What's On Out There? The Bill's Mother's Links & Listings Post - Early Oct 2025
What’s On Out There? First view of the new Castlegate. The return of the Atlantic Salmon to Sheffield. Plus, wildlife, walks, runs, rides and other stuff to do out there.
The new Castlegate Park will have a rewilded River Sheaf for all to see, and a riverside pocket part to watch the salmon return, hopefully by the back end of 2026.
The above is the first artist’s impression of the river, green and sparkling for the first time in centuries. (And it’s another niche exclusive for readers of It’s Looking A Bit Black Over Bill’s Mother’s.)
There’ll be a series of terraces to almost water level, to help with maintenance and so people can see the wildlife returning to the city’s namesake river. (Grey Herons and Kingfishers have already nested nearby).
The removal of the old two metre tall Orchard Weir earlier this year will allow a series of gently rising pools in the new Sheaf to help fish and other wildlife move up and down to the Don a few metres away.
And work on the old concrete banks (long hidden underground) will allow plants and flowers to take hold on the riverbanks again, to provide homes for birds, insects, and mammals.
There’ll even be a nearby slide to play on, and a new footbridge for walking, wheeling and cycling to the park from Exchange Street. Many organisations are involved in making this happen, but a special shout out is due to the magnificent Sheaf & Porter Rivers Trust for their hard work in support of the city’s rivers and riverside. See what’s new down by the river at the Castlegate Festival this weekend.
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Also Out There (News & Links)
The Return of The Sheffield Salmon - Our exclusive on the year old salmon that’s now become a Sheffield legend.
Culvert Tours - The Sheaf & Porter Rivers Trust tours under central Sheffield are still on sale. Expect a brighter view of the Megatron, and lower river levels. You can book final 2025 tickets for September here, and remember all proceeds help the trust’s fine work.
Sheffield Green Belt Plans - CPRE Peak District & South Yorkshire have produced a useful outline of the council’s green belt adjustments for housing and development. They’ve also included a handy timeline of the process. Initial consultations are now over, with the preliminary government inspectors’ report due in November.
Looking Up Sheffield - Occasional contributor Loz Harvey’s Substack about his adopted city is a rather wonderful read. Not just because his new Sheffield Shorts section included some kind words about us.
Sheffield Storeys - Our own Muddy Mother’s new Substack is very much worth a look too, not just because she’s my daughter. Our Storeys is about homes and home renovations, and how to cope with trying to build an extension while avoiding tripping over your dog, rendering your baby and losing your toddler in the wall cavity.
October
Sat 11th - CycleBoost cycle training (beginners & learn to ride) at Greenhill Park
Sat 11th - Ranger -led Volunteering at Wardsend Cemetery
Sat 11th - CTC Cycle Ride - Tideswell
Sat 11th - Parkwood Springs conservation volunteering
Sat 11th - South Yorks Orienteering (inc beginners) - Olympic Legacy Park (£5)
Sat 11th - SRWT Volunteer Day - Hedge Laying, Shire Brook Valley
Sun 12th - Yorkshire Rose Womens Cycle Rides
Sun 12th - Peak District Ranger Walks - Fungus walk, Chatsworth (£15)
Sun 12th - Sheffield Ramblers Walks - Matlock (11m)
Sun 12th - CTC Cycle Ride - NewMiller Dam
Mon 13th - Fri 17th - Daily health walks in parks and green spaces from Step Out Sheffield, 10 am start
Mon 13th - Friends of Whirlow Brook Park - Volunteer Morning
Mon 13th - SRWT Volunteer Day - Centenary Riverside (Rotherham)
Tues 14th - Friends of Ecclesall Woods volunteer & footpath repair session
Tues 14th - SRWT Volunteer Day - Carbrook Ravine
Weds 15th - Longshaw Social Walk
Weds 15th - Shire Brook Valley - Volunteer Session
Thurs 16th - Green City Action Grimesthorpe community allotment
Thurs 16th - SRWT Volunteer Day - Blacka Moor
Thurs 16th - SRWT Volunteer Day - Woodhouse Washlands Litter Pick
Fri 17th - Friends of Whirlow Brook Park - Fungi Walk
Fri 17th - SRWT Volunteer Day - Woodhouse Washlands
Sat 18th - Friends of Whirlow Brook Park - Volunteer Morning
Sat 18th - CycleBoost cycle training (beginners & learn to ride) at Greenhill Park
Sat 18th - CTC Cycle Ride - Kelstedge
Sat 18th - SRWT Volunteer Day - Hedge Laying, Shire Brook Valley
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