John Ashmore

In 1965, when I was 15. I worked at Alderson Dust & Graham. I was the office boy and my wage was £3.10 shillings per week. Less 9 shillings for my national insurance stamp. Paid my Mum and dad my keep. Think I had £1.10 shillings for myself. Wonder if kids still pay their way now. I’m sure some do

I remember Pond Street Nora. Also there was Cyril. He used to come in our fish and chip shop in the Wicker. Usually we used to pass his food through the little window. It’s a shame, they obviously had some mental issues. As someone else said, he was found dead in British Home Stores shop doorway. There were only a few people like that in the whole of Sheffield. Those people really needed help. People were a lot poorer then. It wasn’t a lifestyle choice . Most of the people you see in shop doorways, need to get off there backsides, get rid of their dog and help them selves.

I worked at the Grand Hotel as a porter in 1965. I was only 15 at the time. The Head Porter was Mr Fleming. He was quite strict but very fair. I have so many memories from then. It was a very interesting job. I used to work split shifts. It wouldn’t be allowed now. My tips exceeded my wages, I couldn’t have managed otherwise. There was Johnnie Spitzer in room 341. He was a character. Once gave me 6d. I remember Kathy Kirby going into Marjorie Daltons. She told me someone was following her. I wouldn’t have blamed them if they were. All the groups used to stay there when appearing at the City Hall. I would have loved to work in the kitchens but seeing the way the commie chefs used to get shouted at, frightened me to death. I did go back there in 1967, working under Dennis Wilson as Head Porter. Nice chap. He used to pop across to the Three Tunns from time to time. When I finished my shift, I collected glasses down stairs in the Buccaneer Bar. Oh to be young again. I’ll shut up now

I think John Lewis (Cole Bros, as it was in Sheffield). I bought a mattress from them. They told me if I wasn't satisfied, they would refund my money even after 30 days. I went to them, after spending a year arguing with Bensons for Beds. The mattress they sold me was absolutely terrible. It dipped in thew middle. "I'm only 11 stone, by the way" Trading standards eventually got me my money back. Wherever you do go, don't go to BENSONS FOR BEDS.

I attended Gregg School in 1961 just before they went skint. Yes Mr Rankin was a lovely teacher. He gave me 6 of the best for getting my French homework wrong. ---------- Post added 29-04-2013 at 08:14 ---------- I went to Greggs 5 years after you in 1961 and often wondered why Mr Rankin spent so much time in the staff room alone with Miss Wragg. She went from being a pupil to a teacher. We used to go cross country running at Foxhouse and Mr Arnold would go in the pub there. Not the best of schools but I was as happy there as anyone could be who hated school as much as I did

Hello I'm new to this site. My name is John Ashmore. I lived at 18 Sycamore House Road. I went to Woolley Wood School from 1955 to 58, then we moved house. I remember being in Miss Buckle's class,she was very kind as I remember. Not too sure about Miss Newman, seem to remember her caning a load of children for throwing snowballs. Miss Bradford used to scare me, though I think most teaches did. I do remember Roger Mallet. He was the same age as my brother. Think he went to King Teds. My brother went to Firth Park. You could play in Wooley Woods all day then in safety. Remember going to a concert at Bellhouse Road Club and watching a girl singing Nora Mallone on the stage, I thought she was lovely.