manaman

Hi janet burton, I can imagine Maureen laughing about the Anderson shelter corrogated sheet. It was completely different to a sledge. The front of the sheet was curved up and it was far larger than a sledge. Therefore it was a great attraction to the kids who didn't have a sledge, in other words most kids. It didn't have any handholds, so the kids just sat on the sheet. If possible the kids would to sit near the back of the sheet which tended to lift the front of the sheet so that it would slide over small bumps. It could be guided as sorts by somebody using their "wellied" foot as a rudder. In an emergency, the kids had to try and roll off the sheet, usually with varying degrees of success. The Woodthorpe Close/Manor fields run had it's own obstacles; steep road, so high speed when reaching the bottom. hope no vehicles are driving on Queen Mary Road,(usually few and far between in those days, especially when snow was on the ground). remember to pack up the snow so it formed an incline up the causeway edge opposite the entrance to the Manor fields so the sheet wouldn't hit the causeway edge and tip over. Finally, because the entrance to the fields was narrower than Woodthorpe Close, it was important to try line the sheet up with the field entrance at the top of Woodthorpe Close, but usually this appeared to be "hit and miss". So that when the sheet was heading for a fence, it was a case of "abandon sheet" before the fence was hit. I also remember sledging with Anderson sheets down the farmer's fields off Manor Lane before the Manor Park estate was built. Finally I still have this picture in my mind of lots and lots of kids sledging down the roads, when suddenly there is a cry of, "Copper" and in an instant all the kids and sledges disappear down footpaths, behind hedges etc. In those days we still had bobbies patrolling the streets, and whoebetide anybody caught sledging on a public highway. Ho happy days. Regards m.

Hi janet, I also remember the large figs that were on them, pity they didn't ripen. My gran lived at 152, Queen Mary Road, next door to the O'Brians. Do you remember the large black chow dog that was at the house up Basseldine next to the O'Brians? Regards m.

Hi john gilpin, My family were latecomers to the Manor compared with your family, we didn't arrive until 1933, but we maintained a presence there until 1985. Regards m.

ALBERT T. SMITH. I know that tatty dumps has spoken eloquently of Albert in her thread, "Albert T. Smith RIP". I would like to thank Albert for creating this fascinating thread. Although Albert left the Manor whilst still a lad, and went to other places and did many things, he never forgot his roots. By creating this thread, he allowed us all to indulge in our memories of this fascinating place which is, or was our home. As the saying goes, "You can take the people out of the Manor, but you can't take the Manor out of the people". Albert T. Smith RIP and my condolences to all your family. Thank you.

Hi multiparvo1, I have sent you a p.m. Regards m.

Hi download, My memories of Trevor were as you and vidster had described. A man who got on with life in a quiet and effective manner, with no fuss or histronics. I remember him going to and from work on his BSA Bantam motorcycle. I am glad to hear that his final years were happy ones, he deserved them. download, which brother had the the Scott motorcycle? Regards m.

Hi download, Wecome to the forum. I remember us going down to your dad's allotment with you on many occasions to see Mr. Whaley (although I didn't know his name). In later life I often wondered whether I had dreamed it. It reminded me of a "secret five" or "Rupert adventure". "They visited an old man who lived on an allotment in the middle of Manor fields". I can still remember seeing the kettle on the stove. I often wondered what became of him, and I am glad that he eventually ended his life in a place of care. What memories. Regards m.

I knew your dad and his family after they had moved to Woodthorpe Close, and had the grocery shop on Wulfric Road.

Is your dad John B? Did he have an Armstrong bicycle many years ago?

Hi Janet, Wellcome to the forum. Did the figs ever ripen on the fig tree in your front garden in Basseldene?

To me PC Mason was the epitome of the typical English bobby. His imposing physical presence was always to be seen around the Town Hall area. Whether sorting out a traffic problem or giving directions to vistors to the city, he did so in a friendly manner. He always seemed to be in control of the situation. I think people had that re-assurance of wellbeing seeing him around, much like the old village bobby of years gone bye.

Hi mobilenats, I remember all your family, including your grandma and grandad Lol. I remember Lol working for Sheffield Transport, and then later working in the 42" Mill Maintenance Dept. at Tinsley Park Works. I used to see Maureen and Curly regularly at one time, but haven't seen them for quite a while. There are a number of posts about your family on the other Manor Estate thread. Regards m.

Hi Uren, I think you were referring to Tinsley Park Works which was on Shepcote Lane. I vaguely remember the people mentioned in your first paragraph, but who could forget Garth. He worked for Davy United and was involved in the building and commissioning of the 42" and 32" Mills and all the ancillary equipment.After Davy's contract was finished, he was offered the job as a maintenance forman. He helped to sort out many snags which were found after commissioning. This meant spending many hours on site, such that this became his norm. Eventually he used to have to be ordered to go home. He was exactly as you described. He must have weighed about 5 to 6 stones, and half of that was the weight of the thick grease which was ingrained in his jacket, trousers and him. He had a gravelly voice which seemed strange coming from such a slight figure. He was a man that not only worked in the Rolling Mills, but for a long time appeared to live in them!

Hi keithwbb, I had forgotten about Mrs. Ryalls until I saw your post. She was my Sunday School teacher in my earlier years. The School was held every Sunday afternoon in St. Swithins Hall. I remember that we each had an attendence book, into which a stamp was stuck for each attendence. Each week had a different stamp depicting a notable event from the bible. Thanks for the memory. Regards m.

Hi tatty dumps, That photo must have been taken when the lads went on one of the City Road clubs' trips to Skegness; when they went to reccy for a suitable house for Brian Hallam to live in later in life. Regards m.

Hi spikbadd, I knew all your family, but knew your dad better than the rest of your family. I hadn't been aware of your uncles' deaths until I had read of them on this thread. Regards m.

Hi Puffin4, I had forgotten about Fred's brother until you reminded me of him. I can't remember Barry Parker. Was their farm at the bottom of the hill opposite Richmond Hall Road? "If only he had been to King Ted's". Are you inferring that you would have preferred to have gone to King Ted's rather than that fountain of all knowledge that was NEGS? The walk to Handsworth should have been a doddle for a fit young lad like you. What with PT lessons, the marathon walks to the school sports ground, and it being all downhill from Richmond to the bottom of Laverack Street or Richmond Road (Britton Hill), I would have thought you would have breezed up either of those roads to Handsworth Road! Knowing your career after NEGS, were you a member of the aircraft club that met about once a month to talk about, or have visiting speakers to talk about aviation, both military and civil? The membership fee per meeting being used to purchase each monthly issue of "Flight" magazine. Each member then brrowing the magazine in turn. Regards M.

Hi Puffin4, I was a mate of Terry, one of Rod's younger brothers, whilst at junior school. When I learnt that I was NEGS bound, I hadn't a clue where it was. It was Terry who arranged for me to go to school with Rod for a couple of days to get used to getting there and back. I don't think that Rod was too happy at having me tagging along with him for those two days. The family lived on Archdale Road. The last I heard of Rod, he was living in Victoria, B.C. I have not seen Fred since he left NEGS. We usually caught the same buses going to and from school. That's an interesting story about Whaley. I'm surprised the miscreant didn't find himself and the stool at the other side of the lab! I suppose Gus could have been accused of being "economical" with his actions when compared with his words. Denis, who had ginger hair, moved from the Sharrow area to the Richmond area around 1953/4. Regards M.

Hi Puffin4, Your reference to Ernest Whaley reminded me of one of his Physics lessons in the Physics lab. across the road from the main buildings. One of the lads sat on one of the stools behind him started talking, whilst Whaley was explaining something to another lad. Immediately Whaley spun round and said, " Be quiet!". At the same time he jabbed the lad in the ribs with his index finger and sent the lad and stool flying across the floor. He was a very powerful man, if you remember, with hands like dinner plates. I never had the pleasure of being taught by Gus Platts Was Lebby's surname Bell? I can't remember B. Swinden. The people that I remember from your neck of the woods were; F. Bridgeman, and D. Mercer who was in my year. The postscript was a "tongue in cheek" remark. I haven't been on that bus for about 40 years! Regards M.

Hi PopT, The Armour Plate Mill, now that's what you call a rolling mill! The whole of length of Brightside Lane in the canyon between the two sides of the works used to vibrate when the rolls bit on the plate and then drove it through the Mill using the steam engine's full 12,000 horse power. I was always facinated as the birch brushwood was thrown onto the slab as it entered the rolls. As the wood exploded it blasted the scale off the top of the slab. Information and photograph of the steam engine can be seen on Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust's web site (Kelham Island).

Hi PopT, The Armour Plate Mill, now that's what you call a rolling mill! The whole of length of Brightside Lane in the canyon between the two sides of the works used to vibrate when the rolls bit the plate and then drove it through the Mill using the steam engine's full 12,000 horse power. I was always facinated as the birch brushwood was thrown onto the slab as it entered the rolls. As the wood exploded it blasted the scale of the top of the slab. Information and photograph of the steam engine can be seen on Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust's web site (Kelham Island).

Hi Puffin4, "Flo" Nightingale was before my time at NEGS. The instruments of torture that I remember were; the head's cane. Andy Walker's slipper (also preferred by many of the other teachers. Was it because it happen to be about a size 10?). Biltcliffe's infamous wooden backed blackboard duster. You are correct in your assumption that Harry Smith was the head before George. Harry retired at Christmas 1952 whilst I was still in the 1st years. He appeared a very intimidating figure to me, with his tall thin stature clothed in his black gown, and his gaunt face with those bushy eyebrows. ps. Which 32 bus will you be catching in Pond Street?

Yet another memory of Len. Was in the 2nd. year and in Vince's P.T. class when I had a violent coming together with a radiator. There was blood everywhere due to a nasty cut above the eye. Was rushed across to the main building, and Len was called for. He expertly stemmed the blood flow, closed up the wound and bandaged it up. From that episode, I concluded that Len was also the school first-aider! A man of many talents. The monkey cage? Arrrrrrrrrr not the dreaded monkey cage please.

Denis Wharam, kneeling at the front on the right.

Hi Thorpy, I thought that the school gave an excellent education to those that wished to access it, whilst at the same time instilling; discipine, the work ethic and teamwork. Essential requirements for surviving successfully in the big wide world. No I did not go to the re-union this last Summer. I wasn't aware of it.