2023, New Beginnings?

As we bid farewell to 2022, we reflect on a bittersweet year, that overall was amazing, let down only by the councils refusal to engage with us, at all. Will 2023 be any different? If the wording in the Sheffield Draft Local Plan, relevant sections quoted below, is to be believed, then maybe, but given our lived experience, for over four years now, we're a little dubious to say the least. 

"Objectives for a green city
● To safeguard and enhance Sheffield’s unique natural landscape setting of valleys, woodlands, trees, rivers, wetlands, geological assets, urban green spaces and open countryside, in order to:
○ provide excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation;
○ improve health and well-being;
○ protect and enhance biodiversity; and
○ mitigate climate change.
● To achieve a minimum 10% net increase in biodiversity across the city as a whole.
● To make efficient use of land by maximising the use of previously developed land and promoting higher density development in accessible locations.
Objectives for a well-designed city
● To create attractive, safe places with distinct identities, and to enhance the character of urban and rural areas in Sheffield by requiring high quality design of new neighbourhoods, buildings, public spaces, and streets.
● To achieve inclusive design of buildings, streets and public spaces so that they can be easily accessed and used by everyone.
● To protect, conserve and enhance buildings, landmarks and areas that are attractive, distinctive and/or of heritage or archaeological value."
Regardless of the outcomes of the Local Plan, we will continue to do our best to achieve the recognition and the funding support our beautiful Birley Spa needs, and that our wonderful community deserve.

The first phase of work will be starting shortly on the pond restoration, dates will be announced when we have them from SCCT. As part of the improvements there will be coppicing work taking place in the grounds, during January, which the local community can get involved with. We are currently firming up dates for this and updates will be on our Facebook group. So if you fancy going a bit Bear Grylls down at the Spa, this is most definitely for you!

Students from Sheffield Hallam University will be starting to create a Business plan for Birley Spa as the new term starts. To ensure that we are bringing a plan together that all the community support we will be conducting a number of surveys to identify what YOU want.  The first survey we have undertaken is regarding use of the Plunge Pool. We have had over 680 responses so far and have been able to produce a Word Cloud from replies to the last question, fascinating isn't it?  The link to the survey is below, if you would like to add your voice.
www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/M9B9BKP    
Please do engage with these surveys as they are released, it is so important that we produce a plan that works for everyone.

---

​The last Events of our year were the Christmas trails. It's fair to say the weather proved to be quite a challenge, snow, freezing rain, and more rain, but it did not stop the fun. The Spa and grounds are the perfect location for a winter wonderland, quite magical. Our Father Christmas (Richard Teasdale) was an absolute pro once again and ensured all our visitors enjoyed a very special audience with the Big Guy. Thank you to everyone who came, and special thanks to the Scout Elves that helped out too.
The feedback from our visitors was humbling once again, we must be doing something right!
We are already looking forward to next years events, hopefully minus the freakish weather. 

Speaking of events for 2023, we are having a table at the Sheffield Heritage Fair at the Millennium Galleries on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th January, if you're free come along and say hello.

Thank you to all our supporters, we now have over 2,200 followers on Facebook, we really do appreciate it. If you want to get more involved, we would be happy to have you onboard, whether volunteering in the grounds, helping with events, adding your expertise or opinions on what we do, please do get in touch.

​Come on 2023, we are ready for you!