Heeley Farm will work with Tinsley Junior School, Wessex Archaeology, community organisations and local volunteers to investigate the fascinating history of the Tinsley Manor House, possibly buried underneath the school field. The project will be based at Tinsley Junior School where the whole school will work with professional archaeologists and artists to discover and interpret the history of the manor house itself

There will also be a strong community element as the project will train local volunteers to research the manor and its environs, as well as its place within the history of the wider area.

The manor house was built in the 11th or 12th century, it was the residence of the local lords and surrounded by a park and woods covering 413 acres. The manor was rebuilt in the 14th or 15th century, possibly by the de Tyneslaw family. Tinsley was an important part of the 18th and 19th century industrialisation of Sheffield. As a result the area became heavily populated and soon needed more public services. In the early 1960s the old manor house, which by this time had become a farm, was demolished to enable the construction of Tinsley Junior School. This event within living memory will be the basis of the oral history aspect of the project.

Nothing of the manor house survives above ground so the project will begin with opportunities for archival research and geophysical survey to map the underground remains in preparation for small scale excavation later in the year.

Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF, Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This interesting project will allow people to try their hand at something new. We’re committed to funding projects that every community can take pride in and learn about their local heritage.”

Commenting on the award, Sally Rodgers, the Exploring Tinsley Manor Project Officer, said: “We are really thrilled to have received HLF support and are confident that the project will give Tinsley residents the opportunity to investigate this little studied fantastic piece of Sheffield’s history, this is a unique archaeological site right on Tinsley’s doorstep!”

On behalf of Tinsley Junior School Rebecca Webb, Head teacher, said: “The whole school is excited to be involved in the archaeological exploration of the school site; it will be a wonderful opportunity for the children to have hands on experience working with professionals and members of the wider community.”

Wessex Archaeology will be providing professional services and training for the project and Richard O’Neill, Senior Project Manager, said: “We are extremely excited to be working with the school and local residents over the next three years to explore what survives on the site”.

The project will be officially launched at an event at Tinsley Junior School on Monday the 11th of February. If you would like to attend the launch or would like to get involved in any way – especially if you remember the farm buildings!

Notes to editors

Heeley City Farm is a community charity based on a working farm and visitor centre one mile from Sheffield City Centre. Staff and volunteers from Heeley City Farm work with local communities around Sheffield to promote sustainability, regeneration, environmental education and health and well being. The farm was founded by local people in 1981 and has been growing organically ever since. Heeley Farm website.

Tinsley Junior is an improving school and our pupils make good progress from exceptionally low starting points because of rigorous leadership, mentoring and good teaching. The school has a rich mix of pupils from very different backgrounds and almost all our pupils speak English as an additional language. We teach from an innovative curriculum designed to celebrate and enhance the learning of our children who between them speak a variety of different languages. All of our pupils achieve well because of the care and support we provide. Our pupils make outstanding contributions to the local community with the involvement of their parents and the school and we are extremely proud to support this. Here at Tinsley our pupils are provided with a welcoming, nurturing and harmonious learning environment. Every child really does matter to us and the vast majority of parents and pupils agree wholeheartedly with this. Tinsley Junior School website.

Wessex Archaeology is the market leader in the provision of quality archaeological and heritage services, delivered from a UK wide network of offices. Established for over 30 years Wessex offers an unrivalled range of services above ground, below ground and underwater. We work in partnership with planners, designers, developers and property managers to deliver practical solutions. Wessex is a charitable company which puts sustainability and community engagement at its heart. Wessex Archaeology website.

Further information

Sally Rogers, Project Officer on 0114 303 9981 / 07932 867 750 or youngroots@heeleyfarm.org.uk