Newsletter

Rivelin Valley Conservation Group

Winter 2014 no 89 WE WISH ALL OF OUR MEMBERS A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR Through The Chair Chairman Graham Appleby 01142660203 Task Force Coordinator Keith Kendall 01142307144 I hope you all had a wonderful Membership/Newsletter M Sanderson 01142306790 Xmas. We’re all still waiting for the snow Treasurer David Lyon 01142302660 Group Recorder Joan Buckland 01142305829 to fall and no doubt it will arrive at a very Events Janet Bowring 01142307570 inconvenient time for us all. Although with Mail to : [email protected] all the rain we have experienced maybe it’s Web: www.rivelinvalley.org.uk a good job it didn’t fall as snow otherwise we would have been buried under some very deep drifts. Hope you all had a RVCG Membership chance to join in the recent garden watch. Your membership for 2014 is now due. It wasn’t a particularly good weekend and Please renew as soon as possible. It saves all my regular garden visitors were no- our volunteers from sending out reminders where to be seen and I could only report a in the next newsletter also sometimes few sparrows. people who renew late in the year think On New Year’s Eve, Keith Kendall our they have renewed for the following year! task team leader received a phone call Please use the enclosed form. about a hole in the path around Hind It is important that we keep up to date with

Wheel. He went down to investigate and your details - change of address etc. decided it was too dangerous to leave. If you were a new member, joining after

Unable to contact any task team members, 30th September 2013, then you are also a he used 12 bags of rubble and 3 bags of member for this year. cement to repair the damage. Keith later We are still very cheap – only £3 per received an accolade from Amey, the SCC household for a year. contractor for his quick response and quality of repair. I understand Amey has since repaired a second hole in the same Donations vicinity which is a worrying trend and a Thanks for your generous help in keeping concern for the life of the dam. our work going. For anyone attending my recent Since the last newsletter we have had presentation on Bees, the word to describe donations from Allen, Atter, Bruce, Hague, heather honey is ‘thixotropic’. It’s normally Mason and Sharpe. a jelly like state but turns to liquid when Donations last year amounted to over £900 agitated. A few requested more on honey for which we are very grateful and helps to bees which I am planning for the autumn. maintain our work in the valley. There We still require a speaker organiser might be many more collapsing footpaths, for our open meetings. Please contact me if leaking dams and vegetation blocked paths you are able to help. I look forward to without your help and the labour of our meeting you at our future events. unsung heroes - the Task Force. Graham Appleby RVCG Chairman

Page 1 of 6 Rivelin Tunnel the order of 2.5mgd (million gallons per Following the takeover of the day) but over the years as more water Water Company by Sheffield Council in became available from the Derwent Valley 1888, it became apparent that new sources the flow eventually reached 12.5 mgd plus of water were needed to meet the growing an additional 0.5 mgd of infiltration water demand for water. This was due to both the in wet weather giving a maximum flow of increasing population and a general 13mgd (59 tcmd). The flows are regulated increase in water usage. In 1898 the throughout the year dependant on the council promoted a bill through Parliament overall stock situation in the Derwent to utilise the watershed of the River Valley Reservoirs which are now operated Derwent above Bamford for water supply in by Severn Trent Water Plc. an attempt to meet this demand. The Bamford end of the tunnel is not The bill however was in competition with accessible to the public but the portal and similar bills from the Corporations of Derby gate at the Sheffield end can be viewed and Leicester and petitions from from the Drive adjacent to Nottingham and Derbyshire County Council the point of discharge of the Wyming Brook for a share of the water. A compromise was into the Rivelin Lower Reservoir. Surplus eventually agreed to jointly form the water can be seen discharging from the Derwent Valley Waterboard (DVWB) to tank into the reservoir down the overflow develop the resources. Sheffield was weir. enti tled to 25% of the available supply with A few years ago the tunnel gates were having an entitlement of 1/6 of stolen but fortunately were spotted by a Sheffield supply. local Yorkshire Water employee for sale in Whilst Howden and Derwent dams were a second hand shop in Sheffield. They were being constructed a tunnel was driven from recovered and reinstalled at the tunnel

Bamford to Rivelin under the Bamford Edge entrance. to enable Sheffield to take its entitlement of In the 1960’s due to deterioration in water water. The tunnel runs from Bamford, near quality, the lower reservoir was adapted for the Ladybower Fish Farm and finishes at pre-treatment sedimentation of the DVWB the Rivelin Lower Reservoir. water and the filter station was supplied The tunnel through the Millstone grit rock from draw-offs located along the reservoir and shale is 4.5 miles (7.2km) long with a embankment. Following the rebuilding of gradient towards Rivelin of 1 in 3,600. It is the treatment works in the late 1990’s the 6ft (1.8m) wide and 6ft 6in (1.98m) high water can now be drawn from both the partly brick with cement lining where original tank and the later draw-offs. Most necessary. It was driven from both ends of the water, after treatment, is used for with no shafts using electrical power for drinking water supplies but a portion is drilling and ventilation. It was completed in used to maintain the compensation flow in 1910 in time for the completion of Howden the River Rivelin. Reservo ir in 1912 and was the longest D K Lyon tunnel in the country for water supply. The cost was £135,000 some £13,000 under Wanted budget. RVCG members usually come up with help The water was piped from the Howden and when we need it. Janet Bowring will be retiring later the Derwent Dam to the start of the from her RVCG work soon and so now we will tunnel and at the Sheffield end a tank was have a vacancy for the jobs she does. We need someone to arrange speakers for constructed adjacent to the Rivelin Lower RVCG Open Meetings and for information on our Reservoir. The water flowed under gravity activities to be sent to the press. Some Open into the tank and then from the tank to the Meetings are already arranged for this year. original Rivelin Filter Station via a 24 inch Perhaps there are two of you who would like to water main. share this job. On completion of Howden Reservoir the If you are interested Janet Bowring or Graham initial flow through the tunnel was only of Appleby will be willing to talk to you and give more information. (See contact list)

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100th Anniversary of King Edward’s Task Force News Hospital 27th October 2013 Despite experiencing aching limbs, Rivelin Reminiscences of the old King Edward’s mud, near drowning and wonky knees the Hospital in the newsletter led to interest Task Team plods on. from Jean Bruce, an RVCG member. She Recently trees have been planted in hosted a reunion in its imposing entrance Bank, Carver Fields and Rails hall of those with associations there before Road, thanks to a donation. More will be it was turned into residences. Several ex planted on the next Task Day. These nurses were reunited and enjoyed seeing consist of white, goat and crack willow, the many old photographs Jean had also crab apple, rowan, English oak, collected. Thank you to those who provided hornbeam and hazel. refreshments. Best wishes to Keith for a speedy recovery Some of you may remember in our early and back to full force. days the fight to stop this building Contact Keith if you would like to join the becoming a secure unit in the prison Task Team. service. A huge, factory like building was Open Meeting also going to be added in the grounds and Steve Drinkall - Images of Wildlife and Wild Places 12th November 2013 so a neighbouring farm made a scaffolding We saw wildlife photographs taken in mock up of its size in a field to show what an impact this would have on our valley. Scotland and its islands by Steve (once an engineer at Laycocks). It’s good to know that this wonderful historic hospital has been put to new use The white tailed sea eagle with its 8ft wing and appreciated by its residents. span is the biggest bird in the British Isles

I would still be interested if anyone has now reintroduced from Norway because of stories about Rivelin’s hospitals, especially extinction by egg collectors and shooting the Crimicar Lane Hospital that dealt with by gamekeepers in Scotland. infectious diseases. There was the wonderful curlew with its M Sanderson curved beak and plaintive call, the colourful oyster catcher that doesn’t eat oysters and Do come to our Open Meetings the red deer fighting for a hind. And why not bring a friend or family. They The magnificent buzzard flew overhead and do not have to be members grey seals flopped around on the rocks all Wanted photographed in beautiful settings. Does anyone know of any existing cruck M Sanderson barn in our area? Rivelin, an area once known for its oak We always want your stories in our trees had several cruck barns and perhaps newsletter. Many of you have interesting there may still be one that has been tales of Rivelin, whether it was as a child incorporated into a later house or farm. paddling in the river, catching tiddlers or Originally they would have a thatched roof onfamily walks. and were supported by strong oak timbers Perhaps you are a keen dog walker, and built from Saxon times onwards. birdwatcher or perhaps you spotted Maybe the hall of Waltheof, the Saxon lord, something unusual. It doesn’t matter how who was thought to live in this area, was a big or small are your reminiscences. We cruck building. Perhaps it was the one need your memories. known to exist at “The Wiggins” around the Also there must be some of you who have top of Crimicar Lane. Others were thought stories to tell of earlier days at Carver to exist at Parkside, Stannington and Fields long before it gained that name

Lydgate. Also there were some in the Please contact Margaret Sanderson neighbouring valleys of Fulwood and

Loxley. Please contact Margaret Sanderson.

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The following information is taken from The THE RECORDER Winter Hunter Archaeological Society – of 31st May 2013/2014 2010. Here we are again with the start of a The Rise and Fall of Holly in the new year. It comes round much too Sheffield Region References to the importance of Holly in our quickly for me. I am writing this on the 13 th January and so far it does not feel past can be found in place names. Whenever you see the word “hagg, hollin or holling” in very wintry. We have had strong winds place names (such as Hagg lane, Fox Hagg, Bell and heavy rain over the whole country

Hagg and various other places) you can be sure with many areas being flooded for the that there is an historical reason for this as second Christmas running, but only a these are old names for places where holly was cultivate d and there are plenty of these place handful of days with frost. I keep names in our area. temperature records and we have only Holly was once an important item for animal had eight days with a maximum fodder. (This might seem curious but the prickly temperature below 7 °C. since the lower leaves were not used. These are for the tree’s defence. The upper leaves do not have beginning of December, which is the prickles.) temperature at which plants can grow. Th e holly place names are associated with The leaves are still on my outdoor upland areas where there is poor pastureland Fuchsi a plants, which is most unusual, and are scarce below 400ft or in limestone and wasps were still buzzing round the areas. Mostly they are in millstone grit and coal Ivy flowers at the end of November. We measure land. In 1697, Abraham de la Pryme, a diarist said must not be complacent though as, last that in SW Yorkshire, Bradfield and Derbyshire year, the first snow fell on the 14th sheep are fed on holly leaves and bark, eaten January. more greedily than grass also that they are planted in great numbers. On Christmas Day many flowers were There is a record of 1574 that “one hage of still blooming including Nicotiana, hollen at Bell Hagg letten to Phillipe Morton of Feverfew, Nerine, Pelargonium, ye Cloughe feilde for Vs a yeare.” In 1604 Thomas Smith paid 5s.for hollin in Bell Primula, Rose, Marigold, Winter Hagg. Jasmine, Pink Campion, Periwinkle and “One messuage called Belhag and a hag of Hollin” was rented for £15 in 1690. V iola. My Snowdrops are almost out Agricultural changes meant that holly fodder (the same time as last year) and the was declining in use by the end of the 18th D affodils are peeping through. The century. M agpies have been attacking my plum When walking around Rivelin the holly legacy is tree for nesting material and some easy to see. Look out to see if they have not been allowed to grow into a tree with a trunk birds are singing their Spring song – a and this might show that it was once planted little hasty maybe. The migrants have for use as cattle fodder. arrived and you may see birds in your M Sanderson g arden that are not regular visitors i.e. Waxwing, Redwing, Fieldfare and This Newsletter is sponsored by Clarity continental Blackbirds. Siskin and Printers of Shepcote Lane Bullfinch will also appear more often, Telephone 01142448844 especially if it snows. I am still waiting Suppliers of Office equipment for these exotic visitors to notice my

Cotoneaster berries, which are very

plentiful this year. The Blackbirds are gorging on them instead. The geese are on the move again –

Page 4 of 6 probably Pink-Footed. Last year I had Vivien Falshaw S10 – 26.10.13 – Song reports of geese flying North West from Thrush in garden. the end of October, but this year the first sighting reported was on Boxing Sue Shaw – 23.8.13 – Weasel near

Day. I saw a flock of about 100 at Frank Wheel; 29/9 & 6/10 – 2 Comma th 11.45am on the 10 January and heard Butterflies in Hospital Field. th some going over at 9.30pm on the 12 23/11 – 2 Dippers on lead goit of Upper January. They will have exhausted Cut, just above S-bend. 27/9 – in their food further south and are going garden in Walkley – 2 Long-Tailed Tits; to the Solway Firth before travelling on 30/10 – 2 Wrens in garden. to Iceland or Greenland to breed. The foxes are also barking to attract a Doreen Best S10 – 22.12.13 – 7 mate. Has anyone heard a Tawny Owl Redwings in cherry tree in garden for 2 lately? They should have done well as days. there has been a plentiful supply of small mammals this year, which is why Roger Kite S10 – 5.1.14 – Blackcap; I am surprised I have not heard one for 12.1.14 – Goldcrest. some time. I am getting very worried about the lack of Hedgehogs. If you Margaret Sanderson S10 - 24.12.13 - have seen one PLEASE let me know. If 20-25 Waxwings in trees at bottom of you do have a Hedgehog please do not garden; 7.1.14 – 8 bullfinches. use slug pellets and try to persuade your neighbours not to use them also. Graham Appleby S10 – 4 Waxwings in They are one of the main reasons for garden. the decline in these engaging little creatures. Joan Buckland S10 - Regular garden visitors – Sparrows, Blackbirds, What sort of a year did you have in Dunnock, 1 pair Robins, Chaffinches, your garden? Did you have more or Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Blue, Great fewer insects, birds, butterflies or and Coal Tits, Collared Doves, Wood animals. I would love to know your and Feral Pigeons, Magpies. Occasional experiences of wildlife. Did anyone visitors – Jays, Jackdaws, Rooks, have that ‘nature moment’. Mine came Goldcrest, Wren, Sparrowhawk, today (I needed something to kick start Bullfinches, Long-tailed Tits, Starlings. me into writing). I was gazing out of 15.10.13 – Brambling; 15.10.13 – the kitchen window when a sudden Female Tawny Owl sitting in apple tree movement caught my eye. A lovely 10.15pm; 23.10.13 – Male Tawny Owl little weasel was working its way back calling; 5.1.14 – 1 pair Siskin, 7.1.14 – and forth along my stone wall, which is 1 Redwing. where I often see field mice. It did not catch anything and disappeared into Joan Buckland the garden next door. Sometimes it is Recorder just a matter of luck of being in the right place at the right time – but I do spend an awful lot of time looking into my garden!

Thank you to all who sent in records.

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