University date for string of famous home-city names

Those set to appear at the My Sheffield: A Personal View event on March 2 include singer-songwriter Richard Hawley, Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, producer and songwriter Eliot Kennedy, artist Pete McKee and broadcaster and writer Rony Robinson.

Matt Helders said: "Sheffield is a very creative city that has produced a lot of talent.

"This is a good opportunity to celebrate and recognise that

talent.

"I'm obviously aware of the other people involved so it will be great to share a few stories."

The event is being held in association with the Arena Ticket Shop and will raise money for the preservation of a famous Sheffield artwork, the Minerva Frieze, which was designed by Godfrey Sykes, one of the first pupils at Sheffield College of Design, in 1854.

The 60 feet-long frieze features 61 figures depicting craftsmen and artisans from Sheffield's major industries in a celebratory procession with classical gods and goddesses.

It has been carefully restored by a team from Sheffield Hallam University, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), Sheffield Museums, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sheffield Council's education department, and is now on show at the university's Furnival Street building, which is the centre of the newly-named Sheffield Institute of Art.

While it is on show the frieze is also being used as the background for a series of events involving schoolchildren, students and members of the public.

John Palmer, director of corporate communications and public affairs at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "This will be an intimate, informal and illuminating event and will offer a real insight into the lives of our panellists.

"We are delighted to welcome five such influential speakers to the university and, by bringing them together, we are sure to have an enjoyable evening."

Tickets for the My Sheffield: A Personal View event cost 7 and can be purchased from the Arena Ticket Shop by calling 0114 256 5656.