River Stewardship Company
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Overview of Project
The River Stewardship Company (RSC) is a non profit making social enterprise created to provide riverside organisations with the means to improve their section of riverside through tidying up the banks and enhancing the habitats found along it. The RSC also hopes to help raise the profile of the River Don through increasing knowledge and interest about the recreational benefits of using the riverside and the valuable wildlife and flora found along it.
The RSC is supported by a partnership of Groundwork Sheffield, Sheffield City Council, Environment Agency, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Five Weirs Walk Trust and Upper Don Valley Walk Trust, and covers the area from Neepsend, Rutland Road up to the Tinsley Viaduct.
Main objectives of the River Stewardship Company:
- The RSC offer businesses backing onto the river help and support to maintain the riverbanks through a series of different business packages. These will include habitat creation work, waste and flood debris removal, tree work and removal and management of invasive species.
- The River Stewards will be co-ordinating and liaising with other agencies involved in maintaining the waterways, to facilitate better standards of maintenance and a quick response to issues such as fly tipping.
- The River Stewards will encourage and enable volunteers to take an active role in the maintenance of the waterways, and generate revenue by providing corporate employee volunteering opportunities to businesses.
- The River Stewards provide a visible presence on the waterways by conducting regular patrols in close conjunction with partners including South Yorkshire Police, SCC City Centre Ambassadors and Streetforce.
- The River Stewards also run school education sessions and events along the river.
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Public Events
The River Stewards will be running various events over the spring and summer.
On Yer Bike
Saturday 9th May 2009: 11am - 3pm
Meeting Point: Outside Kelham Island Museum
Walk in to the Past
Sunday 21st June 2009: 2pm - 4pm
Meeting Point: Newhall Road bridge, B6083, next to the Five Weirs Walk Arches (SK 378 891)
Whatever Floats Your Boat
Wednesday 12th August 2009: 1pm - 3pm
Meeting Point: East Coast Road Platform (SK 372 888)
Get Paddling
Saturday 22nd August 2009: 10am - 2pm
Meeting Point: Ball Street bridge (SK 349 883)
Weird and Wonderful River Creatures
Wednesday 26th August 2009: 1pm - 3pm
Meeting Point: Cruciable Place, next to Kelham Mill Apartments, off Neepsend Lane (SK 348 884)
River Don Stroll
Saturday 19th September 2009: 12.30pm - 3.30pm
Meeting Point: Meadowhall South tram stop (SK 397 909)
For further information on these events please ring the River Stewardship Company on 07825 844 704.
All the above events can be found on the Event Sheffield website.
Please Note: Most events are free and children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult unless otherwise stated in the event description.
Riverside Recreation
The River Don provides a vital green link running through the city centre and out to Meadowhall, where it then flows on towards Rotherham and Doncaster. The 5 Weirs Walk and Upper Don Walk Trust provide perfect opportunities to walk, run, cycle and watch wildlife along the riverside, as well as improving access down to the river for fishing and general relaxation. The 5 Weirs Walk runs through Sheffield's rapidly regenerating industrial East end, and interpretation boards provide a wealth of interesting knowledge and facts about the history of the area and the wildlife found in and along the river.
Volunteering
Are you interested in helping clean up the River Don? If you are, the River Stewards run regular weekend volunteer days helping with habitat work, litter picking, installing benches and so on. Tools, gloves and refreshments are provided.
Volunteer Mornings
Saturday 7th March 2009: 9am - 12pm
Saturday 4th April 2009: 9am - 12pm
Saturday 6th June 2009: 9am - 12pm
Saturday 4th July 2009: 9am - 12pm
Saturday 10th October 2009: 9am - 12pm
Saturday 5th December 2009: 9am - 12pm
If you are interested in volunteering or for more information or queries about any of the above, please contact Hannah Shaw (River Steward) on 07825 844 704.