12/02/2026
40 YEARS ON!
40 years ago a group of ‘youngish!’ people with an interest in natural history, decided to form Gleadless Valley Wildlife Group. With help from Ian Rotherham and Oliver Blensdorf working for the adult education service, we put together a programme of walks and talks led by local experts. These proved to be very popular and were attended by local people, many of whom had been totally unaware of the richness of the wildlife habitat on our doorsteps.
Because we were all learning so much about habitat types and management, we also organised some brilliant visits to other areas near Sheffield that illustrated the variety of green spaces and the plants and animals existing there. We became inspired to make efforts to protect and improve our local sites and enhance the biodiversity of green spaces. Working co-operatively with Sheffield City Council rangers, we surveyed areas and then put together plans in order to improve management of sites. We also took action to ensure threats to green sites were challenged and , in many cases, avoided damage to sensitive wildlife habitats.
Our aims had changed and we became a more pro-active group and planned a series of conservation projects that included re-establishment of an old pond at Lees Hall, meadow cutting and raking, woodland thinning and path improvements. In order to do this we registered as a charity and a non-profit making company, therefore becoming Gleadless valley Wildlife Trust.
For the last 10 years we have had a group of very dedicated mid- week volunteers and have also held public conservation events. A wonderful gang of local litter pickers organise regular tasks to tackle fly-tipping and on-going litter problems.
In 2026 we would like celebrate and to promote work carried out by the Trust in the hope of ensuring that our work to protect and enhance the valuable green spaces of the valley continues.
We have decided to offer free membership to all current supporters and welcome the same to any of you interested in finding out more about our work. By registering your support you will receive a quarterly newsletter and notification of news and events.
To register your interest and free membership this year please message your name and e-mail address to [email protected]
Note – If any of you would like to make a voluntary donation to support our work bank details are as follows
BACS acc. no. 33304753 Sort code 05-08-68
