I am trying to obtain information about "Longdens of Sheffield" who were responsible for many of Sheffield`s large building projectsCathedral ,university ,Hillsborough Cantilever Stand etc.

Last known at Penistone as a house builder based at Cubley Hall, finally swallowed up by Wimpy Homes I believe, probably in the late 80's.

My grandfather John was the MD for a while, maybe i could help?
I still have the occasional contact with Hamish longden.

I lived next door to a Stewart and Thelman Longdon but they were a poor family, doubt if they owned anything.

They might have had a small depot on neepsend lane near the gas works .

They might have had a small depot on neepsend lane near the gas works .

I believe they still do,in part name at least,

http://www.longdendoors.co.uk/index.php

Dear Mr Hickman,
I was delighted to receive your message and thank you.
From what you say it seems likely that your grandfather and my father were collegues.
My father was Lawrence Jackson and started work with Longdens when he left school in1916 and retired in the late 60`s .Does this correspond with your grandfather`s time at the firm? I have several photos taken at firm`s functions showing members of staff.
Would it be possible for me to speak to you on the phone?
If so ,please let me know your number.
Mine is 01493 661694 and Email baz.jack@ntlworld. com
I do hope that we will communicate further as it means a great deal to me.
Many thanks ,
Barry Jackson

My Dad was a concreting foreman with Longdens and later on a site agent. I remember mashing tea for the men when I was about fourteen when they were building the flyover at the University. He also worked on the Hallamshire Hospital and various other projects round Sheffield before retiring due to dodgy hip

My Dad was a concreting foreman with Longdens and later on a site agent. I remember mashing tea for the men when I was about fourteen when they were building the flyover at the University. He also worked on the Hallamshire Hospital and various other projects round Sheffield before retiring due to dodgy hipi worked on the concrete for longdons around 1969 /72 ,we were at the bottom of the moor by the telephone building then across the road on sainsbury's

When I worked for the Midland Bank in the early 1970s (the branch which is now the Banker's Draft pub) we had Longden's accounts. I remember that the firm was very carefully managed, and it had a long history, back to the 1830s/40s I think. Longdens had built the extension to the bank branch in c. 1960. At that time their HQ was in St Peter's Close (off Hartshead but hard to find!)

When I worked for the Midland Bank in the early 1970s (the branch which is now the Banker's Draft pub) we had Longden's accounts. I remember that the firm was very carefully managed, and it had a long history, back to the 1830s/40s I think. Longdens had built the extension to the bank branch in c. 1960. At that time their HQ was in St Peter's Close (off Hartshead but hard to find!)as i remember it had a large arch way and was opposite st peters close,had to call in once when changing sites,they were working on the cathedral at the time i think so would have been early seventies

as i remember it had a large arch way and was opposite st peters close,had to call in once when changing sites,they were working on the cathedral at the time i think so would have been early seventies

That's right - it's a red brick building featuring an archway at the main entrance, on the bottom side of St Peter's Close. I think the building had a complete "makeover" and now houses modern offices. I don't recall Longdens being there after about 1980 - could be mistaken.

Yes, I remember calling there with my Dad (who worked for Arnold Laver), I remember him squeezing his Morris Oxford through the archway. The building is still there I think, through the arch behind the Cathedral.

Richard

When I worked for the Midland Bank in the early 1970s (the branch which is now the Banker's Draft pub) we had Longden's accounts. I remember that the firm was very carefully managed, and it had a long history, back to the 1830s/40s I think. Longdens had built the extension to the bank branch in c. 1960. At that time their HQ was in St Peter's Close (off Hartshead but hard to find!)

Thanks for that reminder hillboro, went past it on St Peter's Close everyday, thought l reconised the name that was in the 1960's

im sure my grandfather used to be a lorry driver for this firm he was called Ernest but hes sadly no longer here id love to know if im correct

I think that the Local Studies Library on Surrey Street will have some information about the firm and its history, but I just looked in the 1925 directory - at that time, Longden's HQ was at their "Park Wood Road Works" at Parkwood Springs.

Your mention of Parkwood Springs reminded me of "blitz night".
My Dad was a quantity surveyor(later director) and as soon as the "all clear" sounded set off to walk from the house where we had been sheltering ,nearNether Edge hospital ,to the office at Neepsend.
He went through the city centre which was still ablaze and saw burning buildings crashing down soon after passing them.He then walked to Siregreen to check on his parents.
If only he had had a bike!

yrab

I worked at Longden's from the late 1950's to 1968 leaving to have my first baby. They were based at St Peter's Close and also had an office on Church Street.Parking space was at a premium then some of the Director's using the garage which was under the building.The caretaker's name being Fred Barber who I believe also lived on the premises . The Company Secretary was Mr. Edward Fisher(known behind his back as Teddy) he was a local methodist lay preacher. He was of the old school very meticulous in all he did ,wages at that time were all done by hand and written in large ledgers. I had the job of helping Mr. Fisher balance them .Longden's were responsible for quite a few of the new buildings around the 60' and 70's including the Cathedral extension also some of the University Buildings including the Hicks building and the Chemistry block.

Hi,
I was most interested in your message as it appears that you must have known my Dad, Lawrence Jackson.I would dearly love to hear about him as we were separated for many years.
You are welcome to use my Email etc address(see message to Mr Hickman above) if you wish.
Thanks ,
Barry Jackson (aged75)

is this the firm which used to be down neepsend if so my grandfather deffinately worked there till 79

When I worked for the Midland Bank in the early 1970s (the branch which is now the Banker's Draft pub) we had Longden's accounts. I remember that the firm was very carefully managed, and it had a long history, back to the 1830s/40s I think. Longdens had built the extension to the bank branch in c. 1960. At that time their HQ was in St Peter's Close (off Hartshead but hard to find!)

That's right.

I remember in my first job in the NHS (1976) when Longdens were doing a number of big construction jobs - Northern General was one and perhaps Barnsley DGH -we paid them a cheque for over a million pounds. Two of us delivered it by hand as nobody trusted the post with that kind of money.

Hi
I worked on Shirecliffe College as a concreter and scaffolder for Longden's and had the best topping off party ever!! Free booze,totally canned by 6pm was anyone else there?

hello
my son, tom hickman, omitted my father's name. John noel hancock, who was MD at Longdens until he retired early in about 1970. I have photos of him with Lol Jackson wearing a chain of office, and my Mum Betty remembers him well. Alan Hanwell took over as MD and still sends us cards, and we performed a silly pageant for Dad with Bob? and others from Longden doors in Feb 2003. Dad died in jan 2004 aged 90. Fred Hancock, my uncle worked there, and his wife is 90, living in Athens with daughter Val. Hamish, dads couisin, lives in Baslow with wife audrey. Mum was dads secretary before they married, and he had been widowed from Olga his first wife. I'd love to know more about the man and the firm. I knew Mary Longden, but never met or remembered Annie, who was Lord Mayor.
Yours, Liz Hickman of Youlgrave;)

Dear Mrs Hickman,
Thank you so much for your message;I can`t tell you what a pleasure it is to at last find someone with close connections with the firm .
Perhaps I should explain why I am pursuing this line of enquiry.
My dad started work there in1914 and left sometime after completing fifty years service.There was an item in The Star and a photo showing John presenting him with the clock he had had in his office for many years.
Sadly he and my mother separated in 1939 ,when I was six , and he was allowed to see me once a week.He was always reticent and disclosed very little of his life to me and I still do not know why my parents split up!
I am 75 years old and in poor health, but have been writng my biography,so have thought a lot about times past. It has always been a great pity that I knew so little about Dad ,but I hope to find something out by using this forum.
I know that he and Mr Hancock were close collegues.I have met him several times. After leaving Nether Edge Grammar school in1949 and before sarting work for the Inland Revenue I did a short spell of work at Longdens helping with some simple clerical work .
I saw most of the senior staff Icluding Jimmy Longden,Hamish,Percy Allen,Allan Hanwell Mr Fisher and wasimpressed by their friendy manner.
I have a photo (among others) at what appers to be a dinner where Dad is making as speech.Jack is sitting next to him and Hamish. Also oone taken at his retirement showing several members of staff.
I can scan them and send them to you if you wish ,but will of course ned you Email address.
Should youwish to contact me by Email mine is baz.jack@ntlworld.com
Do you know of a Mr Earnshaw?He used to be at GL&S and lived somewhere off Crookesmoor Road. Mother and I visited several times.
Did you ever meet my father?
We used to go to Hillsborough to see most of the home games and he used let me call in the office to collect a season ticket.
There is more I could write but will have to go now.
I would love to hear from you again.
Thank you again for being in touch;is has pleased me greatly.
Kind regards
(Lawrence) Barry Jackson

Hi. I used to work at Longdens from 1970 to 1973, first as a junior and then as a typist. I remember Fred Hancock and Alan Hanwell along with quite a few other employees. David Small who used to work in planning started a re-union for ex employees, meeting up every two years but last year there wasn't one so don't know if they are making it longer in between re-unions now. He compiled a list of employees who attended, who have sadly passed away and those that haven't been traced. Although I am not in touch with any of them I think I still have the list of employees. The only person I do see regularly is the daughter of the receptionist that used to work there, Corrine. If you want any more info on the office employees you could e mail me at cbradder@btinternet.com. Don't have any info on site personell. Good luck with your search.

Hi Chris,
Sorry to have missed you whilst at Logden's I left Sept 1968.I did not know anyone organized reunion's ,have never been contacted and haved lived at my current address since March 1966 I must have escaped the net. It would be kind of you to E-Mail me a list of names if it is not to much trouble and maybe I can give my memory a jog.I worked downstairs in accounts with Len Cooper and Violet Sanderson they are two I remember. One of the foreman joiners from that time lives in Worksop and is in his 90's by the name of Walter Askew. Will look forward to receiving your private E-Mail.
Thanks

Hi again. I've tried to send p.m. but not very successful. I've never sent one before so replying again on here. I've looked for the list and can't find it yet as not long moved home. I can probably get a copy anyway if I can't find it. I remember Violet Sanderson. Do you remember Joy Bailey, Pat(can't remember her surname but worked with Joy.) George Hirst, Terry Hornagold, John Bradder and Wilf Hible. They all worked downstairs when I started. If you send me your e-mail address I can give you lots more names and what has happended to them, especially the ones I remember and the ones I know about, but too long to write on here. I may be able to find out if there is going to be another re-union and where. Its usualy in October but like I mentioned before it was due last year and didn't hear of one. Hope to hear from you soon. Regards

Hi will send you a PM. Thanks for info

I worked for Geo Longden AND son AS an apprentice joiner from 1963--1968, i started at the Sheffield Cathedral and then on numerous contracts terminating at their joiners shop at parkwood road Neepsend. The company was never one of the best payers in the building tade but had a workforce of tradesmen seconed to none. My father (rip) was a tower crane driver for many many years and wouldn't have a bad word said against the company, he was so proud to have worked for such a prestigious Sheffield institution. I was one of the founder members of Longdens football team run by Peter Kenrick, i played a good few years and have lots of great memories. I also attended two re-unions which was brilliant to see the old faces again. Sadly lots missing.

hi ALBERT QUICKSALL the sheff wed footballer worked there as a jioner

I am trying to obtain information about "Longdens of Sheffield" who were responsible for many of Sheffield`s large building projectsCathedral ,university ,Hillsborough Cantilever Stand etc.
GEO; LONGDEN &SON Was a faily large builders in sheffield , an old friend of mine went to work for them, and that was duuring the early years of the war about19 42, they became a large building from then till about 1970 then i think it was taken over by a prefabricating firm , thats the last l heard about them. cheers Arthur.

Dear Mrs Hickman,
Thank you so much for your message;I can`t tell you what a pleasure it is to at last find someone with close connections with the firm .
Perhaps I should explain why I am pursuing this line of enquiry.
My dad started work there in1914 and left sometime after completing fifty years service.There was an item in The Star and a photo showing John presenting him with the clock he had had in his office for many years.
Sadly he and my mother separated in 1939 ,when I was six , and he was allowed to see me once a week.He was always reticent and disclosed very little of his life to me and I still do not know why my parents split up!
I am 75 years old and in poor health, but have been writng my biography,so have thought a lot about times past. It has always been a great pity that I knew so little about Dad ,but I hope to find something out by using this forum.
I know that he and Mr Hancock were close collegues.I have met him several times. After leaving Nether Edge Grammar school in1949 and before sarting work for the Inland Revenue I did a short spell of work at Longdens helping with some simple clerical work .
I saw most of the senior staff Icluding Jimmy Longden,Hamish,Percy Allen,Allan Hanwell Mr Fisher and wasimpressed by their friendy manner.
I have a photo (among others) at what appers to be a dinner where Dad is making as speech.Jack is sitting next to him and Hamish. Also oone taken at his retirement showing several members of staff.
I can scan them and send them to you if you wish ,but will of course ned you Email address.
Should youwish to contact me by Email mine is baz.jack@ntlworld.com
Do you know of a Mr Earnshaw?He used to be at GL&S and lived somewhere off Crookesmoor Road. Mother and I visited several times.
Did you ever meet my father?
We used to go to Hillsborough to see most of the home games and he used let me call in the office to collect a season ticket.
There is more I could write but will have to go now.
I would love to hear from you again.
Thank you again for being in touch;is has pleased me greatly.
Kind regards
(Lawrence) Barry Jackson

H Barry l missed part of your post before i quoted the old friend l referred to was Leslie Parker he would be a man at the time you was there he was a joiner and i think his older brother was there as well . CHEERS ARTHUR.

I worked for Geo Longden AND son AS an apprentice joiner from 1963--1968, i started at the Sheffield Cathedral and then on numerous contracts terminating at their joiners shop at parkwood road Neepsend. The company was never one of the best payers in the building tade but had a workforce of tradesmen seconed to none. My father (rip) was a tower crane driver for many many years and wouldn't have a bad word said against the company, he was so proud to have worked for such a prestigious Sheffield institution. I was one of the founder members of Longdens football team run by Peter Kenrick, i played a good few years and have lots of great memories. I also attended two re-unions which was brilliant to see the old faces again. Sadly lots missing.

hi there iworked for longdens from about 1971to 1977,i started as a labourer
thenwent onto being a tower crane driver,i worked on several sites in and around sheffield,and i remember ernest the lorry driver aslo lol.
the crane driver that taught me how to drive the cranes ,they called him
Roy Udall.there is alot of people i can remember working for longdens.

I worked for Geo Longden AND son AS an apprentice joiner from 1963--1968, i started at the Sheffield Cathedral and then on numerous contracts terminating at their joiners shop at parkwood road Neepsend. The company was never one of the best payers in the building tade but had a workforce of tradesmen seconed to none. My father (rip) was a tower crane driver for many many years and wouldn't have a bad word said against the company, he was so proud to have worked for such a prestigious Sheffield institution. I was one of the founder members of Longdens football team run by Peter Kenrick, i played a good few years and have lots of great memories. I also attended two re-unions which was brilliant to see the old faces again. Sadly lots missing.

I used to know quite a few of the players for Geo. Longden. Steve Hill. Roger Thompson, Ralph Lyons, Mick Wright. to name a few. I turned out on a couple of occassions to help out. Also I knew a man called Jack Frow who used to be Stores manager around 1966 is at Neepsend.

A man I new well in the 60s had worked for Longdens for many years (I can picture him but his name escapes me) had spoken to me about Longdens building the city hall, would that be correct, if so when? 20s or 30s?

All,

We at Longden Doors the Sheffield based manufacturer are celebrating our 175th Birthday in 2013 and are interested in any indivduals who may have any historic photos of George Longden or historic premises for example that we could borrow or if you have personal links to the Longden doors business from personal experience or relatives etc.

If so, we would love to hear from you, please contact Richard Moss via email - richard.moss@longdendoors.co.uk.

Thanks