REVIVAL

I'm sorry it's been so long since I wrote anything, but things have been in disarray for a while and are only just becoming a little clearer.

The Don Gorge Strategic Partnership (DGSP) has now been wound up, and the Don Gorge Community Group (DGCG) has merged with Revival, a new partnership headed up and staffed by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT).  The representatives of the statutory agencies involved with DGSP felt this offered a better use of their time as it covers a wider area and many other bodies are involved as well. 

Having had a presentation by Tom Hayek, Conservation Programme Manager for YWT, the instigator of the project, the DGCG felt there was no alternative but to join this group, even though it does not really cover all the aspects of our brief, nor is the name particularly descriptive of what it is or does.

In fact Revival covers the length of the River Don from Sheffield to the Humber and its three main themes are:

·         Biodiversity improvement,

·         Water Framework Directive delivery,

·         Community Engagement through physical and educational access improvement.

It seems, therefore, that the main concern is for the natural environment and community access to it.  The Don Gorge is already wide open for access by many different groups of people and extensively visited so, as ever, our main concern is vehicular access.  We have been put into the last sub-group, but as we are not due to meet until 29 August, we do not know what is really in their minds.

With the loss of the DGSP and our Co-ordinator, Rachael Cranch, who has been moved on into other work, we are now thrown back on our own resources, whilst hoping for and expecting support by representatives of the other Revival agencies as and when required.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Car Parking

We have two possible sites on Nursery Lane in mind as car parks:

·         a small area at the end of The Boat Inn car park and

·         a much larger area opposite the Traveller site. 

The latter site is owned by a group of individuals who have already been contacted and we have been given hope that they might agree to such a use providing appropriate security is maintained.  A small sub-group is being set up to work towards this.  If it is achieved, a walk would be created down through the woodland towards the bottom of Nursery Lane and the river.

This is a very ambitious project for us and, although we hope for a great deal of voluntary input from our Conservation Volunteers, funding will still have to be found.  YWT have already expressed an interest in helping us with this and Natural England will not oppose the woodland walk. 

The outcome, however, will only be a success if visitors are prepared to use it as they do at other similar sites of natural beauty around the country. 

Fish Pass and Small Hydro-Electric Scheme

I'm afraid I have no news about this, but it would appear that things have not gone according to expectations and new plans are being considered.  I will up-date on this as soon as I hear anything definite.

Walks from Warmsworth

We are in the process of drawing up leaflets for three walks from Warmsworth into the Don Gorge.  I will let you know when they are available.

Conservation Volunteers

This loyal group of men and women continue to do sterling work in the Gorge and would welcome others who might like to join them.  They now meet at the Lock House on the island at 10 am on alternate Tuesdays - the next one being 24 July 2012.  Parking is available there.  Strong shoes, lunch and wet-weather gear required (unless Summer suddenly arrives).

DANGER ON THE RIVER BANK

Beware if you visit the river at Lower Sprotborough any time soon as the bank has once again collapsed near the landing stage.  More exacting construction work will no doubt have to be done to solve this long-standing problem.  In the meantime, I would advise you to

keep away from the fence and take care.

 

The old railway bridge on Nursery Lane

Spring flowers at the Well at Lower Sprotborough

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!

As I write, the canal at Lower Sprotborough is over-flowing its banks into the River Don again.  I think we've just about had enough rain here for now!

26.4.2012

FISH PASS & SMALL HYDRO SCHEME

I am afraid there is still no news on this.  There was a meeting of the Don Gorge Strategic Partnership on the 9th March 2012, when few representatives turned up and no worthwhile information was forthcoming. 

The only important information to come from the meeting was that the Partnership's Co-ordinator has been pulled from her role by DMBC and moved to another department.

We fear this does not bode well for the Partnership and wonder what will happen next.

ROAD WORKS ON THE HAIRPIN BEND

It was with some relief that the hairpin bend was reopened earlier than expected and I am sure many will be thankful that their journeys have been shortened as a result.  I was, however, surprised to hear that a number of people have actually telephoned the council to complain that the renovation of the road and footpath has spoiled the countryside feel of the road.  For those who have lived in Sprotborough for many years, I would suggest that such a 'feel' was lost about fifty years ago when all the new houses were built and roads created.  I well remember the Park and Melton Road gaining 'manicured' status in the 1960s when footpaths and kerbs were put in.  With the addition of hundreds of houses, it was inevitable that usage of the river bridges as a route to the A1(M) would increase and so it has.  It is therefore useless to complain that a worn-out road and footpath have been renewed as it is now a main thoroughfare.  Personally, I think they have done an excellent job, creating run-offs for the rain, banking up soil so that car parkers cannot ruin the verges and improving a footpath that was a danger to users.

ROAD WORKS AND CLOSURE OF SPROTBOROUGH BRIDGES

To have the bridges over the Don closed for eight weeks is not funny.   Apart from in Doncaster itself, they are the only way over the river and to get to Warmsworth or Edlington is miles and takes an age instead of the a mile or so and ten minutes.  There are three possible alternatives: via Mexborough and Conisbrough; through Doncaster; or north to the Barnsley turn-off of the A1(M) and then south to the Warmsworth turn-off.   

The plan seems to be to re-do the whole of the road, down to base level, inserting kerbstones and replacing the footpath and then re-building the road.  No doubt we'll all be pleased when it's been done, but eight weeks does seem a long time.   I am informed that although eight weeks has been stated, they do hope to complete in six if the weather doesn't hamper them.  This is where they've got to in the first week - inserting kerbstones on the left-hand side going up as far as the bend.  Let's hope the rest moves a bit quicker.

Liz

TO BE OR NOT TO BE - A FOLLOWER

PROMOTING, CONSERVING AND PROTECTING THE DON GORGE THROUGH EDUCATION AND ACTION

Members of the Don Gorge Community Group committee discussed the possibility of setting up an official Friends group at our meeting this week, but decided against it on the grounds that we lack the man or woman power to manage it.  We know from people we meet that many people are interested in what we are doing and support us, but at the same time it would be nice to know who they are and where they comes from, as well as what they might like to see or not see happen here.

We try to provide information through the Sprotbrough Arrow for those who are not online, but for those who are, why not become a regular FOLLOWER of this Blog?  We would welcome more comments about the blogs, both positive and negative if that is the case.  We would like suggestions, reports of sightings, whatever you feel able to offer.

The Don Gorge is your amenity.  It can be improved or it can be neglected.  Our group of conservation volunteers work hard every other Tuesday to maintain the woodland, the river bank and the surrounding area and we know it is appreciated, but it would be nice to be able to tell them that our Followers think so too.

We currently only have six listed - it would be nice to have 600 or (6000!) all participating in the dialogue about its future.

So, please give it your consideration. 

Liz

The snowdrops are lovely at the moment and you don't have to go miles to see them. 

The Well at Lower Sprotborough