Remember the good times in Sheffield to help each other through the bad

I did one of those copy and paste Facebook posts last night, I don’t usually bother with them but this one caught my eye.
Shaun Doane, singer with the Everly Pregnant Brothers.Shaun Doane, singer with the Everly Pregnant Brothers.
Shaun Doane, singer with the Everly Pregnant Brothers.

It said: “If you’re reading this, even if we barely talk, please tell me a memory you have of me, but be nice! Let’s see in 2021 with some nice and funny memories.”

185 comments later, I’ve been reminded of happy times, funny times and even some sad times.

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But it has brought home to me that no matter how bad things might be right now, we can always remember how much people mean to us and how happy we can be.

A packed Devonshire Green during the Tramlines Festival in happier timesA packed Devonshire Green during the Tramlines Festival in happier times
A packed Devonshire Green during the Tramlines Festival in happier times

We’re lucky here in Sheffield. We’ve got a warmth that few other places can boast. We’re funny, friendly and welcoming, but we don’t shout about it. It’s in our make-up to be proud of our achievements but not to be big headed. As my mum would have said: ‘Nobody likes a clever chuff!’

We’ve got a wealth of talent, from the luminaries like Alex Turner, Jarvis Cocker, Michael Palin, Pete McKee, and Richard Hawley, to the up-and-comers in music, art, comedy, journalism and broadcasting.

Some are attracted by the bright lights of London, and some take the steps to global recognition, but many are happy to stay here, being a part of the big South Yorkshire family.

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I love that we’re blessed with almost every kind of food and drink that you can imagine, from high-end fine dining to the best meal in the world, ‘meyt and tater’ pie wi’ loads of Henderson’s Relish.

We make brilliant curreh, great pies, pork sandwiches, vegan takeaway, and so many beers you could live a lifetime and not try them all.

I love that we have the oldest football team in the world, the oldest football ground, and the oldest regular fixture, on top of that we also have a couple of Johnny-come-lately teams that play in stripes.

Our footballing fortunes may be at the wrong end of the tables, but the passion for our teams is as strong as any other local rivalry, mostly good natured with the occasional embarrassing bad behaviour.

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All in all, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I love my city, and I can’t wait to get out and give it a hug when we get on top of this virus. Here’s to Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, and all of us who call it home.