'Sheffield's unsung heroes deserve our honour and our money as they keep the city firing'
Meersbrook was my local park as a child
Sheffield has done it again.
More specifically, the great people of this fair city have stepped up and made it better.
The city is built on a foundation of beautiful parks. Add in a sprinkling of well placed, glorious heritage sites and you have a mix that all can enjoy. It makes us proud of where we live.
But these uplifting places haven't always been cared for in the way that we Sheffielders may have wished.
Many a great asset has been bubble wrapped, it's potential nothing more than a spark in the heart of passers-by.
But, sometimes, that is exactly what you need... a dream and a determination that will not be stopped by red tape or a refusal to financially reward.
I could point to city libraries which only remained open because of the love of literary volunteers as an example. Look at what has been gained thanks to their efforts, and imagine what would have been lost.
In today's case the story that needs telling lies much closer to home for me, within the walls of just one green space.
Meersbrook was my local park as a child. I was there all the time with friends. I clambered for hours as a tot on climbing frames no longer deemed suitable by health and safety. I rolled down the hill til I was dizzy and could no longer walk straight. Then I tried to look cool hanging out in the same spots as a teenager, not causing trouble, just friends needing a space to be together.
It is not my favourite park but it is the one I know best and it has very special attractions.
Since 1554, Bishops’ House has shone as an architectural gem at the very top of that steepest of hills. You have probably enjoyed its history as many times as me but let me remind you that since 2011 Bishops’ House has been kept open by volunteers. The council maintains the building but it is entirely volunteer run by the Friends of Bishops’ House charity. In other words, it would be shut without them.
At the very bottom of the same hill is Georgian mansion Meersbrook Hall. It boasts an incredible history, tells a tale that is unique to this city and, once again, is as a treasure being brought back to life by volunteers. I've never stepped inside the Hall but, hopefully soon, no-one in this city will have an excuse for uttering those words.
At a recent fundraiser, hundreds of people held a ‘Hands Around the Hall' in a symbolic show of community unity and support for bringing the building back into productive use for the community.
Aren't Sheffielders flipping wonderful?
Just a few steps away is the park's Walled Garden. A similar story and a once secret spot now regularly visited and adored.
Sadly, you have to look a long way back to see the days when local authorities actually paid people to run key sites like these. Goodwill is a modern currency that is too often relied upon and taken for granted.
When I was a child the hugely impressive, ancient water fountain in Meersbrook Park still spurted H2O at anyone feeling thirsty before tackling the huge hill. There was no fear of killing the planet with plastic bottles, just free water when needed.
Those were the days when MUGAs were simply tennis courts and the only place you went to get a coffee was at home.
There was always bowling and there was always Bishops’ House. Going down, it is great for sledging if you can cope with the devil's bump and it even briefly housed a pulley system for grass skiing.
Going up, the mums of Meersbrook should be awarded medals for persevering on that hill with prams.
But it is the fiercesome roar of our army of volunteers which truly deserves the honour.
You won't hear their stories shouted in thanks through the Town Hall corridors but theirs is the true power that keeps this city firing.
The best weapon we can arm them with is our support. Turn up to their events, buy a cuppa, borrow a book, marvel at their museums and spend your money in their spaces.
They can't do it without us and we wouldn't want our city to be without them.