12
29nd October 2020
Issue 1137
www.looklocal.org.uk
Call 0114 283 1100
Local Directory
New inclusive downloadable routes BRADFIELD and Stocksbridge Walkers are Welcome groups have created a new set of eight ‘Inclusive Route’ descriptions which can be freely downloaded.
historical context. Examples include background to the 1864 Dale Dyke disaster in the Loxley Valley, and the story of the redevelopment of Fox Valley in Stocksbridge.
Covering both river valleys and moorland edge, the routes are designed to be inclusive for all, highlight many attractions, and provide information specific to the requirements of those in the community who may otherwise experience disadvantage in terms of access to the outdoors.
Kathy Wedell, who together with her son Isaac surveyed the routes and produced the descriptions, said: “Speaking as the parent of a teenager who uses a wheelchair, for Isaac to be able to get out into the wilds means everything.
With funding from the Heritage Fund through the Sheffield Lakeland Partnership, the information provided gives details about the terrain, such as gradients and camber, surfaces and seating; this together with a route map, location of accessible toilets and refreshments, and information about places and points of interest along the way. The routes also describe the heritage of the locality and provide information about their
“When just to go down the road to the local shop involves knowing in advance where the dropped kerbs are and hoping nobody has parked across them, to be able to escape to somewhere wild and beautiful is profoundly liberating. “To get a wider view, a distant horizon, to breathe the air, be in nature, hear the quietness - it’s crucial for us all, but especially for people living with conditions that mean access is not a given.
To be wild, and to be included – that is soul food. “When going anywhere with Isaac I’ve always had to visit the route ahead of time or risk disappointment/exclusion; there is a huge need not just for accessible wild places but also for detailed route descriptions like these, so people like us can be confident just to head out and enjoy them!” There are many miles of public footpaths, bridleways, green lanes and trails in the Sheffield area; however few appear to be accessible to those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, parents with buggies or those with mobility impairment who find gates and stiles difficult to negotiate. In providing these new inclusive routes Walkers are Welcome has gone some way to overcoming such obstacles. https://bradfield-walkers.org. uk/inclusive-routes/ https://stocksbridge-walkers. org.uk/inclusive-routes/
Christmas Tree Festival turns into festive village trail GRENOSIDE’S popular Christmas Tree Festival will this year be transformed into a Christmas village trail helping people get into the festive spirit whilst still adhering to social distancing. In these uncertain times organisers of the annual event, which attracts hundreds of visitors each year, still wanted to do something that brightens up Christmas for everyone in Grenoside and beyond. Chris Levesley explains: “The event can’t be held in its usual format this year due to Covid19 restrictions, so instead we are asking the people of Grenoside to take part in the first ever ‘Grenoside Christmas Tree Trail’. Christmas is definitely not cancelled in Grenoside! “We want families and businesses to get involved by decorating and theming Christmas trees outside their premises and homes. We will create a mapped walking trail making the village the place in Sheffield to visit this December.” Grenoside Christmas Tree Trail will run for the whole of December, with voting for the public’s favourite tree from the 5th to the 13th. There
NHS seeks volunteers again
ROYAL Voluntary Service – the charity partnered with NHS England to deliver the NHS Volunteer Responders programme – is looking for more volunteers in Sheffield to support the NHS and your community through the winter as virus cases rise. NHS Volunteer Responders was launched in April to help communities and the NHS through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Volunteers support people to self-isolate by carrying out non-clinical tasks such as, delivering shopping or medication, providing transport to medical appointments and providing a telephone chat service to help combat loneliness and isolation. They also support local hospitals and GP practices with deliveries.
The initial response from residents of Sheffield has been phenomenal. So far there are 2956 active volunteers in Sheffield who have completed 23, 041 tasks while across the country more than
900,000 tasks have been completed by a total of 360,000 active volunteers.
But as people have returned to work, some of the original volunteers are no longer able to give as much of their time. Meanwhile, requests for our support are rising. We need more people to sign up Anyone wanting to apply to become an NHS Volunteer Responder can do so via the NHS Volunteer Responders website, following through to the ‘I want to Volunteer’ tab.
will be two main points to buy maps, priced at £2 each, over the weekend of 5th and 6th October, and voting will be completed online or by dropping a voting slip off. Entry is open to everyone in Grenoside and families or businesses can decorate a tree in their garden – either a traditional Christmas Tree bought for the trail, or an existing tree/ bush. It must be easily visible from the road. Chris added: “2020 has been a different year for everyone so we wanted to do something that everyone in the village could be involved in. Hopefully it will bring some much needed Christmas cheer and any money raised will be split between the Scout and Guide headquarters fund and the Grenoside Community Centre.” After the event all trees can be collected (minus their decorations) and will be shredded and the chippings used to improve footpaths in nearby woods. A Facebook page has been set up to promote the event and share updates - https://www.facebook.com/grenosidechristmastreefestival/
