Who knows anything about the history of Smith's Field or Smithies Field between Petre Street and Grimesthorpe Road?
I played there and picked blackberries in the 70s and 80s, and always wondered why there was an open space of this size there, next to factories on the one side and the then new Carwood estate on the other. My family, who lived in the area before the slum clearance, remember from the 40s and 50s, and I think they mentioned sonething about a cricket pavilion.

Here's a picture (http://www.riverland.net.au/~lawelect/icons/smithfld.jpg)

Why is the field there?
Why has it never been built on?
Does anyone else have memories of it?

I think this page from the Burngreave messenger should be able to give u some answers!

Matt

http://www.burngreavemessenger.org.uk/36nov03/petre.shtml

i remember Smiths fields i used to live at 84 peter st.spent many a happy hour there,didnt need toys just our imagination.we also picked blackberries,that was mid fourties.went to all saints school.perhaps they dont want to destroy our happy little memories:rolleyes:

My Great Gran lived at 99a Petre Street ..... looking at Matt1889's link to the Burngreave Messenger, was wondering if anyone knows which junction the photo is of ..... if its Petre St & Sutherland, then I can see her house & its the only photo I've seen ... can remember playing when I was very young.

Shaun

Anyone got any more photos of Petre Street???

A few here....

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s15423

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s13206

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=u01827

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=u01843

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=t00992

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s18695

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s18711

Great pics ... thanks

Thanks greybeard for those pics,anyone else got any?

My dad used to have a corner shop on Petre Street - not sure when, probably late 40's - early 50's.

Can anyone remember it and provide any details? Think it was a sweet shop or something similar

Saxon ... do you know which part of Petre Street??? I know there was a butchers, Post Office, Tailors not sure about the others.

I'm afraid not. My dad died about 15 years ago before I became interested in the family history.

My brother's a bit older than me so I'll ask him when I see him.

I'll ask my mum if she remembers a sweet shop when I see her.

Hi there I lived on Petre st in the 70's and remember quite a few sweet shops. I lived @ no 32 and there was a shop on the junction of Maxwell street and Petre st so it could have been no 2 Petre st or no 1 maxwell street???????????Then mid way between the the corner shop and the Tailors there was another shop, don't remember the name but it always smelt fusty..............I also remember vaugely the shop on the corner of Petre street and Earldom Street I think it sold wool and kids clothes.
Does anyone rember Ellesmere school?? Loads must have gone but I never really see and mention of it I was aPupil in the early seventies and remember Miss Quebiack she was scotish. miss Gill, the Headteacher,, Miss Weaver, Miss lavender nee miss Jones.And does anyones remember Sutherland Rd baths and Mr Scott or the playground called Wembly????

Hi there I lived on Petre st in the 70's and remember quite a few sweet shops. I lived @ no 32 and there was a shop on the junction of Maxwell street and Petre st so it could have been no 2 Petre st or no 1 maxwell street???????????Then mid way between the the corner shop and the Tailors there was another shop, don't remember the name but it always smelt fusty..............I also remember vaugely the shop on the corner of Petre street and Earldom Street I think it sold wool and kids clothes.
Does anyone rember Ellesmere school?? Loads must have gone but I never really see and mention of it I was aPupil in the early seventies and remember Miss Quebiack she was scotish. miss Gill, the Headteacher,, Miss Weaver, Miss lavender nee miss Jones.And does anyones remember Sutherland Rd baths and Mr Scott or the playground called Wembly????

I lived at 179 Grimesthorpe road across from Ashmores butchers shop, I was his Saturday lad, washing his van and Triumph herald soft top. Arther Robinson was the assistant butcher.
I remember Woodheads sweet shop at the junction of roads opposite the main entrance to All Saints church. Below that you had Kays ladies hairdressers where I would pester mom for money every Saturday while she had her head cooked. Then the chemists, then the Spar shop and most important of all Gaggs chippy, extra scraps please.
The shop on the corner of Petre st and Maxwell st belonged to Palfreymans, 18 months ago we bought our latest abode from Dave and Fay Cocker, Fay was the daughter of Mr Palfreyman and I went to school with Daves younger brother Michael. We had a great time remembering Pitsmoor and its characters.
Across the road on the corner junction of Ellesmere rd and Petre st you had the Junk shop. Going back up Petre st on the right there was the fusty sweet shop and then on the corner of Sutherland rd and Petre st Fairbrothers tailors, I went to school with Janet Fairbrother.Directly across the road there was the wool shop Stringers, mum obviously got her wool from there and I got my black pumps. Further on Petre st there was a cobblers, wrapped your shoes in brown paper for collection and the smell was wonderfull. I am sure the cobbler wore a large built up shoe and had a motor bike and sidecar, his daughter went to school with us as well. Across the road at the bus stop to town was the little sweet shop where you got a quarter of midget gems in a triangle paper bag and in later years he would sell you a single ciggy in the same triangle bag complete with a match, underage of course.
The Wembley, played down there a lot too. Good times you had to behave yourselves though or the parky would be out of his snug little office to rollock you.
Sutherland rd baths, thank god for those. We spent hours and hours down there. Tony Wagstaff, John Timmins, Stu Butler, Tony Saccomando, Phillip Gill all good swimmers because of that sadist Mr Scott. I remember seeing him with his long bamboo pole with the loop on the end pushing some poor infortunate kid back away from the safety of the edge untill, it was obvious the kid was drowning, only then did he let them grab the pole to safety.I was determined this bully would not give me the same treatment so I learnt to swim with whoever would teach me in my time. You could say he got results and that was life then but I am sure some kids would disagree.
( see other comments in forum ).
I could go on and on, which I probally have allready.

Hi thanks for your great reply.We must have walked the same turf, you reminded me of a lot of other people&places.like the parky who worked the wembley playground (strange job full employment post war policy)he was Scottish i think and didn't take any shi.... rubbish.and the Junk shop on the junction of Ellesmere Rd and Petre St.Which never seemed to be open and had a large golden Labrador as a guard who would bark at anyone who came anywhere near the shop. I also rember playing football in the play ground of Ellesmere school for hours on end, if we could get a ball,and the peace gardens of the community club. And the Palfreymans who owned the corner shop.As I remember she was a small blond lady who wore glasses and he was quite tall (I was a 5 year old kid everyone's tall)and enjoyed a cigar.they also owned a Rover car I think.
I came in to contact with a family called Palfreyman a few years ago, from Eckington I wonder if their related.........

Nah den Double,
I am 51, did we tread the same turf at the same time?. I Lived at 179 Grimesthorpe rd from 1954 to 1971, 120 Ellesmere rd 73 to 75ish and Abbeyfield rd which was my first house purchase, we were there for approx five years. Left Pitsmoor around 1980 to Woodhouse. Does Tutsy ring any bells.

Do you remember the mad pavement cyclist. He use to live with his parents on the right hand side of Sutherland rd just below the jnc of Petre st. Below the old Methodist church, Boys Brigade underneath it.
Anyway he used to fly out of the house on the bike which was one of your extra heavy duty wiggys gas pipe type, complete with umpteen mirrors,bells, lights and flags of all nations wafting in the wind. He did not care who was in the way, old biddies chatting or kids playing he would just steam through the lot. He wore in all weathers, a waterproof black flying helmet and long heavy gaberdine overcoat. Even with this handicap he would pump up and down the hills of Pitsmoor, England missed out on a potential Tour De France winner Im sure of it.
The last memory I have of him I must have been around 14 and he was no young man but he was still carving up the pedestrians of Pismoor legs going fifty to dozen with that mad determined look on his face.
Just one of Pismoors many colourfull old characters.

Does anyone remember the cowley family from petre street probably around the 1930's 40's etc i would appreciate any help thanks:)

Nice to hear from you I'am only 40 so it's same place's different times although the crazy bike rider ring a bell slightly

Does anyone remember the cowley family from petre street probably around the 1930's 40's etc i would appreciate any help thanks:)

Remember a Cowlishaw family on Lyons rd.

What were the names of the Cowley family.I lived at 84 Petre st till 1949.ours was the last yard before sutherland rd.There was a fish shop on the corner,opposite was pashleys bakery,corner of Earldom Street.Regards Glenda:confused:

hi bushi I remember all of those places,I lived right next door to the tailors,Opposite was a bakery called Pashleys.Oh the tailors was a fish shop called cottons then.I also remember the fish and chip shop near all saints school ( i went there) I am looking for a photo of that junction showing the tailors shop on the corner as it was in the 40s,Anyone help me.I have been in ausie for 43years and i am having a ball finding all about the past.Thanks Glenda

I went to ellesmere rd school and remember most of the names posted by "double", I lived on grimesthorpe road just above the normanton inn and in the yard next to sellans the paper/sweet shop.I remember playing on the "wreck" as a kid that was across the road from "the tea garden terrace" pub.We used to play in the old church just inside osgathorpe park and hang around on the "devils elbow", We used to "penny for the guy" outside the buckingham pub and wait for the drunks to drop you a halfpenny or so.The woman who lived on smiths fields was called mrs taffinder, she used to work at the swimming baths with "baldy fred" and mr scott.I liked baldy fred, if you cleaned the baths sides with that pink soap, you could stay in for an extra swim

Who knows anything about the history of Smith's Field or Smithies Field between Petre Street and Grimesthorpe Road?
I played there and picked blackberries in the 70s and 80s, and always wondered why there was an open space of this size there, next to factories on the one side and the then new Carwood estate on the other. My family, who lived in the area before the slum clearance, remember from the 40s and 50s, and I think they mentioned sonething about a cricket pavilion.

Here's a picture (http://www.riverland.net.au/~lawelect/icons/smithfld.jpg)

Why is the field there?
Why has it never been built on?
Does anyone else have memories of it?I remember the pavilion used to have seats in front, watched many matches, there was a family of smiths lived in a big house at the top of the field, on grimesthorpe rd if its not been built on the decendants perhaps still own it. there was a balloon barrage at the bottom during the war Idid a bit of snogging in the sand bag shed with lovely waff called Bobby

Nah den Double,
I am 51, did we tread the same turf at the same time?. I Lived at 179 Grimesthorpe rd from 1954 to 1971, 120 Ellesmere rd 73 to 75ish and Abbeyfield rd which was my first house purchase, we were there for approx five years. Left Pitsmoor around 1980 to Woodhouse. Does Tutsy ring any bells.

Do you remember the mad pavement cyclist. He use to live with his parents on the right hand side of Sutherland rd just below the jnc of Petre st. Below the old Methodist church, Boys Brigade underneath it.
Anyway he used to fly out of the house on the bike which was one of your extra heavy duty wiggys gas pipe type, complete with umpteen mirrors,bells, lights and flags of all nations wafting in the wind. He did not care who was in the way, old biddies chatting or kids playing he would just steam through the lot. He wore in all weathers, a waterproof black flying helmet and long heavy gaberdine overcoat. Even with this handicap he would pump up and down the hills of Pitsmoor, England missed out on a potential Tour De France winner Im sure of it.
The last memory I have of him I must have been around 14 and he was no young man but he was still carving up the pedestrians of Pismoor legs going fifty to dozen with that mad determined look on his face.
Just one of Pismoors many colourfull old characters.
well after my t ime [33to48] lived on earldom st ,

Hi thanks for your great reply.We must have walked the same turf, you reminded me of a lot of other people&places.like the parky who worked the wembley playground (strange job full employment post war policy)he was Scottish i think and didn't take any shi.... rubbish.and the Junk shop on the junction of Ellesmere Rd and Petre St.Which never seemed to be open and had a large golden Labrador as a guard who would bark at anyone who came anywhere near the shop. I also rember playing football in the play ground of Ellesmere school for hours on end, if we could get a ball,and the peace gardens of the community club. And the Palfreymans who owned the corner shop.As I remember she was a small blond lady who wore glasses and he was quite tall (I was a 5 year old kid everyone's tall)and enjoyed a cigar.they also owned a Rover car I think.
I came in to contact with a family called Palfreyman a few years ago, from Eckington I wonder if their related.........WhenIwas a lad the junk shop was owned by mr andrews and did agood trade,but i recall it always shut after he died, recall all those places, lived on earldom st before and after the war

My Great Gran lived at 99a Petre Street ..... looking at Matt1889's link to the Burngreave Messenger, was wondering if anyone knows which junction the photo is of ..... if its Petre St & Sutherland, then I can see her house & its the only photo I've seen ... can remember playing when I was very young.

Shaun Hi Shaun, Yes that is the shop on the lefthand side of the picture where your Gran Mrs Clarkson lived, at the time it was a butchers shop Mr Edy ran it, the shop on the right was owned by Sam, DEMOCRITOUS, Davies, and sister Liza, where Glenda used to go and was affectionately called Blondie, Cheers Arthur.

Uncle arty.My nick name was snowball,not too long ago when i was nursing,one of my patients yelled hey snowball,i stopped in my tracks as nobody over here in Aus knew that.Strange feeling that was.:huh:

Sorry Glen [or S NOWBALL]have you got the petre st pictures yet

Pitsmoor Camera By JR Wrigley is the book to buy for all persons who have memories of the Ellesmere Area

Hi there I lived on Petre st in the 70's and remember quite a few sweet shops. I lived @ no 32 and there was a shop on the junction of Maxwell street and Petre st so it could have been no 2 Petre st or no 1 maxwell street???????????Then mid way between the the corner shop and the Tailors there was another shop, don't remember the name but it always smelt fusty..............I also remember vaugely the shop on the corner of Petre street and Earldom Street I think it sold wool and kids clothes.
Does anyone rember Ellesmere school?? Loads must have gone but I never really see and mention of it I was aPupil in the early seventies and remember Miss Quebiack she was scotish. miss Gill, the Headteacher,, Miss Weaver, Miss lavender nee miss Jones.And does anyones remember Sutherland Rd baths and Mr Scott or the playground called Wembly????
Hi That sweet shop you are talking about that smelled musty was owned by Mr Bradshaw,Then a little further up on the same side was another shop owned by a lady named Olga,cant even recall what she sold.I lived in the end yard just before Sutherland road,next door at that time was a fish shop.desparately looking for photos of that corner,!!!!

Pitsmoor Camera By JR Wrigley is the book to buy for all persons who have memories of the Ellesmere Area

RE-smiths field, we used to live on Edgar st, just off petre st,smiths field used to have a smashing cricket pitch we all used to go and watch them play mom,dads kids usually on a sunday,when we kids had had enough we used to go 'uptop' where the garden allotments were and pick blackberries then try to get back before the players retired to the hut to have their tea and cakes if we were lucky we might be able to scrounge a piece of cake or a sandwich,
when we played on the field mostly on the pitch ,the guy who used to roll the pitch to make it nice and flat used to come over the wall from the houses ajoining the pitch possibly Carwood terrace,balling and shouting ,but before he was anywhere near the top of the wall ,we were away ,he had no chance,
My mom also used to send my for six pennorth of mint from the houses on carwood terrace who had long gardens and grew mint,herbs, potatoes ruhbarb,two sticks and a paper of sugar to dip it in on the way home ,LOVELY what more can a lad want ??
ciao, Ian m

Greybeard, the photo's are great, we lived where the tram is on the petre St & Canada St terminus picture for 5 years, before coming to Oz in 1970.
Jack & Elsie owned the beer off shop on the corner of Canada St at that time
& Billy limbs old butchers shop was at the corner of Carwood Rd & Petre St, it was run by Billy's old apprentice Jack when we were there, I never realised that trams ran on there, how did people get to Grimesthorpe if that was the terminus ?
Sounds like a question for you Arthur.

I never realised that trams ran on there, how did people get to Grimesthorpe if that was the terminus ?
Sounds like a question for you Arthur.

The trams ran along Upwell street and Page Hall road off Brightside lane and on to Firth Park.

Hi,
Your photos are great, the WOODHILL HOUSE is that the one that used to stand at the top of Smiths field it used to back on to a road , can't remember the name
ciao, Ian m

Hi.
The PALFRYMANS had a good looking daughter ,can't remember her name though I know she had lovely blonde hair,her dad was a tall gent with a small black 'tach'.
ciao,Ian m,
I've just found out her name was Fay, These memories of our past are great.

Sorry, it was Roy & Elsie who owned the corner shop at the bottom of Canada St, Roy then became a postman around the Firth Park area in the 70's.

Mr Palfreyman was the one who put me off dummies as a child. When I was little I pointed at them hung behind his counter to my mum and asked for one. He said “You don’t want those – the cats have peed on them.” I never touched one again.

In the sixties we used to use the Palfreymans telephone at the back of their shop in emergencies. This was back in the days when nobody had their own phone. I can remember Mrs Palfreyman coming to our house very late at night to tell us to come to the phone as one of our relatives needed to talk to us urgently. It was the only way they could get in touch with us.

I remember she had a small dog that could tell the difference between margarine and butter – it wouldn’t eat bread and margarine.

The trams ran along Upwell street and Page Hall road off Brightside lane and on to Firth Park.
Hey I can remember the times you are talking abut. I went to hucklow Road School.................but maybe before your time. I worked at ESC if you remember that in 1957.................then i moved on
but I can remember getting on the tram in Sheffield City Centre and then having a long walk home to Shire green.

The trams ran along Upwell street and Page Hall road off Brightside lane and on to Firth Park.
Hey I can remember the times you are talking abut. I went to hucklow Road School.................but maybe before your time. I worked at ESC if you remember that in 1957.................then i moved on
but I can remember getting on the tram in Sheffield City Centre and then having a long walk home to Shiregreen. I am not shefflad but my son is................not sure how to register on this site.
My son must have left himself logged on and then I came on and replied to something he had put on .....Well see how things work

I've just come across this thread and found it most interesting. Smith's field was also my playground in the late 40's and early 50's, especially in winter for the sledging. Smth's field or the proper name Woodhill is an historical site as it was the only access from Attercliffe across the River Don and over to Osgathorpe. The main footpath being Carwood Road. Only recently some firm applied to build on the top of the field along Grimestyhorpe Rd. and the Council knocked it back because Grimesthorpe Road is heritage listed as an old Roman ridge.
I lived at Petre Street post office from 1941 to 1961 which was on the corner of Lyons Street and Petre Street number 160. Wondered if anyone knew the name of the barber whose shop was just down fron Sutherland Rd near a hardware shop, he gave me many a short back and sides in my younger days. On the subject of Mr Scott at the Sutherland Road baths, he was my swimming teacher for about 5 years, from his accent I think he must have come from around Newcastle area. Also the baths attendant "Fred" his name was actually Fred Shaw and lived at the top of Danville St. When he wanted us out of the pool there was nothing worse than being blasted with the high pressure cold water hose or flicked with a wet towel if we gave hime some back chat.

Who knows anything about the history of Smith's Field or Smithies Field between Petre Street and Grimesthorpe Road?
I played there and picked blackberries in the 70s and 80s, and always wondered why there was an open space of this size there, next to factories on the one side and the then new Carwood estate on the other. My family, who lived in the area before the slum clearance, remember from the 40s and 50s, and I think they mentioned sonething about a cricket pavilion.

Here's a picture (http://www.riverland.net.au/~lawelect/icons/smithfld.jpg)

Why is the field there?
Why has it never been built on?
Does anyone else have memories of it?

ye me and my older bro and sis used to play on ther e wen we wa kids in earley 70`s.we lived on thorndon road

Who knows anything about the history of Smith's Field or Smithies Field between Petre Street and Grimesthorpe Road?
I played there and picked blackberries in the 70s and 80s, and always wondered why there was an open space of this size there, next to factories on the one side and the then new Carwood estate on the other. My family, who lived in the area before the slum clearance, remember from the 40s and 50s, and I think they mentioned sonething about a cricket pavilion.

Here's a picture (http://www.riverland.net.au/~lawelect/icons/smithfld.jpg)

Why is the field there?
Why has it never been built on?
Does anyone else have memories of it?

My Dad and I always used to watch the cricket just off Petre st, this would be about 1949/50

Great reading on this thread and that last picture is priceless with it's little winding footpath. The houses that were on Grimesthorpe Rd can just be seen, I'm sure those houses must go back to the late 1800's or early 1900's. The cricket pitch as I recall was on the lower part of that field, the pavillion was a single storey wooden structure along with a tea shack where anybody could buy jugs of tea for about sixpence or so. The seating was a plank on stumps of wood running around the outfield. Even then I don't think the buildings were in the best shape but they did paint them all on somewhat of a regular basis. Then during the war there was the 'Barrage Baloon' site which I'm sure took up all of that area for the duration. If you were on that field and looked towards the houses I think you could see the back of the 'Hallcar', many a crisp and lemonade I had in the backyard of that pub on a warm Summer evening out with my parents. Petre St along that open area had the 'Champion Scissor' factory like forever before any other business's sprang up. I'll bet it's not around anymore.

Anyone recall a family called McCarthy possibly in the 30's - attended st. catherines r.c. church - boys were alter boys, frank, bernard and jimmy and also a girl

In addition to my original post, I wonder who owned that land? I'm thinking it might have been owned by the Duke of Norfolk or still owned for that matter. Apparently he owned land galore in and around Sheffield (to the tune of thousands of acres). When you purchase a house it was either Leasehold or Freehold and it was my understanding if your house was purchased Leasehold, all the groundrents that you pay periodically wind up in the coffer's of the likes of the Duke of Norfolk. I'm just throwing it out there, does this still exist in this day and age?

The Duke of Norfolk seemed to own almost all of Pitsmoor so the name crops up on sets of deeds if you get to look at them. The freeholds and ground rents have been all sold off now to private investors. Lots of street names came from Norfolk sources.

Developers are planning to build blocks of flats on Smithies Field now: see http://www.burngreavemessenger.org/archives/june-2008-issue/

(Quote)"Going back up Petre st on the right there was the fusty sweet shop and then on the corner of Sutherland rd and Petre st Fairbrothers tailors, I went to school with Janet Fairbrother.
Tony Wagstaff, John Timmins, Stu Butler, Tony Saccomando, Phillip Gill all good swimmers because of that sadist Mr Scott."

I could have sworn Janet's family name was Fairweather, as I went to school with her younger sister Julie. Maybe my mind is playing up. I lived on the same road as John Timmins on Alliance Street before they were demolished, and Stu Butler and his family lived near us on the new Carwood Estate. A real trip down memory lane.

I have fond memories of watching cricket at the ground (Smithies Field) just off Petre Street in the 1940s, when I was walking from Newhall to my grandmother's house in Danville Street. It was great fun to stop off and watch, and I think sometimes I even forgot that I was supposed to be on my way to Gran's! I remember Petre Street in those days had a local hero called Hancock, a ginger-haired lad. I think he was a fast bowler, but, anyway, he was a matchwinner on a number of occasions, I'm sure. Just up the road from the ground, there was a corner shop in the window of which there was always a team sheet and details of the next match. I have a feeling that Hancock had some connection with this shop. I wish I could find out more about him, and I winder if there are any of his relatives still around?
Incidentally, the references to Woodhill, a house on the top side of the ground, in fact on Grimesthorpe Road, reminds me that a great uncle of mine was, or so I was told, the occupant of either this house or one close to it. His name was James (Surname) and he was melting shop manager at Firth's in about 1896-1900. He married a woman from Upper Langwith in Derbyshire, and this woman was my grandfather's sister. I remember that when I was told about the Grimesthorpe Road link, I went to look at the house, and, frankly, it didn't seem half as grand as I had imagined it.

Many years ago I lived below Smith's field and my wife dug up a workhouse penny in the garden.

I was told that people on the way to the workhouse used to call at the miner's cottages on Passhouses Road where they could get a free drink and some bread which was left out for them by Mr Pass the mine owner.

From there they would cut over Smithies fields on their way to the Union Workhouse at Fir vale down below.

The workhouse token must have been dropped by some unfortunate on his way from there after earning it, working in the workhouse fields or there.

I believe they could be exchanged for bread at the workhouse.

Love to hear more about this and Smithies Field.

Good post, FHain

Every year we paid our ground rent to the Duke of Norfolk through his estate office on Staffford Road off City Road.

Happy Days! PopT

[QUOTE=fleetwood;
'Hallcar', many a crisp and lemonade I had in the backyard of that pub on a warm Summer evening out with my parents.

I used to take our kids there too when it was warm.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j134/skippy_63/scan0026.jpg

[QUOTE=fleetwood;
'Hallcar', many a crisp and lemonade I had in the backyard of that pub on a warm Summer evening out with my parents.

I used to take our kids there too when it was warm.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j134/skippy_63/scan0026.jpg
i still have many a lemonade in there trev (HIC) did you ever slide down smithies field on cardboard.and am i right in thinking there was also horses on the field.can remember the pigeon huts before they built bicc cables.taffinders had one of the houses that over looked smithies field.

[QUOTE=rf2690;4273066][QUOTE=skippy;4263631]
Trev, did you ever slide down smithies field on cardboard.and am i right in thinking there was also horses on the field?

Never went there sheila until after we got married, the Hallcar was my local from 65 to 70, then we came here.

[QUOTE=skippy;4263631]
i still have many a lemonade in there trev (HIC) did you ever slide down smithies field on cardboard.and am i right in thinking there was also horses on the field.can remember the pigeon huts before they built bicc cables.taffinders had one of the houses that over looked smithies field.

i remember sliding down the field on cardboard nearly split my difference :hihi::hihi: mi mam almost had a breakdown when she saw the blood 15 stitches and 5 weeks later i were back on cardboard as though nowt had appened:rolleyes::rolleyes:

(Quote)"Going back up Petre st on the right there was the fusty sweet shop and then on the corner of Sutherland rd and Petre st Fairbrothers tailors, I went to school with Janet Fairbrother.
Tony Wagstaff, John Timmins, Stu Butler, Tony Saccomando, Phillip Gill all good swimmers because of that sadist Mr Scott."

I could have sworn Janet's family name was Fairweather, as I went to school with her younger sister Julie. Maybe my mind is playing up. I lived on the same road as John Timmins on Alliance Street before they were demolished, and Stu Butler and his family lived near us on the new Carwood Estate. A real trip down memory lane.
Hi Shelby I used to live at number 84 Petre St right next door to where the tailors were but then it was a fish shop owned by the Cottons.

I have fond memories of watching cricket at the ground (Smithies Field) just off Petre Street in the 1940s, when I was walking from Newhall to my grandmother's house in Danville Street. It was great fun to stop off and watch, and I think sometimes I even forgot that I was supposed to be on my way to Gran's! I remember Petre Street in those days had a local hero called Hancock, a ginger-haired lad. I think he was a fast bowler, but, anyway, he was a matchwinner on a number of occasions, I'm sure. Just up the road from the ground, there was a corner shop in the window of which there was always a team sheet and details of the next match. I have a feeling that Hancock had some connection with this shop. I wish I could find out more about him, and I winder if there are any of his relatives still around?
Incidentally, the references to Woodhill, a house on the top side of the ground, in fact on Grimesthorpe Road, reminds me that a great uncle of mine was, or so I was told, the occupant of either this house or one close to it. His name was James (Surname) and he was melting shop manager at Firth's in about 1896-1900. He married a woman from Upper Langwith in Derbyshire, and this woman was my grandfather's sister. I remember that when I was told about the Grimesthorpe Road link, I went to look at the house, and, frankly, it didn't seem half as grand as I had imagined it.
------------------------
HI REDFYRE, I TOOK A TRIP AROUND BURNGREAVE AND GRIMESTHORPE
ON WEDNESDAY 24TH NOV. I REALLY DID ENJOY THE DAY OUT.
I WENT ON SMITHS FIELD TO LOOK BACK ON THE GOOD TIMES ,
WE USE TO WATCH CRICKET ON A SUNDAY .
WHEN THEIR WAS`NT A MATCH ON WE WOULD GO FURTHER OVER THE
FIELD WITH MATES, WAIT FOR LASSES TO ARRIVE <<NO WE DID`NT >>.
THEY WOULD BRING THERE RADIO`S AND SIT LISTENING TO THE POP
MUSIC, MUCKING ABOUT--SLIDDING DOWN THEM HILLS ON THE HOT
SUMMERS. GOOD DAYS.

I have fond memories of watching cricket at the ground (Smithies Field) just off Petre Street in the 1940s, when I was walking from Newhall to my grandmother's house in Danville Street. It was great fun to stop off and watch, and I think sometimes I even forgot that I was supposed to be on my way to Gran's! I remember Petre Street in those days had a local hero called Hancock, a ginger-haired lad. I think he was a fast bowler, but, anyway, he was a matchwinner on a number of occasions, I'm sure. Just up the road from the ground, there was a corner shop in the window of which there was always a team sheet and details of the next match. I have a feeling that Hancock had some connection with this shop. I wish I could find out more about him, and I winder if there are any of his relatives still around?
Incidentally, the references to Woodhill, a house on the top side of the ground, in fact on Grimesthorpe Road, reminds me that a great uncle of mine was, or so I was told, the occupant of either this house or one close to it. His name was James (Surname) and he was melting shop manager at Firth's in about 1896-1900. He married a woman from Upper Langwith in Derbyshire, and this woman was my grandfather's sister. I remember that when I was told about the Grimesthorpe Road link, I went to look at the house, and, frankly, it didn't seem half as grand as I had imagined it.

Hello All, in particular RedFyre,

I am trying to find out more about about a place my grandfather (Edward Sanderson 1920-2007) used to visit a long time ago and to talk about a lot - Woodhill Hall. The name may be slightly wrong, but "Woodhill" certainly featured, and it was definitely in Sheffield. The family themselves moved to Penistone, probably in the early 1920s. I know very little about Woodhill other than the stories he used to tell my mother, we have tried to trace the location but without success. Apparently a grandparent of his (my great-great-grandfather and mother) lived there. I have very few details, but if anyone has any memories of a place known as Woodhill Hall/Place/House in Sheffield, I would love to hear them.

Kind regards,

Eleanor Sanderson

Hi eleanor ....... Regards Woodhill House/Hall could this be the place you are searching for.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=s5+7hq&sll=37.09024,-95.712891&sspn=32.252269,56.601563&ie=UTF8&ll=53.401064,-1.451612&spn=0.011847,0.043945&t=h&z=15&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=53.400994,-1.451791&panoid=mSnlMOwGYOFeVPCPAaO_7g&cbp=12,72.74213649948615,,1,3.5937499999999956
as you can see its still standing. You can compare with a old photo at the "Sheffield Libraries" website, here:
http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=y01133

Also there is quite a bit on the "Sheffield History" site at:
www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk ....... just put "woodhill" into the search box.

Hello All, in particular RedFyre,

I am trying to find out more about about a place my grandfather (Edward Sanderson 1920-2007) used to visit a long time ago and to talk about a lot - Woodhill Hall. The name may be slightly wrong, but "Woodhill" certainly featured, and it was definitely in Sheffield. The family themselves moved to Penistone, probably in the early 1920s. I know very little about Woodhill other than the stories he used to tell my mother, we have tried to trace the location but without success. Apparently a grandparent of his (my great-great-grandfather and mother) lived there. I have very few details, but if anyone has any memories of a place known as Woodhill Hall/Place/House in Sheffield, I would love to hear them.

Kind regards,

Eleanor Sanderson

Hi Eleanor,
I think that if you look at the references on Sheffield History you will get some answers. It is very interesting to read your comments, for my grandfather's sister lived at Woodhill after marrying Lewis James, who was the melting shop manager at Firth's in the 1890s and up to around 1913. They eventually left Woodhill and moved to live out near Retford, just off the A1.

Eleanor, Just as a postscript, if you have any problem on the Sheffield History, it is "Woodhill House, Grimesthorpe/Pitsmoor" that you need to find on "Sheffield Places --their history". I am not sure whether you will have to register, but if you do it is worth it --it complements this SF site in many ways.

The topis is here on Sheffield History

http://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=4763&hl=woodhill

That should be a big help to Eleanor, PW1867. That 1867 has a familiar look about it, somewhow!

Hi there, I lived at Pitsmoor on Sorby Street, I remember Sutherland Road Baths. going in a little shop that sold penny loaves, I can smell them now, they made them on the premises, Yes I remember Mr Scott at the Baths,

Hi I also lived on Jamaica St, Earldom Drive, Burngreave Bank, Ellesmere Rd before taking a pub The Shakespeare,The Meadow St Hotel and now The Punchbowl in Crookes.
I remember Scotty he taught me to swim in 1964 all my family have lived in Pitsmoor at some time.
I am going down to the Royal Oak tomorrow to have a drink and see if there are any old faces about

Ah such pleasant memories, any one remember Billy Wainwright?

Hi I also lived on Jamaica St, Earldom Drive, Burngreave Bank, Ellesmere Rd before taking a pub The Shakespeare,The Meadow St Hotel and now The Punchbowl in Crookes.
I remember Scotty he taught me to swim in 1964 all my family have lived in Pitsmoor at some time.
I am going down to the Royal Oak tomorrow to have a drink and see if there are any old faces about
hi kevin or is it tracy.:thumbsup:

Hi its Kevin, Who is is this?:huh:

Hi its Kevin, Who is is this?:huh:
a kids xmas party in the crown some years ago,the initial is S.you know us all .get ya thinking cap on.:thumbsup:

Still got no idea need help:huh:

a kids xmas party in the crown some years ago,the initial is S.you know us all .get ya thinking cap on.:thumbsup:

Is that when I got bashed memory not too good:help:

Is that when I got bashed memory not too good:help:

5 sisters no brothers lol

5 sisters no brothers lol

Come on help me out :help:

Come on help me out :help:

"spike"hunsley street

I've just come across this thread and found it most interesting. Smith's field was also my playground in the late 40's and early 50's, especially in winter for the sledging. Smth's field or the proper name Woodhill is an historical site as it was the only access from Attercliffe across the River Don and over to Osgathorpe. The main footpath being Carwood Road. Only recently some firm applied to build on the top of the field along Grimestyhorpe Rd. and the Council knocked it back because Grimesthorpe Road is heritage listed as an old Roman ridge.
I lived at Petre Street post office from 1941 to 1961 which was on the corner of Lyons Street and Petre Street number 160. Wondered if anyone knew the name of the barber whose shop was just down fron Sutherland Rd near a hardware shop, he gave me many a short back and sides in my younger days. On the subject of Mr Scott at the Sutherland Road baths, he was my swimming teacher for about 5 years, from his accent I think he must have come from around Newcastle area. Also the baths attendant "Fred" his name was actually Fred Shaw and lived at the top of Danville St. When he wanted us out of the pool there was nothing worse than being blasted with the high pressure cold water hose or flicked with a wet towel if we gave hime some back chat.
Hello everyone I've just stumbled across this thread, I've been trying to find the name of the cricket club or team that played on the Petre Street ground. I remember watching them as a youngster in the early 50s. I also used to play on Smith's field as a child. Can anyone remember the garage that did motor repairs, I think it was the Sedan Garage on the corner of Grimesthorpe Road and Ellesmere Road? Untill today I had never heard of it being called Woodhill. I remember the big house at the corner of Grimesthorpe Road and Torbay Road, but never knew it had a name.

Hello everyone I've just stumbled across this thread, I've been trying to find the name of the cricket club or team that played on the Petre Street ground. I remember watching them as a youngster in the early 50s. I also used to play on Smith's field as a child. Can anyone remember the garage that did motor repairs, I think it was the Sedan Garage on the corner of Grimesthorpe Road and Ellesmere Road? Untill today I had never heard of it being called Woodhill. I remember the big house at the corner of Grimesthorpe Road and Torbay Road, but never knew it had a name.

I think the club was known simply as Petre Street Cricket Club. As I have mentioned before, I used to drop in at the ground when I was a boy, back in the mid to late 1940s and the team had an all-rounder called Hancock, a man with ginger hair, who was quite the hero at that time. I never did learn any more about him, but I am fairly sure he lived at a shop just up the road from the ground, on P Street. This shop was on a corner, and, in the summer, it always had a team-sheet in the window with a list of players chosen for the next match. I have a feeling that the man Hancock was married to the daughter of the shop's owner.
I didn't know that hillside on which the ground stood was called Woodhill, but, when you think of it, the name makes sense. In the days before the area was developed, you can imagine it was covered in trees. And, of course, the house overlooking the valley at that point --the house that stood on Grimsethorpe Road-- was known as Woodhill. There are some references to this house on Sheffield History.

5 sisters no brothers lol
have you got it yet kev.another clue i have a daughter called gaynor.:thumbsup:

I think the club was known simply as Petre Street Cricket Club. As I have mentioned before, I used to drop in at the ground when I was a boy, back in the mid to late 1940s and the team had an all-rounder called Hancock, a man with ginger hair, who was quite the hero at that time. I never did learn any more about him, but I am fairly sure he lived at a shop just up the road from the ground, on P Street. This shop was on a corner, and, in the summer, it always had a team-sheet in the window with a list of players chosen for the next match. I have a feeling that the man Hancock was married to the daughter of the shop's owner.
I didn't know that hillside on which the ground stood was called Woodhill, but, when you think of it, the name makes sense. In the days before the area was developed, you can imagine it was covered in trees. And, of course, the house overlooking the valley at that point --the house that stood on Grimsethorpe Road-- was known as Woodhill. There are some references to this house on Sheffield History.
Hi Redfyre, Thanks for the information. I can't believe I lived about 2 to 3 hundred yards from this house and didn't know it was called Woodhill. I will have to ask my Father, who is still going strong at 88, if he remembers the name Woodhill. Thanks Again.

"spike"hunsley street
hi kev,its sheila was in the pub that xmas.have you got me now.:thumbsup:

Hi Sheila got you now it took me some time but got there in the end.
How is everyone saw Gaynor in Royal Oak sometime ago do you still go in the Normanton the last time I was in the Normanton was after my mums funeral in November.
And as for Spike what a character.:hihi:

Hi Sheila got you now it took me some time but got there in the end.
How is everyone saw Gaynor in Royal Oak sometime ago do you still go in the Normanton the last time I was in the Normanton was after my mums funeral in November.
And as for Spike what a character.:hihi:
yeah still go in normanton kev,were all fine.will be up to see you at the punch bowl now weathers picking up.sheila:thumbsup:

Hello everyone I've just stumbled across this thread, I've been trying to find the name of the cricket club or team that played on the Petre Street ground. I remember watching them as a youngster in the early 50s. I also used to play on Smith's field as a child. Can anyone remember the garage that did motor repairs, I think it was the Sedan Garage on the corner of Grimesthorpe Road and Ellesmere Road? Untill today I had never heard of it being called Woodhill. I remember the big house at the corner of Grimesthorpe Road and Torbay Road, but never knew it had a name.

DOMMI, the garage was Warriner's. Between the petrol pumps on Grimesthorpe Road and the repair sheds on Sedan Street was a flight of steps which we kids utilised as a shortcut.
In the fifties a gentleman named Mr. Wright lived in the big house at the top of Smith's field. He used to walk along Sedan Street on his way home from All Saints church and was reputed to always put half a crown in the collection plate

A few here....

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s15423

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s13206

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=u01827

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=u01843

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=t00992

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s18695

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s18711

Great photos how did Imiss this thread? too much ale probley.

great photos how did imiss this thread? Too much ale probley.
--------------
hi pigeon, looking through the photos, off petre st,
the shop on the corner did it become a seconed hand shop
befor it was knocked down.

--------------
hi pigeon, looking through the photos, off petre st,
the shop on the corner did it become a seconed hand shop
befor it was knocked down.To be honest I cant remember it was a sweet shop and at night a big dog slept in there it used to go crazy if you went to door and banged on glass (on way home from baths):hihi:

--------------
hi pigeon, looking through the photos, off petre st,
the shop on the corner did it become a seconed hand shop
befor it was knocked down.

Yes Brian it did,bus stop was outside it before it went up the hill to top off sutherland rd.run up there a few times when i've seen petre st bus down at the gower st bus stop.lol.sheila.Happy New Year Brian.

Yes Brian it did,bus stop was outside it before it went up the hill to top off sutherland rd.run up there a few times when i've seen petre st bus down at the gower st bus stop.lol.sheila.Happy New Year Brian..
-------------------
hi shelia, yes i bet you were a good runner, in the first picture you
can see the church spire up where you live- are i`am right- not sure.

did you have a good un for 2011 bye.

old photos of smithies field.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/dido3438/balloon1.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/dido3438/balloon2.jpg

I like those photos Dido, especially the second, which shows our (current) house in the background (not Wood Hill, but Meadow Head, according to the 1853 map of the area). Any chance of posting a higher resolution copy?

The future of Smithies field is currently up for discussion. Next week (13th Jan) we should have some indication of what's planned, as there is a meeting with the developer that is currently building 44 houses, 90-odd flats and a 70-odd bed care home on the stretch of Grimesthorpe Road where Wood Hill house used to be. Hopefully, the field will be left intact (apart from the massive bulldozer tracks currently on it and the damage due to a grass fire last summer), as it is green belt.

Hi ya arfer mo, just been going through threads and seen your photo
of the smiths field, on the left at the top was mrs gladies taffender
house i think it was a 12 roomed house sumut like that.
It did belong to the duke of norfolk and the land of smithes field, i also lodged there for some years and it was a great house.
The thing is, have you been on grimesthorpe rd lately, they have biult
houses and flats facing the road on where taffendres house was.
They started from the last house on the right of your picture.
They are ready for letting anytime now.
Did you live near there.

My grandaunt Phillis Beeston nee Moore & her husband Edwin Beeston had a bakers/confectioners at 209/211 Petre St which I think was maybe on the corner of Petre St & Carwood Rd. They had it in the early part of the 19th century perhaps up to shortly before the 2nd war.
My dad Jim Moore was born at 40 Jamaica St & the family moved to 309 Petre St in 1931. Grandad Harry Watson Moore died in 1945 but Grandma Mary Ann Moore lived there until the houses were demolished as did my uncle, Harry Watson Moore who lived at 305. My grandma couldn't cope with losing her home & died soon after moving from there into a home on Barnsley Rd.
Anybody know when the houses on Petre St were demolished - was it about 1974 ?

We called Smith's field 'Smickies' and we used to search for marbles in a company's ash tip at the bottom of the field.