What's Been Happening?
Wincobank Practical Day 4th February 2012
Nine volunteers turned out in icy temperatures to help the Rangers tidy up the hill fort and cut back the new growth to keep the hill fort clear and to open up the panoramic viewpoint. In all eleven bags of rubbish and an assortment of ironmongery was collected. We were pleased to find less litter than on previous occasions but there is great concern about the broken glass which creates a hazard for children and animals alike.
Atlantis in Wincobank? 2nd February 2011
Proving that there is even more to Wincobank than a very special hill fort, Byron Cowling, Dr Roger Doonan, and David Green gave a fascinating account of their detective work to piece together clues from a 1921 photo album discarded when the houses on the Flower Estate were demolished.
The trail led to a War Memorial at the Rio Tinto copper mine in Spain and back in time to the excavated Roman workings. The audience were aghast at the story and amazed at the connections and the significance of the finds not only in the context of Sheffield's metallurgical heritage but also Sheffield's status as home of the first football club.
This history mystery is far from complete and someone holds vital information to some important questions. Watch out for details of a not to be missed repeat event and eventual publication.
Found on Wincobank Hill
Last year, whilst walking on the hill near the fort John found a flint arrowhead and a flint scraper tool. He told us he knew immediately what these two finds were and submitted them to Western Park Museum for them to log them on the portable antiquities scheme database and also for them to analyse them and provide a report. After three months of Western Park Museum having these finds he has now received them back along with detailed reports. Both finds are dated 2500 bc to 1500 bc making them between 3500 to 4500 years old. John brought the finds along to the Annual General Meeting where the Lord Mayor Dr Sylvia Dunkley, herself a historian, was fascinated to examine them.
Nicki Howarth and Cartimandua come to Wincobank
Author Nicki Howarth reading from her book "Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes" 1st December 2011 at Upper Wincobank Chapel. Nicki drove to Sheffield from Warwickshire and back the same night but was delighted by crowd who turned out to hear her speak and the warmth of the reception.
Nicki wrote" It was lovely to meet you all and I was so touched by the really thoughtful gifts and card. I really miss the warmth of a northern welcome and you all did me proud last night. It was fun, a great turnout and I'm glad that you have had some good feedback. It was a long drive but really worth it! If anyone has any questions, comments, follow-up etc, please tell them to feel free to e-mail me. My e-mail is on the website www.nickihowarthpollard.com "
Nicki's fascinating book ISBN:978-0-7524-4705-6) can be bought from Amazon or any other online bookshop or she has left a few signed copies for sale to members attending meetings
Work Day with the Rangers
Friends and Rangers work together to clear the Hill Fort of seedlings and self-set trees (2008).
A guided history walk with the North Sheffield Rangers takes in the view of Sheffield Forgemasters and the Don Valley (2008).
Heritage Day at the Chapel attracted great interest from local residents who came to see the Wincobank Archives and look around the building. The mystery of the disappearing Chapel bell was finally solved (2009).
Local school children learn about Iron Age smelting techniques in a Heritage Lottery Fund history project (March 2010).
Willing workers daub the wattle to keep out the draughts on a chilly day on windy Wincobank (March 2010).
Archaeologists from the University of Sheffield teamed up with the Friends to begin to survey the Hill (July 2010).
Sheffield Children's University sends Wild Woodlanders to Wincobank Woods (October 2010).
Posh Pillar and her Daughters, part of the Journey to Hidden Places public art project, arrive at their resting place by the Jenkin Road entrance to Wincobank Hill. As well as poems about Wincobank from the 1800s to the present day, there is a memorial to Mary Anne Rawson of Wincobank Hall (October 2010).