dave.stan

,Am i the only person in Sheffield to feel let down by the "super tram". When it was first discussed we were promissed a quiet and efficient transport system. linking up the city. In reality we have a noisy system the was badly built and covers very little of the city. I believe that the most popular link is Meadowhall. When the tram was planned Meadowhall was the largest private steel works in Europe. I think that route was in fact to take the steel workers to the East end, if you can remember the steel workers. Anyone who lives near to the tram will know that it is noisy, there is more standing water along the track, due to the cheap drainage system. Finaly the only time it seems to be full is peak time, 9ish and 5ish. Please dont give them any excuse not to do the maintainance.

There was a further share issue in the 70s. There was a scare that the shares may fall into the wrong hands and so another round up of the faithfull began. As I remember it George Caborn was, again, the driving force behind it. At the time I was on the AUEW district committee and most if not all of us bought shares. Would you dare to ask George what the expected dividend would be? I went to the wedding of a friend there about four years ago and the place realy is stunning. The ceiling in the main hall has been done in the same design as it was originaly, superb.

I never went to Herdings youth club but I do remember Ted Jenks from when he was at Handsworth youth club. I wonder if there are still people like Ted who are totaly committed to youth work. I also remember Dave Taylor who was a youth worker at Handsworth. Both of these two must have had the patience of a saint to put up with us. Dave Taylor went on to Frechville youth club dont know if he's still in youth work. A bit surprised to see no mention of Handsworth.The youth club was massively popular in the sixties and early seventies. They had a disco on Fridays that was often so popular that you couldnt get in, the music was good and so were the people. A number of us met our respective partners there, dont know about the others but I dont hold that against the club. If either Dave or Ted are out there, good on you and thanks.

Stan Rushforth was still there in 1972 as was Harry Trueman both being foreman by that time. There was a Ted Smith in Gauge Corner also Nev Wilson who is still a friend of mine. I am sure it is the same Ralph Pounder as his wife was called Jean. It was a good firm Davys, made the best steel making machinery in the world.

I worked in Davys tool room from 72 to 84. Why do people always assume that when a firm goes bust its the union to blame. I had left davy when it finished but as I understand it it was a disasterous conract with penalties that sent the firm under. So far as i am aware the union didnt negociate that contract. The firm continues but seems to be in a much reduced form. People I remember from Davy Dave Bower, Eric Mawe, Ralph Pounder, Len Ducker, Frank Straw, Albert Dryhurst and loads of others. Perhaps we should have a reunion if theres enough of us left.

I was talking to someone the other day who said that the building was originally stabling for horses. Apparently the diferent floors are reached by a system of ramps as the stabling was on more than one level. Dont know if thats true but if it is this may be the first multi storey parking in Sheffield

I was at Brook, left 1966. I remember lots of people from there and still see some of them. Would like to contact Richard (Dick) Smith who left the same time as me. Dick was a good goalkeeper and I think played for Sheffield boys. Pity the old school has gone in some ways, though looking back not sure it was "fit for purpose"

I was at Brook, left in 1966. Dont remember a lot of trouble with any of the local schools. Those that came to Brook from Athelstan had been at school with a lot of the people from Beaver Hill, so no trouble there. I cant remember any trouble with Woodthorpe either. I do recall Waltheof having realy good football and rugby teams.