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The Sheffield culture guide written by in-the-know locals

Gemma Thorpe

Our Favourite Places would be nothing without our contributors — a massive thanks to all of them!

Tell us about you...
I am curious. My work is about personal stories. I specialise in documentary film and photography and hope sharing people’s stories can help us learn more, and aid our understanding of each other. I am interested in the ways people manifest their identity and express themselves. Much of my work focuses on China and Chinese culture and I spend a lot of time over there. My current work is related to Chinese football and fan culture.

What do you love about Sheffield?
The fact you can always see the horizon. The views, the skies, the hills, the people, the trees, the parks, the stories passed down to me from my Granny who lived here all of her 98 years, the conversations you overhear on the buses and on the streets, and the fact you can have a chat with a stranger almost anywhere. And the sense of humour.

What would you do to improve the city?
Chinese students call it "Sheffield village" – I think that’s a positive thing. It’s a big city but it doesn’t have a big city mentality. We should protect and promote what is already unique and special about it (see above!) rather than trying to change it and make it into something else. Connect the neighbourhoods better, more cross-city buses like the magical number 10.

Latest contributions

Endcliffe Park Heritage Walk

Sat. 21 September 2019

Endcliffe Park

Through historical pictures and a guided tour, get to know the history of one of the city's most popular green spaces – from 1885 when it was opened to the public to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee to the present.

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Castlegate: Past and Present

Mon. 16 September 2019

Meet outside Wilko, 34-36 Haymarket, S1 2AX

The history of Castlegate is the history of Sheffield, from its Norman Castle to the city’s first bridge and the old Town Hall. On this walk you'll explore the past of Sheffield’s oldest quarter and find out the exciting plans for its future.

The Lescar

A Sharrow Vale pub with a weekly jazz night and comedy club.

Remo's

An ever-busy Broomhill coffee shop, with the best tiramisu in the land.