Sheffield Council throws Christmas party for residents hit by major incident in Stannington

More than 100 people came together for the Stannington and Malin Bridge Christmas party at the community centre, on Myers Grove Lane, between 5pm and 7pm on Thursday.

Games were played, food was shared, entertainment was enjoyed and people shared their experience of the recent major incident.

It was organised by the North Sheffield Local Area Committee which has a budget to spend on the community.

Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam, said: “[It was] lovely to have a bit of festive cheer after such a difficult time for so many.”

Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, Sheffield Liberal Democrats leader, said it was fantastic to see smiles back on people’s faces.

He said: “I’m really grateful to the council and local area committees for organising a party. Lots of young families turned up and grandparents. It’s the least we could have done for that community.

“It was great for the Stannington community having gone through all that heartache and pain to have the opportunity to come together to smile. It was fantastic to see.”

Major incident in Stannington

Sheffield Council declared a major incident in the area when up to 2,000 homes were left without heating or cooking facilities for nearly a fortnight earlier this month.

It happened when more than 400,000 litres of water from a burst pipe leaked into the gas main.

Every property hit by the incident got their supply back by December 16, it was reported.

Cadent Gas said it was a “monumental effort” with staff working day and night over two weeks in freezing temperatures.