Saturday 22nd March: Duck Hunt at Endcliffe Park
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When: 1500-1630ish.
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Start/end point: Just off the mini-roundabout on Rustlings Road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/qyXRrq87mWmQsakt9
https://w3w.co/flash.shadow.spot
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Distance: 4km (or as long as you’d like it to be!)
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Terrain: flat, mostly paved, for all ages and walking abilities.
Introduced to the UK in the early 20th century, mandarin ducks are often spotted en masse along the Porter Brook, Wire Mill Dam and Forge Dam. On this walk, we go out in search of mandarin ducks, as well as mallards and herons, and to find and listen to the sounds of their habitat. Please dress comfortably, and bring some water and anything you might like to document the walk with (recorder, camera, notebook/pencil). I’ll bring some printouts for everyone with a map, prompts, and some fun facts about the ducks.
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Saturday 8th March: Padley Gorge Hike
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When: 0945-1230ish.
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Start/end point: Grindleford Train Station. I will be getting the 0914 train from Sheffield to arrive in Grindleford at 0928, and the 1251 train from Grindleford to arrive in Sheffield at 1304. There is parking around the station but it is limited - public transport always encouraged where possible!
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Distance: 8km.
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Terrain: off-road and unpaved, some steep/possibly slippery sections - for confident walkers.
This will be a gentle hike up Padley Gorge and then back through the Longshaw estate. I’d like this to be a more social walk, so we’ll have some time to chat as we go, as well as the usual quiet walking. I’ve planned a couple of stopping points for us to rest, but also to document what you notice, so please bring a camera/recorder, or use the ones on your phone, if that’s something you’d like to join in with.
Please dress warmly, bring a waterproof, water/snacks, and good footwear - you’re responsible for your own safety (though I’ll be bringing a first aid kit and am first aid trained). Additionally, feel free to bring anything you might like to document the walk with (recorder, camera, notebook/pencil). I’ll bring some printouts with a map and prompts on for everyone.
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Saturday 22nd Feb: Sounds of the Resting (at Sheffield General Cemetery)
• When: 1600-1730 (sunset)• Start/end point: just inside the entrance to the cemetery, off Cemetery Avenue, bus-accessible by many routes
• Distance: I’d imagine around 2k. We’ll be walking our own routes within the walls of the cemetery, so it’s totally up to you how far you go!
• Terrain: mostly unpaved but compact ground, some sections of uneven paving underfoot where old gravestones/paving slabs have been laid - walking boots or other stable footwear advisable
What do the resting hear? Now that the paths surrounding the cemetery’s crypt have been restored, we can stroll around and find out! I’ll be at the meeting point from 1545 and we’ll set off at 1600 after a little chat, wandering our own paths around the cemetery while dusk falls. Aiming to be finished at sunset (1731 to be precise!) for a little debrief. Please dress warmly and bring a pen/pencil. No other equipment is needed, though feel free to bring something to document your findings (audio recorder/phone, camera, notebook+pencil). I’ll bring some printouts with a map of the cemetery and listening prompts on for everyone.
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Sunday 9th Feb: Wind and Water along the Porter (Brook)
• When: 1200-1400ish
• Start (and end) point: entrance to Endcliffe Park, just inside
the gates. Bus-accessible by many routes.
• Distance: 5km. We’ll be walking along the Porter Brook, turning around and then retracing our steps, so if you want to shorten your walk, we can agree a time to turn around so that we all arrive back at the same time!
• Terrain: mostly paved, though some sections unpaved - walking boots advisable
We’ll be following the sounds of wind and water that flow along the Porter Brook. I’ll be there from 1145 and we’ll set off at 1200 after a little chat, returning around 14:00 so we can share what we heard (perhaps in a cafe to warm up). Please dress warmly (we’ll be walking at a slow pace), but no other equipment needed, though feel free to bring anything you might like to document the walk with (recorder, camera, notebook/pencil). I’ll bring some printouts with a map and some prompts on for everyone.