i remember the Frecheville Original Productions pantomimes from the war years and shotly afterwards. They were as good as any professional show, and much appreciated in those days of austerity.Henry Boots had built a private estate on what was then Birley Moor of about 1700 houses. The Community Association was formed with a panny a week subscription from residents. The estate had its own bowling green, tennis courts, fishing pond several shops on Birley Moor road. a club and a pub. Nearby walks were to Birley wood, later converted to a golf course
An annual carnival was held with floats from local organisations. The Community had all sorts of affiliated groups using the committee roms and facilities. Garages were provided for rent next to the centre, although I would guess only about 1% of the population owned a car.
We kids played out seemingly all day with no suggestion of danger and the scholl took all children from reception to leaving at 16. The 11 plus enabled many Frecheville kids to go to either Dronfield Grammar, or Eckington Grammar then at Halfway and now sadly demolished. My father worked at the Corporation Electricity Dept on Commercial Street and had to walk to the Intake tram terminus for transport to work He was also in the Frecheville Home Guard and did his bit on anti-aircraft at Brinsworth in the war years.
Frecheville was gradually surrounded in a pincer movement by Sheffield development, and the green fields which surrounded us became Birley, ase Green and Hackenthorpe.
Do any of your readers remember Frecheville in its heyday Do let us know

With regard to the Frecheville Community Association, a friend of mine, an old Frechevillean now resident in Australia would be interested in carrying out a sociological investigation into the nature of the First National Housing Trust.We remeber the BBC having broadcat a programme about the estate in the 1960s, I think. Many blamed the eventual demise of the association on the arrival of T.V in the early 1950s when people no longer had to make their own entertainment but became the couchpotatoes which many of us are today If anyone can give us any unformation we would indeed be grateful

I recall the excellent pantomimes they used to put on in the late fifties and the Dame always seemed to be played very well by a chap called Fred Bloor.

Fred Bloor was the dame in later years. I think he worked as a milkman, but the dame I remember in the later years of the war was Dennis Marsden. I believe many years later he ran the Post Office at Todwick Other comics were a Cockney named Albert Frost and a plumber named Bert?Ransome? They were a hilarios twosome. Shelagh Lynes dancers provided the chorus girls at one stage

I live on Frecheville now and have done for the last 20 years. I have often wondered about the history of the estate. Is it right that all tenants had to provide referenced to rent on the estate?

You'll be pleased to know that the Community Centre still perform pantomines there and the Carnival is a regular feature of the year. I know, I live on one of the cul de sacs near the pond.

A lot has changed on the estate now, most of the houses have been sold off. We still pay our £7.99 a year ground rent to The First National Housing Trust though.

I would love to hear of any other memories you have of the estate.

a queery for all any old folk freschvillians. there was once some kind of water wheel mill just off the junction where the noahs ark pub is now, in the oppsosite direction of the hollin bush. what was it for and who owned it, it's important for me to know. I think they built an estate on it a few years back

I was born in a house on Smalldale Road, Frecheville, so missed out on the "select days". However, my parents were involved with the Community Centre - in fact it was where they did a lot of their courting. My Dad was in the Pantomime Society, usually playing the baddie! Coming full circle, my brother & I are both in the Pantomime Society now - we have just done "Panto at the OK Corral" I met my husband at the Community Centre as he was (and still is) the Stage Manager.

My Dad says the Panto used to run for 3 weeks during the war, and the queue for tickets went halfway round the building! He also remembers a plane crashing in the fields behind Thornbridge Drive - this must have been before the Birley estate was built!

If you need information about Frecheville, you could do worse than contact the Community Centre, as I think they may have some old photo's of Frecheville, and know a bit about Henry Boots etc.

The Community Centre is still going strong, with Panto, Drama Group, Carnival, Badminton, Old Time & Sequence dances and LIne Dancing to name but a few.

hi just joined the forum although I was not actually here in wartime Frecheville my grandparents and dad were.
They lived in a new Henry Boot house number 2 Youlgreave drive, next door to a family called Chambers. My grandad Arnold Roberts (now deceased) played Cricket for Frecheville and in his later years used to be the scorer. My dad Ray Roberts continued with cricket at Frecheville becoming a deadly (so Im told) bowler and he is now one of the longest serving members of the club. He stills visits and has many friends connected with Frecheville Brian Hobson for one.
Dad was only 7 when 2nd world war broke out but talks about good friends and neighbours at Frecheville.
He attended Frecheville School, and his parents both lived there until they died.
Alison Hallam (nee Roberts)

This forum is excellent. I live in Frecheville now and it's really funny learning what the area used to be like. And I've never heard the word "Frechevillians" before, that's cool. I was wondering if anyone has any photographs of the area from the early days. I'm doing a project of now and then and any photos would be fantastic. I did find some pictures if other people are interested. On gleadless.com I think it is, there's an plan aerial view of Frecheville pond, which is called a Resevoir. Thanks for any help. Oh and does any one know where the name Frecheville originated?
linkstar1989@aol.com

When I attended Frechville school around '47/48, I was in a Form that used to be in one of the rooms in the Community Centre, the teacher was Mr Sykes.

Oh and does any one know where the name Frecheville originated?
From 'Images of England - Around Hackenthorpe' by Leonard Widdowson (http://www.play.com/play247.asp?source=327&page=title&Cur=257&r=BOOK&title=202624&tduid=9de8013449d61ee7ca8b0bde81101f76):

"Its signboard [The Frecheville pub on Birley Moor Crescent] shows the coat of arms of the Frecheville family, who were lords of the manor at Staveley. It was Mr Charles Boot's firm that built the 1,600 houses of Frecheville and who chose the name, but there is no evidence that the Frechevilles of Staveley ever owned land on Birley Moor, so the name given to Frecheville remains something of a mystery."

The book has several pictures of Frecheville, such as the changing looks of the Co-Op and The Spa Club/The Sherwood, the community centre, the carnival and some of the community's residents from around the 50's, so I'm sure those of you in this thread would find it interesting. I sound like I'm trying to sell it don't I?! It is a good book - it's really interesting having grown up in Hackenthorpe, so it's good to see what it and the surrounding areas looked like some years back.

I grew up in Frecheville, family moved there in '69 for ten years; was a cracking place to live as a child - the pond (much wilder and unkempt then), bowling green, tennis courts, community centre with its sweet shop, hardly any cars on the road so could play football, cricket & ride bikes without concern, gennels (sp?) to race go-carts (sledging in winter), top hills near birley school, playing out till late, the carnival - perhaps not in its hey-day but much better than when I last saw it about two years ago. Absolutely brilliant - it was almost paradise for a little boy.

Can anyone shed light on a question for me? I have a vague recollection that whilst me and my friends were playing on the grassy area adjacent to the community centre, between what was the bowling green and the rear of the houses on Churchdale Road that stand to the right of the community centre as you face it, we discovered what appeared to be a doorway in the side of the bank that sloped down to the rear gardens of these houses. It was very overgrown and we didn't get inside. Does anyone remember if there might have been an air-raid shelter on that site?

I lived in Frechville from the 50's upto about 71. If I am following your description correctly the door is/ was to the right of a driveway going into a carpark on the right of the centre. I believe it was originally a bombshelter for the adjacent house - put it this way my mates & I got a flea in the ear from the bloke that lived there for messing about in his garden. Bizzare what you sometimes remember isn't it!

The lady talking about her father & grandfather is correct about their cricketing reputation, spent many hours watching them play.

This is fasinating! I've lived on Freceville (Bottom end) for 5 years now and I find all this local history brilliant. Apparently there is an old boy who lives near me who knows everything there is to know about this area. I hear he has found an old roman/viking sword in his back garden which is held in Weston Park meuseam.

What I have heard is that Freceville gets its' name from a Norman duke who helped William the Conqueror and was given land in this area as a reward. The builders of the estate learned of this and decided to name it after him. Don't ask me if it is true or not though

Heard the same story about the name myself, think there is another earlier post on its origins.

Couple of questions

- where is this ''bottom end'' never heard the term before.

- do they still fish in the pond behind the centre?

Sorry, by 'Bottom End' I mean down towards Normanton Springs rather than up towards the shops.

my mum has lived in Frecheville most of her life and has always said it was meant to be built a bit like a French Village with the trees lining each road side

yes they still fish there

I have a few of my Dads photos from Frecheville Carnival, early 60's. Problem is don't know how to put them on here.

We have always referred to the part of Frecheville that is downhill from Birley Moor Road as "the bottom side", its just geographical rather than derogatory.
There is a book about Hackenthorpe & surrounding areas & my picture is in it - my only claim to fame!

- do they still fish in the pond behind the centre?
Yes they still fish in the pond.

Thanks for that on the air-raid shelter, glad it wasn't just memory playing tricks on me.

Does anyone know anything about the Frechville Towns womens guild??

My Dad is a Frechevillean, and I was born (1966), bred and is still there, and I also call myself a Frechevillean when people ask where I live. Does anyone remember the little shop where the garages used to be at the top of thornbridge drive? a lot of people seem to forget that it was there. My grandad used to tell me when I was young that they was a giant plug in the middle of the pond! I always thought he was pulling me leg, until recently I was watching a documentry about this lake, the council was clearing it out and was searching for the plug, and they found it too! My dad used to tell me that a small part of the pond was made as a paddling pool. Remember the millstones which originally built the pond up? We used to skate on the pond in the winter..then get chased off by the cops, I remember a old relation to a friend of mine walked across the pond while visiting without realising she was walking across a pond! seeing it was covered with ice and snow!

Hi im new to this so not sure what im doing, but i just wanted to let you know that Dennis Marsden is my mums cousin, she was also on the pantomime her name then was Susan Thorpe (now Rodgers), she has lived on the Frecheville estate (Hopefield Avenue) for the last 30 years. I (Helen Longden - nee Rodgers) was also on the panto around 15 years ago and now my 6 year old daughter has just joined and had her first rehersal for this years panto which is Goldilocks and the three bears

Hi - I've only just found this thread and have recently been trying to find some info on Frecheville.

I went to Frecheville Infant School in 1959/60, even though I lived on Quarry Vale (at the bottom of the hill) because my doctor classed it as a 'fresh air school'.

I remember some of the teachers - Miss Beale (who loved cats and was as wacky as..) Miss Selby the headmistress (who hit me because I wouldn't eat my tomato at lunch time!). Mrs Maxwell with red hair - doing a handstand in her dress - you can imagine the view!!

I don't remember the pantomime but I do remember a ballet coming to perform in the assembly room - it was The Red Shoes - not sure if I am imagining that it had Moira Shearer!

The last time I visited was 1982 and took some photos - I didn't get time last year when I was there. Does the School still exist?

After that I went to the new Frecheville Junior School - at the bottom of the hill.

Mr Sykes taught there also and so did Mrs Sykes and I think at least one of the their children went there.

I have a nativity play photo which I think is from the infant school - I can remember some of the names - Linda Cundy, Stephen Fish, Sean (shaun?) Barnes. When I find the photo again I might remember some more names.

not quite fecheville, but being a frechvllian used to walk to the 95 bus terminus and buy my sweets and my comics from jacks arcade...any one remember it?

Remember the old grocery shop at the end of Thornbridge Drive with junction of Hopefield Avenue.It was actually called The Diary in the early days and was operated by Mr.Credland for many years.He had a Boomerang bubbly machine on the wall outside and we devised a scheme to empty the contents with the handle for just an old penny!
Arr,memories!

not quite fecheville, but being a frechvllian used to walk to the 95 bus terminus and buy my sweets and my comics from jacks arcade...any one remember it?

Yep , remember Jacks Arcade very well.It was originally in a wooden shack facing the Riley Snooker place in a roadway that went into a coal yard.My dad used to buy his green un there every saturday night as we went up to the Rex cinema.When the brick arcade was built at Intake terminus I am sure he moved into there.

Sorry to drag up old thread but just found it. Lived on Frechy from 60-79. Used to go to the Community Centre loads with mu mum and saw all of the pantomimes. Entered the fance dress at the carnivals and rode on the lorries. It was a great place to live and still is a solid working class area with a few good pubs.

Still go back quite often as my family still live there. Obviously don't remember the war years but remember my uncle giving me a map showing all of the bombs that fell on Sheffield and loads fell over this area as the planes dumped them on their way out of the city apparently.

Also, at Frecheville Comp the big athletics/cricket field had a row of air raid shelters which were used for smoking/groping sessions for the more adventurous.

I lived at the 'bottom end' and used to play on the 'bank' and the red rocks. Never went home in the holidays unless it was for food. I wish my son could have had the freedom that I had as a kid. It was a magical time.

my gran and grandad lived there from the 40s to late 70s.they had to be vetted to live there,the women got the name"sheffield ladies in the hats"!ella biggin,fearnlys,mr and mrs reed,elsie farehurst,they were all refered to as mr or mrs.all lived on hopedale rd.an eccentric old lady called miss dyson gave piano lessons in her creepy old house.sadly i think she developed dementia-as we now know it as!

The Frecheville Estate ,initially built by Henry Boot pre-second world war,indeed had a system where you had to be personally vetted by the First Housing Committee before they decided to let you have a house on the estate !

Oh WOW, just found this site. my grandparents were the very first to move in on Hopefield Ave and my mum and dad lived next door when they got married. I have the Original Site Plan of Frecheville before it was built and it shows the farm house that was used as the community centre when Frecheville was first built. It is now the Chapel on the corner of Churchdale and Hopefield. My maiden name was Orio we lived at no 21. and I was on the pantomimes that you all remember. David Tipper did the lighting and I am still in touch with some of the other girls. Oh happy days, of Carnivals and the Fair that came. I am now 63 and live in Eckington but often go for a walk round the pond, so many memories of my teenage years and who can forget the Rock Club - well a lot of us still meet up.

Nice to know that so many people think of Frecheville so fondly. Though there have been many changes over the years, one constant still remains; the Pantomime Society are still going strong at the Community Centre, and will be performing "Puss in Boots" in February (21st - 26th), tickets now on sale!

Who's dead Sultana? hope you don't meand David Tipper. and I will be getting some of my friends to come with me to the panto, wow that will be weird. last time I was on the Panto (chorus line) was 1960 - god I'm old!!!

Talk about weird - just logged on for first time ever - had to go and look in the mirror just to make sure - you only posted it 3hrs ago !!! - enjoy your Panto !! D.

Happy memories. anyone remember Lorraine Ibbotson who was the lead dancer - I know she went to Paris to work at the Follis but not heard since, still in contact with Josie Harrison and Mollie Sherwood who were also in the chorus line, my fingers are still sore sewing all those clothes we had to make, some very weird and wonderfull. I remember
Aladin and 'Widow T****y' falling over on the opening night and Buttons 'throwing a tantrum' He said we made too much noise in the dressing rooms!! We were12 years old- what did he expect?

Yes, Lorraine & Angela Ibbotson were still in panto when I first trod the boards as second principal girl in Jack & the Beanstalk. a very long time ago.

Happy memories. anyone remember Lorraine Ibbotson who was the lead dancer - I know she went to Paris to work at the Follis but not heard since, still in contact with Josie Harrison and Mollie Sherwood who were also in the chorus line, my fingers are still sore sewing all those clothes we had to make, some very weird and wonderfull. I remember
Aladin and 'Widow T****y' falling over on the opening night and Buttons 'throwing a tantrum' He said we made too much noise in the dressing rooms!! We were12 years old- what did he expect?

Yes Laughter, now you've mentioned her, I remember Lorraine Ibbotson. She was in my year group at Frecheville Sec Mod School. I believe she joined the Bluebell Girls and I'm sure I recall seeing her on TV in the 60's - I think it was on "Sunday Night at the London Palladium".

I can 't remember wartime Frecheville but just after the war, 1945-6, I 'd be 4 years old and I have a sister 11 years older than me. We lived then just off Richmond Road. I very clearly remember her taking me [ in a 'tansad' sometimes ? ] to Frecheville from Richmond Road.

We 'd walk down Hunter's Lane, stopping sometimes at a little house-cum-shop for a cool, soft drink. Then along that road to the Rex cinema, turn left, down the hill, up the hill and, hey presto, Frecheville ! For a 4 year old, at that time, it was a sort of mini-holiday ! The area all seemed clean and fresh-----even the name implied THAT !

Roughly in the middle of all the houses was a pond where kids sailed boats and caught tadpoles. I can 't remember much else-----mainly the fact of just ' going to Frecheville '.
Innocent, simple pleasures ......amazing how they stick so vividly in the memory, though !

Happy memories. anyone remember Lorraine Ibbotson who was the lead dancer - I know she went to Paris to work at the Follis but not heard since, still in contact with Josie Harrison and Mollie Sherwood who were also in the chorus line, my fingers are still sore sewing all those clothes we had to make, some very weird and wonderfull. I remember
Aladin and 'Widow T****y' falling over on the opening night and Buttons 'throwing a tantrum' He said we made too much noise in the dressing rooms!! We were12 years old- what did he expect?

Hazel - sorry, unable to respond to you until I achieve my 5 but will work at it - good to hear you are all still around !D