Despite the fact that there has been little to report over the past couple of months, this doesn’t mean that nothing has been happening.  Our team of conservation volunteers has been hard at work in the nature reserve and the committees of the Strategic Partnership and Community Group have been busy formulating plans and preparing applications for grants.

You will know already about SHARP, the Sprotbrough Heritage and Access Restoration Project, which includes a fish pass at Sprotborough Falls and progress, though slow, is being made with this.  A new project, however, is now being prepared for submission to ‘Access to Nature’, which we are calling ‘Discovering Doncaster’s Don Gorge’

‘Access to Nature’ aims to encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors, particularly those who face social exclusion or those that currently have little or no contact with the natural environment - perhaps because they lack the confidence to get out and enjoy natural places or have few opportunities to do so. By 2014, it is hoped that 1.7 million people - in urban, rural and coastal communities across England - will have benefited from this grant programme by giving them improved opportunities to experience and enjoy the natural environment and providing more opportunities to gain new skills .  It is funded by £25 million from the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Changing Spaces’ programme and by Natural England.

Our project’s aim is to share the hidden gem of Doncaster’s Don Gorge with a greater number and diversity of people, enabling participation, learning and involvement in the rich natural and industrial heritage of the area.  At present, there are several barriers to this aim, such as the lack of a base and toilets for volunteers, suitable parking, public transport and site information, so it hoped that our application will enable us to provide these.

The projects primary focus will be the development of a permanently moored visitor centre/classroom in Lower Sprotbrough, in a converted British Waterways Heritage vessel.  A project officer will be appointed to manage the centre, engage with the community and wider public, along with overseeing the production of leaflets, trails and interpretation.

We are always eager to have feedback regarding our proposals and this is your chance.  So, don’t be shy, get in touch and let us know what you think.