A rare sight of waxwings in the Rowan trees attracted many birdwatchers to Manchester Road in Crosspool over the past week.
The waxwings are migratory birds that usually visit the UK in winter, but their numbers vary depending on the availability of food in their native Scandinavia.
The twitchers, as they are known, were delighted to observe the colourful and crested birds feasting on the red berries of the Rowan trees. Some of them shared their photos and videos on social media, generating interest and admiration from other nature lovers.
A green belt woodland that connects Crosspool with the Peak District, is going to be sold at an auction and there are already potential buyers who have ‘leisure and nature’ interests. The woodland, called Hagg Wood, is located in the Rivelin Valley and covers 2.8 acres of mature broadleaf trees. It is situated in the Sandygate area, near Valleyside Garden Centre and Hallamshire Golf Club, and adjacent to Burnt Stones Grove. Hagg Wood is a popular destination for walkers who enjoy the scenic paths.
A planning application has been submitted for a new detached house with a basement garage and the provision of a public footpath to an adjacent site.
The proposed development on Land at the corner of Moorbank Drive & Coldwell Lane Crosspool, Sheffield S10 5TH, involves the removal of three mature trees that are currently under a Tree Preservation Order. (Tree Preservation Order No. 808/296) The trees are of high amenity value and contribute to the character and appearance of the area. Felling the trees would result in a significant loss of biodiversity and green infrastructure, and would be contrary to the local and national planning policies that seek to protect and enhance the natural environment.
The deadline for public comments is 8th November 2023. You can view the details and submit your feedback online Sheffield City Council Planning Apps 23/01906/FUL.
Due to a planned industrial action, there may be some delays in waste and recycling collections in Sheffield on 26th and 27th September 2023. If your collection day falls on these dates, please put your bin out tomorrow Saturday (23 September) before 7am and keep it out until it is collected.
You can also use any of the Household Waste Recycling Centres, which are open as usual. To find your nearest centre, visit www.sheffield.veolia.co.uk/HWRC.
Yesterday, Wednesday 20th September, Sheffield Councillors voted to make the “School Street” serving Westways Primary School in Crookes permanent.
School Streets are a pioneering approach to transforming road safety and air quality outside schools, whereby car traffic is restricted, to create safer, healthier and more pleasant walking environments for school children. This School Street has been in operation for Westways Primary since the beginning of the Crookes and Walkley Active Neighbourhood in April 2022. Councillors serving on Sheffield’s Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee voted to approve the measure being permanent, following a successful trial period.
Charles Hollamby, the Head of School at Westways Primary, said: “’The School Street has been really well received by our school community here at Westways. It helps provide a calmer and safer start (and end) to the school day for our families who use our gates on Mona Avenue.’
Fran, whose daughter attends Westways Primary School, said: “I’m often walking three children and a dog to school and the School Street gives you much more peace of mind when approaching school, before I was always worried about cars suddenly pulling in or out. It’s made a huge difference and there’s definitely less vehicle fumes on the way in. “It’s also really useful for children to learn some road safety skills on the journey in a safer environment. It enables my daughter to practice crossing the road independently and safely.”
Westways’ School Street measure consists of:
a prohibition of motor vehicles on Mona Avenue and Mona Road, except for residents who live on those roads, on Mondays to Fridays from 8:15-9:15am and 2:45-3:45pm
one way on Mona Avenue and part of Mona Road
No waiting at any time on parts on Mona Road
Ruth Milsom, Councillor for Crookes and Crosspool, said: “Through this School Street, our schoolchildren are gaining a safer road that’s easier to navigate, quieter, calmer, and safer. Westways’ School Street has been a success, and I’m keen to see many more rolled out across the city.”
Minesh Parekh, Councillor for Crookes and Crosspool, said: “Far too many schools are on or near to roads with illegal levels of air pollution. As a society, we need to do far more to give our children and young people a safe route to and from school. I’m really pleased that Westways’ School Street has been such a success: giving our young people a safer, calmer and less polluted environment when entering and leaving school.”
If you travel by bus in Crosspool, you may have seen a new addition to the 51 route. An electric vehicle has been operating on this route since last week, as part of a trial to reduce emissions and noise pollution. The electric bus is quieter, cleaner and more efficient than the diesel ones, and it also has a modern design and features. The trial is expected to last for several months, and if successful, more electric buses could be introduced on other routes in the city.
First Bus, a UK bus operator, is running a pilot project to test electric and hydrogen buses in Sheffield. The company chose Sheffield, and especially the 51 route, as a challenging environment to measure the performance and range of the vehicles on steep hills and gradients. The project aims to demonstrate that if the buses can run efficiently in Sheffield, they can do so anywhere.
This is part of a trial of different models from various manufacturers, starting with the Volvo BZL double-decker going (from Lodge Moor 0716, 0935, 1152, 1414, 1645, 1924, 2120, and 2320) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The trial schedule may change, but the aim is to keep the electric vehicles on the 51 route as much as possible.
It has parallels with trials going back to the 1970s (see below image of the ‘famous five trials’) as well as the far more recent trials up to and including 2014.
First Bus would appreciate people offering some feedback where possible on things like comfort, ride quality, noise, layout, etc. Email: andy.metcalfe@firstbus.co.uk
Following a recent decision at Sheffield City Council’s Economic Development and Skills committee, businesses in Crosspool and across South Yorkshire can now apply for funding from a £3.4m grant to help reduce carbon emissions, be more sustainable and protect jobs.
Running until March 2025, the council fund will provide support to 260 small and medium-sized businesses across the region to help understand the opportunities available to reduce carbon emissions of small and medium-sized businesses.
Local Crosspool businesses could benefit from a free energy audit to identify potential energy-saving improvements, such as low-energy lighting systems or insulation. The low carbon grants are available to help invest in solutions to reduce energy consumption and costs, become more productive, resilient and environmentally friendly. As part of the package of support, specialists will provide comprehensive advice and support throughout the process.
With the rising cost of energy, we know how important it is for businesses to be able to access climate initiatives that reduce bills and carbon emissions at the same time, which is why this scheme has been designed.
Councillor Minesh Parekh, the lead spokesperson on the Economic Development and Skills committee, said: “We know that businesses across Sheffield want to be leaders on the climate crisis and to play their part to help reach net zero. “These Low Carbon Grants will help small businesses reduce their energy usage, cutting their bills and carbon emissions at the same time. With energy costs at record highs, it’s so important for climate initiatives to deliver cost savings and environmental benefits.”
Delivered by South Yorkshire’s local authorities, the project is partly funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Shared Prosperity Fund allocation, with Sheffield City Council acting as the Accountable Body for the Low Carbon Grant project, on behalf of Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham MBCs.
To find out more, including whether your business is eligible for support, please contact Business Sheffield at 0114 224 5000 or via lowcarbonproject@sheffield.gov.uk
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.
How you can get involved
Your South West Local Area Committee is conducting a survey to see if there has been any change in the priorities identified in the community plan. Any new priorities will be considered and relevant projects can be developed.
Your South West Local Area Committee would love to hear your views on what’s most important in the South West Local area.
Vulnerable Sheffield children with serious issues will receive help and support down on the farm thanks to Yorkshire Freemasons
James H Newman OBE, the Head Freemason in Yorkshire,
Hundreds of vulnerable children and young people from across the region will receive support on a working farm to overcome a range of serious issues and return to education, thanks to a grant from Yorkshire West Riding Freemasons to Whirlow Hall Farm Trust.
The £54,000 grant will see well over 300 local children spending extended periods at the farm near Sheffield where they will work to overcome mental health and physical illness and the aftermath of life-changing events such as bereavement.
The children who are referred to Whirlow Hall Farm are disengaged from education due to the issues they are facing. Whirlow provides activities which are fun, engaging, and tailored to the needs of learners, with every young person having their own goals and achievements. They are supported to reduce their anxieties and reengage with education. They may return to their school, secure a place at a new or special school, or gain qualifications during their time at Whirlow to support them to access further education.
The children and young people get involved in real farm jobs and activities based on their age, abilities and interests. This could be anything from egg collecting to moving large animals around the farm to helping with lambing. Each youngster has their own needs and interests and attends between one to three days per week for a minimum of 12 weeks but most stay much longer. The activities are all linked to the curriculum and learning is embedded throughout. Additionally, there are classroom-based activities to support their learning and for when the weather is not suitable for being outdoors all day. The results of the programme are extremely positive, with 85 per cent of children who have attended the Farm showing a reduction of anxieties after 12 weeks. For those who stay for longer, at 6 months this increases to 95 per cent. Once they are back at school, 70 per cent reported improved behaviour and better engagement in lessons leading to a reduced chance of exclusion. Last year, 86 per cent progressed in a way that was suitable for them. The team at Whirlow expect this to be at least 90 per cent at the end of this academic year. The grant from Yorkshire West Riding Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across Englandand Wales.
Ben Davies, Whirlow’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re very grateful to Yorkshire West Riding Freemasons for their generous grant, which will allow us to help hundreds of very vulnerable children and young people get back to school. The therapeutic activities on our working farm are a proven way to help them overcome all manner of serious issues ranging from physical and mental health problems through to bereavement. Thanks to the Freemasons we can continue to provide this vital service.”
James H Newman OBE, Head of Yorkshire, West Riding Freemasons, said: “I’m delighted Freemasonry has been able to support the Whirlow Hall Farm Trust in their hugely valuable work with children who have serious and complex needs. Providing them with a safe, relaxed, and fun environment, by which they can recover their confidence and health, and ultimately re-engage with education, is absolutely crucial to their long-term future. The remarkable results of the Trust’s programme speak for themselves.”
Crosspool News - crosspool.info 