[Teabag]

The Sheffield WEA are offering a local history course on the Sheffield City Battalion after Xmas

The course begins on Weds 13th January, 7pm - 9pm and runs for 10 weeks and we have 7 places left.

The course venue is the old vicarage at Attercliffe - 3 Vicarage Road, Attercliffe, Sheffield S9 3RH

The cost of the ten week course is £55 but zero if you are unwaged or in receipt of benefits

If you are interested in attending the course you can find more info or enrol by telephone on: 0114 242 3609

or e mail : yorkshumber@wea.org.uk


You can also pm me if you want more info

The course is running at present (we have 4 weeks left!) and was fully subscribed and to get a flavour of the course you can visit our current course blog at:

http://sheffieldpals.blogspot.com/

[djelibeybi]

Just resurrecting this thread to let people know that the practice trenches and other archaeological features are still in the process of being mapped and surveyed by the University of Sheffield, with the help of lecturers and students of The Institute for Lifelong Learning.

I believe the University are still intending upon obtaining protective status for the Redmires site and some kind of memorial along with information boards to be erected.

They may be gone, but there are efforts ongoing to ensure the Sheffield Pals are never forgotten.

[Teabag]

Originally Posted by djelibeybi

Just resurrecting this thread to let people know that the practice trenches and other archaeological features are still in the process of being mapped and surveyed by the University of Sheffield, with the help of lecturers and students of The Institute for Lifelong Learning.

I believe the University are still intending upon obtaining protective status for the Redmires site and some kind of memorial along with information boards to be erected.

They may be gone, but there are efforts ongoing to ensure the Sheffield Pals are never forgotten.

Great post - can I add something also on that theme.

As part of the WEA course: The Sheffield Pals and The First Battle of The Somme - learners from present and the previous course are constructing a small display in the Central Library on Surrey Street to mark the pals at the Battle of The Somme. A number of people have kindly agreed to spare some of their time and expertise to the project.

Sheffield City Library have set aside a 8'/3' display board on the library staircase from the 1st July to the 18th July for us to commemorate the pals story.

A number of people have suggested a mosaic design that tells the story (in pictures or square tiles of text) of the pals from volunteering to their first action on the Somme. A local professional artist, Paul Staveley has been approached to take part in the project and he has kindly volunteered to design and paint the central lettering for the display, plus labels for each part of the story.

If you wish to take part or contribute in any way to the display - we are having an informal meet up to at the Red Deer pub (Just off West Street) on Thursday, 2nd April at 7.30pm to discuss the display over a pint -

Possible items to discuss could include:

* Precise wording for the central lettering
* How to 'chapter head' each part of the pals story
* Collecting materials for the display
* Types of materials to include on the display
* Liaising with the local press - radio incl.
* Constructing the display
* Recording the construction process
* Someone to write a short piece for the WEA website about the display

More details can be found on the blog at: http://sheffieldpals.blogspot.com/

I would welcome your ideas and expertise on any of the matters above.

Thanks - I look forward to seeing you on Thursday the 2nd

[mike142sl]

Originally Posted by djelibeybi

I believe the University are still intending upon obtaining protective status for the Redmires site

WHY? the hill has survived perfectly well with the only people digging holes in it being the university! A waste of time in my view.

The memorial however - a great use of time and energy, and I hope it gets made from local stone.

[whissiewoo]

I have just come across this thread browsing expats read the first few pages and skipped to the last - am new to this so not sure if any have made it known that Rotherham Library has a York and Lancs museum believe only open on certain days - I know this because my father was in Y&L Sheffield , joined at 16 (underage!) fought on the Somme and Ypres. I donated in 1977 his Y&L wall plague, which he made himself whilst in hospital wounded, handmade in wool with the Y&L symbols embroidered( a unicorn and lion I believe) with the flags and the braiding in relief. There was a hole at the bottom for the kings picture. I keep meaning to take my family to see this. I still have his Y&L tin. My sister has his medals.

[djelibeybi]

Originally Posted by mike142sl

WHY? the hill has survived perfectly well with the only people digging holes in it being the university! A waste of time in my view.

The memorial however - a great use of time and energy, and I hope it gets made from local stone.

It isn't the topography which needs protecting, it's the archaeology.

You've been misinformed regarding digging on the site. The University have only dug a very small number of test pits in order to ascertain the structure of the archaeology and haven't been excavating willy nilly. Apart from anything else, excavating is expensive whereas mapping and surveying create minimal cost.

The site is being mapped by students as part of their studies therefore the investigation is not only aiding in their learning process, but is also increasing knowledge of the site. The students are doing what they can in preserving and recording the site for the people of Sheffield.

Rest assured, investigations at Redmires aren't costing the Tax Payers anything, and students at TILL are mature students, not nippers.

[djelibeybi]

My lecturer, Helen Ullathorne, has given permission for me to post her EM address here for local clubs, schools and organisations which would like information regarding the Redmires site.

Helen has been involved in the investigation and mapping on Hallam Moor and has produced an archaeological report which is extremely informative (I've read it myself and couldn't put it down).

Anyone who is interested in gleaning updates on the investigation of the site, or is interested in a speaker on the topic, please contact Helen Ullathorne at fcullath@pilsley84.freeserve.co.uk

[Teabag]

As part of the WEA course: The Sheffield Pals and The First Battle of The Somme - learners from present and the previous course are constructing a small display in the Central Library on Surrey Street to mark the pals at the Battle of The Somme. A number of people have kindly agreed to spare some of their time and expertise to the project.

Sheffield City Library have set aside a 8'/3' display board on the library staircase from the 1st July to the 18th July for us to commemorate the pals story.

A number of people have suggested a mosaic design that tells the story (in pictures or square tiles of text) of the pals from volunteering to their first action on the Somme. A local professional artist, Paul Staveley has been approached to take part in the project and he has kindly volunteered to design and paint the central lettering for the display, plus labels for each part of the story.

If you wish to take part or contribute in any way to the display - we are having an informal meet up to at the Red Deer pub (Just off West Street) on Thursday, 2nd April at 7.30pm to discuss the display over a pint -

Possible items to discuss could include:

* Precise wording for the central lettering
* How to 'chapter head' each part of the pals story
* Collecting materials for the display
* Types of materials to include on the display
* Liaising with the local press - radio incl.
* Constructing the display
* Recording the construction process
* Someone to write a short piece for the WEA website about the display

More details can be found on the blog at: http://sheffieldpals.blogspot.com/

I would welcome your ideas and expertise on any of the matters above.

Thanks - I look forward to seeing you on Thursday the 2nd

[Teabag]

The final meeting for the Sheffield City Battalion display has been organised for Thursday 25th June at 7.15pm - it is open to all who are interested in the pals

Please bring with you any materials

Hope to see you there

ps The Sheffield Pals course will be running again this coming Autumn at The Circle in the city centre. It will be a 10 week course and is scheduled to run 6.30pm - 8.30pm on Monday 21st September

If you are interested in attending the course you can find more info or enrol by telephone on: 0114 242 3609

or e mail : yorkshumber@wea.org.uk

[RMCreate]

My Great Grandfather, Arthur Megson, served in the Sheffield City Battalion in France. In John Harris' book "A Covenant With Death" there is a part about half a dozen soldiers who were sent out to capture a prisoner - he was part of that group. Upon their return, one of the group, with a bad case of shell-shock, took a mortar and held it in his hand until it went off, killing him and blinding my Great Grandfather from the shrapnel - ending his war before the push.

Sounds horrible but I've probably got that poor soldier to thank for being here today.