Local journalism matters: why The Star values your support

Sheffield has been at the forefront of groundbreaking journalism for centuries.The Star has been around since 1887 but there were others which went before – setting a strong, resilient and proud standard.

This isn’t our newspaper, it is yours. We care for it and do our very best to protect in during incredibly challenging circumstances but its reputation and brand were around long before us and will be here long after us.It has never just been about breaking news or even football. It is about covering every aspect of life in Sheffield, good and bad. Sometimes that means content that is gut-wrenching to read, for example horrific crimes and court cases.Imagine being the person responsible for listening to such detail and recording it for history. It also always means being incredibly blessed to meet the wonderful people who call this place home. They are Sheffield and we love being part of them, part of your communities.

Nancy Fielder, Editor

Claire Lewis – Star’s crime reporter

“Kneeling on the floor and taking notes while using a stool as a desk in the kitchen of an inner-city cafe in Sheffield is not the most conventional place to have interviewed two convicted killers.

But that is exactly where I found myself back in April 2018 when I interviewed David and Ashley Cohen about their decade-long fight to clear their names.

The brothers, from Upperthorpe, Sheffield, were jailed for 64 years between them after being convicted of the murder of a city taxi driver.

To this day they continue to protest their innocence and their belief that a key witness lied and gave false evidence to help frame them.

Local journalism for a crime reporter is fast paced, especially in a city like Sheffield.

No sooner have you written about a stabbing, shooting, murder or drugs bust, then you are on to the next.

But what sets The Star apart from others is that victims of crime, and those jailed for offences, are not just a headline one day and forgotten about the next.

Interviews with grieving loved ones in the aftermath of a murder or fatal collision stay with you and if you do it right, families keep in touch.

The mum of the two convicted killers is one such example.

She was unhappy at seeing her sons on our front page with the headline ‘Blood Brothers’ the day after they were jailed for life in 2008 and she got in touch… to complain.

But over time, getting to really know those behind the headlines is what makes The Star special.

That mum kept me updated with developments in her sons’ appeal over the years and was instrumental in setting up the prison interviews.

And almost 10 years to the day that I saw her sons lose their freedom, I had secured their only ever interview since their incarceration.

More recently, with the one-year anniversary of another murder in Sheffield fast approaching, I got my contact book out and got in touch with the victim’s heartbroken partner.

Lewis Bagshaw, a young dad-of-one, was stabbed to death last July.

Unwilling to let victims of such serious offences be forgotten, The Star goes above and beyond to work with families.

It may just be a text every few months or a quick phone call, and nine times out of 10 your note pad remains empty.

But families remember that and when a milestone event happens, if you have nurtured that relationship, the exclusives will follow.

Lewis’ partner opened her heart to The Star about her year of hell and how she will fight for their son, who was just one when Lewis died, to never forget his daddy.

Those interviews do not happen without patience and remembering what a local newspaper is all about.

We do not have the cheque books some national titles do. All we have is our reputation for getting the real stories behind the issues that matter to the city.”

Jon Cooper – court reporter

“The Star realises that during the Covid-19 lockdown crisis it has never been more important to keep our readers informed.

This has included reports helping to keep people safe while reassuring everyone that the key pillars of our lives have kept going to maintain stability.

As a court reporter, I have marvelled at the way our judicial system, including all those at the Sheffield Magistrates' Court and Sheffield Crown Court, have adapted with remote hearings and new protocols while maintaining open justice.

Despite the enormous challenges and potential risks, the judicial system and The Star have endeavoured to ensure that justice not only continues to be done but continues to be seen to be done.

This has allowed us to keep you informed and reassured that offenders are still being brought to justice and such coverage continues to serve as a vital deterrent.

Our broad court coverage has been available in print, online and across our social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter.

We have also been able to share the changing landscape of crime during the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown. Offenders who have mistreated or assaulted emergency workers or thieves, burglars or robbers who have exploited lockdown's security vulnerabilities have rightly been dealt with more harshly.

We thank our readers and hope you will keep supporting The Star so we can continue to work together to secure a safer and better future.”

David Walsh – Business Editor

“Only The Star has the clout, the contacts, the resources and the readership to be the voice of business in Sheffield.

We champion the companies big and small that are creating jobs and making waves.

And as business editor I make sure our coverage goes beyond breaking news.

Awards, debates, big features, campaigns and special supplements all start on my desk, take shape in the community and are delivered to tens of thousands of people in the paper and via online platforms including Twitter, Facebook, my LinkedIn page and email bulletin.

The Star Small Business Awards, Sheffield Digital Awards and our Made in Sheffield series on manufacturers were all pioneered by us and delivered in partnership with others to celebrate and shout about your success.

But what else sets us apart?

Only The Star produces an annual ‘Start-Up Special’ supplement on newly-minted firms, giving them publicity and, hopefully, inspiring others to take the plunge.

Only The Star accompanied Sheffield Property Association to a joint event with the London Property Alliance at the Houses of Parliament - a rare and important chance to promote our city.

Only The Star has a ‘Made It!’ series focusing on first jobs and women in manufacturing and tech with articles and videos written to appeal to youngsters.

And only The Star brings the kind of publicity the region’s largest media organisation can generate.

Support us and you're supporting your company and your city.”

Errol Edwards – Community Facebook reporter

“I’m definitely the new guy at The Star.

I started with the Star as my editors says, ‘at the worst possible time’ which is fine as I don’t know any difference.

As the new guy, what I lack in newsroom experience I make up for in life experience .

I’m a great empathiser, as my mom says, “If you don’t know, you should listen.”

I was born in Ellesmere Sheffield and I've been roaming Sheffield since I could walk, according to my mom.

With the 2p bus fares citywide travel was available to all. A safe city, although you should have your wits about you or be able to run.

I come to The Star with a love of Sheffield and nothing has reinforced this more than my 12 years spent in the Royal Air Force.

Living away from Sheffield all that time, made me realise what a great place Sheffield is.

It’s been said many times of Sheffield “it’s a big village.”

I think we all can see this all the time.

Everybody seems to know somebody, who knows somebody.

A quality Sheffield should be proud of.

Because of my age and time spent away from Sheffield I have a great interest in the past, present and future of Sheffield.

Sheffield’s not perfect, nothing is, but I sincerely see more good than bad.

We have so many great places regardless of whether you like them or not.

Two great football teams, hockey, basketball and rugby league well represented.

And a great boxing tradition.

Fabulous shopping facilities and a transport system the envy of many.

I believe The Star manages to bring all these elements together,and tell you all you need to know.

That’s why it’s so many people's go-to place for news,sport,and local news.

I've grown up with The Star, it's in my DNA. I have memories of buying it in Skeggy.

I’m now proud to be a part of it.

I’m know to many in Sheffield for walking through town with my camera and grabbing interesting photos of day to day goings on.

I now have the opportunity to bring your stories to you, so subscribe to our online version of the Star for unlimited access to what’s going on in your city.

Chris Holt – Football Clubs Editor

"Football forms the basis of conversation wherever I go… at the bus stop, in the queue at the post office, in the coffee shop, on the school run, in the pub…

People can talk about Manchester or Merseyside or Glasgow or the North East or Birmingham, in terms of cities and regions where the game envelops the lives of its citizens but Sheffield people are every bit as fanatical and passionate about their clubs as those who might follow Manchester United or Liverpool, or Newcastle or Rangers.In fact, given the long, dark times that both Wednesday and United have been through over the years, yet still packed into Hillsborough and Bramall Lane in their thousands each and every week, the love for your clubs runs much deeper than many.Here at The Star, we love Sheffield’s football clubs. We feel the pain and anguish and celebrate the great days – if only in our words from where we’re watching, rather than in our actions.We’ve been everywhere; up and down the country, up and down the divisions and for each and every match - we do that so we can inform you about what your clubs are doing and share in the highs and lows.We want to keep doing that. We want to be writing tales of triumph for many years to come.From James Shield’s unique and unrivalled insight on what goes on at Bramall Lane and Shirecliffe and Danny Hall’s encyclopedic knowledge of the Blades, to Joe Crann and Alex Miller’s exclusive transfer news and fascinating in-depth interviews on those in and around Wednesday past and present, we have everything covered and we do it all with the passion that’s inspired by you, the supporters, our readers.”