Precious Voices at Easter

If you were up in the Wincobank woods on Easter Day you would have been surpirsed to see the geodome brought by researchers from the University of Sheffield  as part of the fascinating Precious Voices project designed to capture phrases in local dialect and how people feel about the words they use.

This project has developed out of the the "Sheffield Voices" project during which students from the University of Sheffield worked with the Sheffield Local Studies Library to create a finding guide of literary dialect items.    Watch out for the team at local events through the summer!

Wincobank Roman Ridge at risk. ACT NOW!

This is the route of Roman Ridge under threat from housing development. The actual man-made dyke, now thought to have been constructed long before the Romans even set foot on this island, has probably been destroyed by previous mining activity but that does not mean it should be disregarded as an area of historic importance.  It is the joining section between remaining parts of the Scheduled Monument and one of the few remaining sections of its 27km stretch where you can get a sense of what it was like to travel along the prehistoric causeway and pass by Wincobank Hill Fort just as today's travellers drive past Sheffield on the M1 and glance up at the tree covered hilltop and wonder what is up there.  A real and tangible connection with the past to be preserved and experienced so that we can understand the full story of technological advance and the engineering that made this country great.
Help us save this designated Open Space from the challenge to its protected status.  Make your obection now.  Email howard.baxter@sheffield.gov.uk quoting planning application reference 11/03972/FUL.  The deadline to objections to the housing development is 1st February 2012.
For further details visit our website http://www.wincobankhill.btck.co.uk/ or email friendsofwincobankhill@gmail.com

A New Year surprise

The 3rd Annual General meeting got off to an amazing start when new member John Abdullah and his daughter arrived with a very special surprise - two tiny flint tools which he had found and which have now been dated to between 1,500 and 2,500 BC. The workmanship is extraordinarily delicate and has to be seen at close quarters to be believed.

John has kindly loaned them to the Friends of Wincobank Hill.

Lord Mayor Cllr Dr Sylvia Dunkley and her husband stayed for the evening to hear a round up of the year's FoWH activities and plans by the Woodlands Heritage team for a new information and archive website, the restoration of paths, interpretative signage and maps for walks on the hill. 

Terry Howard, Chair of Sheffield Ramblers, introduced to us the longer walks he has developed that incorporate the hill and he also talked about his Great Grandfather's connection with Grimesthorpe Colliery.   

Ron Clayton gave an update on the campaign to reveal the ruins of Sheffield Castle and Lewis Sadler from Sheffield Astronomy Society offered to lead star-gazing sessions on Wincobank Common near the Cartimandua Star-Crossed Queeen monument which shows a winter sky star map. 

Finally David Anson brought us up to speed on the threat of further development on the Sandstone estate, on the south side of the hill just a stone's throw away from the monument. 

The following day news reached us that the application has now been lodged.

The Council has received a Full Planning Application that you may want to comment on.

To comment on an application you can either

• Go to our website www.sheffield.gov.uk/planning and follow the links to search for the planning application 11/03972/FUL.

 You can view a paper copy of the application, but you must make arrangements in advance by contacting the Records team on (0114) 20 39183.



Things that go... bump!

There were strange goings on today on Wincobank Common. Stories to be told, flying ghosts, some truly frightful face-painting and crunchy toffee apples, delicious and sufficiently sticky to give a dentist nightmares.

The sun was shining and families came from up around and abouts to join in the fun. Little witches and wizards, Dracula, a portly Friar Tuck and a scattering of skeletons turned up to make their own lucky broomsticks, to learn to juggle and thensip hot chocolate around the
cosy fire.

Many thanks to the Park and Woodland Ranger Team, Storyteller Andy Messers, The Great Mostachio from Greentop Circus, Anna-Mercedes Wear for her creepy crafts and especially the volunteers from Friends of Wincobank Hill who were first to arrive and last to leave. A wonderful autumn afternoon was had by all.

Down our way

At our last meeting we were taken on a fascinating tour down memory lane with Wendy Booth, a local resident who has lived in her house since it was built in 1962. Overlooking the Don Valley, Wendy has seen the view from her window change greatly over the years as heavy industry has given way to commerce and entertainment.

Each slide was greeted with appreciation as individual memories flooded back and the last half hour of the meeting was taken up with anecdotes and debate prompted by sights unseen for sometime. We were all touched to see once more the twin towers of Tinsley, for so long the landmark for travellers speeding past Sheffield on the motorway. Now the towers are no more, just look to the east of the motorway and northward to see Wincobank Hill standing guard over the Don Valley. Indestructible.

Sandstone Road

Many local residents and Friends of Wincobank Hill and have raised concerns about a proposal to build a further 38 dwellings on the land along this muddy track at the end of Sandstone Road, past the reservoir, below the Scheduled Monument of Wincobank Hill.

There are many and various reasons why this development should not proceed and FoWH are particularly concerned about the possibility that the building work will not only change the character of the hill but may irrecoverably damage the remains of the earthwork known as Roman Ridge.

At present there is a controlled investigation of the site and we have received many calls for information. As further details are provided they will be posted on this blog or the website so please keep checking both from time to time.

Sheffield Castle

Usually you can expect to find dungeons in a castle - but not a castle in a dungeon. Unless you are in Sheffield. Big Ron Clayton is a freedom fighter for Sheffield Castle and is intent that it will see daylight once more. The plan to move Castle Market to The Moor means that there is a possibility that the dream may soon come true.
In principle, we are told, Sheffield City Council supports the proposal to expose the ruins and create a memorial park. Councillors from across the political divide support the plan. But who will pay? Where is the good fairy, benefactor or commercial entrepreneur who will invest in a beautiful new development that returns the pride to the city and daylight to these ancient stones. Somebody out there has the commitment and the resources to put Sheffield back on the world map. There is a wonderful story to tell, such rich heritage. Come on - don't be shy - everything is possible. Just get talking - ask to see the ruins - tell others - do some research - spread the word - the Castle is awakening. The Castle will escape.