SOPHIE’S SHEFFIELD
http://www.thestar.co.uk
“You’ll be reight love,†said the Taxi driver as I clambered out of the taxi and onto West St for my first night out in months.
I’d just arrived back from three months in Naples, Italy as part of my University degree in Philosophy and Italian and, although I was excited about being back in my hometown it felt alien to be outside of a small Italian village. However, at once the taxi driver had put me at ease and hearing the Sheffield saying “it’ll be reight†was music to my ears.
There is some special pull that Sheffield has on people. Whether you’ve been born and bred here or moved for a few years, once you’ve got the bug, there is no going back.
When I visit my Sister (dare I say it) down south (yes she moved down there to pursuer her career as a fashion designer I like to think that it was through no choice of her own but business is business) – she and her friends constantly reminisce about their Sheffield days the ‘good old times’.
For me personally, I love the ‘big village’ feel of the place as your in walking distance of all you friends and colleagues although, there are times when you just want to be invisible. Admittedly, I don’t help myself out by wearing big stilettos and bright dresses but I guess life’s too short to just blend in with the crowd.
Sheffield does seem to modestly develop and harness the talent and creativity that goes on in the city, which gives it its unique buzz and vibrance. We have polished some real gems such as, socially aware and extremely talented John McClure. Who, as us Sheffielders do, gave his bit back to the city by curating Sheffield’s first Music City event along with Matt Helders of the Arctic Monkeys.
Both John and Matt have both achieved national fame (they’ve even been featured in The Independent – that’s when you’re a proper musician), but nonetheless they are Sheffielders and as I wouldn’t want to treat anyone any different whether they’re a celebrity or not…
I tipsily misjudged Matt for a normal ‘DJ Dave’ and pleaded with him one night to “bust out Sean Paul – Get Busy! Pleeease!â€
I don’t think that went down too well. He didn’t mind that I didn’t realize who he was but I think the Sean Paul request was one step too far for his musical credibility.
What can I say?!  – You can take the girl outta Pitsmoor…
Anyway enough of procrastanation..
I want to find out what is so unique about our Steel City? Whether it is the hills? The shops? Or the people?
