Crabtree and Roe Woods response

Letter from John Gilpin – Woodlands Project Officer:

I would like to respond to the article in the November 2007 issue of the Burngreave Messenger regarding Roe Woods and Crabtree Pond (see Woods and pond neglected).

Firstly, I want to clarify that the Trees and Woodland Section of Sheffield City Council manage Great and Little Roe Woods. However, the Council is not responsible for the day to day maintenance of Crabtree Ponds. Responsibility for this lies with the Sheffield Wildlife Trust (SWT), who manage the site on a lease agreement with the Council. In general, enquiries or complaints with regards to Crabtree Pond should be directed to the SWT. However, I will also follow up the issues raised by Peter Mappin with SWT, and ensure they respond directly to him.

The small pond in Little Roe Woods was de-silted and repaired in November 2004 by the Green Watch Project Team. You reported on this in an article in the Burngreave Messenger in 2004. Since the flooding in June and July of this year the pond and culverts have been cleared of rubbish and silt. This work was carried out by the Council’s Street Force Service and completed in November 2007. There are further plans to clear tipped material from the northern end of Roe Woods. It is envisaged that the work will be completed early in the New Year.

We recognise the importance of working in partnership with local residents and groups. Since 2004 we have worked closely with Green City Action on projects in Roe Woods and over the spring and summer we carried out successful educational projects in the woods for local school children, to promote the importance of woodlands for future generations. An initial ‘friends of” group meeting was held on 4th December 2007, at which many positive aspects of the management were discussed.

The next meeting of the Friends of Roe Woods and Crabtree Pond will be at 6pm on Thursday 14th February at Roe Lane Community Centre. Contact Joanne Buck on 2736884 for more information.