We are trying to find people who used to meet at coles corner and hear their stories. There is a sheffield singer called Richard Hawley www.richardhawley.co.uk who is releasing an album in September called Coles Corner. We would like to hear from anyone who has memories of meeting there - maybe meeting their future husband/wife etc or if anyone has pictures of themselves at Coles Corner they would be great to see. The album is a very romantic record and the song 'Coles Corner' is about going down town in the hope of meeting someone. There seems very little written about meeting there even though over the years hundreds of friendships and lovees must have begun there. Any help would be great. thanks



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I think Coles Corner was more of a meeting place for established couples.
You would meet your girl there, but go home with her on the bus.
Perhaps there would be the occasional blind date ,But more often than not you knew who you were meeting

Coles Coler/Timpsons Corner
Timpsons Corner was for Blind Dates and Coles Corner was for established couples.

I never met a new boy on Coles corner just groups of friends and it was the tram we used to catch from there . The tram stopped on Coles corner. We used to go on from there to the pictures or dancing.
I once went into Coles wearing an orange sheath dress and a white coat with black stripes and I heard the girl on the cosmetic counter say " She looks like a belisha beacon"! They always looked down their nose at their customers even in those days.
hael

The thing about meeting new boyfriends at Coles Corner, was they had two entrances, so if you went in the entrance in Fargate,you could get a look at them before you came face to face, if they were any good you could just come out and walk to the corner, if not you'd walk away, I suppose we were rather shallow, but you didn't want to be stuck with any pot herb did you?

Ha ha very good. Where did people go once it was knocked down? was the new building used in the same way? it seems not?

We also met at Walshes, but Coles was the place, you just had to remember who you had arranged to meet there after haveing a few drinks the night before.

i use to have to go with my sister to point out her date as her eyesight was so bad and she wouldn't ewear her glasses.

Thats hysterical ! Would you mind us repeating these notes maybe on press releases about coles corner album?

Originally posted by grahamwr
Thats hysterical ! Would you mind us repeating these notes maybe on press releases about coles corner album?

My pleasure, help yourself !

Thanks very much.
I went to the central library this week - they have some fantastic photos of Coles Corner - going back over a hundred years

There are about a dozen photos on this link
http://www.picturesheffield.com/database_search.php

thats absolutely brilliant site - many thanks for reccommending it

Does anyone remember when the name of the shop changed?

Nice picture here of the original Coles, bit before my time though.

http://www.art-show.co.uk/gorman/colebros.jpg

Lovely picture just as I remember it,

Painted by Terry O'Gorman?
I used to get off the tram from work exactly where that tram is across from Cole Brothers. It came straight down from Crookes terminus to the Cathedral
I worked at the Blood Transfusion at that time, In the depot at Crookes and collecting blood at the donor place just where his 2nd tram is across from Marks.
Brings back lots of memories.
hazel

Originally posted by mikey
Nice picture here of the original Coles, bit before my time though.

http://www.art-show.co.uk/gorman/colebros.jpg

What a lovely picture mikey, i think i got a christmas card one time, same scene but with a snowfall, well it was very much like this one.

I met a lass on Coles Corner in 1952 I still meet her there to this day but now she's my wife!

Im too young to remember Coles Corner but I remember Richard from school very well. Hope the new album does well x

When I was a kid I remember going to see my aunt who used to work in the old Coles in the Shoe Department, and although I did not know it the time that is also where my future mother - in - law worked in the fur coat department.

Both used to tell stories of girls coming into the shop and looking through the front doors to see what their (I presume) blind date looked like.

When it came to my dating time the old Coles had closed so I met my girlfriends, like thousands of others, in front of the famed fishtank in the hole in the road.

Another popular meeting place was outside the big Saxones shoe shop on the high street just next to Walsh's/Rackhams

JimK - would you mind getting in touch direct about your post here - my email is graham.wrench@virgin.net
many thanks

My memory has been jogged by hearing that Richard Hawley, who used to be the guitarist in Pulp, is releasing an album called 'Coles Corner'

I know older friends and family used to talk about always using it as a meeting point, but not sure if I remember it myself. There's some talk about it on his website (which I think is richardhawley .co.uk) but was just wonderig if anyone else had any memories of this place?

Mod: Threads merged.

About 100 years ago, well it seems like it.

I used to meet my wife for lunch at Coles every Friday Lunchtime.

I travelled up by tram from Salmon Pastures school where I was on day release and she walked down from an office where she worked which was situated next to Davy's on Fargate.

he would wait for me on the corner and then we would go up to the restaurant.

There we would sit on the counter high stools and feast on pie, peas and chips which tasted great.

Mind you when you are in love and anticipate time together any food tasted good.

Coles in those days was somewhat of an institution of good taste and high standards.

If you passed Coles Corner in the evening there were always plenty of smartly dressed men and women waiting for their partners.

It was heartening to see the anticipation on their faces and the pleasure of them meeting on their dates

Thanks for the memories.

Happy Days!

Off the suject ------but I can almost smelll the coffee grindng as she walked down to Coles.
I worked very near Davys at that time. ? 1960 ish

Yes I also remember Hazel ,my mum was a silver service waitress there, so she probably served you !

Applegrim

In Davys ? (off subject )

I used to have their potted meat sandwiches They were delicious. Soppose it would be called pate now.

They were served by a waitress, think black dress white apron and head band ?? I was just in the restaurant at the back of the shop so not sure where your Mom was, silver service sounds quite posh.

hazel

Did'nt anyone meet under the clock at the GPO in Fitzallan Square?

O I remember Coles Corner so well I used to meet my then boyfriend there Saturday nights *(he was in the RAF) and proud to tell we celebrate our 50th wedding anniv this year. Good memories!

Originally posted by prioryx
Did'nt anyone meet under the clock at the GPO in Fitzallan Square?


Yes,
I used to meet my boyfriends under the clock at the GPO
more so than Coles Corner. probabley because it was nearer Ponds St.

hazel

Originally posted by prioryx
Did'nt anyone meet under the clock at the GPO in Fitzallan Square?

G.P.O. clock yes those were the days. I used to work upstairs there at the telephone exchange we telephonists used to make dates and we could always come down the stairs to get a real good preview of what we had let ourselves in for.
We would then venture up Norfolk st and into I think it was Marsdens milbar (is that rite) I know we could get tomato soup there in winter. and then we would call in at Daintey,s for some of there great toffees.
Love to hear from any ex-telephonist. Remember when we had a date with a RAF bod and get downstairs to find two satood there. had a lot of fun we id.

Hi there to Hazel nice to hear you on here again

Regards Vera.

My mum met my dad there for their first date I think.

Just to let you know many of these quotes are now on the Richard Hawley album Coles Corner that came out yesterday. 5th Sep 05.

The Forum is credited as well:thumbsup:

I emember coles corner during the second world when I spent Monday to Friday dating different girls and arranging to meet them 6pm at Coles Corner. I would then sit on the top deck of a passing tram and waves to them! Not a very gallant thing to do — but great fun.

I remember coles corner during the second world when I spent Monday to Friday dating different girls and arranging to meet them 6pm Saturday at Coles Corner. I would then sit on the top deck of a passing tram and waves to them! Not a very gallant thing to do — but great fun. I am now 76 and writing from Manchester.

Just thought I would bring this back to the top, as Richard Hawleys album Coles Corner is now released and has gone straight in at No55, should go further this week.

Guess what Hazel, Applegrim, Poppins, Jimk you guys are famous, as your quotes are on the album sleeve and the Forum gets a nice thank you mention for all the contributions.

Great album too.......

Watch the video to Richard Halwey's new single Coles Corner here, featuring the one and only forum member Toby Foster.

Although it not the real coles corner, it does give you a feel for how it must have been, meeting your date there.


If you have media player try:

http://exodus.interoutemediaservices.com/?id=bda33f52-d051-43f2-b136-21dfb8dba528&delivery=stream

If you have real player try:

http://exodus.interoutemediaservices.com/?id=ccb84b26-d79d-43b7-b9d6-723da256c1bd&delivery=stream

Heard the Richard Hawley single on Radio 2!! Excellent tune.

I've sent an email to Terry Wogan today to see if he will play the album and see if we get a mention on the programme.

7.30 to 9.30 am

Great stuff hazel, Richard is on the C list of Radio 2's playlist, so it may get played.

Its an exciting time for Sheffield music at the moment. I would love to see this track get in the charts.

Have you seen your comments on the album cover?

Not seen the comments Mikey but listened on the media player and thought it sounded good.

hazel

I hear a lot about Coles Corner but where exactly was it?

The corner occupied by the Midland bank (? HSBC ) and opposite the Cathedral
One side Church St one side Fargate. A very popular meeting place.

hazel

Richard Hawley was on the Johnny Walker show tonight playing tracks from his album and Johhny read out the now Infamous quotes from Hazel, Applegrim, Poppins, Jimk about Coles Corner.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Sheffield Forum does it again.

Listen again to the show here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/walker/

Its about 1hr 20 into the show.

When did Coles move to Barkers Pool?

excellent album. Listening to it right now.

:thumbsup:

Originally posted by chocotiger
Im too young to remember Coles Corner but I remember Richard from school very well. Hope the new album does well x

what school...i may know you

Has anyone seen the advert for Richard Hawley's dvd called "Coles Corner" Is it our Coles Corner? and does anyone know what's the connection? It looks and sounds very good, or am I the last to see it?

Memories, memories..... 'Applegrim' I wonder what your mum's name was. I used to have lunch in Davy's restaurant about three times a week, very nice but I would not call it posh! We always had the same table in the corner by the window, reserved of course, and the waitress was called Vera.
They had a three course 'special' even with the 'silver service' in those days!

I also used to have meals at Davy’s three times a week, and always on a Saturday. Does anyone remember that although Sheffield was short of restaurants before and during the war, there was a select cinema restaurant at Union Street. There as also a super fish and chip restaurnat just off the Moor. My mother worked here and usually foot the bill.
I also wonder whether I might be the ‘Sage’ of the Forum? at the age of 77.
And let’s not forget the Gaumont restaurant! Incidentally Davy’s made superb pork pies! The cheapest I think was the British Restaurant during the war.

I remember Davy's Cafe, a bit like the old Bewley's in Dublin, it was situated in the vicinity of W.H.Smith's on Fargate.

Hi I remember meeting a few at coles corner around 1957 then we would go to the Cutlers Hall dance.anyone go to Glossop road dances.and the lacarno around that time also City hall:clap:

hazel i remember it so well.there used to be crouds of people waiting and sometimes couldnt remember who i supposed to be meeting.I often used to stand on the opposite corner just to see what he looked like,if i didnt like what i see i would leave.I was supposed to meet someone one time and didnt much fancy him.My girl friends brother passed so i went to the pictures with him instead.anyone used to go to the City Hall Monday nights?Ex gleadless Valley resident also crookes,local dance then Glossop road baths Saturday night.anyone out there remember that :clap:

Hi Glen

Yes I use to go to the City Hall, Cutlers and Lacarno. I would be about 20 in 1957.
Never went to Glossop Rd though my cousin went there regularly. She and her friend always wore the same outfits.

There are threads on the Lacarno and dancing at the City hall which you will find very evocative . Poppins, applegrim etc all tell stories of walking home in stocking feet carrying their stillettoes.

hazel

Hi
Thanks for everyones input on this subject. We are talking about compiling all these memories and more that people have sent in into a small book to go with Richard Hawley's album 'coles corner'. If anyone knows of similar meeting places in other cities that would be of interest too - or just more about coles corner. cheers

Methinks Sheffield City Council could do their bit by re-naming it Coles Corner? It’s of particular interest in Sheffield, having been the meeting place for heaven alone knows how many lads and lasses!

Brilliant Idea PeterW. There must be enough partnerships started from Coles Corner - and yes the CD is brilliant! Nice one Richard.

I think the content of this thread is really sweet! I had seen the quotes used from SF as my brother bought the album for my mum a couple of months ago. I kept meaning to search on here to find the thread but completely forgot, but now I've read them all.

Coles Coler/Timpsons Corner
Timpsons Corner was for Blind Dates and Coles Corner was for established couples.

Never in a month of Sundays us gentlemen used to meet our established dates at their bus stop, Coles, Timpsons and Peter Robinsons were used for first dates so that you could stand across the road and have a butchers at what you had pulled.

On the occasions that I was stood up I often wondered if the girl standing a few yards away from me was my date attempting to have a butchers at what she had pulled.

When did Coles move to Barkers Pool?

Hi,

Probably very late with this answer. Coles opened their "new" store on Barkers Pool in September 1963. (Yes, its 43 years ago).

Not a moment too soon. Did any of you go into the old store towards the end. I'm thinking of the China department up on the top floor - under the sloping glass roof. When some heavy footed individual walked across the floor, it used to creak and some of the display fixtures would move slightly. Don't think anything ever fell off and broke.

I remember some people were very skeptical at the time about such a move. They thought Barkers Pool was too far off the beaten track to do much business.

How wrong they were and how times have changed all that area.

Regards

hazel i remember it so well.there used to be crouds of people waiting and sometimes couldnt remember who i supposed to be meeting.I often used to stand on the opposite corner just to see what he looked like,if i didnt like what i see i would leave.I was supposed to meet someone one time and didnt much fancy him.My girl friends brother passed so i went to the pictures with him instead.anyone used to go to the City Hall Monday nights?Ex gleadless Valley resident also crookes,local dance then Glossop road baths Saturday night.anyone out there remember that :clap:
looks like you followed in my footsteps Glen, as i went to all the places you mentioned, but about 10 yrs before, cheers unki arti xx.

Yes, I remember Coles Corner very well as I worked at the Ministry of Labour in West St. from 1949 to 1952. Is the building still there? By the way Peterw you beat me in age by 4 years as I am 73. I also recall Marsden's milkbar where I sampled my first milkshake and also Davys.

Yes, I remember Coles Corner very well as I worked at the Ministry of Labour in West St. from 1949 to 1952. Is the building still there? By the way Peterw you beat me in age by 4 years as I am 73. I also recall Marsden's milkbar where I sampled my first milkshake and also Davys.

My goodness, Marsden’s Milk Bar! Are you talking about the one that used to be on, I think, Pinstone Street? I used to go in there, and during the war I saw an American serviceman order beans on toast and an ice cream Sundae. When he took them to the table, he put the ice cream sundae on top of the beans on toast — then ate the lot!

Regarding age — I’m hoping to live to be 115! Not that I’m likely to make it, but one never knows!

P.S. On Monday week I will be writing to the leader of the council, suggesting a plaque to be place there as a reminder that Coles Corner was a recognised meeting place for young couples. So, if anyone is interested P.M me if your meeting resulted in marriage and it’ll give me a good argument for it.

Yes, I remember Coles Corner very well as I worked at the Ministry of Labour in West St. from 1949 to 1952. Is the building still there? By the way Peterw you beat me in age by 4 years as I am 73. I also recall Marsden's milkbar where I sampled my first milkshake and also Davys.

When you worked at the Ministry of Labour did you, by any chance, know a John Edward Marsden? He would have been in his early 50's at that time.

Yes, I remember Coles Corner very well as I worked at the Ministry of Labour in West St. from 1949 to 1952. Is the building still there? By the way Peterw you beat me in age by 4 years as I am 73. I also recall Marsden's milkbar where I sampled my first milkshake and also Davys.


Sorry, gosling,

Coles relocated in the early sixties to a new store in Barkers Pool, and the building at coles corner was replaced by a 1960's 'carbuncle'.

On the upside, thre is a heritage Blue-plaque on the wall, commemmorating the history of the site.

History will repeat istelf around the end of the decade, when Coles (now rebranded as John Lewis, having been taken over by them 40 yrs ago!) will relocate to the new retail quarter, near Wellington Street.

PT

P.S. On Monday week I will be writing to the leader of the council, suggesting a plaque to be place there as a reminder that Coles Corner was a recognised meeting place for young couples. So, if anyone is interested P.M me if your meeting resulted in marriage and it’ll give me a good argument for it.

Peter, see my post above, a blue plaque has been in place there, commemmorating the site, for at least a couple of years.

PT

Hector, I don't remember a John Marsden but I do recall and was very friendly with Betty Scrivener and Pat Featherstone, the boss in my department was Bill Hoey and his brother Frank also worked there. There were two blind telephonists - Len and Peter who loved to play tricks on us girls when we relieved them for lunch. It was a big concern in those days so we didn't come in contact with everybody.
Peterw glad to know that someone else intends living to a ripe old age, though I would be very happy with making a century.Yes that was the same milkbar and it was my uncle who was on leave at the time who took me there, his name is Alex Reith.

Peter, see my post above, a blue plaque has been in place there, commemmorating the site, for at least a couple of years.

PT

Seen it and acted on it. I’ll forget it!

Hector, I don't remember a John Marsden but I do recall and was very friendly with Betty Scrivener and Pat Featherstone, the boss in my department was Bill Hoey and his brother Frank also worked there.

Thanks gosling,
John Edward Marsden, born 1898 in Boulton, Derby, is on our family tree. Apart from having a copy of his birth certificate, all we know is that he worked for the Ministry of Labour in Sheffield. So, everytime I see 'Min of Lab' I clutch at straws....

Hector, I quite understand you clutching at straws as I am doing the same thing trying to locate anyone who I went to school with or worked with, but so far I'm having no success.Sorry I couldn't help you.

Hi Gosling
Was Les blinded in a pit accident?
Hazel

Hazel i also worked at the BTS around about 64, we had some wonderful trips out, with the blood van even tho it was hard work, oh and the overnite stopover,s especially in Skegness and Leicester, could talk for hours, happy days.

I left the BTS around 61 but we had some wonderful times.
Did you still go to Rutland, forgotten the name of the place but remember the local rugby team who used to throw a party whenever we collected blood there. Remember now it was Oakham. We stayed over for 4 nights in the local pub.
In Boston we used to go dancing at the Assembly Rooms which always reminded me of Jane Austin. Like you I could go on and on and bore everybody stiff, it was a nice job and very funny at times. The donors were a great source of admirers and Dr Boley the Director was always bringing letters down addresed to miss blue eyes etc.

hazel

Just bought the CD "Coles Corner", anyone know where the cover photography was taken. Its obviously not the real coles corner! Excellent album by the way - buy it!

Hi Hazel, I think Len was blinded in a lab accident but am not sure. I think his wife's name was Mary, she used to bring him to work and pick him up at knock off time and was a cheerful girl.It was a long time ago and maybe his name was Les, my memory is not as good as it used to be. Both he and Peter were radio hams.

Hi
Yes the cover of the album couldn't be the real Coles Corner unfortunately. It was taken outside the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough at midnight one bleak April night last year. Various sites were looked at but the SJTheatre is a fantastic building and won hands down. The other pictures on the album are in Sheffield (including thae back cover which you might recognise as the new Peace Gardens).