Sheffield beauty spot being ruined by "selfish" man digging for earthworms
“His ignorance and selfishness is relentless”
A mystery man’s “selfish” digging for earthworms threatens to ruin a Sheffield beauty spot for everyone, a frustrated community group warns.
Birley Spa Preservation Trust says it is “getting really irritated” at routinely finding the scenic green space off Birley Spa Lane dug up and disturbed by a garden-fork-wielding wrecker.
The damage threatens to damage footpaths through the park and erode the sides of a strea,
Digging has now encroached on a £5,000 stone ‘giant’ sculpture buried in the earth that the trust arranged for the enjoyment of all.
Volunteer Fiona Milne says the group has taken its frustrations to the police and Sheffield City Council.
“We confronted him once, and he told us it’s a community space and he can do what he wants,” said Fiona.
“When we said it’s wrong and it’s council-owned land, he told us to prove it and went back to it.
“As far as we can tell he’s digging up earthworms.
“It could be for fishing. We must have some quality worms, we like to joke.
“How can we plan community days and encourage people to visit when every time we visit it’s in a state?
“It’s just so irritating. It’s so hurtful that someone in the community can be so selfish and against what we’re doing.”
“His ignorance and selfishness is relentless”
The alleged campaign of digging began in 2025 during the drought, stopped over winter, and restarted in recent weeks.
“Last year, we really went through a dry spell and we noticed somebody began digging the land near the stream where it was moist,” said Fiona.
“The stream had a loose stone barrier and the digging disturbed the stones. It looked a mess, and now the stones are dug out they are getting washed away of their own accord.
“One day we saw him, and when we confronted him and he said we should prove it.”
Fiona says the area getting dug has spread and now encroaches on a much loved decorative stone giant.
“It's the most important thing we've done at Birley Spa,” said Fiona.
“It's a hub for the community and as a family area.
“We got £5,000 in funding for the giant and commissioned Andrew “Stoneface” Vickers to make the head and the feet.
“We had a community day where we helped build the body, and want to celebrate the giant’s second birthday on August 1.
“How can we plan community days and encourage people to visit when every time we visit it’s in a state?
“If we as a group did what he has done, someone could report us to the council and we’d get in trouble, so how can he just do what he wants?”
The Star contacted Sheffield City Council for comment.
The “phantom digger’s” work has been catalogued on the Birley Spa Conservation Trust Facebook page.
A furious recent post showing damage along the stream on July 6 reads: “For 12 months now, the phantom digger has been causing damage and destruction at Birley Spa. From destroying the integrity of the stream sides to damaging the Sleeping Giant, his ignorance and selfishness is relentless.
“Despite being asked repeatedly, he has not stopped. Despite it being reported to the police, he has not stopped, I've arrived at the Spa to fresh damage this morning. All for worms. Worms!
“We are at a loss for what to do next. We are supposed to be hosting a party for the Giant soon. The Giant that was built by the community for the community. A community that he clearly cares nothing about.”