FROM THE EDITOR: What never goes away even when we lose sight of it?

We all point the finger of blame at a lack of community when things go wrong. ‘If only we still had a true sense of community,’ we say as we tut and shake our heads in sorrow.

But community isn’t dead and it certainly isn’t buried. It can’t be because it is a thing of the moment and can be created at any time.

We all witnessed that during lockdown. Streets and neighbourhoods came together to help and support each other in a way that hasn’t been seen for decades. The usual pace of life is far too fast to have a conversation with no particular aim and we are too busy driving past to start up a friendly chat. It turned out that, when we had enforced time on our hands and nowhere to go, we all quite liked each other and enjoyed time together – from a safe distance.

It is that sense of community which picks us up when we most need it and is the icing on the cake for our celebrations. It is the neighbour who knocks on the door with homegrown tomatoes, gives you a lift when you’ve missed the bus or watches the kids for you when a crisis strikes. It is something that is only possible to lose temporarily and, even then, it has to be thrown away rather than misplaced.

Community is the thing that is most likely to save the Plough and reclaim it for a future where it stands as a proud reminder of Sheffield’s football heritage and place in the international game.

It is what will create a city united behind a neighbourhood determined to protect a gem of its own.

That same feeling of belonging and natural desire to help is what has driven some of music’s biggest names to give their support to the Leadmill as it battles to stay afloat.

We come together for people but also to look after our shared places, memories and futures.

Communities are what I love most about Sheffield. Feel free to get in touch and tell me that I am wrong but for every example of those bonds breaking down, I can give you five where they are absolutely flourishing.

Sheffield is special because we make it that way. We are Sheffield and no matter where you might live in the world, that never goes away.