Russell Howes taught at Maltby Comprehensive School for 32 years until taking early retirement in 1987, when he began volunteering his time at the park.

The Story of Ulley Country Park - which will be launched with an open day at the park on Sunday - draws together scores of photos and proceeds will boost the Friends of Ulley Country Park group.

Rotherham Council voted in support of restoring the popular parkland and reservoir a year ago following the near-catastrophe of the 2007 floods. But the sheer scale of the recovery means exact details about the future are still somewhat sketchy.

"It's a wonderful natural history site," said Russell, 77, of Lilly Hall Road, Maltby.

"And the book is the history of that site. It all started when I started collecting pictures from around the park in about 1990."

"And the idea to put them together into a book came when we did a Rotherham Heritage exhibition, which was just a few weeks before the floods."

The park was originally built as a reservoir in the 1870s to provide Rotherham with a source of drinking water.

Russell said a survey done by the Friends group suggested visitors were keen to know more about this role in building the town we know today.

"A lot people said they would like to know more about the waterworks at Ulley," said Russell, who was head of the biology for many years at Maltby. "I think at least 50 per cent said that, so that's how the book starts off."

"You had a complete waterworks there from the late 19th century, which was in use until the middle of last century. Unfortunately, a lot of it is lost now."

"There's always something new to learn about the place. I've been associated with Ulley since I retired and I'm still learning. Only last week I found out a couple of minor things that I hadn't known before."

"It's just a wonderful area, and one of the major reasons people love the park is the peace and tranquility there."

Russell has worked with young adults from Mencap to develop a wildlife garden in the park, given talks to local history groups and has led public walks there as part of the Green Spaces events programme.

The book features breathtaking pictures from when the dam was brought to the brink by last year's downpours.

There is also the last minute inclusion of the summer success of Ulley sailor Paul Goodison, who struck gold at the Beijing Olympics.

Russell has also detailed what might happen over the coming years.

"The council has decided they are going to re-instate the site but what will happen is still in the air," said the Norfolk-born granddad-of-five.