About the Beauchief Environment Group
Beauchief is a beautiful area of Sheffield containing ancient woods, ponds and unspoilt meadows rich in wildlife, affording splendid views. It also includes the important historic sites of Beauchief Abbey and Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet. It is a place to wander through and enjoy, following its many footpaths, including a section of the Sheffield Round Walk.
Formed in 1988 the Beauchief Environment Group is made up of people from Beauchief, Greenhill, Bradway and other areas of Sheffield who volunteer their time and energy to undertake practical work to help conserve the natural beauty of their local environment. The Group is open to anyone sharing our interest in the natural and historic environment of Beauchief and supportive of the work we do.
Contact us
- 0114 237 7601
- 0114 274 5719
We have an illustrated map of the Beauchief Environment Group area which can be downloaded here.
Latest news & events
Upcoming Events
Balsam Bash 2024
For an account of BEG’s annual Balsam and knotweed pulling at the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the River Sheaf on Saturday 29th June, see under ‘Events.’
Constitution
Some small changes have been proposed to the Constitution of the Beauchief Environment Group at the Annual General Meeting. The updated document can be found under ‘About us/Events.’
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
These minutes from the AGM that took place on Saturday 10 February this year, can be found under ‘About us/Events.’
Newsletter
The BEG Newsletter for July to September 2024 is now available.
Committee Meeting
The next Committee Meeting will take place on Monday 19 August
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Recent Activities
Botany Evening – Thursday 20 June
Ten of us met Gerry Firkins, a member of the Sorby Natural History Society, in the Nature Park lay-by on a lovely still evening to
Monday 22 July
Thirteen in all attended today. Five of the bench building team worked up at Stone Cross Field to repair the damage to the east and
Monday 15 July
Fourteen of the Group arrived today We began by welcoming a new member, who went with nine others to Carole’s Copse. Where we trimmed around
Monday 8 July
Fourteen today, with ten turning up at the Hamlet and four at Stone Cross Field. The four of us at Stone Cross Field moved all
Joining Beauchief Environment Group
Membership is open to all households. An annual subscription (see News & Events page) covers membership for all the family, and regular newsletters.
Download a subscription form and send the completed form with your fee using one of the specified payment methods to the Honorary Treasurer.
Partners
Sheffield City Council, Beauchief Golf Club, Abbeydale Golf Club, EDP, Natural England, DEFRA, English Heritage, Viridor.
Affiliated to South Yorkshire Badger Group and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.
Past and present funders
Sheffield City Council, Local Heritage Initiative, Friends of Hutcliffe Wood, Viridor, Living Spaces, Rural Action, donations from local residents.
Our awards
Certificate of Merit – Sheffield City Council, Street Force
Commendation – Sheffield City Council, Street Force
Highly Commended for project to improve footpaths in High Wood, Beauchief – Sheffield First Environment Community Awards
The Work of the Beauchief Environment Group
Undertaking practical conservation tasks:-
The majority of this work is carried out by the Monday Working Group.
Path construction and maintenance – approximately 8 km of public footpaths and rights of way have been reconstructed and improved. Major work has been completed on the Sheffield Round Walk footpaths in the area.
Building and maintaining steps – approximately 300 built, the majority into the steep wooded slopes of Parkbank Wood, Hutcliffe Wood, Old Park Wood, and Ladies Spring Wood.
Installation of numerous benches at resting sites and viewpoints.
Litter clearance – regular removal of litter keeps the area looking clean and cared for.
Hedgerow planting and maintenance, fence construction and maintenance.
Meadow and woodland maintenance – resisting encroachment, haymaking, removal of undesirable and alien species, holly and gorse thinning, native tree planting.
Dry stone walling – Beauchief Abbey grounds, Beauchief Drive, High Wood and Gulleys Wood Meadow.
Development and maintenance of Beauchief Nature Park.
Surveys
Of flora and fauna to identify species and monitor changes.
Habitat management
To maintain diversity of wildlife. Management plans agreed with Sheffield City Council and DEFRA.
Acts as a pressure group
On matters of environmental concern in the Beauchief area.
Social activities
The Group has an Annual General Meeting and Social Event in January or February, and also participates in Sheffield Environment Weeks. A Newsletter published every 2-3 months gives full details and reports on all the activities.