New Partnership Connects Communities with Heritage and Nature at Parkwood Springs

The Friends of Wardsend Cemetery are delighted to announce a new collaborative partnership with Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). This initiative will create exciting opportunities for local people to engage with heritage and nature across Parkwood Springs, Sheffield, by opening up access to green spaces and enhancing biodiversity. 

Wardsend Cemetery Heritage Park is a unique hillside green space in Owlerton, rich with Victorian history and thriving wildlife. Since its closure in 1988, the cemetery has evolved into a mosaic of habitats, offering a sanctuary for nature and a place of reflection

As part of the agreement, NGET has leased its non-operational land near the Neepsend substation to Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust for biodiversity improvements,  including habitat management and creation. Improvements to the land, which is adjacent to the cemetery, will enable improved connectivity and conservation efforts across the wider Parkwood Springs landscape.

The initiative supports NGET’s broader commitment to increase the environmental value of non-operational land by 10% against a natural capital and biodiversity baseline, delivering tangible benefits for both wildlife and local communities across non-operational land.

Howard Bayley, Chair of Friends of Wardsend Cemetery, said:

“This is a significant step forward for Wardsend Cemetery Heritage Park. We’ve worked tirelessly to restore and conserve this space, and it’s fantastic to see its potential recognized as an accessible green space for the community.”

The partnership will also deliver educational opportunities. Historian and educator Meghan Tipping, through her organisation Rooted in Talk, will lead creative, dialogic sessions for young people, fostering connections with both historical and natural heritage. Meghan aims to prioritize local groups to ensure accessibility and reduce travel costs:

“I’ve seen the incredible impact these sessions can have. I can’t wait to bring young people to Wardsend and help them discover the stories and wildlife on their doorstep.”

To support this, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust will deliver a 10-year community engagement programme across the wider Parkwood Springs area, including school visits, guided walks and wellbeing sessions to inspire local people to connect with nature on their doorstep.

Working with volunteers, the Trust will improve the site for nature by carrying out vital habitat management work, such as woodland thinning, invasive species control and river corridor improvements. This work will help contribute to nature recovery and increasing climate resilience across the wider Parkwood Springs area, including Wardsend Cemetery Heritage Park.

Cathy Slater, Head of Community Engagement at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, said:

“Parkwood Springs represents an important opportunity for the city both in terms of supporting nature’s recovery and people’s health and wellbeing. Around 10,000 people live within a 5-minute walk of Parkwood Springs, with the communities of Southey, Hillsborough, Burgreave and the city centre in close proximity. We’re excited to have the opportunity to deliver a wide range of activities to support more people in accessing this important green space, discovering the wildlife that lives on their doorstep and developing a connection to nature, which we know is so beneficial for our health and wellbeing.”

Anna Kilty, Land Sustainability Strategy Manager at NGET, said:

“NGET is proud to partner with the Friends of Wardsend Cemetery and Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, facilitating access to the wider area through this agreement and by leasing land to Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust. This partnership directly supports our environmental value target—to increase the environmental value of our non-operational land by at least 10% by 2026. By focusing on habitat enhancement and community engagement, we’re creating meaningful opportunities for local people while improving biodiversity and protecting heritage for future generations.” 

This partnership aligns with the £19 million Local Growth funding that will transform Parkwood Springs with improved footpaths, wayfinding, and welcoming entrances – making it easier for everyone to enjoy this remarkable landscape.

Header image: Wardsend Cemetery Heritage Park ©Howard Bayley