Sheffield Botanical Gardens and Sheffield and Tinsley Canal Summer 2011

 Sheffield Botanical Gardens & Sheffield and Tinsley Canal

On a warm and sunny morning, twenty eight members and their guests were given a conducted tour of the Sheffield Botanical Gardens by the Curator.   Located a mile from the city centre, the ‘Gardens occupy 19 acres and are in their 175^th year of existence.  Now run by the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Trust and supported by the Friends of the Botanical Gardens, a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and numerous volunteers, permanent staff  have embarked on an extensive restoration programme.  Most of the ‘Gardens have been replanted, but there are plans to revitalise at least the Mediterranean Garden area and for the establishment of an educational centre.

The party passed through the various sections of the ‘Gardens, including the Autumn/Winter, Rose Garden, Himalayan Bed, Bear Pit, Asian Garden/American Border, Evolution Garden and the Broadwalk, finishing at the lately-restored Pavilions, principally housing the New Zealand, Australian and South African Gardens.  Thereafter, attendees enjoyed a period of free time, enabling individual exploration.

Exhibits amongst the many on view during the tour included, in the Himalayan Garden, a specimen of the Arisaema genus, commonly described as Cobra lilies, that will not be formally identified until it flowers; the Asian Garden contained the so-called Headache Tree, Umbellularia californica, the leaves of which have been used to cure headaches, but whose scent is said to cause them; in the Evolutionary Garden, the party were shown the coniferous evergreen tree Wollemia nobilis, a species discovered only in1994, in Australia’s Blue Mountains, although apparently 200 million year-old fossils of Wollemia trees are known;  the Bear Pit,  unexpectedly located in the ‘Gardens and once used for housing zoological specimens, such as monkeys and bears, proved popular, particularly with the children in the party; the Pavilions, as well as housing items such as specimens of cacti and numerous tropical and sub-tropical floral species, are used also for around forty wedding receptions, annually.

The party re-assembled in the afternoon at the Victoria Quays in Sheffield, to embark on a return cruise, along the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, to Tinsley Lock No. 1.  During the trip, presentations were made on the heritage of the canal and on the associated work of the Blue Loop Community Project (BLCP).

The canal was built in 1819, early digging being carried out by unemployed soldiers, for the local landowner, the Duke of Norfolk.   Its purpose was principally for the transportation of coal, with its level being maintained by water from the River Don.  There are many examples of the industrial past of the canal to be seen, including steelworks and historic bridges, one from which was hanged a notorious highwayman.  Three types of water lily were present along the canal stretch travelled, with the Yellow Water Lily, Nuphar lutea, out in abundance.  The banks displayed several invasive floral species, including Buddleia, Indian Balsam and Japanese Knotweed.  Mayfly and dragonfly offered proof of good water quality and surprisingly, for an industrial canal, kingfishers also may be found.

Working with local community groups, including schoolchildren and families, over two years the BLCP’s objective is to clean up the canal and its banks; participants are nearly all volunteers, who remove litter and unwanted vegetation; part of the restoration of the fauna of the canal involves providing schools with trout eggs, to be returned as developed fry. 

In conclusion, the outing was a truly social occasion, combining diverse scientific interest with the opportunity for members and guests to relax and mingle in pleasant surroundings, on a near-perfect summer’s day.

Barry Canham

(Yorkshire branch committee member)