Information about Lower Whiteley Woods in Sheffield. Part of the FoPV area. Whiteley Woods - Lower Whiteley Woods, acquired by Sheffield Corporation in stages in the early years of the 20th century, is a narrow linear park which occupies an area of c11.5 hectares. The Porter Brook runs through the centre of the park with fairly steep, well-wooded valley sides to the north and south. The area inside the park, close to the Rustlings Road entrance, is formal with grass areas and shrub and tree plantings. There is a gradual transition in style from here towards the less formal character higher up the valley. The lodge at the park entrance was erected in 1908 at a cost of £640 and consisted of 2 rooms and a scullery on the ground floor, 3 bedrooms, a shelter and conveniences. Woods & Dams To the left of the main path is Trippett Wood, an area of ancient woodland, dating back to at least 1600. Woodpeckers, jays, tree-creepers and nuthatches are commonly seen in the woodland, whilst dippers and wagtails are resident near the river. A short distance into Whiteley Woods is the Ibbotson Dam, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is sometimes known as the Upper Spur Gear Dam, the name originating from the arrangement of the Wheel’s gear drive and different to that used on other wheels in the area. The Wheel and dam were bequeathed to Francis Otter in 1875 by his uncle, Robert Younge, owner and resident of Greystones Hall. Francis Otter sold them to Sheffield Corporation in the early 20th century. Mills Walter Charles Ibbotson was a grinder who leased the Ibbotson Wheel in the 1890s but by the turn of the century he had diversified as the area became more attractive for leisure activities. His advertisement in the Sheffield Independent of 1896 states “PORTER GLEN, TOP OF ENDCLIFFE PARK – Visitors will find Good Accommodation for Hot Water; Teas Provided, Schools and Parties Catered for; Boating, Swings; a large play ground -W C IBBOTSON” The Wheel was in good order in 1930 when it was suggested that it could become an industrial museum similar to Shepherd Wheel. Nothing came of the idea and the Wheel was demolished in the 1950s. Armchair Bridge There are the remains of a dam between Highcliffe Road and Whiteley Wood Road and the main path follows the goit. This was the site of the Leather Wheel, built in 1754 and shortly afterwards incorporated into the works of Thomas Boulsover. Sometimes alternatively known as the Nether Wheel, it ceased operating around 1900 and was demolished in 1907. A bridge, stone-built with seating niches and ornamental copings, across the Porter on Whiteley Wood Road, is known as the ‘armchair bridge’. Photos from the early 20th century show the sides of the bridge as being made of wooden lattices. These have now been replaced with stone.

Links to similar sites of interest to the Friends of the Porter Valley in Sheffield. FoPV referenslänkar Här finns länkar till andra organisationer eller grupper som är involverade i FoPV, eller ger specifikt intresse för vårt arbete. Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust SIMT finansieras av Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Hallam University och University of Sheffield och är partner med FoPV på Shepherd Wheel Forge Dam Café Detaljer om detta café Endcliffe Park Café Detaljer om detta café River Sheaf En dedikerad sida som handlar om en av våra närliggande floder. Rundvandringen Sheffield Round Walk passerar genom Porter Valley, den här länken förklarar om dess rutt när den passerar. Sheffield Astronomical Society En grupp astronomer som träffas på Environmental Center i Mayfield Valley. Rivelin Valley Conservation Group En liknande grupp som FoPV ser till intressena för den närliggande dalen Rivelin. Sheffield Moors partnerskapsprojekt Cirka 56 kvadratkilometer höglandslandskap i offentlig sektor eller välgörenhetsägande i den västra kanten av Sheffield. Hallam Samhälls- & Ungdomsförening Information om aktiviteter och evenemang som organiseras av denna grupp. Sheffield Kids En webbplats för att hitta något att göra i Sheffield med barnen. JG Graves Woodland Discovery Center Woodland Discovery Center ligger i den vidsträckta och vackra Ecclesall-skogen och är den perfekta inomhus- och utomhusanläggningen för ett spektrum av evenemang och ett besök i skogen. Instructional Help This section will contain helpful information and instructional videos for those who have kindly offered to help with our events. The Green Gazebos The green gazebos are lighter than the white ones and we have two sizes. There is one 3mx3m and three 3mx4.5m but the process is the same. Please note that it is very important to handle these gently and not to force them if they feel stuck at any point as this could lead to them getting bent. Pitched with all four guy ropes they will withstand gusty winds. The White, Big & Heavy Gazebos The Gala Shade Pro-MX Gazebos are the two big & heavy 3mx3m white ones which will stand up to most weather conditions if pitched properly - ie with all four guy ropes in use. This video shows how to put them up, but please note we don't have the walls that are shown with this example.

Information about the Endcliffe Park Toad sculpture, in Sheffield. The Endcliffe Park Toad The new iron toad shortly after installation on 5th Dec 2024 The Endcliffe Park Toad, seen above, is a well known piece of public art located a few metres below the Cafe. The latest version was installed on 5th December 2024 after almost a year of fundraising by FoPV, and it is made of iron by a local sculptor called Jason Thompson, who has also designed and made other works of art in Sheffield such as the 'Chair' in the Rivelin Valley. This is the third toad made by Jason to sit on this base. The first toad, in 1997, was jointly funded as a celebration of nature - by the Off the Shelf Literary festival, and Sheffield Wildlife Trust. Both wooden toads eventually deteriorated, returning them to nature, each lasting about 12 years. The remains of the 2012 toad were placed beside the holly bush beside the river. Reflecting the original heritage, the current toad sits on the open pages of a book, as with the previous two wooden toads of 1997 and 2012. Sculptor Jason Thomson, and Glyn Mansell of FoPV, visited Greystones Primary School and talked to pupils in Y2 and Y5 about the Toad project. The pupils were fascinated and later produced art and written work which was displayed in school and the Tropical Pavilion at the Botanical Gardens one Saturday in September 2024 . A selection of this work is inscribed onto the new ‘pages’ supporting the metal 2024 toad, some of which can be seen in the pictures below. The iron toad and its watch after one week. The Watch We are often asked about the watch, so we asked Jason to explain. "It’s about time and the frozen nature of sculpture as the world changes around it. The new iron toad , if left alone, could last for ten or twenty thousand years compared to 12 to 15 years for his two wooden incarnations. The frog Prince of fairy tales also comes into it, but as he’s a common toad (Bufo Bufo ) maybe a nice watch is preferable?" Close-ups of the books