Hello, i write from Italy.
Some days ago, while I was tidying up the garden of the country house were I'm going to live, I found an old shovel. On the iron part, close to the handle, there's an inscription:
"1941 - Skeleton & Co. - Sheffield - AM"
The letters "AM" are surmounted by a symbol looking like a stylized crown.
At http://www.thermos.ancona.it/images/upload/shovel.jpg you can see a photo (i'm sorry about the quality but it's not easy tu put a shovel in a scanner).
I think it's something left here by the troops during the war front shifting to north.
Can anybody say something more to me about this shovel?
Thanks in advance.

Sorry!!! I read "Skeleton" instead of "Skelton".
Is this "Skelton" factory still active?

If my memory is correct,back in the 1960s/70s their used to be a Garden Tool factory,somewhere on chesterfield road at heeley.Sheffield, I'm pretty sure it was called skeltons.
Hope this helps bubba, chow Steve

hi,yes i seem to think it would be the old skelton works at heeley

Skeltons was a general steel manufacturer situated on prospect road,"above where the car lots are now". depending on the condition of the shovel,you have a piece of sheffield history the likes of which will never be seen again. Try get a shovel from B&* to last 60+ years.:D

Originally posted by Viper17
Skeltons was a general steel manufacturer situated on prospect road,"above where the car lots are now". depending on the condition of the shovel,you have a piece of sheffield history the likes of which will never be seen again. Try get a shovel from B&* to last 60+ years.:D I used to work at Spear and Jackson in 1975/76 at the top of Prospect Road but cannot remember Skeltons being there.
They were taken over by a French firm whos name i cannot remember.

The AM surmounted by a crown means Air Ministry, although I have only seen this before on electronic equipment. Presumably the shovel was made as part of an Air Ministry contract.

C. T. Skelton @ Co. Ltd were a well known firm of edge tool manufacturers in the war years. They made large quantities of spades and trenching tools for the forces, also, special spades made of non-magnetic alloys for the use of bomb disposal personel. They produced also thousands of drop forgings, including parts for the Daimler scout car, Napier Sabre aero engine,shell bases, and forgings for parts of the Mulberry harbour.
After the war they went back to tool and cutlery manufacture.

my great grandfather Fredrick Skelton was the brother of Charles Skelton who founded the C.T. Skelton company...he immigrated to the U-S in the late 1880's where he worked in shovel making, creating plants through Pennsylvania, New York State and in Ontario, Canada where he eventually settled. Fredrick and Charles were 3rd generation steel and farm tool makers. I would love to know more about the history of Charles who stayed in Sheffield and continued the family business there.

Skelton and Co sighns can still be seen if you were to walk down a pathway called Skellys bridge. This runs between Comet on Guernsey rd and the bottom of Gleadless rd.

I'll have to put it on my list of things to see if I ever get the chance to visit the Sheffield area. Thanks.

Trade Mark

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee164/pick110/skeltontools.jpg

hey, thanks for the view...the Skelton's on my side of the Atlantic continued in the shovel business until 1930.

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/Bellman222/Picture1200.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/Bellman222/Picture1218.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/Bellman222/Picture1217.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/Bellman222/Picture1200.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/Bellman222/Picture1218.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/Bellman222/Picture1217.jpg

You can just see the words SPADES SHOVELS on the first pic.

Thanks very much for those pics...I'm going to make sure my brother's see them too.

Thanks very much for those pics...I'm going to make sure my brother's see them too.

I am one of jmans brothers and I too would like to thank you for those pictures, as well I'd like to comment that they are quite similar to the plant that once stood here in Hamilton Ont

A bit off topic this-----but connected ! A couple of pals of mine from school, in the '50's, used to tell us about the delights of ' Skelly's ', the little path mentioned above.

Apparently, lots of teenage boys and girls used to meet on there, especially on dark, winters' nights. I used to be green with envy, listening to these lurid accounts and wished we, too, lived in Heeley; of course we DID have our Frog Walk at Hunters Bar but Skelly's sounded more exciting for some reason !

A bit off topic this-----but connected ! A couple of pals of mine from school, in the '50's, used to tell us about the delights of ' Skelly's ', the little path mentioned above.



Its proper name is Cutler's Walk...an ancient right of way from the time Lower Heeley was entirely rural.

A bit off topic this-----but connected ! A couple of pals of mine from school, in the '50's, used to tell us about the delights of ' Skelly's ', the little path mentioned above.

Apparently, lots of teenage boys and girls used to meet on there, especially on dark, winters' nights. I used to be green with envy, listening to these lurid accounts and wished we, too, lived in Heeley; of course we DID have our Frog Walk at Hunters Bar but Skelly's sounded more exciting for some reason !

I spent many hours down Skellys as a teenager, there would be 10-15 boys/girls they were great times (1970s) Its changed a little now the bridge has been raised/rebuilt for safety. There are also small changes to walls for flood defence. Here is a couple of intresting pics. The plaque has some history of the area and hope you can read it.http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/Bellman222/Picture1203.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/Bellman222/Picture1223.jpg the bridge http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/Bellman222/Picture1220.jpg

C. T. Skelton @ Co. Ltd were a well known firm of edge tool manufacturers in the war years. They made large quantities of spades and trenching tools for the forces, also, special spades made of non-magnetic alloys for the use of bomb disposal personel. They produced also thousands of drop forgings, including parts for the Daimler scout car, Napier Sabre aero engine,shell bases, and forgings for parts of the Mulberry harbour.
After the war they went back to tool and cutlery manufacture.

Thank you for that very interesting information especially regarding the non-magnetic alloys.
I have often thought about how the problem was solved and I never knew the answer. I frequently past the works sign at one time. I would think that Comet or Halfords on Queens Road, Sheffield. Now occupy the land where the works was.

Thanks for the photographs, ' Only Me ' and the info,. ' Greybeard '. Believe it or not, despite hearing all about the ' love life ' on ' Skelly's ', I've never, ever walked through it and wasn't even sure where it was exactly !
Sometimes a name, like a perfume, can bring back a flood of memories.

Thank you for that very interesting information especially regarding the non-magnetic alloys.
I have often thought about how the problem was solved and I never knew the answer. I frequently past the works sign at one time. I would think that Comet or Halfords on Queens Road, Sheffield. Now occupy the land where the works was.

The place that stood where Comet is now was called Spaffords (my dad worked there) to get to Skeltons you could go down the gennel at the side of commet. Also you could get to Skeltons by walking up the side of the bridge pub (Gleadless rd/Heely bottom) and a short walk up the hill and skeltons and skellys (Cutlers wlk) can be viewed towards your left. Hope that helps Albert :)

The AM surmounted by a crown means Air Ministry, although I have only seen this before on electronic equipment. Presumably the shovel was made as part of an Air Ministry contract.ive got a slaters axe marked similarly,with the war office broad arrow stamped on it dated 1945,made to last in those days.....

The place that stood where Comet is now was called Spaffords (my dad worked there) to get to Skeltons you could go down the gennel at the side of commet. Also you could get to Skeltons by walking up the side of the bridge pub (Gleadless rd/Heely bottom) and a short walk up the hill and skeltons and skellys (Cutlers wlk) can be viewed towards your left. Hope that helps Albert :)

Thank you. Memory!!
Skeltons would be the works on the left side after going from the Bridge Inn, (along Gleadless road?) and turning left and up and over the hill to Haverlock Bridge.

What did Spaffords make? I can remember it and the terrace houses though I don't think I ever went along the gennel.

Has anyone information on the route of the River Sheaf walk that is mentioned, Please.

Can you remember Harry Sherburn, Colin Wragg, Ron Wharton they lived in Heeley.

Thank you. Memory!!
Skeltons would be the works on the left side after going from the Bridge Inn, (along Gleadless road?) and turning left and up and over the hill to Haverlock Bridge.

What did Spaffords make? I can remember it and the terrace houses though I don't think I ever went along the gennel.
Can you remember Harry Sherburn, Colin Wragg, Ron Wharton they lived in Heeley.

Its possible you might have been able to get to skeltons from Haverlock bridge (Prospect rd) but im really not sure. I think the main entrance was maybe nearer that little pub next one up from the Bridge inn on Gleadless rd. I can remember my dad made files at Spaffords but im sure they were general tool makers including the making of nails. They also had a small furniss i beleave my dad would work in. Sorry Albert i dont recall those names. I actually lived near Lowfield school after our house was cleared for demolition on Abbeydale.

Its possible you might have been able to get to skeltons from Haverlock bridge (Prospect rd) but im really not sure. I think the main entrance was maybe nearer that little pub next one up from the Bridge inn on Gleadless rd. I can remember my dad made files at Spaffords but im sure they were general tool makers including the making of nails. They also had a small furniss i beleave my dad would work in. Sorry Albert i dont recall those names. I actually lived near Lowfield school after our house was cleared for demolition on Abbeydale.

One thing that you could try to obtain if possible from your father is his own and/or anyone else's memory's of working in these smallish firms written down using a word processor.

What the Owner(s) was/were like etc along with the Manager, Foreman and Charge-hand.
Anything that will interest others in years to come.
So that means, anything and everything about anybody and everybody.

I'm going to start a thread on that shortly.

I remember as a young lad playing in the derelict Spaffords and Johnstons next door to it, they were flattened sometime in 83/84 and a B&Q (before the new one), Comet and a firm called Jupiter was built however Jupiter only lasted a few years.

[QUOTE=JManCan;3254156]my great grandfather Fredrick Skelton was the brother of Charles Skelton who founded the C.T. Skelton company...he immigrated to the U-S in the late 1880's where he worked in shovel making, creating plants through Pennsylvania, New York State and in Ontario, Canada where he eventually settled. Fredrick and Charles were 3rd generation steel and farm tool makers. I would love to know more about the history of Charles who stayed in Sheffield and continued the family business there.[/QUOTE=Sir Charles Thomas Skelton 1833 - 1913

Further to your quest for knowledge on Charles Thomas Skelton he was not only a successful businessman but also a local politician and Alderman, rising to be Mayor of Sheffield in 1896/7 when Sheffield town was granted the status of City. Thereafter Mayors are, to this day, given the title of Lord Mayor. Charles was conferred with a knighthood, soon after, by Queen Victoria so became Sir Charles,

From my research into 1851 Census records Charles was born in1833/4 Masborough near Sheffield the son of William b.1813 Durham, Spade & shovel Manufacturer in Sheffield. I suspect William & Ralph Skelton b.1836 were brothers as they were both from Durham 100 miles north of Sheffield & each married girls from Masborough. Ralph is shown in the 1852 Trade Directory & in the Kellys Trade Directory of 1893, Trading as Ralph Skelton & Sons also Charles T Skelton is Treasurer of the Attercliffe Club.

1851 Census Household

William Skelton Head- of Durham, Co. Durham. Spade & Shovel Maker
38
Eliza Skelton Wife- of Masbrough nr. Sheffield
39
Charles T Skelton Son- of Masbro’ nr. Sheffield
17
Eliza Skelton Daughter- of Attercliffe Sheffield
10
Harriet Skelton Daughter- of Sheffield
8
Fredrick Skelton Son- of Attercliffe Sheffield
4
Emma Skelton Daughter- of Staveley Derbyshire
7 Mo

1861 Census Household
Charles Skelton Head- of Masbro’ Spade Maker
27
Emma Skelton Wife- of Owlerton, Sheffield.
28
Samuel Skelton Son- of Sheffield.
1 Mo


1871 Census Household
Charles T Shelton Head- of Masbro’ nr. Sheffield. Living at 56 Thurlwell Rd. . Master Spade & Shovel Manufacturer Employing 30 Men & 16 Boys 37
Emma Shelton Wife- of Owlerton, Sheffield.
38
Samuel E Shelton Son- of Sheffield.
10
Cecil Shelton Son- of Sheffield.
7
Arthur Shelton Son- of Sheffield.
5
Charles E Shelton Son- of Heeley, Sheffield.
under 1 month



1881 Census Household
Charles T. Skelton Head- of Masbro’ Sheffield. Living at 11, St. Barnabas Rd . Manufacturer of Spade, Hay & Manure forks & kindred Tools . Employing 56 Men 33 Boys & 7 Women 47
Emma Skelton Wife- of Owlerton, Sheffield.
48
William Simmons Skelton Son- of Sheffield. Commercial Traveller. (Spades & Forks)
22
Sam Edgar Skelton Son- of Sheffield. Works Cashier (ditto)
20
Cecil Skelton Son- of Sheffield. Grocers Assistant
17
Charles E. Skelton Son- of Owlerton Sheffield
10
Gulielma Skelton Daughter- of Owlerton Sheffield
8
Lucy Mary Skelton Daughter- of Owlerton Sheffield
7


1891 Census Household

Charles T Skelton Head- of Masbro’ nr. Sheffield, Living at 11, St. Barnabas Rd . Manufacturer of Tools Horticultural Implements 57
Emma Skelton Wife- of Owlerton Sheffield
58



1901 Census Household

Charles T Skelton Head- of Masbro’ nr. Sheffield. Living at Meadow Bank, . Meadow Bank Rd, Spade & Tool Maker 67
Emma Skelton Wife- of Sheffield
67

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1851 Census Household
Ralph Skelton Head- of Durham Spade Maker employing 4 men & 2 Boys
35
Frances Skelton Wife- of Masbro’ nr. Sheffield
37
Charles Skelton Son- of Attercliffe Sheffield
7
Frances Skelton Daughter- of Attercliffe Sheffield
5
Ralph Skelton Son- of Attercliffe Sheffield
5 Mo


1871 Census Household

Ralph Skelton Head- of Durham Spade & Shovel Maker
55
Elizabeth Skelton Wife- (Probably 2nd) of Attercliffe Sheffield
59
Charles Skelton Son- of Attercliffe Sheffield Spade & Shovel Maker
27
Ralph Skelton Son- of Attercliffe Sheffield Spade & Shovel Maker
20
John Maltby Son in Law- of Attercliffe Sheffield Engineer
25
Frances Maltby Daughter- of Attercliffe Sheffield
25

1881 Census Household
Charles Skelton Head- of Attercliffe, Spade & Shovel Maker employing 8 men
37
Helena Skelton Wife- of Manchester
26
Samuel Robt. Skelton Son- of Attercliffe Sheffield
4
Jennie Skelton Daughter- of Attercliffe Sheffield
2
Harriet E. Skelton Daughter- of Attercliffe Sheffield
1

1891 Census Household
Charles Skelton Head- of Attercliffe Shovel Maker
47
Helena Skelton Wife- of Manchester
36
Samuel S Skelton Son- of Attercliffe Sheffield, Clerk
14
Jennie Skelton Daughter- of Attercliffe Sheffield
12
Harriet E Skelton Daughter- of Attercliffe Sheffield
11
Frances E Skelton Daughter- of Attercliffe Sheffield
9
Ralph S Skelton Son- of Attercliffe Sheffield,
7
Charles Skelton Son- of Attercliffe Sheffield,
5
William E G Skelton Son- of Attercliffe Sheffield,
5/12



To add to other comments regarding the Factory C T Skelton it was founded about 1851 as it celebrated its centenary, I think, in 1951. It was located on an approx 5 acre site in the base of a former quarry at the bottom of Prospect Road at its junction with Gleadless Road, the main entrance archway gate at the end of a short cul-de-sac (Sheaf Bank just off this junction) has since been demolished, along with other bits of the factory and the main forge at the far end of the site. The rest of the Factory building is still standing but has been split up to house independent industrial units and businesses.
The site runs along the bank of the river Sheaf hence the company site was also known as “Sheaf Bank Works”. The Spafford and Johnston factories were located on the other side this river and Railway line where the Halfords, Comet & Dunelm Mills Stores are located today

Skellys manufactured a very wide range of Edge tools: agricultural, building & horticultural, that were exported all over the world including shovels, spades, forks, rakes, hoes, scythes, shears & small garden implements.

Charles had a goatee beard so the company logo was a "Goat's head" and the products were sold under the "Goat Brand" name.

In 1921 the factory suffered a very serious fire, said to have been caused by sparks from passing railway engines igniting the roof of the wood sore & machine shops, destroying a very large section of the factory, said at the time to have been one of the greatest fires to have occurred in peace time in Sheffield. As mentioned elsewhere Skellys also made different forgings for the WW11 effort.

Contrary to other comments Skeltons, a very successful & profitable manufacturer of high quality tools, was sold to Spear & Jackson, a competitor Edge & Garden tool company in about 1959 and was later incorporated into a merger with Eva Industries based in the Midlands which also manufactured Garden & Hand Tools, to form a new division with Thomas Elwell as Spearwell. Sadly it was not a successful merger and by the time it was decided to demerge Spearwell, the Skelton factory had already been closed and its manufacturing facilities dispersed to other factories in the Eva Group by about 1968.

Confirming other comment there was also a secondary entrance further up Prospect Road.

I still have a copy of the Centenary brochure somewhere which I could try to take copy extracts to email to you if you wish to send me your email address, as I have not worked out how to load photos to this web site. Regards John.
]

To JB of Dore

I have read with great interest your thread re Skeltons. I am descended from Charles' sister Elizabeth and would be very interested to have any information you might have about the family and the factory. I happened to go past it on the train last week and spotted it for the first time - there is a 'To Let' board on the side, I hope it doesn't get demolished. It was clearly Skeltons though.

I have just joined the forum in order to reply so do please get in touch.

My mother worked at Skeltons (1945/50). When I finished at school my friend (LF) and I used to walk from Prospct View alongside the River Sheaf, towards Skelly's Bridge. Up above us were windows. From the windows my Mum and friends lowered goodies, on a string. Perhaps a sandwich or bun or biscuit. Those days a real treat, taking into account rationing.

Thank you for that very interesting information especially regarding the non-magnetic alloys.
I have often thought about how the problem was solved and I never knew the answer. I frequently past the works sign at one time. I would think that Comet or Halfords on Queens Road, Sheffield. Now occupy the land where the works was.

No, the other dide of Skellys Bridge, over the river.

To JB of Dore

I have read with great interest your thread re Skeltons. I am descended from Charles' sister Elizabeth and would be very interested to have any information you might have about the family and the factory. I happened to go past it on the train last week and spotted it for the first time - there is a 'To Let' board on the side, I hope it doesn't get demolished. It was clearly Skeltons though.

I have just joined the forum in order to reply so do please get in touch.

Hello Vindiva,
Sorry to have taken so long to reply, this is not a page I browse very often so only just picked up your message.

I don't think I can offer much more as I did not work at the company although I used to visit from time to time many years ago when my Grandfather was Chairman & Managing Director & my Father was Works Director (he also went on to be a Director of the amalgamated company of Spearwell until Skeltons was sadly closed down in the late 60's.

The remaining building is now occupied by several disparate businesses but I don't know who owns it, so can't comment on whether it will continue to remain in its present state or eventually be demolished. I imagine the "to let" notice would suggest there are vacant units available, which is not very surprising in this depressed economic climate.

As a matter of interest there was a photo of a Skelton ladies hockey team published in the Saturdays Sheffield Star Retro Section a few weeks ago.

If you do have any specific questions, I will try to answer them.
Best regards
John