The European Fencing Championships are in Sheffield this year (14th-19th of July) which is very exciting for me because Sheffield is close to Chesterfield and I am a fencer. Although the teams have not been selected yet I am pretty excited at the concept of having top world class fencing (the Europeans are the best in the world)so close to my house whether I am supporting or fencing.
As I am so local and on the British Team I was asked to write a little something to advise European supporters and fencers as well as British visitors and fencers what to do with their time in Sheffield. This is what I said:
I live in Chesterfield, which is just outside Sheffield and so was delighted when I found that the Fencing European Championships were coming to Sheffield. I have many links with Sheffield…my family come from here, I was a junior season ticket holder for Sheffield United, I fenced at various Sheffield fencing clubs… and so I would like to enlighten you with some local knowledge of the area to make your ‘Sheffield time’ as good as it should be.
I’m a female epeeist and so appreciate that the best shops are of high interest to fencers and females alike. In Sheffield these can most definitely be found in Meadowhall, a very large shopping centre with a large variety of restaurants, easily accessible from the Europeans venue (EIS) - simply get the tram from the Institute of Sport directly to Meadowhall.
Kelham Island is the old location of some of Sheffield’s steel works and is now the best place in England for true English pubs, local music, beers and food. Fact. During the day, Kelham Island Museum is a small but really interesting place to learn about Sheffield’s Steel works and see the monster machines of the past at work. Again, the tram is probably the best transport to use as Kelham Island is a short walk from Shalesmoor tram stop.
Sheffield has a nice city centre, but its brightest aspect is the countryside it sits amongst. Very easily accessible by train, the Peak District is one of the biggest things I miss being stuck in smokey London. Edale is a typical Peak District village and where I’ve spent many of my summers. It is also the start of the Pennine Way and so has clear signposts for great walks in the heathery moors. Grindleford is also a brilliant place to see the best of the Peak District from Sheffield and includes an authentic and very famous (in the area) greasy spoons café within the old railway station building.
Finally, I can’t write this without suggesting you take the train into Chesterfield to see the Crooked Spire and visit the market and Jacksons Bakery for a true North-Derbyshire/ South Yorkshire experience.
For more information about things to do or travel phone the Sheffield Tourist Information on 0114 221 1900.
I really hope you enjoy your stay, and if you’re about to leave Sheffield with a negative view of the place- find me (I’ll be there fencing or supporting) and I’ll head you in the right direction so as to change your opinion.
So this is my advice to them. And my advice to you ( for those of you reading this through the Derbyshire Times) is to GO and see some world class fencing. Its a really great opportunity not to be missed.
