Local News
How nature is helping to protect from flooding
23rd January 2020
Issue 1097
www.looklocal.org.uk
Call 0114 283 1100
7
Department For Lifelong Learning.
Mature Student
TASTER EVENT
A FREE event for adults thinking about University study. Thursday 30th January 2020, 9:30am to 1pm
Your journey starts here. If you’re 21 or over, don’t have traditional University entry qualifcations, and are interested in studying for a degree as a mature student, join us at our next FREE event to find out more.
THE heavy rain and flooding of November has been a strong reminder that areas of Sheffield and Rotherham are still at risk. Climate change forecasts are telling us we can expect extreme weather events more frequently in future. Protecting Sheffield and Rotherham in years to come will undoubtedly require a range of actions. Amongst those actions is increased work to develop the existing capacity of the countryside, to slow the flow and hold water back. The Sheffield Lakeland Landscape Partnership, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Environment Agency, is working with land owners and tenant farmers above the Little Don, Rivelin and Loxley Rivers on a range of Natural Flood Management projects. Anthony Downing, coordinator of partnership projects for the Environment Agency in the Don Catchment, told us: “We’re really pleased to be involved in the Sheffield Lakeland Landscape Partnership. It’s fantastic to see local organisations working together to improve the environment and reduce flood risk using natural flood management techniques. “Natural flood management can be a costeffective and sustainable way to manage flood risk alongside traditional engineering, while also creating habitat for wildlife and helping regenerate rural and urban areas through tourism. Natural flood management is a developing area. We hope to use the valuable experience and knowledge the partners are gaining in this project to develop further projects of its type.” David Renwick, Director of England North, at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “As we have seen in recent times, extreme weather is not always a stranger to us in the UK. Projects like the natural flood management measures being undertaken as part of the Sheffield Lakeland Landscape Partnership scheme will help to not only reduce the flood risk to local communities, but can also
aid habitat creation and cultural regeneration in the area. “At The National Lottery Heritage Fund we are pleased to be able to invest in projects that will yield such a positive impact for the areas within Sheffield Lakeland.” The Sheffield Lakeland Partnership Coordinator, Keith Tomkins, is a full convert to Natural Flood Management but feels there is a long way to go before it meets even a fraction of its potential: “Natural Flood Management undoubtedly has a role to play in the suite of actions we have available to us, but we need to consider it at a landscape scale. A few new wet areas, improved hedgerows or areas of tree planting may help, but the benefits are easily negated by a loss of habitat and inappropriate use of land in the same landscape. Where you see curlew and lapwing, these areas are also likely to be where water is absorbed and stored. Currently we have a double challenge as these birds decline due loss of habitat and the reduction of capacity of the land to help slow the flow.” Nabil Abbas, Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust Working with Water Project Officer, who is leading on the delivery of this work said: “The countryside has the capacity to soak up water and to hold it in pools, soils and plants, releasing it again slowly. This means that heavy rainfall does not immediately flow across the surface and into our rivers. We are identifying places that are already providing us with this service and working with farmers and other land owners to protect and improve them. As well as helping to hold water these places are also where wildlife thrives. As an example, on one of the sites we have been working on, we discovered a colony of water vole.” Water vole is one of six species being supported by National Lottery Players via the Local Conservation Action Plan (LCAP). Other species of the list include; barn owl, bat, goshawk, osprey and willow tit. Read the LCAP here: https://www.wildsheffield.com/discover/your-community/sheffield-lakeland-landscape-partnership/landscape-conservationaction-plan/
At this event you can: • Choose up to 2 taster sessions in subjects relating to Arts and Humanities, Social Science, Health and Science • Meet current mature students, support staff, and tutors from the Department for Lifelong Learning • Enjoy free lunch and refreshments • Take part in an optional campus tour See the full programme and register for this event: Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/dll/taster Call 0114 222 7000 Email dlloutreach@sheffield.ac.uk Follow us on twitter @ShefUniDLL
Community tea party TWO years ago, Ecclesfield School decided to do its best to help combat loneliness and social isolation by holding a Community Tea Party. The inaugural event was a huge success and is now an important part of the school curriculum in health and social care. Sian Staveley, curriculum leader of health and social care at the school, said that the inter-generational event was beneficial for everyone and that there were huge health and social benefits.
Guests are treated to a delicious afternoon tea and live entertainment. At the next event on Wednesday January 29, there will be live music from ‘A Class Act’, a local 15 piece band, which is back once again by popular demand. The Tea Party has been kindly sponsored by Morrisons of Ecclesfield. The event offers a wonderful opportunity for people to meet old/make new friends, to socialise, to dine and to have a dance. Everyone is more than welcome to come along. It is
also ‘dementia friendly’ and therefore ideal for those living with dementia and their families/carers. Headteacher of Ecclesfield School, Richard Walkden, said: “This is what Ecclesfield School is all about, the students and the community working together. The students love these days and it is a joy to see the collaboration amongst all parts of society.” Tickets are just a minimum £5 donation. To book, please call the school on 0114 246 1156.
TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
A CREATIVE memories workshop - come and tell your story. It is beautiful, share it, celebrate it and let us support you to preserve it; What can you expect? Nothing but fun! You may laugh or cry, buy you’ll want to stay and share. Take a few of your favourite people, bring a handful of your photos, add some valuable guidance by our tutor Rachel and start creative writing. And you’ll learn how easy it is to tell your story through photographs, journalling, and memorabilia.
So whether you are a complete beginner and want to try your hand at this for the first time or are an experienced writer you will enjoy these sessions. Come along to this free three-week workshop to develop your skills, extend your knowledge and experiment in a relaxed and friendly environment. It takes place Thursdays January 23, January 30 and February 6 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Paces Campus, High Green. Please email info@westwood2015.org or ring 0114 2869457 to book.
