Category: environment

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Update on Carver Fields

Yorkshire Water have confirmed they will proceed with installing a large underground water‑storage tank on part of Carver Fields, using statutory powers under the Utilities Act. The project is expected to take approximately 18 months and will require access for the delivery of equipment, excavation and soil removal. Construction, installation and the subsequent reinstatement of the land. Some disruption and periods of restricted access should be anticipated throughout the duration of the work. Enquiries should go through Yorkshire Water’s customer line on 0344 848 1099, quoting YW.205212. Residents are encouraged to keep a record of any communication and let the Methodist Church in Sheffield know Tel: 0114 272 6561 / 0114 299 7130 http://www.sheffieldcircuit.org.uk  so they can maintain a coordinated overview of the community concerns.

Despite the constraints, activity on the site can now move ahead. We are pleased to confirm a new partnership with Food Works, who will begin using the top paddock for growing and community activity. Their approach focuses on affordable, nature‑friendly food, environmental improvement, and hands‑on involvement for residents, schools, and local groups. Access to the site will remain open and encouraged.

The partnership will develop in phases: 

  • Phase 1: Building relationships and engagement, starting with an open picnic in May to meet the team and shape ideas together. 
  • Phase 2: Early visible activity, including initial growing beds and small seasonal projects. 
  • Phase 3: Longer‑term development of the site, planned alongside the Yorkshire Water works, leading to a sustainable model of growing and community use.

Carver Fields still holds significant potential. The Food Works partnership provides a positive starting point, bringing immediate activity and a clear direction. Over time, this can grow into wider community events, volunteering, and improvements to access, paths, fencing, and tree care. 

Our aim is to ensure Carver Fields remains an active, safe, welcoming space shaped by the needs and ideas of local people. Further updates will follow as work progresses.

In response to growing church members and community interest in enhancing the local environment, the Crosspool Forum has been successful in securing Sheffield City Council LAC funding to help improve Calver Fields.

With this support we are looking to install two new picnic tables around the edge of the field, creating a welcoming spot for residents to meet, relax, and enjoy the space. The bench tables will sit on a recycled plastic Anchor sleeper‑style base.

This grant helps continue protecting the natural character of Calver Fields while making it an even better place for Church members and the community.

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Tune into Spring

Just a quick message to share some information from Tim Birch about the bird‑song walks he’s now offering. Tim will be leading his first session in Ecclesall Woods on Saturday 18 April, running from8:00 to 9:30am. It’s a gentle, welcoming introduction to tuning in to the sounds of our local birdlife.

Tim’s wider mission is to help more people reconnect with nature through the simple joy of birdsong. He’s also very open to running walks in other parts of Sheffield, and he’s particularly keen to support activities that help younger people build a stronger relationship with the natural world. If cost is an issue for any group or organisation, he’s more than happy to discuss reduced or no‑fee options.

If you’d like to arrange a walk, explore possibilities for your area, or just find out more, Tim’s contact details. Email: birdsongwalks@gmail.com

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New Recycling Rules Start Tomorrow 

A quick guide for Crosspool households

From tomorrow, England brings in new Simpler Recycling rules, a national shift designed to end the old postcode lottery of what could and couldn’t be recycled.
Nothing Dramatic is Changing with Sheffield’s Bin collection just yet, but what goes where will be more consistent across the country.

What’s changing
Households across England will now have the same core materials collected, and councils must keep certain waste streams separate. That means clearer sorting and fewer “can this go in?” moments.

You’ll now see five main categories:

  • Food waste collected weekly 
  • Garden waste separate from food 
  • Paper & card its own stream 
  • Glass, metal, plastic & cartons collected together 
  • General waste everything that can’t be recycled 
    (Soft plastics will join kerbside collections nationally in 2027.)

A few things remain firmly off‑limits:

  • Drinking glasses, Pyrex, mirrors 
  • Batteries 
  • Bulky rigid plastics 
  • Compostable/biodegradable plastics 
  • Soft plastics (until 2027) 
    Putting the wrong items in the wrong bin can mean the whole load is rejected.

You may need to separate paper/card   from other recyclables more clearly. 
Food waste must go in its own caddy. 

Your collection day stays the same unless the Council notifies you otherwise. 

Sheffield’s bigger blue bins and expanded plastics collections are still planned for 2026, but don’t expect new containers just yet.

These changes are meant to make recycling simpler in the long run, even if it feels like a bit more sorting at first. If you’re helping a neighbour, or someone who finds the rules confusing, this guide is a good place to start.

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Sheffield Local Plan

Have your say on key changes to the Sheffield Local Plan

What this consultation is about
The Local Plan sets out where Sheffield will build homes, create jobs, protect green spaces, and develop transport links up to 2039.
After public consultation and examination, the Planning Inspectors have now issued a set of Sheffield Plan-Main Modifications— changes they believe are necessary for the Plan to be legally sound.
This consultation is your chance to comment only on those modifications, not on the whole Plan again.

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Crosspool Litter Pick Dates

If you are interested in being part of future litter picks, turn up outside the Spar in the Crosspool precinct at 10am this Saturday and thereafter on the First Saturday of the month. All bags and litter picking kit will be provided.

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Crosspool Open Gardens 

Our much‑loved Open Gardens returns!
Keen to support a charity close to your heart? Join this year’s Open Gardens and help make it a wonderful community day.
Saturday 27th June 2026 – 10.00am to 4.00pm
To take part, contact:
Ken Rutter and Sue Day 0114 268 0088 156kar@gmail.com

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Social Gardening Club

Broomhill Community Library Social Gardening Club starts 10:30, Wednesday, 14th January.

A welcoming space to learn gardening, forestry, garden design and more, all guided by experienced facilitators.
No gardening experience needed, and all tools and refreshments are provided.
A great way to meet new friends.
Indoors during the winter.

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Christmas Tree Recycling this Sunday

The festive season often brings an increase in waste, with discarded Christmas trees making up a significant part of the problem. To help tackle this, Crosspool residents are invited to take part in the Crosspool Forum’s annual Christmas Tree Recycling initiative, an easy, eco‑friendly way to dispose of your tree responsibly.

Drag your Christmas tree down to the forecourt of Direct Travel on Sunday 4th January 2025, between 10am and 11.30am were Andrew Clayton, a local tree specialist, will be ready to recycle it for you. The shredded material will be used for mulching and composting purposes.

This community‑funded scheme provides a tree‑shredding service supported by small donations from residents. In recent years, the initiative has recycled hundreds of trees, diverting substantial waste from landfill. The shredded material is then put to good use for mulching and composting.

By choosing this recycling option over traditional disposal methods, residents help reduce pollution, support sustainability, and contribute to local environmental projects. It’s a simple action that makes a meaningful difference.

The Crosspool Forum extends its sincere thanks to Direct Travel for their generous support and cooperation. We look forward to seeing many Crosspool residents join in and help advance our community’s environmental goals.

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Snake Pass Safety Improvements Announced 

Sheffield City Council is stepping up plans to make the A57 Snake Pass safer, focusing on the stretch from Coldwell Lane in Crosspool right up to the Derbyshire boundary. 
This winding road, much-loved but often feared, has been flagged as one of the country’s “high-risk” routes. Over the past five years, there have been 169 collisions between Sheffield and Manchester — a sobering reminder of why action is needed. 
What’s Changing?

  • New average speed cameras on the Sheffield side to help keep traffic flowing smoothly.
  • Motorcycle‑friendly barriers and restraints installed to protect riders, especially on bends.
  • Improved lane markings and upgraded lighting, making journeys safer in poor weather or low‑light conditions

Council officers say the focus will be on helping motorcyclists and drivers navigate the trickiest sections of the road more safely. 
Why It Matters! 

  • Between 2018 and 2023, 138 collisions were recorded in Derbyshire’s section of the pass, with 3 lives lost and dozens seriously injured. 
  • On Sheffield’s side, there were 31 collisions, including 2 fatalities. 

The Department for Transport believes these improvements could prevent over 93 serious or fatal crashes in the next 20 years. 

Sheffield City Council and Derbyshire County Council are sharing £7.6 million from the government’s Safer Roads Fund, which targets England’s most dangerous A roads.
Work is expected to be completed within three year. 

In short, the Snake Pass will still be the dramatic, scenic route we all know but with extra safeguards to protect lives. 

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The Walkie Talkies – Weekly Thursday Walks at 10:30am

Join the Walkie Talkies every Thursday morning at 10:30am for a lively and invigorating group walk. Routes alternate weekly between shorter strolls (4–6 miles) and longer treks (6–9 miles), offering something for every pace and preference.  The next walk, a 6 mile walk on 11th September, starts at Ashford in the Water car park behind the church.

Meeting points are planned ahead and shared on the group’s website. Each walk is led by one of their enthusiastic members, who volunteer to guide the way, with plenty of support from fellow walkers when needed.

Interested in giving it a go? All you need is a pair of sturdy hiking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, a packed lunch, and a good dose of enthusiasm. While they value the health benefits of walking, they also cherish the social side, so a visit to a nearby pub is often on the cards to recharge and unwind.

For more information visit www.hcya.org.uk/walkie-talkies.
For further details please contact Dennis Dixon on 0114 2301398 or email at friends@hcya.org.uk