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Click here to see preliminary management plan for the site Click here to see species lists for this site General Information General InformationSK27309780 Ownership SCC Education
Department Size 4.45 hectares
(perimeter 981 metres) Designation(s) Open Space
Area Access Full public
access. Public right of way No 27 on western
boundary. Classification C1 Importance Has limited
existing ecological interest. Important as a large
recreational open space, providing mostly football
pitches that are frequently in use. The northern
part of the site which is an open grass area shows
potential for nature conservation enhancement or
community garden project. Date
Surveyed 29-02-00
Survey informationA large area of
open space providing recreation fields freely
accessible. History The name
Bracken Moor probably indicates a time when the
area was moorland dominated by bracken. The bracken
may have been collected for use in stables, etc. In
1854 a brick works, with associated mines for clay
and coal, was established on the site by Thomas
Brooke. The 1905 OS Map shows these works as
'Bracken Moor Brick Works'. The brick works
supplied material for local use and continued in
operation until the end of 1928 (Branston, J,
1982). In 1975 a scheme to re-landscape the land as
a recreation ground for Stocksbridge High School
was initiated. During the re-landscaping extensive
mine workings such as tunnels lined with sandstone
slabs and boulders were found. Topography The
re-landscaping involved a series of stepped fields,
three in total with a progressive lowering in
height for each platform in a northerly direction.
The two slopes that drop down to the next level
form a separate more rough acidic grassland
community from the amenity grass of the playing
fields. The central platform with two full size
football fields is the largest. On the eastern side
there is a hard surface car park and the south west
boundary is formed of a dry stone wall and hedge
with fence. At the southern end of the site is
located Stocksbridge Youth Centre. Recreation
and Use Mainly football
by schools and at weekends by local teams (youth,
adult, etc.). Dog walkers were seen traversing the
fields during survey work. Present
Management Playing fields
regularly mown (slopes probably experience
infrequent mowing). Hedgerows trimmed. 1. 2. 5. 6.
Main Plant CommunitiesCommunity General
Description Characteristic
Species Community
A Amenity
grassland Lolium
perenne, Poa annua, Ranunculus repens, Bellis
perennis Community
B Rough
(acidic-type) grassland Rhytidiadelphus
squarrosus, Cynosurus cristatus Community
C Short acidic
grassland Polytrichum
juniperum Community
D Tall
herb Rumex
obtusifolia, Anthriscus sylvestris, Rumex acetosa,
Senecio sp. Community
E Hedgerows Crateagus
monogyna Community
F Areas of
planted trees and shrubs Sarothamnus
scoparius, Larix sp., Acer x (or
rubrum) 7. 8. 9. 10.
Ecological InterestThe site is heavily geared to recreation so there is currently a limited range of plants, trees and animals. The site is a relatively recent creation and some improvements have been made to lessen the windswept and bare appearance of the site. Some limited tree planting has been carried out, mainly at the southern end of the site. The soil characteristics are mainly acidic judging by the type of communities and species present. The two north-facing slopes dividing up three fields (that drop in elevation in a northerly direction) and areas around the football fields contain a rough grass community. On the crest of the northernmost slope there is an area of short grass containing a range of mosses and flowering plants all indicative of acidic conditions such as Polytrichum. The amenity grass areas of the pitches have the least interest, but if mowing is the only management on these areas they could be expected over time to eventually provide niches for further species. The northernmost field provides the most botanical interest, as this is smaller and contains no football pitch and is, therefore, subject to less mowing. Species were easier to identify here on this basis. Tall herb and rough grass areas furnished the largest flora species lists with slender speedwell (Veronica filiformis) - an introduction of the nineteenth century from Turkey and Caucasus - being locally abundant in a couple of locations - one adjoining a back garden. The presence of moles was recorded at the northeast end of the middle field. 11. 12. Botanical Survey - click here for details
Stocksbridge SRB5 Greenspace Audit undertaken by Jim Flanagan for Sheffield Wildlife Trust - see their Community Action Handbook - full of good ideas for your local site |
Inner Zone Outer Zone Countryside Zone Industrial Zone
I nner Zone Outer Zone Countryside Zone Industrial Zone
I nner Zone Outer Zone Countryside Zone Industrial Zone
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Text and Photographs (unless stated otherwise) © Steel Valley Partnership Stocksbridge, all rights reserved. Terms of use: Any involved in education or training may copy the contents of these web pages, with the proviso that they always make reference to the original copyright. |
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Web pages by Map21 Ltd - latest update 30 May 2004 |
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