Just wondering when the Ex-pats on the forum left this fair city? & is your new life what you expected / hoped for?
Are any of you living in perth wa?
Cheers

Left on V.J night 1946 only went back once the driving scared me to death they all drive on the wrong side ,in both directions

1951. Emigrated to Manchester, Lancashire. Turned the heathens into Christians and I’ve never looked back. Still have family links with Sheffield and visit frequently.

Hi Tintsexpert
left Sheffield 1993 went to Leicester for 10years then India and finished up living here in Perth WA

Left the City and England on Easter Monday 1974

Left Sheffield in November 1974 for Australia (Sydney), wanted to come back home for months but finally settled in. Will always miss my hometown tho' but now most of our family are here.

Left Sheffield and England in 1956 . While I have never been back to Sheffield , we have visited friends in London a few times . Married a Canadian girl 42yrs ago and we now live just north of Toronto in Holland Landing , Ontario .

Left Sheffield in September 1970, missed family and still do, although we are in touch constantly by email, now retired and reside 10 minutes drive from the beach & one and a half hours south of Sydney, a dream come true, better than I ever thought it would be.
Three weeks in Sheffield in 1991 confirmed that we had done the right thing.

left Sheffield September 1967 for British Columbia Canada. Now living in Victoria (the beautiful capitol city- by- the- sea.) Have visited uk many times, and always go back to Sheffield where family are. Settled here now with our own families, but always miss "home" and the people.

We've got relatives in Perth, going to see them later this year, & they are willing to sponser us. I think it would offer a lot more oprtunaties for our 2 kids. So just wondeing what the benefits / downsides are?

Perth (Aus) new Zealand and Canada do not have the rich history & closeness of Britian,nor the major turmoil & racial problems that you seem to be going though.I visit all 3 befor deciding on Canada ,for some people can be a little boring,but with a vast difference in areas and lifestyles to choose from ,and in most areas the housing is very cheap compared to Britian I would not go back or change,Just remember where you bring up the kids & g-kids is where you stay for ever ,so choose wise

Left in 75 and moved to Norfolk.
Been in the frozen north since 83.
Miss Hendersons Relish, Stones Bitter, watching United, Yorkshire bluntness, Sheffield people the whole bl**dy works.
:sad: :sad:

Left Sheffield in September 1970, missed family and still do, although we are in touch constantly by email, now retired and reside 10 minutes drive from the beach & one and a half hours south of Sydney, a dream come true, better than I ever thought it would be.
Three weeks in Sheffield in 1991 confirmed that we had done the right thing.
hi Skippy - I haven't been back to UK yet - but I am a sheffield girl - was going to visit my mum and sister over there but will wait another year before making the journey. I am in Canberra.

Sarah

left Sheffield for Devon1981. "Thatchers Britain" and Tebbits urge "get on your bike and find work" Fortunately I got out before the systematic and vengefull destruction of the northern Labour seats by the Torys'
1984 Sydney Australia and never looked back. Visited Sheffield in 1996 and wondered why I had missed it so much, then realised it was not the place I missed but being a teenager there in the 60's-70's. Sorry to you all but it's a sad dump and has gone so far down hill I could never face going back again.

left Sheffield for Devon1981. "Thatchers Britain" and Tebbits urge "get on your bike and find work" Fortunately I got out before the systematic and vengefull destruction of the northern Labour seats by the Torys'
1984 Sydney Australia and never looked back. Visited Sheffield in 1996 and wondered why I had missed it so much, then realised it was not the place I missed but being a teenager there in the 60's-70's. Sorry to you all but it's a sad dump and has gone so far down hill I could never face going back again.
HEAR HEAR I TOTALLY AGREE

left hillsborough sheffield 1967,worked all over uk with my job and have been settled in lancashire for 30 odd years. go back to Sheffield lots of times to see relations and love to go, however i honestly do not think i could live there again.
If i was 30 and not 60 i would move to Australia, i went to see cricket there and loved the culture, the people, the weather. The only thing they dont do well is brew beer, i thought the ale in Perth/Adelaide was poor, however the wine is delicious.

I left in 1972..to live and work in Stockton on Tees and the North East, it took a while to learn the language, and I can now speak a bit of "Geordie" like (I dinnana wotyis torkin aboot) if you can't work this out it means "I can't understand you"

It was the early 60's when I flew the coop. I went to Sevenoaks on a two month contract job and apart from one visit in '61 I've never been back to Sheffield.

I saw my old school pal Arrodbo in Sheffield in 2003. The first time since leaving for the Navy in 1960. Like him, I miss the old place, but would never return to live, even though I have 2 grown sons and a grandson there. Life in Kent is a million miles away from the drudge of a faded old city. Having spent all my service career away from home, I used to long to get back on leave, but that was to a Sheffield that was vibrant and a pleasure to live in. My roots will always be there, but never to return.

HEAR HEAR I TOTALLY AGREEI live near Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, and Sunderland, and "I" have to admit that these 3 Towns/Cities have the edge on Sheffield..Especialy on public services.

Where I live in Stockton the flower beds and grass verges are tendered all the year round and always look good, and on Monday night I'm going down to the local village green to a party (organised by the Council) to celebrate the lighting up of the new fountain on the Duckpond.
The switching on of the fountain lights will done by the "Lord Mayor of Stockton"..It's a great Duckpond it's got loads of Mallards, Canada Geese, and a few cheeky Seagulls....Afterwards we can take the pick of six old pub's
situated within 10 mins walking distance of the Green...My Family and I would never even think about going back to Shiregreen..But this place reminds me of Shiregreen 45 years ago..so here I'll stay.

I emigrated to France 2004 from Harveyclough Rd and loving it

Hi Texas does your pen name mean you live in texas

I saw my old school pal Arrodbo in Sheffield in 2003. The first time since leaving for the Navy in 1960. Like him, I miss the old place, but would never return to live, even though I have 2 grown sons and a grandson there. Life in Kent is a million miles away from the drudge of a faded old city. Having spent all my service career away from home, I used to long to get back on leave, but that was to a Sheffield that was vibrant and a pleasure to live in. My roots will always be there, but never to return.
Hear-Hear thats me too

I'm not Sheffield born and bred. However I lived there for a few months in mid-1980.

I would like to visit the city again and see some old haunts - i.e. the site of the house I lived in, which is now under a damn car park!! :confused: as well as visit other places and kill off some old ghosts.

Patrick

left Sheffield for Devon1981. "Thatchers Britain" and Tebbits urge "get on your bike and find work" Fortunately I got out before the systematic and vengefull destruction of the northern Labour seats by the Torys'
1984 Sydney Australia and never looked back. Visited Sheffield in 1996 and wondered why I had missed it so much, then realised it was not the place I missed but being a teenager there in the 60's-70's. Sorry to you all but it's a sad dump and has gone so far down hill I could never face going back again.

& people are wondering why we are thinking of going!!!!!!!!

I saw my old school pal Arrodbo in Sheffield in 2003. The first time since leaving for the Navy in 1960. Like him, I miss the old place, but would never return to live, even though I have 2 grown sons and a grandson there. Life in Kent is a million miles away from the drudge of a faded old city. Having spent all my service career away from home, I used to long to get back on leave, but that was to a Sheffield that was vibrant and a pleasure to live in. My roots will always be there, but never to return.

P.S. exactly my sentiments..the 5os and 60s for us were special

My Grandad had a saying "you can take the man out of Sheffield, but you cant take Sheffield out of the man", So even if we move,I'll still be a sheffielder!

My Grandad had a saying "you can take the man out of Sheffield, but you cant take Sheffield out of the man", So even if we move,I'll still be a sheffielder!

And thats exactly why I still follow events in Sheffield. There was a post perhaps about a year ago that asked how long you had to live in Sheffield to be a Sheffielder. My reply was when your grandad is buried there. Without doubt we have very strong ties even though the thought of ever having to live back there makes me shudder.

Left Sheffield in 98 I think or maybe 99. Lived in Manchester (well, Salford really), London (Shepherd's Bush and Chiswick) and Woking.

After that, left England for the US. LA, then San Diego, now - Austin, Texas.

I like going 'home' to see family and friends but to be brutally honest, don't miss Sheffield itself that much any more. I hate saying that, because I'm loyal to the 'idea' of Sheffield. Having travelled a bit and seen other places I realize that Sheffield is not the greatest place on Earth, but it's probably the greatest place in my heart.

We left in 1996, and moved to a small village near Bedford, reason for leaving?,
well we did it for the kids really. I had lived on Shiregreen all my life (until 96) and as a young un found it to be a great place, but it really went downhill. We were sick of having cars broke into, items nicked from the garden etc, the final straw came when one night I happened to look out from the bedroom window and saw 2 lads relieving themselves against our car. We figured we did'nt want our kids to be brought up in this area and decided to move away.
In contrast on our first week in our southern village, I was working the late shift, while at home, my son had left his bike out on the pavement when he went in for his tea, of course he forgot the bike. I returned home just after midnight and the bike was still there (unlocked) just lying there. In shiregreen it would have gone in 5 mins. That said I still miss the place, you never lose it, being a sheffielder, but I could'nt return, not now.
One thing I always do down here though is, I always wear my owls shirts for work, just to let them know I may be down south but I'll always be a Yorkshireman.;)

Left in 1983 for Swindon due to work....stayed there for three years and moved to Lancashire...moved to Austria in 1996 and came back to lancashire a couple of years ago...still visit sheffield often to meet up with old school pals for a night out every now and then and to see family...certainly seen the deterioration in the city...but am still loyal!

I was wondering when someone was going to ask that Arthur, about the pseudonym. The fact is that Texas was my first nickname when I was at Pyebank infants, plus when I was in Texas one time I bought a coffee mug, and guess what was on it.

I think we have spoken before Texas. You are 15 minutes up 't roowad from me.

Left in 1983 for Swindon due to work....stayed there for three years and moved to Lancashire...moved to Austria in 1996 and came back to lancashire a couple of years ago...still visit sheffield often to meet up with old school pals for a night out every now and then and to see family...certainly seen the deterioration in the city...but am still loyal!

Sorry?, loyal to what? Sheffield? All residents of Sheffield? or your memories of good times there? Could it be religeous, you face north and pray "next year Wembley"?

It's a hard one when you think about it. For me it's rather like ones first true girlfriend. Yes we loved her at the time but would not exchange what we have now to be back there. My best friend ever lives in Sheffield, a real keen Blades fan. He considers himself a loyal Sheffielder and yet would get out at the drop of a hat.

I lived in tinsley untill the age of nine and knew every nook and cranny of it. All my memories of being a child are tied to it. The construction of the M1 almost completely oblitterated the area so memories are all I have.

I left in 1969. I havn't been back and no intention of doing so. I have some great memories of the 50s and 60s and by the sound of things Sheffield isn't the place it was then. :(

Sorry?, loyal to what? Sheffield? All residents of Sheffield? or your memories of good times there? Could it be religeous, you face north and pray "next year Wembley"?

It's a hard one when you think about it. For me it's rather like ones first true girlfriend. Yes we loved her at the time but would not exchange what we have now to be back there. My best friend ever lives in Sheffield, a real keen Blades fan. He considers himself a loyal Sheffielder and yet would get out at the drop of a hat.

I lived in tinsley untill the age of nine and knew every nook and cranny of it. All my memories of being a child are tied to it. The construction of the M1 almost completely oblitterated the area so memories are all I have.


I meant loyal as in i still consider it to be my home city, even though I have lived away from it longer than i lived there....and if people ask, thats where i say i am from.

I left in 1961 having been stationed at the Signals TA on Barnsley Rd. which was unusual for a local man to be PSI. I returned a couple of years ago and went tu 'lane to see United lose against Sunderland but watch them beat Nott's Forest in the play-offs the season before. They'll be going up next season.

:thumbsup: Left sort of in 1970 to go to Teacher Training College then altogether in '73 to start teaching in Norfolk. Move meant to be temporary but got sort of stuck, Norfolk is a bit like that. Still miss the hills but do come home fairly regularly as family still in Sheff. Did people listen to the Radio 2 Ballad - 'Song of Steel' still available on Listen Again Brought back many memories of Sheffield's Industrial past.

I left in 1992 to move south for uni. I still call Sheffield 'home', and I do miss living there.

I left in September 2004 for Canberra Oz - and loving it :)

1959 I got a degree from Sheffield Uni. I worked for the NHS 7 yrs. We were looking for more qualifications and jobs that gave promotion (i.e. didn't pay well)
1966 - I got a lovely piece of paper from the Royal College in London, and a promise of a great job.
Down came Harold Wilson's wage freeze, and away went the funding for the new post; we were broke!
So I called in at Australia House, collected the forms and filled them in, and for 30 quid I, my wife, my mother-in-law, and 3 children were on our way to Australia on SS Australis.
March 1967 landed in Sydney and driven to Wollongong (you can believe Skippy, it's a great little town in a good position). Got a job, sent money home to pay off some debts, and we've all done well since.
We love to come back, and hope to be there in 2007.

1959 I got a degree from Sheffield Uni. I worked for the NHS 7 yrs. We were looking for more qualifications and jobs that gave promotion (i.e. didn't pay well)
1966 - I got a lovely piece of paper from the Royal College in London, and a promise of a great job.
Down came Harold Wilson's wage freeze, and away went the funding for the new post; we were broke!
So I called in at Australia House, collected the forms and filled them in, and for 30 quid I, my wife, my mother-in-law, and 3 children were on our way to Australia on SS Australis.
March 1967 landed in Sydney and driven to Wollongong (you can believe Skippy, it's a great little town in a good position). Got a job, sent money home to pay off some debts, and we've all done well since.
We love to come back, and hope to be there in 2007.
Save your money there's nothing to see that you haven't seen before. Use your cash for something else ,it will just depress you.

Save your money there's nothing to see that you haven't seen before. Use your cash for something else ,it will just depress you.

Nay, lad, there's all those nice people!
Besides, we've got lots of looking up in old church registers and so on, tracing our family.

Save your money there's nothing to see that you haven't seen before. Use your cash for something else ,it will just depress you.


Don't listen to him Mr Fish, your message is right.

Nay, lad, there's all those nice people! Besides, we've got lots of looking up in old church registers and so on, tracing our family.

Can't let all those nice people down, especially as they might help you search them registers
you keep your date in 2007 I know you will have a great time :)

Left in 1963 from southhampton.22nd July.We were homesick for a long time and we lived with my Mother,brother and sister in Victoria (Aus) We now live in Tweed Heads on the Gold Coast not far from the beach.Since finding the Forum it has awakened something in me and love hearing about Petre St,Pitsmoor.Went back in 1977 and saw my family,i am getting an urge to visit again soon.Went to All Saints School,Then worked at The Sheffield Twist Drill And Steel Company.

I dontthink I've ever really left Sheffield, I still think of it as 'home'. I've not really lived there for 38 years, spending time in Manchester, New Mills, Surrey and now settled in Spain, I come back regularly and most of my best mates live in Sheff, and I couldn't go more than 6 months without my Peak District fix.

When I moved to Milton Keynes (and all the jokes about it are true) someone said I was brave for moving so far away. Don't know what would happen if he learned I'd since moved on to Seattle.

Arthur, you really like living in France? Are the politicians any better or wiser? Did the Tories really destroy the north? Never mind our present lot are getting their own back here in Anglia. No more politics please...

Not really an ex-pat as I live in Wales. Left Sheffield in '86, lived in Wolverhampton, Abingdon, Forres, Blackpool, Bordon and now Blackwood.

Tended to go where the money is. Found it here!!:thumbsup:

we left june 1st 1967, came to new york, then on to new jersey, now live in fort worth texas, have also lived in florida

Just wondering when the Ex-pats on the forum left this fair city? & is your new life what you expected / hoped for?
Are any of you living in perth wa?
Cheers

we left in 1967, i was 17, he was 21 and we had a 9 month old, came to a place where we didn't know anyone. i hadn't even seen american money till we arrived. i always said that if we had the money that first year, i would have gone home, it was really hard, 12 miles to the nearest supermarket, 2 1/2 miles i walked to the nearest general store, carrying the baby and walking back carrying her and the groceries. all laundry was done by hand, we had it hard but it was well worth it......

I left Sheffield in 1973. I have lived around perth since then. My home is still WA but I am currently working in Kuwait

hi m8 where in perth do u live then
im movin to scaraborough area soon

I was very close to Freo. As I said, I am now in Kuwait working. Scarborough is a nice area. Good English style pub right by the beach

I first came to Sheffield as a student but loved it so much I stayed for 7 or 8 years in total. Would have stayed there for life but it was the early 80s and no jobs in Sheffield at all, so had no choice but to move to "the smoke" to get a job. Eventually moved back to my home city of Leeds to be near friends and family - all my former friends had left Sheffield for the same reason I did, so much as I love the place I'd be starting from scratch if I moved back. I go back now and again, and ideally would live there if it was feasible, but with kids, schools, jobs, etc we're stuck in Leeds really...

Left Sheffield 1st July 1959 to do my national service in the RAF. Enjoyed it so much that I signed on for 22 years and lived all over the world. On my last posting, I bought a house in a village near Peterborough, where I still live nearly 30 years later. All my family are still in or around Sheffield, including Mum who is 92.

I left Sheffield in September 1964 and went to Whyalla in South Australia now live in Renmark South Australia. Have been back many times and seen the changes. Didn't like them at first as they were destroying my memories. Now Sheffield is opening up to being quite a pleasant city. Can't get used to the traffic and roads that are new so get me lost. Was back there last year and after a few hassles getting around likened it having been projected 50 years into the future because all I remember is the old Sheffield.

I left sheffield in 1975,I was 19,moved to a small town in lancashire,missed sheffield terribly at first,I was lucky enough to grow up in lodge moor so had the best of both worlds,could bus into town in 15 mins or be in the middle of glorious countryside within 5 mins!!!did return briefly in the mid eighties but realised sheffield like everywhere had changed and not for the better in my opinion,I will always refer to sheffield as home but wouldnt like to live there again but have fond memories of growing up there and glad I did.:)

I left old Sheffiled Town in April 1964 as an almost teenager aboard the
SS Canberra from Southhampton bound for Melbourne

I left Sheffield in Jan 2001 & moved to Rotherham. Came to my sense's and left there last October & moved to the Isle of Wight, have been back to Sheffield twice since coming down here and plan to come back several times this year as have plenty of family still in the city.

I left in 97 and haven't been back since Feb 2000. Would love to go back and see old friends/workmates but I expect I'll be disapointed. Sometimes it's just better to remember.......
I work in tourism and love to hear a yorkshire accent, I always aproach the tourist and ask where they are from and you can guarantee if its Sheffield they will sit and chat - very friendly bunch..

I left Sheffield in 1959 when i joined the Army.I enlisted in the Y&L Regt stayed with them until they disbanded in 1968 then went on to join the 1st Bn DWR.I served in various Countries with both Regt until my demob in 1983.
I then went on to work for the MOD as a civilian in York until my retirement in 2005.I have visited Sheffield many times over the years as my family members still live there.Now live in Turkey Brian Hall ex Pitsmoor.

I left in May 1968, lived and worked in Montreal, the Gaspe, and Newfoundland on control systems for the paper industry, after I worked on the same devices for Davy United, and 18 RN years. Moved to New England in 1977, and became a citizen in 1987. I lost my Sheffield born wife Pat in a car crash in 1979, and married my Irish wife in 1882. On a visit to Ireland in 1983 I flew her and the family to England, and we visited Sheffield. She was very impressed with the friendliness of the people and loved the Peak District. she didn't much like the attitude towards kids in the better restaurants. I went back in 1984 for my mother's funeral, and in 1989 while on a working trip to Scotland.

Left Oughtibridge in 1973 for Australia lived in Townsville which is subtropical(what a change from Oughtibridge) Now live just outside Brisbane. Returned to the UK twice in the 34 years I have been here. I still love Yorkshire & miss the great sense of humour. I miss the closeness of families even though I have all my immediate family here. I married an Aussie so have very much made a life here. Will never get used to living with snakes & other bitey things but doubt I would ever live anywhere else now. Janet Olsen

My Mum still lives there, and i miss the people but i dont regret my move one bit. I'm an old Firth park boy and found this website when i heard it had been demolished. My wifes a rotherham girl but my eldest son was born in the Northern General. The 3 of us moved to Cambridge Ontario, Canada where we've now added 2 girls to the family. Life here is so much more laid back, and you get 4 good seasons a year. Feet of snow in the winter and high 30's in the summer. This year will be our 1st visit back in 5 years so i'm expecting a few changes. Most people come to visit us for some reason might have something to do with Niagara falls only an Hour away.

Left as a child in 1977 - didn't go anywhere exotic or exciting; just moved to South Wales with my parents and younger brother for my dad's job.

Luv Rach x

I have to go back a long way, left Sheffield in 1946 joined merchant navy in 49 &reg army in 51 by 63 i was married with 3 still restless we all packed & came to Canada, I still think was a good move ,4th &5th g-g grand on the way i've not moved too far in 55yrs

I left Sheffield in March 1947 after living there for 14 months after being demobbed from the Navy. I went to live in London,and stayed there for 9 years. I then moved with my family to the Northwest coast.and am still here.Iwas born in Sheffield,and am always interested in in whats going on there.

1959 I got a degree from Sheffield Uni. I worked for the NHS 7 yrs. We were looking for more qualifications and jobs that gave promotion (i.e. didn't pay well)
1966 - I got a lovely piece of paper from the Royal College in London, and a promise of a great job.
Down came Harold Wilson's wage freeze, and away went the funding for the new post; we were broke!
So I called in at Australia House, collected the forms and filled them in, and for 30 quid I, my wife, my mother-in-law, and 3 children were on our way to Australia on SS Australis.
March 1967 landed in Sydney and driven to Wollongong (you can believe Skippy, it's a great little town in a good position). Got a job, sent money home to pay off some debts, and we've all done well since.
We love to come back, and hope to be there in 2007.

Hi,

My aunt Audrey came out on the same ship as you in 67!

She is now in Canberra - as I am now also. Been here since Sept 04 and I too have planned a trip back to Sheffield in 6 weeks - mainly to see family and freinds though - not the place.

left in 2000 went to oxford still here going strong

Left Sheffield in 1983 to go to college in Leicester - then found a job just outside Cardiff in 1986.

The parents retired to live down here about 10 years ago, so I don't get back up there too often now. Still have friends and family living there though......!!

I left in 97 and haven't been back since Feb 2000. Would love to go back and see old friends/workmates but I expect I'll be disapointed. Sometimes it's just better to remember.......
I work in tourism and love to hear a yorkshire accent, I always aproach the tourist and ask where they are from and you can guarantee if its Sheffield they will sit and chat - very friendly bunch..

Agree Jules
whenever I hear the accent I always ask and the response is always friendly and warm.

Last August made my first trip back to Sheffield in 24 years - having vowed in 1982 I'd never return (left to live in Australia in 1966). Hated the town centre - whatever happened to the Peace Gardens and Fargate? But love the leafy suburbs and of course the Peak District.

Can't stand the heat in Melbourne much longer, so now plotting how I can make Aussie dollars stretch to pay for my retirement in the UK!

Hi lived in Sheffield all my life until January 2003, then i went to live in Germany. came back to England December 2005 to Warminster then moved again to Chippenham last September. Still visit Sheffield at every opportunity and its the place i call home. moved around due to hubbys job. Really liked Germany a very nice place, really clean and everything is cheap to buy, no road tax no tv licence, but it's good to be back lol.

I suddenly realized with this thread that I've been away nearly 40 years. I'm not going to go back and say where I went and how I got here. You can read that elsewhere if you're even interested. Now as I contemplate my 76th year, I look back on the Sheffield I was born into and what I gather from this forum, and I see that it was another time and place. I don't know if its better than it was or worse. I only know that it was magical for a young sailor coming home from time to time from the sea, and rejoining my lovely Sheffield wife. Its been a very long time, and she has gone, taken from me by a tractor trailer that went too fast in the wet. My life here in lovely Connecticut is where I'm glad to be, but I have a painting of Cole's Corner to remind me of what was, a great city proud of what we went through to defeat Hitler.

Don't you just love those photos of Coles Corner Buck ? most of the pictures in my home came from Sheffield at one time or another, couple of oil paintings done by a Sheffield artist too.

My Husband bought a large oil painting from Coles over 40 years ago, still his favorite picture,I wish I could remember how much we paid for it back then.

We left Sheffield to work and live in Southport in 1982. Only ever been here a couple of times,so we didn"t know anyone at all.
Missed the hills and Sheffield country-side badly.It"s boringly flat here,but ideal for cycling,and better for walking too!
Hardly ever see the sea though.It"s too far out!
We can see Blackpool Tower and Lytham St Annes from the Coastal Road and the shore, on a clear day.
Sometimes visitors try to walk across the beach to Blackpool but it"s very dangerous due to sinking sands, and the danger of being cut off by the incoming tides.
We still have many relatives in or around Sheffield.

I left Sheff in 1975 - for London and then to Canada in '84 never been back. Like Buck says - once upon a time it was a magical place to be, but nothing stays the same. Still have friends there and keep in touch!

I left Sheffield in 1966. Moved to London with my job (Ministry of Power as it was then). Then on to the States in 1968. Went on my own, for adventure!
Started out in the suburbs of New Jersey. Hated it. I thought I was off to Happy Days but most of suburban US is quite desolate. There are plenty of houses but no corner shops or pubs. So moved on to NYC which was a much more exciting kettle of fish. Married in 1971 and lived mostly in New England.

I returned to England quite a few times and in the early days I missed all the mod cons of America (very materialistic of me), but the older I got the more I missed England. I returned in Sept. 2003 for a holiday and kept putting off my return (my marriage was in a state of crumble anyway). My 92 year old mother decided to break her hip that Christmas Eve sooo I extended my stay again, to look after her. Anyway I am now back for good and loving it.

I grew up in Fir Vale and couldn't wait to get out of there. I hated the smell of the factories and coal fires and waiting for a bus in the drizzle. But now when I remenisce (where's the spell check on this thing) I only talk about the good bits.

Sheffield to me isn't about the bricks and mortar it's about the people. They are friendly without being intrusive, they have a great sense of humour and are very kind. I for one am very happy to be back living a Domesday village on the edge of Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. I am new to this site. It's like free therapy! Love to you all out there in the far flung reaches.

BLMharthill -Interested to know how you have adjusted to life back in the UK after such a long time. Please see your pm box.

I joined the Royal Navy in 1949 , we lived in Masters Rd, Parson Cross , I got married in 1952 at Sheffield and started to live in Plymouth where I still live. My father worked for Wm. Green of Ecclesfield , they made cooking equipment. In 1953 my parents moved to London, Wm. Green wanted a rep. in London to fit & maintain cooking stoves. I have returned to Sheffield several times , mainly to see my aunts , uncles & cousins. I have seen many changes over the years , some good, some bad, I will always be a Sheffielder and a West Riding man.

Left in 1966 had no say in it I was only 15 dad worked for Sheffield Twist Drill (Dormer Tools) they asked him if he wanted to go to Australia and he said yes .It took some time to get used to living here at first but we all settled down.I have been back a couple of times its not the same but nothing is anymore but it dose not matter where I live I will still call Sheffield home. PS Keep smiling your summers comming.