16 Comments

Simon Ogden is one of those potent forces for good that every city needs. He has and continues to make a huge contribution to Sheffield.

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I agree. I don’t know how he had the time to do all this while working for the council as well but I’m very glad he did!

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Simon is a visionary.

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Great article. Have very much enjoyed walking by the Don and Sheaf. We need people with a big vision.

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Thanks Jill 🙏 Yes, if they can link walking routes on the Don, Porter and Sheaf all the way up to the Peak District from the station it will be fantastic!

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Future plans for the River Sheaf Walk can be found here

https://www.sheafportertrust.org/sheaf-walk-missing

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Don't want to be a sceptic, but deers on the Don at Penistone Road? Surely not! Will be pleased if I'm wrong, but photo-shop springs to mind.

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We should also remember that at one time - before the moors to the west and the north were fenced off for grouse-rearing and -shooting by the major landowners - they were accessible to the working people. Plenty of evidence exists of bilberry-picking, walking, picnicking etc in the 18th Century; and in the early to mid-19th Century of resistance to the fencing and assertions of the right of access - met with police actions, arrests and imprisonment. Just like those that followed the Kinder Trespass in the 20th Century.

So using the riversides was at least partly making the best of what was left.

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An interesting book to to read is "The book of trespass" by Nick Hayes. One third of Britain owned by the aristocracy. The 'do not trespass on my land brigade'.

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Great to see Simon celebrated - he deserves this and more. The Five Weirs Walk is a triumph - and you can do a round walk following the canal in the other direction to get a contrast - The Blue Loop - https://the-rsc.co.uk/riverlution/blue-loop

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Sheffield is lucky to have had Simon Ogden giving his time, experience, and enthusiasm to improve the place.

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A walking route from the station to The Peaks sounds great- please do it! Interesting and informative piece to read, being new to the city. Looking forward to doing the 5 weirs walk.

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The fig tree story is interesting, l just wondered where sheffield folk could buy figs at that time. We were lucky to get an apple and orange at Xmas time

otherwise we hardlly saw fruit at all. Very interesting article. Have been on the 5 weirs walk a few times and it's thanks to people like Simon that we can do it. We'll done!.

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The story goes it was fig rolls, I understand

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Ha ha never thought of that!!

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