Website - New Historical Website for Wincobank Hill (Sheffield)

A new website has been built to help the public access the most up to date historical and archaeological information about Wincobank Hill Iron Age hill fort and its immediate surroundings.

How it came about
Two years ago, Sheffield City Council commissioned a Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) about Wincobank Hill. They worked with The Friends of Wincobank Hill, ArcHeritage and the University of Sheffield to produce a report summarising all the archaeological and other research that has been carried out on the Hill throughout the years. The report (the DBA) was written to help advise all those who have an involvement in the Hill as to the best way to look after it for generations to come.

The website
We used Heritage Lottery Funds to commission a website from web designer "madewithpixels" to allow the public to access the DBA. The website has a timeline of events that have occurred on the Hill throughout history, and a map showing sites of interest on and around the hill as well as all the information from the DBA. The site can be updated by web editors from the Friends of Wincobank Hill, and the public can add their knowledge about the site through a comments box.

Catherine Nuttgens, Access to Nature Project Officer, said “The website will provide a fantastic resource for students, schools and people with an interest in Wincobank Hill to find out more and share their knowledge.”

To access the website go to http://www.wincobanklivinghistory.co.uk

Web Publishers Needed!
The Friends of Wincobank Hill are currently looking for volunteer web publishers to update the website with new discoveries, help keep news articles up to date and moderate comments. If you would be interested in helping out with this project, and would like gain some experience of web publishing and access training to learn how to become a web publisher, please contact Catherine Nuttgens on Catherine.nuttgens@sheffield.gov.uk

For more information contact:
The Friends of Wincobank Hill
Upper Wincobank Chapel,
Wincobank Avenue,
Sheffield.
S5 6BB
www.wincobankhill.btck.co.uk

www.wincobankchapel.btck.co.uk

or

Catherine Nuttgens
Access to Nature Project Officer
Sheffield City Council
Parks & Countryside
Meersbrook Park
Brook Road
Sheffield S8 9FL
Telephone: 0114 273 6199
Mobile: 07837 300203

Website - Sheffield Community Heritage Forum

Sheffield Community Heritage Forum have now set up their own blogsite for the latest developments in the local history around Sheffield.  They will also be posting important news and events on the blogsite in addition to photos of Sheffield’s fantastic heritage community.

 They meet quarterly and meetings are open to everyone and anyone interested in finding out more about the heritage activity happening in Sheffield and its surroundings.


If you are not already a member of the mailing list, please contact schf@sheffield.ac.uk to begin receiving all information and updates on events and projects happening in Sheffield’s cultural and heritage environment. You can also send your own promotional or informative material to the address from where it will be circulated amongst members.

To contribute blog posts or photos to the site, please don’t hesitate to contact the administrator on the email above.

Blogsite at http://schf.wordpress.com/

Events - Friends of Wincobank Hill (Sheffield)

The Five Arthurs - a talk by David Anson (£2 includes refreshments)

The Arthur Legend is enduring and has many aspects. David will deal with five of them but is always glad to hear of any more. Come and find out more about the king who never was, but who has entered the British psyche and has had more influence than many real monarchs.

6.30 - 8.30pm Thursday 1st November 2012 at Upper Wincobank Chapel, Wincobank Avenue, Sheffield S5 6BB



AND- save the date for -

The Wincobank Hill Lantern Procession

Wednesday 14th November 2012 5pm from Uppoer Wincobank Chapel

Come and help us light up the hill. The this new and exciting event is being organised by the Friends of Wincobank Hill and Sheffield City Council Woodland and Ranger teams. Local schoolchildren have been making lanterns which they will carry during a walk in the woodlands around and up the hill and some enchanting visual interest is being planned. Park Rangers will be on hand to lead the way and share information about the area.

If you fancy a magical walk through our Ancient Woodland come and join us. Bring a torch and wrap up warm. Strong footwear advised. We regret the event is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs due to the rough ground and steep hill. There will be hot drinks served at the Chapel afterwards. The event should finish by 7pm. For further information please phone 07980 143 776

There is a reserve date of the following Wednesday,November 21, in case of very bad weather.

http://www.wincobankhill.btck.co.uk

Via SCHF

Event - Roam the Ridge (Wincobank)

Come and Roam the Ridge and find out the facts on Wincobank Hill on Saturday 15th September. A guided history walk round Wincobank Hill Fort and the Roman Ridge with archaeologist Jared Bryson from the University of Sheffield

Meet 10.15am at the Forum Public House, Sandstone Road S9 1AE.   For More information visit the Friends of Wincobank Hill website at http://www.wincobankhill.btck.co.uk/

News - Sheffield Wincobank Hill battle victory

CONTROVERSIAL plans for new homes on a historic Sheffield site - which received hundreds of objections - have been refused.


Sheffield Council turned down the proposals for a 24-property development on Wincobank Hill, off Sandstone Road, yesterday despite a recommendation for approval.

The decision was made on the basis of protecting the historic nature of the site, which lies 200 metres south of the Iron Age Wincobank hill fort.

Residents say it is likely to contain prehistoric archaeological treasures which could be destroyed by the building work.

Bridget Ingle, of the Love Wincobank Campaign, said an 1,100-strong online petition signed by people across the world had been handed in at the meeting to boost more than 400 objections.

She said: “We are all very pleased because everything was against us having a victory, however it is one step at a time.

“The councillors rejected it on archaeological grounds but we are not resting on our laurels because the developer will appeal the decision and we’ll have to fight it again.”

The site is used by Wincobank families and concerns about the loss of open space for local people were also behind the decision.

Campaigners think the site is on the line of the Roman Ridge, a 10-mile linear earthwork thought to be have been built as a defensive structure between Sheffield and Kimberworth, Rotherham.

Investates Development proposed the three-bedroom homes, which were also opposed by the Friends of Wincobank Hill, Sandstone Road Residents’ Forum, the Hunter Archaeological Society and the Sheffield Ramblers.

Dr Roger Doonan, head of archaeology at the University of Sheffield, spoke at the planning meeting.

He said: “The chairman said it was the most difficult one he had been to in his planning career.

“I think this was the only right decision to be made really.

“This is a really important area, it was the northernmost extent of the Roman empire at one point.

“No other city in Britain I know has an iron age hill fort standing in the middle of it.”

It is hoped the site could be used as a community resource, like in heritage trails attracting visitors in the future.

Dr Doonan added: “It is a resource we should recognise.”

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-wincobank-hill-battle-victory-1-4702602

Friends of Wincobank Hill Press Release

On Monday afternoon the 2nd July the Friends of Wincobank Hill attended the The City Centre, South & East Planning and Highways Committee to campaign against the 24 dwellings proposed by Investates Development Ltd. on Sandstone on land at the end of Sandstone Road, Wincobank. The site of this planning application we believe to be part of the Roman Ridge earthwork which stretches across South Yorkshire from the River Dearne, near Wath upon Dearne to near Millsands in Sheffield. At Sandstone Road this Monument passes within 200 metres of the British Hill Fort on the crown of Wincobank Hill.

Over the two thousand or so years of its life, parts of this Historic Monument have been lost under housing development and other building where it passes through urban areas and due to so-called agricultural improvements in the rural areas. However, enough of it has survived intact in many places to be Scheduled as an Ancient Monument by English Heritage and in others to be clearly identified on the ground by its passage. Sadly, along Sandstone Road, we believe houses were constructed over it in the 1960s, leaving one short section where the Ridge enters the open land around the Hill Fort and joins up with a part where the bank is more obvious and which has legal protection by English Heritage. Attempts by our group to achieve legal protection for the site failed as there is no evidence of the earthwork on the surface due to tipping material after the houses were built forty years ago, and some carried out very recently.

We are convinced this is the site of the Ridge because of the clear historical evidence from reliable historians and old Ordnance Survey maps on which it is clearly marked. In more recent times aerial photographs show the route with the characteristic footpath present over many centuries. Historically the Ridge was a route across the County and much of it today is still accessible on foot, or at least visible where it is not from a highway adjoining it.

The Ridge has been under threat in many places from development, vandalism and ignorance. However, we feel this changing. The Committee’s decision to refuse the planning application and preserve the open space after hearing the evidence from our campaign, the pleas of local residents and over a thousand signatories to petitions, is an indication of this.

The origin of the Ridge is uncertain and its name is no indication. It could date from before or just after the Roman occupation, certainly not during it. However, its future could be clearer if more about it is known and appreciated by people. Support for our campaign came from many people, from immediate residents to supporters in the USA and Australia and from historians and archaeologists. The Ridge is nationally important and like Wincobank Fort, it is almost unique in a large urban area.

Long may it remain so.

Petition - Save Wincobank (Sheffield)

The Friends of Wincobank Hill, together with all Residents, Supporters, Academics and Experts involved are extremely concerned that next Monday, 2nd July 2012, Sheffield City Council Planning Committee will approve the Planning Application for development of the land on Wincobank Hill as described in the attachments.


The final decision will not be not be made until Monday so if anyone wishes to add their support to what they are already doing, there is still time to write (first class) or send emails to:

Lucy Bond, Development Services, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield S1 2SH lucy.bond@sheffield.gov.uk

They will be collecting signatures to their new this coming Saturday, 30th June 2012, at our Summer Fun Day on Wincobank Common. Their goal is 1,000 signatures of those who are behind them in preserving Wincobank Hill - so please help if you can by writing as above or emailing this out even more widely. Signed Petitions may be brought to them either at our FUN DAY on Saturday 30th June, or outside the Sheffield Town Hall at 1.00 pm next Monday 2nd July - or contact them to collect from you on Sunday. If they won't let them into the Council Chamber we will try to make ourselves prominent outside!

This is not just "any bit of open space" that can be swapped. There is no compensation for its loss. It is special. The Open Space designation in the Unitary Development Framework and the Sheffield Development should be upheld. No building here!

Their website is at http://www.wincobankhill.btck.co.uk/

Petition- Wincobank/Sandstone Road (Sheffield)

Please find below details of a public meeting to raise awareness of the Sandstone Road planning application. 

 

Local residents are delivering leaflets but we would very much appreciate your help in publicising this event and would be pleased if you could also attend. 

 

Sandstone Forum Residents Association and Friends of Wincobank Hill invite you to a Public Meeting 7 - 8pm on Monday 23rd January 2012 at The Forum 59 Sandstone Rd, Sheffield S9 1AF on Sandstone Road, to discuss the implications of the proposed new development at the end of Sandstone Road.  

 

Many local residents are not aware that this proposal has now been re- submitted for approval having been rejected twice before.

 

All who have an interest are encouraged to look at the proposals on  www.sheffield.gov.uk/planning and make comments before the extended deadline of 1st February 2012.

The Application Reference Number is 11/03972/FUL 

 

You can view a paper copy of the application at Howden House, but you must make arrangements in advance by contacting the Records team on  (0114) 20 39183  (0114) 20 39183.  If you prefer to comment in writing please send your letter to the Howard Baxter, Planning Officer, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2SH 

Application Reference: 11/03972/FUL

Proposal:	Erection of 22 dwelling houses and 4 apartments including associated car parking and landscaping
Location:	Land To The Rear Of 21 To 99, Beacon Road And Land Adjoining 131 Sandstone Road, Sheffield, S9 1AB,

 

 

Many thank for your help and support

 

Penny 

http://www.wincobankhill.btck.co.uk 

Via Sheffield Forum

Event - Wincobank Practical Day (Sheffield)

Come and join the Friends of Wincobank Hill and the Rangers for a morning helping to improve this historical site. All tools and training will be provided. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Meet at the Hillfort off Jenkin Road.

Saturday 4 February between 10.00 am – 12 noon on Wincobank Hill

For further information contact the North Ranger Team on (0114) 240 3578.

Event - Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes (Sheffield)

Friends of Wincobank Hill Invite you ton Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes a talk about the book by author Nicki Howarth

This is the first major study of Cartimandua, queen of the Brigantes tribe in Northern Britain in the first century AD. Little is known about the tribal ruler, who fought off rebellion and civil war and managed to keep her lands when many other British leaders were forfeiting theirs in the aftermath of the Roman conquest of AD 43. Her story is one of power, intrigue, scandal and accusations of betrayal and yet surprisingly she is a figure who is often overlooked and marginalised in studies of British history.

Thursday 1st December 20116.30pm refreshments, 7.00pm talk at Upper Wincobank Chapel, Wincobank Avenue, S5 6BB  Admission £2, pay on the door, Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase RRP £14.99

Seating is limited so please reserve a ticket in advance by phoning or texting 07980 143 776 with number of tickets required, your name and contact details.Tickets will be reserved for you until 6.45pm on the night.

Events - Friends of Wincobank Hill for October (Sheffield)

Saturday 1st

Industrial Heritage and Climate Change event - Grenoside

Sunday 2nd 2-4 pm

Litter Pick on the Hill with North Team Ranger Graham Lester (+ cutting back/opening up viewpoints, removing self-sets, etc) - winter felling & clearance began on Tuesday this week

Thursday, 6th 6.30 for 7 pm

Time to Talk (Wendy Booth) - at the Chapel

1st to 9th October - 11-3 pm

8th October at 11-3 pm

Wincobank Day at Upper Wincobank Chapel with local history)

Saturday 8th

West Yorkshire Community Heritage Forum at Castleford (request details if interested)

Saturday 22nd 11-3 pm 

"From Brook to Blade" Open Day - Shepherd Wheel, Endcliffe Park

Sunday 30th October

Little Horrors" Halloween Activities with Graham Lester near Bluebell Road entrance (would like to talk to some members re final format for this)

Event - Secrets to be laid bare (Wincobank)

SECRETS of the historic Wincobank Hill in Sheffield will be laid bare at a free event on Thursday at 7pm,

The Upper Wincobank Chapel, Wincobank Avenue, is the venue for an illustrated talk with the Friends of Wincobank Hill.

It will cover the Iron Age hill fort, the ancient woodland, the charcoal burners, the mines and the tips of Wincobank Hill. Admission is free and there will be a raffle in aid of Friends of Wincobank Hill. For more information contact Adam Goodall, Woodlands Officer by email on adam.goodall@sheffield.gov.uk

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/secrets_to_be_laid_bare_1_3634620