Originally called the Porter Brook Community Association, the S.V.C.A was founded in 1998-99 by Robert Dodds (Chair 1999-2012) as an altruistic project in the spirit of Public Service. The SVCA,with invaluable help from Crowded House Church group, also founded Sharrow Vale Market in 2009. The idea was inspired by Pete Wigley who owned Mr BBs restaurant (which is now Otto's Restaurant). Pete organ
ised a street market/music festival in the early 90s and funded the first planter and a bench in front of the the wine shop on Sharrow Vale Road. Unfortunately, Pete passed away but his idea was re-kindled when the SVCA was founded and then the Sharrow Vale Market was eventually started. The aspect of the area was deteriorating due to litter and a generally un-cared for appearance. After meetings with Councillors and Sheffield City Council, some funding helped the SVCA to purchase some more planters and help with other issues in the area. Altogether the Council donated about £2,000! A graffiti busting team was formed, cleaning up most of the graffiti and efforts were also made to clean up the litter in the area and to get local businesses on board with the idea of improving the aspect of the area. Eventually, the Pocket Park was created with £30,000 of funds from the Council's Porter Brook Riverbank improvement scheme and then M&S donated a further £50,000 and with help from Groundwork Sheffield the project was finalised. SHARROW VALE MARKET
Sharrow Vale Market was started with help from volunteers such as Crowded House Church group and the local business community. Both of these groups gave invaluable help, without which it would have been impossible to start or run the market. Sheffield City Council provided £2,000, in order to pay for a Road Traffic Act notice in the local newspaper. Sharrow Vale Market now provides the SVCA with funds that are spent on the area, continuing the original Aims and Objectives that the SVCA formulated. Donations are also made to two charities per year and other projects are also helped, such as Hunters Bar School's wall mural. The local businesses have helped the market due to the good relations between them and the SVCA. Electric power is provided by Jonty's cafe, some other businesses such as Otto's Restaurant have sponsored advertising and banners and others have helped by lending the use of vans for collecting and returning traffic cones and signs and tables etc. The Print and Design Shop donated a large marquee in which to stage music and the resident dj, until the SVCA eventually purchased several marquees and gazebos for the market and other events. You are welcome to view minutes of meetings, to attend meetings and voice your concerns and ideas for the area. It is now possible to subscribe to the mailchimp to receive minutes, agendas and a newsletter. Please click on the link soon to be added to this fb page. If people in the area wish to add items of concern to the agenda, please contact the SVCA by using the above 'message' button. Thank you for your continued help and interest in the area. Robert Dodds. February 2017.
