We had the pleasure of volunteering at one of Sheffield’s best kept secrets – Sheffield Manor Lodge. Nestled in what was once labelled as the worst estate in Britain, lies the historic remains of a once 2,500 acre Medieval deer park and then Tudor powerhouse. The 16th century Turret House still stands and you can find out all about the intrigues and dramas of Mary, Queen of Scots time in captivity there. Sheffield Manor Lodge has been run by Green Estate for the past 20 years, and is a not for profit community interest group that aims to ‘grow engaging, adaptive and resilient urban places’.
David, Debbie and James at the Colliery Hill Viewpoint
“Following our previous volunteer days at Bluebell Wood Hospice and Whirlow Hall Farm, I wanted to make sure our next day would be just as rewarding. Most of the team here had never even heard of Sheffield Manor Lodge and the work they did to enrich the environment and community. We were not disappointed. It is a real hidden gem!” Explains marketing executive Jenni Burton.
The site has a vast array of carefully maintained Pictorial Meadows which are full of pollinators that help to support biodiversity. Within the Tudor grounds is an apothecary garden, used in community and school trips to get a hands on feel for medicinal and culinary herbs that were well known in Tudor times. There’s also the lavender labyrinth and planting inspired by Tudor gardens with flowers like Roses, iris and day lilies.
Jenni, Rowan and Georgia, in front of the Tudor Turret House
As soon as we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the Manor Parks Community Ranger Jayne Rotheram, who gave us a tour around both the Manor Lodge and Colliery Hill sites. We were immediately impressed with the stunning panoramic views across Sheffield and the Lower Don Valley. Not to mention the Rhubarb Shed Café where you can get a tasty bite (amazing brunches!).
With gardening gloves and tools provided, we then set to work weeding the two main wild flower beds in front of the Turret House which make for an impressive aisle for wedding processions.
Georgia gardening at The Sheffield Manor Lodge
As Winston Churchill famously said “change is as good as a rest”, and everyone at Steel City felt revitalised by spending a bit of time out of the office together, in a different and beautiful environment. It was an instant morale boost, much needed after a very busy period in the business. It also gave us time to chat to Jayne about the work Green Estate do bringing green spaces to urban landscapes. Interestingly, the company are also part of the team behind the ‘Grey to Green’ scheme in Sheffield and have transformed the concrete area behind our office with a massive inner city rain garden (a place we all like to walk to in our lunch break). It is full of colourful and inspiring flower beds, which were designed to filter roadside surface water to help purify and reduce downstream flash flooding. Alongside managing Sheffield Manor Lodge, they have also completely regenerated Manor Fields Park which has recently been awarded an international Green Flag. . The 50-acre park which was once the former Deep Pits area and was plagued by joy riders and vandals, is now a place for the community to relax in and enjoy.
If you are in the Sheffield area and are looking for a corporate volunteer day or session, we would recommend working with The Green Estate. They also have a Garden team of volunteers that meet every Tuesday from 10am – 2:30pm for those who want to get green fingered on a regular basis!
This article by David Bocking in the Sheffield Tribune gives an in-depth insight into the work The Green Estate have done at both Sheffield Manor Lodge and Manor Fields Park.
To find out more about volunteering and supporting Sheffield Manor Lodge head to their website.
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