Mysterious Sheffield monolith disappears just days after appearing at city beauty spot

The mirrored pillar appeared at Parkwood Springs in Shirecliffe overnight on January 1 but by yesterday (Sunday) had been removed, stolen or otherwise spirited away.

The structure was just the most recent in a series of similar monoliths that have appeared around the world without warning or explanation since early November.

The first was spotted in the US state of Utah but others have since appeared in Romania, Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight.

The Sheffield monolith was first spotted by dog walker Cameron Gregory who lives nearby.

He said: “I thought it was a bit of a joke really, just likely someone trying to copy what’s been happening. It’s a bit of fun though regardless.

"It’s fairly tall, got to be going on for six and half or seven foot. It’s certainly taller than me.”

However, when the owner of the ‘Dog Friendly Sheffield’ Twitter account visited on Sunday, January 3, the structure had mysteriously disappeared.

They said: “Looks like Sheffield's monolith has gone (or been nicked). Still always worth a wander up to Parkwood Springs for the views.

“We were there at midday today to see it but it had gone sadly, there was a steady stream of people heading up that way too I'm guessing for similar reasons.

“Saw a few people saying it was hollow and not bolted down. Likely it's just been picked up by whichever marketing team (or aliens) left it there.”

The Twitter account also posted a picture of their dog Eddie sat where the monolith was, on the viewing platform at the top of the site looking out onto the city.

On Saturday, the Friends of Parkwood Springs reported that the mysterious monolith had attracted lots of visitors to the site, which is near to the old Sheffield ski village.

Karrie Sutton, who visited the Sheffield sculpture with her family after hearing of the phenomenon on social media, said it was ‘nice to see something has put a much needed smile on the faces of Sheffield folk’.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.