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About Friends of the Porter Valley Vision Our vision is to conserve, protect and restore the ecology, landscape and cultural heritage of the Porter and Mayfield Valleys for the enjoyment of all and the benefit of future generations. ​ Meet The Team The Geography and nature of the Valley The Porter Brook rises on the moors above Sheffield and flows 10km easterly into the heart of the city. Its valley forms a natural green corridor leading to the open moors of the Peak District National Park and the terraced housing and congested roads around Hunters Bar. In the course of its descent the Porter falls some 340 metres through a constantly changing landscape. It links the steeply incised and wooded valley of Porter Clough to a gentler, farmed landscape of green hillsides with traditional pasturage and stone buildings. It then passes through the archaeological remains of our early industrial heritage (weirs, millponds, millraces and dams) and on to more ancient and semi-natural woodlands. It descends into the recreational and ornamental parklands at Bingham and Endcliffe that were created for social purposes in the 19th century. The stream then enters underground culverts alongside Ecclesall Road and flows eastwards past the General Cemetery into Sheffield City Centre to join the River Sheaf below beneath the railway station. The “Friends of the Porter Valley” was set up in 1994 to preserve and enhance the natural and historical characteristics of the Porter Valley for public benefit. ​ ​ Ecological aspects Some 5km of the valley bottom and the upper reaches of its tributary, the May Brook, were designated “Areas of Natural History Interest “in the Urban Development Plan (UDP) because the valley contains considerable ecological capital. Botanically these communities comprise several blocks of ancient oak woodland with spectacular displays of spring flowers and autumn fungi; semi-natural scrub, riverine and pond habitats; wet valleyside ‘flushes’ containing rare species; old flower rich meadows of a type that are fast disappearing from the countryside and acid grasslands that in autumn are bright with wax-cap toadstools. The sequence of millponds known locally as “dams” also contributes significantly to the ecology of the valley although they are in a poor state of repair with several leaking and all becoming silted up. The watercourses support an abundant fauna of breeding ducks, dippers, kingfishers, herons, crayfish and other freshwater invertebrates, while the meadows and hedgerows are home to many species of butterfly and moths. The trees support many birds, including summer visitors such as willow warbler and chiff-chaff, and all the year round familiars such as two types of woodpecker, treecreepers, nuthatches, tits and corvids, including a longstanding rookery at Forge Dam. Mammals include several species of bat which are conspicuous flitting over the dams, foxes, water voles and several badger communities. By identifying and managing appropriately those parts of the valley that play a key role in providing this biodiversity, we would like to ensure that users of all stretches of the Porter Valley will continue to encounter a memorable range of wildlife. This includes areas away from the valley bottom that can be accessed by the network of footpaths and quiet lanes. ​ Amenity and recreational value Urban parks were created throughout Britain in the 19th century as a response to the often appalling urban environment brought about by industrialisation and rapid population growth. They are still a vital amenity in our 21st century lives. The whole Porter Valley, except for Endcliffe Park, lies entirely within the Green Belt. It also forms a significant part of the Sheffield Round Walk and a Strategic Cycle Route out to the Peak District. Because the valley provides a direct link between the city and the countryside it is used extensively by people from all over the city and beyond. Its accessibility and unique atmosphere appeal particularly to the communities along its flanks, to Sheffield schools, ramblers, cyclists, and nature lovers. There are several frequently used access points from the roads and footpaths that border on, or run across, the Porter. Half a million people may use the Valley every year; and over 30% come from parts of Sheffield other than the nearby relatively affluent wards of Broomhill, Hallam, and Ecclesall. ​ Archaeological Aspects Man has inhabited this Valley since Palaeolithic times but the most obvious evidence of human impact is the sequence of dams. In the 18th century the Porter Brook was one of Sheffield’s intensively used industrial streams and drove 20 mills mostly for the manufacture of cutlery, hand tools and other metal products. All but 6 of the original 20 millponds have disappeared over the years as their original industrial use declined and the valley became a focus for leisure. What remains is an attractive linear amenity and wildlife habitat studded with features of exceptional historic interest. The dams provide a compelling thread of interest to the linear valley walk. Unusual features are that the mills were constructed for the metal (e.g. cutlery) trades and not preceded by corn mills. Forge Dam impounds the full flow of the stream, whereas all other dams use the by-pass system. Wire Mill once had the largest diameter wheel in Sheffield. Many of the remaining monuments and buildings in the valley have listed Grade II status and Shepherd Wheel, a water-powered grinding hull and dam, is a scheduled Ancient Monument. A conservation area encompasses Fulwood Chapel, Forge Dam and Wire Mill Dam. The UDC map also shows an “Area of Special Character” on the northern slopes of the valley from Harrison Lane down into the brook bottom. In 2001 Endcliffe Park was included in the South Yorkshire county volume of English Heritage’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest as a grade II site. The whole Valley was given grade II listing by English Heritage in 2002 in recognition of its unique mosaic of features. It is a landscape that has appealed to English Heritage’s interest in “the engine room” of our 18th and 19th century heritage. Neil Cossons, a former President of English Heritage, recognised the importance of the national heritage of waterways, mills, and workers’ cottages. The Porter Valley retains examples of this heritage. The Porter Valley is also recognised as linear parkland of particular and historic interest. Patrick Abercrombie’s 1924 civic survey for Sheffield City Council describes the Porter Valley as follows “The Porter Brook Parkway, consisting as it does of a string of contiguous open spaces, is the finest example to be found in this country of a radial park strip, an elongated open space, leading from a built–up part of the city direct into the country, the land occupied being a river valley and so for the greater part unsuitable for building. As compared with the finite quality of an ornamental park of more or less square shape, there is a feeling of movement in a continuous park strip …….the human being ….is lead onwards until the open countryside is reached.“

Make an Online Donation If you would like to make a donation to our Forge Dam Playground Appeal please do so here.

The Endcliffe Park Toad Donations To make a donation to the Endcliffe Park Toad renewal project, please do so here via our secure donations page. Donate Now Our toad is sad and falling apart. He replaced his old papa in 2012 and loved his time in Endcliffe Park meeting all the children. We will miss him. ​ We want him to rise again in 2024….. just as lovable and climbable, but in metal to live a little longer. The sculptor Jason Thomson’ s 2 previous wooden Toads in Endcliffe Park have inspired countless children to play and seek out stories over the years, and it is important that their replacement is created in a more durable form. ​ PLEASE visit the sculptor beside the Endcliffe Park playground at this year’s Great Easter Duckrace on 1st April: Jason will recreate his iconic sculpture ready for a launch in summer 2024 and would love to tell you about his work. His public art has become part of the fabric of Sheffield’s parklands, see his 'CHAIR' in Rivelin Valley. ​ All proceeds from the Duckrace will go to this artwork so please buy a duck online, or from Endcliffe Park Cafe.

Monthly Walks We organise walks once a month with a theme of interest that are open to all. Details of our planned walks can be found below and depending on the device you are using to view this page, you can either hover your mouse over each event or use the drop-down arrow to find out more details about each walk. These walks have become very popular and due to increasing numbers we now have to limit numbers by operating a registration system. ​ Full Members: Free Non Members: £5 Walk Registration Registering for our walks is free for full members and will be available two weeks before the walk. There is a cost of £5 to non-members. Full Members will receive an email with a voucher code that can be added during the registration process which reduces the cost to £0. You can also find the code for the next walk if you log into your account from our home page, just scroll down the account home page once logged in. (If you do not receive an email, please check the address you have provided, or that it hasn’t been diverted to a junk folder etc ). To Register click on the button below to book your place or places and please adjust the quantity according to the number of people you are booking for. You will receive a confirmation of your booking immediately which will include the details about where the walk starts and your ticket/s. You will need to bring the ticket to the start of the walk, either by printing it out or you can show a digital version on your phone. Please do not bring additional friends or family along without ordering a ticket for them or share the meeting point as we have to ensure the numbers are kept to the agreed number. Registrations will close when all tickets have been ordered, or at 5pm on the evening before the walk. Unfortunately, we are unable to show how many tickets remain whilst you are registering. If you are trying to order more than remain it will not let you order more than are available for that walk. If this happens and you are short by 1 ticket, please order the remaining tickets and get in touch using the contact us page. Upcoming Events FoPV Walk - Plants of the Valley in Early Summer Sat, 01 Jun Bingham Park/Whiteley Woods 01 Jun 2024, 11:00 – 12:30 Bingham Park/Whiteley Woods, Westwood Rd, Sheffield S11 01 Jun 2024, 11:00 – 12:30 Bingham Park/Whiteley Woods, Westwood Rd, Sheffield S11 An easy stroll led by Gerry Firkins to look at some of the plants of the valley up to and around Shepherd Wheel, how they fit into the ecology of the valley, and with a little discussion about Ancient Woodland. This walk is limited to 15 people. Tickets available from 17th May 2024. Buy Tickets FoPV Walk - Midsummer Plants Sat, 06 Jul Location is TBD 06 Jul 2024, 11:00 – 12:30 Location is TBD 06 Jul 2024, 11:00 – 12:30 Location is TBD Midsummer plants led by Gerry Firkin. More information to follow...... This walk is limited to 15 people. Tickets available from 21st June 2024. Buy Tickets FoPV Walk - Butterflies and Other Invertebrates Sat, 03 Aug Forge Dam 03 Aug 2024, 10:30 – 12:30 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE 03 Aug 2024, 10:30 – 12:30 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE A walk around the Forge Dam area, guided by Ros Hancock (who isn't an expert) looking at butterflies (if we're lucky) and other invertebrates. Bring a hand lens and binoculars if you have them. This walk is limited to 12 people. Tickets available from 19st July 2024. Buy Tickets FoPV Walk - Trees Sat, 07 Sept Forge Dam 07 Sept 2024, 11:00 – 12:30 Forge Dam, Whiteley Ln, Sheffield S10 07 Sept 2024, 11:00 – 12:30 Forge Dam, Whiteley Ln, Sheffield S10 A gentle walk led by Gerry Firkin looking at some of the trees around the edge of the park and then taking in some of those in Festival Woodland looking at bark and twigs and helping attendees identify trees in winter. This walk is limited to 15 people. Tickets available from 23rd August 2024. Buy Tickets FoPV Walk - Tiptoe through the toadstools! Sat, 23 Nov Wire Mill Dam 23 Nov 2024, 10:30 – 12:30 Wire Mill Dam, Whiteley Wood Rd, Sheffield S11 7FF 23 Nov 2024, 10:30 – 12:30 Wire Mill Dam, Whiteley Wood Rd, Sheffield S11 7FF Explore and discover fungi around Wire Mill Dam on this 2 hour walk led by Michael "Ziggy" Senkans. This walk is limited to 15 people. Tickets available from 8th November 2024. Buy Tickets FoPV Walk - Introduction to Bird Song/Dawn Chorus Sun, 21 Apr Wire Mill Dam 21 Apr 2024, 05:00 – 7:00 Wire Mill Dam, Whiteley Wood Rd, Sheffield S11 7FF 21 Apr 2024, 05:00 – 7:00 Wire Mill Dam, Whiteley Wood Rd, Sheffield S11 7FF A walk led by Duncan McLean to help enable people to try and become familiar with the more common and easily identified songbirds (wren, robin, blackbird, great tit) This walk is limited to 15 people. Tickets available from 5th April 2024. +12 more Details Duck Race 2024 Mon, 01 Apr Endcliffe Park 01 Apr 2024, 14:00 Endcliffe Park, Rustlings Rd, Sheffield S11 7AB, UK 01 Apr 2024, 14:00 Endcliffe Park, Rustlings Rd, Sheffield S11 7AB, UK Easter Duck Race organised by FoPV +1234 more Details FoPV Walk - The Old Mines of Greystones Cliffe Sat, 09 Mar Forge Dam 09 Mar 2024, 10:00 – 12:00 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE 09 Mar 2024, 10:00 – 12:00 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE Investigate the geology of the valley floor from Forge Dam to Shepherd Wheel and return via Highcliffe and the Roughs led by Peter Kennet This walk is limited to 15 people. Tickets available from 23rd February 2024. +10 more Details Family Christmas wreathmaking Tue, 12 Dec Fulwood Old Chapel 12 Dec 2023, 18:00 – 20:00 Fulwood Old Chapel, 8 Whiteley Ln, Sheffield S10 4GL, UK 12 Dec 2023, 18:00 – 20:00 Fulwood Old Chapel, 8 Whiteley Ln, Sheffield S10 4GL, UK £25 per wreath and refreshments. +5 more Details Family Christmas wreathmaking Wed, 06 Dec Forge Dam Cafe 06 Dec 2023, 18:00 – 20:00 Forge Dam Cafe, Carr Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE, UK 06 Dec 2023, 18:00 – 20:00 Forge Dam Cafe, Carr Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE, UK £25 per wreath and refreshments. +18 more Details FoPV Walk - Forge Dam Renovations Sat, 02 Dec Forge Dam 02 Dec 2023, 10:00 – 12:00 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE 02 Dec 2023, 10:00 – 12:00 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE A gentle walk/talk on the project led by Claire Watts, the Council Senior Project Officer for the desilting and rejuvenation project at Forge Dam in 2022/3. This walk is limited to 20 people. There is no charge to non-members for this walk Tickets available from 17th November 2023 +8 more Details FoPV Walk - Tiptoe through the toadstools! Sat, 25 Nov Forge Dam 25 Nov 2023, 10:30 – 12:30 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE 25 Nov 2023, 10:30 – 12:30 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE Explore and discover fungi around Forge Dam on this 2 hour walk led by Michael "Ziggy" Senkans. This walk is limited to 15 people. Tickets available from 10th November 2023. +12 more Details FoPV Walk - Discovering Endcliffe Park Sat, 07 Oct Endcliffe Park 07 Oct 2023, 10:30 – 12:00 Endcliffe Park, Sheffield S11 8TF, UK 07 Oct 2023, 10:30 – 12:00 Endcliffe Park, Sheffield S11 8TF, UK This will be a gentle, 1-2 hour circular walk around the park, stopping at various places to talk about the heritage led by Sue Turner. Hopefully there might be some wildlife to include too. This walk is limited to 15 people. Tickets available from 22nd September 2023 +5 more Details FoPV Walk - Butterflies and their food plants - Rearranged due to rain on the 5th! Sat, 12 Aug Forge Dam 12 Aug 2023, 10:30 – 12:30 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE 12 Aug 2023, 10:30 – 12:30 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE A walk around Forge Dam with Ros Hancock looking at butterflies and their food plants. This walk is limited to 12 people. Tickets available NOW +1 more Details FoPV Walk - Butterflies and their food plants Sat, 05 Aug Forge Dam 05 Aug 2023, 10:30 – 12:30 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE 05 Aug 2023, 10:30 – 12:30 Forge Dam, Sheffield S10 3TE A walk around Forge Dam with Ros Hancock looking at butterflies and their food plants. This walk is limited to 12 people. Tickets available from 21st July 2023. +9 more Details FoPV Walk - Trees and woodland Sat, 01 Jul Endcliffe Park 01 Jul 2023, 10:00 – 12:00 Endcliffe Park, Sheffield S11 8TF 01 Jul 2023, 10:00 – 12:00 Endcliffe Park, Sheffield S11 8TF Discover more about trees and woodland in Endcliffe Park on this round walk led by Ruth Morgan This walk is limited to 15 people. Tickets available from 16th June 2023. +13 more Details FoPV Walk - Bingham Park Past and Present Sat, 10 Jun Bingham Park and Whiteley Woods 10 Jun 2023, 10:00 – 12:00 Bingham Park and Whiteley Woods, Sheffield S11 7BW 10 Jun 2023, 10:00 – 12:00 Bingham Park and Whiteley Woods, Sheffield S11 7BW A short history of Bingham Park and a talk on the present and future developments led by Glyn Mansell. Note:- This is a repeat of the walk held in March 2022. This walk is limited to 15 people. There is no charge to non-members for this walk. Tickets available from 26th May 2023 +14 more Details FoPV Walk - Introduction to Bird Song Sat, 15 Apr Wire Mill Dam 15 Apr 2023, 05:30 – 7:30 Wire Mill Dam, Whiteley Wood Rd, Sheffield S11 7FF 15 Apr 2023, 05:30 – 7:30 Wire Mill Dam, Whiteley Wood Rd, Sheffield S11 7FF A walk led by Duncan McLean to help enable people to try and become familiar with the more common and easily identified songbirds (wren, robin, blackbird, great tit) This walk is limited to 16 people. Tickets available from 31st March 2023. +8 more Details Load More

Forge Dam Proposals The 'Forge Dam Heritage & Habitat Improvement Project' is a partnership of the Friends of the Porter Valley, Sheffield City Council, and other interested parties. Its purpose is to restore the dam as an amenity for the people of Sheffield, and as a wildlife habitat. Our plans include: Trees Clearing trees and shrubs from the spillway and dam wall. This may be unpopular, but we will keep the public informed so that they will understand that the work is necessary to protect the structure of the dam so that it may last for another 250 years. The Island Reducing the size of the island, and removing the trees, as this was the most popular option (as opposed to removing the island completely, or leaving it as it is) when we conducted a public consultation. Boats Many people remember the rowing boats, which used to be on Forge Dam, with great affection. However there are NO plans to return these as part of these proposals. Silt Reducing the amount of silt reaching the dam, by building a 'training' wall along the original brook route to encourage through flow. Also working with landowners upstream. However, the major part of the project, and most costly, will be removing the silt currently in the dam which will have to wait until the funds have been fully raised. ​ Forge Dam Works In January 2021 the Council approved the restoration proposals, including: 'silt removal, the insertion of a discreet wall to direct the brook over the spillway and address the longstanding problem of silting, and the creation of an attractive open body of water with a variety of depths, a reconfigured island and planting on perimeter banks in order to improve the habitat for wildlife'. ​ Practical desilting is now planned to start in the autumn of 2021 and in the intermediate months the practical foundations for the restoration were laid, meaning that a partnership agreement was signed by both parties, FoPV will donated £267,000 to the Council, specifications and tenders for the various specialist works were issued, and the habitat improvement plans were drawn up. ​ In May, ‘Sanctus Ltd‘, an environmental engineering specialist was appointed. Their team has excellent relevant experience of projects like ours, were named the Best Green Business in the 2020 Business Leaders Awards and will deliver the restoration through to completion. ​ The formal scope of works can be downloaded here, and a PDF document showing the Plans for Forge Dam and the valley above it. History

The FoPV Duck Race Easter Monday Here they come again! To find out more about the FoPV Duck Race please scroll down this page. ​ Please read the information about Online Sales before clicking on the button below to buy your racing ducks. Phone number required for issuing prizes ​ Online Sales* ​ Family of Six Ducks - £5 From now until 2pm on Race Day. ​ Due to the popularity of the event, and the multiple points of sale, some duck numbers may have multiple owners. In the event that these are among the winning ducks, all the owners are contacted and offered a prize. With online duck sales you need to buy a ' virtual seat' in one of our 'Virtual Grandstands'. Each seat is allocated a group of six ducks, for example ; Stand A, Row A, Seat 1 [AA1] (Ducks 1 to 6 ), Stand A, Row A, Seat 2 [AA2] (Ducks 7 to 12 ) etc ​ These numbers are repeated in each Grandstand SO avoid buying the same seat number in different stands. ​ Lucky Ducks ! Each Stand contains 4 lucky seats that have a bonus 7th duck ​ To buy your ducks click on the button below. Duck Race 2024 01 Apr 2024, 14:00 Endcliffe Park Details To find the duck numbers allocated to a seat, enter the seat number in the 'Find Duck Numbers' search bar below Seat numbers are preceded by the Grandstand Letter i.e. AA1 * We have been unable to find an automated online solution that allows us to sell multiples of six ducks, which in turn sends the buyer a list of those duck numbers. We have adapted this system, which is designed for the sale of physical event tickets, and allocated groups of numbers to each 'virtual seat' so that you can look up the numbers allocated to each virtual seat in the search box below. This may appear complicated, however it is currently our best solution. Other ways to Buy your Racing Ducks In Person - From 14th Feb 25 At both Endcliffe Park and Forge Dam Cafes until Easter Sunday. ​ You can also buy them on the Race Day from the stalls at the Start Line, and near the Endcliffe Park Cafe. ​ Individual Duck - £1 Family of Six Ducks - £5 ​ There will also be multiple QR code posters in the park on Race Day, which will bring you back to this page where you can buy ducks online. About The Race The Duck Race itself starts at 2pm on Easter Monday ​ Come and help us all count down to the spectacular start and watch our racing ducks launch into the river. Using a unique launching tower built in 2015, the FoPV Duck Race releases 2500 numbered plastic ducks into the River Porter just below the weir above Holme Wheel Dam. They float down the river for approximately 450 meters, where they are captured in a specially designed finish line between the café and the Playground. 40 ducks are captured in a wire tube in the order they finish the race, where they are kept secure until the official list of winning ducks is produced, checked and verified by the FoPV Duck Race Committee. The remaining ducks are scooped back up and put back in their boxes and over the following weeks will be cleaned and made ready for next year. ​ Bring your camera and take plenty of photographs and video, and we would love to see them. You can send them to pictures@fopv.org.uk ​ The winning duck numbers and owner names (Not including contact details ) will be posted on this website a few days after the race. All owners of winning ducks will be contacted in the days immediately following the race, using the details provided at the point of purchase. ​ Stalls open from 11am: Take a Sneaky Beak at the Race Prizes so far 2024 prizes Pagets Builders Merchants £100 voucher Ringinglow Archery £70 voucher Sheffield United 2 match day tickets Firehouse Fitness 6 months gym membership Norfolk Arms meal for 2 Crosspool Spar £30 voucher Tesco Berkeley Precinct hamper wine & chocs Hendersons Relish 12 bottle case Inspiring Kids World children's craft hamper Famous Sheffield shop engraved pewter candle holder Endcliffe Park cafe £50 voucher Forge Dam cafe voucher coffee & cakes Running with Scissors £38 voucher Firehouse Fitness 1 months gym membership Pollards speciality teas Design Studio ornaments Rhyme & Reason book vouchers Beauty Care £20 voucher Stags Head meal for 2 voucher West 10 lunch for 2 Thornbridge Brewery case of Jaipur craft beer Thornbridge Brewery case of Astryd craft beer La Patisserie coffee & cake for 2 Greedy Greek £20 voucher Porter Deli £10 voucher Cocoa World chocolate Sharrow Vale Hardware £15 voucher Sunday Times Wine Club 2 bottles wine Brookhouse Florist plant Tesco Berkeley Precinct Easter eggs and fluffy duck Petal Accessories £20 voucher Abbeydale singers 2 tickets Bach choir 2 tickets 60 piece wooden train set Playdoh kitchen set Lego Friends Lego Creator Hotwheels cars (similar)

Make an Online Donation If you would like to make a donation to our Make Bingham Park Brilliant please do so here.

Whiteley Woods - Upper ​ This is the section of valley from Armchair Bridge up to Carr Bridge, just above Forge Dam. Walkers leave the formal pathways completely, entering a wooded area, the River flowing down its natural bed with rough paths on either side. ​ Alder, beech, oak, sycamore, ash, hawthorn and holly, make up this area of ancient woodland, providing habitats for a wide variety of invertebrates and shelter for owls, hedgehogs, foxes and badgers. ​ This area is alive with songbirds. Grey wagtails can be seen foraging along the valley floor and dippers perch characteristically on rocks midstream then dive into the water, walking against the currents in search of small invertebrates which abound in the river. Wire Mill ​ On the left side of the river, steps or a steep path lead up to Wire Mill Dam. This used to be a popular location for anglers and model boat enthusiasts in the past. ​ In early spring you may hear your first chiff-chaff, followed by warblers, swallows and swifts. On the Dam itself can be seen coots, moorhens, mallards and mandarins and as summer arrives so do the waterlilies. ​ On the path beside the Dam is a memorial to Thomas Boulsover, the first owner of Wire Mill, who in the 18th century, invented Sheffield Plate. The path upstream runs alongside a man-made channel or goit. This is the supply for Wire Mill Dam and takes water from the Porter just below Forge Dam, creating a high fall of water, sufficient to accommodate two wheels each 11 metres in diameter. Secret Door ​ Before the road bridge at Forge Dam there are 3 tiers of gabions lining the far side of the River. They protect the bank when the River is in flood. ​ On your left as you reach the road is a 3-storey building in which workers lived and produced buttons made from Sheffield Plate. ​ If you take an immediate left turn on reaching the tarmac road and climb up Ivy Cottage Lane you will see on your right steps leading to a carved wooden door which bears the inscription…. ​ ‘Chestnut, Plane & Sycamore, who or what lies behind the door?’ ​ This unusual feature hides a concrete support which stabilises the tree. Buildings ​ There are almost 50 nests in the rookery on the right just before the playground. The rooks can be seen in daytime out on fields high in the valley and return noisily to roost at night. ​ Some of Thomas Boulsover’s ancillary buildings still exist at Forge Dam although the Forge itself has gone. Here a large wheel drove two tilt hammers and a smaller wheel operated blowers for the furnaces. The popular Forge Dam café is housed in a structure which was once Sharrow Vale Wesleyan Reform Chapel. ​ On the Dam there is often a motionless grey heron amongst the reeds keeping watch on the duck families and throughout the year there may be an opportunity to spot a kingfisher or two.

Shepherd Wheel Opening Times Open every Saturday and Sunday, and Bank Holidays British Summer Time 10am to 4pm Winter (GMT) 11am to 3pm ​ The Shepherd Wheel is an Eighteenth Century, water-powered grinding workshop, with origins at least as far back as 1584, when the Porter Wheel was mentioned in the will of William Beighton of Stumper Lawe, leased from the Earl of Shrewsbury. Edward Shepherd, who invested in the buildings and pond, leased the site in 1749 and gave it its present name. There were various owners of the business over the following centuries and was being worked by the Hind family when it finally closed in 1930. An extensive 5 year, £1 million restoration was completed in 2012, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Sheffield City Council and Friends of Porter Valley. If you would like to visit the full address is: ​ Shepherd Wheel Whiteley Woods Off Hangingwater Road Sheffield S11 2YE ​ Please note: as Shepherd Wheel is in a park, there is no on-site car parking and there is a distance to walk from nearby roads, where parking is allowed. However, the site has level access for wheelchair users, cyclists, prams etc. There is no public toilet on site. Join us as a volunteer at Shepherd Wheel! ​ You don't need any specific qualification, although an engineering background or working with groups are useful skills. But if you enjoy and are interested in meeting and talking to people about Shepherd Wheel, and Sheffield's industrial history; and are enthusiastic about sharing knowledge and understanding of this unique site, then volunteering could be for you! How do I apply? Please contact us using 'Contact Us ' page, we will contact you about the next step. Our Volunteers Talk to visitors about the site, the location, and Sheffield ’s industrial history. Work with a member of SIMT staff to keep the site tidy and visitors safe. Have flexibility in the dates and times of their volunteering. There are 2 hour slots from which to choose; (10 am -12), (12-2 pm) and (2-4 pm) in summer and (11-1 pm) and (1-3 pm) in winter. We ask that you try to offer once or twice a month – or more if you wish. You don't have to make a regular commitment, however a regular commitment will help to spread the task amongst the volunteer team. Receive information and training support from a volunteer co-ordinator and from SIMT's engineers, who operate the machinery.

Work Mornings As one of nearly 90 Friends' groups in Sheffield, we work in partnership with Sheffield Parks Department to ensure that our green spaces are well-used and maintained. Sheffield boasts one of the largest numbers of 'Friends Of' groups in the UK in comparison with other major cities. ​ To help with that we meet with the Parks Department at the start of each year to discuss what we can do to help and organise Work Mornings where those tasks can be undertaken. These take place on the 2nd Thursday and 4th Tuesday in each month, staring at 10am until 1pm If you would like to join us please contact the organiser shown on the calendar entry for that day. See the calendar on the home page for dates and meeting points. We meet up with the Rangers and get involved with whatever practical tasks need doing; Clearing brambles, Cutting back undergrowth encroaching on paths, Litter-picking, and many more activities. Please see the Blogs below to read about our previous Work Morning activities. ​ If you have any further questions please contact us via the link at the top of this page. PLI Insurance The cover we have with our insurer also covers our volunteers whilst taking part in any of our organised activities, irrespective of their membership status. You can see our full statement about our PLI on the 'Documents ' page Work Morning Blogs Keep upto date with all the activity we have been upto on our work mornings by looking through our blogs below. 1 day ago 2 min FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Tuesday 23rd April 2024 86 Post not marked as liked Apr 15 2 min FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Thursday 11th April 2024 168 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Mar 28 2 min FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Tuesday 26th March 2024 - Duck Race Preparations! 142 Post not marked as liked 1 2 3 4 5

Forge Dam Playground ​ Our current major project is the Forge Dam Playground improvements. It all started of course with consultation of playground users in the early Autumn of 2022. We'd like to thank everyone who contributed to that as it will be very helpful for the sub team who will be taking this project forward. ​ The original plan to revamp the playground was reviewed with the Council Parks Department in 2023 and for 2024 we hope to continue with piecemeal improvements within the current footprint as funding permits. The Council is short of staff and has not yet clarified whether the playground could be expanded to embrace the adjacent rough parking area. The existing footprint is too small to absorb any new equipment or enable a reorganisation, but there is scope to replace and increase the number of swings. In 2018, using generous donations from the public, The Friends of the Porter Valley arranged for much needed improvements to the playground. There are however plenty of other jobs that need doing and opportunities for replacing more of the equipment. To do that we need to raise more money so if you would like to help please consider making a donation using the button below, or catch us on our many work mornings which we organise twice a month. If you would like to make a Donation towards the Forge Dam Playground please use the button here: Click Here to Donate to the Forge Dam Playground To find out the latest news about progress, please take a look at our blogs below. Apr 10 1 min Forge Dam Playground Update - April 2024 Feb 16 3 min Projects Update Jul 15, 2023 1 min Playground communications board

'Nature Counts' ​ This is a 'Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust' initiative which is looking to better understand the wildlife and habitats of certain areas. ​ The Friends of the Porter Valley are encouraging its members to get involved in helping to contribute to better understand the wildlife and habitats of our part of the Porter Valley. ​ By clicking on the logo below you can submit your sightings, which in turn will help the 'Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust' make better, more evidence based conservation choices, and in turn inform thier Living Landscapes strategy around the wider Sheffield and Rotherham area. ​ You don't need to register or create an account, just click on the logo below and start registering you sightings. ​ ​ We undoubtedly have many knowledgeable and highly proficient members, demonstrated by the superb photographs we see on Facebook and Twitter, who walk and observe the changes occurring over the year. ​ This is the sort of information we'd like to capture over time using 'Nature Counts'. For example, as you walk, cycle, or run through the valley, if you see anything like those listed below, just go to the Nature Counts page and record your sighting - it's very quick and easy to do; ​ The first swallow, The last swift, Interesting fungi, Butterfly, Moth, Mole activity, First flowering of the wood anemone, or even; The sighting of a water vole! ​ ​