January 2017 Issue 84

Porter Valley News

The newsletter of Friends of the Porter Valley - Registered Charity No. 1069865

Inside this issue:

Christmas Fair 2

Shepherd Wheel 2

Bingham Park

Community 3

Geology to Ecton

Copper Mine 3

Bell Pits, Bomb

Holes…Ringinglow 3

Update on flood

consultation 4

Forge Dam

fundraising 4

Co-op Community

Funds 4

Contact details 4

Membership details 4

Committee

members 4

Activities

4

Plants of the Porter Valley

A talk by Ken Balkow

Wednesday 1st February

7:30 - 9:30pm

Bents Green Methodist Church

Ringinglow Road

The FOPV work morning of Tuesday

November 22nd 2016 was spent in Endcliffe

Park clearing up after the previous day’s

torrential rain The river had parted com-

pany with the river bed about 100 yards

above the café; to do this, it must have

been 2 feet higher than normal. By Tues-

day the evidence of its wanderings could

be seen in the beautiful swirling patterns carved through a carpet of fallen leaves, the

sizeable lump of tarmac semi-detached from the seating area in front of the cafe and,

most obviously in the 3-6 inches of foul smelling silt and leaf mixture covering the play

area, which took a dozen volunteers an hour to clean up.

Later that afternoon, an exploratory run revealed that, between the Clough Lane

crossing and the start of the wooded section, about 50 yards of the path was in

stream mode. In the Clough itself countless waterfalls were cascading down the right

hand slope with roughly 25% of the path still under water.

On Ivy Cottage Lane a miniature version of the Grand Canyon had appeared, 200

yards long, 12 inches wide, 6 inches deep. The tunnel/pipe which takes the stream

from Priestfield Farm under the lower part of the lane had proved hopelessly inade-

quate resulting in 4-6 inches water flooding 25 yards of the track, causing exploring

reporters to splash through it in a less than dignified manner. This also happened last

autumn – it obviously can’t cope with rain and leaves at the same time which is a pity

as they frequently occur together! Should something be done?

There appears to have been no major flood problems in the city centre but it is in-

teresting to wonder what action would have been taken if any of the proposed flood

defences had been in place.

Avant moi, le deluge

Before the talk we will have our Open Meeting.

After the talk, tea and biscuits, and a chance to chat with the committee

and other members.

Les Greenwood (now in dry running shoes)

Page 2 Issue 84

The SIMT engineers have been too busy to repair the sheared line shaft at the time of writing, but visitors' pleasure

has been undimmed, since it is possible to run the small hull's machinery. Alas, 2016 saw break-in attempts and

graffiti daubing, the largest area of which has soaked into the stonework despite efforts to remove it. The most

audacious break-in involved roof slate removal and sawing of roof laths to enter the large hull. All that was taken

were two fire extinguishers, let off in the woods nearby. If you're passing when the site is closed, and see any

suspicious activity, please inform the police.

Maggie Marsh

Shepherd Wheel

In the days leading up to the fair every-

one becomes amateur meteorologists,

checking long range forecasts, consulting

bits of seaweed and other devices. Unlike

last year, the day dawned clear and mild

with only a light breeze. The spare awn-

ings were ready to hand just in case. Set-

ting up is run like a military operation.

The volunteers start to arrive from 8am

and gather the equipment ready for dis-

persal to their allotted positions. Tall

people have a definite advantage when erecting the awnings we vertically challenged roadies move furniture. Chaos

reigns for about an hour as problems occur and are resolved with much banter and mickey taking. By 9am the or-

gan is belting out cheery music and getting us all into festive mood, and by 10am all the stalls are open for business.

Materials for the wreaths were grouped at intervals along the tables

with spaces in between for work stations. Materials had already been

prepared ready for use wherever possible. A DWP team did a great

job earlier in the week cutting foliage to size and prepping the willow

bases ; hundreds of pieces of wire and garden twine had been cut to

size also – very therapeutic whilst watching TV. Customers then had

the choice of making a wreath from scratch or starting with a prepped

hoop. Prepping kept the tables much tidier

and enabled people to find choice bits of

foliage more easily. During lulls it was pos-

sible to have a quick clear up, renew the

piles of foliage and prep more hoops. The

estimate is that 80 wreaths were made on

the day, with a further 20 takeaway kits sold, raising about £900. Well done team!

All the tables were full of a brilliant assortment of cakes, buns, sweets and savouries – the latter most welcome as

the volunteers could grab a quick bite on the hoof. The mulled wine also went down very well, in more ways than

one. It’s a great pick me up when one is beginning to flag. By 3pm all the produce had been sold, raising a massive

£500.

Light drizzle settled in around 3pm and as dusk fell quite early, it was decided to pack up, though not before a few

last minute wreaths had been made. Packing away tends to be a bit more gung ho than setting up, especially in poor

weather. On Sunday morning a small group gathered at Forge Dam to sort the detritus and restore equipment

from its scattered constituent parts. A further £60 was raised while we were clearing up. Perhaps next year we

could have a smaller wreath making event on the Sunday…although I don’t think I’ll be popular for suggesting it.

The Fair as a whole raised about £2500 for the Forge Dam Restoration Fund.

I would like to thank David and Anita Vere for providing the mechanical organ, not only

at this event but all the other activities through the year. The music acts as a magnet

drawing people in and creates a great atmosphere. I would also like to thank everyone

who has beavered away making all kinds of things or has

been involved in the admin process. Although

this is only our fourth year, the event is be-

coming a community institution. Lots of our

customers said they’d been before and how

much they had enjoyed it. Thank you!

John Gittins

Christmas Fair

Page 3 Issue 84

Bell Pits, Bomb Holes, Building Stone and Bogs at Ringinglow

Bingham Park Community

Bingham Park Community Group is a new group, under the umbrella of

Friends of the Porter Valley, that has been set up to improve the facilities

in the Bingham Park area. Bingham Park and Whiteley Woods occupy the

southern edge of the Porter Valley. These green spaces are easily accessi-

ble from the extensive suburbs of Greystones. They are a favourite desti-

nation for dog-walkers, a regular route to school for teenagers and the

range of slopes provide hill-training challenges for runners as well as fab-

ulous sledging runs in white winters. Whiteley Woods bowling club has two greens and a pavilion, fur-

ther up the hill there are 9 tennis courts and a small football pitch. These are marked on the 1935 map

of the area. The small golf course was developed later on.

The tennis courts have fallen into disrepair, but they are frequently used by people for a variety of out-

door activities including tai chi, football, frisby, scooters, learning to ride bikes, and even tennis! Sheffield

City Council has earmarked £70,000 to improve the tennis courts but this is only enough to refurbish 2

courts. Bingham Park Community Group has been carrying out a consultation to find out what facilities

people would like to see on the site.

To have your say, please contact binghamparkcommunitygroup@gmail.com. Twitter @friendsofbing

Facebook @friendsofbinghampark

It could have been the catchy title which attracted 18 enthusiasts on a bright, crisp Saturday morning.

Peter Kennett started his walk with a presentation of maps, models and leaflets whilst we were still in

the car park. He explained how the rocks in the valley were as much as 300 million years old containing

evidence of former tropical forests, muddy seas and vast river systems. The rocks were laid down when

Britain was on the Equator! The temperature on the day suggested this was some time ago.

We moved to the top of Greenhouse Lane from where the shape and escarpments of the valley could

be seen and explained. The strata mainly dip down to the northeast and hence the rocks get younger as

you move down the valley. We went the other way, climbing past the river source to Brown Edge

quarries where Peter showed us thin flagstone which was used for much valued stone roofing, and large

round concretions on the quarry face, rich in iron oxide probably from bacterial action after the sands

were deposited by the ancient river. We traversed by flooded bell pits and WW 2 bomb holes to the

main Hathersage Road and into the extremely wet Lady Canning’s Plantation. Returning to the Porter via

Ringinglow there was insufficient time to explore the coal mining evidence at the head of Limb Valley. A

most interesting walk much appreciated by all.

Peter was grateful for the support of fellow geologist, Duncan Hawley.

In September’s Open Meeting that Geologist of local renown, Peter Kennett, spoke

to FoPV about the Duke of Devonshire’s copper mine at Ecton Hill. Early October

saw a large group of FoPV members and friends arriving in the Manifold Valley for a

guided tour of the mine and various activities laid on by Peter and his friend Steve.

We climbed up Ecton Hill, looking inside the engine house built in 1788 to house

the giant pumping engine built by Boulton and Watt, then walked down past the

dressing floor where several hundred women and children worked to break down

and separate the copper ores ready for transport to the Duke’s own smelter. In small

groups we donned miners’ lamps and walked through Salt’s level to see the hollowed

out interior of the hill, some remaining ores still visible. In its day (1760s) this was the

richest copper mine in Britain, delving down to 1000 feet below us with shafts and

horizontal tunnels honeycombing the interior of the hill. Amazing feats of engineering.

For those still on the surface we had a practical session exploring different methods

of separating the ores from other rocks; much swilling of water and laughter! It was a

fascinating visit, many thanks to Peter for organising it all.

Geology visit to Ecton Copper Mine

Chris Nicholson

Ros Tratt

Hilary White

Secretary:

Glynis Jones

25 Endcliffe Rise Road

S11 8RU

Tel 2668332

secretary@fopv.org.uk

Issue 84 Page 4

The Committee:

Ann le Sage

Chair / conservation

David Young

Treasurer

Glynis Jones

Secretary / newsletter

Dave Clegg

Conservation

John Gittins

Les Greenwood

Mike Halliwell

Website / membership

Maggie Marsh

Shepherd Wheel open days

Chris Nicholson

Walks

Flora Owen

Talks

Annual Membership:

Single: £10

Family: £15

Concession: £5

Membership forms

available from

Graham Axelby

(tel. 2305090)

or on our website

Activities for February to May Any changes in the following details due to inclement weather will be available on the web-site,

Radio Sheffield or through the Committee

When and Where What and Who

Saturday 4th February Walk - see website (fopv.org.uk)

Wednesday 1st February, 7.30pm Bents Green Methodist Church Hall

“Plants of the Porter Valley” Open meeting and talk by Ken Balkow

Thursday 9th February, 10am Forge Dam Café

Conservation volunteers work day. Clearance at Festival

Woodland and rear of store buildings. Contact Les

Greenwood on 2630776 or orielclegg@aol.com

Tuesday 28th February, 10am Common Lane Open Space (next to Outdoors Centre)

Conservation volunteers work day. Tree planting and

clearance in the Urban Nature Park. Contact Les

Greenwood on 2630776 or orielclegg@aol.com

Saturday 4th March 4, 10:30am Hangram Lane Farm

“Farm walk” with Andrew Clark

Thursday 9th March, 10am Endcliffe Park Café

Conservation volunteers work day. Clearance at

Hunter’s Bar entrance & upstream. Contact Ann le Sage

on 07790250087 or ann@lesage.org.uk or fopv.org.uk

Tuesday 28th March, 10am Forge Dam Café

Conservation volunteers work day. Winter clearance.

Contact Ann le Sage on 07790250087 or

ann@lesage.org.uk or fopv.org.uk

Saturday 1st April, 10:30am Endcliffe Park entrance (junction of

Rustlings Road and Ecclesall Road)

“The bounty of Bingham Park” A walk led by Maggie Marsh

Thursday 13th April, 10.30am Endcliffe Park Café

Conservation volunteers work day. Porter Brook clear-

ance – train the ducks! Contact Ann le Sage on

07790250087 or ann@lesage.org.uk or fopv.org.uk

Monday 17th April, Endcliffe Park

Great Easter Duck Race Easter Bonnet Parade, activities, stalls, duck sales etc. Duck Race at 2pm

Tuesday 25th April, 10.30am Endcliffe Park Café

Conservation volunteers work day. Tidy up after duck

race. Contact Ann le Sage on 07790250087 or

ann@lesage.org.uk or fopv.org.uk

Wednesday 3rd May, 7.30pm Bents Green Methodist Church Hall

“The street names of central Sheffield” Open meeting and talk by David Templeman

Saturday 6th May, 4:30am Wire Mill Dam car park

“Dawn Chorus” A walk led by Chris Nicholson

Update on the Flood Consultation. The Flood Protection department in the

Council is now considering a mass of comments sent in by members of the public

and environmental groups during the consultation period and we understand that

they are prepared to go on receiving comments. So anyone who has missed the

earlier announcements should write to www.floodprotectionsheffield.com. De-

tailed work will start in the New Year and presumably that will focus on technical

and design issues on which there was virtually nothing in the consultation papers.

We expect to be involved in that work.

Forge Dam fundraising over 4 years has amounted to £ 112,000, a tremen-

dous achievement which has enabled us to pay consultants for the silt analysis and

convince the Council that this is a project worth supporting. We can at last apply

to the Lottery Fund and other potential large donors to make up the balance to

the £360,000 needed.

Co-op Community Funds grant programme. Our 2 local Co-ops in

Ecclesall Road and Fulwood Parade have already raised substantial funds for FoPV

improvements at Endcliffe Park and Forge Dam respectively. The schemes run till

April so if you are a Co-op member be sure to go on the Co-op website to regis-

ter and check what has been raised: it recorded over £1500 before Christmas

and more is expected from the festive shopping spree and the plastic bag savings. Ann le Sage