I remember the mantra of Sheffield councillor’s years ago begging for votes “ Sheffield city on the move” Well its moved alright, backwards. Now part slum, part building site, shop desert, a scattering of new buildings that don’t fit in with the old, a nice little area around the theatres, and one nice restaurant. Just like most other big cities I guess.

The City.

Our city well it used to have shops, now it’s full of robbers and cops. Where there used to be nice cafes and restaurants, now just places you couldn’t take your aunts.

Homeless people in every doorway, not a place you’d want to stray. We have a tram that goes somewhere, I think to a shopping mall back of nowhere.

The pavement covered in pigeon excrement, Is this what’s meant by development ? We do have hotels but who will stay there ? Some rich tourists, that would be rare !

The theatre well that’s still standing, Just in front air ambulance is landing, to pick up all the comatose addicts, then they’re brought back with empty attics.

So that is our city that once so fine, where you now have to pay if you pass a pollution sign. You can still park, if you pay on card, getting a loan to pay it though can be hard.

To the bad parts, just don’t frequent, theres only litter round blocks of cement. Basically then it’s the curates egg, but in the good parts beggars beg.

I remember going shopping, at Christmas time, bright lit reindeer hopping. All those beautiful Christmas lights, now there’s nothing but drunken fights.

I’ve been a bit harsh, I’m still proud to be a Sheffielder, but it doesn’t bear any resemblance to the city where I was born and raised. Chesterfield, just up the road the other direction, much smaller, but much nicer.

All words Meadowhead Bard.