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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.

Information about Upper Whiteley Woods in Sheffield. Part of the FoPV area. 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.

Details how Sheffield City Council involve FoPV in consultations, and the FoPV policy on getting involved with planning applications within the valley. Консультації з планування Міська рада Шеффілда регулярно звертається до FoPV щодо запланованих робіт у долині. Вони також надають нам різні документи для деяких робіт, які пояснюють їхні плани та які роботи мають бути виконані. По можливості ми надали посилання на ці документи для вашої інформації. Planning Applications We sometimes receive requests from members, and non members, asking us to support them in objecting to local planning applications. FoPV doesn’t usually raise objections unless the proposal will damage special landscapes (for example the Mayfield Valley). We are an environmental charity and Trustees are very careful not to make assumptions about what 800+ members might think about specific developments around and outside the perimeter of this large and very varied parkland. Some members might take the view that specific applications seem to be a reasonable proposal in the light of recent similar planning applications in a particular area. We do however have people on the committe who take an interest in planning applications and developments within the valley, or at least the section we refer to as 'our patch'. These are discussed at committee meetings and where we feel it is necessary we encourage our members to consider adding their voice via the Sheffield C ouncil Planning Portal .