BULS

The Gardens have recently been fully restored at a cost of approximately £6.69 million and they are the only Botanical Gardens in the country to have undertaken such a complete restoration. In order to access the generous Heritage Lottery Fund Award of £5.06 million, an additional 25% in matched funding was raised. The Gardens are the only public open space in the country where the voluntary sector has raised more than £1 million in matched funding. The Gardens staff and FOBS volunteers continue to develop the plantings throughout the Gardens and are planning a small animal ara where children can handle chickens (housed in small chicken arks), rabbits and guinea pigs and learn more about caring and feeding them. In the future, additional projects will be undertaken to further enhance the Gardens as a centre of horticultural excellence.

Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, England. It is so named because of its origins in a field on the River Sheaf that runs through the city.

The city has grown from its largely industrial roots to encompass a wide economic base. Sheffield obtained world-wide recognition during the 19th century for its production of steel. Many innovations in the industry were developed locally, including crucible and stainless steel. This fuelled an almost tenfold increase in the population during the Industrial Revolution. It gained its city charter in 1893 and became officially titled the City of Sheffield. International competition caused a decline in local industry during the 1970s and 1980s, and at the same time the nearby national coal industry collapsed, affecting Sheffield’s population.

In 1801, at the time of the first census Sheffield had a population of over 31,000. By the standards of the time it was a large town. By 1851 it had grown to over 135,000. Like all Victorian towns Sheffield was dirty and unsanitary. However even for the time Sheffield had a reputation as a grimy and dirty town (not surprising considering its heavy industries). In 1832 there was an outbreak of cholera which killed 402 people.

However not all the houses were slums. In the early 19th century a middle class suburb was built west of the town around Glossop Road.

In the working class areas the worst houses were back-to-backs. These houses were literally joined back to back without even an alley between them. In 1864 the authorities forbade the building of many more such houses. However those that had already been built remained.

There were, nevertheless some improvements during the 19th century. In 1818 an Act of Parliament formed a body of men called the Improvement Commissioners with powers to pave and clean the streets. They also formed a police force. From 1818 the street of Sheffield were lit by gas.

The Botanical Gardens were laid out in 1833. The first cemetery opened in 1836. In 1830 a corn exchange where grain could be bought and sold was opened (it was later rebuilt).

In 1832 a dispensary opened where the poor could obtain free medicines. The present Cutlers Hall was built in 1832. In 1836 the botanical gardens opened. At first they were privately owned but the council purchased them in 1898.

In 1843 Sheffield was given a charter (a document giving the townspeople certain rights). From then on Sheffield had an elected town council, which gradually took over the powers of the old Improvement Commissioners. Sheffield was made a city in 1893. The Town Hall was built in 1897.

Ruskin Gallery was founded in 1875. Mappin Art Gallery opened in 1887.

In the early 19th century a private company provided piped water. In 1859 they built a dam across Dale Dike. On March 11 1864 this dam burst. As a result 240 people drowned. The council took over the water supply in 1887. In the 1870s the council built sewers and drains. At first raw sewage was pumped into rivers but in 1886 a sewage treatment plant was built.

The first public library was built in 1856. From 1873 horse drawn trams ran in the streets. In 1899 the first electric trams ran in the streets of Sheffield. Mappin Art Gallery was built in 1887.

During the 19th century the old industries like iron continued to boom. In 1856 Thomas Bessemer invented a way of producing better quality steel. In 1858 he began producing steel in Sheffield. Button making flourished. However in 1840 a way was found to make silver plate by electroplating replacing the old Sheffield plate. Cutlery continued to be the dominant industry in Sheffield.

By 1900 the population of Sheffield was over 400,000. This was partly due to boundary changes. In 1921 the boundaries were extended to include Handsworth and Wadsley. In 1935 they were altered to include Totley, Dore, Beauchief and Greenhill.

As one of the UK’s top leisure destinations, attracting millions of visitors every year, Meadowhall offers a truly unique opportunity to be involved with one of the most exciting retail spaces in the country. The Centre provides an excellent platform for all marketing campaigns, with multi media opportunities in place to promote to a captive audience of over 400,000 visitors per week.

Braeg Heneffe
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/sheffield-botanical-gardens-restored-376228.html

Technorati Tags: chicken arks, chickens, rabbits, sheffield, urban regeneration

Inner city gardens can do great things for community pride and spirit, and fortunately can be set up for little or no cost to the community. Indeed thay can be productive in terms of growing produce or keeping a few hens in a portable chicken ark. Inner city garden take away from unused plots and decrepit landscapes that are visually depressing and dangerously collecting trash, including needles.

If you know of a plot that could be transformed into an inner city garden the first place to stop is the local courthouse. Depending on the plot of land, inner city gardens either have to be approved by the city or the actual land owner, if there is one. Checking with the local courthouse can guide you as to whether a plot of land is accessible for an inner city garden. You could also check the city ordnances on keeping chickens to find out whether it may be possible to keep a few chickens in a chicken ark.

If you receive approval, which really isn’t that hard to get since you aren’t asking for any money, scraping together an inner city garden can be done at the most in a couple of weekends. Gathering volunteers from the neighborhood can make the job easier and the inner city garden more of a community project.

Clearing out a plot of land for an inner city garden is an adult job. Plots that have been left to waste away are filled with who knows what, and it is not uncommon to find old drug paraphernalia laying about where you are interested in putting your inner city garden. Once the plot is cleared, then children can help in assembling the inner city garden, although it is still prudent to warn them about anything you may have missed, such as the dangers of picking up a needle.

When putting together an inner city garden, it’s not really all that difficult to gather ample donations. Hardware stores and large chain stores are typically willing to donate a few shovels, rakes, or plants when a community is willing to let the public know that the inner city garden was made possible by their donations. A simple hand painted sign is usually enough to cover this promise.

When planting an inner city garden it is best to plant hearty plants, small bushes, and flowering trees if at all possible. These tend to be harder to destroy through mild neglect than other plants. The inner city garden is occasionally the target for vandalism. Unfortunately there are those who don’t appreciate the hard work and the potential for a rise in spirit that goes hand in hand with an inner city garden. Don’t give up on your inner city garden. Prove to the kids of the neighborhood that this project is important and that an inner city garden benefits everyone.

Lanny Hintz
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/inner-city-gardens-106670.html

Technorati Tags: chicken arks, gardens, inner city gardens, keeping chickens

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the country’s largest city. Its population is more than 2,5 million and it’s the most western of all the European capitals: the city is located on the Atlantic coast, by the Tagus river. This Portuguese pearl will enchant you with its churches, castles, medieval streets and museums. It’s an extraordinary mixture, with sophisticated restaurants and smart shops - then only a few streets away, tiny courtyards filled with flowers, ancient buildings and chickens scratching under handsome chicken arks.

Its coastal line stretches from the river Tagus to the beaches of Alentejo region, from modern urban constructions to picturesque fishing settlements. Located on the south-western coast of the Pyrenean Peninsula, Costa de Lisboa is rich in natural landmarks and attracts tourists with its mild climate.

Those who come to Lisbon for the first time will see much more than they expected. None of books can give a complete description of the country, where diverse traditions and cultural peculiarities stand side by side.

In the course of 15 centuries not only local people, but also merchants and travelers from India, Japan and Africa brought their customs to Lisbon.

The city’s historic centre stands on seven hills, that is why Lisbon is rich in steep slopes, which make it difficult for cars and buses to move along some streets. But the city is provided with funiculars and lifts and quite a spectacular view. No wonder this area has long been attracting romantic people and merchants. A lot has changed since the times when first settlers appeared on this territory, but the city is still stunning. All this plus the relaxed and unconstrained atmosphere of Lisbon and the mixture of different architectural styles  and you will find yourself in one of the most pleasant cities in the world. What is no less important, a stay in Lisbon won’t cost you a fortune âs the city is really economical.

The heart of Lisbon is filled with wide avenues, green trees, modernist-style buildings, mosaic decorations and numerous cafes. Lisbon is like an impressionist painting which depicts small pastel-painted houses, the domes and towers of local churches. One local attraction is the Monsanto Forest Park 10 square kilometers;  this is one of the largest European parks.

The city is now being reborn and renovated. After many years of standstill and passiveness, nowadays its modern, lively, energetic and cosmopolitan atmosphere reminds of the times when Lisbon was the trade centre and the starting point for many sea expeditions.

Renovation of the city started in the 1990s. During the period there were a number of new constructions erected here. Those are Vasco da Gama Bridge connecting the city airport with the country’s highways and Gare do Oriente transport hub (built by the project of an award-winning Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava) that connects Lisbon with the rest of Europe.

But those are not only new projects that enchant tourists. The city will attract you with its old charm and a sort of provincial feeling. The Castle of Sao Jorge at the magnificent medieval district, old wooden trams riding up and down the streets, art-deco cafes and roadways decorated with mosaics will help you feel the city atmosphere. Many historic attractions were destroyed during the great 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, but many were left and are now no less popular with tourists than such modern constructions as the Lisbon Oceanarium.

A small distance away from the city tourists can enjoy several sandy beaches: Costa da Caparica, Estoril and Cascais, forests of Sintra and a wonderful Mafra Monastery. Lisbon is filled with light, vivid, self-assured, fresh and modern spirit.

Technorati Tags: chicken arks, Lisbon, Urban Leisure