cheawa

Can't help with spoon knife request but can some help me. Little Mesters are now almost forgotten many of the younger generation haven't even heard of them, we owe them so much, such a pity. I don't now live in Sheffield but know it from younger days. Can anyone tell me "are any of the buildings used by the Little Mesters still standing. I want to visit Sheffield and film them, thus saving them for "posterity " as it were. I am aware of Portland Works which I understand has been purchased by "the friends of Portland Works". Also Sipalia Works. Are there any other buildings any help would be much appreciated.

Lets not forget what is happening in North Africa. People power can change anything. Indeed throughout history the only time lasting change has taken place is when the people have decided enough is enough. We will stand for this no longer. We want change and we want it now. With the internet we do not have to 'march' or 'take to the streets'. What we do have to do however is to marshall people power. We have to be possitive not negative. Saying 'there is nothing we can do' is no longer acceptable.

Lets not forget what is happening in North Africa. People power can change anything indeed throughout history the only time lasting change has taken place is when the people have decided enough is enough we will stand for this no longer. We want change and we want it now. With the internet we do not have to 'march' or 'take to the streets'. What we do have to do however is to marshall people power. We have to be possitive not negative. There is nothing we can do is no longer acceptable.

Are the Banks Modern Day Robber Barons? The banks are a law unto themselves. They seem to be able to pay themselves whatever they like, they are also able it seems to find ways around paying the required tax which would have the tax man knocking on our doors should we try the same ‘fiddle’. The government seems unable to control the situation falling for the old chestnut of blackmail. If you don’t like it we may well move to another country or if we don’t pay big bonuses we will loose our best people to other banks. Frankly can you imagine the interview? What Bank did you last work for?’ ‘What were your main achievements whilst in their employ?’ I worked for a large British Bank and along with my illustrious colleagues was responsible for our employer going to the government cap in hand in order to be bailed out. Fine welcome we will pay you a great salary along with bonuses if you will do the same for us. Isn’t it about time that a good old fashion bank was set up? One with bank managers that took our money on deposit paid us a decent rate of interest and then lent it to companies and people wishing to invest in property or expansion etc. With a bank such as having been set up the British public could take charge of their own affairs. If we did not agree with what our bank was doing with regard to bonus payment or paying taxes we could and should withdraw our money from these banks and place it the old fashion bank described above. I wonder what the response of the big banks would be if people all over the country started to withdraw their funds placing them in the safe haven of a bank that really did care. We may be able to achieve something that the government has been unable to achieve. If you feel incensed as I do then post your comments. If you know something about banking tell us how we can do more to bring these robber barons to justice.

would be really interested to hear from you re sipples my father worked there [email protected]

Esquire club either Leadmill Rd or Shoreham st. It had a balcony you couild enjoy a soft drink and look down on thoses dancing below. They sometimes all all night dancing. I had to get special permision to attend then. This would be when I was 17yrs old and so around 1962 any one else remember this? Joe Cocker was a regular act along with Dave Berry.

Groocock & Cooper Garage on Rockingham Street behind the West Street fire station. £2.14 per week 42 hours. Left school at 15yrs no qualifications. Educated at Silverdale Bents Green.

I can remember seeing lots of Dave Berry as he lived very near to friends of my parents. I also remember seeing him and also Joe Cocker at the Esquire club located near the old Tram depot which was quite near to the old Kennings gargage and show room, very near to the train station, cant remember the street name though, would it be Shoreham Street? The Sheffield archives is quite near by. I returned to Sheffield for a visit last week. Walked down a small walk way near to or along side the Central methodist hall. Does anyone remember the cafe which was the in place to be seen in Sheffield in the 1960's Cant remember the name of the place. Also visited the Central Library, does any one else remember as I do visiting the library theatre. Its sitauated under the Central Library and is approached from the rear films were often shown there on Saturday mornings. I remember taking my first girl friend there (cheap skate).

Can anyone tell me how to contact someone who has made a posting? Is it possible to contact them direct via email? I am new to the forum and as a result have no idea whether this is possible or how to do it. Thanks Cheawa

I would like to contact both flossie and baton with regard to thier posting re sipples. Can anyone tell me whether it is possible to contact them direct and how? I am new to the forum and as a result have no idea whether or not this is possible. Thanks Cheawa

I visited the sipple works yesterday. It has now been taken over by emmaus (giving homeless people a bed). see http://www.emmaus-sheffield.org.uk Some details on the site re the origens of the building

Flossie if you are still monitoring this string can you let me know how I can contact you please Eddy Wietscher

I would very much like to contact the person who posted a reply from Germany who is I believe a relitive of the Sipple family

My father Paul Wietscher worked for Sipples before the war. He moved to Sheffield in 1932 having been approached by an agent sent to Solingen the cutlery centre of Germany by the Sipple brothers who were looking for skilled workers. My father married when his fiancée travelled from Germany to join him in Sheffield. One of the witnesses at the wedding was one of the Sipple brothers. Both my mother and father were interned the Isle of Man for the duration of the war. My father went back to work for the Sipple brothers upon his return to Sheffield after the war. Many of the German cutlery families changed their names after the war due to the intense anti German feelings generated by the heavy bombing of Sheffield. The Rickardt family became Richards, Vymear family became Vyners etc. My father refused to change his name, which I recall, led to many problems for my brother and myself. Eventually my father started his own company, which was called FT Plating and was situated at Jubilee Works. Sipples went on to become one of the top five cutlery Companies and were well known for their forward thinking. Latterly it was run by Kenneth Lovell Collin. He was a great innovator and was proud to say that they had not had a strike in 25 years. They specialised in very high quality products. They even made a set of cutlery named Apollo. A complete set was sent to each of the men who landed on the moon in exchange (as was the custom) for a small coin. Mrs Aldrin even sent the required small coin along with her thanks. In my own research I have not been able to find any photographs taken at the works and would very much like to contact anyone who has any details or photographs of the workers and machinery.

In reply to Baton My father Paul Wietscher worked for Sipples before the war. He moved to Sheffield in 1932 having been approached by an agent sent to Solingen the cutlery centre of Germany by the Sipple brothers who were looking for skilled workers. My father married when his fiancée travelled from Germany to join him in Sheffield. One of the witnesses at the wedding was one of the Sipple brothers. Both my mother and father were interned the Isle of Man for the duration of the war. My father went back to work for the Sipple brothers upon his return to Sheffield after the war. Many of the German cutlery families changed their names after the war due to the intense anti German feelings generated by the heavy bombing of Sheffield. The Rickardt family became Richards, Vymear family became Vyners etc. My father refused to change his name, which I recall, led to many problems for my brother and myself. Eventually my father started his own company, which was called FT Plating and was situated at Jubilee Works. Sipples went on to become one of the top five cutlery Companies and were well known for their forward thinking. Latterly it was run by Kenneth Lovell Collin. He was a great innovator and was proud to say that they had not had a strike in 25 years. They specialised in very high quality products. They even made a set of cutlery named Apollo. A complete set was sent to each of the men who landed on the moon in exchange (as was the custom) for a small coin. Mrs Aldrin even sent the required small coin along with her thanks. In my own research I have not been able to find any photographs taken at the works and would very much like to contact anyone who has any details or photographs of the workers and machinery. I have visited Solingen to do some research and wonder where in Germany does Baton come from, the grandson of one of the Sipple brothers. It would be very good to be able to contact him. Flossie if you are still following this string can you tell me how I can get into contact with people who may be able to help in my research who are posting on this site. I joined the site smome years ago but then lost contact due to extensive traveling. I have just re joined as I could not remeber any details of how to log on. Look forward to talking with anybody that may have details of Sipples. Eddy