Past Events
Although the Bath House is not able to be opened to the public at the moment we intend to run many events within the grounds, until we are ready for our very grand re-opening!
Family ActivitiesNature Activities
Bath House Tours |
VolunteeringGarden and Grounds
Litterpicking |
Previous Events
Easter 2022
Held over 2 days and with beautiful weather, our Easter Egg Hunt and Trail was tremendous fun. Lots of happy smiling faces, just what we like to see! Our Easter Bunnies proving a big hit with the children and even the Scarecrow was jolly and not scary at all.
Held over 2 days and with beautiful weather, our Easter Egg Hunt and Trail was tremendous fun. Lots of happy smiling faces, just what we like to see! Our Easter Bunnies proving a big hit with the children and even the Scarecrow was jolly and not scary at all.
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Christmas 2021
Our first Christmas Event. A lovely experience which we enjoyed as much as our visitors. The feedback was amazing and truly humbling. This magical place, that apparently no-one cares about, proving the nay sayers wrong yet again! This years event was so popular we will be doing it over 2 nights next year.
Our first Christmas Event. A lovely experience which we enjoyed as much as our visitors. The feedback was amazing and truly humbling. This magical place, that apparently no-one cares about, proving the nay sayers wrong yet again! This years event was so popular we will be doing it over 2 nights next year.
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Heritage Open Days 2021
Once again our HOD events were a great success, all sessions pretty much booked up, luckily we never tire of telling the story of our beautiful Spa! We were lucky with the weather too, always a bonus. Each year a little bit more gets added on to the history talk as more information comes to light, yet there's still so much we don't know. We wonder what new information the next year will bring.
Once again our HOD events were a great success, all sessions pretty much booked up, luckily we never tire of telling the story of our beautiful Spa! We were lucky with the weather too, always a bonus. Each year a little bit more gets added on to the history talk as more information comes to light, yet there's still so much we don't know. We wonder what new information the next year will bring.
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Teddy Bears Picnic August 22nd 2021
If you went down to the woods today, you'd have had a big surprise! On the day the weather forecast was terrible which sadly impacted visitor numbers, but those who braved it had a wonderful time, as did we. The Teddy Bears also got to join in the fun, with their own zip wire ride! They've already booked themselves in for next year, hope their owners come too.
If you went down to the woods today, you'd have had a big surprise! On the day the weather forecast was terrible which sadly impacted visitor numbers, but those who braved it had a wonderful time, as did we. The Teddy Bears also got to join in the fun, with their own zip wire ride! They've already booked themselves in for next year, hope their owners come too.
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Bear Hunt August 16th 2021
Our Bears enjoyed the Hunt almost as much as our visitors. they seek them here, they seek them there, Teddy Bears were everywhere! Definitely an event we will run again.
Our Bears enjoyed the Hunt almost as much as our visitors. they seek them here, they seek them there, Teddy Bears were everywhere! Definitely an event we will run again.
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Pebble Painting August 9th 2021
What a fun day this was, lots of smiling faces and paint everywhere! The new Stone Snake will have a permanent place in the garden. If anyone would like to add a painted pebble of their own, please feel free to drop it/them off at the Bath House.
What a fun day this was, lots of smiling faces and paint everywhere! The new Stone Snake will have a permanent place in the garden. If anyone would like to add a painted pebble of their own, please feel free to drop it/them off at the Bath House.
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Scavenger Hunt 25th July 2021
First of our school holiday events and we had some very eager hunters! There was much running and excitement, wonderful to see and hear. Nothing better seeing children in nature, and loving it.
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Volunteer Sessions
Photos below from 2 of our recent sessions. We have had some wonderful new volunteers and we couldn't be more grateful for their help. We are concentrating on reclaiming the garden. Having been unable to do much over the past 12 months, we are really pushing to get as much of a difference as we can. If you haven't been down for a while, I would really recommend a visit.
Photos below from 2 of our recent sessions. We have had some wonderful new volunteers and we couldn't be more grateful for their help. We are concentrating on reclaiming the garden. Having been unable to do much over the past 12 months, we are really pushing to get as much of a difference as we can. If you haven't been down for a while, I would really recommend a visit.
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Easter Trail 3rd April 2021
Sadly, the 'normal' we had hoped for hadn't arrived, but we decided we were not going to let it stop us making the most of Easter, Covid safe, of course. The event was fully booked within hours.
We set up a trail around the garden and grounds and children were supplied with a list of things to find for prizes. It was a lovely day and so rewarding to see so many happy faces. The bouncing bunnies proved very popular and our living scarecrow managed to thoroughly confuse a few of little visitors.
Looking forward to next year already! (More photos here Galleries )
Sadly, the 'normal' we had hoped for hadn't arrived, but we decided we were not going to let it stop us making the most of Easter, Covid safe, of course. The event was fully booked within hours.
We set up a trail around the garden and grounds and children were supplied with a list of things to find for prizes. It was a lovely day and so rewarding to see so many happy faces. The bouncing bunnies proved very popular and our living scarecrow managed to thoroughly confuse a few of little visitors.
Looking forward to next year already! (More photos here Galleries )
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Halloween 30th and 31st October 2020
Having managed to pull off a successful HODs Covid safe event, we knew we could do the same for Halloween. Bookable timeslots for family bubbles, uptake was so good we were able to put the event on over two nights, and what wonderful nights they were! Children from the community decorated pumpkins that were placed around the site, along with ghosts skeletons and all manner of ghastly things. The grounds were transformed, although the location naturally lends itself to the slightly spooky in the dark.
The feedback from visitors on the nights and on social media was truly humbling, we are very proud to have provided a little light relief during these strange times.
For more photos from the event please click the link below.
Galleries
Having managed to pull off a successful HODs Covid safe event, we knew we could do the same for Halloween. Bookable timeslots for family bubbles, uptake was so good we were able to put the event on over two nights, and what wonderful nights they were! Children from the community decorated pumpkins that were placed around the site, along with ghosts skeletons and all manner of ghastly things. The grounds were transformed, although the location naturally lends itself to the slightly spooky in the dark.
The feedback from visitors on the nights and on social media was truly humbling, we are very proud to have provided a little light relief during these strange times.
For more photos from the event please click the link below.
Galleries
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Heritage Open Days
We were able to go ahead with our HOD event, in a slightly different format to what we had planned. It was so nice to have visitors! We extended the tour to cover more of the grounds including the site of the tennis courts. The Kingfisher and Heron put in an appearance and thankfully we had no rain. Our event was fully booked and we are so grateful to everyone who came, hope they enjoyed it as much as we did!
We were able to go ahead with our HOD event, in a slightly different format to what we had planned. It was so nice to have visitors! We extended the tour to cover more of the grounds including the site of the tennis courts. The Kingfisher and Heron put in an appearance and thankfully we had no rain. Our event was fully booked and we are so grateful to everyone who came, hope they enjoyed it as much as we did!
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2020 The Year that should have been Better
It started well enough we had big plans for work in the garden and grounds. Events were planned and various fundraising activities, but Covid 19 put paid to most of that. We have managed to do little bits as restrictions would allow. Against all the odds we still have made some pretty good progress, if we say so ourselves.
It started well enough we had big plans for work in the garden and grounds. Events were planned and various fundraising activities, but Covid 19 put paid to most of that. We have managed to do little bits as restrictions would allow. Against all the odds we still have made some pretty good progress, if we say so ourselves.
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Christmas 2019
No festive goings on at the Spa this year, but thanks to Steve Dent, we did have a Christmas tree!
We are already planning something special for Christmas 2020 though...
No festive goings on at the Spa this year, but thanks to Steve Dent, we did have a Christmas tree!
We are already planning something special for Christmas 2020 though...
Firefighters Return 17th December 2019
We were privileged to have assistance from the wonderful Birley Firefighters again. And again they were amazing, the cherry laurel is now firmly under control. Temporary fencing was also erected in one area, as there may be some slippage of the ground, due to the excessive rainfall disrupting the course of the stream underground.
Our Rangers Tom and James were on hand to oversee operations with assistance from Dale.
Special thanks once more to Firefighter Robert Fergus for organising.
We were privileged to have assistance from the wonderful Birley Firefighters again. And again they were amazing, the cherry laurel is now firmly under control. Temporary fencing was also erected in one area, as there may be some slippage of the ground, due to the excessive rainfall disrupting the course of the stream underground.
Our Rangers Tom and James were on hand to oversee operations with assistance from Dale.
Special thanks once more to Firefighter Robert Fergus for organising.
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Halloween! 31st October 2019
From early on in our campaign we were determined to have a Halloween at the Spa. Thankfully the weather was kind to us, rain would have been a disaster. The lower floor and garden were transformed, it took us most of the day to set up. We really were not sure if people would come, so we were blown away that approximately 50 children came with their parents, it was a great success. We had so much fun doing this and it was very rewarding that so many people came and enjoyed it. Can't wait to do it all again next year, we might even have electricity by then! |
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The Day The Firefighters came to Birley Spa. 22nd October 2019 What a day! They came they saw they worked like crazy, such energy and enthusiasm! They achieved so much, lots of unwanted saplings were cleared, the true width of the path at the side of the Bath House was rediscovered and some of the rubbish was removed from the pond. We also learnt a firefighters wellies are not high enough for walking into the water and crayfish can make a grown man jump! As a group we are so grateful for the efforts of the firefighters at the Spa, they approached us offering to help and wow did they deliver. We are truly humbled. Special thanks to Firefighter Robert Fergus for organising and our wonderful Rangers Tom and James for helping and overseeing the day. |
Heritage Open Days 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd September 2019
We gave 3 tours of the Bath House for each of the days we were open, all were fully booked, indeed a few were a little over subscribed. We had 150 visitors and can honestly say we will never get tired of hearing people say "Wow!" when they first see the Plunge Pool. We had visitors from across the city and much further afield, Norwich being the furthest we knew of, and one who was taking photos for relatives in Australia!
The Kingfisher kindly put in an appearance a few times on the first weekend, sadly not so much the second.
Although quite exhausting the tours were a pleasure to do, the beauty and importance of the Spa is really not a hard sell.
Hopefully the building will be in a better state when we get to do it all again next year!
We gave 3 tours of the Bath House for each of the days we were open, all were fully booked, indeed a few were a little over subscribed. We had 150 visitors and can honestly say we will never get tired of hearing people say "Wow!" when they first see the Plunge Pool. We had visitors from across the city and much further afield, Norwich being the furthest we knew of, and one who was taking photos for relatives in Australia!
The Kingfisher kindly put in an appearance a few times on the first weekend, sadly not so much the second.
Although quite exhausting the tours were a pleasure to do, the beauty and importance of the Spa is really not a hard sell.
Hopefully the building will be in a better state when we get to do it all again next year!
Tidy Up For Heritage Open Days
Over a couple of weekends, ending on 8th September, we have had a bit of a clear up. When we say a bit, we actually mean quite a lot!
Nettles and brambles although wonderful for wildlife, had taken over to a ridiculous degree, to say that removing them was a painful experience is an understatement, there are not enough dock leaves in the world! Kevlar would probably been a better option.
At the front of the building they had grown out of years of leafmould, although heavy work, once loosened the were not too hard to remove.
Over a couple of weekends, ending on 8th September, we have had a bit of a clear up. When we say a bit, we actually mean quite a lot!
Nettles and brambles although wonderful for wildlife, had taken over to a ridiculous degree, to say that removing them was a painful experience is an understatement, there are not enough dock leaves in the world! Kevlar would probably been a better option.
At the front of the building they had grown out of years of leafmould, although heavy work, once loosened the were not too hard to remove.
The garden however was something else! A veritable jungle! But we had a family of volunteers who came to help, and they brought a cordless hedge trimmer! Sadly we don't know their names, but they were absolute stars, and their contribution was invaluable! The difference is amazing!
Thanks also to Rich, Bob and Roxanne. Special thanks to Noah, our 3 year old wildlife expert, specialising in millipedes and butterflies on the day.
Below is a photo of the front of the building, almost weed free, if you want to see the garden, you will have to come and take a look!
Thanks also to Rich, Bob and Roxanne. Special thanks to Noah, our 3 year old wildlife expert, specialising in millipedes and butterflies on the day.
Below is a photo of the front of the building, almost weed free, if you want to see the garden, you will have to come and take a look!
Hands Around The Spa
Thank you to all those who came to show their support for keeping Birley Spa. We were certainly noticed!
https://www.thestar.co.uk/retro/campaigners-show-unity-in-fight-to-save-sheffield-victorian-bath-house-as-saviour-plan-deadline-looms-487061
Thank you to all those who came to show their support for keeping Birley Spa. We were certainly noticed!
https://www.thestar.co.uk/retro/campaigners-show-unity-in-fight-to-save-sheffield-victorian-bath-house-as-saviour-plan-deadline-looms-487061
Two Men In A Boat Saturday 8th June 2019
Not the best of days for working outside, but we did it anyway. Not the biggest boat for trying to move rubbish from in the pond, but our fearless rangers gave it their best.
Not the best of days for working outside, but we did it anyway. Not the biggest boat for trying to move rubbish from in the pond, but our fearless rangers gave it their best.
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May Day Maypole Event and Bath Viewing Monday 6th May 2019
All we can say is what a day! We hadn't dared to hope it would be a success, after all, we had been told that the community weren't interested in Birley Spa. Well somebody got that wrong! We met some wonderful people, some of whom we would love to meet up with for a much longer chat as they had fascinating information about Birley Spas history. The turnout was altogether amazing. Thank you to everyone that came, danced round the maypole and queued patiently to see what we are so desperate to save. And we raised £180 towards replacing one of the doors to the Bath House! Thank you again! |
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Spring Cleaning! Sunday 28th April 2019
In readiness for our Mayday event, we thought we would do a bit more tidying and clearing. Paths were swept, tug of wars were had with ridiculously long ivy, steps were reclaimed and real progress was made in the garden. |
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WEA Painted Fabrics Exhibition and Bazaar, Cutlers Hall. Saturday 6th April 2019
We had a wonderful day at this fascinating event, met lots of lovely people and gained many new believers in our cause. Oh and we made mini maypoles too! Thank you to Ali Kitley-Jones for inviting us to take part. |
Second Induction with Park Rangers, Sunday 3rd March 2019
We managed to attack one of the none native Cherry Laurels and clear some more of the site. Our Rangers Tom and James ran out of places to put the amount of waste we created and had more than enough to fill their van and 4x4. We did get a little damp, there was a little rain, nobody fell in the pond, this time!
Special thanks to Sue Christine, Rich, Megan and Jasper.
We managed to attack one of the none native Cherry Laurels and clear some more of the site. Our Rangers Tom and James ran out of places to put the amount of waste we created and had more than enough to fill their van and 4x4. We did get a little damp, there was a little rain, nobody fell in the pond, this time!
Special thanks to Sue Christine, Rich, Megan and Jasper.
First Induction with Park Rangers, Monday 4th February 2019
With the aid of our Ranger Tom, we finally got to start clearing some of the brambles and unwanted trees from the grounds. The weather was kind to us, despite the forecast, and we really made a difference, if we say so ourselves!.
Special thanks to Rich
With the aid of our Ranger Tom, we finally got to start clearing some of the brambles and unwanted trees from the grounds. The weather was kind to us, despite the forecast, and we really made a difference, if we say so ourselves!.
Special thanks to Rich
