Although we knew the Coronavirus was coming, it's probable that none of us fully appreciated the impact it would have on our everyday life. Indeed, how long the crisis will continue is still unknown, we can only hope people take every precaution possible to help reduce the spread of the virus.
In the interest of Health and Safety all upcoming events at and for Birley Spa are cancelled, including our Volunteer Days. Although this is disappointing, it does give us time to thoroughly plan out future events as well as work on strategies for improving the site in general and look at longer term fundraising.

We hope to get the get the green waste moved from the garden. It is unlikely that we would lay a lawn this year in any event, planning for accessible pathways is much more important. What would be fantastic though would be to have some colour in the garden. We have tried to find out what was actually supposed to be growing there, but haven't got very far. The Cherry Laurel had overgrown so much that it had effectively smothered anything else. There are a few ferns and a clump of primroses in the border in front of the entrance to the plunge pool and that's about it.

The Spa is a Victorian building so it would be appropriate to have a Victorian themed garden. A formal planting style is quite high maintenance so the more relaxed style of a Victorian Cottage garden would be preferable. Because we want to fuel biodiversity within our environment as much as possible there will be emphasis on plants to attract Bees, Butterfies, Bats etc. We are currently working on plant lists , but if anyone has anything suitable going spare that they would like to donate, please get in touch.

The earliest event that may be able to go ahead in the Spa grounds is Saturday 4th July 2020, Teddy Bears Picnic, in conjunction with Fields in Trust. Further details will be released nearer the time, if we are able to proceed.

Heritage Open Days this year run from 11-20 September. We all are reasonably optimistic that this will go ahead as normal. Following on from last years event we will (hopefully) be having a few extra sessions and rolling out a wider tour of the grounds with a talk about the flora and fauna of the area.

Obviously given the ongoing situation our progress with the council has all but halted as other critical issues must take priority. 
We will be speaking with representatives from National Lottery Heritage Fund next week on ways to move our application forward.

We will update you when we have further news. Please stay safe!


For children big and small
Link to the Wildlife Trusts, home activities.
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/looking-after-yourself-and-nature#activities

Apologies for the delay in update on this, but things have been a little chaotic lately, for all of us I think!

Our long awaited meeting with the council finally took place, Councillors Paul Wood, Bryan Lodge and Denise Fox were in attendance, as was Brian Mosley from Love Sheffield (Facebook Group).

Councillor Paul Wood will chase up the fitting of a new door to the building. The only door measured for replacement was the main entrance, but we need access to the kitchen and that door cannot be opened from the outside. We are hoping that enquiries can be made regarding the roofing material that covers the Spa as repair may be more practical than replacement. We have asked about mesh placed over the downpipes from the roof to stop them getting blocked with leaves.
To facilitate greater engagement with the site and enable fundraising activities we need a toilet and ideally access to drinking water, we have asked the council for advice and/or assistance with this.

Further discussions were had regarding improving ventilation issues, which are preventing the upper floor from drying out.

The Ward Councillors are looking to fund a professionally written business plan suitable for submission to major funders. We have asked our business advisor provided by Prosper North to provide a quote for his services, because he has worked with us previously and is familiar with the Spa and our plans for it.

Friends of Birley Spa have opened an application to Heritage Lottery Fund for £10,000 to assess resilience, feasibility and sustainability of the business plan for Birley Spa. We have also registered with Social Enterprise Exchange to access further funding streams.

For these applications to be successful we need a legal document from the council to verify our status which Councillor Paul Wood has said he will acquire. The legal document will also enable us to start serious fundraising. Councillor Bryan Lodge has offered to help us with a race night.

With onsite facilities we will be able to offer tours and talks for a fee to further raise funds along with other events.

There are ongoing issues with the pond in the grounds which need to be resolved, we have now been told that the pond does not come under Parks! We have asked for urgent clarification on this.

We are now awaiting responses to all the above.

Frustratingly, the council produced a Building Better Parks Document around the end of 2018. It's purpose is to make best use of Parks by introducing businesses, such as cafes, and maximising use of green space for the benefit of all. Ironically, this is exactly what we want to do at Birley Spa, but because the Bath House does not come under the Parks Department, it was not considered in that process.

Sadly as you will be aware, we are in the grip of the Coronavirus pandemic, which will doubtless impact on what is already a painstakingly slow process. While we all hunker down for what will be a tough few months, we will be working to move things forward as much as possible.
Further update on this to follow.

Stay safe everyone!