Is Graves Park about to be turned into grazing for cattle & sheep?

SHYTOT · 08-03-2011, 16:00

I was told today that there are proposals under consideration to turn large areas of Graves Park over for grazing land for cattle & sheep.
This is not land currently used by the Animal Farm, but other areas which are proposed to be fenced off from public usage and filled with large numbers of cattle & sheep.
As far as I know a similar scheme caused outrage when it was implemented on public access land at Black-a-Moor.
Has anyone heard anything about this scheme, which if true would seem to be totally at odds with the Graves Covenants? It isn't ideal throwing a ball for your dog if the park is full of sheep.

Leah-Lacie · 08-03-2011, 16:03

But if its fenced off, it wouldn't be any different to the current fenced off cattle and sheep areas would it?

SHYTOT · 08-03-2011, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leah-Lacie

But if its fenced off, it wouldn't be any different to the current fenced off cattle and sheep areas would it?

There is a difference. The animal farm was added to the park. As far as I know these proposals are for animals to take over large areas that the public currently use for leisure activities.

udontgo · 08-03-2011, 16:13

It is big enough and there is plenty of space for everyone.
Large parts of it are barely used.

duckweed · 08-03-2011, 16:18

Saves on lawn mowers

Darth Vader · 08-03-2011, 17:28

As far as I'm aware, that's not what it was intended for, when it was gifted to the people of Sheffield, who were more than happy to accept it on these terms. Shytot, WHO is messing with the park now?

chem1st · 08-03-2011, 18:03

In Holland I walked through a park and wood trail, animals were grazing different parts of the land, cows and all (wearing bells, the bulls removed).

These animals would be slaughtered for the local peoples' meat, and raising the animals was also somewhat of a community thing, the children could pet the goats for example.

I very much enjoyed that walk and thought it was a very civilized way to live which should be replicated over here.

The land can be used by both people and animals. And one of things I enjoy about Graves Park is the animal farm part of it. It is one of the places I often show to visitors to the city.

gnvqsos · 08-03-2011, 20:42

There is a big move towards the utilisation of urban space for food production.There are rumoured to be herds of boar allowed to browse in Hillsborough Park,and there are several plans to restore the famous Norfolk Park hothouses where the Duke once had melons to rival those grown at Chatsworth.In Japan it is common for all roundabouts to have a single-storey dwelling for small-holders who grow strawberries etc. to sell to passing motorists!

Granma · 08-03-2011, 21:43

That's why the Council are building more road islands.

Granma.

mystery man · 08-03-2011, 23:39

does graves park still have the massive shed as a cafe?

Dozy · 09-03-2011, 01:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by udontgo

It is big enough and there is plenty of space for everyone.
Large parts of it are barely used.

My bold

How do you know that? Unless you've done a 24-hour survey over several weeks, of course!

Anyway, it matters not one jot or tittle whether it's "barely used" or packed with people from dawn to dusk - the parkland was donated to the people of Sheffield with conditions. The Council don't own it, they don't have the right to change its use.

You'd think they'd have learned their lesson after the St Luke's fiasco.

Rupert_Baehr · 09-03-2011, 02:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnvqsos

There is a big move towards the utilisation of urban space for food production.There are rumoured to be herds of boar allowed to browse in Hillsborough Park,and there are several plans to restore the famous Norfolk Park hothouses where the Duke once had melons to rival those grown at Chatsworth.In Japan it is common for all roundabouts to have a single-storey dwelling for small-holders who grow strawberries etc. to sell to passing motorists!

Don't forget Chickadilly Circus (unfortunately, they were moved last August - but they were there for over 20 years.

R i chy · 09-03-2011, 02:58

There are large parts of Graves Park which seem not to have any human visitors, give that to the sheep. The only part which shouldn't be fenced off from humans is the main part around the farm and the cafe.

Hardly anybody uses the other parts anyway so give the sheep and cows more place to graze =) But as someone else said before, no need to close it off to humans. Like in Hathersage and stuff where the sheep just roam about all over the road, let them do that, that's pretty cool, let's animals and humans intermingle like..

Greybeard · 09-03-2011, 05:48

It would seem lots of Sheffield's councillors, whatever political affiliation they wear in their buttonhole, are rabid Tories at heart.

They just cannot stomach the idea of all that land sitting there purely for the pleasure of the population and not generating any income.

Looks like we need another trip to the Charity Commissioners.

Evei · 09-03-2011, 05:50

I would say the main users of the areas that other people don't bother going to are dog walkers and runners that avoid the busy family parts.

I do both. I don't think graves park is big enough that they could fence off more parts of it. Even the quiet bits are not that quiet.

vinceb · 09-03-2011, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHYTOT

I was told today that there are proposals under consideration to turn large areas of Graves Park over for grazing land for cattle & sheep.

Anybody know any more about this, have a reference, a council consultation, anything?

rubydazzler · 09-03-2011, 08:42

Told by whom? Anyone official, or just a random conversation? Someone should contact Leisure Services and ask them?

They could start putting wild boar and wolves into Ecclesall Woods as well, it'd make a walk in the woods a bit more exciting for the average dog walker

LitleMermaid · 09-03-2011, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rⅰchy

There are large parts of Graves Park which seem not to have any human visitors, give that to the sheep. The only part which shouldn't be fenced off from humans is the main part around the farm and the cafe.

Hardly anybody uses the other parts anyway so give the sheep and cows more place to graze =) But as someone else said before, no need to close it off to humans. Like in Hathersage and stuff where the sheep just roam about all over the road, let them do that, that's pretty cool, let's animals and humans intermingle like..

Apart from then I could never, EVER walk my sheep obsessed border collie there again! He has to be onlead a lot of the time in the countryside because of sheep so even though it's a bit boring compared to a lot of walks we do, the park is an excellent place for him to have a really really good run offlead.

udontgo · 09-03-2011, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozy

My bold

How do you know that? Unless you've done a 24-hour survey over several weeks, of course!
Anyway, it matters not one jot or tittle whether it's "barely used" or packed with people from dawn to dusk - the parkland was donated to the people of Sheffield with conditions. The Council don't own it, they don't have the right to change its us

Because I have used the place for over 50 years Dozy.

LitleMermaid · 09-03-2011, 15:57

Just because one area is not as used as much as others doesn't mean we should just get rid of it though. Once again I bring my collie into it-he's generally a good lad but sometimes takes a dislike to any dogs that assert themselves to him. This means that I, and people with dogs like mine, like to stick to the areas that have less people (and therefore other dogs) around.