Does anyone know why there is loads of sand in the city centre?

All the way up Cambridge Street, up Pinstone Street and the top of Fargate.

Has there been some sort of fake beach day or something?

Yes, there was one by the water fountain, at the peace gardens yesterday.

I think it was sponsored by ING direct, and called Sheffield-on-Sea. They provided the sand and the brass band; the fountains provided the water *

It was a lovely afternoon, made even more pleasant by the glorious sunshine; my three boys loved it :thumbsup:

* I think there were some donkeys, too. I couldn't see 'em, but you could smell 'em :loopy:

Thread about Sheffield on Sea (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55155)

there was a beach on the weekend but this morning when i walked tp work there was a trail of oil on the street, i think left by one of the street sweepers, i think the sand was put down to soak this up as the oil was making the street very slippery