On a further leg of the round sheffield pub crawl, tonight we will be stopping at the abbey and the sheaf at woodseats, any ideas what these pubs are like?

The abbey used to be a wonderful pub with a nice atmosphere and was like being in a cosy lounge, but that is with the previous landlord. Now it is a lot smokier, noisier, but still ok just.

The Sheaf is an estate pub, (made out of left over bits of the flats) and my mate used to live around the back, and we went in on 3 occasions, and there were never more than 5 people in the place, usually an old man with a stick and a bloke who looks like he's hiding from the wife while snogging a girlfriend. Since then, it has changed hands regularly, and although I've not been back in the last 5 years, looks pretty much the same from outside. Anyone who lives nearby goes to the millhouses instead, which is just 7 minutes walk and is comfortable and lively without being too busy.

The five pubs actually on woodseats main road, would be a much more interesting evening. (weatherspoons "woodseats palace", Chantrey, Woodseats Hotel, Big Tree and Abbey) My preferences are the Weatherspoons, Chantrey, Abbey in that order.. Although the Woodseats is ok but noisy sometimes.

And the Big Tree is for Lairy youths who want a punchup or want to see one, who drink buweiser overpriced tasteless cheap rice lager yuk! and want to spend 20 minutes queuing to get served while being deafened by a pop disco.

We've already visited the other pubs on there, just need to visit the two i mentioned.

Thanks for the info, it'll be most useful.

Muddycoffee is correct the Sheaf has changed hands several times in the last few years. No-one so far has managed to make it work as it's bad/rough reputation lingers on. As a result it never seems to have many customers in although the lounge is nice and I've heard no complaints about the ale. There is a games room but again that is almost deserted, I feel sorry for the new people who take it on.

I was in there last nite and it seems a bit out on a limb with its location. It was fairly dead but could be a good estate pub in the right hands...that said no complaints.........

I've been in the Sheaf twice and it's been empty both times. The games room is large and they have a pool table with as much space as I've ever seen around it to play. I personally thought the pub was ok but couldn't understand why it was so dead.

Where abouts is the sheaf down woodseats ????? I only know sheaf view down heely. . .

Snakey,
sheaf view is a different and much nicer place than sheaf. Sheaf view is a recently re-opened real ale pub. Whereas the Sheaf is on fraser road at woodseats. Nearly opposite the Laycocks club and it is a largeish estate pub which noone goes in to.

yeah ive been to the sheaf view and its a very nice pub ,thats why i was puzzled to why it was getting slagged off ,but inever been in that other sheaf so i may pop in some time

Ive been living in Fraser Rd since July and have been in the Sheaf once. Nothing wrong with it, just a bit empty and dull as was said. The Abbey is nice, it has become my adopted local, The Woodseats and Wetherspoons are both ok, never been in the Chantry, been in The Big Tree twice, the second time two 16 year olds starting kicking seven bells out of each other. At Five in the afternoon on a weekday!!

What is the Norton like? I want to check out some other pubs within walking distance in the New Year and could do with some recomendations.

Cheers

Originally posted by edd173
What is the Norton like? I want to check out some other pubs within walking distance in the New Year and could do with some recomendations

Edd if you live on fraser, try going down to the millhouses, and the robin hood. Millhouses is better than the Abbey these days.

Also Norton Lees is worth a visit for a change, you can walk up chantrey road, and straight up the steps trough the woods in the little passage which goes up the hill. The Prince of wales is a decent local and the Mount Pleasant is a quieter but very pleasent golf pub.

The Norton I have been to a couple of times in 14 years at woodseats, and to be honest it wasn't worth the journey, but not recently.

Cheers, I shall give the Millhouses a try then. Its (from Fraser rd) left, past Sainsburys, down that way isnt it? Sure i`ve driven past...

Hi Edd,
yeah that's right, left and over the railway and river bridges. It's not as far as you think, when you have been down once, then you might want to cut off the corner, as there are some back alleys. While you're down there there's a bank machine in the Nat West and a superb chip shop opposite it.

Good Stuff

When I get back to Sheffield next week then , I shall conduct my research

Cheers!

Hello fellow forum users. I may be classed as an affiliated northerner by marriage of 24 years. I have lived on the Fraser Estate for 14 years; the other 10 years spent living in the southern part of England. Yes there is a slight north and south difference; this is where the Sheaf Public House comes into play. If you like me are not accustomed to a public house where other customers actually speak to you, then yes you are in for an awakening of your sense to life.

I have frequented this establishment on what could be called a semi regular basis.
The publican changed to I believe a Mr Johnston, to which I have witnessed from a distance, as I am not a person who heavily interacts with strangers. I have found that he is a very pleasant person who has trained his staff to welcome each and every customer with a polite but not intrusive greeting and a smile. The withdrawal of this small but courteous gesture over the years has contributed to the demise of many public houses which used to be the centre of the community.

From Governors, chair persons, normal every day working people, the centre of relaxation, socialisation and the hub of stability in life in a public house has come down to a near standstill. This is not just a problem here on the Fraser estate but a country wide dilemma.

Colleagues I have had the pleasure of working and socialising with have commented that The Sheaf is one of the very few places that they have been spoken to by the publican, or another customer, even if it was just a friendly hello as they walked through the door. A comforting thought, no where near the picture I had from other peoples opinions.

Another effort I have noticed is that this publican is attempting to upgrade the decor of the rooms, I have seen changes gradually happening as to the start of refurbishment of the bar area in the lounge Room. This room has been used for many years for special occasions, birthdays, weddings and for the more unfortunate circumstances of holding wakes for the bereaved. For today’s economical stance I think that this is a very gallant effort to try to accommodate a small luxury and comfort for the customers, for which ever event they are holding within the lounge area. Entertainment has been started on a Friday/Saturday evening to suit all ranges of cliental, from Karaoke, live musicians, quiz night and pool and darts in the tap room. There are two pool teams and a football team for the Sheaf.

To my knowledge the Sheaf have raised a considerable amount by holding charity events for a young man who needed a motorised wheelchair. And as proudly displayed on their notice board there is a picture of a very happy young man with his new chair. Various events ranging in price from 10p to £1.00 took place for Comic Relief day raising just over £160.00 Check out their website, look for yourself.

This If I am correct is only the first 7/8 months of his term within the Sheaf, so I would be very pleased to say that a young enthusiastic person still has regards for a traditional meeting place for the community with traditional values and respect. I have seen advertised that he is trying to bring back the old traditional day out at the sea side. Not an action seen at other establishment I know of in today’s climate by any means.

I will just leave this as it is with the following answers to a few questions that have been raised on forums.

I have read various articles regarding the Sheaf on Fraser Road and have come to a similar conclusion of each post.

1) The person has not frequented the Sheaf. So should keep opinion quiet until such a time as they have used the facility.

2) The last time they did use the facilities it was in the 1970's, 1980's, and 1990’s.

3) Quite a lot of assumptions have been made as to the customers who do use the facilities, which is stereotypical of an individual or individuals who have no idea of what they are talking about, because they have never interacted with any of the cliental, and just assume that they are quote "Common","Chavs", even "awful Alco’s" because their local public house is within an estate. An estate to which I would like to point out is the same estate that the people who have left negative derogatory comments about live within.

4) Never should a person judge another by their appearance, race, colour or creed. People are like books open the cover and you may be surprised at the story within.

5) Yes I do believe before this publican undertook the running of the Sheaf, there may have been a few instances that would have even disagreed with my standards. But now I have to commend the team work at trying to raise a beaten dog from the ashes (which many before have tried and not succeeded)

6) For the people whom may have had a bad experience, it was too quiet or too noisy, or are just going on other peoples opinions. There is only one answer.

The Sheaf on Fraser Road is a Public house for the use of Public People whom have their own brains and minds and should think for themselves.

Question: Would I like to try the sheaf form my own opinion?
Or
Should I be a sheep and listen to an old shepherd and steer well clear?

There is only one Answer:-

Be brave, be bold, be part of the community again!
What do you have to loose??? Apart from you being told and not experiencing it for yourself.

What ever you choose let it be your choice!

Muddycoffee is correct the Sheaf has changed hands several times in the last few years. No-one so far has managed to make it work as it's bad/rough reputation lingers on. As a result it never seems to have many customers in although the lounge is nice and I've heard no complaints about the ale. There is a games room but again that is almost deserted, I feel sorry for the new people who take it on.

I have lived on the fraser estate 20 years, I wouldnt say the sheaf is rough tbh.

The sheaf pub used to be buzzing with life and energy ....but that was 20 years ago when the Fenton`s had it

Although I havent been there for a good 4 or 5 years the last time was enouht to put me off for life .The toilets were overflowing with poop and there was poop all over the floor !!!.It was also full of 14/15 year olds

I would never say the Sheaf was rough though

Thanks for your reply Ian G & Bru-Sheff. Muddy coffee was right then, but now maybe he should try coffee mate instead of just milk in coffee.

Other people may not have made a success but, does that mean that any person who is willing to try to turn a business around for other people’s pleasure is flogging a dead horse. What a sad and lonely life we would all have if we were all the same!

How can people knock something they have not tried?

Bru-shef I can assure you now the toilets are poop free! There are no 14/15 year olds (maybe only the single malts) and the beer is good as well as the company!

As in my first post it is down to the community to make something work for the best. Give this landlord a chance, he is giving us one!

He has not been there a year and is still having to gain peoples custom whilst still fighting the history and past of the Sheaf. As everyone has said the Sheaf Pub on Fraser Road has a lovely lounge, big games room and is not a rough pub. You never know if we try it we all may prosper with him, even make new friends in the process!

Love the sheaf

Topcat

Are you aware that Muddy's comments were written over four years ago?

Hello fellow forum users............


What a good post - and for this reason I shall not make it long before I call in the Sheaf again. (not the Sheaf View - don't like that place).

Topcat

Are you aware that Muddy's comments were written over four years ago?

Indeed, I wrote my comments some years ago when I had recent experience of visiting the pub and its vicinity as my best mate lived behind it when I was a regular visitor to his house. I have not been in it for so long I would not like to comment.
For my part I love visiting pubs and I would certainly like to swing in for a pint, but my mates insist on visiting the Woodseats Palace and the Abbey. It is like pullling teeth trying to get them to go anywhere else.

Chaaaaaaaaaaaaain...