As you may know I have used the Blacka moor Site for the passed 35 years. It is a vital site for coaching HG and the DSC members have accessed it for 35 years. It is your site and it is under threat.
The area was left to the people of Sheffield by John George Graves (1866–1945) was a successful English entrepreneur and public benefactor. He became Sheffield's Lord Mayor and an Alderman in 1926 and he was given Freedom of the City in 1929. He was born in Lincolnshire in 1866 and died in 1945, after having settled in Sheffield.
A keen art collector, Graves donated nearly £60,000 towards the development of art galleries in Sheffield, including Sheffield Central Library, the Graves Art Gallery and the Mappin Art Gallery. He also contributed hundreds of pictures from his private collection. Between 1902 and his death in 1945, Graves lived at Riverdale House in the Ranmoor area of Sheffield.
Graves donated over £1 million to Sheffield, including the establishment of Sheffield University's Student Union. Part of the Union building is known as the "Graves Building". He also made gifts of land to the city, including Graves Park, Ecclesall Woods, Tinsley playing fields, Concord Park and Blacka Moor. The J. G. Graves Trust, a charitable trust set up in his name, exists to the present day.
His trust document states the land is for the enjoyment and recreation of the people of Sheffield.
For some years now the site has been managed by Sheffield wild life trust (they get the funds by grants and funding from Natural England etc) Unfortunately for us they have needed to get rid of any groups that use the area for Recreation as Natural England and the other wild life granters do not like recreation activity as they see it as interference with nature. (not like farming that they love)They have used all sorts of tactics and have more or less got rid of the Kite flyers, Sheffield Aro-modelers, picnickers, Horse riders and mountain bikers have been restricted to bridleway.
This year NE have been paying a farmer to put his cows on Blacka moor he pays SWT for the use. (even though the HSC say cows are the deadliest animal in the UK. Very dangerous for dog walkers over the age of 40.
He has been given an illegal tenancy and asked to intimidate the public from using the site.
Pilots turning up there to ground-handle of fly of the NNW slope have been told forcefully they cant go on the land.
This however is not the truth as the land was left to you in trust by J G Graves. For the enjoyment and recreation of the people of Sheffield.
The Wild life trust and some Politicians in Sheffield see the site as possible for sale. Like Grave cottage. Park https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-35413425.
Please have a look at this page.
http://theblackamoorsite.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/thus-spake-alderman.html
What can we do to keep our site?
I propose we have a ground handling protest day on the site in the hope of raising awareness.
Unless we fight we are going to have our access stolen. This is contrary to the wishers of a great public spirited man, Alderman Graves, I am sure understood greed very well.
What can you do. Use the site have a look at the Blog http://theblackamoorsite.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/thus-spake-alderman.html make your views known to the people of Sheffield and the politicians that seek to serve them.
We need a decent weather day for the protest if it is flyable may be pilots can call on the way out or way back from flying.
Steve.
Hi Steve,
I could always do with some ground handling practise so happy to come along as long as long as I am free on the chosen date.
Sheffield is trying to push itself as The Outdoor City so actions like this aren't helping with the wider vision that some in the council would like to push. Might be worth a few of us going and commenting on their Facebook page.
http://theoutdoorcity.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/theoutdoorcity/
@Hudson - what is the evidence for them selling it off, I'd love to write to my politician about this.
Count me in for a ground handling day 🙂
Hi Steve,
I whole heartedly agree with you and will be out to ground handle when the conditions are right and you call for support.
But, I need to offer some insight into the use of animals in improving the area's biodiversity- they trample bracken, eat saplings and encourage the germination of dormant seeds through poaching. Had the area not been managed, it would have soon reverted to a scrubby growth followed by woodland and the adjoining pastures keep them going when the bite on the moors is scant. They haven't been put there to keep us out. Have we, as individuals or as a club our our concerns to the Trust? if so, what was their response?
Hi Steve,
During the miners strike Margret Thatcher introduced legislation to make it a criminal offence to prevent 'Lawful Work'
I therefore suggest that, as you are my PG instructor for which we have a contract. Should anyone try to prevent you from undertaking your instruction in ground handling, at Blackamoor, then they are committing a criminal offence.
Sheffield City Council has used this little known legislation recently against residents who tried to prevent AMEY from cutting down Highway Authority trees. Some protesters were arrested.
There is also potential for civil action against those who seek to prevent us using Blackamoor. should the farmer or SWT try to obstruct your 'Lawful Work' and fulfilment of our contract.
Often the threat of prosecution is sufficient to force compliance of the weak minded and thus enable us to fly unimpeaded.
For a long term solution it may be worth while contacting 'The Friends of Graves Park' who have recently been successful in preventing the sale of part of Graves Park.
Will get in touch with them and update when I know more.
In my opinion Sheffield Wild Life Trust Charity )2287928 now is 700638) Like lots of Charities are self serving money for the boys.
There income from grants etc has been 1 million to 2 million each year from when they got control of Blacka moor.
Where has the 12 million + been spent. How have SWT aquired 1.5 million of assets and 6 million pension scheme.
This was one of there stated aims( 4. To promote public use of green spaces, for leisure, recreation and exercise) Great aim if you want to manage the graves trust land. Now in control. Why would they want to remove the section of the Graves Trust document that gives every one access to enjoyment and recreation?
There new stated aims.
WE WANT TO SEE A LIVING LANDSCAPE - AN AMAZING, GREEN LANDSCAPE FOR THE WILDLIFE AND PEOPLE OF SHEFFIELD AND ROTHERHAM - WHICH IS UNDERSTOOD, ENJOYED AND CARED FOR BY LOCAL PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS.
WE WILL ACHEIVE THIS VISION BY:
CREATING A NETWORK FOR NATURE;
HELPING LOCAL PEOPLE TO VISIT, VALUE AND BE INSPIRED BY NATURE;
HELPING LOCAL PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS TAKE ACTION FOR WILDLIFE.
Land in trust could be transferred to a charity? https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-transfer-charity-assets
But it is No use to them with access for every one. Cant resell it, cant make it private, cant exclude you the owners.
This land was left to you in trust. Now broken trust.
Ever wondered how the Red Indians lost America.
You are legally entitled to use the land at Blacka Moor for Hang gliding or Paragliding. (it is yours)
Please come along on the (29/ 30th July) for a protest. we will pick the best weather day nearer the time.
We intend to stand up to the Intimidating tenant farmer and the SWT con-men.
Background information about the Great Blacka Moor theft of public funds and there intention to steel the land will be available on the day.
The more spirit we show to fight for our sites the more reluctant our site owners will be to ask us to leave.
Steve.