Things That Go Bump In The Night..

It's been a while, but we've not quite given up the ghost just yet! Indeed we have been very busy with various events including, Pebble Painting, Fun Day with Friends of Hi5's, Scavenger Hunt, Bear Hunt and a Teddy Bears Picnic. Lots of fun was had, we do love happy smiling faces!

From 10th to 19th September we held our 3rd Heritage Open Days. Over the 2 weekends we had over 220 visitors. A thoroughly enjoyable event, as always. The beauty of Birley Spa is not a hard sell and as more and more of its fascinating history comes to light, its charm just grows and grows. We were very lucky with the weather, our Kingfisher proved a little bit elusive, but the Moorhen family were happy to entertain our visitors. (Below Middle photo by Photographer Peter Lawson)

We have just started a Sheffield University 'Live Project' with the Architecture Dept, kindly funded by Ward Councillors through the Ward Pot. 14 very enthusiastic students visited the Spa last week and have already started working on plans for the future of Birley Spa. Their efforts will culminate in an Exhibition of their work along with another 18 projects that are part of the programme, on 4th November. We are really looking forward to the outcomes of this work that will give us tangible evidence of the possibilities that can be achieved. 

With regard to the future of Birley Spa we met with Kate Josephs, Chief Executive, Sheffield City Council in August, when she came to Birley Spa. We had a follow up meeting via Zoom on 4th October. Kate has been very supportive, but is very aware of the problems that the site has, and the role of the council in its current state and uncertain future. This is an ongoing conversation of possibility and positivity, which we really appreciate after months/years of negativity and inaction. We are due to meet next in November date TBC.

Our Volunteer days are going well, the next one is Sunday 10th October 10am to 12 noon. Real inroads have been made in reclaiming the garden, but there is much more to do. Within the grounds, the autumn leaf clearing process will soon be starting, Parks Dept will be doing some pruning work around the pond and our Owl Box will be put up. Fingers crossed we hear soon the outcome of the National Lottery Heritage Fund bid for restoration works to the pond, submitted by the Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust.

Lastly, and some might say, most importantly, Halloween is almost upon us, our favourite time of the year! Booking is through our Facebook Group. This is our 3rd Halloween and promises to be our most ghoulishly spooktacular yet, see you there!