Time for (Real) Change?

As Spring is racing towards Summer there's a real feeling of renewal and change in the air, is it time, at last, for Birley Spa to emerge from slumber too? 

We attended the full council meeting in February and asked a question about Birley Spa. We listed all the reasons why the building should be saved, and asked why the council, despite there being a very strong case for restoration, were choosing not to help us. We weren't really given an answer, they said the council had no money, we've never asked them for any. They also stated that the previous group had a lease for the building but were unable to cover the costs of running and maintaining the Spa, which is completely untrue, they never had a lease, it was never their building to pay for. Overall a frustrating and disappointing experience, all the more so as the failure of the previous restoration, is unfairly used against us.

Following the local elections on 5th May, the council are now in the process of changing over to the new committee system, we are unsure how this will work, but can only hope that our voices will, at least, be listened to. 

We have applied for funding for a comprehensive 5 to 7 year business plan, and should hear in around a month whether or not it has been successful. If unsuccessful we will have to find an alternative way to fund it. Birley Spa is far too important a site for us to give up now, other organisations are showing interest. It is such a shame that the council have, so far, lacked the vision to see what could be achieved.

Our Easter event ran over 2 days this year, once again was great fun for all, and we were very lucky with the weather. It was lovely, as always, to see so many happy smiling faces.
We will be announcing a list of events for the rest of the year shortly. If you have any ideas or suggestions for events you would like to see at the Spa, please do get in touch. Birley Spa is for all of us, whatever you would like to see, we will try and make it happen.
We are also looking for volunteers, whether to help out at events, arts and craft skills, gardening, you name it, come and be a part of something special! Our volunteer sessions in the garden and grounds are going well, we are particularly grateful to the Give It A Go (GIAG) scheme through Sheffield University Students Union for helping us. 

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 As part of our ongoing project to document the flora and fauna at the Spa, we have joined Inaturalist and opened a project for Birley Spa and Silkstone Ravine. If you have the app on your phone you can take a photo and upload it, if you're unsure of the name, it doesn't matter, the app will suggest an id and other users will verify it. If you would like to join the project the link is here -  uk.inaturalist.org/projects/flora-and-fauna-of-birley-spa-and-silkstone-ravine  Let's prove what a special place for nature we have!

On 19th July it will be the 20th anniversary of the Grand Re-opening of Birley Spa, following restoration. We think it would be appropriate to recognise this date, if you have any suggestions as to how we should commemorate it, please let us know.

​Further updates as we have them, fingers crossed for good news soon!