Friends of Brincliffe Edge Wood (FoBEW)

With encouragement and help from NENG this group re-formed in 2013. There had previously been a group but the comments of a local resident about the shabby state of the Wood alerted us to the need for more planning and activity. The Wood being owned by Sheffield City Council (SCC) we liaised with Parks and Countryside and the work that we do is carried out with guidance from an SCC Ranger.

The statement that FoBEW feels is closest to its aims and objectives runs:-

As a part of the Nether Edge Neighbourhood Group [NENG], our aim is to involve the community in assisting with the management of Brincliffe Edge Wood. We do this by working closely in partnership with Sheffield City Council to improve access and amenities in the Wood, protecting and enhancing the ecology and biodiversity of its natural environment as well as raising awareness of its past and present contribution to life in the area.

Thanks to the excellent NENG Farmers Market, interest in the work of the group has grown and 140 supporters receive the emails and about 20 people are active volunteers. We meet mainly on a Wednesday morning and have tried to involve working families with younger members by offering activity mornings on a few weekends in the year but these have not been successful.

The work itself includes the ever popular litter pick, planting of appropriate woodland varieties, attention to paths and hedges, the installation of new benches and the building of two Bug Hotels. The group designed a new Interpretation Board and the Council supplied and installed this opposite the entrance to Chelsea Park. The area known as Needham’s Field is being opened up as a woodland meadow. We work with tools supplied by NENG with additions gleaned from a local skip. FoBEW is affiliated to the Sheffield Green Spaces organisation.

The group has run a number of public events including history walks, a bat evening, a fungi walk and a ‘Poetry in the Wood’ day. Those walking through the Wood have survived crow attacks and are often helpful in alerting us to other matters that need attention such as fly tipping. User’s positive comments about our work in the Wood were boosted by a 2017 Star Award from Nether Edge and Sharrow Ward.

In the future we aim to improve access to the Wood but can only do so with financial support from SCC who we lobby about this important aspect of the Wood’s development. We are keen to improve the diversity of the Group’s membership and attract more young people who would benefit from this vital green space.

If you would like to join the group of enthusiastic volunteers who look after our vital woodland please email Ken Phillip at phillipk@vip.solis.co.uk

 

 

Charity No: 1139239
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