her two boys in Norfolk Park.
“My family don’t live close by so I had limited support during my pregnancy and was worried about how I would cope when the baby was born and who would pick my older son up from school if I suddenly went into labour. I shared my concerns with my midwife and she told me about the Doula Service.”
The Doula Service is provided by Sheffield City Council and aims to support pregnant women throughout the last six weeks of their pregnancy, during the birth and six weeks postnatally. Each woman who is referred to the project is provided with a volunteer Doula who offers them emotional and practical support over a three-month period.
Just hearing someone say ‘you’re doing a fantastic job’ can be enough sometimes Helen Voyse
“At first I didn’t think it was for me, I thought I could do it all myself, but it’s honestly the best thing I ever did,” smiles Jody as she cuddles her little boy.
“My Doula came with me to midwife and health visitor appointments, she came with me to get my bloods done. There’s a lot of information when you’re pregnant and it’s great to have somebody to help you wade through everything, to help you remember appointments and generally support you.
“The day I went into labour, I called her and she was there waiting for me at the hospital when I arrived. It’s that familiar face that you can trust when everything gets going, it’s so reassuring.”
The service launched in 2011 and there are now around 50 active voluntary Doulas working in the city at any one time. Many of them - though not all - are mums themselves, who want to support women or couples and help empower them to have the best experience they can.
Jody Hanson and her son Saint Hezekiah Trotman-Hanson
Helen, aged 35, has been a volunteer Doula for five years and says it’s one of the best things she’s ever done.
“I have three kids, and had three very different experiences, and wanted to be able to give somebody the support they might not necessarily have had without this service,” she says.
“Our role is supportive but also about information-giving, on issues like infant feeding, safe-sleeping, parenting, the practicalities around labour and birth, and the benefits of skin-to-skin contact. It’s not about sharing our own personal experiences, it’s about making sure parents have all the information they need to make an informed choice about what’s best for them and their baby.
“Sometimes just the praise and encouragement in itself can be invaluable, hearing ‘you’re doing a fantastic job’ or ‘you can do this’ can make a big difference.
Helen Voyse who works as a Doula in Sheffield
“The feedback we get from mums is so positive. We have mums that tell us having one of our Doulas with them was like having their own mum or sister or best friend in the room with them, and that’s wonderful to hear. We have women who use this service who are from different countries and who have no family or friends around at all. For women like that, this service is a lifeline.”
Six weeks after the birth, Doulas must say goodbye to the people they’ve watched become families - something Helen admits can be tough.
“Of course it can be hard to say goodbye to someone who’s shared so much with you and who you’ve built a relationship with,” says Helen, who has worked with 35 mums in the past five years.
“But by six weeks their family unit is in a good place and it’s time for us, as Doulas, to move on and help somebody else. Of course it is lovely though when you bump into those mums out and about, in the supermarket or walking through the city centre, and they have this little two, or three, or four-year-old with them, and you think: ‘I remember when you were born.’ One mum even named her baby after me which felt amazing, it’s a really rewarding role.”
All Doulas go through an extensive screening and training programme before they’re assigned to work with local mums, and Jody has already applied to start the training in September, meaning she could be working with other mums-to-be in the city as early as January 2017.
“I’d love to do for someone else, what this service did for me,” she says.
“That would be such a gift.”
BECOME A DOULA:
The service is always seeking new volunteers for its Doula Project, which runs training programmes twice a year.
“You don’t have to be a mum yourself,” says Helen, whose own background is in nursery nursing.
“We have lots of great doulas who don’t have kids. We have some that work full time and others that don’t work at all. Doulas don’t offer clinical support and we have no medical background. Our job is simply to provide emotional and practical support, information and guidance.”
Email: doulaproject@sheffield.gov.uk if you would like more information about becoming a voluntary doula, or call 0114 2735733.

FEATURE: City mum Jody dishes on Doula Service


It’s been a while since Jody Hanson and Helen Voyse saw one another.


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Video: Jay O'Shea, Alfie Mawson, Stefan Scougall and more - the best goals of the weekend


There were some cracking goals in the games involving our clubs this weekend, but which one was best?


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UPDATE: Missing Doncaster man found safe and well


A 25-year-old man who was reported missing from his Doncaster home on Thursday has been found safe and well, police confirmed a few moments ago.


Hundreds of people braved the bad Bank Holiday weather to attend a Doncaster driving pageant yesterday.
The Respect Drivers Pageant saw more than 100 historic, classic and supercars roar into Bawtry yesterday for the annual event which aims to raise money for the Respect Carer Awards.
Debbie McGuire stands infront of a Corvette at a Historic, Classic and Supercars Pageant at Bawtry. Picture: Andrew Roe
Scores of Bawtry cafés, restaurants and bars also took part in the classic fundraiser, which is now in its sixth year.
Event organiser, Gordon Tulley, said : “This year’s event was even bigger than last year and there were more exciting cars to take dream rides in.
“There was additional entertainment late into the evening and during the day the atmosphere was great with all the bars and cafés participating providing outside seating.
“The aim of this event is to raise money for Respect Carers Awards. These awards are given three times per year to both paid and unpaid carers throughout our region “This has benefited dozens of those who care for our loved ones from nurses, hospice staff, ambulance staff family members to carers within our community and all are nominated by the public.”
Be Envied have dressed up in race girls outfit at a Historic, Classic and Supercars Pageant at Bawtry. Picture: Andrew Roe
War hero, Ben Parkinson, was among those who attended this year’s event, where people were also able to enjoy a variety of attractions and entertainment throughout the day in the form of vintage stalls positioned at the heart of the event.
• For more information on Respect Bawtry and its awards honouring the borough’s care please visit www.respectbawtry.blogspot.co.uk

Classic cars galore at Doncaster charity pageant


Hundreds of people braved the bad Bank Holiday weather to attend a Doncaster driving pageant yesterday.


A pop-up prosecco bar is set to open in Doncaster this week ahead of the start of the historic St Leger Festival.
The bar, Prosecco Pit Stop, is opening to customers on 2 September outside Debenhams on the first floor.
The temporary addition to the shopping centre has been launched in the run up to the famous Ladbrokes St Leger Festival at Doncaster Racecourse, which takes place from September 7 to 10.
Following the festival, the bar will be relocating to a more permanent position within the shopping later this year.
Daniel Matters, commercialisation manager at Frenchgate Shopping Centre, said: “We’re really excited to be launching our pop-up prosecco bar at Frenchgate, which is a fantastic temporary addition to enhance our customers’ shopping experience.
“What better way to for people to relax during or after a busy day shopping with us than a lovely chilled glass of fizz!
“It’ll also be a great way to welcome race-goers to Doncaster for the upcoming St Ledger Festival, which is a huge event for the town.”
The bar will serve a range of proscecco, champagne, world beers and other beverages and is owned and operated by local publicans Shaun and Lucy Applegate of The Station Hotel in Blaxton. It will be open seven days a week.

Pop-up prosecco bar to open in Doncaster ahead of the St Leger festival


A pop-up prosecco bar is set to open in Doncaster this week ahead of the start of the historic St Leger Festival.


Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can
Yorkshire's latest Radio 1 stars The Sherlocks had a muddy great time at Leeds Festival - they drew a crowd of more than 6,000 fans then camped out with them.
The Sheffield indie four piece turned down a five star hotel and proved they are a real band of the people.
After packing out the Festival Republic stage they decided to pitched a tent in one of the muddy camp sites.
Frontan Kiaran Crook, aged 20, revealed: "We played our set then decided to camp through the night. We had an option to go into a five star hotel, with a jacuzzi and everything, but we decided to camp.
"We just love it."
He then joked: "We ended up camping next to the Red Hot Chili Peppers- I could hear Anthony snoring.
"But no, seriously, we love it. We love a bit of mud. We just thought, we might as well have the full festival experience."
Melvin Benn, Reading and Leeds Festival boss, said: "I didn't know The Sherlocks went and pitched up in the camp site. It doesn't surprise me. It's what my kids do. They want to be in the public camp site. Anybody who thinks the VIP area is the place to be, I can tell you it's a bit more boring."
Other Yorkshire bands who played at Leeds over the weekend included Sheffield's The Wired, Liberty Ship, Bang Bang Romeo, Leeds band Dusk, Fighting Caravans, York based Faux Pas and many more.
The Sherlocks, also featuring Kiaran's brother, drummer Brandon, 23, guitarist Josh Davidson, 22, and his brother and bassist Andy, 17, recently played the biggest music festival in the world, SXSW in Austin, Texas.
The Sherlocks played to over 6,000 people then camped out with fans in muddy fields at Leeds Festival.
They also played at Reading Festival at the weekend but said Leeds, their Yorkshire homecoming, was the highlight of their year.
Kiaran added: "Leeds Festival is really important to us. It's given us a chance to pick up new fans. We had a blast. The tent was packed. It exceeded what we thought it would be.We're going on tour next month, starting in Brighton and finishing in Stockton, with a sold out gig in Leeds.
"It would be nice to do the NME/Radio 1 stage next year, I think that's where we are heading."
Brandon added: "We are at home when playing Leeds festival. Now we need to get an album out while we've got momentum behind us."
The Sherlocks, who will record their debut album later this year, begin a 16-date UK headline tour later this week, including a sold out show at The Wardrobe in Leeds, on Tuesday, September 20.
The Sherlocks at Leeds Festival
For full dates and tickets visit thesherlocksmusic.co.uk
The Sherlocks on stage at Leeds Festival
Reading and Leeds Festival boss Melvin Benn
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VIDEO: Sheffield's The Sherlocks camp in mud with fans after wowing Leeds Festival


A Sheffield nursery
When the Bizzy Bees Family Childcare Centre off School Road in Beighton was gutted in a fire last November, manager Lisa Burgin says staff feared the huge cost of repairs would mean they would have to close the nursery permanently.
Open day at Bizzy Bee Family Childcare Centre in Beighton after the centre was destroyed by fire and is now reopen. Pictured are Isabelle Clark, four, Josh Spacey, seven, and Isla Thompson, two.
But after people in Beighton and across Sheffield rallied round, showing their support for the nursery and the service it provides to the community, Lisa said that gave them the determination they needed to get back on their feet.
And this weekend, after months of fundraising and insurance negotiations, the Bizzy Bees Family Childcare Centre welcomed families to take a look around the newly rebuilt nursery, before it re-opens on Tuesday.
Lisa said: “It’s been a really successful day. We’ve had about 70 families visit us which has been incredible.
“We’re overwhelmed by the support shown by so many people. From the point of fire we’ve had so many people following our story on Facebook and supporting us, it’s been phenomenal.”
Open day at Bizzy Bee Family Childcare Centre in Beighton after the centre was destroyed by fire and is now reopen. Pictured is Zak Webster, six. Photo: Chris Etchells
The nursery currently has around 60 children signed up, compared to the 190 on its books before the fire. But Lisa says she is confident the nursery is on track to achieve the same level of success enjoyed before the fire.

Sheffield nursery torched in fire welcomes families back in as it prepares to re-open


Minding your manners, avoiding emotional Facebook rants and knowing what cutlery to use are modern day signs of class, according to new research.
A study of 2,000 Britons for fashion brand Peter Hahn identified markers that separate classy from hoi polloi (reason enough for us to here reprise Sheffield's finest Pulp Common People '95 Glasto live class commentary)
They also include not showing too much cleavage, holding the door for others and speaking more than one language.
So how classy are you? Take our quiz to find out.


Minding your manners, avoiding emotional Facebook rants and knowing what cutlery to use are modern day signs of class, according to new research.


Inmates in prisons located in Doncaster and across the country could soon be allowed to use Facebook and Twitter from behind bars, if new recommendations are given the go-ahead.
The proposal, which has been recommended by the HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), suggests inmates at prisons such as HMP Lindholme should be able to use social media and Skype to keep in touch with friends and family members.
The prison watchdog has suggested a pilot should be carried out, through which risk-assessed and supervised prisoners would be allowed to have family contact through social media and or Skype.
It added that the findings should then be evaluated and published for the public to read.
The proposal has been met with criticism by charities who fear victims could be put at risk.
National Victims’ Association spokesman David Hines said: “This will put all victims of crime at risk of trolling.
“Why do they need access to social media to speak to their families? Put a letter in the post.”

Inmates could soon be allowed to use social media from behind bars


Inmates in prisons located in Doncaster and across the country could soon be allowed to use Facebook and Twitter from behind bars, if new recommendations are given the go-ahead.


Police have traced a JCB digger that was stolen in Goole and later abandoned in a Doncaster field, half a mile from the nearest road.
The digger was discovered at the Old Peat Works off Idle Bank, Hatfield Chase at around 7pm last night.
The digger was discovered at theOld Peat Works off Idle Bank, Hatfield Chase at around 7pm last night.Picture: South Yorkshire Police
Speaking on Twitter, a spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: "#Stolen in @HumberbeatRoads #Goole recovered #Hatfield thanks to @CanTrackGlobal Found abandoned; no arrests yet!"
They added officers were having problems recovering the vehicle due to the fuses being removed from the vehicle.

Stolen JCB digger discovered in Doncaster field


Police have traced a JCB digger that was stolen in Goole and later abandoned in a Doncaster field, half a mile from the nearest road.


Darren Ferguson admits regulations may make it difficult for Doncaster Rovers to sign free agents to cover injuries.
The Rovers boss had previously discussed using free agents to plug gaps in his squad left by the raft of injuries suffered since pre-season.
But he says signing players for a month at a time will place heavy restrictions on what those individuals can do for the rest of the season.
“The free agents thing is a possibility for us,” Ferguson said.
“The only thing with that is if we were to sign someone after the window closes, and we sign them for say a month, he can’t go anywhere else for another four months.
“It’s about getting the balance right.
“And it’s also about getting the right people in with the right character.
“At the moment we’re showing a lot of character in games. That’s important.
“We’ve got our list of players that might be possibles or probables and all the rest.
“We’ll wait and see.”
Ferguson has until 11pm on Wednesday to make any further loan additions to his squad, something he is considering following new injury issues from Saturday’s win over Yeovil Town.
For tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy trip to Mansfield Town, the Rovers boss plans to make all six of the changes to his side he is permitted to by competition rules.
Liam Mandeville, Harry Middleton, Riccardo Calder, Ross Etheridge and Alfie Beestin are all likely to start at Field Mill tonight while several youth team graduates will be handed places in the squad.
Ferguson said: “There’s players really challenging to start games.
“Certainly the ones I feel deserve to be starting on Tuesday because they’ve trained very well will be.
“Danny Amos who was on the bench against Cheltenham would come into my consideration.
“Young Will Longbottom is another one.
“There’s a couple more who I might consider.”

Doncaster Rovers: Darren Ferguson cools on free agents


Darren Ferguson admits regulations may make it difficult for Doncaster Rovers to sign free agents to cover injuries.


Darren Ferguson was delighted to see his Doncaster Rovers side building momentum after picking up a third successive win with a 4-1 triumph over Yeovil Town.
A hat trick from Andy Williams and a James Coppinger strike saw Rovers run out winners over Yeovil, who played the last 14 minutes with ten men following Bevis Mugabi's dismissal for two bookable offences.
The result lifted Rovers up to third in the early League Two standings and brought their first trio of league wins since February 2015.
"Momentum is the key word, it's what we're trying to do," Ferguson said.
"It's probably been a while since we've had three wins on the bounce.
"In the end it was comprehensive really."
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Ferguson was critical of his side for failing to take control after opening the scoring early.
Williams gave Rovers the lead with just 34 seconds on the clock as he volleyed home on the angle.
But sloppy play from Rovers let Yeovil back into the game and the visitors were the stronger side for much of the first half.
He said: "It was a fantastic start, the first five or ten minutes, but it sometimes happens in a game where you get a goal so early it can then lead to a bit of a frustrating half which is exactly what happened.
"We didn't look after the ball well enough. We were poor with the first pass and gave it away too much. It meant their full backs could get possession which we didn't want.
"We spoke at half time. about getting a bit more control of the game possession-wise.
"What won us the game was four outstanding goals. Four real quality goals and I'm really pleased with that."
READ MORE On-the-whistle report: Doncaster Rovers 4 Yeovil Town 1
Williams completed his hat trick in added time after scoring to make the game safe at 3-1 with eight minutes to go.
And Ferguson feels the achievement was just reward for the striker's hard work.
"I'm delighted for Andy," Ferguson said. "You see every game he plays, the boy works his socks off.
"The quality of his hat trick was excellent.
"All four goals were of real quality and we could have scored a lot more."
YOUR SAY Vote for your Rovers man of the match from the win over Yeovil

Doncaster Rovers: Darren Ferguson hails side for building momentum


Darren Ferguson was delighted to see his Doncaster Rovers side building momentum after picking up a third successive win with a 4-1 triumph over Yeovil Town.


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Police called after alpaca attacked by dog in Doncaster


Police officers were called out to a field in Doncaster after a dog attacked an alpaca.


Two people have been charged been with murder in connection with the death of a 47-year-old Sheffield man who has now been named by police.
The man who died following a reported assault in Fox Walk, Walkley on Thursday evening was named by South Yorkshire Police as Craig Wild a few moments ago.
Emergency services were called to house in Fox Walk, Walkley at about 6.45pm on Thursday following reports that Craig had allegedly been assaulted.
RELATED LINKS:
MURDER: Residents’ shock after two arrested on suspicion of murder in Sheffield
BREAKING NEWS: Two arrested on suspicion of murder in Sheffield
He was pronounced dead shortly after and a post-mortem examination concluded that he died from multiple injuries, including stab wounds.
Two people have been charged in connection with his death.
David Webster, 49, of Leppings Lane, Hillsborough and Alison Moss, 46, of Fox Walk, Walkley, appeared before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with murder.
They have been remanded into custody to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday, August 31.
Craig’s family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this extremely difficult time.
Detectives remain keen to hear from anyone who has any information about Craig’s death.
If you have any information that could assist officers with their enquiries, please call 101 quoting incident number 988 of August 25, 2016.
Alternatively, information can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111.

BREAKING NEWS: Two charged as Sheffield murder victim is named


Two people have been charged been with murder in connection with the death of a 47-year-old Sheffield man who has now been named by police.


Authenticity is the aim for restaurant modelled on traditional Mediterranean tavern.
Food is usually one of the highlights of a trip to any Mediterranean country, and there are few finer experiences than a flavour-laden feast in the sun.
Dimitri's Greek Tavern in Abbeydale Road, Sheffield. Special mixed grill for two.
Sheffield might not boast the glorious weather of Greece, but the owners of Dimitri’s Greek Taverna are trying to recreate the highly social atmosphere of dining in their home country at their restaurant in Abbeydale Road.
This is obvious from the moment you walk in the door, with decoration taken straight from the colours of the Greek flag. There is blue everywhere, from the curtains to the tablecloths. A mural of four figures in traditional Greek dress is painted on one wall and plastic vine leaves cover the ceiling. It’s by no means the classiest decor, but it does give you a sense that you are somewhere other than South Yorkshire.
We were welcomed with a smile by manager Dora Nearchon and given a table by the window. A quick glimpse at the menu shows a range of dishes, from standards such as moussaka and souvlaki to more unusual options including exohico, an oven-cooked pork roll with mustard, tomatoes, peppers and cheese.
To start we chose a spinach and feta filo pastry tart, and melitisana psiti - a baked aubergine with feta, onion, parsley, tomatoes, garlic, vinegar and olive oil.
Dimitri's Greek Taverna on Abbeydale Road in Sheffield
The tart was fine, although the pastry was a little thick, but the aubergine was excellent, the vinegar and parsley giving a rich flavour.
For our main we couldn’t resist the mixed grill, which arrived in a huge dish with two skewers hanging above it. The selection was excellent, from pork and chicken souvlaki to sausage and pork belly.
Everything on the plate was delicious and there was so much that we had enough for tea the next day. But to our dismay we did find a couple of hairs in the kofte kebab.
Manager Dora apologised and explained the kebabs were made in the town of Kavala in Greece before being sent to Sheffield - like many of the ingredients used in the kitchen. She took our drinks off the bill and afterwards insisted such problems were rare, but if they did occur she was straight on the phone to her supplier.
A complimentary pastry and syrup dessert rounded off the meal nicely and despite the hitch we were satisfied with a good meal for just over £30.
Dimitri’s has gained plenty of friends since it opened in March - several customers were clearly regulars - and as long as you are not expecting fine dining you should come away feeling full and happy.
“We want people to have an authentic Greek experience and taste,” said Dora. “We want to give people a feeling just like being in a traditional Greek taverna.”
Dimitris Greek Taverna - Facebook page
THREE MORE TO CHOOSE FROM:
The Greedy Greek, Sharrow Vale Road Alyssum, Barber Road, Crookesmoor
Parthenonos, London Road
* Food news: Bringing old recipes back into fashion
* Pub of the week: Horse and Jockey, 240 Wadsley Lane, Sheffield, S6 4EF

Food Review: Creating a little piece of Greece in Sheffield


Authenticity is the aim for restaurant modelled on traditional Mediterranean tavern.


Consistently ranking as Doncaster’s top coffee house and eatery on Trip Advisor, Moona Coffee House and Restaurant has teamed up with the Free Press again for a great reader offer at the launch of their new online coffee and tea store: shop.moonacoffee.com
Family business Moona, of 76/78 High Street, Bentley, offers a free coffee to go, worth £2.05, in exchange for the coupon in this week’s edition of the Doncaster Free Press. The offer runs until August 31.
Owner and barista Tahir Nazir roasts and grinds his own unique blend of coffee beans daily. This eatery would not be out of place in an exclusive city high street.
He said: “All our teas and exclusive coffee blends are available to buy online and the extensive restaurant menu includes breakfast goodies such as American pancakes with toppings, homemade scones, Swedish meatballs, beef with Stilton, Aberdeen Angus premium burgers, real fruit smoothies, Beef Adobo en Croute, milkshakes, toasted paninis and many more gems.” The menu is also online: moonacoffee.com/our-food/
With a five-star hygiene rating, Moona opens Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm and Saturday, 8.30am to 4pm.

Free and fresh ‘coffee to go’ at top Doncaster restaurant


Consistently ranking as Doncaster’s top coffee house and eatery on Trip Advisor, Moona Coffee House and Restaurant has teamed up with the Free Press again for a great reader offer at the launch of their new online coffee and tea store: shop.moonacoffee.com


Metal flakes have been ound in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
The makers of popular ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s has recalled four batches of its product after pieces of metal were discovered in them.
Unilever said it had identified a period of production where small pieces of metal may have found their way into tubs of Cookie Dough ice cream.
As a precaution it is recalling all potentially affected items.
The affected batches are 500ml cartons of Cookie Dough, with batch codes L62110L011 / L62111L011 / L62112L011 / L62113L011.
Unilever has urged anyone who bought the affected product to dispose of it immediately and contact its customer care line on 0800 146 252 to arrange a replacement.


Metal flakes have been ound in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.


The selection and attraction of a suitable mate is of fundamental importance to all species.
It is perhaps not surprising then that dating programmes, featuring men and women competing for the attentions of a potential partner, are so popular. Indeed, viewers have tuned in to series such as Blind Date, Take Me Out and The Bachelor for decades.
But recently Channel 4 took the format a “bold” step further, launching a new dating programme, Naked Attraction, which features men and women selecting from a range of potential suitors, each of whom appear on the programme – entirely naked. First, the lower body is revealed, next the torso, then the face, and finally the voice. At each stage, the contestant discusses the traits they are attending to and their attractiveness, before eliminating one of the available suitors.
A range of physical features are discussed including body shape, genital size, body hair, hair style, teeth quality, and the presence of tattoos. Though this form of dating is not (I presume) one with which most of us are familiar, the importance placed on appearance, and the information we obtain from appearance (whether consciously or unconsciously) is something to which we can all relate. Indeed, these characteristics can provide important information which allows us to select only high quality healthy partners.
Here’s some of the science behind how we pick a potential mate.
Body shape
Body shape is one of the most widely discussed aspects of physical attractiveness. Our ideas of the ideal body shape are often wrongly manipulated by the media, advertising or the fashion industry. But certain physical traits can reveal deeper physiological truths.
Prior to puberty, for example, girls and boys display a similar waist-to-hip ratio. But at puberty, oestrogen and testosterone stimulate in women the accumulation of fat in sex-specific areas. Therefore, women typically display a waist-to-hip ratio of about 0.67-0.80 – although these ratios increase further after childbirth and menopause.
Waist-to-hip ratio is also associated with a range of health conditions in women, such as cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, and can also be an indicator of the likelihood of conception. Hence women with higher waist-to-hip ratios display poorer health and are less likely to conceive. Consequently, waist-to-hip ratio provides important information about a woman’s age and reproductive status.
It is important to note of course that levels of body fat (body mass index) also influence ratings of physical attractiveness and perceived health, though waist-to-hip ratio and body mass index may signal different information. In particular, body mass index may reveal the ability to endure energy intensive pregnancy and breast feeding, while waist-to-hip ratio indicates youth and fertility.
Back to basics. Shutterstock
With regards to male body shape, research often focuses on the importance of height. Indeed, although the preference for a “tall, dark, handsome stranger” is a cliche, there is a biological basis for this preference, with only healthy high quality men able to invest the physical resources required to develop tall stature. Hence, height is associated with positive physical and mental health.
It is also related to important social outcomes such as social status, educational success, and income, which may reflect perceptions that tall men are more assertive and dominant than shorter men. Consequently, research suggests that tall men are more desirable to women and are themselves able to attract more attractive partners.
Teeth
When assessing the physical attractiveness of potential partners, people often comment on the colour or shape of teeth. The colour and shape of our teeth is not of course arbitrary and can reveal important information about our health and genetic quality. For example, tooth loss is associated with poor general health, nutritional deficits, and conditions such as cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Teeth spacing may also indicate the presence of specific genetic disorders such as Rapp-Hodgkin Syndrome and Robinow’s Syndrome, while tooth colour is influenced by a range of factors including diet and age, leading to teeth appearing darker and yellower as we get older.
As a consequence, people place considerable importance on the appearance of their teeth and in the US alone, about US$1 billion per year is spent on purely cosmetic dental procedures. A 2012 study suggested the manner in which teeth colour and spacing influence ratings of physical attractiveness, concluding that deviations from normal spacing and/or darker yellower teeth are perceived as unattractive, particularly when judging women.
Body Modification
People also often seek to alter and enhance their appearance through the use of cosmetics, hair dye, and jewellery. More permanent modification through the use of tattoos is also common though these are associated with a range of health risks. These include allergic reactions to tattoo colours, bacterial infections, and the transmission of blood borne diseases such as HIV.
As the ability to obtain and maintain a tattoo without an adverse reaction may be dependent on physical fitness and immunocompetence, the presence of a tattoo (that has not resulted in the aforementioned difficulties) can act as a signal of physical quality. Men may be most likely to display tattoos as a cue to physical health; tattoos are most common among men aged 25-34, and men are more likely than women to acquire multiple tattoos that cannot be concealed by clothing. Hence, women rate men with tattoos as healthier than those without.
Of course, while we attend to a range of physical traits when evaluating potential partners, it is important to note that the importance we place on any single trait varies across time and context, such as when assessing partners for short-term casual or long-term committed relationships, and between individuals. Additional research is however to required to establish the relative importance of each feature and the manner in which people may dishonestly signal their true quality and intentions. And apart from that, let’s not overlook the importance of a good sense of humour. Looks aren’t everything.
This article first appeared on TheConversation.com


The selection and attraction of a suitable mate is of fundamental importance to all species.


It’s 22 years since Oasis released their definitive first album.
This week in 1994 saw the Mancunian Britpop band release the landmark LP after previously issuing singles Supersonic, Shakermaker and (revisited here) Live Forever, which all appeared on 11-track album.
This was the moment the indie darlings made it into mainstream as Definitely Maybe sold 86,000 copies within first week of release, making it the UK’s fastest-selling debut LP. It could also be seen as the birth (or rebirth) of Britpop itself, with the term entering into the nation’s vocabulary alongside Cool Britannia.
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With their first album coming out the week after rivals Blur released single Parklife, it would pave the way for future rivalry between the bands and make both acts household names.
The band - Liam Gallagher, Paul Arthurs, Paul McGuigan and Tony McCarroll - had formed as The Rain in 1991, before being joined by Liam’s brother Noel, former Inspiral Carpets roadie and aspiring songwriter.
Flashback to last month's coverage http://www.thestar.co.uk/whats-on/gigs-and-music/looking-back-at-sheffield-oasis-sell-out-shows-1-8032023 of South Yorkshire Oasis mania.
They were signed by Alan McGee of Creation Records following their blagging their way onto the bill at an 18 Wheeler show in Glasgow in 1993.
As well as spawning two more hit singles in Cigarettes & Alcohol and Rock 'n' Roll Star, the album’s sleeve took on iconic status - detailing the band’s influences and interests such as Manchester City footballer Rodney Marsh, Burt Bacharach (one of Noel’s favourite songwriters) and a TV showing a scene from the film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Definitely Maybe would go on to sell over 2.1 million copies in the UK and 15 million worldwide while NME ran a poll a decade later, voting it best album of all time.

Arguably most iconic debut album anniversary ... Definitely Maybe!


It’s 22 years since Oasis released their definitive first album.


YORKSHIRE chief Martyn Moxon believes the announcement that first-team coach Jason Gillespie is to leave the club at the end of the season will only inspire the players to send him on his way with a hat-trick of titles.
Yorkshire confirmed yesterday that Gillespie is going at the end of the summer, citing family reasons after his wife and children recently returned to Australia.
Gillespie will join them at home in Adelaide in October after five seasons in charge of Yorkshire, whom he has led to back-to-back County Championships.
Director of cricket Moxon believes the timing of the announcement – with second-placed Yorkshire five points behind leaders Middlesex with four games left – will only motivate the side to give Gillespie a fairytale send-off.
“I don’t see it (the timing) being a problem,” said Moxon.
“If anything, I think it’s going to inspire everybody to finish the season strongly.
WELCOME: Jason Gillespie with Martyn Moxon at Headingley after his appointment as first-team coach in 2011. Picture: Steve Riding
“It’s not going to negatively affect the dressing room, and it’s just a little bit more inspiration, if we ever needed it, to try and get a treble of County Championships.
“The reaction among the players when we told them was, ‘let’s finish on a high and send Dizzy out on a high’. That’s the message.”
The players were told in the aftermath of Yorkshire’s Royal London Cup semi-final defeat to Surrey on Sunday.
Moxon said the announcement was also designed to head off ongoing speculation surrounding Gillespie’s future, with the fact that he would probably leave during the close season having been an open secret in-and-around Headingley due to his family situation.
Dizzy has headed it up and put his stamp on the team. Martyn Moxon talking about the contribution of departing coach Jason Gillespie.
“Clearly, there’s been a lot of speculation,” said Moxon.
“Dizzy’s been asked quite a bit about the future, hence why we’ve made the announcement now to squash all the speculation, because that does create doubt in the dressing room when people hear rumours.
“We took a balanced view on it and felt it was probably best to end all the speculation now, and get it out there so everybody knows exactly what’s happening.
“Ideally, it would have been nice to have done it after winning the semi-final rather than losing one, so it had nothing to do with the result of that match.”
MAGIC MEMORY: Yorkshire director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, and first team coach Jason Gillespie celebrate with the County Championship trophy at Trent Bridge in 2014.
Moxon admitted he had known for some time that Yorkshire would have to start searching for a new head coach.
He has enjoyed a strong working relationship with Gillespie, overseeing all cricketing affairs while Gillespie has focused on the day-to-day running of the first XI.
“We’ve known for some time within the management group, and it’s no surprise to us that are close to him,” said Moxon. “With Anna and the children going back after the school term, and the fact that the family over there were missing the grandkids, etcetera, it’s not a surprise that it was going to be difficult for Diz to be here for several months of the year while his family were in Australia.
“From my point of view, I can only thank him for what he’s done and say that it’s been a pleasure to work with him. We’ve worked really well and closely together, and we get on as friends as well, so it’s been something really special these last five years.”
What Gillespie has done is best highlighted by Yorkshire’s Championship record in the past five seasons.
Going into tomorrow’s game against Hampshire at Southampton, Yorkshire have lost just five of 76 Championship fixtures under his leadership, becoming the standout force in four-day cricket.
“Dizzy has headed up the first team for five years and done a fantastic job,” said Moxon.
“He’s created an environment whereby some good players can go out and play and express themselves.
“All of the support staff have played their part within the group, and it’s been a real team effort, but Dizzy has headed it up and he’s put his stamp on the team.
“Particularly in four-day cricket, it’s a remarkable record, and we’re starting to improve in one-day cricket as well, so he’s done a great job for Yorkshire overall.”
Gillespie, 41, was unavailable for comment yesterday pending a press conference at Headingley this morning when he will clarify his reasons for going.
Moxon will begin the search for his successor after ruling himself out of the running to combine both roles.
“I’ve moved on from that now,” he said. “I think it’s impossible to combine the overseeing and the day-to-day running of the first team because there’s too much involved.
“I’m keen to stay where I am doing what I’m doing, and we’ll appoint somebody in time to carry on the work and oversee the next few years.
“I’ve got a couple of things I want to explore (possible successors to Gillespie), but, if nothing comes of those, then it will be the end of the season before we look at it more closely.”
Among potential candidates could be England assistant coach Paul Farbrace and the Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson, both of whom have recently coached the Yorkshire second team.
But whoever takes over will have some mighty shoes to fill.
Comment: Page 19.

Jason Gillespie’s exit set to inspire Yorkshire towards title hat-trick, says Martyn Moxon


YORKSHIRE chief Martyn Moxon believes the announcement that first-team coach Jason Gillespie is to leave the club at the end of the season will only inspire the players to send him on his way with a hat-trick of titles.


A devastated Doncaster football fan in our namesake Australian town has become an internet hit after a radio rant about his favourite team went viral.
A caller known only as ‘Mario from Doncaster’ had radio hosts Down Under in hysterics after claiming his side's devastating defeat had made him vomit all over himself.
The distraught fan's meltdown on sports phone in show The Run Home on Australian radio station SEN has since been listened to and shared hundreds of times on social media.
LISTEN: Check out Mario from Doncaster's radio breakdown here
Australian Rules Football fan Mario was gutted after his side Richmond Tigers suffered a 113-point defeat to Syndey Swans - one of the biggest defeats in the league's history. The club were given a 164-51 drubbing on Saturday evening - adding more woe to a miserable season for the club.
And Mario, who had previously said he would melt his club's membership card after a previous defeat for his side, hoped he would find a shoulder to cry on when he called hosts Mark Allen and Daniel Harford.
“When President Kennedy was assassinated, Jackie’s favourite pink dress — the Chanel dress — was covered in blood,” he began.
“She refused to take it off that day because she wanted America to see what they had done to her husband in Dallas.”
Mario continued to the uproarious laughter of the hosts: “When Richmond was down by 130 points — no, listen — I vomited all over myself,” he claimed.
“And I haven’t taken it off. And I’ve been walking around the petrol station, I slept and — no, listen! Listen! Listen!
“I’ve walked around all day, I... I want everyone to see — stop it! — I want everyone to see what Richmond has done to me!”
He then hung up.
The clip has now gone viral with sports fans across the world sharing the clip.
The suburb of Doncaster is part of Melbourne in Australia and was named after our home town.

LISTEN: Doncaster football fan's hilarious Australian radio rant goes viral


A devastated Doncaster football fan in our namesake Australian town has become an internet hit after a radio rant about his favourite team went viral.


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Bin collection days changing in Doncaster over the Bank Holiday week


Residents are being reminded that bin collection in Doncaster will change days next week due to the August Bank Holiday.


A new survey has revealed that over a third of parents believe mobile phones and tablets are making their children unsociable.
The study has shown that 39 per cent of parents believe the gadgets have had a negative effect on their child's willingness to socialise.
It was also discovered that more than half of parents think a device has had a negative effect on their child's willingness to participate in physical activity.
The research, conducted by insurance firm Row.co.uk, has also found that a third of parents also found their child to be more argumentative, had a lower attention span and received a lesser quality of sleep since the introduction of these gadgets.
Yet despite this, almost half said the tech has improved their child's creativity and over a third said it had increased their happiness.
It was also revealed that almost a third of parents believe their child spends too much time using their devices, while 17 per cent regret giving their children a mobile phone or tablet.
Row.co.uk's research also showed that almost a third of parents said they typically ban their child from using the devices at least once a week, with five per cent saying they have to remove the items once a day - resulting in tears, tantrums and one parent even comparing the reaction to that of an addict.
Data released by Ofcom in November 2015 revealed that three quarters of five to 15-year-olds own a tablet, as well as over half of three to four-year-olds.
The Row.co.uk survey showed that children spend an average of four hours on their mobile and four and a half hours on their tablets each week.
Parents also estimated that their children spend six and a half hours a week watching television, although only 18 per cent of parents think this is too much, compared to 29 per cent who think their child uses their tablet too much.
Over ten per cent have found their child using the device to listen to inappropriate music or playing inappropriate games, while six per cent claimed to have discovered their children using the devices to view pornography.
Richard Waters of Row.co.uk commented: "Gadgets have become a huge part of our lives, and over the last decade we've seen our dependency on electronics steadily increase.
"While technology is a big part of education for children, it is important that they feel safe and supported in their gadget use.
"Ensuring that parental controls are activated, and capping the amount of time spent using gadgets every week are just two ways parents can make sure their children are safely using their devices.
"Teaching our children about internet safety and how we should conduct ourselves online is also a good way to increase your son or daughter's awareness about secure internet use."

Parents blame technology for kids’ antisocial behaviour


A new survey has revealed that over a third of parents believe mobile phones and tablets are making their children unsociable.


It is one of Britain's best loved comedies - and 19 years ago today, The Full Monty was given its world premiere in Sheffield.
The story of six men earning a living by stripping in the Steel City was a smash worldwide - and of course, the film was shot on location in Sheffield, with many recognisable buildings and places featuring in the finished cut.
Bacon Lane in Attercliffe - where the car in the canal scene was filmed.
To celebrate its release on August 26, way back in 1997, we've decided to take a look at what some of those places that feature in a series of iconic scenes look like today.
ON THIS DAY: The Full Monty premieres in Sheffield in 1997
From the hilarious car in the canal scene at Bacon Lane in Attercliffe, to the movie's climax strip scene at Shiregreen WMC, we've taken a tour of many of the Full Monty favourites.
So if you want to see the spots where Gerald's posh house was or where Dave (Mark Addy) throws Lomper (Steve Huison) back into his car as he attempts to commit suicide, read on and get the full monty on Sheffield's starring role.
The Jon Centre in West Street, scene of the classic "Hot Stuff" dance scene.
Steps between Idsworth Road and Horndean Road.
The club in Idsworth Road is actually a discount furniture warehouse.
The jogging scene was shot at Parkwood Springs.
Gerald's house in Whirlow Park Road.

GALLERY: The Full Monty film locations then and now


Yorkshire moved to within five points of County Championship leaders Middlesex after wrapping up a resounding 305-run victory over Nottinghamshire at Scarborough.
Knowing a victory was needed to keep pace at the top of the table in what was their game in hand on their main title rivals, the White Rose county backed up Gary Ballance’s decision not to follow-on on Wednesday by securing the win early in the afternoon session.
They needed just 34.3 overs to claim the final seven wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 146 chasing 452 to win and leave their own hopes of survival in Division One hanging in the balance.
They remain rooted bottom to the bottom of the table with three matches to play while Yorkshire stay second and well in the hunt for a third successive Championship title.
Despite heavy rain for much of the evening on the east coast, play got under way on time thanks in no part to the decision to transport the club’s ‘Blotter’ from Headingley to North Marine Road in the early hours of the morning.
The machine spent two hours drying the outfield, and Tim Bresnan was soon reaping the rewards as he had Tom Moores (41) caught by Adam Lyth at second slip from just the fourth ball of the morning.
GOT HIM: Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan celebrates dismissing Nottinghamshire's Chris Read for his fifth wicket of the innings. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix
Having taken two wickets in an over on the previous day, Bresnan continued his fine form with the ball, with Samit Patel the next to succumb to the England all-rounder as he feathered an edge through to wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd.
Notts captain Chris Read fared little better as Bresnan picked up his fifth wicket, Jake Lehman the catcher at fourth slip, but Brendan Taylor and Brett Hutton were able to forge a partnership to see Notts through to lunch.
The pair added 47 for the seventh wicket, but just three balls after the interval they were parted as Ryan Sidebottom found Hutton’s outside edge and Hodd took the simplest of catches.
That sparked a lower order collapse, as Brendan Taylor (38) pushed a wide ball from Jack Brooks to Alex Lees at cover and Luke Fletcher was bowled from the very next ball to leave Notts on the brink of defeat.
People had a pop at us for not enforcing the follow-on but it shows the strength of our team and we stick by what we believe gives us the best opportunity to win a game of cricket. Yorkshire head coach, Jason Gillespie.
Imran Tahir was able to survive the hat-trick delivery, but he faced just three more deliveries before fending Brooks off to Lees at short-leg as the final four wickets fell in just three-and-a-half overs after lunch.
Bresnan finished with career best figures of 5-36 and his best in any first-class match across the two innings of 8-51.
Afterwards, Jason Gillespie said the result vindicated the decision not to enforce the follow-on.
“It was the right call,” he said. “People had a pop at us for not enforcing the follow-on but it shows the strength of our team and we stick by what we believe gives us the best opportunity to win a game of cricket. We’ve been vindicated in it.
Yorkshire come out to field against Nottinghamshire on the final day of the match at Scarborough. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
“It’s a very important result against a very good side. Obviously Notts didn’t play their best cricket but we knew they were going to be a good challenge. We’re pleased as punch. To go from 51 for six on the first day to win by 300 runs – this team never ceases to amaze me. It’s important how you respond to the positions we find ourselves in at times, but I couldn’t be any more proud of them. There’s no words to describe it.
“You can point to a number of individual performances this game that were wonderful performances, but with the team collective there was no panic. There was a real calmness in the dressing room even when we found ourselves in a spot of bother. That is a hallmark of a decent side and a side that backs their ability, trusts their game and believes.
“That’s fantastic for us going into these last four games but we know we just have to control what we can and keep level-headed. Hopefully, that will give us a chance to compete and put us somewhere near the top at the end of the season.”
Yorkshire celebrate victory over Nottinghamshire at Scarborough and thank the fans and supporters for their support. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan celebrates dismissing Nottinghamshire's Tom Moores at Scarborough. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Nottinghamshire's Brett Hutton narrowly avoids being run out against Yorkshire. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Injured captain Andrew Gale watches on at Scarborough on day four as his team clinch victory against Nottinghamshire. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Yorkshire's Jack Brooks takes the final wicket of Nottinghamshire's Imran Tahir to give them victoryat Scarborough on Friday. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

GALLERY: Yorkshire v Nottinghamshire - Tim Bresnan’s career-best return seals White Rose victory


Yorkshire moved to within five points of County Championship leaders Middlesex after wrapping up a resounding 305-run victory over Nottinghamshire at Scarborough.


Increasing numbers of British employees are still going to work despite being sick, new research has shown.
A third of British companies reported increasing levels of staff 'presenteeism' - workers turning up despite being sick - in the last 12 months.
The finding comes as a survey of 1,000 officer workers revealed that a third of the UK workforce does not feel comfortable about asking for time off for being sick.
One if five workers also felt uncomfortable about even asking for holiday.
The unease of British workers was revealed in a survey by Printerland.co.uk with a shocking 25 per cent of employees stating that they don't feel valued.
The survey also found that a third of employees don't feel comfortable asking for help, despite 15 per cent of them admitting that they're too busy at work.
Surprisingly, despite these figures, bosses were rated as one of the most-liked colleagues at work, out-ranked only by admin and reception staff.
According to Dr Jill Miller, research adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, a third of companies reported an increase in the number of staff coming in ill in the last 12 months.
Dr Miller said: "Employers need to be aware of the issue of presenteeism, working while genuinely sick.
"The spreading of germs and employees working to a poorer standard is not good for business or the individual's health.
"Our research has shown that the main reason employees don't take time off because their workload is too high and they don't want colleagues to pick up their work.
"Managers should lead by example by taking their holiday and staying at home when they are sick, which creates a more supportive culture.
"Employers must make sure staff are given clear protocols and know how to book leave and who to contact when they are sick."
The poll also highlighted some of the most common irritations of office life, revealing that people not listening is the most annoying habit a colleague can adopt. This habit is a regular occurrence, with 45 per cent of offices complaining about a member of staff ignoring people.
This was followed by other peeves such as not replying to emails, meetings running too long, people not answering the phones and not washing their dishes and mugs.
The most tolerated habit was people talking to themselves, which is fortunate as almost one in five respondents admitted to being guilty of this in their place of work.
Loud typing, not taking part in tea and coffee rounds and loud music were also tolerated, albeit through gritted teeth.
Respondents also voted for the most annoying business phrases and the survey found that "blue sky thinking" was the most disliked, with over a quarter voting that they strongly disliked it.
This was followed by expressions such as "low hanging fruit", "run it up the flagpole", "paradigm shift" and "loop back".
The more acceptable phrases were "think outside the box", "it is what it is", "going forwards", "bring it to the table" and "touch base".
Catherine Bannan, HR manager at Printerland.co.uk, commented: "The survey was a real eye opener and shows how important it is to engage with your staff.
"Any business that aims to operate to its best ability must put its staff first, which means creating a supportive environment in which employees feel they can take the holiday that is owed to them."

More fight illness to work: are you among them?


Increasing numbers of British employees are still going to work despite being sick, new research has shown.


Angry residents on a pensioners’ estate in Doncaster are drawing up plans fight proposals to build housing on quiet woodlands near their homes.
Developer Keepmoat is looking to build on a patch of land next to Ivor Grove and Evanston Gardens in Balby, which is popular with residents for taking walks and exercising their pets.
The scheme would bring around 60 new homes to Doncaster.
But the plans have upset residents who say the local roads are not up to the increased traffic caused by construction and fear for the loss of space which is a haven for nature.
Around 200 people have already put their names to a petition against the scheme.
Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Joan Weir, who is among campaigners fighting the scheme, said residents want the plans halting.
She said: “They want to build on a field and the woods.
“We are not happy. It is a very small road that leads to the site. How is it going to cope with the lorries?
“We’re worried that it’s a done deal, although we’ve not yet seen a planning application, but we’ve heard they want to start next March.
“At the moment the site is a field and woods. The council cuts the grass on the field. But there is such a lot of wildlife there – it would be such a shame to see it built over.
“It would be such a loss of land at the end of an OAP estate.
“There are lots of rabbits there and we’ve even seen deer, as well as birds and foxes.
“Everyone around here is angry because it’s such a nice place. People walk their dogs there. It means people don’t have to go to Hexthorpe Park.”
Keepmoat confirmed the firm was looking at building in Balby and said a public consultation event was planned.
A spokesperson for Keepmoat said: “We are in the very early stages of discussions with our partners regarding the development of new homes in Balby.
“We are committed to working closely with the local community and will of course listen to any concerns raised at the upcoming public consultation event.”
Doncaster Council says the site has been identified for housing development since the adoption of the Unitary Development Plan in 1998.
A spokesman said: “The council owns several sites identified for development and tries to keep them green and attractive in the interim for the enjoyment of local residents. However, the longer term intent on many of these sites is to provide much needed housing.
“The planning application process will require an assessment of the site’s ecology. It will also look at highway access and parking requirements along with other usual planning issues. Local people will be able to comment during this process.”

Residents anger over woodland green space housing plans


Angry residents on a pensioners’ estate in Doncaster are drawing up plans fight proposals to build housing on quiet woodlands near their homes.


It is one of the world's favourite comedy films of all-time - and on this day 19 years ago, The Full Monty blasted Sheffield into the global spotlight for the very first time.
For it was on August 26, 1997 that the comic flick about redundant steelworkers turning to stripping to make a living, made its premiere in the city - before going on to become a box office smash across Britain and the world.
The Full Monty was filmed on location in Sheffield.
The UCI cinema at Crystal Peaks was the setting for the screening of the movie, filmed across the city in the proceeding 18 months, and starring the likes of Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy.
"Tinsel town fever gripped Crystal Peaks as star-studded celebrities turned out in force for the Sheffield premiere of the film The Full Monty," wrote The Star's Bill Brotherton back in 1997.
Among the celebrities attending the glitzy bash were Wheel of Fortune hostess Jenny Powell and Emmerdale stars Claire King and Peter Amory, better known to viewers of the ITV soap as Kim and Chris Tate. Sheffield Wednesday star David Hirst was also there.
Locations in the movie included the now demolished Tinsley Towers, the Job Centre in West Street, Attercliffe, Idsworth Road, Shiregreen WMC. Langsett School and Parkwood Springs.
William Snape and Robert Carlyle were among the stars.
The film was a huge commercial success, taking $258 million globally - and was the highest grossing film in the UK until being outsold by Titanic.
It also made a star of schoolboy actor and Steel City local William Snape, then 12 and now 31, who starred as Nathan, the son of Robert Carlyle's character Gaz in the movie.
Directed by Peter Cattaneo the film also stared Steve Huison, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Barber and Hugo Speer.
The film was later adapted into a musical in 2000 and a play in 2013.
The title of the film referred to the fact that the men were prepared to strip totally in the film.

ON THIS DAY: 1997: Smash stripper movie The Full Monty premieres in Sheffield - PICTURES