Community donate eight years of fundraising to improve popular Sheffield beauty spot

It has been an “amazing” effort from the group which has about 650 members and has looked after the area’s environment from Hunters Bar to Fulwood Lane for around 25 years.

Ann Le Sage, chair of the FoPV, said: “We are fantastically proud of ourselves. Our members and the community at large have been absolutely amazing giving us money.

“It’s been a long, slow process. We are still short by about £30,000 so we are still fundraising but we have got enough money to say to the council: take the money, let’s get it started now.

“It’s a very beautiful area, it’s well loved and particularly now with lockdown it’s been an absolute lifesaver for very many people. Many people have commented on how pretty it is but also how it ought to be repaired.”

FoPV’s donation so far totals £261,000, this will be combined with £66,000 from Section 106 money which was approved at a Sheffield Council cabinet meeting this week.

The group raised the money with events such as its popular duck race and through its website selling things like calendars and walking booklets.

If the work was unable to happen the council said the continued silting of the pond would result in eventual loss of habitat, reduced amenity and it becoming increasingly hazardous to visitors.

The money will go towards de-silting and returning the mill pond to an open body of water and putting in place a long-term solution to reduce future sediment deposition.

Removed silt will also provide an estimated 5,000 tonnes of material for cover for a landfill site at Beighton.

Fulwood ward councillor Andrew Sangar said: “It’s magnificent, it’s a huge effort the FoPV have made over the past few years.

“It’s really good news. Obviously the next stage is getting a contractor in and making it all look so much better and getting a long-term solution to the silts.

“This model of the council working with friends groups I hope can be replicated in other parts of the city. The council and friends group have worked really well. It’s been the public support and the friends group that made the difference and all those generous donations.”

It is the second phase in the Porter Valley Masterplan, the first of which was the restoration of Shepard Wheel that was completed in 2012.

Work is due to start on site in autumn.

Coun Mary Lea, cabinet member for parks, said: “I am really delighted this long anticipated work is finally moving forward. This is a very exciting project that will make a huge difference for both the people who enjoy visiting Forge Dam, and the natural environment and biodiversity in the area.

“I cannot thank the volunteers and members of FoPV enough for the years of hard work and dedication they committed to raising the money which has made this project possible.”

To donate, visit https://www.fopv.org.uk/shop

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