there must be people out there who worked for sipelia works or whose family worked there??
it was in it hay day the biggest manufactorer of forks and spoons in the world?
The reason I am asking about this is because we want to establish a heritage centre on the site of the old works.
I'm sure people in sheffield would be interested in their history and maintaining thier heritage???

If anyone can help please contact me

[QUOTE]Originally posted by flossie
[B]there must be people out there who worked for sipelia works or whose family worked there??
it was in it hay day the biggest manufactorer of forks and spoons in the world?
The reason I am asking about this is because we want to establish a heritage centre on the site of the old works.
I'm sure people in sheffield would be interested in their history and maintaining thier heritage???

Never heard of the place, i worked at mapin/webbs & walker/halls
for years but never heard of Sipelia, what street were they on ?

They were on Cadman Street/Blast Lane next to the canal. It's still says Sipelia Works on the outside of the building. It was started by a couple of brothers from Germany. They opened the factory in 1939. It must have been an interesting (!) experience being German, living in Sheffield (much bombed) during the war. They were, it seems, very well respected. I would love to find out more. Does anyone know how individuals from Germany were viewed during the war. I believe some people were interned.

Sorry I noticed you are in the US Poppins. What took you there?? What was it like working in a cutlery factory? And when did you do it?

Hi flossie,

In the second world war most Gemans if not all were interned mostly in geust houses by the coast. I know the jews were on the isle of man (saw a prog last night). However if the works at Sipelia were changed for the war effort by the brothers they may have been left be.

I would say by the way they were respected in the community that they did help the war effort.

Would be very interesting to find out though.

Hi fowler
Yes I would be really interested to find out. Apparently when one of the Siple brothers died - in 1946 - 400 people attended his funeral. However, despite the fact that he owned one of the biggest cutlery factories in Sheffield and employed 400 people, I couldn't find anything about his death in the Star or Telegraph of that time. Only his funeral.
the factory went on the be run by someone called Kenneth Colin. wonder if anyone is still around in sheffield from this family???

Hi Flossie
I remember Sipels very well, I did once work there for about a week but I didnt like it. I did however know a few people that worked there in the glazing shop.
Tony Dylla. Graham Lee(now sadly dead) David Wilson,Polish Big John and Derek Denton.
I also remember a one legged man who worked there and came to work on a bike. The lads mentioned above used to go for a drink on Saturday Dinner time in The Samson at the bottom of Duke St.
I did work with Tony Dylla at George butlers for over twenty years and he was a very nice man, he lives on Abourthorne at the moment.
Do you remember the millions of Apostle Spoons that was made there?

Thanks for your post Lazrath. Are you still in contact with any of the people from Sipples? Why didn't you like working there. My interest in the place is that I work for an organisation that would like to set up a heritage centre in the building and we would like to make contact with the people that used to work there. Wonder if you can help? i really would like to know what the factory was like. Thanks again.

Originally posted by flossie
There must be people out there who worked for Sipelia works or whose family worked there?

It was in it's hay day the biggest manufactorer of forks and spoons in the world?



I thought that the biggest was Hiram Wild Ltd, still going strong on Herries Road, near the Sheff Wed football ground.

Here's whay they say . . .

''When it comes to the manufacture of Flatware, over 140 years of experience has earned Hiram Wild a permanent place at the market leaders' table.

Established in 1864, the company today is Britain's largest producer of Sheffield-made Silverplated and Stainless Steel flatware for both the retail and catering industries and, as such, continues to sharpen its worldwide reputation for excellence and elegance.

A unique combination of traditional craftsmanship and pioneering technical innovation places Hiram Wild firmly at the cutting edge of Flatware design.''

I remember their Buffer Girls coming home as black as the coalman.

I guess i was talking about the 1960s and 1970s (when the factory closed). I would just love to make contact with anyone that knows anything about the company.

Originally posted by flossie
Thanks for your post Lazrath. Are you still in contact with any of the people from Sipples? Why didn't you like working there. My interest in the place is that I work for an organisation that would like to set up a heritage centre in the building and we would like to make contact with the people that used to work there. Wonder if you can help? i really would like to know what the factory was like. Thanks again.

I didnt like working there because I was only about Nineteen at the time and my supervisor was a women and I just could not get used to that. I am not in contact with the people I knew but I do know where two of them can be reached.

Hi Lazarus
do you think the people you know that used to work at sipples might be interested in talking to me? could you pass on their contact details or pass mine on to them? It would be really great to talk to them about their experiences. Thanks again

Hello flossie.

Did you know there is a photograph of Sipelia Works on the English Heritage site try www.viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk and search for Sheffield.

Great site - got a photograph of where I was born.

Tony Dylla is my boyfriend's grandad. He's a lovely bloke!! Will he remember you lot?

Hi
Do you think Tony would like to talk to me about his memories of working at Sipelia work. I would love to hear what it was like working there. Could you ask him please. I would be very grateful.

Originally posted by extaxman
Hello flossie.

Did you know there is a photograph of Sipelia Works on the English Heritage site try www.viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk and search for Sheffield.

Great site - got a photograph of where I was born.

Da linkie no workie :( :( :(

Tony Dylla IS 79 years old and alive and well and has many memories of people he worked with at both B&J Sippel Ltd &
Geo.Butler. Ltd. His son Michael was the cutlery unions chairman for over 15 years.

Hi
I would be really interested in talking to Tony about his memories of working in the cutlery industry. I work for a charity which is hoping to turn sipelia works into a hostel for homeless people. Much of the building now is empty and has been for several years. We want to create a small heritage centre in the building to encourage people to visit. It would be great if Tony would be willling to talk to me and have his phone number passed on.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Unregistered
[B]I thought that the biggest was Hiram Wild Ltd, still going strong on Herries Road, near the Sheff Wed football ground.

George Butlers was far bigger and better in their heyday. They supplied the Queen, 10 Downing Street and had big contract with Harrods. They also carried the Bristish Standard Mark - the kitemark.

I work there for a number of years, as did my family and friends. Was the best cutlery factory by far. The people an assortment of folk, but was best thing I ever did working there. Sadly closed down now as cutlery is dying trade but such good memories. Started on Sydney Street in town then moved to Tinsley, now a unit next to meadowhall, then to Ecclesfield. I work at all three. DID not move to Deeley's when it was bought out as it was not George Butlers anymore then. Those factory days were sometimes hard but always a laugh to be heard.

Hi flossy, just come across and joined this site as an old Sheffield boy. My father was interned during the war on the Isle of Man along with my mother. Father worked for the Sippel brothers in fact one of them was a witness at his marriage to my mother. He eventualy started his own company making among other things apostle spoons, he was a little Mr. On his death the company was called FT Plating. Any one with any memories of my father out there his name was Paul Wietscher? He died when I was 8 years old. My memories are very sketchy I can remember taking his snap to him with my mother at lunch times. Incidentally did you know that after the war many Germans were treated quite badly. I have many memories of this. The result was that many changed their names. The Wymeer ( I am not sure about the spelling) family changed their name to Viners, Rickards changed to Richards. Details available at the Cutlers Hall archives department. My father was among the very few not to change his name and as a result found it very hard to sell his products. Any ex workers at Sipples, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for sharing your memories Edwin. I was really interested to read your reply. I have been trying to contact people who worked for sipples but without much success! i was particularly interested in the part about your father being interned. The Sipples too were German but still managed to create a successful business it seems. I imagine there must but more to it though and would love to find out more. If you would like to talk to me more about your family that would be great. Our aim is to set up a small heritage centre on the site of the factory where people could come and learn more. It would be a real shame if this history was lost.

Flossie was asking how the german residents here got on during the war! Well we hung a couple. let me explain. Where I lived in Shiregreen there was a Bloomer family and I think my mates and I overheard a parents conversation in which it was said that they were German (probably been here centuries). They had a large family including young twin boys (too young to be in our gang) so we hung them occasionally, from the street lamps, rope under their armpits you understand.Passing Shoppers used to complain but when we explained that they were German nothing was said. Anyhow we let them join the gang. so we had a truce well before D Day

Originally posted by desmitch
Flossie was asking how the german residents here got on during the war! Well we hung a couple. let me explain. Where I lived in Shiregreen there was a Bloomer family and I think my mates and I overheard a parents conversation in which it was said that they were German (probably been here centuries). They had a large family including young twin boys (too young to be in our gang) so we hung them occasionally, from the street lamps, rope under their armpits you understand.Passing Shoppers used to complain but when we explained that they were German nothing was said. Anyhow we let them join the gang. so we had a truce well before D Day


I hope one of them isn't related to the new Pope, or come judgement day it's the down escalator for you :P

Re German cutlers who changed their names.

The Vieners who came over in about 1900 became Viners, and the Richartz brothers in 1932 became Richards. The Sippel brothers seemed happy to retain their German name.

During the war their manufacturing facilities were used to make products for the war effort, including aircraft parts and gun components.

Anybody remember Leppingtons? My mother worked there for many years after the war, I think she retired in 1966.

My Auntie worked at Viners & my wife & mother inlaw worked at Richards in the early 70s.I worked at Pnuematic Componants Ltd on Ayr Street at the back of Woolworths.

I have some photographs taken I think in Millhouses park they show my father and mother. The others I dont recognise but they may be the Sipple brothers. Does anyone have any photographs of the Sipple brothers?

Flossie happy, to talk to you about how my father came to England. I haven't posted sufficient post yet to be able to sent you a private message. When I have I will contact you. In the mean time my father came to England in 1932. There was no work in Germany. My father and a friend (a relative) used to go to a cafe in Solingen where they met with an agent who had contacts in England. My father had worked for Krupp in Solingen. Unfortunately the friend of my father found he was soon to become a father and so had to stay behind in Solingen. My father came alone not knowing the language. He just got on trains and a boat and arrived with no knowledge of the language or customs of this country. I know that he knew the Sippel brothers and that at some time he worked for them, He may even have worked for Richards at some time. Certainly one of the Sippel brothers was present at his marriage in Sheffield to my mother who fearing the loss of her fiance to an English Rose followed shortly after my father also with no knowledge of English. Quite a courageous journey for the time I think. More later. By the way I would like to contact an old school chum Peter Armitage. He lived near Bents Green and went to Silverdale School he would be around 58-60 years old by now. Lost contact many years ago and would love to contact him again.

Thanks Edwin
It is really interesting to read your post. It must have been very hard for your father to come to England at that time especially as he didn't know the language. I'm sure a lot of Germans came here in the 30s as I know the depression there was much more severe than here mainly due to the economic contraints put on the country after WW1. I have a very poor picture of Beno Siple which was printed in the Star or Telegraph just after he died in 1947. When we get in contact I will show it to you.
Hope to hear from you soon.

Hi ya
I did live on the wybourn so i used to knock about around blast lane, but carnt remember the sipeia building, but there are about a dozen or so photos of blast lane and cadman street on

http://www.picturesheffield.com/database_search.php
happy hunting

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Unregistered
[B]I thought that the biggest was Hiram Wild Ltd, still going strong on Herries Road, near the Sheff Wed football ground.

George Butlers was far bigger and better in their heyday. They supplied the Queen, 10 Downing Street and had big contract with Harrods. They also carried the Bristish Standard Mark - the kitemark.

I work there for a number of years, as did my family and friends. Was the best cutlery factory by far. The people an assortment of folk, but was best thing I ever did working there. Sadly closed down now as cutlery is dying trade but such good memories. Started on Sydney Street in town then moved to Tinsley, now a unit next to meadowhall, then to Ecclesfield. I work at all three. DID not move to Deeley's when it was bought out as it was not George Butlers anymore then. Those factory days were sometimes hard but always a laugh to be heard.
Hi sezemeseeds
I also worked at all three then moved to Deeleys & remember Tony Dylla, Earnest Hemmings, John Mannion, Mick Clark, turban Joan, Lilly Tankard, Mick Harris,The malone clan,The fowler brothers & many more! I also met my wife at Matilda st happy days.
Deeleys still do George Butler work but the quality is not the same!
The trade has changed so much since matilda st but not the wage ha ha
I,m one of the last old hands left from butlers,still think of myself as a butler lad.

I have been following this conversation with interest - my grandfather was a master cutler and silversmith and worked for (among others) Mappin & Webb.

we have a very small number of items he made but I also have some lovely family stories - he made a trowel for Churchill to lay a foundation stone in Sheffield; he laid down his tools and covered his workbench when they were showing the Japanese through the factory straight after the war - wasnt going to let them see his trade secrets!

I have previously been an avid collector of James Dixon and last time I was in Sheffield (1982) visted theire office to buy more cutlery. From what Ive seen on this thread and others relating to Dixons they are no longer in business - can anyone shed any light on this? I will be visiting the UK later this year and may come to Sheffield to do more research - is the best place for this Cutler's Hall?

I read Edwins comments with interest but I dont think he is still on the site?

Flossie, I worked for Harrisons Cutlery just off the wicker, they were taken over like most other small cutlery works by BJ Sipple in the 60's, Sipples was slave labour, they were the first cutlery shop to start shift work & it was a place where migrants from Jamaica & Arabia etc went to work when they first arrived in Sheffield, Sipples couldn't get anyone else to do the work with all the dusty conditions etc for the money that they offered.
The first 6 months I was employed by them I spent removing machines from the cutlery companies that they had taken over, which were many, then when they installed the multiple dollier machines [polishes] that I worked on they cut the time limits on the process so that they would get more spoons, forks out the door more quickly,needless to say the quality of the product suffered, they then had us train 3 Jamaicans to work the machines so they could work the 12 hour night shift and tried to get us to work the 12 hour days but we refused, it was only a short time after that, that I & others that had transferred from Harrisons left because of the conditions.
Now you know why the Sheffield cutlery industry is no longer what it used to be.

[QUOTE=sezemeseeds]
Hi sezemeseeds
I also worked at all three then moved to Deeleys & remember Tony Dylla, Earnest Hemmings, John Mannion, Mick Clark, turban Joan, Lilly Tankard, Mick Harris,The malone clan,The fowler brothers & many more! I also met my wife at Matilda st happy days.
Deeleys still do George Butler work but the quality is not the same!
The trade has changed so much since matilda st but not the wage ha ha
I,m one of the last old hands left from butlers,still think of myself as a butler lad.

Are you Kevin?

I am one of the malone clan? which clan are you from then??????

Im the good looking brunette (female) the youngest of the malone clan!!!!!!!!!:hihi: :hihi:

[QUOTE=blebs]

Are you Kevin?
kevin is my name & polishings still my game?:loopy:

[QUOTE=lazarus]
kevin is my name & polishings still my game?:loopy:

Hiya Kev! hows Denise and your daughter ? she must be in her twenties now.
Im still the head of the Malone clan and Im still in the Polishing game too.

[QUOTE=blebs]

Hiya Kev! hows Denise and your daughter ? she must be in her twenties now.
Im still the head of the Malone clan and Im still in the Polishing game too.
Denise is fine,Sarah's 27 married with a 23 month old little girl.
Sarah worked in the trade as well for a short time now she's a carer for the old. Still trying to work out if your vin or mary?:huh:

Well, thats my dad your talking about kevin and this is me Sarah. Im married with two kids, liam nearly 15 and niamh 2. Am married to irish man, and am company secretary to our own civil engineering firm in leeds. Sean married with two kids, Phoebe 8 and Joe nearly 7. he still funny as ever. see him nearly every day. he works at stokes tiles. My mum here beside me giving me grief as usual!!!! she looks after niamh for me. are u still at deeleys then? i need two canteens of cutlery, top class, for important person visiting the Sheffield IRish Centre. who would i contact at deeley's to sort out.

Well, thats my dad your talking about kevin and this is me Sarah. Im married with two kids, liam nearly 15 and niamh 2. Am married to irish man, and am company secretary to our own civil engineering firm in leeds. Sean married with two kids, Phoebe 8 and Joe nearly 7. he still funny as ever. see him nearly every day. he works at stokes tiles. My mum here beside me giving me grief as usual!!!! she looks after niamh for me. are u still at deeleys then? i need two canteens of cutlery, top class, for important person visiting the Sheffield IRish Centre. who would i contact at deeley's to sort out.
(Andrew robinson) tell him who your mom & dad are and you should get a discount

Hi
I would be really interested in talking to Tony about his memories of working in the cutlery industry. I work for a charity which is hoping to turn sipelia works into a hostel for homeless people. Much of the building now is empty and has been for several years. We want to create a small heritage centre in the building to encourage people to visit. It would be great if Tony would be willling to talk to me and have his phone number passed on.

Hi Flossie,

writing from Germany. May be I can help you in gathering some information about the cutlery industry, specially in the case of Sipelia works.
My grandfather was the J. in B & J Sippels. I visited the building Cadman St. last autumn. It was really interesting to see that our familiy's history is still existing, at least buldingwise.
How should we keep in touch? What kind of information might be of interest for you? When are you going to open this heritage center?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Baton

Flossie,

There are already a number of heritage sites around Sheffield - are you already working for Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust?

In terms of Sipelia then I suggest you contact Kelham Island who have extensive archival holdings, as do the City Archives and City Library. Kelham Island also have excellent displays etc. re the wider social questions you're interested in.

It may be worth contacting local historians, there are quite a few people whose interests and work may help you.

Sounds a really interesting project - good luck with it!

TRW

Hi
This a message for Baton. It was really interesting to get your post. I know some people visited Sipelia Works from Germany last year and was disappointed not to meet them. We have been wondering what happened to J Sipple - did he return to Germany? We know the B was Benno and he died in England in 1946. He has two grandsons, I believe, one living in Sheffield and the other in London. Really we'd just like to learn more about your family history and the history of the factory. Once you have posted a few times you can send personnal messages and I will give you my email address so we can communicate better if you would like. We hope to have a small heritage centre within the factory - which will be mainly a home for former homeless people - alongside a cafe. Anyone that knows the area will know that the factory is on the edge of the canal and could be made to be really pleasant. Hope to hear from you again soon.

Red Wizard - yes there are some interesting heritage sites in Sheffield. Our will just be a small affair I exept and just extend the interest of the area. Hopefully it will focus on human interest rather that lots of knives and forks in cases! I've visited Kelham Island and unfortunatley they have nothing in their archives on Sipelia Works. Will keep forum posted of progress.
Thanks
Flossie

Message for Flossie,

just popped in briefly. Lack of time. Nice to notice your response. Yes, we should stay in touch for further extension of information about the Sippel matter.

So long,
Baton

Hi Baton
good to hear from you. Have you posted enough threads to send me a personal message. If so I will send you my email address so we can communicate better
Bev

A musuem is a fabulous idea especially at this location.:)

The reason why I am making contact: My Boss Eric G. Lancashire actually rented a workshop here from a gentleman he describes as owning a cutlery factory. This would have been around 1974/1975.

Our company was called Bolt and Manufacturing. We eventually expanded to Shepcote way at some point but I am trying to find out if someone can help me determine the date Bolt and Nut "left the building" as it were.:huh:

Hello Flossie
I read with great interest your thread asking for information about B & J Sippel Ltd.
I worked there myself and also my husband and have personal information and newspaper cutting etc which you may wish to view.
I hope that you are still viewing this thread as I see it was started in 2004. I will be happy to pass on all my recollections if you wish.

Best wishes
Sippel

I hope someone keeps this B & J Sippel thread running, I believe they have an important place in the history of the Sheffield cutlery industry. To me they were ahead of their time in producing a matching co-ordinated tabelware range, breaking away from the tradition of cutlers having nothing to do with spoon and fork. It all seems obvious now but in the 50s xylo handles were the norm and to its utter shame Sheffield went down the road of the infamous whittle-tang.
Before someone chips in about hard soldered, I'm refering to cutlery ordinary folks could afford.
I could have wept in the final days when the scap dealers, like vultures eyed up the goffing shop where the blanks were struck.
Bob.

It was good to hear from you Bob and to know that this thread is still going strong!
I wonder if you were also an employee ?
I have some headed notepaper from the firm which acrually says 'Manufacturers of spoons & forks', which confirms what you were saying. The knives were bought in from a firm called G. W. Thorntons I think.
I would be interested to continue this thread after Christmas and hope that Flossie who needs the information will come back to it.
Sippel

does anybody remember tina waite and ethel holmes at george butlers...ethel was one of the buffers down there...quite a few years have passed ..ethel has sadly passed away quite a while back...

does anybody remember tina waite and ethel holmes at george butlers...ethel was one of the buffers down there...quite a few years have passed ..ethel has sadly passed away quite a while back...

god how many years ago did they work there. I worked there from mid eighties and they didnt work there then, my parents worked there too, long before I did, but still I knew everybody from when I was at school and used to go there alot then. will ask my parents if they know them.

does anybody remember tina waite and ethel holmes at george butlers...ethel was one of the buffers down there...quite a few years have passed ..ethel has sadly passed away quite a while back...

My wife & myself remember both Tina & Ethel, Tina had a sister called Sheree who also worked there for a time & we both worked with Sheree in the early sixties when we all worked at Lee & Wigfalls on John St at what is now the Stag Works which doesnt seem to produce Cutlery any more its mainly for up and coming bands to practice.

I worked at Rutland Cutlery from 1972-1986.
We was on Rutland Road then moved to Neepsend Lane.
But I don't know if it is still there now.

about sipels i worked there 1953 on the machines thay got from germany i beleive the were called bank pollishing machines i was the first in sheffield to work on them i also did lots more buffing polishing finishing press shop warehouse i also married a man who had sister who worked there if you get intouch i can tell you more

hi yes i worked at siples 1953

would your name be pat d.

Hello Bullerboy,

Yes it would be. I have now registered with the SF, so my name on here is patsycher.

Anyone interested in talking about me working at Siples, can pm me on this new member name, and not to barton123.

hi yes i worked at siples 1953

my dad and mum both workt ther in the 1950s ther names wer jess n pat douglas

hi yes i worked at siples 1953

Hi,
I have a set of knives made by B&J Sippel Ltd, polished stainless steel blade, etched company name, with ivory handles, in a cardboard box. Would you know for how long ivory handles were in production? After 1948?
regards
cutleryquest

c'quest, it is extremely unlikely that the knives that you have have ivory handles, the use of ivory fizzled out in the late 1920s or early 30s. There could be special circumstances for special export orders from the top echelons of the trade but Sippel's, I think not.
The handles you have will be xylonite and the making of it became most sophisticated by slicing it very finely and laminating so that it very closely resembled ivory and could fool most people. Years ago we used to test it by warming slightly when the xylo would give off a faint chemical smell difficult here to describe.
It is a little sad that the box of table knives that you have, involved a whole range of skills which would be imposible to replicate today and in my book makes them priceless, however on a car boot stall for instance you would be lucky to get the price of a packet of fags for them.
Bob.

Hi Bob, thank you for your extensive reply. You are right of course. Those layers very much resemble ivory but they don´t have that very typical pattern of dentin / ivory. My son will be glad to hear that no elephant was killed for those knives. Thank you so much!
kind regards
CQ

In reply to Baton My father Paul Wietscher worked for Sipples before the war. He moved to Sheffield in 1932 having been approached by an agent sent to Solingen the cutlery centre of Germany by the Sipple brothers who were looking for skilled workers. My father married when his fiancée travelled from Germany to join him in Sheffield. One of the witnesses at the wedding was one of the Sipple brothers. Both my mother and father were interned the Isle of Man for the duration of the war. My father went back to work for the Sipple brothers upon his return to Sheffield after the war. Many of the German cutlery families changed their names after the war due to the intense anti German feelings generated by the heavy bombing of Sheffield. The Rickardt family became Richards, Vymear family became Vyners etc. My father refused to change his name, which I recall, led to many problems for my brother and myself. Eventually my father started his own company, which was called FT Plating and was situated at Jubilee Works.
Sipples went on to become one of the top five cutlery Companies and were well known for their forward thinking. Latterly it was run by Kenneth Lovell Collin. He was a great innovator and was proud to say that they had not had a strike in 25 years. They specialised in very high quality products. They even made a set of cutlery named Apollo. A complete set was sent to each of the men who landed on the moon in exchange (as was the custom) for a small coin. Mrs Aldrin even sent the required small coin along with her thanks.

In my own research I have not been able to find any photographs taken at the works and would very much like to contact anyone who has any details or photographs of the workers and machinery.

I have visited Solingen to do some research and wonder where in Germany does Baton come from, the grandson of one of the Sipple brothers. It would be very good to be able to contact him. Flossie if you are still following this string can you tell me how I can get into contact with people who may be able to help in my research who are posting on this site. I joined the site smome years ago but then lost contact due to extensive traveling. I have just re joined as I could not remeber any details of how to log on. Look forward to talking with anybody that may have details of Sipples. Eddy

Hi Flossie,

writing from Germany. May be I can help you in gathering some information about the cutlery industry, specially in the case of Sipelia works.
My grandfather was the J. in B & J Sippels. I visited the building Cadman St. last autumn. It was really interesting to see that our familiy's history is still existing, at least buldingwise.
How should we keep in touch? What kind of information might be of interest for you? When are you going to open this heritage center?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Baton

My father Paul Wietscher worked for Sipples before the war. He moved to Sheffield in 1932 having been approached by an agent sent to Solingen the cutlery centre of Germany by the Sipple brothers who were looking for skilled workers. My father married when his fiancée travelled from Germany to join him in Sheffield. One of the witnesses at the wedding was one of the Sipple brothers. Both my mother and father were interned the Isle of Man for the duration of the war. My father went back to work for the Sipple brothers upon his return to Sheffield after the war. Many of the German cutlery families changed their names after the war due to the intense anti German feelings generated by the heavy bombing of Sheffield. The Rickardt family became Richards, Vymear family became Vyners etc. My father refused to change his name, which I recall, led to many problems for my brother and myself. Eventually my father started his own company, which was called FT Plating and was situated at Jubilee Works.
Sipples went on to become one of the top five cutlery Companies and were well known for their forward thinking. Latterly it was run by Kenneth Lovell Collin. He was a great innovator and was proud to say that they had not had a strike in 25 years. They specialised in very high quality products. They even made a set of cutlery named Apollo. A complete set was sent to each of the men who landed on the moon in exchange (as was the custom) for a small coin. Mrs Aldrin even sent the required small coin along with her thanks.

In my own research I have not been able to find any photographs taken at the works and would very much like to contact anyone who has any details or photographs of the workers and machinery.

My father Paul Wietscher worked for Sipples before the war. He moved to Sheffield in 1932 having been approached by an agent sent to Solingen the cutlery centre of Germany by the Sipple brothers who were looking for skilled workers. My father married when his fiancée travelled from Germany to join him in Sheffield. One of the witnesses at the wedding was one of the Sipple brothers. Both my mother and father were interned the Isle of Man for the duration of the war. My father went back to work for the Sipple brothers upon his return to Sheffield after the war. Many of the German cutlery families changed their names after the war due to the intense anti German feelings generated by the heavy bombing of Sheffield. The Rickardt family became Richards, Vymear family became Vyners etc. My father refused to change his name, which I recall, led to many problems for my brother and myself. Eventually my father started his own company, which was called FT Plating and was situated at Jubilee Works.
Sipples went on to become one of the top five cutlery Companies and were well known for their forward thinking. Latterly it was run by Kenneth Lovell Collin. He was a great innovator and was proud to say that they had not had a strike in 25 years. They specialised in very high quality products. They even made a set of cutlery named Apollo. A complete set was sent to each of the men who landed on the moon in exchange (as was the custom) for a small coin. Mrs Aldrin even sent the required small coin along with her thanks.

In my own research I have not been able to find any photographs taken at the works and would very much like to contact anyone who has any details or photographs of the workers and machinery.

I would very much like to contact the person who posted a reply from Germany who is I believe a relitive of the Sipple family

Flossie if you are still monitoring this string can you let me know how I can contact you please Eddy Wietscher

I visited the sipple works yesterday. It has now been taken over by emmaus (giving homeless people a bed). see www.emmaus-sheffield.org.uk
Some details on the site re the origens of the building

I would like to contact both flossie and baton with regard to thier posting re sipples. Can anyone tell me whether it is possible to contact them direct and how? I am new to the forum and as a result have no idea whether or not this is possible. Thanks Cheawa

Can anyone tell me how to contact someone who has made a posting? Is it possible to contact them direct via email? I am new to the forum and as a result have no idea whether this is possible or how to do it. Thanks Cheawa

Cheawa, yours is an interesting family story and we thank you for that. It would make an interesting study about the impact of external influeces that have had a bearing on the cutlery trade. At the time we all thought that in general they were to the detiment of our old quality values and we looked down our noses at the likes of Rickartz, Viner and Krause but there was a messsage in there somewhere and if we had heeded it maybe Sheffield's decline would not have been so abrupt and painful.
As for contacting people Cheawa, just click on to the poster's name, it will turn red with an option to e-mail them, good luck,
Bob.

Can anyone tell me how to contact someone who has made a posting? Is it possible to contact them direct via email? I am new to the forum and as a result have no idea whether this is possible or how to do it. Thanks Cheawa

Send a private message. Click on the name of the person who you want to contact and send pm

My brother worked as an apprentice at Joseph Rodgers in Pond Hill when he left school in 1968 and then at bottom of Moor. The cutlery made then and probably most of post war period had bone or stag (antlers) handles. My first job was as office junior at Sheffield Chamber of Commerce which was then situated in Cutlers Hall and I can remember seeing year knife which I believe was made by Joseph Rodgers. I worked there from 1966-1967 straight from school. I also remember seeing Dave Berry in Davys delicatessen which was where W H Smiths is now

I can remember seeing lots of Dave Berry as he lived very near to friends of my parents. I also remember seeing him and also Joe Cocker at the Esquire club located near the old Tram depot which was quite near to the old Kennings gargage and show room, very near to the train station, cant remember the street name though, would it be Shoreham Street? The Sheffield archives is quite near by. I returned to Sheffield for a visit last week. Walked down a small walk way near to or along side the Central methodist hall. Does anyone remember the cafe which was the in place to be seen in Sheffield in the 1960's Cant remember the name of the place. Also visited the Central Library, does any one else remember as I do visiting the library theatre. Its sitauated under the Central Library and is approached from the rear films were often shown there on Saturday mornings. I remember taking my first girl friend there (cheap skate).

I can remember seeing lots of Dave Berry as he lived very near to friends of my parents. I also remember seeing him and also Joe Cocker at the Esquire club located near the old Tram depot which was quite near to the old Kennings gargage and show room, very near to the train station, cant remember the street name though, would it be Shoreham Street? The Sheffield archives is quite near by. I returned to Sheffield for a visit last week. Walked down a small walk way near to or along side the Central methodist hall. Does anyone remember the cafe which was the in place to be seen in Sheffield in the 1960's Cant remember the name of the place. Also visited the Central Library, does any one else remember as I do visiting the library theatre. Its sitauated under the Central Library and is approached from the rear films were often shown there on Saturday mornings. I remember taking my first girl friend there (cheap skate).

Think that was Leadmill Road

would be really interested to hear from you re sipples my father worked there edwin.wietscher@gmail.com

I worked at B&J Sipples for 5years from 1964-1969 as an apprentice Maintenance Fitter and then left to go to Richard Brothers down the moor. I remember going through the Buffing Shop and being petrified of the women shouting, "get his trousers down and see whats he,s got", I could run then..............Ha Happy Days:hihi:

My Mother, Aunt, and Grandmother worked in the cutlery and scissor trade including buffing.My mother and aunt worked at Taylors Eye Witness on Milton and Egerton Street, it was like walking into timewarp.I know this was years ago, but it was like a museum even then.

I have family members that worked at Sipples and Taylor eye witness
Tony Dylla, Graham Lee, Polly Lee, Margaret Moor, Maureen Thomlinson. Elsie Woolhouse, And at Tayor eye witness
Albert & Tommy Thackeray, Some of the above went to work at George Butlers including my Dad Mum Auntie Granddad Great Uncle

My Granddad Retired from George Butlers in about 1991 ish and he has been mentioned in this thread quite a few times. Glad to know his name still lives on, since he has now left us.

hi..regarding your response to the question put about tina and ethel....i know its a little late for reply...but just a quick thankyou for your response...all the best rickhornloom...

I worked at Vineers for some years.It was amazing just how skillful the people were and what lovely things they made - To watch a fluted silver bowl being made was humbling,as was the creation of a multi armed candle stick -ldm

I have family members that worked at Sipples and Taylor eye witness
Tony Dylla, Graham Lee, Polly Lee, Margaret Moor, Maureen Thomlinson. Elsie Woolhouse, And at Tayor eye witness
Albert & Tommy Thackeray, Some of the above went to work at George Butlers including my Dad Mum Auntie Granddad Great Uncle

My Granddad Retired from George Butlers in about 1991 ish and he has been mentioned in this thread quite a few times. Glad to know his name still lives on, since he has now left us.

I knew your Granddad very well I worked with Tony for over twenty years, as I did with Grahame and his Son plus Mick.I also lived just a few yards away from Tony on the Valley.
I knew of Tony when he worked at Sippels, It was very sad when he past away both my wife and myself went to his Funeral. Such a lovely bloke