Yorkshire Water’s Ground Investigations at Carver Fields

Yorkshire Water is launching its largest-ever environmental investment programme, with £8.3 billion set to be invested across the region over the next five years. This ambitious plan will upgrade infrastructure and improve services for customers, with £1.5 billion earmarked specifically for improving the sewer network to reduce reliance on storm overflows.

As part of this investment, Yorkshire Water and their contractor Ward & Burke will be carrying out ground investigation work at Carver Fields, starting Wednesday 13 August. These exploratory tests will help determine whether the site is suitable for potential underground upgrades to the network.

What will the investigations involve?
– Understanding groundwater levels and site pressur
– Assessing the suitability of the site for underground infrastructure.
– Drilling nine boreholes (approx. 20cm wide) at various locations over 3–4 weeks.
– Covering the boreholes and monitoring conditions through weekly visits for 6–8 weeks.
– Once complete, the holes will be safely backfilled.

These improvements are designed to protect local river health by reducing the need for storm overflows, paving the way for a cleaner, greener Crosspool for generations to come.

– Work will take place Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. Occasionally, teams may work slightly later, with advance notice.
– No access to homes is required for this project. Please remember to ask for identification if approached by anyone claiming to be part of the team.

If you have questions, the project manager and senior project manager will be available on-site at Carver Fields during the following times:
Wednesday 13 August, 1:00pm – 3:00pm 
– Tuesday 19 August, 9:30am – 11:30am 

Crosspool Ghost Sign

Ghost signs are silent storytellers, etched into the very brickwork of our communities. These faded, hand-painted advertisements offer a nostalgic glimpse into bygone eras, snapshots of commerce, culture, and everyday life.

One striking example lives on the gable end of the Cocker and Carr building: the “Natural No. 1 Processed Peas” sign. Timeworn but enduring, it speaks volumes about the area’s local identity and trading history. Its survival is thanks to the resilient oil-based paints of the past, whose pigments have weathered decades of wind, rain, and urban change.

Now, with the Crosspool Forum seeking to partner with local artist to safeguard this visual relic, its importance becomes even more poignant. Preserving it is more than just restoring a wall, it’s about protecting a piece of living heritage.

That it has remained so legible is a testament to past craftsmanship. Losing it would mean losing a window into the soul of Crosspool and that’s something too precious to fade away and disappear forever.

Scarecrow Competition – “On the Farm”!

Crosspool Festival invites you to create your own farmyard friend! 

Open to all ages. 
Residents, shops, and local groups are invited to design a scarecrow and display it proudly from Friday 27th June to Sunday 6th July.

Entry is just £4 (cash) via the Crosspool Pet Supplies (proceeds go to Crosspool Festival charities). Forms can be collected in-store or print one off via Crosspool News Website (crosspool.info).  Entry closes Thursday 26th June!
Scarecrows should be visible from the road, be it your front garden, driveway, or pavement.
All entries will be judged up to Friday 4th July.

Print a copy from here

Winners will be announced at the Crosspool Summer Fayre on Saturday 5th July.
With fabulous prizes up for grabs and community creativity at its best, it’s an opportunity to show your inventiveness. Join in the fun and let your imagination run wild!

A reminder to make your Scarecrow sturdy and wildlife-friendly!

Share your Scarecrow photos online: – Email crosspoolforum@gmail.com

Sheffield Local Plan Drop-in Session – Southwest

Sheffield Local Plan Drop-in Session is being held in the Southwest area on Tuesday 10th June between 4pm and 8pm.
The session is being hosted by Planning Service, with support from the SW LAC Team. The venue is Bents Green Methodist Church, Junction of Ringinglow Road and Knowle Lane, Sheffield, S11 7PU.

There will be maps and information for attendees to look at, officers will explain the plans, and they will answer questions.

LOCAL AREA COMMITTEES give you the chance to raise your views, share your opinion on what the council does in your area and contribute to making changes in your neighbourhood.
As a resident living in South West Sheffield, this is your opportunity to say what you would like to see improved.

Yorkshire Storm Alliance Survey

Tomorrow Tuesday 20th May, Yorkshire Water will begin 3 days of initial investigation work on an area of Carver Fields, to see if the site would be suitable for one of their upcoming projects as part of the Yorkshire Storm Alliance, starting with a non-intrusive drone survey carried out on their behalf by UVA. The Yorkshire storm alliance is an initiative new partnership of water industry experts working together to help improve the counties rivers by reducing the use of storm overflows. During this time, they’ll also be carrying out a ground penetration radar (GPR) survey with our Partners Ward and Burke. 
Their project managers will be on-site at Carver fields; Tuesday 20th May and Thursday 22nd between 9am and 11am to answer any question you may have about the survey or proposed work. To find more information, phone: 03448 481 099 quoting Capital YW,205212. or visit their webpage: www.yorkshirewater.com  

This is Crosspool

On behalf of the Crosspool community, I extend our sincere thanks to Jack Todhunter for his exceptional video, This is Crosspool”. Your work brilliantly encapsulates the unique character and charm of our area, and we all deeply appreciate your creative effort.

Beyond gratitude, it’s worth noting how meaningful it is when art reflects local spirit, inspiring community pride and deeper connection among residents.

Unauthorised Survey

You’ll probably have caught the news today that two surveyors with a drone showed up on Carver Fields, Crosspool, causing a lot of concern and speculation for people who saw them.

This prompted a local councillor to contact the Methodist Circuit, the field’s owners, who confirmed that the land has not been sold and there are definitely no plans to sell it.

While in the field, the local councillor took the opportunity to speak directly with the surveyors to understand their purpose. Around the same time, a representative from the Methodist Church arrived. He holds responsibility for overseeing all buildings and assets within the local area, meaning any decision to sell the land would require his review and approval. Furthermore, he is the individual who must authorise any applications for commercial drone flights over Methodist-owned property—something he had unequivocally not authorised.

His presence reinforced the concerns surrounding the unauthorised survey, prompting further inquiries into who commissioned the drone operation and what their intentions might be. The surveyors, however, refused to disclose this information. In response, the Methodist representative firmly yet politely asked them to pack up their equipment and leave the site, which they did.

The situation has raised broader questions about why the land was surveyed without proper authorisation and what implications this might have. While social media speculation has fuelled rumours of a potential sale or housing development, there is currently no indication that the landowners have entered into any such discussions or plans. The matter remains under investigation as efforts continue to identify the third party responsible for commissioning the survey.

Unauthorised surveys can create suspicion and concern among local residents, leading to misinformation and unnecessary panic, as in the case of Carver Fields.

Community Litter Pick

We are delighted to invite you to participate in our ongoing efforts to maintain a clean and pleasant neighbourhood. Building on the success of previous litter pickings, we aim to continue making a positive impact in the community.

Meet outside the “Spar” in the Crosspool Shopping Precinct. This Saturday, 5th April 2025, Time: 10:00am to 11.15am.

Your involvement is greatly valued, and together we can make a meaningful difference. For further information, please feel free to contact us via email at crosspoolforum@gmail.com

Todays Recycling Event

Today’s community Christmas tree recycling event highlighted the community’s commitment to the environment and the joy of giving.

Crosspool Forum Volunteers

Originally set for two weeks earlier, the event was postponed due to unexpectedly thick snow. The snowy weather, which turned into ice and lasted for over a week, presented challenges not only for the recycling efforts but also for the general movements of individuals within our community.

Although residents were disappointed by the delay, today, the community came together enthusiastically to recycle their trees, sharing joyful stories and laughter.
Crosspool Forum volunteers ensured everything went smoothly, while local business “Direct Travel” provided warm drinks and the volunteers provided treats for the children.

Overall, the event was a success, demonstrating community spirit and environmental responsibility. It reminded everyone of the importance of supporting each other and caring for the environment.

Recycle your Christmas Tree This Sunday.

Great News! With the weather forecast predicting the retreat of the snow and ice, leading to improved conditions, it sounds like a perfect time for you to recycle your Christmas tree.

Remember to remove all decorations before recycling your tree!
No trees accepted after 11:30 am.